To celebrate Read Across America last Thursday, I read my favorite Dr. Seuss book, The Lorax, to students in the ACCESS School at Sabin on March 1st. I was joined by teachers Bill Wiesner and Theresa Egan, who teach third grade and fourth grade, respectively, for this event.  The last time I read The Lorax was to kindergartners when my daughter Ali was in in Mr. Casquiero's class at Markham Elementary.... which is a while ago given she will graduate from Willamette University in May.

The Lorax is meaningful to many, like here in a blog post on the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, and here referencing my would-be epic adaptation sent to the Oregonian in 1995.

Some of the most memorable lines of that beloved Dr. Seuss book is, "I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. And I'm asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs...."

I often feel I speak on the Council for those who have tongues, but can't be in City Hall during the business week. Sometimes for those without tongues, like the salmon and yes, even the trees. I'm proud of coordinating the Council's work preparing to address cleanup of Superfund pollution. I'm happy to have garnered support to pass the Tree Protection policy unanimously last year.

And I remember daily the UNLESS of The Lorax:

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not." 

I hope you will join me in making life in Portland get better, through caring a whole awful lot. 

Thank you, ACCESS school, for asking me to read with your wonderful students.  One of them reminded me about the Burgerville fundraiser on Thursday March 8, when a portion of sales profits will go to local arts education.  As if I need further incentive to buy another Northwest Chocolate Cherry milkshake.....