Mountain View News Saturday, October 24, 2026 

Pasadena 
Annual 
Veterans DayCelebration

 Officials announced 
Wednesday that The City ofPasadena Parks, Recreation 
and Community ServicesDepartment (PRCS),
in partnership with thePasadena Veterans DayPlanning Committee, is setto host its annual Veterans 
Day Celebration November11, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 

p.m. at Pasadena City Hall.
The event will honor the 
service and sacrifice of the 
nation’s veterans. 
This year’s celebrationrecognizes the 250th 
anniversary of Americanindependence and the 
legacy of the U.S. Army,
Navy and Marine Corps.
The program will honor 
generations of service 
members and the women 
who supported them 
throughout the nation’s 
history.

The program will be ledby Veterans Day PlanningCommittee Chair Sarah 
Towne-di Cicco, HonoraryChapter Regent of the 
Martin Severance Chapter,
Daughters of the AmericanRevolution. 

The keynote speaker will 
be Sandra Rhoten, who 
served during the VietnamWar from 1969 to 1970 with 
the American Red Cross 
Supplemental Recreation 
Activities Overseas. She 
was one of 627 women 
selected to support servicemembers in combat 
zones. Known as “Donut 
Dollies,” these women 
traveled by helicopter 
to forward locations to 
boost troop morale bydistributing sundry items,
playing Victrola records 
and serving hot coffee 
and freshly made donuts. 
Rhoten later coordinated 
programs with the U.S. 
Army in Germany from1972 to 1975.

 A highlight of the 
celebration will be a 
Condor Squadron flyoverat 11:11 a.m. The event 
will also feature free hot 
dogs, interactive exhibitsand activities for all ages.
Community members areinvited to join Pasadenain honoring the nation’s 
veterans and celebratingtheir enduring legacy.

 Pasadena city hall islocated, 100 N. Garfield 
Ave.

 )For more informationvisit: cityofpasadena.net. 

CicLAvia 
Pasadena 

Join CicLAvia on Sunday,
November 8 at 9am for 
a community group ridecelebrating Dena Love. 
Starting and ending 
along the upcomingCicLAvia—Pasadena route 
at Memorial Park, we’llride approximately 13 
miles through Pasadena 
and Altadena, stoppingalong the way to explorethe people, places, and 
stories that connect both 
communities.

 RSVP to join: https://bit.
ly/dena-ride2026 

Pasadena Doo Dah Queen Tryouts 


All are welcome to throw on for someone who is the 
their hat in the ring as event life of the party. Normal need 
organizers announced not apply. This is a fast-paced 
Pasadena Doo Dah Queen variety show to match no 
Tryouts this Sunday at the other. 
Old Towne Pub. On hand Doo Dah Queen Tryouts will 
for the wild ride will be take comers from all walks 
queen-hopefuls, former of life. The queen role is not 
Queens, Everlasting King exclusive to gender, sexuality,
Clayton, Magistrate Vince, race, class, shape, or even 
Czar Tom, Duke of Doo species. Yes, lizards, birds, 
Dah, Rocket Man the emcee, dogs, and critters of all kinds 
veteran parade entrants, have tried out for the role of 
tryout supporters, and those Queen! The new queen will 
too curious to stay away. be crowned by our reigningLive music throughout the royal, Queen Bootleg Meg. 
afternoon will be performed Past years have seen the 
by Ma the Band. Doors open crowning of many colorful, 
at 2 p.m., Competition starts talented, and eccentric 
at 3 p.m. the event is free. royals: Queens such as

 The public is welcome to Sparrow Dena, Quing 
weigh influence on the Doo Robbie Ravenwood, Natalie 
Dah glitterati. Contestants “Mama Sunshine” Flores, 
will have three minutes “Sassy but Classy” Jennipha, 
to strut their stuff. Dress Kavita of Peace and Love, 
extravagantly (whatever Sabrina “Diva of Pasadena,” 
that means to you), come Patrizzi Intergalactica, Red 
prepared, and be ready to Rosie, Naughty Mickie, 
demonstrate your gifts– Tippi Headtrip and the 
whether it’s song, dance, gags, Lost Language, Tequila 
recitation, impressions, looks, Mockingbird, MeowMeowz, 
vibes, juggling, pantomime, Susann of “Good Vibes, 
ventriloquism, sword-House Parties & Jabberwocky 
swallowing, plate-spinning, Jerk Sauce,” and the 1978 
glass blowing, whistling, or original “Queen of the 
turning invisible, the hunt is Stardust Ballroom” Dorothy 

Pasadena Police DepartmentIntroduces First Tracking K-9 

The Pasadena Police 
Department is introducing K-9Seeka, its first tracking K-9, aspecialized resource trained 
to follow a person’s scent tohelp locate missing children 
and adults. Generously fundedthrough community donationsraised by the Pasadena PoliceFoundation, Seeka’s acquisitionrequired no public funds.

 Seeka, a two-year-old femaleblack Labrador Retriever, has 
completed specialized trainingto become a certified trackingK-9. Her name reflects her 
mission: to seek, search for and 
discover those in need of help.

 Seeka’s specialized trackingcapabilities will enhance the 
Department’s response to criticalmissing-person incidents andmay be called upon to assistsurrounding law enforcementagencies when needed. The 
department receives as many 
as half a dozen critical missingcalls for service each year. Seeka’swork will support efforts tolocate vulnerable individuals 
and bring them safely home.

 Seeka’s training and certificationcome amid heightened publicattention to the lifesaving roleof tracking K-9s, following awidely shared story involvinga bloodhound with the Prince 
George’s County Police 
Department in Maryland. Thebloodhound and its handler 
helped locate a young boy whohad wandered away from homeand was found after dark just feetfrom a busy highway. The storyhighlighted how a trained K-9’sability to follow a scent can make 

a critical difference in a missing-
child search.

 “Seeka represents an importantaddition to our department’s 
ability to respond when 
someone goes missing,” said 
Pasadena Police Chief Gene 
Harris. “We are grateful to the 
Pasadena Police Foundation and 
the community members whosegenerosity made this specializedresource possible. Their supporthelps us expand our capabilitiesand better serve Pasadena and 
our neighboring communities.”

 Seeka is partnered with OfficerDaniel Velasquez, who has 
served with the Pasadena Police 
Department since 2016 and 
brings more than 18 years of lawenforcement experience. Beforejoining Pasadena, Velasquez 
served with the Monrovia 
Police Department, where hisassignments included patrol 
operations, field training, gang 
and narcotics investigations, 
traffic enforcement, and 
employment services.

 Now that her certification 
is finalized, the team is 
available to assist with critical 
missing-person searches and 
investigations involving suspectswho flee crime scenes.

 The Pasadena Police 
Department thanks the PasadenaPolice Foundation and the 
community for investing in thisimportant public safety resource.
Their generosity has helpedbring a specialized capability toPasadena that can benefit the 
community and neighboringjurisdictions when every minute 
matters. 

Romani. 
The Old Towne Pub, Enter at 
34 Holly Street. 
For more information: 
pasadenadoodahparade.info. 

Gabrieleno-
TongvaCulture and 
Ecology

 Learn about the cultural 
traditions of the Gabrieleno-
Tongva people, including 
their traditional food 
systems, maritime culture 
and ecological practices, in a 
Cultural Thursday event onsiteat the Pasadena Senior Center 
on Thursday, November 5 at 2 
p.m.

 Presented by Samantha M.
Johnson Yang, who serves 
as a Tribal Ecologist with 
the Gabrieleno-Tongva 
Band of Mission Indians, 
this event will explore 
the intricate relationshipbetween Indigenous peoples’relationship between people,
land and ocean. Yang willshare how Mother Earth 
provided the food, water,
plants, animals and naturalresources needed to sustain 
life in Southern California for 
countless generations priorto the arrival of Europeansettlers.

 The event is free for 
Pasadena Senior Center 
members and only $5 for nonmembers, 
and reservations 
are suggested. To register 
or for more information, 
visit pasadenaseniorcenter. 
org, then click on Lectures 
& Classes, then Cultural 
Thursdays.

Yang will also highlight howthe Gabrieleno-Tongva peopleunderstood, cared for, andlived in relationship with thenatural world, drawing upongenerations of knowledgeto thrive across the diverse 
landscapes and coastal watersof their ancestral homelands.

