July 31, 2006
AUGUST INTRODUCTIONS
http://www.ty.com/augs06Intro
BEANIES: Cabaret, Deuce (US Exclusive), Deuce (USTA Exclusive), Divalectable, Divalightful, Dora Del Tenis (USTA Exclusive), Funky, Groovey, Parka, Thunderbolt

BEANIE KEY-CLIPS: Canada (Canadian Exclusive), Deke (Canadian Exclusive), True (Canadian Exclusive), Villager (Canadian Exclusive)

CLASSIC: Moppet, Scoundrel

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM BEANIES AVAILABLE
There are 4 Beanies listed at $6.95 each. Union, American Blessing, California Poppy, Weaver
http://www.cfmarketplaces.com/acb/stores/6/Plush-C5.aspx

July 28, 2006
CALIFORNIA GIFT SHOW BEGINS
The gift show runs from July 28 - July 31st. If you attend the show and can provide some additional information please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com. There are only 2 shows remaining after the show in LA. To view the entire summer show schedule visit here:  http://www.planetbeans.com/Ty2006SummerShows.htm  

SOLD OUT
You may have noticed that nothing is coming up when trying to order the Knott's Berry Farm Beanies. I'm sure they have been removed because they are no longer available. http://www.cfmarketplaces.com/acb/stores/6/Knotts-Berry-Farm-Ty-Beanies-P41C5.aspx

UPDATE: 4 Beanies will be sold individually on the Knott's Berry Farm website. I sent an email to inquire about which Beanies will be available and for how much per Beanie. Here is what I received...

We will be listing each beanie for $6.95 and the following will be on the Website:

Weaver Monkey
California Poppy Bear
American Blessing Bear
Union Bear

SUMMERTIME FUN LOS ANGELES
http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=21154 (as pictured on the postcard)

July 27, 2006
INCORRECT LINK
Thank you to Mary in CA for letting me know that the link I shared yesterday to place orders for the Knott's Berry Farm Beanies was incorrect. The correct link is http://www.cfmarketplaces.com/acb/stores/6/Knotts-Berry-Farm-Ty-Beanies-P41C5.aspx

UPDATE: There is a price change due to the fact that Titan is no longer available. You can order the other FIVE Beanies for $34.75 + shipping.

As posted on the website: Exclusive Knott's Berry Farm TY Beanies. This set of five beanies include Weaver Monkey, California Poppy Bear, California Bear, American Blessing Bear, and Union Bear. Each TY beanie baby comes with a KBF Beanie Baby tag. Limited quantities, Titan Dog pictured is no longer available.

Judy writes: "HI LISA, I GUESS THE NB FARM IS TIRED OF ORDERS ALREADY. I CAN'T GET THROUGH. THANKS ANYWAY, JUDY

(NOTE: If you would like to share your ordering experience please send comments to Lisa@planetbeans.com.)

ASK TY
Q: If you could go to the US Open, which Beanie might accompany you? (submitted by jasminekittykat)
A: I think my travel companion would be our 2006 U.S. Open Beanie . . . . . Deuce ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

July 26, 2006
ORDERING KNOTT'S BERRY FARM BEANIES
Thanks to Barbara for alerting me to the following: "Hi Lisa, Hope you had a wonderful vacation. Just a note to let you know that I was reading Beanwatcher this morning and thought you'd like to know that the Knott's Berry Farm Beanies can be ordered directly online from Knott's Berry. Here is the link to place order. http://www.cdmarktplaces.com/acb/stores/6/Plush-C5.aspx

Hope this info is of help to those interested in getting these beanies.

Hugs,
Barbara"

(NOTE: While there will be MANY happy collectors who will jump on ordering these specially tagged Beanies.. there will also be those collectors that spent a small fortune obtaining them for their collections. Think of those people that made special trips to the park and paid the outrageous park fees just to get these Beanies. Can  you say OUCH?!)

