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Mountain View News Saturday, November 15, 2025


Free Gun 
Lock 
Distribution 
Program


Ventura County Officials Visit 
Pasadena’s Compost Hub

 
The Pasadena Public 
Health Department 
(PPHD), this month, 
launched its Free Gun 
Lock Distribution Program 
through a partnership 
with the Los Angeles 
County Office of Violence 
Prevention (“OVP”) and 
Pasadena Public Libraries. 
Manuel Carmona, Director 
of Public Health, said 
this initiative offers gun 
owners a practical step to 
address the reality of gun 
violence and unsafe firearm 
storage that impacts the 
community and families.

 Firearms have remained 
the leading cause of death 
for children and teens 
under 20 since 2020. 
Approximately one in 
three households keep a 
firearm stored insecurely. 
This partnership aims to 
improve household safety 
and reduce easy access 
to firearms, particularly 
during cycles of violence.

 Access to unsecured 
firearms increases the 
risk of homicide, assault, 
accidental shootings, and 
suicide. Gun locks serve 
as a preventive measure 
and a powerful form of 
protection for both physical 
safety and mental health. 
Just as parents promote 
seatbelts and bike helmets 
to prevent injury, securely 
storing firearms at home 
helps protect loved ones 
from harm.

Free gun locks are available 
to Pasadena residents at the 
following locations during 
specified times:

- Pasadena Public Health 
Department’s front desk 
(1845 N. Fair Oaks Ave.)

- Monday through 
Thursday | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

- Hastings Branch Library 
(3325 E. Orange Grove 
Blvd.)

- Monday through 
Thursday | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

- Friday and Saturday | 10 
a.m. – 6 p.m.

- Sunday | 1 – 5 p.m.

- Villa Parke Branch Library 
(363 E. Villa St., Second 
Floor)

- Monday – Friday | 10 a.m. 
– 6 p.m.

 Community members may 
request a gun lock at no 
cost and without providing 
identifying information. 
This collaboration between 
PPHD, Los Angeles 
County OVP, and the 
Pasadena Public Library 
expands access to practical 
safety tools and reinforces 
Pasadena’s commitment to 
reducing firearm related 
harm, strengthening 
neighborhoods, and 
protecting residents of all 
ages.

 To learn more about 
firearm safety and violence 
prevention resources, visit 
the Los Angeles County 
Gun Safety website.

 Director of Pasadena Public 
Works, Greg de Vinck, and the 
department welcomed officials 
last week from Ventura County 
Public Works to McDonald Park 
for a site visit and peer exchange 
focused on community-based 
organics recycling. The visit 
centered around the city’s 
Community Compost Hubs, 
offering Ventura County staff a 
firsthand look at the Pasadena’s 
three-bin composting system in 
action.

 Community Compost Hubs 
provide a free, local option 
to recycle food scraps such 
as fruit and vegetable peels, 
coffee grounds, and eggshells. 
Pasadena Public Works 
maintains eight hubs in parks 
across the city that are accessible 
to residents after completing 
a brief training. With over 
300 registered members, the 
hubs have diverted more than 
10,000 pounds of organic waste 
from the landfill since the 
first one opened at McDonald 
Park in 2021. By fostering 
hands-on participation and 
environmental stewardship, 
the Community Compost 
Hub program has become 
a cornerstone of Pasadena’s 
grassroots sustainability efforts.

 During the visit, Pasadena staff 
shared insights into program 
operations, community 
engagement strategies, and 
the environmental benefits 
of decentralized composting. 
Ventura County officials 
expressed interest in replicating 
the model, citing Pasadena’s 
success as a compelling example 
of scalable, community-driven 
climate action. The meeting 
underscored Pasadena’s 
leadership in resource recovery 
and recycling, and its role as a 
regional resource for innovative 
public works programming.

 More information about 
Pasadena’s compost hubs, 
including training and locations, 
can be found at: CityOfPasadena.
net/CompostHubs.

Court Denies Barring UCLA from Playing 
Home Games Outside of the Rose Bowl

 

 Although the city of Pasadena 
was denied a request for a 
temporary restraining order 
Wednesday to stop UCLA’s 
football team from shifting home 
games away from the Rose Bowl 
to SoFi stadium, a Los Angeles 
County Superior Court judge 
invited the City of Pasadena 
and the Rose Bowl Operating 
Company to seek discovery and 
to file a motion for a preliminary 
injunction. 

