David N. Dinkins.

The One Hundred Black Men Inc. Annual Benefit Gala is honoring five civic and business leaders: the Honorable David N. Dinkins, the former New York City mayor and One Hundred Black Men Founder; Kevin Newell, executive vice president and global chief brand officer of McDonald’s (free Big Macs?); Carl McCall, former New York State comptroller and chairman of the board of trustees of SUNY; Vivian Pickard, president of the GM Foundation; and James Reynolds Jr., chairman and CEO of Loop Capital Markets. If the crowd sounds heavy and heady, well, it is. There’s a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, a program with plenty of speeches and then dancing. No word yet on whether Jay-Z will show up.

The Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, (212) 777-7070, reception begins at 6:30pm.

Cicely Tyson and Kathryn Chenault. [Patrick McMullan]

Inside, past the Versailles-style rotunda, the scene was bustling with action. Caterers rushed by seating ladies in gowns with endless trains, as distinguished-looking gentlemen dutifully tripped and stumbled behind.

“Finally, real Champagne, none of that sparkling wine or prosecco,” we overheard one late arrival hiss. Seconds later we had joined the bandwagon with our latest accessory: a coup de Taittinger. It would remain oft-replenished for the rest of the night.

Amy Fine Collins, who wore a body-hugging, black-and-white Pamella Roland gown with a fox fur coat, floated into the ballroom foyer. “My neighbor Stephanie Foster put together a table,” she told us. “You know I love dressing up.”

She turned to her cadre of swans, gala chair Jean Shafiroff, Dr. Penny Grant and Patricia Shiah, for a dance at the step-and-repeat before dashing to her table.

Shindigger was a privileged guest of Ms. Shafiroff, who had carefully curated a sparkling cast of socialites that she strategically sprinkled around table No. 22.

The Louis XVI ballroom of the crown jewel of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces had been festooned with snowy orchids, glittery pine cones and candles in a breathtaking wintry arrangement that, although exquisite, forced us to crane our necks to get a view of the stage.

“The only reason they invited me is because they know I have to get back for the 11 o’clock news!” piped master of ceremonies Bill Ritter, evening anchor of WABC-TV and a 20/20 correspondent. “It’s true, I keep things moving along.”

Finally! A well-placed gala, Shindigger thought, while catching a small glimpse of Mr. Ritter behind a particularly large pair of bedazzled pine cones.

“We need a strong middle class,” said Ms. Shafiroff at our table, speaking about the proposed federal tax hikes for the upper echelons. “The governor doesn’t want to raise taxes. We can’t be so divided.” She expressed a greater need for New York’s wealthy rulers to support their struggling neighbors and communities. “You know where I’m coming from ... I’m not embarrassed.”

To Ms. Shafiroff’s left sat an earnest young aide of Gov. Andrew Cuomo whom she had invited. While not quite as exciting as the bona fide head honcho himself, the fellow sure was a tall glass of water. Shindigger had no complaints.

“What is your opinion?” we asked him.

He smiled and responded, “No comment.”

Even the cute politicians are no fun, we thought as we slithered back into our Taittinger.

Mission Society’s mandate is to provide a safe and nurturing place for
underserved youth and their families to develop life skills, as well as to play and participate in out-of-school programming. Ms. Shafiroff told us that the big push for the night was to raise funds for a new Mission Society facility. “The current building is crumbling,” she told us, poking a smoked salmon and crêpe gâteau with paddlefish roe and cucumber crème fraiche. “If it weren’t for the Mission, these kids would have no place to go.”

Lloyd W. Brown II, gala chair and board member, who is an alumnus of the program dating back some 40 years, declared this campaign to be “the most significant fund-raising event in our history.” The $20 million endowment campaign is certainly ambitious. “Thus far we’ve raised $6 million,” he said, before shifting to the focus to the honorees, causing us to shift our focus on to requesting more Taittinger. (We were taking our lead from the sartorial connoisseur to our immediate right, Iké Udé, who appeared to be blessed with a bottomless rocks glass of whiskey.)

