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Mountain View News Saturday, December 6, 2025

Volunteers 
Needed 
for 2026 
Pasadena 
Homeless 
Count


Local Altadena Leaders to 
Light Up Christmas Tree Lane

 
The count will take 
place the evening of 
January 21 and the 
morning of January 
22, 2026.

 

Christmas Tree Lane Association 
volunteers announced that 
the 105th annual Christmas 
Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony 
and Winterfest in Altadena 
—a cherished free holiday 
tradition and the oldest large-
scale outdoor Christmas lights 
display in the country —is set 
for this afternoon and evening. 
Acclaimed actor, director, 
producer, writer, and activist 
Edward James Olmos will 
Emcee.

 “This year’s Lighting Ceremony 
is especially meaningful 
following the devastation of the 
January 2025 Eaton Fire” event 
organizers said. “The surviving 
historic deodar trees along 
Christmas Tree Lane serve as 
a symbol of hope, resilience, 
and community strength. 
Supervisor Kathryn Barger 
will join residents, leaders, 
and volunteers to honor those 
impacted, reflect during a 
brief candlelight moment, and 
celebrate as the Lane illuminates 
for the holiday season.”

 The Christmas Tree Lighting 
Ceremony will take place from 
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the

Winterfest and Pre-Ceremony 
Performances stating at 3:00 
p.m. 

The list of speakers will include: 

- Los Angeles County Fifth 
District Supervisor Kathryn 
Barger

- State Assemblymember John 
Harabedian

- U.S. Congresswoman Judy 
Chu

 Christmas Tree Lane is located 
along Santa Rosa Avenue at 
Mariposa Street

 Every winter, nearly a mile of 
towering deodar cedar trees 
along Santa Rosa Avenue – 
known as Christmas Tree Lane 
– comes alive with thousands 
of glowing lights. This historic 
stretch is the oldest large-scale 
outdoor Christmas lighting 
display in the United States and 
a beloved part of Altadena’s 
identity. Behind the scenes, 
the all-volunteer Christmas 
Tree Lane Association (CTLA) 
makes the magic happen. For 
over a century, CTLA has been 
responsible for lighting the 
Lane, maintaining the trees, and 
keeping this treasured tradition 
alive through community 
donations, sponsorships, and 
countless volunteer hours. Read 
more here: Christmas Tree Lane 
Altadena – Since 1920.

Annual Community 
Celebration Marks 
Hope, Resilience

 City officials announced 
that volunteers are needed 
for the night of Wednesday, 
January 21, 8:00-10:00 
p.m., and the morning of 
Thursday, January 22, 6:00-
8:00 a.m., to help count 
and administer a survey 
to people experiencing 
homelessness. The same 
group of volunteers goes out 
together in the evening and 
the morning. Volunteers 
must be 18 and over and 
attend an online orientation 
to prepare for the count 
on Wednesday, January 
14, 2026. The volunteer 
registration deadline is 
Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

 The Homeless Count is 
a vital effort that provides 
critical data to guide policy 
and funding decisions 
surrounding homelessness 
in Pasadena. Additionally, 
the count offers a 
meaningful opportunity to 
connect with and support 
our neighbors experiencing 
homelessness. As in past 
years, volunteers will 
distribute cold weather kits 
throughout the count.

 Volunteer registration 
is now open and will 
remain open until Tuesday, 
January 6, 2026. All 
volunteers can sign up 
at PasadenaPartnership.
org. Volunteers are the 
backbone of ensuring the 
count is a success and is 
carried out effectively and 
comprehensively. “We ask 
that you consider signing 
up to count with your fellow 
friends and neighbors. For 
questions, contact info@
PasadenaPartnership.org.

City Approves North Lake Specific Plan

 

 The Pasadena City Council 
recently approved, unanimously, 
the long awaited North Lake 
Specific Plan (NLSP), setting a 
new vision for one of Pasadena’s 
most historic and culturally 
significant corridors. The plan 
was approved at the council’s 
November 24 meeting and 
introduced clearer design 
standards, improved pedestrian 
features, and focused residential 
growth near the Metro A Line 
station, while maintaining 
transitions that respect and 
protect surrounding historic 
neighborhoods.

