Off-court charity keeps Hawks players busy

Atlanta Hawks player Josh Smith served an early Thanksgiving dinner to 200 of his new best friends last week, telling women and children from My Sister's House, an Atlanta Union Mission facility, "I just want to put a smile on your faces."  Meanwhile, his teammate, Jamal Crawford, is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta for a Dec. 8 fundraiser at Ten Pin Alley in Atlantic Station. The event, from 7 to 10 p.m., was organized by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Ambassadors, a guild of young professionals. For information see www.bbbsatl.org or call 404-601-7000.

Gate gathering

Entertainment attorney Joel Katz, former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and Eisenhower Institute president Susan Eisenhower, a board member of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (founded by Ted Turner and former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn), were the honored guests at the recent patron party for the Middelthon-Candler Millennium Gate Peace and Justice Prize Ceremony. Among those attending were Gail O'Neill Viera, Allison Adair, Lorin and Matthew Middelthon, Tom Glenn, Keven and Eridan Lake, Lynn-Anne Huck, Marianne Michaelis, James Kreuzberg, Haskell Ward, Armand Vari, Chantal Dye and Father David Dye, administrator of Mary Our Queen Catholic Church in Norcross. The gathering, hosted by Emily and Rodney M. Cook Jr., preceded the Dec. 5 gala. Information: www.thegateatlanta.com, 404-881-0900.

Say what?

"I'm going to miss the character, of course, because it became a part of me and I became a part of it. On the other hand, you don't want to do one thing for too long a period."

- Tony Shalhoub, star of "Monk," talking to the Wall Street Journal about the end of his USA series. The final episode airs at 9 p.m. Friday. Shalhoub's sister and nephew, actress Susan Shalhoub Larkin and actor Tony Larkin, live and work in Atlanta.

Buzz in our ear

We send warm birthday wishes this week to James "Alley Pat" Patrick, who turns 90 on Wednesday. The Booker T. Washington High School graduate and Morehouse man served with the Tuskeegee Airmen during World War II and was one of Atlanta's first African-American radio DJs. He got his start at WERD on Auburn Avenue, the nation's first black-owned radio station. We're told that after a mild stroke two months ago, Patrick is recovering at home...Look for Royce Mann, 8, in a guest appearance on the Food Network's “Good Eats.” The episode in which he appears next airs at 6 p.m. Dec. 5.

Overscene

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving and spotted in Midtown: Charles Barkley at South City Kitchen, happily chowing down. Chicken and dumplings were nestled all snug on his plate. And later, for dessert, he had a spiced carrot cupcake.

Celebrity birthdays

Actor Paul Picerni ("The Untouchables") is 87. Singer Billy Paul is 75. Actor-director Woody Allen is 74. Singer Dianne Lennon of the Lennon Sisters is 70. Country bassist Casey Van Beek of The Tractors is 67. Singer-guitarist Eric Bloom of Blue Oyster Cult is 65. Drummer John Densmore of The Doors is 65. Actress-singer Bette Midler is 64. Singer Gilbert O'Sullivan is 63. Actor Treat Williams is 58. Country singer Kim Richey is 53. Actress Charlene Tilton is 51. Model-actress Carol Alt is 49. Actor Jeremy Northam ("Happy, Texas") is 48. Actor Nestor Carbonell ("Lost," "Suddenly Susan") is 42. Comedian Sarah Silverman is 39. Singer Bart Millard of MercyMe is 37. Actor David Hornsby ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") is 34. Guitarist Brad Delson of Linkin Park is 32. Drummer Mika Fineo of Filter is 28. Actress Ashley Monique Clark ("The Hughleys") is 21.