February is in full swing, and while winter’s still hanging around, there’s plenty moving forward across Bowling Green. This week we’re taking a look at how local restaurants are bouncing back after a tough stretch, sharing a few community updates worth knowing, and highlighting a packed lineup of events — including lots of Valentine’s weekend options around town.

As always, this edition is about what’s happening locally, what’s changing, and what’s coming up next.

Let’s get into it.

Even as roads have cleared and temperatures have slowly improved, many Bowling Green restaurants say the impact of last month’s winter weather is still being felt.

Several local restaurant owners told WBKO that the combination of snow, ice, and extreme cold led to multiple days of sharply reduced foot traffic, cancellations, and in some cases, full closures. For restaurants, that slowdown doesn’t pause expenses — rent, utilities, inventory, and payroll still come due even when customers can’t make it out.

January is already a traditionally slower month for dining out, and owners say the weather only made it tougher. Some reported food spoilage from unexpected closures, while others said staffing schedules had to be adjusted as conditions changed day by day.

With February underway, many local restaurants are now looking ahead to Valentine’s weekend and upcoming events as a chance to regain momentum. Owners say community support over the next few weeks can make a meaningful difference as they work to bounce back.

For diners, it’s a reminder that behind every open door is a local business navigating challenges most of us never see — and that choosing to eat local, when you can, helps keep those spots around for the long run.

🗑️ Trash pickup delays due to lingering winter weather
Warren County public works says multiple waste collection companies were unable to pick up trash for several days last week because of icy roads, leaving residential customers without regular service until this week. Pickup has started again, but crews reported trucks getting stuck on slick roads earlier in the week.
👉 Read More

📚 Ongoing library events and classes for all ages
Warren County Public Library continues a packed slate of indoor programming this week, including story times, yoga, craft workshops, LEGO club, and Mardi Gras-themed activities for kids — a great way to stay engaged while it’s still cold outside.
👉 Read More

📣 Public works appeared on national news
Bowling Green’s Public Works director recently talked with NewsNation about the city’s winter storm response efforts, giving residents a look at how local crews managed road treatment and cleanup during the most recent bout of snow and ice.
👉 Read More

🎨 Art reception at The Capitol (Feb, art spotlight)
The Capitol — the arts space affiliated with the Warren County Public Library — is hosting a new exhibition by local artist Renee King throughout February, complete with an art reception to celebrate the opening and showcase community creativity. 👉 Read More

If you’re looking for something to enjoy this week, we’ve got you covered👇

🎵 Winterfest Free Concert Series — Ernie Small Blues Band
⏰ Fri, Feb 13 • 7:00 PM (doors 6:30 PM)
📍 The Capitol Theatre — 416 E. Main St.
Bowling Green’s Winterfest series continues with live blues in a cozy downtown venue. Bring a friend and enjoy local music to warm up a chilly night.
👉 Check It Out

🎶 Brett Young: 2.0 Tour (with special guest Jenna Davis)
⏰ Wed, Feb 11 • 7:00 PM
📍 Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center — 601 College St, Bowling Green, KY
Country-pop artist Brett Young brings his 2.0 Tour to BG with special guest Jenna Davis for a full evening of live music and hits.
👉 Check It Out

🎶 Orchestra Kentucky: Songs of Romance
⏰ Sat, Feb 14 • 7:30 PM
📍 Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center — 601 College St, Bowling Green, KY
Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with Orchestra Kentucky as they perform an evening of romantic and heart-stirring classics perfect for the season.
👉 Check It Out

💘 Romance at the RailPark
⏰ Fri–Sat, Feb 13–14 • Various Times
📍 Historic RailPark & Train Museum — 401 Kentucky St.
A Valentine’s-themed experience perfect for date night, with themed activities and displays exploring love on the rails.
👉 Check It Out

🍷 Lover’s & Friends Valentine Dinner & Music
⏰ Sat, Feb 14 • 6:00 PM
📍 White Squirrel Brewery — 109 E. Main St.
Dinner and live music to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s!) with friends or that special someone.
👉 Check It Out

🍷 Valentine’s Day at Anna’s Greek Restaurant
⏰ Fri, Feb 14 • Time TBD
📍 Anna’s Greek Restaurant — 1218 State St, Bowling Green, KY
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special dinner at Anna’s Greek Restaurant — enjoy classic Greek cuisine with your sweetheart or friends in a warm, festive setting.
👉 Check It Out

