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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 12
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A heart-shaped waffle for two?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On the occasion of Valentine’s Eve, Buzz would like a word with the procrastinating guys out there. Guess what? Unless you’ve got a wad of cash that could temporarily stifle the likes of Kanye West to tip restaurant reservations workers with, chances are slim you’re going to find a table at most eateries on Valentine’s night right about now.
As you let that information sink in, why not take the open palm of your hand and clock yourself a good shot on the forehead. Done?
OK.
Since Buzz Central is all about public service, we’ll pass a long a tip we received Tuesday. On Thursday night from 6 to 11 p.m., the Waffle House at 10792 Jones Bridge Road in Johns Creek will be dimming the lights and springing for white tablecloths, candlelight and romantic music for you last-minute Romeos in search of a unique way to avoid having your reputation as a lover scattered, smothered, covered and chunked.
Between now and 2 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, you can make reservations by phoning 770-569-0056 until they vaporize like a bowl of Bert’s Chili.
“Last year, we noticed that there were a few couples who came in to celebrate Valentine’s Day with us,” Waffle House rep Pat Warner told Buzz Tuesday. “This year, we thought we might offer our customers a few romantic additions at the Johns Creek Waffle House to help folks celebrate.”
As for the obvious, Warner added: “I’m sure there are going to be those guys who wake up on Feb. 14 and have yet to make plans. Hopefully, we can help out those guys who don’t have immediate access to a calendar.”
But bear in mind, it’s still Waffle House, which are traditionally beehives of, er, activity, what with the shouting of orders and what not.
Lovers may want to hold hands while playing “Bert” on the jukebox as well. It’s an ode to legendary Waffle House chili recipe creator Bert Thornton, written by Atlanta singer-songwriter Jason Phelps.
In keeping with the holiday, the ditty details a love triangle between a guy, his girl and a seductive bowl of chili that threatens to get between the couple. In the hilarious video posted at wafflehouse.com, Thornton himself even shows up in a cameo to shamelessly flirt with his chili admirer.
‘Chronicles’ of Caitlin Upton
Caitlin Upton, Miss South Carolina Miss Teen USA 2007 and Miss Teen USA contestant who inadvertently introduced the phrases “U.S. Americans” and “The Iraq” into the national consciousness last year, paid a visit to Vanderlyn Elementary in Dunwoody on Monday to share her love of reading during National Library Lovers Month. Upton arrived, dressed in a sky blue dress that she designed herself and read aloud excerpts from “The Spiderwick Chronicles” to Kristen Drake’s third-grade class. Upton was in good hands, as it turned out (Drake won Elementary School Teacher of the Year last year). After the reading, Upton faced down a few questions from the kids. Thankfully, no one asked her why an estimated one-fifth of Americans can’t locate the U.S. on a map. Here’s an excerpt:
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: “Yellow. Because it’s bright and sunny just like my personality.”
Q: Who are you supporting for President?
A: “McCain, because of his view on the war.”
We’re told that the kids loved Upton and she graciously signed personalized photos for the whole class and for more than a few parents. On Tuesday night, Drake’s class was treated to a sneak peek screening of the fantasy flick (based on the book, natch) opening in theaters Thursday.
Food Network hits C-Town
Cabbagetown Market and Little’s Grill, owned and operated by Lisa Hanson and Maria Locke, will be featured in an upcoming episode of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” hosted by the wackily tattooed and coiffed Guy Fieri. The show features once-forgotten-but-revived slices of culinary Americana, and this quaint grocery-cum-lunch parlor fits the bill, having been both since 1929.
Hanson and Locke will be preparing the Grill’s famous fried pickles alongside the grass-fed beef burger with pimento cheese and the store’s legendary Lime Rickey, but don’t expect a full meal if you decide to go and watch the taping, which takes place this Thursday, beginning around noon. The menu that day will be limited because of the taping. Still, Hanson said she would like to “fill the store” with local folks. When the episode will air has not been announced. Cabbagetown Market and Little’s Grill is located at 198 Carroll Street, Atlanta, 404-221-9186, www.cabbagetownmarket.com.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Kim Novak is 75. Actor George Segal (“Just Shoot Me”) is 74. Singer-bassist-actor Peter Tork of The Monkees is 66. Actress Stockard Channing is 64. Talk show host Jerry Springer is 64. Singer Peter Gabriel is 58. Singer Henry Rollins is 47. Bassist Todd Harrell of 3 Doors Down is 36. MC Natalie Stewart of Floetry is 29.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Carter Center reaps $1.2 million from auction
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn spent a lucrative weekend in Port St. Lucie, Fla. This year’s annual Winter Weekend fund-raiser for the couple’s Carter Center raised $1.2 million for the global nonprofit.
