Not straying far from the hills that have long represented the newspaper, we add a pen to suggest the relationship between the paper and its readers.

Although the foothills are undeniably a Saratoga icon, publisher David Cohen thought something was missing. He knew—as do veteran readers—that our letters page is a lively forum for community participation. Cohen also wanted a logo that was easier to read from a distance.

That's when he sat down to have a conversation with noted designer Rick Tharp of Tharp Did It, Los Gatos. Because Tharp had designed many of Silicon Valley Community Newspapers' eight publications, he was the logical choice to update Saratoga's new look, which, in turn, would give a more cohesive look to the SVCN family of newspapers.

Says Tharp: "We created this new logotype featuring a pen to represent the participation by Saratogans in their community through the letters they write for the Speak Out page."

Saratoga's hills remain, notes Tharp, with the suggestion that the pen has drawn the outline of the mountains, thus creating a graphic connection.

Tharp has created many other Saratoga identities and logos, including those for West Valley Community College, Hakone Gardens, Viaggio and Harmonie Day Spa. Clos La Chance Vineyards, Savannah-Chanelle and The Mountain Winery have also benefited from Tharp's design work.