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
Jan
26
Thu
Tai Chi @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Jan 26 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Instructor: Master Arnold Chien
 
Tai Chi is a martial art based on the theory of an ancient classic called “I Ching”.  Kinetic Tai Chi is created by Master Chien based on this foundation coupling with contemporary Physics of potential & kinetic energy. The training sessions include striking, throwing & submission techniques. There are 10 levels of form to advance. Combining this advanced physical routine with Tai Chi’s rich thinking, students will benefit lifelong health, achieve mental superiority and enjoy high level combat skills.
 
Thursdays      
9:00am-10:30am
 
Winter 1st:    1/26, 2/02, 2/09, 2/16
Winter 2nd:   2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16
 
Spring 1st:   4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/04
Spring 2nd:  5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/01
 
Cost for Classes:

  • $35 per month – members
  • $45 per month – non–members
  • $15 Drop In – per day
  • 10% discount if you sign up for 2 sessions

Pre-registration preferred; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.

Grandmaster Arnold Chien is the founder of Kinetic Tai Chi, 2012 & 2014 Kungfu master at USC Pacific Asia Museum & 2008 Chinese idol in martial art category. In 2013, he became the first instructor to teach Tai Chi at the legendary Gold’s Gym Arcadia, CA. Chien’s heavy focus on the principle of softness to conquer hardness has helped students to achieve not only the physical limitations, but their mental ones as well, thereby reach the ultimate level of “soft as silk and hard as steel”.

What’s Happening in Gardening @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Jan 26 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

What's Happening in Gardening
Hosted by Matt-Dell & Rebecca Tufenkian

8 Thursday Classes 
9:30am – 12:00pm; $140 for the series; $25 per class

To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623 or pay at the door

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:

 

 

 

January 12: Matt Tufenkian, Propagating Pelargoniums from Cuttings 

Ever wanted to learn more about growing your own easy-care, great-smelling, and beautiful drought-tolerant plants? Now is your chance. Join Matt-Dell as he teaches us how to start our own baby plants from seeds and cuttings.

 

January 19: Lili Singer, Hum on In! Gardening with Our Tiniest Birds

Few creatures are more beloved and admired than hummingbirds, and many species spend all or part of the year in this region. This illustrated lecture discusses how to create, plant and maintain a garden that attracts and supports these little avian wonders year round.

 

January 26: Jo O’Connell, Australian Native Plants

Celebrate Australia Day with Australian Native Plants! Jo O’Connell will share her plant knowledge with us and bring some of her plants to show and sell. Her nursery, Australian Native Plants, was established in the early 1990’s, with the help of her husband, Byron Cox. From the beginning, their vision was to provide plants that are hardy, drought tolerant, cut flower producing, and bird attracting. www.australianplants.com

 

February 2: January Nordman, The Nature of Permaculture; Building Gardens & Community

What would our lives look like if we could weave vibrant habitats throughout our sprawling metropolitan landscape? How do we begin to heal a world that is at odds with itself? Permaculture offers some possible solutions to these questions, as well as a challenge to how we can lead more fulfilling, authenticate lives as we confront the unknown of our current climate of chaos.

 

February 9: Rebecca Tufenkian, Gardens of Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown LA is often thought of as being a cement jungle, but more often than not it is spotted with beautiful gardens and green spaces. Join us on a virtual tour of Downtown Los Angeles, and enjoy the gardens without the blisters and shinsplints.

 

February 16: Brandon Walker, Irrigation Overview

Now is the time re-think your irrigation system. This class will cover different methods of irrigation, including drip vs. spray, as well as ways to work with the new municipal watering restrictions. Brandon Walker is Co-Owner/Operator at J. Harold Mitchell Supply. He brings with him a lifetime of experience working in professional irrigation. www.jhmsupply.com

 

February 23: Susan Eubank, Working with Your Climate: Arboretum Library Resources for Better Gardening

The Arboretum Library is filled with materials about plants and gardens. Susan Eubank, Arboretum Librarian, will show you the best ones to make you a better gardener wherever you live and no matter how much rain comes out of the sky. Susan Eubank has worked in three climates in three botanic garden libraries for almost twenty years and she’s eager to have you dive into the depths of the Library.

 

March 2: Edwina Pellikka, A History of Plant Based Fabrics & Plant Based Dyes

Edwina Pellikka is a Master Dyer and owner of A Dyeing Art, a high-end textile art studio. She has worked with LucasFilm for a 9-month stint dyeing fabric, hand airbrushing, and aging all the monsters for his third film in the Star Wars series, “Return of the Jedi”, which afforded her the opportunity to open A Dyeing Art in Los Angeles, catering to clients from Film & Television and Live Performances to Interior Design Furnishings & High End Fashion. Her company serves clients in America, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere around the globe.

Sewing Quilts for Veterans @ SewVac Ltd
Jan 26 @ 1:00 pm – Jan 26 @ 5:00 pm

SoCal Quilts of Valor cuts and sew quilts to present to military Veterans to thank them for their service, welcome them home, and help them in their healing. They also trim quilts when they come back from quilters and attach the binding and label, then they get hand stitched and washed in preparation for being awarded. The group meets every Thursday, except holidays. Come for as long as you can!  For more info, please contact Barbara Winkler.

Jan
27
Fri
Basketball Coaches Needed @ Lou Costello Jr. Recreation Center
Jan 27 – Jan 28 all-day

Basketball coaches needed for ages 5-17. Some coaching experience preferred. Must obtain volunteer application and get fingerprinted by Dept. of Rec & Parks before coaching. Fingerprinting clearance is free.  Please note this is an ongoing opportunity.  For more info, please contact Javier Moreno.

