| 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.
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.
Monday Sports In Brief
COLLEGE FOOTBALL - The same day Texas A&M entrusted its program to one former NFL head coach, Georgia Tech decided to end the tenure of another.Coaches were coming and going around college football as each school searched for a winning formula. Georgia Tech fired Chan Gailey, the ex-Dallas Cowboys coach, while Texas A&M hired Mike Sherman, the ex-Green Bay Packers coach.Indiana gave interim coach Bill Lynch a four-year contract after he led the Hoosiers to their most successful season in 14 years. Duke fired Ted Roof, who went 2-3 as an interim coach in 2003 to earn the full-time job then won just four more games the next four seasons.At Southern Mississippi and Colorado State, two longtime, successful coaches were on their way out after disappointing years. Southern Miss’ Jeff Bower resigned after 14 straight winning seasons and 10 bowl invitations in 11 years.
Back In The New York Groove; Vikings Thrash Giants
"New York Groove" is a song performed by legendary Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley on his self-titled 1978 album. It also happens to be the ditty that the New York Giants used to play after they scored a touchdown at Giants Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings defense may just claim the song as their own. Two years ago in North Jersey, Vikings safety Darren Sharper picked off Eli Manning three times, returning one for a touchdown in a 24-21 Minnesota win. And, while it didn't count, the Vikings trashed the New York Jets, 37-20, during a preseason game at the stadium in August, when both Sharper and linebacker Chad Greenway returned interceptions for touchdowns. Fast forward to this past Sunday when Sharper, safety Dwight Smith and Greenway all returned Manning interceptions for touchdowns as Minnesota stunned the New York Giants again, 41-17.
TOP STORIES ::
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll pray for a sequel. Best. Simpsons. Game. Ever. OK, that isn't really saying that much (Springfield's first family hasn't really had much luck in video-game adaptations). Still, EA's "The Simpsons Game" manages to nail the humor, tone and pacing of the hit animated television series. Of course, it helps that the writers of the series actually wrote the game and all of the voice actors reprise their roles. The game allows you to play as all of the Simpsons except Grampa. Little Maggie even gets in on the act in a few levels. All of the Simpsons have their own unique abilities. Homer can burp (temporarily stunning an enemy), turn into a large ball of fat to role over objects and enemies (a la Konami's "Katamari Damacy") as well as a few other moves.
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