Is it Spring yet? The 70-degree "Tease" and the Civic Service Menu (Issue #43)

Good morning Stewards,

If you woke up thinking your thermostat was broken, you aren't alone. We are staring down record-high temperatures this week that make it feel like April, yet we know the Georgia winter is far from finished.

This morning, we’re balancing the "false spring" with a deep look at how to spend your time and your money in Smyrna-Vinings. From a vetted list of secular volunteer roles to the great "Avocado Toast Debate" happening downtown, we’re helping you invest your local capital wisely.

In Today's Edition

• 🌦️ The Weather Report: The 70-degree "Tease" and the 60-day countdown

• 🏗️ Stewards Watch: District 2 Rezoning: What the Planning Commission decided last night

• 🤝 Deep Dive: Beyond the Pews: A vetted shortlist of secular service roles

• 🥑 Neighbor Talk: Good Kitchen vs. First Watch: Is brand name worth the 45-minute wait?

• 🗓️ Community Calendar: Home winterization workshops and Council Meetings

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

THE WEATHER REPORT
☀️ The January "Tease"

Make no mistake: Wednesday’s projected high of 70°F is a near-record. We are currently in what locals call the "False Spring." While it’s tempting to start digging in the garden, history (and the 2026 climate trajectory) suggests we have approximately 60 to 70 "cold days" remaining before the true safe zone in early April.

• ☁️ Tue 06: Overcast and balmy. High 66°/Low 53°.

• 🌡️ Wed 07: Mostly cloudy with Record Warmth. High 70°/Low 47°.

• 🌥️ Thu 08: Cloudy and mild. High 70°/Low 60°.

• 🌦️ Fri 09: PM Showers (50% chance). High 71°/Low 60°.

• ⛈️ Sat 10: Heavy Rain & Thunder (80% chance). High 67°/Low 41°.

• 🌤️ Sun 11: Mostly sunny and cooler. High 49°/Low 31°.

• ⛅ Mon 12: Partly sunny. High 55°/Low 32°.

Steward’s Tip
Smyrna is officially in Hardiness Zone 8a. While the Piedmont growing season has expanded by two weeks over the last century, don't be fooled by this week's heat. Wait until the second week of April for sensitive planting. If you want to prep, see the "Home Winterization" workshop in our calendar below.

Check the most up to date forecast here!

STEWARDS WATCH
🏗️ The District 2 Pivot: Zoning for the Future

The Planning Commission met last night (Jan 5) to discuss the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendments. These aren't just dry policy changes; they are the blueprints for the "look and feel" of our neighborhoods.

The Key Shift: Several parcels in District 2 are moving from "Community Activity Center" (retail/commercial) to "Medium Density Residential." The Takeaway: This indicates a cooling of the "retail at all costs" era and a shift toward protecting residential pockets. As a Steward, this is your signal that the city is prioritizing housing stability over further commercial "sprawl" in specific Ward 2 corridors.

HIDDEN GEMS
🤝 The Civic Service Beat: Secular Volunteering

The urge to give back often hits a wall: where can you serve if you don't belong to a local congregation? We’ve vetted the most impactful, non-religious pipelines in Smyrna and Vinings.

• The Environmental Steward: Keep Smyrna Beautiful

  • The Mission: Managing waste reduction and the "Adopt-a-Mile" program.

  • The Pitch: Stop complaining about litter on Atlanta Road and start owning the pavement. High-ROI: you put in the sweat, you see the immediate visual return.

• The Cultural Guardian: Friends of Smyrna Library (FOSL)

  • The Mission: Funding programs the city budget doesn't cover via massive book sales.

  • The Pitch: If you believe a city is only as strong as its literacy, this is your frontline.

• The River Defender: Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy

  • The Mission: Maintaining the "lungs of Atlanta" at Cochran Shoals.

  • The Pitch: Swap the treadmill for a trail shovel. This work maintains the very trails that make Vinings property values skyrocket.

NEIGHBOR TALK
🥑 The Avocado Toast Debate: Chains vs. Pioneers

A recent debate on the Smyrna Reddit highlighted a growing frustration: First Watch (the chain) currently has a 45-minute wait on weekends, while Good Kitchen (local, high-end ingredients) sits empty.

The Critique: Neighbors are split. Some find Good Kitchen’s $12 half-avocado toast a "pay to be healthy" tax. Others argue that if we want a vibrant downtown, we have to support the local pioneers who don't have the marketing budget of a national franchise.

The Steward’s Take: We often complain about wanting more "high-end" options downtown, but we default to the convenience of brand recognition. This week, we challenge you to "Vote with your Fork." Support a local business that is currently in the "demo phase" of our new downtown.

🍽️ Quick Look: Smyrna’s Breakfast Heavyweights

Good Kitchen + Market (Smyrna)

• Best for: Health-conscious diners and those with dietary restrictions (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Seed-Oil Free).

• Signature Dishes: Famous ABC (Avocado, Bacon, Cheese) Bowls and what many call the "best gluten-free pancakes in Georgia."

• Atmosphere: European-style cafe with a homey feel, a full coffee bar, and dog-friendly outdoor porch seating.

• Sustainability: Thoughtfully sourced proteins (grass-fed beef) and organic, house-made juices.

First Watch (Vinings/Smyrna)

• Best for: Families and groups looking for consistent, award-winning breakfast classics with seasonal variety.

• Signature Dishes: Million Dollar Bacon, The B.E.C. (Bacon, Egg, and Cheddar sandwich), and Project Sunrise Coffee.

• Atmosphere: Reliable, fast-paced brunch environment with a popular online waitlist and outdoor patio.

• Amenities: Offers a dedicated Juice Bar, brunch cocktails (at this location), and a robust app for mobile ordering and rewards.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR
🗓️ Whats Happening Near You This Week

• 📚 Book Club: Friends Reading Group | 7:00 PM, Jan 6 @ via Zoom (Smyrna Library)

• 🧠 Team Trivia | 8:00 PM, Jan 6 & Jan 8 @ Varners Tavern

• 🧩 Ready, Set, Play! (Ages 5-7) | 3:30 PM, Jan 7 @ Smyrna Public Library

• 🎶 Soundcheck Music Bingo | 8:00 PM, Jan 7 @ Varners Tavern

• 🛠️ Adult Workshop: Winterize Your Home | 10:30 AM, Jan 9 @ Smyrna Public Library

• 🌲 Tree Recycling: Post-Chipper Drop-off | All Week @ Home Depot (Cumberland Pkwy)

• 🧱 LEGO Club | 3:00 PM, Jan 12 @ Smyrna Public Library

• 🏛️ Mayor & City Council Meeting | 7:00 PM, Jan 12 @ City Hall (Council Chambers)

• 👟 Run Smyrna | 6:30 PM, Jan 12 @ Stout Brothers10

👋 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 & Rinnah Patel

P.S. Which of the secular volunteer roles above interests you most? Reply to this email and let us know! Reply to this email and let us know your thoughts!