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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 13
Friday, April 13, 2007
The Apprentice comes to the ATL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta just might end up being the prize at the conclusion of “The Apprentice Los Angeles” later this month.
At the one-year anniversary party for Atlanta Peach magazine at Puritan Mills downtown Friday night, the international business mogul who is bringing Trump Towers Atlanta to West Peachtree let some scoop slip. “I’ll be choosing Atlanta,” The Donald, clad in a dark suit and signature pink tie told Buzz, indicating that the winner of the NBC reality show would be assigned to Trump’s new Atlanta real estate project. “I’m blowing it by telling you. You’ll have to tune in in two weeks.” Trump’s real estate mogul/model daughter (and current Atlanta Peach cover subject) Ivanka, dressed in a 1950s era pink dress, told us she’s looking forward to spending more time here (she had several friends who attended Emory). “It’s the right time for us and Atlanta,” Ivanka explained. “It’s a growing city, a young city and a city that appreciates architecture. The market is here but the product wasn’t. With Trump Towers Atlanta, we’re creating that product.” Atlanta Peach editor in chief Elizabeth Roth said that she feels the mag’s first year has helped establish the glossy’s identity in an ever-crowded market. “We have great writers covering what’s remarkable about Atlanta,” she said. “That, along with great photography and fashion is what distinguishes us.” About 400 invitation-only guests turned up for the soiree featuring celebrity guest DJs Dallas Austin, Big Boi and Collective Soul singer Ed Roland.
Miami hits Buckhead
With a soggy forecast today, shoppers at Lenox Square may well gravitate to the Neiman Marcus entrance of the Buckhead shopping emporium. That’s where the Miami Lounge will be situated, courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and Ocean Drive magazine. Tourism officials hope the mini dose of sun and sand will entice Atlantans to make summer plans to visit the Florida city, with giveaway trips and special getaway deals available for purchase. There was no immediate word if consumers would receive a deeper discount for relinquishing a ticket stub from last year’s ill-conceived, shot-in-the-city big-screen “Miami Vice” starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx.
Dating ritual becomes equal opportunity
(See photos: here and read more in the Radio Talk blog here.) Star 94, after four years of having single men promote themselves on Peachtree Road, added an equal number of women Friday morning to the mix.
But this was no Freaknik — or Six Flags promotion. Traffic moved slowly but steadily as many “shoppers” circled the block multiple times, beeping at the men and women they liked. The annual Star 94 dating ritual is among the station’s most popular promotions.
Rebecca Kaufman, a 34-year-old Buckhead nanny, brought her dog Chloe to help attract guys. “I tried the bar scene and the club scene. I’ve tried Internet dating, J-Date,” she told Buzz. “I figured why not add something new to the mix?”
Felicity Warren decided to parlay her profession as a dermatologist by holding up a sign offering a tongue-in-cheek “free full body skin exam.” “It’s hard to meet people in Atlanta,” said the 40-year-old Dunwoody resident.
Aaron Faubli, a 36-year-old sales guy from Little Five Points, promoted himself via his guitar, strumming David Gray’s “Babylon,” and singing the line “If you want it/come and get it.” He said he was inspired by a friend who met his future wife at a previous “Mile of Men” promotion.
U.K. native Daniel Clarke simply wrapped himself in the British flag and a top hat, the same gimmick he used at the 2006 “Mile of Men.”
“Last year,” the 26-year-old software developer noted, “I got two months’ worth of dates from this!”
Celebrity birthdays
Today: Country singer Loretta Lynn is 72. Actress Julie Christie is 67. Actor Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 47. Actor Anthony Michael Hall is 39. Actor Adrien Brody (“The Pianist”) is 34. Rapper Da Brat is 33. Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is 30. Actress Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) is 11. Sunday: Country singer Roy Clark is 74. Singer-guitarist Dave Edmunds is 63. Actress Emma Thompson is 48. Actor Danny Pino (“Cold Case”) is 33. Actress Emma Watson (“Harry Potter” movies) is 17.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“News thrives on the same thing entertainment does: character and narrative. In this case, a barely repentant curmudgeon had effectively mugged Cinderella.” — New York Times media critic David Carr on the firing of radio/TV talker Don Imus after he made racist comments about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team
OVERSCENE
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (the lapel flower was red, incidentally); former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield (dressed in Thrashers duds); Atlanta Hawks Anthony Johnson, Josh Childress and Zaza Pachulia; Atlanta Thrashers President/CEO Bernie Mullin; and Atlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon were in the sold-out crowd at Philips Arena for the Stanley Cup playoff game that the Thrashers ended up dropping to the New York Rangers 4 to 3 Thursday night. Game 2 is at 3 p.m. today.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Brasserie owner, staff say ‘oui’ to new location
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Finally, finally we are here,” French American Brasserie owner Fabrice Vergez whispered while warmly welcoming Buzz to his gorgeous new downtown eatery Wednesday night. For more than a year, longtime diners at Vergez’s now-closed Brasserie Le Coze at Lenox Square have been quietly craving sauteed skate wings in brown butter and frites — and being doted on by the ultra-loyal Brasserie staff. Skyrocketing Buckhead rents (not to mention Neiman Marcus coveting the adjacent space) prompted Vergez to move to a lavish 15,000-square-foot space — the main room has a stained-glass ceiling — on four floors at 30 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd.
