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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 06 > Entry
Turner called king of U.S. landowners
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you own 45,000 bison, you need a place to put them.
America’s 100 largest landowners are celebrated in the latest issue of The Land Report (the Magazine of the American Landowner), and Captain Outrageous, Ted Turner, is No.1, with 2 million acres in Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, New Mexico, Argentina and Tierra del Fuego.
In the special “America’s Largest Landowner” issue (sort of The Land Report’s combo “Sexiest Man Alive”/”Swimsuit Issue”), editor Eric O’Keefe explains that the subject is especially timely in today’s economic environment.
“It boils down to this,” O’Keefe writes. “When was the last time a credit default swap brought down a forest?”
Which brings us to Turner, a man who’s made a fortune over the years and openly admits to losing one in recent years as well.
The Land Report reprints an excerpt from his new memoir, “Call Me Ted,” where Turner explains that his South American purchases were motivated by a desire to find warm fly-fishing locales, where he could retreat during the North American winters.
And natch, the former owner of the MGM film library also takes the opportunity to quote from his favorite epic flick.
“I’m often reminded of Scarlett O’Hara’s father in ‘Gone With the Wind,’ ” he writes.
“He told her, ‘Why, the land’s the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for, because it’s the only thing that lasts.’ I’ve realized this to be true, and I’m proud to know that I’ve done what I can to make sure that my land is protected.”
Also on the list are Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos (No. 23), Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke (No. 10), and the Adams brothers, Danny, Doug and Larry, of Atlanta (No. 88).
HOWARD DEBUTS ON HEADLINE NEWS
In case you neglected to TiVo Clark Howard’s new show on Headline News, which debuted this past weekend (and repeated six times at 6 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), here are a few highlights for Buzz readers:
In addition to summarizing many of his radio calls locals hear on WSB-AM, Howard also gets his own funky Headline News theme song.
He shot the show in his local WSB studio (which is slyly disguised as a makeshift TV studio set) and opens with his familiar radio tagline:
“America, we’re living in tough economic times. But I have good news. I’m Clark Howard and I’m here to show you how to save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off.”
Then Headline News cut to cartoon graphics, as if Howard’s life is a comic book.
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by money,” recounts the consumer guru. “Making it. Saving it. Studying it. By the time I was 31, I earned enough to retire [he sold a travel agency].
“So I embarked on a new mission: helping take care of your money.” Technically, the show doesn’t disclose the fact that this happened more than two decades ago (in show biz, why reveal your age when you don’t look it?).
Howard also offered a one-minute consumer tip about the stock market, essentially:
A large percentage of people over the age of 65 have too much cash in stocks. (And 27 percent of people 55-64 have 90 percent or more in stocks. Wrong!).
Later, Howard took a call about selling time shares (if you can’t, donate it for the tax deduction, he suggests).
Another caller had a credit card closed because she hadn’t used it in two years and she’s worried her credit score will hurt. (It will, but not a lot, since she hadn’t used it.)
He then addressed a “pay off your IRS taxes” scam you may encounter in late-night TV ads. Using two of our faves from the Clark Howard glossary, he describes said folk as “Scuzzoids” and “crooks.”
‘TODAY’ WEDDING COUPLE UPDATE
Atlanta’s LaDonna and Darnell Suggs, the winners of “The Today Show” annual free wedding competition last year, checked in with Buzz to say they are not only still happily married but they’ve also started a charity foundation.
After an incredible nine-day trip to Bora Bora on NBC’s tab (including a personal butler), the pair have continued life as engineers, with speaking engagements and charity events for organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club.
The pair also established the Suggs Foundation a few weeks ago to encourage young adults to go into the sciences.
Check their Web site, www.meetthesuggs.com, for more details.
(And if you enjoy hype, their home page immodestly dubs them “America’s Favorite Couple!”).
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Bonnie Franklin is 65. Guitarist Malcolm Young of AC/DC is 56. Actor-comedian Rowan Atkinson (“Mr. Bean”) is 54. Singer Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge is 50. Director John Singleton is 41. Actor Danny Pintauro (“Who’s the Boss”) is 33.
STORK REPORT
It’s twin girls!
A publicist for the “Ugly Betty” actress Rebecca Romijn confirms twin daughters Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip were born to Romijn and actor Jerry O’Connell Dec. 28. They are the couple’s first children.
Publicist Lewis Kay says in a statement that “mother, father and both girls are all home and doing well.”
Romijn, 36, and O’Connell, 34, were married in 2007.
Contributing: Bo Emerson, 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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