Truett Cathy and his wife, Jeannette, are surrounded by their family as celebratory streamers fill the air at Mr. Cathy's 90th birthday celebration. All photos courtesy of Chick-fil-A/Stanley Leary and Ashton Staniszewski.

Happy birthday Truett Cathy!

The Chick-fil-A founder, whose entrepreneurial journey began at age 8 with a front-yard Coca-Cola stand, continued with a paper route delivering the Atlanta Journal in the housing project where he grew up and has blossomed over decades of restaurant success into a No. 692 ranking on the most recent Forbes billionaire list, turns 90 today.

A black-tie gala celebrating his business acumen, philanthropic leadership and strong faith packed the Woodruff Arts Center Thursday night.

“I consider each one of you my friend, especially those of you who eat at Chick-fil-A!” Cathy said on the stage of Atlanta Symphony Hall, joined by his wife, Jeannette and family. “I’d like to invite you to my 100th birthday, which is coming up 10 …

Continue reading Jeff Foxworthy, Andrew Young, George W. Bush salute Truett Cathy, who turns 90 today »

Usher and his ex-wife in a Sept. 25, 2007 file photo by John Smock, STR

It’s not bad enough that someone stole Usher’s laptop in 2009. Now it looks as if the bandits might be looking to further capitalize on their crime by offering an intimate home video of the R&B star.

TMZ reports that some low-minded entrepreneur has been peddling the amorous independent film around Hollywood. The celebrity Web site has this on good authority – someone actually tried to get TMZ itself to purchase it.

“The video and photos are clear – it’s Usher and Tameka,” writes TMZ, referring to the singer’s ex-wife and mother of his two children.

Neither Usher nor his ex-wife commented for the story although Team Usher apparently made it known that they believe it stems from the 2009 burglary, during which someone broke into Usher’s SUV and stole jewelry, furs, camera and computer equipment.

Usher’s 2007 GMC Yukon was hit just before Christmas in 2009 while he and his bodyguard were inside the AT&T …

Continue reading Someone’s peddling an Usher sex tape »

Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah will be filming for their movie “Joyful Noise” at the Frederick Brown Amphitheatre in Peachtree City on Monday.

They need lots of folks to fill out the scene. If you’re interested e-mail joyfulaudience@gmail.com.

The scene also will feature performer Kirk Franklin and others. If you go they’ll be doing giveaways of prizes like gift cards, T-shirts, travel getaways and more. They’ll also provide refreshments. The flip side is you need to be there at 7 a.m. and plan to stay all day – six to eight hours.

Again, e-mail if you’re interested. Parking is at a separate location so they need to hear from you ahead of time.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading Another “Joyful Noise” performance scene seeks extras »

Reality television personality and author Bethenny Frankel and her husband Jason Hoppy had dinner at at South City Kitchen Midtown Thursday night, thanks to the power of Twitter.

She is in town for tonight’s appearance at the Cobb Energy Performance Arts Centre, and tweeted ahead of time asking for restaurant recommendations in Atlanta.

After numerous folks responded suggesting South City Kitchen – a favorite of visiting celebrities including former first lady Laura Bush, Conan O’Brien, Jennifer Hudson, Charles Barkley, Debbie Allen, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck – South City’s industrious twitter team (@FifthGrouper) swooped into action and ended up welcoming her for dinner.

Bethenny and Jason enjoyed the wild mushroom rusk and added pork belly,  scallops and bacon, pork shank and vegetable plates. Guests at a a nearby table recognized her and sent over dessert. How’s that for Southern hospitality?

Afterward, Bethenny tweeted, “South City Kitchen in ATL is delicious!!! A …

Continue reading Star sighting! Bethenny Frankel and husband enjoy South City Kitchen »

Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy is a fun-loving guy who acts more like a kid than a 90-year-old. His son Dan Cathy, shown here with his dad in a 2008 AJC file photo, said it's been hard keeping details of tonight's birthday bash secret. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Christian artist Michael W. Smith and American Idol alum turned Broadway star Diana DeGarmo all will be on hand tonight for Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy’s 90th birthday bash.

Developer Tom Cousins and former Mayor Andrew Young are chairing the event.

The host committee includes Mayor Kasim Reed, Home Depot CEO Frank Blake and Home Depot founders, Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Georgia Aquarium founder Bernie Marcus, business mogul Herman Russell, former Kennesaw State University president Betty Siegel and numerous other prominent persons.

