Georgetown’s Cafe Milano attracts celebrities

On the first night of the four-day inauguration social blitz in Washington, one of the hottest tickets was the late-night party Saturday at the swanky Cafe Milano in the District’s Georgetown neighborhood.

The big star at the party, which began about 11 p.m. Saturday, was Hollywood actress Sharon Stone, best known for her role in the film “Basic Instinct.” Media maven Tammy Haddad was especially impressed.

“I went over to her and asked her what she’d be wearing on Inauguration Day to keep warm,” Miss Haddad quipped.

Miss Stone’s wardrobe choice - and undergarments - remained a secret.

Also at Cafe Milano was D.C. Council member Jack Evans of Ward 2, a Democrat and one of the city’s longest-serving lawmakers. When asked how his party-hopping was going, Mr. Evans, who lives in Georgetown and whose ward represents the White House, said, “So far so good. D.C. does these things best.”

Luke Russert, son of the late NBC newsman Tim Russert, also attended the party. The recent college graduate is now a reporter for NBC as well and said it was his first inauguration as a reporter. He said he is planning to attend many events. “It’s great to see D.C. in such a celebratory mood,” he said.

The glitterati geared up for several events yesterday. At the Ritz Carlton, Californians gathered for their luncheon and fashion show sponsored by the Los Angeles-based Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, a Democrat, told The Washington Times that he “is hopeful that the economic stimulus package and the new president will help the California economy.”

The Times also caught up with Rep. David Dreier, who has been in Congress since 1981, said he, too, is optimistic about the Obama administration and what it can do to help rescue California, which is facing a $42 billion deficit. Mr. Dreier, a Republican, said the fact that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is from California is a plus.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer, also attended the event at the Ritz Carlton. Mr. Newsom said President Bush avoided San Francisco as much as possible but that he hopes Barack Obama will return to San Francisco when he is president.

Later Sunday, the “hostess with mostest,” Juleanna Glover, hosted fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg and others in her Northwest Washington home on behalf of Vital Voices, an organization that promotes women in leadership positions throughout the world.