June 2006 News Archives

June 30, 2006
JULY INTRODUCTIONS
http://www.ty.com/O6JulyIntro
BEANIES: Admiral, Anchor, Charlie, Cool Clutch (purse), Dizzy (key clip) Dooley, Dora, Finn, Glam Bag (purse), Houston, Luke (key clip), Muscle Man Star, MuscleBob BuffPants, Outlaw, Patrick Star (key clip), Pompoms, Poofie (key clip), SpongeBob SquarePants (key clip), Starboard

CLASSIC: Boone, Catalina, Charisse, Colonel, Faithful, Lyric, Pinwheel, Raj, Regent, Stubbs, Sugarcoat

HALLMARK GOLD CROWN EXCLUSIVES
http://www.ty.com/lovebirds_intro
Love Birds, School Rocks (2 cool 4 school!, allstar kid!, recess rulz!)

ASK TY
Q: If offered a part in the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie, which Beanie would accept a starring role?
(submitted by dietpop)
A: I'd love to be a pirate ! And I already have my own parrot . . . JABBER ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

SUMMERTIME APPEARS
Thank you to Jennie for letting me know that SUMMERTIME is found on the Ty search page. http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=20352

(NOTE: Although this Beanie never made an official entrance, it is already listed as retired and is on the retired list.)

Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, I just got off the phone with the Ty Warner Sea Center and they said at this point in tyme only people who arrive in person to buy Finn the Shark will get him. They are not doing phone orders at this time. They said if they get more shipped to them they will then accept phone orders and possibly put Finn in their online store similair to how Opie the Octopus was available. Michael"

June 29, 2006
POSSIBLE BEANIE SIGHTING IN SUPERMAN RETURNS
Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, I just got back from seeing the new Superman Returns Movie which opened in Theaters today. Anyway I could have sworn in one scene of the movie I saw a stand of Ty Plush in it. Its the scene when the breaks on a car go out and the car dives into a stand of Plush and I could have sworn for a split minor split second I saw Snort the Bull Beanie Baby on the stand when it hit the windshield of the car. Of course I won't be able to be sure if it was a Stand of Ty Plush or not until it comes to DVD and I can hit pause on the scene. I just thoguht I would share this with you because maybe this means that the rumor to there being a Superman Beanie Baby could be true if indeed this was I did See Snort the bull and possible other Ty Products. Michael"

BEANIE UNIVERSE AMERICAN IDOL
Daniel writes: "Hi! Tomorrow (6/29) at around 8 PM ET, the next episode of American Idol will come on Beanie Universe and the Final 6 will sing. If you can, please let people know that after the show they can vote for their favorite and have a chance to win great prizes! I didn't get as many votes as I wanted last time and I want to give everyone a chance to win, so if you can please inform your viewers! After the next vote we will have our Final 3 perform in the Finale and coming up next...Survivor Season 2! Thanks! Daniel Beanie Universe" http://www.beanieuniverse.com

The commissioners approved a significant expansion for the course on Highway 154 that would modify several holes while extending the hours of the restaurant and allowing it to serve beer and wine until an hour and a half after dusk. No other liquor is allowed.

Prior to this approval, the restaurant was required to close after lunch time and could not serve any alcohol.

More than two dozen local golfers rallied behind the project at the hearing and said the course was at a financial disadvantage without these improvements, because people avoid playing where alcohol is not served.

“A golf course without beer and wine is a day without sun,” said frequent player Alexander Power, who argued that golf is as much a sport as a social outing.

The revised conditional use permit also includes 8,615 square feet of above-ground construction, including a pro shop, administrative offices, locker rooms, kitchen and golf academy, with 7,895 square feet of construction underground for golf cart and general storage.

To keep the project within the total development standards of the original permit, 4,308 square feet of existing construction, including two cart storage buildings and existing administrative offices, will be removed.

Additionally, modifications to the 18-hole golf course were approved, which include reshaping the surface of two putting greens and relocating several holes. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

OUT OF STOCK/SOLD OUT
D in New York shares with Ms. Janie a listing of out of stock and sold out items. We should expect an announcement on these items any day.

SOLD OUT
Item
Lollipup (BB)
Bonsai (BBUD)

The Beanie Baby fan Web site Peace Mania (www.peacebears.com) is proud to introduce the third issue of its publication, Peace Mania Magazine! This Summer 2006 issue is a heaping 60 pages long, almost double the size of the premier issue.

This issue is the first issue to printed in FULL COLOR! It contains a bonus pull-out poster of a Beanie watercolor painting by David Vogel. This issue also includes a recipe book containing some cool summertime Peace-themed treats, the Beatrix Potter Beanies, Beanie Zoology (Speedster the green sea turtle), the top three patriotic trios, a directory of all patriotic Beanies, Pajama Party Time (a short read about solid/pajama colored Peace bears), Peace MythBusters (get an INSIDE look at a Peace bear), a behind the scenes peak at the new Web site Beanie Universe, the featured Web master Hayley Mitchell from Beanzaddiction, collectors' opinions of the new Bow Wow Beanies, A listing of ShaqBear's poems as well as a quote from Ty Warner, info on all four Bali Beanies, learn how to make a tasty Garcia bear, the latest adventures of Peace in our Spreading Peace Around the World program, background info on Ruby the bear's name, a behind the scenes look at Beanies for Baghdad, a sneak preview of the 2006 Hallmark Gold Crown exclusives, a glance down the aisles of the no. 1 plush store, Leahland, this issue's featured collector, Mary Lou Burkett, the history of the royal family leading to Peace, a guide to all of Ty's tissue paper, an indepth look at Peace's tag variations, late breaking news from the Dallas Gift Show, and information about entering our SUMMER CONTEST!

