February 4, 2012

Chipotle Grand Opening Oct. 26

Chipotle opening in Cool Springs TN

Chipotle opening in Cool Springs TN

Chipotle in Cool Springs is almost open!  Words can’t describe how excited everyone in Cool Springs is!

If you haven’t experienced Chipotle yet, you may be sick of hearing us talk about them.  Soon you will see the light!

Here is the press release we received this afternoon announcing the Oct. 26 grand opening:

“Chipotle Mexican Grill, the national restaurant chain known for serving Food With Integrity, will open the doors to its newest Franklin TN restaurant located at 430 Cool Springs Blvd. for the first time on October 26.

The new restaurant will be Nashville’s fourth Chipotle and is located near the intersection of Cool Springs and Frazier Dr.

Franklin’s new Chipotle holds true to the company’s Food With Integrity commitment to serve higher quality ingredients that are naturally, sustainably raised or locally produced. The restaurant will feature the company’s signature menu items which include burritos, tacos, bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads. Guests can choose from naturally raised pork, chicken or beef, or the restaurant’s vegetarian option, which comes with Chipotle’s famous black beans, and homemade guacamole made with ripe Haas avocados. Freshly steamed rice with a hint of cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice add even more flavor, but to top it off, guests can further customize their meals by adding any of the mild, medium or hot salsas, hormone-free sour cream and freshly grated cheese, and crisp romaine lettuce chopped fresh daily.

Featured on Oprah and ABC News’ Nightline, Chipotle’s Food With Integrity philosophy means simple ingredients are used in creative ways to elevate ordinary into extraordinary. As the nation’s first restaurant company to commit to local and organically grown produce, Chipotle has already served about 5 million pounds of locally grown produce, and in the U.S. Chipotle sells more naturally raised meat than any other restaurant and will purchase 75 million pounds of naturally raised meats this year alone. A full 40 percent of the black and pinto beans that Chipotle uses are organically grown, a percentage that will increase as Chipotle finds more farmers who grow high quality organic beans.

Inside of new Chipotle Mexican Grill

Inside of new Chipotle Mexican Grill

“We are changing the way the world thinks about and eats fast food,” said Chipotle Founder, Chairman and co-CEO Steve Ells. “For too long, great food has really only been available at the best restaurants and high-end specialty food markets, but we think it’s time to end the notion that great food is only for elite customers. It’s a new perspective on eating in America.”

Chipotle’s Food With Integrity philosophy inspired not only the sustainable food the company serves, but also has it evaluating its environmental footprint. As part of the company’s green initiative, the new Brentwood restaurant features sustainable architecture such as recycled drywall, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and energy efficient appliances. Burritos, tacos and salads are also served using bowls made from recycled newsprint and unbleached tray liners and napkins, and cups are made from post consumer waste.

About Chipotle

Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food with Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food not only from using fresh ingredients, but ingredients that are sustainably grown and naturally raised with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. It’s an idea we call Food with Integrity. Chipotle opened its first new restaurant in 1993 and currently operates more than 1,000 restaurants.”

Chipotle in Franklin opening Oct. 26

Chipotle in Franklin opening Oct. 26

Auditions for “Annie”

"Annie" the musical in Franklin, TN

"Annie" the musical in Franklin, TN

Auditions for the beloved musical “Annie” are being held by the Bethlehem Players the weekend of November 6 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road, Franklin, Tennessee (37069).

Bethlehem Players Artistic Director Dietz Osborne said the auditions will be held for the March 4-12, 2011 production with five-minute audition spots available by appointment.

On Saturday, November 6 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., girls ages 6 to 15 are invited to audition for the role of Annie, Molly, Pepper, Kate, Duffy, Tessie and July. On Sunday, November 7, from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., men and women are invited to audition. (Only the role of “Lily” has already been cast.)

On Monday, November 8, from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m., there will be call-backs for Annies, Daddy Warbucks, and Hannigans.

Those auditioning are asked to bring a current, non-returnable photo, a list of play experience and be prepared to sing 16-bars of a Broadway musical. Please bring sheet music in the appropriate key for the accompanist we provide. No taped accompanist auditions are allowed.

