Mountain View News Saturday, March 21, 2026 

Pasadena 
to Host 
PrestigiousBoxingTournament

 Officials from the City ofPasadena Parks, Recreationand Community Service 
Department and CaliforniaGolden Gloves announced 
that winners from this month’s 
Southern California RegionalTournament will enter the 
ring once again, April 11 andApril 12, during the CaliforniaState Boxing Tournament 
at Victory Park RecreationCenter.

 Boxers are set to competefor a state championship title,
including Adriana Nuñez,
who proudly represented theVilla Parke Boxing Program.

 The competition will begin at12 p.m. on Saturday, April 11and 11 a.m. on Sunday, April12.

 According to officials, thisprestigious tournament 
provides a platform for 
amateur boxers to showcase 
their skills, with top-levelmale and female competitors, 
ages 18 and older, from 
across California. The 
California Golden Gloves has 
a rich history of launchingthe careers of legendaryfighters, including Joe Louis,
Muhammad Ali, Marvin 
Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard,
Tommy Hearns, Mike 
Tyson, Evander Holyfield,
Oscar de la Hoya, and FloydMayweather Jr. These pastnational champions begantheir journeys in local GoldenGloves tournaments, and 
many of today’s rising starsare expected to follow in theirfootsteps.

General admission tickets 
are available for purchaseat the door on tournament 
days only. Admission is $25for adults and $10 for ages10 and under. Victory ParkRecreation Center is located 
2575 Paloma St.

 Champions will advance 
to represent the state of 
California at the National 
Tournament of Champions inTulsa, Oklahoma May 11-16,2026. 

Pasadena 
HeritageWalking Tour

A Pasadena Heritageguided walking tour 
Saturday, March 28 offers 
a clear and engagingintroduction to the 
chronology of Pasadena’sarchitectural styles and 
how they evolved alongsidethe city itself.

 The walk times are 9a.m.,
10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

 The Governor Markham 
Landmark District, one of 
the oldest neighborhoodsin the City of Pasadena, isa remarkable concentration 
of architect-designed 
homes representing a 
wide range of styles.
Incorporated as a city in1886, Pasadena’s growthis reflected block by blockin this district, where 94 
percent of the residenceswere constructed between 
1891 and 1933. It was 
designated as an official 
Landmark District in 
2006 and listed on the 
National Register of 
Historic Places in 2012. 
For more information visit: 
pasadenaheritage.org. 


Eaton Fire Collaborative Elects First ED 

The Eaton Fire Collaborative 
members announced recentlythat Michael Ocon (pictured)
had been selected as the 
organization’s first Executive 
Director, leading the next 
phase of long-term recovery forcommunities impacted by theEaton Fire.

 The Eaton Fire Collaborative 
serves as the region’s Long-
Term Recovery Group(LTRG),bringing together 
nonprofit organizations, 
public agencies, funders, 
and community leaders to 
coordinate resources and ensure 
equitable, transparent, and 
needs-based recovery across 
Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra 
Madre. The work ahead focuses 
on what matters most to the 
community: listening to survivorvoices, connecting families withtrusted and vetted resources, 
and mobilizing organizationsand partners to support therebuilding process.

 “On behalf of the Eaton Fire 
Collaborative LTRG Board of 
Directors, we are delighted tohave Michael as our ED,” saidLTRG Chair Antonio Manning.
“We are equally as thrilled 
knowing that Michael will bringthe same energy, passion, andcommitment to his new role that 
he demonstrated while servingas our board secretary.” 

According to members, Oconhas been deeply involved withthe Eaton Fire Collaborative 
since its earliest conveningsfollowing the fire. Elected bythe membership to serve on the 
governing board, later selected 
as Secretary of the Long-
Term Recovery Group Board,
he has helped establish the 

Collaborative’s early governancestructure, coordination systems,
and partnerships. He has played 
a central role in organizing the 
Collaborative’s work, supportingmember organizations, and 
helping ensure the recovery effortmoves forward in a coordinated 
and transparent way.

 They said board members oftenrefer to Ocon as “the glue” thathas helped keep the Collaborativetogether, with members regularlyturning to him for information,
resources, and guidance as therecovery effort has taken shape.
His careful attention to detail,
ability to mobilize partners, andsteady leadership have earnedthe trust of the organizationsand community leaders workingwithin the Collaborative. 
Because of his proven trackrecord within the Eaton Fire 
Collaborative and his strongrelationships across the recoverynetwork, the board believes he isuniquely positioned to step intothe Executive Director role and 
continue advancing the workwithout losing momentum.

 The Executive Director was 
selected through a competitive 
and thorough process led 
by a board appointed hiringcommittee. The Collaborative 
received 37 applications fromcandidates, including nonprofitexecutives, civic leaders, andcommunity members. After 
multiple rounds of interviewsand presentations, the finalistswere invited to present to thefull Eaton Fire Collaborative 
Board. The entire board, whichwas elected by the Collaborativemembership to represent thecommunity, participated in thefinal interviews and ultimately 

New MicroenterpriseRecovery Grant Programto Help Local Fire Recovery 

The City of Pasadena’s EconomicDevelopment Division officialsannounced they have establishedthe Microenterprise RecoveryGrant Program to assist local,
low-to moderate-income 
microenterprises —businesses 
with five or fewer employees—impacted by the 2025 Eatonwildfire and windstorm. 
Applications are now open 
and close Thursday, April 16,2026. Eligible businesses mayapply for reimbursement-basedgrants of up to $5,000 to supportstabilization and recovery efforts.

 To qualify, businesses must 
operate a brick-and-mortar 
location within Pasadena 
city limits, hold a current 
City business license, employ 
no more than a total of five 
employees, and have an ownerwith income below 80 percent ofthe area median income who has 
experienced economic hardshipdue to the fires or windstorms.

 Grant funding is providedthrough the federal CommunityDevelopment Block Grant 
(CDBG) program, administeredby the U.S. Department 

of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD). Funds 
may only be used for eligibleexpenses that have not been 
covered by other sources ofassistance, such as insurance,
FEMA, or other grants. Selectedapplicants will be required tosign an affidavit confirming thatCDBG funds will not duplicate 
other reimbursements.

 Eligible expenses include 
overhead and operational costs, 
rent and utilities, business 
inventory, supplies, equipmentand tools, insurance premiums,
legal services, marketing andadvertising, and employee 
wages (excluding owners).
Because funding is limited, the 
program is competitive, and 
reimbursements will be issued 
after submission of qualifyingdocumentation, includinginvoices.

 For program guidelines,
application details, and moreinformation, visit:

 CityOfPasadena.net/
EconomicDevelopment/
Microenterprise-Recovery-
Grant/ 

selected the Executive Director 

they said. 
The Eaton Fire Collaborative 

is grateful for Michael’s 

leadership and looks forward 

to the next phase of its work as

the community continues the 

long and important process of

rebuilding together. 
For more information visit: 

eatonfirecollaborative.org/ 

Pasadena 
Senior Games 
Registration

 Adults ages 50 to 99 and 
over are invited to show off 
their athletic skills during thePasadena Senior Games, aseries of nearly 30 competitivesporting events rangingfrom archery to volleyballApril 26 to June 27. Previouscompetition experience is notrequired.

 Athletes areencouragedtovisitwww.pasadenaseniorcenter.
org/senior-games beginningMarch 23 to register for 
competitions spanning 15 
sports across Pasadena,
Arcadia, Simi Valley, LongBeach, La Cañada, and EagleRock.

 “Every year the PasadenaSenior Games promotes 
healthy lifestyles for older 
adults through education,
fitness and the spiritedcompetition of sports,” saidAkila Gibbs, executive directorof the Pasadena Senior Center. 
“These remarkable athletes 
are shining examples of thebenefits of an active lifestyle 
that embraces health and 
vitality.”

 It is anticipated that at least1,200 athletes will participatethis year. Among the manymedalists at the 2025 Pasadena 
Senior Games were Lisa Jones 
for the 50-meter dash in the 
category of women ages 55 to59 and Cleaveran Law for the 
10k time trial in the categoryof men cycling ages 65 to 69.

