Good morning, Worcester.

Donations from readers, local businesses, and civic groups helped fund T and G Santa, which provided toys for nearly 10,000 children (via 20 partner organizations) yesterday; the United Way of Central Massachusetts led the community effort with over $33,000 raised.

BeneCare Dental Plans will close its office at 446 Main St next year and lay off 50 workers between Jan.

31 and Mar. 31, with employees given at least a 60-day notice (the company did not provide a reason for closing).

Worcester-based cybersecurity tech firm SideChannel has named Anna Seacat, a former IBM director and adjunct instructor at Marian University, to its board to drive strategic marketing and growth efforts; she will earn $3,750 each fiscal quarter.

Investor Jess Lynch from Founder's Edge supports experienced entrepreneurs building AI-native software and runs the Uplevel lunch series (a program for female founders) that connects mentors with innovators in our community, drawing on her journey from forensic accounting to venture capital.

A dental insurance firm will close its Worcester office after the state switched dental services back to Wellesley based DentaQuest in October, triggering layoffs.

Worcester rock band Blue Light Bandits will perform Dec.

19 at Off The Rails on Commercial St. They will play unreleased tracks and classic favorites — marking a holiday homecoming — before Worcester cover band Between the Waves opens the show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20.

A Worcester lottery player won $25,000 a year for life on Monday when a winning ticket was sold at Shaw’s (Lucky for Life drawing) that will end in 2026 and be replaced by the Millionaire for Life game.

WPI researchers developed a carbon-negative building material that captures CO2 and cures quickly (using an enzyme to convert the gas into mineral particles).

The innovation may soon offer a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete for local construction projects.

Researchers at WPI developed a carbon-negative building material that cures in hours — trapping CO2 and using a low-energy bioinspired process; the durable, recyclable material offers a sustainable, cost-saving alternative to traditional concrete.

On Monday, Dec. 8, state and local officials celebrated finishing a $107 million reconstruction project on Route 20, where safety improvements along the 3.2-mile stretch between Charlton & Oxford aim to reduce fatal crashes for commuters and residents.

WPI assistant professor Yonghui Ding developed a rapid 3D-printing process using biodegradable ink and light to create tiny scaffold tubes with grooves that guide cell growth into new blood vessels.

The method may eventually improve heart bypass grafts locally.

Holy Cross bought an off-campus student rental house at 50 College St. for $2.2M and plans to convert it into faculty housing — it will remain on the tax rolls, officials said.

Bob Chesney, a coach with roots in Worcester, was introduced as UCLA's 20th head football coach on Dec.

9 in Westwood. He led winning turnarounds at Assumption and Holy Cross and is expected to rebuild the struggling Bruins.

Saves The Day and Glassjaw Concert

6:30-8:00 p.m. — Palladium — $TBA — Experience an electrifying evening with indie rock legends in a vibrant venue.

45th Annual Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert

8-10 p.m. — Mechanics Hall — $47+ — Experience Worcester's festive holiday celebration with the Massachusetts Symphony and special guest performances.

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay

8:30-9:30 p.m. — Mechanics Hall — $25.65 — Experience the music of Coldplay in a candlelit setting for a unique musical celebration.

A Christmas Carol

7:00 – 8:30 PM — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Tickets from $102 — Enjoy a classic holiday tale brought to life in a stunning theatrical performance.

Fourth Annual Royal Holiday Ball

6-11 p.m. — Courtyard by Marriott Worcester — Cost not specified — Experience a magical evening of celebration, dancing, and festive treats fit for royalty.

Sans Souci Tribute to JGB

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Electric Haze Llc — Tickets starting at $15.44 — Experience a tribute to JGB with live alternative rock music.

A Christmas Carol

7:00 – 8:30 PM — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience a classic holiday tale brought to life in a beautiful theater setting.

Dueling Pianos Show

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Rascals — Ticket prices vary — Get ready to rock and roll at an electrifying musical experience where you choose the playlist.

Home for the Holidays Hockey Game

3:05-4:35 p.m. — DCU Center — $10 Kids Tickets — Celebrate the season with festive hockey, family fun, and a chance to win during the Ugly Sweater Contest.

New Year's Eve Celebration with Whiskey Boulevard

7 PM - 1 AM — Samuel Slater's Restaurant — $95 Dinner, $30 Celebration Only — Celebrate New Year's Eve with live music, dinner buffet, and a champagne toast at midnight.