-=August 31, 2003=-
WAHOO WALLY RETIRES (as expected)
http://www.ty.com/WahooWally_retire  (Bopper Checklist & Info pages updated)

-=August 30, 2003=-
DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING
Char points out the auction for Nancy Reagan autographed "Ronnie" bears ends tomorrow.
Signed by Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, and available only by Sealed Auction Bids... and accepted only until August 31st, 2003. To place a bid go here: http://www.ronniebear.com/id3.html

INFO BEANIE
If you enjoy voting for the "Info Beanie" you'll need to be sure to get your votes in by tomorrow. So far Quivers is the runaway leader with 42.46% of the votes and Aussiebear is in a distant second with 17% of the vote. VOTE HERE: http://www.ty.com/myvote

TY SPORTS PROMOTIONS
Looks like there are two giveaways scheduled for today. The Cleveland Indians giveaway -Ty Teenie Beanie Bopper (Wahoo Wally) (kids 14 and under) and the Chicago Cubs giveaway -Wrigley Field Exclusive Teenie Beanie Boppers® (Cubby Casey) (Commemorative card included - 1st 5,000 fans, 13 & younger). A most exciting giveaway is due to happen at the New York Yankees on September 14th. 100th Anniversary Exclusive TY Beanie Buddy Day (First 18,000 Fans 14 & Under) VIEW CENTENNIAL THE BUDDY HERE

LOTS OF INTERESTING INFO
Re:Beanies and More YES YES YES! Lots of INFO
kittenkatter   (Aug 29, 2003, 03:39 PM)
Message Id: 542805
kittenkatter writes:

Here's some of it:
Teenie BOPPERS:
Lead -off Larry: Milwaukee Brewers MBNA Exclusive
Change-up Charlie: Cleveland Indians MBNA Exclusive
Sluggin' Steve: Seattle Mariners MBNA Exclusive
Curve Ball Curt: Chicago White Sox MBNA Exclusive
Clean-Up Clark: Chicago Cubs MBNA Exclusive

Cubby Casey: Chicago Cubs GAME DAY Exclusive
Wahoo Wally: Cleveland Indians GAME DAY Exclusive

Purple Decade is pictured. It's almost lavender.

Ty Store Exclusive GORGEOUS brown spotted eagle with white head and wing tips. From his sky blue neck ribbon hangs a HUGE round Patriot Day Medal, with an engraved heart and words that I won't be able to see unless perhaps I can scan it and enlarge it. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING!

Color Me Bear is Pot Bellied Style

CENTENNIAL New York Yankees Buddy is dark blue with a wide ribbon, striped liked the players' uniforms (narrow navy on white). He wears a commerative baseball button on his chest. More, as I read the magazine!  VIEW THIS POST AND FOLLOW-UPS HERE

INTRODUCING WAHOO WALLY & CUBBY CASEY
http://www.ty.com/WahooWally_Intro
http://www.ty.com/CubbyCaseyIntro

CUBBY CASEY RETIRES
http://www.ty.com/CubbyCasey_r

-=August 29, 2003=-
When feet touch the sky
Sometimes we don't realize just how lucky we are and occasionaly we need a reminder...

The sound of the swing could be heard against the side of the funeral home that sits on the edge of new housing that sprawls out of Cadiz these days.

Lindsey -- like most 8-year-olds -- pushed as hard as she could with her legs against the grass under the swing set and tried to go as high as possible.

Just a little girl trying to get her feet to touch the June sky.

If only she could just float off that swing and go past the clouds past the stars to heaven where her daddy lives.

While Lindsey rocked back and forth on the swing clutching on to some kitten Beanie Babies, people were streaming into the funeral home to pay their respects.

Sometimes we just don't know how fortunate we are. How we should thank God, count our lucky stars, or just breathe a sigh of relief that in the summer of our eighth year we weren't on a swing set clutching kitten Beanie Babies while someone we loved more than life was lying motionless inside.

Because, like Lindsey, we would never stop forgetting…

And we couldn't wait until our feet could touch to the sky. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

CHUBBLEYS STILL POPULAR
Bev was one of the winners of Julia's Thank You Bear Raffle and writes the following to La Rue: "Hi LaRue, I received Honey Blue today and the adorable teddy bear pin.  I gave my Honey Blue and Honey Tan to my twin grandchildren last weekend.  The honey bears spent Friday at the second grade at Oaks Elementary in Humble.  They were the only bears from the UK and the only ones with belly buttons.  Blue replaced an Uncle Sam Bear originally scheduled to go to school.  My little ones love these Chubbley bears and now own 2 each. Chubbleys are popular here with the people who know about them. Bev"

TY SEPTEMBER WALLPAPER (thank you Brenda for the heads up!)
http://www.ty.com/Sept03_Wallpaper

-=August 28, 2003=-
Homestand Happenings
August 26 - 28, 2003
The Atlanta Braves continue their on-going commitment to the community during the month of August...