 According to the city staff report, 
the proposed NLSP is along 
North Lake Avenue from Maple 
Street to Elizabeth Street, along 
East Washington Boulevard 
between El Molino Avenue and 
Catalina Avenue, and along 
East Villa Street from El Molino 
Avenue to Wilson Avenue. The 
Plan area centers along the 
prominent north/south corridor 
connecting with the Central 
District, the 1-210 Freeway and 
the Metro A Line Lake Station to 
the south; the historic residential 
neighborhoods of Bungalow 
Heaven, Washington Square, 
and Historic Highlands to the 
east and west; and Altadena to 
the north.

 Pasadena Heritage officials 
said they have followed the city’s 
effort closely and is encouraged 
that the final plan supports both 
corridor revitalization and long-
term stewardship of historic 
resources.

 According to a statement by 
Pasadena Heritage the plan’s 
approval marks an important 
step toward a more vibrant 
and walkable North Lake that 
honors the past while planning 
for the future. To ensure that the 
city carries out this ambitious 
strategy, Pasadena Heritage has 
urged the Council to assign 
the resources and leadership 
necessary to ensure the plan’s 
success, and staff has been 
asked to return to the city 
council with guidance on those 
actions necessary to speed 
implementation of the plan. As 
implementation begins, we will 
continue monitoring projects 
and advocating for thoughtful 
development that complements 
North Lake’s architectural 
character and community 
identity.

 Locally Designated Landmark 
Buildings in the NLSP include 
the Saunders House 580 N. 
Lake Avenue; the Reynolds & 
Eberle Mortuary 825 E. Orange 
Grove Boulevard; the C.C. Loury 
House 397 N. Catalina Avenue; 
the Oversen Building 1347 N. 
Lake Avenue; the Santa Catalina 
Library 999 E. Washington 
Boulevard; the Commercial 
Building 1445 N. Lake Avenue; 
the Breiner House 1495 N. Lake 
Avenue; the Washington Theatre 
851 E. Washington Boulevard 
and the Former Drive-In Market 
731 E. Washington Boulevard.

 Along with historic buildings 
the NLSP also includes Historic 
Signs: the Washington Theatre 
and Crown Hotel and Restaurant 
Supply Co.

The plan focuses on four major 
areas.

Washington Place • The 
subarea is focused around 
the neighborhood-serving 
commercial node at the 
intersection of Lake Avenue 
and Washington Boulevard. The 
plan would upgraded public 
realm and pedestrian oriented 
buildings built to the sidewalk, 
consistent with neighborhood 
landmarks including the 
Washington Theater • Medium-
intensity mix of retail, office, 
services and multi-family 
housing. 

Vineyard Gardens • The 
subarea encompasses the 
section of Lake Avenue 
between Claremont Street to 
the north and Mountain Street 
to the south. The plan would 
include context-sensitive infill 
development with residential 
character • Landscaped setbacks 
and greening that complements 
the surrounding historic districts 
and neighborhoods.

North Lake Village • The 
subarea encompasses the 
section of Lake Avenue between 
Mountain Street to the north and 
Orange Grove Boulevard to the 
south. The plan would include 
Low-rise infill development 
with small landscaped setbacks • 
Enhanced streetscape and more 
appealing building frontages.

Lake Station District • This 
is the NLSP’s southernmost 
subarea, bounded by Orange 
Grove Boulevard to the north, 
Wilson Avenue to the east, Maple 
Street to the south and El Molino 
Avenue to the west. The I-210’s 
Lake Avenue freeway on and off 
ramps, Lake Avenue Overpass, 
and Lake Metro A Line Station 
(accessible via the overpass) 
all contribute to a multimodal 
southern gateway to the subarea. 
Active frontages and enhanced 
public realm to create a sense of 
place • New higher-density and 
transit-oriented development 
with mix of everyday uses. 

 The future of drive-through 
business in the NLSP was also 
a significant topic of discussion. 
The proposed NLSP would 
continue to prohibit new drive-
through businesses, however the 
Planning Commission would 
consider options to regulate the 
existing ones. Currently, there 
are six permitted drive-through 
businesses in the NLSP, all of 
which are restaurants and are 
located between Orange Grove 
Boulevard and Mountain Street 
according to the city staff report.

 For more information visit: 
cityofpasadena.net/planning.

