Dolls

The Aboriginal Man doll seems like a freeze-frame from a whirl of motion. But his didgeridoo, a musical instrument, and primitive dot pattern make him seem grounded in a place and time, as well. Another figure representing the Ndebele tribe of South Africa uses little more than a piece of patterned fabric and sculpted wire about the neck and head to indicate the dramatic traditional style of the tribeswomen. And an East Asian-style doll is striking in its silky fabric. But it also cleverly incorporates chopsticks as fashion accessories and uses stickpins in the doll's hair.

MORE THAN 100 soft dolls, handmade by members of the Women's Club of Hampstead, were donated by the club to Operation Smile, an international medical program, on Friday.Operation Smile, founded by the husband-and-wife team of Dr. William T. Magee, a plastic surgeon, and Katherine Magee, a nurse, offers reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States, and provides associated training to health professionals around the world.

A host of films seems to have inspired "Small Soldiers": "Toy Story," "Frankenstein," "The Dirty Dozen," "Patton," "Apocalypse Now," not to mention director Joe Dante's own 1984 hit "Gremlins."Dante has even mined the classic mock-rockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" for talent to provide voices for the animated characters of this animation-live action comedy, as well as Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella. The late, great Phil Hartman shows up as an obsequious techno-nerd, a role tailor-made for him, and the appealing young actors Kirsten Dunst and Gregory Smith play the film's lead live-action roles.

Rebecca C., 11, recently toured Chicago's American Girl Place, which opened in November. Here's what she says about the fancy, fab spot:There's an exciting new girls place in Chicago. It's called American Girl Place, and it's all about American Girl magazine and products.The place starts with a fabulous bookstore past the entrance. You'll find books about crafts, fiction and stuff to help you out with girlhood. You'll also find AG's historical books.On the lower level, there's a boutique celebrating the girls of yesterday.

IF YOU'RE A MAN, AT some point a woman will ask you how she looks."How do I look?" she'll ask.You must be careful how you answer this question. The best technique is to form an honest yet sensitive opinion, then collapse on the floor with some kind of fatal seizure. Trust me, this is the easiest way out. Because you will never come up with the right answer.The problem is that women generally do not think of their looks in the same way that men do. Most men form an opinion of how they look in seventh grade, and they stick to it for the rest of their lives.

Jacqueline Susann led a life so deliciously over-the-top, it's a shame her TV bio doesn't follow suit.Pretty much through sheer force of will, Susann made herself into, first, a Grade-B TV personality, and second, a best-selling author whose books were labeled pornographic back in the days when that really meant something. "Valley of the Dolls," "The Love Machine" and "Once Is Not Enough" all topped the best-seller lists, becoming pop-culture (some would argue that the more correct term is kitsch)

CHICAGO - Gabriela Vazquez, 8, was dressed for the occasion. And so was her doll. Clad in a "Proud to be an American Girl" T-shirt and black leggings, Vazquez walked around American Girl Place on opening day a few weeks ago, one arm wound around Josefina, a doll garbed in an identical T-shirt and leggings. Gabriela's dark hair was pulled into a high braid. Ditto for Josefina's."They always match," said Gabriela's mother, Graciela Vazquez. The mother-daughter duo was drinking in every square inch of the three-story retail and entertainment complex before taking their seats in the theater for the "The American Girls Revue," a one-hour musical.

CONSUMER REPORTS, that always sensible and steadfastly neutral tester of the things we buy, is out with a report on educational toys, just in time for the holidays.This year, the organization tested 30 toys marketed for their educational value, and 350 kids helped pick the winners.Don't worry, Consumer Reports magazine says, if you bought the Spice Girls and tried to convince yourself that they have learning value. "Even the ubiquitous Beanie Babies can have a place in a child's development," advises CR.Sunday, we'll look at some of the toys designed to foster better reading.

A BARBIE DOLL is sold every half-second somewhere in the world. More than a billion Hot Wheels cars have been made in the past 30 years. Play-Doh was supposed to be a wallpaper cleaner, before the manufacturer realized it might sell better as modeling clay for kids. And Lincoln Logs, developed by John Lloyd Wright, son of the famed architect, just celebrated their 82nd birthday.It is premature to sound the death knell for such beloved traditional playthings. But the news that Mattel Inc. is acquiring a software-based toy company while reporting flat sales for its traditional line could be a sign of things to come.

Even before she could read, Rebecca H. Harman would stare at pictures of Africa and vow to see the wild animals and lush vegetation for herself.It took nearly 60 years, but Harman went to Kenya and back again -- three times since 1981. From her home in New Windsor, she also has traveled to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Tanzania, all nations that had not been born when Becky Harman was growing up on a farm in Frederick County.At 80, Harman has just earned a berth in the Travelers Century Club, whose 1,200 members have visited 100 countries.

