REJUVENATED CHAMBER SHERMAN OAKS GROUP NOW GOING STRONG AFTER YEARS OF DECLINE.

Byline: RICK COCA Valley News Writer

The Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce is on an upswing after a number of slow years after the decline of the mall culture in the 1980s and the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.

Incorporated in 1948, the chamber now counts 240 members under the leadership of President Michael Chibidakis, a certified financial planner for the Smith Barney investment firm. Chibidakis is four months into his one-year term and looking to involve chamber members more fully in a broader variety of activities, both social and fundraising.

Sondra Frohlich has worked as the chamber's executive director, the person who oversees the day-to-day operations, since 1997. In the past, Frohlich has held the same position for the Mission Hills, Studio City and Sylmar chambers of commerce.

``We've grown tremendously,'' Frohlich said of the Sherman Oaks chamber. ``The membership was in the neighborhood of 150 members when I came. This community had been gravely devastated by in the 1994 (Northridge) Earthquake.''

Many people in Sherman Oaks lost their homes and businesses in the earthquake, Frohlich said. Some business owners were not able to recover and moved away.

In the 1980s, the Sherman Oaks Galleria was a trendy destination spot. The Valley Girl culture - made famous in movies such as ``Valley Girl'' and ``Fast Times at Ridgemont High'' - played out daily.

The Galleria soon began a slow decline.

``The Valley Girl, Moon Zappa thing faded as these things are wont to do,'' Frohlich said.Enter the new Galleria.

``They've answered a change in the way people shop and do business,'' Frohlich said of the now-thriving mall, with its mixture of office space, specialty stores, high-end movie theater and restaurants.

The chamber, enjoying its own rejuvenation, sponsors a number of popular events.

The Sherman Oaks Street Fair has been going strong for 15 years. This year's fair will take place on Oct. 21 and 22 on Ventura Boulevard, between Van Nuys Boulevard and Kester Avenue. The street is completely closed off to automobile traffic, turning the popular boulevard into a block party.

Each year, following the fair, the chamber makes a donation to each of the five elementary schools that accept Sherman Oaks children. In recent years, the chamber added Millikan Middle School to the pool and this year it will include Van Nuys Middle School.

``Over the years, the chamber has donated $300,000,'' Frohlich said. ``We're very proud to have been doing that over this length of time.''

The chamber's 2006 golf tournament will take place on May 8; last year's first-time tournament was spearheaded by Chibidakis, Frohlich said.

``He was also really active in making sure the idea didn't die on the vine and continued,'' Frohlich said. ``He has a passion for activities that allow members to interact.''

The chamber sponsors monthly breakfasts, luncheons and after-business-hour mixers. The breakfasts take place on the first Wednesday of the month; the luncheons, the third Wednesday of the month; and the mixers are usually the fourth Thursday of the month.

For information on any of the upcoming events, call [phone], or go to www.shermanoakschamber.org.

The Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce is at 14827 Ventura Blvd., Suite 207 in Sherman Oaks.

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Michael Chibidakis, president of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, is increasing opportunities for members to meet and interact.