FOR THE RECORD

The Daily News reported last week that former neighbors of Judi Nathan reported seeing police bodyguards waiting at her beckon call outside her East Side apartment nearly a year before it became publicly known in the spring of 2000 that she was dating then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

That didn't stop Rudy from telling Tim Russert during a Dec. 9 appearance on "Meet the Press" that the special chauffeurs were provided "based upon threat assessments made by the New York City Police Department ... of what was necessary to protect her life, my life, other people's lives."

His answer ignored the issue posed by the News story: if no one knew they were a couple, who would have been threatening Ms. Nathan?

Such questions, we suspect, miss the point: diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but what better way to show her you care than to provide round-the-clock transport by NYPD Detectives?

Mr. Giuliani's arrangement also offers a possible clue as to how Mayor Bloomberg has been able to operate with roughly 4,000 fewer cops than his predecessor yet continue to cut crime.

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While critics often trash new art and museum exhibits, they may be forced to look for different adjectives this week when the Department of Sanitation unveils its display on the department's history.

The exhibit, called "Loaded Out: Making a Museum," was created in conjunction with New York University. The display will highlight DSNY's history and vital role in shaping the city, according to the department.

The exhibit will run from Dec. 13 through Jan. 13, 2008 at the DSNY's field office located at 136 West 20th St. between 6th and 7th avenues. It will be open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

It will be the first phase in what is expected to eventually lead to an actual DSNY museum, according to the department.

"Since its inception as the Department of Street Cleaning in 1881, it has been trusted with one of the most vital of city services, which is collecting and disposing of the currently 12,000 tons of refuse and recycling each and every day, and maintaining clean and safe city streets," said DSNY Commissioner John J. Doherty.

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Transport Workers Union Local 100 Retirees' Association will host its Holiday Party Dec. 15 at the Eastwood Manor in The Bronx.

Reservations are $50 per person and those wishing to attend should call 212-873-6000 ext. 2160, or e-mail twuretirees@Mindspring.com.

Eastwood Manor is located at 3371 Eastchester Rd. and festivities will commence at noon and last until 5:30 p.m. Checks should be made out and sent to the TWU Retirees' Association, 80 West End Ave., New York, N.Y. 10023.

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A New York-based group is urging citizens to support Rescue Airmen serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere this holiday season.

A statement from organizer Thomas Riedl said, "People can now wish Rescue Airmen a happy holiday in a creative new way: by painting greeting cards with their voices. They can do this online for free at www.thanks4giving.us where software, called Speak2Paint Cards, is accessible and lets people make paintings by talking or singing into a microphone. Kodak Gallery, a supporter of the program, will be printing and sending cards that people make to the 106th Rescue Wing Charitable Organization that will distribute them to Rescue Airmen and their children and families. This is all part of the Thanks4giving Program being led by VisiSound Technologies."

Mr. Riedl said the program allowed Americans to show their appreciation for a group he felt did not get enough.

Those interested can call 212-946-1201.

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The North Pole's most-famous adjunct will join Pace University faculty at both the Pleasantville and lower Manhattan campuses when Santa Claus takes part in New York State United Teachers rallies to protest the college's alleged stalling on bargaining a new contract.

The Dec. 11 rally at the upstate campus will begin at 4:15 p.m., with the one downtown set for 5 p.m. Dec. 13.