The Wine & Easel was founded in 2010 in Brentwood, Tennessee. It is a beautiful art studio that hosts entertaining art instruction events.

The Wine & Easel was created with you, our customer in mind, and we welcome you to sit back in our Old World inspired art studio, have a drink if you choose, and paint away! We supply the paint, canvas and brushes, all you need to do is bring your drink of choice and focus on having fun with your friends and family.

The great thing is after a night of smiling, laughing and just having fun you will take home your personalized masterpiece created entirely by YOU! At The Wine & Easel, our artists host painting classes that offer a lot more than just painting! In addition to learning to create a work of art, you will also experience a lot of laughs and a ton of fun, and with a little luck by the end of the night we will have found the Picasso hidden inside you!

So grab your favorite beverage, come with a group, come by yourself or bring along your best friend, either way this night out will allow you to relax, laugh and leave with your work of art!

You do not need to know how to paint, or even be a creative type to enjoy a night at The Wine & Easel. One of our talented artistic entertainers will take you through each and every brush stroke on your canvas, creating a road map of success that will allow you to enjoy the class, be as creative as you want to be and have a night of absolute fun, so whether you are a first time painter or a professional artist your will enjoy the entertaining and relaxing environment.

Bring friends, sit back and experience our wonderful hospitality and the incredible ambiance at The Wine & Easel.

When it comes to a good variety of delicious locally grown fresh food, the Franklin Farmers Market has got what you need. But maybe you’re not sure what to with the fresh food you pick up at the market. No problem. Just check out the market’s Favorite Recipes for ideas. There are also some very simple ways to add more vegetables and fruits into your diet. Add fruit to your breakfast cereal. Not just bananas, but apples, peaches or a variety of berries. Snack on mini-carrots or dried fruit at work instead of candy. Add to a take-out dinner with fruits and vegetables at home. Microwave a vegetable to add to your dinner or eat fruit for dessert. And don’t be afraid to ask the farmers about some of their favorite recipes. After all, when it comes to fresh vegetables and fruits, they are the experts!

info and photo from http://www.franklinfarmersmarket.org/

(ARA) - Halloween is the second most decorated holiday, so it won't be long until ghouls and goblins, witches and vampires, pumpkins and candy corn adornments begin appearing in advance of trick-or-treating and haunting celebrations.

No Greater Love
Interview With Brandon Rice Filmed In Franklin, TN
Brandon Rice has been working in film since high school. He has written, directed and edited several award-winning short films, including A Price Too High, A Dim Light, and Smuggler’s Ransom, which was distributed nationally on DVD by Cloud Ten Pictures. Brandon served as storywriter, associate producer and editor on Coram Deo Studio’s first feature film, No Greater Love.

(ARA) - From MP3 players to e-books, technology is an integral part of the modern home. However, when we think of technology and how we use it on a daily basis, entertainment is top of mind, not health and wellness. As a doctor and a mom, Jennifer Trachtenberg, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and pediatrician at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, recommends four household gadgets that will help make for a healthier home and family.

Air purifier: The EPA says levels of indoor air pollution can be between two to five times higher than outdoor air. Poor indoor air quality can negatively impact many people's health. In fact, some cold-like symptoms, including sneezing, sore throats and running noses can be triggered by indoor allergens such as dust, mold spores and pet dander which are commonly found in indoor air. One way to improve indoor air quality can be to use air purifiers. One such air purifier is the Honeywell HEPAClean UV Tower Air Purifier which is a new model that combines three air cleaning technologies: carbon zeolite pre-filter which can reduce common household odors, ultraviolet light which can reduce viruses, bacteria, fungi and mold spores and HEPAClean filters which can remove up to 99 percent of allergens from the air passing through the filter.

Thermometer: Fever is often one of the first signs of the flu, and also a sign when you're most contagious. When temperature-taking, reach for technology that is accurate and trusted. The Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer is used by more pediatricians and moms in the U.S. than any other brand. This advanced thermometer is proven to be more accurate than rectal and temple measurements and features patented technology, such as its pre-warmed tip and positioning guidance system that ensures accuracy every time.

Humidifier: Keeping the air a little moister can relieve your children's congestion and coughs, and help them sleep better. A humidifier adds essential moisture to any room, providing temporary relief from dry eyes, dry nose, flakey skin, and chapped lips. When selecting a model right for you, it's important to look for new humidifier technologies like the ultraviolet light chamber in the Vicks GermFree Humidifier that kills up to 99.9 percent of mold and bacteria in the water.

