Good morning {{ First Name | Stewards }},
Hope you stayed warm through the winter weather. This weeks warming up, and so are the good times in Smyrna-Vinings.
Let’s get into it.
In Today's Edition
☀️ The Weather Report: Highs back in the 60s (eventually).
🌼 A Bright New Landmark: Celebrating "The Jonquil Bloom" sculpture.
🦷 Difference Makers: Free dental care for local kids this Friday.
🍜 Bite By Bite: The local consensus on the best Pho in Smyrna-Vinings.
🦪 Stewards Watch: Is the magic gone at Atkins Park?
— Your Voice for Local Prosperity
☀️ The Weather Report: The Great Thaw
The "Hard Cold" is officially behind us. We’re trading the bone-chilling 17°F lows for a stretch of weather that actually feels like Georgia in February. Expect a mix of rain and mild sunshine as we climb out of the deep freeze.
☁️/🌧️ Tue 03: Cloudy with a high chance of evening rain. High 60° / Low 32°.
🌦️ Wed 04: Morning showers clearing to partly cloudy. High 48° / Low 30°.
🌤️ Thu 05: Sunny and crisp. High 43° / Low 29°.
☀️ Fri 06: Bright sunshine and much warmer. High 57° / Low 29°.
✨ Sat 07: A beautiful, clear Saturday. High 52° / Low 33°.
🌷 Sun 08: Mostly sunny and feeling like spring. High 63° / Low 33°.
⛅ Mon 09: Partly sunny with a stray shower possible. High 61° / Low 40°.
Steward’s Tip: With rain returning Tuesday night and temperatures hovering near freezing, watch out for slick spots on the roads early Wednesday morning. It’s also a great week to check your gutters after the weekend’s ice melt!
Check the most up to date forecast here!
🌼 A Bright New Landmark: Smyrna Celebrates "The Jonquil Bloom"
Smyrna Market Village, Photo Credit: Smyrna Spring jonquil Festival FB
Smyrna officially solidified its identity as the "Jonquil City" this past Friday, January 30, with the ribbon-cutting of its newest public art masterpiece, "The Jonquil Bloom." Gathered at the corner of Atlanta Road and West Spring Street—a key point along the city’s vibrant ARTery—community members and art lovers braved the winter air to welcome a splash of permanent springtime to the Smyrna Market Village.
A Tribute to Heritage
Created by artist Gabi Madrid, the sculpture stands as a towering, vibrant yellow tribute to the flower that has defined Smyrna for over a century. While the city's history with the jonquil stretches back to the late 1800s, this installation brings that heritage into the modern era, offering a bold visual anchor for the downtown district.
The atmosphere outside of Zucca was electric as the ribbon was officially cut at 5:00 PM. Local residents are already beginning to view the sculpture as more than just a piece of art; it is a landmark and a meeting point that captures the spirit of the community.
Why It Matters
Public art does more than just look good—it tells a story. "The Jonquil Bloom" serves several purposes for the city:
Cultural Identity: It reinforces Smyrna’s long-standing nickname in a way that is accessible to everyone.
The ARTery: As a featured stop along the ARTery, it encourages walkability and exploration of the downtown corridor.
Community Pride: Similar to iconic landmarks in neighboring cities, this sculpture gives Smyrna a unique "photo-op" and a sense of place.
Visit the Bloom
If you missed the celebration, you can still experience the magic. "The Jonquil Bloom" is now a permanent fixture of the Smyrna public art collection. Whether you’re grabbing dinner in the Market Village or strolling along Atlanta Road, be sure to stop by to see the city’s newest treasure in person.
🦷 Difference Makers: Free Smiles for Smyrna’s Kids
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and our neighbors at Fortis College in Smyrna are stepping up to the plate. They are participating in the national "Give Kids A Smile" program—a grassroots movement that has helped over 6 million children since 2003.
The Mission: Closing the Gap
For many families in our community, dental care is a luxury that gets pushed to the back burner. Fortis is opening its campus clinic to provide education and care to kids who might otherwise go without. It’s a chance for the next generation of dental professionals to serve their hometown while giving underserved children a boost in confidence and health.
Event Details:
When: This Friday, Feb 6, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Fortis College Smyrna Campus (Right off Cobb Pkwy)
What: Oral health education and complimentary dental services for children.
🍜 Bite By Bite: The Hunt for the Best Pho in Smyrna-Vinings
Photo Credit: Pho Dakao
Let's be honest: winter has officially settled in, and the cold isn't going anywhere. You don't need a salad right now—you need soup. Specifically, you need the best Pho in Smyrna.
But where do you go?
If you search for Vietnamese food near The Battery or Pho in Vinings, you get a lot of mixed reviews. So, instead of guessing, we analyzed the local debates to see what your neighbors are actually recommending.
The verdict? The "Pho Wars" are real, and the winner depends entirely on your broth personality.
