Retail Roundup

Wanna have more fun? In celebration of the first National Blonde Day

-- surprised us, too -- Cristophe Salon will transform willing consumers

into blonds for free.

“We support this holiday day because everyone has the right to be

blond,” said Cristophe Schattemann, owner of the Fashion Island salon.

So, those interested should make appointments to go blond between 11 a.m.

and 3:30 p.m. July 9.

At the Web site, http//:www.nationalblondeday.com, it interestingly

points out the purpose of the new day: “to stop the widespread belief

that blonds are dumb and incapable.”

So now they’re recruiting non-blonds to join their side. You fill in

the blank. Information: (949) 219-0920.

Only you can prevent fireworks fires

The California Fireworks Safety and Education program sent out an

interesting media kit to promote its message. Most fascinating is the

program’s mascot -- the Preventor.

A comic book hero -- complete with a helmet sporting goggles and an

oxygen mask of some sort -- the Preventor boasts an insignia on his chest

with a picture of fire with a line drawn across it.

What’s more is they throw in a little comic book with the Preventor’s

story. Turns out Forrest -- that’s his alter ego -- was left at an

orphanage after his firefighter father fell in the line of duty. Later,

that orphanage catches fire and Forrest -- not stupid as stupid does --

saves everyone, but becomes badly burned in the process. About 10 years

later, he learns his purpose and throws on the crazy wannabe space suit.

So, what it comes down to is that Smokey the Bear is just too darn

busy with forest fires that the state has to employ the Preventor. Moral

of the story: fireworks cause fires; be careful. Happy Fourth.