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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 23
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tyler Perry donates truckload of food to charity
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For a few minutes on Tuesday morning, relief finally flickered across the face of Hosea Feed the Hungry executive director Elisabeth Omilami.
For weeks, the Atlanta charity started in 1971 by Omilami’s father, civil rights icon Hosea Williams, has battled bare shelves. There’s been a steady uptick in folks needing food from the nonprofit as the economy has headed further and further south.
But Tuesday morning, Atlanta director/writer/producer/actor Tyler Perry showed up with a Publix truck full of food to feed more than 1,000 families for two weeks.
“When you feed the hungry, you become that job,” Omilami told Buzz. “It follows you home every night. So many people are struggling just to pay their rent and put gas in their cars right now. It’s wonderful to have Tyler stand with us again as he did in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He understands our needs because he’s been there.”
Perry joked with the assembled media pointing cameras at him as he maneuvered a large hydraulic hand truck loaded down with a pallet of spring water. “The Family That Preys” director was inspired to make the donation after seeing the empty shelves on TV during a report on the donation-challenged charity last week on WSB-TV’s news.
“[WSB reporter] Carol Sbarge just showed up last week,” Omilami recalled. “We didn’t call her. And then Tyler saw the piece and decided to act. It’s faith that gets you through situations like this.”
Perry, casually dressed in jeans, a blue shirt and matching Braves cap, gamely constructed boxes as he helped Omilami pack up the donations of green beans, stew and other staples.
The actor said the charity was close to his heart because he’s been out on the street himself.
“I can’t imagine being in that position right now, especially with children,” Perry said, shaking his head. “If more people who are in my position or corporations who are in an even better situation all do their share, we could help a lot of people in need right now.”
Still, Omilami knows one exceptionally generous donation won’t single-handedly solve the problem.
“People can’t forget about the working poor right now,” she said. “They need us more than ever.
If you’d like to make a donation: www.hoseafeedthehungry.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Stylist Stan Milton set the cutting edge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The city seemed a little less stylish Monday as word spread about the passing of Buckhead hair salon owner Stan Milton. For more than 25 years, Milton created some of the city’s signature coifs as he built one of Atlanta’s premier salons.
Milton (right, with client Susan Forehand) died Monday at Piedmont Hospital after a lengthy illness. In 2007, he moved his mainstay Miami Circle business to the Eclipse Building on Pharr Road.
Among his high-profile clients? B98.5 FM’s Vikki Locke.
“Many, many women have him to thank for their cutting-edge looks,” Locke told us. “I just loved talking to him. He was a very deep, spiritual person. You would end up talking to him about things you wouldn’t even talk about with your husband.”
While Milton had stopped seeing visitors in recent days, he and Locke kept in touch via text messages.
“I hold Stan in the highest regard for his integrity and his regard for people,” said Susan Forehand, a client of 26 years. “What Stan did best for clients was looking beneath the surface for each person’s inner beauty and bringing that out in each.”
Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans co-owner Carey Carter competed with Milton for high-end clients but admired him greatly. “Just the name Stan Milton says ‘quality’ to our entire city,” Carter said. “And back in an era when hairdressers were typically perceived as just that, he elevated us as artists. His death is a huge loss to our industry.”
In tribute to Milton, the Stan Milton Oasis salon will be closed through Wednesday.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Peachtree Christian Church at 1580 Peachtree St. N.W.
THIS JUST IN
Atlanta’s own teen pro tennis phenom Donald Young has been added to the already-impressive list of celebs participating in the 2008 Advanta World Team Tennis Smash Hits fund-raiser to be held Oct. 12 at Kennesaw State University.
Young will compete against Andy Roddick at the benefit for part-time Atlantan and tennis buff Sir Elton John’s AIDS Foundation.
For more info or tickets: www.ejaf.org/smashhits08.
BISON STAMPEDE SET FOR DOWNTOWN
Ted’s Montana Grill co-owner George McKerrow Jr. took time out from flyfishing, horseback riding and creating new business strategies with company namesake Ted Turner to phone Buzz Central from Montana on Monday. McKerrow was calling to spread the word about the bison burger chain’s inaugural Ted’s Montana Grill Bison Stampede 5K Race and Family Fun Run set for Oct. 4 at 8:30 a.m. at the chain’s flagship downtown store at 133 Luckie St. N.W.
“It’s a way for us to bring attention to downtown and also to raise some money for the ecological causes that we’re committed to,” said McKerrow. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Captain Planet Foundation, the Clear Air Campaign, the Georgia Conservancy and the PATH Foundation. Pre-registration is $20 for adults and $15 for children 14 and under. For info, call 770-518-8002 or www.tedsmontanagrill.com/bisonstampede.
Between leisure activities, McKerrow said he and CNN founder Turner spent the weekend with one eye on the economic reports and the proposed government bailout Congress is mulling.
“It’s pretty scary,” the Longhorn Steakhouse founder conceded. “Nobody really knows where the bottom is to this thing. And casual dining establishments like ours have been the hardest hit. Folks at the top are a little better insulated and other people are looking to fast food right now. Our customers are the middle class folks getting squeezed the most right now. We’ve all got to chin up and get through it. The strong will survive.”
ISAAC HAYES’ ESTATE REVEALED
Late soul man and former Atlantan Isaac Hayes has left his estate to his wife, Adjowa, his children and the Isaac Hayes Foundation, which promotes literacy, music and nutrition, according to his will.
The will was filed last week in Memphis Probate Court. The Commercial Appeal in Memphis reported that the value and contents of Hayes’ estate hasn’t been filed.
Part of Hayes’ humanitarian work included building a school in Ghana.
The 65-year-old singer and composer died Aug. 10.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Mickey Rooney is 88. Singer Julio Iglesias is 65. Singer Bruce Springsteen is 59. Actor Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”) is 49. Atlanta music producer Jermaine Dupri is 36.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Well, as I remember, it was pretty good.”
Ex-President Bill Clinton on the economy during his years in the White House on “The View.” He was answering criticism that his administration was partly responsible for setting in motion the current economic crisis.
OVERSCENE
Former Atlanta Braves player Otis Nixon posing for pictures at Hudson Grill & Bar. Former Braves player John Rocker and Kansas City Chiefs player Tank Johnson enjoying family-style dining at Vita on Peachtree Road.
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