Hygrometer: Keeping the humidity level at a good balance in your house is important for relieving chest congestion, soothing parched skin and even reducing static electricity in the air. If you think your home humidity levels might not be up to par, a hygrometer is a handy device available at most drug stores. Hygrometers provide a digital readout of the relative humidity in your home, and are compact and low-cost. New research indicates the flu will have less of a chance of surviving on surfaces and in the air if you use your hygrometer and humidifier together to keep humidity at the ideal 40 to 60 percent level.

With just a few handy gadgets, you can ensure a healthier living space for yourself and your family.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Go to Carmike Cinemas Thoroughbred 20 in Franklin for the Independent Film Festival March 2 through April 11. One film will be featured each of the 6 weeks of the film festival and all movies are only $5. Independent Film Festival will be featuring the following movies:

Remarkable Power

March 2-5 at 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; March 7 at 12:00 p.m.

With the plug about to be pulled on his late night talk show after a 15-year run, and his wife engaged in a steamy affair with a pro baseball star, host Jack West is desperate - to keep aflame his fading celebrity, and avenge the misdeeds of his adulterous spouse. With the clock ticking, Jack concocts the mother of all media stunts, killing 2 birds with one unforgettable stone on the road to redemption. The scheme entangles an eclectic collection of colorful locals navigating their way through unpredictable twists and turns. A plump private eye teams with a macabre webmistress to investigate the strange disappearance of a dead body. A glassy-eyed cheddar head falls prey to a phony get-rich-quick guru. Imperiled actors embark on a quest for a fresh corpse. Cops in costume, a peculiar special effects make-up team, porn stars with dreams of stardom, a Jewish drug lord with very large brothers. Russian mobsters and others converge in this unique roller-coaster ride of comedy. Mystery, murder and mayhem viewed through the underbelly of modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.

All Along

March 9-12 at 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; March 14 at 12:00 p.m.

Richard Harrison has a loving wife, a reliable job and two typically rambunctious teenagers. He is currently experiencing a crisis -- a midlife crisis. He's hit the big 4-0 and his life has drastically changed. While every midlife working stiff descends into daydreams in order to escape their mundane reality, Richard doesn't merely scratch the surface of his fantasies. He physically enters them, for moments at a time, until he's forced to snap back into reality with hilarious results. Whether living a dream as a professional wrestler, or, performing with the endorsed Aerosmith tribute band, Draw the Line, to a crowd of thousands, he often finds that he's made a fool of himself in reality. It's clearly evident that Richard has a problem; a problem that needs to be solved in order to regain the trust of his loving family. Sara, a psychologist, helps Richard trace the source of his problems, which began on a family trip to an amusement park on his 40th birthday. It was here that he revisited memories of a lover from his younger and more formative years possibly sparking his need for escape. One commonality that exists within all of his fantasies is the appearance of a mysterious blonde-haired beauty who may hold the key that unlocks the mysteries of midlife.

 

">Bad For Business

March 16-19 at 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; March 21 at 12:00 p.m.

Jerry owns the dream business; a big office, flexible hours and a beautiful secretary, but it ain't no 9 to 5. Jerry specializes in helping women regain their self esteem after being dumped by their boyfriends by employing the art of the obsessive stalking hopeless romantic. One week of being showered with Jerry's restraining order inducing love and you'll forget about your ex faster than you can buy over-the-counter pepper spray. But when Ted, a former business partner, asks Jerry to help rid him of his ex-girlfriend's constant pestering, the tables get turned. Ted's ex, Tina, is a fiery redhead that proves to be more than Jerry can handle when she falls in love with him and does some stalking of her own.

 

Altered Courses

March 23-26 at 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; March 28 at 12:00 p.m.

No synopsis available at this time.

The One Lamb

March 30-April 2 at 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; April 4 at 12:00 p.m.

In the dead of night, lying across the steps of an altar in an abandoned church, a man lies broken and confused. How could he have fallen so far? Just days before, he was a power broker, a young, hot campaign manager for a candidate for the U.S. Senate. His picture graced the covers of national magazines touting him as the new "Golden Boy" of American politics. And his future was shining bright. Now, alone in this unfamiliar place, everything he once had is lost. Crying out into the darkness for help, the voice of a stranger answers "I'm going to help you my son" ... Jackson Price awakens to find himself in a hospital bed. Here, at the bottom of his fall from grace is where he will learn he has cancer. And he is going to have to fight to save his life. Alone and facing an uncertain future, Price seeks out the stranger who answered his cry in the darkness. In a small town deep in the country, far away from the fast paced life he once lived in the big city. Price will find Earl. Earl enjoys the simple life of the country. He delights in taking long afternoon naps. He enjoys sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch sipping cold glasses of sweetened iced tea and this stubborn, retired black preacher and the young city boy will become fast friends. Earl cares for Jack as he battles the cancer trying to take his life. And, he helps Jackson to realize he is going to have to abandon everything he understands and learn to trust in something much bigger than himself. Ultimately, for Jackson to save his life, he is going to have to surrender it. Jackson learns that he is losing his fight with cancer. In a race against time, Earl will lead him to the One who has the power to give him new life. Turning from his selfish ways of the past, Jackson forgoes any further treatment and attempts to run a marathon to inspire thousands of others to have hope and to never give up. Audiences will stand up and cheer at this inspirational story of courage and faith. Come along on this incredible journey as Price races against time and his past to reach the finish line where he will find the One who will set him free ... the One who will give him new life.

