(Stone of Hope Awards ceremony)...It will be held in January.

The annual event is hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee. The award derives its name from an excerpt of King's I Have A Dream speech; Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope. During the event 9 current and former Valley residents will be recognized for their contributions to the community. Organizers say the awards ceremony represents the Valley's pre-eminent  multicultural event. It is scheduled for 12 pm, January 29 at the event center on the second floor of La Resaca Restaurant in El Centro. Tickets are $50 and available thru the Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee or by contacting Paul Valdivia at 760-562-2530.