It’s the biggest weekend in Washington, second only perhaps to Inauguration, which you clever kids know from civics class only comes once every four years (and without as many brunches).

So, here it is, the best of the fetes, as we scour the tables at the Washington Hilton to find someone not represented by Bob Barnett.

BEST OUTREACH BY A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL

Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. No one walks in LA, but apparently Hollywood hottie and “Entourage” star Adrian Grenier was making his way on foot to the Bloomberg/Vanity Fair after party when he was spotted by none other than Rahm Emanuel. The White House Chief of Staff’s brother, Ari Emanuel, was the inspiration for the high-strung, heavyweight agent portrayed by Jeremy Piven on the hit HBO show “Entourage.”

Rahm immediately had his motorcade pull over and Adrian hopped in. Now that’s taking it to the people!

BEST CELEBRITY BOOKING

FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren and John Coale, for not only getting reality star Kim Kardashian but for also not bragging about it. Technophile Greta photographed Kim’s every move and introduction on every red carpet (there were plenty).

NOT REPRESENTED BY BOB BARNETT

Kim Kardashian, but it’s only a matter of time. They did seem to enjoy a nice chat at the WHC Garden Brunch.

GREATEST ACT OF KINDNESS

Tony Romo. While at the MSNBC after party, the Dallas Cowboys Quarterback made a call to Chris Olson, brother-in-law of Politico’s Sara Olson as he recovered from emergency surgery in the hospital. Sara’s hubby Eric and Chris LOVE the Cowboys, so he approached Romo with the request – as you can see in this photo he jumped right in.

BEST WASHINGTON SPORTS FAN

Dan Pfeiffer, White House Communications Director. Pfeiffer initially refused a shooter from Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo exclaiming, “I am a Redskins fan,” while at the Friday night New Yorker party at the W.

MOST GRACIOUS GUESTS

The Jonas Brothers and family. Washington felt the loss of communications guru Carolyn Weyforth to this multitalented group but each member of the family is so engaging we can’t hold a grudge, especially after watching the family sign and smile for thousands of political and media fans.

BEST BUDS

The three amigos: actors Matthew Morrison of “Glee”, Chace Crawford of “Gossip Girl”, and Joe Mazzello of HBO’s “The Pacific”. Hundreds of hearts throbbed and cameras snapped as this trio of young stars were seen all over town from Café Milano to the Capitol. They also made many a Mom proud when they jumped on stage at the WHC Garden Brunch to help raise awareness for Mothers Day Every Day and CURE Epilepsy. Awww.

BEST NETWORK ANCHOR MOMENT

Morgan Freeman and Katie Couric. He not only lends his voice to the “CBS Evening News” intro, but Morgan Freeman offered up his hands to massage anchor Katie Couric’s tootsies at the Bloomberg/Vanity Fair party. Now that’s networking!

BEST TABLE GIFT

POLITICO.  Their guests found ebony BlackBerry covers imprinted with the bright red POLITICO logo waiting for them on their tables at the dinner. The covers are examples of sleek and simple branding, and quite handy.

BEST BOLDFACE FASHION

Kim Kardashian for wearing her mom’s vintage Valentino bought in Paris in 1984.  And Newsweek’s Jon Meacham for wearing JPress and telling POLITICO about it.

MOST WANTED RETURN GUEST – FEMALE

Candice Crawford, the former Miss Missouri and sister of People‘s Hottest Bachelor 2009 Chace Crawford…and girlfriend of Tony Romo. There are plenty of fellas in DC who would welcome her back sans her hunky beau (but you can bring Chace back with you, if you like).

MOST WANTED RETURN GUEST – MALE

Bradley Cooper, star of “The Hangover” and the upcoming remake of “The A-Team,” made his second appearance at the WHCA Dinner this year. We’re hoping that the Georgetown U grad (and one of People’s Most Beautiful 2010) will make it a hat trick.

BEST NEW EVENT

Robert and Elena Allbritton’s Politico Sunday Brunch.  An elegant civilized way to wrap up the weekend and say good-bye to new friends.

BEST PILLOWS

Bloomberg/Vanity Fair party swag were plush white pillows printed with fun quotable presidential quotes. Film ingénues Rosario Dawson and Anna Kendrick were seen smiling over this one:

Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt.

- Herbert Hoover

BEST RED CARPET MASH-UP

The Jonas Brothers and Texas oil and gas executive/energy independence commando T. Boone Pickens at the WHC Garden Brunch.

COOLEST WASHINGTONIANS

Carol Blue and Christopher Hitchens: the only two people who could stand in the middle of a Vanity Fair party and not look around to see who was there.

2010 WHC Garden Brunch: Story Landis, Susan Axelrod, David Axelrod

While at the 2010 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch, guests were asked to share the best advice from their mother in honor of Mothers Day Every Day and CURE Epilepsy.

Some of the answers from the media, business, and political elite who stepped across the lawn at the 18th annual brunch are posted below – and be sure to WATCH the video of the tribute to two important causes which affects the lives and health of families all across the globe: maternal mortality and epilepsy.

