At Russian Embassy, Vodka & Good Wishes Flow

What this town needs is more vodka at noon. To celebrate Russia Day, the embassy invited 2,000 friends yesterday afternoon for vodka, music, caviar . . . and did we mention vodka?

Of course, we couldn't refuse. After almost 10 years in Washington, Ambassador Yuri Ushakov was tapped last week to become Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's deputy chief of staff -- a big deal, since Ushakov will oversee foreign-policy and economic issues. He heads back to Moscow on Saturday, so the reception turned into an impromptu farewell party.

Vodka at lunch? "We're celebrating," Ushakov told us. "Why not? It's permitted."

Well, sure! Technically, we were on Russian soil. There was a giant ice sculpture of a bear holding big (actual) bottles of booze, a band playing Russian folk songs, and generals mingling with diplomats and policy wonks. Waiters lined up with trays filled with shots; bartenders poured three different brands of vodka (each with subtle differences -- it was our duty to check) plus various alcohol-based concoctions. The only thing keeping people standing were vast buffets groaning with food.

Shortly after 2 p.m., guests were gently herded toward the door, where staffers passed out cute little vodka mini-bottles. One woman nodded to her companion approvingly: "Vas goot function."

In-House Intrigue Is on Tap at the City Tavern Club

Georgetown's private haven for preppy scene8sters is enjoying some rare political drama. The City Tavern Club's general meeting -- where the only draw, historically, has been the open bar -- will tonight feature a contested board election that has the well-bred members throwing around words like "power struggle" and "mudslinging."

CTC members typically rubber-stamp the slate of candidates put forward by the board's nominating committee. This year, one young member, Roby Penn, used a rare parliamentary procedure to draw up a competing slate -- with two of the same nominees, but a new candidate, Croom Lawrence, conspicuously replacing the third, Fletcher Gill. Now a heated lobbying battle is underway -- though, instead of taking place in smoke-filled backrooms, most of the wrangling is on the junior socialite Web forum Late Night Shots.

Hmm . . . what gives? Penn declined comment. Gill, 32, a commercial real-estate adviser who co-founded a wounded veterans' charity, Luke's Wings, told us he doesn't know of any grudge -- "Maybe he just wanted to nominate Croom" -- and suggested the competition is a sign of enthusiasm among the once-stodgy club's growing ranks of youngsters. Lawrence, 36, who works in advertising, politely agreed: "It feels personal, but I don't think it is." (Aw, come on, guys!)

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

Hendogg of the Sugarhill Gang holding up the security line at the Rayburn Building yesterday -- relinquished his silver-skull-topped cane, his chain with a five-inch diamond cross, his rings, his belt, but still set off the metal detectors with his rhinestone-encrusted T-shirt. The pioneering hip-hoppers joined Nancy Sinatra, Crystal Waters, Sisqó and other performers testifying on behalf of a bill that would make radio stations pay artists for the songs they play.

THIS JUST IN . . .

Is Paul Newman sick? A.E. Hotchner, Newman's neighbor, noted writer and co-founder of Newman's salad dressing company, told the Associated Press yesterday that the 83-year-old actor has been fighting cancer for 18 months. Hours later, Hotchner told "Access Hollywood" he was misquoted and said he has no knowledge of any illness. In a statement earlier this week, Newman said he's "doing nicely" but didn't address questions about cancer. AP is standing by its story.

Meghan McCain is writing a picture book about her father; the children's story will be published around the time of the GOP national convention. See John run. Run, John, run.