Mountain View News Saturday, November 29, 2025 

Eaton Fire 

Survivors 
Insurance 


Workshop

 Residents of Altadena and 
Pasadena who were impactedby the Eaton fire are invitedto attend a new workshop tohelp them create an inventoryof their home contents for 
insurance claim purposes onSaturday, Dec. 6 from 9:00 

a.m. to noon, onsite at thePasadena Senior Center. 
At this hands-on workshop,
representatives from nonprofitUnited Policyholders will helpyou make progress with yourhome content insurance claim 
and home inventory. The goalis to help fire survivors reducestress, save time, and empowerthem to make informed 
decisions as they work towardsfinancial recovery.

 The event is free to the 
public and reservations aresuggested. To register or 
for more information, visit:
pasadenaseniorcenter.org andclick on Lectures & Classes, 
then Workshops, or call 626795-
4331. 
The ‘Contents Workshop’ willcover the following:

-California Claim Regulationsand Laws: how they impactyour contents claim
-Strategies: preparing yourinventory, pricing, and valuingyour items
-Sources of Help: where to gowhen things get overwhelming
-Next Steps: how to pushback, fix mistakes, add items,
re-submit, etc.
-Attendees are encouraged tobring a laptop. We will workin groups to help you establishinventory pricing and helpyou value your items. 
The “Contents Workshop” 
is presented by United 
Policyholders, a non-profitwhose mission is to be a 
trustworthy and useful 
information resource and a 
respected voice for consumersof all types of insurance acrossthe United States.

 This workshop is just one 
of many initiatives of PSC’sEaton Fire CommunitySupport resources that wereprovided to the communitywithin days of the devastatingEaton Fire. Additional 
resources can be found under 
the Resources menu on 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

 For more about the 
Pasadena Senior Center visit: 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org or 
call 626-795-4331. 

Celebrate 
African 
American 


HeritageThrough

Kwanzaa 


The Pasadena Alumnae 
Chapter of Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. and thePasadena Public Library inviteall to join them at the LaPintoresca Branch, December27 at 11 a.m., for their 37thannual Kwanzaa celebration 
full of music, storytelling andyouth presentations, includingBluesman Brother Yusef and 
other special guests. The 
sorority will provide children’sbooks and refreshments. 
Celebrate heritage and 
tradition with family, friendsand the whole community.

 The La Pintoresca Branch 
library is located 1355 NRaymond Ave.
For more information visit: 
cityofpasadena.net/library. 

South Pasadena Police Chief to Retire


City of South Pasadena 
officials recently announced theretirement of Police Chief Brian 
Solinsky who will conclude a 32year career in law enforcement,
including four years as the SouthPasadena Police Chief. 

His last day with the city will 
be Friday.

According to officials Solinskyjoined the South Pasadena PoliceDepartment on October 12,1993, beginning a career markedby professionalism, dedication,
and steady leadership.

 In a public statement they saidSolinsky progressed throughthe ranks of the department,
serving in a wide range ofleadership and operationalroles, including Police Officer,
Detective, an assignment withTaskforce for Regional Auto 
Theft Prevention, Corporal,
Sergeant, Captain, Deputy Chief,
Police Chief, and a short termas Interim City Manager. Hisextensive experience and deepinstitutional knowledge have 
been instrumental in supportingthe department’s ongoinggrowth, operational excellence,
and long-term success.

 During his tenure as Chief 
of Police, Solinsky led the 
department through a periodof significant innovation and 
progress. Under his leadership,
the department achieved severalmajor milestones, includingthe transition to a fully electric 

police fleet, the first of its kindin the nation, demonstratingthe City’s strong commitment tosustainability and environmentalresponsibility.

 Solinsky also oversaw thedeployment of a state-ofthe-
art Computer-Aided 
Dispatch (CAD) system 
and the integration of an 
advanced network of license 
plate recognition cameras. 
He implemented a bias-basedpolicing tracking system, 
established a co-response team 
to address mental health and 
homelessness, and created aninternal Critical Incident Review 
Board to enhance transparencyand accountability.

 In addition, Solinskyreestablished the Department’sOffice of Professional Services 
to oversee accountability 
and policy management. He 
also introduced the Purple 
Communications InterpretingProgram, enabling officers 
to communicate in real time 
with individuals who are deaf 
or have speech impairments, 
an important advancement 
in accessibility and inclusionwithin law enforcement services. 

