Nov. 21, 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

Trash/Recycling Changes Next Week due to Thanksgiving Holiday
For the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 27-28, City solid waste services will operate according to the following holiday schedule:

There will be NO trash, recycling or Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) service provided Thursday or Friday, Nov. 27-28. There will be NO make-up days for trash collection or BABIC. Regularly scheduled trash and BABIC service will resume on Monday, Dec. 1.

The table below shows the make-up days for recycling service.

Visit: www.cor.net/HolidaySchedule

Gobble Hobble Tomorrow Morning; Minor Street Impacts Near Galatyn Plaza 
The 20th Annual Gobble Hobble is set for tomorrow morning, featuring a 5K and a 1-mile Fun Run. Both events will start and finish at Galatyn Park Urban Center, winding through Galatyn Woodland Preserve and Spring Creek Nature Area. The action kicks off at 8 a.m., with proceeds benefiting the Richardson Boys & Girls Club.   

Streets in the event area will not be blocked off/barricaded and motorists are advised to use caution when on streets with racecourse crossings (particularly Lookout Drive between Plaza Boulevard and North Central Expressway Service Road, and Glenville Drive between Lookout Drive and Routh Creek Parkway) between 5-11 a.m. Saturday.  

Website: www.gobblehobble.com    

“Explore The CORE” Contest Begins Monday for Small Business Saturday 
The community is encouraged to support local businesses this holiday season with the “Explore The CORE” contest, celebrating Small Business Saturday in The CORE District.  

From Monday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 30, shoppers can visit participating small businesses across The CORE’s five neighborhoods to collect stickers for their gameboard. Participating businesses have donated more than $1,000 in prizes, and all participants who complete a “blackout” of all spaces and submit their entry by Nov. 30 will be entered into a drawing to win one of the prizes.  

Gameboards are available at participating businesses, the Richardson Public Library, Heights Recreation Center, Huffhines Recreation Center, and the Richardson Senior Center, or can be downloaded at www.RichardsonCOREDistrict.com/ExploreTheCORE.

If a business is closed, participants can take a selfie at the location as a substitute for a sticker, for up to three locations. Business hours and additional details are available on The CORE District website.  

Download Gameboard: www.RichardsonCOREDistrict.com/ExploreTheCORE 

Annual Toy and Food Collection Starts Monday at City Facilities 
Collection bins are being set up this week at numerous City facilities in preparation for the Fire Department’s annual Toy and Food Drive, which begins Monday, Nov. 24 and benefits the clients served by Network of Community Ministries. Bins will be located at 10 facilities, listed below.    

New toys and teen gifts and unexpired canned/boxed food items are welcome (please, no wheeled toys such as bicycles, scooters, wagons, skates, or tricycles). Toys/gifts for babies and pre-teens are especially needed.   

Details:  
Nov. 24-Dec.15 
Bins located at:  

Drop off your items during regular business hours of the facility where the collection bin is located. 

DART Invests in Security and Cleaning Upgrades, Launches New Ticket Machines 
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors approved two key contracts this week that will improve security and cleanliness across the system, representing a $24.6M investment in improved rider experiences. Security improvements include replacing thousands of security cameras (covering trains, buses, platforms, bus stops and facilities) and unifying the system’s hardware and software, increasing efficiency and collaboration between DART police and operations. The cleaning contract extension doubles the cleaning frequency for bus shelters and standardizes bus shelter inspections.  

In addition, on Tuesday DART launched new touchscreen Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) that will replace older ticket machines systemwide, streamlining fare purchases, card reloads, and account monitoring.   

Fieldwork on the security upgrades will begin in early 2026. Work on installing the new TVMs is taking place through mid-2026.   

