What's Happening

July Newsletter
July News Pics

One Drop Coffee Shop
CLOSED FOR JULY
due to construction at Center

Sunday, July 25
Free Community Dinner

Friday, July 30

Uganda
Children's
Benefit

Wednesdays
Zumba Dance Classes

Tonasket
Farmers' Market
3~7pm at Triangle Park
every Thursday

July’s featured artist
is
Carol O'Dell
watercolorist & quilting artist. View her work in our front lobby

2010
Garlic Festival
&
Wine Tasting

August 20 & 21

2009 Annual Report

Building Improvements

About the CCC

In a nutshell-- we're a 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting art and culture in North Okanogan County since 1992.

The longer version, starting with 'A History of Place'

This is the front of our building at 411 S Western Ave in Tonasket, WA.
front of CCC

But it didn’t always look like this--various businesses were housed in this large concrete building on Western between 4th and 5th Street.

In the 1930’s it was a wood-framed mechanic shop, owned by the Simons family who lived in a small house in the alley. Then the wooden building was torn down and a new cinder block mechanic shop was built close to the alley. In 1952 an adjoining showroom was added onto the shop, which became the home of Simon’s Motor Co.

Originally, Simons sold Willy’s Americar, which then went out of business so the building became the Studebaker Dealership. They also sold the first fiberglass boats. The front part of the building housed a radio and television shop which sold Admiral refrigerators and other appliances.

When the gym at the Tonasket High School had an electrical fire in 1967, the high school rented our building as a music and band room and students were bused here.
front of CCC

From 1968-72, the building was rented as an apple storage facility to H. R. Spinner’s Orchard Supply; Spinner later built the Wilbur Ellis building across the street on Western Ave. In 1972 Cascade Tire bought the building for a tire store.

In 1983 Carl Inlow purchased that business and the name changed to Valley Tire Store and Radiator Repair. Eventually, Valley Tire moved to the Hanna building and then to its present location one mile north of Tonasket. The building was then owned by the Lassiter brothers of Wenatchee.

On October 27, 1992, a small group of alternative-minded citizens got together and decided to purchase the building in order to create a safe place in Tonasket where families could gather.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

It was a huge undertaking and required a lot of help--financial, physical, and creative--from the local community. Teachers, artists, builders, parents, and farmers were brought together by this common vision: a venue for education, the arts, and cultural activities that was accessible to all. That, and they all loved living in the Okanogan!

For several years we were known as the Community Cultural Project, or CCP. When we felt we'd outgrown the 'project' status we changed our name to the Community Cultural Center of Tonasket.

How Our Organization Works

   ~ We are membership-based
   ~ We are governed by a board of directors who are elected by the membership
   ~ Volunteer involvement is crucial to our success
   ~ We rely on grants, membership dues, event revenues, and donations for funding

Our Mission

To provide a safe and cooperative multi-purpose public facility to support the arts, education, recreation and other activities that foster family, community, environmental and economic health, and encourage diversity, cooperation and tolerance.

That’s a mouthful -- but it’s really what we do!

We provide a space

where people can hold their own performances, workshops, meetings and classes.

Spurlin's papier mache Garlic Heads

We also sponsor and produce our own events; several are now 'annual', which makes us really proud.

Some help the local economy:

The Okanogan River
Garlic Festival
is one everybody loves...

our Holiday Bazaar
in December is another favorite...

bazaar pics

and the Spring Fair, and the Tonasket Farmer's Market each summer are appreciated by local producers and consumers alike. Our Holiday Gift Basket program provides an opportunity for those wanting to give and those needing to receive.

Young Dancers in Winter Recital 2007 Under the 'art and education' heading we have ongoing classes, including the
Young Dancers of Tonasket

The Center also partners with Tonasket School District to provide an After School Program for high schoolers on early release days, and with various presenters and teachers for shorter-term adult classes and workshops.

And the Children’s Summer Art Camp is always a hit. It's taught by local artists; tuition is just $1- $5 per day, with scholarships available for low-income families; and it provides an enriching experience not available in the public schools.
art camp pics

The CoffeeHouse and Teen Karaoke series, and a Halloween Event for all ages help keep us all connected through entertainment; as do guest performances by Lindsay Street Celtic Concert, SRO Dance Band, and Alice DiMicele, among others.

Everyone gets in on the act at the late winter Talent Show... talent show pics

and The Tonasket Community Theater, directed by Sarah Kaiser, isn’t exactly an annual event, so we're always very excited when there’s a new production! left and center, Little Shop of Horrors; on right, To Kill A Mockingbird

Did you know the Cultural Center can be rented?

We offer a Certified Kitchen as part of a room rental (so you can cater your own event), or separately (to prepare products for market that need to be done in a certified environment.) The Front Room is suitable for a family party, meeting room, intimate public performance venue, or class/workshop space. The large Back Room, our "dance hall', handles larger groups and has an elevated stage space. Or rent the entire building for a wedding reception or fundraiser where you need separate areas for dining and a band.

Join us for a class or event to see our space. Or come by the CCC during regular business hours, to see the facilities and discuss scheduling and fees with our director, River Jones. Rental is available to the general community, while CCC Members receive a discount on building use. (See our Rental Rates chart.)

We're very excited about our Spring 2008 Building Renovations, and you will be too when you see the new entry area and restrooms (you asked for 'em and we listened! we're flush with pride ;-)

Become a Member

Members are a vital part of our organization, and we encourage you to join. Yearly membership dues are very reasonable: $25 for an individual and $50 for the family rate. We want membership to be affordable to all, and all are invited to join.

As a Member you'll receive reduced admission to CCC sponsored events, and lower rental rates on the building. You'll also get our monthly newsletter by mail, and be able to vote for Board Members. The most important benefit, however, is in knowing that you would be an integral part of enhancing this rural area by helping to provide a venue for cultural events, the arts and education.