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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 01
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Norville joins Jezebel’s luxe 10-year bash
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Seeking to distinguish itself from newer slick publications cramming the newsstands that also feature rich and famous Atlantans, Jezebel magazine is throwing itself a lavish 10th anniversary party Nov. 16 at Park Tavern in Midtown.
Jezebel editor-in-chief Beth Weitzman tells Buzz that “Inside Edition” anchor Deborah Norville will serve as the cover model for the luxe lifestyle mag’s November “50 Most Beautiful Atlantans” issue — and the Dalton native will fly to her old home state to co-host the party as well.
“Not only does Deborah look gorgeous on the cover, I think she’s really happy that ‘Inside Edition’ is now finally on at a decent time in her hometown [7:30 weeknights on WGCL],” Weitzman told us this week. She also spilled that she’s booked Stockbridge rockers Collective Soul as the party’s performers.
Other potential Jezebel “Beautiful Atlantans” attendees at the red-carpeted event: tennis pro Robby Ginepri; fund-raiser and Buckhead Life Restaurant Group owner Pano Karatassos’ daughter-in-law Angela, and golfer Franklin Langham.
The issue arrives in stores next week.
“We just now got the magazine, and my assistant was there for the photo shoot, and even she doesn’t believe that’s really me!” Norville said Wednesday from New York about the glamour shots. Norville says she’ll also shoot “Inside Edition” from Atlanta on Nov. 16.
General admission tickets are $35, and VIP tickets are $125. Call: 404-995-5583 or go to jezebelmagazine.com.
Alas, Weitzman refused to provide a reasonable explanation as to why we were once again overlooked this year or confirm receipt of our application for the mag’s much devoured “Most Eligible Bachelors” issue…
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s not a funeral, baby, it’s a party. Fuzzy wasn’t a real religious guy. I’ll probably sing ‘One Monkey (Don’t Stop No Show)’ ‘cause that was Fuzzy’s favorite song of mine. Under the circumstances, it’s ironic.” —Atlanta vocalist and Fuzzy’s Place performer Francine Reed (above) on Wednesday’s daylong celebration of late owner Michael “Fuzzy” Cawthon’s life at his North Druid Hills Road watering hole.
Fall arrives at InterContinental
Prior to its public debut Wednesday, incoming chef Jerome Grilhot allowed us media types to sample selections from his new fall-winter menu at Au Pied de Cochon in Buckhead’s InterContinental hotel. Among those supping on the six-course feast: Dave FM’s Holly Firfer, Q100’s Jessica Dauler, V103’s Ryan Cameron and a spectacular-looking WXIA anchor Karyn Greer. When we asked the normally party-shy Greer where she’s been hiding herself, she cracked, “It’s called having an 11- and an 8-year-old.” Grilhot saved the best for last — a small plate of braised beef short ribs tucked inside handmade cannelloni with tomato confit and shaved Parmesan.
Overscene
Basketball Hall of Famer and former Atlanta Hawks star Dominique Wilkins decorating sugar-free Halloween cookies with small fry at Prime restaurant at Lenox Square in Buckhead. Wilkins, a type-2 diabetic, has signed on to be the national spokesman for Eat Well Be Well, to encourage kids to eat a healthful diet to prevent diabetes and obesity.
Uncoupling update
The corpse of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s marriage hadn’t yet achieved room temperature Wednesday when the gossip mags slipped on the brass knuckles. Us Weekly will breathlessly report in its Friday issue that Phillippe’s wandering eye has been an issue in the marriage.
On the Texas set of his upcoming film, “Stop Loss,” the 32-year-old “Crash” actor reportedly got extremely chummy with Australian co-star Abbie Cornish, 24.
Texas resident Lauren Scott, who swears she saw the two canoodling at a sushi eatery, tells Us Weekly: “I was pretty shocked that he would blatantly cheat on Reese in public.”
Celebrity birthdays
Singer Jay Black of Jay and the Americans is 68. Actress Stefanie Powers is 64. Keyboardist Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer is 62. Singer K.D. Lang is 45. Actor David Schwimmer (“Friends”) is 40. Rapper Nelly is 32.
