Mountain View News Saturday, January 31, 2026 

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Pasadena Water and Power 
(PWP) announced Thursday 
that they are invitng the 
community to attend a publicmeeting to provide input on 
proposed landscaping plans onWednesday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m. atAllendale Branch Library, 1130South Marengo Avenue. Thelandscaping, along Glenarm 
Street and at the intersection of 
Raymond Avenue, is associatedwith the 25-megawatt BatteryEnergy Storage System (BESS)
project planned within the 
Glenarm Power Plant Complex. 
The meeting is intended togather community feedback 
specifically on the proposedlandscaping and visual screeningelements of the project, includingplant selection, buffering, andaesthetic considerations alongGlenarm Street. PWP staff and 
project representatives will beavailable to present preliminaryconcepts and answer questions. 
The city values public 
participation and encourages 
residents to share their 
perspectives to help ensure theproposed landscaping aligns 
with community character, 
environmental considerations,
and neighborhood compatibility.
This meeting will focus solely 
on landscaping aspects of 
the project and is part of thecity’s ongoing commitment totransparency and community 
engagement. 
For accessibility information orto request an accommodation,
please contact (626) 744-7311 
or CSC@CityOfPasadena.net.
Providing at least 72 hoursadvance notice will help ensureavailability. 
For more details on the 
meeting, visit PWPweb.com/
GlenarmLandscaping.
PWPprovides electricityto morethan 65,000 customers withinPasadena. PWP delivers water 
to nearly 38,000 households 
and businesses in Pasadena and 
adjacent communities in the SanGabriel Valley. As a community-
owned utility, PWP is a not-for-
profit public service owned andoperated by the City of Pasadenafor the benefit of its customers 
and the community. 
PWP Community Meetingon Proposed Landscaping 
Pasadena Director of Public 
Health, Manuel Carmona, iseducating the public about 
breathing air that contains 
radon increases the risk of lungcancer, especially for peoplewho do not smoke. Radon is 
the second leading cause oflung cancer in the United States,
after smoking. To help residents 
check radon levels in their 
homes, the Pasadena PublicHealth Department (“PPHD”)
received a supply of free test kitsfrom the California Departmentof Public Health, Indoor RadonProgram and is offering the kitsto Pasadena residents. 
The California Departmentof Public Health recommends 
considering home modificationsif radon levels are above 2 pCi/L(picocuries per liter). The EPA 
and the U.S. Surgeon Generalstrongly advise fixing a homeif radon levels reach 4 pCi/L or 
higher. Testing is the only wayto know whether you and yourloved ones are at risk. 
Sources of Radon 
Radon is a naturally occurringradioactive gas. It is colorless, 
odorless, and tasteless, and 
forms when uranium breaks 
down in soil, rock, and water.
It can seep into buildings andaccumulate indoors. Radon 
levels vary based on weather,
soil moisture, and air pressure. 
Differences in air pressurebetween the inside and outside 
of a home can pull radonindoors. Everyday activities—
such as running a furnace orbathroom fan—can increase 
these pressure differences. 
Radon levels often rise in winter,
increasing the importance oftesting during colder months. 
Radon can affect any type ofhome. It can be present in old ornew homes, well-sealed or draftyhomes, homes with basements,
homes built on slabs, and homeswith crawl spaces. About one 
in fifteen homes is estimated to 
have elevated radon levels. 
The PPHD is offering a short-
term radon test designed to runfor 2–3 days. 
Before and during testing:
Keep windows and exteriordoors closed as much as 
possible, starting at least 12hours before the test. 
You may use heating and air-
conditioning systems that 
recirculate indoor air. 
Avoid using fans or equipmentthat bring in air from outside.
Where to place the test kit:
Use the lowest level of yourhome that you regularly occupy(such as a basement or firstfloor). 
Choose a frequently used room 
– living room, playroom, den,
or bedroom. 
Avoid kitchens and bathrooms. 
Place the kit at least 20 inches 
above the floor, in a spot that 
will not be disturbed and is 
away from drafts, heat sources,
humidity, and exterior walls. 
After the testing period,
reseal the kit and mail it to the 
designated laboratory as soonas possible. Results are typicallyavailable within a few weeks. 
Pasadena residents can pickup one free radon test kitwhile supplies last. PPHD has 
received 50 kits, so availabilityis limited. Proof of residency,
such as a valid ID or utility bill,
will be required at the time ofpickup. the Health Departmentis located1845 N. Fair Oaks 
Avenue, Suite 1200. 
Kits are available during businesshours. For more information 
Visit: CityOfPasadena.net 
Free Radon 
Test Kits for 
Residents 
Pasadena Director of 
Transportation, JoaquinSiques, is informing thepublic that Pasadena 
Transit and Dial-A-Ride 
are offering free rides 
system wide on Wednesdayin honor of Transit EquityDay, celebrated in honor ofRosa Park’s birthday. 
Transit Equity Day is aNational Day of Action tocommemorate the birthdayof Rosa Parks by declaringthat public transit is a civilright. Ms. Parks, an iconic 
civil rights leader, refusedto give up her seat on a busin Montgomery, Alabamain protest and to demandan end to segregation ontransit systems.
Everyday Pasadena 
Transit and the 
Pasadena Department ofTransportation (“DOT”)
aim to honor the tenets 
of this day by offeringaccessible and affordable 
transit. DOT is committed 
to achieving the safe, 
efficient and convenient 
movement of people andgoods within Pasadena, 
while concurrentlyensuring a balance betweenland use and transportation 
to maintain a livable 
community in which carsare not necessary to travelwithin the city. 
Metrolink, LA Metro, LADOT and Foothill Transit 
are also offering free ridessystem wide in honor ofTransit Equity Day. 
