Protect Your Pets from Summer Heat

It’s hot outside! Be sure to keep your pet in mind during this Texas summer.

During the summer, always make sure:

• Your pets have access to clean, fresh water.
• Your pets can escape the heat, preferably indoors. Just like you, they enjoy fans, too.
• To check the temperature of concrete before walking your dog. To check if the pavement i...

Low Cost Vaccinations and Sterilizations

Are you looking for low cost vaccination and sterilization services?

Check out the options for local low cost vaccination and sterilization services:

• Humane Society of North Texas
  • Website: http://www.hsnt.org/
  • Phone: (817) 332-4768
• Spay Neuter Network
  • Website: https://spayneuternet.org/
  • Phone: (972) 472-3500
• Spay Neuter Your Pet
  • W...

All About Adoption from the Plano Animal Shelter

Are you interested in adopting a pet from the Plano Animal Shelter?

Keep in mind that all animals at our shelter are:

• Up-to-date on vaccines 
• Microchipped 
• Sterilized 
• Receive heartworm testing and treatment if needed 
• Given a collar and tags
• Loved by staff and volunteers 

Our standar...

Severe Weather Preparedness Poster Contest Winner

The Plano Department of Emergency Management held it's annual severe weather preparedness poster contest in April. The contest encouraged Plano children of all ages to get creative and submit artwork encompassing severe weather preparedness.This year's wi...

4 Reasons Why the Outdoor Warning System Could be Activated

Outdoor Warning Sirens are designed to alert people who are outside to seek shelter inside. In hazardous conditions, Plano's sirens will sound for 3 minutes. During monthly tests, Plano's sirens sound for 1 minute, followed by a voice saying "test.&q...

Preparation and Sale of Homemade Foods

Have you ever wondered what you might be able to make at home and sell? The City of Plano Environmental Health Division has received several inquiries recently and would like to clarify the rules around homemade foods. The Texas Cottage Food Law does allo...

Grill Safely This Summer

Avoid food poisoning this summer by following these easy steps on how to prep your food properly and grill safely:

• Keep meat, poultry and seafood in separate grocery bags to avoid cross-contamination.
• Refrigerate meat, poultry and seafood until ready to gri...

Plano Fire Station Open House | October 10

Help Plano Fire-Rescue celebrate Fire Prevention Week by visiting any Plano fire station to meet your neighborhood firefighters, take a tour of the station and apparatus and learn about home escape planning.

Station 1- 1901 Ave. KStation 2- 2630 W. 15th St.Station 3- 3520 Sherrye Dr.Station 4- 6000 Roundrock TrailStation 5- 5115 W. Park Blvd.Station 6- 6651 Alma Rd.Station 7- 5602 Democracy Dr.Station 8- 4555 Hedgcoxe Rd.Station 9- 6625 W. Parker Rd.

Station 1...

Plano Fire-Rescue's 2019-2023 Strategic Plan

Plano Fire-Rescue has just released the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.

Any successful agency must continually track progress towards achieving its stated short-term goals and objectives.  Periodically, it is important for an organization to stop and perform a more detailed assessment of its environment, its stakehol...

Plano Fire-Rescue Welcomes New Truck 8 Into Service

Fire Station #8 welcomed a new truck into service with a Wetdown and Push-In Ceremony.

The time-honored tradition was enjoyed by Plano Fire-Rescue staff and community members on May 10.  This station, 4621 Hedgcoxe Road, primarily serves northern Plano neighborhoods.

Plano Fire Chief Sam Greif and the department are quite proud of t...

2019 Fall Programs and Classes at the Library

Getting there is half the fun. This fall, explore transportation and how to get there by plane, car, train or sailboat.

• Boeing, DART and Toyota will be facilitating Wonder Café with three transportation themed sessions
• Learn about 3D printing with classes at Davis, Harrington and Parr libraries for families, teens and adults
• Become financially smarter with Money S...

Job Skills: Resume Class

Learn about tools and resources that can help you create an effective and memorable resume at Schimelpfenig Library on Tuesday, August 27 at 7pm.

Property Maintenance Workshop

Property Standards Specialists will answer questions about maintaining your home and property on Saturday, August 24 from 8am-12pm at Davis Library.

City of Plano Neighborhood Services will present the workshop designed for first time homeowners and anyone who wants to learn about basic property maintenance. Register at 

Playing is Learning!

