National Blue Ribbon Schools

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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.

Here Comes the Bride

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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

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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.

Off the Record

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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.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, Franklin TN

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Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival Franklin TN 2015Pilgrimage is a music and cultural festival debuting in September 26-27, 2015 in Franklin, Tennessee.  Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival invites folks of all ages on a journey to experience a myriad of musical styles, a bevy of food and beverages, and the rich regional spirit of Franklin, TN.

Like most great ideas, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was inspired by friendship, history, and the desire to create a meaningful experience. Two years ago, Musician and Franklin, TN resident Kevin Griffin was on a September morning jog through The Park at Harlinsdale, a century-old horse farm recently purchased by the City of Franklin. Kevin was so taken by the rolling hills, natural amphitheaters, and breathtaking vistas of the 230-acre farm, he envisioned it as a natural fit for a music festival venue. Considering Franklin’s place, Kevin wanted people to understand the beauty and rustic quality of Middle Tennessee in the fall, and with the blessing of the City, began to dream up a music festival to do it justice.

Partnered with lifelong buddies W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan, the trio aspired to highlight the diversity and community spirit of the New Orleans Jazz Fest, tailoring the best elements to Franklin– a richly historic town just 20 minutes south of Nashville. Like Jazz Fest, Pilgrimage will take place during the day, and offer a diverse yet renowned lineup of rock and roll, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, indie, gospel and more. Performing on patina-clad stages reflecting the area’s aesthetic, many bands will “crank it down” and give a partly acoustic set specifically tailored to the day. Moreover, the fest will boast “Pilgri-mashups,” pairing artists together for special one-time collaborations on stage. The Little Pilgrims Stage will be more than a kids’ play area; it will feature a line-up of talented young musicians in their own right, to inspire and entertain kids and adults alike.

The region’s best food and drink will be on display at the Kitchen and Sippin’ stages at scheduled times throughout the weekend, and carefully selected food and merchant vendors will be featured in the Bazaar. When performances wrap at 7:30pm each day, guests can conveniently head back into the heart of downtown Franklin, within walking distance from the Park at Harlinsdale, to imbibe the best of the town’s restaurants, shops, and great weekend lineup of nighttime shows.

Ultimately, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival invites folks of all ages on a journey to experience a myriad of musical styles, a bevy of food and beverages, and the rich regional spirit of Franklin, TN.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival.

Franklin Parks Family Day

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Everyone is invited to the 2015 Franklin Parks Family Day on October 3, at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm at 10am.  The 9th Annual Family Day Celebration is promising to be the best festival in the Parks history.  Family Day is a free festival open to the public, and will take place from 10am2pm at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, located at 239 Franklin Rd. across the street from The Factory in the Historic City of Franklin.

The Franklin Park Family Day offers many opportunities for kids and their families to have a great time on this historical farm with so much to do.  The festival features popular activities like miniature train rides, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a horsemanship obstacle competition.  Festival attendees can also enjoy cane pole fishing in the pond on the Harlinsdale property.  There will be inflatables, live music, a photo booth and other farm themed photo opportunities, crafts and games.  All rides and activities are free to attendees.

Many local business are participating in the games and sponsoring the event including Denise Cummins & Zeitlin Realty, Friends of Franklin Parks, Tractor Supply Company, K-Love, Get Fit Franklin, Franklin Athletics, Children’s and Adolescent Dentistry of Franklin, Lil Sluggers, Inc. of Nashville, The Academy at Westhaven, The Goddard School, Crossroads Natural Horsemanship, Franklin Farmer’s Market Education Foundation, Williamson County Co-op, Tri-Green Equipment, Dreams Do Come True Princess Parties, Kroger, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

For hungry attendees, food will be offered for purchase by local food vendors including Smokey J’s BBQ, Music City Pie Company, Tennessee Taco, Kona Ice, Itty Bitty Donuts, Jamba Juice, and Wild Bill’s Old Fashioned Soda.

The Parks Department is working with Safe Harbor Equine and Livestock Sanctuary this year to feature adoptable animals and a “feed drive” at Family Day. Safe Harbor hopes to encourage event attendees to purchase and donate hay and grain to Safe Harbor to help cover the feed costs while these animals are in their care. Safe Harbor will have many adoptable animals onsite.

