Residents of Saratoga will have access to a new public piano in Blaney Plaza, following the installation of the instrument in late June. The donation addresses the deterioration of two earlier pianos that had served the community over the past several years.
The first piano was provided by a local family in May 2022. Jill Hunter, representing the Saratoga Village Development Council, noted that the instrument attracted numerous visitors and residents during the summer season. When that original piano became unusable, the group secured a player piano in June 2025, accompanied by 25 piano rolls for use during community events.
However, when the player piano was retrieved from storage last month, Hunter reported it was in very poor condition. This state prompted requests for a replacement. The third piano was procured on June 24, allowing the public to resume playing in the plaza.
In related local news, Star One Credit Union is launching a marketing campaign to update its brand image. The credit union, which operates branches in Sunnyvale, Saratoga, Cupertino, and San Jose, aims to appeal to younger demographics and distinguish itself from traditional for-profit banks.
Toby Travis, the credit union’s vice president of marketing, stated that the organization is committed to technological innovation to remain competitive in the Bay Area. He emphasized that as a not-for-profit cooperative owned by its members, the institution returns profits to its membership rather than shareholders. This structure allows for competitive savings rates and lower lending rates.