O Christmas tree

Some people might prefer calling a Christmas tree a holiday tree, but not Laura Bush. Yesterday during a tour of the White House's holiday decorations, Bush was asked by a reporter: ''Mrs. Bush -- on holiday tree versus Christmas tree. You have no problem calling this a Christmas tree?" ''Well, no, not really," said Bush. Her answer comes after a debate in Boston was kicked up by the Florida-based Liberty Counsel's campaign, which criticized what it said was the secularization of the holiday. Mayor Tom Menino, whose office had sent out a press release calling the tree from Nova Scotia a holiday tree, replied: ''I consider this to be a Christmas tree." This might be one of the few issues the first lady and hizzoner agree on. ''We know that Americans celebrate the season in a lot of different ways," Bush said. ''We'll have a Hanukkah party, Hanukkah reception, here at the White House later during the month. But I think we've always called this the White House Christmas tree." . . . Each guest visiting the White House during the holiday will receive a tour book illustrated by Donna Green from Cohasset Village.

Affleck camp grinds up a rumor

Starbucks denies it, but New York's Daily News reports that the coffee giant may have given Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner a seven-figure contract ''to drink, be photographed with, and generally promote" Starbucks around the country. It's true that Garner is frequently photographed wandering around with a Starbucks cup in her hand, but there's no such contract. So says Affleck's rep Ken Sunshine, who told the Daily News: ''Maybe Ben likes Starbucks and is willing to ignore the morons who spend their life waiting to take the same photo every day of him drinking coffee."

Aerosmith’s Hamilton lends sparkle

Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton jumped on the stage for an impromptu set with Boston Arts Academy drummer Sheldon Thwaites at the opening party of the relocated Shreve, Crump & Low in the Back Bay on Tuesday night. . . . WCVB-TV (Channel 5) has hired a new general assignment reporter, Sean Kelly, from the ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach, Fla. Kelly was the lead political reporter for WPBF-TV, but he also covered major hurricanes. Kelly begins in Boston on Dec. 15.

A bunch of bare-knuckle brutes showed up at yesterday's tryouts in Newton for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Craig Buckley was one of a few dozen fearless fellows who took part in Spike TV's casting call.

WGBH hosted a party last night at the Boston Athenaeum on Beacon Hill to celebrate the ''American Experience" presentation of ''John and Abigail Adams." It airs in January and was written and produced by Elizabeth Deane.

Comings and goings at ICA

The Institute of Contemporary Art has appointed Carola Cadley as director of Institutional Advancement, the museum announced yesterday. Cadley comes to the ICA from the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, where she was responsible for fund-raising and strategic planning for the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in New England. Not coincidentally, Paul Bessire, who had been overseeing the ICA's fund-raising campaign for its new building on Fan Pier, just left.

The height of civility

It was with great difficulty that Yoichi Suzuki, Japan's new Consul General in Boston, presented Stephen Bosworth with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star the other night. Suzuki, who might be 5 feet 5 inches tall, struggled to get the medal over the head of the Fletcher School dean, who is 6 feet 3 inches. The problem was solved when Bosworth graciously bowed.

Staind's Lewis hits the links

Improbable as it might seem, the heavily tattooed Aaron Lewis of Staind will be a guest on the Golf Channel's ''Academy Live" Monday. Lewis, whose multiplatinum band hails from Springfield, will talk about his love for golf and how it relaxes him offstage.

Joe Yonan and Suzanne Ryan of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@ globe.com or at 617-929-8253.