‘This American Life' rambles in Georgia

Some of you, like Buzz, are rabid fans of "This American Life," featuring the artful mumblings of host Ira Glass and a variety of stories, presented in "acts," all connected to a common weekly theme. The rest of you might want to come on board, at least to check out the next episode, titled "Georgia Rambler." It's inspired by a column by that name that used to run in The Atlanta Journal, one of the two precursors to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, back when Buzz was in elementary school. "In the 1970s," the 30-second promo for the show begins, "a reporter for The Atlanta Journal did this column called 'The Georgia Rambler.' He basically would get in his car, drive into some small town [where] he'd never been before, and say to the people there, 'I'm looking for somebody interesting or unusual. Somebody who has a good story.' " This week, "This American Life," which airs at 7 p.m. Sundays on WABE-FM (90.1), replicates that sacred mission. The Journal reporter, by the way, was the esteemed Charles Salter, whose son Chuck Salter is also a journalist and is married to Lisa Pollak, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who now works as producer on "This American Life." (Chuck's mom, Sallye Salter, was a real estate reporter for The Atlanta Constitution.) And now you know ... the rest of the story. Oops. Wrong radio show.

Christmas (news) in July

It's never too early to start planning for the holidays, right? So here's a timely tidbit for you. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine announced this week that The Mansion on Peachtree will serve as the location for the 36th annual Christmas House. A majority of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Alliance Children’s Theatre, a division of the Woodruff Arts Center that offers playwriting competitions and educational community programs. Dates are Nov. 26 through Dec. 12. For more details, see www.atlantachristmashouse.com.

Buzz in our ear

Jeffrey Fashion Cares, the city's fashionable annual fund-raiser benefiting the Susan G. Komen breast cancer research fund's local affiliate and the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund, has announced a pair of positive developments. The event's host committee has raised more than $150,000, not including corporate sponsorships or vendor donations. And the Elton John AIDS Foundation has announced a $75,000 matching grant. "We are so grateful," said longtime event co-chair Lila Hertz. Her co-chairs this year are Jeffrey McQuithy and Louise Sams. Hosted by retailer Jeffrey Kalinsky, Fashion Cares will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 on the 33rd floor of the 12th & Midtown building and includes a pre-show reception, live auction, fashion show and after-party. This year's guest designers are Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, and the honorary chair is Spanx founder Sara Blakely. For ticket and sponsorship details, see www.jeffreyfashioncares.com/atlanta or call 404-420-2997.

Celebrity birthdays

Actor Robert Horton ("Wagon Train") is 86. Actor David Warner ("Titanic") is 69. Keyboardist Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon is 64. Singer-bassist Geddy Lee of Rush is 57. Documentary maker Ken Burns is 57. Singer Patti Scialfa with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is 57. Actress Alexandra Paul ("Baywatch") is 47. Country singer Martina McBride is 44. Drummer Chris Gorman of Belly is 43. Actor Tim Omundson ("Psych") is 41. Actor Wil Wheaton is 38. Singer Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men is 37. Actor Stephen Dorff is 37. Country singer James Otto is 37. Actor Josh Radnor ("How I Met Your Mother") is 36. Musician Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley is 33. Actress Allison Mack ("Smallville") is 28.