ACTRESS ANN-MARGRET, mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel, actor Bruce Dorn, movie producer Edward Zwick, restaurateur Charlie Trotter, Boeing CEO James McNerney, TV news anchor Walter Jacobson and Sen. Mark Kirk didn’t make the first list of New Trier Township High Alumni Hall of Fame. But former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, held in disgrace by many who lament his rush to war in Iraq, was honored for a life and career “spent upholding the New Trier values of inquiry, compassion and service.”

ALUMS WHO COMPLAINED included Chad Topaz, an associate professor of mathematics at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., who sent an email to the Chicago Tribune asserting that Rumsfeld was a strange choice. “His career has done anything but serve community and humanity ... Contrary to the core values of New Trier High School. ... Rumsfeld rushed our country into a needless and unjust war and oversaw the torture of untried detainees.”

RUMSFELD, WHO WILL RELEASE HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY in January, maintains his position as the most ardent proponent of going to war in Iraq and promises a Web site with thousands of pages of documents to support his account of how the war was necessary for our survival.

HIS BOOK IS TITLED “KNOWN AND UNKNOWN,” from his now-famous comments about the “known knowns” and “the unknown knowns.”

SPOTLIGHTED WITH RUMSFELD on the New Trier honor list are: Christie Hefner, Playboy exec; Todd Golub, cancer researcher; Geoffrey Tabin, ophthalmologist; Richard Williamson, diplomat; Sam Harris, educator; Anna Halprin, dance pioneer; Arthur Nielsen Jr., marketing research veteran; Jack Steinberger, Nobel physicist.

WILL ANY OF THESE LEADERS refuse the award because they are lumped with Rummy? Doubtful. Everyone’s ego loves being cited as special among their peers.

TOO BAD NEW TRIER DOESN’T HAVE A LIST OF TOXIC ALUMS. We nominate Donald Rumsfeld to lead the knowns and the unknowns.

WHO IS THE ADORABLE DIVORCEE who knows how to seduce even the most happily wed man? She just ruined the marriage of a well known medic and his wife, after 12 years of a good union. She won’t marry him. The chase, the win, the gifts are what turn her on.

WHAT DO YOU DO if you are a playboy with $200 million and a love of fast cars, and boats? You kill yourself in a Biscayne Bay boating accident that also claims the life of your best friend. Jerry Berliant, Nikki Haskell and other Chicagoans attended the Miami funeral for Steven Posner, 67, son of the late corporate raider Victor Posner, who died when his 44-foot speedboat crashed into a similar vessel, estimated at approaching 100 miles an hour. Clive Warwock, 60, a passenger in Posner’s craft, was also killed, and Posner’s cousin, Stuart, 64, was seriously injured.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? A divorce, was the answer for a popular socialite. We’ll keep you posted.

THE SINS OF THE FATHER....The suicide of Mark Madoff, 46, son of convicted Ponzi criminal Bernie Madoff who siphoned off billions from unsuspecting investors, is just another chapter in the deadly effect of one man’s greed. Some of Madoff’s victims have also committed suicide, or died of stress, shame, lack of money for medical care, etc. The final pages of this story have not been penned, but some Chicago losers expect to get 25 cents on the dollar.

NEEDING CASH, AND NOT WEARING THEIR MAJOR JEWELRY ANYWAY, has brought many people with fab estate pieces to H. Horwich Jewelers in Water Tower, the oldest Illinois gem house. Phyllis Horwich tells us they are having a super sale with many unusual necklaces, rings, bracelets.

J. MENDEL IS CLOSING its boutique at 919 N. Michigan Ave.

MIKE WILKIE AND STEVE NARDI welcomed just a few local movers and shakers to the annual New York holiday party. Sue Carey, Irene Michaels, Joyce Selander and Jerry Berliant made the scene.

GORGEOUS JULIA MEYER, whose late husband produced the hit “Super Bowl Shuffle” by the 1985 Bears, has filed a lawsuit alleging Viacom used the video on MTV and VH1 without permission, and she wants damages. It is the 25th anniversary of the Bears theme which sold 500,000 singles. Julia, a statuesque brunette who travels each winter to her home in Mexico, has zealously guarded ownership of the catchy “Shuffle” which is dear to all Bears fans.

THE NO-TALENT KARDASHIANS got caught for lending their name to a prepaid debit card that is the pits. Once its “ugly rates” were denounced by regulators, the Kardashians backed away. They were not smart enough or concerned enough to read the fine print before flaunting the flashy gift card? Anything for a no-talent buck.

