Franklin Named One of the 100 Best Small Cities

Hey South Wind! Give it up for your city! Money Magazine has named Franklin, TN one of the best 100 small cities in the U.S. How awesome is that?

Money based this decision on the cities that portrayed the most jobs, great schools, safe streets, low crime, and lots of things to do around the city. It’s no wonder that Franklin made the list, though I would have thought that it’d get a higher ranking than the 66th spot. Still, that’s pretty impressive, seeing as how many different great cities there are in the U.S.

Even the posts made on the site by residents are screaming Franklin’s praises. They boast that it’s a great town full of rich culture, history and music. But, there was no question about that. With the excitement of the Square and Nashville only 20 minutes away, there’s no end to the enjoyment that is Franklin, TN.

What do you love most about Franklin?

It’s a dog’s life…

Technically, it’s a pet’s life; they have some of the cushiest lives of all beings on this planet. Especially house pets. In recent years, pets have become more than parts of our family, they’re like our children. We feed them, train them, play with them, and love them, all things that we tend to do with humans. So it’s only natural to take your doggy child to a daycare when  you’re away right?

Don’t give me that look! Doggy daycare is actually a great idea. At least you know that little Daisy won’t be chewing on your couch while you’re gone; she can chew on things to her hearts content somewhere else. Dogtopia of Nashville is only 22 minutes away, straight up 65.

Prices vary depending on the service that you require, and Dogtopia has many! From daycare, to training, to a doggy spa, your pooch will be fully pampered and tuckered out by the time you pick them up. That way, you both can relax from a trying day.

It’s something to consider.

Would you put your dog in daycare?

Gotta Need For Speed?

Hey South Wind! Do you have a need for speed, and aren’t really NASCAR inclined? Well worry not. I’ve found a list of the fastest cars under 50K. Now you don’t have to spend your life’s fortune on a Lambo to get a little more giddy up. The Nissan 370Z, Ford Mustang GT500 and Infiniti G37, for instance, each cost less than $50,000–and they all get to 60 miles per hour in under six seconds. Here’s a few:

1. Chevy Camaro SS
   • Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 seconds
   • Top Speed: 160 mph (estimated)
   • Details: RWD, 6-speed manual transmission
   • MSRP: $33,945
2. Audi TTS
   • Zero to 60 mph: 4.9 seconds (coupe); 5.1 seconds (roadster)
   • Top Speed: 155 mph
   • Details: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
   • MSRP: $45,900
3. BMW 135
   • Zero to 60 mph: 5.1 seconds (135i)
   • Top Speed: 130 mph
   • Details: RWD, 6-speed manual transmission
   • MSRP: $36,050

Can you see yourself driving any of these cars?

Photo credit: brokentrinkets

Looking to add a new member to your family?

Meet Picasso! He’s a 1 1/2 year old Border Collie looking for a good home! He’s not the only one, there are plenty of loving animals for you to choose from! If you’re looking for a furry addition to your home, make sure you consider the South Wind pet policy, and also research which animals would work best in an apartment. Where can you find these great animals? Why, right over at Happy Tales Humane Society.

What’s your favorite pet?

photo credit: Happy Tales Humane Society

Looking for flowers for Mother’s Day?

Look no further than your own backyard. Always in Bloom has every arrangement imaginable for their Mother’s Day bouquets, and they are nothing short of breathtaking.  I know that giving someone flowers for Mother’s Day is kind of cliche, but who doesn’t love to be surprised with a dozen long stem roses, or something of the like.

If you don’t want to do that, cook mom breakfast, treat her to a spa day, make her a scrapbook of you and your siblings when you were younger, or just buy her jewelry. You know they say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

What creative Mother’s Day gift ideas do you have?

photo credit: all in bloom

Hilarious Commercial!

I’m sorry, but whenever I see this commercial, I can’t help but chuckle, at least a little bit. I didn’t know that mimes could be so hilarious! Why don’t you take a look and let me know what you think!

Are $200 jeans really worth it?

Come on now, can you really tell the difference between ‘cheap’ jeans and expensive ones? I don’t think so. In some cases, the only way that you can really tell the difference is because of the logo stitched in the side.

With the money that you people invest in jeans, a host of questions pop up: Will they last longer than cheaper jeans, Do they fit better?, Do they really look that much better? The answer to these questions can be yes and no. Sure, more expensive jeans may last longer through washes, but you can solve that easily: try not to wash denim as much. I don’t believe in spending $200 on jeans, so I have some tips that make my $20, $30 jeans look just like True Religion.

• Don’t wash denim jeans; it makes them last longer
• Buy straight leg jeans in a dark blue wash; it makes them look more expensive
• Only wash your jeans in cold water
• Wash jeans inside out

If you follow these tips, your $9.50 jeans will look like $95.

Do you or would you pay this much for jeans?

Wait, is that dog driving?

Honestly. I’ve seen a dog driving. Of course, his feet didn’t reach the pedals, but his little paws sure reached the steering wheel. And his owner, who’s lap he was sitting in, didn’t seem fazed at all. Needless to say, I politely merged myself two lanes over; no offense Fido, but I’m not trusting a pet behind the wheel. I barely trust some humans, lol.

There have been some crazy things that people have reported seeing while driving. These sights are anything from a woman eating a bowl of soup while driving, to sewing and knitting (which takes two hands by the way), to getting dressed in the car. It’s amazing that some people still have their licenses!

What crazy things have you seen while driving?

New Poll!

Hey South Wind! There’s a new poll up! “What’s your favorite room in your apartment?” I’ve already voted. My living room is my favorite.

Final Fogelman Four (or Five)

Hey Fogelman folks…the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament is wrapping up this weekend and if you’ve been following, you know that it has been ripe with upsets.  As for the Fogelman Bracket Challenge, it’s still too close to call.  There are numerous scenarios that can play out, each one resulting in a different winner.

Here is what we know…

• If Duke wins, Richard Call from Stewarts Ferry in Nashville, TN will be your 2010 Champion.  Way to go, Richard!  But don’t count your cookies yet.
• If West Virginia wins, then Jon Hawks will take the crown.  I’m a Big East Conference fan, so I must admit that I’m in Jon’s corner.  Jon, we’re not sure which apartment community you’re representing so if you’re reading this, make sure you drop us a note.
• If Michigan State wins the tournament, then Amanda Hill will be our official champion.  However, because she is not officially a Fogelman property resident, she is disqualified from collecting any prize.  Any prize would go to the first runner-up that is actually a resident.  Sorry, Amanda.  Maybe you should consider moving to a Fogelman community
• And if Butler wins, well, here’s where it gets a little tricky.  Because no one gave them a fighting chance at the beginning of the tournament, there is no clear cut winner at this point.  It all depends on who they play in the Championship.  If Butler defeats West Virginia in the title game, then Janelle Crandall from Metro 67 in Memphis, TN will walk away with the prize.  If Butler defeats Duke, the title goes to Dani Soto from Hampton Woods in Shawnee, KS.
• And hey, Zach Hightower, if you’re reading this, you could have been our big winner if you had picked teams to go to the championship! Better luck next year!

Good luck to each of the finalists!  Don’t forget to tune into CBS to watch the tournament semifinals on Saturday, April 3 starting at 6pm, and then the Championship game on Monday, April 5 at 8pm.

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