Here’s the payoff

LOLITA HARPER

Many of you probably think journalists are lured to this career

because we long to wield unrelenting power over the masses. Others of

you (wrongly) think we are in it for the money. Some of you probably

assume we just like to see our own names in print.

(Lolita Harper. Lolita Harper. Lolita Harper.)

But the reason I am in this business can best be illustrated at 3

p.m. Saturday at Fashion Island. This weekend, 15 of Newport Beach’s

hottest firefighters will model some of the latest fall fashions at

Bloomingdale’s and guess who has a backstage pass (wink, wink)?

This event is guaranteed to be smoking.

That’s right, ladies. Men who make a living carrying heavy hoses

tossed over their bulging shoulders while they climb seven flights of

stairs to rescue helpless victims -- collective sigh -- will shed

those polyester-blend uniforms for more fashionable threads. Our

hometown heroes will don motorcross-inspired looks, the new modern

suit, urban street wear, eveningwear and more, courtesy of Bloomie’s

men’s department.

For those guys whom I lost with that last paragraph, just think of

this fashion show as the closest thing we females have to the Sports

Illustrated Swimsuit issue -- but live. Understand now?

The “Too Hot for Fall” show, which is open to the general public

with first come, first served seating, is not all about runway fun

and eye candy.

Bloomingdale’s officials will present the firefighters with a

check to benefit the family of Newport Beach Paramedic Brian Slater,

who was critically injured in a bodysurfing accident weeks ago.

Slater was well known in the community as a smiling, cheerful,

helpful, fun-loving guy who was devoted to his family, his passions

and his city. His accident hit people hard, and this fashion show is

just one way to show the Slater family some support.

I can imagine Slater himself having a ball on the catwalk.

Playfully, pouting at the audience (think Ben Stiller in the movie

“Zoolander”), sauntering down the walk and living up every minute of

it.

It is with that good-natured spirit, I imagine, that his

colleagues will take to the runway and strut their stuff for a

friend.

So the benefits are threefold:

1. Fashionably challenged men will gain some knowledge about how

to dress, perhaps learning that just because a T-shirt is free, that

doesn’t make it a “must have.”

2. Area women, or any others lucky enough to be in Bloomingdale’s

Saturday afternoon, will have 15 new reasons to stick to that new

exercise regimen.

And the most important of all ...

3. This powerful community, known for its philanthropy and

solidarity, will come together to help one of its own.

And I will be there to witness it all.

Man, it’s a tough job, but somebody has got to do it.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at [email protected].