SPOOKS & COUPES

7:43 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

Williamson County Parks and Recreation presents Spooks and Coupes, a community Halloween event, on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. This fun annual event will feature over 30 classic cars (coupes) with trunks full of treats! Families and kids alike are encouraged to wear their costumes as they trick-or-treat along the trail behind the recreation center. Then, visit with favorite Disney villains in the Haunted Forest, or make something ghoulish in the Halloween craft tent. There will be free entertainment throughout the evening, free face painting plus fun inflatables! If you get hungry, delicious food truck concessions will be for sale (additional cost).

Spooks & Coupes is one night only, Saturday, October 17 and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This family event is open to the public, and admission is $6 per person (cash, at the gate). Children one year and younger are admitted free. Groups are welcome, and the trail area is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call the Franklin Recreation Complex at (615) 790-5719, ext. 2010.

Spooks & Coupes is sponsored by A.B.L.E. Youth, Maury Fence Co., Williams Medical Supply, C&I Design, CO-OP, True Value, Ready Steady Jump, Southern Events, Southern Athletic Fields, Signs First, The Print Authority and Buffalo Wild Wings. Candy sponsors are Appleton Learning Center, Stroud’s BBQ, Target, Franklin Pool and Spa, Walmart and Kroger.

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 registration and additional information, 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 or following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or on Pinterest.

Scholarship Program

7:39 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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Each spring, based on availability of funds, Leadership Franklin awards scholarships to Franklin/Williamson County college student applicants based on academic achievement, community involvement, and a written essay. The scholarships are awarded at the graduation ceremony of the Leadership Franklin class in the spring each year. To support the continuing efforts of the Scholarship Program, the 2014-2015 class of Leadership Franklin is working to endow the Scholarship Fund to create a lasting impact on future generations of leaders as they embark on their journey to receive a college degree and hopefully, one day, return to our community to work, raise a family, and to continue to lead Franklin towards a bright future. If you would like to support this great cause, please donate by going to http://leadershipfranklin.org/about-us/scholarship-program/.

“As a founder of Leadership Franklin, I encourage you to consider a gift of any amount towards the Leadership Franklin Scholarship Fund. Thank you for your continued support.” -Mrs. Caroline J. Cross

Cool Springs Multimodal Transportation Study

7:34 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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The TMA Group presented TranSystems’ Cool Springs Multimodal Transportation Study to the City of Franklin Board of Mayor & Aldermen during their work session on Aug. 25.

Between 2004 and 2013,Cool Springs average daily traffic increased 13%. Traffic east of I-65 increased 26%! Job growth is expected to continue in the near future as well, according to this graph from the report.

This study proposed short-, mid- and long-term options and solutions involving transit to and from the area, but also a free lunchtime circulator route, pedestrian enhancements, and fully exploring the proposed bike share program.

Recommendations include evening hours, free lunchtime circulator, and routes geared to bring employees from different areas of Nashville.

TMA City of Frankin-Cool Springs Presentation 8-25-15-TranSystems

October Trail Walk, Halloween parties

7:29 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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The Therapeutic Recreation programs offered by Williamson County Parks and Recreation provide year-round leisure activities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Therapeutic programs are led by Therapeutic Recreation Specialists who assist people with disabilities to develop skills and knowledge for daily living and community involvement. Recreation Specialists conduct monthly ongoing programs at three locations: the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd.; the Longview Recreation Center at Spring Hill, 2909 Commonwealth Dr.; and the Williamson County Recreation Complex at Nolensville, 7250 Nolensville Rd. All programs are open to the public.

Trail Walk and Picnic
Join the Therapeutic Recreation staff of Williamson County Parks and Recreation for a trail scavenger hunt and picnic on Monday, October 19 at Timberland Park, located at mile marker 437.2 on the historic Natchez Trace Pkwy. Meet the group at Timberland at 10:00 a.m., enjoy short trail walks followed by a catered box lunch picnic at 11:30. After lunch, there will be craft time in the interpretive center. This is a PALS-People at Leisure with Support program, and caregivers are required to register and attend with those needing support. The cost is $10 per person. Register on-line before October 14 at www.wcparksandrec.com (code #5506). This program is for young adults and older. For additional information, contact Jayne McFadden at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd., (615) 790-5719, ext. 2033.

