Volume 18, Issue 5
<h3>The Center News ~ May 2010</h3>
<h1> From The Front Office</h1>

 Greetings to all of our members and friends, I hope this finds you enjoying the lovely spring days as much as I am. There’s nothing like the warm sun to put a smile on everybody’s face!
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Spring truly is a time of new beginnings, which is so appropriate for what we are about to embark on at the CCC: within the next week or so the big building change will commence. We have hired W. Fritz Ridenour Construction Company as contractor to complete the next part of the renovations. By September of this year we will be dancing in the beautiful new back room of the Community Cultural Center! All the planning, the hard work, the diligence and the faith that has gone into making this happen is coming to fruition – and I am thrilled to be able to share it with you all!  It has been an honor to be a part of the process, and I know I am speaking for all involved when I say how pleased we are with this accomplishment. How wonderful to be able to bring funds from out of the area to infuse a little life into our local economy. We are ever grateful to Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation and M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, as well as the Federal Appropriations funding, without which we’d still be dancing in a dark, dreary and rather funky building! Watch for our big Gala Celebration this fall, the unveiling of your new, improved community center.
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The 3rd annual Green Okanogan Alternative Fair, held April 17, was quite successful, with people coming and going all day long. The turnout was encouraging, especially considering that it was the first beautiful day all season, which kept many folks at home. Countless thanks go out to all the committed folks who hold fast to the vision of recycling in Okanogan County and who are working very hard to attain this goal.
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There are also many exciting events in store for the coming weeks. From international entertainment and art, to classes and presentations, music and movies, even a softball game, there’s sure to be something to appeal to just about everybody. Read on in this newsletter for more details on the upcoming events and activities planned.
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I want to end this with a sincere Thank You! to all of our dedicated members. For your encouragement, for your steadfastness, for your support – none of this would be possible without YOU! So, give yourselves a big pat on the back, and come on out to enjoy what we have accomplished together!
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Until next time,
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River

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<img src="../newsimages/bistro.jpg" alt="The Corner Bistro, Omak" align="left" width="300px" />
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<img src="../newsimages/nvh.jpg" alt="North Valley Hospital" width="300px" align="right" />
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<h1> UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:</h1>

<ul><li>June 11 &amp; 12 - Conscious Culture Music Festival at Family Faire site</li>

<li>June 14-18 - Children's Summer Art Camp</li>

<li>July 17 – Story Road, acoustic duo John and Toni Baker</li>

<li>August 20 &amp; 21 - 11th Annual Okanogan River Garlic Festival</li></ul>

Mark Your Calendars!

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<h1>Flamenco and Tapas May 2nd</h1>

Come to the Community Cultural Center on the evening of Sunday, May 2, and you will find yourself transported to Sevilla, Spain for the evening. Tapas (meaning light finger-foods), Spanish guitar and lively flamenco dancing are all on the menu for one of the most exciting acts to come to Tonasket in years.
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Barcelona native flamenco dancer, Encarnación and Eric Jaeger, lead guitarist and co-founder of the band Children of the Revolution will be performing at the CCC, beginning at 7pm. Doors will open at 6:30 for tapas, desserts and beverages. After the show the performers will come out and meet the audience. Admission to the show is $7 for CCC members, $8 for non-members and children 10 and under, half price. Refreshments are by donation. Seating is limited so come early.
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This is an amazing opportunity to experience what may be the most authentic and exciting flamenco show in the Northwest. From Gypsy Kings style Rumbas to the fiery, super high-energy traditional flamenco music and dance Andalucia is known for.
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Children of the Revolution has produced seven CDs to date. They are featured on Putumayo's Greece and Swing Around the World CDs, have and continue to sell out theaters all over the Seattle area, including Meany Hall, the Paramount Theater, Benaroya Hall and The Triple Door, as well as touring around the world in major festivals and theater series including headlining the prestigious World Guitar Festival with Manuel Barrueco in Quebec.

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<h1>County Health Department Will Give  Food Handler’s Class at CCC</h1>

 On Wednesday, May 12 at 5:30pm, the Okanogan County Public Health Department will offer a Food Handler’s Class at the Community Cultural Center. Anyone interested in volunteering in the CCC kitchen is strongly encouraged to take this simple exam and get an Okanogan County food handler’s license.
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The cost is $10 to take the test, the license is valid for 2 years for first time cardholders and 3 years for those whose cards are merely expiring. A manual is available at the Tonasket City Hall or at the Health Department, located in Okanogan. Call the CCC office with any questions.

