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Mountain View News Saturday, October 11, 2025

National 
Prescription 
Drug 
Takeback 
Day Oct. 25


Local Nonprofits Driving 
Change with LA2050 Grants

 
Pasadena Chief of Police, 
Eugene Harris, announced 
that the police department, 
in partnership with 
Day One, is set to host 
the Drug Enforcement 
Administration’s (DEA) 
National Prescription Drug 
Take Back Day on Saturday, 
October 25 from 10 a.m. to 
2 p.m. 

 The event will take 
place at Pasadena Police 
Department (“PPD”) 
Headquarters, 207 N. 
Garfield Avenue.

 This free, community-
focused event provides 
Pasadena residents 
with a safe, convenient, 
and environmentally 
responsible way to 
dispose of expired, 
unused, or unwanted 
prescription and over-the-
counter medications. By 
participating, residents 
help prevent drug misuse 
and protect local waterways 
from contamination caused 
by improper disposal 
methods such as flushing 
medications down the 
toilet.

 “Take Back Day is 
more than just a cleanup 
effort—it is a proactive 
step toward public safety 
and environmental 
stewardship,” said Sergeant 
Jonathan Buchholz of 
the Pasadena Police 
Department. “We 
encourage everyone to 
check their medicine 
cabinets and bring any 
medications they no longer 
need.”

Accepted items include:

• Prescription medications 
(pills and tablets)

• Over-the-counter 
medications

• Vitamins and supplements

 Please note: Needles, 
sharps, and liquids will not 
be accepted.

 For more information 
about the DEA’s National 
Prescription Drug Take 
Back Day, including 
additional drop-off 
locations, visit www.dea.
gov/takebackday. To speak 
with a local representative, 
contact Sergeant Jonathan 
Buchholz at jbuchholz@
cityofpasadena.net.

 Los Angeles County 
Supervisor Kathryn Barger 
announced Friday that she 
joined philanthropic leaders, 
community organizations, 
and civic leaders at the 2025 
LA2050 Grantee Showcase to 
celebrate the power of local 
nonprofits driving positive 
change across the region. 

 The event, hosted by the 
Goldhirsh Foundation, 
recognized 55 community 
groups, including five from 
Altadena/Pasadena, receiving 
nearly $3 million in funding 
through the LA2050 Grants 
Challenge. The program 
leverages support from 
generous funding partners–
including the Los Angeles 
Dodgers Foundation, Snap 
Foundation, Brunswick 
Foundation, and John N. 
Calley Foundation–to invest 
in organizations creating 
lasting community impact. 

 Barger applauded the 
Goldhirsh Foundation for its 
vision and commitment to 
strengthening Los Angeles 
County communities.

 “I want to thank the 
Goldhirsh Foundation for 
believing in our communities 
and fueling this incredible 
work,” Supervisor Kathryn 
Barger stated. “Their 
investment ensures that local 
groups have the resources to 
meet urgent needs and build 
a brighter future for everyone 
who calls Los Angeles 
County home.”

 A total of 14 organizations 
located in Los Angeles 
County’s Fifth District, which 
includes the Antelope, San 
Fernando, Santa Clarita, and 
San Gabriel Valleys, received 
$680,000 in combined 
funding through this year’s 
challenge. .

 “These organizations are 
vibrant and uplifting partners 
in our communities,” said 
Supervisor Kathryn Barger. 
“They’re the ones on the 
ground every day, supporting 
families, protecting our 
most vulnerable, inspiring 
young people, and helping 
neighborhoods heal and 
grow stronger. I’m incredibly 
proud of the 14 grantees 
in my district. Their work 
reflects the resilience and 
generosity that make our 
communities special.”

