Community events honor Martin Luther King’s legacy

As the nation pauses to pay tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, the Bay Area will join the celebration with community service events, marches and musical tributes.

Richmond organizers are encouraging residents to make the holiday a “day on, not a day off.”

Hundreds of volunteers are expected to participate in an annual day of service in Richmond. The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Greenway, will include 10 volunteer projects, live entertainment, community art projects, a hot tea bar, workshops on living a healthy lifestyle and a kids’ zone.

Volunteers can help rebuild garden beds on the greenway, help with a mural project or help make signs identifying local landmarks.  Rich City Rides will offer valet bike parking.

Bay Area government offices, schools and banks are closed Monday. BART will run on a Saturday schedule and all AC Transit local and transbay lines will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday.

If you go:

Richmond’s day of service is from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday along the Richmond Greenway between 6th and 16th streets at Chanslor and Ohio avenues. To register to volunteer, visit www.mlkdayrichmond.org.

Other Bay Area events include:

BERKELEY

The third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Awards Breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to10 a.m. Monday at Hs Lordships, 199 Seawall Drive. For tickets, visit Tickets www.berkeleymlkjrday.com.

EL CERRITO

The city’s 25th annual parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday from the parking lot of the Department of Motor Vehicles at Manila and Kearney to El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Ave. The parade will be followed by a rally from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Performing Arts Center. The program will include displays and speeches, along with music, dancing and other entertainment.

HERCULES

A breakfast and program will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at Hercules Middle High School, 1900 Refugio Valley Road. The event will feature food, music, performances and special guest speakers.

OAKLAND

“In the Name of Love,” the 12^th annual musical tribute, will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr.  The event will features  singer/songwriter/actor Martin Luther McCoy, the Marcus Shelby JazzOrchestra featuring Faye Carol, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and the Oakland Children’s Community Choir. Mayor Jean Quan will present the City of Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award. Cost is $23 in advance, $25 at the door and $8 for children 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mlktribute.com.

The Oakland MLK Day of Service will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the Gardens at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park. More than 500 volunteers – many associated with nonprofit organizations, universities and community groups – are expected to participate in the MLK Day of Service at the Gardens at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park.

SAN FRANCISCO

The Children’s Creativity Museum will sponsor family friendly activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at 221 Fourth St. The event will include free film screenings and guests can create their own tribute film in the animation studio. There will also be activities throughout Yerba Buena Gardens, including a community breakfast and live music. Visit www.creativity.org for more information.

The San Francisco Interfaith Council invites faith leaders, their congregants and the Bay Area community to join in the march/parade from the Caltrain Depot at 4th and Townsend. The event will be followed by the 4th annual Interfaith Commemoration Ceremony at 11:45 a.m. at the Yerba Buena Gardens Esplanade.