Homeowner Alert: The Cost of Yesterday's Rain (Issue #34)

Good morning Stewards,

A US-China trade deal keeps your renovation costs stable, Cobb wants $4.75 monthly to fix failing stormwater systems, and Brazilian steakhouse vibes are coming to Cumberland Mall.

Pop your umbrella open. Here's what you need to know this week.

In Today's Edition

• ☁️ This Week's Weather: Rainy Wednesday, Then Clearing

• 💰 From Beijing to Your Backyard: How the China Trade Deal Affects Your Wallet

• 🥩 Fogo de Chão: Brazilian Steakhouse Coming to Cumberland Mall

• 🌊 Stormwater Reality Check: Why Cobb's Proposing a $4.75 Monthly Fee

• 🛡️ Health Report: School Perfection & Restaurant Compliance Scores

• 🎉 Community Events, 💼 Job Listings, & more!

THE WEATHER REPORT
☁️ Gray Days Before Sunshine Returns

• 🧥 Today (Tue): Cloudy and cool, 55∘/47∘ - jacket weather all day

• ☔ Wed: Rain likely (95% chance), 53∘/45∘ - indoor plans recommended

• 🌥️ Thu: Cloudy, drying out, 56∘/40∘ - transitional day

• ☀️ Fri-Sun: Sunny to partly cloudy, low-to-mid 60s - perfect fall weekend

PUBLIC PULSE
💰 US-China Trade Deal Halts 100% Tariff Spike: Your Smyrna-Vinings Wallet Just Got Relief

The world's two largest economies reached a trade framework agreement yesterday that President Trump is expected to finalize this week.

For Smyrna-Vinings residents, this isn't just political news—it's a direct brake on inflation hitting your wallet and local businesses.

Your Wallet & Home

• Shopping: A planned 100% tariff hike is suspended. Prices for electronics, toys, and apparel (Target/Vinings Jubilee staples) stay stable. No overnight doubling of costs before the holidays.

• Renovations: China delayed export restrictions on rare-earth elements (used in HVAC/electrics). This gives Smyrna contractors and homeowners temporary cost stability for remodels.

Local Business & Economy

• Volatility Ends: The deal pauses the "tariff whiplash" Georgia businesses faced. Local shops can now order holiday inventory with certainty, avoiding sharp price increases passed to you.

• The Big Picture: The shift to "trade relations" brings vital predictability for Georgia's logistics hubs. Budget and business stability achieved.

BUSINESS BEAT
🥩 Brazilian Steakhouse Planned for Mall Outparcel

Fogo de Chão, the upscale Brazilian churrascaria, is planning a new location at Cumberland Mall, bringing all-you-can-eat meat parades to Smyrna-Vinings.

The Details:

• Location: Vacant outparcel near former Sears at Cumberland Mall

• Style: Rodízio-style steakhouse (servers bring meat on skewers to your table)

• Current Georgia locations: Buckhead (Piedmont Road), Dunwoody (Ashford Dunwoody)

• Company history: Established 1979; acquired by Bain Capital for $1.1B in 2023

Fogo de Chão operates on the Brazilian rodízio model, where servers circulate with skewers of various meats—such as picanha (top sirloin), filet mignon, lamb chops, and sausage—carving slices onto your plate, managed by a green (keep going) or red (stop) card system; this experience is complemented by a massive salad bar featuring Brazilian sides, cheeses, and seafood.

While known to be a costly celebration experience, plans are moving forward as they have been presented to Cobb County, though a specific timeline has not been disclosed.

PUBLIC PULSE
🌊 Why Cobb Wants $4.75 a Month—and Why It Might Not Be Enough

Cobb County's stormwater infrastructure is failing due to aging 1970s/80s systems, intense climate events, and a backlog of ∼100 pipe repairs. Commissioners vote November 20 on a dedicated monthly fee to fix it.

The proposal centers on a $4.75 monthly fee for homeowners in unincorporated Cobb. This fee is crucial as it would almost double the stormwater department's budget, increasing it from $9.5 million to $17 million. Notably, this new charge is being introduced alongside a slight decrease in current water rates.

The funding need is urgent, highlighted by past disasters: one 2021 flood alone caused up to $2.7 million in damages for residents, with some homeowners facing personal repair bills as high as $40,000.

