Volume 17, Issue 11
<h3>The Center News ~ November 2009</h3>
<h1> From The Front Office</h1>


Well, have you seen it yet? The Center's new front door?? Isn't it fabulous?  (Sorry to those who live far from town--I guess you'll have to take my word for it...shall we take pictures to post on the website?) I can certainly say that it's a beautiful work of art as well as being a func­tional door. (Fully func­tional: it opens properly, closes automatically, doesn't leak, and seals tightly. Wow!) There are still a few details to work out and finish up--I am in the process of learning the new entry system, which uses number codes rather than keys, and we're putting some finishing touches on the small roof over the doorway. Of course, the front of the building is by no means finished--there are plans to completely remodel the building front eventually--this is just the beginning. 
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November is packed full of activity here at the CCC. We're all very excited about the opening of Sarah Woodson's <a href="../onedrop.php" target="_tlx">One Drop Coffee Shop</a>, serving breakfast and light fare Mondays through Thurs­days, till 11:30am. For more on that, please see Sarah's article further down in this newsletter. Other activi­ties in the offing are a meditation class, taught by Su Ianniello, the new season of our Friday Night Coffee House, a couple of interesting meetings and workshops and of course the Annual Benefit Auction on Saturday, November 7. More on all of that further on in this newsletter.
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November is also the month of one of my favorite holidays--Thanksgiving. Aside from how much I enjoy sharing with friends and family (love the food!)  I also enjoy the traditions, old and new, that we have embraced over the years. In my house, before we start eating, with everyone sitting around the table, we all take a turn to say out loud what it is we are thankful for. It's such a simple yet meaningful moment to share with loved ones. What could be more important than to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for all that we have and are given. 
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So, in that vein, I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you, our dedicated members, for believing in what we are doing here, for your continued support, for the encouragement to keep on going--in short, <i>thank you for being the most important part of the Community Cultural Center!</i>
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Until next time,
<p />
River

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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/wildrose.jpg"  alt="Wild Rose Floral Design" width="300px" align="right" />
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<h1>CCC Annual Benefit Auction November 7th </h1>

The 3rd annual CCC auction is coming right up!
We will have relaxing dinner music played by some of our outstanding local musicians, a delicious gourmet hors d’oeuvres dinner, with desserts and beverages also available.
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Some of the enticing items that will be available for the Live Auction are: <ul>
<li>Overnight stay for two at Sun Moun­tain Lodge and cross-country ski lessons</li>
<li>Spokane Symphony Tickets and overnight stay for two</li>
<li>Mariner’s tickets</li>
<li>A beautiful quilt</li>
<li>Many dessert offerings in­cluding homemade cherry pie, lemon meringue pie, carrot cake and more</li>
<li>Sleigh ride in Leavenworth with an overnight stay for two</li>
<li>Very nice black leather overstuffed recliner</li>
<li>Several beautiful local artists’ works</li>
<li>Wheelbarrow</li>
<li>Harvest vegetables and fruits</li>
<li>Basket of locally produced</li>
<li>food items - bread, wine, cheese, and other offerings</li></ul>
There will be many more items for your bidding pleasure too numerous to mention. Also offered will be a large selection of items in our Silent Auction.
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Doors will open at 4:30, dinner and Silent Auction from 5:00 until 6:15, with the Live Auction at 6:15. Local Auctioneer, Rich Fewkes, will conduct the Live Auction. Hope to see you all there!

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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/ptworks.jpg" alt="PT Works" align="right"  width="300px" />
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<h1>Predator Documentary November 20</h1>

