It is freezing outside. If you are going to brave the elements you need a good reason, like making some famous new friends. Here’s a roundup of celebrity encounter opportunities, for those who have not shot their Christmas card photo yet:

Today, you can meet a couple of the Falcons. Chauncey Davis, a defensive end, will meet and greet at the Buckhead Verizon Store (3275 Peachtree Road NE,) from 11 to 1 p.m. Kicker Matt Bryant, shown in action at the right, will be at the Buford Drive Verizon Store, up in Mill Creek, (3260 Buford Drive, Buford,) from 6 to 8 p.m. Fans at each location have a chance to win tix to the Dec. 27 game.

At 6 p.m. tonight, comedian Steve Harvey signs his latest book, “Straight Talk,” at the Stonecrest Borders.

On Wednesday, meet Braves pitcher Tim Hudson at Phipps Plaza. He’ll be there from noon to 1 p.m. in the Monarch Court area, and if you make a donation to the Make-a-Wish Foundation he will sign an autograph for you.

Yum-O! Finally, Rachael Ray, …

Continue reading Looking for a brush with fame? »

Paul Luna: Ready for anything

“The Change Up,” the Jason Bateman-Ryan Reynolds flick that’s been filming all over town, is scheduled to do some shooting downtown this Sunday.

Well, not so fast.

The planned location, on Mitchell Street, is where colorful restaurant owner Paul Luna’s establishment, Lunacy Black Market, is located. He says the filming cost him a private party, because the guests didn’t want to deal with the inconvenience of the filming crew, and that the production company rebuffed his request to be compensated for his trouble.

“We were compensated with ‘The Walking Dead,’ ” Luna said, referring to the hit AMC series that filmed in Atlanta. “This company doesn’t want to do that.”

So Luna, never one to back down from a challenge, is striking back with some unique vigilante justice. From noon to 9 p.m. this Sunday, he said Black Market will give away free food and invites everyone to come on down.

“We’re not telling them to make noises, but if they want to bring …

Continue reading Paul Luna vs. “The Change Up” »

He's a good sport, that Smoltz

It’s Take a (Former) Brave to Work Day here at the AJC!

Pitching great John Smoltz paid us a visit while making the rounds to promote a partnership between SunTrust, MasterCard and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

After stopping by our new Perimeter digs he was off to deliver a huge haul of toys to the kids at the Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s.

Faith-based philanthropy has always been a huge focus for Smoltz, a North Fulton husband and father who was the guiding force behind Kings Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta and today coaches its girls’ basketball team.

Smoltz first visited children’s hospitals while on a 1988 Braves caravan around the state to engage fans, and said he still visits every chance he gets, all these years later.

He had a lot on his mind, including the time a rumor started that he was running for governor. "I thought it was joke! I thought I was getting punked!"

Since retiring, he has made the transition from player to …

Continue reading John Smoltz in the house! »

The lovely Selita Ebanks, a Victoria's Secret model, was spotted with Mechad Brooks at the Buckhead W's bar over the weekend. Ryan Reynolds happened to be there at the same time, with some friends.

Happy Monday everyone.

Here is the latest in our ongoing effort to track Ryan Reynolds’ every move (or at least every meal) while he is in Atlanta filming “The Change Up.”

He had brunch over the weekend at Parish, in the Old Fourth Ward area, with some producers from the film. The sexiest man alive ate a spinach-mushroom-cheese omelette with hashbrowns, which proves that hashbrowns and cheese are good for you.

Saturday night Reynolds and some friends got together for a low-key hangout at the bar at the W in Buckhead. Mr. Sexy just sipped some red wine, proving that red wine also is good for you.

Oh, also at the W in Buckhead over the weekend: “True Blood” cast member Mehcad Brooks was spotted enjoying cocktails with Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks. Totally does not suck to be …

Continue reading Star sightings! Ryan Reynolds, Mehcad Brooks, Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks »

Are you “Country Strong?”

Here’s your chance to prove it.

Sony Pictures, Country Music Television and Kicks 101.5 FM will host a country singing challenge in conjunction with the new Gwyneth Paltrow movie, from 8 to 11 p.m. tonight at Swallow at the Hollow in Roswell.

The address is 1072 Green St.

The winner receives a $500 prize and entry into a national contest to win a trip to Nashville, meet with a Sony music executive and appear on CMT.

Contestants must be 18 and will sing a one-minute, a cappella version of the song “Country Strong” or “Silver Wings.” You can find the clips at www.countrystrong.cmt.com.

Pre-register by e-mailing countrystrongcontest@gmail.com or calling 404-975-4200.

Continue reading “Country Strong” contest seeks songbirds »