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SECOND-HAND SMOKE ORDINANCE TAKES EFFECT ON MARCH 17, 2006 |
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 The
Calabasas City Council passed a
Comprehensive Second-Hand Smoke Control Ordinance
on February 15, 2006 by a 5-0 vote.
The new law prohibits smoking in all public places in
the City of Calabasas at times when other persons will be exposed to
second-hand smoke. These places include indoor and outdoor
businesses, hotels, parks, restaurants and bars where people can be
reasonably expected to congregate or meet.
An
informative brochure will soon be mailed to every resident in the City
and copies will also be available at City Hall and many local
businesses.
The Los
Angeles County Department of Health,
the American
Heart Association,
the American
Lung Association,
Healthier
Solutions, Inc.,
Smoke-Free
Air for Everyone (SAFE) and the
Coalition
for a Tobacco-Free Los Angeles all have expressed their strong
support for the ordinance.
The text of the ordinance, along with a
comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, can be found online
at
http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/secondhandsmoke.html.
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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER CARL GIBBS PASSES AWAY |
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 Calabasas
Environmental Commissioner and Calabasas founder Carl Gibbs passed
away on February 28, 2006 after an illness. The City Council,
Commissioners and City staff extend their deepest sympathies to the
entire Gibbs family.
Commissioner Gibbs
served on the Environmental Committee and then the Environmental
Commission for the past 15 years. He was a tireless advocate for
protecting the environment and for preserving open space in the City.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at
2:00p.m. at the
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine at 17190 Sunset Boulevard
in Pacific Palisades. |
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EARTH DAY
AND CREEK CLEAN-UPS |
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 On
April 22, 1970, twenty million people across America celebrated the
first Earth Day. Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling
Morton in Nebraska. Help celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day by
joining the City of
Calabasas, the Mountains Restoration Trust and the Las Virgenes
Municipal Water District for an afternoon of fun on April 1,
2006 from 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. Headwaters Corner is located
at 2815 Old Topanga Canyon Road in Calabasas, CA. Participants will
enjoy fun presentations and performances on conservation,
entertainment, contests, prizes and a tree planting ceremony.
In 1972, only thirty-six percent of the nation's assessed
streams were safe for uses such as fishing and swimming. Today,
about sixty percent are safe, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency. Yet more needs to be accomplished. Los Angeles
County residents can help eliminate waste by cleaning up creeks
around Calabasas and by celebrating Arbor Day and Earth Day.
The creek clean-up events will be taking place on Saturday, March
18, 2006 and Sunday, March 26, 2006 from 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
All participants should meet at Calabasas High School on March 18
for event parking and De Anza Park on March 26 for event parking.
Volunteers will receive free food, community service credit, prizes,
and a free T-shirt designed by Emma Sobol. Emma is an 11
year-old student at Alice C. Stelle Middle School, who was recently
selected as the 2006 Creek Clean-up T-shirt Design Contest winner.
Emma’s creative hand-drawn design was selected during the Calabasas
Environmental Commission meeting held on February 7, 2006.
Allison Royal, a 10 year-old student at Lupin Hill Elementary, was
selected as the second place winner. Emma will receive the winning
check in the amount of $100 and Allison will receive a check in the
amount of $50.
The City is also accepting applications for
event sponsorship, especially from businesses throughout the Los
Angeles community, either through staff participation, or prizes and
monetary donations. Keep California Beautiful,
Western Bagel and Lassens
Natural Foods and Vitamins have generously agreed to donate items
for the event and become proud sponsors of the 2006 creek clean-up
events.
For more information regarding the events, please contact the
Environmental Services Division at (818) 878-4225. |
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TOPANGA
ELEMENTARY CARNIVALE |
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 The
Topanga
Elementary Silent Auction, Dinner and Dance,
"Carnivale, Topanga Style!" will take place on Saturday, March
25, 2006 from 6:00p.m. to midnight at the
Topanga Community House. Grab
your beads and masks and support Topanga Enrichment Programs (TEP),
the non-profit 501(3)(c) fundraising organization for the children
of
Topanga Elementary Charter School.
Marilyn Samorski, Event Chair, is leading
an enthusiastic group of volunteers to bring together the best
Silent Auction Topanga Elementary Charter School has to offer.
Great deals on auction items, such as
vacation packages, original works of art and fabulous gift baskets
from every classroom, as well as some surprise auction items, will
be offered that you will not want to miss. Helping the kids of
Topanga Elementary can be such a deal!
The money raised goes to
Topanga Enrichment Programs (TEP). Last year, the Silent Auction
raised $40,000 for the kids attending the school, and the goal is to
meet or beat that this year. Funds raised will pick up where budget
cutbacks have left off: teacher aides in every classroom, science
teacher, art programs, and physical education are among the
important education necessities of an elementary education that
TEP funds.
Advance-purchase tickets are $45. Tickets at the door will be
$50.00. For more information, please call (310) 455-3711. |
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THIRD
RECYCLER OF THE MONTH NAMED |
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 The third
winner in the “Recycler of the Month” drawing, Marlene Ellyn, was
presented an award in the amount of $250 for her dedication and
commitment to beautifying Calabasas, preserving the environment and
making the world a greener place in which to live.
Residents who regularly recycle bottles, cans, papers, newspapers,
glass, plastics, metals, electronics and green wastes should fill
out one card with their name and contact information and mail it
back to City Hall. At each Environmental Commission meeting, one
card will be selected at random. Once City staff has verified that
the citizen chosen recycles, the winning citizen will be presented
with a $250 check from the City. The Environmental Commission, which
meets on the first Tuesday of every month, plans to reward ten
additional lucky citizens this year for their recycling efforts.
Drawing cards were mailed to each residential unit. Entries are
limited to only one person, per household in Calabasas, per year.
For more information, please contact the Recycling
and Solid Waste Coordinator at (818) 878-4225 and continue to
recycle daily. |
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SUPERSTARS FOR
SPECIAL OLYMPICS GOLF CLASSIC |
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 The 2nd annual
SuperStars for
Special Olympics Golf Classic golf tournament will take place on
Monday, March 6, 2005 at the
Woodland Hills Country Club in Woodland Hills. Participants will
have the opportunity to golf with "Hall of Fame" and legendary retired
NBA players including Rick Barry, Moses Malone,
George Gervin, Keith Erickson, A.C.
Green, Darwin Cook, Eric Money, Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, Lucius Allen,
Don Ford, Fat Lever, Sam Williams, Ed Ratleff, Flynn Robinson and
others. The
tournament will feature a continental breakfast, lunch on the course,
and a banquet with a silent and live auction beginning at 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit the
official event
website or call (818) 342-0017. |
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COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM'S REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS |
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 The City of
Calabasas established the Community Service Grants program to recognize
and support community organizations in their effort to bring invaluable
services/programs to the citizens of Calabasas. Grant amounts will
vary, to enable the City to assist as many organizations as possible.
Preference will be given to organizations that hold a 501c(3)
designation and programs that address safety, education, and
environmental issues, or increase the welfare of citizens or animals of
Calabasas. An organization may only receive one award per fiscal year.
Applications for the
final grant cycle
in fiscal year
2005-2006
must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2006. Applications
may be mailed or brought to Calabasas City Hall, 26135 Mureau Rd.,
Calabasas, CA 91302. Please note that faxes and late proposals will NOT
be accepted.
Grant Applications are currently available online in pdf format and
can be filled out
electronically or
by hand. If you have questions or are unable to access the
application online, please call Shelley Thompson at (818) 878-4225. |
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CONTROLLING EROSION IN THE CITY |
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The
City of Calabasas takes pride in having scenic hills, majestic oaks,
and plenty of natural beauty. One of the ways the City preserves a
high quality of life is through reducing pollution in storm water.
By evaluating impacts on water quality, the City is working to find a
healthy balance between building communities and maintaining a clean
and safe environment for current residents and future generations.
October 1 through April 15 is considered the rainy season in this
region. During the rainy season, severe erosion can occur when storm
water strikes bare ground.
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Erosion Causes: |
Which Can Result In: |
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Mud Covered
Streets |
Hazardous
Road Conditions |
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Clogged Storm
Drains |
Flooding and
Property Damage |
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Water Flowing
With Sediment |
Water
Pollution In Creeks and the Santa Monica Bay |
Each homeowner is responsible for erosion control measures on his/her
property. During the rainy season, erosion control measures should be
in place on all property and maintained throughout the rainy season.
Residents in gated communities or members of HOAs are not exempt from
erosion control measure requirements.
Examples of typical erosion control measures include:
-
Hydroseed bare slopes by September 1 to establish plants prior to
rains
- Place erosion control blankets, also called “Geotextiles and Mats”
on slopes
- Install sandbags or straw bales to follow the slope contours around
the perimeter of the low side your property
- Apply hydraulic, wood or straw mulch or soil binders on bare slopes
Detailed information on selecting
appropriate erosion control measures and how to implement them can be
found on the California Stormwater Quality Association web page at
www.cabmphandbooks.com
- select the “Construction” handbook and click on any of the BMP Fact
Sheet links provided in the table of contents.
If
you have questions on installing or maintaining erosion control
measures, please contact the City of Calabasas Department of Public
Works at (818) 878-4225. |
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WINTER
RECREATION BROCHURE |
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The
2006 Winter Recreation brochure is still
available 24 hours a day
online. The 46-page brochure features detailed information about adult and
youth classes, senior citizen programs, community news and
information, sports activities and much more.
Remember, you can also easily register for classes online!
For more information or for help with registration, please call (818) 880-6461. |
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E-WASTE
AND PAINT COLLECTION EVENTS & RECYCLING REMINDER |
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 The
city is holding a free electronic waste collection on Saturday, March
4, 2006 at the future Calabasas Civic Center site located at Park
Sorrento behind the Commons shopping center from 10:00a.m - 3:00p.m.
Acceptable items include but are not limited to CD players, laptops
and personal computers, microwave ovens, printers, radios, stereos,
telephones, and VCR’s.
On Saturday, March 11, 2006 there will be a free water based paint
and use oil collection event at the
Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center
located at 23400 Park Sorrento from 10:00a.m - 2:00p.m. For more
information, please contact the City of Calabasas Recycling and Solid
Waste Coordinator at (818) 878-4225.
If
you need gray-beige paint for your home, school, business or all other
projects, Waste Management Inc. offers free recycled paint at their
Simi Valley facility. Recycled paint is available in 55-gallon
containers. Bring your own buckets when receiving less than 55
gallons. To schedule an appointment, please call (805) 955-4342.
Residential Recycling Reminder: Please remember that weekly recycling
carts and containers should not be left out before 5:30p.m. on the day
preceding a scheduled collection and must be collected by 8:00p.m. on
the day of collection. Thank you for your cooperation! |
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CITY
COUNCIL SUPPORTS SOLID WASTE CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY |
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 The Calabasas City Council adopted Resolution 2006-997 on
January 11, 2006 in support of solid waste conversion technologies and
requested a facility at the Calabasas landfill. During a public
meeting on December 6, 2005, the Calabasas Environmental Commission
received testimony from Mr. Coby Skye, Associate Civil Engineer,
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, on the solid waste
conversion technology. The Environmental Commission unanimously
supported conversion technology and the development of such a facility
in Calabasas. City Council then approved the Resolution 2006-997 a
month after the commission meeting.
Through Resolution
No. 2006-997 the Calabasas City Council resolved:
1. With
landfill space at a premium, and disposal rates estimated to increase,
Los Angeles County must invest in landfill alternatives, such as
conversion technologies, that inhibit disposal rates, generate jobs,
and utilize abundant biomass and organic waste material in an
environmentally beneficial manner.
