Remember this tree? All it needed was a little love and some warmth from Linus' blanket. Perhaps all you need is a bit of Vince Guaraldi's music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to get the yuletide spirit flowing. Musicians Jeffrey Bützer and T.T. Mahony will perform the memorable tunes from the '60s animated special at the EARL in East Atlanta and the Strand Theatre in Marietta.

FRIDAY

Kids: In “Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LiveTour Ever,” the beloved characters from Disney Channel’s animated series make the most of the last day of summer by building an invention bigger, better and more amazing than ever. Showtimes are 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17;  12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Philips Arena.

Music: It’s a fairly new Atlanta tradition, but Jeffrey Bützer and T.T Mahony present Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is getting bigger this year. The musicians will do their usual shows at the EARL at 9 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17, but they’ve added two shows at the …

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Matt Hinton of Bell Street Burritos, the man who created your pick for best dish of 2011. Hinton, shown here at his stall at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market in August, has now expanded, with a new location on the Westside. Photo: Bita Honarvar, bhonarvar@ajc.com

YOUR PICKS
1. Green chile burritos at Bell Street Burritos
You say “A pork and green chili burrito from Bell St. burritos is about as good as eating gets” and “Chicken/green chile/potato burrito from Bell Street Burritos. With lots of green salsa. YUM.”

2. San Gennaro pizza at Antico Pizza Napoletana
3. Ribeye at Hal’s
4. Smoked wings at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
5. (tie) Sticky toffee pudding at 4th & Swift
5. (tie) Pulled pork sandwich at Heirloom Market BBQ

Ajiaco from Lilburn's Las Arepas de Julia is among our best dishes of 2011. Photo: Gene Lee

OUR PICKS
Ajiaco at Las Arepas de Julia
The AJC dining team’s specialist in International Cuisine Gene Lee says, “My favorite dish in 2011 is Colombian ajiaco, a chicken potato soup …

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Chris Kayser plays Scrooge in the Alliance Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol." (Curtis Compton )

FRIDAY
Stage: Chris Kayser returns to the Alliance Theatre as the miserly Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” which continues through Dec. 24.

Holiday, music: “Elvis and Jesus: A king meets the King” features Kingsized’s Big Mike Geier and Friends and the Good Moves Dancers celebrating the season with Elvis tunes, the Christmas story and a whole lot more in this rocking take on a holiday pageant at Inman Park United Methodist Church. Catch it  7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. It’s free, but donations will be accepted for the United Methodist Children’s Home.

Music: The new Winter Wonder Jam series starts 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Atlantic Station. Other dates for the free concert are Dec 16 and 23.

Music: Max Bemis performs at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at The Masquerade.

Music: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is joined by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Morehouse College Glee Club …

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Bruster's, which has approximately 70 locations in Georgia, was your pick for best ice cream in and around Atlanta. Photo: Renee Brock / Special

YOUR PICKS
1. Bruster’s
You say, “Brusters for me! I love almost every flavor but have to say Winter Wonderland is one of my favs.”

2. Morelli’s
3. Jake’s Ice Cream
4. High Road Craft
5. Kilwins

Morelli's maple bacon brittle ice cream in a fresh baked waffle cone. Just one of the many reasons this spot is our pick for best ice cream in and around Atlanta. Photo: Scott Wink

OUR PICKS
1. Morelli’s
The AJC dining team’s Popular Eats specialist Jon Watson says, “Morelli’s wide and unique mix of craft ice cream flavors, like Avocado or Balsamic Strawberry, has made it a go-to favorite for Atlantans looking for something a little different. Flavors change constantly, but first timers should start out with their Salted Caramel, if it is available.”

2. Westside Creamery
3. High Road Craft
4. Jake’s Ice Cream
5. Sarah Jean’s Ice Cream and …

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