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• Three industries experience double digit job growth
• Top 5 city for post-COVID-19 job growth
• Middle Tennessee total payroll increased by $8.8 billion

• An Evening of Poetry and Prose | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hodge House, 1905 Chickering Rd. | Free | Compile a couple of your favorite poems and passages and gather around the fireplace to take turns sharing literature that inspires you — registration required.

• Daddy’s Date Nite | Friday, Feb. 9-Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 5-10 p.m. | Daddy’s Dogs, 5205 Centennial Blvd. | $99 | The hot dog shop’s third annual event includes a four-course dinner for two.
• “The Big Lebowski” | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7 p.m. | Full Moon Cineplex, 3445 Lebanon Pk. | $8 | Sit back and watch the comedy-thriller starring Jeff Bridges as “The Dude.”

• Mutti Gras: A Canine Carnival | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Baxter Bailey & Company, 1004 Fatherland St. | Cost of purchase | Break out that pawty costume and let your furry friend drink up Mutti Gras muttuccinos + enjoy treat bags and various product specials.
• Chinese New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville, Expo Center | Free | The ninth annual event features dance performances, crafting and workshops, a puppet truck show, food trucks, and more.

• Pushups + Prosecco: Galentine’s Day Workout Class | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Kimpton Aertson Hotel, 2021 Broadway | $20 | Crush a circuit-based strength workout with barre and pilates-inspired movement before celebrating with a post-class prosecco toast.

• Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Workshop | Monday, Feb. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar, 1111 Caruthers Ave. | $65 | Learn the basics of decorating sugar cookies + take home five completed cookies at the end of the class.

• Face painting
• Balloon artists
• Photo opportunities (we’re looking at you, Bruiser)
• Excellent halftime entertainment

• Following Emery’s closing announcement last week, an old concept will breathe new life into the building by mid-March. Nashville Street Taco, which formerly operated on 2nd Avenue, will re-open in the space as a full-service, sit-down restaurant with an expanded menu. (Nashville Business Journal)

• Whataburger is on the Nashville horizon with permits pointing to an East location at 1201 Gallatin Ave. The news follows the company’s expansion announcement in 2021, which listed nine initial restaurants, primarily in the surrounding Nashville area. (Nashville Business Journal)

• A new Dunkin’ location is in the works for a Gulch property last home to Starbucks, which closed early last year. No opening date was released, but the coffee chain will operate from the mixed-use building boasting HCA offices at 1040 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Nashville Post)

• Save the date. The Kindling Arts Festival returns with live performances highlighting this year’s theme, “Imperfections,” at West Nashville venues on Thursday, July 18-Sunday, July 21. Bonus: Artist applications are open through March 4.

• Comedian Tim Robinson will bring his “I Think You Should Leave” tour to the Ryman on Thursday, April 18 as part of the Nashville Comedy Festival. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m.

• But first, let me take a selfie. The Fairlane Hotel’s newest pop-up, “Decades of Selfies,” lands in the hotel lobby on Monday, Feb. 12. Transport yourself to the 1970s via five themed selfie booths + order accompanying food and drink at the new Union Teller Diner & Bar.

• A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*