Hanukkah's candles are ablaze, giving warmth to our climes,

And now comes Christmas, adding merriment to the times.

'Tis the season for your scrivener to write up greetings

To habitués of press conferences, fundraisers and meetings.

You know many as politicians, who think they're so smart,

But we also include folks from sport, charity, and art.

What a year it has been, with an election so long,

In such a great nation, how could so much go so wrong?

Though it is true the White House race was bad,

At least we've come to know a butterfly and chad.

As he prepares for the White House, we wish only the best,

To President-elect Bush, who faces one heck of a test.

And to his vice president, Wyoming's Dick Cheney,

Many deem this half of the ticket more brainy.

We'll miss Al Gore and Joe Lieberman, his mate

Perhaps a 2004 victory will be their fate.

Republican Linc Chafee, Democrat Jack Reed will nicely fit

In a Senate where the parties will be so evenly split.

Our House of Representatives pairing will be all Democratic:

Jim Langevin joins Patrick Kennedy, whose reelection was automatic.

What a collection of pols in our never-ending show,

At the State House you see them wherever you go.

Governor Linc Almond keeps the casino forces at bay,

Press aide Lisa Pelosi makes sure his name is in play.

When the governor leaves office in another two years,

Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty hopes to hear the number one cheers.

But so might Atty. Gen. Sheldon Whitehouse and old hand Myrth York,

Tony Pires and Bob Weygand also think of walking this walk.

Not to mention the Republicans remember Jeff Pine?

To this former AG, being gov could sound fine.

Bernie Jackvony, Jim Bennett also figure in the mix

Watch them raise their profiles through stories and pix.

When the legislature names a new secretary of state,

Look for Coventry's Ed Inman to step up to the plate.

And join state Treasurer Paul Tavares, a man of reserve,

In Rhode Island's all white-male general-office preserve.

News bulletin! Alert! Call homes and apartments!

We've found several women, directing state departments.

At Business Regulation, overseeing insurance, liquor and banks,

Marilyn Shannon McConaghy deserves our great thanks.

At Human Resources, whose clients' lives need brightening,

Christine Ferguson is a veteran, and quick as lightning.

Now over to MHRH, once a pit, more lately a tower,

You have to give some credit to A. Kathryn Power.

But men can be directors, too, and many stand tall,

As at the Department of Corrections, hello, A.T. Wall.

At Administration you know, budget, buildings, and taxes

Bob Carl is deluged with phone calls, e-mails and faxes.

At Transportation, trucks and snow plows work through the night

With Bill Ankner in charge to make sure everything's right.

And at Economic Development, where credit cards were abused,

Tom Schumpert's a reformer, you won't find him amused.

Fry up the latkes, we'll serve some for lunch

To members of the Senate, a most interesting bunch.

Out of nowhere, engineering a breathtaking coup,

New Majority Leader Bill Irons, kudos to you.

And bringing Peggy Forbes on as new chief of staff

May wind up saving you from many a gaffe.

Good luck to Joe Montalbano, new Judiciary head,

Though we wish Teresa Paiva Weed could stay there instead.

In the House, Speaker John Harwood is a study in pluck,

If you want to chat him up, bring a stick and a puck.

Majority Leader Gerard Martineau's star doesn't fade,

That might be a tribute to Sue Anderson, his aide.

Saluting political operatives is truly a cinch:

Joe Fleming, Bill Fischer, Steve Hourahan, Bill Lynch.

And let's not forget these, who help folks in domes:

Sue Pegden, Jenn Bramley, Amy Gabarra, John Holmes.

Hear ye, hear ye, the state courts are a-meeting,

Joe Weisberger's time as chief justice sure is fleeting.

Federal Judge Ronald Lagueux deserves the highest esteem

For speaking frankly of corruption in Buddy Cianci's team.

Eying mayoral runs is a field that is hearty:

David Cicilline, Joe Paolino, John Lombardi.

As we celebrate the season and quaffe egg nog in cheer,

Let's remember others who brighten the scene around here.

Distinguished educators give a lift to the town,

Like Sheila Blumstein and Ruth Simmons, presidents of Brown.

