Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November
November 2007
Seedy, smelly Santa’s not for everybody
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Leave it to Criminal Records in Little Five Points to offer a counterculture alternative to that high-end Phipps Plaza Santa. Today, for the fourth year running, hundreds of fans of the indie music emporium are expected to line up to have a photo taken with a particularly nasty St. Nick, played by Atlanta raconteur Henry Owings. Parents, be warned, this really bad Santa sports a bottle of booze, a smelly stogie and an even worse reeking suit.
And Criminal customers love him.
“Some people look at him and think it’s completely horrible,” concedes Criminal Records owner Eric Levin. “But other families have adopted this as their yearly Christmas picture and bring the children and Grandma along. If the kids are cool and their parents are cool, this is a good tradition for you. But you have to like getting yelled at. He gives a full performance.”
Customers can retrieve their free snapshots by going to Criminal.com next week.
Says Levin: “I’ll be behind the camera, snapping away. We tried this with a professional photographer, but they wanted everything perfect and that’s not what this is really about. You gotta keep that line moving!”
The Criminal Records Santa will be not so proudly on display today from noon to 6 p.m. at 466 Moreland Ave.
FRAM HONORED
The March of Dimes bestowed on 99X Program Director Leslie Fram the lifetime achievement award at its annual radio shindig Thursday night at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead. The organization also raised $110,000, $10,000 more than its goal. Jimmy Baron, who worked with Fram for more than a dozen years at 99X until last year, introduced Fram.
“In my career, I’ve spent a significant amount of time flying around the country to banquets presenting Leslie with plaques,” he said. Baron, who is now producing a potential reality show for a major broadcast network, joined 99X in 1993 from Chicago. “I was looking to leave Chicago,” he said. “I was working for a guy who was temperamental and irrational and a raging jerk. I couldn’t wait till I came here so I didn’t have to deal with that type of personality.”
This got a big laugh because it’s well known Baron and fellow Morning X alum Steve Barnes, who was not in attendance, didn’t get along. And maybe, just maybe, this was an allusion to Barnes. Or maybe not.
PLEDGE TIME
For its pledge drive campaign tonight, WPBA 30 is pulling out the big bows. Specifically, “Bowfire,” a new TV special featuring the superstar string group created by artistic director Lenny Solomon. The jazz violinist is even flying in for an in-studio appearance Saturday night starting at 8:30. Bowfire has attracted a global following by daring to merge hip-hop, classical, jazz, Celtic and Chinese influences into an energized stage show with fiddling dancers.
“We look at them each night and just marvel,” Solomon told us this week, laughing. “It’s really quite amazing.”
While he was on the phone, Solomon spilled that the group is returning to the Fox Theatre for a scheduled May 8 gig. He says the venue is among the group’s favorites.
“Both aesthetically and acoustically, it’s just a jewel,” he says. “We’re looking forward to going back.”
As you might expect, Solomon says that having so many diverse players in Bowfire lends itself to some continuing musical education on tours. “You’ll be backstage and suddenly your ear is being pulled into a dressing room by what someone is playing,” Solomon says. “You walk in and inevitably ask, ‘What is that you’re doing!? We’re all constantly learning from each other.”
“Bowfire” debuts at 8:30 on WPBA 30 Saturday night.
CHELKO ART SALE TO HELP CHARITY
Collectors of late Atlanta artist Paul Chelko will want to head to his Buckhead gallery today through Monday. That’s when more than 500 pieces of his original works — from hand-painted clothing, ornamental vessels and original oils, pen and ink pieces — will be sold to help settle the artist’s estate and to provide some financial legs to the Chelko Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and ending gender discrimination. According to foundation president Randi Layne, 25 percent of sales will go to the charity. Prices will range from $100 up to $50,000.
“Paul personally earmarked many of the pieces that will be sold,” Layne told us Friday. “I’ve already heard from many of his collectors who are excited about this opportunity.”
Chelko’s Gallery, at 5200 Peachtree Road, Suite 3413, will be open from noon to 6 p.m. today through Monday. When you arrive at the address, call 404-993-0306, and you’ll be buzzed up.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Joyce is very trusting.”
— WSB-TV Action News anchor Monica Pearson on Thursday night’s broadcast as reporter Joyce Oscar gallantly walked across a busy rush-hour Alpharetta intersection during a live shot. Oscar was reporting on a police crackdown on motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Actor-director Woody Allen is 72. Actress-singer Bette Midler is 62. Comedian Sarah Silverman is 37.
Sunday: Actress Julie Harris is 82. Bassist Nate Mendel of Foo Fighters is 39. Actress Lucy Liu is 39. Singer Nelly Furtado is 29. Singer Britney Spears is 26.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Janet’s new album out in February
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Remember that new album Atlantan Janet Jackson is working on here? According to Billboard.com, the follow up to the singer’s 2006 “20 Y.O.” will be out in February via Island Def Jam.
The trade publication reports that the singer and actress also is prepping for a worldwide tour to coincide with the new disc.
While the “Why Did I Get Married?” star recently hinted on Q100 that her boyfriend Jermaine Dupri will be helping out on the new studio project, the as-yet-unnamed album is being executive produced by Def Jam CEO and former Atlantan Antonio “L.A.” Reid.
Billboard reports that Dupri currently is busy working on fellow 1980s hitmaker Mariah Carey’s new album, also due early next year.
Explained Dupri in an interview with Billboard earlier this year: “We’re going to make it seem like we’re in competition to see who’s going to have the biggest album of the year.”
At presstime Thursday, Buzz was managing to somehow suppress the urge to place a glass and our ear against a wall outside the couple’s Atlanta residence so we could accurately report Miss Jackson’s response to that. …
BRINGING YOUTUBE DEBATE HOME
Did you tune into Wednesday’s Republican YouTube debate on CNN? Nah, neither did we (it was on opposite “Gossip Girl,” after all).
However, an Atlanta father and son were all the rage on the Internet video Web site Thursday after their question was inserted into the national conversation on CNN Wednesday night.
In a video recorded in a weight room, Printess Tate II of Douglasville introduced his son Printess Tate III, who asked the candidates: “I notice you spend billions of dollars on the war in Iraq every year. But, what about the war going on in your own country, black-on-black crime? What are you going to do about that war? It feels like the Taliban is right outside.”
Candidates Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani swallowed hard and tried to provide thoughtful responses. Said Romney: “First of all, Printess is pretty fortunate because he’s got a dad standing next to him that apparently loves him, by all appearances there, and that’s probably the best thing you can do for a kid.”
Added New York’s former mayor: “I had a very strong record in doing precisely what the young man was asking about, reducing crime specifically in neighborhoods that would be regarded as poor.”
Not unexpectedly, the question from the 10th-grader at Alexander High School ignited a politically charged debate online, generating pages and pages of messageboard postings Thursday.
Before he moved to Douglasville shortly after Hurricane Katrina, Printess Tate III saw plenty of violence in his neighborhood in New Orleans’ Third Ward.
Those shootings, robberies and other crimes were on his mind when he submitted a videotaped question to Wednesday night’s CNN/YouTube presidential debates, says the 10th-grader at Alexander High School.
His question was one of about 40 asked of Republican candidates.
“I have a question for you guys,” Tate said on the video. “I know you’re spending millions of dollars a year on the war in Iraq, but what about the war going on in your own country — black-on-black crime?”
In the video, Tate stood with his dad, Printess Tate II — a fact noted by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who tackled the question.
CELEBRITY DOCKET
More trouble is on the horizon for former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle. He was arrested for a second time this week in St. Augustine, Fla., after failing to properly register as a sex offender, sheriff’s officials said.
The 59-year-old musician, whose real name is Thomas Delmer Pyle, was arrested Tuesday at one of three addresses he gave to authorities, Sgt. Chuck Mulligan said. He was being held on $50,000 bond, Mulligan told the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. Jail records do not show whether he had a lawyer.
