Volume 17, Issue 10
<h3>The Center News ~ October 2009</h3>
<h1> From The Front Office</h1>

It’s hard to believe this is October already and we’re saying goodbye to the warm weather. Seems like the time is whizzing by way too quickly! We all are so busy this time of year preparing for winter, squirreling away our provisions for the seasons ahead. It truly amazes me just how fortunate we are to be living here in the Okanogan--especially this time of year when we seem to be nearly overflowing with the abundant harvest. 
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The Okanogan’s abundance was certainly apparent at our Annual Membership Meeting, held on September 26th. Delicious soups prepared with fresh vegetables donated by our local farmers, about 35 CCC members participating in the dinner and meeting, and the smiles, hugs and warm feelings spread throughout the room all served to confirm our good fortune. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the fabulous evening, as well as the musicians of Jazz Operation, who entertained the crowd afterwards. Thanks also to CCC member, Carole Raspaolo for washing ALL the dishes that night! Minutes of the meeting will be available for members to read, so anyone who missed the meeting can check with me later on this month.
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The CCC is again becoming a very busy place. LFW Dance classes are in full swing, After School Program will be resuming on Wednesdays and several other classes and activities are in the works for these next few months. Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band on October 3rd will get us revved up and dancing in our seats, the Okanogan Family Faire and an Author Fair the second weekend, and a public talk by Yangsi Rinpoche are all on the agenda for this month as well. There’s more about these events further on in the newsletter. Also of interest to members will be a harvest dinner on Sunday, October 25, prepared by CCC volunteers and in collaboration with Okanogan County Community Action Council. This meal will be offered free of charge to those who might need it, and by donation to those who can afford to pay. The plan is to continue to offer these meals, on the last Sunday of each month, through the fall and into the winter. Anyone who wishes to participate in this venture is encouraged to contact the CCC office.
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We’re pleased to have a Tonasket High School student working with the CCC to create her Senior Project. Some of us at the CCC will be working with her and putting on several teen dances during the year, beginning with a Halloween Costume Party and Dance on Friday, October 30. More details on that will be announced shortly so watch for notices.
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I’m excited to announce that our new front door will be finished and installed before the end of this month. We all know that wonderful things are worth waiting for, and I can assure you all that it will be a beautiful addition to our Center. Thank you to Gregg James for contributing funds and to Phil and Kris Baker for their donation of materials--we’ll all reap the benefits every time we enter the building! Along with the door change will be the locking system--we’re switching to a key-pad entry, using number codes. This system will hopefully help to eliminate a lot of confusion and misplaced keys.
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Again, I would like to encourage any CCC members who wish to take on a worthy task to volunteer at the Okanogan Family Faire (O.F.F.) Faire dates are October 9-11, and this important community event needs responsible volunteers to make it work. The CCC, along with many other local organizations, is supported heavily by O.F.F. so we are inviting folks to reciprocate by helping out. Many of the CCC Board and staff will be on hand as well.
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Finally, I would like to remind everyone to mark your calendars for Saturday, November 7th, and plan on attending our annual benefit auction. This event has become one of Tonasket's premier auctions, and a very important fundraiser for the CCC. It’s a great opportunity to support your Center and have a grand time doing it!
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Until next time,<p />
                 River
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<img src="../newsimages/sagejordan.jpg" alt="Sage Jordan, Third Street Counseling Center" width="300px" align="left" /> 
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<img src="../newsimages/gregmcgriff.jpg" alt="Greg McGriff, Family Nurse Practicioner" width="300px" align="right" /> 
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<h1>Farmers’ Market Enjoyed Successful 2009 Season</h1>

October marks the final few weeks of the Tonasket Farmers’ Market, and although many farmers are probably eager to put their gardens to bed, it’s going to be a loss for shoppers of our area. We’ve all enjoyed being able to purchase our goods directly from the producer.  Nothing can be better than knowing just where your food comes from--the trip from field to fridge may take a mere two hours rather than the two weeks and 2,000 miles store-bought food often travels.
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This season the Market opened in the beginning of June rather than mid-month. The change of dates seemed to be successful enough to keep with the earlier schedule, so look for the return of the colorful canopies in Triangle Park by the first week in June, 2010.
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The Community Cultural Center would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2009 Farmers’ Market season. From the food producers and crafters who supplied us with our goods, to our dedicated Market Manager, Matt Welles, we could not have done it without you!
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<h1>CCC Receives Grant</h1>

