Celebrating the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cranford hailed the life and works of Martin Luther King, Jr. at an annual last week. Below are some other activities around the area to celebrate the dream and works of this famous civil rights activist on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

Elizabeth: A play titled "The Legacy of Power" is running in Elizabeth which commemorates the activism of Martin Luther King, Jr., from noon-2 p.m. at 477 Madison Avenue. For more information call (908) 469-1519.

Fanwood: The Chelsea at Fanwood is hosting "What's Race Got To Do With It?" – a free, interactive discussion exploring how everyday people can take the lessons of racial division in America and turn them into healing tools, presented by Beyond Diversity Resource Center, an MLK Day of Service project of the Scotch Plains/Fanwood Ministerium. 12:30-1 p.m., 295 South Ave., 908-654-5200.

Rahway: The Second Baptist Church hosts a memorial service, followed by a march to the Martin Luther King Jr. monument on the corners of Broad, West Cherry and Campbell streets and refreshments at the Rahway Senior Citizen Center. 10 a.m., 378 East Milton Ave., 732-381-1950.

Scotch Plains: The second-annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service offers an opening ceremony followed by service opportunities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, 1340 Martine Ave., 908- 889-5455, spfdayofservice@gmail.com. Registration required. 

Summit: The 13th-annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service offers service opportunities and presentations celebrating King's life and legacy. See specific activities and events 

Westfield: MLK Day Pancake Breakfast at the Westfield Community Center. 8-10:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door ($5 adults; $4 senior citizens and children). 908-232-4759, westfieldcommunitycenter.org

Woodbridge: The Woodbridge Interfaith Clergy Council presents the winners of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest, remembrances of Dr. King, and performances by the Colonia High School and First Baptist Church of Woodbridge choirs. 7 p.m., Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St., 732-596-4103, twp.woodbridge.nj.us.

On television:

2-4 p.m. - The History Channel and host Tom Brokaw take viewers through the life and times of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in "King." 

4 p.m. - "The Oprah Show" (ABC) will air a new special on race, "Race in America: A 25-Year Look Back," in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

9 p.m. - Centric TV runs HBO Films' "Boycott" (2001), a docudrama about MLK Jr., Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

10 p.m. - PBS shows "Roads to Memphis." Based on the book by Hampton Sides and part of PBS's America Experience series, this documentary tells the stories of Martin Luther King Jr. and his assassin James Earl Ray leading to that fateful day on April 4, 1968.