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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > May > 19
Friday, May 19, 2006
Elton’s glam jacket will raise cash for kids
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peachtree Road resident Elton John didn’t neglect his American hometown prior to purging his wardrobe last month at his massive Elton’s Closet fund-raiser in New York.
Before the event, which ended up raising more than $700,000 for his Elton John AIDS Foundation, the singer allowed local UNICEF fund-raisers to select an article of clothing to auction off at this weekend’s “Designs of Hope” gala at the InterContinental Buckhead hotel.
The Versace cotton twill orange blazer with silk barocco lining was custom-made for the pop star. The jacket comes with a Versace leopard button-down shirt with silver buttons. Organizers are also throwing in Sir Elton’s personal seats to the “Red Piano” concert at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and two first-class Delta Air Lines tickets. (One fashion note: Buzz advises that the winning bidder reconsider actually wearing the frock to the performance, as the part-time Atlantan prefers being the sparkliest-dressed individual in the Caesars Colosseum.)
At Sunday night’s dinner, the jacket will serve as the centerpiece of the live auction to raise funds for UNICEF’s programs that provide care and support for children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
On today’s 6 p.m. newscast, we’re told that WXIA’s chief meteorologist Paul Ossmann will attempt to squeeze into the jacket to give viewers and potential bidders a sneak peek.
For tickets to the gala, call 404-881-2700.
Crafty like a Cox
Bless her heart, gubernatorial candidate Cathy Cox dutifully lined up next to Sonny Perdue and Mark Taylor in fine red-state solidarity against gay marriage Wednesday after a Fulton County judge struck down that hilariously flawed (not to mention redundant) constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in Georgia. But on Saturday night, Cox wasn’t above trolling for votes at the 19th annual Human Rights Campaign Dinner at the Marriott Marquis downtown. The HRC, mind you, is the nation’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.
Cox’s name was among those announced from the dinner’s dais off the list of influential politicos in attendance. Cox campaign spokesman Peter Jackson told us that a scheduling conflict prevented the candidate from attending. Thankfully, there was a lovely letter signed by Cox in the dinner program, where she extended “warm greetings” to attendees and commended the HRC for “its tireless dedication to social and civic outreach” and wished the organization “best wishes for a productive and successful” event.
Buzz, meanwhile, was politely informed that HRC Atlanta dinner organizers would not be commenting on Cox’s same-sex marriage stance. Presumably, they’re still too busy counting the wheelbarrows of money raised last weekend.
Overscene
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and entourage, including NFL Hall of Famer Fran Tarkington and Georgia politico Art Morris, enjoying cigars and Scotch on Wednesday night at the Club at Chops in Buckhead. We’re told that Giuliani was in town to coax some greenbacks from local pockets for the state GOP campaign coffers. As the former mayor’s security detail looked on, Giuliani happily posed for pictures with club general manager Jim Monteleone and the cocktail serving staff in the facility’s room-size humidor.
Dining for Dimes
If you’re susceptible to power dining for a good cause, you’ll want to pop into one of Atlanta’s A-list restaurants tonight for the 22nd annual March of Dimes Dining Out fund-raiser. While there’s a special “Stepping Out: An Entertainment Experience” event at Atlantic Station’s Twelve hotel (tickets range from $75 per person to $1,250 for a table of 10), dozens of the city’s busiest restaurants like Atlanta Fish Market, BED, Dantanna’s, Fogo de Chao, Park 75, Rathbun’s, Taurus, the Capital Grille, the Oceanaire, Two Urban Licks, Woodfire Grill and many others will also be supporting the cause (for a complete list, go to www.marchofdimes.com
/georgia). Brian Ziegler, the March of Dimes state director, credits this year’s re-imagining of the event to its energetic 2006 trio of chairs: Angela Karatassos, the wife of Kyma executive chef Pano Karatassos Jr., honorary chair Sean McGinnis, the publisher of Atlanta magazine, and honorary chef Doug Turbush, who doubles as Bluepointe’s executive chef. For tickets: 404-350-9800, Ext. 203.
A lyrical response
As sample lyrics for the upcoming Woodruff Park theme song continue to arrive at Buzz Central, we’re opting to share some of the reader-created lines here.
As you’ll recall, the downtown park recently was reintroduced with less litter, patio tables and chairs for lunchtime dining and free Wi-Fi.
“It’s Buckhead!” songstress Melanie Massell has graciously offered to help craft a song celebrating the park. All this week, we’ll be running excerpts from the submissions we’re receiving. Think you can do better? Send your lyrical ideas along to buzz@ajc.com. Here’s the first sampling of the submissions:
“In the afternoons I drift / ‘Cause something seems to shift / To whatever’s goin’ on in Woodruff Park / Expand my mind on chess / Or maybe get a little rest / Something always sounds so good ‘bout Woodruff Park.”
Celebrity birthdays
PBS newscaster Jim Lehrer is 72. TV personality David Hartman is 71. Musician Pete Townshend is 61. Singer-bassist Dusty Hill of ZZ Top is 57. Singer-actress-model Grace Jones is 54. Actor Steven Ford is 50.
Contributing: news services. If you have a tip, 404-526-2749. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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