Whether you thought they were art of the highest form, or just a bunch of tall orange things with curtains hanging from them, chances are you were talking about The Gates three years ago when it came to Central Park as one of the biggest public art installations in history. Commemorating the three-year anniversary of The Gates opening on Feb. 12, 2005, Mayor Michael Bloomberg will host a special screening of the forthcoming HBO documentary film that chronicles “the decades-long effort by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude to bring their ambitious work of art The Gates, Central Park, New York City 1979-2005, to fruition,” tomorrow.  read more »

That's how the ever-affable Senator Malcolm Smith greeted some people who arrived at Gracie Mansion last night for Mayor Bloomberg's annual party with state Senators, according to one attendee.

The timing of this annual party couldn't have been better, coming one day before a pivotal special election for Michael Balboni's seat in Nassau kicks into high gear. While Governor Spitzer, Tom Suozzi, and key Democratic operatives are all heading to Nassau to help Craig Johnson, a local legislator, its not clear how much Bloomberg will get involved to help Republicans and their candidate, Nassau County Clerk, Maureen O'Connell.

Born to Run

I was born a long, long time ago-and became an Eagle Scout. And then John Hopkins accepted him which they're still happy about. Harvard Grad-then Wall Street pro Got fired, opened a company, made big dough (oh!) Two-term Mayor, so serene Then I read...New York Magazine... I say "Next stop-Washington!" 'Cause folks like us...Baby we were Born to Run!

We'll win, you'll see-and beat the G.O.P. and Democrats Unite the country-make more jobs And banish all trans fat! Fix the schools-make profits grow Get the White House painted saffron by Christo (oh!) I know I said this job I'd keep But Sheekey said "Don't be cheap Only cost you half a bil-ion 'Cause folks like us...Baby, we were Born to Run!

Now let's all follow our leader there And find a treasure trove We all will get big cabinet jobs And I can be Karl Rove I'll become Supreme Court Judge I'll get the Olympics for D.C. In 14 years with him, I'll go from Bloomberg L.P....to Bloomberg V.P.!

The City Hall team is so great - that Bullpen is the best With Leg. Affairs and Research, Correspondence, M.I.S. Operations, Fiscal, too Security, the drivers, C.A.U. (Whoo!) I still wonder what I should do Called my mother - to get her view I said, "Please advise your son" And mother said - "Baby, you were Born to Run!" Mother said - "Baby, you were Born to Run!" Mother said - "Baby, you were Born to Run!"

Here it goes, and notice the not-so-suggestive hints at 2008.

I was born a long long time ago And became an Eagle Scout. And then John Hopkins accepted him Which they're still happy about.

Harvard grad-then Wall Street pro. Got fired, opened a company, made big dough. Two term mayor, so serene Then I read New York magazine.

I say 'Next stop-Washington!' cause folks like us, Baby we were born to run.

More information, and (hopefully) pictures to come later.

Extra credit for the first correct prediction of the song the mayor chooses to perform.

"I can't drink this thing any more," said Minihan, putting down her coffee. "It's got half a bottle of booze in it."

The city's top record keeper claimed he had known the answer (William R. Grace 1881-1882) but Christine Quinn's father had beaten him to it.

"Guano!" yelled Mr. Quinn.

I'd add just one political footnote: A subtext here is that chasidic leaders are still suffering from the loss of City Hall power that came with Rudy Giuliani's departure.

Ironically, Mayor Bloomberg--who famously chose to reside in his five-story, Beaux Arts townhouse on 72nd Street instead of at the mayoral mansion--wrote the book's foreword. Indeed, the 206-year old mansion has a rich history beyond housing the city's mayors; that practice only began in 1942 with Fiorello LaGuardia.

With expanded access to family quarters, tourism shot up almost percent in the past year. Tourists can now gawk at the beautifully restored interior or search for Donna Hanover's exercise machine that woke Rudy up early in the morning.