Joan Van Ark

It's hard to get Malibu's resident celebrities to agree on anything. Just look at the controversy surrounding the issues of sewer systems, over-development and Martin Sheen. But 100 of them nevertheless managed to reach consensus Friday night: that La Scala's move to new quarters in the beach community was not just one small step for restaurateur Jean Leon, but also one giant leap for Malibu. And they even agreed to celebrate there at a benefit dinner for the Motion Picture and Television Fund that was underwritten entirely by Leon.

Miss South Carolina, Kimberly Clarice Aiken, was crowned Miss America on Saturday night after pledging to spend the next year on efforts to educate the homeless. The field of 50 contestants, one from each state, was narrowed to five semifinalists late Saturday after two weeks of competition in swimsuit, talent, interview and evening gown categories.

Before she could present Jane Fonda with the UCLA Longevity Center's Icon Award, Jennifer Lopez had to pause midway in her recitation of Fonda's lofty achievements — actress, fitness guru, author and activist for environmental, human rights, health, women's empowerment issues and more. "You're busy like crazy," Lopez said. "I thought I was busy. " No doubt. Lopez herself had just been introduced as an "actor, producer, recording artist, entrepreneur, fashion designer, wife, mother and humanitarian," as well as People magazine's "most beautiful woman in the world.

Shazam. Something about Saturday night's rain burst put everyone in a super-sexy mood. At North, a new night spot on Sunset Boulevard that's so red-hot it's got no signage, nearly every chica sauntering about was sporting a shimmery tube top, no doubt praying it wouldn't slither south as she tossed 'em back. Maybe this unseasonal phenomenon occurred because word got out that David Schwimmer was in the house--nothing like a big-time TV star to get the ladies to turn it out.

The Grove Shakespeare Festival has lined up enough celebrity actors for its midsummer outdoor fund-raiser to call it "Shakespeare Under the Hollywood Stars." Oscar-winning actor F. Murray Abraham ("Amadeus") and Tony-winning actress Maryann Plunkett ("Me and My Girl") have agreed to appear Aug. 10 at the Grove's Festival Amphitheatre along with John Vickery (currently starring in "Richard II" at the Mark Taper Forum) and David Birney and Joan Van Ark, among others, W.