The City of Davenport Historic Preservation Commission, in conjunction with the City of Davenport Design Center, has published a guide to the city's 17 historic districts. The map includes descriptions and photographs of historic structures, as well as the locations of the districts. The maps are free and available at many city offices. If you would like multiple copies for distribution, contact or visit the Design Center at 102 East Second Street, across from the Radisson.

When Augustana College announced earlier this month that it was eliminating standardized tests as an application requirement for prospective students, it highlighted a trend in higher education.

"There has been an accelerating surge of selective colleges dropping their admissions-testing requirement," said Robert Schaeffer, public education director for the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, also known as Fair Test. "The pace is such that some folks have suggested we're reaching a critical mass or a tipping point."

A foolish person doesn't recognize that one can learn much from opponents. So liberals have begun to understand that they need God on their side as much as the Christian Right does.

The 15th annual Mayors' Hunger Luncheon, "In from the Cold," will be held at noon on Thursday, November 8 at Bettendorf's Isle of Capri Convention Center. The mayors of the Quad Cities will serve a simple lunch of bread and hearty soup, reflecting the theme of "We eat simply so that others may simply eat." With the assistance of the United Way of the Quad Cities Area, "In from the Cold" has, since 1992, distributed more than $250,000 to fund services for the homeless, and at this year's luncheon, an additional fundraising raffle will give attendees the chance to win one of three Ralph Iaccarino prints. Tickets are $20 per person, with tables of 10 at $175, and more information is available at the "In from the Cold" Web site (http://www.infromthecoldqc.org) or by calling (563) 421-4343.