Posted online, here’s a recap of the February 2012 edition of the Mid-county Memo ….

Tom West, girls varsity basketball coach at Portland Christian for 30 years, was named Oregon’s 2010-2011 National Federation of State High School Associations Coach of the Year.

Former Portland Christian girls varsity coach Tom West, center, holding plaque, was named 2011 National Federation of State High School Associations Coach of the Year. West quit coaching after 30 years at the school. He won three state titles, including a 29-0, undefeated record in 2007.

ikoniHuman Solutions’ 10th annual Epiphany Choir Fest will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, at 5 p.m. at Parkrose United Methodist Church, 11111 N.E. Knott St. in east Portland. The Epiphany Choir Fest is a celebration of the culmination of the holiday season, as well as a fundraising event to benefit Human Solutions’ Daybreak Shelter and other services for homeless families.

Local church choirs plus a bell choir will perform Christmas anthems and carols, and the combined choirs will perform the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.” A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert.

In the 18th century, author, poet and philosopher David Everett wrote “… Large streams from little mountains flow, Tall oaks from little acorns grow.” The tall oak that is the annual Festival of Lights at The Grotto began as a small, 10-day, acorn of an event that has grown into the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The tree continues to emerge from the acorn planted 24 years ago. Its message carries further and becomes more beautiful with each passing year.

According to head organizer Linda Robinson, the third annual Ventura Park free summer concert series, funded by grants from the City, attracted an average of 300 to 400 people. The musical groups were Chata Addy & Susuma, David Correa and Cascada, and The Midnight Serenaders.

At the Ventura Park summer concerts, organizer Linda Robinson, left, solicits donations to help fund her City sponsored concerts.

“Passing the hat” at shows’ intermissions brought in more than $1,000 in contributions toward next year’s concerts.

Honoring first responders and hometown heroes, the Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl is offering a 50 percent discount to them and their guests this weekend and next.

Skibowl owner Kirk Hanna said, “We are happy to extend this discount to the public servants who contribute so much to our communities. With the summer crowds gone, Fall is an ideal time to enjoy the activities at Skibowl.” Valid for up to six people, any police, firefighter, active-duty military or emergency medical technician — with proper identification — can take advantage of the half-price discount.

Mt. Hood Skibowl Adventure Park Slide

Crossroads Church, 2505 N.E. 102nd Ave., will host a celebration in commemoration of the powerful resolve of the American people to rise from tragedy on Sunday, Sept 11 from noon to 5 p.m.
Visitors to the east Portland church will enjoy live music, arts and crafts, international foods, community information, games for kids and more. This is a free event. The public is invited.

The September issue of the Mid-county Memo posted online. A re-cap of its content follows …

Proposed changes at Glendoveer Golf Course and Fitness Trail is this month’s main front page feature story. Glendoveer lovers and government haters showed up en masse for the heated open house last month.

Lee Perlman pens a piece about east Portland tours conducted by Oregon State Rep. Jefferson Smith (D) for candidates for City office is the subject of the second story on this month’s front page. Smith took candidates on a tour of east Portland low-lights, highlighting the decades of City neglect for Mid-county.

The Double Reed Divas are the featured artists at the next offering of the Tabor Heights United Methodist Church concert series on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. Victoria Racz, Dagny Rask Regan and Ann van Bever will play classics by Debussy, Haydn and Krommer and newer works by Australian composer Graham Powning and jazz composer Arthur Woodbury.

The church is located at 6161 S.E. Stark St. The concerts are free. Free will offerings will be accepted.

Members of the community are invited to the Parklane Neighborhood Fair, presented in part by Portland Parks & Recreation today,  beginning at 4 p.m. at Parklane Park, Southeast 155th and Main Street.

The fair celebrates the first project in the city’s E205 Initiative, the new equipment and upgrades at Parklane Park —  and will feature family activities, a dedication and remarks by City Parks Commissioner Nick Fish and Mayor Sam Adams. The event will conclude with a tour of the future park site, live music and a  free movie in the park “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” at dusk.

The August issue of the Mid-county Memo is posted online. A re-cap of its content follows …

This month’s issue has a front page feature story about the Native American Youth and Family Center housed in an old elementary school on Columbia Blvd. in east Portland.

Lee Perlman pens a piece about the results of the recently revived Barn Bash, a western style party that was annually held at Rossi Farms in Parkrose for ten years before it ended in 2007, is the subject of the second story on this month’s front page.