“While hoping to take the goldthemselves, competitors cheereach other on,” said Annie 
Laskey, director of events atthe Pasadena Senior Center 
and manager of the PasadenaSenior Games. “It is inspiringto see them encourage all oftheir fellow athletes to reach 
for their personal bests.”

 For more information visit 
www.pasadenaseniorcenter. 
org, email sports@
pasadenaseniorcenter.org or 
call (626) 685-6755.

Another way to participate inthe Pasadena Senior Games is 
to volunteer for positions thatinclude registering athletes, 
timing, scoring, manning 
water stations and more. 
Volunteers of all ages maycall Renee Uriarte at 626685-
6724 or email reneeu@
pasadenaseniorcenter.org. 

South Pas Announces New 
Community Services Director 


City of South Pasadena 
officials announced 
Wednesday the appointmentof Melissa Snyder (pictured) 
as the new CommunityServices Director. With more 
than a decade of experience 
in parks and recreation, 
program management,
and municipal operations,
Melissa brings a strongbackground in deliveringhigh-quality, community-
focused services.

 Since joining the city inMarch 2020, Melissa has 
served in key leadership roles, 
most recently as DeputyDirector of CommunityServices. Melissa has 
demonstrated strongleadership in overseeing 
the day-to-day operationsof the Community ServicesDepartment, including seniorand recreation services, 
program management, 
grant administration, 
and fiscal oversight. Her 
experience includes budgetmanagement and contractadministration, ensuring 
programs are delivered 
efficiently and in alignmentwith City priorities. She 
has also played a key role incitywide initiatives such asstrategic planning and publiccommunications, workingclosely with City leadership,
City Commissions and theCity Council to support andadvance community services.

Among her 
accomplishments, Melissa 
led the development 
and implementation 
of a comprehensivecommunications strategythat significantly increasedcommunity engagementacross the City’s social mediaplatforms. She also directed 

the procurement and 
rollout of a new recreation 
management software 
system, streamlining 
registration, strengtheningdata management, 
and improving overall 
departmental efficiency.

 “The city looks forwardto Melissa’s leadership and 
to the continued growthof programs and servicesthat inspire learning,
connection, and community 
engagement.”

 The City of South Pasadenais a charming community,
situated only six miles fromdowntown Los Angeles.
Called the City of Trees, thearea is known for its stunninghomes, unique small 
businesses, and top-qualityschools. South Pasadena’s 
diverse population of about25,000 occupies a mere 3.44square miles of flatlands andhillsides on the west side of 
the San Gabriel Valley. Thissmall-town atmosphere 
makes South Pasadena one 
of California’s most desirable 
locations.

 For more information about 
the City of South Pasadena, 
visit www.southpasadenaca. 
gov. 

South Pasadena ADU Plan 
Program Community Meeting 

Residents are invited to attend 
a community meeting regardingthe City of South Pasadena’sproposed Pre-Approved 
Accessory Dwelling Unit 
(ADU) Plan Program on March26, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at theLibrary Community Room.

Pre-Approved ADU Plansprovide ready-to-use designsthat streamline the permittingprocess, reducing both designcosts and review time. The 
city will offer three sizes andarchitectural styles that reflectthe character of our South 
Pasadena neighborhoodsand meet the needs of local 
homeowners. This program willalso include a comprehensiveADU Guide that will provideinformation on the applicationprocess and resources.

 During the community 

meeting, staff from the 
Community DevelopmentDepartment and the programconsultant, Office Of: Office,
will offer a focus group session 
to seek feedback on the 
proposed program. Participantswill have an opportunity tolearn more about ADUs, discussgeneral housing needs, and 
explore elements to include inpre-approved designs for ADUsin South Pasadena.

 Residents can also share their 
experience with ADUs and thecurrent permitting process bycompleting the online survey.
The Library Community Roomis located 1115 El Centro Street.

 More information about 
the program and a link tothe survey are available at 
southpasadenaca.gov/planningnews. 



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