Teddy Bear Day

Did you see us on t.v.? Linda was in all her glory - she digs being on t.v. Valerie was even on, if just for a minute right at the beginning! Thanks to Good Morning Arizona, Brad Perry and all those that make it happen - especially Lorraine - she's the best!

Well, if you didn't make it down for Teddy Bear day, make sure to save the date for next year. It falls on the Saturday closest to National Teddy Bear Day, which is the 8th of September. There was so much going on Saturday - it was great fun - we had Becky & Sue (volunteers from the Visitor's Center) at the shop taking pictures for folks with the biggest bear we've ever had in the shop. There was lots of entertainment spread out - a mime came in the shop - I wish they would talk - they wouldn't give me the heebie jeebies then - but then they wouldn't be mimes, would they? Our favorites, the Taylor Family Circus were there doing balloon tying, face painting & stilt walking. Lots of drawings, make & takes, and fun all around downtown. Plan on it for next year!

New in the shop this week -
From Steiff - the Hot Water Bear - beautiful!
From Gund - finger puppets - all sorts of different little animals from farm to zoo

Linda's pick - Flocke polar bear ornament from Steiff - he is something else.
Valerie's pick - Howton & Pumpkin Bumpkin from Gund - it makes me giggle - the pumpkin singing backup is a riot.

The next big thing is our Steiff Event on October 3rd at the Civic Center Annex on Glenn. New pieces, presentations and a great event bear, it's going to be a bunch of fun.

For those of you who have been to the last couple of events, you've met John Dean and Tug from Arizona Search Dogs. Well, Tug has passed what may be his most challenging half of the certification process. They passed the prerequisite test and are signed up for the certification test, which will be in Nevada, the same weekend as our Steiff event, so they won't be able to come this year. John and Tug are working full time to prepare for this next test. We wish them both the best and continue to be some of their biggest fans. Tug is still all go and little whoa! I'll put some pictures up of him when I figure out how to do that! With all the challenges, storms, budget cuts, etc., the handlers and dogs continue to train so they are ready should the call come. It is a testament to their commitment that the handlers give so much of their own time and money to guarantee they and the dogs are ready at a moments notice. With our customers help, we have been able to support Arizona Search Dogs, and we can not thank those customers enough.

There will be lots of new product going up on the site this week - Valerie got all her ducks in a row and is ready for a marathon. We've put out our fall stuff in the shop this week, trying to at least pretend it is getting cooler! Bring on that sweater weather!

Hope to see you soon!