My Rowlett

My Rowlett - Sculpting Remembrance: The Story Behind the Rowlett 9/11 Memorial

In a powerful tribute to the heroes of 9/11 and a celebration of Rowlett's own first responders, we take you behind the scenes of a remarkable & profound public art installation. Tune into this touching episode as we unveil the story behind the new 9/11 memorial sculpture at Fire Station 2 in Rowlett.
Your host, Hannah Rabalais sits down with a couple of key stakeholders who made this memorial a reality. We have the privilege of interviewing the talented artist behind the sculpture, Jonathan Millet, who shares his personal connection to this honorable profession and what motivated him to create this work of art.
We're also joined by two members of the Arts and Humanities Commission, Deborah Crosby & Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Winget who provide insights into the selection process and the significance of public art in fostering appreciation for local culture and heritage.
And, to bring us closer to the heart of the matter, Chief Neil Howard of the Rowlett Fire Department offers his perspective on the enduring impact of 9/11 and the importance of honoring both the fallen heroes of New York City and the steadfast commitment of Rowlett's firefighters.
This episode takes you on a journey through the sculpture's symbolism, its profound connection to 9/11, and the local spirit of resilience it embodies. Learn about the intricate details, including the 343 cutout Maltese Crosses, each bearing the name of a firefighter lost on that fateful day, and the bronze cast firefighters representing unity and service.
As we prepare for the public ceremony on September 9, 2023, at 10:30 A.M., we invite you to explore the heartwarming and profound story of a small city with a big heart, coming together to remember, honor, and celebrate the brave souls who run towards danger when others run away.
Join us for this touching episode and discover how art can serve as a powerful reminder that "We Will Never Forget 9-11-01."
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online: 
www.rowlett.com/podcast  
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas 
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo 
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas 
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/ 

Mayor’s Spotlight - September 2023

September Episode - The Pivotal Role of Councilmembers
We are excited to share the latest episode of the Mayor's Spotlight Podcast, where we dive deep into the inner workings of our local government, explore key initiatives, and introduce you to the incredible individuals shaping Rowlett.
In this episode, we focus on a timely topic: "What is the role of a Councilmember in Rowlett?" With a Special Election on the horizon to fill the vacant seat of City Council, Place 1, the spotlight this month is on our dedicated Councilmembers.
Tune in as we gain firsthand insights from Mayor Pro Tem Deb Shinder and Councilmember Elise Bowers, who share their experiences and perspectives serving as councilmembers in the City of Rowlett.
Key Highlights:
- Gain an understanding of Rowlett's government structure, emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and efficient decision-making.
- Discover how our City Council, elected at-large, represents all residents within our city limits.
- Explore the most rewarding and challenging aspects of serving on the council and the vital functions of a councilmember's role.
If you're passionate about shaping our community's future and have considered serving on the City Council, the application period is open until September 6 at 5pm.
Application here: https://www.rowletttx.gov/forms.aspx?FID=248&fbclid=IwAR2F7gAdUysNOv1XenJl690pXjWICjKA4Pz-7ZdZrNNc1bgTg98qr6zM208
Your engagement is vital in shaping the Rowlett we all know and love. We look forward to your participation in the upcoming Special Election. Make sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Special Election dates:
- Early Voting: October 23 through November 3
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 7
Don't miss this chance to be a part of the decision-making process. Stay tuned for more information on how you can contribute to our wonderful community.
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email podcast@rowlett.com
https://www.rowletttx.gov/2054/My-Rowlett-Podcast 
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas  
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo   
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas    
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas  
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett 
 

Friday@5 - September 1, 2023

Happy Friday Rowlett, here are your top news and upcoming events for the week of September 1st: 
 
Friday Night Grooves kicks off tonight, featuring My Life: Live Scenes from the Piano Man. 
We’ve got a full lineup of amazing bands for you, more info here: https://tinyurl.com/2p8ac3r9 
 
This Monday, 9/4 is Labor Day and FCC will not be conducting trash/recycling/bulk collection services. Service will be postponed by one day for the rest of the week due to the holiday. 
 
