North Portland Library on 512 N. Killingsworth St. is currently scheduling young readers to participate in their twice monthly Read to the Dogs program. It's just what it sounds like – a very friendly, trained and certified companion dog sits down next to a young person and listens as the kid reads out loud from his or her favorite book.
It's a good way to improve reading skills of all kinds with a supportive, special friend.
"Dogs are very non-judgmental, and we know that having a child read out loud is a very good way for them to gain reading skills," says Heather Toland of Read to the Dogs, a program of the DoveLewis Animal Hospital.
Toland says all the Read to the Dogs pups are screened for sociability, temperament, obedience and manners.
DoveLewis is an emergency and intensive care unit for small animals in NW Portland, with community service programs that include an animal assisted therapy and education program.
Sophia Maghran, a third-grader, reads "A Gift from the Lonely Doll" to Ms. Muffet, one of two companion dogs volunteering twice monthly at the North Portland Library.
"It's so low tech, it's so very sweet," Toland says.
To sign your child up for a half-hour appointment to Read to the Dogs, call Valerie Tryon at the North Portland Library at 503-988-5394, or stop by and sign up in person.
NEW PEARL DISTRICT SAFEWAY STORE
Safeway to donate $1.3 million as part of the grand opening celebration
PORTLAND, Oregon — November 14th, 2008 — Safeway officials are proud to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Pearl Safeway with Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish and Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen. As part of the Grand Opening, Safeway customers and employees will celebrate a new Portland Division fundraising record for the October Breast Cancer Awareness campaign by donating over $1.3 million to local breast cancer research, treatment, and support services.
The Grand Opening will mark the first for Safeway's Portland Division since April of 2007, when it opened its King Road Safeway in Milwaukie, OR. The Portland Division includes stores in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and the Pearl Safeway is the Division's 117th store. The first store built within the geographical area of the Portland Division was in 1924 in Burns, OR. The first store built within the city of Portland was in 1927. Today, Safeway operates 18 stores within the city of Portland, and the Pearl Safeway is the second store in downtown Portland.
The Pearl store will feature Safeway's Lifestyle store concept, which was launched in 2003 to showcase its commitment to quality, particularly in the perishables departments, with high-quality fresh produce, meat, seafood and floral departments. There is also a wide array of prepared foods, organic and natural products, and dry grocery items tailored to local preferences. The Pearl Safeway features an earth-toned décor that is warm and inviting, with special lighting to highlight products and departments, custom flooring, and unique display features. The store will also feature a Starbucks kiosk, sushi bar, gelato, and self check-out.
"We are very excited to open our second store in downtown Portland, and to be part of one of the newest and most anticipated developments in the Pearl", said Steve Frisby, Safeway's Portland Division President. "It is also my honor to be part of the record breaking Breast Cancer Awareness month. I would like to thank Safeway customers and employees for their support."
Throughout the month of October, Safeway customers and employees joined together to help raise money for national Breast Cancer Awareness month. Safeway customers and employees raised over $1.3 million during the month of October, 100 percent of which will be used locally to fund breast cancer research, treatment, and support through the Providence Cancer Center, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Safeway Research Grants.
"We are always moved by the generosity of the Safeway customers and employees. They are truly making a difference", said Dr. Walter Urba, Research Director of the Providence Cancer Center. Susan Schwartz, local Vice President of the Board of Directors for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, will join Dr. Urba and Safeway officials in celebrating Safeway's record setting fundraising month.
Commissioner Fish and Commissioner Cogen will assist Safeway employees in welcoming customers to the new Pearl store by bagging groceries in Safeway's reusable grocery bags. "It is my honor to welcome Safeway to the Pearl, and to promote sustainability through the reusable bag giveaway", said Commissioner Fish. The store plans to give away 1,000 reusable bags during the Grand Opening celebration.
ABOUT SAFEWAY
ABOUT SAFEWAY Safeway Inc. is a fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,738 stores in the United States and Western Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and last year donated more than $154 million to important causes, such as cancer research, education, food banks and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
ABOUT SAFEWAYSafeway Inc. is a fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,738 stores in the United States and Western Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and last year donated more than $154 million to important causes, such as cancer research, education, food banks and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
