Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How does Plano’s steady tax rate really stack up to Dallas?
And on the Plano Patch calendar - After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class
Good morning Plano! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How does Plano's steady tax rate really stack up to Dallas?
- How Plano's symphony is taking its hometown sound worldwide
- Why a Plano mosque's funeral practices are now a federal case
Also on today's calendar: After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 105 and low of 84 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Blazing sunshine and hot, temps: high: 105, low: 85.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 105 and low of 84 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Frisco Eyes First Tax Hike Since 2017 While Dallas Cuts Again - What Does The Gap Mean? (dallasexpress.com) — Plano homeowners are looking at a steady city property tax rate of 43.76 cents per $100 of value for 2026-27, even as Dallas keeps cutting and Frisco and McKinney weigh increases. The piece explains how Plano's rate compares regionally, how appraisal districts and exemptions affect your actual bill, and why North Texas cities' tax strategies differ. 
2. Local Composers and Focus for Plano Symphony's First Recording (symphony.org) — Plano's own symphony orchestra has signed its first-ever recording deal, turning locally commissioned works and the new Plano Overture into an album recorded at the Meyerson for worldwide release. Led by Maestro Héctor Guzmán, the project showcases North Texas composers and is being hailed by PSO leadership as a major milestone for both the orchestra and the city of Plano.
3. Islamic Center's Allegation of Religious Targeting by Texas Funeral Services Commission Can Go Forward (reason.com) — A federal judge has allowed East Plano Islamic Center's lawsuit against the Texas Funeral Services Commission to move forward, finding its claims of religious discrimination plausible at this stage. The case centers on whether EPIC's non-commercial Islamic funeral rites in Plano were unfairly targeted after years of similar practices being allowed for other religious groups across Texas.
4. Beginner's Guide to Mika Abdalla (crlmag.com) — An in-depth profile tracks actress Mika Abdalla from her childhood in Plano, where she balanced school, auditions, and Spring Creek Academy, to starring roles in Netflix's Project Mc² and Prime Video's Off Campus. The piece highlights how her Texas roots, multicultural background, and UCLA philosophy degree shaped a fast-rising career now drawing tens of millions of global viewers.
📸 Around Plano
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Plano
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Friday Morning At The Chamber
Plano Chamber of Commerce 5400 Independence Pkwy Ste 200 Plano, TX 75024
7:45 am - After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class →
, Dallas
9:00 am - Community Event: AdMOM Morning: Life Admin, Coffee & Community for Moms →
Plano Chamber of Commerce Hilton Garden Inn Frisco 7550 Gaylord Pkwy Frisco, TX 75034
9:30 am - PTA Snacks for staff
Fowler Middle Plano, TX 75025
4:30 pm - Meet the Teacher Night
Fowler Middle Plano, TX 75025
6:00 pm - Community Event: First United Bank : August Personal Growth Pillar Lunch & Learn on Mastering Emotional Regulation
Plano Chamber of Commerce First United Bank Plano Parkwood 2FL Community Conference Room 3930 Dallas Parkway Plano, TX 75093
11:30 am - Grades 4 & 5 Parent Information Night
ANDREWS EL Plano, TX 75025
5:00 pm - 5th Grade Camp Information Night
BRINKER EL Plano, TX 75093
5:30 pm - Leadership Plano Fundraiser: World In A Wine Glass
Plano Chamber of Commerce 5400 Independence Pkwy. , Ste. 200 Plano TX 75023
6:00 pm
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
📣 Plano Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Keyboard Class
Dallas Public Library 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, US
1:00 pm - Ukulele Class
Dallas Public Library 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, US
2:00 pm - Choir: Back to School Party
Wester Middle Frisco, TX 75035
4:00 pm - The MBA Tour - Santiago →
SMU Cox School of Business The Ritz-Carlton,Santiago,Las Condes,Chile
5:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Plano PatchAM possible:
- Astrologer in plano — 4082340989
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- To the two wonderful people (mom and daughter) that caught my dog after he ran after a bike a few minutes ago: we did not get your name and I hope this gets to you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for catching him. You were our heroes today! (Nextdoor Estates at Russell Creek) - I just stepped out on the driveway with no shoes on to unlock the gate for Lawn Service.
It burnt the bottom of my feet. Please, please, please don't walk your dogs in this heat. Even on the grass is hot. If you see a stray looking lost,… (Nextdoor Windford Ridge)
- MAGNET HR GROUP posted a job opening for Automotive Parts Inventory Control Clerk in Plano. Apply here.
- National Vision, Inc. posted a job opening for Production Supervisor - Optical Manufacturing (3-DAY SCHEDULE/NIGHTS) in Plano. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Plano here.
Ok Plano! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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