The Cathy family has struggled to keep details secret from their patriarch, said his son, Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy. “He kind of pulls my chain on this …

Continue reading Jeff Foxworthy, Diana DeGarmo, Michael W. Smith to appear at Chick-fil-A founder’s fete »

Atlanta Hawk Zaza Pachulia enjoys Davio's in his downtime. AJC staff photo by Hyosub Shin, hshin@ajc.com

Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri each dined Monday night at Coast Restaurant and Raw Bar in Buckhead. Seated with separate groups of friends, both guys dug into the all-you-can-eat crab legs special.

Gucci Mane may have an ice cream cone tattooed on his face, but he eats his veggies. Spotted with a date at the downtown Morton’s Saturday night, the rapper enjoyed filet mignon and sea bass with garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach.

Athletes love Davio’s in Phipps Plaza. Hawks player Zaza Pachulia is the one who most recently showed up, for lunch Saturday.

And it sounds like Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, who are here with their two girls while she films “The Odd Life of Timothy Green, ” are also here with a four-legged family member. They’ve been spotted recently at the Buckhead PetSmart.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading Star sightings! Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner »

ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” is taping a big scene today in McDonough.

They’re not too particular about who attends.

“ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SHOW UP,” reads an announcement from the crew working on this. “Your guests / friends too.”

If you and your crew want in, you do need to pay attention to what you wear. Don’t wear all-black, all-white or anything with logos. Think “nice casual,” and dress for the weather.

You’ll also have to sign an agreement to appear on camera. We’re guessing it’ll be a release saying yes, ABC can use your likeness on camera and no, you won’t expect to be paid for it. We’re guessing you’ll be asked to leave your cameras and cell phones in the car.

This is happening from 1:30 to 5 p.m. today at Southern Belle Farms, 1658 Turner Church Road.

The scene is the “big reveal” where everyone cheers for the person who has been through the “Extreme Makeover” process. We don’t know who that is, but we’re sure someone will let us know. After all it looks like there …

Continue reading Big “Extreme Makeover” scene filming today in McDonough »

The new Disney movie "Mars Needs Moms" held a private screening over the weekend for some of Atlanta's famous moms. Kandi Burruss and daughter Riley enjoyed the flick! Photos by James Pray

Boutique owner Tameka Raymond and her boys enjoyed the movie, too! It opens Friday. Photos by James Pray

Mars needs dads, too! Hip hop artist Roscoe Dash and his daughter attended the screening, at the Regal Atlantic Station theater. Photos by James Pray

"Meet the Browns" actress Terri J. Vaughn, husband Karon Riley and their sons all turned out for the weekend screening of "Mars Needs Moms" at the Regal Atlantic Station theater. Who's going to see it this Friday? Photos by James Pray

Continue reading “Housewife” Kandi Burruss, other celebs take kids to “Mars Needs Moms” screening »

AP photo

It didn’t take long for savvy merchants to rush out an array of Charlie Sheen-themed offerings.

“Need to dull the pain of the train-wreck you can’t look away from? 1800 Tequila has created the ‘Tiger’s Blood’ shooter in Sheen’s ‘honor,’ ” a news release from the beverage label helpfully notes. Here’s the recipe: Mix 2 oz. 1800 Select Silver Tequila (100 proof version), 2 oz. tomato juice, a splash of lime juice, 2 dashes of hot sauce, 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of celery salt and a pinch of black pepper. Rim shot glasses with salt, crushed black pepper and crushed red pepper. Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into shot glasses. Scream “WINNING!” and slam.

Ok, we added that last part.

Similarly eager to cash in on the meltdown is a sushi restaurant in Scottsdale, Ariz., which has added the “Winning” Charlie Sheen roll to the menu.

“We wanted to do something special to honor Sheen,” said Greg Donnally, co-owner of Geisha A Go …

Continue reading Winning! Charlie Sheen products rushed to market »

This magnificent home in Newnan will be the site of movie filming over the next three weeks.

“The Odd Life of Timothy Green” which is the Disney movie that has been filming all around Atlanta and beyond is doing some shooting in Monroe, and also in Newnan.

The Newnan filming is going to take place at the magnificent home of Suzanne and Alex Trammell. They have been there for 10 years, and purchased it from an owner who did extensive restoration work.

The home, a former bed and breakfast, is going to be cast as a museum for the movie, and will be a most exquisite site for filming. The four-bedroom, five-bath beauty sits on nearly 5 acres and boasts 13 fireplaces, a carriage house and a pool.

It can be yours after Disney is done with it! It’s on the market right now. Here is the link for full details.

By the way here is a video about all the celebs in town right now:

Continue reading Another metro Atlanta home opens up to Hollywood »