KnowYard News

Library summer reading program last year — my daughter read 42 books over the summer and won a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. It's the only thing that keeps her reading instead of watching YouTube all summer.

Late-morning discounts are real. I got a huge bag of tomatoes for $3 last August at 11:45 because the vendor didn't want to haul them back. Show up late on purpose if you're on a budget.

If your pet isn't microchipped, this is your sign. Rowlett Vet Clinic does it for $45 including registration. Takes 5 minutes. Worth every penny when this happens.

Rowlett absolutely needs a second dog park. One park for 70,000 people is not enough. Bring it up at the next city council meeting — they do take public comments.

Costco generic Zyrtec is the real life hack here. 365 tablets for $14. That's less than 4 cents a day. No reason to buy name brand.

Gas at $1.10 in 1996. Let that sink in. I could fill my truck for $15. Now it's $55. But the house I bought for $95K in 1997 is worth $380K. Inflation is weird.

For anyone looking at duplexes in the Princeton Park area — some are great landlords and well-maintained, some are slumlords. Ask for references from current tenants. Drive by at night to see the real neighborhood vibe.

Flood zone concern is legitimate. My neighbor's house flooded in 2015 after the tornado brought heavy rains. If you're near Rowlett Creek, get the elevation certificate and consider flood insurance even if it's not technically required.

The aging infrastructure point is real. We had to re-pipe our 1997 home last year — $8,000. The original polybutylene pipes were failing. Get a good home inspection and budget for updates on these older homes.

Honest concern: when Sapphire Bay opens, Bayside Dr is going to be a traffic nightmare. There's basically one main road in and out for both the neighborhood and the entertainment district. The city needs to solve this.

Amara Johnson in track — remember that name. She's running times as a sophomore that most seniors can't touch. If she stays healthy, she's going to have her pick of D1 programs.

I've been in Rowlett since 1992. The difference PGBT made is night and day. Before the extension, Rowlett felt like the end of the line. Now it feels connected to everything. The restaurants, the retail, the home values — all PGBT effects.

Been here since 1998. Main Street used to be the center of Rowlett. Then everything shifted to Lakeview Pkwy and 66. Getting people back downtown is the right move but it's going to take time and anchor tenants.

The Toro self-propelled for $200 is a great deal. Those are $400+ new. I will be there. Does it start on the first pull?

$250-300/month savings is real. I tracked it for six months. When you factor in gas, downtown Dallas parking ($15-20/day), car maintenance, and insurance reduction from fewer miles, the savings are significant.

The property tax complaint is valid but you get what you pay for. My property taxes in Rowlett are about $1,200/year more than a comparable house in Garland. For better-funded schools with smaller classes, that is worth it.

The staffing ratio is concerning. 1.28 officers per 1,000 when the national average is 2.4 is a significant gap. As Rowlett grows toward 75K-80K with Sapphire Bay, the city needs to be hiring aggressively.

Princeton Park resident here. Three converters stolen on our street alone in January. The sound at 3 AM of a reciprocating saw is unmistakable. Glad this is over.

Main Street is finally becoming a place you want to hang out. Five years ago there was nothing. Now there are actual restaurants and community events. Progress.

The answer changes depending on which part of San Antonio you're in.

the fact that youre hooked after 2 weeks AND humbled means you have the right mindset. the people who quit are the ones who cant handle being bad at something. you can. thats why you will succeed

The holiday parade on Main Street is my favorite Rowlett tradition. It's small-town America. Fire trucks with lights, high school band, Santa on a trailer. My kids love it. You can't get this in Frisco.

for seminars: follow the big DFW gyms on social media. when a world champion is passing through Texas on a seminar tour, at least one DFW gym will host them. ive trained with multiple ADCC champions at DFW seminars for $75

The $7.99 lunch special is what I think about. Where else can you get a full meal for under $8 in 2026? Nowhere. That is the answer.

the real move for MMA is to start with folkstyle (most accessible in the US), add freestyle in the offseason, and pick up greco clinch work from an MMA coach. thats the full package

Sharing this with my neighbors. They need to see this.