Can we take a moment to salute Frank Ski?
The guy's house was full -- we're talking overrun -- with women over the weekend. The occasion? He and wife Tanya hosted a "Local Legend Luncheon" starring Scarlet Pressley-Brown, Delta's director of external affairs and community relations, the actress-producer-director Jasmine Guy, and six young ladies from Clayton County who were selected by their school counselors on the basis of their grades and community involvement. Fleming's Steakhouse catered the affair and Cargo Luxury Limo and Bella Marie Bridal provided stylish transportation and attire. Enjoying the day were high school seniors Neekisia Jackson, Angelique Harris, Leslie Sanchez and Aliyah Stokes of Carver Early College High and Tammara Atchison and Symone B. Wilson of Frederick Douglass High.
Usher update
Well here's the latest on the fall of the house of Usher. The R&B star and wife (for the moment, anyway), Tameka Foster Raymond are divorcing, although during a recent cocktail party at the Buckhead W to launch her new foundation, Mrs. Raymond wasn't into talking about the trip to Splitsville. So, here's what she told People mag.
“I don’t really know (why they split). It was a pressure-filled relationship with little support in the beginning. Pressure of children, career, fans, competition, aging -- it was too much. I don’t blame myself.”
The hardest part? “When I see my kids, I think of what should have been. I saw us growing old together. The world is probably saying, ‘She’s already old!’”
What's Usher like? “Very romantic. Very caring. He’s the best egg scrambler! If we ever argued, it was about him being away (for work).”
What's their relationship like now? “Cordial. We’re not beefing. We’ll be excellent co-parents. He sees our sons every week (when he’s in town).”
Does she still heart him? “Of course. I still love him very much and I’m sure I always will. Do I want to be with him? I don’t know.”
Dirty Dawgs
Ahem, Georgia fans? A moment please? We're afraid that the late unpleasantness after this season's home opener has brought you a bit of infamy. Perhaps you've heard how some people -- certainly no one in your tailgate crowd -- treated your campus the way Uga VII might have? You know, like one giant latrine? Anyway, the Mother Nature Network has added the 70 tons of trash someone left behind to its list of the world's 10 dirtiest events. (We know, we know, it was all South Carolina's fault, right?) Also making the list: the Daytona 500 and the Glastonbury Festival in England. The Mother Nature Network (www.mnn.com) is a new Atlanta-based eco-site launched by Rolling Stones keyboardist and environmentalist Chuck Leavell. Now, let's not make the list again next year, shall we?
‘Heights’ connection
The touring musical "In the Heights" runs at the Fox Tuesday through Sunday with a couple of names you might recognize on the roster. Rogelio Douglas Jr., who plays Benny, recorded here years ago as an aspiring musician, and ensemble member Wilkie Ferguson is a Morehouse man. Information: www.foxtheatre.org.
The New Buzz
The AJC’s celebrity coverage is expanding. Check out the new blog “The Buzz”. We’ll feature stories, photos, Q&As, galleries, videos and more about local as well as national notables. There will also be familiar features such as “Overscene” and celeb birthdays. Log on and tell us what other names and faces you want to see. Hope you enjoy it!
Celebrity birthdays
Singer Earl "Speedo" Carroll of The Cadillacs and The Coasters is 72. Singer Jay Black (Jay and the Americans) is 71. Actress Stefanie Powers is 67. Keyboardist Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer is 65. Singer J.D. Souther is 64. Drummer Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band is 52. Singer k.d. lang is 48. Bassist Bobby Dall of Poison is 46. Actress Lauren Velez ("Dexter") is 45. Actor David Schwimmer ("Friends") is 43. Singer Alvin Chea of Take 6 is 42. Bassist Fieldy of Korn is 40. Singer-guitarist John Hampson of Nine Days is 38. Rapper Nelly is 35. Rapper Prodigy of Mobb Deep is 35. Guitarist Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie is 34.
Contributing: news services
About the Author
