The past year was very successful for the BBCRC, both in serving as a gathering spot and resource for our community and in moving ahead with many of our infrastructure and other projects. After moving our historic wood boxcar and reefer car to our site in late 2008, we began a process of extensive rehabilitation of both cars. Then early in 2009 a second caboose arrived on-site. By May we had the boxcar fixed up to the point where it was able to function as a show space during our Spring Music/Work Party. Over the weekend nine bands played. This launched a new role for the BBCRC as a venue for traveling bands coming through the area. By the end of 2009 we had hosted almost 20 bands for shows in our boxcar or outdoors on our kitchen stage. In July we even hosted a play about water issues on our outdoor stage. We also saw the development of a substantial garden able to help feed our supporters and volunteers this year and the initiation of a related greenhouse project built around the re-use of an old cinder block structure adjacent to our barn. BBCRC members participated in a number of local community events as well, including the Weed Carnivale town parade in July. We accomplished further fuels reduction and forest restoration work and planted many new tree on our site. We also had a late summer music/work party that brought many new people to our place helping to increase our network of friends and supporters.
Author: Black Butte Admin
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Rare Pumice Moonwart Fern Found Near Mt. Shasta
A very rare fern, Pumice Moonwart (Botrychium Pumicola), thought to be extinct in California (a small population exists near Crater Lake in Oregon), was recently discovered near treeline in Diller Canyon, on the slopes of the Shastina side of Mt. Shasta. This location is only about 4 miles or so east (and another mile up!) from the BBCRC. Apart from lumber company land, our site is one of the closest private pieces of property to the area where the fern grows. This discovery is further evidence of the unique ecology of this area.
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New Entries in the Films and Videos Bibliography
Added several new entries to the “Films, Videos, DVDs” page in the Bibliography section.
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BBCRC Is Now on MySpace
The BBCRC now has it’s own My Space page, in part to help stay in touch with bands and musicians who may be coming through and able to play some music at Black Butte. Check it out at www.myspace.com/bbcrc.
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New Images 2009 Section and Page Updates
Added the new Images 2009 section and also added more shots to the Tattoo pages and updated the PFE reefer and SNRY boxcar pages.
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Late Summer 2009 Work and Music Party
Over the last week we had a very successful work and music party with over 50 people visiting, helping out with projects, and playing music. Traveling bands that played in our boxcar included GRUK (from Chico), THE HOBO GOBBLINS (from the Bay Area), SHAKES and THE WALK HOME (from Seattle), as well as BAD BLOOD REVIVAL and STUPID PARTY (from Brooklyn, NY). Unfortunately MOTHER OF FIRE had to cancel its planned show but a couple members visited later in the week. During the week we got both the boxcar and the reefer weather protected, built skylights for the reefer hatch openings, started building a greenhouse for the garden, and did more work on both cabooses. Thanks to everyone who helped out!
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Our First Spring Work and Music Gathering
Over the extended weekend of May 14-17, the BBCRC hosted our first major Spring work/music gathering. Over fifty supporters and friends came together and helped out with many projects including rebuilding and upgrading our bicycle shop space, initiating rehab activities on the reefer car, working on our garden, and many other activities. Nine bands played including Dirtyard (from Minneapolis), Dandelion Junk Queens (Port Townsend), Fat Sack of Bluegrass (Weed), Fugitive Kind and Living Daylights (Bay Area), Brody Douglas Hunt (Port Townsend), and Pipsqueak and Glue (both from the Pacific Northwest). Thanks to everyone who helped out over the weekend!
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Today a second caboose, ATSF #999028, arrived at Black Butte
Today a second caboose, ATSF #999028, arrived at Black Butte. This is the fourth historic railroad car to come to our site. Check out pictures of the caboose, our site preparation work and the move on these pages.
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Online PayPal Donations Now Accepted
We now have the ability to accept online Paypal donations on this site. And if you contribute $10 or (preferably) more, we’ll send you our new BBCRC patch! See our “Helping Out” page for details.
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2008 Year in Review
2008 was another year of accomplishment at Black Butte, we initiated projects that exceeded all of our expectations. It was again a huge group effort. Among the many projects that moved forward during the year:
Most interior rehabilitation work on ex-Great Northern X746 caboose was completed, including a new ceiling, new sub-floor, re-upholstery of interior seats and benches, cabinetry, insulation, interior wall repairs, and the re-installation of a caboose stove.
We acquired two additional historic rail cars, a boxcar and a reefer car, did site preparation, and moved the cars into place. These cars will house a future library/resource center and an art space/gallery.
We proceeded with forest restoration work, removing fire hazards and restoring a more natural and diverse forest to the areas around the compound. A variety of other environmental projects were also initiated.
We experienced a major loss with the unexpected passing of our caretaker “Gonzo” in November. From the beginning he was a central figure at Black Butte and he will be greatly missed by all of us.
Among the many people and organizations who helped us out in 2008 and whom we’d like to thank are: Gonzo (R.I.P!), North Bank Fred (jack of all trades and webmaster), Jacquelyn, Rick and the dog pack, Hobo Lee, Wrong Way Dre, Coffey, “Santa Cruz Trash Orchestra”: Jason, Wes, etc, Broke Toe Rezo, Toby “Flange Squeal”, Kurt, Leonie S, “Billy Gott Craig”, The “Grinch”, Photo Bill, Josh, Quentin and the “Bike Church” in Santa Cruz, CA, Baltimore Red, Shade, Jared, “Polka Madre”, No Doubt Dave, Bob Miller (sound system), Angela, Aralia, Waffle, Roseville Melissa, Crazy Angel, Silver Miner Larry, Kimberly, Dutch, Cat, Sara Rose, Elyss, McKenzie, Chris R, Widerstand, Jeff from the trailer park, Carltons, Matteapolis, local crew from the “Central Oregon and Pacific Railway”, Michael I “Train on Fire”, Vanessa R and Montana from PDX, Swash, Lark and Sam from NYC, Cherry, Erick, Darby & Chevy, Sophie, Dumpy, Trainman Mark, Lily, No Nuts (R.I.P!), Stephanie, Boots, Billy, John and Reggie (“Fat Sack of Bluegrass”), Jeff Forbes and the “McCloud Railway Co”, Dougie, Joey Alone, Derek and “Made For Glory” signs”,” Safe Trails Chris and his buddies, Don, Ian, “Golden West Service”, “Something’s Wrong”, Vanessa S, Molly Molasses, Gnell, Shannon, Meredith, Leann, Bill, Buddy, “Heritage Junction Museum” in McCloud, Jack Flash, Dr. Ed, Cody “the Hub City Kid”, “Black Bear Ranch” crew: Justin, Mouse, Jaxon etc, Eden, Britt, Alex, Potter, Joe, Poio, Josh, Croatian Mike, Holly from Cambodia, Espee Riders Josh, Elvis and his fisherman buddy, Feral, Grace and Pepper, Brakeshoe, C-Line, Amy from “Freewheelin’ Farm”, Nora, Pondscum Matt, Xarik, Keeeth, Bogus Rendition Justin from Maine, Auberry Steve & Linda, “Uncle Pete”, “Weed Arts Council”, Jack Flash, the Bechans, Meg, Z Wooden Spike, Liz, Patrick, Rob Menzies, “Ray’s Market”, “Weed Building Supply”, Valerie, Dave Wall (welding), Max, and, as always, the “Black Butte Dump”. And anyone else we might have missed — let us know who we’ve forgotten to include!