September 30, 2005
SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE
Note: I have verified this information and it is true. Dr. Phil's show also had information about this growing problem with our youth on a show this week. Please, please, pass this on to everyone you know that has children or grandchildren.

CONTEST STARTS TOMORROW
http://www.planetbeans.com/UKTrioContest.htm

OCTOBER INTRODUCTIONS
http://www.ty.com/Octo05Intro
BEANIES: 2005 Holiday Teddy, Goody, Happy Hanukkah, Hollydays, Merry Kiss-Mas, Merrybelle, Northland (Canadian Exclusive), Patrick Claus, Plymouth, SpongeBob Jollyelf, SpongeBob Sleighride, Tasty, Yummy
BUDDIES: 2005 Holiday Teddy, Gifts, Pooky, Star (gold & blue)
TY CLASSICS: Icicle, Mr. Flurries, Presents, Toasty
PUNKIES: Jolly Santa Claws, Lil' Santa Claws, Santa Claws
PLUFFIES: Beary Merry, Candy Cane
JINGLE BEANIES: Gifts, Mr. Frost, Presents, Twinkling

September 29, 2005
GIZMO ON 'INVASION'
Marc writes: "On last night's (Wed., 9/28) episode of Invasion (ABC), around 5 minutes or so before the end of the episode, I think Gizmo appeared as Rose was getting ready for bed. No hangtag visible (looked like it was removed), but I'm pretty sure Gizmo was there. If anyone else wants to check it out, I think ABC is repeating both of the first two shows (this and last week's) on Sat., 10/1 from 8:00-10:00 P.M. Eastern. If you just want to check for Gizmo, tune in around 10 minutes before the end. Marc"

How Four eBay Stars Got Started
An idea, a need, a passion, a calling--everyone has a reason for starting a business on eBay. Here are 4 entrepreneurs' stories.
Lynn Dralle got her start on eBay the way many people did in the late 1990s--she was searching for Beanie Babies to buy.

For those who are too young to remember, or for those whose pop-culture memories are fuzzy, this was a decade in which tiny, furry stuffed animals created by Ty Inc. were decreed collectible items because of their limited availability and short manufacturing lives. It was an age in which otherwise rational people were suddenly buying the stuffed animals by the dozen and occasionally paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for an individual stuffed Beanie Baby, certain they would recoup their investments tenfold. It was an age of Beanie Baby magazines, books and collectors' cases.

"They will come back again," the Palm Desert, California, entrepreneur says confidently, citing a Beanie Baby she recently saw on eBay with a bid of $1,150.

Whether Beanie Babies will be as good an investment as old coins or comic books remains to be seen, but in that period, they were a profitable venture for entrepreneurs like Dralle, who bought Beanie Babies on eBay to sell as future collectibles in her grandmother's antiques store. The experience went so well, she couldn't help but start shopping on eBay for herself. "My grandmother bought me a vase when I was 13, and I had never found another piece like it," explains Dralle, 42. "Now, I have 13 of those vases, and every time I buy one, it reminds me of my grandmother." VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

CHERISH - THINK PINK COMING SOON
http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

SNEAK PEEK AT THE OCTOBER RELEASES
Cindy from Cindy's Beans emails to let me know they have posted pictures of the new October releases. http://www.cindysbeans.com

September 28, 2005
National 4-H Council and Ty Inc. Unite in Donating 4-H Beanie Babies for Youth Displaced by Hurricane Katrina
National 4-H Council and Ty, Inc., creators of the popular Beanie Babies, have united in an effort to provide 4-H Bears to youth left homeless in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

(PRWEB) September 28, 2005 -- National 4-H Council and Ty, Inc. will distribute a total of 2,000 4-H Beanie Babies Bears as a part of 4-H relief activity kits that will also include t-shirts and other essentials for the youthful victims of the recent disaster that has devastated parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

"Hurricane Katrina has resulted in pain, fear and uncertainty in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people" said Ed Gershon, SVP of Merchandising at National 4-H Council. "The 4-H bears that our friends at Ty Inc. have produced have already brought happiness to thousands within our 4-H community.”

“Now it is our hope that these little bears can, in some small way, help lift the spirits of some of the youth whose lives were shattered by the storm and its tragic aftermath," said Scott Wehrs, Vice President of Strategic Development of Ty Inc. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

September 27, 2005
MICHAEL'S SIGNED BEANIE FROM THE TONIGHT SHOW
Scroll towards the bottom to see the pictures.
http://www.planetbeans.com/MichaelsTonightShowDebut.htm

A DAY FOR CHARITY : Staying the course
Todd Hamilton could have taken the sensible route to pursuing a PGA Tour career.

He could have stayed in the United States playing the various minitours, attempting to make the big leagues by finishing in the top 20 on the Nationwide Tour.

And where would he be now? "I guess I’d be working in a pro shop somewhere, ’’ said Hamilton, in Little Rock Monday as one of the headliners for the annual A Day For Charity Pro-Am at Pleasant Valley Country Club." Gosh, good question. I really have no idea what I’d be doing. ’’

Hamilton has eschewed any hint of being a "jerk ’’ since winning the British Open. Not only is he regarded as one of the more likable players on tour, he refused to take the $3,000 appearance fee given to fellow Tour players by Glen Day to appear in his pro-am.

On a whim at a pairings party for the event Sunday night, Hamilton purchased 41 Beanie Babies at $50 each to benefit the First Tee of Arkansas." My daughters [Christina and Whitney] came running up so excited saying that Mr. Hamilton had purchased all the remaining Beanie Babies, ’’ said Jennifer Day, who is Glen’s wife and the pro-am tournament director. "Todd’s just a super guy, he’s really down to earth and everybody likes him. ’’ VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

The Beanie Baby expert:
These cute creatures have turned the world of collectibles upside down. At the epicenter: Mary Beth's Beanie World magazine.
Like King Solomon, Mary Beth Sobolewski can offer sage advice to those fighting over a baby. Again and again, the founder of Mary Beth's Beanie World magazine has heard about divorcing couples bickering over Beanie Babies. "You don't want to split them in half," counsels Sobolewski, 39. "All you'll be left with is a sack of beans and no value. Go through a price guide and split them up equitably."

At a time when a collection of all 212 Beanies is valued at $95,000 or so - though each retails for $5 to $7 - this is no small issue. Sobolewski, a mother of four and a former IBM engineer, was a passionate collector whose prowess as an Internet Beanie trader led her last year to create her publication. It's now a slick 250-page monthly with a circulation of 1 million, the biggest of several Beanie-themed magazines. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO HERE

<< my comments: While doing my usual search for Beanie news I came up with this article. Funny thing is.. the info listed before clicking on the link says "USA Weekend -11 hours ago". The article is really from November 29, 1998. Makes for some interesting reading. There is even a note on how you can contact Mary Beth to have any of your Beanie questions answered. LOL >>

LITTLE STAR find
8894036   (Sep 26, 2005, 06:07 PM)
Message Id: 1038168
8894036 writes: Well just happened to look at Ace Hardware store today and they had Little Star so I got it for the wife She didnt know about it, I think I look more then she does , she goes where are we to put them all? I think she stopped but I keep getting them for her Looks great all white VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

<< my comments: You may recall I posted a bit on August 25th from Laura who found some Beanies at her local hardware store. >>

LITTLE STAR PHOTOS
Orion shares her photos: http://www.planetbeans.com/OrionPics.htm

TY STORE EXCLUSIVE RATZO
http://www.ty.com/Ratzo_intro

FREE SILENTLY RETIRES
from the Ty Store: http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=7660

Join M&M's Brand and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Thank you to Laura for sharing this info: Hi Lisa This is not beanie news but it is something dear to my heart (my Mom has had breast cancer),,,this was just sent to me,, and they even have a link where you can make invitations for your next party.. Click here: Red & Yellow's Bright Ideas: Invitation Maker

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we've created a special package of Light Pink and Dark Pink M&M'S® Milk Chocolate Candies to symbolize our commitment to the cause. Each time you buy, you'll help to fund breast cancer research and outreach programs. 

The 14 oz. and 21.3 oz. packages are available at the following local retailers throughout September, October and November 2005. Please help support the cause!

M&M'S^® Brand will donate $.35 on 14-ounce packages and $.50 on 21.3 ounce packages to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. VIEW WEBSITE HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.mms.com/us/news/promotions/komen/

September 26, 2005
CHERISH UPDATES
Check out Sue's latest projects: http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

Community comes out for theater fund-raiser
SAYRE - The celebrities of movies and television may have been absent for a fund-raiser at the Sayre Theatre, but the celebrities of the local community showed up in full force to raise money to complete the renovation of the theater.

At the same time, donations for the American Red Cross to benefit the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita were also accepted throughout the day.

While the final tally's weren't yet in this weekend, theater officials hoped to raise at least $10,000 to be used to add chandeliers to the inside of the theater.

Three auctions in the courtyard outside, featuring Beanie Babies, posters and other memorabilia signed by celebrities, attracted a crowd. Some of the more expensive bids were for Beanie Babies signed by astronaut John Glenn, which sold for $100, and former president George H. W. Bush, which sold for $115. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

September 25, 2005
INTRODUCING TRADITION
New York Yankees Game Day Exclusive
http://www.ty.com/Tradition_intro

TRADITION RETIRES
As expected.. the official announcement has been posted: http://www.ty.com/Tradition_ret

September 24, 2005
<< Another way we are affected by these powerful hurricanes >>
Perdue Asks Schools to Cancel Classes
Hurricane Rita Prompts Request
ATLANTA -- Gov. Sonny Perdue has asked public schools around the state to cancel classes on Monday and Tuesday of next week, an effort to conserve gasoline supplies.

"If all Georgians work together to reduce our demand for fuel over the next couple of weeks, we will have enough market power together to hold prices down," he said. "All together we can influence demand over our state.

" As part of Perdue's plan, he asked school districts to allow students to use two inclimate weather days. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE http://www.wsbtv.com/education/5013041/detail.html

MIRACLE BABY WITH BEANIE
I watched the Montel Williams show on Friday morning. The show was about miracle births and miracle babies. There was one little guy, only 15.4 ounces, pictured with a Killarney Beanie Baby bear. The baby was only 10 inches in length and a Beanie Baby bear is 8 inches. I managed to get a screen shot from the TV. http://www.planetbeans.com/MiracleBaby.htm

BILLIONAIRE 8
http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=11055

AP new flag bears in hand group picture!
Orion writes: "Dear Lisa, I'm Orion of BEANIE TENJISHITSU. I will share the AP flag beards in hand group picture. And also I put many details pictures on my site. Please click here for them. http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milano-Aoyama/3290/ And if you need any of them, you can feel free to use them for your site and for your readers. Thank you . Take care! & please take care of Hurricane Rita! I really hope that you won't receive any damages by it. Have the great weekend! Orion"

ASK TY
Q: Is there a certain time of the day that you get your best ideas? (submitted by riski)
A: I can't really pick out a particular time of the day . . . . the best ideas happen throughout the entire day ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

September 23, 2005
IN-HAND PICTURE POSTED
Cindy (http://www.cindysbeans.com) writes: "Hi Lisa, We have posted a picture on our site for the flag nose Singapore. ttys Cindy"

New Knoxville family collects toys for Iraqi children
NEW KNOXVILLE — Meredith Eshelman had a hundred of potential smiles in her bed-room, and she never even knew it.
   Eshelman donated those potential smiles, in the form of Beanie Babies, to Operation Desert Toylift, a plan organized by Auglaize County residents to deliver toys to children in Iraq.
   “It was really surprising when I saw how many Beanie Babies I had,” said Meredith Eshel-man, a junior at New Knoxville High School. “I didn’t realize I had so many. They were just sitting there and doing nothing, so why not use them to bring a smile to their faces?” VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

September 20, 2005
LACK OF NEWS...
I've done my usual searches for news items and have come up empty. If you have something to share please send it to Lisa@planetbeans.com

September 19, 2005
CHERISH AUCTION UPDATE 
Sue writes: "Well, here it is - one of my biggest challenges yet - a sweater for Opie the Octopus!!! (Make sure you view the picture of Opie's sweater. It's quite unique and beautiful.) http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

September 18, 2005
In many forms, security blankets deliver comfort
I know twin boys who kept their blankets, even when they were down to shreds, in the freezer during the day so they would be nice and cool come bedtime.

