Chicago's trimming its budget by trimming a shorter Christmas tree in Daley Plaza.

Work crews today will raise a single, 55-foot blue spruce in the shadow of the Picasso. Last year the city spent almost $100,000 on a 90-footer comprised of 1,300 smaller trees.

The Mayor's Office of Special Events was searching for ways to axe costs when a Palos Heights couple offered their tree, spokeswoman Mary May said. Harlan and Carol Weivoda made the tree-mendous gift, with Harlan citing his South Side roots and memories of going downtown to see the municipal tree.

"This is the first time we've done this (had a single tree) since 1955," May said. "We've gone back to an old tradition."

The free tree will save the city at least $50,000, May said. The decorated spruce will measure nearly 60 feet, from its base to the star on top. Trimmings include 7,000 energy-saving LED bulbs donated by Underwriters Laboratories last year.

Actress Bonnie Hunt ("The Bonnie Hunt Show") is this year's official tree-lighter, flipping the switch with Mayor Daley at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 25. The 96th annual tree-light ceremony is free and begins at 4 p.m.

Party guests, dancing mice and more

Congratulations to nine local girls tapped to appear in the Joffrey Ballet's "Nutcracker," one of the nation's most prestigious Yule sugarplums. Joffrey co-founder Gerald Arpino delighted in choreographing vignettes for youngsters -- from ballet students to rookies in wheelchairs -- and his scenes radiate Christmas-is-for-children joy. Young talents appearing in this year's production Dec. 11-27 at the Auditorium Theatre: Anna Bilse, sixth grade, Munster; Lily Bardol, sixth grade, Michigan City; sisters Connor and Aubrey Hamilton, second and fourth grade respectively, Highland; Jessica Ivetich, ninth grade, Dyer; Alexa Patrick, fourth grade, Munster; Cameron Grace Terry, fifth grade, Highland; Lane Terry, fifth grade, Munster; and Claire Werner, seventh grade, Michigan City.

You, too, are a target audience

Puzzled why U2 is already flogging its July 6 show next year at Soldier Field?

The pre-presale is the concert industry's latest strategy to drum up business.

General attendance has been sliding for years, so promoters first tried selling fewer but pricier tickets to offset losses. With cash-strapped fans feeling more strapped -- and only going to a few shows each year -- bands and promoters are hawking events months in advance to stake their share of bucks. Hence tickets for U2's extended "360" tour (top price, $252) go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 9. It's already too late to grab early-bird passes ($175) for Lollapalooza 2010. They're sold out.

He is America, and so are you

Chicago's famed springboard for comics has landed another alum for its 50th birthday party.

Mock GOP pundit Stephen Colbert will discuss his Comedy Central show at 10 a.m Dec. 12 at The Second City. He'll also stick around to recreate classic SC skits that night.

Other alums converging for an "SCTV" reunion, panels and all-star revues during the Dec. 11-13 laughfest: Alan Arkin, Jim Belushi, Dan Castellaneta, Steve Carell, Aaron Freeman, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, Martin Short, George Wendt and Fred Willard. Events are divided between the theater, 1616 N. Wells St., and Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells St. (Piper's Alley).

Panels are $25, revues, $125. Little-known fact: Colbert, originally hired to answer phones and sell souvenirs at Second City, served as Steve Carell's understudy in the early '90s.

Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. Reach her at molly.woulfe@nwi.com or (219) 852-43329.