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We feature a 1999 interview with singer/Hollywood legend Rosemary Clooney. She starred in the 1954 film White Christmas. She talks about her life as a singer and performer. We will also listen to songs from throughout her career. Her 1999 autobiography, Girl Singer, reads like a who's who from the golden age of Hollywood. She also released a CD companion to the book. Its called Songs from the Girl Singer. (ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 12

Morning Edition's listeners share memories of their favorite Christmas gifts. Film projectors, escaping pianos, flying girlfriends, and shiny bicycles top the list.

Electricity deregulation was supposed to bring Californians lower prices. Instead they've gotten higher prices and unreliable service. Scott Horsley of member station KPBS reports on why this happened, including mistaken judgements in planning the big change and the fact that electricity cannot be stored to meet market demand.

For NPR news, Gina Wilkinson reports Thailand's next election may be a test of the country's political legitimacy. Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has tried to promote a new era of clean politics but his legacy is threatened. Taskin Shinawatra, a telecommunications tycoon and one of the richest men in Thailand is ahead in the opinion polls. For the people of Thailand this could mean that economic stability is more important than a government free of corruption.

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.

Our piece continues.

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

Neda Ullaby reports on the recent history of Anti-Christmas tunes. From Bananarama to Dr. Demento, many musicians have had it with the traditional carol and are ready to express their Christmas angst.

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.