Please email for a five-minute audition appointment at drama@bethlehemumc.com. For more information and to view the informational audition video, visit Bethlehem Players on Facebook, www.bethlehemumc.com under Ministries/Music, Drama & The Arts, or 615-791-6456, ext. 2.

Daddy Warbucks

Daddy Warbucks

The Bethlehem Players are celebrating their 14th year of exceptional family. entertainment staging productions in the Bethlehem Performing Arts Center, Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road, Franklin (37069). The community theatre outreach program was founded in 1997 by Bethlehem UMC Music and Arts Director Harry Robinson. Since its inception, the Bethlehem Players have successfully staged their first 2010 world premiere “Southern Fried Funeral” and for packed audiences “The Sound of Music,” “Father of the Bride,” “The Music Man,” “Fiddler On The Roof,” “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Neil Simon’s Rumors,” and “A Bad Year for Tomatoes.”

$28 Million Home Sold

Franklin, TN

Alan Jackson’s home, just outside the Cool Springs area in Franklin, Tennessee has sold for $28 million.

The estate called “Eagle’s Nest”, was originally listed for $38 million.

Alan and his wife Denise have owned the Franklin estate for 17 years.  They have said that with their children now grown, it was just too big for them at this time in life.

The 19,000 square foot home in Franklin, TN boasted six bedrooms, a twenty car garage, log cabin, all on almost 140 acres.  The two bedroom log cabin has a beautiful balcony overlooking the Harpeth river.  An old fashioned kitchen is furnished with vintage appliances.

Also included on Jackson’s former Eagle’s Nest estate in Williamson County is a stocked lake, three ponds and boathouse.

The new owners, Willis and Reba Johnson, actually closed on the home in early June.  Willis Johnson is the chairman and founder of Copart Inc., an auto salvage company that specializes in online auto sales.  Johnson’s net worth is estimated to be more than $350 million.  In February Willis resigned as Chief Executive Officer of Copart Inc., although he will continue to serve as the Chairman of the board of directors.

Congratulations on the sale of Alan Jackson’s house in Franklin!

Free Queso at Moe’s

Moe's "I Love Queso" Promotion

Moe's "I Love Queso" Promotion

Moe’s Southwest Grill is celebrating their tenth anniversary with free queso to all customers on July 21, including the location in Franklin at 401 Cool Springs Blvd and also in Brentwood at 101 Creekside Crossing.

The chain, famous for their “Welcome to Moes!” greeting, will be handing out a free 6 oz. cup of their very popular queso cheese dip to all of Moe’s guests on Wednesday.

The popular fast-casual burrito chain also is hosting the “I Love Queso” video contest, where fans create and upload videos expressing their love for Moe’s famous queso.  One winner will be awarded $1,000 and free Queso for year.  The deadline to submit your  “I Love Queso” video is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 1.

Moe’s has over 400 restaurants nationwide including five in the Nashville area.

Cool Springs area Moe’s Locations:

Moe’s SouthWest Grill
401 Cool Springs Blvd
Franklin, TN 37067

Moe’s SouthWest Grill
101 Creekside Crossing
Brentwood, TN 37027

Area’s Largest Fish Fry

Neil Little at Bethlehem UMC Fish Fry

Neil Little at Bethlehem UMC Fish Fry

Bethlehem Bluegrass Band member Neil Little will be playing with the band this year at the July 16 Bethlehem UMC Fish Fry on the shaded grounds of the church off Hillsboro Road in Franklin.

Just outside Cool Springs, Bluegrass music and the smell of fresh, farm-raised catfish will soon fill the air as the Grassland community’s largest annual event, the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Fish Fry, gears up for all-you-can-eat catfish on Friday, July 16 on the church grounds at 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road in Franklin off Hillsboro Road.

In its 36th year, BUMC minister Ryan Bennett said Bethlehem Fish Fry is a good old-fashioned social with great food helping support church missions.

“With amazing bluegrass music, a children’s game area with incredible inflatables, the best bake sale around and scrumptious, farm-raised catfish, you don’t want to miss this good old-fashioned fun and fellowship event. We are expecting almost 4,000 of our neighbors and the proceeds helps support several church missions including our upcoming 2011 River of Life area youth mission project and Kathy’s Backpacks program helping school children across our county with much needed fall school supplies and backpacks,” Bennett said.