 

The Lone Stag

April 6-9 at 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; April 11 at 12:00 p.m.

Ten men come together inside a big, empty house for a bachelor party. Party favors include drugs, liquor, two strippers, and their handler. After an accident kills one of the girls, the men desperately try to escape the consequences, creating a situation that's irredeemably worse. This is a group of very good actors, led by Mario Van Peebles. The lone character with moral courage is well played by Kevin Dillon. Also noteworthy: Andrew McCarthy playing an uncharacteristically evil role, and the great Jerry Stiller as the vulnerable

(ARA) - As your children grow older, it can be difficult finding fun family vacations for everyone to enjoy together. Here are some tips to get out and have a pleasurable family vacation:

1. Go camping. Find a campground near scenic hiking trails, cool and refreshing lakes, or even extended ATV trails. This is a fantastic trip idea for the entire family, especially if each of you has different ideas about what you want to do on your vacation. For example, you can do some bird watching while your son attempts to cast for dinner. And your spouse might enjoy reading a book in a hammock strung between two trees while your daughter chases fish through the lake using her snorkel and fins.

2. Travel back in time. Turn the vacation into a history learning experience by exploring the Old West, walking the streets of America's founding cities or designing a road trip along the Mississippi River and popping into the small river towns teeming with river history. Educational vacations don't have to be boring - many communities in historical settings offer live recreations of the event or events, and if your children happen to be studying that era in school, it's an even better experience.

3. Take an off-road trip in the wide-open spaces with the Polaris RANGER RZR 4, a sporty, multi-passenger side-by-side vehicle that can handle dunes, desert sands and wide-open spaces with ease. The bonus is this vehicle seats four, which means your family saves money on renting or purchasing multiple off-road vehicles. ATV and side-by-side trails allow your family to travel great distances off the main roads, giving you the opportunity to see new geography and potentially different wildlife which you wouldn't be able to see from your car on the highway.

4. Visit one or several of the national parks stretching from coast to coast. You can take in the Atlantic Ocean from the cliffs of Maine in Acadia National Park, rare and endangered species in the waters of Everglades National Park, pretend you're part of the explorers following the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that stretches through 11 states over mountains, through rivers, across prairies and all the way to the Pacific coast, or admire the architecture of more than 600 cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans in Mesa Verde National Park. That's just to name a few of the hundreds of parks you can explore.

5. Organize an extended scenic drive. Plan a trip around one of the great lakes, or through a mountain range or even across the expanse of a desert. Research some of the small towns along the route for new and interesting things to see. Try out new restaurants and ask the locals what some of the more popular dishes are. If you are on your trip during the harvest time, stop by a roadside stand and make a picnic or a tailgate party out of the fresh produce that's available.

When planning your next family vacation, make sure you pack plenty of food and beverages, as well as your camera. Encourage the kids to take along journals so they can document the sights they see and the new places they are experiencing. But most of all, enjoy the time spent together on vacation.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Do you ever get a headache just thinking about navigating the streets of an unfamiliar city? Have you ever booked a hotel in a less-than-great part of town, or been late to an appointment because you can't find a parking garage?

Even the savviest of travelers, who can find their way around a city with their eyes closed, run into travel snafus, sending their blood pressure through the roof. Navigating the streets of a new city can be one of the most stressful parts of booking and taking a trip, whether it's for business or leisure.

So you finally landed and you're on your way to the hotel that you booked in the heart of the city. Everything is going just as you planned. Not so fast! Somehow, you find yourself nowhere near the bright city lights and in a hotel on the outskirts of town where you wouldn't even venture out for a cup of Joe. Sound familiar? Well, you're not alone - more than half of business travelers say they've experienced this very nightmare, according to a recent Bing survey of business travelers.

