The $20,000 Tip: A Critical Safety Update for Stewards (Issue #37)

Good morning Stewards,

Hope y’all managed to stay warm through the frigid weekend we just had. As we settle back into the work week, we’re diving into the essential local updates you need to stay informed and connected.

This week’s issue focuses on the stories affecting your daily life, and the critical issues demanding our collective attention. Let’s get into it.

In Today's Edition

• ☀️ The Weather Report: Near-Record Heatwave Rolls In Before Weekend Rain

• 💧 Public Pulse: Tap Water Tastes Like Dirt? Here's Why You Aren't Crazy

• 🍗 Business Beat: Bonchon, World-Class Fried Chicken Hits the East West Connector

• 🚨 Stewards Watch: Homicide Reward Upped to $20,000 in Matthews Case

• 🧱 Hidden Gems: Bricks & Minifigs, The LEGO® Empire Lands in Smyrna

• 🗓️ Community Calendar: Upcoming Events & Local Jobs

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

THE WEATHER REPORT
☀️ Near-Record Heatwave Rolls In Before Weekend Rain

• ☀️ Today (Tue 18): Sunshine and clouds. High 72°/Low 53°. A perfect blend of sun and clouds with light winds. Great evening for a walk.

• 🌤️ Wed 19: Warming Up. High 77°/Low 58°. Mostly cloudy early, then turning partly cloudy. Temperatures are flirting with near-record highs.

• 🌡️ Thu 20: Peak Heat. High 78°/Low 59°. Expect the warmest day of the week, partly to mostly cloudy. Another day of near-record warmth.

• 🌧️ Fri 21: Rain Arrives. High 73°/Low 62°. Morning clouds give way to off-and-on rain showers in the afternoon (40% chance). Steady rain likely overnight.

• 🌦️ Sat 22: Showers Clear. High 73°/Low 53°. Rain showers early, but expect to see some sunshine later in the day once the system moves out.

• 🌤️ Sun 23: Sunshine Returns. High 71°/Low 47°. Intervals of clouds and sunshine and a return to seasonal temperatures.

Plan Accordingly: The stretch from Wednesday to Thursday is perfect if you need to tackle any outdoor projects before the high chance of rain on Friday and Saturday morning. Enjoy this final burst of warmth, and check the most up to date forecast here!

PUBLIC PULSE
💧 Tap Water Tastes Like Dirt? Here's Why You Aren't Crazy

If your tap water has tasted distinctly "earthy," "dirt-like," or "moldy" over the last month, you are not alone. This highly unpleasant smell has been the top topic of discussion for residents across Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, and other metro-Atlanta areas.

What's That Smell?

The culprit is a common, naturally occurring annual phenomenon tied to our water sources.

• The Cause: The issue is caused by algae bloom in the primary water sources, specifically Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River.

• The Compounds: These microscopic algae release natural organic compounds called Geosmin and MIB. These compounds are not toxic but are extremely potent, meaning the human nose and palate can detect them even at very low concentrations.

• The Timing: This often happens in the fall after a drier summer, and many long-time residents confirm it's an annual, temporary issue.

The Bottom Line: Is It Safe?

Yes. According to county officials and local water authorities (as confirmed by the AJC), this is a cosmetic issue related to taste and smell, not a health issue.

• Safety: The water is perfectly safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in.

• The Scope: This is a metro-wide event, not isolated to specific Smyrna pipes. Residents from the East-West Connector to Sandy Springs and Vinings are reporting it.

The Fix: How to Stop the Stench

Unfortunately, you can't just wish it away, but residents have found ways to cope:

• Filtration: The compounds are difficult to filter completely. While a basic pitcher filter may help, some residents report needing to run the water through twice or upgrading to a stronger carbon-based filter.

• Pets & Flavor: If your pets (like cats) are refusing the water, switching to bottled water temporarily is the safest bet. For human consumption, adding a splash of lemon or lime juice to water can help cut the earthy taste.