Pyle had been released on $10,000 bond after being arrested on the same charge Nov. 19. He was arrested again after he still didn’t register a new permanent address, officials said.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I opened it up, read it and I almost cried. But then I realized there were no cameras on.”
Steve Martin on receiving the announcement that he had been selected to be honored at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors on “The View” Wednesday.
HIGH FIVE
Television
The top five On Demand programs for the week of Nov. 18-26 as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
1. “Soulja Girl,” Soulja Boy, music video, Music Choice
2. “Kiss Kiss,” Chris Brown, music video, Music Choice
3.”Pop Bottles,” Birdman, music video, Music Choice
4. “No One,” Alicia Keys, music video, Music Choice
5. “Girlfriend,” Bow Wow and Omarion, music video, Music Choice
— Courtesy: Rentrak’s OnDemand Essentials
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. is 90. Actor Robert Guillaume is 80. TV personality and producer Dick Clark is 78. Director Ridley Scott is 70. Singer Rob Grill of the Grass Roots is 64. Bassist Roger Glover of Deep Purple is 62. Actress Margaret Whitton is 57. Singer-actor Mandy Patinkin is 55. Guitarist Shuggie Otis is 54. Country singer Jeannie Kendall of the Kendalls is 53. Singer Billy Idol is 52. Guitarist John Ashton of Psychedelic Furs is 50. Comedian Colin Mochrie (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) is 50. Rapper Jalil of Whodini is 44. Actor-director Ben Stiller is 42. Actress Sandra Oh (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Sideways”) is 37. Country singer Mindy McCready is 32. Singer Clay Aiken is 29. Actress Elisha Cuthbert (“24”) is 25.
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Usher gives V-103 details on new baby
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks to our old pal V-103 personality Ryan Cameron, we got some much needed details on the birth of Usher Raymond V Wednesday at Buzz Central.
Cameron and his producer Marsha Hallager tossed us an MP3 file of Cameron’s surprise 2-minute, 16-second on-air interview with Atlanta pop star Usher Raymond IV, discussing the birth of his first child with Tameka Foster Monday night at an undisclosed metro hospital.
Calling him “Ush,” Cameron caught the singer on his cellphone in what sounded like a hospital elevator.
“Yeah, man, he’s here,” Usher confirmed to Cameron. “He’s a beautiful baby boy.”
The singer said the baby was born at 9:59 p.m. Monday night, weighing seven pounds, nine ounces.
Added Usher: “When you see me out now, just say ‘Hey, Daddy.’… It’s the type of thing that just brings you to your knees.” Of fatherhood, Usher told Cameron, who’s also a parent: “This is one of the coolest clubs to be in, ever.”
When Cameron asked Usher if he assisted in Foster’s delivery, he said: “I did what I had to do, I did it all.”
The couple is still negotiating about a potential middle name.
Before he hung up, Usher assured Cameron and his listeners: “I’m sitting on top of the world right now. Thank you for all your prayers.”
At presstime Wednesday, the pop star’s meetings-plagued publicist Patti Webster still had not paid us the professional courtesy of a return phone call to confirm the birth.
Good cause in the cart
B98.5 FM’s daylong Can-nah Montana food drive Tuesday bagged a total of 18 shopping carts worth of donated food from listeners, all hoping to win tickets to the over-hyped, tween-tinged Hannah Montana show Wednesday night at the Gwinnett Arena. Listeners also helped raise more than $2,000 in “Food for Sharing” pre-packaged bags at the Publix on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta. Oh, and the winner? Little 8-year-old McKenna Renz of Suwanee won the prize package of four seats to the long sold-out concert featuring Miley Cyrus. Buzz sincerely hopes that
McKenna’s parental figures carefully covered her eyes when those folks with the plenty pricey but phoney seats met up with the security reps scanning the legit tickets at the venue Wednesday night.
We hear that …
A special cocktail and light dinner gathering is being planned for next week at Stats, the latest Bob Amick and Todd Rushing eatery concept downtown to celebrate former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young’s nomination of State Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Ellenwood) and former state representative Matt Towery for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for their work in changing the law to gain the recent release of Genarlow Wilson from prison. The now 21-year-old was serving a 10-year term for having consensual relations as a teenager with another teen. Wilson’s attorney, B.J. Bernstein, is set to speak at the soiree.
OVERSCENE
According to bloggers at ajc.com, actress Cybill Shepherd was spotted ordering a top-shelf double libation at the Georgian Terrace in Midtown. A hotel marketing rep could not immediately be reached Wednesday to confirm the intel. But after witnessing the opening night of Shepherd in “Curvy Widow” at the Alliance Sunday night, we can certainly understand the actress’ alleged beverage preference.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Blues musician John Mayall is 74. Actress Diane Ladd is 64. Comedian Garry Shandling is 58. Director Joel Coen is 53. Actor-comedian Howie Mandel is 52. Actor Andrew McCarthy is 45. Actor Don Cheadle is 43. Singer Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block is 39. Actor Brian Baumgartner (above) (“The Office”) is 35. Rapper The Game is 28. Actor Lucas Black (“Sling Blade”) is 25.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Fund-raiser still growing in its 5th year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you’ve ever hosted a holiday party and looked up to encounter half the city squeezed into your dwelling, you have something in common with nonprofit For the Kid in All of Us founder Alex Wan.
This week, Wan is bracing for the fifth annual Toy Party downtown, which benefits Atlanta’s underprivileged children through organizations including Sheltering Arms for Kids, CHRIS Kids, the women and pediatric divisions of AID Atlanta, Youth Pride, Safe Path, Easter Seals and others.
What started as a holiday party for Wan and a few well-meaning friends has evolved into one of the largest seasonal fund-raisers in the city.
“Even in 2002 when we had the party at my house, 200 guests ended up coming,” Wan reflected Tuesday. “My house doesn’t actually hold 200. I later heard from people, ‘We couldn’t get in so we just left the toy on the washer and dryer!’ “
Happily, the annual event has since also outgrown parties at the Georgia Freight Depot and the Inforum as well. This year’s event is set for Sunday at the Atlanta Apparel Mart on Spring Street from 5:30 to 9 p.m. In exchange for a new unwrapped toy or gift card valued at $15 or more, festively attired attendees are treated to complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
Wan told us that traditionally, the older kids in need prove the toughest to shop for.
“They’re the kids we end up with the least for,” he said. “Target and Best Buy gift cards are great for them. At that age, they want to be able to pick out their own stuff and electronics are always a big part of that.”
Toy Party organizers are anticipating more than 4,000 donated items at this year’s event, necessitating the rental of two large trucks.
“I just love standing around and listening to the stories behind why people bring certain toys,” Wan says. “Usually, it’s either a toy they received and loved as a child or it’s a toy they never received but always wanted and now they’re buying it for another child. One of my favorite days of the year is when we walk in with big bags of toys for the kids. There’s just no better feeling.”
For info: www.forthekid.org.
Stork Report?
Well, did they or didn’t they download a kid?
While his reps insisted on going all Kremlin on Buzz when we rang for confirmation Tuesday, People mag is reporting that Atlanta pop star Usher and his wife, Tameka Foster, welcomed a baby boy on Monday night at an Atlanta hospital. People cited multiple — but anonymous — sources.
People.com reported that the couple could head home as soon as Wednesday.
Despite our most dogged attempts, reps in the singer’s publicist Patti Webster’s office flat-out refused to respond to our requests for confirmation as Buzz went to press Tuesday. Webster also did not respond to an e-mail seeking confirmation.
We were told that Webster was in meetings.
The Associated Press reported that Webster did e-mail the news agency with confirmation. “Yes, I can confirm that Usher had a baby,” AP quoted Webster as saying in the e-mail.
Usher, 29, and Foster, 36, announced the pregnancy in June.
