Plano ISD’s new Career and Technical Education Center is on track to open this school year.

The big picture: The center was approved as part of PISD’s 2022 bond and is expected to welcome students on Oct. 19, following the district’s spring break, PISD CTE Director Karen Buechman said.

The CTE center, located at the corner of Alma Drive and Park Boulevard currently has 1,040 students enrolled, but Principal Jean Laswell said they anticipate 1,200 students in the fall.
 

French-inspired cafe Maman is set to open a new Plano location on Aug. 7, according to a news release from the company.

The specifics: The cafe will be located 7200 Bishop Road, Ste. D, in The Shops at Legacy East.

Maman serves a variety of coffees and teas as well as a food menu that includes pastries, salads, sandwiches and more. The new Plano location will be Maman’s third in North Texas, with two cafes open in Dallas.
 

The North Texas Irish Festival will move to Denton from Dallas in 2027, according to a news release from the organization.

The details: The festival will be held at the North Texas Fairgrounds, the location of the North Texas Fair & Rodeo, from March 13-14, according to the release. 

The festival celebrates Irish and Celtic music, dance and culture and includes events and entertainment such as live music, dance shows, storytelling, food, education and art exhibits.

The 2027 event will have multiple stages for live music, Irish step dancing performances, cultural demonstrations, historic storytelling, vendor and shopping opportunities, activities for children and authentic food and beverages, the release states.

The backstory: The North Texas Irish Festival started in 1983 and has been located in Fair Park in Dallas since 1984, according to the organization’s website. It is produced by the Southwest Celtic Music Association, a Dallas-based nonprofit.