Mountain View News Saturday, January 3, 2026 


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 
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Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo,
his wife Kelly, and their childrenMichael and Emma did not 
let Thursday’s heavy rain 
detour them from riding withcommunity leaders, includingLos Angeles County SupervisorKathryn Barger and residentswhose courage, compassion, 
and service were essential 
during and after the Eaton Fire.
Riders included: 
Barger, who stood shoulder toshoulder with the Pasadena and 
Altadena communities from the 
earliest moments of the Eaton 
fire. She helped align County 
resources with local needs,
kept people, not process, atthe center of the response, andchampioned access to recovery,
mental health, and communityservices. Through steady,
compassionate leadership, shehelped ensure survivors could 
move forward with dignity,
hope, and the reassurance that 
they were not facing recovery 
alone. 
Pasadena Firefighter/
Paramedic Tony Zee, has 
served our community for 
more than twenty years andleads the Fire Department’sPasadena Outreach ResponseTeam (PORT), which he helpedestablish in 2018 to providecompassionate, street-level 
care to residents facing chronic 
homelessness, mental health 
challenges, and other complexneeds. During the Eaton 
Fire, Tony was on medicalleave while battling a cancer 
diagnosis. He did not have toshow up, but he chose to. Withcalm, compassion, and purpose,
he helped recruit and supportCity employees and community 
partners volunteering at 
the evacuation center, he 
coordinated care and resources 
for those affected, especially our 
most vulnerable and in need 
community members. His 
leadership reminded us that 
true service is about showingup for others, supporting oneanother, and bringing peopletogether when it matters most. 
Vicente Ramirez, a longtimePasadena resident and daylaborer, who volunteered inthe days immediately followingthe Eaton Fire to clean streets 
and remove debris. His service 
reflects the vital contributions 
of many community membersfrom immigrant backgroundswho stepped forward, oftenquietly and without recognition,
to help neighbors and supportfirst responders during a timeof crisis. 
Kenneth “Kenny” James, alifelong Pasadena and Altadenaresident and a City of Pasadenaemployee for more than 25 years,
currently serving as a RecreationAdministrator with the Parks,
Recreation, and CommunityServices Department. Kenny 
and his family lost their 
Altadena home to the fire, allwhile he was working tirelesslyto help establish, support, andoperate the City’s evacuationand emergency operations foraffected community members.
Malcolm Thomas, a decades-
long City of Pasadena employeewho currently serves as anInformation TechnologySupport Specialist. Malcolm 
and his family also lost theirbeloved Altadena home to the 
Eaton Fire. And, like Mr. James,
Malcolm continued to supportcritical emergency operations,
providing essential IT supportto first responders and City staffworking around the clock toassist fire-affected residents. 
“These are individuals who 
showed up when Pasadena 
needed them most,” Gordo said. 
“They represent the very bestof our community, people wholed, served, and cared for others 
even as they faced profoundpersonal hardship. This is the 
magic of teamwork.” 
The group was in a 1937American LaFrance Fire 
Engine, a remarkable piece ofAmerican firefighting history.
Founded in 1903, the AmericanLaFrance Fire Engine Companymanufactured only eightengines of this model, today,
just two are known to exist. 
After decades of service, theengine fell into disrepair andwas eventually sold for scrap in1960. When the Whyte familyacquired it in 1989, it was in 
grave condition. Through 
countless hours of careful 
restoration, the engine was 
returned to its present, stunningstate, a moving tribute to history,
service, and preservation. 
“This fire engine, like ourcommunity, has endured 
hardship and been restored 
through dedication and care,” 
Mayor Gordo added. “It is a 
powerful symbol of the peopleriding aboard it, and of a citythat moves forward together.” 
Mayor Gordo Rides withGuests in the Rose Parade 
The group rode aboard 
a Rare and Historic 1937 
American LaFrance Fire 
Engine. 
Celebrate the legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. andthe resilience of the Pasadena 
community at a specialconcert, January 17, with cool 
jazz group The JazzZone at thePasadena Senior Center. The 
event runs from 2 p.m. to 4 
p.m.
“The JazzZone is the groupwho makes cool jazz sizzle,
and their jazz, blues, and R&Bwill have everyone smilingand swaying,” event organizerssaid. “Dancing is encouraged.
The event will be indoors and 
open to all. 
The JazzZone is continuingthe legacy of Jimmie Owens, alegacy of musical genius. JamesOwens grew up in East St.
Louis and began his career inmusic classes at Lincoln HighSchool with his brother, HiltonOwens, and the young MilesDavis. In carrying on thatlegacy, The JazzZone believesthat jazz and blues music is 
a powerful force that bringspeople together and inspirespositive change. 
The event is free for Pasadena 
Senior Center members 
and non-members, and 
reservations are suggested. 
As a donor-supportednonprofit, the center operateswithout any local, state orfederal funding and provides 
more services to older adults 
than any other organization inthe San Gabriel Valley. Hoursof operation are Mondaythrough Friday from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from8 a.m. to noon. 
To register or for moreinformation, visit: 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org or 
call 626-795-4331. 
Celebrate 
Martin Luther 
King Jr. Daywith Jazzzone 
Cal Poly Rose Float Wins Sweepstakes Award 
Join Altadena Libraries 
staff January 20, at thelibrary main branch forthe one-year anniversaryof the Eaton Canyon Fire.
You’ll see poets, writers,
and community membersreflect on memory, healing,
and rebuilding. 
The event will run from 
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
Through storytelling,
photos, video, poetry, andshared reflection, the event 
creates space for collective 
mourning, connection, 
and the quiet hope thatglows even in the darkestseasons—symbolized bythe winter starlight that haslong illuminated Altadena’sfoothills. The evening 
underscores the vital role 
of arts and literature in 
healing and cultivatingbelonging.
Participants:
• Nahshon Dion, Writer• Florence Annang, 
Founder, THRIVE 
Learning Lab• Hans Allhoff, Chair, 
Altadena Heritage• Michele Zack, Historian 
& Writer 
• Pablo Miralles, Filmmaker 
• Heather Morrow, Artist• Brandon Lamar, President, 
Pasadena NAACP 
• Patricia Cunliffe,
Filmmaker 
• LZ Love, Singer & 
Songwriter• Erica Slater, Altadena 
Community Garden• Sunny Mills, Photographer• Sam James, CEO & 
Co-Founder, Altadena 
Recovery Team (ART)
• Kristen Ochoa, Founder, 
Chaney Trail Corridor 
Project 
Altadena Library mainbranch is located at 600 E. 
Mariposa Street. 
For more information 
about the event visit: 
altadenalibrary.org. 
AnniversaryEvent for 
the Eaton 
Canyon Fire 
A benefit concert for 
the Altadena Builds Back 
Foundation is set to take placeon the Wednesday ,January 7,
(the anniversary of the EtonFire) at the Pasadena CivicAuditorium. 
The concert, at 6:30 p.m.
(Doors open 5:30 p.m.) will 
feature a lineup includingDawes & Friends featuringEric Krasno, Aloe Blacc,
Jackson Browne, Brandon 
Flowers (The Killers), JudithHill, Jenny Lewis, MandyMoore, Brad Paisley, StephenStills, and performances byOzomatli and Everclear, plusspecial guests. 
All proceeds will be directedto the Pasadena CommunityFoundation’s (PCF) Eaton 
Fire Relief & Recovery Fund,
with funds raised throughthis event going specifically 
to PCF’s supporting 
organization, the Altadena 
Builds Back Foundation. 
For more information visit: 
pasadenacf.org. 
Tickets are available at: 
ticketmaster.com. 
Altadena 
Etaon Fire 
BenefitConcert 
Parade Entries Brave the Rain 
Photos By D.Lee/MVNews 
Los Hermanos Banuelos Charro 
Team from Altadena (above)
wearing authentic Charro suits 
custom-made for each individual,
with their custom-made logo. Thetack that they use is also custom-
made with their logo stamped onthe saddles and their silver spurs.
