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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University's 17th annual Peace Breakfast is among the highlights of the university's 1999 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Jan. 9-20.

Activities are open to the public and most are free. The university will cancel classes on Monday, Jan. 18, to allow students and staff to join the Peace Breakfast, which starts at 7:30 a.m. in the OSU Memorial Union Ballroom. Tickets are $6.50, or $4.50 for students, and will be available at the door.

Student and community leaders will be among the featured speakers at the Peace Breakfast, which will feature several readings. A number of awards are also scheduled.

Following the Peace Breakfast, members of the community are asked to meet at the OSU Black Cultural Center, 25th Street and Monroe Avenue, to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Work-A-Thon. Work-A-Thon volunteers will be assigned to various community projects throughout the Corvallis area. For information, contact the OSU Residence Hall Association, which is sponsoring the event, at 541-737-3394.

OSU's Alpha Phi Alpha and Delta Upsilon fraternities are sponsoring the third annual Martin Luther King Jr. 5K Fun Run-Walk-Roll on Sunday, Jan. 10. Entry is free, but donations will be accepted for community charitable organizations. Registration begins at 1 p.m. with racing at 2 p.m. in the parking lot south of the Black Cultural Center.

Other planned activities include:

Ongoing

All Day:

Paintings by Arvie Smith, African American artist from Portland. OSU Memorial Union Concourse. Display continues through Feb. 22.

Saturday, Jan. 9

10 p.m.:

Back-to-School Jam, a four-hour free dance celebration, open to the community. Memorial Union Ballroom.

Sunday, Jan. 10

All Day:

Signing of the Martin Luther King Jr. Pledge Wall in the MU Concourse. Supporters sign the pledge wall to affirm their belief in non-violent social change, equality, justice, freedom and peace. Wall will stand and signing will continue through Friday, Jan. 22.

2 p.m.:

The third annual Martin Luther King Jr. 5K Fun Run-Walk-Roll. Donations accepted for community charitable organizations. Register at 1 p.m. in lot south of OSU's Black Cultural Center, 25th Street and Monroe Avenue.

Monday, Jan. 11

Noon:

City of Corvallis Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, starting with a City Council meeting and awards presentation at Benton County Public Library, 6th Street and Monroe Avenue. The meeting will be followed by the annual Peace Walk to Martin Luther King Jr. Park for a tree planting ceremony.

Wednesday, Jan. 13

6:30 p.m.:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest focusing on King's commitment to making a better life for all people. Register by Jan. 8. For information, Shannon Butler, 541-737-8237. Memorial Union Lounge.

Friday, Jan. 15

Noon:

A two-hour celebration commemorating King's actual birthday. Black Cultural Center.

3:30 p.m.:

A 90-minute Children's Celebration, featuring "A Freedom Train," a play about the Underground Railroad, and "Four in Hand," a singing group. Free. Corvallis Majestic Theater, 115 S.W. 2nd St.

Monday, Jan. 18

All Day:

Work-a-Thon at community organizations. Register at the Black Cultural Center. Volunteers serve in honor of King's philosophy that a person's worth is measured by commitment to making a better life for all. Contact the center at 541-737-4372.

7:30 a.m.:

17th annual OSU Peace Breakfast, featuring OSU Readers Theater. MU Ballroom. Tickets $6.50, $4.50 for students.

1 - 3 p.m.:

"Starpower," an interactive game simulating a society. Wealth and commerce play a major role in a person's success. Free. MU Ballroom. For special accommodations, including sign language interpretation, contact Elaine at 541-737-4381 by Jan. 9.

6 p.m.:

Candlelight Vigil. Meet at the Black Cultural Center and march to the OSU MU Quad. Bring your own candle.

6:30 p.m.:

Round Table Discussion. "Replenishing the Dream: A Vision for the New Millennium. Facilitator is Paul James, coordinator of OSU's Ujima Education Office. MU Music Lounge.

Wednesday, Jan. 20

7 p.m.:

Poetry Slam, participants present poetry or songs that follow the theme of the celebration and that pertain to social issues, fighting injustice, discrimination and racism. MU Room 208.