Happy Tuesday, Murfreesboro. In today’s edition: Live Christmas tree farms, a stained glass ornament class, A Charming Christmas, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Holiday traditions await locally: Live Christmas tree prices are holding steady for 2025, and area farms and lots offer cut-your-own and pre-cut options, wreaths, and family activities in and near Rutherford County — find local farms and hours.

Recognition for road safety: Two Murfreesboro traffic officers were honored by MADD with Silver and Bronze Pins for 70 and 49 DUI arrests in 2024, as the department expands its traffic enforcement unit — see who was honored.

Seasonal generosity at work: Murfreesboro couple Steve and Karen Hickok keep Salvation Army bells ringing in December, joining 50 volunteers at 15 locations, with a bell choir at a Kroger Saturday, Dec. 6 — learn how you can help.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Parade of Lights ends with tree lighting
• Celebrate Bricks & Minifigs Murfreesboro ribbon cutting
• Shop Rutherford County Winter/Spring Farmers Market
• Celebrate Polish Christmas with pierogi and pints
• Experience a Charlie Brown Christmas wonderland
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Actuarial innovation at MTSU: MTSU associate professor Lu Xiong landed a $17,980 Casualty Actuarial Society grant earlier this year, one of just nine worldwide, to build a privacy-preserving data collaboration platform for insurers. The two-year project (within a five-year award) uses federated learning and encryption so companies can improve models without sharing raw data. Read the full story.

Patients need community support: Middle Tennessee’s blood supply is running low as the holiday season slows donations. Blood Assurance says it has just a 1–2 day supply, short of the 3-day goal. To spur donors, they’re giving holiday socks, plus $25 e-gift cards for O-negative and AB plasma donors, with incentives expanding later this month. Local donations stay local. Learn how you can help.

When burritos call: Skip the blah lunches and go California-style at So-Cali Taco Shop. Think carne asada packed California burritos, a clutch chile relleno burrito, and a “wet” version if you’re feeling saucy. Local since 2018, it’s fast, satisfying, and gloriously nap-worthy.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🎄 Stained Glass Ornament Class @ Re-Invintage Home | Tuesday (12/2) at 5:30pm – Skip the tangled lights and make something you actually want on the mantel at a stained glass workshop where you craft either a Santa Baby tree or a mischievous Grinch hand, ornaments included. They teach the Tiffany method, gear provided, beginners welcome, 18 and up.

🎶 ODP’s Bluelight @ Hop Springs | Wednesday (12/3) at 7:00pm – Kick back for a midweek hangout where the vibes are easy, the music is lively, and the cover charge is blissfully zero. It’s an all-ages, come-as-you-are night—just show up, grab a spot, and enjoy whatever ODP’s brewing onstage.

✂️ Ribbon Cutting @ The Grand Exchange | Wednesday (12/3) at 11:00am – Whether you love a shiny new storefront or just show up for free cookies, The Grand Exchange is cutting the ribbon on the square. You know the spot, three doors left of Joanie’s. Swing by to toast the neighbors, snoop the shelves, and swap hellos.

🥕 Farmers Market @ Lane Agri-Park | Friday (12/5) at 8:00am – If you think winter means sad tomatoes, think again. The Winter/Spring Farmers Market pops up Friday mornings at Lane Agri-Park in Murfreesboro with real-deal local goods, from mushrooms and greens to meats, breads, and jams, so you can shop small, eat well, and gossip responsibly.

🎄 A Charming Christmas @ Cannonsburgh Village | Friday (12/5) at 4:00pm – Trade mall madness for candlelit cabins, carolers, and old-timey charm at Cannonsburgh. They brought back extended evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can wander after dinner for five bucks, kids under five free. Prefer wheels to walking? The drive-through lights are free nightly.

This weekend

🐐 Yoga Class @ Goat Yoga Nashville | Saturday (12/6) at 10:30am – Goat yoga is decking the barn with baby goats in holiday getups, plus a cameo from Santa Goat, his elves, and some very ambitious reindeer. It is equal parts stretch, snuggle, and seasonal absurdity. Great for stress relief, questionable for laundry.

🎅 Santa in the Greenhouse @ Patterson’s Garden Co. | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – Santa’s trading the mall for the greenhouse, where cookies, cocoa, and zero fluorescent lighting await. It’s free, family friendly, and even the dog gets to plead his case to the big guy. Browse the Christmas shop for actually good gifts, then call it a win.

🎅 Cookies & Cocoa with Santa @ Lucky Ladd Farms | Saturday (12/6) at 10:30am – Need a low-stress holiday win? Bring the crew for cookies, cocoa, and a Santa photo, then let the kids decorate sugar bombs while you browse a bit. Season pass folks score $4 off each ticket, and yes, the petting zoo is on winter break.

🎸 Van Halen Tribute @ Hop Springs | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00pm – Get ready to jump—literally. This tribute band leans hard into the David Lee Roth era, slinging the riffs, attitude, and high-voltage energy that made early Van Halen legendary. They’ll even sprinkle in a few Van Hagar favorites for good measure, so you can air-guitar responsibly all night long.

🧠 Brainiac Trivia @ Cedar Glade Brews | Sunday (12/7) at 5:00pm – Brainiac Trivia is gathering the town’s retired Trivial Pursuit champs for a friendly brain flex. Bring your crew, claim a table, and let all that gloriously useless knowledge finally pay off with prizes, bragging rights, and a night of smug, harmless gloating.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 The Nashville Chamber Music Society @ North Wind Manor – 7:30
• 12/5 Mickey Avalon @ Hop Springs – 8 pm