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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 18 > Entry
Birthday bash pulls in some good numbers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No one can accuse former CNN personality and author Carolyn O’Neil of being less than upfront about her age. For her birthday party Monday night in Buckhead, the Atlanta registered dietitian even coordinated an eatery to go with her new age.
To celebrate, Clifford Pleau, the culinary director of Seasons 52, flew in from Orlando to whip up a 12-course tasting menu of, yes, light and nutritious fare for 14 of O’Neil’s family and friends. Included in the group: two of O’Neil’s “special best friends who’ve known me and wined and dined with me for over 15 years”: Rhonda Rowland, former CNN senior medical correspondent and the birthday gal’s ex-CNN officemate, and Gina Christman, publisher of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine.
After nibbling their way through tastes of grilled shrimp with corn and tomatoes, seared tuna, cedar- planked salmon and lamb chops, flights of mini desserts arrived, glowing with birthday candles.
Not believing that O’Neil could actually be 52, the restaurant staff had lovingly placed number “32” stickers over the eatery’s wine glasses normally etched with “52” on each.
“I have friends who tell me, ‘Stop telling everybody your age!’ ” O’Neil told Buzz Tuesday, laughing. “Hey, as long as people are still asking to see my ID, I’m probably safe.”
Perhaps not coincidentally, O’Neil’s next book is titled “You’ve Got to Look Good to Lie About Your Age: Mother Nature’s Plan to Fool Father Time.” It’s due out next year.
OUR ATL ‘INVENTOR’
To promote tonight’s edition of “American Inventor” at 9 on ABC, Atlanta businesswoman and “Inventor” judge Sara Blakely gave an enlightening interview to TV Guide. When asked by reporter Joseph Hudak about the most ridiculous idea she’s seen thus far on the reality series, the Spanx footless support pantyhose founder said: “The guy that invented the wheel and wouldn’t believe us that the wheel’s been around for a while. He had to be escorted out.” And was Blakely unsettled being in such close proximity to someone so unhinged? Cracked Blakely: “I was sitting next to George Foreman, so, no, I was never nervous!”
SALA SOLD
After a dramatic loss of new chef Jeff Smedstad, Fifth Group (Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, South City Kitchen, the Food Studio) announced this week that it has sold Sala, the authentic Mexican restaurant it has owned and operated in Virginia-Highland for the past five years. The buyer is John Polasky of Twelve Grapes, LLC, who also recently purchased Vine, located in the same shopping complex. “It’s bittersweet to let go of Sala,” said Robby Kukler, owner of Fifth Group. Kukler explained by phone that the staff at Sala would remain intact as part of the deal. Smedstad, who owned the acclaimed Los Sombreros in Scottsdale, Ariz., for 13 years, returned abruptly to the Southwest after only a few short months as Sala’s head honcho (and a huge marketing blitz rolled out by Fifth Group, including a giant billboard of the bandanna-ed chef above the restaurant). Polasky, who said by phone he has “no changes planned” for Sala, promises us that includes the margarita recipe. …
PARTY AT TED’S PAD
The invitations for next month’s downtown cocktail party officially bill it as “A Reception Honoring an American Hero.”
But shhh, it’s really a fund-raiser for Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.). Unlike a lot of those usual hotel ballroom rubber chicken affairs, however, this political fund-raiser is being held at the “Turner Family Building Penthouse” on Luckie Street.
The top-floor residential space also serves as CNN founder Ted Turner’s bachelor pad when he’s in town. But instead of having to resort to our standard method (it involves binoculars and the roof of the Glenn Hotel across the way), monied supporters of Lewis can get an up-close look inside the penthouse (and if you’re talented, Ted’s famed sock drawer) for just a mere $1,000 each on Aug. 22.
ON MY iPOD & TiVo
Kelly Johnson, Atlanta Braves second baseman.
The 25-year-old Austin, Texas, native tells us he’s got HBO’s “Entourage” on his TiVo Season Pass. Among the 4,500 downloaded songs on his iPod? Tracks by Guns N’ Roses and “Shimmer” by Fuel.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Star Jones Reynolds makes dinner for her husband every night. She’s the wife. I’m the working woman.”
— The former “View” panelist, speaking in the third person to AP Radio News on why her upcoming Court TV show is to be called simply “Star Jones” when it debuts Aug. 20. The former prosecutor famously married Al Reynolds and began using her married name professionally in 2004. Court TV, part of Turner Broadcasting empire, is also undergoing a name change to truTV later this year.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Director Paul Verhoeven (“Basic Instinct,” “Showgirls”) is 69. Actor James Brolin is 67. Singer Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas is 66. Country singer Ricky Skaggs is 53. Keyboardist John Hermann of Widespread Panic is 45. Actor Vin Diesel is 40. Actress Kristen Bell (“Veronica Mars”) is 27. Singer Ryan Cabrera is 25.
Contributing: Meridith Ford and 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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