This weekend's events

The holidays are upon us and we are lucky to live in a great community that offers so many activities to be enjoyed by the entire family. This weekend we kick off the Holiday Prelude activities Friday with many downtown shops staying open till 7pm and serving refreshments. Saturday is "Tea with Santa" from 1pm to 3pm at the Steamplant. Sunday the "Deck the Dogs" parade starts at 1pm. Be sure to catch this event and check out Salida's best dressed canines!

Salida Parade of Lights

Don't miss Salida's Parade of Lights on Friday November 27th. The Parade starts at approximately 6pm with Santa lighting Christmas mountain at the end of the parade route. Stores will be open late and most serve refreshments. Holiday park, an avenue of Christmas Trees adopted by community groups, businesses and individuals, will be lit after the parade. There will be a free jazz concert at the Steamplant Ballroom later in the evening. This is wonderful family event that showcases the community of Salida.

We truly believe that learning can be fun and that's why we carry many educational toys. Among these educational tools are books, flashcards and kits to help children learn a second language. It has been shown that learning a second language is much easier for children than it is for adults. Children who learn a second, or third language gain a better understanding of different cultures, language systems and get a head start in the global world that we are now living in. Here are a links to great articles about children learning second languages... USA Today's More children learn more than one language and Babies Today's Bilingual Babies

ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids

Need ideas for Christmas Gifts? Check out ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids website. We have most of these toys in stock right here in the Heart of the Rockies, Salida, Co. We will be happy to wrap your gifts and if your from out of town we can wrap and ship, or wrap and have your gifts ready for pick-up at our store if your shopping for someone that is local. We are looking forward to a great, fun-filled Christmas season! http://www.astrabesttoysforkids.com/

New American and Swiss made toys!!!

This last week we have received a couple shipments of American and Swiss made toys. These toys are made with superior quality and are more open-ended and hands on than most toys on the market these days. The Holgate company has been in operation in the US since 1789. They began manufacturing educational pre-school toys in 1929 that were designed by Javis Rockwell, brother of illustrator Norman Rockwell. A strong emphasis is placed on safety, durability and educational play with each toy that Holgate manufactures. We are happy to have these toys on the shelf, Check out a sample of what we have in stock by visiting out website.