Luncheon

Sen. John Ensign said Wednesday that his affair with a friend's wife was different from former President Clinton's relationship with a White House intern because he didn't lie about it under oath. "I haven't done anything legally wrong," the Nevada Republican told the Associated Press in an interview. "President Clinton stood right before the American people and he lied to the American people," Ensign said. "You remember that famous day he lied to the American people, plus the fact I thought he committed perjury.

A year ago, Mickey Rourke would have had a hard time getting a good table at the Ivy, but on Monday he had the best reservation in town as one of the Oscar hopefuls invited to the annual nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton. Looking quirky and resplendent in his preternatural tan, gray pin-striped suit and sunglasses, the 56-year-old star is this year's comeback kid after the career revival of "The Wrestler," and he wasn't taking his lead actor nomination -- or the free meal -- for granted.

At the L.A. Conservation Corps luncheon on March 19, 1. Jake Gyllenhaal supplied the "Aw!" factor when he showed up -- on crutches, no less -- to surprise scholarship recipient Oscar Mejia, who helped him research his upcoming role in "Brothers." During Mejia's speech, the formerly at-risk 20-year-old revealed his dream to work in Sacramento someday. Hint, hint, Maria! The ever-obliging 2. Governator's wife, Maria Shriver, offered to put in a good word. The rest of the scholars hopped onstage at the Los Angeles Historic Park as their names were read by Wilmer Valderrama and 3. Xzibit, who arrived early and stayed late to sign autographs and pose for photos with the amped-up kids.

President Bush said Monday that the nation's economy was troubled by "storm clouds and concerns" but asserted that its fundamental elements remained strong. With the stock market acting like a yo-yo, the Federal Reserve working to stave off recession and the administration promoting a plan to aid homeowners with escalating mortgage payments, the president looked to the past to calm fears about the future.

Re "Fundraising beat goes on for Gov.," Dec. 3 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he is going to build a stronger, unified California. I have an idea for a great start. Go ahead and raise the same amount of money it would take to finance the inaugural ceremony that the governor has envisioned. But instead of actually having a Hollywood production and grand luncheon, give the money to support California residents in need. Of course, you need to let the donors know your intentions -- any other pretense would be dishonest.

Television's so-called network chiefs did lunch in Beverly Hills, and perhaps like so many other afternoon meals in this town much was said, but much more was left unsaid. The Thursday lunch held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel followed the bad news over that morning's breakfast, which reported that NBC Universal was cutting roughly 5% of its work force and will largely turn over its 8 p.m. time slot to reality programming and game shows.

In 1863, Edouard Manet shocked his Parisian audience by painting a naked woman boldly staring out of a picture while sitting on the grass with fully clothed men. The provocative subject matter and loose brushwork were far too modern for the conservative tastes of the time.

That traffic jam on Sunset Boulevard in Holmby Hills the other day wasn't due to a presidential motorcade. It was a due to a prospective-first-lady luncheon. About 175 women responded to an invitation for lunch Wednesday with Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John F. Kerry. "People were lining up down Sunset to turn onto my street, and I forgot to tell the neighbors," said hostess Cynthia Yorkin, wife of producer Bud Yorkin.