🌱 Document Shredding Event + Two New Red Light Cameras

Hi all. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's going on these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Warmer; frost in the morning. High: 59 Low: 31.

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Here are the top three stories today in Smyrna-Vinings:

1. Keep Smyrna Beautiful is hosting its annual document shredding event "Shred Fest" this Saturday, Mar. 18. Shred Fest, meant to reduce the amount of waste generated by Smyrna residents and other community members, will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Church Street Park and Aline Wolfe Adult Recreation Center The event is for paper only, and participants can bring up to five copy paper-sized boxes of documents. Attendees are asked to stay in their vehicles for safety and efficiency. (Keep Smyrna Beautiful)
2. Two new red-light cameras are being added to crash-prone intersections in Smyrna. The cameras will be posted at Cumberland Boulevard, Spring Road, East-West Connector, and South Cobb Drive. The cameras will use the license plate system to issue automatic citations of $70. There will be a 30 to 60-day warning period once the cameras go live in May. (Atlanta News First)
3. Atlanta SMART Academy announced it will increase student capacity and its leased commercial space for the 2023-2024 year. The tuition-free charter school will expand its commercial space by an additional 10,000 square feet, totaling 30,000 square feet of Southwest Atlanta’s Hightower Station shopping center. With this change, the academy will be able to accommodate up to 400 students next year. Patrice Meadows, principal and founder of Atlanta SMART Academy, said that the expansion will allow Atlanta SMART Academy to further develop its performing arts programs. Atlanta SMART Academy serves the statewide community. (The Atlanta Voice)

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Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• Coffee & Connections At Smyrna First United Methodist Church (8:00 AM)
• Free Pranayama Breathing Class, Online (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Pink Joy Crochets is hosting Strands 2023 this Sunday, Mar. 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Performance Arts Theatre in nearby Atlanta. A fiber art fashion showcase, Strands 2023 will feature handmade apparel and accessories by 14 crochet and knit fiber art designers from around the country. More information and tickets are available at the link. (WCLK)
• Smyrna Elementary School is seeking volunteers for its Bike Night Friday, Mar. 24 at 6:00 p.m. Those interested can learn more at the link. (Smyrna Elementary PTA via Facebook)
• On the hunt for a new place to live? Check out the latest homes to hit the Smyrna-Vinings area, including a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house for $325,000. (Smyrna-Vinings Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Aura Reading & Chakra Balancing (March 16)
• Homebuyer Blueprint Live Webinar (March 16)
• Rugby ATL's Bark In The Park (March 18)
• Music from Seven Continents (March 18)
• Gent's Lunch - A Benefit for the High Museum Wine Auction (March 22)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.