Who Went to Dinner at the White House -- and Why?

Charles Moncrief: Texas oilman, raised at least $100,000 for Bush's 2004 reelection.

Jim Nantz: CBS sportscaster is a Texan, Bush family friend for years.

Joseph O'Donnell: Bush pal since his days at Harvard Business School, raised at least $300,000 for Bush's two presidential campaigns.

Arnold Palmer: Won British Open in 1961 and 1962.

Itzhak Perlman: The world-renowned violinist performed after dinner.

T. Boone Pickens: Dallas oil and gas billionaire, gave $2.5 million to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, $250,000 to Bush's second inauguration.

Earl "Rusty" Powell: Director of National Gallery of Art.

Robin Roberts: ABC's morning co-anchor, did a huge feature story on the queen's dinner.

Michael Sacco: President of Seafarers International Union, free trade supporter.

Gerry Shaheen: President of Caterpillar; Bush toured plant in January.

Harold Simmons: Dallas billionaire, gave $3 million to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, $100,000 to Bush's second inauguration.

Robert Tuttle: Current U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, pal of Bush 41 and 43, raised at least $100,000 for the president's 2004 reelection campaign.

Mark and Linda Vincent: Brother and sister-in-law of Lynne Cheney.

Richard Wolffe: Native Brit, White House correspondent for Newsweek, graduated summa cum laude from Oxford.

LOVE, ETC.

Engaged: Actor-rapper Nick Cannon, 26, and Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks, 24, after about three months of dating. The couple attended the Metropolitan Museum of Art's costume gala Monday night, after which Cannon took Ebanks in a chauffeured Rolls to Times Square, where he dropped to one knee with a 12-carat diamond as a Jumbotron blazed the words "Selita, will you marry me?" This is so totally gonna last.

THIS JUST IN ...

• Paris Hilton yesterday rehired the publicist she had fired for giving the supposed bad legal advice that put her behind the wheel on a suspended license and staring down a 45-day jail stint. Meanwhile, fans posted a petition on the Internet seeking clemency for her from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Wait -- she has fans?) A spokesman for the governor said that he would consider appeals on behalf of the 26-year-old heiress just like anyone else, but that she needs to go through the courts first.
• Local chefs and restaurants were recipients of James Beard Foundation Awards -- the Oscars of the cooking world -- in NYC Monday night. Michel Richard of Citronelle won "outstanding chef," while his restaurant got the prize for "outstanding wine service." R.J. Cooper of Vidalia and Frank Ruta of Palena shared honors for best mid-Atlantic chef. Chef-owner Jose Andres (of Cafe Atlantico, Jaleo, Zaytinya and Oyamel) was inducted into "Who's Who of Food and Beverage."