Celebrating Community Progress as Smyrna Turns 153 (Issue #30)

Good morning Stewards,

September ends with celebrations and community progress worth recognizing.

This Saturday brings Smyrna's birthday party with free concerts from Kool & the Gang and Fitz and the Tantrums, plus cultural performances representing our diverse community.

Meanwhile, Creatwood Park's completed renovations offer new gathering spaces, and Cobb's upgraded 911 system brought AI-powered emergency response.

Even as healthcare costs challenge local families, our community continues investing in infrastructure and experiences that bring neighbors together.

Stay engaged, Smyrna-Vinings.

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

In Today's Edition

• 🎉 Hidden Gem: Saturday's FREE birthday bash features national headliners

• 💼 Business Beat: Aled Towing expands Smyrna service capacity

• 🎖️ Local Legends: Georgia National Guard deploys to Washington DC security mission

• 🏛️ Public Pulse: Healthcare premiums rising as ACA subsidies expire

HIDDEN GEM
🎉 Smyrna Birthday Celebration: This Saturday's Free Party

Smyrna's birthday bash this Saturday features national headliners, cultural performances, and fireworks—all completely free.

Saturday, October 4 | City Hall & Village Green | 11 AM-Late | FREE

Village Green Stage:

• 11:00am: The Muckers

• 12:45pm: Cigar Store Indians

• 2:15pm: Pushing Daisies

• 4:30pm: Spin Doctors

Community Center Stage:

• 12:30pm: Dr. Congcong Bi

• 1:45pm: Magic Eastern Ensemble

• 3:45pm: Naach Dance Academy 

City Hall Stage:

• 12:00pm: Ballet MEXICANO

• 1:15pm: Los Amigos

• 3:30pm: Lion Dance – Chen Hong School of Kung Fu

• 4:00pm: Manga African Dance

Festival Busker:

12:00pm-4:00pm Carrie McQueen – Stilt Walker

Atlanta Road Stage:

• 7:00pm Kool & the Gang 

• 8:30pm Fitz and the Tantrums

Arrive early for parking. Bring blankets and chairs for outdoor concerts. Check the city website for parking maps and stage locations.

BUSINESS BEAT
💼 Aled Towing Expands Smyrna Operations for Enhanced 24/7 Coverage

While we champion local businesses, we also understand that growth and infrastructure are essential for community resilience. That's why the recent expansion by Aled Towing Services in Smyrna is a notable development for local drivers.

This move significantly enhances the roadside assistance infrastructure across Smyrna and the surrounding Cobb County area, promising faster and more reliable service when residents need it most.

Key Features of the Expanded Operations:

• 24/7 Emergency Response: The service guarantees availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring help is always on hand for unexpected breakdowns, lockouts, or flat tires.

• Comprehensive Service Fleet: The expansion includes an enhanced fleet of tow trucks, featuring flatbed tow trucks suitable for safe transport of all vehicle types, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and SUVs.

• Wider Coverage Area: While focusing on Smyrna (30080), their service territory is expansive, covering major areas in Cobb County, including Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, and Powder Springs.

• Owner-Operator Dedication: The service highlights the expertise of its team, notably "Carlos," a driver known for his professional know-how and dedication to friendly, dependable service.

• Specialized Recovery Services: Beyond standard towing, they offer specialized assistance like winch-outs (for stuck vehicles), junk vehicle removal, and private property towing management.

Why This Matters to Stewards:

A strong, competitive local infrastructure for emergency services contributes directly to safety and reduced stress for residents. Increased capacity from a professional, registered provider like Aled Towing means you have more dependable options during peak times and major travel events.

As our community continues to grow, so must the critical support services that keep us moving safely. This expansion represents a key investment in local reliability.

Need Assistance?

• Aled Towing Services

• Phone: (470) 257-9121

• Services: 24-Hour Towing, Roadside Assistance, Flat Tire Change, Jump Starts, Winch Outs.

PUBLIC PULSE
🏛️ Healthcare Double Crisis: Wasted Millions, Rising Premiums

Georgia families face twin healthcare disasters as government programs waste taxpayer money while premium increases loom.

Medicaid Pathways Failure:

• Spent 2x more on administration than actual healthcare (GAO report)

• Only 7,500 of 250,000 eligible Georgians enrolled

• Extended to 2026 despite efficiency concerns

• Reporting changed from monthly to annual

ACA Subsidy Expiration:

• Enhanced subsidies expire December 31, 2025

• Premiums expected to rise 75% average

• $2 billion additional annual cost for Georgia residents

• Thousands may lose coverage due to unaffordability

Open enrollment begins November 1. Review your options early, contact representatives about subsidy extension, and prepare for significant cost increases if Congress doesn't act.

LOCAL LEGENDS
🎖️Georgia National Guard Takes Up D.C. Security Mission

This month, hundreds of Georgia Guardsmen, many of whom are our neighbors and fellow citizens, mobilized to Washington, D.C., relieving troops from other states in the ongoing "Safe and Beautiful" mission. This deployment highlights the commitment of our National Guard to both state and national service.

The Georgia Guard, specifically the 170th Military Police Battalion, has taken over key security and support roles in the nation's capital, where over 2,000 National Guard members are assisting local and federal law enforcement.

What the Mission Entails:

• Public Safety Presence: The troops are providing a visible, reassuring presence through patrols in high-traffic areas, including Metro stations, the National Mall, and major transportation hubs like Union Station.

• Support for Law Enforcement: They work in direct collaboration with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, leveraging the civilian law enforcement experience that many of the Guardsmen already possess.

• Community Assistance: Beyond security, the mission involves providing aid in emergencies, assisting with medical calls, helping to locate missing persons, and providing direction to tourists and residents.

• Beautification Efforts: The task force also conducts community-focused projects, including maintenance and clean-up efforts around national monuments and parks.

Why This Matters to Georgians:

Governor Kemp approved the mobilization of over 300 Guardsmen for this joint task force. State officials have reiterated that this deployment will not compromise the Guard's ability to respond swiftly to emergencies here at home, such as severe weather events.

This mission underscores the readiness and professionalism of the Georgia National Guard, ensuring that our brave men and women are standing guard for public safety, whether it's here in Georgia or in the nation's capital.

EVENT HORIZON
🎨 This Week's Community Connections

• 🛍️ Smyrna Market: Shop 40+ vendors with food, crafts, local goods, and fresh finds. 📍 City Hall, 2800 King Street | 🗓 Sunday, Oct 5th | ⏰ 10 AM–2 PM

• 🏃 Monday Night Run Club - Run Smyrna: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run📍Smyrna Beer Market (by Stout Brothers, SW of the fountain). 🗓 Monday, Oct 6th | ⏰ Meet at 6:30 PM, run starts shortly after (Run at your own pace, and your own risk.)

• 🏈 College Football Saturdays: Watch live college football on an LED screen with games, music, and prizes for the whole family. 📍 Village Green Park, 1250 Powder Springs ST SE, Smyrna, Georgia | 🗓 Saturdays, Oct 18th, Nov 15th & Dec 6th | ⏰ 3 PM

👋 Until Next Tuesday

September ends with community investments worth celebrating—renovated parks, upgraded emergency systems, and free cultural celebrations that bring thousands of neighbors together.

While healthcare costs challenge families, our community continues creating spaces and experiences that build connections and improve quality of life for everyone.

💌 Share the intelligence: Forward this to someone whose always asking you whats going on in town

🧭 Support our local businesses! Show them the same enthusiasm they show our community in Smyrna & Vinings
📣 Got a local gem or listing? Send it our way

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Preserving community voices, one Tuesday at a time.
— The Stewardship Group