On Friday, Aug. 19, the regional networking event, “Xtreme Networking,” will be coming to Franklin. Xtreme is an all day conference for business owners, professionals, community leaders and non-profits within Western North Carolina and Northern Georgia.

Held at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts, the conference kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with registration, open networking and the Keynote Speaker, Dale Stewart on “Adaptive Leadership in Times of Change.” Stewart is the best-selling author of “On Your Own: A Family’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness” and his newest book “Rings of Survivability” is being published by McGraw Hill for a summer release.

Goshen Timber Frames has been named a 2011 Design Excellence Award winner by Residential Design + Build magazine. The annual awards program recognizes residential design and construction firms for excellence in the single-family custom home market.

The panel of judges that selected the 2011 Design Excellence Award winners consisted of two architects, two custom home builders and an interior designer. The judges chose Goshen Timber Frames for its success at addressing challenges, design creativity, overall dedication to success, and as proof of the firm’s unwavering quality as the nation’s housing market begins its slow recovery.

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the re-opening of The Boiler Room with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“All Aboard” is the welcome call in the Boiler Room Steak House. The Boiler Room is located in The Fun Factory at 1024 Georgia Road in Franklin.

The restaurant’s “new Appalachian cuisine” showcases seasonal and sustainable products from local vendors, and the upscale, southern menu features fresh seafood, vegetables, and hand-cut, wood fired “all natural” steaks. The menu also offers a “build your own burger” experience featuring a choice of breads, cheeses, and toppings.

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce, along with Mayor Joe Collins, welcomed Smokey Mountain Cigars recently with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Smokey Mountain Cigars is located at 1991 Georgia Road and houses the largest Spanish cedar walk-in humidor in Western North Carolina.

Owners Eddie Pinkosky and Jeff Bianchi invite everyone from beginning cigar smokers to cigar aficionados in Western North Carolina and Northwest Georgia to come and enjoy a smoke at Smokey Mountain Cigars.