| Holiday wishbook
Straight from the mouths of Culpeper kids, here's the scoop on holiday gifts for grades 1-12. Back in the day you were in the hot seat asking Santa Claus for an A.C. Gilbert Erector set, an Atari 2600 game or a scented Strawberry Shortcake doll with Berrykin case. However, times have changed. The toys that fueled our imaginations so many years ago are now called "vintage." So what's a big bad adult supposed to do when a train set just doesn't cut it anymore? The Star-Exponent set forth to find out what this generation of technology-savvy children wants these days. We visited three Culpeper schools - Epiphany Catholic, St. Luke's Lutheran and Culpeper County High - and talked with a boy and girl from every grade to give you, oh clueless grownup, a better shot at getting it right this year.
Get 'em before they're gone
The real players in the debate over the hottest toys aren't the industry experts, of course, but kids.Cost isn't the decider. Ask any parent who watches a child unwrap a high-priced toy and then play with the box.That said, there are industry awards for creativity, quality and engineering. The 2007 awards listed below come from the Toy Industry Association, a 500-company trade group of toy producers and importers. Its membership accounts for 85 percent of the toys sold in the United States.The winning toys and nominees were released into the market in 2006. Several of them made Toy Wishes magazine's Hot Dozen for the 2006 Christmas season. We've included this year's Hot Dozen from Toy Wishes for the coming year, followed by a list of toys judged the best in the industry.The Hot DozenToy Wishes magazine's annual choices for hot toys for the coming season.• American Idol Talent Challenge (Tech2Go, $50) -- An interactive game combines karaoke with "American Idol" judging.
Lutheran South settles for fourth place plaque
WARRENSBURG - As they gathered on the bleachers for an extended series of pictures with their fourth-place state plaque, the Lutheran South Lancers lingered.South's players, particularly its four seniors, weren't ready for their second straight state final four appearance to come to an end. Especially not the way it went down."After the (St. Francis) Borgia game, I think we left our best game back in St. Louis," said senior middle hitter Emily Mack, in reference to the Lancers' quarterfinal victory. "We were at least expecting to get some revenge from our loss last year, but we just didn't play our best tonight."Mack was refering to Saturday night's third place match at the University of Central Missouri Multipurpose Building, where the Lancers took on Reeds Spring for the second year in a row.
JT Special Feature: Things you never knew about Tony Romo
Journal Times sports reporter Peter Jackel offers glove-like coverage of Racine County sports. Today he draws upon his years of experience to answer some of the toughest and most obscure questions about Tony Romo.Question: Several features written about Tony Romo claim that he never had a winning record in high school? Is that true?Answer: No it is not. While Burlington went 3-6 during Romo’s senior season in 1997, the Demons went 9-3 despite an 0-2 start in 1996 and advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs. After never having played quarterback in high school prior to his junior season, Romo completed 126 of 193 passes (65.2 percent) for 1,863 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.Question: What were the reasons for Burlington going 3-6 during Romo’s senior season? .
CoD4, EE3, GoWPC, SupCom: FA Ship To Stores
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Empire Earth III, Gears of War PC and Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance have all shipped to U.S. stores today: �We�ve set out to create the most intense, visceral experience in Call of Duty 4,� said Infinity Ward Studio Head Grant Collier. �From the beginning, our team has been focused on pulling players into an unfolding, well-paced and relentless action experience that includes: fast-roping from attack helicopters in the dead of night; utilizing a camouflage Ghillie suit as you inch behind enemy lines; or being immersed in fun, competitive action in multiplayer that enables gamers to create classes, unlock new abilities and taunt opponents as they level up.� "The Empire Earth series is a multi-million unit selling franchise that has a growing appeal among strategy gamers and the third iteration of this popular PC game is truly giving players access to the entire globe," said Pascal Brochier, president, Global Retail for Vivendi Games.
Where to check for information about toy recalls
- Consumers can sign up for recall alerts on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Website www.cpsc.gov. The site has a complete list of all toy recalls dating back to 1974, where each one can be reviewed in detail. - For more information about thrift store safety, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov or www.recalls.gov to download or order free of charge a new publication called, "Dangerous and Recalled Products Reference Guide." - The Toy Industry Association details toy safety measures and industry actions at www.toyinfo.org. This site lists toy recalls, tips on buying toys, safety facts and so forth. It's a good site for anyone concerned about toy safety and their purchases. - Recalls.org is a non-profit organization from which all recalls can be researched ranging from cars to food to toys and much more.
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