My next door neighbor, 3-year-old Oliver Petrillo, used to rub his mom's ears when he was sleepy or needed comforting. If she wasn't around he'd use his own.

And I heard of a little girl who always reached for her grandmother's slip when she was ready to curl up and relax. The grandmother eventually cut a square off her slip to give to her granddaughter for times when she needed that special security and Grandma wasn't around.

Most kids find comfort in soft blankets or a well-worn stuffed animal, but some get attached to some pretty out of the ordinary stuff. This just proves it doesn't really matter what a security object is, as long as it's something that makes kids feel safe, relaxed or in their normal routine.

"My daughter, Cady, age 21/2, has since I can remember, used her belly button for security. I couldn't even put her in onesies because she had to have access," said Clarissa Hughes, a Redington Beach mom. "She still says, "Mommy, I need my belly button,' if she can't get to it. Good thing for me it's something I will never leave at home."

Ah, yes, those items that aren't attached to the body do get lost, and parents go to extremes to retrieve them. I have friends who have been in the trash bins behind grocery stores and restaurants more than once.

Tammie Allender's son, who is now 8, once lost his beloved stuffed mouse named Cheeser. So the St. Petersburg mom put an "ad" on the Internet hoping someone might have found him.

"Okay, I admit it. I went on the Internet and bought him a new one. It was a Ty Beanie Baby mouse. I told him that a nice couple found Cheeser, fixed him up and sent him back," she told me.

Some friends of mine in Tampa decided to be prepared if they ever lost their son's beloved frog named Pongo.

"He's had this stuffed frog since he was about 2 weeks old when my Dad gave it to him," said Rich Whiteley, father of John Banks, age 2. "Knowing what good friends they had become, we were thinking it was probably a good idea to have a backup, so we bought a second one and we hid it in the closet." From time to time John's parents started switching in the sub frog when they had to wash the original.

"One morning he came in the kitchen and we forgot we had the (substitute) frog in the washing machine which has a glass front. He was all sleepy eyed, then he was just sitting there looking so upset watching Pongo No. 2 in the washing machine going around and around pressed up against the glass," Whiteley recounted. "So we quickly explained that was Pongo's brother Pingo who had come for a visit." VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

September 17, 2005
Ty Continues to Fund Breast Cancer Research With Creation of Aware(TM) the Beanie Baby
Ty Inc. Donates Portion of Profits to Breast Cancer Charities
OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Ty continues its support of breast cancer research and awareness with the creation of Aware(TM) the Beanie Baby®. Aware(TM), a pink bear wearing a pink ribbon on its chest, has been created by Ty to lend its support to the fight against breast cancer by donating a portion of the profits from the sale of this Beanie to various breast cancer charities, and is currently available in stores nationwide. The poem written on its tag reads: 
To raise awareness is my plight 
Hand in hand we'll stand and fight 
Keep the faith; we will endure 
Rest assured, we'll find a cure!
VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Quilting Up a Storm
After a week of cutting, piecing, ironing, basting and sewing, members and friends from "Thursdays" produced 46 quilts for children left homeless by the Katrina storm. Pictured on the deck of the Sandbox Community Room at Beachcombers Haven in Gleneden Beach are a sample of the quilts along with some of the 32 people who contributed talent, time and materials to make it all happen. Twenty additional quilts were also donated, bring the total to 66. The quilts, along with over 100 Beanie Babies and stuffed animals, were delivered to Northwest Medical Teams in Portland for distribution to children in need. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO HERE

Beanie Babies: New Weapon for Iraq
4,000 Beanie Babies are headed to Iraqi children thanks to Tom Campbell and his volunteer troops and their belief in the power of toys to make a difference. He said, "My gosh every kid needs a toy to play with...every kid needs something to do with their time."

Since 1982 Tom's organization - Kids helping Kids - has gathered good used toys and distributed them to children who need them. But the idea to send them to Iraq is a new extension of the program.

Stephanie Rolston was responsible for getting most of the toys in today's Beanie Baby parade donated because she has a personal interest in the initiative. Her husband, Sgt. Donald Rolston, is serving in Iraq and missing his daughters Zoe and Miranda.

Stephanie said, "There's a little girl that he kept seeing as he'd go to work everyday that would come out and wave to him. It pulled at his heart strings to think that he could help out another little girl when he couldn't be home with his." VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

September 16, 2005
U.K. TEENIE BEANIES HAVE ARRIVED...
Sue shares pictures of her new Teenie Beanies. http://www.planetbeans.com/UKTeenies.htm

'Catch A Meanie, Give A Beanie' a big hit in Valley
The folks at WPFB-FM (105.9) in Middletown asked and listeners answered big-time by showering the country music radio station with more than 30,000 Beanie Babies-type toys.

To celebrate that outpouring of goodwill, the station is throwing a party to thank those who made donations.

It all began a couple of months ago when WPFB officials asked listeners to donate to "Operation: Catch A Meanie, Give A Beanie," a project to provide toys to the military to dispense to children in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"To date, we have more than 26,000 Beanie-type toys counted and packaged, with more still to be counted," said Flyin' Brian Holsten, an on-air personality at the station.

"Our soldiers," he added, "will give the toys to the children and that will create friendships, and possibly lead to information about terrorist activities in those areas."

