The month of September will be celebrated annually as National Americana Month, with Franklin, Tennessee, leading the way. The registrar of National Day Calendar selected Visit Franklin's proposal to declare September as National Americana Month out of over 30,000 submissions for national recognition in 2016. Communities across the nation are encouraged to join Franklin in celebrating all things Americana.

“With an incredible music scene, a Great American Main Street, and a community filled with amazing talent and character, Franklin, Tennessee perfectly embodies the spirit of Americana," said Ellie Westman Chin, Visit Franklin President & CEO. "It is often hard to put into a single word what makes Franklin and communities like it around the country such beloved places, but Americana is that word. When you think of Americana, you are taken back to simpler time."

Americana does not have a single definition. It means different things to different people. To many it is a sound, to some, it is a story while to others Americana describes the feeling or vibe you experience that takes you back to the roots of your culture. In its inaugural year, Franklin will build a pilot branding campaign model to celebrate all things that are quintessentially Americana which communities across the country can tailor to their unique local culture in the future.

Westman Chin added, "We look forward to celebrating an entire month of events that showcase why Franklin is indeed rooted in Americana, and being a leader in showcasing how other communities can highlight their unique Americana offerings."

Nicola Elliott, founder and creative director of wellbeing and home fragrance brand, Neom Organics, will be the keynote speaker at a major business awards and celebration this October.

Nicola will deliver an inspirational speech at the 35^th Annual Women of the Year Awards taking place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on Friday, 6 October.

The event, which includes the prize for Businesswoman of the Year, aims to inspire women and young girls to follow their dreams and achieve their goals in the world of business.

Nicola, who launched Neom in 2005, has done just that.  Having spent  years working 60-hour weeks at glossy magazines in London, she was burnt out and started to notice her own wellbeing suffer, as well as that of her colleagues and close friends.

This kick-started Nicola’s move into the field of wellbeing. She trained as an aromatherapist and nutritionist and from there, Neom Organics was launched.

Today, Neom’s promise is to create 100 per cent natural fragrance for the mind and body and aims to help women (and men) manage their wellbeing in a simple way.  All of the fragrances deliver true therapeutic benefits to relieve stress, aid sleep, boost energy or lift mood.

The company, which boasts countless awards and celebrity fans, has seen continued growth and now retails in three standalone stores, major stockists such as John Lewis, M&S and Selfridges, as well as independent salons and  spas in both the UK and overseas.

Nicola, who won an entrepreneur of the year award in 2012, will describe her career and how she has overseen the company’s expansion, as well as how she steers the creative vision of the brand and ensures that every product Neom creates serves a therapeutic need or purpose

Pauline Edden, director of Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards, said: “We are thrilled to have Nicola Elliott as our keynote speaker on our 35^th anniversary event.  It’s always a wonderful celebration for women’s achievements in business and society and to secure such a great speaker means this year’s event is one not to be missed.”

Judy Groves, director of the Businesswoman of the Year Award, said: “Nominations are open for Businesswoman of the Year and we’ve already had some very strong entries. My plea to women, however, is to put modesty to one side and put themselves forward for this award so that women and girls can be inspired by their achievements in the world of business.”

Pupils from Lordship Lane Primary School have taken the lead in warning dog owners to clean up their pets’ mess.

Lordship Lane pupils with Cllr Ahmet and Cllr WatersA new series of “scoop up the Poop” posters designed by pupils highlight the risk of an £80 fine for allowing pooches to foul the pavement.

A poster-design competition was launched after community-spirited six-year-old pupil Eloise Charnock wrote to Haringey Council to complain after she spotted dog mess on her walk home from school.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Peray Ahmet and Woodside ward Cllr Ann Waters visited the school to launch the competition and choose the three winning designs, which are being displayed around the borough.

Winning designer Junaid Junel, 11, said: “I’ve seen the posters outside and I feel like I’ve achieved something.”

Paul Bullen, 10, and his sister Louise, 6, produced the two other winning designs. Paul said: “I’m so very excited. There were so many good posters and I was very surprised I won.”