Press Release: Dallas Area Rapid Transit Approves Security and Cleaning Contracts 

Press Release: DART Launches New Ticket Vending Machines for Easier Fares 

Christmas Parade Applications Close Monday; VIP Tickets Still Available 
There are three days left to register for Richardson’s annual Christmas Parade, to be held Saturday, Dec. 6 with the theme of “Holidays Around the World.” Participants are encouraged to bring the theme to life with creative costumes, vehicles, pets and floats.  

This year’s parade will take place along South Plano Road, between Belt Line Road and Apollo Road. The entry fee is $25 for individuals and organizations and $100 for businesses, plus a new, unwrapped toy (groups are encouraged to donate multiple toys). All fees and donations will benefit Network of Community Ministries.   

Parade rules and a registration form can be found online. Deadline for registration is 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24. Also online is information on parade volunteering and how to become a Friend of the Parade VIP; VIPs receive reserved parking and seating plus complimentary hot cocoa and other refreshments (sales for VIP tickets close Dec. 3).   

Website: www.cor.net/ChristmasParade  

Band Applications Open for 2026 Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival 
Wildflower! staff are now accepting unsolicited applications from local and regional bands interested in performing at the 2026 Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival. All acts are selected by a programming committee and are chosen based on programming needs, appropriateness to the event, talent level, event budget and meeting of criteria eligibility.  

Interested bands can fill out an application here through Jan. 1, 2026. 

“Last Call for Artists” for Spring Cottonwood Art Festival 
Artists have until Monday, Dec. 1 to apply for the Spring 2026 Cottonwood Art Festival, scheduled for May 2-3, 2026. Almost 200 artists are selected from the following categories: Ceramics, Digital Art, Drawing/Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Painting: Oil/Acrylic, Painting: Watercolor, Photography, Printmaking/Graphics, Sculpture and Wood. The event has been ranked as one of the best fine art festivals in the nation and continues to uphold its extraordinary reputation as a first-rate show rich in history.  

More information/application: click here 

No City Council Meeting Monday 
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no City Council work session or meeting Monday, Nov. 24. The City Council will next meet Monday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.     

Future agendas and meeting dates: www.cor.net/CityCouncil  

Utility Work Takes Place Near Jupiter/Renner Intersection; Lane Closures Expected
The left lanes of southbound and northbound Jupiter Road between Infocom Drive and Bluebonnet Drive, and the inside left turn lanes of northbound and southbound Jupiter Road at Renner Road, may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as underground boring takes place to repair wiring and fix streetlight outages. The work is expected to be finished by late February.   

www.cor.net/projects

City Offers Several Thanksgiving Break Camps for Kids Next Week
The City’s Parks & Recreation Department is offering several Thanksgiving Break camps next week at Heights and Huffhines recreation centers, including mini camps and a full day camp. Camps with spots still available (as of Nov. 21) include:  

Several Winter Break Camps are planned as well; keep up with all City camps and other recreation activities in the Winter Recreation Guide available in this month’s Richardson Today and online here.  

Registration website: www.cor.net/parksonline

“Intro to 3D Printing” Hands-On Class Tomorrow
Millwood Creek Room
Cost: Free (For adults with valid RPL card only; registration required. Call 972-744-4355 to register.)
Saturday, Nov. 22
10:30 a.m.-noon  

An introduction to 3D printing using Tinkercad, a free online design app.  

Participants will learn to:  

Set up a Tinkercad account prior to class and bring your login information. Laptops will be provided. 

Nite! Nite! Bedtime Stories Monday Night
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free
Monday, Nov. 24
7-7:30 p.m.  

Children ages 3-7 are invited to wind down with songs, books, flannels and other bedtime activities. Wear your comfy pajamas and bring a stuffed animal along. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

• “Mohsen Namjoo Live” Sunday 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $58-$78 (tickets)
  Sunday, Nov. 23
  7:30 p.m.  

  Singer, songwriter, music scholar and Setar (traditional Persian lute) player Mohsen Namjoo seamlessly blends Classical Persian music and scales and Persion Avaz (singing) with electric guitar, rock and blues vocal techniques. As he fuses the ancient with the current, his unique style of singing and effortless mixture of music from east and west has made him an iconic persona in contemporary world music.   