Recreation Night in Franklin
Get in the Halloween spirit on Thursday, October 22 at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. Therapeutic recreation participants are invited to decorate a pumpkin to take home at this fun social event. Enjoy a delicious pizza dinner and dessert. This is a PALS-People at Leisure with Support program, and caregivers are required to register and attend with those needing support. The cost is $6 per person. This program is for young adults and older. Register on-line October 1-20 at www.wcparksandrec.com (code #5009). For additional information, contact Jayne McFadden at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd., (615) 790-5719, ext. 2025.

Social Night in Nolensville
The Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department will offer a Halloween costume contest and pizza party on October 27 as part of the therapeutic recreation program at the Nolensville Recreation Complex, 7250 Nolensville Rd. This program is for young adults and older, and the cost is $5. This is a P.A.L.S. program (People at Leisure with Support) with caregivers required to stay with those needing support. Caregivers wishing to eat are asked to register and pay the $5 program fee. Registration is required on-line (code #5458) before October. For more information regarding therapeutics programs in Nolensville, contact Krista Hollis at (615) 786-0200, ext. 2421.

National Blue Ribbon Schools

7:24 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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Two more Williamson County schools are being recognized for overall academic excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.

The DOE announced September 29 that Clovercroft Elementary and Ravenwood High are 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“This is an incredible accomplishment,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney. “I am proud of the hard work by our students and staff at Clovercroft and Ravenwood. As a district, we now have eight schools to reach this milestone.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either high-performing or have improved student achievement to high levels. The program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement.

Clovercroft Elementary Principal Dr. Laura LaChance says this would not have been possible without the commitment of all the students, staff and parents.

“It is so rewarding and affirming to be selected for an award like this,” said LaChance. “It’s nice to know that the joint effort between all of us has paid off and that other people have noticed just how amazing these kids are and how hard they’ve worked.”

Like LaChance, Ravenwood Principal Dr. Pam Vaden says this accomplishment is an example of what can happen when people work together toward a common goal.

“Ravenwood High School has demonstrated the incredible accomplishments that can be achieved when a school joins in a true partnership with its community,” said Vaden. “In its inaugural year, Ravenwood students and teachers hit the ground running and never stopped. The credit goes to them.”

Clovercroft and Ravenwood will be honored during a recognition ceremony on November 9-10 in Washington, D.C. Approximately 8,000 schools nationwide have received Blue Ribbon Awards in the program’s history.

Grassland Middle was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2004; Brentwood Middle received the award in 2006; Page High won the award in 2011; and Hillsboro, Kenrose and Trinity received the award in 2014.

Pumpkin Bread

7:07 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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With a chill in the air, it is the perfect time to make some yummy pumpkin bread! Check out this top notch recipe:

Makes: 2 loaves, 12 slices each
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours (including cooling time)

What you need:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole-wheat flour, preferably white whole-wheat (see Tip)
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
2 cups packed light brown sugar
3 cups canned unseasoned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup canola oil

PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
Stir all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk eggs, egg whites, brown sugar, pumpkin and oil in another large bowl. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
Bake the loaves until the tops are golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Turn the loaves out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

NUTRITION
Per serving: 210 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 16 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrates; 18 g added sugars; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber; 377 mg sodium; 125 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (96% daily value), Iron (15% dv)
Carbohydrate Servings: 2 1/2
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 other carbohydrate, 1/2 vegetable, 1 fat

Here Comes the Bride

6:53 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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Engagement Season is upon us. Check out this fabulous lineup of events for every bride’s needs:

A Fall Bridal Show
Sunday, October 18
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
I-Coordinate Events by Ramonda Presents “A Fall Bridal Show”
Hosted By: I-Coordinate Events by Ramonda
Hilton Garden Inn
2631 Highwood Blvd. Smyrna TN
Smyrna, TN 37167
Price: $10 per personEssense of Australia Trunk Show
Thursday, October 22 – Saturday, October 24
10:00 AM
(3 day event)
Essense of Australia Trunk Show
Hosted By: Essense of Australia
The White Room Too
517D Carson Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37128Here Come The Brides Bridal Show
Sunday, October 25
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Here Come The Brides Bridal Show – The Factory at Franklin
Hosted By: Here Come The Brides Bridal Show
The Factory at Franklin Tennessee
230 Franklin Road
Franklin , TN 37064
Price: Get your first two tickets free by registering on our website. You can purchase more tickets on our web or the day of the show for $8.00 or $5.00 if you bring a non-expired canned good for the needy

Murfreesboro Pink Bridal Show
Sunday, November 8
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Murfreesboro Pink Bridal Show
Hosted By: The Pink Bride
Embassy Suites Murfreesboro
1200 Conference Center Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Price: $10 online $12 at the door

Start Right – Stay Connected Pre-marital Seminar
Saturday, November 14
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Start Right – Stay Connected Pre-marital Seminar
Hosted By: Start Right – Stay Connected Pre-Marital Seminar
Pastoral Center for Healing
1024 Noelton Ave
Nashville, TN 37204
Price: $100.00, $60 of which will be deducted from cost of wedding license, for a net cost of $40.00 for the workshop.

PINK Bridal Show
Sunday, January 17
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
PINK Bridal Show – Nashville Vendor
Hosted By: The Pick Inn
Music City Center
201 5th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
Price: 12.00 at the door, 10.00 in advance

Sumner County Bridal Show
Sunday, January 24
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sumner County Bridal Show – Vendor
Hosted By: The Pick Inn
EPIC Event Center
392 West Main Street
Gallatin, TN 37066

Essense of Australia Trunk Show
Saturday, February 13
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Essense of Australia Trunk Show
Hosted By: Essense of Australia
The White Room Too
517D Cason Ln
Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Here Come The Brides Bridal Show
Sunday, February 14
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Here Come The Brides Bridal Show at Embassy Suites Franklin TN
Hosted By: Here Come The Brides Bridal Show
Embassy Suites
820 Crescent Centre Dr
Franklin, TN 37179
Price: Register on our website at herecomethebridesbridalshow.com for two free tickets. If you need more than two, you can purchase them on our website or at the door the day of the show for $8.00. If you bring a canned good for the needy, than your price is only $5.00

Fall Festival List

6:42 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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Tennessee is jam packed with fabulous festivals and events.

Check out our top picks for you!

Spring Hill Country Ham Festival – Oct. 3, Spring Hill, TN

Show your pork pride at the 12th annual Spring Hill Country Ham Festival. The activity-packed festival features savory Southern foods, live music, mechanical bull riding, a hog calling contest, kids’ activities and much more. There’s even a chance to view the fest from thousands of feet in the air in a hot-air balloon, but be sure to book in advance. The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Tennessee Children’s Home.CONTACT: countryhamfest.com.

Tennessee Horse Expo – Oct. 16-18, Franklin, TN

See entertaining demonstrations with horses, cheer on teams in a Ranch Rodeo, visit the Kid’s Corral, root for your favorite competitor in the Extreme Cowboy Race and shop the trade show. CONTACT: (765) 655-2107, tnhorseexpo.com

Music & Molasses Arts & Crafts Festival – Oct. 17-18, Nashville, TN

Celebrate Tennessee’s farming culture and history with the 23rd annual event at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum. Find music for the whole family, traditional craft demonstrations, arts & specialty items, play activities about agriculture for kids with farm animals & pony rides. Admission: $6 ages 5 and over; ages 4 and under free. Free parking. CONTACT: (615) 837-5197, tnagmuseum.org

40th Annual Mountain Makins Festival – Oct. 23-25, Morristown, TN

Enjoy a weekend folk life festival celebrating the traditions of Appalachia through music, dance, fine art, juried crafts, storytelling, demonstrations, regional authors, children’s activities, food and more. CONTACT: (423) 581-4330, rosecenter.org

Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue – Oct. 24, Lynchburg, TN

This event has been called the most prestigious barbecue competition in the world. CONTACT: (931) 759-6332, jackdaniels.com

Pumpkinfest – Oct. 24, Franklin, TN

Franklin Tennessee’s favorite celebration, Pumpkinfest returns October 24, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Presented by Hyundai of Cool Springs, the festival stretches along Main Street and its avenues and offers tons of festive fun for families.