New to Family Day this year…Crossroads Natural Horsemanship and Friends of Franklin Parks bring a Natural Horsemanship Obstacle Competition to the brand new Tractor Supply Company Arena. Attendees can watch skilled rides take their horses through a variety of 15 obstacles including teeter-totters, weaving poles, tractors tires and more to test the horse’s obedience, training, and trust of his rider.

The 9th Annual Family Day Celebration is presented by the City of Franklin Parks Department. The City of Franklin Parks is committed to promote the love of nature and provide opportunities for enjoyment of the parks in Franklin. The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is a Franklin Landmark established in 1935. It was once called the most significant historic farm associated with the modern Tennessee walking horse industry. The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is a passive park, maintaining and protecting the history of the farm. It offers walking/running paths, a catch and release pond, a dog park, a children’s garden and a venue for various public and private events.

For more information please check out our website at www.franklintn.gov/FamilyDay.

Family Day Live Entertainment Schedule

10am                Rapunzel & Friends (Dreams Do Come True Princesses)                        K-Love Stage

10am                Natural Horsemanship Obstacle Course walk-through                Tractor Supply Co. Arena

10:10am           Bill Crosby                                                                               K-Love Stage

10:30am           Natural Horsemanship Obstacle Course Competition                 Tractor Supply Co. Arena

11am                Elsa & Anna (Dreams Do Come True Princesses)                       K-Love Stage

11:10am           The Main Street                                                                                    K-Love Stage

12:30pm           Ariel & Friends (Dreams Do Come True Princesses)                   K-Love Stage

12:35pm           The Broomestix                                                                                   K-Love Stage

Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-Off

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2015 Chili Cook-off Oct. 24 on Third Avenue North during Pumpkinfest

Franklin Tomorrow’s 13th annual Chili Cook-off is set for Saturday, Oct. 24, on Third Avenue North between Bridge Street and the Franklin Public Square as part of the Downtown Franklin Association’s annual Pumpkinfest.  FirstBank for being our presenting sponsor in this year’s event.

Teams ready to compete for the coveted People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice Awards, as well as Best Booth Décor, include Granite City Food & Brewery; My Friend’s House; Franklin Noon Rotary BBQ Society; Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant; Circa Grill of Thompson’s Station; Fountains of Franklin; Franklin Firefighters Association; Big Shake’s Hot Chicken; Brian Irvin’s Nailed it Chili; 101st Airborne, Franklin’s Adopted Sons Bulldog Chili; Corner Pub Franklin; Father-Son Bowl; Franklin City Club; and Culver’s of Franklin.

Serving will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. or the chili runs out!

Each $10 tasting tray will contain two-ounce samplings from each of the teams. A ticket for voting accompanies every tray. Hot dogs will be available for sale, as well as drinks and chips.

If you would like to apply to enter a team, complete this 2015 Chili team registration form and send it to donna@franklintomorrow.org.

Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival

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Like most great ideas, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was inspired by friendship, history, and the desire to create a meaningful experience. Two years ago, Musician and Franklin, TN resident Kevin Griffin was on a September morning jog through The Park at Harlinsdale, a century-old horse farm recently purchased by the City of Franklin. Kevin was so taken by the rolling hills, natural amphitheaters, and breathtaking vistas of the 230-acre farm, he envisioned it as a natural fit for a music festival venue.
Considering Franklin’s place, Kevin wanted people to understand the beauty and rustic quality of Middle Tennessee in the fall, and with the blessing of the City, began to dream up a music festival to do it justice.Partnered with lifelong buddies and fellow New Orleanians W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan, the trio aspired to highlight the diversity and community spirit of the New Orleans Jazz Fest, tailoring the best elements to Franklin– a richly historic town just 30 minutes south of Nashville. Like Jazz Fest, Pilgrimage will take place during the day, and offer a diverse yet renowned lineup of rock and roll, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, indie, gospel and more.
Performing on patina-clad stages reflecting the area’s aesthetic, many bands will “crank it down” and give a partly acoustic set specifically tailored to the day. Moreover, the fest will boast “Pilgri-mashups,” pairing artists together for special one-time collaborations on stage. The Little Pilgrims Stage will be more than a kids’ play area; it will feature a line-up of talented young musicians in their own right, to inspire and entertain kids and adults alike.The region’s best food and drink will be on display at the Kitchen and Sippin’ stages at scheduled times throughout the weekend, and carefully selected food and merchant vendors will be featured in the Bazaar.
When performances wrap at 7:30pm each day, guests can conveniently head back into the heart of downtown Franklin, within walking distance from the Park at Harlinsdale, to imbibe the best of the town’s restaurants, shops, and great weekend lineup of nighttime shows.Ultimately, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival invites folks of all ages on a journey to experience a myriad of musical styles, a bevy of food and beverages, and the rich regional spirit of Franklin, TN.