Ratings record for Cartoon Network
Cue the congratulatory ads in the Hollywood trade papers. Atlanta’s own Cartoon Network had a lot to be thankful for with its Thanksgiving Eve premiere of the live-action flick “Ben 10: Race Against Time.” The movie featuring supernatural superhero Ben Tennyson became the most watched telecast in Cartoon Network history, according to the folks at Nielsen Media Research. The 90-minute film attracted the peepers of 3,987,000 tykes. In other words, the film starring kid actor Graham Phillips in the title role and former “Six Million Dollar Man” Lee Majors as Grandpa Max is up there, ratingswise, with the network’s all-time most popular cartoon canine, Scooby Doo.
Zoinks.
OVERSCENE
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Joey Harrington picking up his Thanksgiving turkey at the Whole Foods Market on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown.
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Miley Cyrus fans need to mark their calendars for Saturday. That’s when tickets go on sale for Disney’s “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert,” a digital 3-D film on the performer’s sold-out, 54-city singing tour.
The film will play in theaters for one week beginning Feb. 1. Exact theaters are not yet known. The movie will involve three concerts held recently in two cities.
Beginning Saturday, tickets can be purchased online at the movie’s official Web site: www.Disney.com/HannahMontana3D.
The movie’s director of photography is Mitch Amundsen, who recently did “Transformers.” Editor Michael Tronick (“Hairspray”) also is involved. The concert film director is Bruce Hendricks.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. is 78. Singer Randy Newman is 64. Actress S. Epatha Merkerson (“Law and Order”) is 55. Actor Judd Nelson is 48. Comedian Jon Stewart is 45. Rapper Chamillionaire is 28.
Contributing: Bob Longino and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Hannah tickets could be had for peanuts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is your small fry still in a sulk over your inability to score those impossible-to-get tickets for the Hannah Montana concert Wednesday night at the Gwinnett Arena? The solution may be as easy as dropping by the Publix on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta Tuesday.
What’s more, there’s an opportunity to teach your mopey moppet about helping the truly less fortunate this holiday season.
After their producer Will Gara somehow secured four tickets to the long sold-out show, the B98.5 FM morning team of Kelly & Alpha came up with Tuesday’s daylong Can-nah Montana food drive.
Listeners who stop by the aforementioned Publix from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today with at least one nonperishable food item will be automatically registered to win the set of four tickets when the winner is announced Wednesday morning.
“I’d love to be able to tell you it was one of those great writer’s room moments with Buddy, Sally and Rob Petrie [from “The Dick Van Dyke Show”] or that my agricultural economics degree from Virginia Tech had something to do with it,” joked Alpha Trivette Monday. “But the truth is, we were doing a canned food drive and Can-nah Montana just made perfect sense. It’s a good cause and we hope folks will come out.”
Given the enthusiastic response from listeners, Gara has no idea what he’ll be facing as he does a live remote this morning from the Publix as frantic fans of Miley Cyrus show up.
“It could be nice and orderly or it could be a nightmare,” a guarded Gara told Buzz. All food donated will go to Publix’s “Food For Sharing” drive that benefits the Feed the Hungry program in metro Atlanta.
On Wednesday night, meanwhile, the station will sponsor a party for parents at the Loafing Leprechaun on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth near Gwinnett Arena.
Explained Gara: “Through the years, I’ve noticed lots of parents who drop off their kids at a show and then wait for them for hours in the car. This way, at least they’ll be able to get something to eat.”
Overscene
“Grey’s Anatomy” actor Eric Dane and his actress wife Rebecca Gayheart sipping coffee and hot cocoa at Atlantic Station’s Lobby at Twelve.
Pop star and part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson shopping for ski clothes at Rocky Mountain Sports in Sandy Springs. Citing the “Why Did I Get Married?” actress’ preference for privacy, store reps would only confirm the sighting when we got all nosy and rang the store for details Monday.
R&B singer and Broadway actress Toni Braxton dining with about 25 friends and family at Uncle Julio’s Casa Grande in Buckhead.
Tyler Perry among ‘Top Entertainers’
Jackson is a bit less private when it comes to raving about her Atlanta director Tyler Perry in the new “The Top 25 Entertainers” issue of Entertainment Weekly now on newsstands. The writer-actor is named as one of the mag’s “Most Buzzed About” celebs on the list. Said Jackson in EW: “He’s a wonderful writer. He knows what his audience wants. It’s just a God-given thing.” When “Why Did I Get Married?” made $21.4 million this year, opening opposite less successful fare by George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, Perry captured the attention of more than just his core fans. Writes EW’s Tim Stack: Now that the Atlanta-based mogul has gotten Hollywood’s attention, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a true industry giant.”
You’ll recall that Peachtree Road resident Elton John first raved to us about Amy Winehouse back in February. The singer continues to cautiously praise the troubled “Rehab” vocalist in the issue. Says Sir Elton in EW: “I’ve seen her live and she is the real deal, although she sometimes can be hit-and-miss, depending on how out of it she is. It’s like [the late] Nina Simone and Van Morrison: You don’t know what you’re going to get. You don’t know if it’s going to be a little off or if it’s going to be electrifying. The only thing that’s going to stop Amy is herself.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor James Avery (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) is 59. TV personality Bill Nye (above, “Bill Nye the Science Guy”) is 52. Actor William Fichtner (“Prison Break”) is 51. Actress Robin Givens is 43. Actor Michael Vartan (“Big Shots”) is 39. Rapper Twista is 35. Actor Jaleel White (“Family Matters”) is 31.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Because that’s what they’re for!”
—“Grey’s Anatomy” actress Chandra Wilson, on why she continues to clip coupons (the actress on the hit show still does her own grocery shopping) on “The View” Monday
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Bartender serves up positive vibe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buzz understands you can be the best, most convivial gastropub this side of the Thames River, but without a staff that exudes personality, charm and character, pub could easily turn into flub.
Bartender Joshua Buggs at Tap in Midtown epitomizes outstanding customer service to the point where we’d go back just to let him whip up another one of his savvy cocktail creations.
When Buzz and our companion Shawn Joyner dropped by Tap on Saturday for booze and a bite, we’d already heard of the place’s reputation as a cool spot to congregate for cold beer and conversation. Yet it’s always nice to have someone serve you who really enjoys what they do.
“The most important thing is service with a smile,” Buggs says. “Any negative aura is going to bring somebody down. You have to be happy to be here.”
Buggs, who’s been with Tap since it opened in the spring at 1180 Peachtree St., says he enjoys serving customers drinks they’re not used to. In his arsenal are such diddies as the Polluted Tapwater (fresh mashed berries, ginger beer and choice of gin, tequila, rum or vodka), the Astro Pop (four Stoli vodkas, sour mix, Sprite, blue curacao and grenadine) and, our favorite, the Grateful Dead (Long Island Iced Tea, but mixes in blue curacao and Chambord). All definitely worth a try.
And what grand, masterful recipe does this Purveyor of the Pour like to whip up for himself?
“I enjoy Sapphire gin and tonic.”
Fire closes Tower II
When Buzz turned to the Sunday morning news and saw a brief report that the popular gay Atlanta nightspot Tower II had caught fire Saturday, we sprung into action for more information.
It may take four or five weeks for fire officials to determine the cause, said a distraught Angela Ballew, owner of the predominantly African-American venue that has seen such celebs as Kelly Price, local hip-hop artist Ms. B, Jeffrey Osborne, Divinity (Beyonce’s bass player) and Frenchie of “American Idol” fame make appearances.
“But we’re glad it happened in the morning and that no one got hurt.”
Ballew says the fire started about 8:30 or 9 a.m. and was confined to the roof area.
Mario Harris, who hosts parties at the venue each Friday night through his WassupNAtl group, says, “Everything was fine, and we were good to go” at the end of the night.
Harris says he’s exploring his options, including a move to Django, to carry on his Friday hip-hop, house and R&B events until Tower II gets back on its feet.
“We’re going to rebuild,” notes Ballew. “It’s going to take us a little while, but God works in mysterious ways. And when we do rebuild, we’re going to be bigger and better.”
