September 21, 2007
The 400 Richest Americans
One billion dollars is no longer enough. The price of admission to this, the 25th anniversary edition of the Forbes 400, is $1.3 billion, up $300 million from last year. The collective net worth of the nation's mightiest plutocrats rose $290 billion to $1.54 trillion.

Wall Street led the charge, despite this summer's market jitters. Nearly half of the 45 new members made their fortunes in hedge funds and private equity. Money manager John Paulson joins the list after pocketing more than $1 billion short-selling subprime credit this summer. VIEW FULL LIST HERE: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/54/richlist07_The-400-Richest-Americans_Rank.html

This year - 2007: #79 H Ty Warner, $4.1 billion, Beanie Babies

Salesman's son dropped out of college, took to road selling plush toys. Sold first line of stuffed animals 1986. Beanie Babies hit shelves 1993; created collecting craze. Last year sales down an estimated 30% to $375 million as popularity of bean-filled cuties wanes. Trying to rehab toy business; now has licensing deals, partnerships with Nascar, Paramount. Also dolls: recently released Ty Girlz can be registered online to allow kids to shop, take vacations virtually. Owns Four Seasons hotel in New York, resorts in California, Hawaii, Mexico. Recently renovated the Kennedy Cottage at his San Ysidro Ranch in California; travelers pay $2,990 per night to sleep in cottage occupied by John and Jackie Kennedy on their honeymoon.

from 2006: #52. Warner, H. Ty, 62, $4.5 billion, Chicago, Beanie Babies
from 2005: #49. Warner, H. Ty, 61, $4.4 billion, Chicago, Beanie Babies
from 2004: #34. Warner, H. Ty, 60, $5.0 billion, Chicago, Beanie Babies
from 2003: #30. Warner, H. Ty, 59, $6.0 billion, Chicago, Beanie Babies 
from 2002: #26. Warner, H. Ty, 58, $6.0 billion, Chicago, Beanie Babies
from 2001: #42. Warner, H. Ty, 57, $4.0 billion, Chicago, Beanie Babies
from 2000: #53. Warner, H. Ty, 56, $4.5 billion, Chicago, Beanie Babies

September 20, 2007
OAKDALE INTRODUCTION @ TY STORE
http://www.ty.com/Oakdale_intro

BOBLINS @ TY STORE
http://www.tytrade.com/tyshop_items?categ=BBLN

September 14, 2007
NEW AUSTRALIA EXCLUSIVE - BOUNDER 
http://www.ty.com/bounder_intro 

September 10, 2007
TY STORE INTRODUCTION
http://www.ty.com/Sweetling

September 5, 2007
2 NEW HALLOWEEN PLUFFIES
http://www.ty.com/Win_spooksie

September 1, 2007 
SEPTEMBER BOTM - RIGGINS 
http://www.ty.com/bbom_Riggins 

SEPTEMBER WALLPAPER
http://www.ty.com/SepO7Wallpaper

LEGEND RETIRES
Legend was silently introduced on September 1st as a New York Yankees exclusive: http://www.ty.com/Legend_ret 

Cleaning Beanie Babies
Every now and then the Beanie Babies come out of storage, and sometimes they need a little sprucing up. Although they can be machine-washed, hand-washing is better because it helps preserve the eyes and noses.

Immerse the Beanie Babies in warm, sudsy water. Rinse in clear water. Wring out and air-dry. Do not put them in the dryer. Washing may change the look of the fur a bit, but it will still be soft and clean.

Because the eyes and noses are small pieces that can come loose, Beanie Babies generally aren't good toys for infants and toddlers. http://www.kansas.com/living/home_garden/story/162949.html 

Lockard race set for tonight
MORRIS -- The D'Arcy Motors United Midget Auto Racing Association's 27th annual Bob Lockard Memorial race is scheduled tonight at Grundy County Speedway.

Twenty-Seven years ago, Dennis "Zoro" Devea took the checkers to become the winner of the first event commemorating Bob Lockard, a man who embodied the true sport of open wheel racing as an innovator, champion and a sportsman.

Lockard moved from McCanda to Joliet in 1947 and was the proprietor of Will County Auto Wreckers for many years. He fielded open wheel cars in UARA (United Auto Racing Association), WOOM (World of Outlaw Midgets) and USAC (United States Auto Club) and in 1956, with the help of Leo Melcher, campaigned the first Sprint Car powered by a Chevy V-8.

The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a free Beanie Baby compliments of Ty Inc. There will be giveaways compliments of Bell Helmets, along with other giveaways. There will also be 50/50 raffles throughout the night to benefit the Mike Guglielmucci Sr. Racer's Benevolent Fund, a local not-for-profit organization that comes to the financial aid of race car drivers who have been injured while racing. The fund also gives scholarships to Joliet Junior College students pursuing a career in the automotive industry or in auto racing. http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/sports/537891,4_2_JO01_LOCKARD_S1.article 

Coral Casino Partially Re-Opens
A Photographic Tour of Montecito’s Most Exclusive Beach Club

After nearly six years of ragged debate and 18 months of construction, the pool portion of Coral Casino Beach Club re-opened on Friday morning, August 31, just in time for the last vestige of a long, hot summer. The remainder of the club, including a second floor restaurant and the banquet hall, will not be open until sometime in 2008.

Starting around 8 a.m. this morning, members began getting calls from Coral Casino management to inform them the club was open for service. Yesterday, a few VIPs got preview tours, compliments of owner Ty Warner.

Included on the dignitaries list were Montecito Planning Commission Chair Bob Bierig and First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal, who deemed it “sleek.” http://www.independent.com/news/2007/aug/31/coral-casino-partially-re-opens/