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I wanted McCain to pick Bobby Jindal as his running mate, but back in July it became clear that Jindal, who took office as Louisiana’s governor in January, intended to stay in Louisiana. Joe Lieberman would also have been a good choice. But all the indications are that the GOP has successfully steamrolled the fiercely independent John McCain into playing ball with the religious right. It looks as though he’ll be choosing Mitt Romney. Or maybe Tim Pawlenty. Either one will be poison for the Republican ticket. Either one will insure that the GOP loses the White House. The GOP theocrats have utterly underestimated the group of people who have stood by John McCain longer than anyone else—the irreligious independents, people who may believe in God but who certainly never wanted religion to become the focal point of any political campaign. ( Full article and comments) - Grant Park Summer Shade Festival: Tastings at Corks & Forks, a 5K race, music (including Geoff Achison, pictured) and lots of fun stuff for the kids. Aug. 30-31 at Grant Park. www.summershade.org.
- Skirts: Petticoats to Crinoline: Skip the expensive museum thing and scope out some fashion at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, showcasing garments worn by black women from 1887-1950. Through Sept. 22. www.afplweb.com/aarl.
- Summer Spotlight Cabaret: Atlanta’s Lyric Theatre hosts its final musical cabaret performance of the season Thursday Aug. 28 at 8 p.m., with complimentary wine and nibbles.
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Sherlita Patton (wife of Antwan "Big Boi" Patton) and Tracy Valentine's fabulously fashionable P Valentine boutique is closing up shop, despite their celebrity clientele. The store is dropping prices dramatically to rid themselves of inventory. The last open day is Thursday, so scoot over there before all the goods are gone forever. ( Full article and comments)
Earlier this month, Republic of Georgia President Saakashvili took the same action that any leader would take to hold his country together in the face of what looks suspiciously like a classic Russian infiltration and incitement job, a leftover from the days of Putin's old alma mater, the KGB. Americans cannot imagine having a state try to secede and the severe security problem that would present--even though such a secession by numerous states was brutally--though rightfully-- put down in the American Civil War. Even if Barack Obama were president, if a state tried to secede, he'd send in the troops to keep it from happening bc of the extremely dangerous security risk the renegade state would present to the other US states. ( Full article and comments) He might be raking in millions from his musical artistry, but Jermaine Dupri can't seem to share the wealth with his employees of Café Dupri, which mysteriously shut down last week. “The economy has changed dramatically and people just aren’t eating out as much anymore,” Dupri told AllHipHop.com. “People are cutting back everywhere and a lot of companies, including Café Dupri, are feeling the effect. For the past two months business at the Café has been down and if the business isn’t making money, I feel its a smart move to shut it down. Bottom line: if it doesn't make money, it doesn't make sense.” Employees of the cafe recently appeared on local television station WSB-TV saying they weren't paid for their work after showing up last week and seeing a sign that read, "Thanks for patronizing Café Dupri. We have closed indefinitely." ( Full article and comments)
The Georgia Aquarium just announced the addition of a female manta ray named Nandi to the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager gallery. Nandi makes Georgia Aquarium the only aquarium in the United States to ever house a manta ray and one of only four aquariums in the world to display this species. Nandi will join four whale sharks and thousands of other animals in the world’s largest aquarium exhibit. No shrinking violet, Nandi, who measures more than nine feet across and weighs approximately 456 lbs, flew 9,000 miles on a chartered 747-200 aircraft from Durban, South Africa through Cape Verde, Africa, to Atlanta. The manta ray was under the care and supervision of Georgia Aquarium and uShaka Marine World professional staff and maintained by a highly advanced marine life support system. Nandi was rescued from shark nets off the coast of Durban, South Africa, in April 2007 and rehabilitated by uShaka Marine World, the largest marine park in Africa. She has lived in uShaka for the past year, but we're pleased as punch that Nandi's here in the ATL for us to see her. ( Full article and comments) “Sweeney Todd” filmmaker Tim Burton is 50 on Aug. 25. We’re just gonna come out and say it: Over. Rated. Rocker Gene Simmons (pictured) is 59 on Aug. 25. And if you think his KISS makeup is scary, you should see him without it. Food personality Rachael Ray is 40 on Aug. 26. Is it just us, or does her perpetually perky countenance make Paula Deen look normal by comparison? Ritalin-deprived comic actor Jack Black is 39 on Aug. 28. When will Oscar finally recognize his talent for portraying one-note, hyperactive man-boys? Speaking of entertainers who’ll never grow up, Michael Jackson is 50 on Aug. 29. Buy him something nice, won’t you, Bubbles? “Charlie’s Angels” actress Cameron Diaz is 36 on Aug. 30. Don’t you just get the feeling she’s a royal pain in the rear in real life?