Looking ahead, an estimated 26,600 properties (10.6%) in Cobb face flooding risk over the next 30 years, and standard insurance usually excludes flood damage. County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid warned that inaction could lead to future costs in the "billions of dollars."

The plan faces opposition on several fronts:

• "Rain Tax" Label: Critics have quickly labeled the fee a "rain tax."

• General Fund Concerns: Objectors are worried about the existing annual $11.3 million transfer from the Water System to the county's general fund.

• Trust Issues: Flooded homeowners question if the county will focus on private infrastructure (like retaining walls) or stick strictly to issues on official county plats.

The vote’s ultimate significance rests on whether this fee effectively averts future costly disasters or simply boosts the current operating budget.

STEWARDS WATCH
🛡️ Smyrna-Vinings Health Report: Recent Food Inspection Scores and Local Compliance

🟢 Green: Excellence in Safety (95-100)

🟡 Yellow: Needs Attention (75-94)

🔴 Red: Critical Concerns (Below 75)

Hooray! No establishments scored in the red zone (Below 75) during this reporting period.

🎉 Upcoming Events

Smyrna-Vinings Silent Book Club | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM, Oct 28

• Location: Sincerely Yours Bookstore, 2450 Atlanta Rd SE Suite 300

• Description: Join this global community of readers! There is no assigned reading—bring whatever book you're currently reading. The format is one hour of silent reading followed by one hour of socializing/story swapping.

LIT-FOR-LITERACY Fall Festival | 4:00–6:00 PM, Oct 30 (RSVP)

• Location: 2234 Benson Poole Rd SE

• Description: Our Family Literacy Extravaganza! A fun-filled celebration of stories, learning, and family time. Activities include dressing up as your favorite book character, a book exchange (Bring one book and leave with two!), and complimentary food for the entire family.

Annual Doll Show and Sale | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Nov 1 (Tickets)

• Location: Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Cir SE, Smyrna, Georgia, United States

• Description: Features Antique, Modern and Collectible Dolls, Bears, Accessories, Doll Furniture, Doll Clothing, Miniatures, Paper Dolls, & Appraisals. Proceeds benefit local charities. Admission: Adults $5, Children 12 & under free. Free Parking.

Mead and Mischief | 2:00–10:00 PM, Nov 1

• Location: The Viking Alchemist Meadery, 3080 Jonquil Dr #B

• Description: Mead & Mischief returns! This year features a Staff Mead-Making Competition where guests can sample and vote, and a Costume Contest at 6 PM with a chance to win a free Horn Club Membership ($150 value!).

MobiChef Showcase: A Tribute to our Veterans | 5:00–9:00 PM, Nov 1 (Tickets)

• Location: The Little Cottage, 652 Concord Road Southeast

• Description: An unforgettable culinary experience celebrating veterans with a special showcase featuring three talented chefs creating a 6-Course Dinner honoring each branch of service! Includes music and amazing vibes. Note: The event has two sessions: 5pm-7pm and 7:30pm-9:30pm.

The One With the A•L•L T•A•L•K Halloween Party | 9:00 PM, Nov 1 

• Location: Timbers Tavern, 730 Concord Rd SE

• Description: Join All Talk for some Halloween music and mischief! Wear your costumes and get ready to sing and dance the night away to your favorite pop/alt rock hits from the 80s-2000's: No Doubt, Evanescence, Aerosmith, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Tom Petty, U2, Prince, and MORE!

Sunday Lecture: "The Role of Typewriters in World War II" | 3:00–4:00 PM, Nov 2

• Location: Smyrna Public Library, 100 Village Green Circle SE, Smyrna, Georgia 30080

• Description: Lecture by Jeffrey Albertson of the Atlanta Typewriters Club on the history and impact of typewriters during WWII, focusing on journalism. Attendees can interact with and try out a variety of typewriters. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Run Smyrna | 6:30-8:30PM, Nov 3 and Every Monday

• Location: Stout Brothers, 1265 W Spring St

• Description: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run

👋 See You Next Tuesday

📬 Ready to dig deeper? : Sign up for the scoop on Smyrna-Vinings delivered right to your inbox every Tuesday @ 8 AM

— Ravi Patel