The City of Atlanta just issued this press release about Mayor Kasim Reed’s visit with Prince Charles. Here it is:

Mayor Kasim Reed arrived in London this morning and journeyed directly to Poundbury, Dorchester to meet with HRH The Prince of Wales for a half-day tour of Poundbury, a community which contains a wide range of high density, mixed use housing intermingled with economic activity.

“The tour of Poundbury with HRH The Prince of Wales was an extraordinary experience,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “It was inspiring to meet with some of the residents of Poundbury and learn about their experiences living in a pedestrian and environmentally-friendly community. The quality of design, workmanship and attention paid to ensuring that both market-rate and affordable housing are built to the same high standards is remarkable.”

Mayor Reed added, “I am excited to return home to Atlanta and work with our residents, city and business leaders on actionable plans for urban and cultural …

Continue reading City of Atlanta’s statement on Mayor Reed’s visit with Prince Charles »

Whitney Houston and Kelly Rowland popped up at the W hotel in Buckhead on Friday. They taped a piece in support of Brandy, who has been twirling her heart out on “Dancing With the Stars.”

We hear Whitney drove herself to the event and was in a relaxed, happy mood. She arrived behind the wheel of a red Corvette and was dressed in all black with a cute blue beret.

Earlier this year, of course, poor Whit came in for some razzing after her “Nothing But Love” tour limped through Brisbane, Australia. The reviews and YouTube videos that followed described a strange performance where she could not hit high notes and appeared disoriented.

Here’s a blog we wrote during that unfortunate period with more details.

But, that’s all in the past now.

We hear Whitney was very pleasant and not a “diva” at all at the event last week. She had just one request for the hotel staffers: A cup of coffee.

Kelly Rowland thrills the crowd at the Buckhead W

And you know her ex seems to be making his …

Continue reading Star sighting: Whitney Houston, Kelly Rowland »

Prince Charles welcomed a group from Atlanta today

Well how is this for timing?

Mayor Kasim Reed and a delegation of several other Atlantans have hopped across the pond to meet with Prince Charles right as the official announcement comes out about Prince William’s engagement.

Here is a slideshow of photos from the meeting.

Reed and his cortege are touring Poundbury, Prince Charles’ master development project in the county of Dorset, we are told.

This is an update from the city:

“The Mayor is a sponsored guest of the British government. The City is not paying for his fare. After today, he is going to meetings with city and government officials regarding economic development and business investment opportunities.”

And here is a link to the City of Atlanta’s official press release, if you’d like to read it.

Prince Charles has an affinity for both planning and Atlanta.

“The prince has a longtime interest in architecture and urban planning,” noted the Atlanta International …

Continue reading Mayor Kasim Reed is meeting with Prince Charles today »

Leah Brinson, 16, of Dublin, has been at Children's Healthcare since July receiving chemo. On Friday she visited with supermodel Cindy Crawford.

Supermodel Cindy Crawford is in town  to greet fans at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Perimeter Rooms to Go store, which carries her home collection.

The address is 1201-A Hammond Dr. NE in Dunwoody, 770-804-0025. Here is the link. You can bring your camera if you like, and if you buy anything the store will donate a portion of proceeds to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

On Friday morning Crawford visited with patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

“I lost a brother,” said Crawford, whose brother, Jeff, died of leukemia when she was 10. “It changes you. How my mom helped us go through the grieving process was giving back. I’ve just continued that.”

Among the young people she met was Leah Brinson, 16, of Dublin. She has been at Egleston since July, receiving treatment for leukemia.

“I’ve made lots of friends here,” said …

Continue reading Meet Cindy Crawford on Saturday! »

Looking for a fun Friday evening outing? How about a 5:30 p.m. cocktail party followed by an evening of skits and improv? Full details above.

Continue reading Happy hour tonight at the Alliance »

Tony Conway in the bustling dining room of Table 1280

We stopped into Table 1280, the restaurant on the High Museum’s piazza, a couple of times this week. First, we dropped by for a glass of champagne before the Hertz Theatre’s holiday show. Then we returned for lunch. On both visits we immediately detected noticed something new.