Silent Ty Classic Retirements
PattiBuddy, FerociousPlatypus (Jul 25, 2006, 01:08 PM)
Message Id: 1114101
PattiBuddy, FerociousPlatypus writes: As far as I can tell, the following Ty Classics just retired:

Angelina
Caviar
Opal (unicorn)
Opal (horse)
Sandy
Sunset

If I have the date of them retiring today, or I missed any, please let me know. Thanks in advance and have a great day all! http://www.ty.com/tytalk_Message_Display/1,1581,1_19-1114101-0-1,00.html

*A new Caution Page has just been posted to the Internet...
GrammaPat   (Jul 25, 2006, 05:00 PM)
Message Id: 1114129
GrammaPat writes: If anyone has had any problem with the person involved, please contact Traderlist immediately. This person has been dealing on the BBOT.

Thanks,
Pat 
http://www.ty.com/tytalk_Message_Display/1,1581,1_19-1114129-0-1,00.html

Guardian ad Litem to collect dolls
Regardless of age or circumstances, testifying in court can be a scary experience. For a child it can be downright traumatic. That’s why the Guardian ad Litem program for the 8th Judicial District is sponsoring a Beanie Baby drive to help curb the fears of young neglected or abused children that are tangled up in the court system.

The goal of the drive is to collect Beanie Baby stuffed animals for Guardian ad Litem volunteers to give to children who are testifying.

“We’ll give the Beanie Babies to the children so they can hold them while they’re testifying,” said Colleen Kosinski, district administer of the judicial district. “Then they’ll get to keep them afterwards.”

Raelyn Mosher, recruitment specialist, said her program is collecting new and gently used Beanie Babies. The drive will run throughout the month of August. Even though the drive doesn’t kick off for five more days, Mosher said interest has already picked up.

“We have already had about 50 Beanie Nabies donated by our sister program,” said Mosher, “and the drive hasn’t even officially started.” VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Yesterday and today's toys
Play items adapt to each generation's wants, needs
Who doesn’t love toys? Everyone had a favorite growing up, and most people had an item or two that was always on the wish list but that they never got. Toys have changed dramatically through the last 100 years. Forbes magazine’s list of the top toys of the last 100 years starts off with simple items, including Crayola Crayons (1900-09), Raggedy Ann dolls (1910-19), Madame Alexander dolls (1920-29), the View Master 3D (1930s), the Candy Land board game (1940s), and then gets more complex with Mr. Potato Head in the 1950s, GI Joe action figures (1960s), the Rubik’s Cube (1970s) and back to simple with Cabbage Patch Kids (1980s) and Beanie Babies (1990s). VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

July 25, 2006
HOME FROM VACATION
I will be updating the website shortly. I will get it all done as soon as possible but have lots of other things to do so please be patient.

JULY RETIREMENTS
http://www.ty.com/July2006Ret
BEANIES: All-Star Dad, Arizona, Bali (Shedd Exclusive), Dear Heart,  Dear One, Honors, Smudges, Wisconsin

BUDDIES: Corkie

ANGELINE: Springtime Angeline, Springtime Angeline (large), You're An Angel

NEW TY TRADEMARK
Sly shares with Ms. Janie: "I discovered another New Ty Trademark this morning!! ON July 19,2006 Ty applied to register a trademark on ... " BEANIE BABZ " TY Inc. listed the goods and service for this Trademark as follows: Bean bag dolls; Doll clothing; Dolls; Dolls and accessories therefor; Plush toys; Soft sculpture dolls; Soft sculpture plush toys; Stuffed dolls and animals.

BEANIES FOR BAGHDAD
Nancy writes: "Lisa, I am asking if you would place this letter on your website. Its a worthy cause. andy help is appreciated..

Has several oppertunities to obtain much needed beanies for the chilren of iraq.

There are currentially 3 collectors wiling to donate items:

500 beanies from KS

300 beanies from VA

a package from IND

Unfortunitaly the people wlling to donate these beanies can not afford to ship them.

any questions please check out the forums section of the web site.
or if you have any beanies you wish to donate they can be shipped to

Jim Barker
HHT 2-6 CAV
FOB WARRIOR
APO, AE 09338

Thank You, Nancy (Peace Mania & Bts-N-Peaces)"

SIMPLE BOOKKEEPING
Maida writes: "Hi I wondered if you all could let your readers know I'm running a special for Simple Bookkeeping for Beanbag Collectors.

Special
Pay for 1 year subscription for $30 and receive a free CD and free shipping. Just put free CD in the message or comment. All data and photos are current as of July 15th. www.simsys.com

Thanks
Maida Belove
Bruce McCarthy"

LOTS OF PHOTOS
Thank you to Marilyn for sharing photos and info for Admiral Beanie & Buddy, Charlie, Dooley, Pal, First Dog, His Majesty, Dora Del Tenis, Kiki, Finn, Anchor, Happy Birthday Buddies, Pompoms, and KarenBrit's Beanie Update Booklet. http://www.planetbeans.com/MarilynsPhotos.htm

Thank you to Orion for sharing photos of her BayStars & Winstar Beanies. http://www.planetbeans.com/OrionPics.htm

DISCOVER THE BEARS (NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL EXCLUSIVES)
These bears are now listed on the CURRENT list.
BLUE: http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=21092
GOLD: http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=21091

TY SUMMER SHOWS
I've added the exclusive Beanies which were introduced at the summer shows: http://www.planetbeans.com/Ty2006SummerShows.htm

July 21, 2006
INTRODUCING FINN @ TY STORE
http://www.ty.com/Finn_StoreIntro

July 20, 2006
ASK TY
Q: How much time does it take to design and produce a Beanie? (submitted by Lorrie11) 
A: It could take as little as several weeks to as long as several years to design and produce a Beanie Baby. America, which was introduced to support the American Red Cross after 9/11 went from inception to market in only 8 days ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

July 14, 2006
ASK TY
Q: If a Beanie became a footballer, which one would it be and why? (other than Kicks!) (submitted by keane16
A: Well, in honor of the World Champion Italian team, I think it should be Pippo ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

July 13, 2006
INTRODUCING BAYSTARS & WINSTAR
Japan Exclusives - http://www.ty.com/BayStars_Winstar_Intro

NEWS FROM ORION
Thanks to Orion for sharing the following: BayStars & Winstar will be sold at the official shop, any shops of the Yokohama stadium, and on line shop etc from today on 14th of July.

The cost per Beanie is 1200 yen. Yokohama BAY Stars WEB SITE IS HERE. http://www.baystars.co.jp/newscolumn/detail.php?in_id=1005 

You can order online here. http://www.baystars-shop.jp/index.html 

And people also can order from on line shop but they won't ship internationally. As you know, Yokohama Bay Stars is the one of professional baseball teams. And Winstar is the BayStars' character. And before ty has introduced Yokohama BayStars exclusive Teenie Boppers "Bruth".

July 9, 2006
WORLD CUP 2006 WINNER
John writes: "Teams from past crowd the pitch as Italy win the World Cup 2006, after a tense penalty shoot-out against France!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Cheers,
John
the phoenix http://www.planetbeans.com/JohnsPictures.htm

CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. JANIE'S CONTEST WINNERS
http://www.msjanie.com/Memories/winners.html

July 8, 2006
STYLE NUMBER CORRECTION
Thank you to Bob for sharing the following: "Hi Lisa, In the newsletter that I received via email, it mentioned that Marilyn stated the style number of Tortuga as 48416.  That is in error.  The correct style number for Tortuga (BBOM July 2006) is 48426.  Style number 48416 is Frisky (BBOM September 2005)."

Troops in Iraq getting needed support
Event gives public a chance to give back to U.S. soldiers by donating various items
As America marked another Independence Day there was no mistaking the patriotism on display inside Mamma Mia's Pizza Buffet in south Fort Myers.

Last Sunday, Robin Richardson Reese set up a table full of patriotic items and goodies in a celebration to support the troops serving in Iraq and around the world.

The event, which is called "Beanies for Peace & Project Troopcare," is an opportunity for the public to come together and donate supplies to the troops in Iraq.

The table included items like American Flag antenna toppers, yellow ribbon magnets, and patriotic beanie babies.

Richardson Reese, a former Fort Myers High School student, came up with the idea of the celebration when she learned that a former classmate, Robert Campbell, was serving in the war.

"I found out about this classmate in January and I decided to get the club involved by sending him surprise care packages and Beanie Babies. Every couple of weeks I try to do an event like this that brings classmates together and gets the general public involved," Richardson Reese, 42, said. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO HERE

Rummage sales big business in Lapel
First day of fair brings out best buys
Yellow barricades close off Main Street from Pendleton Avenue to 14th Street. Golf carts overtake cars in both numbers and convenience in downtown Lapel.

Early-bird vendors are still setting up booths for hundreds of corn dogs, elephant ears, lemon shake-ups, walking tacos, snow cones (with a W) and sno cones (without) yet to be sold.

Under the main tent, a man strums an acoustic guitar for a soundcheck.

This is the calm before the storm, the Friday before the Lapel Village Fair. Come Saturday morning, it will become impossible to park within a half-mile of downtown Lapel.

Today, the action is off the main drag at the rummage sales in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Shannon Craig got a jump on the competition, opening for business at her home on the corner of Woodward and 10th streets on Thursday. It was a smart move. Craig has already unloaded a set of end tables, a coffee table and a mirror.

“It’s the big stuff this year,” she said. “You never know, because usually come looking for the small stuff. But we’ve sold a lot of furniture.”

Craig was not counting on her Beanie Baby table to go untouched, even at this early stage.

“I don’t know what happened,” she said of the would-be collectibles. “Those things were supposed to put my kids through college.” VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

BEAUTIFUL NEW OFFER FROM SUE OWEN & CHERISH
http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

MARILYN'S BEATRIX POTTER PHOTOS
Very nice photos indeed. I never realized that Pigling Bland had such a cute little curly tail. :o) http://www.planetbeans.com/MarilynsPhotos.htm

July 7, 2006
MARILYN'S PHOTOS
Marilyn has kindly shares photos of Lovebirds and all 3 School Rocks Beanies: http://www.planetbeans.com/MarilynsPhotos.htm

BEANIE UNIVERSE AMERICAN IDOL FINALE
Daniel writes: "Hi, just to let you know, Friday will be Part 2 of the American Idol Finale and the last episode. It is full of surprises, more people will win prizes, and you may even see the judges sing! Everyone has up to Friday morning to send in their vote for either Bearon, Nectar, or Pinchers. If you can let people know that would be great! Thanks! Daniel Beanie Universe"

ASK TY
Q: If you could send a Beanie on a Space Flight which one would you send? (submitted by DAGGETT)
A: Well, Rocket seems like an obvious choice. Or how about Shooting-star ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

Landmark office supply store to close
Radstons president says lack of shoppers in downtown area and rising rent prompted change

"What a bummer dude."

So says the sign in the window of Radstons Office Plus, which is closing its retail store in Berkeley after 98 years. The final day will be July 14.

The most memorable moment in the store's history came in 1999, at the height of the Beanie Baby craze. It was the day when the Princess Diana Commemorative Beanie Baby was released.

"People were spending the night in our parking lot so they could be at the front of the line when we opened the next morning," Griffin said. "It got so big, the police started monitoring it. We had a heck of a ride with those Beanie Babies." VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

TORTUGA ARRIVES
Marilyn writes: "A furry turtle named Tortuga with a style number of 48416....no tail unless you count a tush tag. Creme color underside. And a little sewn in flap of furry material over the eyes... Also the third poem for School Rocks as promised. Happy weekending! Marilyn" http://www.planetbeans.com/MarilynsPhotos.htm

July 6, 2006
Across America, collecting is a passion
We love the things we love for what they are, Robert Frost wrote.

The great poet of New England was writing about a brook, not why Americans love to build collections, but the same holds true.

At its foundation, the pursuit of collecting, whether it's valuable stamps or salt shakers from the Poconos, antique inkwells or Beanie Babies, is about affection. It can be affection for the object itself or affection for what it represents, perhaps a person or place.

It has been estimated that if you set aside collections of CDs and family photographs, which everyone seems to have, at least one-third of Americans collect things, says Russell Belk, a professor of business at the University of Utah.

A longtime student of consumer culture, marketing and the psychology that underlies the impulse to collect, Belk says building a collection satisfies human goals. There is a sense of mastery, opportunities for socializing with others who have a common interest and a chance to learn as one's collection deepens.

"Collectors often start to feel that they are doing something meaningful, [serving] some larger endeavor," he says, and even if there is not an emotional motivation as the collection is begun, emotion develops. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Cemetery theft case suspect 'explains'
A Mount Vernon, Ind., woman arrested for allegedly stealing two Beanie Babies from a cemetery claims it was all a misunderstanding.

Lucinda Jacobs, 43, was charged with theft, a Class D felony, after officers reportedly videotaped her taking the small stuffed animals off the grave of Whitney Wehr at St. Matthew's Cemetery. Wehr was killed in a car crash last year at age 19.

But Jacobs said she was just trying to do something nice for the family.

Jacobs said Wehr's grandmother, Frances, is a friend of hers.

Jacobs said her daughter

has an abundance of Beanie Babies. Jacobs said she planned to clean up the toys, add them to a basket full of Beanie Babies that she'd been preparing and take them all to the gravesite.

Officers had been monitoring the cemetery after a recent spike in complaints about items going missing from graves.

When officers arrested Jacobs, she invited them to search her home and her car for anything else that had been reported missing. She said she knew that they wouldn't find anything and thought that would lead them to conclude that it, indeed, was a mix-up.

Mount Vernon Police Chief Grant Beloat said that though the investigation is ongoing, nothing else reported missing has been recovered. Jacobs' home and car were searched. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Treasure hunting: Kemp's a keeper
With the All-Star Break coming up this weekend , I decided now would be a good time to take a look back at how Treasure Hunting has gone this season, good and bad.

For those who do not get the Golden Girls reference, at least once or twice a season, they would make a "new" episode where they sat around the coffee table and talked about things that had happened in the past, and then they would show a clip from that episode. So, out of 30 minutes, maybe only five minutes of that "new" episode was really new. And for those wondering why I know all of this so well, look, there was only one color television in the house and grandma loved the show. It was either that or T.J. Hooker in black and white in my room.

Yes, I indeed have been scared emotionally because of this and do need therapy, thank you. To help pay for those bills, please PayPal donations to the e-mail address below…

At this point, the world was in a frenzy known as Ty Mania. The last time people were going this crazy over something named Ty, it was old women kicking the snot out of each other for Beanie Babies at McDonalds. I miss those days…

I cautioned everyone that, well, he's Ty Wigginton, and he would come crashing back down to Earth soon enough. And he did, hitting .243 with four homers in May, and .250 with just two homers in June. Ty Mania is back this month, as he hit three homers off the Red Sox, but please, keep things in perspective. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

INTRODUCING PAL @ TY STORE
http://www.ty.com/Pal_intro

I found myself bouncing around msjanie, beanwatcher, planetbeans, etc... and
zzzit   (Jul 06, 2006, 08:12 AM)
Message Id: 1110845
zzzit writes: thought it would be a good idea for everyone to "THANK" them for their tireless efforts in helping keep the beanie world informed.

I for one think their efforts are invaluable to all of us and I'd just like to say:

"Thank you all very much." VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

(NOTE: Thank you for this post! It's nice to know we do make a difference and are appreciated. :o))

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM BEANIES
Susan shares a photo of her SIX Knott's Berry Farm Beanies: http://www.planetbeans.com/KnottsBerryFarmBeanies.htm

July 5, 2006
Amazon.com Launches New Toy and Baby Stores with Largest Selection Ever; Toy and Baby Items Sold by Amazon Now Eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping and Amazon Prime
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 5, 2006--Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN) today announced the grand opening of its new Toy and Baby Stores, which feature tens of thousands of products, including hard-to-find items from specialty retailers. This is the largest selection of Toy and Baby products ever offered through Amazon.com and for the first time, Toy and Baby products are eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping and Amazon Prime, enabling customers to save even more on their purchases.

"We are incredibly proud of our new Toy and Baby stores," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. "We've never been able to offer our customers this much selection, plus the added benefit of Amazon Prime and Free Super Saver Shipping -- we think this is a winning combination that will benefit our customers for years to come."

Amazon.com's new Toy Store (www.amazon.com/toys) carries a wide variety of leading brands, including, Fisher-Price(R), Hasbro(R), LeapFrog(R), Lego(R), Mattel(R), and VTech(R). In addition, Amazon.com also carries the complete lines of Ty Plush (including Beanie Babies(R) and Pluffies(R)) and Madame Alexander(R) dolls. With 17 categories of products such as Dolls & Accessories, Games, and Learning & Education, the new Amazon.com Toy Store has something for children of all ages. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

HALLMARK EXCLUSIVE GREETINGS BEANIES SHIPPING
Marilyn was kind enough to let me know so you can be on the lookout for them. No sign of the doves yet. I will share photos of the School Rocks Beanies as soon as I receive them from Marilyn.

ORION'S ALPHA PHOTOS
Orion, webmaster of BEANIE TENJISHITSU, shares photos of her Alpha key-clips. http://www.planetbeans.com/OrionPics.htm

JENNIE'S HIS MAJESTY & ALPHA KEY-CLIP
	Thank you Jennie for sharing your photos! :o)

July 3, 2006
CHERISH AUCTION REMINDER
Sue writes: "Just a very quick reminder that the CHERISH sports auctions are closing soon and more auctions are starting, some on Buy It Now. Many lovely items are available at a good range of prices so please take a look! Best wishes, Sue" 

BEANIE UNIVERSE AMERICAN IDOL
Daniel writes: "Hi Lisa! Happy 4th of July! I just wanted to let you know that the American Idol Finale Part 1 will be on tomorrow, July 4th and then Part 2, the results show, will air on Thursday July 6th! I am doing the contest again where people's votes will automatically be entered into the contest so if you can remind them that would be great. Thanks! Daniel Beanie Universe"

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY FROM JOHN
http://www.planetbeans.com/JohnsPictures.htm

OPERATION HELPHANDS

Soldiers from across the 142nd Corps Support Battalion brought smiles and toys to children in one of Iraq’s northernmost provinces during a humanitarian assistance drop here June 21.

"The 142nd enjoys this just as much as the kids enjoy it," said Lt. Col. Ronald Green, battalion commander. "This will stay in the minds and hearts of my Soldiers."

Soldiers handed out Beanie Babies, sports uniforms, soccer balls, teddy bears and candy, donated by a variety of organizations in the United States, according to Capt. John P. Smith, battalion chaplain.

Lake Zurich High School, in Lake Zurich, Ill., sent the school uniforms, as well as "boxes and boxes" of teddy bears, said Smith. The school has been in contact with Maj. Richard Lazik, battalion support operations OIC, a native of Niles, Ill.

Green’s mother coordinated with a Dayton, Ohio, radio station, "Rebel Radio" and disc jockey "Flying Brian," for a drive which netted more than 4,000 Beanie Babies for Iraqi children. Some of the stuffed toys are still on their way, so the 352nd Corps Support Battalion, replacing the 142nd, will still have plenty of toys to conduct their own humanitarian mission, said Green. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTOS HERE

Woman arrested in grave theft
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — A 43-year-old Mount Vernon, Ind., woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing items off of a grave site at St. Matthew's Cemetery on Tile Factory Road in Posey County.

The Mount Vernon Police Department identified the suspect as Lucinda J. Jacobs. Police report she took Beanie Babies off one of the graves.

Police officers said they had received numerous complaints about items missing from St. Matthew's Cemetery and from other cemeteries. So police Sgt. John Dike and other officers had the cemetery under surveillance on Saturday, when an officer reported seeing Jacobs take property from one of the graves.

She allegedly admitted to stealing the small stuffed animals, police report. She was supposed to make an initial appearance today in Posey Superior Court on the charge of theft. She is being detained on a $5,000 bond.

She took two Beanie Babies from the grave site, and officers later found them inside her Ford Taurus, which was stopped by police at Tile Factory Road and Sixth Street in Mount Vernon. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Changing tastes, highway projects could bring end to Blaine's quirky doll shop
In the corner of Mrs. B's Dolls in Blaine is an 1890s doll with a faded dress that has been ignored for years.

Marlys Burgess can relate.

As the owner of 17,000 dolls and a stagnant doll-parts business, she feels left behind. Although she hates talking about retirement, she's getting old.

On top of that, the traffic on Minnesota 65 outside her store roars ominously -- the sign of an upcoming highway expansion project she said will hurt her business.

It's one more reason the shop is doomed, she said.

"I have a friend in the business who is going into bankruptcy. It's kind of scary," she said.

"I have four boys. You think one of them will take it over? This place will close when I leave."

If that happens, Blaine will lose one of the most eccentric stores in the state. It's a claustrophobe's nightmare, a kind of doll museum jammed into a low-ceilinged maze of 7-foot racks that customers must squeeze between.

"Yep, I am a crammer," Burgess said. "I have collected everything I could get my hands on."

She shuffled past the paper dolls, the $275 dolls from "a little lady in Germany," the $2 bonneted babies, and the Beanie Babies that seem to reproduce like germs. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

July 1, 2006
Possible Typo in new Admiral penguin
angelgabriel   (Jun 30, 2006, 06:54 PM)
Message Id: 1110128
angelgabriel writes: Just browsing the site and reading the poems and noticed that the word artic is wrong. Should be arctic. Wonder if hangtags have this typo. Guess we will have to wait and see. Greg from Canada http://www.ty.com/tytalk_Message_Display/1,1581,1_19-1110128-0-1,00.html

<< In reply to Beanie sightings in the new Superman Returns movie >>
The beanies came from Aussie Bear and Friends....
aussiebeanie   (Jun 30, 2006, 08:22 AM)
Message Id: 1109992
aussiebeanie writes: They are a store in The Rocks, in Sydney, Australia. The whole movie was shot in Sydney in 2004 / 2005 and the producers purchased a large amount of toys from Aussie Bear and Friends for a scene that had something to do with a car crashing through a window.

We dont get the movie for a while yet in Australia so it will be interesting to see. http://www.ty.com/tytalk_Message_Display/1,1581,1_19-1109992-0-1,00.html

FINN COMING SOON AT SEA CENTER
Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, I just looked on the Ty Warner Sea center site and it has more info about Finn the shark. Below is a link to the info that is now posted on the Ty Warner Sea Center site. Michael" http://www.sbnature.org/exhibits/sharks/beaniebaby.php

Limited Edition Ty Warner Sea Center Finn™ will be available at the Sea Center in mid-July.

Pre-sales are available by coming to the Sea Center Store on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara.

Phone and online sales are not available.

$5.95 plus tax each. Limit: 4 per customer.

JULY BOTM
http://www.ty.com/Tortuga_JulyO6

JULY WALLPAPER
http://www.ty.com/JuLYO6WallPAper