Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter Vol. 26 Issue 4 | | Welcome to the April 2026 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer. | |
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Spring has arrived in Sherman Oaks, bringing renewed energy and a reminder of the vital role our community plays in shaping the place we all call home. The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council exists to be your voice—an accessible, responsive bridge between community stakeholders and city government. Our strength comes directly from you.
Community participation is not just encouraged—it is essential. When stakeholders share their concerns, ideas, and perspectives, SONC becomes more effective in advocating for the greater good. Whether it’s public safety, housing, infrastructure, or quality-of-life issues, your input ensures that decisions reflect the real needs of Sherman Oaks. We urge you to stay engaged, attend meetings, and communicate with us so we can continue to represent you with clarity and purpose.
I’m pleased to report that our annual “Hello to Spring” event at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park was well-attended and a tremendous success. It was inspiring to see so many neighbors come together in celebration of community. Thanks to your enthusiasm, community members adopted over 100 shade trees provided by City Plants, helping to beautify our neighborhoods and contribute to a greener future.
As we reflect on our role as a neighborhood council and as citizens, let us remember that our nation was founded as a Democratic Republic, guided by a constitution that enshrines fundamental freedoms—the freedom of speech, the right to assemble, the right to protest, and the right to petition government for redress of grievances. These principles are not abstract; they are tools we use every day to build stronger communities.
I invite you to join us at our next SONC Board & Community Meeting on Monday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m. at the Sherman Oaks Adult Center. We will welcome our guest speaker, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto.
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Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC) is seeking a Youth Representative Board Member and Alternate Youth Representative Board Member to serve from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Deadline to apply: April 30, 2026
Join the Board of Directors of Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council.
Why join the SONC Board?
- You’ll get to participate in civic leadership – and learn about city government and Sherman Oaks community issues, participate in discussions and help formulate and take positions on issues
- Get Involved in leadership and service to the community
- Support various SONC and community activities, events and projects throughout the year
- Youth Representative members are greatly encouraged to help create and coordinate projects during the year
- Give voice to student concerns for our community
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You’ll attend at least two (2) meetings per month – one with a standing SONC Committee of your interest and choice and another with the full SONC Board on the 2nd Monday of each month
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To learn more the Board, committees and council activities visit the SONC website: www.shermanoaksnc.org
Eligible students 14 years old to 17 years old by July 1, 2026, must live or attend school in Sherman Oaks, have your parent’s written consent and assurance that your service on a committee, the Board and involvement in council and community activities and events won’t interfere with school work or extra-curricular activities.
Send an email and provide the following information:
1) Introduce yourself 2) The school you attend and any extra-curricular activities 3) Why you are interested in serving as a Youth Representative Board Member 4) What you can contribute to SONC, the position and the Sherman Oaks Community 5) How the experience will benefit you and 6) Cite a concern or issue related to the Sherman Oaks community. You may submit a resume as well.
The Selection Committee will meet with and interview prospective Youth Representative Candidates shortly after the application deadline.
Please contact Howard M. Katchen, Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC), President and Chair of the Youth Representative Selection Committee, with questions, for further information or to express your interest in the position.
Email: hkatchen@shermanoaksnc.org
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SONC needs you! Please contact SONC with your interest to possibly serve on the Board in one of the vacant seats listed below. View the SONC area map to see the areas https://www.shermanoaksnc.org/page/map.
There are open seats in the following areas:
Area 2 Business Representative
Area 3 Business Representative
Area 3 Community Representative
Area 5 Business Representative
Area 5 Community Representative
Area 7 Business Repesentative
Contact SONC President to express your interest: hkatchen@shermanoaksnc.org
| | 📅 Upcoming SONC Meetings:
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How to Attend SONC Committee Meetings
Whereas in-person monthly Board meetings take place at the larger Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center (5056 Van Nuys Blvd), in-person SONC committee meetings are generally held at Sherman Oaks Martin Pollard Branch Library, 14245 Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Note that virtual meetings are held via telephone or Zoom. The President and Committee Chairs are empowered to select a meeting format that works best for their group or committee. Meeting locations, formats (in-person vs virtual), dates, and times are listed on the applicable agenda published before the meeting.
For information on specific times and locations for each meeting please consult the SONC website calendar page:
https://www.shermanoaksnc.org/calendar
| | How to Receive Agendas When They Are Posted | | | | Subscribe to LA City's Early Notification System (ENS) to be notified via email of all upcoming Board & Committee Meetings and to receive meeting agendas. | | | |
Outreach Committee
David Silverman, Chair
email: david.silverman.sonc@gmail.com
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The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC) welcomed spring with our annual Free Tree Adoption giveaway at the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks park on Saturday, March 14 as a partner with the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center’s celebration and their Annual Spring Festival.
It was a great community event offering performances, games, a pancake bar, raffles, tree adoptions, and a chance to be at the park and enjoy beautiful spring weather.
In addition to chatting with folks about SONC and its role in the community, SONC's Human Services committee provided information about free community services and the City's CIRCLE program; the Green & Sustainability committee's free seedlings were very popular; and our Public Safety committee let folks know about CERT and tips on how to be prepared in case of emergencies.
SONC wants to recognize and thank City Plants (Cityplants.org) for their help and support. All in all, it was a wonderful opportunity to interact with the community and share information about the services SONC provides.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 21st at 6:30 PM. Please join us. For more information, to view meeting minutes and meeting agendas, and for details on where the monthly meetings will be conducted visit the Outreach Committee web page.
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SB 79 Update:
The city is implementing SB 79 with a local alternative plan that basically allows 3-4 story apartments in single family neighborhoods (4 story if they add 3 or more-bedroom unit apartments) in these SB 79 qualifying areas. The city will allow more than 3 stories in height on the boulevards. This map shows the impacted areas in blue for our community.
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The PLUM Committee will meet at 6:30 PM on April 16 at the Sherman Oaks Library. Representatives from the CSUN Resiliency Plan will return to deliver their final presentation.
Additionally, on April 11 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the CSUN students will host a community feedback open house at the Sherman Oaks Recreation Center. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their input.
The Vision Committee will meet at 6:30 PM on April 2, also at the Sherman Oaks Library. The meeting will focus on the Draft Open Space Element (2026), which emphasizes integrating environmental justice, climate resilience, and biodiversity into urban planning.
Key initiatives include rewilding efforts, enhancing existing green spaces, and expanding public access to them. The committee will also explore planning scenarios that encourage community improvement, including transitions from high-rise developments to lower-density areas, such as single-family neighborhoods, as well as considerations for community parking and emergency evacuation.
Join us for an engaging discussion on shaping a more resilient, welcoming, and environmentally conscious community for all.
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The Public Safety Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The meeting for April will be held on: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 starting at 6:30pm
via Zoom only. (see agenda for login) We review current crime data for our area, discuss the latest scams to watch out for and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) classes begin on Wednesday, May 6th and registration is open!
See flyer for further details. You can also find additional information how to participate in programs such as C.E.R.T., by going to: www.cert-la.com or email: christy.adair.sonc@gmail.com
Please join us! Getting to know your neighbors and the events happening in our community are key to increasing our overall safety, and it's a great way to meet new people.
If you have concerns you'd like to bring to our attention, please join us during the meeting via zoom. You can also request that we add your concern as an agenda item by emailing us prior to the meeting. Requests to have an item added to the agenda must be received no later than 3 working days prior to the meeting date. Email your requests to: Susan.collins.sonc@gmail.com
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Need help with potholes, street pavement issues, graffiti removal, or other city services? Try submitting a report via MyLA311.
MyLA311 connects residents, local businesses, and visitors to popular City services and information through its call center, website, & mobile app. The mission of MyLA311 is to connect people to City services and information, quickly and easily, via the communication channel of their choice. Click here to visit MyLA311.
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If you need additional assistance with City services, agencies, and departments (trash, abandoned properties, and more), you can contact the Office of District 4 Councilmember Nithya Raman here or via (213) 473-7004.
In addition to contacting the office, for any issues related to homelessness anywhere within Council District 4, you can contact Field Deputy Taleen Keuroghlian (taleen.keuroghlian@lacity.org).
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Volunteer with
The Valley of Change
Feed Our Friends In Need
Second Saturday of Month
Community Cleanup
Second Sundays
'Come to the Corner'
Email Contact:
info@thevalleyofchange.org
For more information please visit:
TheValleyofChange.org
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Volunteer with NHIFP
Take advantage of helping out your community.
North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is looking for volunteers.
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LA Regional Food Bank
If you are interested in volunteering with the LA Regional Food Bank, please visit this link.
Questions, concerns, please email:
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L.A. Works
Join L.A. Works and learn about all the volunteer opportunities available here in our great City of Los Angeles!
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Get Involved In Your Community
If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain and starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood, please contact your Senior Lead Officer at the email addresses or phone numbers listed below to obtain further details. There are 4 senior lead officers assigned for all of Sherman Oaks:
Temporary: Michael Perez
email: 35569@lapd.online
(818) 731-2566
9SL19
Mariana Romo
email: 40229@lapd.online
(818) 731-2563
9SL63
Joel Gutierrez
email: 36816@lapd.online
(818) 731-2560
9SL41
Kristan DeLatori
email: 32914@lapd.online
(818) 731-2562
9SL37
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Get Involved!
What interests you?
If you live, work, own property, own a business, or belong to a non-profit organization, school, or religious institution in Sherman Oaks, you are a stakeholder in Sherman Oaks. We hold monthly Board of Directors and various committee meetings which you are invited to attend to learn about and participate in your community. Join SONC's Mailing List today.
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What is a Neighborhood Council?
The Neighborhood Council system enables meaningful civic participation for all Angelenos and serves as a voice for improving government responsiveness to local communities and their needs. We are an advisory body to the City of Los Angeles, comprised of stakeholder volunteers who are devoted to the mission of improving our communities.
Neighborhood Councils advise the Mayor, City Council and City Departments on the City budget and will give local residents greater say over the decisions that affect our lives. You can view a brief video explaining what Neighborhood Councils do and what it means to be a Neighborhood Council member here. |
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