The magazine is avaiable online at http://www.lulu.com/content/347710. The magazine can be purchased for $16.00 (plus shipping), or downloaded in PDF formatting for only $2.47!

"Our goal is to make a magazine of the highest quality possible, while still keeping the price at a reasonable level," said David Vogel, editor of Peace Mania Magazine. "Readers wanted color printing, so now we're in full color."

Vogel also noted that because of the raised price due to color printing, the magazine would be switching from bimonthly publications to quarterly."

June 27, 2006
SHIPPING INFO FOR ALPHA KEY CLIPS
I received information from Custom Bears with shipping costs worldwide. http://www.planetbeans.com/AlphaKeyClips.htm

June 26, 2006
CHERISH UPDATES FROM SUE
Sue writes: "Hi, New CHERISH auctions have started for some interesting sports-related items to raise money in aid of The Bobby Moore Fund of Cancer Research UK, which raises funds for bowel cancer research and awareness of the disease, in memory of Bobby Moore who died from bowel cancer at the age of 51. It is 40 years since England won the World Cup in 1966 and the legendary Bobby Moore lifted the cup for the now-famous photograph - we are pinning our hopes on lifting the trophy again this year!!! Every item sold through CHERISH on eBay this month comes with an official Bobby Moore Fund pin badge. http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

June 25, 2006
WASN'T ABLE TO UPDATE YESTERDAY
My internet connection was down most of the day yesterday so I wasn't able to post news.

JUST GOT WORD FROM DALLAS —THE DALLAS EXCLUSIVE SUMMERTIME IS ORANGE WITH SUNGLASSES, AND SAYS DALLAS EXCLUSIVE ON HIS SWING TAG. ALSO HAS 20^TH ANNIVERSARY ON FOOT.

I heard Ty might have made a Superman
BrontyGarciaTheGrinchHawkeye 2B. (Jun 25, 2006, 09:05 AM)
Message Id: 1109082
BrontyGarciaTheGrinchHawkeye 2B. writes:
Superman Beanie and it should be introduced veary soon. Anyone else hear this? VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

STAR WARS BEANIE?
Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, I got off the phone late last night with with a secondary online dealer site called cindysbeans and I asked Anthony about the Superman Beanie and he also said there was going to be a Star Wars Beanie??? Have you heard anything about this at all being a Star Wars beanie??? I love Star Wars but im not sure how many collector's might share my good thoughts about their being a Star Wars Beanie if its true. I would bet that if this rumor is true it won't happen until the day they release the Star Wars Trilogy DVDs which will have the original un-altered version of the film on disc 2. Also these wil be released on September 12th. Below is a link to view more info on them on a site known as www.amazon.com."

June 24, 2006
BEATRIX POTTER PHOTO
Orion, webmaster of BEANIE TENJISHITSU, shares a beautiful photo of her Beatrix Potter Beanies & friend, a large Peace Buddy! Orion ordered the Beatrix Potter gold embroidered version Beanies from the Heroes online store. http://www.planetbeans.com/OrionPics.htm

AMERICAN IDOL - BEANIE UNIVERSE
Daniel writes: "Hi, if you can let people know that tomorrow, Saturday June 24th, we will be having our next American Idol broadcast where the Final 12 beanies will sing and people can begin to vote. I want as many people as possible to vote and by voting they are entered in a drawing, so if you can let you visitors know that would be great. Thanks! Daniel Beanie Universe" http://www.beanieuniverse.com

The Latest Splash? Baths and Pools
Megasuites
The two presidential suites at the Four Seasons Hotel New York are nothing to scoff at. Redesigned last year by I. M. Pei and Peter Marino, they each occupy 1,500 square feet on the 51st floor, with million-dollar views of Central Park and the Empire State Building. The price: $15,000 a night.

But it doesn't stop there. Later this year, the Four Seasons will unveil something bigger: the Ty Warner penthouse, covering the 52nd floor with almost three times as much square footage (4,300) as the presidential suites and an official rate in excess of $30,000. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

June 23, 2006
JUNE RETIREMENTS
http://www.ty.com/Jun06Ret
BEANIES: Bali, Fun, Homeland, Laughter, Little Star, Ruby
BUDDIES: Sampson
PINKYS: Fanciful