The Atlanta Braves Foundation Weekend took place Friday and Saturday, August 15 & 16. This annual charity event remains one of the primary sources of funding for the Foundation and its "Weekend of Caring." Through the sales of unique and popular Braves merchandise and memorabilia such as autographed game-used jerseys and bats, autographed photos, baseballs and caps, bobblehead dolls, beanie babies and team photos, over $55,000 was raised on behalf of the Braves Foundation. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Sluggin' Steve Being Handed Out
From: Bean Watcher
Two posts on the Ty Talk Cyberboard indicate that the In Stadium Ty Master Card Exclusive, Sluggin' Steve Tennie Beanie Bopper, has been handed out to lucky collectors. One post states that the way to get one is to fill out a MBNA credit card application. The teenie beanie bopper is one of the choices for your FREE gift...so you only are able to get one.  Click here to view the post.  Another post, which describes the exclusive style, states that Sluggin' Steve is wearing the white Home uniform and has an authentic-looking cap with the Mariner S on it. His body is dark blue as that is the color of the shirt the players wear under their jerseys. His shoes are so cute-black with white stripes. His jersey number is 03. Click here to view the post. 

GRANDMAS COLLECTIBLES & GIFTS
Gayle (Grandma's Bears) has a new website. Stop by and visit her and take a look at the new product lines she has available. Zoonas (wildlife creatures), Souvies (state animals), Holy Bears, Countin' Sheep, and Chubbley Bears. http://www.grandmascollectiblegifts.com/

AUCTIONS OF INTEREST
I am going thru my whole entire collection, I am getting rid of it, cause of finiancal reasons, plus to help my mom and dad out.......When ever i have raffles, they don't do well, so now I just ebay everything.....Please feel free to check out my other auctions..I'm also getting rid of my chubbley bears and much more...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/lovabledes/

SEPTEMBER INTRODUCTIONS (http://www.ty.com/SptIntro_2003) 
BEANIES: Color Me Beanie Birthday Kit (unicorn), Color Me Beanie Birthday Kit (cat), Color me Beanie Birthday Kit (dog), Color Me Beanie Birthday Kit (bear), Tommy, Hamlet, Tangles, Sherwood, Mandy
BUDDIES: Fraidy, Scared-e, Woody

SEPTEMBER BEANIE OF THE MONTH
Meet Kippy: http://www.ty.com/BBOTM_sept03

ASK TY
Q: Have you given any thought to a cartoon show with your Beanies? I believe everyone would love it. That would make a perfect Saturday 
morning show. (submitted by sugacane) 
A: Beanies on Saturday morning TV would be fun! The big question is . . . . which Beanies star in the show? And for those of you wondering about the next Beanie of the Month, check out the newsflash! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

-=August 27, 2003=-

GET RID OF THOSE ANNOYING POP-UP ADS
I downloaded the Google Toolbar on Monday that contains a pop-up blocker and let me tell you.. it works wonderfully. I haven't had even one ad show up since I downloaded it and used to get tons of them each day. If you are interested in this CLICK HERE

SEPTEMBER PHOTOS
Erika shares with Ms. Janie
BEANIES http://www.msjanie.com/2002_photos/Erika_Sept_2003_Beanies.html 
BUDDIES http://www.msjanie.com/2002_photos/Erika_Sept_2003_Buddies.html 
Color Me Beanies http://www.msjanie.com/2002_photos/Erika_Sept_2003_ColorMe.html  (VERY cute!)

-=August 26, 2003=-
Ty Releases For September
From: Beanieholics
Our retailer friend 'T' shares with us a rundown of what we should
expect to see from Ty in September:

Beanie Babies:
Hamlet the Pig
Mandy the Panda Bear
Sherwood the Bear (potbellied bear)
Tangles the Cat (orange/white)
Tommy the Turkey

There will also be new Color Me Beanies sold in a set of four: Bear
Cat
Dog
Unicorn

Beanie Buddies:
Fraidy
Scared-e
Woody

CHERISH AUCTION NEWS
Sue writes: "I am delighted to share with you the good news that the CHERISH auction for a signed Bean Bag & Collectables Magazine and pair
of signed 'Pound for Pound' Chubbley Bears closed this evening at a wonderful £102!

MANY thanks to the bidders and congratulations to the winner on acquiring some unique memorabilia from the recent Bears, Beans and
Collectables Show at Chester.

I am so grateful to those who were able to give the auction publicity, for it is this which makes all the difference in the final price.

If you couldn't bid, I do hope that you enjoyed watching the auction's progress - I know that I did! The best thing is that it is more money
raised for Cancer Research UK. The total raised from the show is now well over £1000!

There are going to be some super auctions coming this autumn - not only celebrity-signed but also some interesting and unique collectables.

Best wishes, Sue Owen"

MAILING LIST SUBSCRIBERS REMOVED
Topica has currently removed 10 more subscribers from the mailing list. If you know the following people please let them know they have been removed by Topica and they will have to re-subscribe to continue receiving the newsletters: annie@, donna.jasper@, cparkes@, GorunD@, jvtp@, treepeople@, wizzard8@, flocky4@, mmatlock@, frogjgi@. 


-=August 25, 2003=-
Ty Releases For September
From: Beanieholics
Our retailer friend 'T' shares with us a rundown of what we should expect to see from Ty in September:

Beanie Babies:
Hamlet the Pig
Mandy the Panda Bear
Sherwood the Bear (potbellied bear)
Tangles the Cat (orange/white)
Tommy the Turkey

There will also be new Color Me Beanies sold in a set of four: Bear
Cat
Dog
Unicorn

Beanie Buddies:
Fraidy
Scared-e
Woody

CHERISH AUCTION NEWS
Sue writes: "I am delighted to share with you the good news that the CHERISH auction for a signed Bean Bag & Collectables Magazine and pair of signed 'Pound for Pound' Chubbley Bears closed this evening at a wonderful £102!

