| For the kids: Toy wishes
An avalanche of toys that encourage activity and imagination are here for the holidays. For the rock star in the house, the latest musical-instrument video games and karaoke software should fill the bill. For the budding builder, some new kits from Lego and a fast-paced, magnet-powered roller-coaster set might do the trick. Among the other offerings: a soft puppy that grows (and speaks), remote-controlled helicopters that duel indoors and a Barbie "doll" that doubles as an MP3 player and interacts in her own virtual world online. These ideas, of course, make up just a tiny fraction of the possibilities. Today, in launching our annual holiday gift guide, we've consulted magazines, retailers and toy experts. Most of the items suggested are sold at toy, retail and discount stores; and through online outlets.
Parents who worry about the message some toys send can face a doll dilemma
Moms are hunting through toy aisles for more wholesome-looking dolls, concerned that the scantily clad Bratz dolls with their Party Palaces and Magic Make-up Studios are sending their daughters the wrong message about how they should dress and act.
With their heavily made-up faces, short shorts and halter tops, Bratz are the No. 2 best-selling dolls in the country, just behind Barbie, but creeping up on her with their own lines of clothing, school supplies, video games and, most recently, a live-action movie playing in theaters.
And some moms are not happy about it. "I don't want my daughter viewing herself that way," says Gloria Baca of Tempe, Ariz., who has steered her daughter, now 10, away from Barbie and Bratz in favor of an American Girl doll by Mattel named Josefina.
Dolls gone wild: Unhappy moms want wholesome alternatives
Moms are hunting through toy aisles for more wholesome-looking dolls, concerned that the scantily clad Bratz dolls with their Party Palaces and Magic Make-up Studios are sending their daughters the wrong message about how they should dress and act. With their heavily made-up faces, short shorts and halter tops, Bratz are the No. 2 best-selling dolls in the country, just behind Barbie, but creeping up on her with their own lines of clothing, school supplies, video games and, most recently, a live-action movie playing in theaters. And some Moms are not happy about it. "I don't want my daughter viewing herself that way," says Gloria Baca of Tempe, Ariz., who has steered her daughter, now 10, away from Barbie and Bratz in favor of an American Girl doll by Mattel named Josefina.
Axeman Ward sharpens up Blues
MARK this down as the day Carlisle United's season came back to life. The 360-mile slog to Sussex was worth the effort to discover that the Blues had rid their system of the worm that had burrowed in a couple of weeks ago. A match rich in sub-plots - a swathe of changes to the United team, a fistful of goals and a sending off for Brighton's George O'Callaghan - also threw up an important theme. It was that the business of scooping up important league points hasn't been unduly affected by Carlisle's recent, irritating stumbles against Grimsby and Stockport in cup competitions. On Saturday they earned a decent point from a collision with one of League One's form teams (Brighton had lost once in their last 13 prior to battle), but also plenty of marks for bringing some mental resilience to their work.
Games Asylum » The Simpsons Game
EA recently said that they were going to pull their socks up when it comes to DS development, and you can't argue with the effort they've put into this. It comes on the largest DS cart available, contains over twenty minutes of FMV, some 3,000 speech samples, a virtual Homer to play with and a handful of retro game parodies including Frogger, Space Invaders and Gauntlet. The thing is that EA themselves aren't responsible for the effort - Amaze did all the work. Oddly their company logo has been emitted from the start up sequence and isn't shown until the end credits. Bad show, EA. Although now in 2D, it follows the same story as the bigger console versions, right down to each Simpson having their own special skills. That story being that the yellow fellows know that they're in a videogame and eventually discover that they have to face their creator if they want to escape.
Disney's Hannah Montana doll beats Barbie as 'Most Desired Toy'
New York, Nov 21 (ANI): Disney's Hannah Montana doll, based on the popular TV series, has emerged as the most wanted toy among young girls. The doll has overtaken Barbie and Bratz as the most desired toy for young girls. Hannah Montana is an American Emmy Award-nominated teen television series focusing on Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus), who lives a double life as an average teenage girl at school during the day and a famous pop singer at night, concealing her real identity from the public other than her close friends and family. "It's everything Hannah. She's the hot property, from the doll to the play sets and everything that goes along with it," the New York Daily News quoted Jim Silver, editor in chief of Toy Wishes magazine, which features Cyrus' character on its current cover and includes the singing doll in its coveted "Hot Dozen" holiday toy list, as saying.
Families need help this season
With Thanksgiving celebrated today, Christmas is just a little more than a month away.And to help needy Butte families this holiday season, the Mining City Christmas program is taking donations of gifts, food, money or time. Volunteers are also needed to help process applications and stuff gift bags and food boxes for the giveaway.People interested in "adopting" a deserving family are also needed and will be taken until Dec. 7. In the adoption, Mining City Christmas provides names, addresses and needs of the family to those wishing to help. Any business, groups or individuals are welcome to participate.Families � who are screened for income and eligibility � who could use help include:The parents of a 14-year-old boy would like him to receive Xbox 360 games. He also wears large shirts, size 33 waist pants, and 10� shoes.The parents of three youngsters need assistance.
Holiday calendar—neighborhood holiday celebrations
Christmas Trees: The South Baltimore Little League sells Christmas trees at its fields, 454 E. Fort Avenue. Trees will be available until sold out. Delivery is available. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday from noon-9 p.m., and on Sunday noon-6 p.m. All proceeds benefit SBLL. Info: Darlene 410-294-3486. The Optimist Club of Dundalk will hold its annual Christmas tree sale Nov. 30-Dec. 22 at its clubhouse, 4528 North Point Boulevard. Hours are Mondays through Fridays, noon-9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fresh wreaths and other seasonal items will also be sold. Proceeds support the Optimists' community youth programs. Info: 410-388-0320. Mitten Tree: The Department of Public Works hosts its annual mitten tree in the lobby of the Abel Wolman Building, 200 Holliday Street, beginning Thursday, Nov.
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