Davenport, IA- The German American Heritage Center will be hosting Rochelle Pennington as she presents two Christmas themed programs on Saturday, October 27th at 10am and one at 2pm.

Rochelle will start off our two month long holiday celebration at 10am with her talk on the Christmas Truce of WWI. The Christmas Truce was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas 1914, during World War I. Parties of German and British soldiers began to exchange seasonal greetings and sing Silent Night between their trenches. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many soldiers from both sides ventured into a "no man's land," where they mingled, exchanging food and souvenirs.

At 2pm Rochelle will return to tell the heartwarming tale of the Christmas Schooner, the famous ship that brought Christmas trees to German immigrant families in Chicago. This year is the 100th anniversary of its last voyage before its mysterious wreck.

Rochelle Pennington is an award winning author; her presentations will be $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 for children and free for members per session. GAHC is located at the foot of the Centennial Bridge at 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, IA. Call 563-322-8844 for more information or visit www.gahc.org.

Davenport, IA - Have you ever wanted to sleep outside under the stars at the local baseball field?? Well here is your chance - spend the night at Modern Woodmen Park - home of the QC River Bandits on Friday, October 19th by going to the website www.humilityofmaryshelter.com and print off your Night at the Shelter - Sleep Out Donation Detail packet. Simply ask everyone you know "Will you support me and my effort to help the homeless?" No amount is too small and a $10 donation will support one bed for one night. The top THREE fundraisers in each category will receive a prize and have their name printed on the back of next year's Sleep Out shirt. Participate in the Build Your Own Shelter contest and then stay the night in what you build. Activities throughout the evening will include music, a performance by ComedySportz, a Poverty Simulation, special activities and the Build Your Own Shelter contest.

The purpose for this event is to bring awareness to homelessness in the Quad City Area and raise funds for Humility of Mary Shelter (HMSI). HMSI took over the shelter in September 2008 when it was at high risk of closing. The community's overwhelming support played a vital role in the development of HMSI and it is this support that will ensure the continuation of shelter services to the homeless men and women in the Quad City Area well into the future.

Humility of Mary can be reached at (563) 322-8065 or by visiting www.humilityofmaryshelter.com

Come join us for the 7th annual Classic Car Cruise hosted by Sergeant Peppers Auto Shop and benefiting Toys For Tots on Saturday, October 6, 2012.

The party starts at 3pm in the Northpark Mall parking lot by Sears and JC Penney's. A police-escorted continuous cruise will begin at 4:30pm and cruise down Welcome Way to 3rd Street, then back up Brady Street to the mall.  District 15 motorcycles will be positioned along the route.  Get out your lawn chairs and watch the classics drive by.

Please bring an unwrapped toy and help fill the Santamobile.  U.S. Marines will be on hand to collect the toys.  Door prizes.  50/50 raffle.  Food available from Hy-Vee.  Music provided by 3D Sound D.J. Dave Palmer.

And then join them on Sunday, October 7th and watch the parade of District 15 motorcycles as they make their annual Toys For Tots trek beginning at 1pm from the West Kimberly Wal-Mart, down Division Street, across 3rd Street, up Brady Street and then across Kimberly  Road to Hobby Lobby.

We request that these events remain alcohol-free.  Thank you for your support.

Jordan Catholic School's annual walk-a-thon details:

• Friday October 5th from 10:00-11:30am
• Students have collected nearly $15,000 in pledge donations for new textbooks.
• mmediately following mass at St. Pius X Church (about 9:30am,) students will move to the school gym for a brief (15-20 minute) assembly.
• 5th grader Maggie Schaecher thought it a fitting day to present Fourth Grade Science Teacher Karen Lavell with a framed print
• of a May 2012 Quad City Times article highlighting her annual laboratory rat experiment which teaches the value of nutrition.
• Hy-Vee will provide a Hydration Station (water bottles) directly behind the store along 20th avenue, for the children as they walk.
• Grand prizes will be awarded to the top 3 families.
• Eighth grade students will lead the walk with Kindergarten & first grade bringing up the rear and walking an abbreviated route. The walk-a-thon will begin at approximately 10am and will commence with popsicles in the Farrell Hall parking lot. Please call me with questions & thank you for your partnership.