Week in Review, Oct. 10, 2025

Oct. 10, 2025

This is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on municipal events. If you would like to sign up to receive this in a weekly e-mail click here.

Throughout the year, the City Council or City Plan Commission will hold meetings on topics of significant interest to local neighborhoods or the community in general. Links to view all City Council or City Plan Commission meeting documents that may have topics of interest to you can be found here:

City Council | City Plan Commission

National Night Out Brings Neighbors, Public Safety Staff Together
Richardson held its National Night Out event Tuesday night, with hundreds of Richardson residents gathering at 135 registered parties across the city, at parks and in neighborhoods. Police officers stopped by each event, and some gatherings saw appearances from Richardson Fire personnel, costumed characters, Richardson City Council members, Miss Texas Teen Emma Fossum and Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer.

The evening kicked off with a $10,000 check presentation to the Richardson Police Department from security company ADT and its Safe Spaces program. In addition, The Police Department collected more than 7,300 pounds of food through its Can-Do Food Drive held during the event.

This is the 36th year for Richardson to participate in National Night Out, a program created by the National Association of Town Watch that is designed to promote police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and help in crime prevention and enhancing quality of life.

National Night Out: Watch Video

Council Evaluates Board and Commission Processes
In alignment with its 2025-27 Goals, the City Council was briefed on various processes for Richardson's Boards and Commissions at Monday's City Council meeting and provided feedback to City staff regarding possible changes. Topics covered included application and appointment timelines; how board/commission duties are published; applicant interview and evaluation process, and options for recording and broadcasting board/commission meetings.

Council members directed staff to begin audio recording of Board and Commission meetings beginning Jan. 1 and to explore video recording once the new City Hall is constructed.

Monday's presentation: Video

Council Briefed on RISD Bond Election
At Monday's City Council meeting, Richardson ISD (RISD) representatives presented an overview of the upcoming $1.4 billion RISD bond election taking place Nov. 4.

The bond package includes three propositions:

• involves construction at six junior high campuses, a new Career and Technical Education Center and renovation of the Environmental Studies Center;
• focuses on funding for technology device updates; and
• funds ADA upgrades, lighting and turf replacements at the district's two largest stadiums.

If approved, the bond would increase the average RISD homeowner's annual tax bill by approximately $10 per month, though homeowners over 65 would be exempt.

The RISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the three bond propositions in August based on recommendations from a Community Bond Steering Committee comprised of parents, staff, community members and business leaders.

Monday's presentation: Video RISD Bond Election Website: https://www.risd.org/bond2025

Record Amount of Peanut Butter Collected in Annual Drive
The numbers are in: peanut butter collected at Richardson locations for the North Texas Food Bank's (NTFB) Peanut Butter Drive held last month totaled 3,602 pounds, more than any amount collected since Richardson began participating in 2019.

The peanut butter (and other nut butters) collected at the Richardson drop-off locations were delivered last week to Richardson's Network of Community Ministries, one of the Food Bank's partner agencies; peanut butter was also donated to the drive via online purchase. In addition to stocking the shelves at Network's main headquarters, the peanut butter will also be a part of Network's mobile market, which serves local schools.

Richardson is one of several cities that participate in the annual drive, which helps feed local families in need and raises awareness of food insecurity issues in North Texas.

Video: Watch Video https://www.thenetwork.org https://www.ntfb.org

Public Art Installed at Animal Shelter
Richardson's newest piece of public art was installed earlier this week outside the Richardson Animal Shelter. Entitled, "The Town Musicians of Richardson," the colorful, 10-foot-tall cement sculpture covered in mosaic tiles is the creation of artist Gigi Griffin Miller and depicts several types of pets. It is an homage to the Grimms' fairy tale, "The Town Musicians of Bremen," and reminds viewers that there are more than cats and dogs housed at the Richardson Animal Shelter. The piece has a personal connection to many community members, as the public, shelter staff and volunteers were invited last fall to create tiles for the base of the sculpture honoring their pets and/or animals they adopted.

Integrating public art into new municipal construction is a central goal of Richardson's Public Art Master Plan; the Richardson Animal Shelter has been undergoing major renovations funded in part by the 2021 Bond Program, with construction expected to wrap up in the next few weeks.