She hopes for a grand reopening in spring.
Divorce report surprises Hulk
Looks like Hulk Hogan was dealt a major blow — and he never saw it coming.
The St. Petersburg, Fla., Times reported Friday that Hogan’s wife, Linda, filed for divorce from the wrestler, according to The Associated Press.
Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, told the Times he didn’t know his wife had filed for divorce. He was informed by a reporter that Pinellas County court records showed the paperwork was submitted Tuesday. “Holy smokes,” Bollea later told the newspaper. “Wow, you just knocked the bottom out of me.”
The couple star in the VH1 reality TV series “Hogan Knows Best,” with their two children.
Hogan’s 17-year-old son, Nick Bollea, was arrested on reckless-driving charges Nov. 7 after a car accident. Clearwater police said Bollea crashed his 1998 Toyota Supra while street racing against a friend. A report said Bollea was driving faster than 60 mph in a 40 mph zone.
Bollea was not seriously injured, but his passenger, John Graziano, was critically hurt.
T.I. Fallout
“[T.I.’s] legal issues could jeopardize branding and movie commitments, including a movie role in the film ‘Once Was Lost,’ a partnership with Chevrolet and the launch of his own clothing company, AKOO.
At press time, Chevrolet said T.I.’s endorsement deal is ‘under review’” — Hillary Crosley, in the Nov. 24 issue of Billboard magazine
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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‘Runway’ dress goes retail
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s instant gratification for “Project Runway” fans: A version of Victorya Hong’s winning dress from Wednesday’s episode went on sale Friday.
The dress is being offered as part of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line, sold at Steve & Barry’s stores nationwide. The “Sex and the City” star was the week’s guest judge on the Bravo reality show about fashion.
The challenge put to the aspiring designer contestants was to create an outfit appropriate for Parker’s casual sportswear collection, known for its cheap pricing compared with other celebrity clothing lines.
The Bitten interpretation of the dress will be offered in black or burgundy for $19.98, and the vest that goes with it will come in gray or black for $14.98.
“I loved Victorya’s design immediately when I saw it during my appearance on ‘Project Runway,’” Parker said in a statement.
Hong’s original dress will be on display at Steve & Barry’s flagship Manhattan store for several weeks.
A country Christmas
A year ago, Clear Channel played the Grinch by cutting off Christmas music a week early on Lite 94.9 to introduce Atlanta to its new country station the Bull. This didn’t sit well with traditionalists who love their “Jingle Bell Rock” and “O Holy Night.”
So on Thanksgiving evening, the Bull’s heart grew three sizes as the station brought back Christmas — but with a Southern twang. This is actually an unusual development. While mostly soft rock stations (such as B98.5) and Christian pop stations (such as 104.7/The Fish) take the all-Christmas route, very few country stations do so.
Fortunately, Program Director Clay Hunnicutt had little trouble compiling a relatively deep playlist of 450 Christmas songs thanks to the fact virtually every major country artist has recorded a Christmas album or at least contributed to a compilation.
For instance, the station has included Yuletide tunes by Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson and (already) 17-year-old Taylor Swift. But the legends have not been forgotten: you’ll also get to sing along to classics recorded long before Swift was born by the likes of Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole.
HIGH FIVE
Music
The top sellers at Criminal Records, week ending 11/17:
1. Grizzly Bear, “Friend” EP
2. Band of Horses, “Cease to Begin”
3. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand”
4. Prefuse 73, “Preparations”
5. Ani DiFranco, “Canon”
Source: Criminal Records in Little Five Points
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Former Beatles drummer Pete Best is 66. Actor Stanley Livingston (“My Three Sons”) is 57. Record producer Terry Lewis is 51. Actor Colin Hanks (“Roswell”) is 30. Actress Katherine Heigl (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Roswell”) is 29.
Sunday: Actor Ricardo Montalban is 87. Singer Percy Sledge is 67. Actor-game show host Ben Stein is 63. Actor John Larroquette is 60. Singer Amy Grant is 47. Actress Christina Applegate is 36. Actor Eddie Steeples (“My Name Is Earl”) is 34.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Captain takes ‘Planet’ party to both coasts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To celebrate its 13th annual Xmas Party fund-raiser, eco nonprofit Captain Planet Foundation will throw a bi-coastal bash next month.
First up, will be an event at the Jules Verne Film Festival at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles where Ted Turner will be honored for his environmental work. A screening of an episode of “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” for 3,000 kids (the educational ecological ‘toon conceived by the CNN founder was originally broadcast on his TBS and Cartoon Network channels) will be followed by a reunion of the notable voice talent behind the cartoon. Green-minded celebs, including Ed Begley Jr., Jessica Capshaw, Sally Kirkland, Malcolm McDowell, Buzz Aldrin, LeVar Burton and possibly Martin Sheen will be in attendance.
The two coast fund-raiser has been in the works since January.
Explained tireless Captain Planet Foundation special projects senior director K.P. Hendry to Buzz this week: “I’m good at thinking these things up, but the problem is then I have to make it actually happen!”
On Dec. 14, the fund-raising moves back here to the Tabernacle downtown where Turner, his daughter and co-chair Laura Turner Seydel and others will help host this year’s “Visionary Voyages” -themed Xmas Party with headlining world music rock act Kan ‘Nal.
The Denver-based group is so green, they had to be convinced to leave their bio- diesel bus parked at home,
Explains Hendry: “I didn’t want them getting stuck in ice while coming across the country from Denver. They finally agreed to fly.”
Many longtime Atlanta supporters of the foundation already have purchased VIP tickets to events on both coasts. An added perk for the participants?
They’re also invited to a posh private cocktail party being thrown atop “Grease” director Randal Kleiser’s palatial Runyon Canyon Ranch home, where guests will have an envious view of Hollywood and Los Angeles below.
In its 13th year, how big is the Captain Planet Foundation’s Xmas Party? Well, when she discovered a conflict on her calendar, even Turner’s former spouse Jane Fonda graciously moved her 70th birthday bash (a pricey benefit for her G-CAPP charity) to Dec. 13 so she could support both causes.
Explained Hendry: “We should all be so lucky to have such good rapport with our exes. It’s like what Ted has said all these years. ‘If you work together, you can accomplish anything.’”
or additional info and tickets: www.xmasparty.org
Hawks’ Turkey Day tipped off to kids
Before celebrating the holiday with their friends and family this week, members of the Atlanta Hawks organization, including Tyronn Lue, Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia, partnered with the Children’s Restoration Network to throw a turkey dinner for in-need kids. The event at Hudson Grill this week featured players and coaches serving up Thanksgiving meals with all the trimmings to children from area group homes. After joining the kids for dinner, the Hawks distributed gift bags and signed autographs. We’re told that the equally civic-minded Hudson Grille hooked the Hawks up with all of the food for the event, as well as the use of the restaurant and staff.
Munchkins merit new Hollywood star
Almost 70 years after “The Wizard of Oz” premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, a few of the film’s Munchkins — including Georgian Karl Slover — made a grand entrance there this week to receive a collective star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Seven of the surviving actors who played the inhabitants of Munchkinland in the 1939 classic attended the ceremony, arriving in a horse-drawn carriage and trailed by a marching band. A yellow carpet, resembling the film’s yellow brick road, led them to the stage. One tap-danced, and another sang. “We love you; you have touched our hearts,” former Munchkin Mickey Carroll, 88, told the crowd. Carroll was joined by former Munchkin colleagues Slover, Ruth Duccini, Jerry Maren, Margaret Pellegrini, Meinhardt Raabe, and Clarence Swensen. “I’m as proud today as my mother would have been,” said Joey Luft, the son of Judy Garland. Garland, who played the movie’s wide-eyed orphan, Dorothy Gale, died of a drug overdose in 1969. Slover was one of more than 100 adults and children who were recruited for “Oz” to play the natives of what author L. Frank Baum called Munchkin Country in his 1900 book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” They only made $125 a week while filming, followed by decades of recognition.
