Capitol tree making Yuma stop

Yumans may still be experiencing warm temperatures, but an event this weekend is a definite sign the holidays are coming.

The Capitol Christmas tree will make a stop Sunday at Arizona Western College. This is the first time the Capitol Christmas tree is from the state of Arizona, and its stop Sunday is just one on its journey to Washington, D.C.

According to a news release from the college, a reception will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the parking lot near the College Community Center (3C building). During the reception, Dr. Marc Nigliazzo will also be recognized as the newest AWC president. Nigliazzo took the job in June, when former AWC president Don Schoening retired after a 42-year career in education with more than 12 of that at the college.

According to the release, AWC will offer hot cider and seasonal music. Also at the reception, the public is invited to tour the new taxpayer-supported facilities, the Agriculture and Science complex, the 3C building, the Dr. Kathryn Watson Child Development Learning Lab and the Dr. James R. Carruthers Research and Education Building (NAU).

The 85-foot-tall blue spruce hails from the Arizona White Mountains and was selected in July by the superintendent of U.S. Capitol grounds, Ted Bechtol.

Yuma isn't the only stop for the tree. It will visit 28 other locations in Arizona before more stops as it travels east before arriving at the Capitol on Nov. 30.

For more information about the tree, visit http://capitolchristmastree2009.org.

To track the tree as it makes its journey to the nation's Capitol, visit http://www.trackthetree.com/.

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TREE STATS

• Type: Blue spruce
• Dimensions: 85 feet tall; 30 feet across the base of its crown
• Age: Estimated to be 100 to 125 years old
• Location: Near Alpine in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests of far eastern Arizona
• Plans: The tree was cut at a ceremony Nov. 7. It will travel 1,000 miles around Arizona before journeying to Washington, making stops along the way.
• Competition: The Capitol Christmas tree is different from the National Christmas Tree, which is on the White House grounds.

Source Cronkite News Service

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SEE THE TREE IN D.C.

National Bank of Arizona is holding a sweepstakes, which will give the winner a trip for two to see the tree in Washington, D.C., including airfare and a hotel stay.

The sweepstakes will end Friday, Nov. 20. Entry forms can be obtained and submitted at any National Bank of Arizona branch during branch business hours. Or send a postcard with name, address and telephone number to Arizona Gift Sweepstakes, National Bank of Arizona, P.O. Box 80440, Mail Code AZ 7006-6130, Phoenix, AZ 85060. A phone number is required on all entries. No purchase is necessary, but you must be a legal resident of the state of Arizona, 18 and older, to enter.

Contact National Bank of Arizona for more details.