What’s Open, Closed on Martin Luther King Day

Monday, January 16 is a legal holiday honoring the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

There are few longstanding traditions to observe the holiday here in Encino. Some of our local schools have celebrated the day by teaching students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. Encino’s Valley Beth Shalom and Family of Faith Christian Center are partnering to feed the hungry as part of the MLK Day of Service initiative, Obama's national call for all Americans to do volunteer service in their communities Monday.

The majority of our local businesses don't observe MLK Day, which was established in 1986.

Here’s is a list of what’s open and closed for the holiday:

• Pretty much all retailers, car dealerships, restaurants, car washes and movie theaters will be open.
• All financial markets will be closed, as will most government offices.
• Curbside trash pickup will be on regular schedules, and the Valley’s transfer and recycling stations will be open. Trash collection is Thursdays in Encino.
• Most standalone banks and credit unions will be closed.
• Encino's post offices will be closed, with no home delivery except for express mail.
• Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS pharmacies will be open.
• Public libraries will be closed, including the Encino-Tarzana Library.
• Sports clubs and fitness centers will be open. Most will have regular class schedules.
• All Metro operated buses and Metro Rail trains will operate on the regular weekday schedule.
• The Department of Transportation does not enforce parking regulations unless the posted signs read “Holiday Enforcement” or “Daily.” The parking regulations that are not enforced on Monday are time limited parking (ie: one hour, two hour, four hours, etc.), parking meters, street cleaning signs and No Stopping signs with specified days/time limits.

Do you have plans to celebrate MLK Day? Tell us in the comments.