Unifying Events

A rainbow of people from across the San Fernando Valley will commemorate the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. beginning today--what would have been the late civil rights leader’s 70th birthday.

Churches, schools and community groups will host events focusing on race relations, education, economic development and peace, all issues championed by the Baptist preacher.

“If we don’t keep Martin Luther King’s birthday as a working day about the issues of the community, it will become another day to barbecue, kick around the house or go to the store to shop for King Day sales, and I know that would not make him happy,” said the Rev. Zedar E. Broadous, president of the San Fernando Valley Branch of the NAACP.

Here is a list of some holiday events in the Valley and north Los Angeles County:

* People of all backgrounds are invited to take part in a “Days of Dialogue on Race Relations” discussion at Phillips Graduate Institute / California Family Counseling Center. The free session, which begins tonight at 7 at 5445 Balboa Blvd., Encino, is part of a nationwide dialogue on race being held at sites around the country. For information about the institute’s session, call (818) 386-5690, Ext. 384.

* The Los Angeles Public Library’s Mid-Valley Regional Branch will host a children’s drum workshop conducted by educator / musician Marcus Miller at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the library, 16244 Nordhoff St., North Hills. The program coincides with the nationwide public television broadcast in February of the documentary “I’ll Make a World: A Century of African American Arts.” For information, call (818) 895-3650.

* King’s memory will be honored with a “Day of Peace” in the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys. Events include a 45.6-mile leg of a 172-mile “Run for Peace.” At 6 a.m. Saturday, runners will gather at Vasquez Canyon Road and Sierra Highway in Canyon Country to continue the torch run that began in Arcadia on Sunday. Runners will relay the torch from Canyon Country to the Children’s Library in Palmdale (11 a.m.), to Lancaster City Hall (12:30 p.m.), and finish at 2 p.m. at the Challenger Memorial Youth Camp, 5300 W. Avenue I in Lancaster, where a cultural program will be held immediately after the race. For information, call Patricia Rhodes at (805) 722-9937. The event is sponsored by the county Probation Department, the Antelope Valley Human Relations Task Force, the Antelope Valley Heritage Foundation, radio station “The Beat” KKBT-FM (92.3) and the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster.

* The city of Lancaster will host its 10th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd. The cultural event will celebrate King through musical performances, children’s essay readings and remarks from community leaders, organizers said. For information, call Bert Perry at (805) 723-6014.

* On Sunday, First Presbyterian Church of North Hollywood and Faithful St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church of South-Central Los Angeles will live out King’s plea for racial unity. The predominately black Faithful St. Mark is joining the mostly white First Presbyterian for a 3:30 p.m. worship service at Faithful St. Mark, 9502 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. For information, call (323) 754-8411.

* The San Fernando Valley Branch of the NAACP will mark Monday’s official observance with a college preparatory program at 11 a.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, 11266 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima. Students can learn more about historically black colleges and universities, college entrance exams and the national organization’s annual academic and cultural competition to be held in New York City in July.

The youth program will be followed at 1 p.m. by a community forum on the Valley secession movement and its potential impact on Los Angeles’ minority communities. Representatives from Valley VOTE, the city’s elected charter reform commission and various community groups are scheduled to speak. For information, call (818) 899-4357 .

* On Monday evening, the Valley Interfaith Council will host “Living the Dream” at 7 p.m. at Mission College, 13356 Eldridge Ave., Sylmar. The ecumenical gathering will include African dance, sacred music, tributes from community leaders and a keynote address by William “Blinky” Rodriguez, executive director for Community and Schools and an anti-gang advocate. For information, call (818) 896-1302 or (818) 718-6460 Ext. 3001.