SILENTLY RETIRED...
***TRADE*** (Jun 23, 2006, 11:08 AM)
Message Id: 1108788
***TRADE*** writes:
Silently Retired!!!
Pluffie: Winks Large
Pinkys: Hug Me!
Pinkys: Squeeze Me!
Baby Ty: Funky Monkey
Baby Ty: Kitty Cat
Baby Ty: Little Piggy
Baby Ty: Pretty Puppy
Ty Classic: Bangles
Ty Classic: Billingsly
Ty Classic: Chips
Ty Classic: Eggsworth
Ty Classic: Gloria
Ty Classic: Hatcher
Ty Classic: Memphis
Ty Classic: Musher
Ty Classic: Omelet
Ty Classic: Streaks
Ty Classic: Thatcher

Daniel Beanie Universe
http://www.ty.com/tytalk_Message_Display/1,1581,1_19-1108788-0-1,00.html

ASK TY
Q: How do you celebrate the first day of summer? (submitted by dietpop)
A: I like to celebrate the first day of summer by going for a bike ride or a walk in the park or just watching the sun set; anything so I can be outdoors! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

DALLAS GIFT SHOW BEGINS
The gift show runs from June 23 - June 26. Many are anticipating a show exclusive. The post card states "20 Summers of Fun! As we continue our 20th anniversary celebration, check out the Ty booth for some fun show exclusives, awesome new product, and a few totally cool surprises! To view the entire summer show schedule visit here: http://www.planetbeans.com/Ty2006SummerShows.htm If you attend the show and can provide some additional information please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com.

MARILYN'S PHOTOS
Marilyn writes: "The arrival of Jurgen today from Inga in Germany completed my set of four football beanies....so here's a group shot & some pictures of Jurgen. Jurgen's style number is 46061. Marilyn" http://www.planetbeans.com/MarilynsPhotos.htm

SPECIAL OLYMPICS BEANIE
Daniel from Beanie Universe shares the following: "Hi Lisa, if you just want to let people know, on my Pictures page of my site, I have over 20 pictures of the new Special Olympic Beanie Babies. Thanks! Daniel Beanie Universe"

June 22, 2006
Ty Store ShaqBear bear says retired. However, 3 ShaqBears are still on current
KarenBrit (Jun 22, 2006, 08:19 AM)
Message Id: 1108611
KarenBrit writes: list. I wonder if it just means they are no longer selling them via Ty Store. Did anyone order it? Did it have Ty Store on the back or barcode? Thanks for any information. Love; Karen

(NOTE: As of this moment Shaq is listed as current again. Someone must have moved too quickly with that retirement.)

June 21, 2006
ORDERING ALPHA
Bean Watcher writes: "Hi Lisa - would you be so kind as to post ordering information for Alpha Key Clip by posting the email address below? All monies will support the charity.

Thanks!"

I was informed that collectors can send their purchase information -- in the body of their email -- to the following address: bearsale@bigpond.net.au

In your email, please include the following information so that shipping costs can be determined:
Quantity of Alpha key clips wanted at $5.00 (Australian dollars) each
Name, mailing address, and country where your Alpha key clips are to be shipped.

You will receive a response, informing you of the shipping costs. In the near future, the organization will be providing me with standard shipping costs for different international regions, which I will post on this site.

Bean Watcher comments: (1) There is no need to complete and forward the Adobe Acrobat order form to the distributor. (2) Other order and shipping details are currently being worked out. When I learn more, I'll share them with you.

SHIPPING FOR ALPHA
I sent an email on Tuesday to inquire about shipping costs so I could pass this info on to you. Here's the reply I received:

The postage costs are currently being constructed. The volume of orders has allowed us to negotiate cheaper rates to International buyers and those cheaper rates will be passed directly to you. We are not making anything on the postage.

We are expecting to send you confirmation of the total cost of your request by email tomorrow.

I apologise if these delays are causing concern – I am trying to save everyone some hard earned money.

(NOTE: I will update you when I find out more about the cost. It sounds like there are lots of orders coming in because the postage rate will be cheaper.)

MIAMI JUST ONE 95 TO 92 , AND SHAQ WON HIS 4^TH RING, I AM SO HAPPY AND LAKERS—YOU SURE GOOFED , LETTING SHAQ GO.

Heat delivers on promise
DALLAS -- Shortly after being traded to the Miami Heat in the summer of 2004, Shaquille O'Neal's first visit to the American Airlines Arena in Miami drew a surprisingly large number of fans waiting outside in 90-degree heat to welcome him.

The whole thing turned into an impromptu rally with O'Neal addressing the crowd and promising to bring a championship to South Beach.

The Heat battled back from a fast start by the Dallas Mavericks, took control late in the second and early in the third quarters and held off a late rally for a 95-92 victory Tuesday night to wrap up the NBA Finals four games to two. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

ORDERING ALPHA KEY CLIP
Bean Watcher has more info on how to place your order. http://www.beanwatcher.com/

TO BE SOLD OUT
Anthony from Cindy's Beans alerts me to expect Shaq, Homeland, and Lollipup to be SOLD OUT at any time effective 2:00 this afternoon it is no longer available for ordering.

June 19, 2006
Dale Huffman: 8,491 Beanie Babies answer call for war zone duty in Iraq
Remember the Beanie Babies?
It started in 1994 when a company known as Ty Inc. introduced the little stuffed toys that soon became the world's hottest collectibles.

Chocolate the moose, Flash the dolphin, Patti the platypus and Spot the dog were a few of the original family members of the toy group that fascinated so many children — of all ages.

You don't hear much these days about people fighting over the latest issue in the series in a store, or spending an outrageous amount of money to obtain the little hard-to-get baby they want.

But the little stuffed babies are still around, and it's my guess that there are Beanie Baby groupies who still hoard them, display them, collect and protect their precious little possessions.

As the summer of 2006 begins, here in the Miami Valley, a good many Beanie Babies have been drafted to help in the war effort in Iraq.

Actually the count is 8,491. That many Beanie Babies were shipped to the war zone in Iraq a few days ago after an awesome coming together of a lot of folks who live in the Middletown area. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

BELATED FATHER'S DAY WISHES
I was away from the computer yesterday so I wasn't able to post a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY wish to all the Dads out there. I hope you enjoyed your day and were spoiled by your kids. We spent the day with my hubby's parents, brother, and sister. It was an enjoyable day all around. :o)

Paxton Festival offers something for everyone
It was a picturesque scene at the second annual Paxton Festival yesterday as townspeople congregated around shops, games, fundraisers and antique cars on the Town Common.

The sun was shining bright and beautiful as family members went to their separate interests — the mothers to the shops and tents, the fathers to the car show, the children to the one and only Blinkee the Clown, who provided balloon animals, hugs and high-fives.

Another tent, hosted by Sharon and Jack Palinsky, contained Beanie Babies. “We were into the huge Beanie Baby craze several years ago,” Mrs. Palinsky said. “But now we just sell off the extras we have around the house.”

The couple said they go around to area towns and set up stalls all the time. “We’ve gone to the Johnny Appleseed Elementary School (in Leominster) and had a lot of business there,” Mrs. Palinsky said. “It’s really a lot of fun. Every time, we will have a young child help us display the animals on the tables and we’ll give them a free Beanie Baby.” VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

June 17, 2006
MORE ON ANGEL FLIGHT
Thank you to Daniel from Beanie Universe for sharing the following:
Angel Flight, which is located on Alpha's chest is an Australian Charity Association. Angel Flight Week is June 19th-25th, 2006!

Angel Flight Australia is a charity that co-ordinates non emergency flights for financially and medically needy people. All flights are free and may involve patients or compassionate carers travelling to or from medical facilities anywhere in Australia.

Angel Flight pilots do not carry aeromedical staff or medical equipment so do not act as an alternative to the Flying Doctor (RFDS) or Air Ambulance in that capacity.

On the site they have a picture of Alpha and a place where you can purchase him for $5.00 + shipping! Now here comes the big surprise...the picture they show of him on the order form and the main site has Alpha with a Jingle Beanies Hang Tag! If he is a Key-clip he shouldn't have a Jingle Beanies Tag. It may be a mistake, knowing Ty there could be variations, or maybe he is just a Jingle Beanie! Ty currently has him in the Current Beanie Baby List so maybe we will have our first beanie with a Jingle Beanie Tag!

The new exclusive Key-clip can be found on the site (first link) below. They have it for sale on their site for $5.00 and if you look at the second link below you will see the Key-clip has a Jingle Beanies Hang Tag!!! Daniel Beanie Universe
http://www.angelflight.org.au/html/home.cfm

Ty Introduces ShaqBear(TM) the Beanie Baby(R) Created for NBA Superstar Shaquille O'Neal
OAK BROOK, Ill., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Ty is proud to introduce ShaqBear(TM) the Beanie Baby(R), inspired by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal. This newest Beanie Baby(R) will be available both at authorized Ty retail stores, and online at http://www.ty.com/Shaq , while supplies last and for a suggested retail price of about $6.00.

ShaqBear(TM) is a 10" medium brown Beanie Baby(R) bear, wearing a white jersey and shorts, with red and yellow trim. The jersey front is embroidered with "SHAQ" and the Dunkman logo; the jersey back reads "O'NEAL" and has the number 32, all in red lettering. ShaqBear(TM) also wears Dunkman athletic shoes with the name "SHAQ" on the tongue. ShaqBear(TM) has 3 different hang tags; each tag variation has its own poem, Shaq Fact, and an inspirational message for children from Shaquille O'Neal.

"I am honored to be the first athlete for whom Ty created a Beanie Baby," said Shaquille O'Neal. "Beanie Babies have been providing companionship and strong values to children around the world for a long time. Those things are important to me, and partnering with Ty to continue to spread those messages really means a lot."

"We believe that ShaqBear has universal appeal," said Ty Warner, Chairman and CEO of Ty Inc. "Sports fans will want this item for its collectability, and children, adults and Beanie Baby fans will want this piece for our usual high quality, attention to detail and overall cute characteristics." VIEW PRESS RELEASE HERE

June 16, 2006
INTRODUCING ALPHA
An Australia exclusive key chain angel (VERY, VERY CUTE!!!)
http://www.ty.com/AlphaIntro

ASK TY
Q: If a Beanie could sing, which one would sing the best? (submitted by keane16)
A: I can't pick just one . . . . my choice would be Lullaby, Paul and Ringo ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

Chance encounter nets nearly 1,000 toys for Operation Shoebox
A recent weekend getaway to the Florida Panhandle by one Villages couple resulted in a windfall for Operation Shoebox of The Villages.

