Brian Lehrer, Kurt Andersen, Jonathan Schwartz, and Soterios Johnson may have been off the air Monday night, but they were surrounded by about 500 devoted fans. WNYC Radio’s gala celebrated the station’s 80th anniversary and its eighth year of independence from the city.

“We’re the flagship station of the public radio community not only because of our size, but because when we made this transition to an independent station, the whole country was looking at us,” said WNYC’s president, Laura Walker.

Since becoming independent, the number of listeners has grown to 1.1 million from 650,000, and the budget has increased to $24 million from $8 million – mostly thanks to private donations.

Ms. Walker attributed such success to a loyal membership and to the board: “When Mayor Giuliani said that he was going to sell the licenses to the stations to the highest bidder, this board got up and said, ‘No, You’re not. ‘This board is a transformative board, one that will take bold moves, one that has vision.”

The organization’s next goal is finding a new home. An architect has conducted a needs assessment, and a committee is looking at spaces, including some outside Manhattan.

“We are looking for a facility so we can grow and represent New York, both in our news and information, but in showcasing the extraordinary arts offerings of the city,” said the board’s chairwoman, Nicki Tanner.

Ms. Tanner also said she is focusing on building partnerships with organizations such as the 92nd Street Y and Carnegie Hall to expand broadcasts of performances, discussions, and the like. The event at Cirpriani 42nd Street featured a performance by Garrison Keillor and raised $750,000.

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Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards demonstrate how well the magazine – and today’s women – combine substance with style. Or as the magazine’s editor, Cindi Leive, put it Monday night, “They may have good hair and good looks, but don’t be fooled, these winners are less interested in being good girls than in being great women.”

Even so, honoree Kate Winslet singled out her presenter, Susan Sarandon, for her beauty: “Susan, If I look like you one day, I will run naked down Fifth Avenue.”

Also honored at the awards ceremony, held at the American Museum of Natural History, were MTV’s Judy McGrath, designer Carolina Herrera, and author Judy Blume. Journalist Helen Thomas 630 933 740 935received a lifetime achievement award. Sarah Michelle Gellar, star of “The Grudge,” hosted the ceremony. All are covered in Glamour’s December issue and the ceremony will be broadcast on December 11 on WNBC.

A somber portion of the evening was a tribute to American servicewomen who died in Iraq. Kerry Washington, who plays Ray Charles’s wife, Della Bea, in “Ray,” read portions of the servicewomen’s letters, along with Keri Russell and Kate Capshaw.