A benefit for Save Mt. Diablo offers one good reason to extend the 15 minutes of the guy who wants Mount Diablo to become Mt. Reagan

OK, so there are apparently a lot of people who are taking seriously a proposal by Art Mjares, a self-proclaimed devout Christian from Oakley, to rename Mount Diablo after the 40th president of the United States.

Or, these people are enjoying the sense of community in bonding over their objections to Mijaras' proposal.

More than 76,000 people have joined Facebook's account, People Against Re-Naming Mt. Diablo Mt. Reagan. Maybe it's fun to bash Mijares' contention that the name "Diablo" is “derogatory and profane," and that the late Ronald Reagan, also a California governor, was a great man--or something--and deserves this honor.

I suspect this grass-roots movement to keep Mount Diablo named Mount Diablo stems from the second motive--a shared sense of community--rather than a true fear that our 3,800-foot East Bay landmark is anywhere close to getting a new name.

As if anyone in authority is going to take Mijares' proposal seriously. His complaint about the supposedly blasphemous nature of the name Diablo has been trotted out every few years and generally dismissed.

OK, so people are having fun with this campaign. Fine, although, folks, it does ends up giving Mijares' proposal more public attention than it probably deserves, and, possibility, more credibility than it would warrant otherwise.

At least, this anti-Mount Reagan campaign stands to benefit  a good cause. For sale are cool "Don't mess with Diablo" t-shirts.

"Show your support for our wonderful Mt. Diablo and its historic name." That's the pitch to purchase the white or black t-shirts and hoodies for $12 to $30. Proceeds from the sales go to Save Mount Diablo's Restoration Team, a group of volunteers who do clean-up, fence building, trail construction, planting, watering and habitat restoration, creek cleanup, and non-native plant removal for land that the non-profit Save Mount Diablo buys and turns over to park agencies.

As I've said before, unless I'm being terribly naive, I'm not particularly worried that Mijares' idea will gain much traction. But thousands of people, some who are friends--Facebook and otherwise--are united against this perceived enemy.  Meanwhile, I like Save Mount Diablo, the t-shirts and hoodies are cool looking, and I happen to need a new hoodie. So, maybe I'll be buying one. 

If you are interested in purchasing one, go to the Don't mess with Diablo website.

Hike Lime Ridge Peak this morning or on your own

Sorry to readers and to Save Mount Diablo folks for being late in getting this up...

But Save Mount Diablo has another guided hike scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday of Lime Ridge. Or Save Mount Diablo has information on self-guided hikes that you can take at your own convenience. For self-guided hikes go here on the nonprofit's website.

Here is why Save Mt. Diablo wants to raise awareness about Lime Ridge Peak. The City of Walnut Creek is considering a proposal to grant a cell phone company, Nextel, a lease to allow them to use the peak for an expanded communications facility.

Save Mount Diablo believes that granting the lease would be a threat to this wonderful, natural resource:

This is the City’s opportunity to end this inappropriate use of the open space and to return the area to its natural setting by requiring the removal of the existing facilities.

Learn more about this proposal by joining us on one of our guided hikes through Lime Ridge, taking a self guided hike on your own, or by reading our comment letter to the City. Send a letter to the City to let them know that you support Save Mount Diablo’s position to return the open space to its natural setting.