Rowlett Roundup-Issue No. 10

Discover Rowlett: Hidden Gems in Our Community

Rowlett is full of hidden gems that contribute to the charm and vibrancy of our city. Here are some places and activities you might not know about but are worth exploring:

1. Pecan Grove Park
   This scenic park offers trails, picnic areas, and space for the whole family to enjoy. It’s a perfect spot for a weekend stroll or a quiet escape in nature.

2. Rowlett Community Garden
   Did you know Rowlett has a thriving community garden? It's a wonderful place to learn about gardening, grow your own produce, and connect with fellow green thumbs.

3. Wet Zone Waterpark
   While most popular in the summer, the Wet Zone hosts occasional off-season events and is a favorite for families when the weather heats up.

4. Historic Main Street
   Take a walk down memory lane and explore the shops, restaurants, and small-town charm of Rowlett’s historic district.

5. Rowlett Creek Nature Preserve
   A hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts, this preserve offers biking and hiking trails perfect for exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Make some time to explore these treasures and see what makes Rowlett such a special place to call home!

😎 WHAT’S HAPPENING

Family-Friendly Events

School Supplies Drive: Support Rowlett Students! 📚

The Rowlett Youth Advisory Council, in partnership with the Northeast Dallas County Kiwanis Club, invites you to make a difference in the lives of local students. Help us collect essential school supplies for Pearson Elementary, Steadham Elementary, and Stephens Elementary!

📅 Drop-Off Dates:
January 20 – February 7, 2025

📍 Drop-Off Locations:

• Rowlett Community Centre: 5300 Main St.

• GMAC Family Financial: 4702 Rowlett Rd.

• 100% Chiropractic: 4802 Lakeview Pkwy, Suite 202

• Rowlett Public Library: 3900 Main St., Suite 200

🎒 Items Needed: Backpacks, CrayonsKleenexGluePencilsExpo MarkersScissorsPaperComposition NotebooksWinter HatsGloves

Your generosity ensures that students in need have the tools to succeed. Drop off your donations today and make an impact in our community!

For more information, contact any of the drop-off locations listed above. Let’s come together to support Rowlett’s young learners!

Lunar New Year Celebration 🎉

Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Rowlett Community Centre, 5300 Main Street, Rowlett, TX

Ring in the Lunar New Year with Rowlett's first-ever Lunar New Year Celebration, an event that kicks off the exciting new “Cultural Roulette in Rowlett” series! Celebrate tradition with a vibrant lion/dragon dance, authentic cuisine, and interactive games and crafts for all ages.

This family-friendly event offers a spectacular introduction to Lunar New Year traditions and marks the start of a series designed to bring global cultures to Rowlett. Each event in the series will feature immersive entertainment, delicious food and drinks, and unique attractions, while fostering partnerships with local organizations and businesses to celebrate cultural diversity in our community.

Don’t miss this chance to explore, learn, and have fun as we welcome the Year of the Dragon together!

For more information, visit City of Rowlett Lunar New Year.

Storytime: Soup-er Charged (Soup)

📅 Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Bring your toddlers and preschoolers (ages 0 to 4) to Storytime for fun, engaging activities! Enjoy themed stories, action rhymes, and book recommendations in a cozy, 30-minute session. Due to limited space, tickets are required and can be collected at the reference desk on the day of the program.

🌟 Upcoming Themes:

• 8 & 9: Quack! (Ducks)

• 15 & 16: Snug as a Bug (Comfy & Cozy)

• 22 & 23: Grape Expectations (Fruit)

• 29 & 30: Soup-er Charged (Soup)

FIRST® LEGO® League: SUBMERGED Challenge

📅 Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Dive into the SUBMERGED challenge! Kids ages 9 to 13 will explore research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering as they build and program a LEGO® Education SPIKE Prime robot to navigate missions in a robot game.

💡 Stay Updated: Ask about the FIRST® LEGO® League newsletter to stay in the loop on future challenges and events!

English Language Social Hour

📅 Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Join the English Language Social Hour to practice English speaking skills in a safe, friendly environment. Improve your vocabulary, share stories, and make new friends. This event is open to non-native speakers of all ages—everyone is welcome!

City Council Work Session

📅 Date: Monday, February 3, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: City Hall, 4000 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088

Attend the City Council Work Session to learn about and discuss upcoming topics on the City Council’s agenda. Work sessions are held at 6:00 PM on the Monday preceding the first and third Tuesday regular City Council meetings (unless it falls on a holiday). Stay engaged and informed about your city’s decisions!

City Council Work Session

📅 Date: Monday, February 3, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: City Hall, 4000 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088

Join the City Council Work Session to stay informed about upcoming city matters and discussions. These sessions provide a behind-the-scenes look at topics that will be addressed during the regular City Council meetings. Held on the Monday preceding the first and third Tuesday meetings (excluding holidays). Stay engaged with your community!

Golf Advisory Board Meeting

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Waterview Golf Club House, 9509 Waterview Pkwy., Rowlett, TX 75088

Swing into the Golf Advisory Board Meeting to discuss the latest updates and initiatives related to golf in Rowlett. This meeting is a great opportunity for golf enthusiasts and community members to stay informed and contribute to the conversation.

City Council Meeting

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 Location: City Hall, 4000 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088

Attend the City Council Meeting to hear discussions and decisions on important city matters. The Regular Session will take place in the Council Chambers, beginning at 7:00 PM. Stay connected with your local government and make your voice heard!

JobStart: Career & Skills Assessment

📅 Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Take the first step toward your dream career with JobStart: Career & Skills Assessment. This session will help uncover your interests, skills, and values through targeted assessments, guiding you toward fulfilling career paths that align with your unique strengths and goals. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape your future!

Tinker Tuesday: Mocktails & Paint

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Join us for Tinker Tuesday and unleash your creativity! This week, we’ll be painting—without the twist! Enjoy mocktails instead of cocktails while you and a buddy create your masterpiece. All materials will be provided, and participants aged 14 and up are welcome. Don’t miss this fun and relaxing evening of art and connection!

Storytime: Paper! Snow! A Ghost

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Bring your toddlers and preschoolers (ages 0 to 4) to Storytime for a fun and engaging 30-minute session! This week’s theme, Paper! Snow! A Ghost, promises exciting stories, action rhymes, and interactive learning. Due to limited space, tickets are required and can be picked up at the reference desk on the day of the program.

🌟 Upcoming Themes:

• 5 & 6: Paper! Snow! A Ghost

• 12 & 13: I Know You Are, But What Am I?

• 19 & 20: Now You See Me, Now You Don’t

• 26 & 27: Enchanted

Storytime: Paper! Snow! A Ghost

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Bring your toddlers and preschoolers (ages 0 to 4) to Storytime for an engaging 30-minute session! This week’s theme, Paper! Snow! A Ghost, offers interactive stories, action rhymes, and fun learning experiences. Due to limited space, tickets are required and can be collected at the reference desk on the day of the program.

🌟 Upcoming Themes:

• 5 & 6: Paper! Snow! A Ghost

• 12 & 13: I Know You Are, But What Am I?

• 19 & 20: Now You See Me, Now You Don’t

• 26 & 27: Enchanted

Senior Book Club: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Join the Senior Book Club for a thought-provoking discussion of Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Set in the spring of 2020, the novel follows Lara and her three daughters as they navigate family dynamics, past romances, and self-discovery at their Northern Michigan orchard. Through Lara’s storytelling, the daughters reexamine their own lives and their relationship with their mother in a tale of love, memory, and reflection. Don’t miss this lively discussion!

Elementals: Chopstick Challenges

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
📞 Contact: (972) 412-6161
📧 Email: [email protected]
💵 Cost: Free
🔗 Learn More: Rowlett.com/library
♿ ADA Accessible: Yes

Bring your kids ages 5 to 8 to Elementals, where innovation and creativity shine through STEAM-related activities! This week’s theme, Chopstick Challenges, will engage young minds in exciting hands-on fun.

🌟 Upcoming Themes:

• 5th: Chopstick Challenges

• 12th: Galaxy Explorers

• 19th: Whale Tales

• 26th: Gotta Catch 'Em All

Book Club

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Rowlett Public Library, 3900 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088
🔗 Learn More: Monthly Senior Calendar

Join the Rowlett Library Book Club for engaging discussions about captivating books! Held on the first Wednesday of each month, this club meets at 1:00 PM in Classroom A at the RCC.

🌟 Upcoming Selections:

• February 5th: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

• March 5th: Things That Matter by Charles Krauthammer

• April 2nd: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

• May 7th: Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

Explore great reads and connect with fellow book lovers!

SPORTS

🏆 Sports Schedule

📅 For a full list of GISD sports events happening from January 30 to February 6, check out the schedule here: GISD Athletics Calendar 

🏆⚽🏀 📢 Don't miss these exciting games and support your Rowlett athletes!

Community Fitness 

Volleyball Spring 2025 Registration Is Open!

Looking to dive into some fun and competition this spring? The Youth Volleyball Spring 2025 Season is just around the corner, and registration is now open! Whether you’re signing up individually or as a team, this is your chance to hit the court and have a blast.

Registration Details:

• Dates: Open now through February 16, 2025

• Fees:

  • Individual Registration: $85

  • Team Registration: $650

• Late Fees: Begin on February 2, so don’t wait too long to secure your spot!

Gather your friends, brush up on your skills, and join the excitement. Let’s make this volleyball season unforgettable!

For more information or to register, visit the Rowlett Parks and Recreation Department website or contact their office. 🏐

Spread the Word about Rowlett Roundup! 📝

Love staying updated with our newsletter? Help us reach more neighbors by sharing Rowlett Roundup with your friends, family, and community networks! The more people we connect, the stronger our community grows.

📩 Email: [email protected]
📲 Facebook: Rowlett Roundup Facebook Page

Let’s keep Rowlett informed—together!