🌳 Got damaged trees? Here’s some advice.

🌳 Essential Post-Storm Tree Advice

Nashville’s incredible tree canopy was devastated by Winter Storm Fern — but all hope isn’t lost. On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, writer and naturalist Joanna Brichetto gives advice for taking care of our leafy friends, from how to salvage damaged trees to what to plant next. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• Residents across Nashville are mourning beloved trees. [Axios Nashville]
• Warner Park’s iconic redbud, saved by kids after a school field trip in 2003, was lost. [Instagram]
• The holes in our tree canopy will likely take decades to fill. [The New York Times]

🌨️ Storm’s Lingering Impact on Refugee Families

Many local refugee families were unprepared for Winter Storm Fern, facing language barriers, limited access to resources, and coming from warmer areas that never experienced ice. About 70% of families in the Refugees Care Network have been financially impacted by the storm. [Nashville Banner]

🕊️ Ninth Annual Pedestrian Memorial

This week, Walk Bike Nashville is holding its ninth annual Pedestrian Memorial, honoring the lives of 28 pedestrians who lost their lives on Nashville streets in 2025. They’re asking folks to place dove memorials at crash sites. [NewsChannel 5]

• Sign up to place a memorial. [Google Forms]
• Listen to our episode about downtown’s disappearing bike lanes and dangerous crosswalks. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚨 ICE To Build Detention Center in Lebanon

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has purchased a facility in Lebanon, just 30 miles outside of Nashville, to house detained immigrants. An ICE spokesperson praised the facility’s potential economic benefits. Local lawmakers were not aware of the plans. [Tennessee Lookout]

• ICE’s legal branch also plans to expand to a Nashville property owned by real estate company Freeman Webb. The company’s president, State Rep. Bob Freeman, said he would never knowingly lease the building to ICE, and is exploring legal options for terminating the lease. [Nashville Scene]
• Related: A bill criminalizing being undocumented passed a House subcommittee. [Nashville Scene]

Chúc mừng năm mới! Happy Lunar New Year!

Nearly two billion people around the world will celebrate Lunar New Year on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with festivities lasting three to 15 days. Though customs vary across cultures, shared themes include honoring ancestors, celebrating family, welcoming good fortune, and embracing renewal. This year, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolizing rapid transformation, strength, prosperity, and bold energy. After Winter Storm Fern, many of us are ready to embrace that renewed sense of momentum, optimism, and power.

Celebrating Lunar New Year in Nashville

Whether you’re part of the Asian diaspora or simply want to celebrate alongside us, there are many opportunities this year to experience the joy, food, traditions, and stories that make Lunar New Year so special.

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the Metro Council

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 | 5:45 p.m. | City Hall |
Free

Watch the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville perform a lion dance on the 2nd floor of City Hall in the Mezzanine, prior to a Metro Council meeting.

Celebrate Lunar New Year with API Middle TN

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 | 5-8 p.m. | ELEVEN11
| Free with registration

API Middle TN’s Third Thursday will celebrate Lunar New Year, featuring the Nashville Symphony. A Lunar New Year ensemble will perform music celebrating the cultures of China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, and beyond.

Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year Celebration with CAAN

Saturday, Feb. 21 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Centennial Park |
Free

This family-friendly event will have live performances, a Chinese tongue twister competition, and more.

Greater Nashville Chinese Association Chinese New Year Gala

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 | 4-8:30 p.m. | Father Ryan High School | $15+

Enjoy live music, performances, and snacks. Proceeds benefit the Greater Nashville Chinese Association.