While finding decent lodging can be difficult, sometimes even thinking about how to get around a city can strike fear into the hearts of business and leisure travelers alike. So which city gets travelers hearts racing when just thinking about how to get around? Unsurprisingly for anyone who has ever visited either New York or Los Angeles (even just once), both cities topped Bing's survey as the worst cities to navigate. More than 40 percent said "The heck with driving. I'm getting a taxi!" when visiting the Big Apple and a quarter said that the concrete jungle otherwise known as Los Angeles is too wild for them.

So, how can you ensure you know enough about a city to get around like you were a local, book a decent hotel, check out a local concert or find a local hot spot to grab a bite to eat? Well, the folks at Bing have a few tips to make your next adventure stress-free:

* Pay attention to reviews. Most online booking sites offer reviews from other guests who have stayed at the hotel that you're considering. While you may be inclined to take the overly positive reviews with a grain of salt, it's best to steer clear if a hotel receives consistent negative customer reviews.

* Study up. Check out the local convention center, visitors' bureau or chamber of commerce Web sites to learn more about the city and its surrounding neighborhoods. This will help give you a better idea of what's near your destination and the neighborhoods that surround it.

* Remember, you get what you pay for. If you're paying a two-star rate, don't expect to get four- or five-star accommodations and a mint on your pillow. A cheaper rate rarely buys you luxury, but you should still be able to score a clean, safe room that provides for your basic needs.

* Hop online. Use online resources like Bing Maps' new Streetside experience, a three-dimensional mapping tool. Just log on to Bing Maps where you can zoom in from satellite level to bird's eye view and even down to street level for 56 major U.S. metro areas.

Now, you can virtually walk the streets of your next adventure with actual 360-degree footage of the area. Not only can you tell if a hotel is in a good neighborhood, you'll be able to see if there's a WiFi coffee shop nearby where you can sync up your computer before your next meeting or scope out any traffic jams before you head out. And, you can even find the nearest parking garage so you're never late again to your lunch date - unlike the more than 40 percent of Bing survey respondents who were fashionably late because they couldn't find a parking spot.

"Booking a hotel room on the Internet can be a risky proposition if you can't see the room, hotel or area it's in before you book," says Blaise Aguera y Arcas, architect of Bing Maps and MSN at Microsoft. "But technology like Streetside is making it possible to scope out a neighborhood - and ensure it's one you want to stay in - without ever having to leave the comfort of your computer chair." In fact, the Bing survey found that nearly a quarter of travelers rated finding a decent hotel as the most frustrating part of planning their trip.

Plus, stay up-to-date on the best places to check out on your next trip by using Bing's Twitter mapping app. Now, you can get real-time information about an area - such as seeing the latest tweets for the local shopping mall before you even go there or even updates about local events and breaking news.

Log onto Bing Maps, where you can plan your next trip whether it's a far away city or even your own town. Now, you can be a travel guru no matter where you are.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - With more arrests in suspected domestic terrorism plots and almost daily news reports of international terrorism incidents, Americans need to remain vigilant and prepared for the unknown.

But according to a recent survey conducted by Kelton Research, almost two in three Americans (66 percent) admit they would not know what to do in the event of a terrorist attack in their hometown.

Homeland security professionals charged with protecting the homefront are even less convinced of the average citizen's preparedness.  More than nine in 10 professionals (94 percent) surveyed feel that Americans wouldn't know what to do in the event of an attack, even though a majority (75 percent) believes the U.S. will experience one similar to Sept. 11, 2001, in the next five years.

The surveys were commissioned by the National Homeland Defense Foundation and Colorado Technical University, which offers master's and doctoral degrees with a concentration in homeland security.

"The fact that homeland security professionals expect another terrorist attack similar to 9/11 within the next five years while at the same time believing most Americans are unprepared is a dangerous combination," says Capt. W. Andy Cain, USN (Ret.), a Homeland Security Advisory Board member at Colorado Technical University.

"The good news is there are things we can all do to be prepared and take responsibility for the safety and security of ourselves and our families. Seconds count in an emergency, so preparation can make all the difference in the world," he says.

While law enforcement and government officials are on the front lines of responding to terrorist threats, here are five steps that all Americans can take to feel more secure and prepared.

* Create a family emergency plan
Know who to call and what to do in case of an emergency such as a terrorist attack. Make a plan that includes each family member's contact information, as well as an out-of-town contact who may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members and may live far enough away not to be directly impacted by the same event. Online tools, like a family emergency kit featuring easy-to-use forms, are available for download at Ready.gov.

