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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 27
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Panda cub learns how to play hostess
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cribbing a page from the successful playbooks of the Georgia Aquarium and the High Museum of Art, Zoo Atlanta will soon begin offering online ticketed reservations for its new star, Mei Lan, the baby panda.
Zoo fans will have an opportunity to “make an appointment to see Mei Lan,” zoo spokeswoman Susan Elliott told Buzz on Thursday night during a cocktail party for the feted furball.
Alas, the start of the program won’t coincide with warmer temperatures but will rely instead on Mei Lan’s growth.
“Once she feels more comfortable being outside for longer periods of time, we’ll begin to offer the online time-ticketing as an option,” Elliott said. “It could be as early as the next few weeks. We’ll just have to see.”
And while she wasn’t exactly old enough to drink, little Mei Lan did toddle out briefly Thursday night to say hello to her guests before bedtime. About 250 well-wishers turned out for the “Shout for Joy!” gathering.
Chinese lanterns and a generous supply of portable heaters helped to guide chilled guests to the panda habitat and the large heated tent erected for the occasion.
The evening served as a thank-you for the many corporate folks and civic leaders who helped to originally bring the pandas to Atlanta. Honorary chairs included three men who were all instrumental in the international exchange program: former President Jimmy Carter, former U.N. Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
During his brief remarks, Carter (who attended with his 7-year-old grandson, Hugo) informed the crowd that negotiations to bring two giant pandas to Atlanta date back more than 20 years.
Smiling, Carter cracked: “There was an extraordinary amount of money involved. … But we have realized the ultimate dream.” In exchange for his efforts, Carter and Hugo had a few private moments to gaze at Mei Lan through the glass.
“Hugo was delighted,” Carter said. “He’s even missing ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ to come out and see Mei Lan tonight.”
Mayor responds to NYT story
As promised, a statement from Clarkston Mayor Lee Swaney made its way to Buzz Central on Friday. Five days after a prominent New York Times story on the Fugees, a refugee youth soccer team, and its ongoing challenges to playing ball in Clarkston, Swaney is challenging several of the story’s charges. (Clarkston was largely depicted in the article as a good old boy Southern town averse to diversity.)
This week, the movie rights to the story were acquired by Universal Pictures.
Via the statement, Swaney said: “There is a misconception that the Fugees team and soccer in general is banned in the city of Clarkston parks. Please be assured that this is not the case and the Fugees have been practicing on Armstead Field since October 2006. The New York Times reporter repeatedly confuses Milam Park Field — which is dedicated to Little League baseball and unsuitable for soccer — with Armstead Field, which is where the Fugees continue to play. The only limitations we have ever placed on either Armstead Field or Milam Park Field are to restrict the usage to children only.
“We are deeply disappointed in the tone of [reporter Warren] St. John’s article. The report is factually inaccurate and several statements are taken out of context — apparently to present a more dramatic story and arrive at his own conclusions.
“We are very proud of the Fugees’ success, which is a positive outcome from Clarkston being among the most culturally diverse cities in Georgia. The Fugees represent the best of what the human spirit can accomplish by overcoming oppressive conditions in their native countries and coming together in their new community to achieve success through the power of sports and teamwork.”
An e-mail sent to St. John from Buzz seeking comment did not immediately garner a response.
Sick bay
Blues legend B.B. King remained hospitalized for a low-grade fever Friday in Galveston, Texas, following the flu but was in good condition, his management agency said.
The 81-year-old guitarist and singer was expected to be discharged today, a hospital spokesman said. His agency said he plans to perform Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas.
“He’s doing great,” said Tina France, vice president of Lieberman Management of New York. “He’s in good spirits and cracking jokes.”
King had been scheduled to perform Thursday at the Grand Opera House but was admitted to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, said Paul McCarthy, a nurse administrator.
King, who has a history of diabetes, was taking antibiotics for a 100-degree fever, France said.
Stork report
It’s a girl!
CNN chief medical correspondent-neurosurgeon-professor Dr. Sanjay Gupta and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed their second child Thursday. Sky Anjali Gupta weighed in at 6 pounds, 9 ounces.
Celebrity birthdays
Saturday: Actor James Cromwell (“24,” “Babe”) is 67. Actress Bridget Fonda is 43. Actor Alan Cumming (“Spy Kids”) is 42. Country singer Tracy Lawrence is 39. Rapper Tricky is 39.
Sunday: Actor Alan Alda is 71. Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is 39. Rapper Rakim is 39. Actor Elijah Wood (“The Lord of the Rings”) is 26.
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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