The team's first invitation to the 
Rose Parade was in 2006 and since 
then on, they have participatedin 16 Rose Parades, and 7EquestsFests. 
The Pasadena City CollegeTournament of Roses Honor Band 
(above) has marched in every RoseParade since 1930. 2026 marks the 
band’s 97th year associated withthe Tournament of Roses. 
Trader Joe's has been sailing theculinary seas since 1967 and started 
right in Pasadena just a few milefrom the parade route. You FloatOur Boat (above) is a 65 foot longTrader Joe's ship with real coloredwater-flowing from bottle into anexquisite glass with straw. The coreof the bottle rotated 360 degrees.
There were multiple fish on thedeck bob and three fruit masts at 
the center rocked side to side and 
the Fearless Flyer wings flapped.
Peddlers drove the mixers at rear 
of float. 
The 2026 Rose Queen Serena Guotried to stay dry with clear ponchoover her dress. The Rose Court 
all did the same. Guo is a senior 
at Arcadia High School. the RoseQueen and Court have symbolizedthe heart of the Rose Parade on 
New Year’s Day. They serve asambassadors of the Tournament of 
Roses, the Pasadena community,
and the greater Los Angeles area.
Each Rose Court member received 
a $7,500 educational scholarshipfrom the Tournament of Roses. 
By Dean LeeWith a history of 77 Rose Floatsbuilt over the years by Cal PolyPomona and Cal Poly San LuisObispo students, Thursday’sRose Parade marked the first 
time the school had won the 
Sweepstakes Award, with “JungleJumpstart.” Sweepstakes is 
awarded to most beautiful entryencompassing float design, floralpresentation and entertainment. 
Cal Poly Students have designedand built Rose Floats since 1949. 
“This is the first time Cal Polyhas ever done it,” said Driverand Construction Chair Sean 
Hanna We’re still in shock. I’m 
just so proud of this team andeverything we’ve accomplishedthis year.” 
According to Cal PolyDepartment of Strategic 
Communications staff, to 
capture the parade’s theme,
“The Magic in Teamwork” thefloat highlights the dynamicsbetween nature and technologythrough the story of the 
rainforest community coming 
together to restore a robot friendutilizing what they know best— the jungle. The frog, monkey,
giant jaguar, lemurs and a 
toucan use different their skills 
work to together in harmonyto demonstrate what’s possiblewhen nature and technologycombine efforts. 
This year’s float used a 
wide variety of materials to 
capture the mystery of the 
rainforest. Carnivorous plants,
Alstroemeria and Liatris were 
used to give the float splashes ofvivid tropical colors. 
The 40-foot-long robot, namedLunchbox, was decorated witha blend of Blue Corn Grits and 
Dusty Miller accented with 
patches of High Magic Rosesthat echo the jungle’s lush paletteof greens, reds and yellows.
Lunchbox lifts up a macaw 25feet into the air, helping it takeflight. 
Because of the rain, students 
said the float had to sit out gettingwet for seven hours before beingjudged. They had been planning 
and preparing all week. 
“Our game plan right now,
mostly all of our animals, weare going to make them littleraincoats...,” said Amelia Atwell,
President of the Cal Poly Pomonafloat team on Monday. “We wentout and got rolls of thin sheets ofplastic. We’re using cattail seedsand black moss, those are thethings we are worried about.” 
Atwell also said they used coffeegrounds on the tree stem and thebranches of the float. 
“We we’re afraid of making abrewed coffee river down the 
parade route,” she joked. 
Aubrey Goings, President ofthe Cal Poly San Luis Obispofloat team, said every year theybring half the float down fromSan Luis Obispo early October 
to decorate. 
“Some people think the float iscut directly in half but it is justthe chassis that we bring down 
on a oversized flatbed truck. 
Then we are all working in thePomona campus to build one bigfloat together.”