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Merchants and residents will have more to oohh and aahh about during this year's holiday season's tree-lighting ceremony. As usual, colorful lights will brighten up the village, but something will be remarkably different.
For as long as many merchants and residents can remember, a one-dimensional apparatus made out of metal bars forming the skeleton of a tree and a string of decorative lights shaping the outline of branches served as the city's holiday tree perched outside of the Blaney Plaza on SaratogaLos Gatos Road. When lit, passersby can easily spot the 20-foot structure, but during the daytime, residents may not even notice it's there. However, that will soon be replaced by a living tree, made possible by the generous donation of a local family to help boost the holiday spirit and liven up the downtown area.
Phil Boyce, board member of the Hakone Foundation, and his wife, Susan, handed the city a check for $5,000 to purchase and plant a real tree next to the Memorial Arch, which was relocated to the plaza before the old fire station was demolished.
"It's time that the city displays a real holiday tree instead of a metal one," Boyce said. "Who doesn't like real trees? Not only is it our way of providing community service, it would also be a nice addition in the downtown area."
Boyce, who said he's looking forward to seeing the new tree at this year's ceremony on Nov. 28 and in future years, said he does not have any preference as to what type of tree or adornments he'd like to see.
"That would be in the hands of the city," he said.
According to Public Works Director John Cherbone, the city is looking to get a 20- to 25-foot blue spruce, upon recommendation from the city's arborist, Barry Coat. Cherbone said he does not yet know where to purchase the tree, but has a couple vendors in mind.
Councilwoman Kathleen King said she is glad to finally see a real tree in the plaza.
"A fake tree doesn't represent a city like Saratoga, which is known for and is fond of trees, very well," King said. "In addition, having a real tree is especially important in tough economic times like these. It pulls the community even closer together."
It would do more than that, according to Donna Collins, owner of Henrietta Hens on Big Basin Way.
"Having a lit tree, even though fake, is already special, but a real one would be a greater treat for merchants in the area," Collins said. "It would attract more residents to the village and hopefully encourage people to shop."
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