Williamson County Young Professionals Holiday Party. Highlights will include a tacky sweater contest and networking. Stoveworks, The Factory, 230 Franklin Road. 5-8 p.m. RSVP: [email protected]

THURSDAY, DEC. 12

Real Estate Investors Network

REIN Wholesaling Subgroup – Networking and net-worthing subgroup of wholesalers, cash buyers and deal-maker wannabes. 6 p.m., REIN Education Center, 2416 Music Valley Drive, Ste 151, Nashville.

• Monday, Dec. 16: REIN Landlording Subgroup – Come learn and network with other landlords. 6 p.m., REIN Education Center, 2416 Music Valley Drive, Ste 151, Nashville.

• Tuesday, Dec. 17: REIN Lunch Network – Small group meets for lunch with other investors to share ideas. Meets first and third Tuesdays of each month, 11:15 a.m., at Dalt’s Classic America Grill, 38 White Bridge Road, Nashville.

Information: reintn.org.

The Innovation Hub

c3/consulting and the Nashville Entrepreneur Center are joining forces to present a one-day workshop to help attendees develop new product and services ideas, prioritize the best ideas and provide a framework for a scalable business model that works. Cost: $1,250 for two attendees. Information: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-hub-tickets-9017482533.

Business Matchmaking Demo

Join the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce as it introduces Business Matchmaking, an intuitive, cloud-based software that helps pair qualified, growing companies with ready-to-purchase buyers. Powered by technology from Sagents Partners LLC, this new offering helps growing businesses in Middle Tennessee connect with procurement offices in Fortune 1000 companies. 3-5 p.m., Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, 211 Commerce Street, Suite 100, Nashville. Information: nashvillechamber.com, 743-3063

Tennessee Small Business Development Center and Volunteer State Community College Workshops

Starting a Small Business. 4-6 p.m. Free. Location: TSBDC at Volunteer State Community College, Betty Gibson Hall, Gallatin.

SATURDAY, DEC. 14

Davidson County Democratic Party’s Annual Holiday Brunch Annual Holiday Brunch

10-11:30 a.m., 119 Dunham Springs Road, Nashville. Suggested contribution: $25 and a non-perishable food item for donation to Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee (especially peanut butter). Information: [email protected].

DEC. 14-15

Metro Police Toy Drive at Nashville Zoo

Metro Nashville Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Division will collect donated toys for its 52nd annual Christmas Basket Program, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Nashville Zoo. Toys must be unwrapped and designed for children 12 and younger. As an added incentive, the zoo is offering a complimentary admission ticket for every new toy donated. The complimentary zoo tickets may be used anytime during normal zoo hours through the end of February 2014. Information: 833-1534, www.nashvillezoo.org.

MONDAY, DEC. 16

2013 Education Report Card for Metro Schools

For more than two decades, the Nashville Area Chamber has annually convened a diverse group of business and community representatives to evaluate the progress of Nashville’s public school system. Each year, the committee presents findings and recommendations for improvement. This year, the Chamber reports on the progress of the schools during the 2012-2013 school year and takes an in-depth look at the district’s implementation of Common Core State Standards. Guests include:

• Nashville Mayor Karl Dean

• Director of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Dr. Jesse Register

• Metropolitan Board of Education Chair Cheryl Mayes

• Education Report Card Committee Co-Chairs Patricia Stokes and Susan West

10-11:30 a.m., Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville. Information: nashvillechamber.com, 743-3063.