City Facilities will also be closed for the holiday. But don’t worry Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services will remain in operation at all times. More info here: https://tinyurl.com/95yfebz6 
 
Here are some other events that are happening soon:
 
On Saturday, September 9th we have two events that you won’t want to miss..
 
First- The Arts and Humanities Commission is hosting an unveiling ceremony for the 9/11 memorial sculpture going in at Fire Station 2 at 10:30 am. More info here: https://tinyurl.com/37thx6eh 
 
Later that day, we have our Barks, Brews, and brats event! Head over to Scentral Bark Dog Park from 6-9pm to enjoy furry friends, drinks, live music, and more! More info: https://tinyurl.com/5et3zfxc 
 
On Wednesday, September 13th we have our Public Town Hall meeting on Facebook live and at the Rowlett Community Centre starting at 7 pm. More info here: https://tinyurl.com/bddhkpxy  
 
We also have two incredible podcast episodes launching next week, so don’t forget to subscribe to the My Rowlett Podcast on your favorite platform so you don’t miss out! 
 
Have a great long weekend, Rowlett! 
 
Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu 
 
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online: 
 
www.rowlett.com/podcast  
 
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas 
 
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo 
 
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas 
 
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/ 

Friday@5 - August 25, 2023

Happy Friday Rowlett, here’s your top news and events for the week of August 25th! 
 
We are happy to announce, that after 485 days in the shelter, our longest resident Stone has been adopted!! Enjoy Missouri Stone! 
 
Get your popcorn ready and Join us tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Rowlett Public Library for this week’s Movie Matinee featuring Puss in Boots: The Last Wish [PG]! More info: https://tinyurl.com/46dbrrar 
 
The Library is also proud to present a new eBook and audiobook service, free to you with your Library card. Learn more about cloudLibrary here: https://tinyurl.com/yuru78y5 
 
This week we announced the new date for the Town Hall Meeting. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 13th at 7pm. It’ll be hosted at the Rowlett Community Centre and on Facebook live. Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/bddhkpxy 
 
Ready to conquer the chessboard? Parks and rec just announced an all-new program: Beginner and Intermediate Chess class at the Rowlett Community Centre! Embark on an exciting journey into the captivating realm of chess, tailor-made for eager learners aged 6 to 18. Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/nhh2d5j5 
 
And finally, we want to give a quick shout-out to the First Rowlett United Methodist Church for swinging by and dropping off goodies for our police department! Thank you!!
 
Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu   
 
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online: 
 
www.rowlett.com/podcast 
 
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas 
 
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo 
 
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas 
 
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/ 
 

Friday@5 - August 18, 2023

Happy Friday Rowlett, Here’s your top news and events for the week of August 18th! 
 
This week, your city manager David hall presented the Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget to the Rowlett City Council at this weeks City Council Meeting.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 19th because the public hearing on the ad valorem tax rate will be held at the regular city council meeting. Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/y6e67m27 
 
This week we announced the Texas Smart Yard Winners! Congratulations to the Lewis Frias & Family and Ellen Schwab & Family. Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/yc52xtc8 
 
An exciting annoucnement--This week we also officially revealed the New Downtown Rowlett logo featuring the Icon historic water tower! Make sure you’re follow downtown rowlett to stay up to date on all that is happening in downtown! 
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downtownrowletttx 
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downtownrowlett/ 
 
Next Thursday, August 24 , Carter Blood Care will be at the community centre hosting a blood drive! Please consider donting to help maintain the critical blood supply throughout our metroplex. They will be set up from 8am-2pm. More info here: https://tinyurl.com/dxm7yvmf 
 
And finally Join us for the electrifying Friday Night Grooves on Main event, happening every Friday in September at the lively Rowlett Downtown Greenspace. We have an exciting lineup for y’all! Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/2p8ac3r9 
Follow Parks & Recreation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RowlettParksandRec 
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowlettparksandrec/ 
 
Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu   
 
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online: 
 
rowlett.com/podcast 
 
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas 
 
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo 
 
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas 
 
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/ 

Friday@5 - August 11, 2023

Here’s your top news and events for the week of August 11, Rowlett!
 
