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 and five candidates are officially on the ballot.  The term of each seat is four years.  Polls will be open from 7:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.  The last day to register to vote for the March 3, 2009 General Municipal Election was February 17, 2009.  Vote-by-mail ballots may be turned in on election day at polling locations.   Please click here to locate a polling place or view a view a sample ballot.

CTV will provide extensive LIVE coverage of election results on election night beginning just after polls close at 8:00p.m.  This special presentation will be hosted by John Loesing and will feature reporting by Pablo Pereira, candidate interviews, in-depth election analysis from current and former City Council members and up-to-the-minute election results. Results will also be available online throughout the evening.

The City Council will hold a reorganization meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 7:00p.m.  The meeting will take place at the Calabasas Civic Center and is open to the public. 

Please remember to VOTE on Tuesday, March 3, 2009!

In response to the state and local water supply shortage, the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) Board of Directors has adopted mandatory water conservation measures that will carry penalties for non-compliance beginning March 4, 2009. These measures apply to the City of Calabasas as well as Agoura Hills, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village and adjacent unincorporated areas of LA County.

The mandatory measures include:  

• Irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 10:00am and 5:00pm
• Irrigation is not permitted during periods of rain nor in the 24 hours following rainfall in excess of one inch.  
• Irrigation may not run off to streets, gutters or adjacent properties.
• Potable water shall not be used to clean or sweep hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, parking areas and driveways, unless an approved water conservation broom is used and only as necessary to protect public health and safety. 
• Car washing is permitted only with the use of a nozzle having an automatic shut-off.
• Restaurants shall only serve water upon request.
• Hotels & motels shall offer multi-night guests the option to retain towels and linens during their stay.

The public may report violations by calling (818) 251-2180.

Violations of the adopted measures will escalate from a warning letter for the first violation up to fines and restriction or termination of service after repeated violations.

More conservation details and information about potential “water budgets” may be found at http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/LVMWD-water-conservation.html  or www.LVMWD.com.   

The City of Calabasas is proud to be hosting the 11th annual Method Fest independent film festival from March 26 to April 2, 2009.  The Method Fest features American and foreign feature films and short films.  It is the only major film festival in the U.S. focusing on acting, celebrating breakout acting performances in story driven independent films.  The Method Fest takes great pride in being a discovery festival, looking to help launch the works of young fresh filmmakers and to discover breakthrough performances by young, bold new actors.  More than 120 films that have premiered or played at The Method Fest have received distribution.  The Method Fest schedule for the 2009 festival will be released shortly and ticket information will also be available at the official Method Fest website.  To inquire about purchasing a Festival Pass, please call (310) 535-9230.

The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center is hosting the 3rd annual, free St. Patrick's Day Event and Open House on Saturday, March 14, 2009 to say "Thank You" to the community for all their support over the last several years.  The event will take place from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. and everyone is welcome to join the festivities!  The event will feature live music, food, activities, contests, games and drawings for a number of prizes.   The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center is located at 27040 Malibu Hills Road in Calabasas.  For more information, please call the Community Center at (818) 880-2993.

The City of Calabasas will host the annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Gates Canyon Park located at 25801 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Calabasas.  A fun tree planting activity for children starts at 9:30a.m.  There will also be a Los Angeles County Smart Gardening workshop beginning at 9:30a.m.  The workshop will feature information about how to get a great looking yard while using less water, energy and wasting fewer resources. Get tips on backyard composting, worm composting, grass recycling, water-wise gardening, and fire-wise gardening. Interested Los Angeles County residents can also purchase a backyard composting bin and a worm composting bin at discounted prices.  The official Arbor Day Ceremony and Tree Planting will take place at 11:00a.m.  The event is free and residents are welcome to get involved in helping to create a beautiful and healthy environment in Calabasas.  For more information about the Arbor Day Celebration, please call (818) 224-1600.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted in 2008 to implement an area code overlay in the 818 area code.  Beginning April 18, 2009, all calls placed from the 818 area code will require 11 digit dialing (1 + area code+ the seven digit phone number).   Before April 17, 2009, all 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.  Beginning April 18, 2009, residents in the 818 area code must use the new dialing procedure for all calls. 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.  Phone numbers with the new 747 area code may be issued beginning May 18, 2009.  Please note that adding “1” and the area code when dialing calls, and the ultimate addition of the new 747 area code, does not change the cost of the call; calls that are in a resident's local calling area continue to remain local calls.  Residents may still dial three digits to reach 911, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811.

The 2008 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Awards were handed out during an Environmental Commission meeting on February 3, 2009 to four groups and one individual. 

Cindy Kamin-Brenek was given the award in recognition of her tireless efforts to promote education of resource conservation and recycling at Castlebay Lane Elementary School in Northridge.  The Girl Scouts of the San Fernando Valley were honored for their commitment to protect the environment, preserve wildlife, recycle solid waste and clean-up area creeks.   The Aerospace Cancer Museum of Education, open since May 2008, was given the award for their efforts to raise awareness about the serious impacts to the environment and public health from nuclear and aerospace operations.  The California Wildlife Center  is a Calabasas organization that rescues, treats,  and reintroduces injured animals into the wild while working to educate the public about the risks that animals face in urban environment.  The award was also given to the Cornell Preservation Organization for their commitment to protect the environment and to restore and clean-up creeks and canyons.

The Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award was established in memory of former Environmental Commissioner, Carl Gibbs.  Gibbs was one of the founders of Calabasas and served on the Environmental Committee and then on the Environmental Commission for 15 years. He was an advocate for protecting the environment and preserving Calabasas’ open space. The Gibbs Award is a symbol of commitment for environmental stewardship and honors those who work to benefit our environment.

2009 SPRING SUMMER RECREATION BROCHURE, REGISTRATION & MARCH TEEN COURT

The City of Calabasas Recreation department is once again publishing a combined Spring and Summer Recreation brochure for 2009.  The double issue, mailed to residents and available online after March 9, 2009, will give families a chance to plan early for summertime activities and classes while also taking advantage of all the spring recreation opportunities in the City.  The new brochure features detailed information about adult and youth classes, senior citizen programs, community news and information, sports activities and much more.   For more information about Calabasas recreation opportunities or for help with class registration, please call the Recreation department at (818) 880-6461.

Registration for Spring 2009 T-Ball for ages 5-6 and Coach Pitch for ages 7-8 is currently taking place at Juan Bautista De Anza Park on weekdays from 8:00a.m. to 5:30p.m. and will continue through March 9, 2009 or until leagues are filled.

Please note that Calabasas Teen Court is back in session on Thursday, March 19, 2009.   The location is at the Founders Hall inside the Calabasas Library, 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas. All high school students are welcome to serve on the jury.  Participation as a juror in Teen Court is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate ability for self-government and responsible citizenship.  Community Services hours are earned for participation. For more information about Teen Court, please call Michelle Lee at (818) 880-6461.

The City of Calabasas is currently accepting applications for the second cycle of the 2008-2009 Community Service Grants program.  The program was established 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 501 c (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.

The current grant cycle will be open for applications from March 2, 2009 until March 30, 2009.  Applications may be mailed or brought to Calabasas City Hall, 100 Civic Center Way, Calabasas, CA 91302. Please note that faxes and late proposals will NOT be accepted.  Please read grant guidelines carefully.

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, March 7, 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, March 21, 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, March 14, 2009 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 to 2:00p.m. For more information, please contact the City of Calabasas Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator at (818) 224-1600.

A second meeting of the new Calabasas Library Book Club for adults will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 6:30p.m. at the Calabasas Library.  The March book choice is Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking by Malcom Gladwell. 

Membership in the book club is free however a library card is required to participate.   For more information and to take part in the club book choice survey, please call Caroline Russom at (818) 225-7616 or email crussom@cityofcalabasas.com.

The City of Calabasas and the Lost Hills Disaster Communications Service would like to invite the public to attend an Amateur Ham Radio Study and Exam Session for an Entry Level FCC License on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.   The class will take place from 9:30a.m. to 3:00p.m. and the exam will begin at 3:00p.m. and last one hour.  There is a $25.00 class fee that includes class expenses 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) 224-1600 or dlarson@cityofcalabasas.com.

The City of Calabasas Environmental Services Division and the Los Angeles County Public Works Department will jointly host a free tire recycling collection event on March 21, 2009 from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.  The collection will be held at the dirt lot next to the Mobil gas station at 4830 Las Virgenes Road behind the fence of the 101 Southbound on-ramp.

An estimated 1.5 million waste tires have been illegally dumped or stockpiled in California. Proper disposal reduces the threat to public health, safety, and the environment. Recycled tires can be incorporated in rubberized asphalt concrete. This road material can reduce costs, noise, and environmental impact.

The collection event is open to Los Angeles County residents only.  No tires from businesses will be accepted.   Participants will receive a 15% discount coupon on their next purchase of Bridgestone or Firestone tires.  Please visit the  LA County Public Works website for more information about the event.

The Calabasas Teen Activities Council (TAC), a Calabasas volunteer organization consisting of high school students dedicated to helping their community and peers, is hosting a  free Family Movie Night featuring the hit film Kung Fu Panda on Saturday, March 7, 2009 in Founders Hall at the Calabasas Library, 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas (map).  Doors open at 6:30p.m. and the movie, which is rated PG, will begin at 7:00p.m. and run until approximately 8:35p.m.  Admission is free however seating is limited so please arrive early.  For more information,  please call (818) 880-6461.

Catherine Mulholland, author of the book Calabasas Lives, will speak and sign books in the Multi-purpose room at the Calabasas Library on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.  Ms. Mulholland is also the author of Calabasas Girls: An Intimate History and the granddaughter of the famous engineer William Mulholland. Books will be for sale at the event. The event is sponsored by the Calabasas Historical Society.  The Calabasas Library is located at 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas.   For more information, please call (818) 225-7616.

Conejo Players Theatre - Thousand Oaks
    The Music Man
    Through March 7, 2009
    Thurs., Fri. & Sat. at 8:00p.m.
    Sun. at 2:00p.m.
    
Madrid Theatre - Canoga Park
     March 2009 Calendar

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza- Thousand Oaks
     March 2009 Calendar
     

Between now and June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.   The previous February 17, 2009 deadline was extended however some stations outside of Los Angeles have already switched over.

If you do not have a digital television, Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after June 12, 2009.  The Program allows U.S. household to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.

Consumers have a variety of options including:
1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after June 12, 2009, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite of other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.

You can visit the official Digital Television Transition website for information on whether or not you need a converter box, to obtain a coupon, for FAQ's and more information on the transition.

The City of Calabasas will host the annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.  The event is free and will take place at the Las Virgenes Creek restoration site on Agoura Road and Las Virgenes Road behind the Starbucks.   The festival will feature wildlife presentations, entertainment, learning booths, informational speakers, and activities that focus on the environment.  For additional information about the Calabasas Earth Day Festival, please call (818) 224-1600.

CTV will provide extensive LIVE coverage of election results on election night, March 3, 2009, beginning just after polls close at 8:00p.m.  This special presentation will be hosted by John Loesing and will feature reporting by Pablo Pereira, candidate interviews, in-depth election analysis from current and former City Council members and up-to-the-minute election results. Results will also be available online throughout the evening.

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:

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

Host, Laureen Morick, of the Calabasas Arts Council, talks with local artist, Dough Webb. Tune in to see Mr. Webb's amazing artwork, and learn about his technique.  For more on Doug Webb visit his website at www.dougwebbart.com

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 March, please visit our Calendar Page.