Once guests had been served their herb-crusted filet mignon (Shindigger has a tiny fantasy that someday someone’s going to shock partygoers with herb-crusted falafel instead), onward the program leapt. Star Jones was on hand to present the Dina Merrill Hartley Public Service Award to her dear gal pal Kathryn Chenault, philanthropist and wife of American Express chairman and CEO Kenneth Chenault. Ms. Jones applauded the honoree’s efforts on behalf of young people and cultural institutions in the city, as well as her fabulous style.

“Her best girlfriends know that her not-so-secret motto is: If you really want to look your best, have B. Michael make your dress,” she cracked. The designer had dressed basically every gala chair and honoree in his dramatic confections. His aesthetic could be described as unabashedly uptown, glamorous and festive. “A black Oscar de la Renta,” offered one guest.

“Well, he made my dress,” Ms. Shafiroff purred in our right ear, straightening her posture. She wore a sweetheart B. Michael gown that cascaded into piles of tulle.

Former mayor David Dinkins presented the award to the second honoree, actress Cicely Tyson. “Everybody knows how wonderful she is and what she has done,” he began. “Not everybody knows about the wonderful school in Orange, New Jersey, that she continues to fund and show up at.”

He also praised Ms. Tyson for her career and commitment to giving back to her brothers and sisters. As she accepted her honor, Ms. Tyson spoke of her experience mentoring a Mission child.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” she proclaimed. “In this case, the village is the New York Mission Society.”

The African proverb still holds up.

As Ray Chew and his band launched into Motown hits and groovy classics, attendees abandoned their warm chocolate soufflés and fresh berry compotes to celebrate. Shindigger made the rounds.

First stop: B. Michael himself.

“It’s a small touch that my creativity can just have a small presence,” he said, “but it’s such an awesome night for the great work that New York City Mission Society is doing. Cicely and Kathy are two of my dearest friends, people that I love.”

We returned to Ms. Shafiroff before taking our leave.

“Are you exiting as well?” we wanted to know

“No! I’m going to do a bit of dancing!”

The last laugh was on us as her three-foot B. Michael train snaked onto the dance floor, her hips shaking to the beat, as we made our exit, a bit wobbly, shaking to the Taittinger beat.

Cicely Tyson

The New York City Mission Society is celebrating its 200th birthday tonight—and with age comes a few privileges, like getting distinguished guests to join in your cause. Legendary actress Cicely Tyson (who’s bound for Broadway in an upcoming The Trip to Bountiful revival), the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and former Mayor David Dinkins will all be in attendance at tonight’s shindig honoring the society’s work on behalf of the city’s less fortunate. Tonight’s honorees include Ms. Tyson as well as former attorney Kathryn C. Chenault, who’s spent her post-courtroom years supporting the arts, education and health care across the city. We’ll be following her example and opening up our wallets at the silent auction.

The Pierre Hotel, 2 East 61st Street, cocktails and silent auction at 6pm, dinner and awards at 7:30pm, dancing at 9pm, tickets and information can be found at nycmissionsociety.org/bicentennial-gala.

As the "stars" of the NYPL are writers, documentary makers and cultural leaders, known more for their words than their faces, they can be a little tougher to recognize than your average pop star. Mindful of this, the NYPL had thoughtfully provided medals for the honored guests so that the reporters would know who they were talking to. 

At the pre-dinner VIP drinks, library president Paul LeClerc spoke movingly about the library to a crowd that included Toni Morrison, documentarian Ken Burns, David Dinkins, Jonathan Franzen and Martha Stewart. 

We asked for a word with Mr. Dinkins, who agreed but not before "Bill has taken his photographs"--referring to Times photographer Bill Cunningham. Mr. Dinkins had been honored in Mr. LeClerc's speech for his decision to keep the library open six days a week in the depths of the 1970's recession.

The former mayor told us, "It cost us $47 million dollars, if I remember right, and it's one of the things I'm most proud of." What will be on his reading list this summer?

"I'm looking forward to writing a book on my life. That's a long period of time. I was born in 1927. We're hard at work. I don't know that we'll finish it, but we're well on the way."

