At East Plano Martial Arts, students learn Isshinryu, a traditional style of Okinawan karate that emphasizes self-defense. Owner and lead instructor Tracy Dickey said the focus on practical self-defense is what drew her to the martial art over other disciplines.

Dickey—who started taking Isshinryu classes with her son when he was young, began teaching the art in 2008 and earned her black belt in 2009—opened East Plano Martial Arts in 2023. 

The details: Classes follow a six-week rotation and cover Isshinryu fundamentals, fighting, kicking, ground techniques, self-defense and kata, which are prescribed sequences of movements that simulate combat scenarios. 

Weapons classes are taught to brown and black belt students. 

What they're saying: “We offer family classes, which a lot of places don't do,” Dickey said. “As a parent, I feel like if they're going to drop their kid off [for a class] then they're not going to come back and do a class when they're not with their child because time is of an essence. So, we created family classes.”

A company that provides flex-office coworking space, Kiln, plans to open its second Texas location in Plano.

The overview: Kiln will offer resident desks, private offices, team suites, conference rooms, a podcasting studio, shared work areas and a wellness studio in its 29,000-square-foot space, according to a news release. The company’s space is designed to accommodate independent professionals or teams.

In their words: “Through my conversations with local business owners and entrepreneurs, one thing has become clear: people are looking for more than just a place to work,” said Laycee Gonzales, Kiln’s Plano community manager, in the release.

• 7300 Lone Star Drive, Ste. C201, Plano

A new clinic focused on infants and families is now open in Plano.

About the organization: The Institute for Infant Feeding and Early Development offers occupational and feeding therapy, classes and support groups for families.

Co-founder Ally Gore said some services focus on infants with difficulty swallowing, feeding disorders and bottle refusal support. Parents can attend classes on breastfeeding or Infant CPR. The clinic also offers free car safety checks and NICU support group.

• 4800 Hedgcoxe Drive, Ste. 200, Plano

Early voting for the Nov. 3 midterm election started Oct. 19, while Frisco ISD introduced a new fare-based busing service. Check out six trending stories from Community Impact’s Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

1. Frisco ISD introduces fare-based busing at 29 campuses

2. Early voting begins Oct. 19: Here is what Collin County residents need to know

3. Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Place 2 on the Collin Central Appraisal District board

4. Q&A: Meet the candidates running for the Tarrant Appraisal District board of directors

5. India Bazaar opens new store on Frisco, Prosper border

6. Avelo Airlines adds 2 more Florida destinations from DTX