Other people.

It’s been just about six weeks since Tony Conway’s A Legendary Event took over the operation of Table 1280. Former chef Tracey Bloom, whom you may have caught during her brief run on “Top Chef,” has moved on.

Here's one-third of the three-martini lunch on Gary Mennie's new menu: roasted African squash soup, along with Wellfleet Oyster Gratin, served with baby spinach, smoked bacon and star anise.

Gary Mennie, recently of Livingston at the Georgian Terrace, and the now-shuttered Taurus before that, is now running the kitchen.

The bar menu now features items you may recall from the selection of nibbles available on the Georgian Terrace …

Continue reading The new and improving Table 1280 »

The trailer’s out for this Owen Wilson bromance flick “Hall Pass,” about guys with wandering eyes who are granted temporary shore leaves by their wives.

It also stars Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate and Jason Sudeikis

The Farrelly Brothers movie filmed here in the Atlanta area earlier this year, so even in this brief clip you can spot some local spots. The production took over Cantina, in the Terminus building in Buckhead, and the venerable Johnny’s Hideaway, for some scenes. They also filmed over at The Shed at Glenwood restaurant.

While the production was here we kept getting reports of Wilson hanging out in the St. Regis wine bar; he was also spotted at Kyma. (His brother Luke Wilson has been spotted here recently too. We hear he’s working on a project called “Yellow.”)

Alright, back to “Hall Pass.” The movie comes out in February. Looks like an amusing diversion for the coldest time of the year.

Watch it here.

Continue reading Watch the “Hall Pass” trailer »

Rapper Akon, along with his brothers Bu Thiam andOmar Thiam will be at the Velvet Room nightclub at 3358 Chamblee Tucker Rd. this Friday night.

Doors open at 10 p.m., and Akon will be playing new tracks from his upcoming album, “Stadium,” which is due out early next year.

Admission is $20 and proceeds benefit the holiday plans of two charities, the Konfidence Foundation and Gidewon Foundation. Konfidence plans a turkey giveaway at Turner field, while Gidewon plans a toy giveaway.

For more information see velvetatl.com.

Continue reading Come party with Akon for charity »

"The Change-Up," the buddy flick that has been filming all over town, shot some scenes at Turner Field on Saturday. Here we see stars Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Wilde on top of the dugout. Photos from The Atlanta Braves

It was chilly on Saturday. As you can see Olivia is bundled up and seems to be wearing Ugg boots to ward off the chill. Smoltz looks great in his old uniform! Photos from The Atlanta Braves

A nice crowd showed up to serve as extras, and for each who came Universal Pictures made a $5 donation to The Atlanta Braves Foundation. Guess who showed up? Mr. Pants on the Ground! That's right, Gen. Larry Platt's second shot at 15 minutes are coming right up, courtesy of "The Change-Up." Former Braves pitcher John Smoltz plays himself in a cameo. Here he is with star Ryan Reynolds. Photos from The Atlanta Braves

“It’s always great to be back at Turner Field,” Smoltz told the 2,300 extras. “Today sort of reminds me of the 1989 and 1990 seasons. We had the same size crowd …

Continue reading “The Change-Up” films at Turner Field »

Jennifer Aniston, whose film “Wanderlust” has been filming in Atlanta, continues to enjoy her time here.

She and co-star Paul Rudd showed up Friday night at El Taco and were there for about an hour and a half.

The group, which included about 10 folks and Jen’s ever-present bodyguard, arrived around 9:30 p.m. and took a large table right in the middle of the room.

Jen tried her hand at the famed “Wheel of Taco,” which allows patrons a chance at free menu items. And wouldn’t you know she won!

We hear the scene at the Virginia Highland restaurant was very laid back and casual, with Jen chatting up other customers and seeming to enjoy herself.

If we get any photos we will post them.

Continue reading Another Jennifer Aniston sighting! »