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<h1>Here’s to the Women, a Presentation on Washington’s Women</h1>

Join us on Friday, May 14 for a presentation by Dr. Linda Allen on the history of Washington’s Women, at 7pm.
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Both the silencing of women’s experience and the empowering of women’s voices will be showcased in Linda’s presentations, featuring songs, stories, readings and images. You will meet women from throughout Washington’s history who have made a significant difference, with a special emphasis on the struggle for the vote. Linda’s unique presentation style offers a window into the ordinary and extraordinary lives of women who have shaped our present.
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The evening will begin with a gourmet spaghetti dinner served at 6:00: green salad, garlic bread, spaghetti served with your choice of freshly made sauces, and desserts and beverages available for donation. Adult plates are $7 for members and $8 for the general public. Beverages and desserts will also be available. This event probably would not appeal to young children, however we are offering a half price dinner for 12 years old and under.
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There is no admission charge for attending the presentation. For more information call the CCC office at 486-1328.

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<img src="../newsimages/ptworks.jpg" alt="PT Works" align="right"  width="300px" />
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<h1>Tibetan Monks Will Create Sand Mandala at CCC in June</h1>

<i>~submitted by James Moore</i>
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On the Founder's Day weekend of June 4-6 the CCC will be hosting a presentation of the sacred art of Tibet with the creation of a traditional sand mandala by Tibetan monks. We are honored and delighted to be included in their North American tour for World Peace, sponsored by the Kilung Foundation (a world-wide organization based in Whidby Island WA, and founded by Jugme Rinpoche). The three monks involved are from the Kilung Valley of  Eastern Tibet,  and
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this  will  be  their  first visit to America. For two days the monks will have the opportunity to experience Tonasket as well show the community how they create a mandala of colored sand representing enlightened mind. This will begin with an opening consecration ceremony Saturday morning and conclude with a break down of the completed mandala and distribution of the blessed sand in the Okanogan river on Sunday afternoon. The ability to effect    and    further    world peace comes both from the cultural   interactions  of   this sacred performance art and the spiritual blessings this generates in the community and environment. The public is welcome to attend these events and observe the ongoing process at no charge, although donations are most welcome.

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 <h1>Tonasket Farmers’ Market Opens May 20</h1>

Opening day for the Tonasket Farmers’ Market will be Thursday, May 20, 3-7pm, with vendors offering local seeds, plant starts, crafts and more.
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Approximately 20 people attended the March 23rd Tonasket Farmers’ Market vendors meeting, where two important changes were agreed upon, booth fee and starting date. For the first time since its inception, the Farmers’ Market will begin the third week of May and the vendor fee has been raised from $5 to $6. Both decisions were made by a majority vote of the vendors who were eligible to vote, which meant having attended at least half of the market days in 2009. Matt Wells, Market Manager for the last two years, was unanimously voted in again in that position.
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The Tonasket Farmers’ Market, after its humble beginnings many years ago has now grown to be a regular feature in town and a great way to purchase food directly from the producer.

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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/sui.jpg" alt="Su Ianniello Massage, LMT" width="300px" align="right"/>
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<h1>Do You Love Houseplants?</h1>

This is the time of year when many people who have houseplants find themselves repotting, separating and cutting back plants. That is how a little fundraising idea came to be, and the CCC needs participants. If you love houseplants, this is a simple and rewarding way to help your community center. So don’t compost those cuttings and thinnings, root them and grow a plant or two to be sold in the fall.
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The CCC can provide pots, although most home gardeners have an abundance of 4” and 5” plastic pots lying around, which would be the perfect size. Baker’s Acres nursery has generously donated potting soil and others have offered to provide small, ceramic decorative pots to place them in. If you don’t have the room to care for these baby plants yourself we can keep them at the Center; Sarah Woodson, from the One Drop Coffee Shop has offered to help tend them.
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Contact River in the CCC office at 486-1328 for more information on this fun and rewarding little project. 