HER EFFORTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOPTEES won a Lutheran Social Services award for State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (12th). Lutheran Services leader Denver Bitner presented the trophy noting Sara’s passion for the care of kids, seniors, and others who are vulnerable. FEIGENHOLTZ recently sponsored a birth certificate access bill for adoptees.

PHOTOGRAPHER ART SHAY has an exhibit of his amazing pix through Dec. 23 at the Thomas Masters Gallery, 245 W. North Ave.

THE DONALD LEVINSONS of Trabert & Hoefer Jewelers on Oak Street, flew to Yale to see grandson Brian Levy, receive Phi Beta Kappa honors.

CELEBRATING DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS ARE: Felicity Huffman, Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx, Adam Brody, Jennifer Connelly.

NEW YEAR’S EVE FESTIVITIES are on the minds of members of the English-Speaking Union who will party with guests at a Casino blast. Co-chairs are Brian White and Mrs. Christian Pitt, so you know it will be a great way to

welcome 2011. They boast a 28-member committee.

GLAMOROUS FASHIONISTAS at the Crystal Ball in New York City for Brownie McLean’s higher education benefit were Sue Carey and Sarena Weil. Sarena and Brownie met in Palm Beach years ago and are great pals.

A BELATED MENTION for “Drunkboat,” an unusual flick from the recent 46th Chicago International Film Festival. Walking the red carpet were Jim Ortlieb, Jacob Zachar and director Bob Meyers. Our John Malkovich is in this story of misfits — He’s a Vietnam vet trying to sooth survivor’s guilt with alcohol. John Goodman plays a corrupt used boat salesman. Sounds like a lot of laughs.

CAN’T BLAME SANFORD ALTSCHUL FOR BEAMING. One of his eight grandkids was invited to the White House for the ceremony lighting the Menorah.

DONATIONS OF GENTLY USED DESIGNER CLOTHES and accessories are sought for the Chicago Lighthouse runway fashion show and sale Sept. 24-25 next year. We thought it had debuted this year. The show is at Saks and the sale at the Peninsula. Call 312-997-3679.

A BIG GREEK ROMANCE, taken from his real life, has actor/screenwriter Robert Krantz offering the details in his new novel, “Falling in Love With Sophia.” Krantz produced the movie “Do You Wanna Dance?” and he comes from Chicago’s Greek community. The author has been married to Tricia for 20 years and they have three sons. His book probes true love, keeping it alive in a marriage and what family really means.

WANT TO MOVE? THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI and Donald Trump have homes on the market. The Sultan is asking $37 million for his Las Vegas estate and the Donald is seeking $12 million for his Southern California home......EVERYONE NEEDS MORE MONEY.

ONLINE DATING PEAKS IN THE WINTERTIME, we are told, with singles desperate to get out of the house in bad weather... and no one to cuddle with.

THE SWANK EVEREST ROOM is offering a $125 per person New Year’s feast highlighting the new Dom Perignon 2002 vintage champagne.

SOCIALITES ARE BUZZING about the way John Rogers of Ariel Fund and ex-wife Desiree Rogers, former White House social secretary, are holding hands and acting all lovey-dovey. Will this reuniting last?

SHAUN RAJAH of the Drake Hotel is having immigration issues and his many friends are rallying to his side. Cece Gonzales and Melinda Herren of Raymi Productions are planning a party to lift his spirits. Cece, from Lima, Peru, is a stunning look-alike to “Modern Family” actress Sofia Vergara, and they sound like sisters. Raymi has given us successful venues like Shop in Chicago, Who Is Chicago, Masquerade Extravaganza and the Taste of the Gold Coast. These girls are hot.

A FOND FAREWELL TO MEG AND DALE TALLON has left the Myra and John Reilly family sad but excited. The Tallons are moving to Fort Lauderdale where Dale will be the new vice-president and general manager of the Florida Panthers.

WHO WON GEJA’S 37TH WINE TASTING CONTEST? TELECOM ENGINEER Arno Tronche of Lincoln Park is the amateur champ and Mike Baker, the professional winner. Both are previous champions.

GET OUT THERE AND SHOP! China and local retailers need the business!

“IN BIBLICAL TIMES a man could have as many wives as he could afford. Just like today.” —ABIGAIL VAN BUREN

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