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Groups across the peninsula are coming together this weekend to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Included below are events, celebrations and days of service from East Palo Alto to San Mateo.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community and Interfaith Celebration

This celebration will include a speech by Carl Ray, author of "Cured -- The Power of Forgiveness" and community activist, LaDoris H. Cordell, Master of Ceremonies, music by the Eastside Prep Choir and Community Interfaith Choir (singers are welcome: practice at 1:45 p.m.). Refreshments will be served. The event is Sunday, Jan. 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto.

Martin Luther King Birthday Community Sing Along!

There will be a celebration of the birthday and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with music from the civil rights, labor and peace movements. Attendees can sing along with the music from Folk This! and friends. Saturday, Jan. 19, from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Social Hall, First Baptist Church, 305 N. California Ave., Palo Alto. Go to peaceandjustice.org.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

This event is part of a national day of service to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Local activities at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center on Monday, Jan. 21, start at 8 a.m. and continue to 1:30 p.m. Go to paloaltojcc.org/mitzvah.

MLK Jr. Community Disaster Preparedness Fundraiser

There will be a fundraiser starting MLK Jr. Day and continuing through Black History Month in February. The goal is to prevent public and social safety disasters in African American Communities across the country. Sponsored by Ravenswood Gardenkits Products and Free At Last Gardening Club. For more information, call Leland at 650-461-0276 or email freeatlastgardens@yahoo.com.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 10th Annual Celebration

Guest speaker Dr. James Abner, Pastor of the Revelation Baptist Church in Berkeley, and Rev. Johnie Thompson Jr. will speak on the celebration's theme "Dream Realized." The event is Monday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at 2201 University Ave., East Palo Alto. Go to ccofepa.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day -- East Palo Alto

Youth Community Service is holding a day of service on Monday, Jan. 21, at the East Palo Alto YMCA, 550 Bell St. There will be poetry, music, art, workshops, service projects, food and prizes.

San Mateo County Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The 29th Annual Freedom Train will depart from the downtown Palo Alto Caltrain Station at 9:59 a.m. Peninsula participants will join 1,500 Freedom Train riders to the San Francisco 2013 MLK, Jr. Day Community Service for Second Harvest. Special Freedom Train tickets are sold only at the MLK, Jr. Day Celebration. Regular CalTrain tickets are not valid. Go to caltrain.com.

The 3rd annual MLK Day of Service

Hosted by City of Palo Alto, Youth Community Service and Project Safety Net, this event on Jan. 21 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m at Lytton Plaza. It will include service oriented activities, a "Share your Dream" open mic, and ways to obtain information about ongoing service opportunities in the community. Go to youthcommunityservice.org

— Eric Van Susteren

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