Angela's all-Patriots Christmas tree is back up.

Doug Holder talks to Sam Cornish on his influences, why he doesn't consider himself part of the '60s Black Arts Movement and on the importance of stripped-down poetry. Also:

... Right now I am available for people through the library and also through Mayor Menino's office. If people call and request my presence at a school or senior citizen's center, or where people would like a poet, I go. I try to be the person to bring a poem to people who might not read poetry, or those who want to talk to a poet about the craft. ...

First Belinda the Willow Tree, now the radio tower atop the College of Communications at BU. Ross Levanto reports BU today took down the radio tower that had long symbolized the college, even if it hadn't actually broadcast anything since the 1950s:

... Maybe only a BU COM grad can understand, but it was somewhat of a poignant, if accidental moment. We recognize COM by the antenna in diametrically opposed ways. You think radio, of course, when you see it, but its derelict status always reminded the COM student of the equally decrepit halls of the building itself.

Ed. parochial note: What's next? That weird MIT radarish thing behind the fire station on Centre Street in West Roxbury?

Amy Derjue reports from south of the border that Rhode Island's state treasurer has started a billboard campaign convince us to all drive down to Rhode Island to buy clothes because there's no sales tax on clothing.

Frank Caprio has even set up a Web site to let us know that not only does Little Rhody not tax clothes, the entire state is "conveniently located off Interstate 95."

Only problem, as Derjue notes, is that Massachusetts doesn't tax clothes up to $175, and even if you buy something worth more, you only pay taxes on the upper value:

Unless you live in Attleboro or drive a hybrid, you'll spend more on gas to get here than you'd save.

The Providence Journal reports Caprio has spent $12,000 (from his campaign funds, not state funds) so far and is looking to spend even more. Sounds like a real winner.