Happy Friday, Franklin. In today’s edition: Cheekwood holiday mansion tour, Santa & crafts, Medicare made simple, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Celebrating standout FSD leaders: FSD has announced Dr. Amanda Muniz as Principal of the Year and Robbin Cross as Supervisor of the Year, and both will represent FSD in Tennessee’s Excellence in Education program — read the full story.

Building tomorrow’s community leaders: Youth Leadership Franklin kicked off its 2025–2026 year with a retreat at Harpeth House, offering leadership training and laying groundwork for upcoming days on government, business, history, and community service — see what’s planned next.

Vending machines for good: Franklin’s mayors celebrated the return of the Light the World Giving Machines, now open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 231 Public Square through December 21, offering swipe-to-give donations — see how it works.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Celebrate Christmas with Steven Curtis Chapman
• Teens build writing skills in this writers’ group
• Celebrate the holidays with Williamson County Chorus
• Hike winter trails, sip cocoa, roast marshmallows
• Make Christmas cards for Mulberry Health
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Outdoor brand expands footprint: Break out the Bean Boots: L.L.Bean will open a Franklin store in July 2026, part of an eight-store U.S. expansion. It marks the brand’s first locations in Tennessee and Alabama. Huntsville opens in April, Franklin in July, bringing L.L.Bean’s total to 76 stores nationwide. See the full store list.

Changes to local dining: Genghis Grill has closed its Franklin location at 600 Frazier Drive, the last in the Nashville area, after its lease ended a few months back. The CEO called the spot special and says the brand remains committed to Middle Tennessee, with plans to grow other restaurant concepts locally. Read the CEO’s full statement.

Fresh hair energy: When your grown-out color dictates your hat choices, Encore Off Main brings thoughtful blonding, precision cuts, extensions, and scalp-focused treatments, plus salon-only Milbon and Davines care, so you leave shiny, confident, and ready for whatever Franklin throws at you this week.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🌵 Succulent Ornament with Grounded Roots at Turnbull Provisions @ Turnbull Provisions | Friday (12/12) at 6:00pm – Skip the mall and get your hands dirty with Christina from Grounded Roots at Turnbull Provisions. Craft a succulent snow globe ornament, a tiny terrarium for your tree, for $30. Seats are limited, so stake your spot before the neighbor with the perfect garland does.

🍬 Sweet Holiday Dreams in the Historic Mansion | Cheekwood @ Cheekwood Botanical Gardens | Friday (12/12) at 9:00am – Step inside Cheekwood’s mansion as former White House floral designer Laura Dowling transforms it into a candy-colored holiday wonderland. Think vintage ornaments, sugarplum vibes, and enough festive florals and ribboned topiaries to make your inner elf swoon. Tour by day or pair it with Holiday LIGHTS for maximum holiday glow.

This weekend

🎁 Made Market – Franklin Holiday Market @ The Factory | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Skip the mall and hit The Factory for a holiday market packed with curated, handcrafted finds from Franklin, Nashville, and beyond, plus tasty bites and seasonal sips. Bring friends, support real makers, savor the cheer, and yes, kids under 15 and parking are free.

🎨 Santa & Crafts @ Williamson County Public Library | Saturday (12/13) at 1:30pm – Santa is clocking in at WCPL for photos, crafts, and cheerful wish-taking, no registration required. Families of all ages welcome, photos are first come, first served. Skip the mall chaos, enjoy the library vibes, and let the big guy check his list twice.

❄️ Studio Tenn Presents: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas @ Turner Theater | Saturday (12/13) at 7:00pm – Studio Tenn brings the classic holiday musical to life with veterans-turned-entertainers, charming sisters, and a Vermont inn full of nostalgia. Expect swoon-worthy songs, big dance numbers, and all the cozy, old-school Christmas magic you could want. Perfect for making new memories—or reliving your favorite holiday film moment by moment.

🎸 Red Clark & The Red Clark Band LIVE! @ Fox & Locke | Sunday (12/14) at 3:00pm – Craving a proper Sunday in Leiper’s Fork? Red Clark, an ex-rodeo bull rider, and his band bring outlaw grit to Fox & Locke, with rich vocals, honest storytelling, and country that pairs with comfort food, a free cover, and generous tips for the pickers.

🍷 Dive Into Wine: Germany & Austria @ Saint Elle | Sunday (12/14) at 5:00pm – Skip the same-old cab sauv and take a passport-free wine detour through Germany and Austria. Think slate-soaked Riesling, peppery Grüner, and fairy-tale hills that somehow taste like discipline. Low crowds, high conversation, proper pours, zero schnitzel required.

🎶 A Night of Christmas Classics with Anthony Michael @ Westhaven Residents Club | Sunday (12/14) at 6:30pm – Nothing beats Christmas classics done right, and Anthony Michael brings the velvet vocals to Westhaven Residents’ Club. Think Sinatra sparkle, zero mall speaker jingle fatigue, just cozy vibes, cocktails, and proper holiday cheer. Ugly sweater optional, singing along quietly encouraged.

Next week

🎤 A Franklin Christmas with Steven Curtis Chapman & Friends @ Factory at Franklin | Monday (12/15) at 7:00pm – Steven Curtis Chapman is decking Liberty Hall at The Factory with carols, classics, and a few friends, and yes, you still know every chorus. Expect real-deal holiday warmth, not mall-speaker mush, plus that cozy Franklin crowd. Bonus, it backs The Circle of Giving, so your cheer does good.

🧝 Adult Crafts: Wine Cork Gnomes @ Learning Center | Tuesday (12/16) at 5:00pm – Whether your recycling bin is full of corks or you just appreciate a tiny beard, this adult craft night turns wine leftovers into mischievous gnomes. Low stakes, high charm, and delightfully kid-free. Registration required, and no wine tasting excuses are necessary.

📘 Medicare Made Simple @ Williamson County Public Library | Tuesday (12/16) at 6:00pm – Medicare doesn’t have to feel like alphabet soup, and this session breaks down your options in plain English. It’s a quick, clear rundown for anyone planning ahead or helping a loved one navigate the maze. Bring your questions and leave a little more confident.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/12 The Eaglemaniacs (Don Henley and The Eagles tribute) @ 3rd and Lindsley – 8 pm
• 12/13 Caryn Dixon: Holiday Showcase & Charity Concert @ Whiskey Lounge – 7 pm
• 12/14 Forever Abbey Road @ City Winery – 12 pm
• 12/15 A Franklin Christmas @ Liberty Hall – 7 pm
• 12/17 Alan Jackson’s Acoustic Duo @ AJ’s Good Time Bar – 11 am
• 12/18 Rachel Summers – Jazz Christmas @ Factory at Franklin – 7 pm
• 12/19 Williamson County Community Chorus Holiday Concert @ The Crag – 7:30 pm
• 12/20 The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Franklin Marriott Cool Springs – 6 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Franklin edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Alyssa Hagen (Pilkerton Realtors)

Fully renovated ranch on 5 acres with a 40×50 wooden barn and a long private circular drive to a side-entry two car garage. New kitchen with beige cabinets, gold hardware, and quartz opens to living and dining. Main level primary features vaulted ceilings and an oversized en suite.

Finished basement adds two bedrooms, a full bath, mudroom area, and a theater with extra living space. Large laundry off the garage doubles as mudroom. All new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, plus a recently replaced metal roof. No HOA, near restaurants and stores, Williamson County Schools. Barn suits animals or events.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →