Events honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. are scheduled around Central Iowa today. Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts will be the keynote speaker at Des Moines Public Library’s celebration starting at 4 p.m. at the Forest Avenue Library, 1326 Forest Ave. The city of Des Moines’ observance also includes the annual MLK Jr. Donate & Skate Day event, hosted by Des Moines Parks and Recreation. From noon to 9 p.m., visitors can donate non-perishable food items and new or gently used warm clothing items at Brenton Skating Plaza and skate for free. All donations will go to Central Iowa Shelter & Services.

The city of West Des Moines’ celebration includes a service opportunity packaging meals for Meals from the Heartland in West Des Moines and an event featuring the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Multicultural Reception and roundtable discussions followed by keynote remarks from Rich Salas, chief diversity officer at Des Moines University. The tours and book giveaways at the Historic Jordan House Museum have been canceled due to weather, according to the city’s website.

More events happening around the metro include:

• Urban Dreams – MLK Jr. Day of Service, held at Urban Dreams’ office at 1615 Second Ave. in Des Moines. The nonprofit is holding two-hour volunteer shifts starting at 9 a.m.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Vigil hosted by Ankeny Community Network at Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, 1250 S.W. District Dr., starting at 5 p.m.

Here are additional stories about King and today’s holiday:

• Ahead of today’s holiday, the family of Martin Luther King Jr. announced a new youth service initiative in partnership with the NFL, according to an interview with MSNBC.
• The many sides of Martin Luther King (Financial Times)
• Martin Luther King Jr. wasn’t a lone Messiah (New York Times)