Bring your toddler to the library and let them explore and connect in an unstructured and imaginative playtime.

Parent/Caregiver participation is required

Play & Learn 

Parr                             Mondays    ...

2019 Summer Programs and Classes at the Library

This summer be a space explorer at the library and learn more about our galaxy. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing by making a UFO, exploring black holes, creating a nebula, embroidering a constellation and finding the missing spaceship.

• Visit artists in residence Tschaner Sefas and Katie Risor at the 18st AIRSpace. They are hosting workshops on creating an upcycled denim bowl, recycled CD mosaic art, zines and ink and watercolor urban sketching

• Learn about 3D printing with classes at Davi...

All Libraries Closed for Labor Day

All libraries and book drops will be closed September 1 and 2 in observance of Labor Day. Online resources and eLibrary will be available.

Are You the Nuttiest Neighborhood?

HERE’S THE SCOOP

For the past several years, the City of Plano and its residents have been donating generously towards the NTFB’s peanut butter drive. To add a level of “friendly competition” to the drive and hopeful...

Pop-Up Party With A Shady Give-a-Way

Planning to soak up the sun this summer at a neighborhood block party? Do it with our FREE Pop-Up Party Trailer! Reserve the trailer anytime from June through August and your neighborhood can receive free sunglasses!

Who Can I Call?

Plano City News: Get Inside Access to Your City

Look at the City from the inside out, earn your neighborhood a BEST designation, watch for school zones, hire help at the Day Labor Center, master Friday Night Trivia and more in this week's Plano City News.

Plano City News is distributed every Tuesday to 38,500 subscribers by the City of Plano Communications and Community Outreach department. To receive a copy directly in your inbox, please subscribe. Thank you for your readership!

Register for Fall Classes Now

Register for Fall Classes Now

Registration for residents started Saturday, Aug.3 for the Fall Parks and Recreation leisure classes. Get fit, learn a new skill or just meet new people.

Check out the Schedule!

Date a Book and Ignite a Passion for Reading

Speed Dating a Book
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 7 - 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 7 - 8 p.m.Schimelpfenig Library5024 Custer Rd.

Calling all book lovers who'd like to meet new friends and discover new books! We'll speed date our favorite titles and enjoy each other's company.

Join for FREE!

Boards and Commissions Information Session

If you'd like to learn more about City boards and commissions, visit this information session. Applications are due Friday, Aug. 23.

Thursday, Aug. 22 - 6-7:30 p.m.Haggard Library2501 Coit Rd.

Read the Boards and Commission Overview.

Have You Seen a Bobcat?

It's not uncommon to see a bobcat any time during the year. To discourage a visit from a bobcat or coyote to your home the attached tips may help.

Consider these simple tips. 

Learn a New Language

Summer may be winding down but you still have time to learn a new language. The Plano Public Library has a huge selection of books and resources.

The Plano Public Library has a huge selection of books and resources. If you already know a language but want to brush up on it, hit the Library’s World Language collection. You’ll find books in popular languages: Hindi, Chinese and Sp...

Switch to Renewable Energy and Win

Did you know many energy providers offer 100% renewable energy plans?

Fight the Bite (Mosquitoes)!

What are you doing about it? Plano's Environmental Health and Sustainability (EHS) team is proactively protecting Plano residents from these unwelcome pests.

Read Plano's Annual Water Quality Report

Take a look back at 2018 for how our water performed throughout the testing year.

Read Plano's Annual Water Quality ReportVisit our water quality page.

Spring Cleaning? Learn Where Everything Goes

Before you tear through your closet, garage or garden, follow these rules for recycling or disposing of unwanted items.

Read on...

Water Twice and Water Wisely

The City of Plano asks you to water lawns and landscapes only two times a week.

Avoid watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and when rain is in the forecast. Based on the last digit of your home address, follow this schedule: 

•    Even digit (plus zero and homeowners associations): Monday & Thursday• &...

Sign Up for Trash and Recycling Reminders

If you struggle with remembering when to place your recycling cart out for collection, we've got a new tool for you. Get reminders by text or email to your favorite device (or both).

Alerts are sent the night before your collection between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (you pick the time). The reminders adjust with the City's holiday collection schedule. A special thanks to our Kings Ridge HOA residents for helping with testing.

