Patricia Hart Luncheon

1:00 am | Sunday, Feb 1st

United Way of Williamson County’s Patricia Hart Society is a group of dedicated women in Williamson County who support the needs of our community and have joined together to encourage women of all ages and backgrounds to help in the work of United Way. Our vision is to create an opportunity for women to take a leadership role in positively impacting the community. Williamson County resident Patricia Hart, active community volunteer, community philanthropist and advocate, agreed to lend her name to this endeavor because of her strong belief in United Way and as she puts it, “because extraordinary things happen when women come together.” To learn more about or join the Patricia Hart Society, email Debby Rainey or call 615-771-2312.

Click here to read, or view the videos below of three touching stories of women who received support from United Way agencies. These were the finalists for the Woman of Inspiration Award from the Patricia Hart Society HeART to Heart luncheon 2014. Every video story is unique, but all of them illustrate the power of the Patricia Hart Society to help people transform their lives.

Launching today!

6:59 pm | Friday, Jan 30th

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The poll for the 2015 Sizzle Awards is launching today!! Stay tuned!

Presented by Southern Exposure Magazine, the Williamson Herald and FranklinIS / JLB Works. The winners will be announced in the Williamson Herald in March, in Southern Exposure Magazine and online after the Sizzle Awards ceremony.

THE POLL OPENS JANUARY 30, 2015 AND WILL RUN THROUGH MARCH 16, 2015 TIL MIDNIGHT CST. THE SIZZLE AWARDS CEREMONY FOR 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD PLACE WINNERS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 24, 2015.

Town’s End General Store To Become Jamba Juice

5:28 am | Monday, Jan 12th

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The owner of Town’s End General Store, Cynthia Townsend, has announced the closing of the store to open her franchise-owned business, Jamba Juice, at the same location of 504 West Main Street. “I have been working on a downtown Franklin location for over a year and decided the location of my present store will be best due to its location, visibility, and size,” Cynthia stated. “It is bittersweet to close the general store because

downtown Franklin is the perfect place for an old-fashioned concept with modern merchandise. Hopefully someday another one will open.”

This will be the third location for the locally-owned Jamba Juice franchise which will be open in early spring. The other locations are in the Cool Springs area of Franklin at 1844 W. McEwen and in Nashville at 2314 Elliston Place in the Elliston 23 luxury apartment retail strip. Cynthia said, “My family and I are excited to open on Main Street in downtown Franklin and continue to be a part of the continued growth and preservation of our charming city. We are glad to have the opportunity to offer our hometown community a healthy lifestyle choice for food and beverages, and be able to give back to our community through local charitable involvement.”

Sam Whittier, managing owner, said “Community involvement is extremely important to the Jamba brand and we want to continue to have an impact in the area by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle through better options as well as programs that support schools, youth sports, and local causes.”

Jamba Juice Company is a leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you, specialty beverage and food offerings which include whole fruit smoothies, fresh squeezed juices and blends, and a variety of food items including hot oatmeal,
breakfast wraps, wellness bowls, sandwiches, flatbreads, kid’s meals and a variety of baked goods and snacks.

Town’s End General Store is now offering discounts on everything in the store, including displays and antique items. The sale will continue through the first week in February with a silent auction to coincide with downtown Franklin’s Art Scene onFriday, February 6 through Sunday, February 8. The proceeds from the auction will benefit The Heritage Foundation and Williamson County CASA For Children.

Contact:
For Town’s End General Store & Auction Information
Cynthia Townsend
cdtownsend@fruitfullivingllc.com
615-791-8086

For Jamba Juice of Tennessee
Sam Whittier
sdwhittier@fruitfullivingllc.com
615-457-4761

Igniting Voices

5:06 am | Monday, Jan 12th

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For nearly 20 years, New Hope Academy (NHA) has been helping young students overcome adversity through the power of opportunity, the promise of a Christ-centered education, and the value of personal relationships. Now the non-profit school is presenting “Igniting Voices,” a national speaker series focused on offering diverse perspectives on life, learning and changing the culture of poverty.

Dr. Ben Carson, a retired pediatric neurosurgeon and author, will deliver the inaugural address of the series on March 10, 2015 at the Music City Center in Nashville.

“Our community is built on diversity, and the conviction that exposure to different cultures, thoughts and struggles creates a love of learning,” said NHA Headmaster Stuart Tutler. “There’s a lot of value in personal experience, and understanding different perspectives. Dr. Carson’s life path was drastically altered by education, and we’re very pleased to provide Nashville with an opportunity to hear more about what he’s learned through the ‘Igniting Voices’ series.”

Carson’s story of breaking through the circumstance of growing up in a poor, single-parent home to become an Ivy League educated physician who has impacted the future of medicine is an inspirational parallel: he was the first surgeon in the world to successfully separate twins conjoined at the head.