Solinsky will be formallyrecognized by the City Councilduring their regular WendesdayCouncil Meeting. Members ofthe public, community partners,
and fellow law enforcement 
professionals are invited to 

The Wonderful World of 


Unique House Museums 

Art historian Katherine E. 
Zoraster will offer an explorationof the wonderful world of 
unique house museums in 
this fall’s three-part Masters 
Series, ‘Wonderful Curiosities: 
Exploring House Museums’ 
beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 
9 and running consecutive 
Tuesdays through Dec. 16 from2 p.m. to 4 p.m. onsite at thePasadena Senior Center.

 To attend all three lectures,
tuition is only $45 for membersand $54 for non-members. The 
lectures are presented in-persononly at the Pasadena SeniorCenter and this series will not be 
offered over Zoom. Register at 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org, thengo to Lectures & Classes, thenMasters Series, or call (626) 7954332.


 Art enthusiasts and explorers,
wealthy socialites and eccentricrecluses are just some of theinteresting personalities that 
amassed collections of art and 
objects that are open to thepublic in their original homes. 
These museums often displayoriginal furnishings, fine artand belongings to create animmersive experience, usingthe house itself as the primary“artifact.” They are a form ofhistory museum, with a key 

difference being that the focus ison the domestic setting and thelives once lived within its walls.

 Art historian Katherine 
Zoraster will highlight someof these unusual and often 
eccentric collections during thethree-part series, including:

December 2: Spotlighting theUnited States, including TheFrick Art & Historical Center 
in Pittsburgh, the ShelburneMuseum in Vermont and the 
Weisman Art Foundation 
December 9: Exploring England,
including Sir John Soane 
Museum, the Wallace Collectionand Kenwood House 
December 16: Focusing on Paris,
including the Musee Cognacq-
Jay, Musee Marmottan Monet,
and Musee de la Vie Romantique

 Katherine E. Zoraster is an 
Art Historian and a Professor 
of Art History at several localcolleges, specializing in Westernart from the Renaissance to the 
20th century. She graduatedwith a double major in EnglishLiterature and Art History fromUCLA, and received her master’sin art history from CSUN. She isa member of the Art Muse team,
giving private museum toursand teaching classes.

 To learn more visit: 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org. 


attend and join the city in

expressing appreciation for his

years of dedicated service and

significant contributions to the

South Pasadena community. 
For more information visit: 

southpasadenaca.gov. 

Friends of 
the South 
Pas LibraryBookstore 

Holiday Sale

 The Friends of the South 
Pasadena Public Library’sannual Book Holiday Salewill be held in the LibraryCommunity Room December5, 6, and 7.

The best, brightest, and mostbeautiful donations were set 
aside all year for the FriendsHoliday Sale, an event that hasbeen a community favorite foryears. There will be thousandsof books representing all 
genres and a wide varietyof subjects, plus fiction 
bestsellers, children’s books,
collectible books, and muchmore. Sunday, December 7th,
will feature a local artisans’ 
marketplace—a big hit lastyear and sure to be popularagain. Support the Library,
satisfy your craving for 
books, and get into the spiritof holiday giving, all at thesame time! Complimentarygift wrap is available whilesupplies last.
Dates and Times: 
Friday, December 5 at 6 p.m.
to 8 p.m.
Friends members at the 
$20 level and up get earlyadmission at 5p.m. -join 
online 
Saturday, December 6 at 11

a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, December 7 at 1 p.m.
to 4 p.m.
Special Features:
Complimentary gift wrapping(while supplies last)
Sunday Marketplace featuringlocal artisans, includingCyndi Bemel, Vanora Savig,
Germaine Defendi, Riva 
Weinstein, Cathy Perlmutter, 
and The South Pasadena 
Community Garden 
South Pasadena LibraryCommunity Room is locatedat 1115 El Centro Street, SouthPasadena.

 The Bookstore Holiday Salewill continue throughoutDecember on the library’ssecond floor. Do not miss this 
festive shopping experience.

