What We Learned From King

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke often about the power of love, peace and the importance of taking a stand for what is right. Today, we commemorate the civil rights leader's legacy, along with the contributions of local residents who took a stand and changed their communities.

In Honor Of King

There will be a parade at noon today starting at 15th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Tampa. The parade will proceed east on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to North 22nd Street. It will then head north, ending at Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St. The parade will feature more than a half-dozen bands and several floats.

Other Events

The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival runs through Sunday. It features a variety of speakers and events. For information, go to www.tampablackheritage.com.

MLK Day Closings

Hillsborough

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

Public schools: Closed today

Hillsborough Community College: Closed today

Garbage collection: There will be regular trash collection today.

Public transportation: Hillsborough Area Regional Transit will operate a Saturday schedule today.

Recreation: Regional parks will be open today. Recreation centers and playgrounds will be closed.

Tampa

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

University of Tampa: Closed today

University of South Florida: Closed today

Garbage collection: There will be no trash collection today. Pickups will run one day late until Wednesday.

Public transportation: Hillsborough Area Regional Transit and HARTplus will operate a Saturday schedule today.

Recreation: City parks and the Sandra Freedman and HCC tennis centers will be open today. Community centers, playgrounds, art studios, pools, the Wayne C. Papy Athletic Center, the Barksdale Senior Citizen Center and the Joe Abrahams Wellness Center will be closed.

Plant City

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

Garbage collection: No pickup today

Public transportation: No service today

Recreation: Closed today

Temple Terrace

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

Garbage collection: The city will not provide residential garbage collection today. Regular service will resume the next scheduled pickup day. Recycling will resume Jan. 28.

Public transportation: Hillsborough Area Regional Transit and HARTplus will operate a Saturday schedule today.

Recreation: The Family Recreation Complex will be open today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lightfoot Recreation Center will be closed today.

Pasco

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

Public schools: Closed today

Public transportation: Public transportation with fixed routes will operate on a regular schedule. Paratransit buses will not operate.

Recreation: Regional parks and recreation centers are open today from 1 to 9 p.m. Community centers are closed.

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

Zephyrhills

Libraries: Closed today

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

Dade City

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

New Port Richey

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

Pinellas

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

Public schools: Closed today

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

Public transportation: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will operate a regular schedule today.

Recreation: All Pinellas County parks will be open today.

Clearwater

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

Recreation: Closed today

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

St. Petersburg

Government offices: Closed today

Libraries: Closed today

Recreation: There will be seven recreation centers open today. Five playgrounds - Wildwood, Frank Pierce, Childs Park, Campbell Park, Lake Vista - will be closed.

Garbage collection: Pickups normally made today will be made Tuesday, and Tuesday's pickups will be made Wednesday.

Dunedin

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

Tarpon Springs

Garbage collection: The pickup schedule will remain the same today.

State

Department of Motor Vehicles: Closed today

Federal

U.S. Postal Service: Closed today

Tampa Federal Courthouse: Closed today