PEACH BUZZ: At early party, familiar ones call Turner 70

Technically speaking, CNN founder Ted Turner turns the big 7-0 on Wednesday. But since the Mouth of the South is on the Left Coast this week hawking his best-selling memoir, “Call Me Ted,” 500 of his closest friends and family members turned up Saturday night at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta to pay tribute.

Media mogul turned rancher Turner himself began the evening’s entertainment, surprising guests with an a cappella rendition of “Home on the Range.”

Among those in attendance: Turner’s children, grandchildren, ex-wife Jane Fonda and her family, Andrew and Carolyn Young, Hank and Billye Aaron, CNN president Jim Walton and wife Sarah, CNN chief international corespondent Christiane Amanpour, Ted’s Montana Grill co-founder George McKerrow Jr. and wife Ginair, and employees of Ted Turner Enterprises and his numerous ranch properties in Montana.

Veteran Turner family event planner Barbara Roos oversaw the gorgeously decorated ballroom. The evening’s theme honoring the retired America’s Cup sailor was a nautical one: “Don’t Worry About The Wind, Adjust The Sails.”

Legendary TBS and CNN fixture and longtime Turner friend Bill Tush served as the evening’s emcee.

The centerpieces on each table were environmentally friendly arrangements that were being donated to Turner’s Captain Planet Foundation (guests also were advised against bringing gifts and to instead make donations to the eco-friendly charity).

On the menu? Turner’s beloved bison, along with Maine lobster, butternut squash soup and birthday cake with fresh berries.

“The entire evening was themed around the things that are important to Ted,” attendee Jenn Hobby told Buzz Monday.

Oh, and the special musical guest flown in to serenade Turner? None other than song-writing legend Burt Bacharach was there to tickle the ivories. (We hear that while Bacharach traditionally refrains from performing anything outside his own catalog of hits, he finally relented and sang “Happy Birthday” for Turner).

Naturally, the man who once gifted United Nations charitable causes with a check for $1 billion made sure that guests at his birthday were given keepsakes of the evening. The birthday boy posed for pictures with each guest and the developed snapshots, along with an autographed copy of “Call Me Ted,” were awaiting each at departure.

Thunder Dome

The Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders let us in on a little secret the other night as they volunteered their time at Paws for Cocktails, a benefit for Atlanta Pet Rescue at Park Tavern: They love it when you get rowdy at their workplace —- Sunday’s loss at the Georgia Dome notwithstanding.

“That’s why we jump up and down on defense so much,” explained Brandy, a four-season cheerleader with the team (team policy allows the women to be identified only by their first names). “Plus, all that noise completely psyches out the visiting team.”

Brandy says the energy at work this season is light years away from the drama of last season. “It’s a much more positive, energized environment,” she says. “The commitment and excitement are there, on and off the field. We were a little scared to get too excited at first, because no one knew what to expect this year. But we’re thrilled.”

Falcons cheerleader Margaret is new to the squad this season and told us she’s having a ball in the big leagues. “I grew up in Alabama, where we have no professional teams,” she explained. “Getting to work in the Dome is just completely wild. I can’t wait for game day.”

Faked out among the pharaohs

Initially, we were a little confused when a leggy Egyptian model approached us the over the weekend at the Atlanta Peach magazine sneak peek of “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” exhibition at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. Turns out the dark-haired beauty was actually Atlanta charitable fund-raiser Angela Karatassos. Atlanta Peach publisher Elizabeth Schulte Roth had somehow talked the trademark blond Karatassos into having Buckhead Carter-Barnes makeup wizard Kiev Osborne transform her for the evening. Our favorite moment? When Karatassos sent off cellphone pics of herself to her hubby, Kyma executive chef Pano I. Karatassos, who was busy working at the chic Greek eatery and had no idea his wife was playing desert dress-up. When we asked if she might keep the outfit on as a surprise for when Pano arrived home, she just smiled and said “Hmmm …”

Contributing: News services

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Actress Linda Evans is 66. Actor Oscar Nunez (“The Office”) is 50. Actor Owen Wilson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Zoolander”) is 40. Singer Duncan Sheik is 39. Actress Peta Wilson (“La Femme Nikita”) is 38. Actress Chloe Sevigny (“Boys Don’t Cry”) is 34.