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Commentator Lee Stringer tells about being homeless at Christmas. Stringer was homeless for ten years, and says it made him grateful for small things. One Christmas in particular taught him to count his blessings. He wrote about it in his book Grand Central Winter: Stories from the Street. (3:30) Washington Square Press ISBN: 0671036548.

Each year, a different state is responsible for selecting and decorating the Christmas tree displayed on the West Lawn of the Nation's Capitol building. NPR's Tom Goldman reports on Oregon's search for the perfect tree for the year 2002.

As part of the NPR News series The Changing face of America, we explore parish life at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, in Washington, DC. The Roman Catholic parish was founded in 1899 by Irish and German Immigrants. Today, it is the spiritual home to thousands of new immigrants (from 60 countries) the majority of whom speak Spanish. This used to be a wealthy neighborhood -- now many of the people who live nearby have low incomes. As the reality of the neighborhood changed, so did the requests for services. The Archdiocese of Washington -- through Sacred Heart Parish and the Spanish Catholic Center -- provides numerous social services to neighbors in need. They can find health care and dental care, a legal clinic specializing in Immigration Law, a day treatment center for addicts with other mental illnesses, adult education (Computers, GED and ESL), housing assistance, employment counseling, food for their pantries, a hot meal program for people living on the streets, and emergency shelter. Sacred Heart also provides a trusted place where immigrants can be welcomed and accepted.

8 1/2 Souvenirs returns to perform their song Kazango.

Jeff Brady of Oregon Public Radio reports that one small city is allowing residents to operate daycare centers for dogs out of their homes. Vancouver, Washington is experimenting with the zoning change.

NPR's Kenneth Walker reports on the increasing tension and violence in the Ivory Coast.

Ravaged diva, Marianne Faithful, who's made her name in recent years interpreting the songs of Brecht and Weil in her trademark rasp has released her first rock record in more than five years. Vagabond Ways tells tales of desperation and debauchery. Karen Michel files this profile. (7:46) Vagabond Ways is on the Instinct label. ASIN: B00004SBMI

Commentator and poet Christine Hemp recalls a recent move to a strange place, and the gift that helped make it a new home. (3:50) Hemp's website is http://laplaza.org/~hemprope.

Robert talks with the band 8 1/2 Souvenirs. They're a cosmopolitan swing band based in Austin, Texas. They play a few songs and talk with Robert about some of the influences behind it.

Bob Mondello reviews the film Thirteen Days, starring Bruce Greenwood as President Kennedy and Kevin Costner as a presidential advisor. The movie is based on the book The Kennedy Tapes--Instead the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis. The story starts in October of 1962, when President John F. Kennedy announced the U.S. response to the presence of medium-range ballistic missiles in Cuba. For the following week, Soviet military vessels raced toward the Caribbean as the rest of the world held its breath. The film opened today in New York and Los Angeles.