“We serve families who come from similar situations as Dr. Carson – single parents who are facing struggles but recognize the opportunity to change the generational circumstances,” Tutler said. “With the support of the community, we’ve been able to demonstrate how effective our approach can be, and this is a chance to gain insight from a leader while helping provide opportunities to the kind of young people who will lead the next generation.”

Carson said he was impressed with the vision, mission and results that New Hope Academy represents, and was eager to help.

With an enrollment of 220 students, the Christ-centered, classical education focused school has thrived on the belief that lives and futures can be enhanced by breaking down social barriers based on race, nationality and economic conditions. The pre-K to 6th grade school is intentionally diverse, with minority students representing 49 percent of the community, more than 30 percent living in single-parent households, and more than 50 percent of families receiving financial support from the school’s fundraising efforts.

Tickets to “Igniting Voices” start at $250 at www.ignitingvoices.com, with tables available for corporate and individual sponsors. Please inquire about sponsorship opportunities that include a VIP reception with Dr. Carson.

For more information, call NHA Director of Community Relations Cathy Irwin at 615-210-6698, or email her at cirwin@nhafranklin.org.

To learn more about New Hope Academy, visit www.nhafranklin.org.

Nashville Restaurant Week

5:02 am | Monday, Jan 12th

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Nashville Restaurant Week is returning Jan. 19-25, with nearly 60 locally owned restaurants offering special meals and deals throughout the week.

Participants are members of the Nashville Originals, the city’s not-for-profit independent restaurant association. Together, the Originals work to preserve the culinary identity of the community and sustain each other as restaurateurs.

Twice a year, Originals members host Nashville Restaurant Week, offering diners in Davidson and Williamson counties the chance to try a chef specialty not normally found on the menu, dine at a finer establishment for a more affordable price and celebrate Nashville’s local culinary scene through special prix-fixe menus throughout the entire week.

“Restaurant Week has become something many Nashvillians and visitors look forward to for the chance to either support their favorite local spot, try something new or take advantage of the great deals,” says Tom Loventhal, president of the Nashville Originals and an owner in the Noshville Delicatessens and Blue Moon Waterfront Grille at Rock Harbor Marina. “The chefs get excited about testing a possible new menu item or just showing off their skills on a dish they can’t offer on a regular basis.”

While prix-fixe menus are traditionally set at price points like $15.15, $20.15 and $30.15, respectively, many restaurants offer other unique menu and pricing options. Several Originals members will feature three-course lunches or dinners including an appetizer or salad, entrée and dessert, while others will offer wine pairings, meals for two and various deals. Details can be found at www.nashvilleoriginals.com.

Finezza Italian Bistro is one of the organization’s newest members—along with Salsa and Peg Leg Porker—to participate in the event. Celebrating 25 years at their Belle Meade location this year, Finezza is looking forward to Restaurant Week as a way to show support for Nashville’s local food scene.

“We joined Nashville Originals this past year to help in the effort to keep our original local restaurants at the forefront in the minds of diners,” says Shelly Bouton Surgener, owner and general manager of Finezza. “Restaurant Week is a great way to celebrate many of our community’s culinary staples, and we’re excited to show that a 25-year-old restaurant can still create an exciting menu full of inspirational dishes!”

Established in 2006 as the city’s not-for-profit independent restaurant association, the Nashville Originals are locally owned and loved culinary institutions, ranging from casual eateries to fine dining establishments. Together, the Originals support each other as fixtures of the growing culinary community that continues to enjoy national acclaim.

For more information, including menu details, visit www.nashvilleoriginals.com. Look for Restaurant Week photos, updates and more at www.facebook.com/NashvilleOriginals.

Live Green

4:51 am | Monday, Jan 12th

Local Resources

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The Live Green Partnership for Businesses is a collaborative effort of businesses in Franklin that promote sustainable operations in the work place. The program is open to any business in Franklin on a volunteer basis, regardless of type or size, so long as they implement resource conservation measures and demonstrate a culture of sustainablity in their everyday practices. All partners will receive recognition with a certificate signed by the Mayor indicating the level of achievement and a Live Green decal to display in their business.

Please Fill out the online Sign up form to see what level you can achieve. Only check the boxes that you are currently doing. As you implement new initiatives, please reapply anytime to reach a new level! See a Power Point Presentation.

See a list of all the Green Partners!

Find out more ways of going green on our Resource Page.

Several local businesses have been featured for their efforts. Read about them below:

Vow Renewals

4:25 am | Monday, Jan 12th

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“For generations couples in love have enjoyed the romantic setting of Oaklands formal front parlor.”, said Raina van Setter, Special Events Coordinator. “We invite you to join us on February 14^th and become a part of Oaklands’ history.”
For $175 the bride, groom, and sixteen special guests can be a part of history!

By appointment only.