The Community Cultural Center has been awarded a grant in the amount of $8,140. This funding is for the administration and direction of our educational and cultural programs.
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The program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency using funds appropriated by Congress to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
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Receipt of this grant will enable the Center to continue with important projects, such as the After School Program and other community enrichment ventures.
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<h1>Author Fair and Book Signing October 10</h1>

The Tonasket Writer’s Group will present an Author Fair and Book Signing event, Saturday, October 10, 11am - 4pm at the CCC. The event will feature local authors Bea Alden, Susan Marlow, Kimberly Freel, Aline Lesage, Janine Donoho, Effie Lea Wilson, and Carol McMillan.
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A lunch of autumn  soup with  fresh  greens,  fresh   baked   bread,   a beverage and a dessert will be available to purchase for $6. Authors will talk about their books and share insights on how each got started in the field.
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Lunch will be served 12 noon till 1 pm.
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This is an excellent opportunity to meet local authors and to support the literary arts in our area.
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<a href="http://www.tonasketcoop.com" target="_tlx"><img src="../newsimages/coop.gif" alt="Tonasket Natural Foods Co-op--The Best Lunch in Town!" width="300px" align="left" /></a>    
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 <img src="../newsimages/grants.jpg" alt="Grants Market/Leavell Orchards, Grant Leavell--Owner" align="right" width="300px" />                                 
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<h1>Reggae Rescue at The Peace Festival</h1>
<i>~submitted by Denny Richardson</i>
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The sixth annual Peace Festival was held on September 19 in celebration of International Peace Day and in memory of Milton Spidell, Veterans For Peace Colville Chapter. (The VFP is a national organization recognized by the United Nations.) 
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This year’s event was a remarkable success, even with a last minute change. Dana Lyons, who was returning to our festival for third time became ill and could not make it. The Mighty Lions, a local favorite reggae band came in with a tremendous evening that could only be described as a true 'Reggae Rescue'.
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The rest of the event drew an audience, which remained all day long, through a combination of concise presentations, sets by local musicians, poetry, stories, and viewpoints. Local activists, a concerned community, as well as the unique and diverse panel of Veterans all spoke on issues of Peace and Justice.
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In summary, this year's event brought the voices of the community to the forefront, perhaps more than any festival yet. Everyone who chose to speak had the opportunity. The dinner, sponsored by the CCC, was excellent. Finally, we danced and celebrated peace with the Okanogan's premier reggae band.
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The organizers would like to thank all the volunteers in the kitchen and at the CCC, the presenters and the artists – especially the Mighty Lions. The respect for the Veterans, as always, shined from the audience. We talked, shared, prayed during the opening circle, and later cried for the lost soldiers. We listened to the proud injured. It was evident that every person there displayed an undying love, with serous concerns, for their country.
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Peace is the plan.

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<h1>Plastic Bottle Pick-Up Drive at CCC</h1>

Middle School students from the Tonasket Outreach Program have a plan for participating in “Make a Difference Day” this year. They are organizing a plastic bottle pick-up drive, which will be on Friday, October 23, outside the CCC building.
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The idea for the project came as a result of students studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, where plastic is piling up in the ocean, harming fish and other marine life. This “island” of plastic is approximately twice the size of the state of Texas and growing at an alarming pace.
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The CCC has agreed to provide the drop-off site for plastic bottles. Please bring only clean plastic beverage bottles – pop, juice, milk and water containers, with caps removed – collection site will be behind the building. Students will pick them up at 2:30, after school is released.
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There are many websites to access for more information on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Following are a few to check out:<ul><li> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch" target="_tlx">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx6Owe9jQEU" target="_tlx">www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx6Owe9jQEU</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a4S23uXIcM" target="_tlx">
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a4S23uXIcM</a></li>
 </ul>

For more information on this project contact the Tonasket Outreach Program at 486-1691.

