Calabasas is a city in Los Angeles County, California in the western United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 23,123. The city was formally incorporated in 1991.
Leonis Adobe, the adobe structure on 23537 Calabasas Road, dates from 1844 and is one of the oldest buildings in the greater LA area. An extensive 2006 Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance caused the city to receive international attention.
Name
It is generally accepted that Calabasas means "pumpkin," "squash," or "gourd," derived from the Spanish calabaza. 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.
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.
Calabasas is 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. / The most recent famous additions are pop singer Britney Spears. Also, american rock legend Meat Loaf, Tommy Lee, Travis Barker, Gary Sinese, Tom Bergeron, Stevie Wonder, Will Smith, Stacy Keach...among others.
In February 2006, under the leadership of then-Mayor Barry Groveman, 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.