MANY thanks to the bidders and congratulations to the winner on acquiring some unique memorabilia from the recent Bears, Beans and Collectables Show at Chester.

I am so grateful to those who were able to give the auction publicity, for it is this which makes all the difference in the final price.

If you couldn't bid, I do hope that you enjoyed watching the auction's progress - I know that I did! The best thing is that it is more money raised for Cancer Research UK. The total raised from the show is now well over £1000!

There are going to be some super auctions coming this autumn - not only celebrity-signed but also some interesting and unique collectables.

-=August 24, 2003=-
More on the Latest Teenie Beanie Boppers
From: Bean Watcher
There's a post on the Ty Talk Cyberboard that appears to clear up some of the confusion and speculation surrounding the four In Stadium Ty Master Card Exclusive Teenie Beanie Boppers that appear on Ty.com. The post is reproduced below or can be viewed online by clicking here.

You have to apply for the teams logo Mastercard to get one
lady* di (Aug 24, 2003, 01:17 PM) 
Message Id: 538383
lady* di writes: I have called the stadiums for the Sox and Brewers and have been told that when you apply for a MBNA Mastercard you can get the Teenie Beanie Bopper a T-shirt or sometimes a baseball cap. They are NOT available for sale in the stadium stores. It has nothing to do with your TY Mastercard. 

UNBELIEVABLE GARAGE SALE FIND Rene writes: Ok, I've always wanted this to happen to me. Today I saw a multi-colored beanie half way in a plastic container. (The lid had come off) It was in a 25 cent box. So I picked up the Peace, and saw these beautiful colors. I briefly looked at the tag to see if it was bent, and put the lid back on the box. I said to the guy there, "This was in the quarter box." He said, "That's fine. Everything's negotiable. If I had wanted a dollar or more for something, I had it marked." I thought I had made a good deal, as I've never paid just a quarter for a Peace. Then when I got home, I went to examine my purchase more closely and discovered there was no Peace sign! This is Garcia! One of the most beautiful Garcia's I've ever seen. It has pink cheeks and a tye-dyed blue center face. One ear is blue and the other is orange/yellow. The body if fully green and blue on the front. One arm is pink on top and the other is purple and blue. The only thing not mint is that there is price tag residue on the back of the tag. But, hey! for a quarter, I think I can live with that! You know, I almost feel guilty getting Garcia for that price...but the guy really didn't seem to care...

CHERISH AUCTION REMINDER
Don't forget about the auction Sue is running for "a pair of signed Pound for Pound Chubbley Bears and the latest (not yet available in the shops) issue of Bean Bag and Collectables Magazine. This has been signed by many of the company representatives and designers at the show who also featured in this edition of the magazine so their signatures are on pages/pictures relevant to them." The auction ends TODAY in just over 6 hours and has had 10 bids with the current winning bid at £51.01 which is $80.40 USD. VIEW AUCTION HERE

You might be a shopaholic
Turns out 1 in 20 of us -- women and men alike -- can't control the urge to spend. Learn what drives this destructive behavior.
Is your closet overflowing with never-worn clothing, the price tags still waving in the breeze? Is your attic bulging with boxes and boxes of shoes that have never touched pavement? Do you buy new makeup weekly or compact discs by the fistful?

You might be a shopaholic.

Studies estimate that as many as 17 million Americans, better than one in 20 of us, can't control our urge to shop, even at the expense of our job, our marriage, our family and our finances.

Real consequences
Manhattan psychologist April Benson, author of "I Shop Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self," has seen firsthand how destructive compulsive shopping can be.

"One patient of mine got fired because she was compulsively shopping on the Internet all day. There are other people who neglect their children and park them in the mall constantly because that is what they need to feed their habit. Lots of marriages break up over compulsive buying. In fact, we don't call it compulsive buying unless there is some significant impairment in some aspect of your life."

Famous shopaholics
Nor is compulsive shopping a modern-day "designer disease." According to Black, a German psychiatrist published the first clinical description of the disorder in 1915.

Famous shopaholics in history include Marie Antoinette, Mary Todd Lincoln, William Randolph Hearst, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Imelda Marcos and Princess Diana. Their addictions ranged from clothing (Jackie O, Diana) to art and antiques (Hearst) to shoes (the heralded Marcos collection) to gloves (Mrs. Lincoln owned 84 pairs of them).

Some shopaholics have more eccentric tastes, though they are by far the minority. Black had one patient who was addicted to Beanie Babies, another who compulsively bought garden figurines; Benson treated a man who only bought compulsively for his camper. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY COMMENTS
Tina writes: "Aloha Lisa! Holy Cow!! Look at all those Beanies!! Can't wait to display mine.. good ideas there! I keep my tally on Ty. Says I have over 400, (Beanies/Buddies). Probably not even close to what Debbie has yeah? That is just awesome! Mahalo to Debbie and of course, Planet Beans for sharing!! Aloha, Tina"

<my comments: If you didn't yet see Debbie's displays you can view them here: http://www.planetbeans.com/DebbiesDisplays.htm  People really enjoy viewing others collections and displays. If you'd like to share your pictures please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com.>

SUGGESTION FOR DISPLAYING FROM CEILING
Monica writes: I would make an seat and back for the beanies then get the eye hooks and screw them into the ceiling then into the top of the seat then get a small chain or cord to put in the holes of the eye screws and hang them or you can get a hammock for stuffed animals that hangs from one corner to another and fits alot of beanies in them. Hopes this helps. Monica

