Buckhead resident Carl and Sally Gable, authors of "Palladian Days, Finding a New Life in a Venetian Country Home," presented Cecilia and Allen Wright, co-chairs of the Arthritis Foundation’s Oct. 20 Crystal Ball, with a signed copy of their book about their restoration of Villa Cornaro, a 16th century masterpiece designed by Andrea Palladio, at an event for Crystal Ball supporters at the Wrights’ home. Photo credit: Jim Fitts

The annual Crystal Ball, benefiting the Georgia chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, is Oct. 20 at the Buckhead Ritz Carlton. But the partying has already started.

Supporters gathered recently at the home of event co-chairs Cecilia and Allen Wright and were treated to a program by Sally and Carl Gable, authors of “Palladian Days, Finding a New Life in a Venetian Country Home.” The ball’s theme this year: “Moonlight Over Venice.”

Guests included Barbara Joiner, Faye Donaldson, Shahnaz Nahai, Jan Bennett, Kate Allen, Cheryl Espy, Eileen Rosencrants, Donna …

Continue reading Charity events benefit Arthritis Foundation, Meals on Wheels »

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Usher spoke to the jubilant young participants of his New Look Foundation event Wednesday night at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus of Emory University, headquarters of this year’s World Leadership Conference.

“Passion and purpose is everything. It leads to success,” the R&B star told the crowd. “There’s a beginning and an end to everything. The end depends on how much you put into it.”

He was joined for a panel discussion, moderated by E! News correspondent David Burtka, by NFL player turned analyst Michael Strahan and Jonnie Penn and Dave Lingwood from MTV’s “The Buried Life.”

“It’s a privilege for us to sit here. We’re not that far removed from you,” said Strahan, who said establishing a post-football career path was key to his success. “Football was never my one thing I could do. You have to fight against people’s perceptions about being good at one thing.”

He remained animated during the event, saying, “I’m borderline crazy. I say stuff, but I …

Continue reading Usher: Passion and purpose is everything »

Metro Atlanta native Kelly Smith Beaty, herself a former reality show personality, has gone viral with a sharply worded essay skewering how reality shows set in Atlanta portray African Americans.

The piece, titled “Will the Real Black People of Atlanta Please Stand Up?,” has claimed prime real estate on the Huffington Post site. It’s been “liked” more than 4,000 times on Facebook and generated hundreds of comments on Twitter and under the post itself.

An excerpt:

“How is it that a city which was once the crowning jewel in the story of black America has allowed itself to be positioned as the melting pot of black affliction? The Atlanta that I knew and grew up in was one of great pride and self-respect. Our achievements were known across the globe, as people from far and wide would often respond, ‘Wow, I hear that black people are really doing their thing down there,’ when I would tell them I’m from Atlanta. Today that assertion is often met with, ‘Yoooo….I hear Atlanta’s got …

Continue reading Essay blasting reality shows’ portrayal of black Atlantans goes viral »

“ID Theft,” the comedy starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, is filming downtown today and tomorrow. Here’s an email someone forwarded me from property management to affected merchants in the area:

“Please be advised that filming for the Universal Pictures feature film Identity Theft will occur on Thursday, June 21st and Friday, June 22nd on Peachtree Center Avenue.

· Universal will be filming various driving scenes around downtown Atlanta from 9:00am until 11:00pm on both days.

· Universal will be shooting driving scenes on Peachtree Center Avenue between Baker Street and Ralph McGill Blvd. from approximately 11:00am until 4:00pm on both days.

· Universal has obtained a lane closure permit for the curb lane on the east side of Peachtree Center Avenue between Baker Street and Peachtree Street for both dates.

· SunTrust Plaza, the Garden Offices and the Garage will be accessible to tenants and visitors during this time, but it is …

Continue reading Traffic alert: “ID Theft” filming in downtown Atlanta »

Photo credit: Carolyn Kaster/AP

Reese Witherspoon is in Atlanta to film a movie called “Devil’s Knot,” about the bizarre “West Memphis Three” case.

She and director Atom Egoyan dined at The Palm in Buckhead Tuesday night. She was spotted the next day at Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker.

