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Are you obsessed with everything that happens on Jones Street? How about the Legislative Building itself?

If it’s really special to you, consider buying a Christmas tree ornament depicting the home of your General Assembly. The N.C. Museum of History has designed just such an ornament in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the statehouse.

That anniversary comes up in a few weeks, marking the legislature’s move from the State Capitol on Union Square, where it had met since 1840, into the new digs for the 1963 session. It was designed by famed architect Edward Durrell Stone.

The history museum has been designing an annual ornament as part of a series since 1983, focusing on state buildings, symbols and places. This one, made in the U.S.A., depicts the building rendered in color on silver.

They’re selling it for $16. Go to the museum, or its website at http://www.ncmuseumofhistoryshop.com/ornament-series.html.

After a long year of "translating" the words of Bev Perdue to an incredulous capitol press corps, the governor's Ministry of Information has made this attempt at holiday humor.

Dome recognizes the fingerprints of once-upon-a-time journalists turned Svengalis Mark Johnson and Ben Niolet all over this poem.

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and under the dome,

The press staff had work to do before they went home.

The news releases were spun by the staffers with care

In hopes that the press corps would reprint and be fair.

The budget writers, though brave, still quaked in their Keds

While visions of money trees danced in their heads.

And Bev in her pantsuit and Bob in his khakis

Announced some new jobs with help from Chris Mackey.

When just down the street arose such a cry

We rushed to the web to investigate why.

“Fetzer’s not here. And Rand’s now with us.

So what in the world could cause such a fuss?”

The lights on our screens lit our faces aglow

As the stories we read told tales full of woe.

For what to our wondering eyes did appear

But 26 more Republicans than we had last year.

For those who didn't get a copy, here's Gov. Bev Perdue's family holiday card:

Gov. Bev Perdue will host the state's the annual Christmas Tree lighting at about 6 p.m. Thursday on the south side of the old state Capitol.

For those among you who are directionally challenged, that's the side facing Fayetteville Street.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with musical performances. The governor and First Gentleman Bob Eaves will hang wreaths on the Capitol’s south doors to begin the official tree lighting ceremony at 6:15 p.m. After the tree is lit, the governor and Santa Claus will read to the children.

The Capitol will also host holiday open houses featuring local performing groups from Thursday, Dec. 9, through Sunday, Dec. 12. Hours are: Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 3 p.m.

Those wishing to attend can contact the state Capitol at 919-733-4994 for more information.

Gov. Mike Easley's gifts took weeks to finish.

This year, Easley gave his wife, Mary, an elaborate black walnut secretary and a tiger maple dining table for Christmas that he personally made.

A well-known woodworking hobbyist, Easley makes furniture for his wife every year.

Contacted by Dome, woodworker Michael Shelley of Carolina Heirlooms estimated that the secretary would take a professional three to four weeks to complete working full time, and an amateur six months or more depending on their skill level.

He said the completed piece would be worth $8,000 to $12,000.

Shelley said that the table would take a week or less for a professional, and a week or two for an amateur, depending on the equipment they had. He said it would be worth $1,500 to $2,000.

"Keep in mind, wood prices, availability are huge factors in the cost of these items," Shelley said in an e-mail to Dome. "Ask five different furniture makers and you will get five different answers."

Hat Tip: Jay Price

President Bush on Christmas morning called several members of the Armed Forces serving overseas, including two with North Carolina connections, to wish them Merry Christmas and to thank them for their service.

Calling from Camp David, Bush contacted Air Force Staff Sergeant Matt Hise, who is deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan. His mother, Barbra Hise, lives in Raleigh, Rob Christensen reports.

He also telephoned Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Larry Ambrose, from Edenton, who is serving at Guantanamo Bay, Cluba.

The president asked each of them to serve as messengers passing along holiday wishes to all the troops, according to the White House. He also thanked the members for their “continued sacrifices that they are making in serving our country overseas, and away from family.”

He called nine servicemen and women.

Ambrose supervises and trains six enlisted personnel. He was recently selected as the Port Security Unit 305 Sailor of the Quarter.

Hise is an Air Mobility load planner who ensures equipment and vehicles are certified for airlift and prepares weight and balance for cargo aircraft.

Gov-elect Beverly Perdue may unveil her Cabinet next week.

But this week, outgoing Gov. Mike Easley unveiled his cabinet.

That is a black walnut secretary that the governor made as a Christmas present for First Lady Mary Easley, Rob Christensen reports.

