An American Girl who’s also Hawaiian

If there’s a little girl in the ohana, count on the words "Kanani doll" showing up on their next gift list.

Pleasant Co. of Wisconsin is most famous for its American Girl line of historical dolls, but now there’s a parade of contemporary models, too.

In 2001 the company decided to issue limited-edition "Girl of the Year" dolls, and in 2011 Kanani Akina, the very first Hawaiian doll in the line, makes her debut. For $95 you get the basic doll and the storybook, but there’s the toy shave-ice stand and a million other costumes and accoutrements.

Once the American Girl doll habit sets in, things get expensive pretty quickly. So better start socking away the cash again: only 362 shopping days until next Christmas. 

Bowled over 35 times, but it’s almost over

OK, North Carolina’s improbable double-overtime victory against Tennessee in the Music City Bowl was stirring stuff.

But, really, 35 bowl games? What in the name of Beef O’Brady’s is going on?

At least the long slog is almost over — they could have easily fit a national playoff in by now — and we’re down to the final seven games.

Hard to imagine that once upon a time, the college bowl season was New Year’s Day.