Lynda Riker was paying for a purchase at an antiques and collectibles shop in Fernandina Beach when she mentioned that she was buying a metal star as a template to make stationery for notes to servicemen and women overseas and in military hospitals.

She mentioned “small toys” that the troops give to the Iraqi children.

“Some people even donate Beanie Babies,” Riker said.

Leeper told them she had a Beanie Baby collection that she had been wanting to put to good use, and asked if they were interested in having it for Operation Shoebox.

Lynda Riker assured Leeper they would, and offered to pay the postage if Leeper wanted to mail her the stuffed animals.

Leeper said there were too many to mail — hundreds, in fact.

Riker offered to return to Fernandina Beach to pick them up.

Although the Rikers had been told the Beanie Babies numbered in the hundreds, they didn’t anticipate driving home with almost 1,000 of the small stuffed animals — enough to fill plastic storage containers that cover their dining room table and flow over into an antique doll stroller and other containers at hand. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO HERE

Simple Bookkeeping for Beanbag Collectors, (computer software program),is up to date as of June 14, 2006.

The values for Beanie Babies have all been updated. Thanks to Daniel Janis from Beanie Universe for his hard work and letting me use his information.

There is a new data and picture update on our website. www.simsys.com This is the only software program on the market that is kept current on a monthly basis. The reports are phenomenal.

June 15, 2006
Business links mountain area to global garage sale
A garage sale is a great place to get shed of the countless serviceable but supernumerary items that plague the average household, but shopping at one is a lot more fun than holding one and, these days, who has the time? Now, thanks to a new Evergreen Parkway business, mountain-area residents can offer Aunt Mimi’s outlandish brooch, last year’s laptop computer or a whole suite of office furniture for sale at the world’s biggest garage sale without giving up a single Saturday morning.

Auction It Today, located in the Canyon Commons next to Excel Energy on Colorado 74, provides direct access to eBay’s global market without the inconvenience of building, maintaining and monitoring a seller’s account.

"There are three main reasons people give for not selling on eBay," says Brock West, a Brook Forest resident who, with his wife, Caryn, opened the franchise just weeks ago. "They don’t have the time, they don’t know how, or because it’s too much trouble. It’s easy for us, because we deal in volume."

While Auction It Today specializes in helping businesses sell overstock and close-out merchandise, anybody with a dusty box of Beanie Babies or an unused table saw is welcome to give the cyber-market a whirl. "We take the sting out of selling on the Internet," Brock says. "You can get a lot more money for something on eBay than you could trying to sell it yourself or turning it over to a consignment store because you’re selling to a global market." VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Bingo: It's more than a game at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church; it's a sacrament
June 14, 2006 - Bruno the sad-eyed Beanie Baby lies droopily on a table in a church hall where folks prepare for a three-hour stretch of bingo.

"The same day I won that, I won the bonanza - a thousand dollars," Frank Zoltowski says, explaining the stuffed dog's status as a lucky charm.

Two days a week, a crowd gathers at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church to celebrate birthdays, offer comfort to those in pain and perhaps beat out their neighbors for the winner's jackpot.

It's a peculiar fellowship, bingo.

This Tuesday evening, Bruno wears party favor rings on both forelegs - toppers for cupcakes that someone brought to celebrate a birthday. He looks goofy in the regalia, but for all Frank knows, maybe it will do some good.

"I cuss at Bruno when I'm not doing well," Frank says. "I always threaten to get rid of him, but I never have."

The fellowship of snackers returns to tables cluttered with bingo cards and ink daubers to find Bruno the Beanie Baby still watching over Frank's corner of the hall.

It's time for the game from whence Bruno came.

"This game is my favorite of the night," the caller announces. "The Beanie Baby."

To win a bean-filled pal, a player must score an ink mark in each of the four corners of a game sheet - hence the pattern "four corners" - or on this occasion, a traditional straight line also will suffice. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

ASIA-PACIFIC RETIREMENT
Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, Ty Has just now retired the Asia Pacific Exclusives with the Black Noses. Below is a link to their offical retirement. Could this mean the rumors of a new Asia Pacific Set be true? I suppose only tyme will tell...Michael

P.S. Ty has also Silenty Retired the Flag nose versions of the Asia Pacifcs as well"

JOHN'S BEATRIX POTTER COMPARISON PICTURES
A special THANK YOU to John aka the phoenix for sharing comparison photos of the retail and gold embroidered Beatrix Potter Beanies. Great photos as always. :o) http://www.planetbeans.com/JohnsPictures.htm

June 14, 2006
UNCONFIRMED LIST OF UPCOMING RELEASES
A rather large list of yet to be confirmed Ty releases has made it's way around to several of us webmasters. I will not be sharing this list at this time. I will say that there are some interesting things to come. If you like the key chains.. you will be happy! Looks like a colorful bunch. :o) Given a rough count it looks like there are to be 48 new release for July, 13 for August, and 18 for September. It sure does sound like a lot of new releases for July, doesn't it?!

