What Do the Sidewalk Paint Colors Mean?
Have you ever noticed green and white lines on sidewalks and wondered what the different colors represent?

  • Bright green paint is used when the sidewalk is inspected. It highlights trip points to warn sidewalk users.
  • When the repair is about to start, white paint is used to mark the area to be removed so locators can later identify utility lines such as gas and other fiber optics. 
  • Over the course of three days, residents will see other colors appear identifying the actual location of utility lines: yellow (gas), orange (fiber optic), blue (water) or red (electric).

If you have any questions regarding paint lines contact Josh Schultz, Public Works Superintendent-Streets Drainage, by email or call 972-769-4163.
Love Where You Live 2021: Neighborhood Reveal

In January 2021, the Love Where You Live program will start working in the Clearview/Thunderbird community. 

The Love Where You Live program is a neighborhood revitalization initiative with two major components. First, it focuses on social transformation through education, awareness and neighborhood engagement. Second, it delivers physical transformation through neighborhood cleanups and home repair projects. The goal of the program is to keep our Plano neighborhoods beautiful, safe, and stable; and to connect residents to each other, the City and our volunteers.

If you have questions, or would like more information about the Love Where You Live program, please contact Wendy Mora, Planner at 972-208-8150 or by email.
Plano's Fittest Neighborhood
Congratulations Whiffletree V, VI, VII!

A big hooray to the residents of Whiffletree V, VI, VII for winning the 2020 Fittest Neighborhood Award! Thank you for keeping active and making our first year a success. Participating neighborhoods logged 95,816 minutes of physical activity.
Do These Four Things Before Using Your Fireplace
Cold weather is making its way to North Texas and for some of us that means it’s time to use our fireplace. Here are four things you should do every year to get your fireplace and chimney ready:

  1. Visually inspect the chimney exterior. Look at the chimney bricks for rusting, crumbling in the bricks and mortar, staining or discoloration on the bricks, and leaning bricks. These all indicate potentially serious problems.
  2. From the roof, inspect the chimney cap and crown. Make sure the chimney cap is in good shape to prevent water and debris from getting into the chimney. Check the crown (the cement layer at the top of the chimney) for cracks and decomposition. Finally, check the flashing around the base of the chimney to ensure it is in good condition and securely fastened to prevent water leakage into your home.
  3. Visually inspect the interior areas of your chimney and fireplace. Are the walls situated near to the center of the chimney damp or discolored? Is there water in the firebox? Do you smell offensive odors coming from the fireplace? If the fireplace is exposed in the attic, what is the condition of the building materials near the chimney and of the fireplace bricks of the attic? Is there dampness, odors or discoloration? These all signal a leak somewhere in the system.
  4. Check the flue. While you are inspecting the interior areas of the chimney, open the clean-out door at the base of the flue. Use a flashlight and mirror to see if you can spot an excess buildup of creosote. This wood combustion byproduct is highly flammable and should never be allowed to accumulate in the flue. Also look for any obstructions, including debris, animal nests or small dead animals. Obstructions hamper airflow and can send dangerous carbon monoxide into your house when a fire is burning in the fireplace.

Remember, it’s best to call in a professional if you don’t feel comfortable doing any of these maintenance checks or if you aren’t sure what you’ve observed is actually a problem.
Join Us For BEST Break: Holiday Trivia and Games
The BEST Neighborhoods Division invites you to connect through BEST Break, our virtual version of Neighbors Connect. Join us for fun and games to celebrate the holiday season. Wear your ugly sweater to earn more points towards a gift card raffle. Register here and have fun during your lunch break with us! 
Holiday Challenge: Fun Through Food
Are you looking for something new and different to add to your holiday meal this year? The world is filled with many different cultures and traditions, celebrated with tasty treats sure to satisfy your appetite. 

Learn more through our Holiday Trivia challenge. The trivia questions will teach you about different holidays, while the Challenge encourages you to cook a dish you normally wouldn’t serve during this time of the year. Explore recipe suggestions to help you compete in this challenge. 

Trivia Questions:
  1. How many days of Kwanzaa are there?
  2. What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in its advertising since 1931?
  3. Which is more popular for gift purchasing: Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
  4. What do the word "Hanukkah" mean?
  5. What is the highest grossing Christmas movie?
  6. How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish?

Holiday Challenge:
  • Try a different recipe from around the world. Send a picture and description of what you made to best@plano.gov.

Email your answers to the six trivia questions to best@plano.gov by Friday, January 8, 2021 to be automatically entered into a drawing to win a gift card.

Complete the Holiday Challenge by submitting a photo of the dish you prepared and your name will be entered three more times into the drawing! 
Tool Lending Program

If you or your neighbor are not able to afford to hire a landscape company due to a lack of financial resources and do not own or have access to the equipment needed for yard work, we’re here to help!

Plano CARES is helping citizens without the means or ability to cut their own grass or trees through the Tool Lending Program. The Tool Lending Trailer is filled with everything you need to maintain your yard and are sanitized after each use.

  • For mowing: Lawn mower, weed eater, safety glasses, and a broom
  • For tree trimming: Non-motorized pole saw, hand saw, hedge sears, safety glasses, and a broom

Qualifications for this program are determined on a case-by-case basis and require an application. Reach out to your Property Standards Specialist if you or someone you know may be in need during this time. Use the Property Standards Inspection Districts map to find out who the specialist is for your area.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance

The City is partnering with Volunteers of America Texas to launch a new Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program. This program will provide up to 12 months of housing assistance and case management to homeless households who have been economically impacted by COVID-19. The program is expected to begin accepting applications by the end of December. Check the Neighborhood Services website in the coming weeks for more information. 
Keep Yourself and Your Home Safe During the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, please take some time to view our latest BEST Break here. You will learn tips on safe food disposal practices, how to keep unwanted predators away from your holiday lights, proper disposal of gift boxes and much more!
Giving Hope to the Homeless

Finding the best way to offer help to someone experiencing homelessness is not always an easy. On any given night in Plano, approximately 100 people are sleeping outside or in their vehicles. While the City funds a multitude of shelters and transitional housing programs and offers its own prevention and intervention programs, homelessness is a complex issue and the need often outpaces available resources.

If you see someone who is homeless and you want to help, the best place to start is to remember the humanity of every person you see, treat them with kindness and dignity, and follow your instincts. Be proactive by printing a resource list and keeping it in your car to share it with someone experiencing homelessness. Unless you feel unsafe, greet the person, then give the resource list and encouragement to contact Neighborhood Services (our information is at the top of the resource list!).

Our Homeless Services Coordinator will work with the person to locate shelter, housing and social services tailored to their unique needs. If you want to get involved with regularly helping the homeless, you can volunteer your time and talents with a local service provider.
Thank you for making our community a better place!