Five Ways to Spend MLK Day

Americans are encouraged on Monday, Jan. 16 to have a "day on, not a day off" and to provide service to their communities as part of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. 

Cranberry Patch suggests five ways on this national holiday that you can get involved, and celebrate, in honor of the civil rights leader. 

1. Join a candlelight vigil. As part of MLK Week 2012, Robert Morris University is holding a vigil in honor of Dr. King at 5:30 p.m. at Rogel Chapel. The vigil will be followed by an MLK memorial service at 6 p.m. at the chapel, located behind the John Jay Center and across from the Nicholson Center on the Moon Township campus, 6001 University Boulevard. 

2.  Read. and are closed today, but that doesn't mean you can't discover the life of Dr. King by reading a book, especially to a child. 

Because he worked to integrate  and to improve the lives of young people, his story can be especially meaningful to children. For help finding the right book, stop byr the Half Price Books shop.  

3. Volunteer.  In recent years, MLK Day has become synonymous with the National Day of Service.  If your  or school is closed for the day, consider donating your time to a cause. To find out where to volunteer, visit www.mlkday.org and follow the "Serve" link or find  right here at Cranberry Patch. Another place to look for volunteer opportunities is the Cranberry Township Community Chest or your local

4.  Visit a museum.  Admission will be free today at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture.  From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., explore the theme of "I Have a Dream Too!" with gallery exhibits, arts and crafts, movie screenings and performances that include poetry, spoken word, music and dance. For more information contact cultivation@augustwilsoncenter.org or call 412-338-8730. The Center is located at 980 Liberty Ave. in Pittsburgh.

 
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will also have a special "King for a Day" programming today  by the Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the MLK celebration includes a five-hour marathon of participatory readings of the speeches of Dr. King. 

At 12:30 p.m., Actor Greg Kenney will portray Dr. King in a one-man show, "I Have a Dream: A Conversation With a Friend." At 1:15 and 2:15 p.m., tje drum ensemble of Afrika Yetu will perform. 

The Children’s Museum is located at 10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Square, on Pittsburgh’s North Side.  For more information call 412-322-5058.

5.  Attend a government meeting. What better way to exercise your civil rights than with civic engagement? The Seneca Valley School Board meets at 8 p.m. tonight. In keeping with Dr. King's legacy of having a"day on, not a day off" the board will meet as usual at the to vote on district business, including a . For a look ahead, be sure to view the agenda on the district's website.

Cranberry Patch Local Editor Jessica Sinichak contributed to this article.