THERE IS ONE HONEST, SELFLESS MAN in our midst, so ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes can finally put down his lamp and stop searching.

THAT RARE HONEST CITIZEN IS BILLIONAIRE WARREN BUFFETT, nobody’s fool and an outspoken, common sense kinda guy.

TAXES FOR TH RICH SHOULD BE HIGHER, Buffett has announced, as lawmakers struggle with the question of extending Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy, set to expire at the end of December.

DO YOU HEAR THAT HONEST EVALUATION from our city’s millionaires and billionaires? We’re listening but the terminally rich aren’t talking, at least we haven’t heard them say it in public.

“WE HAVE IT BETTER THAN WE EVER HAD IT,” said Buffett of the 667,200 millionaires in New York, 18.7 percent more than two years ago. In Illinois we have 300,000 or so, not to mention billionaires like Sam Zell, the Crowns,the Pritzkers, the Wrigleys, assorted hedge fund CEOs, sports stars, Michael Jordan, Oprah, etc.

BUFFETT, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ABC NEWS, scoffed at the idea that letting tax cuts expire for the wealthiest would hurt economic growth. “The rich are always going to say that, you know, just give us more money and we’ll go out and spend more and then it will trickle down to the rest of you. But that hasn’t worked the last ten years, and I hope the American public is catching on,” Buffet said.

DIOGENES JUST PUT DOWN HIS LAMP AND CALLED OFF HIS SEARCH for an honest man. The old Greek never dreamed he’d find one, but he has. WE ALL HAVE.

WHO IS THE CHICAGO SOCIALITE linked to one of the wealthiest billionaires in the world? But we fear she is one of many.

WHO IS BEGGING HER HUSBAND FOR A DIVORCE because she’s afraid he’ll kill her in one of his jealous, drug-fueled rages? She’s staying because of the kids but she’s bruised and never without her sunglasses to hide the black eyes.

THE DEATH OF ELIZABETH EDWARDS ROBS US OF A STRONG ROLE MODEL for fighting cancer and surviving a painful, public, cheating-husband scandal. So much sad drama and suffering for a lovely lady. Life is not fair.

BRAVO! PASSAGE OF CIVIL UNIONS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES IS A LONG NEEDED DEVELOPMENT so no one has to feel like a second class citizen.

THE BELDEN STRATFORD held a swinging holiday party.

WE MOURN THE LOSS of civic leader/clinical psychologist Dr. David Kipper. Our condolences to his friends and family.

FASHIONISTAS, THE BEST DRESSED FEMMES IN TOWN, WILL MAKE THE SCENE THIS WEEK, through Dec. 12, to the Jiki of Monte Carlo trunk show at Contessa Bottega, 1 E. Delaware. Popular with women who seek feminine yet sexy suits, dresses, evening apparel, Jiki is a flattering jolt to any wardrobe. Contessa Helena offers cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as fashion. Her perfume, Contessa Helena, is a best seller at Macy’s.

GORGEOUS AUTHOR SHERRILL BODINE, who has a new novel out next year, is the new president of the prestigious Service Club of Chicago. Vivacious Sherrill must fill the big shoes left by Peggy Martay. Sherrill is dedicating her civic service to the memory of her mother, Gwen Buckles.

BEST NEWS OF THE WEEK: Gibson’s now offers the yummiest warm chocolate chip cookies in the universe at $2.25 each.

BONNIE SWEARINGEN HAS LEFT THE BUILDING, AND THE CITY. ONCE THE MOST FLAMBOYANT SOCIALITE in our midst, the widow of John, former head of Standard Oil, sold her condo at 1040 N. Lake Shore and is living in her native Birmingham, Ala., near family. Bonnie and John flew all over the world and were friends with the rich and famous.

WHO IS THE DARLING, PAMPERED WIFE who found a 5-carat emerald ring on the pumpkin pie at her Thanksgiving feast?

SUGAR RAUTBORD AND MARIA SMITHBURG are co-hosting a Vintage Shopping Spree at Sugar’s home, with Laurie Davis’ awesome clothes and accessories from her Lulu at the Belle Kay salon Dec. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. It is champagne and shopping with gossip and good fellowship.

DIAMONDS ARE A GAL’S BEST FRIEND ... if you happened to sell, or get the 14 carat pink gem sold at Christie’s for a record $23 million.

TEN YEARS OF COUTURE will be toasted Dec. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elda de la Rosa designs at 5555 N. Sheridan.

SANTA ARRIVES DEC. 22 from 3 to 6 p.m. at River Shannon, 425 W. Armitage, for boys and girls. Free pizzas, too.

WHO WERE THE GREAT GUYS who helped serve Thanksgiving dinner to 134 kids at the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls? Trump Chicago team including Bill Rancic, Bears Greg Olson, Matt Forte, Israel Idonije, Chef Frank Brunacci.

HALSTED STREET DELI opens another soon at 555 W. Monroe.

DAHLINGS, WHEN YOU CRAVE EXCLUSIVE CUSTOM MADE HANDBAGS, you can have talented Diego Rocha make your handbag in his new salon at 1050 N. State. Women choose their skins and styles and voila, your own special “look.”