Easley’s hobby is furniture making and he makes a present for his wife every Christmas. In addition to the elaborate walnut secretary, Easley also gave his wife a tiger maple found dining table.

The tiger maple used for the dining table was given to Easley by Senate leader Marc Basnight. It caem from Mackey’s Ferry Sawmill in Roper.

The state NAACP will hold a rally on Christmas Eve.

Rev. Dr. William Barber II, president of the civil rights group, and advocates from the Adelante Education Coalition willrally to express their support for illegal immigrants to attend state community colleges.

In August, the board of directors for the N.C. Community College System voted to keep a ban on admission for undocumented students made earlier this year.

Barber will share the Christmas message from Luke 2:7 in the Bible, in which the baby Jesus is laid in a manger because there is no room at the inn.

A press release for the event says there will be "excellent visuals" for TV and photojournalists, but it does not explain exactly what.

U.S. Rep. Howard Coble is wishing his constituents a merry Christmas.

Every caller to the Greensboro Republican's Washington, D.C., office is greeted with "Merry Christmas and happy holidays, Congressman Coble's office. How can I help you?" 

Spokesman Ed McDonald said the practice starts every year on Dec. 1, at the boss' suggestion.

"He calls me every year around Thanksgiving and reminds me to tell everybody to start saying it again," he said.

McDonald said the holiday greeting has a side benefit.

"It disarms people who are angry," he told Dome. "They call and they're ready to yell at you, and then it kind of throws them back."

It was suggested that the office should come up with more seasonal greetings to offset angry constituent calls. McDonald said there was merit to the idea.

"Maybe happy Fourth of July?" he said.

The N.C. Republican Party criticizes Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan ties to a political action committee for atheists in a recent mailer.

What the mailer says: Front page: Image of torn photo of children saying the Pledge of Allegiance. "Godless Americans Pac wants to remove 'Under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance. And now, they want Kay Hagan in the U.S. Senate..."

Inside pages: Pictures of Hagan and supporters of the Godless Americans PAC. "Liberal Kay Hagan flew to Boston to pocket campaign cash from leaders of the Godless Americans PAC. What is Godless Americans PAC? Godless Americans Political Action Committee is a left-wing organization based in Washington, DC - dedicated to 'Mobilizing America’s nonbelievers for political activism.'

"They actively support political candidates who are atheists and who also support their liberal agenda to remove 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance and force the Boy Scouts to accept atheists and homosexuals as troop leaders. Their goal is to remove any reference to God in the public arena, including eliminating the Christmas Holiday.

"Kay Hagan & the Godless Americans PAC. Liberal Kay Hagan flew to Boston to pocket campaign cash from leaders of the Godless Americans PAC, Wendy Kaminer and Woody Kaplan. They held a private fundraiser for Kay Hagan at their home in Boston, Massachusetts on September 15th. In North Carolina, Kay Hagan says she shares our values. But, behind our backs she’s the guest of honor at a fundraiser hosted by the most vile, radical liberals in America.

"We can't trust Kay Hagan to defend our North Carolina values."

Back page: Image of a torn photo of a mother and young daughter decorating a Christmas tree. "And, Godless Americans Pac wants to eliminate the Christmas holiday. And, they want Kay Hagan in the U.S. Senate."

The background: Hagan, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, attended a Sept. 15 fundraiser in Boston hosted by author Wendy Kaminer and her husband, Woody Kaplan. Kaplan is on the advisory board of the Godless Americans PAC, whose Web site says it supports candidates who are atheists and supports the separation of religion and government, including a "Godless pledge." It is not clear that Kaminer is a leader of the PAC.

Some readers may be left with the impression that Hagan supports the PAC's position on the Pledge of Allegiance, Christmas and the Boy Scouts — or that Hagan is an atheist.

Hagan's campaign said Hagan does not support removing "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hagan is an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro.

Hagan does not support eliminating the Christmas holiday. Her family often spends part of Christmas morning at a home for severely handicapped people, where they cook breakfast, wash dishes and play Santa Claus to relieve the home's staff.

Hagan's son is an Eagle Scout. Her campaign said that while Hagan opposes discrimination, she believes questions about who can be troop leaders is a decision for the Boy Scouts, not Washington, to make.

Is the mailer accurate? Yes and no. Hagan did attend the fundraiser in question. But the mailer incorrectly suggests that Hagan shares the view of the Godless Americans PAC on the Pledge of Allegiance, Christmas and the Boy Scouts.

— Bill Krueger