Linda Tripp has been a no-show at the Maryland court hearings about her illegal wire-tapping, and has been on sick leave from her $98,000 resource management job at the Pentagon for most of the past month. But one individual, who spotted her leaving a friend’s multi-acre estate where she’s been holed up, was surprised that she has a new look for the next Millennium. Maybe its just a disguise to fool the press, but her shoulder-length black hair (or wig) and big sunglasses has an eerie resemblance to that of her one-time friend, Monica Lewinsky.
Washington, DC is not excluded from the Millennium party bust that is sweeping the nation. A $1,000,000 charity blow-out at the Ronald Reagan Trade Center featuring Roger Daltry has been canceled, as well as outdoor events hosted by the Smithsonian. One hotel in D.C. dropped festivities featuring Mary Wilson of the Supremes, but she is strutting herself to the bank with her cancellation check, as well as to The White House, where she will now be part of the Clintons’ New Year’s Eve gala. Warmth pre-empts protocol at The White House where the First Couple has invited 320 VIPs for the equivalent of a State Dinner that evening. The guest roster is filled with “American Creators” from Muhammad Ali to Elizabeth Taylor. But the event is unusual in that the dress code is Black Tie with long underwear. That’s because after an elegant dinner all will be bussed – winter be damned – to the Lincoln Memorial for the three-hour outdoor extravaganza produced by Quincy Jones. Since weather is one wildcard that even the Clintons can’t control, The White House has arranged for gift bags with mufflers, hand-warmers and seat cushions. After the midnight fireworks finale the guests will thaw out on the dance floor back at the “House” with another 500 VIPs. Among those who made the “A” list: Washington Capitals co-owner Jonathan Ledecky; the Vernon Jordans; Arthur Schlesinger; Itzhak Perlman; Neil Simon; Jack Nicholson; Mary Tyler Moore; and Robert De Niro.
The White House has back-up generators, but another hot ticket gathering in DC will be at the Potomac Electric Power Company’s secret command center. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson selected the location to ensure a smooth transition during Y2K. Watch him closely since he’s a leading contender for the #2 spot on the Democratic ticket next year.