At UT Dallas:

• Seven Free Exhibits at Crow Museum of Asian Art 
  Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum, 777 Loop Rd SW
  Admission: Free
  11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays
  (Closed major holidays and occasional additional dates for special events or inclement weather.) 

  The Crow Museum of Asian Art at UT Dallas offers a rotating calendar of exhibitions, programs and events year-round. 

  Currently on view (click on the title for more information):
  “Whiskers and Paws: Cecilia Chiang” through March 8
  “Mounds and Mist: Kondo Traditions in Clay” through May 31 
  “(_____) Mirage” through June 21 
  “Ancient Echoes, Modern Voices: The Crow Collection Goes Beyond” through June 28 
  “Echoes of the Earth” through June 28 
  “Mountain Jade with Lam Tung Pang” through June 28
  “Groundbreakers: Post-War Japan and Korea from the Dallas Museum of Art and The Rachofsky Collection” through July 26  

  Parking/additional information: click here  

“The Great Gatsby” Radio Play Next Weekend at RCT
Repertory Company Theatre, 770 N. Coit Rd.
Tickets: $37 adults; $20 youth (tickets)
Nov. 28-30
Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.  

A fully immersive theatrical experience—set in 1925 in a vintage radio studio that has a “live studio audience” (you), the production brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic story to life like you’ve never experienced it before.

Area State Parks Host Holiday Events
State parks and historic sites all across Texas, including some within an hour of Richardson, are offering numerous holiday events this season, including the following taking place tomorrow:   

“Let’s Talk Turkey!” 
Ray Roberts Lake State Park—Johnson Branch, 100 PW 4153, Valley View, TX
Cost: Free with park admission (admission is $7; free for children 12 and under)
Saturday, Nov. 22
Session 1: 10-11 a.m., Session 2: 1-2 p.m.  

Come to the park’s Nature Center and learn all about the world of turkeys, from their quirky calls to their unique adaptations. Create some fun turkey masks to go home and celebrate with. All ages welcome. Subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.  

More information: 940-637-2294 

Website: www.TexasStateParks.org/holidays  

Selecting/Caring for Natural Holiday Trees 
If you’re planning to buy a natural Christmas tree from a local tree lot or cut-your-own farm, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has helpful information online regarding the differences between types of trees, how to care for a natural tree after you bring it home, and how to buy a tree so that it can be planted in your landscape after the new year. There’s also a link to a database of cut-your-own tree farms in Texas. Find the full article here.    

When you’re ready to dispose of your tree, consider the City’s “Tree Cycling” program, which converts trees into mulch. Trees must be unflocked and have all tinsel and decoration removed. Trees can be dropped off at select “tree cycling” locations in Richardson (see website below) or placed on the curb for brush and bulky item collection (BABIC). Richardson tree cycling begins Dec. 19 and lasts through Jan. 30, 2026.   

Website: www.cor.net/babic  

Facilities Maintenance Specialist (49,502.96 to 73,499.92 Salary) 
Facilities Maintenance 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. 

Crew Chief ($57,541 - $80,347 Salary) 
The Public Services Department is looking for an individual with experience in construction and/or maintenance of water distribution and waste collection systems. A Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class A is required. 

Recreation Customer Services Representative ($21.00/hr to $24.62/hr) 
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for an individual who can assist in supervising Recreation Center instructors, programs, and activities.  Work evenings and/or weekends as needed. Completion of ninth grade required. 

Pet of the Week
Meet Raven! This 3-year-old pitbull mix has been with us since July 9, and she’s ready for a fresh start. Raven was treated for heartworms and is now on the path to a healthy, happy life. She’s sweet, friendly with people and would love to be the only dog in a home where she can be your one and only. If you're looking for a loyal companion, come meet Raven—she just might be your perfect match! 

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

City Council Links