🌱 Otaku Ramen To Franklin + Nashville Parents Fight Retention Law

Morning, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning with the most important things happening these days in Franklin.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Franklin Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Franklin long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, today's weather:

Periods of sun. High: 55 Low: 32.

Business owners and marketers in Franklin: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Franklin:

1. The Nashville restaurant Otaku Ramen is set to open its first location outside the city at The Factory in Franklin sometime later this year. Sarah Gavigan founded Otaku Ramen in 2012 when she decided to teach herself how to make Japanese-style ramen and bring it to the Nashville community. What started as a pop-up shop grew into an expanding brick-and-mortar restaurant valuing Japanese culture and giving guests a wonderful experience. (Williamson Source)
2. The Tennessee State University (TSU) Aristocrats made Grammy history this past Sunday as the first HBCU marching band to win multiple honors in Best Roots Gospel Album and their collaboration with J. Ivy for the Best Spoken Word Single. TSU adds to the history, with two of the four HBCUs in Nashville having Grammys now, with TSU joining Fisk University and their world-renowned Jubilee Singers, who got the city the nickname of Music City. This milestone will be felt throughout the university, the city of Nashville, and all HBCUs, as the marching bands at these universities are a staple in the campus community. (tntribune.com)
3. Nashville parents have organized a town hall meeting to combat the third-grade retention law passed in 2021. Starting this school year, students who score below proficient on the state's English language arts test may have to repeat the third grade if they don't participate in programs to catch up. Celia Aguilar only learned about this law the past few months, and it was not until Wednesday's town hall meeting that she understood the implications, as this is the first time Spanish translators were available. According to data, 73 percent of third graders could be retained due to this law, parents hope their voices will be heard for a change. (News Channel 5 Nashville)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Franklin Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Franklin Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Franklin:

• Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group At Williamson County Public Library (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• What was a planned blast became larger than expected as the shock was felt throughout Franklin and Cool Springs. No injuries were reported from the explosion; if you have any damage to report please contact the Franklin Police Department at (615) 794-2513. (City of Franklin, TN - Municipal Government via Facebook)
• From Feb. 19-25, Tennessee Songwriters Week will take place across the state, sponsored by Tennessee Vacation. This year's Franklin showcase will be hosted at the Franklin Theatre on Feb. 23; one lucky winner will receive two free tickets and a night stay at The Harpeth Hotel! (Visit Franklin, TN via Facebook)
• Now is the chance to be heard – you can vote to name a city snowplow! (City of Franklin, TN - Municipal Government via Facebook)
• Severe weather can cause widespread devastation, and some states are more prone to disaster-related property damage than others. Due mainly to flooding, Tennessee ranks No. 9 in the United States. for total property damage, with an average of $1,240.64 per capita. See how our state stacks up against the rest of the country in this new interactive study. (NeighborWho)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Wholesale Nursery Co — (Visit website)
• Elizabeth Leanza, Synergy Realty - Realtor — (Visit Website)

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (February 14)
• Online Event about real estate services in the Franklin area (February 15)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.