The WPFB-sponsored "Beanies For Deployment Party" will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Voice of America complex on Tylersville Road in West Chester. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

CHERISH SILENT AUCTIONS BENEFITING THE AMERICAN RED CROSS...
are closing shortly. http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

ASK TY
Q: When is something exciting going to happen in Beanie land? (submitted by 9164)
A: Today . . . check out the BBOC CLUB CLUES ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

CLUB CLUES
There is a new animated flashing graphic on the left side of the Ty website just under "my tyfolio". http://www.beaniebabyofficialclub.com/bboc05_clubclues  When you click on this link be sure to hit refresh so you can see all the different clues. I found either 9 or 10 clues then got tired of refreshing. LOL What do you think the clues mean? I believe we will either see a re-release of the original 9 Beanies or we will see another variations thereof like Jingle Beanies.

THE CLUES
Re:CLUES NEWS? LOL, yes...pi ARE round! :o) My guesses..............
JollyJanie2   (Sep 15, 2005, 09:59 PM)
Message Id: 1034469
JollyJanie2 writes:
Shhh, don't tell=Squealer
Long or short of it=Legs
P+ ruler + ERS=Pinchers
Heavyweight Champs=Punchers
Vanilla,Chocolate,Strawberry=Chocolate
Sudden bright light=Flash
Preschool storage=Cubbie
Delicious dessert=Brownie
Sounds like Batty=Patti
Don't make waves=Splash
Can be a tight one, bright one, or hot one=Spot
Stain Remover=No spot Spot

That math formula..........I don't have a clue!
LOL

What do YOU get everyone?
JJ VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

September 15, 2005
PRUNELLA IS ALREADY IN STORES
Michael writes: "Hi Lisa, My dad just picked up Prunella the Hallmark Halloween exclusive beanie baby from a Hallmark in Effingham IL. I would send pictures of this lovely bear but sadly I don't have a digital camera available at the moment. Also as far as the Beans VS Fiberfill.. I would have to say there is mostly Fiberfill in Prunella. The only beans are in Prunella's Feet and where she sits down but is a wondefuly done beanie. It basicly is a bigger version of Pocus the Halloweenie Beanie. Also Just a reminder that I am going to be a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno is one week from today which will be Wednesday the 21st of September. I will be a partcipant in a segment on The Tonight show called "Try and Impress Ed Asner. Ed Asner has starred in the Mary Tyler Moore show and also played as Hudson the Old Garoyle in Disney's Gargoyles and also he played in some recent video games called Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republc II: The Sith Lord as one of the main Sith Lords created in for the game. He also played in X-men Legends Video Game as a Morlock Healer. So I am very happy about going. So mark your calender and check your local listings for I will be on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC in one week from tonight!! :) Michael"

REMINDER: CHERISH UPDATES
Check out Sue's latest projects: http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

INTERESTING POSTS
Recent Beanie Studies Show...
humphrey~cool   (Sep 14, 2005, 01:38 PM)
Message Id: 1033887
humphrey~cool writes: 13% of the total 1,174 Beanie population is current = 158 (including variations, not Alphabet Beanies). Of these 158, 108 are bears = almost 70%. In 2003 there were 143 Beanies released and 121 retired. Last year, 221 were released and 190 retired. So far in 2005, 136 have been realeased and 82 retired. We are 5/6ths through the year and have only had half the retirements seen last year, when all other trends seem equal. Beanie Un-Officials are wondering "were have all the retirements gone?"

The following Beanies have been unofficially been given the status "Forgotten" : Bidder, Big Apple, California, Cinta, Florida, Georgia, Hannah, Heiress, the 3 Heroes, Hers, His, Illinois, Joaquim, Juneau, Kansas, Koowee, Massachuetts, Minnesota, Nara, Ocker, Ohio, Ole, Pennsylvania, Pippo, Silver, Swinger, Texas, Washington, Washington D.C., and the 2 Williams

stay tuned for the results of the upcoming Buddy Study VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

Recent Buddy Studies show...
humphrey~cool   (Sep 14, 2005, 09:28 PM)
Message Id: 1034095
humphrey~cool writes: Out of the 343 Buddies, 42 are current. Of these 13 are dogs and 14 bears. Almost half, 20 have been current for over a year. The last new country-exclusives were released in November of 2003 (the American bears from this year and last are according to this site, not exclusive). Last year at this time year 30 beanies had retired, this year 11. Retirements are closer than ever to extinction.

We unfortunately report that Brigitte and Unity have given up on hopes of retirement and are not handling the dissapointment well, while on the other hand, the 2 Schweethearts are looking forward to their fate of being current forever. In addition to these 4, Un-Officials have given the following Buddies "forgotten" status:
Bloom, Bo, Bonsai, Booties, Carnation, Charmer, Empress, Fancy, Filly, GiGi, Happy Birthday, Herald, Mr., Mrs., Parfum, and Sampson. VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

Recent Punkies Studies Show...
humphrey~cool   (Sep 14, 2005, 09:36 PM)
Message Id: 1034103
humphrey~cool writes: Up until the glorious events of August 31st, Un-Officials had feared the unthinkable: has Ty forgotten Punkies existed? However, he released this years first new Punkies in 9 months. the Punkie totals are:
2002-12, 2003-13, 2004-14, 2005-2
is it likely Ty will follow his trend and release 13 more Punkies before the end of the year. Un-Officials have given the 17 current Punkies (not counting Screamers & Shriekers) the status of "they exist???"

We leave you with a quote from Hopscotch.

"I'm sad."

Please Ty, give the frog some new friends. VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

I failed ot mention...
humphrey~cool   (Sep 14, 2005, 10:01 PM)
Message Id: 1034107
humphrey~cool writes: Ty has really outdone himself! There are currently 14 Beanies from which profits are donated to charities. Ty thanks for these great Beanies!