“Devil’s Knot” also stars Colin Firth, and Variety reports that Seth Meriwether, a 17-year-old from Montgomery, Ala. has just been cast as one of the defendants. Meriwether also filmed a role in “Trouble With the Curve,” the baseball-themed movie starring Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams that filmed in metro Atlanta and beyond earlier this year. We’re sure to be hearing more about him in the future.

Work on “Devil’s Knot” begins soon, and we hear it’ll be filming in Stone Mountain and Cartersville. More details as they’re available.

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

Continue reading Reese Witherspoon spotted in Atlanta »

Photo credit: Evan Agostini/AP

“Modern Family” star Sofia Vergara has reached out to Aimee Copeland as the young woman recovers from an accident that nearly killed her.

“Aimee, hi! This is Sofia Vergara. I’m here in New York and we’re all thinking about you,” Vergara said in a video recorded as a message of support for Copeland. “We always have you in our minds. We are all so relieved that you’re such a strong person.”

Vergara, who was in Atlanta last year filming a role as a sexy temptress in the “Three Stooges” remake that was released earlier this year, goes on to say she hopes they can meet one day “and give you a hug.”

Several other personalities are featured on the video, all with well wishes for Copeland. Also featured were members of the band Hoobastank and cast members from “Hart of Dixie” and “The Young and the Restless.”

The video, posted on the ABC News site,  is part of a campaign by a lollipop company called Sukitz, which is donating to Copeland’s recovery …

Continue reading “Modern Family” star records message of support for Aimee Copeland »

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Comic Adam Carolla tells the New York Post that women aren’t funny.

Actually, the former co-host of a program called “The Man Show” featuring “girls jumping on trampolines” at the end of each episode, said, “dudes are funnier than chicks.”

Asked to elaborate, he said said some women are funny but most aren’t. He then illustrated his point with some racial-religious commentary: “When you’re picking a basketball team, you’ll take the brother over the guy with the yarmulke.”

Was that supposed to be funny?

Carolla did allow that some ladies can be funny. He cited Tina Fey and Sarah Silverman, the former girlfriend of his former “Man Show” co-host Jimmy Kimmel, as evidence that females can be humorous. He also saluted Kathy Griffin, who filled Atlanta’s Fox Theatre last week. (Carolla performed last fall at the Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta).

But he slammed several female entertainers, too. “If Joy Behar or Sherri Shepherd was a dude, they’d be off TV. They’re not funny …

Continue reading Adam Carolla: Women are not funny »

Continue reading Video: Discussing Kim Kardashian, Jason Bateman and Jimmy Carter »

Rise up, gather round, knock this photographer to the ground.

Alec Baldwin, now starring as a rock club proprietor in the silly musical “Rock of Ages,” mixed it up with a New York Daily News photographer Tuesday morning.

The paper’s web site reported the tussle thusly:

“An enraged Alec Baldwin punched a Daily News photographer in the chin Tuesday morning for snapping his picture outside the city Marriage License Bureau. The volatile ‘30 Rock’ star popped lensman Marcus Santos once in the face outside the Worth St. office after apparently obtaining a license to wed fiancee Hilaria Thomas.”

Here is a link to The New York Daily News’ article.

The New York Post reports Baldwin later strolled down the sidewalk wearing a sheet, presumably so no one could take his picture. Here’s a link to that story.

There was more than one camera on the scene during the Baldwinian scuffle, so another photographer photographed the photographer. The actor then took to Twitter.

“A ‘photographer’ …

Continue reading Sock of Ages: Alec Baldwin tussles with photographer »

A photo of the happy couple and wedding party was posted on Instagram.

Bobby Brown married Alicia Etheredge not long after performing in a New Edition concert in Honolulu, People reports.

The ex-husband of the late Whitney Houston, Brown had been in the news following the singer’s death at age 48, first for getting tossed from her memorial service, then for getting a DUI. Maybe things are on the upswing for him now.

Brown’s and Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, skipped the wedding.

Here’s a link to People’s article, in case you’d like to read more about it.

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

Continue reading Bobby Brown marries in Hawaii »