NORAD Tracks Santa's Journey Tonight

Follow Santa and see when he will hit Florissant!

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is charged with keeping the United States and Canada safe from dangers originating from the sky or space. Tonight, however, the Colorado-based government agency adds one more important task to its daily list of duties. The agency will again provide its Official Santa Tracker that marks the Big Man's every move as he makes his way throughout both hemispheres. Local families will be able to see Santa's progress and be prepared for his arrival in the City of Florissant.  Included on the site is a countdown and activity page and a flight tracking system. Kids and adults can enjoy this very entertaining site that will have sugar plums dancing through everyone's head before retiring.

• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

Santa Claus is Coming to Florissant Today

It's time for Christmas in Old Town Florissant, featuring family and kid-friendly fun. Plus, the jolly old elf himself. We've got all the exciting details.

Looking for a fun, family-friendly way to kick off your Christmas season this year? If you live in or near Florissant, you’re in luck—it’s time for Christmas in Old Town, hosted by the City of Florissant and Old Town Partners. The event will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Florissant City Council Chambers. Kids will enjoy visiting with Santa Claus and participating in fun activities such as face painting, music, storytelling and crafts. Plus, a holiday clown will make balloon animals. Got "furry kids?" You can have their photos taken with Santa (and your family!) at Petco. Get the details, right here. Kids can also shop at the “children’s boutique” which will feature inexpensive gifts they can buy for $3 or less. …

• Photos (2)

Adventures in Parenting

Notes on Christmas 2010

It's never too early to start planning for Santa's visit next year.

Notes to Myself for Christmas 2011 With two small children, there are still lessons to be learned from Christmas for me. Before Christmas 2010 becomes a distant memory, I decided to jot down a few notes to myself for Christmas next year: And while I'm thinking about it… Notes to myself for Christmas 2040

• Photos (1)

Santa's Coming to Town

Old St. Nick prepares for his annual ride around the world by listening to wishes of Florissant children.

It's an understatement to say that the week before Christmas is the busiest. As stores and strip malls continue to be filled and shelves emptied, no one understands the urgency more than Santa Claus himself. "The elves are working overtime, that's for sure," Santa said as he walked around the Florissant/Ferguson area. "A lot of kids ask for the (Nintendo) DS and iPod, but there's still a lot who like things like Legos and the simple, fun things children have always wanted." Santa Claus was in Florissant to collect lists and last-minute wishes from children as he prepares to make his annual ride around the world on Friday. While he doesn't like to keep himself in one place for too long due to his schedule, Santa is never too busy to speak …

• Photos (1)

Adventures in Parenting

I Believe in Santa Claus

Let the make-believe and innocence of children last as long as it can.

I can still remember the day I found out there was no Santa Claus. I asked my mom for a pad of paper, and while I sat there flipping through the pages, I saw what I soon realized to be a list of everything I had received for Christmas that year and how much they cost written in my mom's handwriting. Very upset, I ran to my mom where she confirmed my biggest fear: There was no Santa Claus.  I then asked her if that mean that there would be no more surprises. I was in third grade at the time, and I think that on some level I already knew there was no Santa Claus, but to have it confirmed that he wasn't real was still upsetting. I  recently spoke with someone who said that classmates at school were telling their first grader that Santa didn't…

• Photos (1)

Christmas Walk a Bust for Old Town Businesses

Business owners faced a disappointing crowd throughout the afternoon, but residents attend parade and Christmas tree lighting.

Harsh weather kept Florissant residents indoors on an afternoon when Old Town Florissant business owners hoped consumers would browse neighborhood shops for some holiday gifts. Despite having several indoor attractions, a free shuttle and a volunteer Santa Claus taking Christmas gift wishes in the Florissant Government Building, the annual Christmas Walk down Rue St. Francois attracted few takers this year. The event, which ran from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., directly preceded the 5:30 p.m. Christmas Parade and the 6 p.m. Christmas Tree Lightning at Florissant City Hall. Aside from the occasional car passing, a brisk wintry breeze blowing leaves down Rue St. Francois and the creaking white sign outside Quality Care Internist, there was not much to …

• Photos (8)