Weekend Planner: Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life and More

This weekend's cold weather – starting with snow showers and a low of 22 degrees today, according to a National Weather Service forecast – may inspire area residents to stay indoors and reflect on one of our nation's most inspirational leaders, Martin Luther King Jr., who will be honored with a federal holiday Monday.

Several communities are marking the holiday with events, assemblies and peace marches. in Ferndale, for example, is planning a on Friday and an is planned Monday at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield. Also, doors open at 7 a.m. Monday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, which is offering a commemorative breakfast and a .

For those who prefer a more personal way to meditate on the civil rights leader's life, Painting with a Twist in Ferndale will offer a special art session Monday.

• When: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday
• Where: Why go: Honor MLK with your own rendition of  “I Have a Dream,” an original artwork done by Wendy Fournier specifically for this MLK event. Also featured will be two local authors, Sandra Epps and Marlin Page, discussing their new books on motivating children and young adults, as well as complimentary handmade snacks from local business, Pop Pop Pop. 
• Cost: $30
• What else: For more information call 248-850-7182 or visit www.paintingwithatwist.com/Ferndale.

Here are some more events you may want to pencil in this weekend.

Best of the rest

• When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday
• Where:
• Why go: Join local author, historian and journalist Richard Bak as he discusses his new book Detroitland: A Collection of Movers, Shakers, Lost Souls, and History Makers from Detroit's Past, which chronicles a century of the city's history. Copies will be available for purchase during the event, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Huntington Woods Library.
• Cost: Free
• What else: Registration is encouraged.

• When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Where: , 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak
• Why go: "Celebrate the arctic chill of winter with ice carving demonstrations and meet some of the Detroit Zoo’s arctic animals with animal enrichment and keeper talks," says the zoo's website. "Activities include arctic-themed arts and crafts, games and entertainment."
• Cost: Free with admission, which is $15 for ages 15-61, $10 for seniors age 62 and older and military members, $8 for ages 2-14, and free for those younger than 2.
• What else: Visit the Detroit Zoo's website for more information.

• When: 2 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Tenhave Woods at , Royal Oak.
• Why go: The winter forest is the easiest time to see signs of wildlife, so bring your binoculars for bird watching and take a walk.
• Cost: Free
• What else: Park at the Lexington/Marais lot and meet at the Lexington entrance. Visit the Nature Society online for more information.

For more weekend-things-to-do options, visit our Events guide here. If you'd like to post your own event, .