WHEN THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE PARTIED at a recent Tiffany reception to introduce Richard Lambertson and John Truex’s leather designs, they included stunning mother and daughter combo Jannie Pearlman and Jacqui Monieson; Annie Holmber, Lori Harris, Susan Blok, Linda Hall, Janice Rohan, Joan Criswell-Merrilees, Molly Baltmas, Nadia Qureshi, Nadia Haque, Jessica Westerman, Kim White, Gianmaria Delzanno, Bridget Brennan, Michelle Borter, Katie Albrecht, Melisa Mowry.ROBERTA WALKER, the ex-wife of former Illinois governor Dan Walker, pens from California that she recently made an inspirational tour of the Holy Land, walking where Jesus walked, where he died and was resurrected. “We walked the streets of Jerusalem with Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Israeli soldiers. There was a feeling of uneasiness mixed with hope.”

OUR NU GRAD AND SEINFELD STAR Julia Louis-Dreyfus is slated to play a vice-president in an HBO pilot called Veep. It is a comedy set in Washington, D.C. and should give us rare laughs from the antics therein.

WHEN OMEGA WATCH PRESIDENT Stephen Urquhart flew here to open an exclusive Omega boutique on Michigan Ave. he was greeted warmly by supporters of Rush U. Medical Center who benefitted from the event. They included Trish Rooney Alden, Jamee Field, Stephanie Field-Harris, Cindy Mancillas, Anne Tucker, Catherine King.

DECEMBER IS THE BIRTHDAY MONTH FOR CELEBS BRITNEY SPEARS, LUCY LIU, JULIANNE MOORE, DARYL HANNAH, TYRA BANKS, JAY-Z, TERI HATCHER.

HANDSOME ATTORNEY PAUL EPISCOPE, who lives in the fabled Court of the Golden Hand on Astor Street, has been certified as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the American Trial Lawyers Association.

FORMER CHILD STAR and North Shore native Ben Savage is hoping to create, write and produce some exciting “sweet and earnest” TV series. Savage, 30, prefers being behind the camera.

IT IS DOGGONE ADORABLE and it will save pets’ lives if you buy one, or two. We are looking at the PAWS 2011 desktop calendar with each page bearing a local, pampered dog or cat. The aim is to save many more through Paula Fasseas’ Pets Are Worth Saving no-kill shelters. Among the photos is one from Shannon Smith and Michael Dalesandro of their dogs, Birkin and Coco, with the notation — WHOEVER SAID YOU CANNOT BUY HAPPINESS FORGOT LITTLE PUPPIES. To get your calendar call 773-890-5116. On the cover are Bernie and Queenie Wirtz in Blackhawk shirts and the Stanley Cup, provided by owners Rocky and Marilyn Wirtz. The dogs are quoted as saying they stay up to watch hockey games on TV and occasionally they end up in the penalty box. The PAWS adoption center is at 1997 N. Clybourn.

ACTRESS MARLO THOMAS was the star of an American Cancer Society women’s board luncheon at the Standard Club that raised $16,000. Marlo, who lived with husband Phil Donahue in Wilmette for several years before relocating in New York, discussed her new book, “Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny.” It tells tales of the comics who were always in her home to visit father, actor/comic Danny Thomas. The event was chaired by Maryann Rasmussen, Megan Galante, Shannon Weasler. More than 200 attended, including: MC Kathy Brock, Marcia Buchanan, Stacey Barrins, Mary Paniotte, Rita Forden, Debra Cohen, Mary Pierce, Jackie Burgess-Bishop.

MUSIC AND PET LOVERS can enjoy A Jazz Nativity Dec. 11 from 3 p.m. at St. Luke Church, 1500 Belmont, in a benefit and adoption for the Anti-Cruelty Society. Top Chicago jazz artists will perform including Andy Tecson, Bobby Schiff, Mark Olen, Ken Jandes, Stew Miller. It is all free with a pet blessing at 3:30 p.m.

FUNNY LADY AMY SEDARIS signed copies of her book, Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People, at Borders Books. In the humorous book are really cheap ways to make cheap meaningless presents. Pass on this one.

CHICAGO SINGLES and married couples will fly to New York City on Dec. 9 for Mike Wilkie’s annual black tie Christmas party at the Omni on 52nd street.

THE POPULAR BLUE STAR WINE BAR in Wicker Park has a new Mediterranean inspired tapas menu with special wine pairings.

LADY GAGA BLEW OUR MINDS with a gown made of raw meat. In Paris, dresses of chocolate covered models at a fashion show. Much tastier.

SUZETTE BULLEY, ODELE HAWKINS CHAIR THE DEC. 11 Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker family dinner and performance starting at 4 p.m. at the Palmer House.

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC JASON DURBIN and Officer Darren Wright received 100 Club of Chicago Valor Awards in a recent ceremony celebrating their heroism.

WHO IS THE TRADER, once at the top of the game, who is now fighting financial loss, including a Bernie Madoff rip-off, besides serious physical problems?

“THE TROUBLE WITH loving is that pets don’t last long enough and people last too long.” — UNKOWN

CONTACT: annbgerber@gmail.com or 847-677-2232