Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/10998
4A – Daily News – Tuesday, May 25, 2010 A 'mountain' with a message for the world BY TONY PERRY Los Angeles Times/MCT NILAND — The sun is rising in the brilliant blue sky above the Imperial Valley desert. The curious and the devout have come to meet 78- year-old Leonard Knight, self-described "hobo-bird," self-taught artist and deep believer in the transforma- tional power of God's love. For nearly 25 years, Knight has spent his days — and many a night, flashlight batteries willing — paint- ing pastoral designs and biblical quotations on a three- story mound of adobe he calls Salvation Mountain. The colors are bright, the scenes are complex, but the philosophy is simple. "If people will just love God, all will be well," he said, with a touch of his native Vermont still in his voice. "Keep it simple, keep it simple, don't get all complicated in other things." Knight refers to his visitors as cameras — they all seem to want pictures of him and his artwork — and they arrive daily: tourists venturing off the freeway, religious pilgrims, schoolchildren, visiting ministers. He first saw the valley in 1986 while on a visit to see a sister in San Diego. He came upon an open spot he thought would be a perfect place for a religious monu- ment. He planned to stay a week and make one, maybe 8 feet tall. Instead, once he started, he found it difficult to stop. He tried to float away on a hot-air balloon that he brought in a pickup truck. But when the balloon mal- functioned, he decided to stay. He has no telephone, television, radio, lights or run- ning water. He uses a post-office box to get his Social Security checks, earned as a welder, maintenance worker and body-and-fender man in New England and later Nebraska. He bathes in a natural hot springs nearby and takes many of his meals at a Mexican restaurant in Niland. Each night, he sleeps in the bed of an ancient fire engine that broke down years ago. He shares his space with a no-name cat. Of his two motorbikes and four vehicles, only one runs, although all are adorned with religious writings: John 3:16, the Lord's Prayer and what he calls the Sin- ner's Prayer are favorites. Knight is only vaguely conversant with current events. An Army veteran from the Korean War, he has American Embroidery Mart 446 Antelope Blvd. #34 (530) 527-4446 Custom and corporate logos for embroidery. “If I can hoop it, I can embroider it.” No job is too large or too small. No minimum order required. Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm e-mail: info@americanembroiderymart.com Jeannie Garton Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times/MCT Leonard Knight navigates his Salvation Mountain in Niland. heard there are wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That motivates him to continue painting his basic message: God is love. "We've just got to start loving God more, and these things like wars wouldn't happen," he said. "God's love is the strongest force. It can squash hate." When a visiting tourist spoke of being married to her female partner, Knight seemed startled. But after mulling over the idea momentarily, he smiled with acceptance. In February, Imperial County Adult Protective Ser- vices heard a rumor that Knight was no longer able to care for himself. When the social worker came out to check, she found him scampering up his mountain as usual, paint- brush in hand. She has not been back, Knight said, adding that she seemed like a nice person. Even though he lives in splendid isolation, the mod- ern world has reached out to Knight's creation. Follow- ers have put up a Facebook page and Wikipedia entry; the Folk Art Society of America has extolled his work; Dr. Andrew PomazalD.O. 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He said he takes no pills and has no arthritis, although his hearing is not what it once was. He prefers not to dwell on the subject, but he's con- vinced that Salvation Mountain will outlast him. The land belongs to California, but officials long ago aban- doned the idea of trying to oust him from it. To its creator, who says he's used more than half a million gallons of paint, the mountain is a memorial that should be preserved to inspire future generations. "There's Mount Rushmore, and then there's Salva- tion Mountain," Knight said. We have Olive Oil! Lucero & Pacific Sun Milling Wheat into Flour Using Organic & Local Ingredients www.rossersbakery.com 446 Antelope Blvd. #38 Left side of Antelope Holiday Mkt 529-1687 * Summer Hours: 6am-2pm Effective May 31st A NOTE TO VOTERS ON ENDORSEMENTS AND JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE I decided not to seek judicial endorsements before I began my campaign last summer. While this practice has been permitted since 1996, I believe that such endorsements dilute the principle of judicial independence by creating the perception of a link between the candidate and the endorser. Independence is the cornerstone of our judicial system, and perceptions matter here. Tehama County voters are also fiercely independent and make up their own minds based on what the candidates have to offer. What I offer Tehama County voters is 31 years of experience as an attorney, including 23 years as a public servant and county counsel in California’s rural counties. I have been your County Counsel since 2003. I am a seasoned litigator giving independent legal advice to public officers in highly charged political environments, without regard to political consequences. This is what judges do - rule on the facts and law before them without regard to political consequences. Long and varied experience is a journey toward judicial temperament and perspective gained only over time. Tehama County deserves a judge with those qualities who will also take the bench free from any perception of affiliation or loyalty. I am that candidate. I will be that judge. I am seeking the only endorsement that matters – that of the voters. I would appreciate your vote for experience, temperament and independence. Thank you. William Murphy, Candidate for Judge of the Superior Court, Office 2 – 2010 WilliamMurphy4judge.com Paid political advertisement RED BLUFF OUTDOOR POWER 527-5741 490 Antelope Blvd., Red bluff Mon. - Sat. 8-5 Read the owner’s manual before operating Honda Power Equipment Tehama Tire Service Inc. 525 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff (530) 527-5272 Is cremation your choice? Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers owns and operates the only on-site crematory in Tehama County. • Your loved one NEVER leaves our care. • For your peace of mind, we personally perform cremations on site. • No hidden charges. 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