After years of planning and eighteen months of construction, the new Calabasas Civic Center will be opening in grand fashion this month.  To celebrate, the City is inviting the entire community to mark this significant community milestone during a Grand Opening Celebration weekend.  

On the evening of Saturday, July 12, 2008, the City will be hosting a special fundraising Gala to benefit the Calabasas Library.  The semi-formal cocktail party will feature numerous selections of butlered hors d’ oeuvres, gourmet dessert buffet stations, various bar beverages including vintage wines and cappuccino bar, three different areas with live music, and special advance tours of the Library and City Hall.    

Gala tickets are $200.00 per person.  For tickets or additional information about the Gala, please contact John Bingham at (818) 224-1600 or  jbingham@cityofcalabasas.com.

On Sunday, July 13, 2008, the City will be holding a FREE family-friendly Grand Opening Celebration for the new Civic Center.  The Open House and Ribbon Cutting will begin at 10:00a.m. and feature an official dedication ceremony, complimentary food and refreshments, and open house tours of the City's new "Green" 25,000 square foot Calabasas Library, Founder's Hall banquet room, 27,000 square foot City Hall, and outdoor amphitheater.  The spacious new Library features space for over 90,000 volumes of reading material.  The Library also has over thirty technology stations with computers, a gas fireplace, a spacious reading room, and special young adult and children’s areas.  The Calabasas Civic Center is one of the most environmentally sustainable municipal complexes in the nation and represents a new hub, right next to the Commons, for City activities.  The free Open House event will be held from 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Civic Center site at 100/200 Civic Center Way (formerly Park Centre) next to the Commons at Calabasas.   Directions to the new Civic Center are available online. Additional information about the Civic Center Grand Opening can be found on the Calabasas website. 

The Calabasas Library Park Sorrento location closed on Thursday, June 26, 2008 in order to move into the new 25,000 square foot facility. The Calabasas Library will re-open for regular business hours at 200 Civic Center Way (formerly Park Centre) on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 10:00am. 

The old Calabasas City Hall on Mureau Road will be closed to the public on July 16-18, 2008 for moving activities.  City staff will be busy on those days packing and unpacking files and supplies to ensure City Hall is ready for business the following week.  The new Calabasas City Hall at 100 Civic Center Way will be open for normal business hours (Monday-Thursday, 7:30a.m. - 5:30p.m.; Friday 7:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.) on Monday, July 21, 2008.  

Tickets are still available for the annual Calabasas 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular!  The show takes place at Calabasas High School (22855 W. Mulholland Hwy) on Friday, July 4, 2008.  Gates open at 5:00p.m. and the amazing fireworks show begins at 9:00p.m. The family-oriented, fun-filled event will feature live music from the band “Fast Times,” an exciting play zone for kids and the grand fireworks display which is now an additional 10 minutes longer!

Tickets are $10 and include parking, entertainment and all activities.  Children under 2 years of age are admitted free!  Tickets are available on a limited basis at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center (23400 Park Sorrento) and Juan Bautista De Anza Park (3701 Lost Hills Road) in Calabasas until 5:00p.m. on Friday, July 4 or until they sell out.  Please note that tickets will not be sold at the gate so please get tickets now to ensure a spot for the best fireworks show in the area!  Handicap parking and seating are also available. Delicious food and beverages will be offered for sale at the site. Please note that the Fireworks Spectacular is an alcohol and tobacco free zone. No bottles, pets or umbrellas are permitted. 

July 4 in Calabasas starts with the 31st Annual Lakeside Fun Run, sponsored in part by the Calabasas Park Homeowners Association, which will take place along Calabasas Lake behind the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center beginning at 8:00a.m.  After the Fun Run, the always popular 4th of July Pet Show will be held at 11:00a.m. at the greenbelt adjacent to the Tennis & Swim Center featuring pet adoptions and pet contests in several categories.  The Summer Splash Party, featuring games, swimming, free use of tennis courts, a barbeque, music and dancing will take place at the Tennis & Swim Center from 11:00a.m. - 5:30p.m. 

