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About Valerie Gotten

ABOUT THE EDITOR: Valerie Gotten (aka Valerie G) is an abstract painter, former movie stand-in, and volunteers for "green events" to help raise awareness about global warming, and help preserve California's wilderness and natural beauty.

Author Archive | Valerie Gotten

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 27, 2012 – New Bills Signed Into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills: AB 40 by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) – Elder and dependent adult abuse: reporting. AB 41 by Assemblymember Jerry Hill (D-South San Francisco) – High-Speed Rail Authority: conflicts of interest: disqualification. (Additional follow.)

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs Padilla’s ‘Student-Athlete Bill of Rights’ – goes into effect on January 1, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law Senate Bill 1525 authored by State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The new law, known as the “Student-Athlete Bill of Rights”, will require universities located in California that generate on average more than $10 million a year in media revenues to provide specific protections to college-athletes.

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Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s California Green Fuels Bill Signed into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Assembly Bill 1900, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), a bill which removes barriers to the development of renewable natural gas (RNG) as a fuel in California and will save local rate-payers millions on their utility bills, was signed by Governor Brown today.

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San Francisco Named America’s Best City by Bloomberg Businessweek, says Mayor Lee

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee on Wednesday announced that San Francisco has received the distinction as America’s Best City in Bloomberg Businessweek.com’s 2012 best places to live ranking. San Francisco topped their list of 100 American cities researched.

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs Laws to Protect Privacy for Social Media Users

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today took to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and MySpace to announce that he has signed two bills that increase privacy protections for social media users in California.

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs the Energy Security Coordination Act of 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed the Energy Security Coordination Act of 2012 (SB 1409), authored by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), which strengthens the clean energy partnership between California and the U.S. military.

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs Padilla’s English Learner Reform Bills

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — A pair of English Learner reform bills authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) have been signed by Governor Brown. SB 1108 would reform the English Learners reclassification system by identifying and implementing uniform statewide best practices. SB 754 would require school districts to post online the Economic Impact Aid they receive for each school and district.

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Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update – Signs bills to improve education in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills to improve education in California: AB 644 by Assemblymember Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) – Schools: average daily attendance: online instruction. AB 1723 by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Los Angeles) – Postsecondary educational institutions: meetings: live video and audio transmission. (Additional follow.)

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Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 26, 2012 – Bills Signed into Law re Treatment of Animals

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills related to the treatment and welfare of animals: AB 1162 by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Eureka) – Wildlife: poaching. AB 1776 by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Mountain View) – State government: Pacific leatherback sea turtle. (Additional follow.)

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Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 26, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Tara Murphy, 55, of Alameda, has been appointed assistant general counsel at the Department of Financial Institutions. Murphy was vice president and counsel at Fireside Bank from 1995 to 2012.

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Five evenings of award-winning short films will be screened at the Orange County Great Park in collaboration with the Irvine International Film Festival

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ — The Orange County Great Park in collaboration with the Irvine International Film Festival will host a series of screenings of award-winning short films at the Palm Court Arts Complex beginning October 4. The Independent & Inspired Film Series feature 18 films that will be screened over five evenings on select Thursdays through November 15.

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Calif. Assemblyman Gatto’s Water-Conservation Bill Signed into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — AB 2230, a California water-conservation bill authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) which requires all newly permitted car washes to use at least 60 percent recycled water, was signed into law today.

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Calif. Governor Brown to Sign Padilla’s Driverless Vehicle Bill today at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View

MOUTNAIN VIEW, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Jerry Brown will sign SB 1298 authored by State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) today at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California. The bill will establish safety and performance standards for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on California’s roads and highways.

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs Padilla Bill to Expand Voter Registration – California Acts While Other States Move to Restrict Voting and Voter Registration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law Senate Bill 35 authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The new law will facilitate voter registration and further California’s compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), commonly known as Motor Voter. The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2013.

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Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Wieckowski Bill to Aid Low-Income Earners Facing Wage Garnishment

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Low-income earners facing wage garnishment will be able to keep a little more money to make ends meet after Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill yesterday authored by Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont).

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Bolster California Business and Create Jobs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed a series of eight bills to bolster business and job creation in the state of California. “As California’s economy recovers from the deepest recession since the Great Depression, it’s important that state government bolsters local job growth,” said Governor Brown. “Simply put, these bills make it easier for people to do business in California.”

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs Bill to Boost Commercial Space Travel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed a bill to boost the commercial space-travel sector in California. Assembly Bill 2243 (Knight) limits liability for space-flight companies.

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Closely Watched California Homemade Food Act Signed into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles) Assembly Bill (AB) 1616, the California Homemade Food Act, was signed into law today. The California Homemade Food Act legalizes the sale of homemade, “non-potentially hazardous” foods by creating a two-tier system of “cottage food operations” based upon the point of sale

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SF Mayor Lee Announces Accelerator That Will Help Minority Entrepreneurs Break Into Tech Sector

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — On Thursday S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced that NewME Accelerator, an accelerator for businesses led by underrepresented minorities in the technology industry, moved to the Bayview. NewME signed a three-year lease at 1552 Yosemite Avenue and is housing their members on nearby on Third Street.

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Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Support Veterans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Thursday signed several bipartisan bills that improve services and opportunities for veterans in California.

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Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 20, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Elliot Block, 51, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director, legal counsel at the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, where he has served since 2006.

