Main Street Festival

My favorite activity in Franklin is the Main Street Festival.  There is live music, good food, handcrafted gift shops, carnival rides, and so much more!  Click on the link below to see a quick video that shows the street festival in action!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifa5OAEOIzQ

http://www.nashvillehomesbuylindaseaton.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Franklin-Festival-042611-244x300.jpg

Florida

My Florida Experience:

I have been visiting Franklin since I was twelve years old.  I typically go in the summertime when the air is thick and residents are on vacation.  Since I am also on summer break, the vacation usually is two-fold.  I always try to visit another state after I have spent at least a week in Franklin. 

The year I turned fifteen the second part of our vacation would be a trip to Panama City, Florida.  I was going with my best friend, Chelsea and her grandmother, Carolyn, who is a native of Franklin.  Along with her best friend, Sherry, the four of us set off in her Cadillac for the beautiful beach town. 

The drive is roughly 450 miles, meaning we would be stuck in the sedan for over SEVEN HOURS!  

AT the time, that drive seemed endless, but once we finally reached the pearly white, fine sand, and warm, clear blue water, we realized it was well worth being cooped up in the backseat.

https://cdn4.gbot.me/photos/oG/3Q/1326311581/Panama_City_Beach_Florida-Panama_City-20000000000922971-500x375.jpg

http://pics2.city-data.com/city/maps/fr969.png

Sustainability in the New South

New South:

When some people think of the South they think of rural communities and backwoods towns.  Education seems limited and progressiveness extremely behind.  However, this New South mirrors the North in many ways, urban influence being the most influential.

Sustainability:

According to Chris Mayda, author of A Regional Geography of The United States and Canada, "Sustainability aims for an ecological dynamic equilibrium of Earth’s interconnected ecosystems that maximizes efficiency, minimizes waste, and spends interest but not principal” (57).  In fact Tennessee has developed many different sustainability plans.  The Tennessee Environmental Council launched the Sustainable Tennessee coalition in 2007.  In 2013 the coalition is focusing on energy efficiency, mountaintop removal coal mining, recycling and composting, and fracking. The hope is that by implementing this sustainable agenda that the state of Tennessee will have a re-vitalized economy and an improved quality of life.    

http://tectn.org/sustainable-tennessee/

http://newshour-tc.pbs.org/newshour/images/convention/south.gif

Mayda, Chris.  A Regional Geography of The United States and Canada.  Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2013.  Print. 

Transportation

Airports and Freeways:

When traveling to Franklin, the closest airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA).  The airport is about thirty minutes away.  A quick jump on I-65 transports you to mellow Franklin while also keeping you connected to the buzz of Nashville, the Music City.  I-440 also provides an alternate route into Nashville.  It is worth noting that driving in Tennessee is NOTHING like driving in Los Angeles!  People are polite to each other and allow right of ways and follow traffic laws diligently.  Another amazing fact is that I don’t think I have ever experienced traffic while driving in Tennessee!  I guess when people aren’t in as much of a rush there isn’t any need for rude or reckless driving.

Franklin Local Street Plan:

This plan was developed by the city of Franklin to maximize street interconnectivity.  It is the hope that the plan will aid the functionality if the street network, increase accessibility, and reduce the average trip length and travel time.      

http://franklintn.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=606

http://franklintn.gov/index.aspx?page=992

http://www.worldairportguides.com/images/terminal-bna.gif

Industry and Commerce

Industries:

Franklin, Tennessee is headquarters for some of the largest companies in North America, such as Nissan, Community Health Systems, and Healthways.  Although it is a small town, industry is wildly profitable.  According to the City’s 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the Cool Springs Galleria serves at the top employer, with a total of 3,500 employees.

Commerce:

Cool Springs Galleria is a shopping mall located in the heart of Franklin.  It was first opened in 1991.  The Galleria has over 150 stores and fifteen restaurants!  It is definitely my favorite place to go whenever I am in Franklin.  There are endless options for shopping and a welcoming atmosphere.  The Galleria is not only a place for economic growth but also community togetherness.  

http://www.city-data.com/city/Franklin-Tennessee.html

http://www.franklin-gov.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5680

http://www.coolspringsgalleria.com/directions

http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.10521171.7408/flat,550x550,075,f.u2.jpg

Agriculture

Agriculture:

Tennessee is a major output of textiles, cotton, cattle, and electrical power. Tennessee has an estimated 82,000 farms over half of them specializing in cattle.  Some of the other crops grown include corn, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat, barley, and oats.

According to TNagriculture.com, soybeans are the number one crop produced in Tennessee.  Over 43 million bushels were harvested in 2010 making it the state’s top agricultural export.  

Nass.usda.gov

http://varietytrials.tennessee.edu

http://farmflavor.com/us-ag/tennessee/top-ag-products-tn/tennessees-top-crops-and-livestock-infographic/

http://www.brecorder.com/images/pic2012/12/soybean.jpg

http://southeastfarmpress.com/site-files/southeastfarmpress.com/files/imagecache/large_img/uploads/2013/09/tennessee-corn-harvest.jpg