This week’s edition is a full one. We’ve got a few important city updates, some community notes, and a look at upcoming events to help spark your week or weekend plans. There’s plenty happening around the city and county — so let’s get into it.

If you’ve ever wondered how growth decisions get made in Bowling Green, this week’s planning meeting offered a clear look.

A proposed subdivision near Cardinal Way drew a packed room and strong opinions at a recent Warren County Planning Commission meeting.

The property at 1337 Cardinal Way, auctioned earlier this year, was purchased by new owners who requested approval to divide the land into three separate lots. That request raised concerns among nearby residents.

Neighbors from the Richland and Briarwood areas spoke about increased traffic, safety issues, and potential changes to the character of their neighborhoods. Several worried the decision could set a precedent for similar developments in the area.

Some residents also expressed frustration over communication, saying they were not directly notified and only learned of the proposal through mailed notices.

City officials responded during the meeting, explaining that required notifications were sent and that the process followed current zoning and planning rules.

After discussion, the Planning Commission approved the subdivision request.

While the decision applies to this property alone, it highlights a broader challenge for Bowling Green: balancing growth with neighborhood character as the city continues to expand.

City crews are in the final phases of the annual residential loose-leaf pickup program this week. Leaves are being collected by zone, and crews will work through the remainder of zones as weather allows. Residents should continue to have leaves at the curb by early morning on scheduled dates for their area. Check the city’s leaf pickup map or contact Public Works if you’re unsure of your zone.

The city recently installed the first of two new public bicycle repair stations to support cycling and active transportation around town. These stations allow cyclists to make basic adjustments and repairs while out on local trails and routes, making it easier to stay moving.

The Bowling Green Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on December 16, where community and city operations items were discussed (recordings are available online). Residents interested in city governance can watch updates from these meetings and get insight into upcoming policy and development decisions.

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

🎅 Santa’s Lookout – Christmas in the Country (More Info)
📍 48 Locketts Dream, Settle, KY
💲 Paid Event
• Lookout Express Train Ride – $20/person
• Christmas Wagon Ride – $20/person
• General Admission – $10/person
• Children 2 & under – FREE
📆 Runs through Dec 24

🌌 Hardin Planetarium: “Celebrations for a Long Winter’s Night” (More Info)
📍 Hardin Planetarium (WKU)
💲 FREE
📆 Dec 4, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
🔁 Recurs weekly (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday)

🦌 Reindeer Farm Tours & Special Events (More Info)
📍 The Reindeer Farm
💲 Paid Event
• Day Pass – $18 (Ages 3+)
• Reindeer Encounter + Day Pass – $40
📆 Dates include Dec 23

⛸️ SOKY Ice Rink (More Info)
📍 SOKY Center
💲 Paid Event
• Adults – $12
• Kids under 12 – $10
• Kids under 4 – FREE
📆 Open on Dec 23

🏎️ Speed Captured: The Photographic Works of Richard Prince (More Info)
📍 National Corvette Museum
💲 Paid Event
• Adults – $25
• Children (5–12) – $14
📆 Final Day: Dec 23

🧘 Moms on the Move Yoga @ SOKY Center (More Info)
📍 SOKY Center — 636 Center St, Bowling Green
📆 10:00AM
💲Donation-based

🍕 Mellow Mushroom Trivia Tuesday (More Info)
⏰ Mellow Mushroom — 1035 Chestnut St
📆 7:00PM
💲Free to play

🧘 Christmas Flow + Salt (More Info)
📍 Be Happy Yoga & Salt Cave
💲 $20
⏰ 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM

🎅 Meet Santa at White Squirrel Brewery (More Info)
📍 White Squirrel Brewery
💲 FREE EVENT
⏰ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

🎄 Christmas Eve Meals @ The Mint Gaming Hall (More Info)
📍 Corner Café at The Mint Gaming Hall — Bowling Green
💲 14.99
⏰ 10:00 AM

🎄 Merry Christmas!!
Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or staying home in comfy clothes — we hope it’s a good one.

🎬 Free Movies at the Capitol (More Info)
📍 Capitol Arts Center
💲 FREE
📆 Date includes Dec 26

🚗 Tommy’s Express Tunnel of Lights (More Info)
📍 Tommy’s Express Bowling Green
💲 Paid Event
📆 Runs through Dec 27

🌌 “The Dark Side of the Moon”: 50 Years in a Heartbeat (More Info)
📍 Hardin Planetarium
💲 $15
📆 Date includes Dec 26

☕ BG Cars & Coffee (More Info)
📍 NCM Motorsports Park
💲 FREE
⏰ 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

🎸 Guilty @ Spillway Bar & Grill (More Info)
📍 Spillway Bar & Grill
💲 FREE ENTRY
⏰ 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM

📖 Sunday Story Time @ SOKY Ice Rink (More Info)
📍 SOKY Center
💲 FREE (Ice skating not included)
🔁 Recurs weekly on Sundays

💃 Soul Step @ SOKY Center (More Info)
📍 SOKY Center — 636 Center St
💲 Donation-Based
⏰ 5:30 PM

🕺 Corvette City Bop Club (More Info)
📍 855 Mt Olivet Rd, Bowling Green
💲 Free (Free lesson for first-time visitors)
⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

🔮 Snow Globe Art Contest (More Info)
📍 Turn in designs to Lisa Rice Library
💲 Last Day to turn in design is Jan. 5th

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

Here are some quick updates:

📍 Major new jobs coming to Bowling Green
A global manufacturer, AKFA Aluminum Solutions, is establishing its first U.S. facility right here in Bowling Green — bringing more than 300 jobs to the community and marking the first Uzbekistani company to set up manufacturing in the U.S. This investment highlights the area’s continued economic growth and appeal to international companies.

🚨 Local safety & community news
Local police have shared tips on how to protect yourself from holiday scams, including techniques scammers are using to spoof phone numbers and trick residents.
In other public safety updates, the Bowling Green Fire Department recently responded to a structure fire at Kobelco Aluminum — but crews worked quickly to secure the scene.

🎁 Toys for Tots final season push
The Toys for Tots program in Warren County wrapped up its registration and distribution efforts, helping hundreds of local families and children during the holiday season.

🌧️ Weather & holiday prep
Weather forecasts in the region show above-normal temperatures continuing through the week with rain chances increasing, so be sure to plan outdoor plans accordingly.

🌟 Community remembering local leader
Bowling Green lost a prominent community leader recently — Mike Murphy, a longtime builder and civic figure who helped shape many local institutions, passed away at age 72. Many residents are remembering his impact on the built environment and civic life here.

This week we want to shine a light on a group of local volunteers whose work is making a real difference in our community.

Recently, volunteers with House on the Hill teamed up to prepare and pack over 1,000 boxes of food in record time — finishing what was expected to take two hours in just one. These boxes are being distributed to families in need right here in the Bowling Green area this holiday season, helping ensure neighbors have food and essentials during a time when support matters most.

What’s especially inspiring about efforts like this is the speed and heart behind them — hundreds of boxes prepped fast because people showed up to help. It’s a great reminder that when our community rallies together, we can make a big impact in a short amount of time.

👉 If you’d like to get involved or find out how you can help with similar efforts, local organizations like House on the Hill, United Way of Southern Kentucky, and Volunteers In Action of Bowling Green-Warren County have ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

💬 Help us make Hello BG better
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Hit reply and tell us what you liked, what we missed, or what you want more of — we read every message (we read every message).

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