Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January — this year on Monday, Jan. 15. According to The King Center — a nonprofit founded by MLK, Jr.'s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy — the strategic theme for this year is “Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence.”

If you're looking to commemorate the day,I'm a little hesitant on "if you have time" — it sounds like it's almost diminishing the holiday (as in, not making time for it, only if you already have it), and it seems like this would be for holiday rather than our community. Maybe "If you're looking to commemorate the day" here are five are you counting the breakfast?local events + volunteer opportunities:

Candlelight Service |Should these links go to our calendar like we usually do? I can help add the entries if you need me to! Sunday, Jan. 14 | 5:30 p.m. | Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St., Asheville | The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association will honor community leaders and organizations paving the way for social justice.

Peace March and Rally | Monday, Jan. 15 | 11:30 a.m. | Various locations | The Association is hosting a service at St. James AME Church at 11:30 a.m. — at 12:30 p.m., attendees will march from the church to Pack Square Park.

MLK Jr. Day of Service | replaced with our linkMonday, Jan. 15 | 11 a.m. | Peace Gardens, 47 Bryant St., Asheville | Work on various community projects in and around the Burton Street Neighborhood at this event hosted by Hood Huggers International + other local organizations—from the listing on our calendar, it looks like there are several organizations involved register to volunteer.

14th Annual Kenilworth Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | Monday, Jan. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville | The topic of the event is "A Capital for Black Capitalism: Soul City, N.C. and its Unique Connection to Asheville," with Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. Esq. delivering the keynote speech.

Note: Tickets for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association's Annual Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 13 are sold out, but you can subscribe to the Association's YouTube channel to be alerted when a taping of the event gets posted.