Alabama (American Red Cross, Hurrican Relief)
Aware (Bre*st Cancer Foundation)
Bahati (World Wildlife Fund)
ChariTee (PGA Tour Charities)
Cure (Susan G. Komen Bre*st Cancer Foundation)
3 Heroes (USO)
Little Star (Little Star Inc.)
Louisiana (American Red Cross, Hurrican Relief)
Mississippi (American Red Cross, Hurrican Relief)
Pungo (World Wildlife Fund)
Stony (World Wildlife Fund)
Sundar (World Wildlife Fund) VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE

NEW TEENIE BEANIES?
Dianne shares with Ms. Janie: "Ms. Janie, a friend in the UK said she got teenie beanies at McDonalds in the UK with a Happy Meal. The bear she got was named Molly. I checked the link below and there are sure Teenie Beanies there. No Molly, but there is Ronald, Rachel the Red Bear ,Pete the Purple Bear and Ryan the Royal Blue Bear. I am waiting for her to send a picture of Molly. After clicking on the link, click the "What’s On" button and then the "Happy Meal" button. Sorry, but it won't let you copy and paste. At least not for me. Dianne tyladydi" http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/?f=y

IN-HAND PICTURE OF NEW ASIA-PACIFIC BEARS
Cindy from Cindy's Beans informs me that they have an in-hand picture. http://www.cindysbeans.com

September 14, 2005
NO NEWS...
If you have something to share please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com

September 13, 2005
TY U.K. APPEARING ON HANGTAGS
Orion writes: "Dear Lisa again, I'm Orion. http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milano-Aoyama/3290/ Just a quick note. Ty U.K. appeared in heart tag instead of Ty Europe. As you know, Ty Europe was changed to Ty U.K. in Jul.2005. And Ty heart tag has changed to the new notation to Ty U.K. Though I have never seen it in heart tag, Finally, when I bought new beanies, I found that it appeared in Aware beanie babies( style Number 40271), And Judging from my seeing, I guess she is the first beanies which has the notation of Ty U.K in heart tag. (I attached the picture). And the Halloween models don't have it yet. Thank you. Take care! Have the great week! Orion" VIEW PHOTO HERE

INTRODUCING PRUNELLA
http://www.ty.com/Prunella (Available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown locations)

September 12, 2005
COUNTERFEIT AUCTION INFO
Barbara shares the following: "As many of you know the True Blue Beans News website was closed. This site provided a lot of information on counterfeit auctions. A member of that site by the name of Lizzy from England has come to the aid of collectors and has set up another site. Mags & BeanieLogic are there and welcome new members. I have provided a link to the new site. You have to register to view the Counterfeit Discussion board. Hope to see you there." http://truebluebeans.forumup.org/index.php?mforum=truebluebeans

CHERISH UPDATES
Check out Sue's latest projects: http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

SMASHING COMPARISON
Orion, webmaster of BEANIE TENJISHITSU, shares the following: 
"Dear Lisa, Thank you for your quick update news every day. I 'm Orion of BEANIE TENJISHITSU from Japan. I know you and your readers have already seen their pictures. But, I will share you some comparative pictures of two version Smash and pins. Then, I will look forward to receiving your news every day. Thank you. Take care! Have the great weekend! Orion" http://www.planetbeans.com/SmashComparison.htm

ASIA-PACIFIC BEANIES TO COME
Dear Lisa, I'm Orion of BEANIE TENJISHITSU in Japan.
As you know, there was the rumor that new Asia Pacific flag bears may be released. and there is not official announcement yet. but, it seems true. And the new Asia-Pacific Exclusive Flag Bears Coming soon. And I will share you the details and the sample picture. DETAILS & PICTURE: http://www.planetbeans.com/AsiaPacific2005.htm

ASIA-PACIFIC EXCLUSIVE INTRODUCTIONS
Hikari, Korea, Maju: http://www.ty.com/apExclIntro01
Starry, Aotearoa, Negaraku: http://www.ty.com/apExclIntro02

September 11, 2005
PATRIOT DAY
Partial posting from the Wikipedia online encyclopedia: "In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of those who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, the name does not seem to have caught on in the American vernacular; most people still refer to the day as "September 11" or some variation thereof." 

On this day, the President directs that the flag of the United States be flown at half-mast and displayed from individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) marking the first plane crash on September 11." TO LEARN MORE CLICK HERE

WE WILL NEVER FORGET! It's been 4 years and still we all see those graphic images in our minds and our hearts remain heavy for the victims and their families.

NO "I LOVE" VANCOUVER BEAR
As Michael points out.. it was rumored that the Vancouver Gift show, which began today, would produce the silent introduction of the "I Love" Vancouver Bear. Michael noticed that the silent introduction is British Columbia Pacific Dogwood the Bear. http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=10607

CURRENT

OFFICIAL STATE FLOWER SINCE 1956
Pacific dogwood is a tree
That really grows quite tall you see
With unique flowers; berries, too
No other simple bloom will do !

As pointed out by Adrienne.. this isn't a STATE flower.. it should be a PROVINCIAL flower instead!

KATRINA DONATIONS
Yesterday, while watching U.S. Open tennis, I decided to go through my piles and piles of Beanie Baby trading cards, to make up some packages for the Katrina donation. Originally I was going to have packages of 50 cards, no two cards alike in a pack. Then I decided to cut those down to 25 cards per package so they could be given to twice as many kids. 750 cards later, I came up with just 30 packages of 25. It's a good thing I have ample supply of Ziploc bags. LOL I may be doing more today. It's hard work - laying them all out around the floor then leaning over to pick up the cards. Great for stretching!! LOL

If you have extra Beanie cards and nothing to do with them.. please consider doing what I'm doing. The kids will love to have these cards to look and learn more about their Beanies while they are cuddling the Beanies that are also being donated.

UPDATED: YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT TY'S LATEST CHARITY DONATIONS
There are some good points being made. I'd love to know your thoughts as well.
http://www.planetbeans.com/CharityBeanies.htm

September 10, 2005
BOSTON GIFT SHOW BEGINS TODAY...
... and runs through Tuesday, September 13th. http://www.planetbeans.com/Ty2005SummerSchedule.htm

MASSACHUSETTS MAYFLOWER THE BEAR INTRODUCTION
As expected, due to the Boston Gift Show beginning today, Massachusetts Mayflower the Bear has been silently introduced. http://www.ty.com/images/products/10608_lg.gif

VANCOUVER GIFT SHOW BEGINS TOMORROW...
... and runs through Tuesday, September 13th. This is the final gift show of the 2005 Summer season. Expect the silent introduction of the "I Love" Vancouver the Bear.