Volunteers: Man2Man Project @ Please contact Brenda for more details.
Jan 27 – Jan 28 all-day

Friends of the Family (FOF) is seeking volunteers for their LA2050-funded Man2Man Project.  Are you an adult male over 30 who would like to have a positive impact on a young man’s life as he strives to step up to fatherhood?  Ideal volunteers would reside in the LA Metro area, be fathers themselves (not mandatory), be well established in their lives and careers, and be able to commit to 6 – 8 hours per month during 2017 to mentor a participant in FOF’s Young Dads program.  All activities and mentor coaching will be coordinated by the agency.  The M2M Program develops vibrant communities by supporting two generations, young fathers and their children, through quality mentoring relationships and by building social networks of adults committed to making life better for future generations. If you have wisdom to share and support to provide, please contact FOF. For more information, please contact Brenda Hillhouse, Director of Development, at 818-988-4430 or brenda@fofca.org.

Jan
28
Sat
Rapid Response Team @ Portuguese Bend Reserve
Jan 28 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

rapidresponse2Join Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and work alongside staff protecting important wildlife habitat by closing unauthorized trails! Tasks include trail maintenance, building fences, installing signage and more! No experience needed. This event is meeting at Portuguese Bend Reserve.

Please come prepared to work outdoors with sturdy closed-toed shoes, long pants, sun protection, a snack and water. Thank you for volunteering!

For further information and to sign up please visit:
http://pvplc.volunteerhub.com

Volunteer Trail Watch Training @ Ladera Linda Community Center
Jan 28 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

vtwLike to hike, ride your bike or horse? Want to help protect the Preserve, its habitat and wildlife? Become a Trail Watch Volunteer and make a difference on the trails!

– Get Certified: Attend 2, 4-hour training sessions (must sign up for and attend both Jan. 28th and Feb. 4th)
– Visit the preserve at least 4 hours a month
– Educate users in proper etiquette on marked trails
– Offer assistance to those who are lost, need water, etc.
– Submit reports online of what you see and hear

  • Saturday January 28th, 9AM – 1PM
  • Saturday February 4th, 9AM – 1PM

Ladera Linda Community Center
32201 Forrestal Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

This is an 18 and over volunteer opportunity, however, minors are welcome to sign up with a parent or guardian.

For further information and to sign up please visit:
http://pvplc.volunteerhub.com

Home Orcharding @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Jan 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Instructor: Steve Hofvendahl

To register, please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623 or pay at the door.

Want to grow your own fruit?  Come learn some basics about fruit trees in Southern California.  The class will cover the species and varieties that do the best here and how to consider their different needs for care and pruning. Design and lay-out considerations for your particular property will be discussed.  The beauty of orcharding in So Cal is that, with the right planning and attention, you can eat several kinds of delicious home grown fruit throughout the year!"

Steve Hofvendahl grows around 100 fruiting trees and plants on his property (he lost count long ago).  He ran the TreePeople Fruit Tree Program for 11 years where he successfully over-saw the distribution of over 50,000 free fruit trees to low income families throughout Los Angeles County.  He is a Master Gardener and a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers.LA County Arboretum logo

Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Jan 28 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature

Saturdays, (6 week sessions):
January 14 – February 18
February 25 – April 1
April 8 – May 13
May 20 – June 24
1:00pm – 3:30pm

Ron Pettie, Instructor
$69 Arboretum members / $79 non-members (includes Arboretum admission)
All materials are included.
 
Capture the beauty of nature! The instructor will guide a beginner to draw and paint with confidence. More advanced students will be able to paint independently at their own pace and will be able to choose their own subjects.
 
Each subsequent six-week class will explore other areas of painting such as landscape, still life, domestic animals, structures, deserts, and seascapes. Master artist Ron Pettie will guide you on this adventure.
 
At the end of a six-week session students will learn the following:

  • Composition styles
  • How to read a color chart
  • Color mixing
  • How to use the grid system and the rule of thirds
  • Use of dark and light values and gray scales
  • Learn a variety of techniques for painting , including using different brushes and the palette knife for texture and depth
  • How to use the magic frame on photographs
  • Self-Critiquing – Standing back and squinting
  • Choosing a signature

 
Reservations REQUIRED; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.

Volunteer: Night on Broadway @ Broadway Street (between Olympic Blvd. and 3rd Street), Downtown LA
Jan 28 @ 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Night on Broadway is a free arts and music festival produced in celebration of Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway economic development initiative. Like never before, Night on Broadway awakens beautiful historic theatres and the blocks between them along the Broadway corridor in Downtown Los Angeles. L.A. is a mecca for creative talent of all kinds, and Night on Broadway is where it all shines – right in the heart of entertainment’s birthplace in Los Angeles. From emerging musical acts to national stars, artists to acrobats, and fashion designers to food trucks, Night on Broadway is all about the City of Angels.  The event is from 4 – 11 pm.  Volunteer opportunities are from 9 am (Jan. 28) – 1 am (Jan. 29).

See website for more on volunteer opportunities!

  • Free – All Ages – Rain or Shine No Tickets Required
  • 6 Historic Theatres – 7 City Blocks – 10 Stages – 100s of Acts, Artists & Experiences – 60,000+ People

For more info, please visit http://nightonbroadway.la/.

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.