Creek ready
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

After more than seven months of restoration and construction, the city of Calabasas is ready to officially celebrate the reopening of the Las Virgenes Creek.

A ceremony and gathering will be held Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the creek project site on Agoura Road near Las Virgenes Road. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

The project included the removal of more than 1,500 tons of concrete and other non-native material from the creek between Highway 101 and the Agoura Road bridge. Native vegetation has been planted where concrete and litter used to gather, and a walkway and gazebo along the creek has been built.

"The ceremony will be a family-friendly occasion celebrating the rehabilitation of this section of the creek and the example it sets nationwide for creek rehabilitation," said Alex Farassati, the city's environmental services manager.

Farassati said he knew the creek was "back in business" when he recently saw ducks gliding through the stream.

The event will include live music from 10 to 11 a.m., remarks from city officials and an invited speaker from 11 a.m. to noon, and light refreshments and live music from noon to 1 p.m.