 For more information 
including membership visit: 
friendsofsopaslibrary.org/
membership 

Bootleg Meg Crowned this

Year's Queen of Doo Dah 


Bootleg Meg, otherwise knownas Meghan Kanyer, stunnedthe royal judges Sunday Queenwith a moving original numbercalled “Tripping on Mushroomsand Heartache” to become 
the next Doo Dah. The songreferred to the challenging yearthat’s gone by. Kanyer arrived 
clad in a long rainbow sequineddress, complete with purple andgold star necklaces and a silverstar headdress.

 This year’s queen came tothe Doo Dah Takeover with 
no designs on the crown 
whatsoever, but the momentthat she arrived, mobs of DooDah lovers encouraged her 
to throw her hat in the ring.
Newly crowned Bootleg Megcelebrated her coronation byimmediately breaking into a rip-
roaring rendition of GratefulDead’s “Shakedown Street” with 
Ashton Slater’s Grateful Get-
Down.

 Eight contestants vied for achance at the crown, includingthe swashbuckling ShantyWench, new mother Doo Dah 
Baby Mama, the exuberant JollyGreen Queen, the usual hippierainbow Fakeoke Dennis, a 
cheerful Shelley No Name,
and the fabulously dressed Dr.
Bobbs and Princess Cory inmatching opulent golden attire.
The crowd was entertained byimpassioned speeches, stand-up,
dance, singing, and intermittentmusical performances from 
other musical guests in 
attendance. Former queenscaucused at the DogHaus beforethe whole entourage moved awacky processional down BigBang Theory Way to the OldTowne Pub.

 Live music from Count 

Smokula, MA the Band, SeeñorGroucho, StOnYaTtI, The 
Rock and Roll Preservation 
Society, Robby Ravenwood 
and the Funhouse Porcupines,
Bone Creek, and 2024 DooDah Queen Sparrow Dena 
delighted the crowd in between 
queen tryout performances, 
culminating in the queen’s 
announcement and coronation 
at The Old Towne Pub, whereAshton’s Slater’s Grateful Get-
Down brought the house downfor an evening of more live jams.

 This year’s elaborate andbedazzled Queen crown washandcrafted by Doo Dah 
Preservation Society’s co-
founder Veronica Andrade. It 
was presented by Sparrow Dena,
2024 Queen of the Doo DahParade, after a ukulele renditionof Simon & Garfunkel’s “59th 
Street Bridge Song (Feelin’Groovy)” to bid the reigningcrown goodbye and celebratetheir love of Pasadena.

 Meghan Kanyer has beeninvolved with Doo Dah since 
2012, running with bands SoulFuzz and the Rock and Roll 
Preservation Society. She livesin Altadena, where she has beenfor 15 years and had the goodfortune to survive the fire earlier 
this year. In the future she hopesto start an outlaw country bandas her stage persona BootlegMeg.

 Natalie Lydick from LightBringer Project, producers ofthe Pasadena Doo Dah Parade,
told the audience that this 
“enormous and joyous turnoutfor the Doo Dah Takeover” 
bodes well for the return of the 
parade in 2026, when they planto bring satirical fun back to theOld Pasadena streets once again. 

Pasadena Rent Stabilization 


Department Open House 

The City of Pasadena’s RentStabilization Department(RSD) invites the communityto its Annual Holiday OpenHouse on Tuesday, December16, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at 
the Los Robles Building, 199

S. Los Robles Ave. , Suite 350.
Residents, property owners,
and community members areencouraged to stop by, meet theteam, and enjoy an afternoon ofseasonal cheer. 
The Holiday Open House offersa warm and festive environment 
for attendees to learn more 
about the services RSD providesyear-round, including rental 
registry support, tenant and 

landlord resources, hearingsand compliance information,
and more. Guests will enjoy 
warm refreshments, sweet 
treats, and holiday music,
creating a welcoming space toconnect with staff and celebrate 
the season.

 Helen Morales, Director of theRent Stabilization Departmentsaid “we welcome everymember of the community tojoin us on December 16 to meetour team and join in on someholiday cheer. We look forward 
to seeing you!”

 The event is free and open to thepublic. For more information,
visit: CityOfPasadena.net. 


550 
W. 
Sierra 
Madre 
Blvd., 
Sierra 
Madre 


TdtSdhursay 
– 
auray 


December 
4,5,6 
9 
a–2 
p 


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