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The City of Calabasas, in association with the California Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, will be holding a free "drive thru" flu vaccine clinic open to the public on Saturday, November 3, 2007 from 8:30a.m. - 11:00a.m. at A.E. Wright Middle School.  Free flu shots will be offered on a first come, first served basis and all participants are required to sign a Department of Public Health consent form (forms will be available at the clinic).  The clinic, offered as a public service open to anyone in the area, is also serving as an emergency preparedness drill for Calabasas in case the need should ever arise for mass distribution of medicine or vaccine. 

The flu clinic will use an innovative "drive-thru" format in which participants must arrive and proceed through the clinic in a vehicle.  This format will allow flu vaccine participants to receive vaccine in an efficient and orderly fashion.  All vaccines will be given by health professionals from the Los Angeles Public Health Department.  Please note that due to the unique nature of this clinic, no walk-in participants can be accommodated.  Also, no pets can be allowed on-site for the clinic.  Participants are urged to wear short sleeves to help facilitate the drive-through process.  Flu Clinic consent forms are available on the Calabasas website and participants can download, print and fill out these forms to save time at the clinic. 

WILDFIRES TEST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The recent wildfires that devastated parts of southern California provide a stark reminder of fire season dangers.  The Canyon Fire in Malibu, which came within miles of Calabasas, burned 4,521 acres, resulted in three injuries and affected 22 structures.  It was one of at least twenty-three fires that tested area emergency personnel in the final weeks of October.  Thanks to the tireless work of area firefighters, police and other responders, the Canyon was contained within five days.  As of October 30, 2007, five fires continue to burn in Southern California and over 500,000 acres have burned.  

The City of Calabasas was pleased to provide frequent fire and smoke updates for the community via the City website and e.News advisories.  The website received almost 20,000 visitors during the Canyon Fire period.  Charter cable experienced serious service disruptions due to thousands of feet of burned fiber optic lines that needed to be repaired.  Charter Communications has announced that area Charter customers whose service has been affected by the fires will receive an automatic one-week credit.  Depending on a household's billing cycle, customers may not see this automatic credit until the next billing statement.  Customers need not contact Charter for the credit.  

Residents should make sure they are prepared for any future fires by having a up-to-date family plan and checklist, clearing brush annually from their property and keeping alert during fire season.

PROPOSED AREA CODE CHANGE TO BE ANNOUNCED IN 2008

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently announced plans for a possible area code change in Calabasas and surrounding areas.  The CPUC is reporting a shortage of 818 phone numbers and is suggesting two possible courses of action.   There are currently two options proposed by CPUC:

1. Area Code Split – In this scenario, customers currently with 818 numbers would be split geographically into two groups (See Map).   One group would keep the 818 area code and the other would be assigned to the new 747 area code.  The CPUC says it has not decided whether Calabasas would be among the communities keeping the 818 in such a split.  However, residents should note that back in 1999, when the CPUC had the same plan for an area code split, Calabasas was to be assigned to the 747 area code group and lose the 818 area code.
2. Area Code Overlay – In this scenario, every customer that currently has an 818 area code in Calabasas and surrounding communities would keep their 818 number (See Map).  Only new customers would be given a 747 area number.  All calls within the area would require 10 digit dialing whether the call is placed to someone down the street or in Burbank. 

At an October public hearing in Calabasas, members of the CPUC took comments from Calabasas residents and asked that the public continue sending their comments to the CPUC at this website.  The CPUC has indicated that they will be announcing a decision sometime in the middle of 2008.

The 4th Annual Calabasas Classic will be held on Sunday, November 11, 2007 in Calabasas on a scenic course that is certified and sanctioned by USATF.   The Calabasas Classic is always a fantastic event and there's still time to register.  With participant medals for all, ChampionChip timing, HeadSweats Race Hats, dri-fit running shirts and the legendary Calabasas Classic goodie bags, there's never been a better time to join the runs.  Early packet pick up will be hosted by Kings Fish House located in the Commons at Calabasas on Friday, November 9 from 12:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. and Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.  For more information, please visit www.CalabasasClassic.com or email Julie Talbert directly.   Be sure and visit www.TalbertFamilyFoundation.org to see all the families that are being helped this year.

VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6

On Tuesday, November 6, 2007 there will be a Consolidated Election run by Los Angeles County.  In addition to voting on Measure E (a parcel tax supporting the Las Virgenes Unified School District), Calabasas voters will be voting for two candidates on the Las Virgenes Unified School District board.  Polls in California will be open from 7:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.  Registered voters who need to find their polling place can do so online.  To get more information on the two Calabasas Measures, please visit the Calabasas 2007 Consolidated Election page.  For all other Election information, please visit http://www.lavote.net.

2007 FALL RECREATION BROCHURE

The 2007 Fall Recreation brochure has been mailed to all Calabasas residents and is available online.  Paper copies are also available at City Hall, the Agoura/Calabasas Community Center and the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center. 

The brochure features detailed information about adult and youth classes, senior citizen programs, community news and information, sports activities and much more.   Classes run  through December and a wide variety of activities are available for all age groups.

The City is holding a free electronic waste collection on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at Calabasas City Hall, 26135 Mureau Road in Calabasas 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. 

Also on Saturday, November 10, 2007 there will be a free water based paint and used 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. 

Donated eyeglasses may be placed in the collection box at the Calabasas City Hall or at a number of City facilities.  In partnership with the Lions international, Calabasas collected and recycled 240 eyeglasses during the past year.  The recycled eyeglasses will eventually be shipped to developing countries and will be distributed for free to those in need of reading glasses. Please recycle by dropping off dry cell batteries, old cell phones and empty inkjet cartridges at designated locations throughout the City.

Conejo Players Theatre - Thousand Oaks
      You Can't Take it With You
     By Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
     November 16-December 15, 2007
     Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00p.m.
     Sunday November 18 & December 9  at 2:00p.m.

Madrid Theatre - Canoga Park
     November 2007 Calendar

Scherr Forum Theatre - Thousand Oaks
     November 2007 Calendar

Stage Door Theatre - Agoura Hills
28311 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills
     The Game of Life
     Through November 9, 2007
     By Kimberly Demmary
     Directed by John Barker
     Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00p.m.
     Sunday November 4 at 2:00p.m.
     For reservations, please call (818) 889-5209.

The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center, Top Seed Tennis Academy and the City of Calabasas hosted the $50,000 USTA Men's Pro Tennis Championships of Calabasas October 13-21, 2007.  An international contingent of 32 world-class tennis players made this year’s field of competitors the strongest since the tournament’s inception in 2001.  Top Seeded Robert Kendrick defeated 18-year-old Donald Young for the Championship.   John Isner teamed with Brian Wilson to take the doubles crown over Kendrick & Cecil Mamiit.

The $50,000 USTA Men's Pro Tennis Championships of Calabasas also included a number of community events starting with the VIP Player/Sponsor party hosted by Calabasas members Mark & Linda Beisswanger, a Pro Am for sponsors, USTA League & Community Tennis Appreciation night, a VIP Dinner Party and Pro Exhibition showcasing the night match along with the filming of the world’s first tennis game show, the Weakest Dink.  There was an Adult Drill with the pros and a Kid’s Day. 

To become part of next year’s great event and become a sponsor, please contact the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center at (818) 222-2782.  For more details about the USTA Men's Pro Tennis Championships of Calabasas tournament, please visit  www.calabasaschallenger.com.

The Calabasas Environmental Commission is accepting nominations for the 2007 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award.  The Award is a symbol of commitment to California’s environment and honors a wide array of individuals, businesses, municipalities, government agencies, organizations, and institutions.  The Award recognizes voluntary activities by companies and organizations, big or small, private or non-profit, for work done in California that results in cleaner air or water, less waste, less traffic, conservation of energy and natural resources, efficient and water conserving landscaping, or reduced use of hazardous materials. Furthermore, the Award honors organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment or innovation above and beyond their primary mission. In selecting the recipients, the awards committee will consider:
 

• Measurable improvements to environmental quality

• Ongoing or long-term environmental benefits

• Creativity and innovation in technology or approach

• Model achievements

• Demonstrating a solid commitment to protecting the environment.

• Involving employees, governmental officials and/or community members in an environmental project.

• Showing a commitment to the public's best interests.

• Reaching out in an effective manner to stakeholders.

• Taking definitive steps to prevent pollution.

• Minimizing costs or demonstrating a payback on investments

Nominations for the Award are welcomed from individuals, companies, government agencies, consultants, educators, researchers and students.  When selecting recipients, the awards committee considers measurable improvements to environmental quality, creativity, environmental achievements, commitment to protecting the environment, promoting community involvement and other core values of the Award.
 

Nomination forms are available on City of Calabasas website.  Please mail the nomination form to City Hall or fax it to Alex Farassati, Environmental Services Supervisor, at (818) 878-4205.

This year's "Snow Snow Snow Day" returns on December 2, 2007 at Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas.  As always, between 11:00a.m. and 1:30p.m., TONS of snow will be on the ground for frolicking by children of all ages.  Admission is only $5 per child ages 2-12 and children under 2 are free!  The mid-day event will also feature refreshments, pictures with Santa, and arts & crafts (available for purchase).  So bring your innertube, sled or saucer and get ready for snow-filled fun in southern California!  For more information, please call (818) 880-6461.

The Calabasas Environmental Commission is hosting an environmentally themed coloring contest open to students in elementary and middle schools.  The contest is titled: “Benefits of Bottle and Can Recycling” and encourages students to submit hand-created drawings.  Drawings must be done on 8½” x 11” format in landscape orientation.  Contest submissions are due to the City of Calabasas, Environmental Services Division, 26135 Mureau Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 by November 6, 2007.  Thirteen (13) winners will be chosen by the Environmental Commission on November 6 based on the creativity and theme of their illustration.  The winning drawings will be printed in the 2008 City of Calabasas Community Recycling Awareness Calendar.  The first place winner’s drawing will be printed on the cover of the calendar; however each winner will receive a $25.00 gift certificate.  For more information, please contact Kay Ayazi at (818) 878-4225 Ext. 314.

Bring a  new and emerging reader from grades K-3 to the Calabasas Library on Saturday, November 3, 2007 to share in a unique reading program.  Each participating child will have 15 minutes to read to a therapy dog.  The dogs, each trained through the non-profit organization Paws 4 Healing, will sit (or lie!) and listen while your child experiences the joy of reading aloud.  The program is from 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m and reservations will start beginning at 11:00a.m. in the library.  For more information call, please call Jill Nevins, Children’s Library assistant, at  (818) 225-7616, ext. 2.

The City of Calabasas Community Services Department is offering a fun excursion on Friday, December 14, 2007 to the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade.   Enjoy a dinner at the renowned Five Crowns Restaurant featuring Prime Rib, creamed spinach, salad, Yorkshire pudding and strawberry trifle. The excursion next heads to Balboa Pavilion for the boat parade joining hundreds of other boats decorated with thousands of lights and displays and view the decorated waterfront homes. 

The excursion bus will leave from De Anza Park on Friday, December 14 at 2:00p.m. and is expected to return at 10:00p.m.  The fee for the trip is $76.00 per person.  For more information on this program or other recreation activities please call the Community Services Department at (818) 880-6461 or stop by De Anza Park which is located at 3701 Lost Hills Road in Calabasas.

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is a thorough study of the potential environmental impacts associated with a proposed development project, plan, program, or other governmental decision.  This type of review is intended to inform decision makers and the public about the consequences of certain governmental actions, and to require the decision making bodies to consider alternative strategies and measures to reduce or to mitigate identified environmental impacts.  A Mitigated Negative Declaration is basically an abbreviated form of an EIR where all the identified impacts are deemed to be mitigated.

Over the past year or so, two different land development proposals have been analyzed for potential environmental impacts, and EIRs have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  As a matter of coincidence, the draft reports for these two projects are expected to be issued for public review in fairly rapid succession during the first two weeks of November.  The two projects, locations and types of environmental review document are as follows:
 

Each environmental review document listed above will be separately noticed when it becomes available.  Public notices will be published in the newspaper, mailed to nearby property owners and HOAs, and posted on the City’s web site.  Copies of these draft environmental review documents will be available for public review at City Hall, the Calabasas Library, and through the City’s web site.

During this same period of time, Planning staff anticipates announcing the preparation of two additional draft EIRs for two other pending development projects (see below).  The draft EIRs for these projects will be prepared over the next four to five months and will hopefully be completed and available for public review in March or April of 2008.

The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center will be holding a Winter Community Garage Sale on Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 7:00a.m.  to 12:00p.m.  Shoppers and sellers are welcome to participate and admission is free to the public.

Due to the extreme popularity of this event, limited booth space is available.  Please call Jenna at (818) 880-2993 for availability and prices or visit our website at www.ahccc.org.  Be sure to register early!

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.

New this month on CTV:

Visit the CTV Channel Guide for a complete listing of programming.

Calabasas City Hall will be closed in observance of Veteran's Day on Monday, November 12, 2007 and for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 22 & 23, 2007.

City Council Agenda Items are available online the Thursday prior to a City Council Meeting. Agendas for all commissions are available online the Friday prior to the commission meeting.

For a complete calendar of events and meetings during
November, please visit our Calendar Page.