September 9, 2005
Cohen: The perfect store turns 10
Over Labor Day weekend 10 years ago, a programmer named Pierre Omidyar took a chance on an odd little Web site called AuctionWeb.

Most of Silicon Valley spent the summer of 1995 dreaming up ways to use a newfangled technology called the Internet. This was his: An auction site that let anyone list an item or place a bid. He wrote the code in his spare bedroom and posted it on his personal home page, which had the whimsical domain name www.ebay.com.

Omidyar wanted to create a perfect market, something economists had only imagined, where everything sold for its ideal price. He was also a populist. It looked to Omidyar, who had a ponytail and wore Birkenstocks, as if the freewheeling Internet was being taken over by well-financed dot-coms. He wanted to "give the individual the power to be a producer as well as a consumer."

Everyone told him that strangers wouldn't trade online with strangers, particularly in a format as unwieldy as an auction. But first the techies came, buying and selling computer parts. Then the collectors came — at one point, more than 6 percent of all sales were for Beanie Babies. Then everyone came.

EBay, with 64 million active users, is on track to sell more than $40 billion in goods this year. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Purple crayon becomes sign of caring
Children see, respond to the hurt of other kids
Somewhere in the rolling flat riches of Illinois, a little boy was watching the news.

He watched as the levees burst open and bathed New Orleans in filth, disease and crime.

Maybe he heard about the Louisiana Superdome, where thousands of Americans sought refuge from the storm, or about looters that sniped at police officers and rescue helicopters that tried to lift the sick and dying to hospitals.

But the young child, only 4 or 5 years old, couldn’t wrap his happy, little boy thoughts around the words “homeless” or “catastrophe.”

He did, though, understand it was sad so many children like him would have to find new schools and grow up without moms and dads.

So he rifled through the only things he had — toys — picking out stuffed bears, tigers, rabbits and other animals he liked to play with and, thinking the sad children might like to play with them too, placing them in a cardboard box.

He wanted to tell those other children something — maybe that he’s sorry for all of this and that these are really good toys — so he asked his mom for a sheet of paper and a purple crayon.

His mom smiled, dug out the implements from a drawer, and handed them to her boy. The child went to work, gripping the crayon with his whole fist, his tongue sticking out the corner of his lips.

There, he thought, that’s good, admiring the few words and heart he scrawled out before stuffing it somewhere in the box of toys and jumping to the next order of the day — swinging on the swing set.

Scrawled in purple handwriting is the note Plainfield resident Andy Harris found — and has since kept in his pick-up truck for the past week. He doesn’t even know the child or mom that dropped off the box.

“Some things you just can’t describe what it means to you,” Harris said. “That’s one of them. It means a lot. It means that kids do understand and they are thinking about those people, too. Some people might not think that, but they do.”

Saturday, when Harris arrives in Brandon, Miss., he will help unpack at the Crossgate Baptist Church a 48-foot semi-trailer crammed with water, food, toiletries and a box of stuffed animals.

Afterwards, when the truck is unpacked and the congregation has enough supplies to last until supplies run out, Harris will present the note to the church and read again the child’s crayoned words that choke his voice and squeeze tears from his eyes:

“I will pray for you”

———

“If Everybody Does Their Part, It Becomes A Big Deal”

“I just put myself in the kids’ place,” said Coal City resident Marsha Kopeika.

“I would be scared and I wouldn’t know what to do. You see the grownups and they’re scared. I’d think that, ‘Hey, I have this Beanie Baby to cuddle.’

“It’s an awful thing and I know that some kids don’t even have their parents yet. [Beanie Babies] are something every child can relate to, something warm and fuzzy.

“I’m thinking I love kids and they would just love toys like that. First thing I thought of — not food, not water — toys. I hope they don’t just dump them.”

A tub-full of around 60 tagged and bagged Beanie Babies, donated to the Harris truckload, could help ease their pain, Kopeika said.

Her daughter, Monica Krapek, Plainfield resident and neighbor of Harris, followed suit.

“I probably cried once a day watching it,” Krapek said. “It’s very heartbreaking and I’m sad that Bush and the government took so long to react when it’s our own country. I can’t stand watching people suffer; it’s so heartbreaking. That’s why we’re doing it on our end, because it makes a difference to them.

“I have a 4-month-old myself and I couldn’t imagine being there and that happening.”

Krapek scoured her house for help, rounding up 50 bars of soap, stuffed animals, pantry food, bottled water, baby shampoo and plastic spoons. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

ASK TY
Q: Did you have a collection of some sort as a kid? (submitted by luckyturtle)
A: I had all kinds of collections . . . . rocks, feathers, some baseball cards and pennies ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

TY NOW OFFERS THE "I LOVE" TRIO AT RETAIL
Ty will donate $1 per bear to the American Red Cross when you purchase Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi at your Ty retail stores. http://www.ty.com/AL_MS_LA_Retailer

~~ Thank you to Barbara for alerting me to this announcement and for sharing her comments.

Barbara writes: Good Evening Lisa, As you know I read your newsletter all the time and I would like to say that I appreciate all you do to keep collectors updated. 

I know that you are gathering some things to be donated to help the hurricane relief effort. I had intended to send you a bunch of stuff but I just found out that my husband's employer is also doing the same thing in my area of Illinois.

I was just checking the Ty site and noticed that once again Ty has listened to his collectors. So many were complaining that the three new beanies for hurricane relief were only offered at the Ty store. So now we will have the same bears offered at retailers...but who will gain from all these bears that are supposed to help the needy???

Ty will be laughing all the way to the bank. The first set of bears, only $2.00 per beanie goes to Red Cross, the retailer version only $1.00 per beanie goes to Red Cross. With all the profits Ty will make he can start up his new trademark for Kona Beer & Kona Pure water. What a joke!!! 

Thanks for letting me vent, I'm so heart sick looking at the news and all the devastation and other people can only think of buying that next beanie. I won't be buying any beanies or any other collectibles in a long time, I just can't see spending money on frivolous stuff when so many don't have a place to live and food to eat. Barbara"

~~ I would love to know your thoughts. Please email them to me at Lisa@planetbeans.com.

September 8, 2005
BEWARE OF SCAMMERS
Laura shares the following: "Hi Lisa, In case you didn't hear the World News Tonight, tonight-they said there are scam artists out there with very convincing emails to donate to the Red Cross by donating through a website that looks like the Red Cross website with even a secure lock on the page for your credit card----PLEASE be advised-the Red Cross does not send out emails to donate--if you feel to do so you are the one to go to their website or donation center or mail out your donations.  I am writing as I received one of those very email tonight....they also said on the news that it can take months before you even notice your credit card statement..and your credit compromised these fund are going overseas to other countries, they said (the authorities) that they noticed as soon as Katrina was spotted and known to be a big hurricane they had a large amount of new websites with the Katrina name...all scammers...so beware-I am sending this to everyone I know in case they missed the news tonight.  Take care all, Laura" VIEW FULL ABC NEWS ARTICLE HERE

Laura writes: "Last paragraph states: The Red Cross never sends out e-mail solicitations. Anyone who receives one can assume it is a fake. Under the Patriot Act, impersonating an agent of the Red Cross is considered a felony and punishable by up to five years in prison."

<< my comments: I just saw the above mentioned report this morning on GMA. There really are some sick individuals in this world. It's a real shame that during times that people need help the most.. many that want to help are being duped just because they are generous, caring individuals. >>

SPECIAL CHERISH UPDATES
Check out Sue's latest projects: http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

September 7, 2005
YOUR THOUGHTS
Barbara writes: "Hi Lisa, Hope you and yours had a nice holiday weekend. Our family gathered together this weekend to give Thanks for all we have and to see what we can do to help the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Our hearts are breaking watching all the devastation and loss of life.

Since so many people have been asking for beanies to help the relief effort Ty has made 3 bears for collectors to buy. He will be donating 2.00 per beanie and I'm sure many will be buying them. I do not intend to buy any because I would rather give what I would have spent on 3 beanies $20.51 directly to Red Cross/Salvation Army instead of only 6.00. I will continue to donate to my favorite charities to help in any way I can.

Many companies are matching the donations that employees make, now if Ty did the same I might consider buying 3 beanies for $15.00 excluding the s/h & tax and Ty would donate $30.00 instead of only $6.00.

Feeling Helpless in Illinois, Barbara"

<< my comments: Would you like to share your opinion? Lisa@planetbeans.com. >>

GOOD QUESTION
Diana writes: "Does anyone know if these are Ty Store "Exclusives"?  It doesn't say on the picture like it normally does.  I'd like to order them, but if they're going to be released in the stores, I'd rather forego the shipping charges... D"

<< my comments: Personally I would like to see these bears at retail since a lot more money can be raised if they were available to everyone. I know many that don't order from the Ty Store. And what about those people that don't have computers.. yes, there are people that don't own a computer. >>

RETAIL SMASH NO LONGER U.S. EXCLUSIVE
(I've corrected all Beanie Info pages)
Smash the bear

CURRENT

With a racket and a tennis ball
Game, set, match, I'll beat them all
Serve and volley across the court
I know that I won't come up short !
http://www.ty.com/images/products/8807_lg.gif

EXCLUSIVE VERSION OF SMASH IS SOLD OUT
This notice is now posted on the order page of the U.S. Open website: http://www.usopenshop.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4434
We are sorry that this item is now completely sold out.
We cannot accept any backorders.
Please do not phone, email or fax.

September 6, 2005
CHERISH AUCTIONS
Check out Sue's latest projects: http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

Del. Guard will tote toys to Iraq
Platoon deploying to war zone will take along donated Beanie Babies
Delaware Army National Guard engineers bound for Iraq this month will bring along their tools and equipment when they board the aircraft that will take them there.

And Beanie Babies.

Lots of them.

The Beanie Babies have been collected by the RGW Foundation to honor Cpl. Stephen McGowan, a paratrooper who was killed in March while on duty in Iraq. McGowan, a 1996 St. Mark's High School graduate, gave out Beanie Babies and other toys to Iraqi children when he and his unit were on patrol. In one of his last letters home he asked his family and friends to send him more toys instead of Christmas presents.

When foundation co-founder Jennifer Hawkins heard that the Guard's 160th Engineer Company was sending a platoon to Iraq, she wondered if the soldiers would be interested in taking along a bunch of Beanie Babies.

Hawkins was fairly certain the engineers would want to be part of the toy project. After all, the foundation had already sent thousands of Beanie Babies to Iraq in care of the Delaware National Guard's Company B of the 150th Aviation Regiment. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

September 5, 2005
Sending love to littlest victims
When Mike Capalare heard about the suffering Hurricane Katrina that blew into his former home of Louisiana, he thought of his days working as a Baton Rouge schoolteacher.

He also thought about a particular student - a young girl named Taylor who once presented him with a Beanie Baby gift.

And he remembered that after it sat on his desk for the 2002-2003 school year, he returned the small stuffed animal to the pleased girl.

"That popped into my head," said the Portsmouth resident.

So too did the idea of collecting stuffed animals for young hurricane victims as a way to send them some love. So anyone who passed through Market Square over the weekend saw Capalare’s impromptu stuffed animal collection station. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Soccer diplomacy
A retired New Castle County police captain and a unit of the Delaware Army National Guard have found their own way to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis: Project Soccer Ball
Retired New Castle County police Capt. George Williamson started sending soccer balls to his son, Elwood Gilger, in Iraq soon after Gilger arrived there in March. Gilger, a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, dropped them to children in rural areas.

