Making Smart Financial Decisions. Regions Bank is hosting Critical Conversations, a lunch series presented by the Council on Workforce Innovation. Regions experts will educate people about making smart financial decisions. Presentations will include an in-depth analysis of the methods, processes and decision-making skills needed to make intelligent financial choices and receive positive returns. Topics and presenters include:

• Kim Powell, Branch Manager: “Are you managing your money, or is your money managing you?”

• David Moon, Mortgage Loan Originator: “Home Ownership versus renting and how to protect your credit”

• Jill Fachilla, Institutional Trust Relationship Manager: “Retirement savings versus not having a retirement plan”

Sessions are free, and Regions will provide lunch. Reservations accepted by email ([email protected]) before August 11. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 150 4th Avenue North, fourth floor.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21

Pick Your Place

How does the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce work to create regional economic prosperity? And how do you, as a member, play a role in supporting that purpose? Join us for Pick Your Place and learn about member benefits and involvement opportunities for the 2014-2015 program year. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, 211 Commerce Street, Suite 100, Nashville. Information: nashvillechamber.com, 743-3063.

Live on the Green

This week: Goodbye June, Wild Cub, The Head and the Heart beginning at 6 p.m. Since its inception in 2009, more than 200,000 fans from 29 states and 10 countries have attended the free outdoor music festival. It also has hosted more than 70 artists, including Alabama Shakes, Local Natives, Band of Horses, Matt & Kim, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Matt Nathanson, The Wallflowers, Citizen Cope, Dr. John, The Wailers and more. This year’s lineup:

• Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:15 p.m.: All Them Witches, The Features, Capital Cities

• Thursday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.: Johnnyswim, Delta Spirit, Cage the Elephant

• Friday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m.: Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes, Augustana, G. Love and Special Sauce, The Wild Feathers

• Saturday, Sept. 6, 1:45 p.m.: Phin, Sugar and the Hi Lows, Ingrid Michaelson, LP, The Lone Bellow, Jake Bugg

Summer of Street Food

A gathering of 15 to 20 local food trucks. This event will take place every other Thursday through August 21. Trucks will be parked on Deaderick Street between 4th Avenue North and 5th Avenue North. Information: www.nashvillefoodtruckassociation.com.

Real Estate Investors Network

Williamson County Lunch Group. Rehabbers, builders, commercial, mini-storage, wholesalers, private lenders, transaction funders, hard-money lenders, bankers, title attorneys, Realtors and vendors discuss deals, the state of the market and how they can help each other prosper. 11:15 a.m., Bosco’s, 2000 Meridian Blvd, Ste 110, Franklin.

AUGUST 21-24

Ninth annual Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference

The goals of the conference are to assist authors of all writing genres and formats, develop a better understanding of the craft of the mystery, thriller, suspense and crime fiction, and nonfiction genres, and portray law enforcement and forensic science in a fair and accurate manner. Some 400-500 authors, agents, editors and publishers attend each year from across the nation. Omni Hotel. Information: www.killernashville.com, [email protected].

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

Spark Series

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its new Spark Series, offering professional development workshops in partnership with c3/consulting. For teams or individuals, these full- and half-day workshops help organizations increase productivity, improve collaboration, enhance leadership skills and learn techniques for strategic planning. This workshop topic is “Breakthrough Thinking: Avoid Thinking Biases,” and is scheduled for 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at C3 Consulting, LLC, 2975 Sidco Drive, Nashville. $400 per person for Chamber members, $550 per person for future members. Information: www.nashvillechamber.com, 743-3067. Additional sessions include:

• Thursday, Sept. 11: Strategy Boot Camp: From Vision to Execution. 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Wednesday, Sept. 17: The Seven Separators of Facilitation Excellence. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday, August 23

Big Band Concert

5 Points Swing will perform music of the 1940s, made famous by Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra, 7 p.m., at the historic College Grove Artsitorium, 8601 Horton Highway. No admission fee. Information: www.wcparksandrec.com, or call (615) 790-5719(615) 790-5719, ext. 2010.