Started 13 years ago and named in memory of Bethlehem member Kathy Harris, the backpack program has grown just like the fish fry last year filling around 800 backpacks with school supplies serving almost 50 different schools and agencies. Donations will be accepted through August for this program that continues to grow and serve the children of Williamson County who need this help.

Over 1,400 pounds of pond-raised catfish will be served at the fish fry along with hushpuppies, sliced tomatoes, white beans, and delicious cole slaw made from a secret recipe. Attendees will also enjoy free refills, a silent auction, huge bake sale, used book sale, live Bluegrass music and children’s game area.

The Bethlehem Fish Fry will be held on the church grounds off Old Hillsboro Road in the Grassland Area from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., July 16 at 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road, Franklin (37069).

Tickets are $10.00 for adults until July 15 and $12.00 the day of the event. Children under 10 are always $5.00. Hot dogs are available for children and a separate carryout serving area is provided.

For more information and tickets, contact the church at (615) 794-6721 or www.bethlehemumc.com.

J. Roderick Heller III Book Signing

Historic Downtown Franklin TN

Just outside Cool Springs, The Battle of Franklin Trust and the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County cordially invites you to meet author J. Roderick Heller III, to celebrate the recent publishing of his book and pick up a signed copy of “Democracy’s Lawyer, Felix Grundy of the Old Southwest.

The event is Wednesday, July 21 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Fleming Center, located at the Historic Carnton Plantation.  A light dinner, cocktails and copy of the book for $50 per person or $70 per couple.

The Honorable Felix Grundy of Nashville has many ties to Franklin and it is proper that Rod Heller, a direct descendant and resident of our fair city, has written a biography of one of Tennessee’s foremost national figures in the first half of the 19th century. Felix and Ann Rodgers Grundy are the grandparents of our own Carrie Winder McGavock, the “Widow of the South” and, also, the uncle and aunt of Col. John McGavock. The parents of Anne Rodgers Grundy are buried in the McGavock cemetery at Carnton, along with her sister and brother-in-law, Randal and Sarah Rodgers McGavock. John’s brother, James Randal McGavock of Riverside, can claim the same relationship. Another Grundy granddaughter, Louise Winder married Patrick Campbell of Franklin, grandparents of the late Stewart and James Campbell.

Felix Grundy practiced law in Franklin, attended Masonic meetings at Hiram Lodge, involved in the development of Franklin’s first subdivision, Hincheyville, in 1819, and campaigned across Williamson County for the election Andrew Jackson, James Knox Polk and Martin Van Buren.

For reservations call (615) 786-1864 ext. 102 or leigh@battleoffranklintrust.org.

Vienna House Coffee Opens

Vienna House Coffee & Bistro

We’re excited to announce Vienna House Coffee & Bistro has opened in Boyle’s Meridian Cool Springs development on Carothers Blvd in Franklin.

The Meridian development on Carothers Blvd is home to many Cool Springs restaurants including Boscos, Noshville, Cajun Steamer, Jersey Mike’s, Swankys Taco Shop, Nucci’s Italian Ice, Gigi’s Cupcakes and recently announced Loser’s Bar & Grill.

The retail development is located just across the street from approximately 1200 apartments on Gillespie Dr, including Alara Brook, Alara Farms and Alara Cool Springs.

Cool Springs has waited patiently for a great local independently owned coffee shop in Cool Springs.  Now we have it.

The coffee shop is in the former Paccini’s location.  Do you remember where Paccini’s used to be?  Probably not since Paccini’s was so short lived.

We’re predicting without question Vienna House Coffee & Bistro is here to stay.

Where else in Cool Springs has authentic German bread & desserts (yeah..they are seriously imported from Germany), free Wifi, bubble tea, fresh coffee, great food and a really cool, laid back atmosphere?

The German bread and pastries are imported by Lisa Dohring, owner of Backerei Dohring.  Vienna House Coffee carries their products and will be offering more soon.

Did we already mention the free Wifi?

