Balise Toyota

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1399 Riverdale Street
West Springfield, MA 01089

Flower GardenSpring is a great time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Winters in Massachusetts are cold, and many areas see not only inches but feet of snow. Most of the area parks stay open through the winter, but when the temperatures start to rise and the snow starts to melt, it’s fun to head to a local park to enjoy the nice weather. Here are some of the best Springfield Parks to explore this spring.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a large park in Westfield that is open year-round and is free to the public. It covers more than 300 acres and includes beautiful gardens, fields for a variety of sports, pavilions for picnics, and walking and hiking trails. A natural spring-fed duck pond is home to ducks, fish, and swans. Sit on one of the benches along the shore, or walk around the pond to take it all in. There is also a wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park. The managed trails feature native trees, flowers, and plant life as well as birds and other wildlife. All the trails are well-marked, and you can get a map to follow if you want to explore.

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2017 Toyota Prius VThe Toyota Prius is the most popular alternative fuel vehicle on the market today. For more than 10 years the Prius lineup included just one vehicle, but over the past few years, Toyota has added several new versions. The Prius v and the Prius c are now part of the family. Here is some information about both so you can choose the one that suits you best.

The Exterior

From the outside, the Prius v and the Prius c are very different. The Prius c is the smallest vehicle in the lineup, and it comes only in a hatchback body style, but it has an edgier design. The Prius v is the model’s larger version and has enough room for both passengers and cargo. The Prius v’s exterior design looks different from the other models because it gets rid of the arched shape to make room in the back for the larger cargo area. The Prius v has more than 34 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Prius c has 17.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

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Spelling of ChildrenWhether you are expecting your first child and are starting to collect baby gear or you already have children and they need more stuff, you can find it in the Springfield area. The town has a good combination of local boutiques where you can find one-of-a-kind items and larger stores where you can get everything you need in one stop. Here are four shops where you can find baby gear in Springfield.

Once Upon A Child

Once Upon A Child in West Springfield buys and sells gently used kids items. They sell all kinds of gear from name brand clothing to shoes and toys. This is a great place to go to stock up on almost anything. You’ll find clothes from Gap, Old Navy, and Gymboree, and the shop carries clothes and footwear for all seasons. You can also find gear such as high chairs, booster seats, swings, bouncy chairs, and even potty seats for potty training. You’ll find Once Upon A Child on Riverdale Street in West Springfield.

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2017 Toyota HighlanderAs a retiree, you’ve already spent a lot of your life working in challenging situations. You need your car to provide a stress-free and comfortable experience that allows you to enjoy your retirement in style. Fancy technological gadgets or features are much less important than a car that is safe, comfortable, and clutter-free. If you are a retiree or senior citizen in the market for a new motor vehicle to enjoy your retirement in, keep reading to find out about four of the most helpful features you should seek out.

Comfort

You need to find a car that has a fully adjustable driver’s seat. Comfort is of paramount importance, and you don’t want to risk exacerbating existing injuries or strains due to poor posture in the car. You should look for a car that you feel comfortable sitting in, and testing any prospective vehicles out before you commit to buying them is vital. You should also make sure that the material of the driver’s seat feels cushioned enough to sit on for extended periods without causing any discomfort.

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scenerySpringfield is a large city with a plethora of interesting activities and attractions to keep both locals and tourists alike busy. Hoop City— as Springfield is also known — is also the original home of basketball, one of the world’s most popular sports. Whether you actually only have a day to visit Springfield, Massachusetts, or you’re simply looking to inform yourself of the best attractions that this New England city has to offer, keep reading for a lowdown on the ultimate day trip in Springfield.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

There is no better way to start a day trip around Springfield than paying a visit to Hoop Hall’s Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The museum contains more than 40,000 feet of basketball history for you to learn about, and you can easily pass two or three hours there. The gorgeous building is itself worth paying a visit to for its distinctive basketball-shaped design that invokes the spirit of the game upon viewing it. There are even skills challenges and shooting contests to partake in, making this place one of Springfield’s premier fun-filled tourist attractions.

