Happy Friday, Murfreesboro. In today’s edition: School choice applications, Rutherford County tree lighting, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Opportunities beyond zoned schools: Rutherford County’s School Choice applications for 2026–2027 are open through Jan. 31, 2026, including magnet and open choice options. LaVergne High’s Early College has a window through March 15, 2026 — see how and when to apply.

Festive antics spur giving: La Vergne Police playfully arrested the Grinch during a weekend toy drive at Sonic, boosting donations for the city’s Christmas Toy Store. Registration is closed, but wish lists remain open — see how to donate.

A new flight path: MTSU broke ground on a $73.4 million aerospace hub at Shelbyville Municipal Airport, relocating its program from Murfreesboro to a larger campus expected to train 1,400 students and expand capacity — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Snap festive pup photos with Santa
• Celebrate Polish Christmas with pierogi and pints
• Decorate cookies, sip cocoa with Santa
• Design upcycled holiday wreaths and cards
• Shop and skate at North Pole Festival
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Festive displays take center stage: La Vergne’s Light Up La Vergne holiday decoration contest is back, with entries open through Dec. 17. Submit a photo (no videos), plus your address and family name, for a shot at one of three $100 gift cards and yard signs. Winners announced Dec. 19, judged by anonymous, out-of-city employees. Photos and addresses will be shared online. See how and when to apply.

Build-your-own Tex-Mex options: Surcheros Fresh Mex opens its third Tennessee spot in Mt. Juliet on Dec. 8 (1454 Rutland Dr., Suite B-1). The first 100 customers who make a purchase and scan their receipt in the Surcheros app snag free burritos for a year. Open daily 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Promo for ages 16+. See opening details and offer.

Pints with local vibes: Craving a crispy lager or something wild? Cedar Glade Brews pours seven flagships, rotates small-batch experiments, and stocks a can cooler with 100-plus extras. Low‑key, neighborly energy makes “just one” feel like a quick catch‑up that somehow lasts another round.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎄 Rutherford County Tree Lighting @ Rutherford County Courthouse | Friday (12/5) at 5:00pm – Around the square at the Rutherford County Courthouse means one thing, we officially declare it Christmas. Sip free cocoa, make a craft, hear choirs and School of Rock, spring for a carriage ride, then Santa flips the big switch, with free photos inside.

🎆 Opening Night @ Vivid Landscapes Light Show | Friday (12/5) at 5:30pm – Bring the kids, the neighbor who loves inflatables, and your camera to this family-run light show mixing RGB razzle with classic bulbs. The photo tunnel is back, donations help the Oakland High School Endzone Club via QR, and your inner grinch might even smile.

This weekend

🧵 Holiday Keepsake Workshop@ Carpe Artista Academy | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Holiday mode calls for cocoa, crafts, and low-stress memory making. Make ornaments and cards with acrylics, collage, stamping, and metallic sparkle, all materials provided. Family-friendly for ages 6+, plus cocoa, tea, coffee, or cider, because your kitchen deserves the night off.

🥟 Traditional Polish Christmas Dinner @ Cedar Glade Brews | Saturday (12/6) at 2:30pm – Nothing beats pierogi and pints on St. Nicholas Day when Mamusia’s Kitchen sets up at Cedar Glade Brews. Expect handmade Polish Christmas plates, European pours, and free entry, bring a canned good for the drive, and patience, because grandma food refuses to be rushed.

✨ Parade of Lights @ La Vergne City Hall | Saturday (12/6) at 5:00pm – Whether you posted up last year or swore you’d skip the crowds, the Parade of Lights rolls from City Hall to Veterans Memorial Park, then flips the switch on the tree. Expect twinkly floats, bundled neighbors, and enough magic to forget the traffic.

❄️ A Charlie Brown Christmas @ World Outreach Church | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – Skip the mall madness and bring the crew to World Outreach for A Charlie Brown Christmas with two showings, no tickets, and free fun. Ice skating, cocoa, a snow slide, a live indoor nativity, and sweet treats keep the kids happy and your patience intact.

🍪 Childrens’ Christmas Crafts & Cookie Decorating Collab @ Board & Brush | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – If your kid has more holiday energy than your living room can handle, park them at this DIY workshop. They will decorate four cookies while learning royal icing tricks, then make five ornaments, so you can call it holiday enrichment, ages 5+, pre-registration required.

Next week

📈 How to 2x Your Income Renting by the Room @ Sportsman’s Grille | Monday (12/8) at 11:30am – Want bigger returns without buying another property? Cori Myrick shows you the simple shift that can double your rental income and streamline your strategy. It’s free for first-time guests, making this the cheapest (and smartest) lunch you’ll have all week.

🧪 STEAM Academy @ College Grove Branch Library | Tuesday (12/9) at 4:00pm – Take a breather and bring the kids to STEAM Academy, a hands-on dive into science, tech, engineering, art, and math. They get to build, tinker, and ask why, you get ten glorious minutes to finish a coffee without reheating it.

🎅 Visit From Santa @ College Grove Community Library | Tuesday (12/9) at 5:00pm – If you happen to be in College Grove or just passing through for the holidays, here’s a perfect excuse to slow down for some festive magic. Santa will be reading a story, meeting little ones, and posing for photos, so bring the kiddos and your camera for a sweet, small-town holiday moment.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/13 North Pole Festival and Shopping Expo @ Fountains at Gateway – 10 am
• 12/13 Weedeater @ Hop Springs – 8 pm