Indeed, much of the wait and kitchen staffs, including Le Coze executive chef Kaighn B. Raymond, are back on the job at the new location. Wednesday night’s private launch party, filled with hugs for former Le Coze diners and staff, had the feel of a family reunion (Table 1280 and the Globe offered 10 Brasserie servers temporary positions until their new home was finished).
In addition to a rooftop terrace for 80, an 80-seat private dining room and a streetside patio for 32, FAB (as the gold sign out front reads) also pays tribute with a 50-seat Le Coze Corner, complete with black-and-white photographs and furniture from the old location.
“We used a little corner to replicate the Lenox location as a way to pay tribute to our roots,” Vergez explained.
As Allen Plaza developer Hal Barry toasted the new dining destination in the bustling mixed-use area near the Georgia Aquarium, Vergez had a request for guests: “Please, before you leave, make sure to make a reservation!”
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; closed Sundays. Information: 404-266-1440 or www.fabatlanta.com.
PUCK’S CATERING BRANCHES OUT
We got word Wednesday that Los Angeles celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck is planning further inroads here. First, he opened the ever-busy Wolfgang Puck Express in Buckhead. Last year, Wolfgang Puck Catering inked an exclusive contract to handle the eats for hungry fish fans at the Georgia Aquarium. Now, WPC is expanding in Atlanta to off-premise catering as well. Its first big event? The Swan House Ball, the annual black-tie Atlanta History Center benefit, set for April 28. Just out of curiosity, we rang Tony Conway, whose company, A Legendary Event, has catered the event in the past. “I welcome Wolfgang,” Conway told us graciously. “They’re a great company. It helps to raise the bar for all of us. Plus, having their established quality and price point in Atlanta doesn’t hurt our industry at all.”
ECOMANOR READY FOR MAGAZINE CLOSE-UP
EcoManor, Captain Planet Foundation chair Laura Turner Seydel’s and Hawks/Thrashers co-owner/attorney hubby Rutherford Seydel’s ultra-green home, is getting a house call next week. A camera crew from House & Garden magazine will be in town for two days to shoot the eco-friendly joint for a spread in the Condé Nast publication’s September issue. House & Garden design director Wendy Goodman will have a tough job making the home look more presentable than it already does on ecomanor.com, the couple’s Web site dedicated to the home. At press time Thursday, Turner Seydel had not yet indicated whether she’ll need to borrow our hypo-allergenic Swiffer this weekend.
ROCKERS HAVE NEW DATE FOR ATL
Those pesky “personal issues” must have been worked out. Emo rockers Fall Out Boy, who were supposed to gig here next week, have set a fresh Atlanta date on their tour — June 14 at HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. Tickets from next week’s show will be honored.
CELEBRITY DOCKET
In an eerie case of life imitating art, former “Prison Break” actor Lane Garrison will plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter for a crash that killed a 17-year-old boy who was a passenger in his car, his attorney said this week.
Garrison, 26, will make the plea May 21 in Beverly Hills Superior Court, attorney Harland Braun said after a hearing at which Garrison’s arraignment was postponed. Braun said Garrison might plead guilty to some other charges, too.
The charges carry up to six years and eight months in prison. Garrison remains free on bail.
“He realizes that he has to step up and take responsibility for what he did,” Braun said.
HIGH FIVE
Top downloaded TV episodes
1. “The Negotiation,” “The Office”
2. “10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.,” “24”
3. “Left Behind,” “Lost”
4. “Fantastic Easter Special,” “South Park”
5. “Dress Big,” “Desperate Housewives”
— Source: iTunes
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Lyle Waggoner is 72. Actor Tony Dow (“Leave It to Beaver”) is 62. Musician Al Green is 61. Singer Peabo Bryson is 56. “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” bandleader Max Weinberg is 56. Actress-comedian Caroline Rhea (“The Biggest Loser”) is 43. Actor Ricky Schroder is 37. Singer Nellie McKay is 25.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“See, now aren’t you glad you came back after that Six Flags thing?”
— Q100’s Bert Weiss to listeners Thursday, after helpful callers offered shortcuts around lengthy customer service telephone wait times. Last week, a Q100 ratings stunt at Six Flags amusement park resulted in craazy-bad rush-hour gridlock, ticking off commuters and listeners and making national headlines.
STORK REPORT
It’s a boy!
Talk about working up to your due date. “Boston Legal” star Julie Bowen (right) went into labor on the set Tuesday. “Her little muscles contracted until the scene was over and bang,” co-star William Shatner explained to “Extra” of Bowen’s water breaking on the job. “Talk about method acting!”
The actress gave birth Tuesday to Oliver McLanahan Phillips at a Los Angeles hospital.
Bowen, 37, is married to Scott Phillips. Her pregnancy was written into her role.
Contributing: news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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