Carole Fields

Franklin, TN-- In Top 10 Cities for Startups

Well, Franklin, TN did it again.  We are ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek magazine as one of the top 10 cities of any size to start a business. We are the only city in the top ten located in Tennessee and not in the Eastern or Western part of the U.S.

Education was one of the key factors important in this selection process.  Franklin, TN  statistics indicate that "52.6 percent of residents 25 or older have bachelor's degrees."

Franklin, TN has been recognized with other recent awards. Franklin, TN was ranked as the fifth best small town by readers of "Southern Living" magazine last year, and the American Planning Association named Downtown Franklin as one of the 10 "great neighborhoods" in their Great  Places in American Program. "

Franklin, TN is a great place to live.  We have history, tourism, and start- up business opportunities. Please read this article in The Tennessean has more information on this latest development.

Spring Forward!

Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour when going to bed tonight.  It is time to "Spring Forward."

Happy day and Spring is just around the corner.

An Historic Inauguration!

January 20, 2009 was an historic day-- the inauguration of our first bi-racial President, Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. It was a cold day, but thousands thronged to be part of this historic moment.

We pray God's blessings on our new President. May his message of hope resonate throughout the world and help us as we deal with the challenges before us.  God Bless America!

Obama Wins!

In an historic election, Barack Obama, the son of a white Kansas mother and a black father from Kenya, was elected the nation's 44th President.

In responding to his victory, Obama told his supporters:  "If there is anyone who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."  

May our Creator grant our newly elected President wisdom as he handles the challenges that his new responsibilities entail.  May God continue to bless America.

Vote!

Vote!  It is your civic duty.  I participated in early voting, but if you still have not voted, be sure to do so.  This is an historic election, and only those who vote are entitled to complain.  Seriously,  our great- grandmothers fought for women to have the right to vote.  My father fought in World War II to protect that liberty, and my son is in Iraq protecting us, now.  Do not let their efforts be in vain.

Regardless of the outcome, may we be gracious winner or losers; depending on the candidate we support.  

I was thinking about Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugaral address.  Following are a few lines from it that seem pertinent to our situation.

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Vote and may God bless America!

It's Time to "Fall Back"

Just a quick reminder to set your clocks back one hour for November 2nd.  I always enjoy that extra hour of sleep,  and apparently there are fewer heart attacks on this weekend due to the extra rest. With so many Americans suffering from sleep deprivation, it makes sense.  So enjoy that extra hour. It's good for you! 

25th Annual Main Street Festival

It is that time of year again.  Historic Downtown Franklin, from First to Fifth Avenues and Franklin Square, is celebrating their 25th Annual Main Street Festival with something for everybody.  The choices include: 200 plus Arts and Crafts booths, 3 international food courts, and live entertainment on 4 stages. This is the main fund raiser for the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and the Williamson County and Downtown Franklin Association.  Visit, enjoy the day(s), and help support the conservation and restoration efforts of our community.

What:  25th Annual Main Street Festival

When: Saturday, April 26    10am-10pm

Sunday, April 27  noon to 6pm

Where:  Historic Downtown Franklin, Main Street from First to Fifth Avenues

Cost: Entry is FREE!  Be sure and bring money for all the unique art, crafts, and food,etc.

www.historicfranklin.com

Earth Day 2008

The task of reducing our energy dependency and restoring balance in our lives can seem daunting at times.  However, there are simple things that we can do to help in the effort.  Start today!

1. Conserve Water:  Water is one of our most valuable resources.  The drought last summer should have made that abundantly clear.  Simple things such as not continually running the water while brushing teeth, repairing water leaks in any plumbing fixtures, purchasing low-flow toilets, shower heads, and faucets when needed,etc. can make a difference.

2. Replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent ones. This will save dollars and electricity.

3.  When it is time to replace appliances, purchase Energy Star rated appliances to reduce your energy costs.

4. To reduce heating and air-conditioning costs, seal cracks and leaks with silicone sealants which are more effective than acrylic sealants.

5. Programmable thermostats can save on energy costs when one adjusts the thermostat to reduce output when no one is home.

6. Recycle plastic and paper products.

These are simple choices that can be made to help improve our conservation efforts.  What other changes can you make?  It is never too late-- Start today!

Time Change- Spring Forward!

The time change is coming earlier this year. Be sure to set your clocks AHEAD one hour for March 9th.  It is also a good time to replace filters and the batteries in your smoke detectors.

This change is an affirmation that Spring is coming, soon. I may be sleepy that day, but warmer days are ahead and that is great!

66th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack

Today, December 7, 2007, marks the 66th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor.  This infamous attack plunged the United States into World War II.

My father, a young man of 21, was drafted into the Army, and fought the Japanese in the Pacific Theater of the War.  He was one of the lucky ones.  He survived, returned home to his wife, sired 3 children, and was a responsible, productive member of society. Father compartmentalized his life and did not speak of the horrors of war with his family. He was a reluctant warrior who did not glamorize war.  He was known to quote William Tecumseh Sherman's saying that, "War is hell!"

Even though he hated war, he knew that we must be vigilant against our enemies.  He and his generation clearly understood the sacrifices that must be made and that : "Freedom is not free." This reluctant warrior retired from the Army Reserves as a Colonel.  Not too bad for a draftee.

At this time of remembrance, let us salute all the brave men and women on the front lines and at home who contributed to our success in World War II. It was truly a cooperative effort. Let us also applaud and support our heroes today, who are willingly making sacrifices so that we may enjoy the benefits of liberty and freedom.  The words are not adequate, but THANK YOU!

For more information on this battle, please see this Navy site.