It's tax day, and since we can't think of anything nice to say about that, let's talk about a fun event to aid people struggling with their finances. The annual "Purse Strings" party, planned for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Ventanas (275 Baker St.) will raise money for CredAbility's programs providing financial education to low-income women in metro Atlanta. "Knowledge is the first step toward self-empowerment and self-determination," said Suzanne Boas, president of CredAbility. V103's Ramona DeBreaux, former Georgia Tech and Green Bay Packers player Dorsey Levens and Star 94's Cindy Simmons have signed on as honorary chairs of the fourth annual event. The host committee includes Sherri and Glenn Austin, Cindy Berwick, Meredith Hodges, Robin Holland, Lane and Clark Howard, Art and Lisa Martinez, Candy Moore, Sandra Morelli, Lee and Joe Oesterling, Helen Smith Price, Louise Scott and Belinda Stubblefield. The planning committee, chaired by CredAbility board member Esther Hammond, includes Sandra Font, Julie French, Patricia Jimenez, Laresa Jones, Jamee Lawson, Megan Malli, Melanie Mueller, Deatra Riley, Matthew Shepherd, Gay Watson and Kyle Young. The event will feature a cocktail reception, mini makeovers and a silent auction. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at www.pursestringsatlanta.org or at the door. For more information, contact Amy Smith at 404-260-3107 or Amy.Smith@CredAbility.org.
Buzz in our ear
As shooting for a number of films and television shows, including the CBS pilot "Hail Mary," starring Minnie Driver; the ABC pilot "Partners," starring Annie Wersching; and "The Odd Life of Timothy Green," starring Jennifer Garner, wraps up, we're hearing about a new crop of projects on the horizon. Lately we're hearing that the "American Pie" series of ribald teen comedies is cranking up once again with "American Reunion." That project, starring Jason Biggs, Eugene Levy, Alyson Hannigan and a fresh-from-rehab Seann William Scott, will get going next month, meaning possible summer gigs as stand-ins or extras for Atlanta's crop of acting talent. Stay tuned for details; we'll post and print updates as we learn more.
Say what?
"The only thing he would say is, ‘How much booze have we given away so far?' "
-- Johnny's Hideaway owner Chris Dauria, musing on what the late Johnny Esposito would make of the after-funeral party held in his memory last week at the Roswell Road club he founded in 1979. The event was packed with friends who gathered to toast "Mr. Nightlife" one last time.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Robert Hooks is 74. Actress Hayley Mills is 65. Actor James Woods is 64. Actress Cindy Pickett ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off") is 64. Country keyboardist Walt Richmond of the Tractors is 64. Country bassist Jim Scholten of Sawyer Brown is 59. Actor Rick Moranis is 58. Actor Eric Roberts is 55. Actress Melody Thomas Scott ("The Young and the Restless") is 55. Actor John James ("Dynasty") is 55. Bassist Les Pattinson of Echo and the Bunnymen is 53. Actress Jane Leeves is 50. Late-night host Conan O'Brien is 48. Actor Eric McCormack ("Will and Grace") is 48. Actress Maria Bello is 44. Guitarist Mark Tremonti of Creed and of Alter Bridge is 37. Singer Trina of Trina and Tamara is 37. Actress Melissa Joan Hart is 35. Actress America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty") is 27. Actress Alia Shawkat ("Arrested Development") is 22.
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