This year's Swan House Ball outgrew the facility it benefits. Nearly 600 people attended the April 30 event, held under a tent on the grounds of the Swan House at the Atlanta History Center. Themed "Telling Atlanta's Story," the ball was chaired by Jack Sawyer and Lovette Russell and more than $800,000 was raised for the Atlanta History Center's educational initiatives. The honorary chairman was Herman J. Russell, founder of H.J. Russell & Company. The festive crowd included Elizabeth Allen, Karen Spiegel, Susan Tucker, Jane and Dameron Black III, Louise Sams, Stephanie and Jerome Russell, Charlene and Earnest Ingram, Charles and Ginny Brewer, Helen Regenstein, Monica and John Pearson, Ruth and Tom Anthony, Merry and Chris Carlos, Nina and William B. Schwartz Jr., Ruthie Rollins, Todd Tautfest, Danielle and Glen Rollins, Sue and Al Longman, Ivan Allen IV, Blaine Upchurch, Lisa Borders and Devyne Stephens.
Look out, NeNe. Star's on her way
Cue the Bravo cameras! Star Jones, who has become NeNe Leakes' regular sparring partner on "Celebrity Apprentice," is coming to town. Is Atlanta big enough for the two of them? We'll find out at 7:30 p.m. May 24, when Jones signs her book, "Satan's Sisters," at Outwrite Bookstore at Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street in Midtown. Jones and Leakes have delighted viewers (and Donald Trump, no doubt) with their weekly fireworks display on "Celebrity Apprentice," and have taken turns going on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to vent about each other. So, given that we in the media aim to foment strife at every turn, we are naturally hoping that Leakes shows up at the book signing, that a showdown ensues, and that Bravo cameras capture the magic for the edification of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" viewers next season. Actually, we suspect both of these shrewd women have a bigger laugh at us most of the time.
Celebrity birthdays
CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace is 93. Guitarist Nokie Edwards of The Ventures is 76. Actor Albert Finney is 75. Actress-turned-politician Glenda Jackson is 75. Guitarist Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly and The Crickets is 74. Producer-director James L. Brooks is 74. Singer Tommy Roe is 69. Singer-guitarist Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco) is 67. Singer Clint Holmes is 65. Actress Candice Bergen is 65. Singer Billy Joel is 62. Bassist Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick is 61. Actress Alley Mills ("The Wonder Years") is 60. Actor John Corbett ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Northern Exposure") is 50. Singer David Gahan of Depeche Mode is 49. Rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan is 41. Guitarist Mike Myerson of Heartland is 40. Singer Tamia is 36. Trombonist Dan Regan of Reel Big Fish is 34. Singer Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan is 32. Actress Rosario Dawson ("Grindhouse," "Josie and the Pussycats") is 32.
Contributing: news services
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