We had to switch to a new blog tool. Here’s the new link: http://www.accessatlanta.com/weblogs/buzz/

Thanks, Jennifer

p.s. email me if you have any problems reading it or if it ever looks buggy to you – jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading The Buzz blog is dead; Long live the Buzz blog »

In a small town full of teen angst, a spooky new student shows up at the high school. A little pasty but eerily attractive, the student hails from a quirky family that tends to keep to itself. Weird stuff starts happening and soon a love triangle emerges.

We’re talking about “Beautiful Creatures,” the original new supernatural teen movie coming out Feb. 14.

Two of the cast members, Zoey Deutch (”Emily”) and Thomas Mann (”Link”) will meet and greet fans at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Perimeter Mall area Barnes & Noble. The event will feature movie clips, gift bags and autographs.

The first 200 fans to arrive receive movie tickets.

Continue reading Meet “Beautiful Creatures” cast members tonight »

Ben Rose Photography

Pop! Go the dining spaces at two elegant Buckhead hotels.

First, the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead welcomes Valentine’s diners in its Dining Room for a limited engagement Feb. 14-16. While the Dining Room closed some time ago, new executive chef Franck Steigerwald, shown at the left, will serve a four-course dinner the option of paired wines chosen by sommelier Linda Torres Alarcon during the holiday weekend.

Click here for a peek at the menu.

“Franck Steigerwald is a brilliant chef, and we’ve been considering ways to let our guests enjoy his menus in a restaurant setting, so the pop-up concept was perfect,” said Erwin Schinnerl, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. “We’re delighted to present this very special dining experience for Valentine’s celebrations.”

Seatings are from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and the price is $99 per person for dinner with an additional $65 per person for the paired wines. Call 404-240-7035 or make your reservations at

Continue reading Pop-up dining at the Ritz-Carlton; Poppins tea at the St. Regis »

Golden retrievers Trooper and Buckley are ready to party with Adopt a Golden Atlanta President Lauren Genkinger, seated, founder Bill Hamblin; and co-chairs Justin and Allison Farmer (back).

Adopt a Golden Atlanta, the second largest rescue organization in the nation dedicated solely to golden retrievers, holds its fifth annual Golden Gala at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery.

The event features a silent auction with more than 250 items, music by the Centennial Jazz Trio, four food stations and signature Goldentinis, along with an appearance by artist Debra Marlin, creator of Yellowdog.

The Golden Gala is chaired by WSB Channel 2 anchor Justin Farmer and his wife Allison. Presenting sponsors are Cox Media Group, Manheim, WSB-TV and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The culinary chair is Tony Conway, owner of A Legendary Event.

The Golden Gala is AGA’s major fundraiser and proceeds are used to support rescued golden retrievers.

“In today’s economy we are seeing a …

Continue reading A golden opportunity to benefit charity »

Let me preface this blog with an apology.

It will probably not interest you, dear reader, who is just looking for the latest Kardashian update before dashing into a meeting, in the least.

A reality show about reporters? What, couldn’t they create a show about paint drying or grass growing?

But journalists find other journalists fascinating, in the way babies stare with unknowing wonder at each other. So this news bulletin first reported on Jim Romenesko’s Facebook page, the virtual water cooler where journalists hang out talking about other journalists, was too great to resist:

“NBC Peacock Productions … is planning a ‘documentary-style reality show’ about a small-town newspaper that’s ‘working hard to stay on top of breaking small-town news and keep financially afloat in an ever-increasing competitive.’ NBC Peacock wants to hear from newspaper bosses interested in being considered for the show. (The production company asks: ‘Is your team a real version of The Office meets …

Continue reading NBC plans a reality show about a newspaper? Really? »

AP photo

Happy feels-like-Monday. Here are a few star sightings to star this short week!

Mary J was in the house! Mary J. Blige and her husband Kendu Isaacs cheered on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. (Did anyone spot her in the Dome on Sunday?)

Tamar Braxton and husband Vincent Herbert, spinoff stars of the WE channel’s “Braxton Family Values,” also were at Philips for the Hawks  game on Saturday.

A number of tipsters filled us in on Ludacris’ weekend activities. He was spotted  at Whiskey Blue in the Buckhead W, Chops Lobster Bar and the Clermont Lounge. Champ Evander Holyfield also was seen at Whiskey Park, at the Midtown W.

Longtime soap star Susan Lucci is here for “Devious Maids,” the new Lifetime pilot. She’s been spotted nibbling daintily on Caesar salads at Veni Vidi Vici.

Alright that’s it for now. We’ll let you know if Hugh Jackman or Jake Gyllenhaal, in town filming a movie called “Prisoners,” are spotted …

Continue reading Star sightings: Mary J. Blige, Susan Lucci, Evander Holyfield spotted in Atlanta »

Director Allen Hughes, second from left and Mark Wahlberg hear from former Falcons player Warrick Dunn at a recent Atlanta screening event for "Broken City." V103's Ryan Cameron, far left, hosted the event, held at Regal Atlantic Station. PHOTO: Pouya Dianat/Allied

Mark Wahlberg doesn’t just star in “Broken City,” the crime thriller now in theaters about a detective, a mercurial mayor, his seductive wife and a dangerous search for the truth.

He is also among its producers and has been traveling around the country with director Allen Hughes to promote it.

“I’m excited to be here!” Wahlberg told an enraptured crowd at an advance screening held recently at the Regal Atlantic Station theater. “Hopefully I’ll come here to make a movie. This is my town. I love Atlanta!”

The next day he and Hughes sat for a long day of press interviews to further promote their project. Their tone was a bit more subdued but no less enthusiastic about “Broken City,” which also stars Russell Crowe, …

Continue reading “Broken City” opens today; interview with Mark Wahlberg and director Allen Hughes »

Why we love the Internet: Memes like this, which is making the social media rounds faster than Cupid's arrow.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?

Besides making up a fake dead girlfriend we mean. That ole chestnut? So yesterday.

Did you ever concoct a wacky scheme in order to “accidentally” bump into the object of your desire? Time your Starbucks run to coincide with the guy or gal you’ve had your eye on? Contrive some plot to get out of a date when a better Plan B came along?

Break up via text? (Gulp. We hope not).

For an offbeat Valentine’s Day story we want to hear your kooky tales of the heart!

Add your tale of love and longing below and we may be in touch about featuring you in the retro print product. Speaking of retro: if you are going to ditch your date for a better option, here’s how not to do it:

Continue reading Crazy in Love: Share your nutty Valentine’s story! »

Mayor Kasim Reed and Adrienne Mulligan, president of Gigi's Playhouse Atlanta

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and WSB Channel 2 Action News anchor Justin Farmer are teaming up for a wonderful cause: Gigi’s Playhouse, which serves children with Down syndrome and their families.

The third annual “i have a voice” gala to benefit GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta is planned for Saturday, Feb. 2 at the downtown Atlanta Ritz-Carlton.

Mayor Reed serves as the event’s honorary host while Farmer will serve as emcee.

The 2012 gala raised more than $215,000 to help Gigi’s Playhouse provide free therapy-styled classes, tutoring, support groups, monthly speaker series and a vast referrals network. The facility has served 170 children born with T21 (Down syndrome) and their families.

“T21 affects one out of every 691 babies born in the United States today,” said Adrienne Mulligan, president of GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta and mom of Sara Kate, one of the children benefiting from its services. “With every …

Continue reading Kasim Reed, Justin Farmer team up for charity benefit »

Continue reading Video: Discussing Hugh Jackman, Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell »