For fans of Fuzzy's Place, the now-shuttered 30-year-old North Druid Hills Road watering hole, summer can't come fast enough this year. That's when a new incarnation of the live blues and Cajun cookery mainstay is set to open at 1860 Corporate Blvd., around the corner from the old location. The original joint closed last year after the untimely death of namesake and owner Fuzzy Cawthon.

The as-yet-unnamed new place (it won't be called Fuzzy's for various legal reasons) located across the street from the legendary Pink Pony will be run by former Fuzzy's general manager and bartender Keirsten Alexander and veteran Fuzzy's bartenders Jerry Rooks and Montie Henderson, along with most of the old kitchen and wait staff. And best of all, the family of late Cajun chef Joe Dale has given the new venture its blessing to use the old recipes on its new menu. And yes, house acts like Java Monkey, the Mike Veal Band and Francine Reed are expected back as well.

"I've already received about 100 e-mails from old Fuzzy's regulars who are thrilled about the news," Alexander told Buzz. "The customers are what I've really missed. When you came into Fuzzy's, you got lots of hugs. That's just how we were. I miss giving out those hugs."

Alexander says old regulars are also offering to help with deals on everything from concrete pouring to tile work to wholesale TV sales in order to get the new location, a former Denny's, up and running.

"Sometimes, I'll get stumped reading the names in the e-mails," explains the manager/mixologist. "But as soon as they tell me what they drink: 'It's Tom, I drink Heineken on Tuesdays,' I know immediately who it is. I never forget a drink."

Alexander and company aren't forgetting the legacy of Cawthon in the new venture either, despite the absence of his name.

"This is all so reflective of Fuzzy and his uncanny knack for bringing people together for a good time. It's nice to know we have so many wonderful customers out there."

Look for the new concept to debut in early June. Until then, Fuzzy's customers can reach the new management via e-mail at keirsten alexander@comcast.net.

Navigating to Agave parking

The folks at Agave, the much-beloved neighborhood eatery in Cabbagetown, checked in Tuesday to let customers know they survived the tornado that touched down at the nearby Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts on Friday night. "We're still standing!" read the e-mail sent to Buzz Central.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those in the surrounding community who have sustained losses and damages. Please come out and support us and our community after the big storm."

Given that Boulevard is currently blocked off because of the devastation, temporary new directions are required. Agave is advising customers "to enter at the corner of Memorial Drive and Boulevard into the parking lot of Blessens Tire Co. Please look for our valets, who will provide complimentary parking."

For more info: 404-588-0006.

Runaway bride's ex ties knot in Duluth

John Mason, 35, the ex-fiance of runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks, was married to Shelley Martin, 34, last Saturday in a quiet ceremony at his parents' home in Duluth, People magazine reports on its Web site People.com. In April 2005, Mason's wedding to Wilbanks was called off after she disappeared just before the wedding. The incident gained notoriety nationwide, and it turned out the errant bride faked her own kidnapping.

Van Halen: Arena back on schedule

Since Live Nation media mistress Holli Mattison has firmly assured us that Ashton Kutcher isn't her new boss, we will dutifully pass along the latest update that's come into Buzz Central regarding the soap opera known as the Van Halen tour. The on again/off again, postponed/rescheduled, postponed again tango is back on again, now set for Sunday, May 11 at the Gwinnett Arena. In recent weeks, dates were scrapped as leader Eddie Van Halen, a cancer and substance abuse survivor, underwent medical tests. The band's camp has been mum on exactly what's ailing the 1970s guitar god. Now, let's all just pray that David Lee Roth doesn't Liza Minnelli a hip . . .

A stray Dove

Oops, we missed one. When we recently reported all the impressive local artists up for Dove Awards this year, we unintentionally left one out. Woodstock singer-songwriter Seth Condrey is nominated for Spanish Language Album of the Year. The 39th annual GMA Dove Awards are due to be handed out April 23 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Actor Patrick McGoohan is 80. Actress Ursula Andress is 72. Singer Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is 62. Actress Glenn Close is 61. Actor Bruce Willis is 53.

OVERSCENE

NBA legend and sports broadcaster Charles Barkley quietly having a drink and watching a game at the bar at Taurus before being joined by guests for dinner.

—-Contributing: News services