Sue Hart's Towson neighborhood consists of quaint brick rowhouses circa 1947 that appear from the street more cottagelike than the usual two-story Colonial. Narrow in width, these homes are lined up side by side, many behind picket or chain-link fences. Front yards, almost as deep as the homes themselves, showcase manicured lawns or are blanketed in controllable ivy. Almost all of the yards are shaded with old trees that were planted as saplings when home construction was completed more than a half-century ago. The concrete walkway to Hart's home passes ivy and small bushes.

What a coincidence: Beanie Babies's new Sasha and Malia dolls The company that makes the popular Beanie Babies is hoping for two more big winners with dolls named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia." But, no, the names do not refer to President Barack Obama's daughters, a Ty Inc. spokeswoman says. Hmmm. Ty released the 12-inch dolls as part of the company's "TyGirlz Collection." The Sasha doll has pigtails and wears a white-and-pink dress with hearts. The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants.

The next sound you hear: Musical talent to try their hand at ringing in 'N-B-C' B.B. King, the B-52s, the Flaming Lips, T.I. and Clint Black are among the musical acts NBC has invited to create their own take on the three-note chime for the Peacock network. The artists will appear in on-air promotions for NBC's "Chime In" branding campaign. King will be seen, for example, adding a twist to the G-E-C notes on his guitar, while the B-52s have come up with a more dance-oriented take on the chimes.

TORONTO - Inside a converted warehouse in a desolate area just east of downtown, Abigail Breslin sits patiently with her mother, waiting for the film cameras to set their positions for the next take. The young actress, like the rest of the cast, sticks out here because of her Depression-era costumes. In fact, with her chin-length hair and a 1930s-style blue dress, white socks and shoes, she is so carefully put together that she almost resembles an antique figurine. Breslin is playing the title character in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, the family-friendly movie opening today that is based on the hugely popular line of dolls and books from American Girl.

LINDA BIGGS IS A BALTIMORE native and fantasy artist whose works are collected around the globe. After a long career in advertising and corporate commercial printing, she retired and began her new life as a full-time fine artist in 1999. Many of her vibrant watercolor images of fairies are licensed and re-created in a variety of products. Biggs lives in Parkton, with her husband and two children. 1 A restored 1979 Jeep CJ-5 "With free gas would be even better." 2 Vinyl art dolls "It would be so cool to have trendy fashion dolls made in the image of my fantasy characters."

Imagine 99 identical Barbie dolls in green Army fatigues and boots arrayed in parade rank before a crimson backdrop. It's an image of militaristic, monolithic power that pretty much sums up artist Mina Cheon's decidedly dim view of totalitarian rule. Cheon (pronounced CHUN) is a Korean-American artist who teaches at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In previous exhibitions, she's explored the tensions between her native South Korea and its communist neighbor to the north in a variety of media, including video, interactive multimedia installation and complicated, three-dimensional string sculptures.

Fumiko Campbell of Baltimore celebrated a Japanese holiday for girls yesterday called Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day). The celebration, designed to wish girls future happiness, involves the display of ceremonial dolls. Her celebration has taken on new meaning in recent years with the birth of a granddaughter.

INSIDE TODAY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING TODAY'S SUN COLUMNISTS Quarterback question Mike Preston says Brian Billick has to be careful in how he handles the Ravens' quarterbacks. Sports baltimoresun.com/preston Hip-Hop nation BET tonight begins airing Hip-Hop vs. America, a three-part, town-hall style meeting addressing the negative impact of hip-hop music. Today baltimoresun.com/ollison OTHER VOICES Jean Marbella on `genius grants.' -- Maryland Dan Thanh Dang on debit-card fraud. -- Business David Zurawik on "Little Rock Central."

. Nina Woehlke, 8, of Millersville gazes at shelves full of fancy dolls. She strokes the soft fur of an antique teddy bear, made from mohair. For her and her sister, Rachel, 11, a visit to the Bearing Gifts store is a treat. "It's bribery for the children," said their mother, Nancy. "They get to pick something ... and [then] they have to be nice while we antique." Owner Kathleen Warshauer enjoys the shop almost as much as her youngest customers. "I love selling. ... Putting together displays is fun," she said.

INSIDE TODAY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING TODAY'S SUN COLUMNISTS It's cool, you fool Whining about the sizzling summer in Charm City? Just watch the saga of six truckers risking ice and limb driving in the frozen Arctic. today baltimoresun.com/cowherd Making a difference With each game, it becomes clearer how well interim manager Dave Trembley is selling an inspirational message to the Orioles and their fans. sports baltimoresun.com/steele OTHER VOICES Mike Dresser hears from bikers -- Maryland 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY Croc Week -- Visitors to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore get the opportunity to see training sessions with the zoo's two slender-snouted crocodiles and learn more about crocodiles from experts.