4th VARIATION NO DIFFERENCE
Ty Store customer service has confirmed that there is NO difference in the Ty Store version and the retail versions of Shaqbear. This should make many of you happy. Now you only have 3 variations to collect instead of 4. ;o) It is for this reason that I will not be adding the Ty Store version to the Beanie Info pages unless the Ty Store version comes with a Ty Store tag. If you have ordered the Ty Store Shaqbear please let me know when you receive it if there is a tag difference. Ed reminded me that the same thing happened to Tour Teddy. The Ty Store version had regular retail tags so there was NO difference.

Thank you to Sandy and Bean Watcher for sharing the following Ty Store reply:
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the ShaqBear Beanie Baby.

Please note that there is no difference between the ShaqBear sold at retail locations and the item being sold in our Ty Store.

ShaqBear is produced with 3 different hang tags. Please note that all orders are randomly fulfilled from existing inventory. Order requests for an item with a specific hangtag cannot be accepted as our system does not distinguish between variations. While ShaqBear is still available, feel free to place as many orders as you like; you may receive the specific hangtag you are seeking in a subsequent order.

Stuffed with fun
Remember when Cabbage Patch dolls, Beanie Babies and Furbys were all the rage?

Now there's a hot new toy on the market.

Webkinz - small plush cats, dogs, frogs, hippos, unicorns and other animals accented with eyelash fur - are finding their way into children's homes and hearts and on to their computer screens.

''They're hot and getting hotter,'' says Mark Kielpinski, owner of The Village Toy Store in Brewster.

The stuffed critters are also big sellers at Holidays Hallmark at the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis.

''They're in and out of here so quickly,'' says owner Francesca Harring, who predicts they'll be as big as Beanie Babies. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO HERE

A New Taste For Disney
Sheila Perkins estimates that her " eBay stockroom" currently holds more than 10,000 McDonald's Happy Meal toys. For two years, she's posted nearly 1,100 of them on the online auction site for a modest profit. But recently, business has been unusually good. Sales have more than doubled, says Perkins, whose hottest items are now Disney characters.

The answer: The toys are becoming more valuable now that The Walt Disney Co.'s (nyse: DIS - news - people ) partnership with McDonald's (nyse: MCD - news - people ) is coming to an end this summer. For ten years, the two companies had a match made in corporate heaven through the cross-promotion of Happy Meals and Disney films, showcasing characters such as Shrek, Winnie the Pooh and Cinderella in the colorful fast-food boxes. Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean 2 are the last two Disney movies that will have McDonald's toys in their honor. Instead, the fast-food giant will partner with Disney rival DreamWorks Animation SKG (nyse: DWA - news - people ).

See some of the top Disney Happy Meal collectibles.

McDonald's and Disney's parting of ways was no secret. Both companies say they want the flexibility to partner with the other's competition. And while both companies deny it, industry observers say Disney let the partnership expire because of the unhealthy rep McDonald's' has received as a contributor to childhood obesity.

McDonald's' introduced Happy Meal toys in 1979 with a circus wagon. Movie and other tie-ins followed. The most popular were the Teenie Beanie Babies, which had some McDonald's customers camping overnight in drive-thru lines. The limited edition Beanie Babies sold out within the first day. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

June 12, 2006
Thank you to Linda for letting me know
INTRODUCING HIS MAJESTY (GARFIELD)
http://www.ty.com/HisMajesty

Now there are 3 variations posted on Ty.com for His Majesty. Thank you to Michael for letting me know.

Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, Ok this is getting real old real fast with Ty. It would appear that there is 3 differ hang tag sayings on this His Majesty. Is it just me or is Ty doing a lot lately with these Hang Tag Variations which frankyly I am getting sick of it. I plan on just purchasing one of them. Below is a link to the 3 differ poems or rather catch phrases. Michael"

ORDERING BEATRIX POTTER BEANIES FROM JENNI
Jenni writes: "Hi Lisa, how are you? well I hope :-)

just to let you all know, the blue thread embroidary Peter Rabbit and Pigling Bland will be arriving in stores this week, BUT, Jeremy Fisher missed the boat to the UK and will not be here for another 2 weeks, when he will be frantically hopping his way to retailers as fast as his little legs will carry him!!!

As always anyone who would like to order them, just drop me an email at purewhitewave.jenni@virgin.net or give us a call at either store on Padstow - 01841 533618 or St. Ives - 01736 798586 ( remembering to change the dialing code if calling from outside the UK )

(NOTE: Thank you again to Jenni!! She is very kind to help collectors obtain these UK exclusives.)