It’s Tax-free weekend! This is a great time to get your school supplies and stock up on clothing and shoes that are under $100! Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/2myh2z72 
 
Your mayor, Blake Margolis released his August Mayor’s Spotlight podcast! 
Tune in as Mayor Blake Margolis sits down with Jeff Cohen (Director of Engineering & Interim Director of Public Works) to discuss some highly anticipated and impactful road projects which will shape Rowlett's landscape for years to come. From timelines to project scopes and every update in between, this episode is your resource for the most up-to-date information. 
🎙️Listen to the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/z7ck5cdx 
📹 Watch the videocast: https://tinyurl.com/ybjhjh7e 
 
Mark your calendars for this Monday, August 14th because your mayor and city council are hosting a town hall at the Rowlett Community Centre and on Facebook live at 7 pm! This is your chance to ask any questions and find out about all of the exciting things happening in YOUR hometown! Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/3zz8urr9 
 
If you’re interested in serving on a board or commission, applications need to be submitted by Monday, August 14th! More info here: https://tinyurl.com/mwnyzhfp 
 
If are you interested in Genealogy, then the upcoming workshop at the Rowlett public library is for you! Learn what it takes to succeed at hunting down your ancestry, tomorrow August 12 at 11 am! Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/ynapp88p 
 
And finally, our Animal Shelter is at code red, if you or someone you know is interested in adopting or fostering, please reach out to our animal services team! 
See available Dogs here: https://tinyurl.com/4rjx7j45 
See available Cats here: https://tinyurl.com/4uzraskj 
I hope everyone had a great first week of school, and I’ll see you again next week Rowlett! 

Mayor’s Spotlight - Major Road Projects Update

Welcome to the August Mayor’s Spotlight Podcast episode! Every month your host, Mayor Blake Margolis is providing you with a deep dive into what’s going on in your hometown. And for the month of August, Mayor Margolis is interviewing your Director of Engineering & Interim Director of Public Works, Jeff Cohen! In this episode, they discuss and review active and upcoming major thoroughfare roadway projects going on in Rowlett.
We highly recommend listening to the full episode because it is packed with great information, but if you’re interested in hearing about a specific project, here is the list of what is discussed: 
01:40 - 03:45 Status of Miller Road between Railroad tracks and Dalrock Road
03:46 - 8:31 Status of Miller Road bridge design
08:32 - 12:17 Status of Chiesa Roadd between Dalrock Road and Miller Road
12:18 - 17:55 Status of the Lakeview Pkwy / Dalrock Road intersection project
17:56 - 20:56 Status of Right-turn lane projects
20:57 - 26:21 Status of the Merritt Road Interconnector
26:22 - 32:40 Status of the Interstate 30 expansion project
More info about the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqh4XwvU4FA 
Latest update from TX Dot: https://tinyurl.com/4rw9724m 
 
32:41 - 37:25 Discussion of future potential bond projects
 
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email podcast@rowlett.com
Important links:
https://www.rowletttx.gov/2054/My-Rowlett-Podcast 
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas  
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo   
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas    
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas  
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett 