BUSINESS BEAT
🍗 From Busan To Smyrna: Global Fried Chicken Hits the East West Connector

The Bonchon opening on the East West Connector confirms Smyrna's status as a top market for national brands. The overall community rating is fairly positive (4.1 stars on Google, 3.5 stars on Yelp), but the early days reveal a classic struggle: World-class product, inconsistent execution.

Bonchon, which translates to "my hometown" in Korean, is a major global player.

• Global Roots: Founded in Busan, South Korea, in 2002, Bonchon is a massive international brand with over 455 locations worldwide, moving its U.S. headquarters to Dallas.

• The Technique: It is famous for its double-frying method, which gives the chicken its thin, uniquely crispy crust—a signature of the KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) market.

• Health & Vibe: The restaurant boasts a perfect 100 Health Score and a modern, clean ambiance.

Where the New Team Needs to Level Up

• Service & Temperature: Multiple complaints cite slow service, cold food, and orders being served out of sequence ("after people that ordered after us").

• Inconsistency is Key: Reviewers reported finding smaller, drier pieces of chicken and criticized the portions of sides like Street Corn compared to other locations.

• Menu & Quality Control: Reports of missing gochujang and egg from the Bibimbab, poorly tasted coleslaw, and one severe, critical report of undercooked chicken highlight early quality control issues.

• The Value Check: While customers love the flavor, the price point (around $18 for a basic combo) is flagged as "overwhelming" for some.

📍 Location: 4340 East West Connector, Ste 200 (Formerly Twisted Kitchen)
While the new team works out their growing pains, we encourage Stewards to dine in for the crispiest experience and report any issues directly to management to help them quickly tighten up operations.

STEWARDS WATCH
🚨 Homicide Reward Upped to $20,000

Smyrna Police have quadrupled the reward for information in the death of playwright Mary Olivia Matthews (who we covered in Issue #26), found deceased after a September 3rd fire at the Bella 810 complex (810 Windy Hill Rd SE).

The reward has jumped from $5,000 to $20,000 (sourced from Crime Stoppers and a fire association) as the case is now investigated as a homicide.

Police Need Your Help

• Prowler Images: Detectives released surveillance images of a man they wish to interview to rule him out (thin Black male, late teens/early 20s, blue hooded sweatshirt).

• Suspicious Activity: Police are looking for information on any unusual activity near Bella 810 on the night of Sept. 2–3.

• Anonymous Tips: Contact Crime Stoppers (404-577-8477) or call Detective Schum (678-631-5416).

HIDDEN GEMS
🧱 Bricks & Minifigs: The LEGO® Empire Lands in Smyrna!

Smyrna is now home to Bricks & Minifigs, the world's largest used LEGO® retailer. This is more than a toy store—it's a community hub for collectors and builders.

I stopped by the Grand Opening this weekend and it proved to be quite the experience. Located at 821 Concord Rd SE, Suite H, the store operates on a powerful, sustainable model: Rebuild. Reuse. Reimagine.

• You Can Sell: They buy any used LEGO, from bulk bricks to retired sets and minifigures, giving you cash or credit.

• You Can Buy: Shop a massive, ever-changing inventory of new and used sets, plus a "Pick-a-Brick" wall for custom creations and rare parts.

• They’ve even got a Birthday Party room for kids

This is a major win for local families and enthusiasts, establishing Smyrna as a destination for the global LEGO fan base.

🎉 Upcoming Events

Smyrna-Vinings Silent Book Club | 6:30 PM–9 PM, Nov 20

• 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 30 min of socializing, one hour of silent reading and finally more socializing.

Run Smyrna | 6:30-8:30PM, Nov 24 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 & Rinnah Patel

P.S. The Stewards Watch update on the Mary Olivia Matthews case is the single most important item in this week's issue. The reward is $20,000 for a reason. We ask every Steward in the Bella 810/Windy Hill area to think back to the night of Sept. 2–3. If you know anything, please do not dismiss it. Your anonymity is guaranteed. Call Detective Schum at 678-631-5416 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Let's work together to bring closure to this tragic case.