Local firefighters will show off their skyscraper climbing techniques at Cost Cutter this Sunday to help find a cure for cancer.

On March 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. fire district 13 members will be collecting pledges for the Safeco Firefighter Challenge. The event is a timed race in full gear to the top of the Bank of America tower in Seattle – the city’s tallest building. Racers will tote firefighting equipment and breathing apparatus 788 feet in the air, up 69 flights of stairs. The district 13 team is sponsored by local 3867 of the Northwest Whatcom Firefighters.

At Sunday’s pledge drive firefighters will have the stair-climber they are using to train for the race and demonstrate the equipment they will carry, said district 13 lieutenant Mike Schmidt. “We’ll be climbing using the breathing apparatus, which makes it a real challenge,” he said.

Pledges raised through the event support leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkin’s disease research and patient care. “We haven’t been the most competitive in the race at time,” Schmidt said, “but we’re pretty good at fundraising.” In last year’s event, district 13 volunteer Mike Kinney was the third place fundraiser for the entire event, raising $1,917.

For more information about the event or where to make a pledge call Schmidt at 371-2533.

Development Dialogue
The Blaine Community Chamber of Commerce and its Economic Development Committee will present Ken Hertz at a special luncheon at the Inn at Semiahmoo on Wednesday, March 21 at 12 p.m.

Ken Hertz is the chief operating officer of Trillium Corporation. He will speak about Trillium’s plans for the economic development of Birch Point and the Blaine-Birch Bay area.

The luncheon cost is $18 and includes the tax and gratuity. Reservations are encouraged, however walk-ins are welcome. Call the Blaine visitors center, 332-4544 to make your reservation. We recommend reserving before Monday, March 19th.

Sweat it out!
A low-impact aerobics class now being held in the multipurpose room of the Blaine primary school is held at 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9:30 a.m. Saturday. (The time will be 5:30 p.m. for March 1 only.) It is a changing format class composed of floor aerobics, aerobic/weight intervals, power yoga, Pilates - style mat work, strength and stretch. Expect to get your heart rate up and stretch it all out after. Come drop in for $4 or pay a $30 monthly fee. Bring a water bottle and mat if you have them. Be prepared to sweat and go home feeling great. Appropriate for all fitness levels.

Reunion
Blaine high school class of 1951 will be holding its reunion August 25. Addresses are needed for Betty Gustafson Evans and Jim Carlson. Persons who were in the class at any time are also welcome. For details, call 733-1188 or 332-6042.

Farm dollars
Washington Farm Bureau is offering four $1,000 scholarships to members of Farm Bureau families who are enrolled in an agriculture-related field of study at an accredited college or university.

Applications and eligibility rules for the Farm Bureau’s Ray DeVries Memorial Scholarships are available from local county Farm Bureau offices, or on the Washington Farm Bureau website, www.wsfb.com.

Applications must be returned to the member’s county Farm Bureau by July 1. Recipients will be announced by August 15.

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