Free Republic

In the SF East Bay, the historic Mount Diablo beacon shines one night a year to honor Pearl Harbor Day. Terrific article about the annual event which can be seen across Northern California. LINK: http://sfbayappraisal.com/the-eye-of-diablo-shines-only-on-dec-7th

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Federal officials have rejected a request to change the name of Mount Diablo after receiving complaints that it was offensive to some religions. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted unanimously this week to keep Mount Diablo's name the same, saying it "saw no compelling reason to change the name," said spokeswoman Jennifer Runyan. The Portland, Ore.-based agency was responding to a complaint by Art Mijares, an Oakley man who wanted the name changed to reflect American Indian languages. He withdrew his first suggestion, Mount Kawukum, after learning the moniker was a gimmick promoted by an...

A deeply religious Oakley man has petitioned the federal government to rename Mount Diablo, calling the current name a profane salute to Satan. In Art Mijares' application to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the first for this peak, he suggests naming it "Mount Kawukum," a word he believes has American Indian roots. "Words have power, and when you start mentioning words that come from the dark side, evil thrives," said Mijares. "When I take boys camping on the mountain -- I don't even like to say its name -- I have to explain what the name means. Why should...

OAKLEY, Calif. -- An Oakley man has asked the federal government to rename Mount Diablo, saying the current name is offensive to his religious sensibilities. "Diablo" means Satan in Spanish. Art Mijares applied to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for the change and suggests naming the mountain Mount Kawukum, which he believes has American Indian roots. "Words have power, and when you start mentioning words that come from the dark side, evil thrives," Mijares told the Contra Costa Times. "When I take boys camping on the mountain, I don't even like to say its name. I have to explain...