Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter Vol. 26 Issue 11

Welcome to the November 2026 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer.

Vote On Tuesday, November 3

There are lots of resources available to voters to assist in sorting out all the races, understanding candidate platforms and where the candidates stand on the issues, learning who finances their campaigns, what political parties they are affiliated with, and if they are incumbents you can even view their voting records on past issues and legislation.

These same election education resources can be utilized to gain a thorough understanding of exactly what each proposition on the ballot really means and what the actual impacts, both in cost and in changes to the current laws, will mean to you, should these measures be passed by the voters casting their ballots.

Here are some tools and platforms available to voters to help them understand all the current races and measures on the ballot and to make an intelligent decision on who to cast their votes for, and which propositions make the most sense:

1. The League of Women Voters - Hosts hundreds of events and programs every year to educate voters about candidates in thousands of federal, state and local races, as well as distribute millions of educational materials about state and local elections. This organization has created the vote411.org website that is a "one-stop-shop" for election related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on a multitude of aspects of the election process.
2. Ballotopedia - Is a non-profit organization whose mission is to deliver unbiased information to educate and inspire American voters. They provide voters with curated content on all levels of U.S. politics that is relevant, reliable, and available for all.
3. Vote.org - Is the largest nonpartisan nonprofit in the United States of America dedicated to increasing voter participation. Thier mission is simple but urgent: use technology, data, and strategic outreach to ensure every eligible American has the information and access they need to cast a ballot.
4. California Secretary of State - The Elections Division oversees all federal and state elections within California. In every statewide election, California prepares voter information pamphlets in 10 languages — English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese — for over 20 million registered voters. The official voter guide can be found here: California General Election November 3, 2026 (.PDF versions can be viewed on-line or downloaded)

Message from the President

Howard M. Katchen

email: hkatchen@shermanoaksnc.org

Sherman Oaks Shines When We Work Together!

November is a wonderful time to celebrate the spirit of community that makes Sherman Oaks such a special place to live, work, and do business.

Thank you to everyone who attended the annual Sherman Oaks Street Fair and stopped by the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC) booth. With an estimated 100,000 visitors each year, the fair is a terrific opportunity to connect with the community and share how SONC brings government closer to the people. Next year’s Street Fair will be especially exciting as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Sherman Oaks! I look forward to celebrating this important milestone with our community.

On October 19^th, SONC was pleased to welcome Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, who explained his responsibilities and shared valuable information for property owners. Congressmember Luz Rivas of the 29th District also introduced herself to our Board and community members. Following the passage of Proposition 50, congressional redistricting will take place in 2027, expanding her district to include Sherman Oaks north of the 101 Freeway.

Please join us Monday, November 9, at 6:30 p.m. for SONC’s next Board and Community Meeting at the Sherman Oaks Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Boulevard. Our guest speaker, Assemblymember Nick Schultz of the 44th District, will provide a Sacramento legislative update. SONC’s Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee will present its first annual Outstanding Project Award, recognizing excellence in design and land use in Sherman Oaks.

There is much happening in our community, and your voice matters! SONC has eight vacant Board seats and welcomes civic-minded individuals interested in representing our residential, business, and community stakeholders. We also welcome volunteers interested in Traffic & Transportation, Education, Animal Services, and Beautification. You do not need to be an expert or hold an elected position to make a difference!

Our new Student Committee will engage young people ages 14–17 in local government and community projects. Interested students may contact SONC Board Youth Representative Devon Jasiukonis at devon.jasiukonis.sonc@gmail.com.

Whether you attend a meeting, volunteer for a committee, share a neighborhood concern, or help with a community event, your participation makes a difference. Let’s keep Sherman Oaks moving forward—together! Contact me if you are interested in a Board seat and share your qualifications.

Looking ahead, SONC’s 2027 Neighborhood Council election will include a hybrid election by mail and in person on Election Day on Thursday, May 6, 2027, at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Candidate filing begins Tuesday, December 22^nd. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Finally, civic engagement begins with exercising your right to vote. Your voice and participation matter at every level of government.

REMEMBER TO VOTE—ON OR BEFORE ELECTION DAY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3!

Congressmember Luz Rivas of the 29th District poses with the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council at the October meeting.

Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council members tabling at the 2026 street fair.

📅 Upcoming SONC Meetings:

To view up-to-date details, please visit the SONC calendar.

How to Attend SONC Board & Committee Meetings

All SONC meetings are open to the public. We allow time for and encourage public comment at all meetings on both agendized items and non-agenda items. SONC conducts in-person monthly Board meetings at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center (5056 Van Nuys Blvd).

SONC in-person committee meetings are generally held at the 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

Neighborhood Council Elections and Candidate Eligibility Requirements

Elections for seats in several of the 7 Areas in the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood council's district will be conducted in 2027 on Thursday, May 6.

Previous elections required that each individual Area represented on the council had to elect 3 types of stakeholders from their area. And those candidates had to either reside in, work in, run a business in, or be a member of a religious or non-profit organization that existed in, that specific area number.

The SONC By-laws have been formally changed so that there are now no requirements for stakeholders running for seats who work in, operate a business in, are a member of a religious or non-profit organization to actually be based in a specific area number. These positions are now referred to as At-Large, and this means that these candidates only have to be associated with a business, religious or non-profit organization that exists within the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council boundaries.

At-Large Business Stakeholder Board Members (BSBM)

These are seats that are open to Stakeholders eighteen (18) years of age or older who work at or own a business or business property within the NC boundaries. Seven (7) At-Large BSBM may be elected to represent the entirety of the SONC geographic boundaries.

At-Large Community Interest Stakeholder Board Members (CISBM)

These are seats that are open to Stakeholders eighteen (18) years of age or older who participate in a religious institution, educational institution, health/safety organization, non-profit organization, neighborhood association. Seven (7) At-Large CISBM may be elected to represent the entirety of the SONC geographic boundaries.

A copy of the current SONC By-laws can be found on the web page here:ByLaws

This by-laws change also applies to appointments to fill empty council seats.

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 Residential Representative

Area 5 Residential Representative

At-large Business Representative (4 seats open)

At-large Community Interest Representative (2 seats open)

Contact SONC President Howard Katchen to express your interest: hkatchen@shermanoaksnc.org

Committee Reports

Public Safety Committee

Christy Adair, Co-Chair

email: christy.adair.sonc@gmail.com

Susan Collins, Co-Chair

email: susan.collins.sonc@gmail.com

Planning & Land Use Committee + Vision Committee

Jeff Kalban, Chair

email: jeff.kalban.sonc@gmail.com

Green & Sustainability Committee

Elizabeth Meshes, Chair

email: elizabeth.meshes.sonc@gmail.com

Green & Sustainability Updates:

The committee is exploring tree planting and shade mapping, coordinating neighborhood beautification efforts, and addressing palm tree maintenance along Ventura Boulevard. Upcoming initiatives include a proposed green business recognition event and a community shredding and recycling event with Council District 4, both pending budget availability and SONC Board consideration. The committee will also discuss priorities for future sustainability projects in Sherman Oaks.

Protect Your Personal Data with California's New Privacy Tool

The State of California has a new tool to help protect your private personal data from data brokers. Data brokers are businesses that gather and sell personal information.

California has launched the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) that allows you to request the deletion of your personal information from data brokers with a single request by filling out DROP's digital form. The California DROP site allows residents to submit a single request to over 500 data brokers to delete their personal information, helping protect privacy and reduce unwanted data use.

This statewide initiative led by the California Privacy Protection Agency went into effect on August 1, 2026.

To access the platform, request deletion of your personal information, or to learn more, visit: privacy.ca.gov

As a California resident, you have the ability to prohibit your data from being sold and displayed under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and all businesses subject to the law must honor your privacy choices. Data brokers collect a wide range of personal data, including social security numbers, search history, and information about family members, which can be misused or sold without your consent.

To use DROP, you must be a California resident. Verification is done through the California Identity Gateway or Login.gov, which confirms residency while protecting your privacy.

The California Privacy Protection Agency's website also contains additional information, best practices, and guidance on keeping your personal information private. 

The LA County Department of Public Health has confirmed that a bat found in Woodland Hills on August 4 and in Tarzana on August 13 both tested positive for rabies. No known exposure to people or pets has been identified. To request pickup of sick or dead bats for rabies testing call the West Valley Animal Shelter, 888-452-7381.

While rabies is uncommon, it’s important to take precautions:

• Never touch bats or other wildlife.
• Keep your pets' rabies vaccinations up to date.
• If you or your pet may have had contact with a bat, seek medical or veterinary guidance immediately.

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