CALABASAS AMERICA'S FINEST? CITY'S 'GREEN' CREDENTIALS MAY BRING BLUE RIBBON.

Byline: DANA BARTHOLOMEW

Staff Writer

CALABASAS -- It was the first city to outlaw secondhand smoke, the first to ban Styrofoam and the first to construct the "greenest" civic center in America.

On Thursday, Calabasas stuck to its conservationist credo by becoming the first to trot out a red-tailed hawk in a bid for All-America City.

"She is our national resources wildlife ambassador," said City Councilman Dennis Washburn, who helped present Tara, a 31-year-old hawk, during the All-America City finals presentation in Anaheim.

"Imagine yourself being a red-tailed hawk like Tara ... alert to the landscape and resources as if your life depends on it."

Once given for cleaning up City Hall or ridding urban blight, the All-America City award now marks municipal progress -- and meeting challenges of the times. And for Calabasas, that means green.

One of 21 finalists to vie for the National Civic League award, the San Fernando Valley's newest and wealthiest city is vying for All-America status.

For Calabasas, that means defending vast oak woodlands like Ahmanson Ranch from development. Or the right to breathe clean air. Or ensuring disabled kids have a proper playground.

Ten All-America City winners out of a cast that includes Sierra Madre; Laredo, Texas; and Shawnee, Kan., will be announced tonight.

"I think it's the perfect town -- all-America," said Kathleen Gurarie, 38, a mother of three playing with her children at the $1 million Brandon Village, a universally accessible playground at Gates Canyon Park.

"It's got a little something for everybody."

While "All-American" once meant regular folks and a high school football elite, this city of 25,000 contains a swankier sort.

Its Commons of Calabasas boasts the nation's largest Rolex clock. Its average home costs $1.3 million, with more than half inside gated communities. Almost 90 percent of its residents are white and earn six figures.

This contrasts with the city's deeply Western roots, historic Old Town and miles of mountain trails.

"It's like Beverly Hills with a touch of Mayberry," said Washburn, a four-time mayor who helped found the city in 1991. "We're ruled by our natural environment."

The city has embarked on building a $35 million civic center -- the most environmentally efficient in the nation -- and has spent $40 million to preserve thousands of acres of open space and intends to buy even more.

For residents, it's about a small-town feel on the edge of a metropolis. Or sipping Starbucks by Las Virgenes Creek.

Some, however, see Calabasas as a city of fast cars, worsening traffic, 1980s tract homes or hilltop mansions.

"It's the Hummers, it's the Mercedes, it's the Aston Martins, the Maseratis -- kids at 16 get (new) Mini Coopers," said Randy Pelter, 43, a 36-year resident whose graphic arts business looks out on a 600-year-old oak. "The home prices have gone up so much, people experience new wealth."

On Thursday, city officials presented a 10-minute spiel, polished by a Hollywood TV writer, that included Tara and "a funny-looking pumpkin" -- the Spanish name for the city.

"It's a very high-spirited, impressive group, and they've got some impressive community projects," said Mike McGrath, spokesman for the Denver-based National Civic League. "It's amazing: They do sound All-American."

Yuka Iwao, a native of Japan, moved to Calabasas from Chicago two years ago. For her, residents are much more friendly than in the chilly Midwest.

"It's safer than other cities," said Iwao, swinging her 1-year-old son on a Brandon Village swing. "It's always sunny. It's a good place for children.

"People here are more friendly than the Midwest. Everyone says hello."

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(1 -- 2 -- color) Calabasas resident Yuka Iwao pushes her 1-year-old son Kei in a swing at Brandon Village. "It's safer than other cities," said the native of Japan. "It's always sunny. It's a good place for children."

(3) Susan Garrett, 45, left, Niki Stilman, 39, and Katie Skillin, 20, chat at the upscale Commons of Calabasas. The San Fernando Valley's newest and wealthiest city is among 21 in the nation vying for All-America City status. Ten winners will be announced tonight.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer