Bloomington to host MLK Day events

Peace. Justice. Equality. All the words are associated with civil-rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.\nBut when freshman Elia Nikitas thinks of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, she remembers the man, then also that she has a day off from school.\n"It's nice to have no class," she said, "but I don't think of the day unless it is mentioned." \nAround Bloomington, however, Monday is known as "A Day On! Not a Day Off," and Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday will be celebrated around Bloomington through various service projects and activities.\nCraig Brenner, a city employee in the Community and Family Resources Department, said there are about 54 projects in the area to take place Saturday through Monday.\nThe Buskirk-Chumley Theater originally planned a beautification project the week before the Monday holiday as well as on Jan. 15, but Brenner said the project will be rescheduled at a later date.\nThe city, however, is sponsoring many other opportunities for students to volunteer and assist with projects honoring the holiday.\n"We have activities for all age volunteers," Brenner said. "Some projects request families and some adults and some are open to 16 years and above and even senior citizens."\nTo make things simple, there is a nationwide Web site that lists volunteer opportunities for the holiday at www.mlkday.org and a schedule of local events the city is putting on at www.bloomington.in.gov.\nBrenner said he hopes about 1,500 volunteers turn out throughout the day around the county.\nOne of the major events the city is hosting is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Admission is free.\nThe program will include speakers like Mayor Mark Kruzan and King Commission chair Barbara Fuqua, among others, according to a news release from the city of Bloomington. The celebration features a presentation of the commission's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award, along with the recognition of volunteers who participated in service projects as part of "A Day On! Not a Day Off." \nHighlights at the event include performers from the IU African American Choral Ensemble, along with a community chorus led by Dr. Mellonee Burnim and a dramatic presentation by members of the Bloomington Playwrights Project. \nAlso in downtown Bloomington, the Monroe County Public Library is sponsoring a "A Day On! Not a Day Off," a celebration with a read-out of children's literature that addresses issues of peace, justice and diversity. \n"Every year we have special programs for Martin Luther King Day," said Patty Callison, manger of children's services at the Monroe County library. "It is all part of the city celebration, and the library doesn't just tell the virtues of Martin Luther King, but it is really a celebration of his ideas of peace and social justice and tolerance."\nCallison said some of the books read aloud do not necessarily have to do with King Jr. or race, but more with peace.