The inside of the retail space has also been updated since Paccini’s left.  The addition of modern blown glass light fixtures, a flat screen tv and hip, but comfortable colors and decor make it a place you want to be.

Fresh food, high quality ingredients and superior service are the main focus of the business, as described by Corina Pataki, one of the owners.

The owners of Vienna House Coffee & Bistro have also brought in the #3 barista in the world (#1 in New Zealand) to train staff on creating superior quality coffee and expresso drinks.  She is here for three weeks educating the staff on how to be uber baristas.

Relaxing interior of Vienna House

Based on the Turkey Bacon Panini and Iced Mocha Coffee I devoured during my first visit, they’re on target to do very well here in Cool Springs.

How much work does one really get done at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts anyway?  Not much in our experience.  But we can definitely see parking ourselves at Vienna House Coffee & Bistro, free Wifi and laptop in hand, with the ability to accomplish a few things.

Vienna House Coffee & Bistro is also a local, family owned and run business.

Check it soon, you will really enjoy it.  Trust us.

Vienna House Coffee & Bistro
2000 Meridian Blvd Suite 120
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 656-3567 phone
(615) 771-7173 fax

Meridian Cool Springs on Carothers Blvd

Franklin’s Three Blind Wines

Three Blind Wines in Franklin TN

If you’ve noticed a shortage of Shiraz and Pinot Grigio in your favorite Cool Springs wine store, the reason may be due to the Heritage Foundation’s Next Generation 3rd Annual Three Blind Wines to be held on Friday, Feb. 26th at Jamison Hall in the Factory from 6-9 p.m.

It’s the third event but there are several new twists for this year’s Three Blind Wines:

Both red and white wines will be tasted and there will be two winning wines.  Yazoo Brewery will be providing beer for any beer drinkers and local favorite Art Four Sale will perform.  There will be a curtained check-in area with blank wine bottles instead of bags to create a true “blind wine” contest!

The cost is $25 per person in advance or cash only at the door with each 1-3 person team bringing “Red, White, and Repeat” wines.    Check-in begins at 6 p.m.  Admission includes local favorite entertainers, a sampling of food from various local restaurants and chefs, and a chance to bid on silent high-end auction items.  For the “not for wine drinkers” there will be a cash bar with Yazoo Brewery for the beer drinkers and soft drinks for non-imbibers.  Whether you imbibe or not, the cost is $25 per person to enter this true ‘blind wine’ site.

There are rules for the event:  Teams of 1-3 people will bring 1 Shiraz, 1 Pinot Grigio and the 3rd bottle will be a “repeat” of one of the two.  The first two bottles will be collected, recanted in a clear bottle, and set out for tasting and voting.  The “repeat” bottle is set aside unopened to be given to two grand prize winners.  From 7-8:30 p.m. tasting and voting takes place.  Votes are counted at 8:30 p.m., and the winners of the silent auction and wine winners are announced at 9 p.m.

For those wishing to join in the fun at the Patrons’ level, the cost is $150 and includes admission for two people to Three Blind Wines, recognition in the Three Blind Wines program, and a second “after party” at Aloft Hotel in Cool Springs with that party date to be announced that evening.

Back again is the popular silent auction.  The necklace used in the Hannah Montana movie donated by Walton’s Jewelers is a main attraction in the silent auction.  Other specials include a weekend stay in Colorado, a weekend at a lake cabin, Lorna Sanders Painting, a photo session with well known children’s photographer, a winemaking equipment kit, a signed copy of the new Historic Franklin, Tennessee book signed by all photographers and authors, and many fabulous items from our generous local businesses and restaurants.

To avoid the rush for easy check-in that evening, advance reservations are preferred by calling

615-591-8500, extension 11 with credit card or via www.historicfranklin.com .  Your paid reservation will be held in “will call” under your name.  For those without reservations, CASH ONLY will be accepted at the door and IDs will be checked.

The Next Generation group is comprised of Heritage Foundation members ages 21 to 40.  While the Next Generation produces Three Blind Wines, it is held for anyone age 21 and over.  The mission of the Heritage Foundation is to protect and preserve the architectural, cultural and geographic heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.

Wine from Bellaterra Ranch and Winery