URI has several of the best scholars we've met:

Marc Genest, Maureen Moakley, Bernard LaFayette.

Two principals make Providence schools hotter and hotter:

Central High's Debra DeCarlo and Hope's Harry Potter.

Helping improve community life (confidentially, between us),

Are Pablo Rodriguez, Tomas Avila, and Patricia Martinez.

Lay out the place cards, leave room at the table,

For those who keep the economy robust and stable.

At the Chamber of Commerce, whose politics are right,

Say hi to Fred Lohrum, Jim Hagan, Laurie White.

You're sneezing, allergic to mistletoe over the door?

Go visit Tom Ryan at any CVS store.

Keeping Chanukah gelt circulating is a task of first rank,

For Mark Formica and Barbara Cottam at Citizens Bank.

P.R. folks make bucks, but they also know toil:

Jon Duffy, Dave Preston, John Barrett, Patti Doyle.

Here's a guy who deals with customers and buyers,

His name's Dave Engle and he's a big wheel in tires.

For prosciutto, olive oil, other food items so holy,

See owner Alan Costantino, chef Sal Cefaliello at Venda Ravioli.

A few blocks away, dining at Angelo's also is heady:

Look for owner Bob Antignano, waitress Christine Manfredi.

Spread out the presents, decorate the tree,

Organized labor seeks money and dignity.

Not impressed? You still got a beef?

Take it up with Frank Montanaro, AFL-CIO chief.

Out on the road, whether it be Friday or Sunday,

A good guy to know is the Teamsters' Stu Mundy.

In the world of TV, where ratings don't come cheap,

Lisa Churchville's Channel 10 is always on top of the heap.

Still, at Channel 36, programming for child and adult,

Susan Farmer's Lively Experiment attracts quite a cult.

Farewell to a broadcast pro who has left the air,

Without Dyana Koelsch around, fewer viewers will care.

Yet other talents remain to cover crimes, pols and disasters:

Jim Taricani, Jack White, Jim Hummel, Pat Mastors.

Radio's Deb Becker delivers the news with a smile,

On the local NPR station, 1290 on your dial.

What, you think I know nothing of arts?

There's plenty of them around these parts.

This singer's so talented, the audience is in fever,

You are correct I'm talking about Rose Weaver.

To hear another gifted voice, there's plenty I'd pay:

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Maria Day.

Wonder how something's built so its splendor won't fade?

Illustrator David Macaulay will show you how it's made.

Without book stores and films, we'd be kind of vulgarian,

So it's lucky we have College Hill's Ken Dulgarian.

You won't find a better author when it comes to the mob:

Retired New York cop, Narragansett's Leuci, Bob.

Calling all sports, which are great for relaxin':

P-Bruins owner Ed Anderson and golfer Brad Faxon.

Pawsox execs we hold fonder and fonder:

Mike Tamburro, Lou Schwechheimer, and, of course, Ben Mondor.

Urge on the reindeer, we're getting near to the end,

But there are still more greetings we want to extend.

Combatting violence against women, several names are so fair:

Peg Langhammer, Karen Jeffreys, and Deborah DeBare.

With her cheer and her insight, this person is neat:

Serena Conley, who now dispenses largesse for Fleet.

Inspiring young people (look for them in red gear),

Is Jyothi Nagraj, who directs City Year.

Trying to build opportunity, he won't give in to fatigue,

Is Dennis Langley, our friend at the Urban League.

Fighting hunger around us, two leaders are top ratin':

The Food Bank's Bernie Beaudreau and Amos House's Deb Brayton.

And don't forget others who've led in this quest,

Henry Shelton, Alan Shawn Feinstein are ones you know best.

If you'd become an organ donor, I know someone who'd smile:

The Journal's Bill Parrillo, who was away for awhile.

As the year ends, Cornel Young Jr.'s memory shines bright,

May God smile on his parents and let us all hold them tight.

For the new year ahead, we can hope for some wealth,

But more important to everyone: world peace and good health.

M. Charles Bakst, The Journal's political columnist, can be reached by e-mail at mbakst@projo.com