30 minute time slots available from 8:00am – 6:00pm

Marriage licenses must be acquired in advance.

Oaklands Historic House Museum, located at 901 North Maney Avenue in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is a nationally registered historic landmark that reflects a time of prosperity in the Old South, as well as the hardships suffered during the Civil War. For more information contact Oaklands at (615) 893-0022 or email events@oaklandsmuseum.org

Three Blind Vines

8:52 am | Sunday, Jan 11th

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You’ll wine and dine the night away with two of your favorite local bands – Art Four Sale and Electric Time Machine.

Friday, March 27, 2015
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Liberty Hall at The Factory
$45 general admission / $100 VIP area
**Plus 3 bottles of your favorite wines per team of 1-3 people**

Tickets include appetizers from nearly 15 of Williamson County’s favorite chefs and restaurants including Taziki’s, Papa C Pies, Kate’s Kitchen and many more!

The private VIP area includes an exclusive catered dining selection from Frothy Monkey along with complimentary cocktails from local favorites – Old Hickory Great American Whiskey and Corsair Gin.

Next Gen encourages responsible drinking, so safe rides have been arranged for partygoers through the Franklin Transit Authority (the Franklin Trolley). The cost is $6 per person round-trip and can be paid to the driver at time of pick-up. SPACE IS LIMITED. For planning purposes, transportation reservation deadline is TOMORROW, Thursday March 26.

To reserve your spot, call 615-628-0263 or email sconnor@tmagroup.org. Safe rides are available for those only within the Franklin city limits so please plan your evening to include a safe ride.

Don’t forget, this is the first year 3BV’s silent auction has gone mobile and Next Gen has some incredible, unique items up for bid – nearly $20,000 in retail value! The auction will conclude at the event on the 27th.

Click here to view the current list of items!

Online ticket sales close TOMORROW at 10 p.m., so if you haven’t secured tickets yet, click here! Tickets will be $50 at the door.

We can hardly wait to see you Friday!

High School Musical this January

5:32 am | Thursday, Dec 18th

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The Act Too Players (ATP), Williamson County’s premier training program for all youths

interested in the performing arts will take the stage in January with the mounting of Disney’s High School Musical. The productions will run from January 23rd through January 25

located in Downtown Franklin, Tennessee.

Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life on your stage! Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends, and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities.

It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations, and look forward to the New Year. Basketball team captain and resident jock Troy discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical, led by Ms. Darbus.

Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well. Disney’s High School Musical is fun for the whole family with songs like We’re All in This Together, Start of Something New, and Get Your Head in the Game.

This production of High School Musical is being performed by youth members of the Act Too Players School of Music and Theatre. The Act Too Player’s youth programming is designed to give each student the opportunity for a well-rounded performing arts education.

Act Too Players will also be producing Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Zombie Prom, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids, and the non-musical Wizard of Oz this January. This series of productions will be performed January 16th through January 25th with various show times which can be found on the Franklin Theatre website. Ticket prices range from $13 dollar tickets to $25 tickets for the cabaret seating at the front of the audience.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the Franklin Theatre at 615.538.2076 or ordered online at

http://www.franklintheatre.com/live-theater/. The Act Too Players is currently enrolling for its Spring Semester classes and Summer Camps (Beauty and the Beast and the Sound of Music. Over the past 12 years, we have expanded our theatre class offerings to include a range of top-notch acting classes, dance classes for the performer, behind the scenes classes, vocal lessons, and our well-known musical theatre program. For more information about Act Too Players visit our website www.ActTooPlayers.com

Holiday Junior Tennis Camps

5:21 am | Thursday, Dec 18th

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The Indoor Sports Complex (ISC), 920 Heritage Way in Brentwood, will host holiday junior

tennis camps on Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30. Ages 8 to 14 (beginner/

adv. beginner) will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, and ages 9 to 17 (intermediate/

advanced) from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The camps are $96 per junior.

To register for these tennis programs, call the ISC at (615) 370-3471, ext. 2110.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the

community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams,

classes and events. For more information about the facilities and programs of the Williamson

County Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.wcparksandrec.com, or call (615) 790-

5719, ext. 2010. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County

Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

HOLIDAY JUNIOR TENNIS CAMPS
Camps offered during holiday break
The Indoor Sports Complex (ISC), 920 Heritage Way in Brentwood, will host holiday junior
tennis camps on Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30. Ages 8 to 14 (beginner/
adv. beginner) will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, and ages 9 to 17 (intermediate/
advanced) from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The camps are $96 per junior.
To register for these tennis programs, call the ISC at (615) 370-3471, ext. 2110.
Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the
community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams,
classes and events. For more information about the facilities and programs of the Williamson
County Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.wcparksandrec.com, or call (615) 790-
5719, ext. 2010. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County
Parks and Recreation on Facebook.