Contributing: news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Spanx founder says yes to marriage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spanx hosiery founder Sara Blakely was in South Africa this week to surprise 278 young women with the first $305,000 scholarship check from the Sara Blakely Foundation. But Blakely’s boyfriend, Lawton Ursrey, and her pal Virgin chairman Richard Branson had an even bigger surprise waiting for the Atlanta businesswoman and philanthropist.
During a sunset champagne picnic atop an ages-old rock at Branson’s game reserve, the 27-year-old Atlanta Home Wireless founder popped the question.
Branson helped Ursrey select the engagement spot, reportedly situated on one of the most sacred parts of the reserve.
“It was so magical and I was completely surprised,” Blakely told us via e-mail Tuesday. “Lawton is always so romantic, I didn’t have a clue he was about to propose until I saw the ring. I’m so happy, I’m beside myself!”
After Blakely, 35, accepted Ursrey’s proposal, Branson had a lavish dinner awaiting the couple back at his resort.
Blakely was in Johannesburg to hand-deliver the money for the first scholarships that her brand-new Atlanta-based charitable foundation for women’s education and empowerment.
Interestingly, Ursrey was just featured in August’s “20 Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes” issue of Jezebel magazine. In the mag, Ursrey said his ideal mate is “someone who is challenging on all levels, compassionate and has personality, personality, personality!” The magazine featured Blakely in its singles issue in 2002, where she stated, “The most important feature I look for in a mate is his ability to laugh at himself.”
Oh, and pssst: Blakely indicated that we should all hit the Club Wedd machine at Target sooner rather than later.
Spilled Blakely: “We don’t want a long engagement.”
ON MY iPOD
Food Network goddess Paula Deen and hubby Michael Groover: “Classic rock like the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, the Beatles and a lot of Johnny Cash,” Groover says. “Before she met me, Paula was listening to the Platters.” Added Deen: “And poor Johnny Cash had to die before I could appreciate him.”
Shoppers can add to shelter’s fund
Atlantan Kristy O’Connor and her Grayson sister Kasey Osborne were in “The Oprah Winfrey Show” audience last week when the talk show queen handed out those $1,000 debit cards with the instructions to “Pay it back” to people in need. Starting today, O’Connor and Osborne’s initial $2,000 donation to My Sister’s House, an Atlanta women’s and children’s shelter, is snowballing at every Kroger check-out in the metro area.
Upon hearing O’Connor talk about her plans for the donation on Q100 Tuesday, the grocery chain graciously agreed to ask customers if they’d like to “round up” their totals today through Friday. In addition to donating their change, Kroger shoppers have the option to donate whatever amount they wish to the effort.
A film crew will be recording the sisters’ progress this week for the obligatory (and no doubt life-affirming) November sweeps follow-up show.
If hall of fame calls, drummer Berry’s in
After seeing the photos we ran in Tuesday’s column, R.E.M. manager Bertis Downs rang Buzz Central with an additional scoop. If the Athens-birthed band does, in fact, transition from 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees to inductees next year, the band’s original drummer Bill Berry will be with his former bandmates. (We ran photos of the band’s current lineup: Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills; Berry retired from the act in 1997.) Said Downs: “Just like the band’s induction this year into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Bill would certainly be a part of the celebration if R.E.M. were to make it into the Rock Hall of Fame.” The finalists will be announced in January.
Overscene
Ex-“Desperate Housewives” actress Alfre Woodarddrinking the Palm’s general manager Willy Cellucci under the table at the Buckhead eatery. Woodard was banging back cosmopolitans and calamari while Cellucci tried to keep up with vodka martinis. Sighed Cellucci on Tuesday: “She buried me!”
Celebrity birthdays
Country singer Bill Anderson is 69. Hustler publisher Larry Flynt is 64. Singer Lyle Lovett is 49. Singer Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers is 44. Drummer Rick Allen of Def Leppard is 43. Country singer Big Kenny of Big and Rich is 43. Actress Toni Collette (“The Hours,” “Muriel’s Wedding”) is 34. Actress Jenny McCarthy is 34. “American Idol” runner-up Bo Bice is 31.
Contributing: news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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