For more information about the 4^th of July Spectacular and other events that day in Calabasas, please visit http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/events/fireworks.html.  

As of July 1, 2008, all drivers in California are prohibited from using handheld cell phones while operating an automobile.   Drivers who are over the age of 18 will still be able to use hands-free devices for making telephone calls while driving. Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any type of phone while driving including those with hands-free features.  The new law permits a driver to use a cell phone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.  If cited by a police officer, drivers violating the new cell phone law face a fine of $20 for the first offense and a fine of $50 for repeated offenses.  Additional information about the new cell phone law can be found on the California Department of Motor Vehicles website.

On June 19, 2008, the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) conducted their final meeting to conclude work on the draft 2030 General Plan update.  Staff would like to thank all participating GPAC members for their hard work and dedication over the past eighteen months.  Final preparations are being made by Planning staff and the consultant team to present the final draft General Plan to the Planning Commission in August and September, followed by the City Council in October.  Currently, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being prepared as part of the General Plan update process, and the draft EIR is scheduled to be circulated for public review in early July.  Pending approval and adoption of the new General Plan, the Calabasas Development Code update is on track to be completed by the end of the year. 

The City of Calabasas invites the public to a screening of the hit film "Transformers" at the 5th annual Dive-In Movie Night at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center on Friday, July 18, 2008.  So grab a movie ticket, swimsuit and towel, beach chair and a swim noodle and join the fun.  The Water's Edge Cafe will be open during the film.  Seating is limited and free tickets (one per person) are currently available at the Tennis and Swim Center Front Desk.  Gates will open at 6:00p.m., games begin at 7:00p.m. and the film will begin at 8:30p.m.   For more information, please call (818) 222-2782.

The Calabasas annual street overlay program began on June 30, 2008.  A list of streets to be maintained is available online.  Each resident or business on an affected street has been notified  on anticipated work and will be updated on any schedule changes. Construction will continue through early August.  Residents and businesses on the streets listed for work who did not receive a notice can  contact “Sully-Miller Contracting” at (800) 431-9842 or (714) 720-7453 for further information.   
 

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.  Alternative parking streets are also listed on the notices if needed.   Residents requiring special accommodations are asked to please contact “Sully-Miller Contracting” at (800) 431-9842. 

On Saturday, July 19, 2008, the Calabasas Library will be holding a special Summer Reading Program Kickoff with a full day of events in the new Library at 200 Civic Center Way in Calabasas.  At 11:00a.m., juggler David Cousin will perform in the Library Meeting Room for all ages.  There will be a family story-time and children’s author readings with Alva Sachs at 1:00p.m. in the children’s story-time area.  There will be an anime movie for teens at 1:00p.m. in the Library Meeting Room with free  refreshments and other surprises.  The series is unrated and no one under 12 years of age will be admitted.  At 2:00pm, the always popular Paws for Reading therapy dogs will be at the library.  The Summer Reading Program runs from July 19 - August 17, 2008.  For more information, please visit http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/library.html.

The annual Calabasas Beach Bus is currently running on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until August 22, 2008.  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!  There is no beach bus service on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays or on Friday, July 4th.  

The 3rd annual Make a Splash Swim Meet will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2008 from 1:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center.  Hosted by the City of Calabasas and the Calabasas Park Homeowner's Association, the fun-filled swim meet will feature plenty of swim contests and will be followed by a Family BBQ where awards from the swim meet will be handed out.   Registration is $15 per child and $20 per adult before August 3, 2008. After that, registration is $20 per child and $25 per adult. Registration includes the swim registration fee, refreshments during the meet, a special event towel, and admission to the BBQ and awards ceremony.   For more information about the Make a Splash Swim Meet, please call (818) 222-2782.