Top Picks: Where Locals Eat Pho
Here is the consensus on the best Vietnamese restaurants in the Smyrna-Vinings area:
The Spot | The Vibe | The Local Scoop |
|---|---|---|
Pho Dakao | The Heavyweight | Best for: Comfort & Richness. Ask any long-time resident where to get Pho in Smyrna, and they’ll likely point you here. The broth is darker, richer, and fatty—perfect for warming up during these freezing weeks. |
Pho Hoang Long | The Purist | Best for: Authenticity. Die-hard fans claim this is "leagues above" the rest. It’s worth the short drive down South Cobb Drive if you are looking for the most authentic Vietnamese broth in the area. |
VN Sandwich | The Specialist | Best for: Aromatics & Banh Mi. If Dakao is too heavy for you, locals recommend VN Sandwich for a lighter, cleaner soup. (Pro Tip: They also serve arguably the best Banh Mi in Smyrna-Vinings). |
Where to Skip
If you are looking for the real deal, the community suggests avoiding Ph'east at The Battery (better for snacks and ramen, but pricey for Pho) and Pho 24 (often cited for inconsistency).
The Steward’s Verdict
When the temperature drops, here is where you should go:
For that classic, rich comfort food: Pho Dakao.
For the "foodie" authentic experience: Pho Hoang Long.
📍 Pho Dakao: 2900 S Cobb Dr SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
📍 Pho Hoang Long: 396 South Cobb Dr, Marietta, GA 30060
🦪 Stewards Watch: Is the Magic Gone? The Truth About OysterFest 2026
Atkins Park Tavern, (Photo Credit: Google Maps)
If you stayed home this weekend to hide from the ice, you might have made the smartest move of the month.
For 14 years, Smyrna OysterFest has been the "can’t-miss" winter party at Atkins Park. But this year, the feedback from the neighborhood hasn't been about "Louisiana lovin'"—it's been about feeling "shucked" by a local favorite.
“What's happened to Atkins Park? We have gone to Atkins Park for years. Anytime anyone came to visit me from back home it was the first place I would take them. Over the last year or so it has slowly gone done hill.”
When a neighborhood staple starts charging a $20 cover just for the "privilege" of standing in a crowded room to buy expensive beer, we have to ask: Is this still for the community, or is it just a cash grab?
“Came in expecting an oyster fest after prepaying for our tickets online only to realize we could have just walked in for free and order the oysters. lol!”
The Weekend Breakdown:
The $20 Ghost Ticket: Multiple neighbors reported prepaying for tickets only to find out they could have just walked in the front door for free. When your "exclusive" pass doesn't even get you a guaranteed seat, the trust starts to crack.
The "Hour-Long" Vanishing Act: We heard from residents who waited 45 minutes for a table, only to have their food orders disappear into thin air once they sat down. One local reported: "An hour later our table was ready and then they couldn't find our orders."
The Quality Slide: Cold oysters, undercooked food, and a "spoiled" taste in the she-crab soup. For a place with a "European Palate" reputation, the execution this weekend felt more like a cut-rate tourist trap.
A Message to Our Legacy Brands
We love Atkins Park. It’s a Smyrna landmark. But "Nostalgia" doesn't pay the bills, and it doesn't excuse serving cold food to people who have supported you for a decade.
Last week, we highlighted Paige’s Bistro for their blunt mission: "Forget the Vibe! Come for the Food!"* This weekend, OysterFest proved the opposite: You can have all the Mardi Gras vibes in the world, but if the oysters are bad and the service is worse, the neighborhood is going to notice.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
🗓️ Whats Happening Near You This Week
📖 Book Club: Friends Reading Group (Virtual) | 7:00 PM, Tue, Feb 03 @ Via Zoom (Discussion: Finding Me by Viola Davis. Email [email protected] for invite)
🎲 Ready, Set, Play! | 3:30-4:00 PM, Wed, Feb 04 @ Smyrna Library, Meeting Room (Ages 5-7, team games and sportsmanship)
🦷 Give Kids A Smile Day | 8:00 AM-3:00 PM, Fri, Feb 06 @ Fortis College in Smyrna (Complimentary dental services & education for underserved children)
🏛️ Smyrna Museum Kid's Pop Up | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, Sat, Feb 07 @ Smyrna History Museum (Ages 3+, Black History Month craft & learning about Black food inventors)
🧱 LEGO Club: Olympic Sports | 3:00-5:00 PM, Mon, Feb 09 @ Smyrna Library, Meeting Room (Ages 5-10 + DUPLO for 4 & under, Drop-in event)
👟 Run Smyrna | 6:30-8:30 PM, Mon, Feb 09 @ Stout Brothers
🐦 Bird Scavenger Hunt | Feb 09-15, During Library Hours @ Smyrna Public Library (All ages, pick up checklist at Youth Services Desk)
👋 See You Next Tuesday
The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.
📬 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 debate over OysterFest reminds us that local legends are only as good as their last meal. If you’ve got input about the OysterFest or Atkins park that we missed, reply to this email and let us know!