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Love, money, muscles all worth thanks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanksgiving 2007. This year, Peach Buzz readers — both in sickness and in health — are thankful. And as always, some of your submissions caught us a little off guard. But as some of you point out, even horror movies, moves not made and the occasional obscene phone call are all reasons to celebrate today. Read on!
Jerry Niemeyer, Acworth: “I am most thankful for Sandy, my wife of 36 years. She’s been my strength for a long time. We met almost 40 years ago through an obscene phone call.”
Joni Pelta, Atlanta: “To live in one of only four cities in the U.S. with pandas at our zoo. The pandas, especially the antics of 1-year-old Mei Lan, never fail to make me smile and feel great on my frequent visits to Zoo Atlanta.”
Jerry Schwartz, Alpharetta: “Every Thanksgiving, I take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. On the left side I list all the events that year that were happy ones and on the right, I list those that were unhappy. I’m thankful that the left hand column is much, much longer than the right.”
David and Billie Sims, north Fulton: “For the wonderful public school teachers that have worked with our daughter, Ali, who was born with Down syndrome. She will graduate this year from Centennial High School, thanks to the efforts of many teachers.”
Vicky Hagan, Marietta: “One year ago, I joined a women’s gym. I never thought at 50 I could develop muscles in my arms, but I have a nice set of pecs now. I love this feeling of strength. My husband calls me Mighty Mouse. I am thankful I have taken control and hope to be hotter at 50 years old than I was at 40.”
Meta Shore, Smyrna: “After being almost deaf for nearly 30 years, I had a Cochlear implant, and now I can hear birds, music, phone, the doorbell ring. Conversations with friends and strangers have been a pleasure.”
Marie McIntyre, Monroe: “Last Thanksgiving, my husband had just completed months of chemotherapy and was facing a stem cell transplant. This year, because of the remarkable people at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, he’s in complete remission and feels wonderful. At our house, every day is Thanksgiving.”
Kathy Hooks, Atlanta: “My old dog Abbey. She has consoled me during the two greatest losses I have ever faced. Just when it seemed my heart would indeed heal, Abbey became very sick. But it wasn’t our time to part, and I am thankful I got the chance to return the favor by never leaving her side.”
Lenny Player, Sandy Springs: “I’m highly appreciative of the highs and lows I experience as my mom’s caregiver. She has Lou Gehrig’s disease. The experience has helped me see what’s good about her as well as my deficiencies as a man and son. It has all been extremely worthwhile.”
Virginia Ashmore, Monroe: “In July 1999, my husband had emergency open heart surgery that required quadruple bypasses. In February, he was diagnosed with an intracranial bleed. After months of healing and many, many prayers, my husband is alive, walking and talking, without any physical hindrance.”
Jane Wilgus, Atlanta: “To be a part of a blended family. We may not be the Brady Bunch, but we have such fun when we’re together and respect each other.”
Carole Hager, Smyrna: “For cheap wine, the money I buried in my backyard and the ability to laugh out loud and at myself.”
Stephanie Vaughn, Atlanta: “After many terrible years, I found love and news that I was expecting a baby. I never thought I would be able to have another child. In September, I welcomed a baby boy. I’m thankful for the life of my beautiful children and the God that has allowed my life to completely transform when I had admittedly lost faith.”
Ric Burnett, Doraville: “For a wonderful wife, Betty, for 27 years and no kids for 27 years. But I’m not thankful for stores that have 20 cash registers and only two are being used.”
Barbara King, Doraville: “My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. After his first round of treatments he was stable for a year and a half. Now the cancer has now metastasized. He feels well and will be alive for another holiday season. We will travel out of town to be with family.”
Sandy Perkins, Roswell: “My husband and I decided to ‘retire’ in our family home rather than downsize. Our many cul-de-sac neighbors chose to leave, and now we have several new younger families. We are so very thankful for them because they think of us as the ‘older fun couple’ who they invite to parties and family celebrations.”
Ted Shomake, Lawrenceville: “For the example my father, Don, has set for me on how to be a good husband and father. Soon after his retirement, my mother contracted senile dementia, a condition which has forced him to quit his dream retirement job at a golf course. He has demonstrated to me what real love is about as he cares for my mom.”
Harriet Harris, Atlanta: “My son — when he was about age 8 — offered this as we went around the table expressing our gratitude: ‘I’m thankful for the Earth because it gives me a place to stand.’ “
Steven Warren, Atlanta: “I’m thankful that I got to torture young men for fun and profit as the star of ‘Scarce,’ a Canadian independent horror film that premiered in Toronto last month. It’s the first feature in which I’ve received top billing in my midlife crisis career as an actor.”
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Robert Vaughn (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”) is 75. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is 49. Actress Scarlett Johannsson (“Lost in Translation”) is 23.
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Artist gets ‘princess’ prize at ‘Enchanted’ preview
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta artist Erica Ramsey exited Monday night’s advance screening of “Enchanted” at the AMC Parkway Pointe theatre with much more than just memories of “happily ever after.”
As the winner of Disney’s local “Princess For a Day” contest, the 36-year-old walked away with a $500 shopping spree at the Mall at Stonecrest, a $100 Sephora gift card, a designer frock made especially for her. Oh, and a “fairy godfather.”
“Project Runway” finalist and Atlanta designer Mychael Knight himself was on hand to announce the winner before the screening. And as many plucky Disney princesses have taught us throughout the decades, a sense of humor and a way with words can come in handy as you try on glass slippers.
Knight told Buzz that the cleverness of Ramsey’s winning essay made it stand out among the other eight finalists in the contest.
In her entry, Ramsey whimsically reflected on her recent 36th birthday, choosing to look at it through the eyes of her former princess-aspiring 6-year-old self.
“I started mentally reviewing my success to date as a princess,” she wrote. “I noted that my tresses are not golden, flowing, or even trimmed. I saw I also had a gray hair sticking out. Nice.”
“I then regarded my house, which is not a castle with a moat, staff and a tower. It’s a condo and it’s got a very un-fairytale-like adjustable rate mortgage to go with it. (Evil spells do exist!) … None of this looked at all familiar to my younger princess self, so I wondered — what about ‘Happily Ever After?’ Is there at least that?”
“Please let Mychael Knight be my fairy godfather and I could at least posture as a princess for a day.”
As she read the entry aloud to the entire packed theater, Knight told Ramsey: “We’re going to do an amazing, amazing dress for you.”
But Knight told us the outfit will only be started after he gets to know its future wearer.
“Clothing and fashion is such an expression of who you are as a person,” he explained. “It has to reflect her.”
The movie itself, a self-deprecating Disney mix of live action and animation, was a hit with the audience, a smattering of families and older folk. Actor James Marsden’s Prince Edward, an over-the-top spoof on the arch-typical thick-jawed Disney hero, got laughs throughout as did Susan Sarandon’s deliciously campy turn as the evil queen Narissa.
“Enchanted” officially opens today.
Turkey via T.I.
“T.I. and the Grand Hustle K.I.N.G. Foundation to host Thanksgiving dinner” read the top of the news release that landed on Buzz Central’s desk Tuesday. But wait, what was that underneath, by the asterisk? “Please note: T.I. will not be in attendance.”
Sigh.
Guess being under house arrest for weapons charges means you can’t leave your lakefront home for a charitable event, either. Nevertheless, a free dinner will be held for the needy at the rapper-actor’s nightclub, Club Crucial (2517 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway N.W.), from 6 to 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. And according to the release from his label rep, 400 turkeys also will be donated to the Atlanta Parks & Recreation Center on behalf of T.I. and his foundation. And he also is asking his “celebrity friends” to help raise $150,000 for the annual Hosea Williams Feed The Hungry Thanksgiving Day Dinner.
Getting Grammy nod?