Photo: Dave Etheridge-Barnes/Getty Images
( Full article and comments) HEY, I KNOW THAT GUY … You probably know KEVIN POLLAK from his roles in more than 50 films including “The Usual Suspects,” “Casino” and, uh, “Dr. Doolittle 2.” But you might not know him as a comedian and impressionist, known for dead-on takes on Christopher Walken and William Shatner. The actor, writer and producer appears Friday and Saturday at the Punchline for a rare engagement. So what do you need, an engraved invitation? 404-252-5233. www.punchline.com.
THREE GOOD THINGS THE GERMANS GAVE US: And no, we’re not talking about Volkswagens. German food, German music and (best of all) German beer—they’re all waiting for you at the fifth annual GERMAN BIERFEST Saturday afternoon at Woodruff Park. A ticket ($30 in advance, $35 at the door) gets you a sampling glass and all the beer (more than 30 German brews) you can drink. Kids and designated drivers get in free (although no one under 21 will be allowed to drink, of course). There’s also fare from popular local restaurants. It all starts at 2 p.m. Vunderbar! 678-244-1528. www.germanbierfest.com.
BREAK OUT THE ZOLOFT: If you’re a fan of live music and have a hard time making decisions, Saturday night is just plain going to be a problem. Do you rock out to the mildly dangerous, derivative ’90s alterna-rock of the reunited STONE TEMPLE PILOTS at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (404-249-6400, www.vzwamp.com)? Do you take things down a couple of notches and mellow out to soft rockers SISTER HAZEL performing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Chastain Park Amphitheatre (404-733-4800, www.classicchastain.org)? Or do you opt for a rare appearance by country music living legend LORETTA LYNN at the Cobb Energy Centre (404-249-6400, www.cobbenergycentre.com)? See? We told you it was going to be rough …
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE … So prescribe yourself a heavy dose of frivolity Sunday at the Punchline’s COMEDY FOR A CURE event. Hosted by child cancer survivor Jay Eichelberger, the festivities include headliner Tom Simmons and at least one other comic, as well as a raffle and live auction of such items as an iPod, a Nintendo Wii, sports tickets and a week at a Florida vacation home. All proceeds benefit CURE Childhood Cancer. For more information, call 404-252-5233 or visit www.punchline.com. ( Full article and comments) “There is no doubt that the new frontier of entertainment is taking place informally on the street,” former Atlanta resident John Mayer (pictured) posted on his blog a couple of weeks back.
And boy, was he not kidding: After breaking up with his latest flame, Jennifer Aniston (reported by text message, depending on which news outlets you believe), Mayer held an impromptu press conference with a gaggle of paparazzi recently to work out his feelings, although springing for a shrink would have been a lot less embarrassing. The pop superstar, never one to be extremely forthright in these matters (did he ever really admit that he was dating Jessica Simpson?), gave a rambling and not very informative discourse, alternately bemoaning the breakup and asserting his role as the breaker-upper.
As the visibly unsettled Mayer told the throng: “If you guys are going to run stuff and run every lie under the sun, have somebody stand up for somebody. Have me as a man who ended a relationship stand here and write some truth. Have me stand up for somebody and write that Jennifer Aniston is the smartest, most sophisticated person I think I've ever met. She's one of the most lovely people I've ever met in my life … I ended a relationship to be alone because I don't want to waste somebody's time if something's not right.”
OK, we get it—she’s great, and you dumped her. “Say what you need to say,” indeed …
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) Cornell Hayes Jr.—better known Nelly—had plenty of folks shaking their tailfeathers at the Tabernacle last Tuesday. Although the show—part of the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush concert series—was free, the St. Louis-based rapper didn’t skimp on showmanship, delivering an energetic set that had the whole floor bouncing. Although some of those in attendance might have been reacting just as much to his chiseled physique, complemented by a simple white T-shirt, as to the music. Let’s just say he shouldn’t have any trouble in his upcoming gig as a model for Diddy’s Sean John underwear line.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) |