Happy Friday, Franklin. Hope you get a chance to relax this weekend. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Franklin Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Historic Brentwood estate opens for million dollar bids, city boosts funding for school equipment, programs, and facilities, new data reveals Nashville’s top immigrant sources — catch up here.

State-level stories: UT Health Science Center launching a rural health hub, Tennessee’s 52 curated bike routes, and DENSO opening its first solar farm — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Homeowners are delisting homes rather than cutting prices, the S&P 500 hit record on AI gains, and Ford recalled 500,000 SUVs for brake hose flaws — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Enjoy baby playtime at Leiper’s Fork Library
• Visit the weekend flea market at Plaza Mariachi
• Bring lunch to Nashville Preparedness Day
• Celebrate Labor Day party with Covered Wagon
• Labor Day race at Franklin Classic
• Shark robot vacuums are 51% off on Amazon ’til 9/2

Your family deserves beautiful portraits

Imagine walking into your home and seeing stunning portraits that truly capture your family’s connection and joy.

Misty Westebbe guides a relaxed experience where your family can just be themselves. Then she works her magic behind the camera.

From choosing the perfect location to styling outfits to designing how your finished artwork will look on your walls, she handles every detail with care. You walk away with portraits that truly represent your family and artwork you’ll treasure forever.

Call or text 615-281-0612, connect online, or drop by Misty’s Franklin studio.

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Fill out this quick form and we’ll get you in an upcoming edition!

🫶 We got your back

Coffee: Franklin’s small-town charm and creative energy are brewing in these 11 coffee spots, perfect for everything from laptop sessions to pastry pairings.

Music: You don’t have to be a music snob to fall for the scene. From Bonnaroo’s epic headline acts to backyard jams you’ve never heard of, there’s a party with your name on it. Grab our festival guide and get your calendar booked months ahead.

Reading: Starting a book club is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps to swap stories and make friends in no time.

Wine: Whether you’re a casual sipper who still calls everything “red or white” or the friend who won’t shut up about tannins and terroir, JJ’s Wine Bar pours the good stuff. Come for the glass (or bottle), stay for the vibe that makes weeknights feel like weekends.

Home: Labor Day means special deals on all sorts of things, and American Home Shield’s warranty coverage is no exception. For a limited time, they’re offering 50% off select plans than cover your big ticket appliances (yup, even the ones older than dirt).

📆 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.

Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →

Today

📖 Storytime Live @ Kiddie Academy of Brentwood, TN | Friday (8/29) at 5:00pm – Think your weekends are just for brunch and golf? Time to mix it up at Kiddie Academy of Brentwood with Madeline storytime, crafts, and a surprise visit from the girl in the yellow hat. Zero scoldings, max charm.

🏡 Date Night at the Museum @ Travellers Rest Historic House Museum | Friday (8/29) at 6:00pm – Ditch Netflix and slip into an after-hours tour of that old estate with Abigail Coomes, the one who actually knows its secrets. Sip a welcome cocktail, meander through candlelit halls, then park yourself on the lawn for a Chef’s Market feast under the stars.

This weekend

🛡️ Preparedness Fair @ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Saturday (8/30) at 9:00am – Head to the Preparedness Fair for adult show-and-tell among survival nuts. Wander booths teaching water filtration and first-aid hacks, snag samples, free plants to pep up your bug-out décor, and cozy up in classes that’ll have you hugging your emergency kit like a trusted pal.

🧢 Hat Painting Workshop @ Franklin Visitor Center | Saturday (8/30) at 10:00am – This workshop invites you to paint your own Lainey Wilson–worthy hat, complete with good vibes and a soundtrack that’ll have you two-stepping in your seat. No artistic chops required, just bring your sense of humor and penchant for wine-fueled creativity. Save $10 with code HATSOFF10.

💉 Botox Breeze @ Oomma Mmooa MD | Saturday (8/30) at 10:00am – If you’ve been harboring a midmorning slump, consider this your excuse to glam up before lunch. Pop-up beauty fiesta with Botox, B12 shots, IV drips by the local medical duo, permanent jewelry, trucker hat bar, DIY bouquets, botanical art, mocktails, pizza pop-up, because why not?

🎊 Labor Day Weekend @ Arrington Vineyards | Sunday (8/31) at 12:00pm – Treat yourself to a food truck throwdown on the hillside with Dough Box tacos, Hoss’ Loaded Burgers, Derby Desserts, and goodies from Sugar & Spice Book Co, and Church Kids. Cap it off with live jazz on the hill or bluegrass in the barn.

🍷 Wine Club House @ Arrington Vineyards | Sunday (8/31) at 4:00pm – Ready to swap Netflix for a glass of pinot amid live jazz on the lawn? The 9 Volt Romeo Band are ditching their day jobs to serenade your afternoon with smooth sax, crisp Chardonnay, and enough cool vibes to make your neighbors jealous.

🎭 Dolly: An Original Musical @ The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts | Sunday (8/31) at 8:00pm – Sunday night downtown means ditching your usual bar crawl for Dolly Parton’s glittering life story. You’ll hum ‘Jolene,’ ‘I Will Always Love You,’ and ‘9 to 5,’ while tracing her barefoot roots to Hollywood heels. It’s country charm, wit, and tinsel.

Next week

🏌️ Mercy Franklin Classic @ Public Square Franklin | Monday (9/1) at 6:30am – Think your sneakers are ready for a reunion tour on Main Street’s final sprint down Franklin Square? Labor Day calls for 5K, 10K, 15K, and even a 1K kids’ run that feels more like a block party. Expect high-fives, friendly rivalries, and ridiculous post-race selfies.

❤️ Robert Indiana’s LOVE Sculpture @ Cheekwood Estate & Gardens | Monday (9/1) at 9:00am – Feel like your Instagram feed needs a little heart? Swing by Cheekwood to hug, sorry, pose beside Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture, now sprouting among the blooms. It’s big, bold, and delivers universal joy without the sappy Hallmark soundtrack, a perfect art fix.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 8/29 Labor Day Weekend @ Arrington Vineyards – 4 pm
• 8/29 In The Round with Taylor McCall & friends @ Bluebird Cafe – 6 pm
• 8/29 Bridgette Tatum and more @ Bluebird Cafe – 9 pm
• 8/30 Carlisle Wright and the Bolts @ Paddle Dog – 7 pm
• 8/30 Downsouth Band @ Fozzy’s Bar – 8 pm
• 8/30 James Slater and more @ Bluebird Cafe – 9 pm
• 8/31 Ariel Jade @ Brown’s Diner – 1 pm
• 8/31 Jacob Frish @ Fozzy’s Bar – 4 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: Barbara Ann Jeter (luxeSOUTH Realty)

Old-world Mediterranean flair meets modern Tennessee cool in this 5,300-square-foot stunner at Lookaway Farms. Custom iron doors swing open to reveal 20-foot ceilings, a dramatic curved staircase, and panoramic windows framing rolling hills. The chef’s kitchen flexes Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, a spacious butler’s pantry, and collapsible glass doors that erase the line between indoors and out.

A fireplace-warmed primary suite, spa bath with Japanese Toto bidet, and dual walk-in closets keep things luxe. Upstairs, the game room (pool table included) and three ensuite bedrooms are ready for epic sleepovers. Covered patio, Wolf grill, and a wet bar dial up the fun.

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