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<h1>Youth Musical Showcase May 1</h1> 

 On Saturday, May 1 the CCC will present an evening of music performed by this area’s very talented young musicians, an open-mic for the youth of the community. Organized by CCC volunteer, Martin Elliot, the event will be a showcase of up and coming young talent – an opportunity to hear and encourage these novice musicians who show great promise in their abilities. Hear Tonasket High School students, Carl and Aaron Bharucha, playing classical and jazz piano and Shane Lange, on drums, along with many others.
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Doors will open at 5:30pm and performances start at 6. There is no cover charge for the evening’s entertainment. Light refreshments and beverages will be available to purchase during the evening. For more information call Martin at 846-9269.

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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="right" /></a>  
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<h1>Memorial Day Picnic and Softball Game at Spectacle Lake</h1>
 <i>~submitted by Jean Pfeifer</i>
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Memorial Day, May 31st will be a day to enjoy yourself with friends and family. 
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The Co-op and the CCC will be hosting a day of fun in at beautiful Spectacle Lake. 
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Come and play softball and root for your special team.  Sign up lists for whichever team you want to join will be posted at the Tonasket Natural Foods Co-op.
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The event will start at 11am.  There will be a “young’uns” game at 1pm followed by the big game of the day at 2.  A picnic will begin at 3pm. This gathering is also Scott Dennis’ 50th birthday celebration, ten years after the first community softball game, which he started on his 40th.
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Be sure to bring canoes, boats and fishing gear to enjoy along with the ball games. Also bring mitts and sunscreen, lawn chairs, tables and blankets to sit on.
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This event will be held  on the site near the public boat launch at the south end of Spectacle Lake, off of the Oroville/ Loomis Rd. 
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Guests will also need to bring your own meat to barbecue along with food for this great potluck. Flyers are posted at the CCC and the Co-op with more information, including what foods to bring.
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Contact Julie Greenwood at the Co-op or River Jones at the CCC with any questions.

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<h5>Come in and view the works of our<br /><br />
<strong>Featured Artist for the month of May:<br />
Barbara Conner Reed</strong>
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Her beautiful art is on display in the front lobby area of the CCC.</h5>


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<h1>Composting Workshop May 15th</h1>

Saturday, May 15 at the Community Cultural Center, Okanogan County Community Action Council  (OCCAC) will provide a free workshop on building your own back-yard composing system. The class will begin at 2:30pm, and should last about 3 hours.
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Made possible by a grant OCCAC received from the Environmental Protection Agency through the CLEAR (Composting Leads to Environmental and Affordable Recycling) program, the workshop is on converting 55-gallon food grade drums into a simple composter. Class size is limited to 15, and pre-registration is required.
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Call Autumn Carroll at (509) 422-4041 for more informa­tion or to register.

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<h1>Tonasket Natural Foods Co-op Benefit Features Two Films, Dinner, Entertainment and a Dessert Auction</h1>

On Friday, May 7 the Co-op will host a big fundraising event at the CCC, beginning at 5pm. Opening the evening will be a dinner prepared by Judy Linetty, which will include three varieties of stuffed croissants, stuffed grape leaves, marinated vegetables, hummus with fresh pita bread, as well as desserts donated by community members. During dinner the Tonasket Alter­native High School music students will perform, playing several pieces they have been working on at school, under the tutelage of their teacher, John Jones.
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Following dinner, at 6:30, the documentary Back to the Garden will be screened, which features the Co-op as well as many local residents. One Pine, Dorinda and Skeeter, all of whom are featured in the film, will be on hand to answer questions. 
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During intermission Reed Engel and Harvey Swanson will play live acoustic music, mostly original songs. There will also be a Dessert Auction at that time, to help raise money for the Co-op Improvement Fund, which has the current project of fixing the leaky roof. You will have the opportunity to bid on fabulous desserts prepared by some of our talented community bakers.
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Following the auction the documentary Playing for Change--Peace Through Music will be shown, a wonderful uplifting film that will put a spring in your step and a song on your lips.
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This event will be a great way to kick off the summer season in the Okanogan, and help to support our Co-op.

Call the Tonasket Natural Foods Co-op at 466-4188 for more information.


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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/als_iga.jpg" alt="Al's IGA  home owned and operated" align="right" width="300px" /> 
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  <center>      <h5>Advertise in The CCC Newsetter!<br />
It costs only $10 per month or $50 for 6 months to reach hundreds of people! <br /><br />
The CCC newsletter is sent to over 175 households and businesses, is available at nuerous locations throughout town, and is posted on our website!<br /><br />
Call the CCC office at 486-1328 for more information.<br /></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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