Welcome to Plano City News, your weekly update
on what's happening in the City of Plano.
Join the Holiday Tradition of Dickens Virtually
Celebrate the long-standing Plano tradition of Dickens in Downtown Plano on Saturday, Dec. 5. For 2020, it’s a virtual event on the Plano Arts & Events Facebook page. The highlight of the evening is the annual tree lighting at 7 p.m. Festivities begin at 6:15 p.m. with a choral performance, words from Pastor Craig Curry and holiday cheer from the City Council and mayor.

Saturday, Dec. 5 
6:15-7:05 p.m. 

Leading up to the tree lighting this week, watch the Plano Arts & Event Facebook and Instagram pages at 4:30 p.m. for brief Dickens Holiday Highlights videos featuring: 
  • British Baking
  • A Christmas Cracker Craft 
  • Creative S’mores 
  • Ice Sculptures 
  • Handcrafted Wooden Toys 
  • A Blacksmith 

Keep the holiday bright with even more activities:
Visit the Recently Renovated Lt. Russell A. Steindam Park
There’s never been a better time to get outdoors and explore the improvements at Lt. Russell A. Steindam Park. After months of work, the park is now open again. The renovations include: 
  • Drainage improvements 
  • New trail connection 
  • New irrigation system with regrading in some areas 
  • Tree removal/replacement 

This neighborhood park features a playground, shade pavilion, picnic tables, grill, drinking fountain, hike/bike trail and open space. 

Located in north central Plano at 4501 Quincy Lane, Lt. Russell A. Steindam Park is named after a Plano native and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Lt. Steindam is Plano’s only Medal of Honor recipient. Learn more about his life and military service on the park's new information sign. 

Plano Parks & Recreation was able to complete the recent park renovation project through its 2019-20 Capital Maintenance Fund.  
Pet Proof Your House this Holiday
While busy making festive plans for the holidays, don't forget to include your pets. A little precaution and prevention makes a happy time for everyone. Some common holiday pet hazards include: 
  • Bones: Turkey and chicken leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don't feed them to your pet. Beware of steak bones too. Small bones or chips can lodge in the throat, stomach and intestinal tract.  
  • Fat: Wonderful potato latkes (watch the hot oil), gravy and poultry skin cause severe gastrointestinal upset. 
  • Holiday plants: Holly and mistletoe are poisonous. The lovely poinsettia may not be truly poisonous, but its milky white sap and leaves cause severe gastric distress. With so many hybrid varieties available each year, the best approach is to keep the plants out of your pet's reach. 
  • Electrical cords: Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure cords are secured and out of the way. 
  • Candles: Lighted candles should never be left unattended, especially when at kitty's eye level or puppy's chewing zone. An exuberant tail or a swat of a paw and hot wax quickly becomes disastrous. Anchor candles securely. 
  • Pine needles: Check around holiday trees frequently. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet's intestines if sharp enough. 
  • Holiday tree: Make sure your tree is well secured. If you have a climbing cat or a large dog with a happy tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall with strong cord or rope. Preservatives, often used in the water of a tree stand, cause gastric upset. Be sure it is not accessible. Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well. 
  • Ornaments: Sharp or breakable ornaments, dreidels and even aluminum foil should be kept out of reach. String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, are to be safeguarded at all costs. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach. 
  • Stress and company: Make sure your pets have collars and tags on in case of escape. Provide a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful. 

Happy holidays from your Plano Animal Shelter! We look forward to helping you find a new furry family member in the new year. 
Happenings

DART Transit System
Plan Meetings 

Thursday, Dec. 3 
Noon-1 p.m.
or
6:30-7:30 p.m. 

DART’s two meetings above present the same information at each meeting. 

Dec. 7 & 21 
7 p.m. (regular meeting) videoconference  

Each Planning & Zoning Commission meeting agenda is posted to the P&Z Commission webpage the Friday prior to the meeting. Instructions for commenting on an item are included on the agenda.  

Watch the meeting live on Facebook or planotv.org.

Saturday, Dec. 12 
Beginning at 8 a.m. 

Winter classes begin the week of Jan. 11, 2021. The winter Plano Recreation catalog is available online only. You can also search for your favorite class at Plano Recreation Online. In-person classes remain limited at this time. Be sure your email address on your account is current so we can keep you up-to-date as circumstances change. 
 

The City of Plano celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree in Coyote Creek Park. Did you know the Plano Parks & Recreation department plants approximately 1,000 trees every year? Our 1.7 million tree urban forest includes 28,000 trees located on park land. 

Director of Public Works Jerry Cosgrove joins the Inside Plano podcast to explain the process of maintaining City sidewalks. He also reveals the mysterious paint symbols you sometimes see. The holiday season is here! Steve and Shannah share how Plano can help you safely celebrate with family, food and fun. Plus, we want you to show love for your Plano friends and neighbors by choosing to #ShopPlano! 

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