Smyrna Announces Bike Sharing - Easy With Zagster – “Enjoy Smyrna Life - Ride a Bike”

The City of Smyrna, announces a Bike Share program, making it easy and affordable to “Enjoy Smyrna Life – Ride a Bike” with Zagster bikes, stations and borrow/riding system.

"Over the years, the City of Smyrna has made an investment in our trail network, and throughout Smyrna, residents and visitors use these great trails for fitness, for fun, and even for their daily commutes. Our bike share program will expand the opportunities for everyone to enjoy these trails, whether they want to take a quick ride to the coffee shop or the park, or trek down the Silver Comet," explains Teri Anulewicz, Council representative for Smyrna’s downtown ward who presented the concept to City staff after using the bike share program in Austin, Texas in late 2014.

The program offers bike rental from three sharing stations, located at the Smyrna Public Library on the Village Green, at Taylor-Brawner Park on Atlanta Road along the multi-use trail, and near Jonquil Park along Spring Road which is the corridor that stretches from downtown Smyrna to the Cumberland District and the new Braves stadium complex. A fourth location will be announced soon.

With four bikes at each station, the program is beginning on a smaller scale to allow for evaluation for future expansion. The ease of use, however, is huge. There are two ways to join. Go to the website www.zagster.com/smyrnaga or download an app for iPhone and Android from iTunes or Google Play. You may also borrow bikes using SMS text messages. View an instructional video at https://vimeo.com/121167227.

“It’s simple. Borrow, unlock, ride and then return, but wear a helmet. When you are done, return the bike, lock it in the Zagster station and close the lockbox and tell the app to end the ride. It’s really that easy,” says Steve Ciaccio, City of Smyrna Parks & Recreation Director.

Rides are free for the first four hours. After the first four hours, there is a $5.00 an hour charge – up to $40 per ride. The bikes, called “Cruisers,” have adjustable seat heights that fit adult riders, front and rear lights for nighttime visibility, a basket for storing the “U-Lock” while you ride, seven gears that allow riders to go anywhere, and fenders and a chain guard to keep you clean while riding. Again, an instructional video may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/121167227.

There is an FAQ section on the quick and easy website at http://zagster.com/smyrnaga/ that covers things like “Where can the Zagster bike go?” or “What do I do if my bike breaks down?” It is recommended that you review the FAQs to become familiar with obligations and requirements of membership. Wear a helmet. An ANSI certified helmet is required for all riders under 16 years of age. Helmets are recommended for all riders. Remember that users are subject to Georgia bicycle laws.

Raymond Reed and the Reed House Lecture Presented Today

Historian & Preservationist Michael Terry was today’s guest speaker for the First Sunday Lecture Series. (It was moved one week this month due to the holiday.)

With the City of Smyrna’s recent purchase of the Raymond Reed house, September’s lecture focused on the history of that distinctive and conspicuously situated Smyrna mansion, and upon the political career of its most recent occupant, the late Raymond Reed (1916-2014), a courageous State Legislator who served in the Georgia General Assembly during tumultuous late 1940s and 1950s, a man of unusual courage who championed much forward looking and often controversial legislation that challenged the political bosses of his day.

A related exhibit of Reed memorabilia is also on display in the library’s second floor gallery during the entire month of October.

The "First Sunday" lecture series is held in the Smyrna Public Library Meeting Room and is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Smyrna Reads Event: Paint Like Ivan

Join us in the Library Atrium between 4 and 6:30 p.m. for more fun with "Smyrna Reads."

Smyrna Reading Group Upcoming Selections

The Smyrna Reading Group meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Smyrna Public Library.  

The selections from this October to next May follow:

October 6, 2015 - Glorious by Bernice McFadden 

November 3, 2015 - Don't Ever Tell by Branden Massey

December 1, 2015 - My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

January 5, 2016 - Toughest Indian in the World by Sherman Alexie

February 2, 2016 - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

March 1, 2016 - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes  

April 5, 2016 – National Poetry Month

May 3, 2016 - The Food of Love by Anthony Capella

Smyrna Reads Event: Zoomobile Visit

Join us for the official kick-off of this year's "Smyrna Reads" project with a visit from the ZooMobile! We'll see live animals and hear about them from Zoo Atlanta Zookeepers. 

Today (9/5/15) at 1 p.m. in the Smyrna Library Meeting Room.

Automotive Art by John Lander Opens in Art Gallery

The September and October art gallery exhibit opened today - Automotive Art by John Lander. Ms. Lander's work is on display until October 31. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The display gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.  

Artist Statement:

For automotive artist John Lander, cars as more than just transportation: "Some are beautiful examples of rolling sculpture. I try to do more than just draw pretty pictures of cars; I include interesting people, backgrounds, and try to set a mood or tell a story."

The work of years, this collection of Lander's vintage car art includes over 100 color illustrations with a short description, including comments by the artists, for each picture.

Foreword by Larry Crane, former art director for Automobile magazine.

Old Smyrna by Mike Terry and Bill Marchione Opens in Display Gallery

A fantastic collection of "Old Smyrna" artifacts that date from the mid-1800s to the 1960s is now on display until October 31 in the upstairs display gallery. The collection includes many old photos, very old pottery, books and political campaign items to name just a few of the unique items that will capture your attention.

Did you know Smyrna once had a very large legal liquor distillery? Yes, it did and a number of distillery-related artifacts will be shown for the first time at the library.

Additionally, the display gallery will feature a presentation on the Reed House and Raymond Reed. Don't miss this great collection of Smyrna memorabilia. Thanks to local historians Mike Terry and William Marchione for curating this exhibit. 

The Annual "Smyrna Reads" Begins

What if everyone in Smyrna read the same book? 

"Smyrna Reads," a "One Book" project, poses this question, but this year's project has a twist. In September, 2015, Smyrna Library will promote The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, the winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal for Distinguished American Children's Literature.

This year's project will be a "Family Read." Although The One and Only Ivan is children's literature, the story and the quality of the writing make it enjoyable for any age. We hope that multiple generations will read the book, and this project will spawn meaningful discussions across ages.

Families with small children may elect to read Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla, a moving and beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book, also by Applegate. Or read both!