The following Fifth District 
organizations received 
LA2050 Grants Challenge 
funding:

- Altadena Community 
Garden ($25,000) – Serving 
the Altadena community 

- Children’s Law Center 
of California ($75,000) – 
Serving families countywide

- College Access Plan 
($25,000) – Serving 
Pasadena/Altadena youth

- College Match ($5,000) – 
Serving students countywide

- Forestry & Fire Recruitment 
Program ($75,000) – 
Providing career support 
to formerly and currently 
incarcerated individuals 
countywide

- Garden School Foundation 
($25,000) – Serving students 
countywide

- Los Angeles Reporting 
Collective ($50,000) – 
Serving adults countywide

- Mentor for Change 
($75,000) – Serving youth 
countywide

- Pasadena Educational 
Foundation ($25,000) 
– Serving youth from 
the Pasadena area and 
surrounding regions

- Red Hen Press ($25,000) 
– Serving areas including 
Altadena, Pasadena and 
North Hollywood

- Refugee Children Center 
($75,000) – Serving refugee 
and migrant children and 
families countywide

- Street Company ($50,000) – 
Serving people experiencing 
homelessness in the Antelope 
Valley

- The Village Family 
Services ($75,000) – Serving 
unhoused youth in San 
Fernando Valley

- Union Station Eaton Fire 
Housing Assistance Program 
($75,000) – Serving the 
Altadena community and 
surrounding region

 The LA2050 Grants 
Challenge invests in 
nonprofits, social enterprises, 
and community-based 
organizations creating 
meaningful impact across 
Los Angeles County. 

 More information about 
the Goldhirsh Foundation 
and this year’s grantees is 
available at: la2050.org.

Magic Johnson Named TofR Grand Marshal

 

 The Pasadena Tournament 
of Roses proudly announced 
Wednesday that Earvin “Magic” 
Johnson, a legendary athlete, 
visionary entrepreneur and 
transformative philanthropist, 
will serve as the Grand Marshal 
of the 2026 Rose Parade.

 Tournament of Roses 
President Mark Leavens made 
the announcment on the front 
steps of the iconic Tournament 
House as Johnson made a grand 
entrance to “Do You Remember 
the Time” by Michael Jackson. 
Johnson’s selection as Grand 
Marshal ties seamlessly into this 
year’s parade theme: “The Magic 
in Teamwork.” With his name in 
the theme, it feels meant to be. 
Some call it coincidence; we call 
it Magic, Leavens said.

 According to Tournament 
leaders, Johnson’s influence 
has extended far beyond the 
basketball court. A five-time 
NBA champion, three-time 
MVP, and Olympic gold 
medalist, he is celebrated not 
only as one of the greatest players 
in basketball history but also 
as a dynamic force in business 
and philanthropy. As Chairman 
and CEO of Magic Johnson 
Enterprises, he has transformed 
communities through 
investments, partnerships and 
opportunities that uplift and 
inspire.

 Still a commanding presence 
in the sports world, he co-
owns the Los Angeles Dodgers 
of Major League Baseball, 
Los Angeles Sparks of the 
WNBA, Major League Soccer’s 
Los Angeles Football Club, 
Washington Commanders of 
the NFL, eSports franchise 
Team Liquid and most recently 
joined the ownership group for 
the National Women’s Soccer 
League’s Washington Spirit in 
September 2024.

 Johnson also helped launch LA 
Rises, a private-sector recovery 
initiative that is directing 
significant resources toward 
rebuilding efforts in Southern 
California communities, hardest 
hit by wildfires, including 
Altadena. Johnson has also 
visited the Boys & Girls Club of 
Pasadena to support children 
and families affected by the 
Eaton Fire.

 In January 2025, Johnson 
received the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s 
highest civilian honor, from 
President Joe Biden for his 
exemplary contributions and 
impact in business, sports and 
philanthropy across the world.

 As Grand Marshal, Johnson will 
ride down Colorado Boulevard, 
ushering in the new year with 
the joy, beauty, and tradition the 
Parade is known for, and will 
also participate in the pre-game 
ceremony at the College Football 
Playoff Quarterfinal at the 112th 
Rose Bowl Game.

