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Mountain Views News Saturday, June 28, 2025

Fourth of July 
Closures and 
Reminders


Former Manager of NASA 
Missions John Casani Dies

 
The visionary engineer John 
Casani, who served a central 
role in many of NASA’s historic 
deep space missions, died on 
Thursday, June 19 at the age of 
92.

 Casani started at the Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory in 
Southern California in 1956 
and went on to work as an 
electronics engineer on some of 
the nation’s earliest spacecraft 
after NASA’s formation in 1958. 
Along with leading the design 
teams for both the Ranger and 
Mariner series of spacecraft, he 
held senior project positions on 
many of the Mariner missions 
to Mars and Venus, and was 
project manager for three 
trailblazing space missions: 
Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini.

 His work helped advance 
NASA spacecraft in areas 
including mechanical 
technology, system design 
and integration, software, and 
deep space communications. 
No less demanding were the 
management challenges of these 
multifaceted missions, which 
led to innovations still in use 
today.

 “John had a major influence on 
the development of spacecraft 
that visited almost every planet 
in our solar system, as well as 
the people who helped build 
them,” said JPL director Dave 
Gallagher. “He played an 
essential role in America’s first 
attempts to reach space and then 
the Moon, and he was just as 
crucial to the Voyager spacecraft 
that marked humanity’s first 
foray into interplanetary — and 
later, interstellar — space. That 
Voyager is still exploring after 
nearly 50 years is a testament to 
John’s remarkable engineering 
talent and his leadership that 
enabled others to push the 
boundaries of possibility.”

 Casani became JPL’s first 
chief engineer in 1994, retiring 
in 1999 and serving on 
several nationally prominent 
committees, including leading 
the investigation boards of both 
the Mars Climate Orbiter and 
the Mars Polar Lander failures, 
and also leading the James Webb 
Space Telescope Independent 
Comprehensive Review Panel.

 In early 2003, Casani returned 
to JPL to serve as project 
manager for NASA’s Project 
Prometheus, which would have 
been the nation’s first nuclear-
powered, electric-propulsion 
spacecraft. In 2005, he became 
manager of the Institutional 
Special Projects Office at JPL, a 
position he held until retiring 
again in 2012.

 “Throughout his career, John 
reflected the true spirit of JPL: 
bold, innovative, visionary, and 
welcoming,” said Charles Elachi, 
JPL’s director from 2001 to 2016. 
“He was an undisputed leader 
with an upbeat, fun attitude 
and left an indelible mark on 
the laboratory and NASA. I 
am proud to have called him a 
friend.”

 Casani received many 
awards over his lifetime, 
including NASA’s Exceptional 
Achievement Medal, the 
Management Improvement 
Award from the President of the 
United States for the Mariner 
Venus Mercury mission, and the 
Air and Space Museum Trophy 
for Lifetime Achievement.

 For more information and a 
complete bio visit: jpl.nasa.gov.

 Pasadena residents and 
businesses are reminded 
that City Hall and many City 
services and administrative 
offices will be closed 
Friday, in observance of 
the Independence Day 
holiday. Specific closures and 
exceptions are noted below.

 Pasadena residents and 
businesses experiencing 
power emergencies should 
call the Pasadena Water and 
Power Department (PWP) 
at (626) 744-4673. For water-
related emergencies, call (626) 
744-4138. PWP’s regular 
Customer Call Center will 
be closed for the holiday, but 
customers can access their 
accounts and pay bills online 
at PWPweb.com or by calling 
(626) 744-4005.

 City trash collection will 
occur on Friday. There will be 
no delay in trash, recycling, 
and yard waste collection. 
Bulky item pick-ups will not 
be available.

 The City’s City Service 
Center (CSC) will be closed 
Friday. During this time, CSC 
requests can be submitted via 
the web, CSC mobile app, and 
by calling (626) 744-7311. All 
CSC requests, voicemails, and 
emails will be monitored. The 
CSC will return to normal 
business hours on Monday, 
July 7, opening at 8 a.m.

 The City’s Municipal Services 
Payment Center and Parking 
Office at City Hall will be 
closed. All parking meters 
not posted as a “No Parking” 
zone will be free on Friday, 
July 4, and time limits will not 
be enforced. Violations for 
overnight parking, red curb 
parking, “No Parking” zones, 
and blocking fire hydrants 
will be enforced. Motorists 
are especially cautioned 
about parking restrictions in 
the Arroyo Seco area near 
Rose Bowl Stadium. All 
regular enforcement resumes 
Saturday, July 5.

