WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Senator Chris Coons, Congressman J. Randy Forbes and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene have relaunched the Congressional Trademark Caucus in an effort to support the vital role trademarks and legitimate Internet website domain names play in the U.S. economy.

"The Congressional Trademark Caucus can help educate members of the House and Senate, as well our constituents, about the valuable role trademarks play in the global marketplace.  The Caucus will be focusing on a number of items to increase awareness and foster public dialogue about the value trademarks have in our economy and the risks associated with counterfeit goods.  Consumers should know the dangers of purchasing fake and potentially unsafe products," Grassley said.

"Trademarks are a bedrock of our economy and one of the critical ways in which American companies distinguish themselves from competing products around the world," said Coons. "When our trademarks are open to attack, our economy and national security are put at real risk. The Congressional Trademark Caucus will work hard in both the House and the Senate to build support among policymakers and consumers for protecting our trademarks and fighting against intellectual property theft."

"Protecting American trademark holders not only impacts consumer safety, but also the economic well-being and national security of our country," Forbes said.  "As a member of both the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, I am acutely aware of the ripple effects that trademark counterfeiting and infringement have across industry lines, and the concerted efforts necessary to protect American consumers by curtailing counterfeit products entering the U.S. I am pleased to join my fellow Co-Chairs in taking a leadership role in shaping policy to combat trademark counterfeiting, and ensuring the United States remains both competitive and secure."

"Trademark counterfeiting and Internet domain name theft activity is a threat to our economy and national security, and it cannot be ignored. It damages brand owners large and small, posing health and safety threats to consumers," DelBene said. "As a member of the House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow Co-Chairs to broaden the focus on trademark counterfeiting efforts across industry sectors and to make it a priority for policymakers to focus on the serious harm trademark counterfeit products pose to the health and safety of American consumers."

The caucus is looking to support congressional committees with jurisdiction over trademark Intellectual property, with special attention to consumer issues; help increase awareness among Congress, the media and the public about trademarks' importance to global commerce; play a role in creating public policy dialogues on the responsibilities of state and federal governments and brand owners in decreasing the presence of counterfeit goods in the marketplace; and highlight trademark protection in discussions between the U.S. and other nations and world governing bodies.

Churches United of the Quad City Area is pleased to announce that it has received a $500.00 grant from the Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation, in support of Winnie's Place, its Emergency Shelter for Women (and their children).

Churches United has a 53-year history of reaching out to our community.  Its 136 member churches represent 50,000 people from the Quad City Area.  As well as Winnie's Place, a shelter for women (with or without children) who are homeless and/or victims of domestic violence, Churches United operates 26 food pantries and 3 hot meal sites in the Quad City Area.  For information about services offered, or ways to support Churches United, call 563-332-5002, or visit our website at www.CUQCA.org.

Do you like to garden and share your gardening experiences with others? Are you a plant enthusiast who looks forward to spring time and the outdoors?   Then the Iowa State University (ISU) Scott County Extension Master Gardeners wants you!

Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by ISU in horticulture, who return service to the community through a variety of educational projects.  Trainees attend over 40 hours of classes and complete volunteer service.  Each master gardener has the opportunity to learn and share their unique skills and knowledge with others in a variety of way.

Each year this opportunity is extended to a limited number of residents of Scott County.  Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings this fall at the ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach office, starting September 10th.  There is a fee which covers the training and reference materials provided by ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach Office.

If you are interested in joining the Master Gardener program, additional information and an application for the 2015 fall session is available at our website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/.  The deadline for receipt of applications is July 31st.  Applicants can attend a Master Gardener informational session scheduled in August.  Send completed applications to Scott County Extension and Outreach, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf.  Call 359-7577 with any questions.

AMES, IA (06/25/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences announced returning students who will receive scholarships from the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management for the 2015-16 academic year. Students and their scholarships include the following:

Taylor Borde of Muscatine, Iowa (52761), a Junior in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design, will receive the Textiles and Clothing Development Scholarship.

Kaitlin Clevenger of Davenport, Iowa (52803), a Senior in Event Management, will receive the Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management Cherry Pie Scholarship.

Raegan Czupka of Eldridge, Iowa (52748), a Senior in Event Management, will receive the Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management Cherry Pie Scholarship.

Jill Mekalson of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722), a Sophomore in Hospitality Management, will receive the Mary Ellen Lewis Scholarship in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management.

The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and its academic departments awarded more than $1 million in student scholarships and awards for the 2015-16 year.