-=January 22, 2004=-
“SPYGLASS ON TY’S PHIL”
La Rue has posted another installment of the “Spyglass” this time she’s featuring Punxy Phil. http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/kansaspewter/ty.html

PLANET BEANS.COM EMAIL SPAM
If you are subscribed to PlanetBeans.com free email service you may have noticed an increase in “spam/inappropriate” emails. If you are bogged down with junk email please open the problem emails and click on “Show Full Headers” then forward these emails to abuse@everyone.net. Hopefully if enough people do this the “spam” problem will be a problem of the past and not keep clogging our inboxes. This is a HUGE problem! I receive junk in all of my emails and would love to stop having to delete so many inappropriate emails before weeding through the tons of normal email I receive.

-=January 21, 2004=-
A CHANGE HAS OCCURED AT CHUBBLEY LTD.
Thanks to La Rue for the heads-up
Those of you that collect Chubbley bears may be interested in this. The website has finally had a change and sports a new animation speaking of new releases and "online ordering". I wonder if the online ordering means that your average collector can purchase from the website directly or if the retailers can buy from them directly. We'll have to see what this all means. http://www.chubbley.com

INFO ON THE PFC JERSEY AT TY STORE
Sue writes: "They are LAST season's shirts that they are trying to get rid of - the PFC fans all want the new colours!!!" VIEW INFO HERE

INTRODUCING: Official Portsmouth Football Club Jerseys ($40!)
http://www.ty.com/Portsmouth_Jersey_Intro (Ty Store Exclusive)

PUNXY PHIL ORDER UPDATE
Krystal writes: “Follow up on my order from Punxatawney Chamber of Commerce
Lisa, I just received my order from Punxatawney. When I had finally gotten through on Saturday, 10 AM EST, they couldn't guarantee if I would receive the "y" Phil or the "-e" Phil. I was lucky and received the "y" Phil! I wouldn't have called without the news tip in your newsletter. Thanks, Lisa! Krystal Iowa City, IA”

Wizards of Odd
Rush for quirky, authentic collectibles heats up EBay
EDMONTON - The year 2003 was characterized by trendmongering and faux fads, from the metrosexuals to the heteroflexibles. The fallout is creating a retail atmosphere where authenticity, even in the form of a used coffee cup, is at a premium.

"It's about buying and owning something nobody else in the world has," says Dan Neary, director of collectibles for EBay Inc. "It's about, 'How do I differentiate myself from the pack?' "

Since the retirement of Beanie Babies in late 1999, the bottom has dropped out of the conventional collectibles market. Industry sales are down by 17 per cent over the past two years, with most categories dropping sharply.

Conversely, the EBay marketplace is as healthy as ever. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

-=January 20, 2004=-
SPARKS RETIRES
http://www.ty.com/Sparks_Ret 

-=January 19, 2004=-
NO NEWS TO SPEAK OF
I have searched for hours and have found nothing worth sharing. I will not be mailing a newsletter if there's no news to share. If you have ANY news to share.. please email me at Lisa@planetbeans.com 

-=January 18, 2004=-
Taking baseball experience to a whole new level
John McDonough has brought you the Cubs convention, combined baseball with Beanie Babies, and created a new level of celebrity status with the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Wrigley Field.

Like the sold-out Cubs convention this weekend, McDonough has helped transform Wrigley Field from an afterthought to a must-see destination.

When he joined the Cubs in 1983, it was as director of sales and marketing. McDonough was named director of marketing in 1987, and in 1991 he was named vice president of marketing and broadcasting. His deal to entice baseball fans with Beanie Babies was cited as baseball's top promotion in 1998 by SportsBusiness Journal. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

WHIZ KID STARTS EBAY FOR XMAS GIFT CARDS 
January 18, 2004 -- Cameron Johnson, the 19-year-old college freshman who started CertificateSwap.com, is on the hunt for some big money to back the fledgling venture.