2. Waste recycling must be extended to establish a statewide
recycling goal and local planning requirements, develop an extensive
recycling and composting infrastructure, increase removal of hazardous
materials from the waste stream, establish advanced disposal fees and
other manufacturer responsibility measures in conserving natural
resources and reducing our dependence on landfills.
3. In supporting efforts by the Alternative Technology
Advisory Subcommittee, the City Council strongly requests that a
construction of conversion technology facility at the Calabasas
Landfill be considered for any future planning of facilities within
Los Angeles County.
The resolution is a tremendous step forward in appealing to
the California Legislature to establish a facility not only in
Calabasas, but within California—enabling California to becoming the
first state to support conversion technology. For more information
about conversion technologies or the Calabasas Resolution, please
contact the Environmental Services Division at (818) 878-4225.
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CONTINUOUS
DEFLECTION SYSTEMS PROTECT CREEKS |
In an effort to
keep local creeks and downstream beaches clean, the City of Calabasas
has installed three trash capture devices called Continuous Deflection
Systems (CDS) . They are located on Parkway Calabasas, on Agoura Road
and behind the Courtyard at the Commons. The CDS units help prevent
trash and yard waste from entering local creeks however waste
accumulates in the machines very quickly and they require frequent
maintenance to properly work. Each time the units need to be
maintained, the City spends $8,500 to get the machines back in shape. Everything that
is spilled onto the street drains directly and unfiltered into local
creeks via the storm drain system. Recent studies have indicated that
urban runoff (such as car washing, hosing off driveways, discharging
chlorinated swimming pool water, overflow from excessive
watering of
fertilized and pesticide applied lawns, etc.) as well as direct
dumping into the gutters/storm drain system is the number one
pollution source of our creeks.
During
rainfalls, a host of contaminants, including bacteria, nitrogen,
phosphorus, heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, sediments, and litter
is washed from streets and land, carried by storm sewers, and
eventually discharged into nearby lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal
waters. These problems present human health risks, diminish
recreational access and opportunities, and disrupt aquatic plant and
animal communities. |
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BUILDING & SAFETY DIVISION HAS RECORD MONTH |
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 The
Building and Safety Division had its busiest January on record. The division set records with 173
permits issued, 48 plan checks submitted and 1,304 inspections
performed. The building inspectors have been especially busy.
Inspections have been on a record
pace for the last fifteen straight months, setting records for the
most inspections for each month, and posting the thirteen highest
totals ever for a month during the last fourteen months, including an
all-time high of 1,387 set last December. The Building
and Safety Division is on pace to break the records for most
inspections and plan checks in a fiscal year, and have the second
highest total ever for the number of permits issued during a fiscal
year. |
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WHAT'S ON CTV? |
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Be sure to tune in to CTV
on cable channel 3 in Calabasas, through live
online web-streaming,
or watch any meeting or CTV program at ANYTIME through the new
CTV archive.
Programs this month
include:
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Your
City, Your Issues
(View
this show anytime with CTV Archiving)
Juan Bautista de Anza Historical Reenactment of 1776
Visit the Mountains
Restoration Trust website at:
http://www.mountainstrust.org/
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Host
John Loesing hits the road, hiking the new trail in
the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains. Hear
interviews with Calabasas and Mountain Restoration
Trust officials responsible for this recreation
feature recently added to the city of Calabasas.
Tune in to watch the 1776 Juan de Anza Historical
Reenactment, see the official Trail Dedication and
the grand opening.
Watch this episode now, with
the CTV Archive,
click here. |
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Visit the
CTV Channel Guide for a complete listing of
programming.
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That’s all for this month. If you have any questions
about e.News or City
issues in general, please email our Media Operations Director, Deborah
Steller,
at
dsteller@cityofcalabasas.com.
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at the City of Calabasas.
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Topanga Symphony
Free Concert
