FoxTale Book Shoppe in downtown Woodstock has hosted a number of impressive author events with writers including Mary Kay Andrews, Rick Bragg, Sonny Brewer, Joshilyn Jackson, Terry Kay and Kathryn Stockett. The star roster grows on the day after Independence Day. At 7 p.m. July 5, Jeffrey Stepakoff will be in-house to celebrate the release of "The Orchard." (Good timing, as his last work was "Fireworks Over Toccoa.") Tickets are $28 and include a signed copy of the book, wine and hors d'oeuvres. Information: www.foxtalebookshoppe.com
Buzz in our ear
"The Three Stooges" movie has been hopping back and forth OTP and ITP, shooting in Cartersville one day and the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center the next. The Farrelly brothers project was back at the Civic Center Friday, and we're told Jennifer Hudson and Jane Lynch are due to arrive next week. Our on-set spies also report that Sean Hayes, who plays Larry, is a super nice guy. He makes it a point to say hello to crewmembers and extras each day.
Overscene
Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks and Sheree Whitfield, three of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta," hit the gym Thursday night. The ladies weren't there to pump iron but to strut their stuff. The occasion was the VIP pre-opening fete for Urban Active Buckhead, a 40,000-square-foot fitness center at 3535 Peachtree Rd. tricked out with all sorts of swank amenities. Urban Active holds a community grand opening from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, and plans more celebrity visits from noon to 1:30 p.m., with actress Jasmine Guy confirmed to stroll (or maybe jog) the red carpet. Others on the list include Falcons player Harry Douglas, former Falcon Jamal Anderson, former Baltimore Ravens player Daniel Wilcox, singer Brandi D, actor Chris Tavarez and 107.9 FM personalities Jazzy McBee and DJ Scream. We're told Chris Klein and Thomas Ian Nichols, who are here shooting "American Reunion," may stop by if their schedule permits.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress June Lockhart is 86. R&B singer Eddie Floyd is 74. Actress Barbara Montgomery is 72. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Willis Reed is 69. Writer-producer-director Gary David Goldberg is 67. Singer Carly Simon is 66. Rock musician Allen Lanier (Blue Oyster Cult) is 65. Rock musician Ian McDonald (Foreigner; King Crimson) is 65. Actor-comedian Jimmie Walker is 64. Actor-director Michael Lembeck is 63. TV personality Phyllis George is 62. Rock singer Tim Finn is 59. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is 57. Rock musician David Paich (Toto) is 57. Actor Michael Sabatino is 56. Actor-writer-director Ricky Gervais is 50. Actor John Benjamin Hickey is 48. Rock singer George Michael is 48. Actress Erica Gimpel is 47. Former NBA player Dikembe Mutombo is 45. Rapper-producer Richie Rich is 44. Rapper Candyman is 43. Contemporary Christian musician Sean Kelly (Sixpence None the Richer) is 40. Actress Angela Kinsey ("The Office") is 40. Rock musician Mike Kroeger (Nickelback) is 39. Rock musician Mario Calire is 37. Actress Linda Cardellini is 36. Actress Busy Philipps is 32.
Contributing: news services
About the Author