Free Rides 
on Transit 
Equity Day 
After 15 years of transformativeleadership, Bill Nye announcedthat he will step down as CEOof The Planetary Society andtransition into two new roles: 
Vice Chair of the Board of 
Directors and the newly createdrole of Chief Ambassador, theorganization announced today.
Jennifer Vaughn, the Society’slongtime Chief OperatingOfficer, will become Chief 
Executive Officer on February17, 2026, marking a seamlesstransfer of leadership. 
According to Nye, his 
announcement comes on the 
15th anniversary of becomingCEO, a role he accepted in 2010after serving on the organization’sBoard of Directors — and more 
than four decades after joiningas a charter member in 1980. 
Over the past decade and a half,
Nye helped guide The PlanetarySociety through a period ofhistoric growth and scientificimpact, advancing its missionto empower people everywhereto advance space science andexploration. 
“After 15 years as The PlanetarySociety’s chief executive officer,
I’m stepping down — or aside.
I will transition out of myrole as CEO — but I won’t 
be stepping away from The 
Planetary Society,” said Bill Nyein a statement published onThe Planetary Society’s website.
“Jenn Vaughn has been myclosest partner in leading theorganization. She helped craftour mission, and she is a naturalleader with a clear vision for the 
future. We could not be in better 
hands.” 
As Chief Ambassador, Nye saidhe will continue to serve on the 
organization’s board as Vice Chairand represent The PlanetarySociety publicly through media,
advocacy, and events — mostnotably continuing his work inWashington, D.C. 
Incoming CEO Jennifer Vaughnhas been with The PlanetarySociety since 1996 and has served 
as Chief Operating Officer 
since 2011. Her leadership 
spans strategy, membershipgrowth, fundraising, educationand outreach programs, 
science funding initiatives, and 
organizational operations. Sheis also a proud Planetary Societymember. 
“This is a moment of both 
reflection and renewal,” said 
Vaughn. “Bill’s vision, energy,
and belief in our mission have 
helped shape who we are today.
I’m honored to carry that legacyforward and lead the Society intoits next chapter.” 
The leadership transition reflectsyears of thoughtful successionplanning and a commitment 
to organizational continuity.
The Planetary Society remains 
an independent, member-
funded nonprofit with a globalreach, advocating for spaceexploration, advancing scienceand technology, and engagingthe public in the wonders of theCosmos. 
Bill Nye Steps Down as Planetary Society CEO 
Los Angeles CountySupervisor Kathryn Bargerissued the following 
statement Tuesday in 
response to President 
Trump’s Executive Order onwildfire rebuilding:
“I welcome any effort 
to responsibly accelerate 
rebuilding. Los AngelesCounty already has a localself-certification process tohelp expedite rebuilding, 
along with streamlined 
approvals for modular,
factory-built homes, and 
pre-approved plans. Permits 
currently spend just over 30business days in the County’splan check, with additionaldelays stemming from thecomplex multi-party workof architects, engineers, andbuilders. 
I appreciate the 
Administration’s 
acknowledgement of the 
important role FEMA playsin disaster recovery. The mosturgent need in the Altadenaregion is financially driven.
Families lack the capitalto kick start or continue 
their rebuilding plans. OurCounty will soon face a masssheltering crisis as survivors’insurance and emergency 
Barger Issues Statementon Executive Order 
for Wildfire Rebuilding 
Pasadena’s Black HistoryCommittee announced they 
are inviting the communityto save the date for the 2026 
Black History Festival, takingplace Saturday, February 21 atRobinson Park, This year’s eventreflects a powerful momentof renewal as the communitycontinues to move forward one 
year after the Eaton Fire. 
The fire’s devastating impactforced major changes to the2025 celebration, includingthe cancellation of the paradeand car show out of respect forlocal car and bike clubs whose 
classic vehicles were damaged 
or destroyed. In its place,
the festival shifted its focus 
to recovery and connection,
providing space for healing andcommunity support in the faceof tragedy. 
For 2026, the Black HistoryCommittee has decided to 
cancel the traditional paradeand instead will once againfocus its efforts on fire recoveryand honoring the community’s 
current landscape. The 
Committee is very excited,
however, to return with anexpanded festival experience—
including the much-anticipatedreturn of the classic car show 
and a variety of activities thatwill honor the tradition of 
Pasadena’s historic parade. 
Robinson Park is located at 
1081 North Fair Oaks Ave. 
Festival Highlights• Youth performancesshowcasing local middle andhigh school talent• Live entertainment from 
artists representing Pasadena’svibrant cultural community• Food trucks offering a diverse 
selection of delicious food 
options• Community resource 
booths staffed by numerouslocal organizations providinginformation, services, and 
support 
While the beloved event is 
not yet fully back to its fullform, organizers are excitedto incorporate several paradeelements directly into the 
festivities, creating a lively, 
meaningful, and celebratory 
atmosphere. There will be 
special acknowledgements ofour Grand Marshall honorees 
and youth performances.
Honoring Resilience,
Celebrating CommunityOrganizers encourage thepublic to join in this year’scelebration, which continues touplift Black history, highlightcommunity strength, and 
honor the spirit of resiliencethat defined last year’s recovery-
focused festival. 
City of Pasadena BlackHistory Festival Returns 
relief funds run out.

 As FEMA’s role expands 
into this new recoveryfunction, I’m hopeful thatthe federal government willcollaborate with our Countyto implement a mass housingand sheltering program andoffer long-term disaster 
aid (such as CommunityDevelopment Block Grant-
Disaster Recovery funds) sowe can accelerate recovery.
All survivors deserve full 
support from all levels ofgovernment so they have afair shot at rebuilding theirlives.”