Aimed at those looking to unload unwanted Christmas gift cards, CertificateSwap is like e-Bay, allowing users to to redeem gift cards for cash or exchange them for others listed on the site.

In the time it takes most kids to finish high school, Johnson operated an online Beanie Babies retailer and another site that catered to online advertisers, both of which have since closed. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=January 17, 2004=-
NEW UK SHOW EXCLUSIVE
Bean Watcher has information as well as a picture of a promotional ad for a UK show exclusive Beanie to be released at the Birmingham Spring Fair which runs February 1-5, 2004! VIEW INFO HERE

-=January 16, 2004=-
THANKS FROM TONI
Toni writes: “Lisa, I'm now sold out of the Punxsutawney Phil 2004. They went fast as you can see with many happy people. Thanks to all your readers. I enjoyed doing this and making contact with 9 wonderful people and whom are now my friends. Beanie Babies do bring people together whom we never would have made contact. Fondly Toni”

KISSME BUDDY & FLIRTY FRANCIE BEANIE BOPPER RETIRE
http://www.ty.com/Retirement_011604

COUNTERFEIT BUCKINGHAMS ON eBAY
Ms. Janie has important info posted. VIEW HERE

A GENEROUS OFFER
Toni writes: “Lisa, I received my shipment of Punxsutawney Phil 2004 from the Souvenir Store in Philly. I know it was difficult for us to get through to place orders. Pass on my e-mail address to those who would like to purchase Punxsutawney Phil, cost will be $6 plus shipping to their destination. toni.caserta@stmsaints.com.”

<my comments: I’d like to give Toni my sincerest THANK YOU for her generous offer. Many are trying to make money off of their Punxsutawney Phil’s and here Toni is offering them at her cost because she knows how hard it was for people to get through. This is what collecting is all about folks.. people helping each other out. :oD If you find yourself with extra Phil’s and you want to offer them to your fellow collectors as Toni is doing.. let me know and I’ll gladly post your offer in the newsletter.

ASK TY
Q: Can you give us a clue about the mysterious bear behind the window shade in the Ty Store? (submitted by SillyBear)
A: Bear behind a shade ? I don't see any bear behind a window shade in the TyStore. http://www.ty.com/askty_home

NOT A TY BEAR BUT ADVERTISED AS SUCH
Stephen points out an auction on eBay where a bear is advertised as a "LIMITED EDITION TY BEANIE BABY" and it's obviously NOT a Ty bear at all. It's a good thing there aren't any bids on this auction but someone should point out to the seller that this isn't a Ty Beanie Baby. :oD VIEW AUCTION HERE

PayPal Scam Spreads Mimail Worm
Thanks to Donna for sharing the following article:
After releasing a new version of the Mimail e-mail worm last week, virus authors are using a new tool to help it spread: spam e-mail containing a Trojan horse program that, once installed, retrieves and installs the worm.

The new threat, which targets customers of EBay's PayPal online payment service, highlights a growing trend in which online criminals combine computer viruses, spam distribution techniques, Trojan horse programs, and "phishing" scams to circumvent security technology and fool Internet users, says Carole Theriault, security consultant at Sophos in Abingdon, England.

Antivirus companies including Sophos and Kaspersky Labs warned customers Thursday about the new threat, which arrives in e-mail in-boxes as a message purporting to come from online payment service PayPal. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=January 15, 2004=-
PINK & BROWN DECADES IN STORES?
Linda shares the following she found at BeanieMom:
“a letter was sent to a retailer offering a chance to order a dozen Pink Decades a dozen Brown Decades. There was no mention if the tag back would be different than the online Decades.

So you all need to ask your retailers about these. One of the little things that really get to the collectors that have paid the secondary price on these or the shipping if they ordered from the store.”

Couple donates toys for traumatized kids
A local couple donated bags of stuffed animals Monday to emergency services of the city of Grand Coulee to help children in crisis situations.

Last week, Electric City resident Don Daniels said he and his wife Karen bought 40 Beanie Babies and stuffed animals at Coulee Gifts, etc.

He declined to say how much they spent.

They donated them to Grand Coulee's police department, which also covers Electric City, and ambulance crew. He said he gave them to the police department and not the city's volunteer fire department because the police department often goes to fires with the firefighters.

Don said the animals are intended to be given to small children in crisis situations, such as a car accident or a domestic violence incident, to calm them down. VIEW FULL STORY & PIC HERE

EBay Pulls Plug on Auction of W.Va.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - An attempt to auction off the state of West Virginia drew 56 bids and nearly enough promised dollars to fill the state's projected budget hole before eBay learned of the joke.

By Tuesday evening, with five days to go in the sale of item number 2372779353, "Entire State of West Virginia," bidders had bumped the ante up to just $1 short of $100 million.

"As an eBay consumer myself ... that's a heck of a bargain!" joked Amy Shuler Goodwin, spokeswoman for Gov. Bob Wise, who's projecting a $120 million deficit for fiscal 2005.

The seller, identified only as "fishstuffnthings," did not immediately respond to e-mails late Tuesday. Nor did "nosnam1488," who was the high bidder.

Within minutes, the auction was unplugged and the state was "no longer available." VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=January 14, 2004=-

UK HANG TAG PICTURES Sue writes: Here are the photos of the new UK hang tags as promised yesterday. (Thank you Sue!)

 

-=January 13, 2004=-
Cereals win fans through the decades
People get nuts about their cereal, which is fitting since this addition to the breakfast ritual started more than 140 years ago with granola.

All I know is, every morning that cardboard box of sweetened grain better be sitting on my kitchen table. But where did cereal come from, and how did it become such a part of our culture?

Frogmen, Wild Bill Hickok watches, secret decoder rings and Lone Ranger masks from the '50s and '60s gave way to Beanie Babies, Pokemon watches, Hot Wheels cars and mini cameras in the '80s and '90s.

Unlike some other toys, though, most cereal premiums were played with and enjoyed, so few are truly valuable, explains Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy, who writes a column for eBay.

If the toy inside weren't enough enticement, how about a cardboard record on the back of the box? In 1954, General Mills printed records on the outside of Wheaties boxes with favorites like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Before long, the Mouseketeers, Bobby Sherman, the Archies, the Monkees and the Jackson 5 had records on the back of cereal boxes. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=January 12, 2004=-
SMOOCH-e and KISS-e Introduction
http://www.tytrade.com/BB_BBD_Intro

BEANIE OF THE MONTH NEWSFLASH
http://www.tytrade.com/bom_order_page

UK HANG TAGS
Sue writes: “Hi, Thought you might like to know that there are new UK hang tags too. Didn't know if you were already aware of that?

I am expecting some Beanies in the mail tomorrow so will try to send photos - although as we have recently changed to Windows XP I may not have all of the photo software that I need loaded yet!

The tags are similar to the US tags - but say 'BEANIES' in yellow writing where the US tags say 'BEANIE BABIES'. They also have the silver 'comet' design below the word. I imagine that this makes them the 13th generation of hang tags?

Lefty and Righty 2004 and Punxutwaney Phil 2004 have also arrived in UK.  - with the new UK hant tags. Best wishes, Sue”

CONNIE’S DISPLAYS
Connie has sent in some updated pictures of some of her collection: http://www.planetbeans.com/ConniesFinds.htm

MORE PHIL COMMENTS
Lynda writes: “Hi Lisa--Lynda here again- I am going to say--I am very upset that these beanies were offered outside of our area! and for those thinking they will be different--that is an insult--or they can't read! Now--You have to realize--I am biased--especially since I didn't get any last year--and now--anyone can get them! Ok--one thing for certain--NO credit cards were to be taken--and if they did--I think there will be another "stink"!”

Chrissy writes: “Hi Lisa! I am very disappointed to say that after so much trying I was never able to get through to order Phil. I started calling on 8:59 am on the 7th and didn't stop pressing redial over and over again until 11 am, took a bathroom break and grabbed a bite to eat and then tried again until 2 pm. I had my boyfriend trying on my cell phone the whole time too and neither of us got through at all. I gave up and then anxiously awaited your next newsletter to see what everyone else's progress was. I was at least releived to see that I wasn't the only one who couldn't get through. I continued to try both numbers most of Thursday and Friday afternoon with no luck. I understand that the store must have been swamped but they should have expected a big response, Ty always draws a big crowd! lol Anyway, I am really disappointed not to be able to get one at all and if anyone out there has an extra I would be thrilled to be able to buy it! If anyone would be willing to sell me one of their extras I would appreciate it so much! I can be reached at candlelite5@comcast.net Thank you! :o) Chrissy”

Becky writes: “I did not even try to get Phil . I'll just get the retail v. of it and be happy.”

-=January 11, 2004=-
ORDERING PUNXY PHIL 2004
I’m curious… how many of you just gave up on ordering Phil since it was so hard to get through? I know many of you must be highly irritated that you had to sit on the phone all day for several days and in many instances STILL couldn’t get in to place an order. I feel for the people at the store because I’m sure they didn’t have a clue what they were in for when offering to take phone orders. I received emails from several readers yesterday that were finally able to get through to the store in PA to place their orders for Phil. Problem is, they aren't sure if they will be receiving the version of Phil that's only available at the store or the "e" version. I thought the "e" version was only available at the Ty Store so how does this store have an abundance of these to sell? Do you have comments to share: Lisa@planetbeans.com

Jennifer writes: “I had no luck what so ever. After trying for almost 4 hrs on the 7th, I tried a couple of times on the 8th and then just gave up. I too figured that they would sell out as fast as they did last yr. So if anyone has an extra one please let me know. Maybe next yr I can get a little luckier. Keeping my fingers crossed. Jen R.”

BIDDER IN HAND
Bean Watcher shares information about an in-hand Bidder auction. I've done a search and have found several in-hand auctions. VIEW HERE

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL IN HAND
One of Ms. Janie's readers shares pictures of her Punxsutawney Phil. VIEW HERE

Gayle writes: “I JUST CALLED,, GOT 6.  I asked how many they got in total, she said they were not allowed to tell, but said it was more than last year.”

Lois writes: “Lisa:  I finally got through to Phil's and ordered the beanie.  This was 11 a.m. California time.  I called the regular number not the toll free.  So do not give up. Lois, Southern California”

Nancy D writes: “Hi Lisa, My experience ordering Phil. And many thanks to Lisa for the newsletter with the info about Phil. If it wasn't for Lisa I would have never tried again.

Since the 7th I have been trying to get thru to order Phil. Yesterday no luck. I also called last night, for hours, at 9:30 pm got busy signal, then 4 minutes later tried again. Phone rang no one answered. (I did dial the right number cause I hung up and dial again.) Wasn't going to tried again today, but read Lisa's newsletters and the one about Phil . So  I start the dialing again. Then around 2:06 pm I heard ringing. (almost hung up, cause thought I dialed wrong) then heard the voice talking and know I finally got thru. Heard the menu, hit ext 4, phone rang and a nice woman answered. So I finally got to order this year's Phil. I still can't believe I got thru and will be getting Phil. Nancy D”

Nancy M writes: “I too had tried to call periodically throughout the morning that first day that the Punxsutawney Phil was available with no luck.  I figured they would sell out as quickly as they did last year so later that day I gave up trying.  Then when I read in your newsletter on Friday morning that some were still available, I tried calling again.  I hit re-dial about 6 times and then the phone rang. Sure surprised me!  A very nice woman named Marlene answered and asked if she could put me on hold.  When she came back she apologized and asked if she could take my order.  I inquired if there were any of the Phils left and she said yes.  She total me they would be sent out the first part of next week.  So thanks to the information in your newsletter, Lisa, I was able to get a couple for myself and my friends. Nancy M”

Seaswan writes: “I tried for days starting on the 7th, with no luck.  Got through this morning on their regular number (finally!!!!) only to be told they they are out of the Phil with the "y" at the end of his name, but were sell the one's with the "-e".  I was very disappointed.  I hope someone on the site will show me some mercy and offer to sell me one that they got.  Just wanted to let you know my experience.  Signed, seaswan”

Krystal writes: “Lisa, I tried to order the COC Phil on Wednesday and Thursday, but couldn't get through.  I thought I was out of luck until I read the news that there still might be some still available Saturday AM.  I tried calling the COC number this morning (Saturday) at 8 AM Central (9 AM Eastern).  After an hour of busy signals, I actually got through about 9 AM Central (10 Eastern).  I didn't have to enter any extension number, and got a very nice lady on the phone.  They couldn't guarantee if it would be a Phily or a Phil-e, as they were filling orders as they came in, and weren't sure how many they had left.  I placed an order anyway, as I hadn't ordered Phil-e yet, and I still might get a Phily. I ordered 2, and the shipping was $5.95. Krystal - Iowa City, IA”

NOTICE FROM PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL'S WEBSITE
Official Punxsutawney Phil Souvenirs Please note: As of Noon (ET), Saturday, January 10, our limited edition Ty Beanie Baby will no longer be available by telephone or fax. We will, however, be taking orders by telephone only, for the Ty Punxsutawn-ePhil Beanie Baby. (this is the version that is currently available on the Ty web site.) http://www.groundhogstuff.com/

Internet vendor acquitted of most charges
A Winthrop Harbor woman accused of not delivering Beanie Babies she sold in Internet auctions was found not guilty Friday of most of the charges against her.

But Lake County Associate Judge John Phillips did convict Nancy McKenna, 47, of a single count of theft for letting a customer wait more than three years without fulfilling her order or issuing a refund.

Police said McKenna and then-partner Martin Bachler, who was not charged, auctioned off Beanie Babies throughout 2000 but may have left 200 to 250 orders unfilled because McKenna could not obtain the dolls after the auctions ended.

"If there was a Beanie Baby in the collection named after the defendant's testimony, it would be Tap Dance, Soft Shoe or Pinocchio Beanie," Phillips said. "Her testimony was not credible, and it is now 3 ¨ years later and that woman still does not have her order or a refund." VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=January 9, 2004=-
7-year-old gets stuck in stuffed animal game machine
Sue shares the following: 
A 7-year-old boy had to be rescued with the help of a locksmith Saturday after crawling into a supermarket's stuffed animal game machine while his father talked on the telephone.

"He was sitting right in there with the stuffed animals," said Shift Commander Mark Zittel of the Sheboygan Fire Department. He said the boy, whose name was not released because he is a minor, crawled through about an 8-inch-by-10-inch opening to get into the glass enclosure via a chute where the toys come out, but when he tried to get back out his way was blocked.

The stuffed animals are prizes that can be hooked by players with a crane-like device.

"His dad was three feet away at a pay phone," Zittel said. "He was talking on the phone and he said the next thing he turned around and the kid was in the thing." VIEW FULL STORY, PICTURE, & AMUSING COMMENTS HERE

SHeL writes: “I dialed from 9AM EST till 9:30AM EST on my cell phone then from 9:30 AM till 10 AM on my home phone !!! No Luck !!! ... I tried both numbers several times this morning ... Nothing I'm gonna fax in an order when my Neighbor Drug Store opens in 30 minutes”

Cathy writes: “HI Lisa! Since you asked in your newsletter about readers experiences on ordering PUNXY PHIL 2004, I thought I would just let you know that my experiences were similar to yours. After patiently waiting for 9AM Eastern time to arrive, I spent the next hour or so listening repeatedly to a loud alarm telling me that my call could not go through. I finally gave up. I too was wondering what it felt like for those lucky enough to get through! I imagine it was similar to the thrill of finding, sitting by himself on the shelf the one beanie you had been searching for. I hope most readers had better luck than us! Cathy”

Lois writes: “Good Morning: It is an absolute joke trying to order the beanie from Phil's I have 2 lines and 2 cell phones. I continued to press redial on all the phones for about 4 hours in the morning and then about 2 hours at night and all I got was a busy signal. They must have only 1 person answering the phone. On my cell phones, since I have free long distance, I tried their regular line and did not use the toll free but still only a busy signal. Good luck to everyone. Lois, Southern California.”

Ellen writes: “I finally got through today (Thursday 1/8/04) after trying many many times through out the day yesterday and many times this morning. I actually had emailed them and asked if something was wrong or if they were that busy. I received a very nice email back telling me to keep trying and if I did get through to try the extensions other than the one for the store because they were using every phone available. When I got through the phone rang many times , and I almost hung up, but then a women answered and was eager to take my order. She was very pleasant and took her time to make sure she got all my information correct. She was not an employee but a volunteer so she made sure that she wrote my order up correctly because I ordered ty beanies and some other things from their web site. I did order some extra's that I would be willing to sell for cost plus shipping. Of course my cost would need to include part of the shipping cost I paid to get them here. Ellen N”

PHIL IS ALMOST SOLD OUT
Tracy in Miami writes: “Hi Lisa just wanted to give my feedback on ordering punx Phil. After 3 days of non stop dialing both from my work phone and cell phone I was about to give up when low and behold someone answered on the regular number (around 11:50 am this morning) and I  was prompted to select a option and was transferred to the nicest lady named Ursula. I was able to order 12 but she said they are running low so please tell everyone to keep trying there is still hope.”

COMMENT ABOUT THE “PROTOTYPE” AUCTIONS POSTED YESTERDAY
AUCTION FOR AUTHENTICATED "PROTOTYPE" PURPLE CORAL
AUCTION FOR AUTHENTICATED "PROTOTYPE" YELLOW FLUTTER
Mary writes: “Hi Lisa, Just a comment on the prototype auctions that you have in the news today. I find it interesting that the tye-dyed swatches that are on the Coral and Flutter prototypes they are selling do not match the swatches in the pictures from Beanie Mania II. Don't they only make one prototype?? I would be a concerned about their authenticity. Take care hun, and have a great day!”

ASK TY
Q: How do you decide which Beanie grows up to become a Buddy? (submitted by Beaniebrother)
A: As you know, I am an avid reader of the Cyberboards. Many times your "Bright Ideas" have determined the next Buddies ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

Collectors Brave Cold For Punxsutawney Phil In January
It's January, but Punxsutawney Phil is already out of his hole.
The 2004 special edition Punxsutawney Phil beanie babies went on sale Thursday.

Despite the freezing cold temperatures, people lined up outside the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce (news - web sites) at 5:30 a.m.

Sales were limited to only 24 per customer due to the great demand. VIEW STORY HERE

-=January 8, 2004=-
BEANIE "PROTOTYPE" AUCTIONS
Now here's something you don't see every day. 
AUCTION FOR AUTHENTICATED "PROTOTYPE" PURPLE CORAL
AUCTION FOR AUTHENTICATED "PROTOTYPE" YELLOW FLUTTER

ORDERING PUNXY PHIL 2004
I'd like to know how my readers did in trying to get through to order Punxy Phil yesterday. I tried for a while and all I got were busy signals. I wasn't able to spend the entire afternoon hitting redial as I had other things to do like spend time with my littlest guy who turned 5 yesterday. Did you order, if so, how was your ordering experience? Did it take you a long time to get through? Did you have a favorable experience in ordering your Beanies? If anyone happens to have ordered an extra.. I'd love to purchase one and pay shipping since I've not been able to order. I'm sure many others are needing to get this Beanie so if you are fortunate enough to get through.. you may want to order a few extras to help those of us out that can't for one reason or another. :oD

