January 19th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the kids are out of school. Consider making it "a day on, not off!" Volunteering on this day is a great way to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and support projects that strengthen our community. Here are a few great family friendly option:

The Marin Parks Department needs your help to spruce up landscaped areas at the Marin County Civic Center. All skill levels are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. Snacks and extra water will be provided. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kirk Schroeder at (415) 763-2977.

The Golden Gate Conservancy has two great projects for all ages and skill levels. Muir Beach Stewardship, 1 pm–4 pm, to improve vital habitat for the coho salmon and other wildlife through planting and weeding projects. Stinson Beach Cleanup, 10am-12pm, Enjoy a day at the beach while helping to care for our beautiful coastline in Marin.

Contact organizers for registration and more information.

Friday, January 16

Sing & Dance with Miss Kitty, 10:30am, ages 0-8 years, San Rafael Library.

Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan, 6pm, Book Passage, Corte Madera.

Anniversary of the Sea Lions’ Arrival at PIER 39

Saturday, January 17

Aramburu Island Enhancement, 9am, ages 12+, volunteer work is mildly strenuous and involves bending, pulling, and kneeling, RSVP Tori Bohlen at (415) 473-5082.

A Woodland Winter, 9:30am-12pm, Look for salmon, mushroom displays, winter wildflowers, waterfalls, and more, RSVP 388-2596, Muir Woods.

Junior Chef Class, 10am, ages 9–13, 52 Better Burgers, Williams-Sonoma, The Village at Corte Madera.

Kids Club, 10am-12pm, ages 3+, Freeze Frame, Michael's, San Rafael.

Around the World in 80 Days, 10:30am, 12:30pm & 3pm, On the very day that the bank of England is robbed, Mr. Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant Passepartout hurriedly leave London in the middle of the night to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days! Little do they know that detective Fix of the Yard is on the case and in hot pursuit, Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley.

STEAM Water Ways, 11-11:45am, ages 3-6,San Rafael Library.

The Hug Machine, 11am, story time and activities, Barnes & Noble, Corte Madera.

Kids Lego Club, 1-2pm, we supply the Legos, you make the creations, Belvedere-Tiburon Library.

Girls Can Be Park Rangers Too, 6 – 8pm, ages 6-12, play in the dirt, rock at sports, fight fires, camp in the woods, and be park rangers! Enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores and learn about what a Marin County Park Ranger does and how to become a park ranger. Boys welcome too. RSVP: Contact Ranger Sarah Burkhart, Marin County Parks Lucas Valley Field Office, 18 Jeannette Prandi Way, San Rafael.

Miss Representation, 6-8:30pm, ages 12+, written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, popcorn and refreshments provided. Following the screening, there will be a panel and discussion. Marin Country Mart, Larkspur.

San Francisco Rocks, 11am-12pm, From volcanic eruptions and giant earthquakes, to submarine landslides and 400-foot sea level fluctuations, learn the 160-million-year story that underlies San Francisco during this illustrated presentation, Reservations required; please call 561-4323, Meet Ranger Will Elder at the Main Post Parade Ground in front of the Presidio Visitor Center on 105 Montgomery St.

Creative Family Fun: What Floats Your Boat, 11am-4pm, Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco.

Candlelight Tour, 6:30-8pm, RSVP 556-1693, Fort Point, San Francisco.

Jack and the Beanstalk, 10:30am & 1pm, Cowell Theater, San Francisco.

Sunday, January 18

Hike to Beautiful Gibson Falls, 9am – 12pm, meet a ranger for a walk in this beautiful canyon to view a waterfall nestled amidst the trees. A discussion of creek ecology, watersheds, and water conservation will be included on the way. This will be an easy walk with one steep section, approximately 1 mile round-trip, Meet at the end of Fairway Dr in Novato.

Around the World in 80 Days, 10:30am & 12:30pm, On the very day that the bank of England is robbed, Mr. Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant Passepartout hurriedly leave London in the middle of the night to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days! Little do they know that detective Fix of the Yard is on the case and in hot pursuit, Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley.

Artist Workshop, 2:30-4:30pm, leaf secrets, an interactive hands on workshop with artist Liz Harvey, create functional accessories, experiment with sewing, or make your own plant puppet, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.

Axis Dance Workshop, 11:30-12:30pm, hop, dance, wiggle and move, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.

Drop-In Art-Making , 1-3pm, Creative Clay Creatures, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.

Creative Family Fun: What Floats Your Boat, 11am-4pm, Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco.

Anniversary of the Sea Lions’ Arrival at PIER 39

Children's Story time, Ages 4-8, Blooms & Branches featuring the book "Another Tree in the Yard," San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Monday, January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

MLK Jr. Day of Service, 9am-12pm, contact Volunteer Coordinator Kirk Schroeder at 763-2977.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, 9am-5pm, music, crafts and more, Bay Area Discovery Museum.

MLK Day of Service, Golden Gate Conservancy.

E. W. Wainwright and the African Roots of Jazz, 11am & 1pm, Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Nature for Kids: Indian Valley, 10am – 1pm, look for early blooming flowers and see what kinds of insects (and maybe other animals) are visiting them in search of nectar or pollen. The creek should be full, so we’ll follow it up the canyon and have lunch by a beautiful waterfall. Remember to bring lunch. College of Marin Indian Valley Campus, 1800 Ignacio Blvd, Novato.

Drop-In Art-Making , 1-3pm, Dreams of Freedom Poster Workshop, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.

Anniversary of the Sea Lions’ Arrival at PIER 39

Museum Mondays for Little Ones, 10am-12pm, ages 1-5, enjoy stories, movement games, art and craft activities, Schultz Museum.