I’m not really sure why I get Carol Wright Gifts magazines mailed to me. I guess it’s so I can see how sweet my retirement days will be.

Barber Magic
“Now you can give yourself and your family a safe, easy haircut at home. Just adjust the blade for the proper length, and this precision haircutting tool will trim, taper and style any length hair like a pro! Ideal for men and women, it will save you hundreds of dollars a year on expensive haircuts.”

Only $12.99.
This will never work. However, I must say, they do sell these because I’ve seen some messed up haircuts walking around.

Bug Stopper Top
Keep pesky bugs from biting while you enjoy your gardening with this easy-on bug netting top that protects your arms, face and body. Slips on over head. Polyester. One size fits all. Machine wash.

Only $6.99.

It’s hard to see in this photo, but this net covers your head too. Say goodbye to West Nile and hello to sweat. What’s really nice about the model is that she’s sporting a long sleeve shirt and gloves. Pretty much doing the double protection there from the mosquito attack.

Waterproof Pants
Generously sized, vinyl pants slip over underwear or diapers to end embarrassing leaks. Designed for all-day and overnight comfort, they have non-binding waist and leg openings. Made of a special vinyl that stays soft and quiet even after repeated washings. Machine wash and dry. Package of 3.

Only $9.99.

I’m pretty sure I’ll be going with depends over the plastic panties. And I’m going to guess that it’s not going to stay quiet.

Where I work, the area is called 5 Points West. The main road that runs through 5 Points West / West End is called the Bessemer Super Highway. For many years I traveled the road and never once thought there was anything super about it. That all ended a few weeks ago when a co-worker and I discovered an unreal number of African Hair Braid stores in a very short stretch of the Bessemer Super Highway. It’s pretty much amazing and super and disproportionate. See the map below and then click on the map to see if on Google Maps.

Here’s a few photos I took one day…click any of them to enlarge.

Queen’s does a good job with marketing. Big bold lettering and windows covered with photos.

Pretty Lady is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm.

One would think that MD#1 is the first of the MD African Hair Braid franchise, but it’s not. MD African Hair Braids (note the lack of #1) is located just west of the Western Hills Mall in Fairfield.

Marianne’s is also open 7 days a week and features lattice work in their windows.

I don’t recall the name of this Hair Braid shop, but it’s next to Discount Meats and they have a sweet cow out in front.

Gary Coleman featured in this ad for cashcall.com. Watch the ad and listen to the crash sound after Gary drives off.

I love the fine print at the end: “The APR for a typical loan of $2,600 is 99.25% with 42 monthly payments of $216.55″ The math on that is ridiculous. You end up paying over $9,000 in 3 1/2 years for that $2,600 car repair. Thanks Gary.

In the Ensley part of Birmingham, there is a really nice car wash called “Play Time”. It’s located on Vinesville Rd near Avenue J. Click the photo below to enlarge it. Purple and Gold are the colors. Which can be seen on everything from the road cones the trash cans. No doubt some influence comes from Omega Psi Phi (Q dogs) with those colors.

Another nice part is the lettering of the car wash “Play Time”. It’s not centered but rather left justified. It’s almost like they were going to call it “Play Time II” or “Play Time #1″ but left it as is.

The “Don’t Ride Dirty” catch slogan on the sign is a sweet play on Chamillionaire’s Ridin’ Dirty song.

Everyone should remember Sammy Stephens, owner/operator/rapper, of the Montgomery Mini-Mall that was featured here on Festville back in January.

I was unaware of Sammy’s success. Here’s some sweet videos courtesy of youtube.

Sammy is interview by some clown who calls it a “mart” instead of a “mall”. Sammy calls Ellen DeGeneres, Ellen Degenerate.

More videos:
- Some guy visits the store and dances with Sammy
- Sammy on Ellen DeGeneres’ show
- Family Force 5’s 7 minute in-store interview
My favorite part of the interview goes like this:
Family Force 5 member: “When did you start getting into sales?”
Sammy: “I used to sell automobiles. I’ve been selling a long time. I teach sales.”
FF5: “Oh yeah? Do you teach at a college?”
Sammy: “No, I teach my employees…”

On Sammy’s website, you can purchase t-shirts and much more.

T-shirts are $19.99, Hats are $10.99, Totes are $19.99, Pens are $4.99, Towels are $14.99.

And maybe best of all. You can buy a ringtone of it for $2.99.

http://www.fleamarketmontgomeryal.com/

In local Five Points West Taco Bell has a sweet parking spot reserved for a champion. It’s unclear who the champion is. The parking spot is near the main door but there are others closer so it obviously not to reward someone so they don’t have to walk as far. It’s very rare that someone parks in it indicating that most people think they are not worthy of being a champion. And if it were an employee awarded spot, how would you know it if they were parking in it.