🌱 Georgia Power Coal-Fired Plants + Smyrna 151st Birthday Celebration

Good morning, everybody. It's Saturday in Smyrna-Vinings and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 92 Low: 70.

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

1. Georgia Power is reducing its reliance on coal for electricity generation, with plans to have only one coal-fired power plant remaining in the state by 2028, down from 62 percent of its power supply 12 years ago. The company is also grappling with the challenge of remediating the toxic ash ponds produced by years of burning coal. A proposed action by the federal Environmental Protection Agency in Alabama, which rejected the state's less protective coal ash management program, has drawn attention to Georgia Power's own ash disposal plans, particularly for sites like Plant McDonough near Vinings. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2. Smyrna will be celebrating its 151st Birthday on Oct. 7, from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. The event features a concert on Atlanta Road with performances from Goo Goo Dolls, The Wallflowers, and a special performance by 10,000 Maniacs at the new Village Green Park at 4:30 p.m., culminating in fireworks. Table sales will go live on Aug. 23, however, the event is free and open to the public. (City of Smyrna, GA)
3. In case you missed it, last week, two Cobb County officers, Deputy Hudgins and Deputy Lossing, received the Deputy of the Year award at the Georgia Sheriff's Association Annual Banquet. The pair were recognized for their heroic actions from Sep. 8, 2022, when two other deputies were shot while trying to serve a warrant. (Cobb County Sheriffs Office via Facebook)

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Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

Saturday, August 12

• La Fete - Afro Dance And Meditation At The Healing Environment (12:00 PM)
• Women In Wine At The Oenophile Institute (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Participate in the Smyrna Recycling Center's monthly tour, occurring every third Friday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. The next tour is on Friday, Aug. 18. While the tours are open to the public, registration is essential, and you can reserve your spot here. (Keep Smyrna Beautiful via Facebook)
• Interested in volunteering around town? Join Keep Smyrns Beautiful in its year-round mission to keep the city free of litter. Learn more about volunteering here. (Keep Smyrna Beautiful via Facebook)
• REMINDER: The Smyrna Community Center has a new address! You can now find the business located at 1250 Powder Springs Street SE. (Smyrna Parks & Recreation via Facebook)
• Phone scams are everywhere — but did you know that 470 is the top area code for scam calls in Georgia? Visit the link for more statistics on phone scams in Georgia and across the United States. (BeenVerified)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 16)
• Infinite Inspiration at Vinings Gallery - with INAM (August 18)
• Schoolhouse Laughs Free Comedy Show (August 18)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with 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.