Plano residents have plenty of activities and informative events to choose from this week. Here are some to keep on your radar:

Oct. 17


The Planning and Zoning Commission meets at 7 p.m. at Municipal Center, 1520 K Ave. Public hearings include a revised site plan for the Carpenter Recreation Center Natatorium. The $6.5 million 2009 bond project will include a warm water indoor pool and slide.

Oct. 17


The Plano Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Collin College to host its first annual Hospitality & Restaurant Job Fair Oct. 17 from 2-6 p.m. at the college’s Spring Creek campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. The event will take place in the school’s Living Legends Conference Center and will feature companies representing the North Texas region.

Oct. 19


The Plano City Council and Plano ISD Board of Trustees will have a joint work session at 6:30 p.m. at the Plano ISD Sockwell Center Dallas Room, 6301 Chapel Hill Blvd., Plano. No action will be taken but the parties will discuss student enrollment demographics, an update on PISD's performing arts theater project and review of the city's legislative priorities.

songs-for-a-new-world The North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre kicks off its season this week.[/caption]

Oct. 20


The North Texas Performing Arts’ Repertory Theatre kicks off its season Thursday with “Songs for a New World,” a moving musical by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown about life, love and the choices we make. The musical will have six performances from Oct. 20-23 at the Cox Theatre, 1509 H Ave., Plano. Tickets are on sale for $15 in advance or $20 at the door. 972-422-2575. www.northtexasperformingarts.org

Oct. 21-Nov. 6


The Art Centre Theatre presents its production of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Find out how Jack Skellington and his friends try to bring Christmas to Halloween Town in this play based on the popular Tim Burton film. 6 p.m. (Oct. 23, 30), 7:30 p.m.(Nov. 3) and 8 p.m. (Oct. 21-22, 28-29 and Nov. 4-5). $15. Art Centre Theatre, 5220 Village Creek Drive, Plano. 214-810-3228. www.artcentretheatre.com

Oct. 22


A Plano resident drops off unused prescription medications for National Drug Take Back Day. The Plano Police Department will be collecting unused or expired medication at various location this Saturday. A Plano resident drops off unused prescription medications for National Drug Take Back Day. The Plano Police Department will be collecting unused or expired medication at various location this Saturday.[/caption]

Saturday, the Plano Police Department will host its annual “Drug Take Back Day” collecting unused or expired medication. Languishing medicines are highly susceptible to misuse, and prescription drug abuse is increasing at an alarming rate, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs, according to the department. The city will send its collection to the DEA-sponsor, where the majority of it will be incinerated. This free service also helps keep these materials out of our water system.
Drop-off locations are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the following schools:

  • Clark High School, 523 W. Spring Creek Parkway

  • Plano East Senior High School, 3000 Los Rios Boulevard

  • Plano Senior High School, 2200 Independence Parkway

  • Plano West Senior High School, 5601 W. Parker Road