The nominations for the 50th annual Grammy Awards will be announced Dec. 6, and if Grammy announcement tradition holds true this time around, we already can bet on one Atlantan being included on that list. Multimillion-selling local rapper-singer Akon will join legendary producer Quincy Jones, rockers Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park and breakout country singer Taylor Swift at the podium at 8:30 a.m. in Hollywood, Calif., to unveil the major contenders. And Grammy doesn’t generally ask you to announce the nominees unless you are among the nominees.
The Grammy Awards will air on CBS Feb. 10 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Pssst!
Remember that 1979 Trans Am that Braselton custom car shop Year One recently delivered to “Smokey and the Bandit” star Burt Reynolds after it was faithfully restored on DIY Network’s “Celebrity Rides?” Now DIY is giving one away.
To enter, automotive buffs need to create a video that illustrates why you should get the car and then upload this video at www.Heavy.com by Nov. 30. The bandit himself will help select the winner, who will be announced on the Dec. 14 one-hour special, “Celebrity Rides: Burt Builds a Bandit,” airing on DIY at 10 p.m. For more info: www.diynetwork.com.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Marlo Thomas is 70. Singer Dr. John is 67. Actress Juliet Mills (“Passions,” “Nanny and the Professor”) is 66. Actor-director Harold Ramis is 63. Actress Goldie Hawn is 62. Singer Livingston Taylor is 57. Actress-singer Lorna Luft is 55. Actress Nicollette Sheridan is 44. Singer Bjork is 42.
Contributing: Sonia Murray and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Calendar aims for maximum exposure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This year’s benefit calendar “Body + Art” is personal for Atlanta photographer and salon owner Richie Arpino. Taking a brief break from his hosting duties at the calendar’s launch party Saturday night at Mitchell Gold-Bob Williams shop in Buckhead, Arpino told us that this year’s effort, featuring nudes striking poses in front of work by Harriett Leibowitz, Paul Chelko and other artful Atlantans, is dedicated to his sister-in-law Janie Arpino, who succumbed to breast cancer this year.
A few feet away, reps from Breast Friends were busy using credit card machines to tally up sales of the limited edition $40 calendars.
“She was diagnosed last year just when I was starting work on the 2008 calendar and she was definitely the motivation behind this year’s effort,” Arpino said.
Nearby, models for the charity calendar, sporting pink tank tops, were busy signing autographs for attendees sipping pink lemonade drinks enhanced with vodka.
The longtime Atlanta hair salon owner concedes that his part-time hobby is taking up more and more time. “Tomorrow I start work on the 2009 edition. I’m going to focus on love and couples and the way they embrace and touch. That’s just where I’m at right now.”
Arpino’s photography is also currently being seen in every Target store in America via the whimsical cover photo he shot for Collective Soul’s latest album, “Afterwords” which features the Atlanta rockers slurping soup at Metrofresh in Midtown.
“Remember how we all analyzed the Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ cover and tried to figure out what was up with Paul McCartney?” Arpino asks. “Well, the Collective Soul fans are now doing that with the ‘Afterwords’ cover. They’re all online asking why [guitarist] Dean [Roland] is sitting under a certain picture and why is his soup bowl empty?’ They don’t know that it was just a candid shot I snapped as they were eating after a long photo shoot. But we’re not letting on. We’re playing it up. A little mystery’s a good thing, after all!”
“Body + Art” is available at Outwrite Books in Midtown.
Overscene
Police guitarist Andy Summers, sporting a “very cool” purple hat “that only rock stars can get away with,” checking out the Doc Watson show at Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points. On his way out, Summers complimented opening act The Lovell Sisters. … Police drummer Stewart Copeland enjoying the smoked salmon at Tap in Midtown. … Rapper/actor Ludacris and six associates at Sweet Lowdown in Midtown. We’re told that Luda ordered the eatery’s signature fried chicken.
‘20/20’ vision for Spanx
Atlanta’s own global philanthropist and entrepreneur Sara Blakely finally has something in common with Drew Carey. And thankfully, it has nothing to do with improv comedy or horn-rimmed glasses. Both were prominently featured on Friday night’s edition of “20/20” on ABC. The pair were among those who discussed initial failure and what motivated them to push forward. Blakely is the founder of Spanx, a $100 million business. In a deeply personal interview, Blakely told the news mag that during her well-documented career selling fax machines door to door, she was “personally escorted out of several buildings, and I had my business card ripped up in my face probably about twice a week.” Reasoned Blakely: “I realize that failure is just life’s way of nudging you and letting you know you’re off course. If I hadn’t failed, I wouldn’t be here.”
Charitable ‘Assist’
Atlanta Hawk Josh Childress will have his own cheering section tonight during the team’s game against the San Antonio Spurs at Philips Arena downtown. Three kids have been given tickets to the game thanks to Childress and the “Hawks Assist” program that gives seriously ill kids and their families a fun night out via the Children’s Wish Foundation International. We’re told that the evening’s special guests will come equipped with a “Wish Kids Love Josh” sign expressing their thanks to the charitable player.
Last call for reader thanks
Tuesday is the deadline, dear reader for you to contribute to this year’s “What I’m thankful for”-themed Turkey Day column. Send along your poignant and/or humorous contribution to buzz@ajc.com today by noon, along with your full name, where you live and a daytime phone number. The best entries will be published in Thursday’s Peach Buzz column.
HIGH FIVE
Criminal Records top-selling albums for week ending Nov. 10 were:
1. The Pipettes, “We Are the Pipettes”
2. Sigur Ros, “Hvart/Heim “
3. Prefuse 73, “Preparations”
4. Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers, “Archives Vol. 1, Live at the Avalon Ballroom”
5. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand”
Source: Criminal Records in Little Five Points
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
TV personality Richard Dawson is 75. Comedian Dick Smothers is 69. Singer Norman Greenbaum is 65. Broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff is 61. Actress Bo Derek is 51. Drummer Todd Nance of Widespread Panic is 45. Actress Ming-Na (“ER”) is 44. Rapper Mike D of the Beastie Boys is 42. Country singer Dierks Bentley is 32. Country singer Josh Turner is 30. Actress Nadine Velazquez (“My Name Is Earl”) is 29.
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
Winder resident makes cancer patient’s wish come true
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Noble deeds shouldn’t go unnoticed. That’s why Buzz took notice when Atlanta Falcons season ticket-holder David Stott helped raise more than $1,000 for 12-year-old Tim Moore and his grandfather. Here’s the story in a nutshell.
Stott, a Winder resident, read in his native Pierce City, Mo., newspaper the story of Tim and his yearlong battle with brain cancer. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted the boy’s desire for a room makeover decked in colors and memorabilia of his favorite team — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stott contacted Make-A-Wish about flying the boy to Atlanta for Sunday’s Falcons game vs. Tampa Bay, and he’d take care of the game pass. But Make-A-Wish’s policy is one wish per client.
Determined, Stott held fund-raisers to get Moore and his granddad, Jerry Moore, here for the game. He even arranged for Tim, who’s undergone 31 radiation treatments, four months of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, to see the game from the 50-yard line.
During a pregame ceremony, “Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden gave [Tim] an autographed book,” Stott says. Tim also received an autographed visor from Falcons tailback Warrick Dunn, and had a chance to meet Tampa Bay players Joey Galloway, Matt Bryant and Mike Alstott.
“He’s excited and appreciative of this opportunity to meet the coach and some of the players and being on the field,” Stott says of Tim’s first-ever experience being at a Buccaneers game.
“I just wanted to help,” Stott adds. “That’s the way I try to live.”
Brown’s show mostly a stiff
OK, what was supposed to be grown and sexy seemed more like loud and wrong.
Atlanta was ready for the New Jack Swing tour Friday at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center that promised jams by Guy, After 7, K-Ci & JoJo and Bobby Brown.
It was a good, if slow, start as After 7 warmed up the crowd. K-Ci & JoJo, on the other hand, seemed like they just rolled onto the stage. They went through songs like “Life” and “If You Think You’re Lonely Now,” but the weakened voices and lack of showmanship made the performance seem like an afterthought.
