Chamber and P2020 Annual Meeting. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and Partnership 2020 investors invite all members to the 2011 Annual Meeting, today, 9:30-11 a.m. This event will feature a multimedia presentation celebrating the accomplishments of the past year and the opportunities of the year to come. The keynote speaker will be Joel Kotkin, a nationally recognized journalist who has published some of Nashville’s biggest recent accolades in his weekly “New Geographer” column for Forbes.com. Presented by Fifth Third Bank. Information: nashvillechamber.com, 743-3115.

THURSDAY, OCT. 6

Profitability through Pollution Prevention

The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of Environmental Assistance has announced a series of regional Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership workshops this fall, designed to give businesses across the state an opportunity to share best practices and innovative ideas for improving profitability and reducing pollution. The Middle Tennessee workshop will be held at the GM/Spring Hill Manufacturing Welcome Center, 100 Saturn Parkway, Spring Hill. Information: bartlettchamber.org/content/TP3_Regional_Workshop.shtml.

Heroes of Business Speaker Series

Lipscomb University College of Business series will feature The Honorable David A. Sampson, former deputy secretary of commerce during President George W. Bush’s administration and a Lipscomb University alumnus, in a free public talk at the College of Business chapel service on Oct. 6. 10:55 a.m., Ezell Center. Information: 335-6273.

Live on the Green

Live on the Green’s third season continues with Brett Dennen and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors. The performance is the fifth in a free six-week concert series taking place Thursday nights through Oct. 13 at Public Square Park (Metro Courthouse). Shows start at 6 p.m. Information: liveonthegreen.net.
Final show Oct. 13, Here Come the Mummies

Bouquets for Breast Cancer

Fourth annual “Bouquets for Breast Cancer” champagne and strawberries reception will be presented 5-7 p.m. at Rebel Hill Florist to benefit the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition (TBCC). The reception will be hosted by Anna Page, owner of Rebel Hill Florist, and sponsored by Nancy Allen, BMW of Nashville. 4821 Trousdale Drive. rebelhillflorist.com, tbcc.org.

FRIDAY, OCT. 7

Cheekwood Nights

Season finale of Friday night series features country artist Elizabeth Cook. Cook has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage more than 300 times and is the host of “Elizabeth Cook’s Apron Strings,” a Sirius XM Radio show on the Outlaw Country Channel comprosed of music, recipes and household cleaning tips. Singer-songwriter Tim Carroll will open for Cook. Also, songwriter Neil O’Neill on the Pineapple Room deck, jazz on the Rose Terrace with Debbie Cunningham and pianist Mark Sorrels playing from the Museum of Art drawing room to the Wisteria Lounge. 5:30-10 p.m. Information: cheekwood.org.

Frist Center for the Visual Arts openings

Two long-awaited exhibitions open. Delve into the history of Ancient Egyptian burial ceremony with To Live Forever’s extensive display of over 100 priceless Egyptian artifacts from the Brooklyn Museum. Also, contemporary artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons’ multimedia and photographic exploration of her personal history and the ethnic, racial and sexual histories that inform everyone. Information: 244-3340, fristcenter.org.

Light The Night Walk

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual walk to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Participants carry illuminated balloons and raise funds for patient services and research for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nashville will hold its 12th annual Walk of 2.2 miles. There also will be live music, food and children’s activities. LP Field, 7:30 p.m. Information: lightthenight.org.

Nashville’s Oktoberfest Celebration

Nashville’s historic Germantown is gearing up for the 32nd Annual Oktoberfest Celebration. The city’s original and longest-running cultural festival features a free children’s area with games, pony rides, face painting, clowns and more, plus live German music, arts, crafts, antique and specialty booths, German food and beverages, and tours of Germantown’s historic and unique churches. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free parking is available beside the festival site at the Farmer’s Market and Bicentennial Mall. Information: nashvilleoktoberfest.com.

Oct. 11-12

SocialCrush

A two-day, hands-on social media-for-business conference, will be held at the Nashville Convention Center. Nick Gianos, partner manager for API programs at Facebook, is one of a dozen speakers featured. Information: crushiq.com.

TUESDAY, OCT. 11

Mature Driving Program

Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department offer a program to help older drivers refresh and improve skills that may help in accident avoidance and fewer traffic violations. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Road. This is a two-day course -– second session is Thursday, Oct. 13 -- and participants must attend both days. $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-AARP members. Information and registration: 790-5719, ext. 10.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12

Education 2020 Speaker Series

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Karl Dean’s Education 2020 Speaker Series present: Engaging the Business Community to Improve Education. Keynote speaker: The Honorable Margaret Spellings, former secretary of education; president, U.S. Forum for Policy Innovation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as the keynote speaker. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University, 2555 West End Avenue. Information and registration: 743-3115, nashvillechamber.org.

Social Digital Marketing Leadership Lunch

Young Leaders Council (YLC) hosts a leadership luncheon on “Social Digital Marketing” with Clint Smith, co-founder and CEO of Emma, and Grey Garner, market strategist with Emma, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Nashville Public Television, at 161 Rains Avenue. Information and reservations: ylcnashville.org.

Oct. 14-16

Southern Festival of Books

A free, three-day celebration of the written word that attracts about 20,000 attendees to meet their favorite writers and become familiar with talented new writers. This 23rd anniversary edition includes authors Walter Mosley, Andrea Davis Pinkney, T.A. Barron, Chris Bohjalian, Pseudonymous Bosch, Charles Frazier, Tom Perrotta and Nashville’s own Ann Patchett. Information: humanitiestennessee.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 15

Rock & Road Relay Marathon

The Inaugural Rock & Road Relay Marathon, 5k & one-mile foot race benefitting the Friends of Warner Parks and its educational programs. Information, including the schedule of events, course maps, and volunteer opportunities available at rockandroadmarathon.racesonline.com.

Mars Petcare Adoption Fair

Mars Petcare will host its third annual adoption fair at its office in Franklin, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More than 20 local animal shelters will participate in the event. Families and animal lovers alike are invited to attend the free fair and enjoy food and drinks, kids’ activities and music. A balloon artist, dog kissing booth and paw painting also will be available.