With the theme of “What Would Martin do NOW?,” this year’s Sonoma County Marin Luther King birthday celebration takes place one week before the actual holiday. The program features keynote speaker Vince Harper of the Community Action Partnership; other performers and speakers include soon-to-be-retired congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Afrikan P. featuring Laydee Poetry and the Celebration Mass Choir. In addition, middle and high school students give youth oratories inspired by MLK and a children’s program is offered for kids ages four to eight. The annual Community Awareness Day led by Community Baptist Church, in which folks are encouraged to pursue the spirit of volunteerism instead of just taking a day of rest, is scheduled as normal for Monday, Jan. 21. For more information about “A Day On, Not a Day Off,” call 707.546.0744. Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 13, at the Santa Rosa High School Auditorium. 1235 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 4:45pm. Free. 707.795.1044.
Banking on It
On Jan. 7, Bank of America reached a $10.3 billion settlement with Fannie Mae for selling bad, mortgage-backed investments. B of A is also one of the big banks ordered to pay into an $8.5 million settlement over wrongful foreclosure practices. The ruling affects 3.8 million people. Qualified homeowners will receive $2,237 on average, though some may receive much less. Maryland congressman Elijah Cummings says that the settlement does not account for the true damage done to homeowners and allows banks to “sweep abuses under the rug.”