Friday @ 5- August 4 2023

Tomorrow is the last day the Wet Zone will be open for the season, head on over between 12-6pm to get the last swim in before school starts! 
On Monday, August 7, the intersection of miller road and Chiesa will be closed for several weeks to complete earthwork preparation and concrete paving. Visit rowlett.com for more info on both phases of this project! 
We’ve released another episode of the My Rowlett Podcast! Tune in to learn more about how Rowlett recently became a GO TEXAN partner and the fun things that are happening in Downtown Rowlett! Listen on your favorite podcast platform today! 
We want to take a moment to thank everyone who made this year’s Summer Reading Program a great success. Overall, we had:
2,093 total participants (a 20.7% increase over last year)23,875 total hours read
Your favorite Liberians are scaling back children’s programming this month to plan some great programs for you this fall! Stay tuned to their social media! 
And finally, if you haven’t taken the Rowlett Parks and Rec master plan update survey yet, we want your input to update this community plan! Visit rowlett.com for more info!

My Rowlett - GO TEXAN

We’re so excited to announce that the City of Rowlett is officially a GO TEXAN Partner City! If you’ve never heard about this program by the Texas Department of Agriculture, then this episode is for you! 
 
At the beginning of this episode, we sit down and chat with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller about the GO TEXAN program and what this means for the City of Rowlett!  Afterward, we chat with our new Downtown Rowlett Manager, Melinda Bartram who spearheaded this partnership to discuss why she’s excited to be a GO TEXAN partner. Melinda also shares several updates about a variety of exciting projects that are happening in Downtown Rowlett. 
 
More information about GO TEXAN:
“For over twenty years, the Texas Department of Agriculture's GO TEXAN program has been dedicated to showcasing products and businesses made right here in the Lone Star State.
Whether we are developing new sales and business opportunities for GO TEXAN Partners or encouraging consumers to look for the iconic GO TEXAN mark when making buying decisions, we will always strive to find new and meaningful ways to promote products and services that are Texas made and Texas proud.”
Learn more here: http://www.gotexan.org/ or visit https://www.texasagriculture.gov/ 
 
Follow GO TEXAN!
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GOTEXAN 
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/gotexan/ 
 
More information about Downtown Rowlett:
“Downtown Rowlett is growing. Steeped in history, the area was once located on the historic Bankhead Highway - the first all-weather transcontinental highway. Through its planning efforts, the City of Rowlett set out to maintain an organic feel to downtown, embracing its history while creating an urban environment. Rowlett was also one of the original Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) member cities and opened its first station in in 2012 on the Blue Line (Downtown Rowlett station), providing an optimal location for urban transit-oriented developments. The City created a Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone and Downtown Municipal Management District to help spur additional development by providing needed infrastructure improvements.”
Learn more here: https://villageofrowlettdowntown.com/ 
 
Follow Downtown Rowlett! 
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/downtownrowletttx 
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/downtownrowlett/ 
 
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online: 
 
rowlett.com/podcast 
 
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas 
 
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo 
 
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas 
 
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/ 

Friday@5 - July 21, 2023

Here are the top news and highlights for the week of July 21st: 
 
At Tuesday night's City Council Meeting, 100-year-old WWII Combat Bomber Pilot Carl S. Chilton, Jr. was honored and recognized as our 28th Rowlett Vet! More info here: https://tinyurl.com/3x3bs9f7 
 
This week at Summer reading is Space Camp theme!  Join us tomorrow at 11 am at the Rowlett Public Library for A Day in Space! More info here: https://tinyurl.com/3j99bndv 
 
Our Parks & RecDeprtment Master Plan Update is underway and we need your input to update this community plan with your vision in mind! Tell us what you think by taking the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/fenzmmx2 
 
The Annual Pooch Plunge hosted by the Friends of the Rowlett Animals is Sunday, August 6 @ The Wet Zone! Get your tickets now before they sell out here: https://tinyurl.com/mr4cbcwh 
 
Mark your calendars for August 14th because we’re hosting a town hall meeting at the Rowlett community centre! This meeting will be hosted in person and on Facebook live. Get your questions ready! 
 
If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online: 
 
www.rowlett.com/podcast  
 
https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas 
 
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo 
 
https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas 
 
https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/