 Samantha Morales Johnson 
Yang is an Afro-indigenous

(Gabrielino/Tongva)
multidisciplinary artist,
environmental scientist, andethnobotanist. She received 
her B.S. in marine biologybefore attending graduate 
school for her certificate 
in science illustration, she 
uses her experience to help 
connect Western Scientists 
with Indigenous Science 
philosophy. Samantha is thefounder of the Gabrieleno-
Tongva Stewardship Crew,
which has been credited with 
helping save homes during theEaton Canyon Fire of 2025 fortheir herbicide-free methods 
of invasive species removal.

To learn more visit: 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org or 
call 626-795-4331. 

Solar Power and Battery101 PWP Virtual Workshop 


Pasadena Water and Power 
(PWP) officials announcedthey are set to host a 
residential Solar Power and 
Battery 101 virtual workshop 
on November 5 at 6 p.m., 
giving customers a clear, 
simple introduction to goingsolar and what to expect fromthe process, including howresidents can save an averageof 20 percent to 30 percent onup-front costs.

 In addition to sharing rebateinformation, PWP staff will 
cover the essential steps 
of solar power and batterystorage installation includinghow to choose reputable 
vendors, the benefits of 
solar and battery storage,
and navigating permits andelectric code requirements. 

“Choosing to install solarpower and battery storageat home is a meaningfulinvestment that pays off forboth our customers and our 
city,” said David Reyes, PWPGeneral Manager. “It deliversclean energy, supportsPasadena’s path toward 100%
carbon-free electricity bythe end of 2030, and giveshomeowners greater controlover their energy use and 
costs.”

 For accessibilityinformation, or to requestan accommodation, contact 

(626) 744-7311 or CSC@ 
CityOfPasadena.net.
Providing at least 72 hoursadvance notice will helpensure availability. For moreinformation, and to register,
visit PWPweb.com/Solar. 

PPHD Recognizes LeadPoisoning Prevention Week 

Director of Public Health,
and the department(“PPHD”) Manuel Carmona,
recognize National Lead 
Poisoning Prevention Weekfrom October 25 to 31 to 
raise awareness about lead 
exposure and help protectchildren. Most childhood 
lead poisoning is preventablethrough education, blood 
lead testing, and reducingenvironmental hazards.

 There is no safe level 
of lead in a child’s body.
Children under age 6 areespecially vulnerable to leadexposure, which can affectbrain development, growth,
learning, behavior, speech,
and hearing. Because 
symptoms are not alwaysvisible, a blood test is the 
most reliable way to detect 
exposure. Families enrolled 
in Medi-Cal insurance are 
encouraged to ask their 
doctor about free blood lead 
level testing for children andindividuals under 21 years of 
age.

 Families can help preventlead poisoning by askingtheir child’s healthcare 
provider about blood leadtesting, reducing lead 
hazards in homes and other 
places children spend time, 

and preventing lead dustfrom being brought home onwork clothing and shoes.

 Potential sources of lead 
exposure include the 
Eaton Fire, older buildingsconstructed before 1978, 
contaminated dust or soil,
certain imported foods andspices, ceramics, cosmetics 
and traditional remedies, andactivities such as soldering orstained-glass work.

 Wildfires can release 
harmful substances into the 
environment, including leadfrom older buildings, ash, 
and debris. The Los Angeles 
County Department of 
Public Health launched a free 
blood lead testing initiativein areas impacted by the 
Eaton and Palisades fires. As 
of August 15, 2026, all but 
11 individuals out of more 
than 2,100 (including 218children) who were testedhave been below the Centers 
for Disease Prevention and 
Control (“CDC”) blood 
lead reference value of 3.5 
micrograms per deciliter. All 
11 individuals with slightlyelevated blood lead levels 
were adults.

 Parents and caregivers areencouraged to learn moreabout blood lead testing andprevention at: cdph.ca.gov. 


RENT our 


1914 Essick House 


550 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, 91024 

Contact Anita 
Event Rentals Coordinator 

EssickHouseRentalManager@gmail.com 

626-708-2223 

Photos at 


SierraMadreWomansClub.org 

Sierra 
Madre 
Woman’s 
Club 
since 1907 


Wistaria Shop Re-Opens 10 am, Thurs., 9/3/26 


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