The 2008 Fire Season has begun and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Los Angeles County Fire Department ask that residents make sure they are prepared for the upcoming dry season.  Please ensure that brush is cleared at least 100 feet around property and that family evacuation plans are in place in case of a wildfire.  For further information on fire preparation, brush clearance and how to stay safe in the event of a fire, contact the Los Angeles County Fire Department at (323) 881-2411 or visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website at http://www.fire.ca.gov.

There are a number of ways to save energy throughout the long, hot summer in Calabasas.  A key energy-saving tip is to set thermostats at the highest comfortable setting.  Typical settings are 78 degrees for summer cooling.  Air conditioning operating costs increase 3% to 8% for each degree a thermostat is raised.  Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near the thermostat, including lamps, televisions, and stereo and computer equipment.  

The easiest way to ensure an air conditioning system is operating efficiently is by keeping the air filter clean.  Keeping shades and curtains drawn will also reduce radiant heat from the sun inside homes and businesses.  Windows and doors should always be shut while air conditioning is running.  Replacing older, inefficient windows and doors can also lower energy costs and will extend the life of an air conditioning system. Windows with more efficient low-E glass reduces the sun's warming rays.  Please note that a permit is required when replacing windows and doors.  For more home and  business energy saving tips, please visit http://www.energysavers.gov.  

The City of Calabasas has released revised schedules for 2008 summertime public transportation services. Line 1 continues unchanged and Line 2 – Line 7 have all begun summer service.  Lines 2, 3 and 4 continue to provide looping service for students needing to attend Sumac Elementary School and Agoura High School.  Lines 5, 6 and 7 provide access to A.E. Wright Middle School. The revised public transit service benefits the local schools hosting summer school and riders attending the summer camps.  As always, the summer transportation service is provided at no cost to riders. The revised routes and schedules are available for viewing and downloading under the Public Works Department website.  Please contact Amir at (818) 878-4225, ext. 289 with any questions. 

SUMMER RECREATION BROCHURE

The City of Calabasas Recreation department's Summer Recreation brochure for 2008 is still available.  The double issue, mailed to residents and online, gives families a chance to enjoy a multitude of local summertime activities and classes.  The brochure features detailed information about adult and youth classes, senior citizen programs, community news and information, sports activities and much more.

Registration for open classes is still available online.  For more information about Calabasas recreation opportunities or for help with class registration, please call the Recreation department at (818) 880-6461.

The City is holding a free electronic waste collection on Saturday, July 5, 2008 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.

On Saturday, July 12, 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) 878-4225.

Calabasas Civic Center Amphitheater - Premiere Event
      Conviction
     By Oren Neeman From the novel "Confession” by Yonatan 
     Ben-Nachum, translated by Ami Dayan and Mark Williams. 
     Directed by Ami Dayan
      July 21, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
     Calabasas Civic Center Amphitheatre
      Click here to order tickets
     For more information, please call (805) 667-2900.

Conejo Players Theatre - Thousand Oaks
      The Odd Couple (Female Version)
     Through July 19
     Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00p.m.
     July 13 - Sunday at 2:00p.m.
    
Madrid Theatre - Canoga Park
     July 2008 Calendar

Scherr Forum Theatre - Thousand Oaks
     July 2008 Calendar

Stage Door Theatre - Agoura Hills
     No Sex Please, We're British
     By Anthony Marriott & Alistair Foot
     Through July 12
     Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00p.m.
     July 6 - Sunday at 2:00p.m.
     For reservations, please call (818) 889-5209.

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.

Premiering this month on CTV:

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



Host Karyn Foley's guest is Robert H. Wells author of:
"We All Have A Story To Tell" Book I & II

Calabasas City Hall will be closed on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.  City Hall will also be closed to the public on July 16-18, 2008 and will resume normal business hours on July 21, 2008 for the move to the new Civic Center.





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
July, please visit our Calendar Page.