<my comments: Great suggestion Monica. If you can offer further suggestions please email me so that I may pass them along. All 3 of my kids are using the hammocks in their room. It's a great way to display the Beanies or any other collectible. My daughter has a collection of the older Care Bears in one of her hammocks.>

-=August 24, 2003=-
FOUR NEW TEENIE BOPPERS
From: Bean Watcher
Four new Teenie Beanie Boppers (TBBs) have quietly appeared as current styles on Ty.com. The home pages for all four identify them as In Stadium Ty Master Card Exclusive TBBs and represent four Major League Baseball Teams.  Change-Up Charlie, whose home town is in Cleveland, Ohio, represents the Cleveland Indians. Curve Ball Curt, whose home town is Chicago, Illinois, represents the Chicago White Sox. Lead-Off Larry, whose home town is Milwaukee, Wisconsin, represents the Milwaukee Brewers. Sluggin' Steve, whose home town is Seattle, Washington, represents the Seattle Mariners. (To view larger graphics of these new styles, click here. Or you may visit the Teenie Beanie Boppers listing on Ty.com by clicking here).

Sue shares info about these Boppers with Ms. Janie: http://www.msjanie.com/2002_photos/Sue_Ty_MasterCard_Boppers.html

BEANIES AT W.H. SMITH STORE
Gwyn writes: "I was at a convention today -- nothing to do with toys! -- at the Doubletree Crystal City hotel very close to the Pentagon City Mall in Northern Virginia. The W.H. Smith had Pappa, Peace Symbol Bear, Blue and Pink Sherbert, and Mother. (It also had a few kinds of beanbag animals whose brand/breed/species I didn't see.) I was interested that such a small W.H. Smith store would still have some fairly current bears -- and would intelligently pair up Mother and Pappa. Best, Gwyn"

ANOTHER NEW TY TRADEMARK
Sly shares with Ms. Janie: "I found a New Ty Trademark this morning! Looks Like Ty Has a Tystore exclusive lined up for us Collectors for Thanksgiving!! On July 28,2003 Ty applied to register a trademark on "Tom-E" and lists plush toys as the goods and services."

IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY
Debbie shares some new pictures of her current displays and has a favor to ask of you. http://www.planetbeans.com/DebbiesDisplays.htm

-=August 23, 2003=-
New 'True' Beanie baby here
Let the stampede begin.

Ty America, the maker of Beanie Babies, has introduced a new line of plush, collectors' toys into Canada.

"It's great news," said Eilef Ausland, manager of The Elements of Nature Toy Store and More at the Manitoba Children's Museum.

Ty Canada went into receivership last spring, suspending the introduction of new toys here.

But Ausland said the American parent company has now shipped the first of the new Canadian line here -- a bear named "True."

"It's a thank you to Canadians for being loyal and so true," he said. VIEW ARTICLE HERE

Child's play the key for new owner
Manitoba Children's Museum toy store up for sale

It has fulfilled the wishes of terminally ill children and introduced others to the wonders of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Now The Elements of Nature Toy Store and More at the Manitoba Children's Museum will have to make kids happy under new management.

Owner John Tait has moved to Calgary, where he opened and operates The Discovery Hut toy store, and put his beloved Winnipeg outlet up for sale.

'SEE EMPLOYEES PULL IT OFF'

Chief among them is the time a terminally ill little girl came to admire the stock of Beanie Babies and select herself a stuffed puppy. "She sent us a thank you card," Ausland noted. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Treasure hunt
Saturday morning requires a house-to-house strategy for confirmed yard sale shoppers

They chart their strategies much like a general would a battle plan. Everything is timed and mapped out. They know what to take and what to leave.

They're garage sale junkies who love the thrill of the hunt. They don't mind rising early and driving from one to the next in search of a bargain.

But there are also many small shopping victories. Hoffman loves picking up books for 20 cents, candles and craft books, while her daughter loved buying a bag of Beanie Babies that translated to about 57 cents per Beanie. The mother and daughter love to assess their bounties when they talk about their "find of the day" together. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

‘Killer’ dog attacks toys
I live with a killer. He’s never threatened me, but he has killed and eaten some of my best friends.

OK, so my real best friends, like Raggedy Ann and Lolly Dolly, are far from his mouth’s reach. But still, my dog, Rory, can’t tell the difference between my toys and his.

Back to Squeaky the Camel. He lasted quite a while, possibly because Rory was also busy chewing back issues of Newsweek and Entertainment Weekly. I bought a few other stuffed toys, but their life spans were so short I don’t remember anything about them.

Rory is the true enemy of Beanie Babies. The first time he visited my mom’s house, he thought she had provided him with a toy menagerie. He had a whole basket of small animals to choose from, until “Grandma” put the Beanies out of his reach. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Missing Boy, 4, Found Through Amber Alert
LAKEWOOD, N.J., Aug. 22 — New Jersey's Amber Alert system flashed into action at 7 a.m. today, with radio stations and electronic message boards on highways across the state spreading word of the apparent kidnapping of a 4-year-old boy here by his baby sitter.

The boy was found three and a half hours later with the sitter and her husband, the authorities said. But they were still investigating late tonight and would not say exactly what had happened.