Press release: Birds, butterflies, beaver and antelope, wildflowers and frogs--could their survival possibly be connected to top predators like the wolf and cougar? For those who have seldom give thought to the great predators so often missing from the web of life, here is a world of reason to think again. 
<p />
Following in the footsteps of wolves and cougars, and the scientists working to understand their place in the rapidly changing world of nature, award-winning filmmakers Karen and Ralf Meyer of Green Fire Productions have captured the predators' ongoing drama in their new documentary <i>Lords of Nature; Life in a Land of Great Predators.</i>
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"This is an incredible opportunity for people to learn about scientific discoveries we need to consider and incorporate into our decision-making on managing wildlife and public lands," said Karen Meyer, director of Green Fire Productions.
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Narrated by Peter Coyote, Lords of Nature journeys to the heart of predator country: the Yellowstone plateau; the canyons of Zion, the farm country of northern Minnesota and the rugged open range of central Idaho--all places now resettled by the great beasts society once banished.
<p />
Here scientists discover these top carnivores as revitalizing forces of nature, keystone species whose presence in sufficient numbers can dramatically reverse the slow decay of America’s wild West.  In Yellowstone National Park, the filmmakers visit a land recently inhabited again by wolves after a 70-year absence, and find a chain of life once again flourishing since their return. 
<p />
From restoring stream banks once again cloaked with willow and re-colonizing beavers and songbirds, to wolf leftovers drawing record-setting gatherings of scavengers, scientists find the flowering of Yellowstone magically coinciding with the return of its wolves.  And in the canyons of Zion, scientists find more of the same, flowers and trees, butterflies, frogs and fish all flourishing under the guardian watch of the cougar.
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But what about people, what about the societies who once have felt compelled to exterminate these powerful animals?  The filmmakers traveled to Minnesota, to a land harboring 3,000 wolves--more wolves than any state in the lower 48. Here they meet livestock producers raising sheep and cattle alongside their wild neighbors. They talked with deer hunters who view their fellow predators with caution and respect. In Idaho they found a groundbreaking collaboration among ranchers, wildlife managers and conservationists testing non-lethal predator control.
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While venturing across pivotal crossroads of the American icons’ return, <i>Lords of Nature</i> starts by tracing the path of legendary naturalist and writer, Aldo Leopold. What Leopold warned of seventy years ago, scientists from around the world now confirm: That a land lacking its top predators is a land subject to decay. And vice versa a land with the great beasts in sufficient numbers is a land far more diverse and resilient. 
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"So one of the key points that we’re finding for maintaining ecosystems is to have the presence of a top predator in the system. Whether it’s cougar in a mule deer system like Zion, or whether it’s wolves in an elk system like Yellowstone National Park. The presence of that predator is crucial in maintaining that system through time," said Robert Beschta, hydrologist and professor emeritus at Oregon State University and one of the scientists interviewed in the film.   
<p />
 Filmmaker Karen Meyer states, "What I learned while making <i>Lords of Nature</i> is that it is time to rethink the way we look at the world. Nature is facing unprecedented challenges with the onset of climate change. Increasing the resiliency of wildlife and ecosystems is critical and to do this, we need to ensure we have healthy populations of top predators on land and in the sea."
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<i>Lords of Nature</i> is a 60-minute film that is premiering in over 18 cities and towns across the West. Tonasket’s CCC will host a screening on Friday, November 20, beginning at 6:30. Pizza and salad dinner will be served at 5:30. Dinner charge will be $5 for pizza only, add a serving of organic salad for $1. There is no charge for viewing the film. 
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The screening will be followed by an audience Q &amp; A session with a panel of experts. Join us for this informative event, which opens the 2009-10 CCC Friday Night Coffee House series.	

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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/gregmcgriff.jpg" alt="Greg McGriff, Family Nurse Practicioner" width="300px" align="right" /> 
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<h4>
WANTED:<br />
Set designers ,artists, painters, helpers to work on creating backdrops for an upcoming event: <br /><br />
<i>A Night At The Casbah</i><br /><br />
Call Janean Donohoe
 at 509-476-3219 for more information<br /><br />
Event date: December 19th 
</h4>

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<h1>CCC Annual Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show Update</h1>

The 14th Annual CCC Holi­day Bazaar is scheduled for December 4th and 5th this year. There are still a few vendor spaces available and anyone inter­ested in participating is encouraged to call the CCC office to sign up. 
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Not your typical Christmas Bazaar, the CCC Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show is one of the liveliest in the area, bringing in hundreds of shoppers during the two days of operation. Many of the vendors who offer wares for sale are talented artisans, purveying their art for the bene­fit of our local shoppers.
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Among the offerings of this year’s festivities are a "Crafter’s Raffle" and possibly even a visit from the North Pole! 
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The Bazaar is a CCC fundraiser, providing operations funds for our organization.