 Pasadena Transit Route 33 
will run a Sunday schedule on 
Friday. All other routes and 
Dial-A-Ride Service will not 
run on Independence Day.

 All Pasadena Public Libraries 
will be closed on Friday. 
Community centers operated 
by the Parks, Recreation 
and Community Services 
Department will also be closed 
on July 4; however, all parks 
will be open for picnics, fun 
and play. No site reservations 
will be accepted for the 
holiday. Honorable John J. 
Kennedy Pool will be open 
from 1 to 4 p.m. and the splash 
pad at La Pintoresca Park will 
be available from 9 a.m. to 
7:30 p.m. to help visitors stay 
cool and refreshed.

 The Permit Center will be 
closed on July 4, although 
some services will still be 
available via the Permit 
Center Online website. Online 
services include: subtrade 
permits and plan submittals 
for new construction, tenant 
improvements, accessory 
dwelling units and additions. 
In-person operations will 
resume on Monday, July 7. 
To access our online services, 
please visit: CityOfPasadena.
net/PermitCenterOnline.

 Pasadena Police and Fire 
Departments will be staffed for 
all patrol, jail, fire, paramedic 
and other emergency services, 
but administrative offices 
will be closed. If you see 
something, say something; 
report suspicious activity to 
Pasadena Police at (626) 744-
4241. For life-threatening 
emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

 The City of Pasadena wishes 
everyone a safe Fourth of July 
holiday. 

South Pasadena’s Festival of Balloons

 

 The City of South Pasadena 
is set to again host its annual 
tradition, the 4th of July 
Festival of Balloons, on Friday. 
This year’s theme, “Unity in 
Community: One Nation, One 
Neighborhood,” celebrates the 
spirit of togetherness and pride 
that defines South Pasadena.

 Festivities kick off early with the 
Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast 
at 7:00 a.m. at the South Pasadena 
Fire Station, located at 817 
Mound Avenue. The Opening 
Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. 
at the South Pasadena Public 
Library Community Room, 
located at 1115 El Centro Street, 
followed by the annual Festival 
of Balloons Parade at 11:00 a.m., 
which travels from Diamond 
Avenue to Garfield Park.

 At Garfield Park, the celebration 
continues until 2:30 p.m. with 
games, delicious food, and a live 
DJ to keep the fun going for the 
whole family.

 The festivities culminate with 
an evening of entertainment 
at the South Pasadena High 
School Stadium, located at 1401 
Fremont Avenue. featuring a 
live performance by Faultline 
from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and 
the highly anticipated fireworks 
show at 9:00 p.m. Gates open at 
7:00 p.m.

Fireworks Show Tickets:

- Presale: $15.00 per person 
online at: southpasadenaca.gov/
events

- At the door: $20.00 per person

- Children 2 and under: Free

 Bring a copy of your receipt and 
tickets for stadium entry.

 In celebration of this year’s 
theme, winning entries from 
the Festival of Balloons Poster 
Contest will be on display at the 
South Pasadena Chamber of 
Commerce Gallery, located at 
1121 Mission Street. The gallery 
offers a wonderful opportunity 
to view the creativity and 
community pride of local youth 
artists. The exhibit will be 
available for viewing by open 
and open to the public on July 4 
and July 8.

Meals on 
Wheels 

Providing 
Food in 
Altadena

SoCalGas Donates $75,000 
to Pasadena Foundation

 Altadena Meals on Wheels 
(AMOW) announced 
Wednesday that they are 
again providing meals to 
homebound neighbors 
after suspending service 
in the wake of January’s 
devastating wildfire.

 There are no specific 
eligibility requirements 
to receive meals -- any 
Altadena resident in need 
is welcome to apply. To 
learn more or to sign up 
for service, please call us at 
626-794-0313.

 They are also seeking 
volunteer drivers to deliver 
meals along designated 
routes in Altadena, Monday 
through Friday. If you have 
a few hours to spare at 
least twice per month, they 
would like to hear from 
you. Call 626-794-0313 to 
get started.

 Since 1973, Altadena Meals 
on Wheels has utilized a 
caring and dedicated team 
of volunteers to deliver 
hot, tasty meals to seniors 
who are homebound for 
reasons including illness, 
post-surgery rehabilitation/
convalescence, and/or age, 
to help them live healthier, 
more nourished lives and 
remain independent in the 
comfort and security of 
their own homes. 

 Altadena Meals on 
Wheels receives no federal 
funding and operates 
solely through the 
generosity of community 
partners, private donors 
and local organizations. 
To make a tax-
deductible donation visit: 
altadenamealsonwheels.
org.