The boy, Eric Hernandez, was reunited happily with his parents, Karina Jimenez and Adaleberto Hernandez, at police headquarters here. As the police questioned the parents, the boy played with a Beanie Baby and a small racing car, Governor McGreevey said. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

VIRUS ALERT FROM YAHOO!
Today's tip: VIRUS ALERT - W32.Sobig.F@mm is a mass-mailing, network-aware worm that sends itself to all the email addresses it finds in certain files on your PC. If you receive a message with an attachment with a .pif or .src extension, we strongly suggest you scan it before downloading. The message may appear to be from someone you know.

-=August 22, 2003=-
VIRUS ALERT
SHeL writes: "JUST A QUICK HEADS UP!! A NEW VIRUS STARTED YESTERDAY AND IT SENDS EMAILS WITH ATTACHMENTS AND THE SUBJECT LINES VARY... 

- Re: My Details 
- Re: Wicked Screensaver 
- Re: Approved 
- Re: Your Details 
- Re: Details Thank You 
- Re: Your Application 
- Re: That Movie

THE VIRUS WILL USE A RANDOM EMAIL ADDRESS AND THEN SEND OUT AN EMAIL!! PLEASE JUST DELETE ALL OF THOSE EMAILS!! AS ALWAYS I SUGGEST YOU UPDATE YOUR VIRUS PROGRAM ON YOUR PUTERS AND SCAN ONCE A WEEK!! STAY ALERT! HAVE A GREAT DAY!"

<my comments: I've received MANY emails with these subject lines in the past several days. I have been ignoring them although they are sometimes coming from a familiar person. I hope you heed SHeL's advice and PLEASE update your virus programs and Windows Updates OFTEN.>

ASK TY
Q: Is there any animal that you have not made into a Beanie and would like to? (submitted by beachbumb)
A: This is a very timely question, as I am right in the middle of planning all the Beanies for next year. I can tell you that there are many animals that I have not made into Beanies. Keep a close watch . . . . I may surprise you !
http://www.ty.com/askty_home

Fight between bankers, Realtors heating up
Three years ago, the American Bankers Association began lobbying to gain the right to broker home sales. The group has sent every member of Congress a Monopoly game -- a message that real estate agents have a lock on the U.S. housing market.

The National Association of Realtors opposed bankers by putting the image of a giant cartoon octopus with a tentacle wrapped around a house and the words Stop the Big Grab on buttons, stickers and even Beanie Babies. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=August 21, 2003=-
Girls use birthday gifts to bring joy to others
POTTSTOWN -- Katie Bradley and Morgan Sweeney have been working hard to better the lives of others since the time they started to walk.

The Perkiomenville girls recently celebrated their 11th birthdays by throwing a joint party, but this was not your typical children’s birthday party.

Six weeks before their birthdays -- Katie’s was Aug. 5, and Morgan’s was Aug. 3 -- the girls decided they wanted to donate all the gifts they received from friends and family to the children in the pediatric ward of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Katie said she was inspired to donate her gifts because someone once gave her a stuffed animal while she was getting stitches in the hospital.

"I have enough stuff and I wanted to share," she said.

They spent several weeks preparing for the donation. Katie contacted Janice Lunn, the volunteer services coordinator for the hospital, and told her what they wanted to do. Once they got permission from the hospital, the girls began to plan. They shopped for some gifts on their own, and Morgan purchased 15 Beanie Babies for the donation at a charity auction in support of the YMCA. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

New Pittsburgh: Local plush toy designers hope consumers will bite on Bed Buggs
Tom Mosser considers himself more qualified than most artists to create a line of colorful dolls that he's betting will become a collectible craze.

After all, the 43-year-old painter and illustrator spent seven years practically living inside a furry, lime-green bird costume from 1987 to 1994 when he was the Pirate Parrot, the city's baseball team mascot.

"I was paid to be a plush toy," said Mosser, who with partner David Noble created the dolls they call Bite-ables. They fit in your palm and feature Velcro mouths so that they will stick to backpacks, bikes, hats, clothing and computers. The first four characters in a series the partners plan to unveil are "Bed Buggs" that will be promoted with the catch phrase, "Let the Bed Buggs bite."

The last big collectible toy craze, Beanie Babies, peaked in the late 1990s.

"Beanie Babies have been dead for a couple of years," said Massa. "It's a great time to add a new collectible. People may be antsy to collect something again." Noble and Mosser are currently revising their prototypes and hope to have their final design on display at the annual toy fair held in New York in February. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Rumors of Khufu with One Hump
Bean Watcher has this information posted as well as pictures so be sure to VISIT GORDON HERE
The poem mentions camels having one hump or two.  Some collectors have suggested that the poem is a hint that there will be two versions of Khufu -- one with one hump, another with two.

After reading these reports, I received my own shipment of four Khufus. I noticed that three had two protruding humps. The fourth had one protruding hump, and one "missing" hump.  A close inspection of the area around the missing hump showed that it was dark brown in color. After further prodding, I found that the hump had actually been inverted, that is, it was pushed inside of the camel's back. 

Be very careful when responding to trade offers or sales of "one hump" Khufus. It is easy to create a "one-hump" version, take a picture at a strategic angle, and pass it off as a variation (see the second photograph). If the area where the missing hump is dark brown in color, then the hump is likely "inverted" (see the third photograph). Be careful when trading or buying, especially if you do not know the other party well. Such steps will spare you from heartaches in the future!

-=August 20, 2003=-
Couple closing area gift shop
MANITOWOC — After 25 years running a bakery with his brothers and 15 years in the vinegar business, Jerry Dick is leaving another venture after 10 years at the helm.