🍽️ Valentine’s Day Dinner @ The Mustang Club
⏰ Fri, Feb 14 • Time TBD
📍 The Mustang Club — 1815 Scottsville Rd, Bowling Green, KY
A special Valentine’s Day dinner experience at The Mustang Club — enjoy a romantic evening with a curated menu perfect for celebrating with someone special.
👉 Check It Out

🛍️ Valentine’s Sip & Shop at Down Dog BG
⏰ Fri, Feb 14 • 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Down Dog BG — 2201 Smallhouse Rd, Bowling Green, KY
Enjoy a fun Valentine’s evening of shopping local boutiques while sipping refreshments — perfect for picking out gifts or just treating yourself and a friend.
👉 Check It Out

🎨 Winterfest Concert (Capitol Theatre)
⏰ Fri, Feb 13 • 7:00 PM
📍 The Capitol Theatre — 416 E. Main St.
Another installment in the Winterfest series featuring blues and other live music performances downtown.
👉 Check It Out

🕺 Heartbreak Ball Singles Mixer
⏰ Tue, Feb 17 • 7:00 PM
📍 White Squirrel Brewery — 109 E. Main St.
A fun social event for singles with music and mingling — a light, low-pressure way to meet people locally.
👉 Check It Out

🤠 44th Annual Lone Star Rodeo
⏰ Fri, Feb 13 – Sun, Feb 15 • Times vary
📍 L.D. Brown Agricultural Expo Center — 1137 McCubbin Ave, Bowling Green, KY
Professional rodeo action returns to Bowling Green with calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and more in this long-running local tradition.
👉 Check It Out

🎙️ Comedy Show at White Squirrel
⏰ Sun, Feb 15 • 7:00 PM
📍 White Squirrel Brewery — 109 E. Main St.
A local comedy night featuring stand-up and laughs to cap off your weekend.
👉 Check It Out

🤝 Weekend GM Assembly Plant Tours
⏰ Tue, Feb 9 – ongoing through April 24
📍 GM Corvette Assembly Plant — 6000 Corvette Blvd.
Take a tour of the plant where Corvettes are built! Available with advance registration.
👉 Check It Out

We have some new restaurants coming to BG and they sound GOOD!

Here are some quick updates:

📈 Bowling Green airport reports passenger growth
The Bowling Green–Warren County Regional Airport announced continued increases in passenger traffic, noting that local air travel demand has risen compared with previous years and supporting plans for improvements.
👉 Read More

🛠️ Council considers changes to towing fees
Bowling Green city leaders reviewed a proposal that would lower maximum allowable towing fees for private lots, a move that has drawn pushback from at least one local towing business owner who says it could face legal challenges.
👉 Read More

🍔 BG restaurant scene continues shifting
Local development records and restaurant filings show more movement in the Bowling Green food scene, including new concepts being planned alongside national chains like Golden Corral and McAlister’s.
👉 Read More

🎓 Local schools recognize student achievements
Schools in the Bowling Green area have been spotlighting students for academic and leadership accomplishments as the second semester progresses, highlighting a range of students beyond athletics.
👉 Read More

Winter weather and a tough flu season have left blood supplies in a precarious state across Kentucky, with donation totals dropping sharply in recent weeks — and Bowling Green residents are stepping up to help.

The American Red Cross and the Bowling Green Police Department teamed up to host a blood drive on Monday at the police department meeting room, giving donors a local opportunity to help refill vital supplies that local hospitals rely on. The event ran from 10 AM to 2 PM and was part of a broader effort to counteract weather-related cancellations and seasonal dips in donations.

Across the region, officials say a combination of flu, winter weather, and canceled drives has contributed to a critical gap in blood availability, prompting urgent calls for donations. The Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to schedule appointments at local donation centers throughout February to help ensure hospitals have what they need.

It’s a reminder that community health isn’t abstract — it literally depends on neighbors showing up and giving what they can. For many volunteers, that act of giving is about more than meeting a need: it’s about supporting friends, family, and strangers alike in a tangible way.

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Have a blessed week — see you next Tuesday! ❤️

HelloBG Team