The United States Marine Corps has selected Nashville to host Marine Week 2016. The celebration of “Community, Country and Corps” will take place throughout the city Sept. 7–11. To play off Nashville’s long and storied musical history, the Marines have chosen a theme for Marine Week Nashville – “Nashville Has a Backstage Pass.” With Nashville as the stage, everyone will have a backstage pass to the free and open public events designed to give a better understanding of the Corps. There will be a dozen events each day beginning with a 6 a.m. reveille and ending with taps at 10 …

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has approved a letter of agreement with WGU Tennessee, the online, nonprofit university brought to the state as part of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative. Resolution 198 creates an official partnership whereby WGU Tennessee will offer tuition discounts to Nashville’s more than 9,200 Metropolitan Government employees should they choose to enroll. “This partnership with WGU Tennessee offers Metro employees a great opportunity to get their first or second degree in a learning environment that works around their schedule,” said Mayor Megan Barry. “We appreciate WGU Tennessee’s commitment to providing a …

Opry Mills shoppers can start earning cash and other rewards for shopping at the property’s more than 200 stores. The Simon InsiderSM program rewards members for shopping and dining with cash-back rewards and other exclusive benefits, including access to new reserved parking spaces. The program is free to join and easy to use. No loyalty cards, coupons or codes to remember: Members sign up with just their email address and their existing credit and debit cards to start earning rewards as they shop across the shopping center. Simon Insider is powered by Spring, a rewards platform that works directly with …

Vince Gill will join community members and public education supporters at the Nashville Public Education Foundation’s 12th annual Public Schools Hall of Fame luncheon on Monday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Gill will also perform at the event. “We are so grateful that Vince Gill is willing to contribute his time and talents to help ensure this year’s Public Schools Hall of Fame event is one of the city’s most successful yet,” said Shannon Hunt, NPEF president and CEO. “Vince reminds us of everything that is so special about Nashville – a …

The United Soccer League announced Thursday that it has awarded an expansion franchise to DMD Soccer, a Nashville-based ownership group, to own and operate a professional USL soccer team in Nashville beginning in 2018. “We are very proud and excited to welcome Nashville to the USL and look forward to a very rewarding partnership with the entire DMD Soccer team,” said Alec Papadakis, chief executive officer of the USL. “We have long identified Nashville as a USL destination due to its economic vibrancy, as well as its growing millennial and international populations.” The DMD Soccer ownership team is made up …

The Gulch’s modern Mexican restaurant, Cantina Laredo, will host its exclusive Tequila Dinner on Thursday, May 26. Sponsored by Sauza Tequila, this exclusive event will be hosted by country music star Andy Velo. The dinner begins with a cocktail service at 7 p.m. and includes a four-course meal with tequila cocktail pairings for each course. “The Tequila Dinners have become my favorite events at Cantina Laredo,” said general manager Matt Langston. “It’s so great to connect with the community and give them an exclusive taste of Cantina Laredo.” The dinner is $49.99 per person, and reservations are required. The four-course …

Metro Parks and Recreation is kicking off a comprehensive yearlong master planning process – “Plan To Play” – with a series of community meetings and events to gain public input about how Nashvillians would like to see the park system grow and change in the coming years. The first round of public meetings will be held Wednesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 9. Residents are encouraged to attend the following meetings: Wednesday, June 8 6 p.m.: Southeast Community Center, 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Suite 202 Thursday, June 9 Noon: Nashville Downtown Library, 615 Church Street 6 p.m.: Old Hickory Community …