 In a statement Pasadena 
city officials said that Judge 
James C. Chalfant ruled that 
no emergency existed which 
demanded temporary relief 
and that had UCLA has not 
signed any agreement with SoFi 
Stadium yet that would posed 
an immediate threat to the ciy’s 
finances or public interests.

 Pasadena lawyer, Nima 
Mohebbi, representing the city 
and the Rose Bowl said they 
have now filed a public records 
request to gather information 
related to SoFi Stadium and 
UCLA. Pasadena and the 
Rose Bowl would now file a 
preliminary injunction motion 
to seek discovery from UCLA 
according to reports.

 In court, Mohebbi warned that 
losing UCLA as the Rose Bowl’s 
anchor tenant would jeopardize 
the city’s ability to repay nearly 
$184 million in bond debt 
related to stadium renovations.

 Pasadena has financed roughly 
$200 million in renovations 
since 2010 with plans for more 
renovations though 2028. 

 In a press release in December 
Jens Weiden, CEO of the Rose 
Bowl Operating Company 
said that The Lasting Legacy 
Campaign, a multi-project, 
multi-year revitalization 
campaign, with eight projects 
will be completed in two phases, 
with Phase I aiming to be 
complete in 2026 and Phase II 
beginning shortly following the 
2028 Olympic Games.

 “The Rose Bowl Stadium has 
been our home for over forty 
years and America’s Stadium 
for more than one hundred,” 
said Martin Jarmond, UCLA’s 
Director of Athletics at the time. 
“We look forward to seeing the 
unmatched tradition of the 
iconic Rose Bowl Stadium paired 
with modern-day amenities that 
will enhance the fan experience 
for years to come.”

 UCLA’s move to the Rose Bowl 
Stadium as its home field in 1982 
is considered one of the most 
important in the venue’s history, 
Weiden said.

 Mohebbi said, in news reports, 
that Chalfant made very clear 
that there’s irreparable harm and 
that UCLA has an obligation to 
play at the Rose Bowl through 
the 2043 season.

 Based on Chalfant’s comments, 
city attorneys think Pasadena 
may ultimately prevail.

Playhouse Continues Expansion 
of Educational Offerings for 2026

 Danny Feldman, Producing Artistic Director of Pasadena 
Playhouse, the official State Theater of California and recipient of 
the 2023 Regional Theatre TonyAward, announced Teusday the 
continued expansion in 2026 of educational offerings for all ages 
from the theater’s robust Education Department with 16 new 
community classes and 2 summer camps. As recently related in 
the Los Angeles Times, “education is as core to us as the shows on 
stage,” said Feldman. “When we were making the bold choice of 
purchasing back this building, it wasn’t just about restoring an old 
theater.” Additionally, Feldman joins the roster of teaching artists 
this Spring as he prepares to teach a seminar on Brigadoon leading 
up to the Playhouse’s production of the classic musical. 

Youth classes offered will include Playwriting (Ages 9 – 13) January 
14 – March 4, Little Players (Ages 5 – 7) January 13 – March 20, 
Physical Comedy (Ages 8 – 11) February 2 – March 9, Playhouse 
Players: Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS (Ages 7 – 12) February 
10 – May 22, Puppetry (Ages 8 – 11) April 13 – May 18, and Story 
Theater (Ages 5 – 7) April 16 – May 14.

Teen classes offered will include Teen Acting Intensive (Ages 14 – 
18) February 2 – March 9 and Playhouse Players: Once Upon A 
Mattress: Youth Edition (Ages 11 – 16) February 11 – May 16. 

Adult classes offered will include Your Story Matters: A Storytelling 
Workshop January 10th, 11th, and 18th, Playhouse Singers: A 
Musical Theater Community Choir (Winter Session (Advanced): 
Jan 12 – Mar 2, Winter Session (Beginner): Jan 21 – Mar 2, 

Spring Session (Advanced): Apr 6 – Jun 1, Spring Session 
(Beginner): Apr 15 – June 1, Acting For Non-Actors January 13 
– February 17, Acting the Song February 19 – March 26, Drama 
Book Club January 6 – February 10, Brigadoon 101: Through the 
Mist April 18 – May 9, Comedy for the Stage February 5 – March 
12 and Shadow Puppetry Workshop (Ages 14+) April 19.

Playhouse Player’s summer camps will feature the magic of Roald 
Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. for ages 7 – 12 during four two-
week sessions from June 15 through August 7 and Musical Theater 
Bootcamp returns for ages 14 – 18 from July 20-July 31. 

 Enrollment for all classes is officially open. Additional details, 
including cost and scholarship information for all classes can be 
found at pasadenaplayhouse.org.

