Good morning {{ First Name | Stewards }},
If you thought the worst was over, Saturday night's forecast—a bone-chilling low of 17°F—is a stark reminder that we are still in the thick of it. In Smyrna-Vinings, we don't just "weather the storm"; we prepare for it.
This week is about reinforcing our support systems, from our home plumbing to our digital privacy.
In Today's Edition
🧊 The Weather Report: Prepping for the Saturday Sub-Freeze
👁️ Stewards Watch: KSU’s Digital Dragnet & The Black Mirror Risk
📈 Business Intelligence: The December Blueprint: Which Wards are Winning?
🧇 Bite By Bite: Paige🚒’s Bistro: High-Octane Cajun for the Hard Cold
🦪 The Weekend Hero: OysterFest 2026: A Heated Refuge in the Village
— Your Voice for Local Prosperity
🧊 The Deep Freeze
The brief glimpses of manageable winter are behind us. We are moving into a week of "Hard Cold"—clear but biting skies, low humidity, and a steady stretch of sub-freezing nights that will test your home’s insulation.
☀️ Tue 27: Sunny and cold. High 41°/Low 25°.
🌤️ Wed 28: Morning clouds giving way to sun. High 47°/Low 26°.
☁️ Thu 29: Fully overcast and grey. High 48°/Low 29°.
🌥️ Fri 30: Sun peaking through before afternoon clouds. High 48°/Low 26°.
💨 Sat 31: Mixed sun and clouds with bitter winds. High 30°/Low 17°.
☀️ Sun 01: Mainly sunny and frigid (Full Moon). High 32°/Low 21°.
⛅ Mon 02: A few periodic clouds. High 39°/Low 22°.
Steward’s Tip: With temperatures plummeting to 17°F this Saturday night, the priority is pipe protection. Ensure your outdoor faucets are covered and cabinet doors are open to let heat reach interior plumbing. Don't let the sunny skies fool you; the wind chill will be the real story this weekend.
Check the most up to date forecast here!
👁️ Privacy vs. Protection: KSU Students Raise Alarms Over AI Surveillance
Click here to watch the video - Source: Atlanta News First
Are we being protected, or are we being "hunted" by the systems designed to keep us safe?
As Kennesaw State University (KSU) expands its surveillance network into 2026, students Austin Mann and Isaac Thoman are warning that the line between campus safety and dystopia is thinning.
“I don’t have a lot of trust in this company right now”
Source: KSU Reddit
To understand the stakes of our digital stewardship, we can look at two cautionary tales from the one of the most watched shows on Netlifx - Black Mirror:
1. The Swarm: "Hated in the Nation" (S03E06)
In this episode, autonomous robotic "bees" built for the environment are secretly weaponized for mass tracking.
The KSU Connection: KSU’s 49 Flock Safety cameras aren't just local tools; they are nodes in a nationwide network of 100,000+ devices.
The Warning: Centralized data is a "single point of failure." Once a surveillance net is cast for "safety," it becomes a massive target for hackers or overreach.
2. The Predator: "Metalhead" (S04E05)
This survival story features a robotic AI "dog" that hunts targets using cold, algorithmic logic—no human empathy required.
The KSU Connection: The Flock Raven AI microphones on campus "decide" what a scream sounds like autonomously.
The Warning: We risk a future where an algorithm misinterprets a loud joke or a frustrated shout as a "distress event," triggering a police response based on a machine’s judgment.
Surveillance vs. Safety: The Breakdown
Technology | Stated Goal | Black Mirror Risk |
|---|---|---|
Flock ALPRs | Track stolen vehicles | Mass Tracking: A digital dragnet recording everyone, not just criminals. |
Raven AI Mics | Detect gunshots/screams | Acoustic Surveillance: Machines "listening" to and judging human sounds. |
Unified Data | Real-time crime alerts | Centralized Control: A "single point of failure" inviting hacking/abuse. |
As "Stewards" of our community, we must ask: Is a "smart" campus worth the risk of being treated like targets by an invisible system? We will continue to cover this story as the year progresses.
🔍 The Steward’s Deep Dive: Surveillance in Smyrna
If you’re new to the conversation, The Steward has been tracking the rapid expansion of the "Digital Fence" in our community for months. To understand how these KSU developments fit into the larger Cobb County ecosystem, check out our previous investigations:
The Steward’s Watch: What’s Really Watching Us? – Our original September 2025 breakdown of the surveillance infrastructure.
Safety Miracle or Privacy Nightmare? – An analysis of Smyrna’s $5.7M expansion and the cost of the "Digital Dragnet."
🚒 Smyrna Fire Dept: "Our Residents are the #1 Priority"
Photo Credit: Smyrna Fire FB
Following this weekend's ice storm, the Smyrna Fire Department and Emergency Management teams have been working around the clock to monitor local conditions.
As the city thaws out, the department expressed their appreciation for the community’s cooperation during the event.
From the Emergency Management Team:
Constant Monitoring: Teams worked alongside local and state partners throughout the weekend to keep the city informed.
The Goal: The department reiterated that Smyrna residents and local businesses remained their #1 priority during the freeze.
The Request: To ensure safety, the team’s primary advice was for everyone to stay off the roads and "stay cozy at home."
📈 Where Smyrna is Growing
Visualization Credit: Ravi Patel
Smyrna’s economic landscape isn't just growing; it’s diversifying. Based on the licenses issued in December 2025, we are seeing a strategic shift toward Health & Wellness and High-Tech Professional Services, particularly in Wards 1 and 7.
As "Stewards" of our local economy, tracking these licenses tells us where the city is investing its "Human Capital."
Industry Spotlights:
The Tech Injection: D-Tools, Inc. (Lake Park Drive) is a massive win for Ward 1’s tech sector, bringing specialized computer-related services to the city.
The Wellness Wave: Ward 7 is becoming a healthcare hub with the arrival of MOZAÏK Lifestyle Medicine and Success On The Spectrum, focusing on specialized personal care.
The Boutique District: Ward 3 (Concord Road area) continues its retail streak with Common Threads Boutique and OLA Language School adding to the "walkable" commerce feel.
Home-Based Innovation:
Don’t overlook the "garage startups." December saw a surge in creative and technical home-based licenses, including Rack and Roll Films (Video Production) and Live Wired Systems (AV Installation). Notably, SECO Group LLC adds a rare industrial element to the mix with a license for organic chemical manufacturing.
Commercial Snapshot by Ward
Ward | Notable New Arrivals | Primary Industry |
Ward 1 | D-Tools Inc., Dominos Pizza | Tech & Dining |
Ward 2 | Smyrna Same Day Spa, Peach Smoke | Health & Retail |
Ward 3 | Studio 23, OLA Language School | Arts & Education |
Ward 7 | MOZAÏK Lifestyle Medicine, Ms. B Kitchen | Health & Food |
🧇 The “Vibe” is Dead; Long Live the Food: Paige’s Bistro Hits South Cobb Drive
Photo Credit: Paiges Bistro
Forget the velvet ropes and the curated "Instagram" walls. At Paige’s Bistro, the philosophy is refreshingly blunt:
"Forget the VIBE! Come for the FOOD!"*
The popular Austell-based eatery, known for its "Cajun Twist" on American comfort classics, has officially opened its doors in Smyrna. Located at 4924 South Cobb Drive, this new spot brings the same unapologetic focus on flavor that turned a 2020 pandemic food truck into a Cobb County landmark.
Why It’s Worth the Trip:
The "Get Ya Life" Fries: Cajun fries topped with Cajun mac & cheese, jalapeños, creole sauce, and your choice of fried shrimp or chicken tenders.
The Cajun Persuasion: A deep-fried chicken sandwich tossed in hot honey and drizzled with signature creole sauce.
Signature Waffles: From Peach Cobbler to Strawberry Crunch, these Belgium waffles are a nod to co-founder Paige Bailey’s background in pastries.
The Bourbon Salmon Burger: A 6oz filet seasoned with house spices and a rich bourbon glaze on toasted brioche.
The Steward’s Perspective:
From a local business standpoint, Paige’s Bistro is a masterclass in organic growth. Founded after Paige lost her teaching job during the pandemic, she and husband Craig (a veteran of restaurant management) have built a high-efficiency system that prioritizes kitchen output over expensive décor.
For Smyrna-Vinings, this means a reliable, high-quality dining option that focuses its budget where it belongs: the plate.
📍 Location: 4924 S Cobb Dr SE Suite #M, Smyrna, GA 30080
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Late Night)
Saturday: 12:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
🦪 🧇14th Annual Smyrna OysterFest
Photo Credit: Smyrna Oyster Fest
It’s time to get a little "Louisiana lovin'" in the heart of Smyrna. The 14th annual Smyrna OysterFest is back at Atkins Park, and they’re bringing the heated indoor Mardi Gras vibes just in time for the weekend.
Whether you like them raw, grilled, or fried, the shucking starts Friday evening and doesn't stop until the karaoke finale on Sunday night.
What to Expect:
The Spread: Every type of oyster imaginable plus plenty of Abita Beer to wash it down.
The Atmosphere: A heated indoor festival—perfect for shaking off the weekend's freeze.
The Cause: A portion of every ticket sale goes as a donation to Mustard Seed Communities.
Family Friendly: Admission for ages 12 and under is FREE.
The Lineup:
Friday (6PM): Cody Matlock & DJ Orange Juiice
Saturday (11AM): Wasted Potential Brass Band & more
Sunday (11AM): Tyler Neal Band, Crawfish EttouFUNK, and Sunday Karaoke
Ticket Info:
Friday: $10 advance | Saturday: $20 advance | Sunday: $15 advance
Weekend Pass: $40 (Includes admission + live music for all 3 days)
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
🗓️ Whats Happening Near You This Week
🪁 Tinker Lab Jr: Make a Kite | 4:00-4:30 PM, Wed, Jan 28 @ Smyrna Library, Meeting Room (Ages 4-6 + Adult, Registration Required)
🐧 Folding Fridays: Origami Penguins | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Fri, Jan 30 @ Smyrna Library Atrium (Ages 9+, No Registration Required)
🦪 Smyrna Oysterfest | Jan 30-31, Feb 1 @ Atkins Park / Downtown Smyrna
🧠 Trivia Night – Smyrna | 6:00 PM, Sun, Feb 1 @ Reformation Brewery (Smyrna)
🧱 Babies Block Party | 10:30-11:00 AM, Mon, Feb 02 @ Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room (0-24 months old)
👟 Run Smyrna | 6:30-8:30 PM, Mon, Feb 02 @ Stout Brothers
👋 See You Next Tuesday
The price of greatness is responsibility.
📬 Ready to dig deeper? : Sign up for the scoop on Smyrna-Vinings delivered right to your inbox every Tuesday @ 8 AM, or forward this to a friend!
— Ravi & Rinnah Patel
P.S. The KSU surveillance debate reminds us that "future-proofing" isn't just about the software we use; it's about the privacy we protect. As we thaw out this week, take a second to look up—you might be surprised by how many "eyes" are watching the recovery.
