Christopher Simmons
Christopher Simmons (aka Christopher Laird Simmons) has been a working journalist since his first magazine sale in 1984. He has since written for wide variety of print and online publications covering lifestyle, tech and entertainment. He is an award-winning author, designer, photographer, and musician. He is a member of ASCAP and PRSA. He is the founder and CEO of Neotrope®, based in Temecula, CA, USA.
Cursive is Cool 2019 Handwriting Contest Launches in US and Canada on National Handwriting Day
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The annual Cursive is Cool(R) contests for 2019, under the auspices of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, will launch on National Handwriting Day, celebrated around the world on Jan. 23 each year. Cursive writing continues to enjoy increased appreciation in the United States and around the world. Scientific studies reveal the benefits of writing by hand to positively impact motor skills, cognitive development and improved learning outcomes such as better recall and retention for young learners.
2019 SHOT Show: Radio Host Dana Loesch and SFC (r) US Army Dana Bowman to Appear on Behalf of MAGLITE
ONTARIO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mag Instrument, Inc. / MAGLITE(R) will welcome Dana Loesch, nationally syndicated radio talk show host and Dana Bowman American hero, veteran and founder of the Halo for Freedom Foundation, to MAGLITE's Booth 4029 during the run of the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Remembering Gu Ji-in: Bay Area Human Rights Association for Forced Conversion, Hold One Year Memorial
SAN JOSE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- According to the Human Rights Association for Forced Conversion (HAC), Northern California Branch, on December 30th, Ms. Gu Ji-in, a 25 year old women was found dead at a lodging in Hwasun; a victim of a coercive conversion program. The Hwasun Police Department confirmed an investigation and the woman's parents were questioned about their involvement in the confinement and death of their daughter.
Study: California Housing Workforce Shortage in 2019 is a Barrier to Affordability
OAKLAND, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- According to California's Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), the golden state must dramatically increase the productive capacity of its residential construction sector in order to create enough new housing to improve affordability. However, new research released today by Smart Cities Prevail shows the industry has failed to make the investments necessary to compete for the more than 200,000 new workers necessary to meet this ambitious goal.
Bank of Southern California, N.A. Names Bill Lamison VP, Underwriter
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has announced the appointment of Bill Lamison as Vice President, Underwriter. He will join the company's established business banking team and will be responsible for structuring, analyzing and underwriting commercial credit for new clients as well as managing an existing portfolio of customers.
Calif. Gov. Newsom Proposes 2019-20 ‘California For All’ State Budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Newly elected Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom submitted his 2019-20 “California for All” budget proposal to the Legislature this week – a fiscal blueprint that builds a strong financial foundation by investing an unprecedented $13.6B in budget resiliency and paying down unfunded pension liabilities.
Calif. Speaker Rendon Reacts to Gov. Newsom’s 2019 Budget Proposal
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement after Gov. Gavin Newsom released his initial budget proposal: “Years of smart budgeting by legislative Democrats and Gov. Jerry Brown give us a healthy fiscal picture and the opportunity to expand economic opportunity for all.
Dan Sogorka, Former FNF/Black Knight executive joins Cloudvirga as chief revenue officer
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga, a leading provider of digital mortgage software, today announced the appointments of Dan Sogorka as chief revenue officer and Kelly Kucera as senior vice president of marketing. Sogorka, a seasoned mortgage technology executive, will drive Cloudvirga's continued revenue growth and oversee the firm's sales and marketing strategy with the help of veteran cloud technology marketer Kucera.
Stuttering Comedienne Nina G Releases her Memoir in 2019 – ‘Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen’
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Stuttering Comedian, Nina G. announces the release of her second book: "Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn't Happen" (ISBN: 978-1631526428; August 6, 2019). While childhood angst and everyday incidents offer fodder for her stand-up comedy on stage, Nina G. peels aside the punchlines to share her very personal story in her new book.
MCT’s Danyel Shipley Honored as one of Mortgage Banking’s Most Powerful Women for 2018 by NMP Magazine
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT), a leading mortgage hedge advisory and secondary marketing software firm, announced that long-time employee Danyel Shipley was name to National Mortgage Professional Magazine's (NMP) 2018 list of Mortgage Banking's Most Powerful Women.
Former Houzz and Drip leader, Ashley Lundquist, joins Cloudvirga as vice president of talent
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga, a leading provider of digital mortgage software, today announced the appointment of Ashley Lundquist as vice president of talent. Lundquist will oversee the firm's initiatives to attract, develop and retain top technology talent as Cloudvirga rapidly expands its team.
The Mortgage Collaborative Adds 44 New Lender Members in 2018, Now Growing Staff to Serve 2019 Expansion
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the mortgage industry's only independent cooperative, today announced it added 44 new lender member companies in 2018, its strongest year ever for new member growth. To help support the significant growth of their network, TMC has also added Sarah Oldani and Jennifer Haning to their staff.
Bank of Southern California NA Names Lori Boucher VP Branch Manager, La Quinta Branch
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has named Lori Boucher Vice President, Branch Manager. She will be responsible for sales and service of both consumer and business relationships at Bank of Southern California's La Quinta branch in Coachella Valley.