 “From dazzling playmaking 
on the court to visionary 
leadership in business and 
unwavering commitment to 
communities, Magic Johnson 
continues to inspire millions 
around the world,” officials said 
“The Pasadena Tournament of 
Roses is thrilled to celebrate his 
extraordinary journey and the 
happiness he brings everywhere 
he goes.”

 For more information visit: 
tournamentofroses.com.

Paid Street 
Parking 
Coming to 
Playhouse 
Village

 After years of thoughtful 
planning and community 
input, the City of Pasadena is 
preparing to introduce paid 
street parking in select areas 
of Playhouse Village. This 
initiative marks a significant 
step toward improving access, 
mobility, and the overall 
experience for everyone who 
lives, works, and visits this 
vibrant neighborhood. 

 Beginning in October 
and November 2025, City 
crews will begin installing 
new multi-space pay 
stations along sidewalks. These 
stations will feature pay-by-
app functionality, allowing 
users to pay conveniently 
via smartphone or credit 
card. During this installation 
phase, the equipment will be 
tested, but no payment will 
be required until the system 
becomes fully operational. 

 Paid parking will officially 
launch in early January 2026. 

The new system is designed to: 

- Make it easier for visitors to 
find available parking 

- Allow for longer parking 
durations than current time 
limits 

- Offer flexible, user-friendly 
payment options 

 While this transition 
represents a change for 
local businesses, employees, 
and visitors, the program 
is expected to deliver long-
term benefits that support the 
vitality of Playhouse Village, 
including: 

- Ongoing maintenance 
and upgrades to parking 
infrastructure 

- Enhanced pedestrian and 
streetscape amenities 

- Funding for local mobility 
programs 

- Contributions to 
neighborhood beautification 
and public safety initiatives 

 For more information 
about parking rates, meter 
zone locations, the Parking 
Commission, and other details 
visit: CityOfPasadena.net.

Fall Masters Series Lecture 
“Happy Birthday L.A.!”

Native 
Plants A to Z 
Workshop

 

 Los Angeles enthusiast and 
historian Tom Sanchez will share 
an amazing, unseen adventure 
on how and where Los Angeles 
began in the Fall Masters Series 
lecture “Happy Birthday L.A.” 
on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. 
to 4 p.m. onsite at the Pasadena 
Senior Center (PSC).

 Sanchez, known to his many 
social media followers as an 
unabashed Los Angeles lover 
and as ‘Mr. L.A.,’ will share his 
tales during the lecture of how 
44 people traveled months 
through desert, heat and near-
death to found one of the world’s 
great cities, bringing with them 
the Spanish colonial adobe 
architecture that defines Los 
Angeles.

 The cost is only $15 for Pasadena 
Senior Center members, and 
$18 for non-members and 
reservations are suggested. To 
register or for more information, 
visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.
org and click on Activities & 
Events, then Special Events, or 
call 626-795-4331.

 Sanchez, also known for his 
local ‘Mr LA’ walking tours of Los 
Angeles, will share his take on 
the history of Los Angeles and its 
origin story in September 1781, 
234 years ago. The presentation 
will only be in person and will 
not be recorded.

 As a donor-supported 
nonprofit, the center operates 
without any local, state or 
federal funding and provides 
more services to older adults 
than any other organization in 
the San Gabriel Valley. Hours of 
operation are Monday through 
Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 
noon. To learn more visit www.
pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 
626-795-4331.

 
In partnership with the 
Arroyo Seco Foundation, 
PWP is hosting a workshop, 
Saturday, October 25, from 10 
a.m. to Noon, focusing on the 
importance of native plants. 
Speaker Leigh Adams will 
discuss favorite local species 
and share plant tips and 
trends. 

 PWP customers will receive a 
FREE native plant (customers 
must present a copy of their 
utility bill or show online 
account on mobile device at 
time of event).

 The event will take place at 
Hahamongna Native Plant 
Nursery, 4550 Oak Grove Dr. 

 Visit: PWPweb.com/Events 
for more information.

 
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