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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5/10K Run/Walk is one of the largest and longest-running Chinese New Year charity runs in the country. The event is 100% volunteer organized and 100% of net proceeds are reinvested in the local community.
Every year, more than 500 volunteers help make the race possible. Please join the Firecracker volunteer team to provide runners and bikers the best experience possible!
Volunteer Days
- Saturday, February 4, 2017 – Goodie Bag Day
- Saturday, February 11, 2017 – Pre-registration pickup, Late Registration, Community Event, Bike Ride
- Sunday, February 12, 2017 – Race day
For more details on how you can help, please visit http://www.firecracker10k.org/volunteer/.
Please contact the volunteer committee at Stacey.trang@firecracker10k.org with questions.
Join Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy during their Outdoor Volunteer Day at Portuguese Bend Reserve. Open to all, no experience needed! They'll will be working on one of their many restoration sites to remove invasive weeds and plant/maintain native shrubs. Your work will help improve the land for people and wildlife alike!
This event will meet at the entrance of Portuguese Bend Reserve at the intersection of Crenshaw and Burrell Lane next to Del Cerro Park.
To sign up for this activity please visit:
http://pvplc.volunteerhub.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.
Don’t miss the Feb. 6 Big Queen Bingo Charity Fundraiser for No Limits for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Children. There is a suggested donation: $20 to play all rounds. Seating begins at 6 pm and games start at 7 pm. Come out and support a great cause!
Fresh: Celebrating The Table
Cooking Class at the Arboretum
Executive Chef Steven Mary
Reservations required; please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623
Chef Mary was drawn into the culinary arts while staging at Bistro 45 in Pasadena and subsequently attended Le Cordon Blue. His early experiences at Parkway Grill offered an opportunity to cook from the garden, literally, as he paired with local horticulturist and composed daily specials while standing among the fresh herbs and vegetables growing on the property.
His relationship with this garden curator spawned a passion that has grown into a partnership with the Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for more than a decade, teaching various classes on cooking from the garden to children and adults alike.
In between all of his Arboretum volunteering, he has also been a chef at the Ritz Carlton/Langham Hotel, Executive Chef of Pinot Bistro in the valley, Executive Chef of CATAL in Downtown Disney and True Food Kitchen in Newport Beach and Pasadena.
Currently, Chef Mary is catering and cooking for the local community, keeping a garden at home and enjoying the opportunity to pick fresh vegetables and herbs with his wife and two young children.
Menu
- Kale and Roasted Beet Salad, with Dates, Mint, Pepitas, and Horseradish Vinaigrette
- Braised Beef Short Ribs with Mushroom-Farro, Parsnip Puree, and Natural Jus
-
Butterscotch-Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding
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”.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join the City Impact Lab for a special impact tour of the world’s most famous neighborhood, Hollywood! Led by Angela Babcock, Stratiscope’s Director of Community Engagement, participants will start out at the EaCa Alley (located north east of the intersection of Selma and Cahuenga) and end for a complimentary cocktail at St. Felix of Hollywood. The tour will include a look at innovative uses of public spaces as well as exclusive peeks into hidden Hollywood treasures. For tickets, please click HERE.
The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5/10K Run/Walk is one of the largest and longest-running Chinese New Year charity runs in the country. The event is 100% volunteer organized and 100% of net proceeds are reinvested in the local community.
Every year, more than 500 volunteers help make the race possible. Please join the Firecracker volunteer team to provide runners and bikers the best experience possible!
Volunteer Days
- Saturday, February 4, 2017 – Goodie Bag Day
- Saturday, February 11, 2017 – Pre-registration pickup, Late Registration, Community Event, Bike Ride
- Sunday, February 12, 2017 – Race day
For more details on how you can help, please visit http://www.firecracker10k.org/volunteer/.
Please contact the volunteer committee at Stacey.trang@firecracker10k.org with questions.


