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Cosmetic surgery: a reason to celebrate?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Looks like I missed lots of fun parties while I was in Beijing, including one that sounds really intriguing.
Themed “Wine and Wrinkles,” the bash was held at an area cosmetic surgeon’s office, I guess to encourage people to knock back some vino and then sign up for a face-lift. I’ve asked for a party recap, so stay tuned.
As you might guess, I see a lot of plastic surgery on my beat - usually women, who are often happy to tell you all about it - but I suspect some men, too.
Cosmetic surgery cases runs the gamut from people who go in for Botox injections on their lunch hours to major ordeals like Isabelle Dinoire, the French woman who required an entire facial transplant after being mauled by her dog.
Critiquing the procedures certain celebs or politicians have had - or should have - provides endless fodder for gossip mags. Here’s a helpful list from a group of Orange County, Calif., surgeons telling U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton “what to do with her face” now that the race for the White House behind her. Nice, huh? Lest you think only ladies are coming in for it, here’s wisdom from a cosmetic surgeon who says U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel tops his list of politicos most in need of the knife.
But there are also troubling reports like this one, about teen girls requesting breast implants as high school graduation gifts.
And as a few extreme examples illustrate, it’s possible to get a little carried away.
But I know plenty of women (and like I said, I suspect some guys) who love the results of the cosmetic procedures they’ve had, and recommend it to others who want to look more youthful - or just more refreshed and rested. Have you had, or would you have, a cosmetic tune-up? If you have, do you tell people? If you are considering it, what qualms do you have?
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“Peachtree Battle” is finally closing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Anna House will be back in the house for one last performance in “Peachtree Battle.” Staff photo by Elissa Eubanks.
“Peachtree Battle,” which skewers Atlanta socialites and wraps a serious look at racism and homophobia in quick-paced comedic banter, is closing after seven years. It’s the longest running play in Atlanta history.
Anna House returns as boozy Azalea Wieuca for the play’s final weekend, reprising the role written just for her during this Saturday’s 3 p.m. matinee at the Ansley Park Playhouse.
“It just wouldn’t be right to end the show without Anna playing Azalea one more time,” playwright John Gibson said in an e-mail.
“I’ve never played a character that touched so many people and made so many people laugh,” House, who left the show after its first six years, said in an e-mail. “This has been an experience I will never forget.”
The play, which has drawn 140,000 patrons and raked in $3 million, closes on its seventh anniversary, on Sept. 7.
The central plot in “Peachtree Battle” - the son of a prominent Atlanta family announces he’s marrying a Hooters waitress - is the backdrop for local name-dropping, lashing of politicians of all stripes, and a send-up of in-town social climbing and square suburban sensibilities. Racism and homophobia get examined as do a dysfunctional family’s wacky dynamics.
Over the years the play’s been updated to work in mention of current events, and guest stars, including Monica Pearson, above, have dropped by.
I’ll be out of town this weekend but I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that Atlanta businessman Barry Flink either plans to be there or wishes he could be. When I met him last year he was close to clocking 75 performances in the audience.
Have you seen “Peachtree Battle?” Will you miss it? Are you going to the final show? Hustle if you want tickets.
Atlanta businessman Barry Flink was on hand last year to toast Anna House’s 1000th performance. We’re guessing he might show up for her final show this weekend. Staff photo by Bita Honarvar.
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Back from Beijing, now off to the beach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Carla and Brent Brown
One of my colleagues, recently back from a trip to China, warned that it takes a few days to feel right upon returning. He was not kidding.
But I did rally to make it to the Blessings of Grace fundraiser at the Marietta Wine Market on Saturday afternoon. The new charity was established this year by security management firm owner Brent Brown and wife Carla, and Cobb Superior Court Judge Tain Kell and wife Sheri.
Blessings of Grace aims to assist couples who cannot have children on their own to obtain fertility treatment. The Kells’ son was conceived through an in-vitro fertilization procedure. The Browns’ twin daughters were conceived with in-vitro and donor eggs.
“We were lucky in so many ways,” Brent Brown said. “We knew we’d have children. We didn’t know how.”
Because of his professional success, the couple was able to pursue several rounds of fertility treatments. Throughout their ordeal, they were mindful of the couples who also longed to become parents, but lacked the financial means to pursue multiple procedures, Brent Brown said.
“Our rides home (from doctors’ appointments) would be focused on other couples who couldn’t afford it,” he said.
Marietta Wine Market proprietor Randall Heard, left, pours a round for Brent Brown and Ann and James Hudgins
Bentley, right, whose owners also own the wine market, kept a hopeful vigil near a tray of cheese cubes. He had to settle for a pat from George Yinat Jr., 9, with dad George Sr.
Blessings of Grace hopes to make its first gift, known as a scholarship, to a couple this December, Carla Brown said. A board of directors, guided by medical professionals on the board, will decide on the recipient, she said.
And now, off to St. Simons
I’ll be back Sept. 8 after a jaunt to the coast for a beach trip and the wedding of two friends. Let’s hope Hanna decides to skip slamming into the Georgia coast.
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It’s almost time to say goodbye
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ky Tanner entertains the crowds outside the Bird’s Nest.
Rather than take the 20 mph press bus back from women’s modern pentathlon tonight I decided to walk through the Olympic Green.
The crowds were streaming out, but there was still plenty of action as spectators lined up, camera in hand, to see if this nutty guy draped in an American flag and wearing a star-spangled hat would pose for pictures with them.
Ky Tanner, who lives here with wife Bev, was happy to oblige.
“He’s getting more attention than a middle-aged guy should be allowed,” joked pal Mark Dick, who lives here with wife Stacye. “If he keeps this up we’ll be here till 4 in the morning.”
The guys both work for oil companies and the two couples have been looking forward to the influx of global visitors.
“Mark and I have gone to two or three events a day,” said Stacye, whose brother lives in Dalton.
Between attending events and attracting fans with Ky’s festive get-up (complete with a pin from the Atlanta Games, which someone traded him), the Dicks and Tanners are determined to wring as much fun out of these Games as they can.
“We are going to be so depressed next week when this is over,” Bev said.
How about you? Are you sad to see the Olympics end?
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Countdown to Phelps-fest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Staff photo by Johnny Crawford
I have a little time before an event starring Olympic golden boy Michael Phelps. It’s sure to be quite a bash so stay tuned.
Trudy Fowler’s son meets the press
For now, I caught up after last night’s USA-Chinese Taipei baseball game with Dexter Fowler. The East Cobb Baseball and Milton High School grad signed in 2004 with the Colorado Rockies organization.
Currently playing minor league ball in Tulsa, Fowler’s here playing outfield for Team USA.
Tuesday night’s win set the team up for semis against Japan, but Fowler’s thinking big. He wants a shot at gold in the finals on Aug. 23.
That’s his mom’s birthday.
“I’m not going to tell you how old she’ll be,” he said, “but I’m going to try to win the gold for her.”
Awwww.
In other news, here are a few scenes I’ve seen.
Guidelines to help you enjoy your visit to a local park.
I love how this guy’s waving a sign saying he needs baseball tickets in front of the sign saying no ticket scalping. Fight the power, my man.
This dude hooked him up. I’m sure he only charged face value.
Baseball, that most American of sports, is played in a stadium with these most un-American of amenities. Yikes!
Fans from Iowa celebrated our nation and the Olympic host country.
I’ve noticed that girls and women often walk arm-in-arm here. It’s sweet.
There are plenty of cabs in Beijing, but sometimes the drivers don’t want your business. (Or maybe just mine). That happened the other day. I couldn’t hail a cab to save my life. So I decided to talk a walk.
First I met this vegetable vendor, peddling produce in the shadow of one of Beijing’s busy, modern shopping emporiums.
Dining al fresco
Doing the dishes
Latest comments
* RIP * This play got better when they moved it to a theater with a cash bar — other than that - it was a totally wretching experience.... read the full comment by Rob | Comment on "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing Read "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing
Being an Atlanta native (we are very rare these days), Peachtree Battle portrayed so many Atlanta families to a ‘T’. I always recommended the play to friends who came into town to taste our Southern flair! We will miss you... read the full comment by Atlanta Pearl Girl | Comment on "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing Read "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing
I have seen the play three times and loved it each and every time. You do have to be open minded and the humor is on the adult side of things but over all it is and was a great show! I’m looking forward to Peachtree Battle II.... read the full comment by Jessica | Comment on "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing Read "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing
I think Peachtree Battle was a very well-written play and was lots of fun. I am a native Atlantan and active in comedy and believe that their work was right on the money. I saw Peachtree Battle when it first came out and again recently. Congratulations... read the full comment by Betty Buckhead | Comment on "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing Read "Peachtree Battle" is finally closing