Video: Watch Video

Cottonwood Art Festival Chalk Art Winners Announced
Large crowds enjoyed last weekend's Cottonwood Art Festival thanks to sunny weather. People (and pets) strolled the grounds enjoying live music, festival food and the colorful work of close to 200 talented artists. This fall marked the third annual Chalk the Walk contest, with cash prizes given to local artists ages 12 and up. Winners are as follows:

• Best of Show- Adult (19+ years) ($500)
  Jessica Thomason
• Best of Show- Youth (age 12-18) ($250)
  Zeke Wooten
• Best of Show- Team/Family ($400)
  Lacy Smith, Peyton Smith, Sage Rockow, Elle Pace
• People's Choice Award ($150)
  Lacy Smith, Peyton Smith, Sage Rockow, Elle Pace

The Spring 2026 Cottonwood Art Festival is scheduled to take place May 2-3, 2026.

Website: https://www.cottonwoodartfestival.com

Richardson Bike Rodeo Tomorrow
The City is hosting its biannual Bike Rodeo Saturday, October 11, from 10-11:30 a.m. at Huffhines Park. This free, fun and educational event gives kids the opportunity to learn essential bicycle safety skills in an exciting hands-on environment and gain "confidence on two wheels." In addition to a bicycle safety course, the event offers free minor bicycle repairs, a helmet fit check, and bike skills games.

Details:

• Saturday, Oct. 11, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Huffhines Park, 300 N. Plano Rd.
• Admission: Free (registration requested; click here to register)
• Bike and helmet are required to participate in activities
• Children are required to bring a parent

Schedule of events/more information: Click here

Lane Closures at Renner Road/Custer Parkway Intersection Extended through Oct. 20
Work at the Renner Road/Custer Parkway intersection has been extended through Monday, Oct. 20 due to crews encountering an unanticipated concrete encasement around the water line, which requires additional time to remove safely before replacing the line. Because multiple utilities run through this location, crews are carefully removing the encasement to avoid utility damage. To be more efficient and reduce future disruptions, the City plans to keep the current lane closures in place to (1) finish the water line replacement and then (2) move directly into pavement replacement instead of returning at a later date. Travel delays are likely; please allow extra time and consider alternate routes during work periods (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)

More information: https://www.cor.net/CusterParkway

Lane Closure on Melrose Drive Moves East
The eastbound lane of Melrose Drive will be closed between Lorrie Drive and Richardson Drive beginning Monday, Oct. 13 as street repair work moves east on Melrose. The overall concrete replacement between Custer Road and US-75 on Melrose is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.

The eastbound lane of Melrose Drive between Custer Road and Lorrie Drive, that is currently experiencing repair work and closure, is expected to re-open Monday as that work wraps up.

https://www.cor.net/projects

Outdoor Night Market Tonight
CityLine Plaza, 1160 State St.
Admission: Free, including free parking
Friday, Oct. 10
6-10 p.m.

Enjoy more than 40 booths at this Boho night market featuring handmade and vintage goods from local makers and vendors, plus live music from Joshua Stone. Pet-friendly and picnic-friendly.

Website: https://www.citylinedfw.com

Huffhines Harvest Fest is Next Weekend; Register by Next Thursday to participate in the Costume Contest
Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Rd.
Admission: Free
Oct. 18-19
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Mark your calendars to attend the City's annual free, two-day fall festival that features a pumpkin patch, marketplace vendors, live music, festival food, craft beverages, a costume contest, vignettes of fall-themed decor, and many children's activities. On Saturday, the festival features Pawtoberfest, a dog-centric section of the festival, which includes a full day of activities (see below story for more information) and vendors specifically for pets. On Sunday, Huffhines Harvest Fest will host The Children's Entrepreneur Market, featuring 50 local children selling items from their own booths.

Sign up to participate in the Huffhines Harvest Fest costume contest, featuring cash prizes and hosted by J-Si from The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, taking place Sunday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. on the Front Porch (main) Stage. Participants must pre-register to participate.

Website: huffhinesharvestfest.com

Pawtoberfest is Next Weekend; Register by Next Friday for Presale "Pawkages," Discounted Events
Online purchase deadlines are next Friday, Oct. 17 for three special features of Richardson's 2025 Pawtoberfest, which takes place Saturday, Oct. 18 at Huffhines Park (part of Huffhines Harvest Fest).

Details:

• Pet Costume Contest
  Cost: $5 per pet registered online (Click here for registration)
  Saturday, Oct. 18 at 11:30 a.m.
  Online discounted price deadline: Friday, Oct. 17, 5 p.m.
  
  Price increases to $10 per pet for walk-up registration at festival, must be registered 30 minutes before contest begins. Walk-up entrants are limited. Award ribbon and prizes given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place across two categories.
  
  
• Rescue Puppy Yoga
  Cost: $20 (registration link)
  Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m.
  Online discounted price deadline: Friday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m.
  
  A 45-minute full body stretch while surrounded by puppies! All the puppies are adoptable rescues from Dallas RRR (Rescue, Rehab, Reform). Price increases to $25 day of event.
  
  
• Special presale "Pawkages"
  Cost: $30 (Purchase Pawkages Here)
  Online order deadline: Friday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. or until supply runs out
  Each Pawkage includes an official 2025 Pawtoberfest bandana, Pawtoberfest sticker, two tokens redeemable for beer or wine, Pawtoberfest branded tote, and 20 percent off any additional merchandise item.
  
  Note: You must be 21 years old to purchase a Pawkage.
  All Pawkages will be handed out at the Pawtoberfest info tent on-site. Pawkages can be purchased on site while supplies last.

Admission to Huffhines Harvest Fest/Pawtoberfest is free.
Website/complete schedule of events: Pawtoberfest - Huffhines Harvest Fest

"Saturday Morning Kids" Tomorrow
City Hall Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Oct. 11
10:30-11 a.m.

Join staff from the Richardson Public Library for a family storytime program geared towards children ages 3-6 years. All children must be accompanied by at least one adult. No Richardson residency or registration requirement to attend.

"Tomás and the Library Lady" Activities Tomorrow Afternoon
City Hall Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Oct. 11
2-3:30 p.m.

Share the joy of libraries and reading when Pat Mora's Tomás and the Library Lady comes to life! Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and join Richardson Public Library staff for games and activities related to the book and the musical adaptation that's coming to the Eisemann Center this October. For ages 5 and up.

https://www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

• Priyadarsini Govind's Yavanik
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $26-$41 (Ticket link)
  Saturday, Oct. 11
  6 p.m.
  
  Yavanikā is a full-length dance production in the Bharatanatyam idiom which takes the audience on "the elusive journey of self towards the Supreme." Starring Priyadarsini Govind, one of the foremost Bharatanatyam dancers among the current generation, it features pan-Indian poetry in multiple languages including Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Tamil and echoes the voices of seers and poets from the 14th through 21st centuries.

At UT Dallas:

• Kelly Durbin and Friends Tonight
  Jonsson Performance Hall
  Admissiion: Free
  Friday, Oct. 10
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Jazz pianist and UT Dallas faculty member Kelly Durbin presents an evening of jazz. Durbin has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Small Band, and the N'Awlins Gumbo Kings, and is the recipient of the Sammons Jazz Artist of the Year award. Event link/parking info: click here
  
  
• National Cricket League Tournament Continues through Monday UT Dallas Cricket Stadium, 989 Loop Rd. SW Tickets: $15-$75 (Ticket link: click here) Through Monday, Oct. 13 Matches at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday Gates open at 5 p.m. The National Cricket League returns to UT Dallas with cricket tournament action in the all-new Sixty Strikes format. From Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara to rising U.S. talent, legends and future greats share the same field. Website: https://www.nclcricket.com

Community Theater

"The Wedding Singer" Opens Tonight at RCT
Repertory Company Theatre, 770 Coit Rd. #2405
Tickets: $20-$37 (Ticket link)
Oct. 10-26
Fridays/Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.

Time to party like it's 1985! The Wedding Singer takes you back to the era of big hair, big laughs, and big hits. This over-the-top '80s musical comedy-based on the smash Adam Sandler movie-serves up outrageous fun, a rockin' score, and plenty of neon nostalgia. Note: online sales stop 24 hours before performance; in-person sales may be made at box office one hour before show.

More information: https://www.rcttheatre.com, 972-690-5029

"Let's Murder Marsha" Opens Tonight at RTC
Richardson Theatre Centre, 518 W. Arapaho Rd., Ste. 113
Tickets: $22-$24 (ticket link)
Oct. 10-Nov. 2
7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays

A happy housewife named Marsha, hopelessly addicted to reading murder mysteries, overhears her loving husband discussing her upcoming birthday surprise. To her ears, though, it sounds like they are planning to murder her! With the assistance of her next-door neighbor, she tries to turn the tables on them. Just when you would think all this would be cleared up, Marsha's intended victims discover what she has supposed, and decide to teach her a lesson by actually pretending to be murderers. A good show for family audiences who like their comedy broad, fast, and nonstop!

Two Urban Naturalist Walks This Weekend
Join the Richardson Urban Naturalist program for two walks in Breckinridge Park this weekend and learn all about the natural environment we have right here in Richardson:

• Fall Birds of Richardson
  West side of Breckinridge Park, starts from parking lot near 3501 Moroney Dr.
  Cost: $5; children under 18 may attend for free with registered parent/guardian
  Registration link
  Saturday, Oct. 11
  8:30-9:30 a.m.
  
  This walk is designed for birders of all experience levels-whether you're just getting started or have years of birding under your belt, you'll enjoy exploring the natural environment and discovering the beautiful birds that call Richardson home. Led by a bilingual Texas Master Naturalist and experienced birder.
  
  
• Little Naturalist Walk
  West side of Breckinridge Park, starts from parking lot near 3501 Moroney Dr.
  Cost: $5 (registration link)
  Sunday, Oct. 12
  9-10 a.m.
  
  An adventurous nature walk designed especially for children ages 5-8, led by a Texas Master Naturalist.

Clean Water Starts at Home: Stormwater Pollution Workshop Next Friday Morning
City of Richardson Public Services Center, 1260 Columbia Dr.
Cost: Free (registration link)
Friday, Oct. 17
10-11 a.m.

An informative workshop on stormwater pollution designed for homeowners and neighborhood associations that focuses on common sources of stormwater contamination, including grass clippings and leaf litter, improper disposal of household hazardous waste, oil and fluids from vehicles, pet waste, and swimming pool discharge (including saltwater pools). Learn practical ways to reduce runoff, protect local waterways, and keep our community's water clean. Residents will also receive tips, resources, and opportunities to get involved in protecting Richardson's environment.

Led by the North Texas Municipal Water District Watershed Manager Lauren Plunk.

For other environmental related information, visit https://www.cor.net/EPI.

Animal Services Officer ($46,204 - $65,549 Salary)
The Animal Services department is looking for an individual who loves animals, and under general supervision routinely patrol city streets, clean, and maintain Animal Shelter daily. Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.

Facilities Maintenance Specialist (49,502.96 to 73,499.92 Salary)
The Facilities Maintenance Department is looking for an individual who can perform skilled maintenance, repairs, and installations on building facilities. Perform preventive maintenance on HVAC, electrical, electronic, plumbing, pumping, and motor control systems. Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.

Fleet Porter ($21.07/hr to $29.58/hr)
The Fleet Department is currently looking for an individual who can perform general automotive maintenance and assists Fleet Technicians with general repairs and welding on City vehicles/equipment.

For additional open positions, visit https://www.cor.net/MakeaDifference.

Pet of the Week
Meet Leo, a bundle of energy and joy waiting for his forever home. This young adult mixed dog thrives on play and would be the perfect companion for an active family. Whether it's running in the park or playing fetch, Leo's zest for life is contagious. His playful nature makes him an ideal pet for those who love adventure and spending time outdoors. If you're looking for a loyal friend to add excitement and fun to your life, Leo is the one. Adopt Leo and let the adventures begin!

For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter's web page here.

City Council Links

Council Members
Meeting Agendas and Documents
Videos

To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit https://www.cor.net/WIR.