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<a href="http://www.thesolarshop.net" target="_tlx"><img src="../newsimages/solarshop.jpg" align="left" alt="The SolarShop" width="300px" /></a>
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<img src="../newsimages/ptworks.jpg" alt="PT Works" align="right"  width="300px" />
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<h4>Remember:
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The CCC Annual Benefit Auction will be on
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Saturday, November 7th
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Be sure to join us for this important and worthwhile event!
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(Besides, it’s lots of fun!)</h4>

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<h1>Feast From The Okanogan<br />
A Dinner of Locally Grown Food and Seasonal Cuisine</h1>

On Friday, November 6 the Mt. Olive Grange Building in Riverside will be the venue for a local dinner function; Feast From The Okanogan. Doors will open at 4pm, buffet style dinner served at 6.  
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County food producers are invited to donate to the dinner, public acknowledgement of contributions will be included in advertising and at the event. After the meal there will be opportunity to discuss ideas and strategies for improving Okanogan County’s food economy.               
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There will be no charge for the dinner, although donations to help defray costs are welcome.
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For general information contact Stephanie Clark, 826-1259, <a href="mailto:smassieclark@msn.com">smassieclark@msn.com</a>
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For food donations contact Michael Pilarski, 486-2672, <a href="mailto:Michael@friendsofthetrees.net">Michael@friendsofthetrees.net</a>

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<h1>Watercolor Class Begins This Month</h1>

Wednesday, October 1st, 1-3pm, will be the first session of a 6-week Watercolor Class taught by Carol O’Dell of Riverside. As of this time the class still has a couple of openings. Pre-registration is required to attend due to the limited class size. Call Claire Jeffko at 486-1119 for more information or to register.
 
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<h1>Poster Girl (and/or Guy) Wanted!</h1>

Are you looking, eager perhaps, to help your community (and the CCC)? Well, we have the spot for you! We would like to have a couple of Poster People (and we promise that we won’t refer to you as PP’s) to put up and remove flyers of CCC events in Tonasket. They go up one to two weeks in advance of the event, and we already have a list of businesses that post our flyers.
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Please contact Curt Howard at 486-1746 or River Jones in the CCC office at 486-1328 if you can help.

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<h1>Driftwood Fire Played to Enthusiastic Crowd</h1>

A somewhat small, yet appreciative audience turned out for the music and dinner event at the CCC on September 3rd. About 45 people came and enjoyed the lively sounds of Driftwood Fire, two talented women with beautiful harmonies and instrumentals. Dinner, prepared by our volunteer kitchen staff, was delicious and added to the memorable evening.
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The musicians, Lynn Scharf and Charlotte Formichella came as a duo that night, rather than with their drummer, as originally thought. They managed just fine to keep the rhythms happening and the audience entertained, as demonstrated by the standing ovation they received that night. This event was made possible, in part, by a generous grant from WA State Arts Commission.

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<h1>Public Talk with Yangsi Rinpoche</h1>
 On Sunday, October 18 at 7:00 the Community Cultural Center will host a public talk with Buddhist teacher, Yangsi Rinpoche.
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At the age of six, Yangsi Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of Geshe Ngawang Gendun, a renowned scholar and practitioner from Western Tibet. Rinpoche trained in the traditional monastic system for over twenty-five years, and in 1995 graduated with the highest degree of Geshe Lharampa from Sera Je Monastery in South India.
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Yangsi Rinpoche is the Resident Teacher, co-founder and President of Maitripa College in Portland Oregon. Rinpoche is currently the Spiritual Director of Ganden Shedrup Ling Buddhist Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico and also of Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle, Washington.
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Yangsi Rinpoche is the author of Practicing the Path: A Commentary on the Lamrim Chenmo, published in 2003 by Wisdom Publications. Rinpoche teaches in English, and is admired wherever he travels for his unique presentation of the Dharma, his interest in and enthusiasm for Western culture, and his evident embodiment of the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhist path.
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Yangsi Rinpoche will be giving a teaching on a topic that relates to life today.
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Everyone is welcome to attend this special event, sponsored by the <a href="http://www.tonasketbuddhist.org" target="_tlx">Pamtingpa Buddhist Center</a> in Tonasket. Classes and meditations are open to the public. Please call 509-486-1440 for information. Donations, to help with expenses, will be accepted at the door.

