What's Happening Smyrna-Vinings Style

Kick back at tonight to enjoy some free live music. Eric Hinton and Troy Rushing play acoustic alternative beginning at 8:30 p.m. A talented guitarist since the age of 14, Hinton played with Zac Brown’s college band, Far From Einstyne, and now entertains crowds with his own impressive talent. The always-welcoming Marlow’s Tavern boasts an excellent repertoire of classic and creative cocktails along with outstanding bar food. Whether you come to eat dinner, nosh on appetizers, throw back a few beverages, listen to music, or all of the above, we guarantee Marlow’s will fit the bill. The seasonal Red, White & Brew menu features Star-Spangled Specials such as firecracker deviled eggs, blackened swordfish sandwich, and watermelon, feta and arugula Salad.

In the blazing, blinding heat of the mid-afternoon, finding a little air-conditioned oasis for respite is quite a luxury. Heading to the library to check out books for summer reading and catching a free movie makes that respite even better. invites children and their parents to Family Film Fun each Friday throughout the summer for a family-friendly movie at 3 p.m. The event is located in the meeting room and the movie will be shown on a big screen via a projector. Bring your own popcorn or other treats to enjoy and prepare to have a blast watching “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” on the big-screen while Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson do their silly thing.

Tour de Smynings: You don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to participate in this pleasant ride, because the competition is very friendly, the atmosphere social, and the scenery worth slowing down for. No giant prize awaits the “winner,” but nor must you sport spandex bike shorts. Meet at on Saturday at 10 a.m. for an awesome time cruising a 22-mile loop with the Atlanta Cycling Club. It’s free to take part in this moderate but challenging scenic ride. Bring your bike of course, but also water and a willingness to sweat a little with a good attitude. The group usually goes to lunch after the ride, so a little cash would be a super idea, too. The “Vinings Loop” ride happens year-round, so if you can’t take the heat, pencil it in for the fall. Check the website or call 770-952-7731 for weather cancellation.

Taverna Fiorentino is a quaint, well-kept secret among Vinings foodies and Italian cuisine fans. The extreme value and high quality of Taverna’s Monday Night Dinners are unsurpassed. Served family style in The Tuscan Room beginning at 5:30 p.m., for just $15, ($7 for children under 12) you are treated to a veritable feast of all you can eat salad, unbelievably good entrée and a decadent dessert. Accompany your dinner with a bottomless glass of house red or white wine for just a five-spot more. Expect no mere mound of spaghetti with bland marinara sauce; recent Monday night dinners have featured seafood linguine, Florentine and Tuscan specials, and gelato with berries. Reservations are recommended but not required unless a large group is coming. The outrageously talented Chef Paolo never knows until that day what he’ll be cooking, so check out Taverna Fiorentino’s facebook page where he will post the menu.

The most exciting, innovative chefs know the importance of always looking for ways to improve the food. Chef Holte at in Vinings knows that the key to keeping the menu fresh and inspiring is continually experimenting in the kitchen to create inventive new ideas. For June, he has concocted varied selection of new menu items including a black bean hummus & veggie platter served with pita, cucumber, carrots, green, & red pepper sticks, Gracie’s decadent mac-n-cheese, grilled chicken flatbread, smoked pork empanadas, and Grand Marnier chocolate truffle cake. And at the Meehan’s in Sandy Springs, displaced Canadians and hockey fans will rejoice on  Saturday at the 6^th Annual Canada Day Festival at Meehan’s, where the slogan of the moment is “Goodbye Shamrocks, Hello Maple Leaves.” Brought to Meehan’s by ATLCanadians.com and RBC BANK, the festival has been a huge success the past five years. Beginning at 3 p.m., enjoy food and beer specials, children’s street hockey hosted by the Atlanta Gladiators from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and a rockin’ roster of live music. The music schedule is as follows: Kevin Kos of Age of Consent – 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, Poutine Bob & the Brown Gravy’s – 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., South Side of the Tracks – 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., and covers from Aunt Betty from 11 p.m. until the wee hours. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday, eh?