Pattern 
Keepers: 
Batchelder 
Nature 

In Relief

Pasadena Water and Power 
Recognized for Excellence in 
Public Power Communications

 City officials announced 
Thursday For the second 
consecutive year, Pasadena 
Water and Power (PWP) has 
been awarded an Excellence in 
Public Power Communications 
Award from the American 
Public Power Association 
(APPA). PWP was the sole 
recipient of the Award of 
Excellence in the Print/Digital 
category for its “Outtawatta 
Family” storybook, Kate’s 
Career Date, which introduces 
students to the wide variety of 
careers in the utility industry. 
PWP was also one of three 
recipients of an Award of Merit 
for the animated video version 
of Kate’s Career Date.

 “We are incredibly proud to 
be recognized once again by 
the American Public Power 
Association for our creative 
outreach efforts,” said David 
Reyes, PWP General Manager. 
“The ‘Outtawatta Family’ 
storybook and animated video 
are part of our commitment to 
inspiring the next generation 
and making utility careers more 
accessible and engaging for 
young minds.”

 According to APPA, its annual 
communications awards 
program acknowledges utilities 
that demonstrate ingenuity and 
creativity in storytelling through 
outstanding copy, design, 
graphics, video editing, and web 
interactivity. The awards were 
presented last month in Salt 
Lake City, Utah.

 To download the award-
winning story book, or to view 
other family-friendly learning 
materials, visit PWPweb.com/
Education.

 PWP provides electricity to more 
than 65,000 customers within 
Pasadena. PWP and delivers 
water to nearly 38,000 households 
and businesses in Pasadena and 
adjacent communities in the San 
Gabriel Valley. 

 Join Pasadena Heritage 
December 20 at the Blinn 
House for Pattern “Keepers: 
Batchelder Nature In Relief” 
hosted by @_shagho artist 
and community facilitator, 
exploring Ernest Batchelder’s 
ornamental legacy through 
nature’s hidden patterns. 
Eucalyptus seed pods crack 
into star forms, California 
live oak acorns nest in 
textured caps, and Anna’s 
hummingbird throats flash 
ruby coin-sized patches—
patterns waiting for hands 
working clay, paper, leather, 
and found materials. 
Working with local 
museums and heritage sites, 
participants will translate 
nature’s geometries into relief 
and surface design, encoding 
collective wishes about a 
more harmonious, abundant 
world. Each repeated motif 
becomes anticipatory 
consciousness—active 
projections reshaping reality 
through patient ornamental 
work.

 The event will run from 
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

 Shagho is Pasadena 
Heritage’s inaugural 
Artist in Residence. A 
multidisciplinary designer 
and cultural practitioner, she 
will be collaborating with us 
on creative workshops and 
explorations of Pasadena’s 
rich craft traditions.

 The Blinn House is located 
at 160 N Oakland Ave

 For more information visit: 
pasadenaheritage.org,

Pasadena In 
Focus Winter 
Newsletter

 Lisa Derderian, Chief 
Communications Officer, 
announced the Winter 
2025–26 Pasadena 
In Focus, a quarterly 
newsletter that promotes 
the City’s programs, 
events, and more. The new 
issue highlights, holiday 
shopping initiatives, the 
Spark of Love Toy Drive, 
Rose Parade and Rose Bowl 
Game preparations and 
safety tips.

 "The city is working to 
ensure residents have easy 
access to important City 
news and resources." 

 Pasadena In Focus 
continues to serve as a 
vital communication tool 
in newsletter format, and 
as a monthly talk show 
on YouTube, ensuring 
residents have multiple 
ways to stay informed, 
involved, and engaged in 
their community. To view 
the new issue, please visit 
CityOfPasadena.net/PIF.


Transit Services to Detour on 
Fair Oaks for Street Project

 Pasadena city officials 
announced that due to the street 
resurfacing project on Fair 
Oaks Avenue, bus services will 
detour along Raymond Avenue 
between Hammond Street 
and Woodbury Road starting 
Monday, December 8 through 
Friday, December 12. The detour 
will take place between 7 a.m. to 
4 p.m. To reduce the impact on 
transit customers, temporary 
stops will be established.

 For more information, visit: 
PasadenaTransit.net or call 
(626) 744-4055 and press 2. 
For route planning assistance, 
and the most up to date detour 
information, please use the 
Transit app.

 
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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