Williamson originally hoped to send his son 50 soccer balls. By July, he had sent about 200. Now, he's sent more than 400, and the numbers continue to rise.

"You really feel sorry," for Iraqis, Williamson said.

Williamson recently received $1,000 donations from the New Castle County executive branch and the County Council to keep the soccer ball project going. By the middle of September, when he will end the project, Williamson hopes to have sent 800 balls to Iraq.

Now as Gilger flies over rural villages, kids run toward his helicopter, not away from it. When he drops the soccer balls from about 50 feet, the kids sprint toward them.

Amid growing debate about how much good U.S. armed forces are doing in the Middle East, Gilger and his unit from the Delaware Army National Guard are making sure their presence is appreciated.

"Most of these children have probably never seen a Beanie Baby or a soccer ball," Gilger wrote in a recent e-mail from Iraq. "And soccer is this country's major sport."

Williamson arranged a deal with Biden Sports, in Seattle, to purchase the balls in bulk.

Originally, he bought "Stars and Stripes" balls with red, white and blue images across them. Then Gilger began to worry that Iraqi insurgents might harm children playing with such USA-centric balls.

Gilger, a 34-year-old New Castle County police officer, made sure to distribute the "Stars and Stripes" balls only in Kurdish territories, where the insurgency has not been so active. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

PROBLEMS ORDERING STONY?
Are you having problems when trying to order Stony at the Ty Store? 

Tina writes: "Right after entering my CC info, it would bring me right back to the beginning instead of giving me my order number."

UPDATE -Tina writes: "I got an email from the site, and was told to "clear my cache", my cookies, etc. I had already done that, but my order has now gone through. But this is something others may encounter so they may want to know that."

September 4, 2005
FEARLESS SILENTLY INTRODUCED
Thanks to Michael for alerting me to this introduction: 
Fearless the English Bulldog (U.K. Exclusive) http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=10348

NEC BIRMINGHAM AUTUMN FAIR BEGINS
Fearless the English Bulldog (U.K. Exclusive) was introduced today as the fair begins. The Autumn Fair runs from September 4-7th. If you attend the show and would like to share your report please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com.

FEARLESS OFFICIAL INTRODUCTION
http://www.ty.com/Fearless_intro

September 3, 2005
NO NEWS...
If you have something to share please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com

September 2, 2005
Mission to Mexico
Ten young people from the Eagle Bend Assembly of God Church spent ten days in Mexico on a mission trip. They went with two other youth groups from Mankato and St. Louis Park for a total of 35 people. Those who went from Eagle Bend were: Pastor Bob Kaumans, Josh Kaumans, Travis Cook, Danae Thorson, Patsy Jorgenson, Ben, Michaela and Pat Hodge, and Candice and Brianna Young.
"The goal was to win souls for God in Mexico," said Josh.
Danae agreed and added that witnessing to little children was also an important part.
The trip was from August 9 through August 19 and they took a coach bus all the way there. The trip was sponsored by Dove International from Glenwood, who did all the booking and provided the bus for the trip. They sponsor many mission trips.
"They take care of all the connections and what the teams will do," said Pastor Kaumans.
They drove straight through to San Antonio, Texas and took a tour of the Alamo while there.
Then it was off to Saltillo, Mexico, a city of about a million people.
The group went to a disadvantaged part of the city and put on a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program for a couple of days.
"A lot of people came. First there were a lot of kids. We told them if they brought back their parents for the evening service they would each get a Beanie Baby," said Josh.
"Most of them ran off to go home and get their parents," said Danae. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PHOTOS HERE

CHERISH AUCTIONS
Check out Sue's latest projects: http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm

ASK TY
Q: Do you have any Beanies sitting on the dashboard in your car? (submitted by DCP85)
A: I don't today . . . . but next week I think Speedy may take a ride with me ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

GREAT IDEA
Barbara writes: "Hi Lisa, Hope all is well with you and yours. I've been reading the Ty site and so many people are asking for a beanie to help the devastated areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. I do not think it would be a good idea to make a beanie for any natural disasters because we have so many. California has earthquakes, some states have Tornadoes and some suffer the devastation of hurricanes. At this time of need we should all look to help out as much as we can, not by buying beanies but by financial support, volunteer to help, open our doors to help the homeless.

The company that my husband works for has pledged to match donations that employees make. It would be nice if Ty put the Red Cross banner on the home page and matched the donations made by everyone using that link.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, especially those who have lost Loved ones.

Have a nice Labor Day Holiday. Barbara"

Ty Inc. Donates 150,000 Beanie Babies to Hurricane Katrina's Child Victims
CHICAGO, Sept. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The children suffering through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina need something to comfort them. Their homes and hopes dashed by nature's fury, the child refugees need something to help them cope.

Ty, in partnership with Children's Hunger Fund, is donating 150,000 Beanie Babies and plush toys to go directly to the children displaced by Katrina.

"The devastation and loss left in the path of Hurricane Katrina is unimaginable," said Ty Warner, Chairman and Founder of Ty Inc. "It is our hope that these small gifts bring some measure of comfort to the smallest victims. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by Katrina." VIEW ARTICLE HERE   WTG Ty!!

September 1, 2005

CAUTION TAG ADDED TO PINKY POO KEYCHAIN
Orion, webmaster of BEANIE TENJISHITSU, shares the following news: 
Thank you for your quick news every day. I'll share one news from Japan. 

This is my latest beanie hunting's news.

Pinky Poo Key Chain (The second lots) has an additional caution tag . This is the first item which has an additional caution tag in Japan. http://www.planetbeans.com/OrionPics.htm

<< my comments: I HIGHLY recommend you visit Orion's website. It's filled with tons of great information and pictures. >>

SEPTEMBER WALLPAPER
http://www.ty.com/Sep05Wallpaper

SEPTEMBER 2005 BOTM
http://www.ty.com/Frisky