Crossroads Christian School at 2505 N.E. 102nd Ave. is starting a community children’s choir to be called Crossroads Christian Children’s Choir. Although auditions are required for admittance, the choir is open to all children from the community, not just Crossroads Christian School students. It is meant for grades 3 through 8. The cost to join is $75.

The audition date is Thursday, Jan. 10, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Rehearsals are set from Thursday, Jan. 17 through March 20, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Performance dates will be announced; stay tuned to the Memo for updates.

An east Portland K-5 elementary school, in the David Douglas School District is seeking instructional assistants. Responsibilities include instructing small groups of students in reading and English as well as assisting the teacher in organization, data collection and lesson preparation.

Two years of college or the ability to pass a basic skills test is required. The positions are temporary and pay $9.00 per hour/no benefits.

If you’re interested and would like to apply, please contact Lisa Oglesby at lisa_oglesby@ddouglas.k12.or.us or call her at 503-256-6500 ext. 4521

Memo readers and Mid-Multnomah County business owners will want to get involved in a holiday event that benefits everybody.

It’s “A Christmas Breakfast,” presented by the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Gresham Baptist Church, set for Friday, Dec. 14, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. It’s to be at the Greater Gresham Baptist Church, 3848 N.E. Division St. in Gresham.

It’s a benefit for SnowCap Community Charities.

The cost is $12 per person, with sponsored tables available for $125 each.

Tickets are available by either calling Julie at the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce at 503-665-1131 or by calling Rhea Rice at SnowCap at 503-674-8785, ext. 17.

The Sunshine Division of the Portland Police Bureau is seeking volunteer drivers to deliver Holiday Food boxes to those in need.

Volunteer drivers are asked to show up the morning of Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct, 737 S.E. 106th Ave., to help deliver Holiday Food boxes.

The Memo spoke with a representative at East Precinct and found out that boxes will be ready for loading at 7:45 a.m.; those interested in helping can arrive a little early, at 7:30 a.m., to queue up. There will be coffee and cocoa to warm you up, and pastries to get you going.

St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, located at 17405 N.E. Glisan St., will present its annual Lessons, Readings and Carols event for the Christmas holiday season on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 5 p.m., The hour-long service will include wassail and other refreshments served in the parish hall following. Childcare will be provided.

Scriptural readings, contemporary commentary and poetry will tell the story of the birth of Christ. Favorite Christmas carols will be featured, with the church decked out in garland and decorated for the season.

The Mid-county Memo is always proud to promote our modern day heroes, those men and women of the Portland Police Bureau and the Portland Fire Bureau.

This past summer saw the retirement of Lt. Dennis O’Grady, who worked at Portland Fire Station No. 43, located at Northeast 133rd Avenue and San Rafael Street.

O’Grady was part of a contingent from Station No. 43 who in June 2002 hosted visiting firefighters from New York City’s Engine Company 306, one of the many brave units that responded to the horrific scene in that city on Sept. 11, 2001. The New York firefighters who came to Portland also participated in the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade.

The holiday spirit is alive at east Portland’s Rivercrest Community Church, located at 3201 N.E. 148th Ave.; the church is two blocks south of Sandy Boulevard on Northeast 148th Avenue.

Two events are slated for the holiday.

First, there’s the annual Christmas Sing-Along, set for Sunday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. Bring the whole family to enjoy this festive event. A special feature of the Sing-Along will be the organ playing of former church organist Paul Quarino. Quarino’s nickname was “The Organ Grinder,” and his playing will enliven the event.