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Toy store chain Toys 'R' Us is planning to sell or close all 800 of its U.S. stores, affecting as many as 33,000 jobs as the company winds down its operations. The retailer operates nine Toys ‘R’ Us stores and six Babies “R” Us stores in the Baltimore region.

Christian Siriano has unveiled a diverse collection of Barbie dolls based on red carpet looks worn by celebs he’s dressed like Leslie Jones, Solange and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Andy Musliner started Crofton-based InRoad Toys, which makes PlayTape, rolls of tape printed to resemble roads fit for tiny vehicles. It appears to have struck a nerve, meeting demand from parents who want to encourage creativity and from retailers looking to offer consumers something new in the toy category. It's also a twist on the growing decorative and crafting segment of the consumer tape industry.

Crofton-based InRoad Toys, which makes paper tape that sticks to flat surfaces to create roads for toy cars, announced a partnership Monday with one of the nation's largest consumer tape makers, North Carolina-based Shurtape Technologies LLC.

Amy Schumer won't be playing Barbie after all.

The Times has gathered info about the hottest brands and most popular gifts this holiday season.

Amy Schumer is calling out critics who slammed her potential casting as Barbie in an upcoming live-action film

Gender equality, like racial equality, is a fraught topic. Women don't want to be seen as weak, shrill or whining, so many adopt a grin-and-bear-it attitude toward the various indignities we may encounter — from lower pay to lower expectations. Speaking up on serious topics puts a target on your back and invites labels, whether they're contained in song lyrics or on social media.

The Baltimore accent made an appearance on NBC's hit comedy show Saturday Night Live this weekend -- or an attempt at one, at least.

When I was teaching a Mass Communications course at McDaniel, I covered many topics that should have been incendiary — Internet privacy, violent video games, media bias, censorship — but was barely able to get a rise out of the students. No incensed comments. No outrage. It wasn't until I showed a video from the Media Education Foundation that things got tense. Titled Mickey Mouse Monopoly, the documentary tackled sexual and racial stereotyping in Disney's animated features.

This week 18 years ago, Athens, Greece, was selected to host the 2004 Summer Olympics, the Orioles beat the Yankees 13-9 in four hours, 22 min, setting a then-record for longest nine-inning game, the funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales, was held in London, Steven Seagal's "Fire Down Below" was the No. 1 film at the box office and the following songs were the most popular in the United States, according to Billboard's Hot 100 chart archive.

I once told a female friend about a program I created called Equations of Peace aimed at helping girls in conflict areas study math. My friend thought that I didn't know enough to create such a program. When I defended my decision, she started to cry. I've never seen a man cry who wasn't cradling his dead son.

Sunday is daylight saving time – set your clocks forward one hour, or you will be like the white rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland" – you will be late for a very important date.

As a child, my dolls were by best friends. When I confided in them, I knew they would never tell. They were the ideal guests for tea parties and the perfect students to play school with. Well, not always perfect.

Jim Dryden with the Friends of the Concord Point Lighthouse informed me about the 2013 volunteer orientation and briefing to be held March 9 at 10 a.m. at the Havre de Grace Police Department meeting room. Information? Call 410-939-3213 or email concordpointlighthouse@verizon.net

The all-important holiday season is looking brighter this year for area independent toy shops

Thanks to the work of Dee's Vision, Macy's Make a Wish Foundation and donations from companies and individuals students at Maiden Choice School celebrated Christmas at school on Dec. 20 with carols, presents and special guests.