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<h5> Class Starting November 4th:
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<strong>How to Meditate</strong>
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Come join us to learn simple meditation techniques in order to develop more peace, compassion and clarity in your daily life.
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Classes will be on Wednesday evenings, time will be announced.  All welcome.
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For more info call Su at 486-1440
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<img src="../newsimages/sui.jpg" alt="Su Ianniello Massage, LMT" width="300px" align="left"/>
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<img src="../newsimages/nvh.jpg"  alt="NVH Tonasket Family Clinic, Priscilla DeGraff, ARNP" width="320px" align="right"  />
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<h1>Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band Performing Saturday, October 3</h1>
<i> ~by Janet Culp</i>
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Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band is coming to the CCC on Saturday, October 3rd at 7:30. This group of three gals are from Winthrop, and have become known all over the west and beyond. The group performed for five days in Branson, Missouri at the Silver Dollar City and will be going to Nashville, Tennessee in April to perform at the Grand Ole' Oprey Hotel.
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The group of three lovely women consists of  Lauralee Northcott, bass guitar and vocals who is an accomplished   writer, educator, songwriter, and longtime lover of western music. Emele Clothier plays rhythm guitar, banjo and harmonica as well as vocals and is an expert in folk, jazz, blues, country, rock and other classical styles of music. Jennifer Epps plays percussions and harmonica along with her beautiful musical vocals.
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This performance is the second in a series that has been funded by the Washington State Arts Commission, which allows us to bring affordable world class entertainment to the CCC.
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There will be beverages and desserts available, but no dinner as previously planned. Just come in and enjoy this wonderful performance. There will be an area set aside for dancing in the back of the front room. Prices are $7 for members, $8 for non-members, and children 12 and under are welcome and will be admitted for ½ price. Doors will open at 7:00, music will begin at 7:30.
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Please come to this wonderful performance and support the CCC.

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<h1>"Geezers" Backpacking Trip Fun, Eventful</h1>

The CCC auction item--hauling your gear with packhorses into the Paysatan Wilderness which was from the November 2008 event, donated by Tryg Culp and Dave Sunde, was fulfilled in August and netted a total of $750.00 for the CCC. 
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This trip was purchased by our local hiking group, affectionally named, "The Geezers". They requested that most of their stuff be taken into Apex Pass beyond Tungsten Mine, dropped, and then picked up again 10 days later. Tryg and Dave took two pack horses each, total of six horses, drove 720 miles, rode 76 miles each and spent a total of 64 volunteer hours on this trip.
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The Geezers reportably had a good time despite some of the worst weather of the season. They spent some time in the cabins at Tungsten Mine, and made their way out in several inches of snow.
Please thank Tryg and Dave for their generous donation and efforts next time you see them. And thanks to the Geezers for their monetary donation to the CCC accounts.

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<img src="../newsimages/tarot.jpg" align="left" alt="Patti Gallup Tarot Reading" width="300px" />
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<img src="../newsimages/wildrose.jpg"  alt="Wild Rose Floral Design" width="300px" align="right" />
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  <center>      <h5>Advertise in The Center News<br />
One issue - $10 ~ Six issues - $50<br />
Call the CCC office at 486-1328 for more info.</h5></center>


<h6>We hope you have enjoyed this online version of the articles in our print newsletter.  For updates on items above, and for classes/workshops/events not in this newsletter, please see our <a href="../ccc_calendar.php">Calendar</a>. The Center News is published as a service to the Members of the Community Cultural Center. Letters and articles are welcomed from Members.  Deadline for articles is the 24th of each month, and are best emailed. Send to <script type="text/javascript">
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</script><br />Acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement by the CCC of the product or service offered.</h6>

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