Happy (Almost) New Year! We’re heading into the final stretch of the year, and Bowling Green isn’t slowing down. This week’s edition is full of community updates, things to know around town, and plenty of ideas to help you plan your week — and your New Year’s Eve.

Lets dive In!

A local family in Bowling Green has taken a heartbreaking loss and turned it into something truly inspiring for the community.

In 2017, McKenzi Loid was killed in a car accident. Her family never forgot her spirit — especially after her mother, Robin, saw McKenzi’s phone screen saver: “Cultivate Kindness.” That simple phrase became the name and mission of a nonprofit the family created in her honor.

Today, Cultivate Kindness serves hundreds of children and families around Bowling Green and Warren County. The organization hosts a special needs prom every May and runs the Kenzi’s Cupcake birthday box program through local schools, making sure students get a little extra joy on their birthdays — even if their families are facing hard times.

Teachers and school coordinators say the impact has been real. What started as a small idea has grown into something that reaches nearly every classroom, spreading care, celebration, and connection throughout the community.

And there’s a touching personal connection, too: McKenzi donated her organs after her death, and one of her kidneys went to a teacher who now helps with the nonprofit’s programs — another living reminder of her legacy.

🚧 New Parking Ticket & Permit System Starts Jan. 1
Bowling Green police will transition to a new online system for parking tickets and permits beginning January 1. Residents who receive citations or need permits should look for the updated payment portal and follow instructions from the BGPD to avoid confusion.

🍁 Leaf Pickup Wrapping Up This Week
City crews are completing the final rounds of seasonal leaf pickup. Make sure leaves are at the curb early in the morning on your scheduled day if you haven’t had them collected yet. This is one of the last opportunities before the program wraps for the winter.

📅 Planning Commission in January
The Bowling Green/Warren County Planning Commission has a full agenda for its January meeting, including zoning updates and subdivision reviews. Residents interested in future development or community plans can attend or watch the meeting online.

🛠️ Scottsville Road Improvements Continue
Drivers should expect intermittent delays on Scottsville Road as resurfacing and road improvements continue through the winter. City officials encourage alternate routes if possible during peak commute times.

If you’re looking for something festive, free, or family-friendly this week, we’ve got you covered 👇

⛸️ Skating @ SoKY Ice Rink
⏰ Daily through winter • hours vary
📍 636 Center St, Bowling Green, KY
Classic winter fun for families and couples — skate beneath the lights and festive décor.
👉 Learn More

🦌 The Reindeer Farm Holiday Experience
⏰ Daily through late December • evenings
📍 2541 Old Union Church Rd, Bowling Green, KY
Real reindeer, lights, and festive holiday ambiance straight out of a storybook — great for family photo ops.
👉 Learn More

🎄 Downtown Christmas Lights & Fountain Square Glow
⏰ Daily through January • dusk–late
📍 Fountain Square Park, Downtown Bowling Green
Holiday lights throughout downtown create a perfect backdrop for evening strolls or photos.

🎉 “New Year, New Sins” @ White Squirrel Brewery
⏰ Tue, Dec 31 • 5:00 PM–Midnight
📍 302 State St, Bowling Green, KY
Ring in 2026 with live music, drinks, confessional booth, and a midnight champagne toast — fun downtown energy.
👉 Learn More

🎭 Masquerade New Year’s Eve Party @ 231 Bar & Grill
⏰ Tue, Dec 31 • Evening–late
📍 1823 Morgantown Rd, Bowling Green, KY
DJ, drinks, masks, and celebration into the early hours — dress up encouraged.
👉 Learn More

🫎 Moose New Years Eve Party @ Moose Lodge 356
⏰ Tue, Dec 31 • Evening–late
📍 736 Lain Ave, Bowling Green, KY
Free to attend, Potluck at 7:00PM, Music by Pete Dipietro.
👉 Learn More

🍽️ New Years Eve Dinner & Show @ Anna’s Restaurant
⏰ Tue, Dec 31 • Evening–late
📍 1202 State St, Bowling Green, KY
Featuring Music for the whole Family to enjoy. Creating an atmosphere. Transcending genre styles for dining dancing and Romance.
👉 Learn More

⭐ Hardin Planetarium Seasonal Shows ($)
⏰ Various evenings through winter
📍 150 University Blvd, Bowling Green, KY
Seasonal star shows and laser light experiences — fun for kids and adults.
👉 Learn More

🎶 SKyPAC Upcoming Performances ($)
⏰
• Jamey Johnson — Fri, Jan 10 • 7:30 PM
• Josh Turner — Thu, Jan 22 • 7:30 PM
• The Miracles: Legends of Motown — Fri, Jan 23 • 7:30 PM
📍 601 College St, Bowling Green, KY
Concerts and touring performances continue into January.
👉 Learn More

📚 Warren County Public Library Winter Programs
⏰ Various dates & times
📍 Multiple WCPL locations across Bowling Green
Storytimes, winter reading programs, and family activities throughout the season.
👉 Learn More

🧘 SOKY Center Group Classes & Activities
⏰ Weekly — schedules vary
📍 636 Center St, Bowling Green, KY
Yoga, fitness, and community classes offered throughout the week.
👉 Learn More

🎄 Light Up BGKY Displays
⏰ Nightly through early January
📍 Downtown Bowling Green
Seasonal light displays remain up after Christmas — perfect for evening walks.
👉 Learn More

We love spotlighting local people doing honest work here in BG or local businesses doing cool things — and this one is worth knowing about.

Here are some quick updates:

📊 Crop Health Conference Coming to BG
Agriculture professionals are gearing up for the fourth annual Kentucky Crop Health Conference in Bowling Green, where farmers and experts will discuss pest challenges and strategies for the 2026 growing season. (More Info)

🚓 New Mental Health Crisis Program Showing Results
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office says its mobile crisis co-response team — pairing deputies with licensed mental health professionals — is already making a positive difference, with fewer repeat calls and better outcomes for people in crisis. (More Info)

🌆 New Manufacturing Facility Coming to BG
A global aluminum company is establishing its first full-cycle U.S. manufacturing facility in the Kentucky Transpark. The facility will use energy-efficient systems and recycled aluminum, reinforcing Bowling Green’s role in advanced, sustainable manufacturing. (More Info)

📚 WKU Students Return for Winter Term
Western Kentucky University’s winter session is underway, bringing students back to town for accelerated courses and giving a small boost to local activity around campus businesses. (More Info)

🌲 “Christmas for the Fishes” Tree Recycling Program Begins
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources is now accepting natural Christmas trees for its “Christmas for the Fishes” program, including drop-off locations in Warren County to help create fish habitat in local lakes. (More Info)

This week, we want to spotlight a group of people who quietly stepped up and made a big difference right here in Bowling Green.

Local firefighters, members of the Marine Corps League, volunteers, and deputies with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office teamed up for a Toys for Tots distribution event that helped more than 250 local families this holiday season.

Families lined up at the Housing Authority of Bowling Green to receive toys, gifts, and a little extra holiday joy — all made possible because people in our community showed up to help. From sorting and loading toys to handing them out with smiles, it was a full team effort.

What stood out most wasn’t just the number of families served — it was the spirit behind it. Dozens of volunteers giving their time so kids could have something special to open on Christmas morning. That’s Bowling Green at its best.

If you’re looking for a reminder of what makes this place special, this is it. Neighbors helping neighbors, no spotlight needed.

❤️ Thank you to everyone involved in making the season brighter for so many local families.

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Thanks for being here and letting us be a small part of your week. If this helped you find something fun, useful, or just new — that’s exactly why we do this.
Have a blessed week — see you next Tuesday! ❤️

HelloBG Team