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<h5>Enthusiasm is nothing more or less than faith in action.<br />
<i>~Henry Chester</i></h5>

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<h1>CCC and Community Action Working Together</h1>
On the last Sunday of the month, from now through January, the CCC will host a community dinner. For those who can pay there will be a cost, by donation, to dine, but for those who may not have the funds, there will be no charge. 
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This is a venture that was conceived by Okanogan County Community Action and being carried out by CCC and Vista volunteers. October’s dinner, attended by approximately a dozen people, was the pilot event, with Ellie Pier, Casey Greenwood and Carole Raspaolo cooking. Gretchen Pier helped with serving and Vista volunteer, Genevieve Caron gave a presentation on nutrition.
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The organizers are very encouraged by the response, "It was a great start. I was amazed at how many people donated money," said Ellie Pier, "We advertised a free dinner for the homeless and people started almost throwing money at us!"  
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The funds will be used by Okanogan County Community Action to help finance the project.
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 <h1>Wuji Chi Gong Tai Chi Class at CCC</h1>

Wuji chi gong tai chi is the art of cultivating your own energy body. This is an 800 year-old practice to help enhance your physical mental and emotional well-being. It is reported that practicing this form can dissolve karma and speed up the evolutionary process. Come see for yourself!
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The class will be held at the CCC Tuesday November 10 and 17, 5-7pm.
The cost is $25 for the two sessions.
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For more information contact John Eskelson at 826-0374 or just show up.

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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/grants.jpg" alt="Grants Market/Leavell Orchards, Grant Leavell--Owner" align="right" width="300px" />                                 
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<h1>After School Program Resumes</h1>
The After School Program, now in its third year, is returning to Wednesday afternoons at the CCC. Susan Cooksey is the new program coordinator, replacing Chelsea Freeman who moved on to teach at Tonasket’s Alternative School.
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Times for the After School Program coincide with Tonasket's early release on Wednesdays; the second and fourth Wednesdays hours are 1pm--4pm and the remaining Wednesdays of the month hours are 3--6pm. 
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The program is geared towards middle school and high school students. Art supplies are needed for the program and donations are welcome--either materials or monetary donations. Please contact the CCC office if you can help.

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<h1>Volunteers Sought To Work With Kids</h1>
North East Washington Alliance Counseling Services and Americorps are looking for volunteers who would be willing to spend an hour or more a week with children, ages 9-13, at the public school.
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For more information on school mentoring please call Jerrad Koch or Patty Devoe, of New Alliance CTI Mentoring program at 509-775-3311.
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You can help to make a difference in a child’s life!

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<h4>The CCC needs two small (kid-sized) stepstools for our bathrooms. If you have any or would like to make a couple please let us know. Our little folks need help reaching the sink for hand washing!</h4>
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<h1>One Drop Coffee Shop Now at CCC Mondays thru Thursdays</h1>

One Drop Coffee Shop is open and kickin'<br />
Homemade breakfast that’s finger-lickin'<br />
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From six in the morning until half-hour from noon<br />
Try a cup of coffee that’ll make the rooster croon<br />  
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Local as can be, and Organic when it fits<br />
Specials like fruit waffles and eggs benedict<br />
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There’s a fresh angle given to local produce<br />
French omelets, thick quiche and fresh squeezed juice<br />  
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Daily muffins, and quick grab foods make getting to work a breeze<br />
We also have good choices if you don’t eat meat or cheese<br />  
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The food’s made mostly in the kitchen here at the CCC<br />  
We make the Chai and the smoothies and the biscuits and gravy<br /> 
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Granola Tartlets, Sweet Things and Bread<br />
Soon to be Espresso Drinks when we get ahead<br />
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French Press Coffee and French Press Maté too<br /> 
This café is operating only to serve you<br />
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Prices aren’t high and quality is key<br />
Monday thru Thursday, maybe Friday, we’ll see<br />
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From now until New Years’ there’s free coffee with your breakfast<br /> 
Come and try the goodness, experience the best!<br /> 
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Run by Sarah Woodson and operated by your grace<br /> 
I have a cup of coffee for you and a smiling face<br />
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See you soon!
<br /><br />
<i>~ Sarah</i>

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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/nvh.jpg"  alt="NVH Tonasket Family Clinic, Priscilla DeGraff, ARNP" width="320px" align="right"  />
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  <center>      <h5>Advertise in The Center News<br />
One month - $10 ~ Six months - $50<br />
Call the CCC office at 486-1328 for more info.<br />
The Center News is printed on recycled paper</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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