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.
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”.
Tickets are now available for LA’s biggest gala on the pier! On May 18, come party for a purpose at Heal the Bay’s annual Bring Back The Beach Awards Gala on the upper decl of the Santa Monica Pier.
Once you step onto the classic wooden planks of the iconic Santa Monica Pier – and walk down Heal the Bay’s famous blue carpet – you will be transported to a playful, cozy pier paradise for an enchanting evening of live performances, beautiful sunset views, dinner, dancing, special guests and so much more.
While the famous faces and fruity cocktails are sweet, it's everyone’s shared passion
for the ocean that makes this night so special.
The Gala typically raises over $1 million for research, advocacy, and education programs that have led to cleaner coasts and increased public awareness about the challenges facing L.A. County's beaches and watersheds. In addition, Heal the Bay centers the evening around an awards ceremony that recognizes honorees who have made a big impact on the Bay.
Will you attend the Gala?
Please buy your tables or individual tickets as soon as possible. This event sells out every year. If you have any questions or are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Danie Eley at 310-451-1500 or bbb@healthebay.org. For tickets and info, please click HERE.
On May 18th, come hear the entire Youth Orchestra Los Angeles at HOLA orchestra! For more info or to RSVP, please email ecurtis@heartofla.org.
The Westside Coalition is in search of a few hardworking volunteers to pitch in on their May 19 Lawn Bowlathon. Duties will include assistance with bowling, games, parking, registration, etc.
The Westside Coalition is an alliance of 45 organizations, public agencies and faith communities addressing issues of housing, hunger and health through service coordination, public education and advocacy.
The Bowlathon is one of two annual fundraisers the Coalition hosts to support its work and the work of the Coalition’s member agencies.
Two volunteers shifts are available:
- Shift 1: 10 am – 3 pm
- Shift 2: 3 pm – 8 pm
The Westside Coalition is in search of a few hardworking volunteers to pitch in on their May 19 Lawn Bowlathon. Duties will include assistance with bowling, games, parking, registration, etc.
The Westside Coalition is an alliance of 45 organizations, public agencies and faith communities addressing issues of housing, hunger and health through service coordination, public education and advocacy.
The Bowlathon is one of two annual fundraisers the Coalition hosts to support its work and the work of the Coalition’s member agencies.
Two volunteers shifts are available:
- Shift 1: 10 am – 3 pm
- Shift 2: 3 pm – 8 pm
Cowan Avenue Elementary is looking for volunteers who would like to commit several hours to come to the school to weed, plant, paint, clean up trash and beautify the buildings and surrounding areas. If you’d like to help, please contact Mona Ryan at cowan.bigsunday@gmail.com.
2017 Orientation Dates
May 20, 9am
July 22, 9am
September 23, 9am
November 18, 9am
Signup links for orientations are posted on this page three weeks prior to the orientation date.
Adult Volunteer
The Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS) is a 100% volunteer-run organization looking for committed volunteers who are able to provide basic care for the animals and assist with adoptions as well as participate in and run their various programs.
Volunteer Requirements
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must commit to volunteer 8 hours per month.
- You must commit to volunteering for a minimum of one year.
Orientation
- Orientation occurs every other month.
- Please allow 60-90 minutes for the orientation.
- During Orientation they will cover general Shelter duties, event committees, VBAS requirements, training, KFP, take a tour and Q&A.
- Orientation is on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 30 people to sign up will be able to attend Orientation. If you miss this, you will have to wait and attend the NEXT Orientation posted date.
- Sign up for the March 25th orientation session to sign up for the next orientation session starting March 4th.
Volunteer Application Process
- Applications are available at http://thevbas.org/volunteer for one week after each orientation.
- Upon receipt of your application you will be given a list of Volunteers with their schedules and observe them at the Shelter at least 2 times.
- You will then be move on and be interviewed by a VBAS member.
- You will then go through LiveScan and a minimal background check as required by the City of Burbank.
- Please note: completion of any or all of the above steps does not automatically constitute acceptance as a VBAS volunteer. Upon approval from both the VBAS and the Burbank Police Department, your badge will be available and you will be contacted to schedule your first training session.
- Please allow approximately 3-6 months to complete this application process.
Instructor: Crescent Farm Staff
Learn about water conservation and sustainable gardening, with hands-on experience! The Crescent Farm, located in the heart of the Arboretum just west of Baldwin Lake, is a reclaimed landscape where we explore new and ancient horticulture techniques for water conservation and food production. This is an educational training series. Please bring gloves, drinking water; wear close-toed shoes and a hat.
May 20 – Weaving / Basketry
Learn to use your bio-mass (plant waste) to create garden structures. Simple weaving techniques can use leaves as cordage, branches as trellises, tomato cages, shade shelters, and various long lasting leaves as weavers. Design and build compost structures, plant guards and soil traps in your own Crescent Garden.
June 17 – Crescent Farm Horticulture
Explore horticulture at Crescent Farm. Tour our choices for low water lawn alternatives, California native ethnobotanic plants of our local indigenous tribes, arid climate orchard trees and native wildflowers! Get ideas for your home landscape from our New California Landscape. Growing tips will also be discussed.
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.
The public is invited to SPARE some time and join Project Angel Food at Bowling for Angels, a fundraiser that combines good friends, crazy fun and a great cause to help put hunger where it belongs…in the gutter! Register and help Project Angel Food raise some much needed funds … and then come to celebrate your success in continuing the organization’s mission.
- Where: PINZ Bowling Alley in Studio City http://pinzla.com/
- Date: Saturday, May 20th
- Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Whether you are a STRIKE KING or a GUTTER BALL GURU, you’re guaranteed to have a great time all while raising money for a great cause.
Remember, you can throw balls and strikes, but the only pitchers are on the table!
Sign up today: http://bit.ly/B4A2017 