Cllr Peray Ahmet said:

It’s really encouraging to see children take an active interest in their environment. Well done to Eloise for speaking up against dog mess, and to Paul, Louise and Junaid for their winning designs. They’ve created some great posters that will encourage people to clean up their mess – they should be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.”

All three winners received a framed picture of their poster, a waterproof lamppost version and a gift voucher.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton’s chosen charities are £1,098 better off thanks to the success of the city’s inaugural Festival of Food and Drink.

In line with tradition, the Mayor, Councillor Elias Mattu, has chosen a selection of charities which he and the Mayoress will raise money for over the year.

His chosen charities are Interfaith Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Sickle Cell Care Centre, Street Pastors, Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre and Acorns Children's Hospice.

More than 18,500 people attended the Festival of Food and Drink last month, with free tickets on offer.

Just over 1,000 visitors chose to pay on the gate, with half of the receipts going to the Mayor’s chosen charities and the other half to event costs.

Mayor Mattu said: “I’m tremendously proud of holding our first festival of food and drink which bought so many new visitors to the city and gave residents an opportunity to have a fabulous family day out.

“I’d like to thank the promoter for his kind donation and for everyone involved in making the weekend an occasion to remember.

“The money will be divided between the charities to boost the important work they all do.”

Festival of Food and Drink organiser William Power, of Street Banquet and Director of E11EVEN GROUP, added: “The Festival of Food and Drink was a great success, enjoyed by thousands of people, and I’m delighted it also delivered the added bonus of helping these fantastic charities.”

Sandwell Council is asking people for their views on a proposed 20mph zone in Friar Park ward.

The 20mph zone would include traffic calming measures in Manor Road and Carrington Road, in the Friar Park ward.

Figures show there were four accidents involving casualties in Manor Road and two in Carrington Road since 2012.

Councillor Dave Hosell, Sandwell Council's cabinet for highways and environment, said: “We want residents and drivers’ views about these plans and have set up three meetings where people can come along and find out more about the proposals.”

The consultation events are from 5-7pm on 14 September at Park Hill Primary School, 21 September at St Luke’s Church Hall and 25 September at the Millennium Centre.

Letters will be delivered to homes in the first week of September explaining further details of the proposed scheme and the various ways residents can have their say.

This year, for the first time ever, the annual Christian arts festival, ‘Greenbelt,’ will be partnering with Amal, a British grant-giving fund supporting British Muslim art and culture, which providing opportunities for people in Britain, regardless of their faith or beliefs, to come together and explore the rich diversity of Muslim cultures and arts including storytelling, visual arts, theatre, poetry, music, dance and film.

The festival will be the first time Britain's biggest Christian arts festival, which has previously featured artists like U2, Moby and Cliff Richard, will host such a major Muslim presence with a full programme of performances.

Through this unique initiative, Christian and Muslim artistry, ideas, conversation and spirituality will be showcased together through a powerful ensemble of storytelling, visual arts, theatre, poetry, music and dance.

Championing imagination and values of compassion, conviviality and social justice, Amal believes that culture and the arts broaden horizons and forge common ground within and between communities, as it facilitates experiences, encounters and discoveries that help to address the complex and critical issues facing communities today in an inclusive atmosphere of creative expression and mutual respect. Through its varied activities, it hopes to achieve a deeper and broader understanding of Muslim cultures, thereby adding to the strength and vitality of contemporary British society.

Beginning in 2016, it started as a Programming Fund making grants in support of Muslim cultural productions over a pilot phase of around one year.

Taking place on August 25-28, on the grounds of Boughton House in Northamptonshire, the new Amal @ Greenbelt venue will be curated by Chicago cultural producer, Asad Ali Jafri, aka DJ Man-O-Wax, whop said: “We’re so excited to have received funding from Amal to produce a brand new venue and programme at Greenbelt this summer, showcasing Muslim art, culture, thought and spirituality

And we’re thrilled to introduce the curator we’ve appointed to shape the Amal programme for us this year.”