Rock Island, IL: Families can make some holiday memories and enjoy quality time this December with free events at Rock Island Libraries.

Toddler Tales, the Holiday Edition: The library's weekly story times for ages birth to five take a holiday turn in December, with stories about making the good kid list, tales of reindeer and elf helpers, and books about being cheerful and jolly. Each free event includes stories, songs, movement, and activities to develop early learning skills while having fun. 10:30 to 11:15 am, on Tuesdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15 at the 30/31 Branch; Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9, and 16 at the Southwest Branch, and Fridays, Dec. 4, 11, and 18 at the Main Library Children's Room.

Southwest Branch Family Crafts: Families can make a craft together each month at the Southwest Branch, with craft times on the second Tuesday and immediately following Saturday of each month. This month's Family Craft is a "Made with My Own Hands" paper wreath, offered at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 8 and 10:00 am on Saturday, Dec. 12. The craft is free, and registration is required. To sign up, call the Southwest Branch at 309-732-7338 or click "register" on the library's online calendar.

MUSCATINE, Iowa - The 31st annual Holiday Stroll in Muscatine is set to take place in downtown Muscatine on Friday, Dec. 4 from 5:30-8 p.m.  The event is sponsored by the Muscatine Journal and the Muscatine Downtown Action Alliance.

"This year's Holiday Stroll is going to be bigger, better and brighter than ever," said Karla Pinner, publisher of the Muscatine Journal. "We're really excited about the lighted parade, which is new this year. Local kids will be carrying special lanterns; it should be a lot of fun.  You're also going to see more lighted decorations downtown. "

There will be free refreshments up and down Second Street in various shops and there will be an opportunity to extend the holiday spirit further by dropping toys off for the Salvation Army at Carriage House Carpet One Floor and Home, 121 E. Second St.

In addition to being able to enjoy music, people will be able to appreciate other kinds of art with an artist meet and greet at We Can Frame That, 221 E. Second St., and with artist Carol Steinmetz at Pearl City Iowa Realty, 222 W. Second St.

Not only will Second Street be abuzz with family friendly activities as is tradition, but festivities will extend all the way up to Third Street via Cedar Street. Local band Lefty and the Spinners, which typically only performs once a year, will be playing at the Muscatine Journal building at 301 Third Street and Vineyard Church, at 224 E 3rd St., will host an array of live music as well.

There will be plenty of photo opportunities at the Stroll, so don't forget to bring your camera and to share them using the hashtag #MuscaStroll. The Pearl City Players will be dressed in costumes for photo ops and Santa will be at several locations after his appearance in the parade at 6 p.m., including Sarah Siler Photography and the Jubilee Community Center.

The parade will also include dogs from the Humane Society and anybody else who'd like to participate can sign up to do so by calling Pinner at 563-262-0552.

Also, the Muscatine Parks and Recreation department is holding its annual Candy Cane Hunt down at the riverfront at 7 p.m. for preschool through fourth graders.  There will be lots of candy canes to be found by all participants as well as several "special" candy canes that can be redeemed at Pearl City Station for a special toy.  Cookies and drinks will be available at Pearl City Station after the hunt.  The Candy Cane Hunt will be held in the dark, so bring a flashlight if you can!  LED flashlights will be available if you're unable to bring your own.

"Bring your kids, bring your friends," Pinner said. "There's going to be so much to do, you'll be lucky if you can do everything before the night's over."

Businesses and organizations participating in the Stroll (At this time, watch for a complete list in the Muscatine Journal)

Carriage House Carpet One Floor and Home - Salvation Army toy drop off, toy drawings

Candle Shed Effect - Open

CBI Bank and Trust - Muscatine High School instrumental group 4:50-5 p.m.; Muscatine High School chorus groups 5-6 p.m.; light refreshments

Creations by Oz - Wine tasting, hot cocoa, discounts on handcrafted jewelry, and unique finds

Elly's Tea and Coffee - Hot chocolate and cider for $1

Feather Your Nest - "Pick a top hat" savings on store purchase

Fighting Chance Solutions - live music and home school orchestra

First National Bank - Holiday villages decorating the patio

Fresh Vintage - Hot cider and treats in the Pearl Plaza atrium

Grillzilla Food Truck - On Cedar Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets

Gypsy Junk Market - Refreshments

Hall Tree Boutique - Open

Hubbles - $1.50 domestic draft beer

Ideal Wellness - Specials instore

Jubilee Community Center - Santa

Just Because - Open

Mealy Law Offices - Cookies, hot chocolate, ornaments

Muscatine Journal - Lefty and The Spinners band

Muscatine Photography Studio - Cider, hot chocolate, cookies and photo ops; magic show

Muscatine Search and Rescue - Hot chocolate and demonstrations on Cedar Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets

Pearl City Iowa Realty - Artist Carol Steinmetz, treats and refreshments

Pearl City Players - Dressing in costumes for photo ops, location to be announced

Ruhl & Ruhl - Starbucks, fire pit, HyVee serving coffee and cookies

Salon Incognito - Music, refreshments

Sarah Siler Photography - Photos with Santa

Sherwin Williams - Miss Louise dance group performing in windows

Start to Finish - Specials on shakes, hot tea, soup, oatmeal and protein bars

The Flower Gallery - Three guys with Soule performing

The Wild Thing - Open

Trinity Episcopal Church - Louisa-Muscatine Elementary Choir performing during the soup supper

Under the Bed Antiques - Hot chocolate and cookies, 10 percent off items

U.S. Cellular - Handouts and refreshments on Cedar Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets

Vineyard Church - Vineyard Collective performing at 6-6:30 p.m.; Muscatine High School group performing at 6:30-7 p.m.; Muscatine Community College Variety Singers at 7-7:30 p.m.; refreshments

We Can Frame That - Queens C&S Pageant singing; artist meet and greet with hot chocolate, cookies, etc.

Wine Nutz - After party with live music from Fighting Chance Solutions

Zogg Pilates - Pilates and yoga demonstrations, balance yoga and massage

KWQC-TV6, The Station That Serves Illinois and Iowa Every Day, will host its annual Toys For Tots "Drive Up and Drop Off" on Thursday, December 3^rd from 6AM - 6:30PM.

KWQC-TV6 is pleased to once again partner with the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve in collecting toys for less fortunate children in the community who may otherwise go without gifts this Christmas.

U.S. Marines, TV6 staff, and volunteers will be on hand outside of the KWQC Broadcast Center located at 805 Brady St., Davenport, IA to receive donations.  Anyone who would like to donate can simply drive up and hand off their donation without leaving their vehicle.

The U.S Marine Corp Reserves is asking for new, unwrapped toys preferably around the $10 or above price range. There is a particular need for gifts appropriate for boys and girls ages 6 months - 2 years and 10-12 years. Monetary donations are accepted and will be sent to the Toys For Tots foundation in Quantico, Virginia for accounting purposes where they will then be deposited to a local account designated for use in the Q.C.A.

The following items cannot be accepted by the program and will not be distributed: stuffed animals, realistic looking guns or weapons, food, or clothing.

Traffic flow through the TV6 driveway will be reversed this year due to Brady St. still being two-lane traffic at the time of the event. Drivers will need to enter from Perry St. and exit turning north on to Brady St.

More information on the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve "Toys For Tots" program can be found at http://quad-cities.toysfortots.org.

DAVENPORT, IA - DECEMBER  2015 - Gilda's Club will host the annual lighting of the Blessing Tree on Thursday, December 3rd at 5:30 pm.

This is a special time of year where we gather together and celebrate by having a nice meal and light the Blessing Tree - a 32 ft. tree displayed along River Drive. There will be a special guest in Noogieland on this evening. The main meal provided, but desserts are welcomed! Thanks to Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning for providing the ham.

The Blessing Tree is a special tradition at Gilda's Club in which people can sponsor a light, bow, or ornament in memory of, in celebration of, or in thankfulness for a special person in your life.  All the proceeds from The Blessing Tree help Gilda's Club in their mission to support local individuals and families affected by a cancer diagnosis at no charge. The tree will remain lit until January 10th.

Individual lights are just $5 each or you may purchase five lights for $20.  Large bows may be purchased for $25 each and gold ornaments for $50 each. A display in the clubhouse will feature the name of the person each light, bow, or ornament represents and a letter of tribute and holiday blessings will be sent if you wish.

To learn more about contributing to the Blessing Tree, please visit: gildasclubqc.org/news/blessing-tree-2015.

Dinner included. For more details and to register, please call Gilda's Club at 563-326-7504 or email kelly@gildasclubqc.org.

About Gilda's Club

Free of charge, Gilda's Club Quad Cities provides support, education and hope to all people affected by cancer.  As a Cancer Support Community affiliate, we are part of the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States.  Our global network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of people touched by cancer.