Road to Open on Carothers Parkway South

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Wednesday, September 23, at 11:00 a.m. Franklin officials will gather for the official opening of Carothers Parkway South Extension from Old South Carothers to Long Lane.  The ceremony will take place on the Carothers Parkway Bridge over the Harpeth River.  The media and general public are welcome and encouraged to attend the ceremony.

 

Carothers Parkway is an important north-south connector on the East side of I-65 and will now provide connectivity from the Goose Creek Interchange to Moores Lane.  This roadway will provide access to numerous neighborhoods in the southeast portion of Franklin.  Over the past few years the Board of Mayor and Aldermen have approved the construction of approximately 2,183 new single family units and 757 multi-family units along the frontage of this project.  The roadway is approximately 2.8 miles in length, with a bridge crossing the Harpeth River.  The project was graded to accommodate a four-lane divided highway, however, only two of the four lanes were built initially.  A sidewalk has also been installed from the bridge going north.

 

 

The cost for the design, right-of-way, easements, engineering and construction of this project was approximately 17 million dollars.

Heritage Ball Offers Nonstop Action, Farm-to-Fork Bites

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Williamson County’s longest-running black tie event is rapidly approaching, and organizers from the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County are making final preparations for the nearly sold-out 42nd Annual Heritage Ball on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin.

The estimated 700 attending guests will be treated to an impressive silent auction, cocktail hour, non-stop entertainment and a farm-to-fork dinner at the themed “Rhapsody in Blue” Ball.

“There are so many incredible components to this year’s event, and we’ve got some surprises in store, too,” said Lynne McAlister, Heritage Ball coordinator. “More than 650 people have bought tickets, so we’re nearly sold out. We encourage anyone planning to attend to purchase tickets now, before it’s too late – you won’t be able to wait after reading over the menu.”

The seated supper, provided by Harvest at Homestead Manor – also the presenting sponsor of the 2015 benefit – will focus on fresh delights, with many of the ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s on-site, organic farm. The dinner will be preceded by passed appetizers, which include fresh figs stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in prosciutto panini with fresh pear, cambozola cheese, arugula and prosciutto; and herb-whipped cream cheese with smoked salmon, caviar and chives on red endive.

The multi-course menu will include an assorted artisan bread basket with herb-whipped butter; a superfood salad with freshly picked vegetables and fruits from Homestead Manor’s farm; and locally sourced osso bucco atop corn brulee with swiss chard, a red wine reduction and micro greens.

Prior to dinner, during the cocktail hour, guests will be treated to the piano musings of Claire Cope. Following, Williamson County’s

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 Points Swing Band will serenade guests with the big band sounds of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra.

 

Attendees will also enjoy a themed “Blue Note” cocktail during the hour created especially for the Ball by GRAY’S on Main.

After dinner, Al Paris & The Heartbreakers will get the crowd moving with on-stage charisma that shines in front of a live audience.  After a decade touring globally as a member of Kool & The Gang, Al’s “renaissance man” career has lead him to work with high-profile artists and talented performers and studio musicians – many of which he has recruited into The Heartbreakers.

“The band and I can’t wait to get back to Franklin again, and we need a big crowd so the Heritage Foundation can preserve the Old, Old Jail,” said Paris. “We promise to leave it all on stage for you – you’ll have the night of your life – just be there for Heritage Ball and make sure you’ve got your dancin’ shoes on!”

For late-night bites, Puckett’s Trolley will be on hand to provide treats such as chicken and waffles and pulled pork cobblers.

To purchase tickets, contact McAlister at (615) 591-8500 or by email at lmcalister@historicfranklin.com.

This 2015 Heritage Ball will cast special spotlight on the ca. 1941 Old, Old Jail, the Foundation’s first permanent headquarters and the community’s future Big House for Historic Preservation. All proceeds from the gala will be donated to the initiative.

Since 1967, the not-for-profit Heritage Foundation’s mission has been to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County, and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.