Party sources tell us the fallen food was a display of various Asian cuisine — dumplings, etc, that crashed to the floor. “Nobody laughed, it was more like a collective gasp because it was so loud and shattery-sounding in such genteel surroundings,” a party witness told us.

After the display fell, a small phalanx of capable young women with earpieces swarmed and had it taken care of immediately.

Brunch was saved!

Speaking of which, the food is always a highlight: sliders, different kinds of eggs benedict made to order, cones of tuna tartare, an assortment dumplings, lobster tails, crab legs — all kinds of seafood, and an open bar.

Guests spilled out onto the lawn.

According to our party sources, brunch at the Allbrittons was definitely more crowded this year.

All the big Politicos were there… continued…

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“Senator, the pornographic material has been removed from your desk.” — the note that “Veep” actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus said she left in Sen. Al Franken‘s (D-Minn.) desk on the Senate floor. She broke the news to Jon Stewart on The Daily Show last night.

Perino’s mesmerizing Pack

“The shiny backpack is memorizing [sic] to airport security. Looks great on he X-ray belt.” — Fox News Contributor Dana Perino. We’re pretty sure she meant mesmerizing. As some readers know, we’ve been having some fun with Perino’s sequined backpack this week after FNC’s Greg Gutfeld razzed her about it.

Yeah sure, Eddie

“Guy on bike actually hit me as I was running but my spidey senses kicked in and I was able to minimize the damage to my spinal cord.” — FBDC and The Blaze’s very imaginative Eddie Scarry. We’ll check for bruises later to make sure he’s okay.

Journo gets delayed by buggy, bonnet wearing woman

“Why yes, I did get delayed en route to Lancaster, PA, when I got stuck behind a horse-drawn buggy driven by a woman in a bonnet. America!” — The Atlantic‘s Molly Ball.

Leibo’s words of wisdom: ‘”Cartagena could be buzzword for wild behavior in political-roadtrip context. Usage: ‘The staff went all Cartagena at the victory party.’” — NYT’s Mark Leibovich.

Those were the days…

“Just reminiscing that when I covered the Clinton White House, it was the Secret Service that was embarassed [sic] by the president. Times change.” — CNBC’s Eamon Javers referring to members of the Secret Service purchasing prostitutes in Colombia.

Dolly Parton has a fan in the Washington Press Corps

“I’m never going to be a Meryl Streep. But then, she’ll never be a Dolly Parton either. Be true to you! ” — Dolly Parton. This was retweeted by Newsweek senior reporter Daniel Stone. The Hill‘s Amie Parnes then weighed in, saying, “I love that you RTed that.” Stone then felt compelled to reply: “Yep. Anyone who would apologize for RTing @Dolly_Parton aint a real fan.”

Juana attends ‘Nerd Happy Hour’

“Epitome of #nerdhappyhour w/ @ZekeJMiller, @evanmc_s and @ethanklapper.” — Politico‘s Juana Summers. As most know, Zeke Miller works for BuzzFeed, Evan McMorris Santoro for TPM and Ethan Klapper is at HuffPost.

Yesha on the phone

“My friend on the phone, ‘I’ve had sex with 3 women’..umm…thanks for that info…you’re not my type…she’s ridiculous.” — D.C. web designer and blogger Yesha Callahan, who later added, “She’s such a weirdo.”

By the way…HuffPost‘s David Wood, who won a Pulitzer, has a fan at Politico. It’s his wife, Assistant Managing Editor Beth Frerking.

Cryptic Convo Between Two Journos

Politico‘s Jonathan Martin to no one in particular: “Why won’t xxx apologize to xxx for xxx.” And this: “Xxx is saying xxx bc they don’t want to talk about xxx.”

Leibovich to Martin: “It’s a sign of desperation.”

Martin: “Mark Leibovich, it’s sad that xxx is turning to desperate negative attacks…’sad’ is good. ‘disappointing’ my fave. ‘unfortunate’ not bad.”

Leibovich: “Jonathan Martin, I’m finding all of this deeply troubling. I’m desperate to change the subject.”

Fish Poll Results: Yesterday we asked what you thought of DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz‘s (D-Fla.) new hairstyle and color. Most of you like it. In fact, 60.23 percent chose “Love it. She looks good with straight hair.” A reader named “Gussley” wrote in the Comment Section, “Hair, like chests, should be neither too big or totally flat on a woman.”

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

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Check out the complete list…

JOURNALISM

Public Service – The Philadelphia Inquirer

Breaking News Reporting – The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News Staff

Investigative Reporting – Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, Eileen Sullivan and Chris Hawley of the Associated Press and Michael J. Berens and Ken Armstrong of The Seattle Times

Explanatory Reporting – David Kocieniewski of The New York Times

Local Reporting – Sara Ganim and members of The Patriot-News Staff, Harrisburg, Penn

National Reporting – David Wood of The Huffington Post

International Reporting – Jeffrey Gettleman of The New York Times (Gettleman is the East Africa Bureau Chief.)

Feature Writing – Eli Sanders of The Stranger, a Seattle (Wash.) weekly

Commentary – Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune

Criticism -Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe

Editorial Writing – No award

Editorial Cartooning – Matt Wuerker of POLITICO

Breaking News Photography – Massoud Hossaini of Agence France-Presse

Feature Photography – Craig F. Walker of The Denver Post

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In her recent sign off from Politics Daily, Henneberger lays out her plan: “All I’ve learned in the last two years has actually made me more rather than less optimistic about the future of journalism; though PD didn’t survive, quality does work on the Web. I’m even hopeful that I may get to try and put together a new start-up with the old url – a request that I’m told AOL CEO Tim Armstrong is seriously considering, for no reason other than that he’d rather see us live on, too. And whatever he decides, I wish all of my former AOL colleagues only smooth landings.”

We’ve requested comment from Henneberger on the matter.

Whatever happens, the Editor-in-Chief is clearly missed…

continued…

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It’s not a typical party as D.C. parties go. Editor in Chief Melinda Henneberger and Deputy Editor Carl Cannon are inviting guests to “Join In The Civilogue”.

AOL’s CEO Tim Armstrong will introduce the evening, and explain why AOL is investing in the future by supporting old-school journalism.

Columnists David Corn and Peter Wehner will engage in what organizers are calling a (civil!) debate on “Afghanistan: Where Do We Go From Here?” moderated by Politics Daily military writer David Wood. Religion writer David Gibson will speak on “Pope Benedict XVI and The Gates of Hell: How Will the Catholic Crisis End?” followed by a Q and A.

Immediately following discussion on the “Gates of Hell” will be a cocktail reception. (The image shown here is the one on the e-mail party invitation.) The party, though it coincides with Prom weekend, is not affiliated in any way with the WHCA Dinner.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Former Baltimore Sun reporter David Wood, USA Today writer Jill Lawrence, former WaPo columnist Donna Britt and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet are a few of the folks that have been lured away by or sought refuge at AOL’s Politics Daily.

Those that have found sanctuary at the start-up boast six-figure salaries without having to report to an office. But can this political paradise compete in the already-saturated internet marketplace against the likes of HuffPo, Politico, Daily Beast and others?

Check out Howard Kurtz‘s article on WaPo.com for more on the power and people behind Politics Daily.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.