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In O.C., Contemporary Artists Conceptualize the Year 1942 Exhibition Offers Artistic Complement to Farmers to Flyers Historical Perspective

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ — History and art collide to provide a unique interpretive experience at the Orange County Great Park’s Palm Court Arts Complex with a pair of exhibitions that contrast first-person story-telling and historical perspective with emotional interpretations of a time gone by.

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The Nature Conservancy gifts 750 acres to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation for continued conservation management

WATSONVILLE, Calif. /California Newswire/ — The Nature Conservancy today transferred ownership of the majority of their Elkhorn Slough land holdings (750 acres) to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation for continued conservation management. This is the largest single transfer of conservation lands in history of Elkhorn Slough and cements the Elkhorn Slough Foundation as a significant conservation leader and land trust in the central bay area.

CA Environment, CA Non Profit News, California NEWS INDEX, City: Watsonville, Newsdesk
 
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Calif. Governor Brown and Attorney General Harris Honor 3 with Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Awards

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. was joined by Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today to honor three individuals with the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor for their extraordinary commitment, service and bravery in the line of duty.

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Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 13, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Rody Boonchouy, 34, of Vacaville, has been appointed to the California Concurrence Committee. Boonchouy has been the principal at the Da Vinci Charter Academy since 2011.

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Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 13, 2012 – Signs New Bills into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills, including: AB 197 by Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-San Ramon) – Public employees’ retirement. AB 801 by Assemblymember Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland) – Illegal dumping enforcement officers and code enforcement officers. (Additional follow.)

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San Francisco Mayor Lee Proclaims October 2012 as Innovation Month

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee on Tuesday announced during his remarks at TechCrunch Disrupt SF that October 2012 is Innovation Month in San Francisco. This declaration is both a celebration and a call to action to highlight the City’s need to further embrace technology and catalyze greater job creation, community engagement and government efficiency through innovation.

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S.F. Mayor Lee Announces New Biotech Incubator – Mission Bay Biotech Innovation Hub

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — On Monday, Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced the opening of the Bayer HealthCare CoLaborator, an innovative shared lab for start-up life science companies in Mission Bay. Mayor Lee also announced two new biotech startups are relocating to San Francisco to be the first companies to locate in the CoLaborator: Aronora Inc. from Oregon, and ProLynx LLC from Hayward.

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Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 12, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Tina Andolina, 36, of Davis, has been appointed director of legislation and regulation at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

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Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Bills into Law: Legislative Update for Sept. 7, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills: AB 233 by Assemblymember Isadore Hall (D-Los Angeles) – Personal income taxes: voluntary contributions: California YMCA Youth and Government Fund. AB 432 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) – Transit: Sacramento County. Additional follow:

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Calif. Bill to Allow Motorists to Show Proof of Auto Insurance on Their Smartphones Signed into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles) Assembly Bill 1708 was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today. The measure would give California drivers the option to present their proof of auto insurance in electronic form, such as on a smartphone or other personal electronic device.

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California Stadium Violence Prevention Bill Signed by Governor Brown

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Next time you find yourself at a football game, with a front row seat to a brawl in the stands between two rowdy fans, you’ll be able to more quickly and less conspicuously summon stadium security. Assembly Bill 2464, the Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), was signed into law today by Calif. Governor Brown.

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Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s Bill to Protect Senior Citizens Signed into Law (AB 1624)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — AB 1624, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D–Los Angeles), an important measure to protect senior citizens and others from having their bank accounts drained, was signed into law today by Governor Brown. “The signing of AB 1624 ensures that senior citizens, the disabled, and others who entrust caregivers and family [...]

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Farmers to Flyers: Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and Mid-Century Orange County Exhibition Offers Thought-Provoking View of Southern California History

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ — The Orange County Great Park will host a special reception to showcase the thought-provoking exhibition memorializing Marine Corps Air Station El Toro’s 50-year tradition of service and sacrifice titled, Farmers to Flyers: Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and Mid-Century Orange County.

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Governor Brown Issues Statement on Death of California Highway Patrol Officer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday issued the following statement regarding the death of California Highway Patrol Officer Kenyon M. Youngstrom:

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Special Election Proclamation by The Governor of The State of California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — On Wednesday, California Governor Brown issued the following proclamation, resulting from the resignation of Senator Doug LaMalfa: SPECIAL ELECTION PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

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Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 5, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday announced the following appointments: First, Matthew McGuinness, 46, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Architects Board. McGuinness has held multiple positions at Interior Design Services Inc. since 1988, including president, vice president, sales and marketing manager, sales associate and bookkeeper.

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Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Aug. 29, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Richard S. Gordon, 64, of Menlo Park, has been appointed to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Gordon has served as an Assemblymember for the 21st Assembly District since 2010.

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Calif. Brown Announces Pension Reform Agreement to Save Billions by Capping Benefits, Increasing the Retirement Age

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — On Tuesday, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. outlined a sweeping pension reform agreement that saves billions of taxpayer dollars by capping benefits, increasing the retirement age, stopping abusive practices and requiring state employees to pay at least half of their pension costs.

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O.C. Great Park 2012 Flights & Sounds Summer Festival Goes Out Rockin’ and Swingin’ with Two-Night Finale

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Themed Summer’s End Weekend, the finale of the Orange County Great Park’s 2012 Flights & Sounds Summer Festival features the costumed superhero rock group, The Aquabats on August 30, and the sultry sounds of Lavay Smith and Her Red-Hot Skillet Lickers on August 31. Both performances for Summer’s End Weekend will take place in the Festival’s Dance Concourse.

CA Entertainment, CA Events, California NEWS INDEX, City: Irvine, Newsdesk
 
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