Mayor Mary Sue Maurer will present the 11th Annual City of Calabasas Mayor's State of the City Address on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 in Founders Hall at the new Calabasas Library.  The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer at 6:00p.m. and the speech will begin at 7:00p.m.  Members of the public are invited to attend.  The speech will be shown live on CTV-3 in Calabasas and streamed live via the Calabasas website. 

The State of the City address is an annual presentation by the Mayor of Calabasas bringing residents, City staff and civic leaders together to reflect on City accomplishments from the past year and to review plans for the future. For more information about the Mayor's State of the City Address, please call (818) 224-1600.

A special holiday children’s event called “Breakfast with Santa and his Pals” will take place at the Calabasas Library in Founders Hall on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.  Parents and their children will enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast provided by Marmalade Café in Calabasas.  Children will then enjoy stories and entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Gingy and the Elves!  A digitally framed photo will be provided by professional photographers Pixel Pix for each participant to remember this fun-filled morning. 

Tickets for the “Breakfast with Santa and his Pals” are only $20 per person and include all food, entertainment and photos.  Limited tickets are now available at Calabasas City Hall, The Calabasas Klubhouse preschool, Juan Bautista de Anza Park and the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center.  For more information, please contact Meghan at (818) 224-1600.

"Snow Snow Snow Day" returns on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas.  As always, between 11:00a.m. and 1:00p.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 and arts & crafts (available for purchase).  Bring an inner tube, sled or saucer and get ready for snow-filled fun in southern California!  For more information, please call (818) 880-6461.

The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) and Planning Commission have concluded work on an update to the City’s General Plan.  Following seventeen public meetings by the GPAC over a period of eighteen months, three open public workshops, two public hearings by the Planning Commission, and several workshops by the City Council, the Council is prepared to conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 7:30p.m. to consider the 2030 General Plan Update and the associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  The general public is welcome to attend the public hearing, and to submit written comments on the matter to the City Clerk prior to the public hearing.  The updated plan and EIR were circulated for public review between July 7, 2008 and August 20, 2008.  The draft 2030 General Plan Update and the draft EIR are posted on the City’s web site. 

The State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board is moving forward with Assembly Bill 885.  The Bill is intended to provide regulations on a State Wide Level for the monitoring of On Site Wastewater Treatment Systems or “Septic Tanks.” All properties within the jurisdiction of Calabasas would be subject to the terms of the new law along with all homes within California.   A draft of the legislation has been stalled with the Senate and the Governor’s Office for many years; however, the Regional Board is ready to move the Bill forward and has a rule making committee formulated which is intended to educate and receive comments from the Public.

The Water Control Board is presenting a number of community workshops throughout the state.  A workshop close to Calabasas will be held at 7:00p.m. on January 15, 2009 at Malibu High School, 30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu, CA.

If there are any questions regarding the workshops, legislation or goal of the State Regional Water Quality Control Board, Mr. Todd Thompson may be contacted at (916) 341-5518, or tthompson@waterboards.ca.gov.  Please see the following web site for further details: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/septic_tanks.

The Calabasas Environmental Commission received 320 entries for the 2008 recycling coloring contest.  All entries were carefully reviewed by the commissioners during the November 4, 2008 public meeting at the Calabasas City Hall.  This year’s contest was entitled: “Benefits of Paper Recycling” and encouraged students to submit hand-created drawings.  Thirteen (13) winners were chosen based on the creativity and theme of their illustrations.  The winning drawings will be printed in the 2009 City of Calabasas Community Recycling Awareness calendar.  The calendar will be distributed to Calabasas residents later this year.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will be offering CERT Training classes on Thursday evenings from January 15 to February 26, 2009 (7:00p.m.–9:30p.m.) and Saturday morning, February 28, 2009 (9:00a.m.–12:00p.m.).  All classes will be held in Founder’s Hall of the Calabasas Library, 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas.  This free CERT training is open to all interested community members so participants do not have to be residents of Calabasas in order to attend.  Please click here to view the class schedule. 

Participants must attend all classes in order to receive a certificate of completion.  Previous CERT students who need to “make-up” a missed module or would just like a “refresher course” on a particular subject of interest are welcome to attend just that module. To sign up to attend these classes, please contact Debbie Larson, City of Calabasas Risk Management Analyst, at (818) 224-1616; or Maria Grycan, Los Angeles County Fire Department Community Services Representative, at (310) 456-7923.

Calabasas Residents in the 818 area code are now able to begin dialing 11 digit dialing (1 + the area code before the seven-digit number when making calls). The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to implement an area code overlay by adding a new 747 area code in addition to the 818 area code.  Beginning April 17, 2009, all calls placed from the 818 area code will require 11 digit dialing (1 + area code+ the seven digit phone number).   After this date, if residents do not use the new 11 digit dialing procedure, the call will not be completed and a recording will instruct callers to hang up and dial again.   Between October 11, 2008 and April 17, 2009, calls will be completed regardless of whether the old or new dialing procedure is used.  Residents are encouraged to change their speed-dial and programmed phone numbers now to reflect 11 digit dialing.  Phone numbers with the new 747 area code may be issued beginning May 18, 2009 and all residents who have a 818 area code phone number today will keep their 818 area code phone number.  For more information about the 818 area code overlay, please visit the CPUC website.

At the Calabasas City Council meeting on November 12, 2008, the City Council agreed to join the December 18, 2008 campaign organized by Heal-the-Bay called “A Day Without a Bag.”  Free re-usable bags will be distributed to shoppers at two of the City’s three supermarkets  - Albertsons (26521 Agoura Rd) and Ralphs (in the Commons)- on December 18, 2008. 

“A Day Without a Bag” is an educational and grassroots event that involves businesses and individuals throughout Los Angeles County. On this day, shoppers and retailers are asked to forgo single-use, plastic shopping bags in favor of reusable bags.  By raising consumer awareness about personal choices, “A Day Without a Bag” focuses on education, rather than advocacy.  

More than 6 billion plastic bags are used in Los Angeles County each year. Disposable bags cost fiscally strained cities up to 17 cents per bag for disposal (this does not include the environmental costs). Plastic bags are made from fossil fuels. Americans use over 380 billion bags every year, throwing away this non-renewable resource. 

The 2009 Calabasas Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2009.  There are three City Council seats to be filled in the upcoming Election.  The term of each seat is four years.  The nomination period for these three City Council seats opened on November 10, 2008 and closes on December 5, 2008.  To hold an elected office within the City of Calabasas, a person must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years or older, and a registered voter of the City of Calabasas on the day nomination papers are requested.  The candidate begins the nomination process by obtaining signatures on the nomination paper.  The nomination paper is furnished by the City Clerk’s Office without charge to those applying for nomination and there is no filing fee.  For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (818) 224-1661. 

Bring a  new and emerging reader from grades K-3 to the Calabasas Library on Saturday, December 6, 2008 to share in the unique reading program featuring some very special dogs.  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.  The Calabasas Library is located at 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas (map). For more information call, please call Jill Nevins, Children’s Library assistant, at  (818) 225-7616, ext. 2.

2009 WINTER RECREATION BROCHURE

Stumped about what recreation activities are available in the City of Calabasas? Make sure to check out the 2009 Winter Calabasas Recreation Brochure that will be mailed to all Calabasas residents in December.  The brochure features detailed information about adult and youth classes, senior citizen programs, community news and information, sports activities and much more. 

The 2009 Winter Calabasas Recreation Brochure will also be available online and paper copies will be available at City Hall, the Agoura/Calabasas Community Center and the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center.   Classes will run  from January to March 2009 so make sure to register early!   For more information about Calabasas recreation opportunities or for help with class registration, please call the Recreation department at (818) 880-6461.

The City of Calabasas is pleased to announce that it will now be holding two free monthly electronic waste collection events in addition to the usual monthly water based paint and used oil collection event. On  the first Saturday of each month (Saturday, December 6, 2008), an electronic waste collection will take place at the Albertson’s parking lot, 26521 Agoura Road (at Las Virgenes Road) in Calabasas from 10:00a.m - 3:00p.m. A new, second monthly electronic waste event will take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month on Saturday, December 20, 2008 in the Vons Shopping Center parking lot at 23381 Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills 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, December 13, 2008 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) 224-1600.