Actually, Dick is the co-owner with wife, Karen, of Memories The Gift Shoppe on Eighth Street, just south of the Manitowoc River.

“My fondest memory is of lines around the block for the newest Beanie Baby,” said Jerry Dick. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=August 19, 2003=-
ONE HAPPY WINNER
Nadine writes: "HI LISA....I JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE - I HAVE NEVER WON ANYTHING IN MY LIFE...I ENTERED JULIA'S RAFFLE HOPING THAT I WOULD WIN THE THANK YOU BEAR, AND SURE ENOUGH I DID.  I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT, I HAD READ MY E MAIL AT ABOUT 3:30 SATURDAY MORNING WAITING FOR MY DOG TO COME BACK IN AND LO AND BEHOLD THERE WAS MY NAME. I WENT TO BED, COULDN'T SLEEP, WAS SO EXCITED.  BUT FIRST THING I DID WAS CHECK THE COMPUTER BECAUSE I REALLY FELT THAT I HAD BEEN DREAMING THIS BECAUSE I WANTED IT SO BADLY. THANKS TO JULIA FOR HAVING HER RAFFLE I NOW OWN A THANK YOU BEAR. (CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT IN MY HOT LITTLE HANDS) NADINE BURKE"

<my comments: If you were a winner in my recent "American Pride Contest", please email me when you receive your prizes so I can let the contest donator for that particular prize know you've received your package. I'm waiting to hear from 3 people... two of which have packages coming from either the UK or Canada so those are taking a bit longer! >

BEANIES IN CANADA
Rose writes: "Hi Lisa  ,Rose from Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Well our Beanie Babies are finally back, Picked up the Canadian exclusive True today. The only trouble I see is that you have to buy 1 to get 1 True which I think is unfair. When I get my beanies in NY state I just have to get . They don't have the newest ones yet, like Quivers or tricky but I'm sure they are coming. Some  of the dealers here selling True 2 or 5 to 1. Just wanted to let you Know have a good day Rose"

A Word Of Thanks
From: Beanieholics
A letter that appears in today's Santa Barbara News-Press says that "it's time for the community to step back and give Mr. (Ty) Warner thanks for all he's done." Click Here To View Letter

-=August 18, 2003=-
Meg Whitman on eBay's Self-Regulation
The CEO explains how the site is all about the "millions of entrepreneurs who maximize their own business on eBay"

When eBay CEO and President Margaret C. Whitman started at the online seller in 1998, its top-selling category was Beanie Babies. Today, eBay (EBAY ) is on track to host more than $20 billion in gross annual sales of everything from cars to industrial refrigeration units. Yet it isn't just the quality of merchandise -- or the quantity of business -- that distinguishes the online auction outfit. Whitman describes it as a "self-regulating marketplace" and points out that it's eBay's buyers and sellers -- not management -- who determine its direction. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Beanie Babies are bound for kids of Baghdad
After reading about the joy an Iraqi girl got from a simple toy she received from an American soldier, an Evansville resident decided she would do something to help.

Donna Ward and her husband, Gerald, started sending packages full of Beanie Babies and stuffed animals to soldiers in Iraq several months ago.

Ward decided to get involved after she found the Web site www.beaniesforbaghdad.com and read about the children in Iraq who didn't have toys.

She and her husband started collecting stuffed animals and Beanie Babies and sending them to a specific Iraq address provided on the Web site. She sent her eighth shipment of toys Tuesday, though only three have been received so far. Officials in Iraq list each package they've received on a message board at their Web site. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

EXTRA HANG TAG
Diane shares with Ms. Janie: http://www.msjanie.com/2002_photos/Diane_Extra_Tag.html

DID YOU WIN?
Julia has heard from only a few of the 'Thank You Bear' raffle winners. Please check to see if you were one of the lucky winners so prizes can be shipped. http://www.planetbeans.com/JuliasThankYouBearRaffle.htm

LACK OF NEWS
Please feel free to share anything you may think others will be interested in. News has been very slow these past couple of days. I didn't send out a newsletter yesterday because there really wasn't anything of interest to send. Don't forget that you can always get the most updated news on the NEWS page throughout the day. http://www.planetbeans.com/news.htm

NO MORE BIRTHDAY STYLE BEANIES?
Ruth writes: "I was at our local Coach House and they told me they were instructed to put the Birthday Beanies on clearance because they had been discontinued.  I guess I missed their retirement because it was news to me.  Ruth H."

<<my comments: June 2003 and July 2003 are the only current "birthday" Beanies right now. I wonder if Ty is done with the birthday styled Beanies since the new style started in August 2002 and there hasn't been a new one introduced since July 2003.>>

INTERESTING AUCTION
SHeL writes: "Hi Lisa This auction may interest some of your readers. Just out of curiousity I asked the seller what the Buy it Now price was. His answer: "The BIN price is $549. " I can't imagine that little extra tag making it so valluable. Meanwhile I'm putting my Santa Barbara Issy in my safe deposit box." VIEW AUCTION HERE 

<my comments: I can't imagine why this bear is so much money. It's selling for far less according to my ISSY PRICE GUIDE. Sure do wish I had one of these to sell. LOL> 

CHERISH NEWS

-=August 17, 2003=-
THANK YOU BEAR RAFFLE WINNERS ARE POSTED
http://www.planetbeans.com/JuliasThankYouBearRaffle.htm

