Around Town

Firefighters’ calendar is a blaze of glory

Sharing the lime (OK, more of a fiery orange) light as Messrs. November in the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation’s 2007 calendar are Jason Dickinson of the Edmonds Fire Department and Jesse Freer of Snohomish County Fire District 7.

Dickinson represented the Edmonds Professional Firefighters Local 1828 in the contest for inclusion in the calendar, which is sold to raise money for the foundation’s charity work. In addition to being dedicated to his workouts and healthy-eating regimen, the avid outdoors-man has been playing gospel and blues organ since age 7.

Here are answers to the questions you’ll surely ask after you check out Dickinson’s picture: The eye-catching tattoo on his left forearm is of Hammond organ draw bars. And no digital enhancement was necessary to make his startling blue eyes that bright.

The calendar is available in area bookstores and via the Web site www.firefightercal-endar.com.

Hi tech

Jeff Vaughn, the former head sound engineer for Seattle Repertory Theatre Company, has been hired as the new technical director for the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

Prior to his work at The Rep, Vaughn served as technical director for the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton, which offers programs similar to those planned for the regional arts center in downtown Edmonds.

He began his new job Aug. 28.

Rah talent

While we’re on the subject of TV-worthy talent, several Edmonds residents won recognition at the Evergreen State Fair that concludes Monday, Sept. 4.

Among them are Lauren Lyshall, who blew her way to a third-place finish in the bubble-gum-blowing contest for 11-15 year olds.

Idol chatter

An Enterprise reader who describes herself as an “avid ‘American Idol’ watcher” took me to the woodshed over my likening of Edmonds Idol winner Bill Volpentest (The Enterprise, Aug. 18) to the recent winner of the popular TV show.

Volpentest may be “40-something” but “American Idol” Taylor Hicks isn’t, Marie the Super Fan pointed out. Hicks fell within the show’s age limit of 16 to 28 years when he auditioned, she said.

The semi-anonymous Marie also noted the local winner, at age 47, is too old to audition for the TV show. Volpentest said hopes to try out for “American Idol” when it holds auditions in Seattle this fall.

“While he may portray Superman, there are no exceptions on the age rules for fictional heroes,” wrote Marie.

Have an item for Around Town? Please e-mail information to Sue Waldburger at edmonds@-heraldnet.com or by mail to 4303 198th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036.