* Determine a meeting place
Family members may be in different locations when a terrorist attack strikes. Establish an agreed-upon location for everyone to meet to help save time and reduce stress.

* Get an emergency supply kit
To prepare for a possible emergency situation, including a terrorist attack, it's important to focus on survival basics - fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Put together an emergency supply kit that includes items like bottled water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, dust masks and blankets. Other essentials could include a flashlight with extra batteries, cell phone with chargers and a battery-powered radio to stay abreast of the news. FEMA.gov, among other Web sites, offers a disaster kit checklist.

* Have a communication back-up plan
Some terrorist attacks may cause communication network interruptions, preventing a person from getting through to family, friends or emergency personnel. If phone lines are down, have e-mail addresses available. In addition, text messaging may still work despite phone service disruptions. The American Red Cross also has a "Safe and Well" Web site available through RedCross.org, where families can register to let others know about their welfare.

* Sign up for alert services
Many communities have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails about emergencies and related action steps. Sign up by visiting the local office of emergency management Web site.

Ready.gov features more information to empower and educate Americans on what they can do today to be prepared should a terrorist attack or disaster strike.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - The beginning of a new year - and a new decade - is the time many people pledge to live differently. For many, that change means living a more sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability, once only a buzz word, is now fast becoming the way to live consciously.

From reducing your water usage to buying organic, here are 10 simple ways to make 2010 the year of sustainable living:

1. Use water more efficiently: Water is a limited resource and limiting it within your household is a cornerstone of sustainability. Rain barrels, largely unheard of even a decade ago, are becoming a popular way to collect and reuse rainwater for purposes like gardening.  Meanwhile, conserving water in the home by taking shorter showers or even fixing a leaky faucet also can make a difference at a time when many communities are experiencing water shortages or are expressing concerns about water overuse.

2. Compost: Turning over leaves by way of a new compost garden is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. A compost heap is a simple, effective way to collect yard waste, like leaves and grass clippings, and kitchen scraps such as raw vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, and return them to the ground as organic matter.

3. Seek earth-friendly packaging: To better fill that compost heap, alter shopping habits to look for products with compostable packaging. Snyder's of Hanover, for instance, recently introduced a new Pretzel Variety Sack of 100-Calorie Pretzels and Pretzel Sandwiches in the market's first 100 percent compostable outer package made from 100 percent renewable cornstarch-based plastic.  The new Variety Sack includes a special logo indicating that the bag can be composted and is made with sustainable materials. In addition to that example, more manufacturers are switching to cardboard packaging materials, which are made from renewable materials and can be recycled or composted.

4. Buy local, embrace organic: Many farmers, ranchers and, increasingly, food manufacturers, are offering foods and beverages made using sustainable practices. It could be a farmers market tomato, a local dairy's milk, an organic snack food, like new Organic Honey Whole Wheat Sticks and Organic Whole Wheat and Oat Sticks from Snyder's of Hanover, or any number of natural or organic items. The bottom line is that natural, organic and locally produced foods provide both sustenance and sustainability. To learn more about Snyder's of Hanover's sustainability initiatives visit www.snydersofhanover.com/Sustainability/.

5. Go to seed: Take the locally grown movement a step further - like in your own backyard or patio.  An afternoon spent planting seeds or small plants can yield plenty of rewards a few weeks or months later, in the form of fresh, inexpensive and convenient vegetables and fruits.  You don't need a large tract of land, in fact, to start a small  garden.

6. Ride out the trend:  Sustain your own energy level by opting to ride a bike or walk to a destination that isn't all that far away. Add a basket to a bike or take along a backpack to bring something back home.

7. Re-recycle: Recycling is nothing new and most people have been recycling in some form for years. But recycling can be taken to another level, going beyond obvious and traditionally recycled items like soda cans or newspaper to the smallest of waste materials, from plastic straws to the paper straw wrapper. Why not recycle apparel as well, by donating clothes and buying gently used clothes?

8. Plug in: Learn how to operate appliances more efficiently.  For example, use cold water in the washing machine: clothes will still be cleaned, without the use of heated water. Turn off appliances when not in use, whether it's the television, video game player or radio. Better yet, completely unplug. Many electronics and battery chargers continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. Instead, use a power strip to cut power completely when not in use.

9. Lighten up: Use energy efficient lighting and bulbs when possible and turn off lights when not in a room. That will cut energy use - and the family budget.

10. Get involved: As the sustainability movement gains traction among the public, there are more opportunities to join in. Local communities, schools and organizations often have green committees, and there is a plethora of national and grassroots organizations geared around earth-friendly living that appreciate new volunteers or members.

Courtesy of ARAcontent