The Calabasas Emergency Response Program (CERP), the Lost Hills Sheriff's Department, and Disaster Communications Service (DCS) would like to invite the public to attend an Amateur Ham Radio Study and Exam Session for an Entry Level FCC License on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the Lost Hills Sheriff's Department.   The class will take place from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. and the exam will begin at 2:00p.m. and last one hour.  There is a $20.00 class fee that includes class expenses, breakfast goodies, lunch, and snacks.  Please note that registration is required and walk-ins will not be accepted.  Register today by sending a check to Norm Goodkin, 22287 Mulholland Drive #162, Calabasas, CA 91302.  Please write "Ham Class" on the check memo.  For more information, please contact Debbie Larson at (818) 224-1616 or dlarson@cityofcalabasas.com.

The City of Calabasas received an award from the American Society of Civil Engineer (ASCE) – Region 9 for the Las Virgenes Creek Restoration Project.  The ceremony was held in October at the Aquarium of the Pacific with the participation of nearly 100 engineers, public officials, students and scholars.  Robert Yalda, City Engineer and Alex Farassati, Environmental Services Supervisor received the award on behalf of the City.   The Las Virgenes Creek Restoration Project has received other awards including one from the Ventura Chapter of American Public Works Association (APWA) as their 2007 Project of the Year and another from the Los Angeles Chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as an Outstanding Government project.

Conejo Players Theatre - Thousand Oaks
     Goodbye Charlie
    By George Axelrod
    Through December 13
    Thurs., Fri. & Sat. at 8:00p.m.
    Sun. November 16 & December 7 at 2:00p.m.
    
Madrid Theatre - Canoga Park
     December 2008 Calendar

Civic Arts Plaza - Thousand Oaks
     December 2008 Calendar

A Native Plants Sale and Festival will be held on December 6, 2008 from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. at the Topanga Ranch Motel parking lot located at 18711 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.  There will be live music, delicious food, landscape designers and biologists available for free consultations.  The sale is a great opportunity to purchase native, drought-resistant plants for home or business use.  The Native Plants Sale and Festival originated at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains and has been made possible by the support of local stakeholders, including the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, the Malibu-Las Virgenes Council of Governments and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains.  The site has been provided by the generosity of California Department of State Parks.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT HOLIDAY WASTE

Americans generate about 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Years than any other time of the year, according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. However, there are many alternatives in decorating gifts that are creative and environmentally friendly.

The beautiful colors and patterns in holiday wrapping paper contain dyes and chemicals that make it difficult to be recycled. Gift bags and pre-printed gift boxes are great alternatives to wrapping paper, especially since they are reusable. Be creative by wrapping presents in fabric or turn gift-giving into a game by hiding presents around the house. Consider giving gifts that do not generate waste such as music or sports lessons, gym memberships, or tickets for special events: concerts, the opera, a musical or sporting event.

Holiday trees can be properly cared for and recycled after the holidays: cut about one inch off the base of the tree trunk and place it in the tree holder with hot water. Also, consider purchasing an artificial tree or a live tree that can be planted after the holidays.  For those residents interested in "recycling" live Christmas trees, please remove all ornaments, cut the tree in half and place the tree in a green color yard waste bin for collection until January 10, 2009.  Please note that flocked trees and those coated with fire retardants cannot be accepted.  Please contact G.I. Industries at (818) 782-2474 with any questions. 

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.

This month on CTV:

Author's Night
(View this program anytime with CTV Archiving)

Join host Karyn Foley, on this episode of Author's Night as she has a one-on-one interview with author Gregg Hurwitz.  Gregg discusses his career, his inspiration and specifically talks about his latest book, "The Crime Writer."

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

Calabasas City Hall will be closed  on Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and Thursday, January 1, 2009.   City Hall will also close at noon on Wednesday, December 31, 2008.


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.  All City Council meetings and commission meetings take place in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Way in Calabasas.






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