Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How downtown’s empty towers are being reborn as tourist-packed hotels
And on the Nashville Patch calendar - MEATEATER LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS Tour
Hello Nashville! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How downtown’s empty towers are being reborn as tourist-packed hotels
- How a North Nashville church plans to fight gentrification with $40M
- How one Nashville steel drummer keeps turning up to spread joy
Also on today's calendar: MEATEATER LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS Tour and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Nashvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Helen P.!
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Nashvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 44 and low of 29 degrees.
- Saturday: Sunny, breezy and warmer, temps: high: 60, low: 38.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 52 and low of 31 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Empty Nashville office buildings being converted into hotels (wkrn.com) — Downtown Nashville’s skyline is shifting as nearly 2 million square feet of vacant office space, about 13% of the core, is being converted into hotels, including Dolly Parton’s Songteller opening in spring 2026. City tourism leaders say these centrally located projects will put more visitors steps from Lower Broadway’s music venues, museums, and restaurants, reshaping how people experience the city center. 
2. Historic Nashville church stands up against gentrification with $40M plan (newschannel5.com) — A historic North Nashville church is launching a $40 million Elevate North Nashville initiative to fight gentrification with affordable housing, childcare, retail, and a community grocery on 4.5 acres of church land. Leaders hope to help longtime residents stay, invite displaced neighbors back, and rebuild a community long impacted by I-40 construction, tornado damage, and rising housing costs.
3. Friend of NewsChannel 5 brings joy with Caribbean steel drum appearances (newschannel5.com) — A Nashville musician known for surprise steel drum cameos at NewsChannel 5’s Salvation Army bell-ringing events is quietly spreading joy across more than two dozen senior living homes. Gabe Lamog, who moved to Nashville in 1994, now uses Caribbean steel drums to spark memories and smiles, including at AdamsPlace Senior Care Center. His story highlights how one performer’s passion brightens local holidays.
4. Keith Urban brings holiday cheer to children at Nashville hospital (newschannel5.com) — Children at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt got a surprise visit from Keith Urban, who led sing-alongs, joined holiday activities, and donated guitars to the music therapy program. The piece also spotlights an autistic teen’s Nashville Zoo–themed coloring book that doubles as a stocking stuffer and fundraiser for the zoo, with a local meteorologist praising his artwork.
5. New federal bill recognizes cancer as line-of-duty death for firefighters (wkrn.com) — Firefighters and their families in Nashville and across Tennessee could see stronger support after a new federal “Honor Act” recognizes many cancers as line-of-duty deaths. Hendersonville’s fire chief notes several Nashville firefighters have battled cancer, and Tennessee’s own Barry Brady Act was recently expanded to cover more cancers for firefighters statewide.
📸 Around Nashville
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Nashville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- MEATEATER LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS Tour
Marathon Music Works , 1402 Clinton St , Nashville
7:00 pm - Little Preds Learn to Play
Ford Ice Center Bellevue, 7638 B Hwy 70 S, Nashville, TN, 37221
9:00 am - Family Program: Friendship Bracelets
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S , Nashville
10:00 am - Dark & Dirty
The Lab at Zanies , 2019 8th Ave S , Nashville
9:15 pm - Santa's Cookie Party
Nicky's Coal Fired , 5026 Centennial Blvd , Nashville
9:00 am - Holiday Pop-Up: Free Photos with Santa
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S , Nashville
10:00 am - Songwriter Session: Bobby Tomberlin
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S , Nashville
12:00 pm - Family Program: Friendship Bracelets
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S , Nashville
1:00 pm - BHS varsity boys basketball @ Adidas Shootout
Riverdale High School , 802 Warrior Dr , Murfreesboro
4:00 pm - BHS boys freshman basketball @ Ravenwood
Ravenwood High School , 1724 Wilson Pike , Brentwood
6:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
🗓 Events Nearby
- Candy Cane Village
City of Goodlettsville Calendar , 105 S. Main Street , Goodlettsville
8:00 am - Homeschool PE
City of Goodlettsville Calendar , 200 Memorial Drive , Goodlettsville
8:45 am - Senior Chair Circuit
City of Goodlettsville Calendar , 200 Memorial Drive , Goodlettsville
10:15 am - Line Dancing Club
City of Goodlettsville Calendar , 200 Memorial Drive , Goodlettsville
11:15 am
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- At Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control located at 5125 Harding Place, there are 63 dogs and 16 cats that are asking Santa for a forever home and family for Christmas.
Drop by MACC any day between the hours of 12Noon - 4PM except Thursday when open from 12Noon - 6PM and check out these wonderful animals. Remember… (Nextdoor The Nations) - HELP !!!
I’m lost . I live on Miami Ave. I f you see me please help me get home, my human can’t survive without me !! Thanks (Nextdoor Pennington Bend)
- G2 Secure Staff posted a job opening for Ramp Agent in Nashville. Apply here.
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Nashville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Nashville here.
Ok Nashville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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