SILENT RETIREMENTS
Bean Watcher shares the following:
Thanks to Brent from California, the following styles have been silently retired.  The list includes the Ideations-exclusive Star the Angel Bear and the first group of retired Pluffies and Punkies:

Beanie Babies: Star (Blue star version; Ideation exclusive)
Classics: Garland (I don't follow the Classics line very closely, so there might be additional retired styles that I overlooked.)
Pluffies:  Bluebeary, Cloud, Pinks
Punkies:  Frizzy, Rainbow, Sizzles, Skitters, T-Bone, Twizzlers
Ty Gear:  Purple Leopard Tote, Ty-Dye Tote, Yellow Flower Tote

NEW GERMAN EXCLUSIVE TO BE RELEASED?
Ms. Janie has a picture to share and this is to be treated as rumor until it's officially announced at Ty.com but it looks like we may be seeing a new German Exclusive bear introduced at Toy Fair in Nürnberg at the Toy Fair being held in Nürnberg, Germany from February 5-10. VIEW PICTURE HERE

-=January 7, 2004=-
MORE ON PUNXY PHIL 2004
Brent writes: "Hello Lisa, I don't know if anyone pointed this out yet but I just noticed it. The new Punxsutawney Phil that is only available at the Souvenir Shop looks like it is not going to be wroth as much as the one last year. This years is on eBay starting at only $10 and last years is selling for $100+. Did I miss something or what? Just wanted to share this with you (and your readers if you want). Thank you! Brent"

DON'T FORGET TO ORDER PHIL 2004
Wednesday, January 7 at 9 a.m. This version features light-colored fur and a tag on which Punxsutawney is spelled correctly with a y. There is a limited quantity of this version and it is only available by calling Punxsutawney Phil's Souvenir Shop at 1-800-752-PHIL (7445). NO orders will be taken before January 7 at 9 a.m. 
The 2004 Ty Punxsutawney Phil Beanie Baby will retail for $5.00 plus tax (for PA residents) and shipping. There is a quantity limit of 12 Beanies per customer.

PICTURES OF NEW RELEASES
As always Marilyn manages to get all of the newbies first and she shares her top quality pictures with Ms. Janie.
VIEW NEW HANG & GROUP OF 7 HERE
VIEW DEMURE w/HANG TAG INFO HERE
VIEW PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL 2004 w/HANG TAG INFO HERE
VIEW LEFTY 2004 w/HANG TAG INFO HERE
VIEW RIGHTY 2004 w/HANG TAG INFO HERE
VIEW KILLARNEY w/HANG TAG INFO HERE
VIEW CORSAGE w/HANG TAG INFO HERE
VIEW CHOPSTIX w/HANG TAG INFO HERE
VIEW NEW PUNKIES HERE

"SPYGLASS ON CHUBBLEYS"
La Rue has started a clever new page which will highlight Chubbleys with oddities and something new and different. Blaze is currently featured. VIEW HERE

-=January 6, 2004=-
STEVE KOOSER
I've tried emailing you several times and haven't heard back from you yet. This seems to be the only way to get in touch with you, through the newsletter. Laura hasn't received her bear yet and you stated back on December 21st that you were going to mail her a replacement for one that you said you had already mailed. Please contact me so we can get this issue resolved. Lisa@planetbeans.com I'd like to apologize to my normal readers for exposing you to this situation. I'm not able to get this resolved by the normal means of email. Perhaps one of Steve's friends can talk him into doing the right thing here. :oD