 There are a limited number of partial scholarships available for all 
classes offered on a rolling basis. 

Holiday Magic Returns to One 
Colorado in Old Pasadena

Fireplace 
and Heater 
Safety 
Reminders

 One Colorado officials 
announced Monday they are 
celebrating the holiday season 
with a series of festive family-
friendly events. From cherished 
moments with Santa and his 
elf to a community toy drive 
supporting Union Station 
Homeless Services and a special 
storytime event filled with sweet 
treats and Christmas cheer.

Santa Photos

 One Colorado invites children 
and their families to share their 
wish lists and take keepsake 
photos with Santa as he sits on 
his green velvet couch in front 
of a brand-new festive holiday 
backdrop flanked by beautiful 
Christmas trees. Santa will be 
available in The Courtyard each 
weekend from November 28th 
through December 21st. Santa’s 
hours include Fridays (5 p.m. 
to 8 p.m.), Saturdays (10 a.m. 
to 8 p.m.) and Sundays (10 a.m. 
to 7 p.m.). Special hours apply 
on Black Friday, November 
28th (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and on 
Sunday, December 21st (10 a.m. 
to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 8 
p.m.). And Santa will make one 
final appearance at the center 
on Christmas Eve (10 a.m. to 7 
p.m.) before heading back to the 
North Pole. Professional photo 
packages begin at $30; guests 
are also invited to take their own 
photos for $25. All professional 
photos include a full digital 
gallery.

Letters to Santa

 From November 28th through 
December 15th, One Colorado 
invites children and their families 
to share their holiday wishes, 
dreams and friendly messages 
with Santa by dropping a letter 
into his official North Pole 
Mailbox near Santa’s Station in 
The Courtyard. Those who send 
their letters by December 15th 
and include a clear return address 
will receive a personalized reply 
from Santa himself, adding a 
touch of holiday magic to the 
season’s celebrations.

Holiday Toy Drive

 From November 28th through 
December 15th, One Colorado 
invites the community to spread 
holiday cheer by participating 
in a toy drive to support Union 
Station Homeless Services. 
Guests are encouraged to donate 
new, unwrapped toys and books 
for children of all ages – from 
infants to teens up to 18 years 
old. To help families add an 
extra touch of holiday magic, 
wrapping paper and gift bag 
donations are also welcome. All 
items can be dropped off during 
regular business hours in the 
collection barrel located near 
Santa’s station in The Courtyard. 
Every contribution helps bring 
joy and hope to local families in 
need this holiday season.

Santa Snacks & Stories

 On December 21st, from 1 p.m. 
to 2 p.m., guests can spend a 
festive afternoon with Santa and 
his cheerful elf at Santa’s station 
in The Courtyard enjoying 
heartwarming Christmas stories 
filled with holiday cheer. Visitors 
can soak in the spirit of the 
season while savoring delicious 
cookies (while supplies last) 
and listening to Old St. Nick 
read each tale aloud. Each year, 
a handful of holiday storybooks 
are carefully selected for different 
age groups from local favorite 
Vroman’s Bookstore.

 For more information isit: 
onecolorado.com/events.

 
As temperatures begin to drop, 
Pasadena Fire Chief Chad 
Augustin reminds residents to 
take a few precautions when 
turning on heaters and lighting 
fireplaces. According to the 
U.S. Fire Administration, 
heating equipment causes 
roughly 34,000 home fires 
every year, resulting in injuries 
and property damage. As the 
weather cools, take these steps 
to keep your home cozy and 
fire safe.

 Before using your fireplace, 
make sure the chimney and 
flue are clean and clear of 
debris. Always open the 
fireplace vent/flue before 
lighting a fire to allow smoke 
and gases to safely exit your 
home. Keep flammable 
materials such as blankets, 
curtains, and furniture at 
least three feet away from the 
fireplace, and never leave a fire 
unattended.

 If you are using a floor or 
space heater, plug it directly 
into a wall outlet—never an 
extension cord—and keep it 
on a flat, stable surface. Turn it 
off when you leave the room or 
go to sleep, and make sure your 
heater has an automatic shut 
off feature in case it tips over. 
Space heaters are involved in 
only about 3 percent of home 
heating fires, but they account 
for nearly 40 percent of related 
deaths, making proper use 
critical for safety.

A few small steps can make a 
big difference in preventing 
home fires. Stay warm, stay 
alert, and help keep Pasadena 
safe this winter.

 For more information visit: 
cityofpasadena.net.

 
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All Things Holiday . 
Upstairs & In Shop 
626-355-7739 
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