The upcoming federal holiday recognizing the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. falls on the third Monday each January. This year it lands on Jan. 15 — King’s birthday.
King was a nonviolent activist and the leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, which began in the 1950s and sought to end Jim Crow laws at the state and local levels that had enforced racial segregation meant to marginalize Black people.
Considered a controversial figure, he was the object of numerous incidents that were meant to hinder or stop the progress of the movement. Ultimately, King was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Despite this, the Civil Rights Movement sparked numerous advancements, such as the desegregation of interstate travel, and the passages of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
MLK Jr. Day is one of only two holidays in the U.S. that are also designated Days of Service (the other being Sept. 11). As a result, people across the country are encouraged to spend the day doing something to uplift their communities.
In the spirit of King’s mission and ideals, various community events are being held across Sonoma and Napa counties during the long weekend. Here are a few ways to get involved:
Calistoga
MLK Day Mount St. Helena Hike: The Mendocino County Outdoor Recreation Group is hosting its annual MLK Day hike of Mount St. Helena. This 10-mile hike is rated as hard, and hiking boots and poles are recommended for the first 1.5 miles. Bring lunch and water and dress in layers. The event will be canceled if it rains. Meet at 9 a.m. Monday at 4625 Lake County Highway. The hike will end at about 3:30 p.m. For more information, go to pdne.ws/47wTtTp.
Jenner
MLK National Day of Service: Lend a hand at Jenner Headlands Preserve in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Participants will plant native trees and help restore the Russian Gulch Food Plain. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Space for this free volunteer event is limited to 15 people. Meet at the Gateway to Jenner Headlands parking lot, 12001 Highway 1, beginning at 10 a.m. Jan. 15. Work ends at 1 p.m. For more information, and to reserve a spot, go to pdne.ws/48qG93Z.
Napa
Learn about California Reparations: The Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists will offer a slideshow depicting the harm of slavery, the terror amid the Jim Crow era and how discrimination has continued today. A review and discussion of the policy recommendations of the California Reparations Task Force will follow. The event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. in the sanctuary at the church, 1625 Salvador Ave. For more information, go to pdne.ws/47tpdIT.
MLK Day Bike Trail Cleanup: The Napa County Bicycle Coalition is inviting volunteers to participate in its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a cleanup of the Vine Trail, an important shared-use path. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. Monday at The Hub bike shop, 2500 Jefferson St., and clean until 11:30 a.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be available. For more information, and to sign up, go to pdne.ws/3vybbbJ.
MLK Day of Service Weed Removal: Join the city of Napa and the Napa County Weed Management Area folks to identify and pull the invasive French broom plant during a day of service. All the necessary tools will be provided, but those interested should bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, clothes suitable for gardening, and water and snacks. Meet at 9 a.m. Monday at the parking lot of Westwood Hills Park, 3107 Browns Valley Road. Work ends at noon. For more information, and to register, go to naparcd.org/events/mlk2024.
Napa Valley’s Celebration of Compassion & Action: Head to Justin-Siena High School to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in a multi-day event that honors his vision of a beloved community. The Commemoration Ceremony takes place Sunday, while the day of Community Service takes place Monday. The entire celebration runs from 9 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Monday at the high school, 4026 Maher St. For more information, and to sign up for volunteer opportunities, go to pdne.ws/3Hf24PN.
Petaluma
MLK Day of Service: Head to the Petaluma Bounty Community Farm for a Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteers will work on the farm while reflecting on MLK Jr.’s legacy and service. Participants can choose to stay for the entire time, or can choose to leave early. Meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the farm, 55 Shasta Ave. For more information, go to pdne.ws/4aLEPub.
Santa Rosa
“King, The Radical!”: Join the Sonoma County Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Committee for a celebration of King’s legacy. This year’s celebration will feature performances from the Sonoma County MLK Community Choir and MLK Praise Dancers, as well as speakers, community recognition and student awards, local artists and more. The event is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Montgomery High School, 1250 Hahman Drive. The event is also hosted on Zoom and Facebook Live. For more information, visit the committee’s Facebook page at pdne.ws/3SbpdrB.
MLK Day of Service: The Community Baptist Church is hosting a cleanup at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Volunteer activities include picking up litter, spreading mulch, weeding, building community and more. Tools and light refreshment will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their friends and family. Meet from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at 1208 Hendley St. For more information on this free event, and to register, go to pdne.ws/3tBVWy1.
MLK Jr. Workday: Sonoma County Regional Parks encourages members of the community to embrace the spirit of community and service for a workday at Andy’s Unity Park. Volunteers will work to improve the park by spreading mulch, improving paths and pulling weeds. Tools and supplies are provided, along with snacks and drinks. Afterward, lunch will be served. Meet in the parking lot at 3399 Moorland Ave. beginning at 9 a.m. Monday. Work runs until 12:30 p.m. Registration for this free event is required. For more information, and to register, go to pdne.ws/48NpWG6.