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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 09
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Parents wage food fight on allergies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The start of the school year brings out the teacher in Cumming mom Justine Chiang. The native Atlantan’s two daughters, Alex, 6, and Ansley, 3, have severe food allergies that could be fatal if not properly treated. So at the start of each school year, Chiang makes a trip to school to educate teachers and classmates.
Wednesday night, Chiang joins forces with fellow parents WSB consumer advocate Clark Howard and CNN Headline News anchor Mike Galanos to raise money for Atlanta’s Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network during a benefit auction at Paul’s Restaurant in Buckhead. Howard and Galanos also have children with food allergy ailments.
“This is really a joint opportunity to raise awareness and to educate,” Chiang, the event co-chair, told Buzz Monday. “It’s a hidden disability. As parents, we always have to be aware of what’s around the kids.”
Chiang’s 6-year-old, for example, carries two EpiPens with her, two more are stored with the school nurse and mom has another set with her.
“Teaching someone how to use an EpiPen in the case of an emergency could make a huge difference,” she says.
While Wednesday night’s $50 per person benefit will feature fancy hors d’oeuvres from the kitchen of chef Paul Albrecht (right), attendees should be able to nibble worry-free.
“The evening is primarily for adults who are supporters and who don’t suffer directly from food allergies,” explains Chiang. Still, all dishes containing allergens will have them listed and each appetizer will be labeled.
Organizers lucked out, as well.
Says Chiang: “Paul’s doesn’t actually use pine nuts to create their pesto. We got lucky!”
The benefit starts at 7 p.m. at Paul’s, 10 Kings Circle, Atlanta, N.E. For tickets: 703-563-3083.
SIDDONS CANCELS BOOK SIGNING
This is sure to disappoint the 300 or so fans of author Anne Rivers Siddons. The native Atlantan has canceled her Wednesday night appearance at the Margaret Mitchell House, where she was due to introduce locals to her latest novel, “Off Season.” According to an e-mailed statement from Rivers publicist Evan Boorstyn, the 72-year-old writer had to cancel due to a family emergency. “She will reschedule as soon as possible and thanks all her readers for their continued support and understanding.”
Buzz will be sure to pass along a new date when it’s determined.
OVERSCENE
“Six Feet Under” actress Frances Conroy, original “Dream Girls” Broadway cast member Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress/director Jasmine Guy and Emmy winner Leslie Jordan dining separately at Einstein’s in Midtown.
Former Cleveland Indians (and 1997 Braves) outfielder Kenny Lofton and Sacramento Kings and former Georgia Tech basketball player Travis Best dining at the Flying Biscuit Cafe in the Terminus building in Buckhead.
MADEA TO CRASH ‘FAMILY’ OUTING
Moviegoers heading to the theaters this weekend to catch Tyler Perry’s latest, “The Family That Preys” also will get a sneak peek at an old favorite. We hear that audiences will be treated to an advance preview from the next installment of the Madea saga, “Madea Goes to Jail.” (You may recall that Perry’s mother of all matriarch’s was last seen in a cameo, being taken down by DeKalb County law enforcement after an interstate police chase in this spring’s “Meet the Browns.”) The next Madea-centric comedy is due out Feb. 20, 2009.
Our take, having already viewed an advance screening of “The Family That Preys”? With Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates at the helm and surrounded by scheming offspring, there’s already plenty of mama drama hard-wired into “Family” without Madea poking her pistol into the proceedings …
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Tom Wopat is 57. Musician-producer Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) is 56. Actor Hugh Grant (above) is 48. Actor-comedian Adam Sandler is 42. Model Rachel Hunter is 39. Actor Goran Visnjic (“ER”) is 36. Singer Michael Buble is 33. Actress Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain,” “Dawson’s Creek”) is 28.
UNCOUPLING
John Mark Karr and fiancee Brooke Simmons have ended their engagement. Karr, as you may recall, became famous after falsely confessing to the murder of 6-year-old Jon Benet Ramsey. In an interview that aired Monday on TV’s “Extra,” Simmons explained: “His personality and my personality clashed. … John is a very vocal fighter, and sometimes those words hurt worse than physical pain.”
While Karr has been officially cleared in the Ramsey investigation, Simmons says of police: “Why they let him go so quick, I don’t understand. I think they dropped the ball too quick on that with him.”
Contributing: News services.
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