Holiday Crafts and Car Show

6:35 pm | Thursday, Oct 1st

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Time to celebrate the seasons of Halloween and Christmas at the 25th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show and Kris Kringle Kar Klassic on October 31 and November 1, 2015 at the Williamson County Ag Expo Arena, 4215 Long Ln. This annual family event is presented by the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department (WCPR) and features an invitational car show along with great holiday shopping, plus on-site trick or treating, visits and photos with Santa, and a community band concert.

On Saturday and Sunday, over 140 vendors will be participating in the arts and crafts show, with unique, handmade gifts, holiday and home décor, jewelry, apparel and other goodies made by local crafters and artists. Select holiday gifts for the whole family! Vintage and repurposed gifts, original art, pet items and more will be for sale at the show, so bring a shopping list.

On Saturday, October 31, the craft and car shows will celebrate the spirit of the Halloween season! Bring the kids in costume and trick or treat from all 140 vendor booths indoors from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On Sunday, the show will switch gears to December holiday fun with Santa on hand to listen to wish lists and take photos with the kids from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Plus, you can enjoy a concert by the Williamson County Community Band on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Vote for your favorite vehicle in the car show, sponsored by Hyundai of Cool Springs. The craft show is sponsored by NASH FM 103.3.

The Holiday Arts and Crafts Show and Kris Kringle Kar Klassic will be Saturday, October 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 1, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 per person, and includes the car and the craft show, both held indoors at the Williamson County Ag Expo Arena, 4215 Long Lane, (I-65, exit #61) in Franklin. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Parking is free. Concessions will be on sale both days.

For more information about the craft show and booth availability (vendors may still apply), contact Sarah Foster at (615) 790-5719, ext. 2028. For information about the Kris Kringle Kar Klassic, contact Trish Bilbrey at (615) 790-5719, ext. 2044, or visit www.wcparksandrec.com.

Off the Record

1:46 pm | Monday, Sep 28th

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On the heels of New York Fashion Week in Manhattan, Nashville is gearing up for its own night of high fashion taking place Sunday, Nov. 1 at Off The Record, with the first round of musical guests and performers for the event being unveiled last week. The Tennessean broke the news, announcing a performance lineup that includes Big Kenny Alphin of Big & Rich, Chase Bryant, Kaleo, Old Dominion, The Cadillac Three and Phil Vassar. Brooke Eden will be appearing at the event, and Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and his wife Brittney will showcase designs from their Tribe Kelley line.

In an interview with The Tennessean, show director and celebrity designer Christiev Alphin noted that “music and fashion create a natural gathering ground,” and that the fashion show’s team is “bringing in all of the big guns” from the fashion world.

Off The Record is produced by award winning firm, Neste Event Marketing. The Nashville-based company, co-owned by husband and wife Gil and Liz Cunningham, produces concerts for corporate events and festivals throughout North America and has won two Academy of Country Music awards and six IEBA awards.

“EntertainmentBuy and Neste Event Marketing have been involved in producing events on various scales from hundreds of people to hundreds of thousands of people for over 25 years, but rarely do we ever have the opportunity of producing events in Nashville,” noted Gil Cunningham. “We’re excited to bring a unique experience back home to Nashville; this will be an experience you won’t want to miss.”

“Nashville is as hot as you could get and the fashion industry recognizes it,” Liz Cunningham said. “Nashville is the style leader of the south both musically and in fashion.”

With that in mind, the fashion and music industries will come together for this event on the Sunday before the Country Music Association Awards to raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and celebrate the fashion and music that Nashville has to offer.

A full list of confirmed designers can be found below:
Ani&Ari
Eric Adler
KaufmanFranco
Graziela
hatWRKS
Johnathan Kayne
Tribe Kelley
Spinelli Kilcollin
The Giving Keys
Amanda Valentine

More designers and artists are being added weekly. To purchase tickets, visit www.offtherecordnashville.com or call (615) 370-6015. Limited tickets are available for $500 and a portion of the proceeds benefit Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee.