STATE SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION

The state is seeking to identify candidates for a new State-wide Citizens Redistricting Commission.   Applications are due by Friday, February 12, 2010.  Based upon the Census taken every 10 years, the State’s population is divided evenly into districts for the State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization. This is called redistricting.  In California, the State Legislature had historically handled this.  Beginning in 2011, a citizens commission will be in charge of redrawing these maps.  The commission will be comprised of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four members registered with other political parties or independent.

To qualify, a candidate must:

·         Be a registered voter in California for at least the last five years with the same party (or non-party) affiliation;

·         Have voted in at least two of the last three statewide general elections; and

·         Have relevant analytical skills, be impartial and appreciate California’s diversity.

The 14 commissioners will be selected by December 31, 2010.  Once selected, the commissioners will hold meetings around the State to listen to residents describe their communities, neighborhoods and what issues are important to them.  The commission will use this information and draw district maps with an equal number of people in each district.  The public hearing period runs from January 1, 2011 to September 15, 2011.  The commissioners may spend 10-40 hours a week or more on their responsibilities, and will be paid $300 per day, plus reimbursement of personal expenses. 

Visit http://www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov to view the application and find out more about this important role and process vital to California’s future. 

During his 2010 State of the City address, Mayor Jonathon Wolfson declared 2010 as the "Year of the Volunteer" in Calabasas.  The City of Calabasas and the Mountains Restoration Trust are providing an opportunity to join that effort through participation in a creek clean-up event on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.   During the clean-up, volunteers will remove trash and artificial barriers from Las Virgenes Creek between Agoura Road and Meadow Creek Lane.  Sierra Towing Company will be assisting volunteers to remove heavy objects from the creek. 

Participants are invited to meet on Lost Hills Road between Malibu Hill Road and Cold Springs Road (south of Steeplechase HOA).  Volunteers are asked to wear shoes or boots that can get wet during the event.  Organizers will provide all volunteers with garbage bags and gloves for the clean-up.  For more information, please contact Alex Farassati at (818) 224-1680.

During the recent heavy rains in January, the City of Calabasas activated an emergency flood response personnel team that monitored different parts of Calabasas for any signs of flooding.  The purpose of the Calabasas Flood Control Operation was to provide, maintain, and operate adequate and safe flood control facilities. It was also meant to assist in preparation of potential future flood emergencies.  The main streets in Calabasas, such as Calabasas Road and Mulholland Highway, were among the first to experience minor flooding and debris flows from the heavy rain.  Teams responded to these issues and to additional problems along side streets throughout the City until the rains had fully passed.  The storms dropped nearly seven inches of rain and represented a record week for rainfall in Calabasas.  With additional rainfall possible over the coming weeks, residents are reminded that local fire department stations have sandbags available for residents in advance of winter storms.

The California Highway Patrol (West Valley Area) currently receives funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) in an effort to reduce drunk driving accidents.  Among the targeted, high-collision areas for increased DUI enforcement is a 28-mile segment of US-101 in Los Angeles County which includes Calabasas.  From 2005-2007, 19 people lost their lives and 619 people were injured in DUI-involved collisions on the US-101 between North Hollywood and Westlake Village.

A task force of local elected officials, community members, and other government partners will meet on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 to look at the broad picture of DUI, and how to address DUI issues along the corridor.  Members of the business community who are impacted by traffic on the 101 are encouraged to attend.   The meeting will be held at the Warner Center Hilton, 6360 Canoga Avenue in Woodland Hills and begins at 10:00a.m. For more information, please call (818) 888-0980, ext. 224.

Big ideas will fill the Scherr Forum at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on March 27, 2010 when TEDxConejo brings together some of the most interesting people in our community for a day of talks, entertainment and conversation.  TEDxConejo is produced in association with the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) and open to college and high school students, educators, parents, and the general public.

TEDxConejo is based on the principle that there are great ideas, extraordinary people and amazing work being done in southern California.  The talks presented on March 27 will be recorded and some may ultimately be posted as TEDTalks on the main TED website.  TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, is a nonprofit organization devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading."  Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives.

Individuals interested in attending must apply to participate and can register their interest at www.tedxconejo.com. General admission is $40. Students and educators with valid ID are $10. Tickets will be on sale through the Civic Arts Center box office as of February 1, 2010.  For more information contact, please call 310-962-1102 or visit www.tedxconejo.com.

Registration is now available at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center for Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction classes provided through the American Red Cross beginning in April.  The schedule of classes is available here. The Lifeguard classes are designed for those who desire to earn their American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. Participants will learn basic life saving skills including water rescues, CPR for The Professional Rescuer, AED and First Aid training.   The Water Safety Instruction classes help participants earn their American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification. The primary purpose is to help people learn to be safe when they are in, on or near water. The program covers skills and knowledge in logical progression for aquatic skill development.

Official course registration forms are available online and at the Tennis & Swim Center.  Each course is $150.  Please note that participants must attend and complete all days listed, complete all physical tasks and challenges and complete and pass all written test to become certified in the course.  Successful Lifeguard course participants will be certified in Lifeguarding for three years, First Aid as a professional rescuer for three years and CPR AED for one year.  After the certification expires, a participant must re-certify. After completing the Water Safety course, participants may teach swim lessons from the very basic level of swimming to intermediate/advanced levels of swimming.