NOTICE FROM JULIA
Lisa, I just wanted to say thanks to all those out there that was so kind in helping me. Whether it was a prize donation or by buying tickets, your help was much appreciated, and I won't forget all the thoughtful notes I received. Through this raffle I have met and made some wonderful friends. The only sad thing is that I am sorry that everyone couldn't have been a winner. Thank you to everyone that helped by posting on their sites for me, and to each and everyone that helped get the word out. Thank you for making this a huge success :-) Julia

-=August 16, 2003=-
Microsoft kills Web URL to foil worm 
Thanks to Charlene for sharing this story:
As part of its effort to stop the MSBlast worm, the software giant is eliminating the Windows Update address that the self-propagating program was set to attack. http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/952935.asp

EVAN & FRANKENTEDDY! Evan looks like he's having a great time with his Frankenteddy. LOL

MESSAGE FROM DAPHNE ABOUT THE CHESTER SHOW
Hello from my chocolate-starved, Beanie carpeted house!

There's just a day to go to the Bears, Beans and Collectables Show at the Chester Racecourse, UK

The whole space - for manufacturers and exhibitors - is full. From plans for a small show, things just snowballed. I'm lucky that so many people have agreed to come and show their bear wares and for some key manufacturers to attend, too

I've had to suffer (in my least favourite way) in the name of the Show, with what looked like a huge pic (plus an editorial piece) in the local newspaper tonight ... just in time for some extra publicity, of course, so worth suffering the flash! The Show has been advertised in a mass of newspapers, publicised through radio stations and has appeared in "what's on" sections of all sorts of websites ... even on a BBC website. Web searches seem to throw up the Show continuously, so I think we've probably now done all we can to get the message out there

We're going to have an additional free draw at the Show, with a designer-signed BB&CM Creamy Chubbley Cub as the prize, for visitors who tell us how they heard about it.

We hope to be doing a final site update, with little snippets, some time Saturday

I shall make sure that we have coverage, with plenty of photos, in the October issue of Bean Bag and Collectables Magazine - out in September.  I'll also try to get some early pics together so that you can see something of the day

I'm really grateful to all the collectable websites who've been so supportive in publicising this event.  Here's hoping that it will be a success for everyone.  If not, I hibernate ... ideally, with a huge supply of chocolate!

Regards
Daphne
www.chestershow.com

Remembering Sarah and Philip
550 congregate to say goodbye

There were stories and home movies, pictures pasted on poster board, and pictures set to music. Hundreds of pictures yesterday, at the memorial service for Sarah and Philip Gehring, which was both a celebration of their life and a chance for community and family to gather and mourn.

There were pictures of Sarah, who would have turned 15 this month, with a single candle on her first birthday cake, and as a teenager with braces. There were pictures of her mugging with friends in a Charlie's Angels pose, finger-guns readied, and of her clenching a rose between her teeth.

Philip was "a truly amazing person - a gift to all who knew him," Cook said. In drama, he knew everyone's parts. When he collected Beanie Babies, at the age of 5, Cook tried to present him with a cherished doll from her own collection. "But Joan," he said. "It's yours. Don't you want it?" VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Keeping pace with service in the borough
Constantly ringing phones, a steady stream of customers (all seem to need tips on finding a downtown parking place) and a never-ending pile of paperwork might make some office workers glum.

That's not the case for the ladies of the Princeton Borough Clerk's Office in Borough Hall, who have formed a tight bond as co-workers while striving to provide residents with top-notch service – despite the fact that in the last several years the office has undergone some major personnel changes.

Dawn Champion, a secretary in the clerk's office, said her co-workers are more than mentors, almost like mothers. To show her appreciation, Ms. Champion gave small, yellow Beanie Baby bears to each woman in the office as a Mother's Day gift. Now the bears decorate the tops of computers or bookshelves in the staff members' offices. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

CHANGES AT THE BBOC
Thanks to Helen for sharing the following: "Hi Lisa, There has been a change on the chalkboard at BBOC. Looks like a Birthday Kit coming our way? Have a great weekend! Helen"  http://www.beaniebabiesofficialclub.com/bboc_home_2002  (click on BBOC Store)

-=August 15, 2003=-
BEANIE HAPPENINGS IN VIRGINIA
G in Virginia writes: "Hi Lisa! I can only report on myself. I remain an avid Beanie collector, but I have finally started limiting myself on the Buddies. I will, however, probably be buying one of every Pluffie in creation just because they're so soft.

I have just ended a short stint as a retail associate at a Zany Brainy near me in the Northern VA suburbs of Washington, D.C. Their Ty section is drastically reduced in size -- they just cannot get rid of Boppers to save their lives, while the Beanie contingent is mostly Hero right now. I don't think they've had a shipment arrive in some time. This may have to do with the fact that the parent company, FAO Inc., is trying to aggressively promote its own line of FAO Schwarz plush.

In fact, tell your readers something nifty: During the month of August, readers who are already on a Zany Brainy mailing list will get a coupon in their mailbox. Those who aren't can find it in an upcoming People magazine with Drew Barrymore on the cover in a feature story about young Hollywood brides. This coupon is good for one (1) Pets-to-Go plush animal at any Zany Brainy store. Styles include a lion, a leopard, a pig, a tabby kitten, and many dog breeds, such as black Lab, yellow Lab, Rottweiler, basset hound, dalmatian, and poodle. Pets-to-Go are about 7" or 8" long. They are not infant-safe but are great for ages 3 and up. With the coupon, the plush is totally free. They normally retail for $7.99.

If you print this item, don't identify me in any way. However, I am delighted to remain your regular reader -- "

Triplets defy odds
Hailey is tiny - not much bigger than an infant. But she's energetic. As soon as her mother puts her into her walker, Hailey straightens up, pushes off, and scoots across the floor.

Her sister Mya is not far behind, hardly bothered by the oxygen tank attached to her walker.

A few minutes later their brother, Colby, joins them, bouncing merrily in his swing.

Bright-eyed, smiling, the children are as active as any other one-year-old -- but at under 12 pounds each, they're more the size of newborns.

Four hours later, Aida saw her children for the first time. The babies were in an incubator, their eyes covered with visors. They trembled as a machine pushed oxygen into their lungs in pulses. They were smaller than the Beanie Babies that held down their oxygen lines, smaller than a coffee cup. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

ASK TY
Q: Ty do you ever count the number of beans in a Beanie? (submitted by joeswife)
A: This is a fun question and should put to rest your comments about my ability to give a direct answer. I can honestly say that I have never counted the number of beans in a Beanie. I have spent time with the actual weight, design and amount of beans that go into each Beanie but . . . I have never counted them. http://www.ty.com/askty_home

-=August 14, 2003=-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MS. JANIE!
I hope this is a great birthday for a very special lady!  VISIT MS. JANIE'S MESSAGE BOARD HERE and be sure to leave her a birthday message.

COLLECTORS STORIES
Claire writes: "Hi Lisa! I remember getting into beanies, several years back now... probably early '98, although I'm not sure. It didn't seem like a big deal at the time. I was at my cousin's house, and Nanook was sitting on the computer - very cute! However, the first beanie I ever actually had was Hoppity - my mum bought it for me. I was in love! Unfortunately, I cut the tag off that and my next 8 beanies - I think of these as my own Original 9 :o) Most of them I have replacements for now, and just keep those as toys. I can't remember why I decided to keep the tags on beanies after that... Glad I did though! I know most beanies have little or no value, and I could just cut all the tags off... But to me, that would make the beanie incomplete. READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE: http://www.planetbeans.com/CollectorsStories.htm

BEANIE BABY COLLECTION FOR SALE
Chrissy writes: "Hi Lisa! I have decided to sell my beanie baby collection (400 beanie babies)!!! :o( I have needed the money for some time now and I was trying to get by without having to sell them but unfortunately I have finally come to the point where I have decided I need to sell my entire collection. I have listed it on eBay and I was hoping you could post the link in your newsletter to get the word out. It is a great collection and I have loved all these beanies and taken excellent care of them. Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3142241670&category=440  I would really appreciate it! Thank you!  :o) Chrissy/candlelite5"

Warner Allowed To Leave Plants On Channel Drive
From: Beanieholics
Many of the residents who live along Fairway, Channel Drive, Monte Cristo Lane, Hill Road and Butterfly Beach were relieved to learn that Montecito's Board of Architectural Review would not require Four Seasons Biltmore owner Ty Warner to take up any of the 1,400 or so plants he paid to have planted on the bluff at the end of Channel Drive. Click Here For More

M.C. BEANIE II RETIRES
http://www.ty.com/MCbeanieII

-=August 13, 2003=-
Stuffed animals to carry message of joy from teen
The 143 different surgeries his body has endured isn't what Caleb Nelson hopes will make the most impact in his young life.

It's the furry faces that are next to him after the anesthetic wears off.

Receiving Beanie Babies, teddy bears and other stuffed pals are a post-op tradition for the 16-year-old, who is comforted by his new friends.

"I was surprised. It brought a smile to my face, it made me happy," he said, as a wise one overcomes his visage.

"Every time, I'd wake up with a new one."

Nelson hopes this joy will fill the souls of Russian orphans, the soon-to-be recipients of the stuffed animals that saw him through some of the most difficult and painful times of his life.

This is the seed for his CALEB ­ Cuddle and Love Every Bear ­ project. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

MAKING A LITTLE BOY SMILE UPDATE update: Given the age of this baby I HIGHLY recommend you remove the hang tags before sending Beanies. As you know.. tagged Beanies are recommended for ages 3 years and up and Baby James is only 9 months old. :oD Also know that as a 9 month old baby, James will be putting the Beanies in his mouth so please make sure the Beanies you send are from a smoke free environment and clean. from yesterday: Arlene shares information about this special little boy who belongs to her Pastor, Steve Babbitt and his wife Tammie. Baby James is 9 months old and suffers from the dreaded disease, Cystic Fibrosis. Arlene has updated us often in the Planet Beans Yahoo! Group so the members there know a bit about how hard this disease can be on a little one like Baby James and we know how hard this is on the parents watching their little one suffer. Just look at that adorable little face! Pastor Steve writes: " James is in the hospital again with a potentially chronic lung infection. He is also getting a feeding tube implanted so that he can start to gain more weight. He is 9 months old and weighs just over 13 pounds. Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening disease that affects the lungs and the digestive system. It can lead to under nutrition as well as lung damage and even death. For more info, see the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: www.cff.org " I think it would be great if some Beanie friends would send a Beanie or two to this special little boy. You know how I am about helping a good cause and this little boy could stand to gain a few smiles in his young life. If you would like to help please email me at Lisa@planetbeans.com for the email address for Pastor Steve and the address in which you can mail your donations.