Then Bobby Brown hobbled out. Buzz can appreciate his working through an injured ankle, but his show was underwhelming. Beyond humping the stage and air, he couldn’t dance, and he shoved “new” songs down our ears when what we really wanted was “Roni” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” And where was “My Prerogative”?
Fellow New Edition member Ronnie DeVoe helped Bobby out, while Keith Sweat made a surprise cameo.
Aaron Hall of Guy was the night’s biggest hit. Sure he had a few missteps, including racy “dancing” (even Aaron commented he was getting too old for those antics). But his voice was strong as he went through hits like “Let’s Chill” and “I Miss You,” which made many couples get up to dance in the aisles. Thank goodness for sweet endings. (To see the full review, go to accessAtlanta.com’s Music Scene blog.)
Mixing it up helps overcome adversity
There’s something humble and genuine about DJ Aaries when Buzz chatted with him Friday on the phone.
That’s why, when the Stone Mountain mixologist won the national “I Will Not Lose” video competition sponsored by Rocawear and Blackplanet.com, it wasn’t hard to see why. He earned a chance to have his face splashed all over magazines and TV in Roacawear’s spring ad fashion campaign.
“You don’t expect it to be you,” says the musician, who thinks he was tops because of his desire to promote, nurture and spin up-and-coming artists. “This feels outstanding.”
Jay-Z’s Rocawear line and Blackplanet.com, one of the nation’s most popular African-American networking sites, came up with the campaign to show how celebs like Ciara and Chris Brown and everyday people overcome adversity. The online contest allowed visitors to upload videos with their testimonials and let voters decide whose was most moving. About 2 million votes were cast.
DJ Aaries, whose real name is Lawrence Butler, beat out about 500 entrants along with co-winner JUSK1234 from Charlotte with his story about growing up poor and moving around with his family to look for work.
Now, Aaries, who’s been a regular on BET’s “Rap City,” mentors rising DJs and makes it his mission to give exposure to little-known artists during his DJ sets.
“I show that if you work hard, things can happen.”
Check out his winning video at iwillnotlose.org.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Talk show host Larry King is 74. Media mogul Ted Turner is 69. Actor Dan Haggerty is 66. Sportscaster Ahmad Rashad is 58. Actress Meg Ryan is 46. Actress Jodie Foster is 45. Dancer-choreographer Savion Glover is 34.
CONCERT WATCH
Celine Dion “Taking Chances World Tour” hits Philips Arena Jan. 17, 2009. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m.
Contributing: Quindelda McElroy. David Graves covers leisure activities. If you have a worthwhile event coming up let him know at dgraves@ajc.com.
Got a tip for Peach Buzz? 404-526-2749 or buzz@ajc.com
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
Benefit for longtime Fuzzy’s staff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A small army of musicians are banding together Sunday to financially assist the 24 staffers recently left unemployed when Fuzzy’s Place unexpectedly closed.
The 30-year-old North Druid Hills Road watering hole, founded by Fuzzy Cawthon, was shuttered this month by its current owner and Fuzzy’s brother, Chris Cawthon (Fuzzy died last year).
The Mike Veal Band, which has gigged at Fuzzy’s every Wednesday for the past 15 years has secured a new gig on Wednesdays down the street at the Tin Roof Cantina. Now, Veal, along with other Fuzzy’s musicians, including Francine Reed, Java Monkey, Diane Durrett, the Soul Shakers, Barry Richman and Room to Groove, are booked for a benefit Sunday at the Tavern on the Bridge in Duluth to help out the folks who are still looking for employment.
“[The closing] was a major shock,” Veal told Buzz on Friday. “Nobody saw this coming. We’ve got more than 20 folks out there, some of which have worked at Fuzzy’s behind the bar for 33 years or on the floor for 26 years or in the kitchen for 11 years, and now they’ve got no income. Fuzzy’s has an incredibly dedicated staff. With the holidays coming, we wanted to do something for our friends.”
While there’s no set cover for the 5 to 11 p.m. event, donations will be accepted. For info: tavernonthebridge.com.
The future of Fuzzy’s remained uncertain Friday. A sign posted on the door informs patrons: “Closed for Reorganization.” Calls made to the restaurant/nightclub Friday went unanswered.
Getting ‘Restless’
Remember that recent “Young and the Restless”
casting call held here in Atlanta? The CBS soap’s casting directors have already selected a winner, and TaNeisha Bennett is headed to Hollywood. Well, sometime next year, at least.
Bennett was one of the hundreds of aspiring actresses who waited in line for hours this month when the show held an open audition downtown.
So is Bennett super-psyched about the network acting opportunity? Does she have any thoughts about whom she’d like to shoot scenes with? And what’s her reaction to the soap dropping a parking deck on half of Genoa City in the show’s latest sweeps story line?
We have no clue.
For two straight days, efforts to reach the actress via her agent Deborah Owensby at Houghton Talent in Atlanta inexplicably proved fruitless. A search for Bennett’s bio and credits on the firm’s Web site, meanwhile, led us only to a broken link.
Thankfully, “Y&R” casting director Karen Rea was only too happy to discuss what led to Bennett’s selection:
“First of all, she is adorable to look at and has a wonderful smile,” Rea told Buzz in an e-mail. “She is very natural and easy to watch. TaNeisha was playful and yet professional while auditioning with [“Y&R” actor] Michael Graziadei. And she has a giggle that brings a smile to your face.”
CBS reps tell us that Bennett’s debut will be scheduled for early in 2008.
HIGH FIVE
Television
The top five On Demand programs for the week of Nov. 5-11 as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
1. “Soulja Girl,” Soulja Boy, music video, Music Choice
2. “Kiss Kiss,” Chris Brown, music video, Music Choice
3. “No One,” Alicia Keys, music video, Music Choice
4. “Pop Bottles,” Birdman, music video, Music Choice
5. “Hypnotized,” Plies Feat. Akon, music video, Music Choice
— Courtesy: Rentrak’s OnDemand Essential
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Singer Gordon Lightfoot is 69. Movie director Martin Scorsese is 65. Actress Lauren Hutton is 64. “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels is 63. Actor-director Danny DeVito is 63. Entertainer RuPaul is 47. Actor Dylan Walsh (“Nip/Tuck”) is 44. Singer Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition is 40. Guitarist Isaac Hanson of Hanson is 27.
Sunday: Actress Linda Evans is 65. Actor Owen Wilson (right, “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Zoolander”) is 39. Actress Chloe Sevigny (“Boys Don’t Cry”) is 33. Rapper Fabolous is 28. Rapper Mike Jones is 27.
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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New owners, new look for Silver Grill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No, that’s not a fried chicken and turkey and dressing-deprived mirage on Monroe Drive this week as drivers do double-takes in front of the old Silver Grill. The legendary eatery’s neon sign is lit once again and the diner is back open, nearly a year after it famously closed up shop, following a successful 58-year run.
Say hello to the Silver Midtown Grill, courtesy of its new owners Stephan Barrani and Sam Scott.
The duo has completely refurbished the outdated space (think new marble counters, hardwood floors, light fixtures and finally credit-card machines) while retaining the Silver Grill’s crowd-pleasing menu and somehow luring back signature employees, including manager Vivian Wynn, chef John Fendell and grill cook Peggy Mack. Bless her heart, Peggy Hubbard, the Grill’s 74-year-old waitress, who’s been dutifully delivering collards, corn bread and sweet tea to tables for nearly 50 years, also has returned.
Former regular Michael Thomason drove past the shuttered Silver Grill back in June and met the new owners, who were working on the space. He persuaded the pair, who wanted originally to open a similar eatery, to rebirth the Grill. Thomason then got on the horn to Hubbard and company and coaxed them back as well.