On January 5, 2010, the Calabasas Environmental Commission presented the 2009 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award to three individuals in different categories:

During his tenure at the Water District, Charles Caspary has demonstrated a high level of commitment to customers within LVMWD's service area. His leadership regarding water supplies, local, state, and national water issues, water conservation, and water policies has been a strong force in determining LVMWD's course during the past nine years.  As an art teacher at Lindero Canyon Middle School, Marilyn Fine is committed to not only sharing her love of art with her students but also encouraging them to use their creativity in order to make a difference in the community and their own future.  Robina Suwol is the Founder and Executive Director of California Safe Schools (CSS), a celebrated children's environmental health and environmental justice non-profit coalition of over fifty organizations located in Southern California committed to the health and safety of children, staff and community members who reside near school sites.  The Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award is a symbol of commitment to California’s environment and was established in memory of former Environmental Commissioner, Carl Gibbs.

The Calabasas Library is host to two different age-specific book clubs that are open to the community.  Have a 3rd through 6th grader at home with an interest in reading?  The Library features a First Wednesday Book Club specifically for kids in grades 3-6.  Membership in the book club is free and the next meeting is on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 5:00p.m. at the Library to discuss the book The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron.  For more information, please call Jill Nevins at 818-225-7616 or email jnevins@cityofcalabasas.com.
 

The Second Thursday Library Book Club for adults will meet on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 6:30p.m. in the Calabasas Library.  The February book choice is The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.  Membership in the adult book club is also 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.

2010 SPRING SUMMER RECREATION BROCHURE, REGISTRATION & FEBRUARY TEEN COURT

Stumped about what recreation activities are available in the City of Calabasas? Make sure to check out the 2010 Winter Calabasas Recreation Brochure which was 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 2010 Winter Calabasas Recreation Brochure is also available online and paper copies are available at City Hall, the Agoura/Calabasas Community Center and the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center.   Classes run  through March 2010.   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 2010 T-Ball for ages 4-6 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 8, 2010 or until leagues are filled.

Please note that Calabasas Teen Court is back in session on Thursday, February 18, 2010.   The location is at the Founders Hall inside the Calabasas Library, 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas. All high school students are welcome to volunteer for jury service.  Participation as a juror in Teen Court is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate ability for self-government and responsible citizenship.  For more information about Teen Court, please call Michelle Lee 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, February 6, 2010), 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, February 20, 2010, 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, February 13, 2010 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.

Carlos Nieto, an artist and cartoonist who previously worked on “The Simpsons” and "King of the Hill" television programs, will be at the Calabasas Library on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 2:00p.m. to give a drawing and cartooning workshop for kids ages 10 and up.  Kids who love to draw or those wanting to learn how to draw are encouraged to come out and learn about the art of cartooning from an expert.  Mr. Nieto is trained in classical fine art as well as animation, architecture, and graphic design and is a Visual Artist in Residence at Healing Arts Reaching Kids (HARK), a non-profit organization created to fund and support the Artists Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.  For more information about the drawing and cartooning workshop, please call the Calabasas Library at (818) 225-7616.

On January 5, 2010 the Calabasas Environmental Commission honored a group of scout girls for participating in “A Day Without A Bag” which was held on December 17, 2009. The girls distributed more than 1,100 free reusable bags to shoppers at three Calabasas supermarkets to promote the use of reusable bags instead of disposable plastic bags. 

From left, Alex Siegel, Alex Wasserman, Emily Adelman, Lauren Ofman, Rachel Siegel, Krystal Gilbert, Abby Barber, Monica Schnieder and Rebecca Wilder.  Lindsay Palm and Amanda Solley received a certificate of recognition as well.   Most of the girls are from local Girl Scout Troops 219 and 1001. 

The first 500 registered participants in the 5k/10k or combo races will receive a custom embroidered HeadSweats Race Hat, and the first 1000 registered participants will receive a commemorative recycled-polyester shirt.  Watch for more updates and don't forget to register online today!  Please visit www.TalbertFamilyFoundation.org for more information on the Talbert Family Foundation and to see all the families that are being helped this year.

Conejo Players Theatre - Thousand Oaks
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Through February 20, 2010
Thurs, Fri & Sat at 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

Madrid Theatre - Canoga Park
     February 2010 Calendar

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza - Thousand Oaks

The Calabasas Library is featuring special events for children from kindergarten through 5th grade on Wednesdays this February.  Upcoming events include:
                                                                                                             
February 3 – Birds from the Ojai Raptor Rehab Center
February 10  – African Art and History with Leona Rankin

The events above take place on Wednesdays at 4:00p.m. and are free with no tickets required. 
For more information, please visit the Calabasas Library website or call (818) 225-7616 to speak with a member of the Library staff.

Every New Year’s Eve, Calabasas offers a special expansion of the Dial-A-Ride program available to all residents of Calabasas.  The service is called the Calabasas New Year’s Night Express and provides pickup and drop off for destinations within the City.   On New Year’s Eve 2008-2009, 10 people used the special program.  This past New Year’s Eve, the service was used by 101 residents resulting in a 910% increase from the year before.  While statewide DUI arrests jumped from 438 to 527 on New Year’s Eve, there were no DUI arrests by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in Calabasas and only 2 by the California Highway Patrol.  Thanks to all the residents who participated in keeping themselves, and Calabasas roads, safer on New Year’s by using the Calabasas New Year’s Night Express!

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 CTV archive.

Select CTV programming is now available on YouTube!

This month on CTV:

Your City, Your Issues
(View this program anytime with CTV Archiving)

Host John Loesing meets with world renowned environmentalist, conservationist and humanitarian Jane Goodall as she visits Headwaters Corner in Calabasas on October 26, 2009 as part of the
Roots & Shoots program for youths developed by the Jane Goodall Institute.

Calabasas City Hall will be closed  on Monday, February 15, 2010 for President's Day. 


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. 

Want City Agendas delivered to your email? Sign up at http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/connect.html.

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