How advertising affects kids
Advertising affects kids because many young children have difficulty knowing what is real and what is advertising, and ads can change and distort their views.
Research has shown that children between the ages of 2 and 5 don’t know which are TV programmes and which are advertisements. Young children are easily misled by advertising and don’t begin to understand that advertisements are not always true until they’re 8.
For example, young children often think a toy actually flies or does other fantastic things that it cannot do because of the way toys are portrayed in advertisements.
Some countries have banned print and broadcast advertising aimed at kids under 12.
Young consumers as collectors
Marketers have discovered something about children that parents have long known - they love to collect things. Kid’s collections used to consist of marbles, stamps or coins. But now, thanks to our consumer culture, kids amass huge collection of store-bought items such as Beanie Babies, Barbies or Pokemon cards and figures – only to be discarded when the next fad comes along. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

SPECIAL THANKS
... to Ed for helping me to complete my Ty 2001 - 2006 release pages. Occasionally I may miss updating one of the many pages which need to be updated during introductions. I appreciate the help of my readers very much in pointing these things out. Sometimes I just get too busy with life in the middle of the updates that I forget. Thank you Ed!! :o)

June 11, 2006
JOHN'S REPORT FROM THE WORLD OF BEATRIX POTTER ATTRACTION
John shares a fantastic report and gorgeous photos. Thank you John!! :o)
http://www.planetbeans.com/JohnsPictures.htm

(NOTE: If you attend this event please consider sharing your photos so I can pass them on to my readers. Lisa@planetbeans.com)

June 10, 2006
BEATRIX POTTER BEANIES IN-HAND
Sue writes: "Hi, As promised, the CHERISH auction is now running for a special Beatrix Potter package, comprising the three UK exclusive Beatrix Potter Ty Beanies in hand before they are on sale in the shops, a new edition of 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', published in 2002 to commemorate Peter Rabbit's centenary, and a special edition gold foil cover book of 'The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit', only available during 2006 in this edition. Also included is a lovely Peter Rabbit card with an information leaflet all about Beatrix Potter and her book characters. http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm (What an adorable bunch!!)

As World Cup fever mounts across the country, here's a team in training! The Competition opens tomorrow, and England's first match is on Saturday......but I'll be over in Beatrix Potter Land then....!

ASK TY
Q: Have you ever been on TV? (submitted by pugsly10)
A: To the best of my knowledge I have never been on television "live" . . . . however, my picture has been ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

ORDERING "GOLD" LETTER VERSIONS OF BEATRIX POTTER BEANIES
Heros-Shop.com is offering the limited edition "gold" embroidered Beatrix Potter Beanies. If you want to order these I suggest you do so quickly. They will surely be a fast sellout. The price per Beanie is £4.99 ($9.20 USD)
Telephone: + 44 (0)15394 88444 - Fax: +44 (0)15394 40870 - Email: info@heroes-shop.com
http://www.heroes-shop.com/trolleyed/23/

Girl Scouts collect toys for troops in war zone
CARMEL VALLEY – U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan hope that the Beanie Babies they carry in their pockets will help warm the hearts of children in a war zone.

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Mark Francis said, “On each patrol that we take through the city, we take as many toys as will fit in our pockets and hand them out as we can. The kids take the toys and run to show them off as if they were worth a million bucks. Most of them don't have any idea what is going on (with the war) and are completely innocent in all of this.”

The Girls Scout troops of Carmel Valley have collected more than 750 Beanie Babies to send to deployed soldiers. They have also gathered 125 DVDs for the personnel to view in their downtime. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO HERE

BEATRIX POTTER ALSO AVAILABLE AT JENNERS
Fiona shares with Ms. Janie: "Hi
I thought you would like to know that the department store Jenners in Edinburgh, Scotland will also be selling the limited edition Beatrix Potter Beanie Babies.
They have a great toy department and always have lots of Ty products.
Hope this info helps.
Fiona, Edinburgh"

June 7, 2006
INTERESTING POSTS
>>> Does it matter 2 U if the Beatrix Potter beanies have gold or black thread?
holidayteddy2002 (Jun 06, 2006, 04:35 PM)
Message Id: 1105995
holidayteddy2002 writes: I think the beanie is more important to me than the thread color. What do you think? JMHO
VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

>>> Hey Secret Bean
rosebowl (Jun 05, 2006, 08:11 AM)
Message Id: 1105731
rosebowl writes: Have you any rumours for us. Please let us know and thanks

Secret Bean replies with the following:

>>> ;o)
Secret Bean (Jun 06, 2006, 08:09 AM)
Message Id: 1105906
Secret Bean writes: Hunt the rare golden embroidery on Peter & friends.
But note, they're not just where you think they'll be or where the rumours have begun......
;o)
VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

>>> For TY's 25th anniv, will beanies be more popular, less popular, or the same?
holidayteddy2002 (Jun 03, 2006, 02:35 PM)
Message Id: 1105564
holidayteddy2002 writes: lot can change in five years, so for da silver anniversary, I hope ty will do something real big for peeps.

What do you think?
VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

June 6, 2006
BEANIE UNIVERSE
Daniel from Beanie Universe informs me that he is having a special guest tonight during his Beanie News at 7 broadcast. Be sure to stop by at 7pm EST tonight to see who this special guest is and see what he has planned for the broadcast. http://www.beanieuniverse.com/index.htm

GRUMBLES THE JUNE 2006 BOTM
... is starting to arrive. If you have received yours and would like to share a photo please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com. This is one special Beanie. If any of my readers have ordered an extra of this BOTM and would like to sell it to me please do contact me. :o)

United students fill boxes for U.S. troops
HANOVERTON - United Local's seventh-grade class donated items for a Friends From Afar project headed by Dianna Rickard, the junior high language arts teacher.