And as usual, it was a handcrafted item from the president’s woodworking shop in Plains that inspired the highest bids.
This year, Carter donated a hard maple wood bench that sold for $300,000.
In a statement e-mailed to Buzz, Carter said: “I want to thank those who bought items at Winter Weekend and all of the Center’s supporters for their generosity. Their belief in the work of The Carter Center is making a difference in the lives of people in more than 70 nations.”
Founded in 1982, The Carter Center advances peace and health worldwide. So what else in the auction will likely result in extra postage on next month’s credit card statements for generous Carter Center supporters?
A one-of-a-kind photo signed by the Carters, Al and Tipper Gore, George H.W. Bush, Hillary and Bill Clinton and Betty and Gerald Ford went for $210,000.
A fly-fishing vacation with the Carters in the Georgia mountains scored $125,000, $60,000 was bid for a copy of the Camp David Accords signed by Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and Dr. Jehan Sadat, widow of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, including a separate signature by Anwar Sadat and $45,000 for a photograph of five presidents autographed by all of them.
View all the winning bids and to get details on the center’s work, go to www.cartercenter.org.
$151.50 a ticket for this?
Lousy sound marred an otherwise spirited effort by Van Halen at Philips Arena downtown Sunday night. This was the first time the notoriously prickly combo of Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth have been on tour in more than two decades.
The pair seemed to get along (possibly just a case of good acting). But they were both clearly annoyed by a horrid sound mix that sucked the energy (not to mention the song clarity) out of the sold-out arena. And during Eddie Van Halen’s signature 15-minute guitar solo, the sound just died completely. There were points when Roth — hardly the best vocalist even on his best day — could be seen struggling to hear anything out of his earpiece and had to switch out mikes more than once.
Plus, this was not a true reunion of Van Halen, circa 1984. Bassist Michael Anthony, a Sammy Hagar acolyte, was booted before the tour. Instead, Eddie’s 16-year-old son Wolfgang took over. While he seemed to handle the bass just fine, he had zero stage presence. And well, Roth is still a cartoon after all these years, replete with sideburns, a Sgt. Pepper’s embroidered jacket and leather pants. Let’s hope the act has better luck with technical issues at Gwinnett Arena on Feb. 25.
A layover for Lowe
Remember we told you a few months ago that the Bill Lowe Gallery was moving from Bennett Street to new digs at Two Peachtree Pointe in Midtown?
The trip won’t exactly be nonstop. Because of construction delays, the gallery announced Monday that it “will make a temporary three- to six-month stop-over” in the Silhouette Building, the former Peachtree Street location of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia at 1447 Peachtree St. in Midtown. We hear the gallery will be open to the public and will be fully staffed and operational on March 1. “We fully intended to debut our new world-class gallery in the heart of Midtown in late March,” explained Lowe. “Unfortunately, we encountered unforeseen delays that have jeopardized these plans. Our clients and friends can be assured that we are on track to move to the Peachtree Pointe location in three to six months.”
The temporary gallery space will host its first exhibition on March 21, featuring works by artists Gary Komarin and Steve Seinberg.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS Movie director Franco Zeffirelli is 85. Sportscaster Joe Garagiola is 82. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors is 69. Actor Josh Brolin (above) (“No Country For Old Men”) is 40. Actor Jesse Spencer (“House”) is 29. Actress Christina Ricci is 28.
QUOTE OF THE DAY “I got an award given to me by a Beatle. Have you had that happen to you yet, Kanye?”
“Best Country Album” Grammy recipient Vince Gill to Kanye West after Ringo Starr handed Gill his Grammy on Sunday night. Earlier, West had worn out most of America by continually reminding us how much more Grammy-deserving he is than the other nominees.
Contributing: Rodney Ho 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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