Good morning, Syracuse.

Jill Ceilly, who rebuilt her life with help from A Tiny Home for Good, received a purple Christmas tree from an anonymous donor last week.

She picked it at the Festival of Trees and Light at the Everson Museum (with butterflies that recall her grandmother), which now brightens her home.

Disney On Ice 'Road Trip Adventures' will perform at Upstate Medical University Arena at Oncenter War Memorial Friday, Dec.

26 through Monday, Dec. 29 in Syracuse, featuring favorite characters like Mickey, Minnie & Goofy along with interactive scenes with Mary Poppins and The Incredibles.

Armory Square Playwrights return to WAER for a fourth season of Holiday Radio Theater, airing four new plays that explore faith, friendship & family traditions while WAER staff add music and sound effects to enhance each story.

Columnist Sean Kirst shares a reflective Christmas card message as he recounts family memories and his return to local journalism with Central Current (free news) today.

He ties personal holiday traditions with his deep ties to Syracuse's winter beauty and community bonds.

Syracuse University students from the Shaw Center’s Nutrition Initiative taught third graders at Dr. Weeks Elementary on an early November morning, helping them make fruit salsa and learn healthy eating habits through hands-on cooking.

The initiative also offers similar lessons at local schools (Ed Smith, Henninger High).

The Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission approved Liberty Renewables’ final permit on December 22 for 24 wind turbines — a 100-megawatt project set for Fenner, Nelson, Eaton, and Smithfield that will create about 70 jobs, invest $63 million, and power 17,000 homes despite 911 communications concerns.

Officials in six towns asked 27,000 customers to cut water use by 30% after a major distribution pipe broke, threatening a steady supply; they set guidelines like 5-minute showers & full dishwasher loads as repairs stretch longer, with live-stream updates provided but no session on Christmas.

Kate Flannery (Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Upstate New York) advises caregivers to stick with familiar routines and try small new traditions to ease holiday stress, urging them to take breaks and ask for help so that both loved ones and caregivers can manage challenges today.

World Ballet Company - The Nutcracker

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Crouse Hinds Concert Theater — Tickets from $86 — Experience the magic of holiday ballet with the World Ballet Company's enchanting performance of The Nutcracker.

Disney On Ice - Mickey's Search Party

4:00-5:30 p.m. — Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical journey with Mickey and friends in this enchanting ice show.

Open Mic Night with ATTAMIZK & Friends

8:30-11 p.m. — Funk 'n Waffles — Tickets starting at $7.17 — Enjoy a night of live Americana music at Syracuse's vibrant open mic event.

Disney On Ice: Mickey's Search Party

4:00 – 5:30 PM — The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters — Ticket prices vary — Experience an enchanting ice show featuring Mickey and friends on a thrilling adventure.

New Year’s Eve Party with Sophistafunk and Special Guests

8:30 PM - 1:00 AM — Funk 'n Waffles — Tickets starting at $29.30 — Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a night of funk, hip hop, and special guests including sax legend Sam Kininger.

Scars N’ Stripes Holiday Hangover

8 PM - 12 AM — Middle Ages Brewing Company — Check event page for ticket pricing — Rock out with Scars N’ Stripes as they bring high energy to chase away the holiday blues.

Stanford Cardinal at Syracuse Orange Women's Basketball

2-4 p.m. — JMA Wireless Dome — Ticket prices vary — Witness the exciting women's basketball rivalry between Stanford and Syracuse.

SAFe® 5.1 Lean Portfolio Management Training

Jan 22-23 — North Syracuse, NY — Early Bird Price: $1299 — Gain essential tools for implementing Lean Portfolio Management in this hands-on workshop.

New York Sportsman's Expo

12 PM – 5 PM — New York State Fairgrounds — Entry fee varies — Explore all things outdoors and meet over 200 vendors at the NY Sportsman's Expo.

Brahms & Debussy

6-7:30 p.m. — Crouse Hinds Concert Theater — $50 — Experience a unique blend of orchestral music with a video game twist while enjoying exclusive pre-concert snacks.