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.
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.
Don’t miss the Arboretum’s on-going series “Garden Night Photography Group Session”! Night offers unique photographic opportunities in the garden so come and discover your own creative images! Share your night photography techniques with other photographers. Specific emphasis will be placed on the ‘Painting with Light’ technique, so bring your ‘big gun’ flashlights.
*PLEASE NOTE: Be sure you have a DSLR or camera that has manual control capabilities. AND, please bring camera’s paper manual or pdf on your phone.
Where:
Meet outside the Main Entrance – then visit the Arboretum gardens near the Entrance/Rotunda, Peacock Cafe, Bauer Lawn & Fountain areas, Cactus and Succulent Garden and Madagascar Exhibit area.
Who:
Frank McDonough, session leader, botanist and photographer
Fee:
Per Class – $30 Arboretum members/$40 non-members
LIMIT 12 Photographers – Please call the Class Registration line at 626-821-4623
EQUIPMENT INFORMATION:
HEADLAMPS: You need to bring your own headlamp. For safety reasons, if you do not have a flashlight, you will not be permitted to attend. You may purchase inexpensive headlamps at Harbor Freight and Home Depot.
TRIPOD
DSLR CAMERA capable of long exposure time.
LIGHTS: Battery powered high illumination lights/flashlights, laser pointers.
COMFORTABLE SHOES: you will walk and maybe get dirty!
About the Session Leader: Besides doling out plant advice at the Arboretum, Arboretum Botanical Information Consultant Frank McDonough photographs the Arboretum on a regular basis. His work can be seen on the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens Facebook page, the Arboretum tumblr site, and throughout the Arboretum’s web site (www.arboretum.org).
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
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”.
Adopt a new best friend for $10 and help make L.A. a no-kill city.
Kick off summer with the coolest pets around at the Best Friends NKLA Super Adoption! Join NKLA June 3 & 4 to meet more than 1,000 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from dozens of local shelters and rescue groups. Adoption fees start at just $10!
All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. And when you adopt, you'll also go home with a new collar and leash, coupons and more (while supplies last).
Admission is free so bring the whole family to this festival of fun that will feature pet-related vendors and some of L.A.'s most popular food trucks. Don't forget, it's all happening at Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd in Woodland Hills.
Adopt one to help Save Them All®
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.
Adopt a new best friend for $10 and help make L.A. a no-kill city.
Kick off summer with the coolest pets around at the Best Friends NKLA Super Adoption! Join NKLA June 3 & 4 to meet more than 1,000 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from dozens of local shelters and rescue groups. Adoption fees start at just $10!
All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. And when you adopt, you'll also go home with a new collar and leash, coupons and more (while supplies last).
Admission is free so bring the whole family to this festival of fun that will feature pet-related vendors and some of L.A.'s most popular food trucks. Don't forget, it's all happening at Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd in Woodland Hills.
Adopt one to help Save Them All®
Please join Safe Place for Youth on Sunday, June 4, 2017,
for their 2nd Annual Gala celebrating community heroes and the resilient homeless youth who inspire them daily. The special event, which will honor Amy & Pete Favat and The Westchester Rotary Club with the Community Support Award, will include cocktails by Matthew Biancaniello, gourmet food by Tasting Kitchen, Superba, Charcoal and more, a silent auction and a performance by Grouplove. To purchase tickets and for more info, please visit www.spy2017gala.eventbrite.com.
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.
Save the date for a night to remember! Join the LA Arboretum to revel across the expansive lawns of the Queen Anne Cottage, engage in clever conversations over dinner, and play daring games of chance, like in the heady 1890s when Baldwin Ranch was a must-stop for the rich and famous. The Lucky Baldwin Poker Tournament and Fundraiser, hosted by Mario Lopez, benefits the Arboretum’s historic structures.
To purchase tix: www.ArboretumGetsLucky.Eventbrite.com