JERSEY ARRIVES
Ms. Janie has some scans from Marilyn of Jersey. VIEW HERE

MORE INFO ON ORDERING PUNXSUTAWNEY TOMORROW
SHeL found this info on Addie's Attic trade board:
"I Just made my own phone call to them. I am centeral time and they are 1 hour ahead of me for those that wanted to know. Also they WILL take orders from out of the country. Mailing fee for 12 was right under $11. to Illinois Hope this helps you all.
Here is the url: http://www.groundhogstuff.com/
This was posted at a few beanie sights from the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce, so do not be taken in on the presales for this one. They ARE NOT selling any in advance the people doing the presales are going to call in this day just like you can and order them. Good luck and remember to order extras to help others out also. The 2004 Punxsutawney Phil Ty Beanie Baby – Punxsutawney version Our exclusive version of the Ty 2004 Punxsutawney Phil Beanie Baby will go on sale at Punxsutawney Phil's Souvenir Shop on Wednesday, January 7 at 9 a.m. This version features lightcolored fur and a tag on which Punxsutawney is spelled correctly with a "y". There is a limited quantity of this version and it is only available by calling Punxsutawney Phil's Souvenir Shop at 1-800-752-PHIL (7445). It is not available through our web site (NO orders will be taken before January 7 at 9 a.m.) Ty has produced two other versions of "Punxsutawney Phil." The version being sold on the Ty web site features a tag that reads "Punxsutawne Phil." The version that is being sold at Ty retailers has darkcolored fur and a tag that reads "Punxsutawney Phil." The 2004 Ty Punxsutawney Phil Beanie Baby will retail for $5.00 plus tax (for PA residents) and shipping. There is a quantity limit of 12 Beanies per customer".

-=January 5, 2004=-
NEWSMAKERS: Las Vegan's pooch shows off agility skills at national event
When Kimberly Sisak attended the Magical Mutt Show at the Excalibur eight years ago, she never thought she would be jumping through hoops to train her dogs. Luckily, it was just the dogs going through hoops, not Sisak.

The 31-year-old Las Vegan and her papillon Bomar's Beanie Baby -- whose call name is Phoebe -- competed in the final round of the American Kennel Club National Agility Championships in Long Beach, Calif., Dec. 2-4. Sisak and Phoebe beat more than 140 other entrants to land in the final round. Phoebe had the fastest time, but because of one fault, landed in 10th place. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=January 4, 2004=-
NO NEWS TO SPEAK OF
I have searched for the last couple of hours and have found nothing worth sharing. I will not be mailing a newsletter if there's no news to share. If you have ANY news to share.. please email me at Lisa@planetbeans.com 

MESSAGE FROM KANSAS BRASS & PEWTER
La Rue writes: "Hi There Lisa, I have added two items to the Kansas Brass & Pewter web site that your readers might be interested. One item might be hard to find, some already might know how it works, but I sure was not aware of. The other item will be easy to spot and hoping there will be interest shown in sharing what they know.

Kansas Brass & Pewter will offer their choice, if I have it in stock, of Ty, Chubbley or Countin' Sheep items as a thank you . All one has to do is email fikan@networksplus.net and comment on what they have found, stuffed toy, if correct, they would like to collect and their address."

Thank you so much, Linda"

-=January 3, 2004=-
THREE VERSIONS OF PHIL 2004
Bean Watcher has more info posted on his site about a third version of the Phil 2004 Beanie Baby. VIEW INFO HERE

-=January 2, 2004=-
CONTEST WINNERS PLEASE CONTACT ME
I'm still waiting to hear from the winners of the prize packages 4, 5, and 6 from the Planet Beans 2003 Holiday Contest.

PUNXSUTAWN-e PHIL 2004
http://www.ty.com/Punxsutawn-e_Intro

-=January 1, 2004=-
BEANIEHOLICS CLOSES
Randy & Theresa have a goodbye message posted on their site. They will be missed. I've enjoyed their style of news for several years now. Good luck in future endeavors. VIEW HERE

PLANET BEANS 2003 HOLIDAY CONTEST WINNER POSTED
http://www.planetbeans.com/HOLIDAY2003CONTEST.htm