“The Silver Grill was such a community thing, it was difficult to let that go,” Thomason told Buzz Thursday. “I still can’t believe it’s back. Seeing that neon lit up again is just incredible.”
While Thomason says that some upgrades were needed to bring the old building up to code, regulars shouldn’t be too concerned about the upgraded aesthetics.
“It’s not too fancy,” he assures. “It still looks like a diner.”
The Silver Midtown Grill also eventually will open for breakfast as well as weekend brunch. Its new owners hope to make the Grill a 24-hour operation at some point, too.
So has legendary “Silver Grill Blues” songstress Diamond Lil popped back into the eatery since its reopening this week?
“No, but we’ve got to find her,” Thomason told us.
Buzz has a hunch that’s now no longer an issue …
‘Bandit’ ‘07
Braselton custom muscle car shop YearOne is honoring the 30th anniversary of the locally filmed “Smokey & the Bandit” by building 50 updated versions of the classy 1977 Trans Am from the film and recently gave the first one to Burt Reynolds himself.
They delivered the Trans Am to Reynolds in Los Angeles last month, a moment captured on film by cable network DIY for its show “Celebrity Rides,” which airs Friday night at 10. After more than 1,000 man-hours of work, YearOne pieced together vintage Trans Am parts to create a version with a different paint scheme, wheels and interior (plus modern-day power) that still looks basically like the original.
During an earlier episode, Reynolds consulted with YearOne and accepted most of the modifications but held firm on the distinctive hood bird. YearOne wanted to modify it, but Reynolds pooh-poohed the changes as “whitewashing” and insisted the bird stay the same. “That’s the most important thing about it,” said Reynolds, who still owns a couple of original “Bandit” Trans Ams from the film.
“I’m not going to argue with Burt Reynolds,” said designer Phil Brewer on camera.
“We compromised on a few things,” YearOne President Kevin King told Buzz. “But for the most part, he was a jewel to work with. And he was thrilled to see the results.”
If you want one yourself, it will set you back anywhere from $130,000 for a basic version to $205,000 for a totally tricked out edition. Check it out at www.yearone.com.
Quote of the day
“It was embarrassing. ‘Hey Chong, what are you in for?’ … ‘A bong.’ … ‘A bomb?’ … ‘No, a bong.’ “
Tommy Chong, one half of the 1970s stoner comedy duo Cheech & Chong, on his recent real-life stint behind bars for selling drug paraphernalia during an interview with Dave FM’s Mara Davis Thursday. Chong is in town for a weekend of shows at the Funny Farm.
Sick bay
New York singer-songwriter Regina Spektor postponed Thursday night’s scheduled show at the Tabernacle downtown. According to Atlanta radio station Dave FM, the vocalist, currently out on the road promoting her new album “Begin to Hope,” collapsed onstage at the Ryman Auditorium during a performance in Nashville Wednesday night. Spektor has rescheduled her Atlanta show for Dec. 5 at the Tabernacle. Tickets for Thursday’s show will be honored at the Dec. 5 date.
OVERSCENE
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox dining at Kevin Rathbun Steak in Inman Park.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Marg Helgenberger (“CSI”) is 49. Country singer-guitarist Keith Burns of Trick Pony is 44. Jazz singer Diana Krall is 43. Actress Lisa Bonet is 40. Actress Martha Plimpton is 37. Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal (right) (“World Trade Center,” “Secretary”) is 30. Actor Noah Gray-Cabey (“Heroes,” “My Wife and Kids”) is 12.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
Nancy Grace out of the hospital (UPDATED)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CNN Headline News talk-show host Nancy Grace is doing well and left an Atlanta hospital Thursday following postpartum complications stemming from her delivery of twins Nov. 4, according to her publicist.
“Nancy is definitely feeling better,” said Grace’s publicist Patty Caruso Thursday afternoon. “The babies will be there for a couple more weeks so they can get fat and sassy.”
Grace, after her baby delivery last weekend, had fluid in her lungs but was released. This past Sunday, she had trouble breathing and her husband David Linch rushed her to a local hospital. (The Atlanta hospital name was not released for privacy reasons, Caruso said.)
Grace, who is 48 years old, had blood clots in her lungs, which is dangerous, especially older women.
“Twenty percent of women that die as a complication of pregnancy is directly attributable to blood clots,” Dr. Lauren F. Streicher, a professor of obstetrics/gynecology at Northwestern University, told ABC News..
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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After yearlong absence, Silver Grill returns
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No, that’s not a fried chicken and turkey and dressing-deprived mirage on Monroe Drive this week as drivers do double-takes in front of the old Silver Grill. The legendary eatery’s neon sign is lit once again and the diner is back open, nearly a year after it famously closed up shop, following a successful 58-year run.
Say hello to the Silver Midtown Grill, courtesy of its new owners Stephan Barrani and Sam Scott.
The duo have completely refurbished the outdated space (think new marble counters, hardwood floors, light fixtures and finally credit card machines) while retaining the Silver Grill’s crowd-pleasing menu and somehow luring back signature employees, including manager Vivian Wynn, chef John Fendell, and grill cook Peggy Mack. And — bless her heart — Peggy Hubbard, the Grill’s 74-year-old waitress, who’s been dutifully delivering collards, cornbread and sweet tea to tables for nearly 50 years, has also returned.
Former regular Michael Thomason drove past the shuttered Silver Grill back in June and met the new owners who were working on the space. He persuaded the pair, who wanted originally to open a similar eatery, to re-birth the Grill. Thomason then got on the horn to Hubbard and company and coaxed them back as well.
“The Silver Grill was such a community thing, it was difficult to let that go,” Thomason told Buzz Thursday. “I still can’t believe it’s back. Seeing that neon lit up again is just incredible.”
While Thomason says that some upgrades were needed to bring the old building up to code, regulars shouldn’t be too concerned about the upgraded aesthetics.
“It’s not too fancy,” he assures. “It still looks like a diner.”
The Silver Midtown Grill will also eventually open for breakfast as well as weekend brunch. Its new owners hope to make the Grill a 24-hour operation at some point too.
So has legendary “Silver Grill Blues” songstress Diamond Lil popped back into the eatery since its reopening this week?
“No, but we’ve got to find her,” Thomason told us. Buzz has a hunch that’s now no longer an issue …
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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The truth about T.I. … pillows
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks to Huff Furniture’s Julie Huff, we can now confidently report that T.I.’s sofa pillows are indeed orange. Huff e-mailed Buzz Central Wednesday after we wrote about the rapper-actor’s new video message posted on Streetcred.com.
The performer, as you may recall, is under house arrest awaiting trial on federal weapons charges. In the Internet video, T.I.’s pillows on his orange couch appeared, well, pink. Huff tells us that the 50-year-old Buckhead business has decorated two homes for the embattled rapper and that his basement family room where he taped the message is designed “in the colors of fire … shades of reds, oranges and yellows.”
This must come as a relief to the PR folks at the rapper’s record label. After all, in the world of rap, “no flash, no bang” can be effectively spun. Owning pink pillows? Not so much.
Scoring a record
Atlanta Brave Tim Hudson and Atlanta Falcon Keith Brooking were on hand this week to salute the efforts of the U.S. Marines, sponsor Federal Express and the Atlantans who ended up helping to a break a world record for a toy drive. The athletes served as the official witnesses at a FedEx distribution facility as Atlanta ended up donating 3,328 pounds of toys for Toys For Tots. The 10-city toy drive — a charitable tie-in to the holiday family flick “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” — raised a record 28,000 pounds of toys across the country. The gifts will be donated to needy kids. For their efforts, Hudson and Brooking both get 100 toys to distribute to their respective charities, the Keith Brooking Children’s Foundation, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta this holiday season.
Wanted: Reader thanks
The window is closing to get your poignant and/or humorous “What I’m thankful for” reflections into Buzz Central for our annual reader-driven Turkey Day column. Send them today along with your full name, where you live, a daytime phone number and a photo if you wish to buzz@ajc.co