The Pasadena Chamber of 
Commerce Foundation (PCCF) 
announced this week a $75,000 
donation from Southern 
California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) 
to support small businesses in 
Altadena impacted by the recent 
Eaton Fire.

 According to officials the 
donation will help local 
businesses recover and reopen, 
and will cover critical expenses 
such as relocation, equipment 
replacement, and operational 
restart costs. The Pasadena 
Chamber Foundation will 
provide assistance to eligible 
businesses located in or 
previously operating within the 
91001 ZIP code.

 “As small businesses work to 
rebuild after the devastation of 
the Eaton Fire, this support from 
SoCalGas is both timely and 
deeply appreciated,” said Paul 
Little, executive director of the 
Pasadena Chamber Foundation. 
“These grants will help cover 
essential costs—from replacing 
tools and vehicles to restoring 
internet and phone service—so 
that business owners can get 
back on their feet and continue 
serving the community.”

 The Pasadena Chamber 
Foundation and Altadena 
Chamber will jointly review 
applications and award grants 
based on need and the potential 
impact of the proposed use of 
funds. Business owners can apply 
at: pasadenachamberfoundation.
org.

 “The Eaton Fire left a lasting 
impact on Altadena’s small 
business community, and 
recovery will take all of us 
working together,” said Los 
Angeles County Supervisor 
Kathryn Barger. “I commend 
SoCalGas for stepping up with 
this generous donation and 
thank the Pasadena and Altadena 
Chambers for their leadership. 
These grants will provide a vital 
lifeline to help local businesses 
rebuild, reopen, and continue 
serving our neighborhoods.”

 “SoCalGas stands with the 
Altadena business community 
during this critical time,” said 
Andy Carrasco, vice president 
of communications, local 
government and community 
affairs at SoCalGas. “We 
recognize the resilience of 
these small businesses and 
the vital role they play in the 
local economy. Through this 
collaboration with the Pasadena 
Chamber Foundation and the 
Altadena Chamber, we hope to 
provide meaningful support that 
helps them recover and thrive.”

 “We encourage any business 
impacted by the fire to apply 
for assistance,” added Little. 
“Sometimes, this help can 
make the difference between 
reopening and closing for good. 
We also hope this inspires others 
to contribute and help Altadena’s 
small business community 
recover.”

 In January, SoCalGas contributed 
$400,000 to the YMCA of 
Metropolitan Los Angeles (LA 
Y) to expand its Eaton Fire 
response. The funding enabled 
the LA Y to provide extended 
hours, free access to amenities 
(including showers, Wi-Fi, food, 
and water), emergency childcare 
for displaced families and first 
responders, and access to Teen 
Centers.

 Since most of SoCalGas’ 
infrastructure in the fire-affected 
areas is underground, it remains 
undamaged by the fires and safe 
to continue serving customers 
as they return to their homes 
and businesses to rebuild. To 
date, natural gas service has 
been restored to almost 16,000 
customers in the Eaton and 
Palisades fire areas, and crews 
will continue that work as 
customers return to assess, repair 
and rebuild their properties.

 For more information or to 
apply for a mini-grant, visit: 
pasadenachamberfoundation.
org.

Illegal Fireworks Ordinance 
Policy to be Strictly Enforced 

 Pasadena city officials are 
reminding the public that 
they have a strict enforcement 
policy for fireworks, and that 
Pasadena’s municipal code holds 
property owners and tenants 
responsible for permitting 
the possession, sale, usage, 
or discharge of fireworks on 
their property. The ordinance 
allows for the prosecution of 
fireworks-related offenses and 
for the demand of payment 
for all costs associated with 
the safe disposal of confiscated 
fireworks. Any person who 
violates the ordinance or any 
state law regarding fireworks is 
subject to arrest; having their 
vehicles impounded; serving up 
to one year in county jail; and 
being fined up to $50,000.

 Even hand-held sparklers, 
which many consider safe, are 
dangerous and can reach 1,200 
degrees Fahrenheit, causing 
serious burns or fires. 

 Pasadena police and 
firefighters are teaming up for 
special fireworks enforcement 
patrols before and during the 
Fourth of July holiday, and 
officers will seize fireworks in 
an effort to protect the public. 
Parking enforcement officers 
will ensure that vehicles illegally 
parked in Pasadena’s hillside 
areas on July 4 are impounded.

 If you see something, say 
something! Call Pasadena 
Police Department at (626) 744-
4241 to report illegal fireworks 
and other suspicious activities. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com