Susan Axelrod, Founder & Chair of CURE Epilepsy spoke from the heart about the disease and the desperate need to support research and find a cure. Axelrod, the honorary co-chair of the brunch, was joined on stage by “Glee” star Matthew Morrison, People’s cover boy Chace Crawford, and HBO’s “The Pacific” star Joe Mazzello, as well as the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, who showed their support for CURE Epilepsy and MDED by signing a giant Mother’s Day card.

CHERYL HINES: My mom taught me to have fun in life. That’s what it’s about!

RUPERT MURDOCH: My mother told me to look after my sisters!

DANA DELANEY: Tell the truth – it’s easier to remember

STEVE WEBER: Swallow your spit

SUSAN SHER, First Lady’s Chief of Staff: 1. Always wear lipstick 2.
It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man. (I followed neither.)

WOLF BLITZER: Do the best you can!

ARIANNA HUFFINGTON: Be fearless!

NICK JONAS: Treat women with respect!

JOE JONAS: Coins are not edible!

DEMI LOVATO: Pack clean underwear!

JOE MAZZELLO, HBO’s “The Pacific”: Make it real

DAVID GREGORY: Always wear socks!

KIM KARDASHIAN: My favorite thing my mother taught me is…. To be myself

CHEVY CHASE: Make sure you shake few hands. You can get hurt.

JAYNI CHASE: Wear comfortable shoes.

PATRICIA ARQUETTE: Get quiet and ask God to let you feel who you are …your true self.

BRET BAIER: Always open a door and pull out a chair for a lady!

ANDREA MITCHELL: Watch out when you cross the street

2010 WHC Garden Brunch for MDED and CURE Epilepsy from whcinsider on Vimeo.

One of those events is the annual WHCD Garden Brunch. In 2009, hundreds of guests gathered in the garden, but there was a twist. The brunch was given in honor of the Mother’s Day Every Day campaign and featured honorary brunch Chair Ann Curry of the Today Show, with special guest Susan Axelrod of CURE Epilepsy.

Mothers Day Every Day is a U.S. advocacy group for maternal health led by the White Ribbon Alliance and CARE. Their campaign for healthy moms and newborns aims to raise the political will and resources to reduce maternal mortality around the world to meet the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal number five.

There were some incredible moments as Captain Richard Phillips, who survived the Somali pirate attack, met Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano and relived his dramatic rescue for the first time.  T. Boone Pickens and his wife Madeleine talked to reporters about their successful campaigns for the Pickens Plan and to save wild mustangs

And “Gossip Girl” star Chace Crawford taped a Mothers Day greeting surrounded by the star-stuck, pre-teen girls volunteering at the brunch. Arriving guests loved the adorable girls who greeted them with white ribbons, which were tied around their wrists in honor of mothers everywhere.

Since the garden brunch’s start 17 years ago, when Barbra Streisand made a surprise guest appearance, Hollywood stars in town for the dinner have made the Saturday morning event part of their itinerary.  Last year’s star power included Kerry Washington, Ludacris (escorting his own lovely mother), Christian Slater, Val Kilmer, Matthew Modine, Tim Daly and Dana Delany.

Click HERE for last year’s garden brunch photos.

Washington’s own stars—Ben Bradlee, Sally Quinn, Andrea Mitchell, John King, David Gregory, Betsy Fischer, Greta Van Susteren and John Coale, Luke Russert, Gordon Peterson and Norah O’Donnell—turned out in force to mingle with the year’s top newsmakers: Todd Palin, Alan Greenspan, and Rep. John Dingell.  Last, but not least, there was a who’s who from the Obama administration in the crowd: Austan and Robyn Goolesbee, Mona Sutphen, Melody Barnes, Bill Burton and Katie McCormick Lelyveld.

Media and opinion leaders from around the country gathered including Newsweek’s Jon Meacham, Time’s Richard Stengel, Arianna Huffington, and Walter Issacson. And L.A. media mogul and agent provocateur Andrew Breitbart brought father-in-law Orson Bean, a crowd favorite.  Politico’s Mike Allen posed with nephews and fans while reporters swarmed Val Kilmer to ask whether he would make a run for governor.

This year’s brunch will again honor the Mothers Day Every Day campaign, which is led by advisory committee co-chairs Donna Shalala and Ann Veneman, and co-founders Dr. Helene Gayle and Theresa Shaver. WHCInsider will supply live coverage on Saturday, May 1st, as the first guests arrive.

It’s sure to draw another stellar “cast” of characters who will enjoy a morning drink and conversation with expected—and unexpected—guests. The spring blossoms, the fun, and the gossip, are sure to get everyone in the mood for the White House Correspondents Dinner on that evening.

See the pics …

… and read the write ups …

From Politico: “Biggest Year Yet … but at the end of the day, the relaxed party atmosphere still the same as at brunches past.”

From The Washington Post: “There were so many media figures, politicians and celebrities in the mix that famous faces became wallpaper.”

And Radar Online “caught up with primetime hunk Chace Crawford at … the garden brunch attended by the likes of Todd Palin and Greta Van Susteren.”