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McConaughey’s jog turns into starring role at picnic
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This just in: “We Are Marshall” actor Matthew McConaughey is just as nice as we’ve all feared.
Last week, a class of disabled children from Laurel Ridge Elementary School in Decatur were enjoying a picnic at Stone Mountain Park when McConaughey jogged past. When he saw the kids, he stopped by to chat with the students and their teachers.
According to Laurel Ridge Elementary principal Mark Gordon, McConaughey told them he has a relative with cerebral palsy and was able to “talk” with the kids who rely on communication devices.
We’re told that before resuming his run, the actor even helped to load the school’s coolers back on board the bus.
Noted Gordon in an e-mail: “The teachers really enjoyed it!”
The lyrical response goes on
Words continue to roll into Buzz Central as readers seek to assist “It’s Buckhead!” singer Melanie Massell as she takes us up on our offer to pen a theme song for the relaunched Woodruff Park downtown. Here’s another entry e-mailed into Buzz: “I’m as happy as a lark/When I take off to Woodruff Park/As the summer breeze whistles through the trees/I sit playing chess/Or crunching on ‘cumbers, tomatoes and watercress/You can lay in the grass/Watching the people pass/As they go from place to place/Looking for the ideal space/To rest before going back to the rat race.” Have your own ideas? E-mail them to us at buzz@ajc.com.
Free ‘Prairie Home’ passes
Public radio listeners don’t normally get the truckloads of freebies normally reserved for commercial radio. Garrison Keillor and film director Robert Altman are altering that by offering free passes to their upcoming big-screen comedy, “A Prairie Home Companion.”
Starting today during her famed “Second Cup” concert segment, WABE-FM’s Lois Reitzes will be giving away passes to an advance screening of the flick. The tickets also will be offered on Wanda Yang Temko’s “Afternoon Classics” show on the station all this week.
Celebrity docket
The drunken-driving case against country singer John Michael Montgomery is heading to trial in Kentucky.
Jack Miller, assistant Fayette County attorney, said he is pushing forward with all the charges — including carrying two loaded handguns in a vehicle without a permit and carrying prescription drugs in an improper container. “We think there is sufficient evidence to go forward,” Miller said.
Defense attorneys say Montgomery has a permit for the guns and a prescription for the drugs.
A trial date will be set at another hearing June 12. Montgomery, 40, won’t attend that hearing, but he must attend the trial.
Montgomery’s attorney, Brent Caldwell, said prosecutors had originally indicated the charges might be dropped. He said the credibility of the arresting officer could be a factor.
Why, you ask, dear reader?
Well, officer Joshua Cromer was forced to apologize for postings on his MySpace.com Web site.
The site included comments from other police officers congratulating him on the arrest as well as an altered picture of Montgomery and a fan, with Cromer’s head superimposed over the fan’s.
In addition, Caldwell says he has witnesses who will testify Cromer was off duty and in the same bar as Montgomery the night of the arrest.
Ang Lee to take on ‘Lust’
Oscar-winning director Ang Lee will next film a Chinese-language spy thriller set in World War II-era Shanghai, film company Focus Features has announced.
Set to begin production this fall, it will be Lee’s first movie since “Brokeback Mountain,” which failed to win the best picture award but won Lee his first Academy Award for directing.
The movie, titled “Lust, Caution,” also marks the director’s return to Chinese-language cinema after “The Hulk” and “Brokeback Mountain.”
“Lust, Caution” will reunite Lee with the team behind his 2000 kung fu hit “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Focus, a division of NBC Universal, and which released “Brokeback Mountain,” did not announce any casting choices.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Ted McGinley (“Hope and Faith”) is 48. Actor Ralph Carter (“Good Times”) is 45. Country singer Wynonna is 42. Guitarist Tom Morello of Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine is 42. Rapper Cee-Lo with Goodie Mob is 32.
Contributing: news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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