- Calabasas, California
Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Calabasas
other_name =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Calabasas in Los Angeles County,California
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 =California
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Los Angeles
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_type =
leader_title =Mayor
leader_name = Mary Sue Maurer [cite web | url = http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/council.html | title = Calabasas City Council | accessdate = 2007-01-17]
leader_title1 =
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established_title =
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established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
established_date3 =1991-04-05 [cite web | url = http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc | title = Incorporation Dates of California Cities | accessdate = 2007-01-18]
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 34.07
area_total_sq_mi = 13.15
area_land_km2 = 33.94
area_land_sq_mi = 13.10
area_water_km2 = 0.13
area_water_sq_mi = 0.05
area_water_percent = 0.39
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
settlement_type =City
population_footnotes =cite web | url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=Calabasas&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 | title = Calabasas city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder | accessdate = 2007-01-17]
population_total = 28,033
population_density_km2 = 590.3
population_density_sq_mi = 1528.8
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 34 |latm = 8 |lats = 18 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 39 |longs = 39 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 283
elevation_ft = 928
postal_code_type =ZIP Code
postal_code = 91301, 91302, 91372, 91399 [cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=Calabasas | title = USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results | accessdate = 2007-01-17]
area_code = 818 [cite web | url = http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Calabasas | title = Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results | accessdate = 2007-01-18]
website = [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/ http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/]
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-09598
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0239994
footnotes =Calabasas is a city in
Los Angeles County, California in the westernUnited States . As of the 2000 census, the city population was 23,123. The city was formally incorporated in 1991.Leonis Adobe , theadobe structure on 23537 Calabasas Road, dates from 1844 and is one of the oldest buildings in the greater LA area. [cite web|url=http://you-are-here.com/building/leonis_adobe.html|title=Los Angeles architecture photo gallery] An extensive 2006 Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance [ [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/secondhandsmoke.html Secondhand Smoking Ordinance ] ] caused the city to receive international attention.Fact|date=July 2008Name
It is generally accepted that Calabasas means "pumpkin," "squash," or "gourd," derived from the Spanish "calabaza". Some historians hold the theory that Calabasas is a translation of the Chumash word "calahoosa."
The City's official logo, depicting the red-tailed hawk flying over the Santa Monica Mountains, symbolizes a commitment to preserving the community's natural beauty and semi-rural quality of life. The City logo is featured on the Calabasas City flag which is flown in front of City Hall and hangs in the City Council Chambers.
Communities
Vista Pointe is located along the transverse ranges that run parallel to and in between the 101 Freeway and Parkway Calabasas Road.
From Parkway Calabasas: Vista Pointe, Calabasas Hills, Calabasas Park Estates,Calabasas Country Estates, The Oaks, Westridge.
From Park Granada or
Mulholland Drive : Mulholland Heights, Mulwood, Las Villas, Bellagio, The Ridge, Creekside, Clairidge, Calabasas Highlands, Mountain Park, Cold Creek, Park Moderne a.k.a. 'The Bird Streets'.From Las Virgenes: Deer Springs, Stone Creek, El Encanto, Archstone, Mountain View, Mont Calabasas, Malibu Canyon Park, The Colony at Calabasas.
Civic Center
In July 2008 under the financial leadership of Dr. Gary Lysik, Chief Financial Officer for Calabasas, the City completed construction of a brand new civic center and library complex. Located at 100 Civic Center Way, the two building complex is the first municipal-owned and constructed 'green' civic center structure in the state of California. It is estimated that the complex cost approximately $45,000,000 to complete. This figure includes the outright purchase of the land on which the complex sits.
Public services
Calabasas funds its own public transportation in the form of a shuttle and trolley service [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/departments/transportation.html#shuttle2] . It augments the service provided by the LACMTA: line 161 [http://www.mta.net/images/161.pdf] and funds its own
library [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/departments/library.html] (as opposed to using the County library system), runs the [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/recreation/tennisswim.html Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center] , has a protected and maintained historical district called [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/vtour/old-town/oldtown01.html "Old Town Calabasas"] , and funds an award-winning government access television channel called [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/ctv.html CTV - The Calabasas Channel] .Brandon's Village Universally Accessible Playground
[http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/recreation/brandons.html Brandon’s Village] is a universally accessible playground at Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas that serves over 5,000 special needs children from Calabasas and the surrounding communities. Designed by Shane’s Inspiration, a non-profit organization that designs and builds universally accessible playgrounds, [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/recreation/brandons.html Brandon’s Village] is about one acre in size and all playground equipment is over 70% independently playable for children with disabilities and will also provide meaningful and stimulating play opportunities for able-bodied children. [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/recreation/brandons.html Brandon’s Village] opened in 2006 thanks to a generous donation from the Friedman Charitable Trust.
Environmental stewardship
Safeguarding the environment and the protection of open space has been a longstanding priority for the residents of Calabasas. Calabasas played a vital role in the 10-year battle to save Ahmanson Ranch, a convert|2983|acre|km2 property in the Simi Hills in Ventura County nestled at the western edge of the San Fernando Valley, from development. The land was sold by Seattle-based Washington Mutual to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in late 2003 for $150 million. Ahmanson Ranch is now known as the [http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=28 Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve] and is protected from further development.
Calabasas voters overwhelmingly passed [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/election2005/Special-Election/R2005-954%20Open%20Space%20-%20Adopted%20ordinance.pdf Measure D] in 2005. The ordinance protects and preserves the existing areas of Open Space in Calabasas by requiring two-thirds voter approval before any land in the City designated as Open Space may be redesignated for another use.
In 2007, the [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/council.html Calabasas City Council] adopted [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/environmental/PDF/Calabasas_Ordinance_No_2007-233.pdf Ordinance 2007-233] banning retail food establishments, nonprofit food providers and City facilities from using food packaging materials made of expanded polystyrene, known popularly by the trademark name Styrofoam. The ordinance requires food service establishments in Calabasas to start using environmentally acceptable packaging by
March 31 ,2008 , and report on-going compliance with this ordinance on the first business day of each calendar year.Technology center
During the
dot-com bubble , a number of technology companies appeared on a stretch of Agoura Rd. parallel to the 101 Freeway, leading that area of Calabasas to develop a reputation as the "101 Technology Corridor". These businesses included computer-networking companiesXylan (laterAlcatel ),Netcom Systems (later Spirent Communications}, Ixia Communications,j2 Global Communications , andTekelec , as well as video-game publisherTHQ , and software companiesDigital Insight andNetSol Technologies . [http://www.johnston-group.com/corporate_center.asp] [http://www.klinehawkes.com/news/OvertureFast50.pdf] [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_n46_v13/ai_11802884] [http://www.larta.org/pl/NewsArticles/02_04_15_LATIMES_101Corridor.htm] Although some of these companies have since relocated, been acquired, or ceased their operations, the area continues to be home to a significant technology presence.econdhand Smoke Ordinance
In February 2006, under the leadership of then-Mayor Barry Groveman, Calabasas enacted the [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/secondhandsmoke.html Comprehensive Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance] which prohibits smoking in all public places in the City of Calabasas where other persons can be exposed to second-hand smoke. These places include indoor and outdoor businesses, hotels, parks, apartment common areas, restaurants and bars where people can be reasonably expected to congregate or meet. Under the law, smoking outside in public areas within the city is restricted to select "Designated Smoking Areas." The law went into effect in
March 16 ,2006 , garnering much local and national media attention. The full text of the ordinance may be found at Calabasas' official website. [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/pdf/agendas/council/2006/021506/item2-O2006-217.pdf]The Comprehensive Second-Hand Smoke Control Ordinance has been expanded in the beginning of 2008 requiring 80% of rental apartment buildings to be permanently designated as non-smoking units by January 1, 2012.
Geography
Calabasas is located at coor dms|34|8|18|N|118|39|39|W|city (34.138363, -118.660917).GR|1
The city is located at the northwestern part of the
San Fernando Valley and comprises a portion of theSanta Monica Mountains . It is convert|22|mi|km away from Downtown Los Angeles. It is bordered by the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles to the northeast, Topanga to the southeast, Malibu to the south, Agoura Hills to the west, and Hidden Hills to the north. The historic El Camino Real runs east-west through Calabasas asU.S. Route 101 .Calabasas is often considered similar to its neighboring two cities to the east, Woodland Hills and Topanga, because of similar demographics, size, geography, and low-density general plans. Calabasas is unique from these two for its extensively developed independent infrastructure.
According to the
United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 34.1 km² (13.1 mi²). 33.9 km² (13.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.38%) is water.During hot seasons of the year, the weather is almost always 6-8 °F cooler in the city of Calabasas compared to the bordering community of Woodland Hills because the Calabasas Hills form a barrier against the heat of the
San Fernando Valley , and nearby canyons funnel cool air to the area from thePacific Ocean .Part of the city, near Calabasas High School, has all of its streets named patriotically. There is Declaration Ave., America Way, Liberty Bell St., Paul Revere Dr., Founder's Dr., etc.
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Calabasas is Park Moderne, or the Bird Streets. A former artist colony, remnants remain of the club house, pool and cabins scattered across streets with bird names, such as Meadow Lark, Blackbird, Bluebird and Hummingbird.
Demographics
As of 2005, there were 23,123 people, 8,350 households, and 5,544 families residing in the city. The
population density was 590.4/km² (1,528.8/mi²). There were 8,350 housing units at an average density of 218.9/km² (566.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.92% White, 1.18% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 7.71% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.31% from other races, and 2.71% from two or more races. 4.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.The city, much like some surrounding areas and into parts of the West San Fernando Valley, has a concentration of
Jew s and Persians. Many of the people of the two ethnic groups mentioned are second and third-generation Americans.There were 8,350 households out of which 44.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $93,860, and the median income for a family was $107,330. Males had a median income of $87,049 versus $46,403 for females. The
per capita income for the city was $48,189. About 2.1% of families and 3.3% of the population were below thepoverty line , including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.Politics
In the state legislature Calabasas is located in the 23rd Senate District, represented by Democrat
Sheila Kuehl , and in the 41st Assembly District, represented by DemocratJulia Brownley . Federally, Calabasas is located inCalifornia's 30th congressional district , which has a Cook PVI of D +20 [cite web | title = Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest? | publisher = Campaign Legal Center Blog | url=http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html | accessdate = 2008-02-10] and is represented by DemocratHenry Waxman .Education
Calabasas residents are zoned to schools in the
Las Virgenes Unified School District .It is known among long-time residents that the infamous
Menendez brothers attended and graduated from the local high school, Calabasas High School, prior to moving to Beverly Hills.Between the years of 1997 and 2001 [http://calabasashigh.com/ Calabasas High School] had hired a new principal at the beginning of every school year.
In January 2004, A. C. Stelle Middle School was opened on the corner of
Mulholland Highway and Paul Revere Ave.Calabasas is also home to the private [http://www.viewpoint.org/ Viewpoint School]
Famous residents
*
Denise Richards , actress and former model who also has her own reality show ""
*Will Smith ,Academy Award nominated actor andGrammy Award -winningrapper .
*Aly & AJ Michalka, sisters who are actresses, singers, and songwriters.
*Jessica Simpson andNick Lachey lived in a Calabasas mansion where their reality television show "" was filmed before their divorce
*Dylan and Cole Sprouse from "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody "
*Ming-Na , actress, star of "ER", "Mulan ", "The Joy Luck Club", etc.
*Jerry O'Connell , actor, star of "Crossing Jordan ", "Carpoolers ", "Sliders ", etc.
*Melissa Gilbert , actress, star of "Little House on the Prairie", and president of theScreen Actors Guild (two terms from 2001 to 2005)
*James Horner , composer of film scores for "Titanic,Braveheart , Apollo 13"
*Howie Mandel , star of "Deal or No Deal"
*Jan and Timothy Bateman, famous doctor and nurse duo"*
John Melendez , "Stuttering John" fromThe Howard Stern Show , and announcer forThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
*Justin Berfield , star ofMalcolm in the Middle
*Brandon Boyd andJosé Pasillas , Lead singer and drummer of the alternative rock bandIncubus .
*Rob Bourdon drummer of thediamond award winningLinkin Park
*Erin Cahill , actress, well known for playingJen Scotts in .
*Derek Fisher , basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers
*Travis Barker , drummer ofblink-182 , and many other bands
*Richard Matheson , writer
*Meena Kayum , writer
*Catherine Bell , Actress, Movie, The Good Witch, TV SeriesJAG , currently starring inArmy Wives
*Nikki Sixx andTommy Lee , bassist and drummer ofMotley Crue
*Kim Porter , mother ofSean Combs childrenReferences
ee also
*
Smoking ban
*List of smoking bans
*Malibu Hindu Temple External links
* [http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/ Calabasas official website]
* [http://www.calabasaschamber.com/ Calabasas Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.conejovalley.com/communities/calabasas.html Calabasas @ The Official Conejo Valley Website] , a Web site with local history, events, and community information.
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