Calabasas, California
| City of Calabasas | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Incorporated (city) | 1991-04-05[1] |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Barry Groveman[2] |
| Area | |
| - Total | 13.15 sq mi (34.07 km2) |
| - Land | 13.10 sq mi (33.94 km2) |
| - Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) 0.39% |
| Elevation | 928 ft (283 m) |
| Population (2000)[3] | |
| - Total | 28,033 |
| - Density | 1,528.8/sq mi (590.3/km2) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP Code | 91301, 91302, 91372, 91399[4] |
| Area code(s) | 818[5] |
| FIPS code | 06-09598 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0239994 |
| Website | cityofcalabasas.com |
Calabasas is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California in the western United States. It is located in the southwestern San Fernando Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 23,123. The city was formally incorporated in 1991.
The Leonis Adobe, an adobe structure in Old Town Calabasas, dates from 1844 and is one of the oldest buildings in the greater LA area.[6] An extensive 2006 Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance[7] caused the city to receive international attention.
Name
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. In honor of its namesake, the city's Chamber of Commerce holds an annual Pumpkin Festival in October, including carnival games, exhibits, demonstrations, and live entertainment. The festival has evolved from a small town fair to an annual event. Though the location of the Pumpkin Festival changes from year to year, the original festival was meant to have taken place where, according to legend, a traveling wagon carrying pumpkins overturned and started the area's first pumpkin patch.
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 101 Freeway and Parkway Calabasas Road.
From Parkway Calabasas: Westridge, Calabasas Hills, Calabasas Park Estates, Calabasas Country Estates, The Oaks.
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: Monte Nido, Deer Springs, Stone Creek, El Encanto, Archstone, Mont Calabasas, Malibu Canyon Park, The Colony at Calabasas, Calabasas View
From Lost Hills Road: Saratoga Hills, Saratoga Ranch, Deer Springs, Steeplechase, Mira Monte
Civic Center
In July 2008, the City completed construction of a Gold LEED certified 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.
The Civic Center complex contains:
Meeting rooms and an amphitheater
Public services
Calabasas funds its own public transportation in the form of a shuttle and trolley service.[8] It augments the service provided by the LACMTA: line 161[9] and funds its own library[10] (as opposed to using the County library system), runs the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center, and has a protected and maintained historical district called "Old Town Calabasas".
Events
The City sponsors many annual events including:
The Fourth of July Spectacular
Brandon's Village Universally Accessible Playground
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, Brandon’s Village is about 1-acre (4,000 m2) 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. Brandon’s Village opened in 2006.
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 2,983 acres (12.07 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 Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve and is protected from further development.
Calabasas voters overwhelmingly passed 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 Calabasas City Council adopted 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 medical technology company Atlas Development Corporation and several computer-networking companies Xylan (later Alcatel), Netcom Systems (later Spirent Communications), Ixia Communications, j2 Global Communications, and Tekelec, as well as video-game publisher THQ, and software companies Digital Insight and NetSol Technologies.[11][12][13][14] 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.
Notable residents
Calabasas was the long-time home of actor Clayton Moore who played The Lone Ranger on Television and Motion Pictures in the 1950s, and he was living there in 1999 when he suffered the heart attack that caused his death. Lady Gaga bought a six bedroom home In Calabasas that she Is moving to when she finishes her Monster Ball Tour. Calabasas is also the home of rock band Incubus- all five of their original members were born and raised in Calabasas. The Kardashians (including Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner) also live in Calabasas. Justin Berfield, Reese from "Malcolm in the Middle" TV Show. American rock legend Meat Loaf resides just outside of Calabasas, California, near Saddle Peak and Calabasas Peak. John Melendez of the Howard Stern Radio show, and currently the Jay Leno show resides in the community. The late rapper Tupac Shakur resided in Calabasas. Pop superstar Britney Spears lives in Calabasas with her two sons in the elite The Oaks Of Calabasas Community where a high ranking member of her security team also has a home. Platinum selling recording artist David McMillan recently purchased a sprawling estate in The Oaks Of Calabasas where he lives with his daughter and fiancé. Actor C. Thomas Howell lives in Calabasas with his wife and children, as does game show host and comedian Howie Mandel. Calabasas is the home of cuban jazz player Arturo Sandoval and Brandy Norwood and Leanne Rimes and the former home of pop singers Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. Many past and present pro athletes, including Derek Fisher, Mark Jackson, Rod Carew, Bret Saberhagen, Gary Grant and Mitch Richmond make Calabasas their home. In the 1970s, Calabasas was home to Dodgers Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Wes Parker, and Don Drysdale. Actors Dennis Weaver, Charles Bronson, Farrah Fawcett, Lee Majors, Lindsey Wagner, Linda Carter, Melissa Sue Anderson, Danny Bonaduce, Susan Dey, Jamie Farr, Loretta Swit, Larry Fine and many famous stunt men, producers, and musicians called Calabasas home. American model and actress, Donna Feldman, represented by Elite Models, was born (April 28, 1982) and raised in Calabasas, California. Producer and rapper Dr. Dre resided in a mansion in Calabasas around 1992.
Secondhand Smoke Ordinance
In February 2006, Calabasas enacted the 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.[15]
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.
The Hindu Temple of Calabasas
There is a large Hindu Temple complex in Calabasas visited by many Hindus from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and the wider State of California. The Hindu temple Society of Southern California (HTSSC) was incorporated in the state of California as a non-profit religious organization on August 18, 1977.[16]
Claretville of Calabasas
The Claretians (The Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Rome, or The Claretian Order) of the Roman Catholic Church had come to Southern California by way of Mexico in the early 1900s, working in Los Angeles inner city missions. From 1952 to 1977 they operated the 'Theological Seminary of Claretville' and the 'Immaculate Heart Claretian Novitiate,' on the former King Gillette Ranch, which they renamed Claretville.[17][18] The 'Thomas Aquinas College' was also here from 1971 to 1975.[19] The property is at the intersection of Mulholland Highway and Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas. The land and historic structures by architect Wallace Neff are now part of Malibu Creek State Park.[20][21]
Geography
Calabasas is located at (34.138363, -118.660917).[22]
The city is located at the southwestern part of the San Fernando Valley and comprises a portion of the Santa Monica Mountains. It is 22 miles (35 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 as U.S. Route 101.
Calabasas is often considered similar to its neighboring two communities 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 (Woodland Hills is within the Los Angeles city limits and Topanga is unincorporated).
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 the Pacific 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 85.92% White, 2.18% 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.
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.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $104,935, and the median income for a family was $122,482.[23] 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 the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
In the state legislature Calabasas is located in the 23rd Senate District, represented by Democrat Fran Pavley, and in the 41st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Julia Brownley. Federally, Calabasas is located in California's 30th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +20[24] and is represented by Democrat Henry Waxman.
The United States Postal Service Calabasas Post Office is located in Suite 10 at 4774 Park Granada and the Malibu Shell Post Office at 4807 Las Virgenes Road.[25][26]
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Malibu/Lost Hills Station in Calabasas.[27][28]
Education
Calabasas residents are zoned to schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, one of the highest ranked districts in the state, which also includes nearby Agoura Hills, and Bell Canyon.
Between the years of 1997 to 2001 and 2005 to 2009 Calabasas High School[29] 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 Viewpoint School and Calmont School.[30] It is also home to the elementary schools Chaparral, Round Meadow, Lupin Hill, and Bay Laurel.
See also
- Leonis Adobe and Rancho El Escorpión
- Malibu Hindu Temple
- History of the San Fernando Valley to 1915
- Flora of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Santa Monica Mountains
- Smoking ban
- List of smoking bans
References
- ↑ "Incorporation Dates of California Cities". http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ "Calabasas City Council". http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/council.html. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
- ↑ "Calabasas city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". 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. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
- ↑ "USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results". http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=Calabasas. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
- ↑ "Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results". http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Calabasas. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ "Los Angeles architecture photo gallery". http://you-are-here.com/building/leonis_adobe.html.
- ↑ "Secondhand Smoking Ordinance". Cityofcalabasas.com. http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/secondhandsmoke.html. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ↑ "Transportation/Transit Division". Cityofcalabasas.com. 2008-08-27. http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/departments/transportation.html#shuttle2. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ↑ "metro.net | Transit Services and Information for Los Angeles County". Mta.net. http://www.mta.net/images/161.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ "Our Properties - Corporate Center at Malibu Canyon". The Johnston Group. http://www.johnston-group.com/corporate_center.asp. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ↑ http://www.klinehawkes.com/news/OvertureFast50.pdf
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ "An Ordinance Of The City Of Calabasas regulating second-hand smoke and amending the Calabasas municipal code". http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/pdf/agendas/council/2006/021506/item2-O2006-217.pdf.
- ↑ "The Hindu temple Society of Southern California". The Hindu temple Society of Southern California. 2008. http://www.hindutemplesoutherncalifornia.org/.
- ↑ http://smmc.ca.gov/KGRP/Gillette%20Ranch%20Historical%20Study%20April07.pdf
- ↑ http://www.lamountains.com/planning_king_gillette.htm
- ↑ [4] museum of san fernando valley_Claretville
- ↑ http://smmc.ca.gov/KGRP/guide.html
- ↑ http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=670
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Calabasas city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". Factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0609066&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0609066&_street=&_county=calabasas&_cityTown=calabasas&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ↑ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ↑ "Post Office Location - CALABASAS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
- ↑ "Post Office Location - MALIBU SHELL." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
- ↑ "Malibu/Lost Hills Station." Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Calabasas city, California." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Home". Calabasas High. http://calabasashigh.com/. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ↑ "Viewpoint School". Viewpoint.org. http://www.viewpoint.org/. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
External links
- Calabasas official website
- Calabasas Chamber of Commerce
- Calabasas @ The Official Conejo Valley Website, a Web site with local history, events, and community information.
- L.A.Mountains official Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Park website.
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