Rickard is always sure to include Beanie Babies in these packages as well because of a story she once heard on MSNBC about a church which sent Beanie Babies to a soldier's unit. The unit then handed the Beanie Babies out to the Iraqi children. Days later a young girl holding a Beanie Baby refused to move off the road that an American convoy was traveling down. When approached by the soldiers, the girl pointed out a land mine that would have killed them. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

VERY nice looking set. These look really well done. :o) While updating the Beanie Info pages I noticed there are two versions of Jeremy Fisher, Peter Rabbit, and Pigling Bland. The only differences I can see so far is the color of the writing on the jackets. It looks as if there is a group with yellow writing and a group with blue writing. It will be interesting to see if one will be exclusive to a certain store chain or what Ty is up to.

ADDITIONAL INFO ON VARIATIONS - BEATRIX POTTER BEANIES
John writes: "Hi Lisa, Well spotted about the 2 versions of these long awaited beanies!

The shop at the Beatrix Potter Attraction in the Lake District shows the same pictures as the announcement with the blue embroidery BUT when you go to their order page, it mentions the gold!

I quote :- "Exclusive Limited Edition TY Beanie Baby of Jeremy Fisher with Gold embroidered name on figure" and its the same for all three!

So does this mean the gold version will only be there and at Harrods - or will retailers get a mix of both?

I'll be in the Lake District on Saturday to see for myself, and will send you a full report...and pictures as soon as I can!

June 3, 2006
BALI SHEDD AQUARIUM SOLD OUT
Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, I just got off the phone with the Shedd Aquarium Gift shop and they said they SOLD OUT Yesterday of the Bail the Komodo Dragon Exclusive Version. They gave me another number which is 1 888 Sea Stuf ( they said with only one of the letter F as opposed to the one with the double F on the contact Site). They say when you call that number leave a message with how many you want and IF they get any more in they will go down the list and do First Come First Serve. Below is the number in numeric instead of alphabet. 1 - 888 - 732 - 7883 Michael"

Beanie Babies, Now Keeping Our Troops Safer
If you can believe it, Beanie Babies are helping keep our troops safer.
That's why one military family, the Muschinskes, are collecting them at Grant Elementary School in Marshfield.
The family has over 400 so far, and they will send them to soldiers who will put them to good use.
"When our troops go out and run into people who they've given Beanie Babies too. They keep an eye on our troops," says Katie Muschinske.
"They tell them when they see insurgents over there, when they're digging in the ground. That gives a heads up to our troops that we should check that area a little closer."
Katie's husband Peter, is serving as a chaplain in Iraq.
He will be home in the fall. VIEW ARTICLE HERE

June 2, 2006
Well-known resident left house full of furry collections
Willie Stagg had a passion for collecting.

“My mother — if she had one of something, she had 50,” said Edith Gilbert, the eldest of Stagg’s two daughters.

In the case of stuffed bears, make that at least 2,000. She also liked Beanie Babies, amassing more than 1,000.

Gilbert has spent the past three and a half months sorting through her mother’s many belongings — boxes stacked to the ceiling — and preparing for an estate auction.

Stagg, 77, died Jan. 24. She and her husband, Harold, were well-known members of Lawrence’s black community.

“My mother was a collector,” Gilbert said. “If somebody came to our house and said they needed a size 10 pair of jeans, she’d have 10 pair and she’d give them to you. She was that way.”

OHS graduation commencement speech
So here we are: graduation. For the past few weeks, I have been asking some of my classmates if there is anything that they want me to mention in this speech. I was a little disappointed that nobody took me up on the offer seriously, but I guess that just means I'm going to have to include what I want to talk about.

ASK TY
Q: What was the most exciting vacation and or trip that you have ever taken? (submitted by DAGGETT)
A: It's really hard to say. I've been lucky to have traveled to many wonderful places in my life, but as they say, there's no place like home ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

I have been reading some of the Beanie sites and noticed that some are saying that the Bali Limited Edition Shedd Aquarium version is limited to a production number of 1,800. I don't know where they got that number from but after talking with a nice lady at the Shedd Aquarium Store I was told that these are a fund raiser for the Shedd Aquarium Conservation Program and that they have a huge supply on order. You can order them directly from the store for 6.99 each plus any applicable tax and shipping and handling fee. The direct line to the store is 312-692-3285 and you can order as many as you want..no limit. In addition not all the Bali's will be sold over the phone, a stock will be on hand at the Shedd Aquarium Store for visitors to buy.

(NOTE: Thank you Barbara for providing this information. I think wishful thinking took over where this "limited edition" Bali was concerned. Some collectors are starved for a true "limited edition" Beanie. Unfortunately for those collectors, Bali isn't the one!)

SEARCHING FOR A TY GRAPHIC
Sandra writes: "HI Lisa, do you have a copy of the graphics from the page on the Ty site....the one if you click on the Beanie Babie heart that got changed a few months ago....I am looking for a way to get a copy of the OLD page....thanks Sandra its the group shot that I am after. (NOTE: If you can help please send me and email. Lisa@planetbeans.com)