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Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thanksgiving assortment at Lenox show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For us, Thanksgiving’s rapid approach didn’t really become reality until our Publix pilgrim salt and pepper shakers brained Buzz as we were reaching up into the dark recesses of a seldom-used kitchen cabinet during a search for snifters the other night.
Other people are more organized, however.
For example, the folks at Lenox Square tell us that they’ve booked honking huge country act Big & Rich to headline the Macy’s Great Tree Lighting on Thanksgiving night, along with R&B faves Take 6, the Macy’s All Star Holiday Choir and Santa Claus. “Entertainment Tonight” correspondent Jann Carl is set to perform the hosting duties.
• Sneak-peek look at the acts, the eventsThe folks at Underground Atlanta, meanwhile, have booked country superstar Miranda Lambert for the 19th annual Peach Drop on New Year’s Eve downtown.
Oh, and Athens-birthed jam band Widespread Panic will ring in the new year with two nights of concerts at Philips Arena on Dec. 30 and 31. Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster on Friday at 10 a.m.
If you’re more of a homebody, Dunwoody High School grad Ryan Seacrest will be back co-hosting the 36th annual “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC with the legendary Clark himself.
The Boss is back
While on the subject of advance planning, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band fans will want to set aside April 25. That’s when The Boss and company will bring their “Magic” tour to Philips Arena, featuring the new songs the band recorded here with producer Brendan O’Brien. Tickets are $97 and $67 and go on sale Saturday at noon. VH1 is bringing its “You Oughta Know” tour with James Blunt (James “You’re Beautiful” Blunt? “You Oughta Know” tour? Perhaps there’s a rip in the VH1 time/space continuum?) along with Sara Bareilles to the Tabernacle downtown March 4. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Save the date for Celine
Radio stations The River and B98.5 FM, meanwhile, are apparently in a competition to see who can offer its listeners tickets to a concert requiring a time machine. All this week, The River’s Lexie Kaye and Kate McCarthy are giving away advance tickets to the Springsteen show in April. B98’s Kelly & Alpha, however, are hooking listeners up with tickets to the upcoming Celine Dion show here — set for Jan. 19, 2009.
Still wanted: Reader thanks
Want to share what you’re thankful for this year with millions of Buzz readers?
It’s as easy as sending your thoroughly original, poignant and/or hilarious offerings to us, along with your full name, where you live and a daytime phone number via an e-mail to Buzz Central this week at buzz@ajc.com.
Also, we’re looking for reader photos to include with the column. We’ll publish the very best offerings on Turkey Day.
But don’t delay. The holiday Buzz column needs to be compiled well in advance (and the bosses of Buzz are already impatiently tapping their feet all Larry Craig-like outside Buzz Central …).
‘Drumroll’ for Dallas Austin
Peachtree TV and hip-hop impresario Dallas Austin have changed the name of the new network’s first series from “Drumline: SWD” to “Drumroll: SWD.”
Austin told Buzz on Monday that Peachtree TV already was airing his shot-in-Atlanta 2002 Nick Cannon film “Drumline,” and they didn’t want to cause confusion between the film and the reality series about the Southwest DeKalb High School marching band.
They also pushed back the launch date from Nov. 20 to Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. And instead of eight half-hour episodes, they are opting for four one-hour episodes.
“We pushed it back a week to put up billboards and get more press and promotion,” Austin said.
OVERSCENE
Actress Cybill Shepherd sitting at the counter, enjoying scrambled egg whites with bacon, rosemary moon-dust potatoes and a biscuit Monday at the Flying Biscuit Cafe in Midtown (she’s a good tipper, we’re told). The Golden Globe winner is rehearsing this week for the world premiere of “Curvy Widow” at the Alliance Theatre, which begins previews Nov. 16.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Producer-director-actor Garry Marshall is 73. Actor Joe Mantegna is 60. Actress Sheila Frazier (“Superfly”) is 59. Actress Frances Conroy (“Six Feet Under”) is 54. Actress Whoopi Goldberg is 52. Actor Chris Noth (“Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Sex and the City”) is 51. Actor Neil Flynn (“Scrubs”) is 47. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel is 40. Nikolai Fraiture of the Strokes is 29. Actress Monique Coleman (“High School Musical”) is 27.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
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Singles who serve
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This weekend, in an attempt to broaden my heart (envision The Grinch’s heart growing three sizes larger), I’m participating in a singles event to contribute to Operation Christmas Child.
I’ve just recently realized how much I can do to support people who aren’t as blessed as I am, and it’s surprising how many of these charity events are actually tailored toward singles! Especially as we’re rolling into the Thanksgiving-Christmas season, I’m starting to see many opportunities to meet other singles as well as challenge my social conscience. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
My hope is that during the activities this season, I’ll have the opportunity to meet others like me — not perfectly generous or altruistic, but at least willing to sacrifice some time or money because they know there are other people in this world that need help.
Have you ever thought about tracking down ways to serve with other singles, or possibly setting up something yourself? Are there holiday singles service events available through your work, church or social circle? Could you use an opportunity to grow your heart and possibly meet a cute single at the same time?
Have you ever met someone while volunteering at a nursing home, delivering a Thanksgiving turkey to an impoverished family or some other traditionally non-dating-scene activity?
If you participate in service projects, do you find you meet more “real” people through these events? Do you think doing service work can give you more insight into someone’s heart upon first meeting them (assuming they’re not there just to get a date!)?
What are the benefits of meeting someone while serving others? The cons?
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Getting the lead out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some Dora the Explorer products have been part of recent toy recalls.
Exposure to lead used to come from two sources: Paint and gasoline. But in the 1970’s the government banned the use of lead in those materials.
So why do we keep hearing about lead levels in children’s products including everything from toys to jewelry to baby bibs?
It can make holiday shopping a nightmare.
What are your plans for buying safe items this holiday season?
Are there local stores that give a “lead-free”guarantee?
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