Big Sunday happily welcomes you to Our Really Big Community Calendar

We try to include all kinds of volunteering and helping opportunities for all kinds of interests, talents, passions, and ages! As you’ll see, these include volunteering opportunities (one-time and long-term) as well as the chance to support a nonprofit by attending fundraising events. Plus, of course, we include all of Big Sunday’s homegrown events, too! Whoever you are, and whatever you do, there is someone out there who could use your help.

If you have questions about our calendar, or would like to add a listing, please contact calendar@bigsunday.org or submit your event/opportunity via the button below.

Big Sunday Event Giving Opportunity! One-time Volunteer Opportunity Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity
Nov
3
Thu
LA Arboretum: “What’s Happening in Gardening” Series @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Nov 3 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

whats-happening-in-gardening-la-arboretum-16Don’t miss the LA Arboretum’s “What's Happening in Gardening” Series!

8 Thursdays, September 15-November 3
9:30am-12pm; $140 for the series; $25 per class
 

These classes are designed to help you keep up with garden news, trends, tips and pests. Each class begins with an open discussion and plant giveaway, followed by a lecture or hands-on workshop from one of the following speakers:

Sept. 15:  Jose & Carrie Hernandez, CJ’s Organic Farm

CJ's Organic Farm grows heirloom vegetables, fruits, and herbs for year-round weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) baskets. They also sell organically grown heirloom vegetables and herb starts for your garden at the CJ’s Organic Farm booth at the Villa Park Farmers’ Market in Pasadena on Tuesday mornings.

Sept. 22: Nancy Bird, Rocks for Your Garden

Nancy Bird, rock expert and owner of NancyRocks, will show beautiful colorful rocks that will compliment your garden. She also will explain the Bureau of Land Management rules and permitting procedures for collecting rocks for free!

Sept. 29: Jill Morganelli, New Gardens & Garden Renovations at the Arboretum

Join Jill Morganelli, the Arboretum’s Horticultural Supervisor, for a discussion about the improvements being made in the gardens to enhance the Arboretum experience for visitors.

Oct. 6: Harold Koopowitz, Fall Blooming Daffodils

Harold Koopowitz currently is first vice president of the American Daffodil Society and editor emeritus for the Orchid Digest, which he edited for 10 years. He is well known internationally for breeding both slipper orchids and miniature daffodils. He is Professor Emeritus of biology in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Irvine. He will be signing copies of his new novel, Diamonds and Disas: The Further Adventures of George and Matilda.

Oct. 13: Joe Brosius, Magic Growers

As production manager at Magic Growers, Joe Brosius is responsible for propagating and growing all plant material products. He also is a partner in the nursery and a past president of the L.A. chapter of California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers (CANGC). Joe received his degree in ornamental horticulture from Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo.

Oct. 20: Christine Anthony, Cook Now from Your Garden & Plant Now in Your Garden

A seasonal look at the edibles you're harvesting now and what to do with them, followed by a discussion of what is best to plant now for your meals in the months to come. Christine Anthony, the Renee's Garden Seeds rep to the Arboretum and a UCCE Master Gardener, will share practical tips learned from life long experience in the garden and the kitchen. Please be prepared to share your recipe ideas and gardening tips with one and all.

Oct. 27: Nicholas Staddon, The New American Garden

Nicholas Staddon travels the United States and the world in search of new trends and great plants for American gardens. In his lively and informative presentation, he’ll discuss some of the issues facing American gardeners today: invasive plants, the water situation, the plight of the pollinators, and what the solutions might be. Nicholas also will share some of his very best plant suggestions for our region.

Nov. 3: Leigh Adams: Permaculture: A Gardener’s Perspective

Interpretive horticulturalist and creator of the Crescent Garden, Leigh Adams will give us an overview of her experience working with Permaculture. She will then lead us on a private tour of the garden she created “behind the scenes” at the Arboretum.

http://www.arboretum.org

Nov
13
Sun
Native Voices 6th Annual Short Play Festival: Take Back the Land @ Autry Museum of the American West
Nov 13 @ 12:30 pm

In the Autry's Wells Fargo Theater

Native American playwrights from across the United States explore environmental issues such as climate change and pollution, legal debates surrounding borders and resources, and personal and spiritual connections to land. Are we doing enough to preserve the homelands of the First Peoples? To preserve our planet? One of these plays will receive the Von Marie Atchley Excellence in Playwriting Award, a $1,000 cash prize!

Space is Limited / Early Arrival is Suggested
Admission: Included With Admission to the American Indian Arts Marketplace (Free for Autry Members; $14 adults; $10 seniors 60+ and students with ID; $6 children)

More Details: https://theautry.org/events/performing-arts/native-voices-sixth-annual-short-play-festival-take-back-land

Feb
2
Thu
Social Impact Breakfast @ LA Plaza
Feb 2 @ 7:45 am – 9:15 am

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at LA Plaza  (501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact:

To register, click HERE.Social Impact Breakfast Feb. 2, 2017

Feb
11
Sat
Youth Planting Supervisor Training (Youth 10-18) @ Tree Musketeers Youth LEADership Center
Feb 11 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Be an environmental leader with Tree Musketeers! This four-hour training covers leading volunteers young and old, ISA standards for tree planting and more about how young people are taking charge in the environmental movement. Trainees will earn a Supervisor certificate at the LEAD Graduation Ceremony after satisfactory class completion and putting their new skills to work at a planting. In addition to leading tree plantings, Youth Planting Supervisors serve as representatives and leaders of TREE MUSKETEERS and the environmental movement at tree care events, fairs and other events.

Register today!

Mar
2
Thu
LA’s Social Impact Breakfast @ Mount Saint Mary’s University – Doheny Campus
Mar 2 @ 7:45 am – 9:15 am

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Mt. St. Mary’s College.  Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact.  For more info or to register for the event, please click HERE.Social Impact Breakfast Mar. 2, 2017

Apr
1
Sat
Cultivating a Healthy Brain @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Instructor: Dr. Robert Tager
Pre-registration preferred; Please call 626-821-4623 or pay at the door
 
Discover what your brain needs to function at its peak. Neurologist and Arboretum volunteer, Dr. Bob Tager will provide an introduction to memory, learning and the brain, before leading a tour through the LA Arboretum gardens and discussing ways of preserving and enhancing brain function. You will learn what recent research says about improving brain health and ways you can enjoy the process.
 
Robert Tager is currently Clinical Professor of Medical Education at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, and he gives tours to medical students to enhance their observational skills and to learn the health benefits of the garden environment.

Apr
6
Thu
Social Impact Breakfast @ Los Angeles Downtown Central Library
Apr 6 @ 7:45 am – 9:15 am

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the Downtown Central Library (630 W. 5th Street). Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact: Jessica Wethington McLean, Executive Director of Bringing Back Broadway, and Christina Rice, Senior Librarian of the LAPL Photo Collection.

Register Today!

Apr
27
Thu
Silent NO MORE @ Little Theatre (at California State University, Northridge)
Apr 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

After a sold-out production at Carnegie Hall, Silent NO MORE returns to California on Thursday, April 27 at 7 pm! Join the cast for an inspiring, emotional, and educational evening, as individuals with hearing loss share their powerful life stories. A Q&A between the cast and audience follows the production.  The production is presented by No Limits, an organization After a sold-out production at Carnegie Hall, Silent NO MORE returns to California on Thursday, April 27 at 7pm! Join us for an inspiring, emotional, and educational evening, as individuals with hearing loss share their powerful life stories. A Q&A between the cast and audience follows the production, which is presented by No Limits, an organization that provides high quality education for deaf children and their families so they have the opportunity to not only attend college, but graduate from college.  Tickets are $10 per person.  An ASL interpreter and captioning will be available.  For more info or tickets, please call 310-280-0878 or email rsvp@nolimits-fordeafchildren.org.

May
4
Thu
LA’s Social Impact Breakfast @ Skid Row Housing Trust
May 4 @ 7:45 am – 9:15 am

Register Today!

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the Skid Row Housing Trust New Genesis Apartments (456 S Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013). Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact:

Chris Essel, Executive Director, Southern California Grantmakers
Alyssa Orduna, Homeless Policy Director, Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti 

Jun
1
Thu
Social Impact Breakfast @ Pacific Oaks College
Jun 1 @ 7:45 am – 9:15 am

Don’t miss the upcoming Social Impact Breakfasts in Los Angeles. Each breakfast features a set of speakers (Impact-Makers) and an opportunity to connect with others working to make an impact.

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Pacific Oaks College (55 W Eureka St, Pasadena, CA 91103) in Pasadena. Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact:

  • David Eads, CEO, Tournament of Roses
  • Brian Davis, Executive Director, Girls and Boys Club of Pasadena

About Social Impact Breakfasts:

Everyday in LA, thousands of people are working to make the city a better place, improving the lives of fellow Angelenos. The City Impact Lab in Los Angeles brings together those working to make an impact — in government, in the arts, in neighborhoods, in non-profits, and in business — to share breakfast and jumpstart their effectiveness with tactics for success from impact-makers across the city.

Format
The 75 minute breakfast is formatted to provide attendees with the opportunity to 1) connect to others who can support their work, 2) learn tactics from expert "Impact Makers," and 3) find ways to more effectively create a social impact in LA. Each breakfast includes at least 2 speakers providing their specific strategies to make an impact in LA. Space is limited to 35 attendees from a cross sector of government, non-profit, business, and arts professionals.

Cost
The Social Impact Breakfast is only $15. Space is limited, so register early.
Access Passholders receive free admission.

Register HERE

How it Works

You can SEARCH by scrolling through the Months or by selecting different Categories or Tag functions. For a totally different view, try the Posterboard or Stream options! Feel free to submit an item for the calendar by clicking the “Submit Your Event / Opportunity” button above at the right-hand side of the page. Questions? Email calendar@bigsunday.org.