Get to stepping for heart health this fall

Did you know walking just 30 minutes a day can make lasting impressions on your overall health? Whether you prefer getting your steps in outside or indoors, Plano Parks and Recreation has got you covered!

Important benefits of walking include:

• Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
• Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
• Improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular...

New Age Requirements for Plano Parks and Recreation facilities

Change takes effect Sept. 3, 2019.

Plano Parks and Recreation is implementing a new age requirements policy effective Sept. 3, 2019. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian 16 years of age or older at any Plano recreation center or pool. This change in policy c...

Plano’s athletic fields ready for fall sports

Fall is right around the corner! And with the start of a new sports season, our Athletics Division is readying for one of the busiest times of the year.

Plano’s athletic fields serve 15-plus sports organizations that provide the community with quality recreational opportunities in soccer, baseball, softball, football, lacrosse, cricket, rugby, kickball, etc. Each year, these outdoor athletics lo...

Outdoor Pools Open Weekends Only Aug. 10-Sept. 1

Aug. 9 is the last weekday outdoor pools will be open.

Our summer lifeguards are headed back to school and that means Jack Carter Pool and the outdoor pools at Oak Point and Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Centers will be open weekends only from August 10 through Sept. 1. Labor Day Monday, Sept. 2 is the last day ...

Stressed out? Downshift into fall with parks and recreation

The world’s longest-living people live in places that encourage natural movement. Unfortunately, new threats and challenges to America’s healthy living status continue to emerge.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages communities to work together to reverse this trend to ensure Americans live longer and healthier lives. Here in Plano, we have five quality recreation centers, a tennis center, two golf cours...

Liberty Recreation Center renovations

Liberty Recreation Center (2601 Glencliff Dr.) is preparing for an exciting renovation project, which, when complete, will feature more than just a fresh coat of paint.

The center is expected to reopen in the fall of 2019. Follow Plano Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Twitter or visit Liberty Recreation Center’s web page to stay up-to-date on this project’s progress.

Renovations include:

• Updated loc...

What makes Plano the happiest city in America?

Some people might have been surprised to hear that Plano was recently named the happiest city in America according to a study by WalletHub.

Whatever your opinion, you have to admit there is a lot about Plano to love and be thankful for. 

But what exactly makes us THE happiest city in the country? The website came to its conclusions by looking at various health factors among more than ...

Ask An Urban Forester: How to address Emerald Ash Borer?

Q. I have noticed some trees in the median have recently been marked with green tape. Can you tell us why they have been marked?

A. Thanks for reaching out! The trees that are marked in green flagging are ash species. What we are doing is updating our tree inventory to determine the health of our current ash population and removing any of the trees that are in poor condition.

Last m...

Ask an Urban Forester: What is emerald ash borer and how is it affecting trees in Plano?

Q. I heard emerald ash borer has been found in Fort Worth. What is it and is it affecting our trees in Plano?

A. The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a destructive wood‐boring pest of ash trees. Native to Asia, the emerald ash borer beetle (EAB) was unknown in North America until its discovery in southeast Michigan in 2002. Since then, the invasive pest...

VIP Connection Spring 2019

Celebrating Plano's volunteers

Dallas Morning News: Volunteering is secret to happiness

Giving back through volunteering makes Plano happy, according to the Dallas Morning News. 

A record number of people are volunteering in Plano

NBCDFW reports on VIP's record-setting success! 

VIP Celebrates Record-Setting Success

Annual Report Highlights:

•   35 years of VIP

•   Record-setting number of volunteers 

•   Volunteer awards

•   Corporate & academic partnerships

•   VIP Sup...

VIP Connection Newsletter Winter 2018

Thankful to serve

VIP Connection Newsletter Summer 2018

Committed to serve

VIP Connection - Spring 2018

This spring brought many milestones to the VIP program. Read more.

VPay Employees Volunteer at Plano Animal Shelter

Employees from Plano-based VPay spent two Fridays in March volunteering at Plano Animal Services. Volunteering as a group with Plano Animal Services provides valuable resources for our community and helps those precious pets get one step closer to home. V...

Volunteers Wanted for Plano CARES

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Plano Code Abatement by Residents Engaged in Service (CARES) connects local volunteers to residents in need of assistance with common property code violations. Project work days are scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of ev...

Toyota Teams with VIP for National Public Lands Day

Volunteers in Plano brought Toyota USA and National Environmental Education Foundation to celebrate National Public Lands Day in Plano, Texas! These partnerships are paramount in impacting our community. Thank you to Kym Hughes and the staff of Oak Point ...

ESL Teachers Needed

Harrington Library is looking for volunteer ESL teachers. Training is free and materials are provided. For more information, contact Julie Brown, ESL Program Director at juliebrown@lift-texas.org or call 214-824-2000 ext. 3218

In Memory of Russ Kissick

We are saddened by the passing of Russ Kissick. Russ was one of three Co-Founders and ongoing Co-Director of The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., the non-profit organization that has served as manager of the Interurban Railway Museum sin...

Bank of America Volunteers Become Super Sorters

Thank you to the team of 14 Bank of America employees for giving an afternoon of service to Haggard Library. Employees from India and several different states joined together to help sort donations and package items for the annual fundraising books sale. ...

United Healthcare Employees Volunteer at Parr Library

Thank you to United Healthcare employees for lending a hand at Parr Library. Staff enjoyed a morning of service by cleaning and organizing children’s books for the library. Children’s book are frequently checked out and at the end of e...

Bank of America Rolls Up Their Sleeves

On Friday, September 30 six employees from one of Plano's Bank of America locations chose the Plano Animal Shelter for their volunteer day. Employees were excited to lend a hand in the kennels, help with laundry, wash many dog bowls and spend time togethe...Read on...

Hyundai Capital Lends A Hand

On Saturday, September 24th seven employees from Plano's Hyundai Capital office spent their morning volunteering at the Animal Shelter. Creating a team building event around service to the community is a great way to build comradery and motivate staff to ...

Capgemini Serve Plano

On Friday, September 23 staff from Capgemini selected the Plano Community Garden and the Animal Shelter for their service day. Staff members rolled up their sleeves helped provide maintenance of the garden, weeding, turning compost piles, laying mulch and...Read on...

Capital One, A Dog's Best Friend

On Friday, August 19 employees from Capital One spent the day volunteering at the Plano Animal Shelter. Corporate volunteers play a vital role in helping advocate for the shelter after they spend a day in the life of shelter staff. Groups are all smiles a...Read on...

Cambria Hotel & Suites Supports Animal Shelter

On Friday, September 9th staff from Cambria Hotel & Suites Plano rolled up their sleeves and spent the day volunteering at the Plano Animal Shelter. 9 Cambria employees enjoyed a day of service helping the shelter maintain a clean facility, provide se...Read on...

Frisco Roughriders lend a hand at Animal Shelter

On Sunday, August 21 staff from the Frisco Roughriders donated a morning of service to the Plano Animal Shelter. They spent time helping with cleaning and maintenance of the facility which improves the customer experience and provides a safe environment f...Read on...

Bank of America Volunteers Plant Seedlings for Parks Department

A big thank you goes out to the 10 Bank of America volunteers who planted 100 trees in the Russell Creek greenbelt for the Plano Parks Department.

Courtyard Texas Music Series: Courtney Patton & Jason Eady Sept. 5

Courtney Patton & James Eady

On his last two albums, Jason Eady earned major acclaim for his ahead-of-the-curve take on classic country, a bold departure from his earlier excursions into blues-infused Americana. Now with his sixth album, the Mississippi-bread singer/guitarist merges ...

Courtyard Texas Music Series: Prophets & Outlaws - October 3

The southern soul band originated the heart of metropolitan Dallas. Their commanding instrumental groove, relatable lyrics, and authentic five-part harmonies have sent them to the top of the music charts and earned the band over 2 million Spotify streams.

The southern soul band originated in a Jesuit high school set in the heart of metropolitan Dallas when two brothers and a best friend came together in their shared love of music. Almost a decade and five EPs later, the now band of five boasts a massive fa...

Civil Service Exam and Physical Agility Test Workshops - Plano Police Department

The Plano Police Department will be conducting two free specialized workshops to assist those who have applied for the civil service exam. Professional Standards Unit and Police Training Unit staff will be available on Sunday, October 13, 2019 and October...

Exam Weekend:

What to Bring and What to Know the Day of the Exam

Saturday Morning: bring your ID, exam ticket and completed and notarized PHS to the exam.  Wear athletic clothing as those who pass will immediately proceed to the physical agility test. ...