The City of Calabasas is pleased to present the inaugural California International Theatre Festival from Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23, 2009 at various venues in Calabasas.  The festival will feature performers from Ireland, the United Kingdom and Israel and performances include Moby Dick - Ishmael's Tale, An Evening With...Sir Donald Sinden, A Tale of a Lonely Man, and Cabaret: Giselle Wolf.   The festival will close with a special event titled A Taste of Calabasas meets Cafe Burlesq-O! featuring an international banquet, musical entertainment, a cabaret and more.  The California International Theatre Festival will also feature programs for children, readings of new theater works, lectures, and lively panel discussions.  

Festival organizers have created an Apprentice Program for students ages 16 to 25.  Beginning in the summer 2010, structured morning classes will be led by an international faculty with master classes led by visiting international artists.  Additionally, apprentices will receive intensive training and hands-on experience in theatre production and administration under the tutelage of Festival staff.

For more information about the California International Theatre Festival, the apprentice program, and to purchase festival tickets, please visit www.citfestival.org or call (800) 341-2766.

The City of Calabasas is hosting a blood drive in honor of 12 year-old Calabasas resident and 2008 Citizen of the Year Kevin Cordasco on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Founders Hall at the Calabasas Library.   Kevin, who in March 2007 was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, has bravely battled cancer and worked to raise awareness of the disease.  The City is honored to be hosting this blood drive for Kevin who turns 13 on August 5. 

Thanks to the great response from the community, of a July 31, only a few donation times remain.  The available times are listed on the Calabasas website.  To donate, please check for available times and send an email to lfigueroa@cityofcalabasas.com  with your preferred time and a back-up time (if available) listed.  You will receive an email back with your confirmed time.  Founders Hall is located in the Calabasas Library located at 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas.  Thank you to all who have signed up to donate!  

The Calabasas Sun Sets Summer Series continues in August with free summertime performances.  With a line-up ranging from Rock n’ Roll to Shakespeare, the Sun Sets Series features entertainment for the entire family on Sunday evenings this summer.  

The entire performance Sun Sets concert schedule is available online at www.cityofcalabasas.com/sunsets.html.   No tickets are necessary and all performances in the 2009 Calabasas Sun Sets Summer Series are free to the public.   Venues range from the Civic Center Plaza and Amphitheater to Calabasas Lake.  Please check the schedule carefully.  For more information, please call (818) 224-1600.

The Calabasas Library is hosting a an adult garden event on Saturday, August 1, 2009  at 2:00p.m.  The event is titled “Creating a California Heritage Garden” and is free and open to the public.   Janis Hatlestad, a landscape designer with 30 years of gardening experience in the San Fernando Valley and a certificate in Landscape design from California State University Northridge, will share techniques and resources for the creating a California Heritage Garden.  Janis’ methods will empower both new and experienced gardeners to blend drought tolerant, edible, and thirsty plants into our existing landscapes.  The Calabasas Library is located at 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas.  For more information, please call (818) 225-7616.

The City of Calabasas is committed to recycling  products that are hazardous to our local ecosystem.  For the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Calabasas collected electronic waste from 2,525 customers living in all nearby cities and communities and collected 272,273 pounds of mixed electronic waste, easily surpassing the previously set goal of 200,000 pounds for FY08-09 and up from 183,090 pounds the previous year.  This tonnage included 93,037 pounds (1,956 items) of television and computer monitors and 430 fluorescent light bulbs.  The City's new goal is to collect and recycle at least 300,000 pounds of electronics in FY09-10.    E-waste round-ups are open to residents and businesses from all cities and communities and are held on the first Saturday of every month in the Albertson’s parking lot at 26521 Agoura Road from 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

For the fiscal year 2008-09, Calabasas collected 17,459 pounds of dry cell batteries, an increase of 62% from the previous fiscal year with the total weight of 11,228 pounds.  Varieties collected included alkaline, NiCad and lead acid cells.  A list of battery drop-off locations is available online.  During the past year, Calabasas collected 4,382 gallons of water based paint, 81 car batteries, 247 used oil filters, 745 gallons of used motor oil and 71 gallons of antifreeze.  In partnership with the Lions International, Calabasas collected and recycled 511 pairs of eyeglasses.  The recycled eyeglasses will eventually be cleaned, sorted and shipped to developing countries and will be distributed for free to those in need of reading glasses.

Construction activities for the Calabasas Annual Rubberized Overlay Project began  in June and are expected to be completed in August.  The streets being resurfaced are Calabasas Road (from Park Granada to El Canon Road) and Mulholland Hwy (from Old Topanga Canyon Rd up to Eddingham Ave. The overlay contractor, Silvia Construction, posted signage two weeks prior to construction to notify the public of the streets and limits to be serviced, work dates and anticipated delays. Traffic control and access will be provided at all times. There will be limited access on days when actual paving occurs, but only for a short period. The Contractor will re-open the streets as soon as it is safe and possible to do so. The streets will be paved one travel lane at a time, therefore, access will be provided when needed.  Residents with questions or in need of special accommodations can contact “Silvia Construction” at (909) 481-8118 for information.   For all other miscellaneous project questions, please contact Vickie Margadonna  at (818) 224 1679 or Tatiana Holden at (818) 224 1674.

The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center will be hosting a free Back to School Pool Party on Friday, September 4, 2009 from 4:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. The pool party will feature music, exciting games, prizes, food and plenty of swimming fun.  Admission is free so bring the family to celebrate the end of another great summer!  The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center is located at 23400 Park Sorrento in Calabasas.  Please call (818) 222-2782 for more information.

The Calabasas Library is proud to present a free Harry Potter event on Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.  The Calabasas Teen Library Council will be on hand to direct readings of scenes from the various Harry Potter books.  The event will also feature crafts and snacks.   Participants are then welcome to stay and watch the first movie of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, beginning at 2:00p.m.  Please note that the movie is rated PG.  Admission to the entire event is free.  The Calabasas Library is located at 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas.  Please contact librarian Karilyn Steward for more information at (818) 225-7616. 

2009 FALL RECREATION BROCHURE

The 2009 Calabasas Fall Recreation brochure will be released in August.  As always, the brochure will be mailed to all Calabasas residents and will be available online.  Paper copies will also be 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.   Please look for Enrichment classes and other after school programs in the Recreation Brochure. Registration will take place after August 15, 2009.  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  organizes 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, August 1, 2009), 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 to 3:00p.m. A second monthly electronic waste event will take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month on Saturday, August 15, 2009 in the Vons Shopping Center parking lot at 23381 Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.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, August 8, 2009 there will be a free water based paint and used oil collection event at Calabasas City Hall located at 100/200 Civic Center Way (map) adjacent to the Commons from 10:00a.m to 2:00p.m. For more information, please contact the City of Calabasas Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator at (818) 224-1600.

The Calabasas Summer Reading Program, sponsored by the Friends of the Calabasas Library, continues in August.   On Friday, August 7, 2009, The SqueeGees will teach children about the environment through their unique blend of music and humor.  The program also begins at 11:00a.m.  The event is free. 

For more information on the Calabasas Summer Reading Program, please visit http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/library.html.

The Calabasas Environmental Commission recognized two Lupin Hill Elementary School moms, Carolyn Coradeschi and Robin Reilly, for their efforts to establish and promote conservation and recycling program in the school.  During the past year, the women helped collect nearly 100 old monitors to recycle.  They hope to continue doing conservation and recycling drives two to three times a year in the future.  In addition, the women have helped organize water conservation assemblies at Lupin Hill Elementary School and a recycling booth at the school's annual health fair. "It's a slow process, but we're making headway getting initiatives implemented into the school," Coradeschi told the Commissioners. "It would be nice to see other schools in the area join forces so that we can grow green initiatives and recycling....It starts with parents getting their kids involved, but our principal is really backing us on these things."

"We're trying to pass the information down and get the moms below us to get passionate about this," said Reilly, referring to the parents of younger kids. "We don't want this stuff to go in the trash and the bottles to sit for 100 years in some dump."  After hearing their presentation, vice-chair Levy presented the two moms with a certificate of appreciation for their commitment to protecting the environment.

Registration for the 2009 Calabasas Classic 5k/10k Runs is up and running.   The 6th Annual Calabasas Classic will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2009 in Calabasas on a scenic course that is certified and sanctioned by USATF.  The first 500 registered participants in the 5k/10k or combo races will receive a custom embroidered race hat by HeadSweats Race cap especially designed for 2009.  Additionally, the first 1000 pre-registered runners of the 5k, 10k or combo runs will get a GreenLayer Polyester Repreve Fabric short sleeved shirt made from recycled fabrics.  On an average, every pound of Polyester Repreve yarn conserves the equivalent of one half a gallon of gasoline.  Quantities will be limited so register early.  For more information on registration for the Calabasas Classic 5k/10k, please visit www.CalabasasClassic.com or email Julie Talbert directly. 

Calabasas Civic Center Plaza/Amphitheater Act Now Presents "Ready to be Loved: A Song Cycle" Friday, July 31 - August 2 at 7:00p.m. $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and students Benefits Spotlight the Arts Dan Crow Family Concert Sunday, August 16 at 6:00pm Free event!

Surf City Allstars Tribute to Surfer Music
Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 6:00pm      
Free event!

Pierce College Band Featuring 50’s Smooth Jazz
Sunday, August 30 at 6:00pm
Free event!

Calabasas Lake (enter adjacent to Tennis & Swim Center)
Salsa Night with Figueroa de la Combinación
Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 6:00p.m. 
Free event!

Conejo Players Theatre - Thousand Oaks

Madrid Theatre - Canoga Park
     August 2009 Calendar

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza - Thousand Oaks
     August 2009 Calendar

The annual Calabasas Beach Bus is currently running on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until August 21, 2009.  The bus drops off and picks up passengers at five convenient locations in Calabasas and at Zuma Beach in Malibu.  The fare is only $1 each way.  A full schedule and list of locations is available online.  Please note that exact change and a valid picture ID are required to ride the Beach Bus!  Surfboards are allowed on the beach bus but they must be stored in the bus storage compartment.  Please note that Durham Bus Services and the City of Calabasas assume no responsibility for any damage to property on the beach bus.   There is no beach bus service on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.  

Act Now, a group of talented local theater and music students, are presenting a summer show called "Ready to be Loved: A Song Cycle" at the Calabasas Amphitheatre at the Calabasas Library on July 31, August 1 and August 2, 2009 at 7:00p.m.  The show is a fundraising event for the non-profit, Calabasas-based Spotlight the Arts organization and features musical theater solos, duets, trios and group numbers centered around the themes of love.  Tickets are $15 for general admission or $10 for seniors and students.  Tickets will be available at the door and can be reserved by calling (818) 325-5454.

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.

CTV programming is now available on YouTube!

This month on CTV:

Calabasas Teen Forum
(View this program anytime with CTV Archiving)

The panel of teens discuss the economy
and how that has affected their lives and future college plans.


(left to right): Shaina Nazarian, Hadi Elzayn, Rishabh Agarwal
Host, Jason Peirce, Raina Advani, Nick La Maina, and Daniella Lavi

Preview, An Eye on the Arts
(View this program anytime with CTV Archiving)

Host, Laureen Morick, of the Calabasas Arts Council, talks with artist Eva Montealegre.  Tune in to see her unique artwork and designs, and hear about her career. 

Tune in to see highlights of the 12th Annual Calabasas Fine Art Festival.
Host Laureen Morick, of the Calabasas Arts Council, speaks with artists and discusses their techniques and thoughts behind their artwork.

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 August, please visit our Calendar Page.