Also at the table was Mark Smith, just named an official artist for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, minority small-business person of the year Lani Hay, venture capitalist Mark Ein, and socialites Cindy and Evan Jones.

The entire table was treated to copies of "With Love: Artists' Letters and Illustrated Notes," by Liza Kirwin with Joan Lord, which Miss Smith willingly autographed, and excerpts of which were read earlier as part of the Smithsonian fundraiser.

That said, with Valentine's Day on the horizon (so we are told), Washingtonians might take a cue from some of the book's romantic overtures of times gone by, including this columnist's favorite, where artist Paul Bransom writes to actress Grace Bond: "Nothing short of a team of horses & a log chain will be able to persuade me to leave before your train comes in."

Greener Bush

"I submitted the budget today to Congress — it's on a laptop notebook, an e-budget. It saves paper, saves trees, saves money. I think it's the first budget submitted electronically."

— President Bush, speaking yesterday in the Cabinet Room of the White House

Tuesday central

It's worth noting that just two blocks from the White House, the J.W. Marriott hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue this evening is getting into the 2008 election spirit by transforming its 1331 Lounge into "Super Tuesday Central," inviting Republicans, Democrats and independents alike to view the primary results on 11 flat-screen TVs.

They've even set up a communal table, should the various sides care to come together.