Fran Lebowitz appeared at the table with Mr. Dinkins and Ms. Morrison. Ms. Morrison fingered Fran's NYPL medal and told her that she wanted one. "Well, you've already got a Pulitzer Prize, so you can't have one," said Ms. Lebowitz teasingly.

Martha Stewart, who is taller in person than she looks on TV and was wearing a checked coat with a satin and pearl necklace, said of her summer reading, "I'm still reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, which I should have finished by now, but I haven't. I have piles of biography and garden books to read. I hope I find the time." 

Chris Tomson, drummer of the band Vampire Weekend, was featured in the centennial book, a collection of essays by luiminaries about their favorite item from the NYPL's collections, was there with his girlfriend, Megan. "This is a little out of my context," he admitted. 

We caught up with Mr. Franzen on the way up the stairs to the Rose Main Reading Room, where the rededication ceremony was due to take place. Mr. Franzen was one of the earliest honorees to arrive--"6:37. I wanted you all to see that."

Mr. Franzen thought that this might be the summer to read all seven volumes of Proust.

"I'm told the last three volumes are the best. You think you loved it even though you wimped out after barely three volumes. You didn't actually get the great stuff," he said with the air of a man who reads volumes of literature the way some people sip a cappucino.

Click here for the week's best parties.

He asked The Observer if we'd ever read Proust. We lied and said we'd started but never finished.

"Well, everyone says that Swann's Way is the best but it's not the best. In fact, it gets better, but not before it gets slower."

At the rededication ceremony, a roll call of New York's who's who walked down the aisle in the center of the Rose Main Reading Room. Barbara Walters was the mistress of ceremonies and illustrious authors from Frank Rich to Robert Caro paid tribute to "a great treasure house of history."

Centennial book contributor Uzodinma Iweala revealed some of the lesser known uses of the library. "I used to come here mostly to fall asleep and be woken up by the security guards and I've gone on no fewer than four dates with people I've met here." Dinner in the Edna Barnes Saloman Room was a rare treat; guests feasted on lobster salad, sliced filet of beef and lime-marinated chicken, which was passed family-style around the tables. Enormous green and white arrangements of mini-rhododendrons completed the setting; guests laughed and drank under the watchful eyes of portraits of former benefactors of the library, including one of Vincent Astor (also known as the late Brooke Astor's husband) in his naval uniform.

Doug Bernstein was the creative consultant for the party and the perfect dinner companion. As the party wound to a close, guests exited the building to see the library completely illuminated for the first time in its history. A trustee hugged the gray Lego lions that had been created for the party--we knew just how she felt. --Daisy Prince

But, throughout that time, Walcott was not a major campaign contributor to city campaigns--something that speaks to his ability not to get bogged down in the pay-to-play access that sometimes bedevils those seeking to influence lawmakers.

According to records on the city Campaign Finance Board web site, Walcott donated $1,410 to city candidates between 1989 and 2001--which pales in comparison to the contributions made by his predecessor, Cathie Black.

Almost all of Walcott's contributions were to David Dinkins, with no contributions to state nor federal candidates. Walcott hasn't made a contribution since joining the Bloomberg administration.

Walcott's campaign contributions:

$100 on 7/16/1986 to David Dinkins mayor

$35 on 7/14/1987 to David Dinkins mayor

$50 on 8/3/1989 to David Dinkins mayor

$50 on 10/25/1989 to Virginia Fields for City Council

$25 on 10/27/1989 to David Dinkins mayor

$1,000 on 5/1/1992 to David Dinkins for mayor

$50 on 4/19/1993 to David Dinkins for mayor

$100 on 8/18/2001 to Helen Marshall for borough president

"I'm a New Yorker who supports marriage equality" Koch says. "Join me as a New Yorker for marriage equality," Dinkins says in his video.

The phrases I've often heard in this debate -  "same-sex marriage" and "gay" - aren't heard in either video, which, I think, says something about how the issue is being framed.

Brian Ellner, the senior strategist for HRC's Campaign for New York Marriage, emailed me to explain the language the group is employing:

" 'Gay marriage' is the media's way of short-cutting the concept. We're not looking to create a separate institution. Committed gay and lesbian couples - many of whom have been together for decades - are looking to join and strengthen the institution of marriage with the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else.

"(We're not asking for something different or other or lesser but seeking to participate in marriage with the same rules, responsibilities and protections. This is about ending an exclusion.)"

But it is important, it is so very important, particularly for the people of this district who vote on Tuesday to recognize how important it is to understand that the city is changing. Most people in the city are going to look more like us than others and that's just a fact. It is not a bad thing. It is frankly a good thing.

Espaillat was the first Dominican elected to the state Assembly, and his primary opponent, Mark Levine, is white. The seat they are vying for covers most of the mostly Dominican Washington Heights, but has been represented for years by Eric Schneiderman.

Now Levine is out with a statement accusing Dinkins, and by extension, Espaillat, of playing the race card, and knocking Espaillat for holding the endorsement on Rosh Hashanah, a day when most city campaigns go dark:

"Mayor David Dinkins has always been a unifying force in our city, he has brought people together from various diverse backgrounds throughout his political career. He is unquestionably a man of honor and integrity.  Today, I read his comments with dismay and disappointment.  The fact that they were delivered on the first day of Rosh Hashana added to their inappropriateness.  This race for State Senate, like all political campaigns, should be about the qualifications of the candidates and the policies that each of us puts forward, not about our appearance, ethnicity or religion. This is the standard I have always applied in politics, including when I was proud to cast my vote for Mayor Dinkins himself.  I call on my opponent, Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat to repudiate these comments immediately as they are insulting to the district and the electorate we are both vying to serve."

One final item of note here: It's odd that this statement comes over the transom now, a couple of days after the comments were made.

I grew up in Harlem where we taught that New York City is a melting pot. Well I don't agree with that. I have always said that we are a gorgeous mosaic. We have as many separate ethnic identities as the United Nations. That's why we have a parade about every hour and a half. But it is important, it is so very important, particularly for the people of this district who vote on Tuesday to recognize how important it is to understand that the city is changing. Most people in the city are going to look more like us than others and that's just a fact. It is not a bad thing. It is frankly a good thing.

The district that Espaillat is vying for covers parts of the Upper West and most of Washington Heights, but for years has been represented by Eric Schneiderman. Espaillat was the first Dominican elected to the state Assembly. His opponent, Mark Levine, is white.

Dinkins also seemed to allude to incident last month when he flipped off a heckler at a Charlie Rangel fundraiser, saying, "Now that I am no longer in office, frankly, I go where want, I do what I want, I say what I want."

It was a little bit odd to do the endorsement today since today is a Jewish holiday and even non-Jewish candidates have often treated it as a day off from the campaign trail in a mutual non-agression pact kind of a way.

"I am pleased to endorse Eric Schneiderman, a man of principle and integrity, and a progressive leader for many years. Eric will be an excellent Attorney General who will work hard to ensure equal justice for all New Yorkers," Dinkins said in a release from the campaign.

The endorsements come after a tough week for Schneiderman last week, one which saw him deal with allegations that he was in a hit-and-run car accident and that he announced that he raised less money than fellow AG hopeful Kathleen Rice.

Schneiderman is far in the lead in the race for institutional and political support, which his campaign hopes will be enough for victory in a low-turnout primary that's likely to feature mostly triple-prime, downstate voters. His opponents meanwhile, are using every endorsement Schneiderman receives to label him a "political insider."

dfreedlander@observer.com

The Post feels it has prompted a carding crackdown. [NYP]

James Dolan writes country songs that target his enemies. [NYT]

Emergency rooms crowded in the wake of the St. Vincent's closing. [WSJ]

Candace Bushnell's got two more books coming. [AP]

Well, Dave Dinkins likes Obama, for one. [NYDN] 

Linda Stein, celebrity realtor, gets a celebrity biographer. [NYP] 

WTC construction site has a mobile Subway sandwich pod. [NYT]

Someone's loose in Prospect Park with a bow and arrow? [BrooklynPaper]