So, is that tall, festively-decorated spruce tree you have in that public building a Christmas tree? A seemingly innocuous question has District officials in a tizzy, with some demanding that their trees be recognized as “Christmas” trees while others prefer the PC, non-denominational “holiday” designation. The D.C. National Guard opts for “Christmas,” the District Department of Transportation chooses “holiday.” So which should it be?

Metro Adds Signs to Escalators: Finally, Metro heard our pleas. According to WJLA, Metro will start testing signs on escalators asking that riders obey a rule so essential that most District residents observe it like they would any of the Ten Commandments: Stand right, walk left. Let’s say that together: Stand right, walk left. Metro is also planning to install signs at downtown stations that encourage riders on the platform to step aside so passengers can quickly and painlessly exit the trains.

Williams Expresses Doubts Over Stadium Deal: D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams publicly expressed his concerns that the City Council would reject a lease agreement for a new baseball stadium if MLB officials did not provide more money to the project, reports the Post. Responding to Williams’ remarks, council chair Linda Cropp arranged a meeting with chief MLB negotiator Jerry Reinsdorf and the full council to attempt to reach a settlement, set for 8:30 a.m. today. MLB has refused to provide the city with a $24 million line of credit to cover rent payments and $20 million to help with the construction, and members of the council have expressed skepticism over the deal, which is estimated to cost close to $100 million more than originally anticipated. In related news, the Council has demanded that MLB choose a new owner for the Nats, who still remain under the control of baseball’s 29 team owners.

One in Four District Children in Poverty: According to numbers by the U.S. Census and reported on by the Examiner, more than one in four children in the District live in poverty. While the percentage of children under 18 living in poverty dropped from 36.8 percent in 1995 to 29.6 percent in 2003, analysts have noted that the decreases may be attributed to poor families being forced out of the District due to the recent economic boom.

Briefly Noted: Eisenhower Memorial planned … Rosa Parks to be memorialized on Maryland buses … District ranks last in nation in tobacco prevention programs … Bush helps Maryland’s Lt. Governor raise a quick $500,000 … Housing boom leaves workers stranded.

Picture snapped by mparas.