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2017 Toyota CamryIf you’re looking to buy a new car, dedicating the time to take a given vehicle out on a test drive is a big commitment. You need to be sure that there’s a good chance you’ll love the vehicle before scheduling a test drive in it.

The 2017 Toyota Camry is one such vehicle that you should definitely consider taking out on a test drive. Originally manufactured as a compact car in 1982, the Toyota Camry has developed into one of the most reliable and smart mid-size sedans on the market. Keep reading for the lowdown on the 2017 Toyota Camry and why you’ll love it.

Superb Performance

The Toyota Camry comes with two engine options, each of which offers superb performance in what is a competitive class of cars. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 178 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. An upgrade is available that amps up the power with a V6 engine that delivers 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and efficiently every time. The less powerful engine is steady and brilliantly reliable. The more powerful V6 takes these attributes and adds a real sense of power to the vehicle.

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Red heartsDespite being well-known as the city that basketball was invented in and the source of weaponry for the United States Armed Forces for over 200 years, Springfield, Massachusetts, is not just for sports lovers and history buffs. There are some great spots for people who appreciate art throughout the city, but they can be hard to find out about because of the emphasis on attractions that celebrate Springfield’s undeniably important traditions in sport and history. If you’re an art lover in Springfield, keep reading to find out about three of the best spots in the city for you.

Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts

This museum was first opened over 80 years ago in 1933, and it contains a comprehensive collection of paintings, prints, watercolors, and more that will be sure to keep any art fan happy. The disparate range of exhibits on show at the museum created by artists from around America, Europe, and Asia means that there is surely something to suit all artistic tastes. The Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts is also home to the largest collection of lithographs in the nation. You can find the museum on Edwards Street in Springfield.

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Baby in Car SeatParents rely on car seats to keep their children safe and secure every day, but many are making critical mistakes that diminish the effectiveness of these products. Simply having a car seat isn’t enough. You need to make sure your seat is properly placed and correctly used to really benefit from its safety features. Make sure you’re following these important tips for car seat safety.

Register Your Seat

New car seats come with a simple registration card that helps the manufacturer keep track of customers. While filling out another piece of paperwork may seem like a hassle, this is one of the most important things you can do to ensure car seat safety. Registering your seat gives the manufacturer your name, address, and contact information. If there’s a safety recall for your product, they’ll be able to reach you promptly and provide a replacement. This will ensure you never miss an important announcement.

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Guy Playing GuitarAre you a fan of live music, but a sucker for those smaller spots where you don’t need a jumbotron to see who’s on stage? If you’re looking for intimate spaces with lesser-known performers, you’re in luck. The Springfield, Massachusetts area has several hot spots where you can discover new talent and enjoy the act from a coveted seat close to the action. If you’re all about the kinds of shows where you shake hands with the singer at the end, these destinations are for you.

350 Grill Steak House

You may not think of a steak house as the best place to scout out new talent, but 350 Grill is actually an outstanding spot to enjoy live music along with decadent dining. Thursday through Sunday, you’ll find live performers on the stage. While you listen, you can indulge in delicious mains like the Bison Burger, Grilled Chicken & Fig Panini, or Wild Mushroom Pasta. When you want to combine a sophisticated dinner with new music, this is the place to do it.

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First Aid KitFamily road trips and short rides in the car are fun if you have the right supplies. Traffic jams or minor emergencies can cause a change in plans, even on short trips shuttling kids to practice or home from school. Keep the car stocked with a few essential items for a safe and fun trip.

Safety First

Keeping a first aid kit in the car is a good idea for everyone, not just parents. Check the supplies regularly to make sure there is plenty of everything. Remember that ointments and alcohol pads have expiration dates. Roadside emergency kits are another good idea for keeping your family safe if you get a flat tire or other breakdown.  Road flares alert other drivers that there is a stopped car on the side of the road while you change a tire or wait for help. Keep cell phones charged and a car charger handy. A road map and GPS may seem redundant, but both are helpful in different situations.

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