Raving Toy Maniac

October 13, 2012 - LEGO has unveiled two new Super Heroes sets at New York Comic Con! One from Marvel and one from DC:

Marvel Super Heroes
76005
Spider-Man™: Daily Bugle Showdown
$49.99
Piece Count: 476
Minifigures: Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Jonah Jameson, Nova, Beetle

DC Super Heroes
76001
The Bat v. Bane™: Tumbler chase
$39.99
Piece Count: 368
Minifigures: Batman, Bane, Commissioner Gordon

The LEGO Group and Nickelodeon Announce Expanded Global Partnership to Bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the Construction Toy Category

BILLUND, Denmark, Oct. 11, 2012 -- The LEGO Group, makers of the world's leading construction toys, and Nickelodeon, one of the world's leading entertainment brands for kids, announced today an expansion of their global partnership to develop construction toys inspired by the recently launched CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series. The collection is slated to launch in North America and the UK in January 2013 and will roll out in global markets later in the year. The companies have a long-standing relationship and first partnered together in 2006 to create LEGO® SpongeBob Squarepants. Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered on Sept. 29 and was an instant hit, drawing almost 12 million viewers during its premiere weekend.

LEGO Systems Makes Debut Appearance at New York Comic-Con

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2012 -- COMIC-CON -- LEGO Systems, Inc., the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, kicked off its first official presence at New York Comic-Con today by unveiling new sets and exclusive giveaways for fans of all ages. Never-before-seen introductions include LEGO® Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™, a recently announced play theme slated to launch in January 2013. Two of the sets from the much-anticipated LEGO The Hobbit™ collection, launching this December, will also be unveiled. Also on display are construction sets and new video content from popular LEGO Super Heroes: MARVEL™, LEGO Super Heroes: DC Universe™ and LEGO Star Wars™ properties. Because no LEGO experience is complete without a hands-on building activity, show attendees are invited to help assemble a 7.5 foot-tall mystery mosaic at booth #1538 of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, October 11-14.

Toys"R"Us® Introduces International Shipping For Online Orders to More Than 60 Countries Around the Globe

Through Partnership with i-parcel, Customers Worldwide Can Now Shop the Vast Assortment of Toys and Juvenile Products Offered on Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 11, 2012 -- Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced that international shipping is now available for online orders on http://Toysrus.com and http://Babiesrus.com to more than 60 countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America and South America. The company is providing this service to its customers in partnership with i-parcel, a leading international air express company that facilitates global shipping capabilities. With international shipping, the company is extending the presence of Toys"R"Us® and Babies"R"Us® and nearly doubling the number of countries that currently have access to the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer.

October 11, 2012 - Listed below are the toy (and child-related) recalls from this week; these links go to the official announcements on the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site.

- Graco Recalls Classic Wood Highchairs Due to Fall Hazard

- Kitchen Fires #1 in New Report; Smoke Alarms and Escape Plans Key to Surviving Fires in the Home

Toys"R"Us® Announces 2012 Holiday Toy Trends

Company Identifies Top Four Trends Predicted to Influence Holiday Toy Purchases: Precious Preschool Pals, Kid-Friendly Tablets and App-Enabled Fun, "Rad" Returns from the '80s and Light F/X

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 11, 2012 -- As children begin to write their letters to Santa with care and parents start to devise their holiday shopping strategies, Toys"R"Us® today announced four emerging trends it expects to impact toy-buying decisions this holiday season. Representative of these top trends are toys based on tiny tots' favorite characters, kid-friendly tablets, "rad" playthings from the '80s that are making a comeback and items that offer fun light-up features. This year's toy trends also undoubtedly reflect some of this season's hottest toy properties and products.

Danica Patrick Hits the Track in a Transforming Hot Wheels® Car in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed™

SEGA and Mattel Team Up to Create an Immersive Sonic the Hedgehog Racing Experience with Limited Edition Diecast "Danicar" and In-Game Vehicle

SAN FRANCISCO -- October 10, 2012 -- SEGA® of America Inc. is thrilled to announce a unique partnership with Mattel, Inc. and the iconic Hot Wheels® brand, offering consumers an exciting cross-platform experience for the upcoming release of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Within the video game, players who choose to race as Danica Patrick will be able to drive a custom transforming electric green Hot Wheels® vehicle, designed to navigate the dynamic land, sea and air environments. In addition to its in-game presence, the "Danicar" will also be available as an exclusive diecast vehicle available this holiday season with purchase of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed at select retailers.

October 10, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - A note from CollectorDASH for Action Figures:

Win a Masterpiece Optimus Prime from DASH

When it comes to contest prizes, they don't get much better than a brand new Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime. The figure is valued at $100, includes a bundle of extras, and is being given away to one lucky collector for free by Collector-ActionFigures.

Target Makes Shopping for Top Toys Easier this Holiday Season

Annual list of top 20 toys includes favorite brands and Target exclusives

MINNEAPOLIS -- October 3, 2012 -- To help guests find the perfect gift for the kids on their lists, Target® Corp. is unveiling multiple initiatives that deliver added convenience and savings on this year's top toys - including QR codes, an interactive toy catalog with an enhanced digital wish list and more prominent shelf placement for the season's most popular toys.

Beginning Oct. 14, Target will showcase the top 20 toys on the main aisle in-store to make finding gifts easier for time-strapped holiday shoppers. For added convenience, each of the top toys will have a QR code that can be scanned to purchase the toy directly using a mobile device and ship it for free to anyone, anywhere in the U.S.

The Federal Government Takes Action on Radon Gas to Prevent Lung Cancer Deaths in 2012. October 15th - 21st is Radon Awareness Week

October 2012 - October 15-21 is Federal Radon Action Week according to The Surgeon General. Health agencies throughout the United States have joined forces to promote awareness of the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. The American Lung Association, Centers for Disease Control, and National Cancer Institute all agree that radon is a National health problem and encourage radon testing during the October awareness drive.

Radon is a naturally-occurring, invisible and odorless radioactive gas. One in 15 American homes contains high levels of radon. Millions of Americans are unknowingly exposed to this dangerous gas. In fact, a recent study by Harvard University ranks radon as Americas #1 in-home hazard. By taking simple steps to test your home for radon and fix if necessary, this health hazard can be avoided.