SecuGen Releases Unity 20 Bluetooth Fingerprint Reader for 2019
SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen, the world's leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to announce the release of the Unity 20 Bluetooth fingerprint reader and the U20-ASF-BT Bluetooth fingerprint sensor module for OEMs. Both products are available for purchase immediately.
Calif. Lt. Governor-elect Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis names Panorea Avdis as her Chief of Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California's 2019 Lieutenant Governor-elect Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis today named Panorea Avdis as her Chief of Staff. Avdis is the Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the state’s leading agency for economic development and job creation programs. She was appointed to GO-Biz in 2012 by Governor Brown.
Calif. Speaker Rendon Announces Assembly Leadership and Committee Assignments for 2019-2020 Session
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) today announced assignments for the membership of Assembly leadership positions and standing committees for the 2019-2020 legislative session.
At CES2019, SecuGen to Demonstrate its New FBI Certified Bluetooth Fingerprint Sensor Module
SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen, the world's leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to announce that they will be demonstrating the U20-ASF-BT, a Bluetooth enabled OEM fingerprint sensor module at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.
DocMagic Teams with the Art To Grow On Children’s Art Center to Provide Holiday Art Boxes for Patients at Children’s Hospital...
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., a comprehensive eMortgage software solutions provider, announced that it has purchased 100 custom designed Art Boxes to Art To Grow On Children's Art Center Inc., which delivered the Art Boxes to patients being treated at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), a non-profit, pediatric academic medical center that provides patient care, education, and leading-edge research to help children in need.
NINA G, Stuttering Comedian and Author, to Headline Invisible Disabilities Comedy Show
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Stuttering stand-up comic Nina G will have the top spot at the Invisible Disabilities Comedy Show at the Sacramento Punch Line on Sunday, January 27 2019! Author of the forthcoming book "Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn't Happen," Nina's comedy is funny, revealing, unapologetic, and always a window to her experience as a person who stutters. Through humor, Nina G is challenging now people think of stuttering.
Children’s Health Champion California Safe Schools – Celebrates 20th Anniversary and Honors Heroes
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday December 4, at the California Endowment in historic downtown Los Angeles, California Safe Schools’ (CSS), a children’s environmental health and environmental justice coalition, held “Your Life is Now” an Environmental Health, Safety & Enforcement Forum celebrating CSS’s 20th Anniversary and honoring individuals who have made our world a much better place.
SecurityNational Mortgage Corp. Implements Fully Paperless Closing Process Using DocMagic’s Total eClose Platform
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant and document preparation, regulatory compliance and comprehensive eMortgage services, and SecurityNational Mortgage Corporation (SNMC), an independent national mortgage banker, jointly announced that they successfully rolled out DocMagic's comprehensive Total eClose(TM) platform.
Bank of Southern California Adds Joshua Mello, Managing Director, in San Diego
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has announced the appointment of Joshua Mello as Managing Director. He will be responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of commercial clients in the greater San Diego region.
SecuGen to Unveil its New U10-SF, the World’s Smallest Programmable Fingerprint Module, at CES 2019
SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen, the world's leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to announce that they will unveil the U10-SF at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It comes preloaded with SecuGen's Fingerprint Management System software that allows it to be used right out of the box to capture fingerprint images, extract templates, enroll, search and match fingerprints all in one device.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Dec. 14, 2018 including to Carcinogen Identification Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Friday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Joseph R. Landolph, 70, of Altadena, has been reappointed to the Carcinogen Identification Committee, where he has served since 1993. Landolph has been a member of the University of Southern California Free Radical Institute since 2013 and associate professor of pathology, molecular microbiology and immunology at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine since 1987, where he has been a member of the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1982.
In Virginia, NotaryCam & Stewart Title Execute First Complete Purchase and Sale Mortgage Transaction via Remote Online Closing
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- NotaryCam(R), the leader in online notarization and the original provider of mortgage eClosing solutions, today announced it has completed the first remote online closing (ROC) for a purchase and sale transaction in Virginia in conjunction with Stewart Title(R).
Urban Superhero DangerMan Culminates 20 Years, Presents Amputee Cancer Survivor Troy Druppal with DangerMan Hero of the Year Award
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DangerMan, America's Real Life Urban Superhero, culminated his 20th anniversary with the Third Annual 2018 DangerMan Hero Awards, held recently at California African American Museum (CAAM) in Los Angeles. The momentous occasion acknowledged eight community activists as "DangerMan Heroes."
City of El Monte to Provide Over 800 Food and Toy Baskets to Needy Families at 2018 Holiday Event
EL MONTE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The City of El Monte Police Department will be making holiday dreams come true by providing over 800 food and toy baskets to families in need. Local community members and business leaders have donated thousands in toys and monetary donations. The food basket giveaway will take place on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 7:30 a.m. at the El Monte High School parking lot.
SecuGen Corporartion to Showcase its Versatile Unity 20 Bluetooth Fingerprint Reader at CES 2019
SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen Corporation, the world's leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to announce they will be showcasing the new Unity(TM) 20 Bluetooth fingerprint reader at the 2019 CES exhibition in Las Vegas in early January.
Aclaro adds AI Loan Repayment Risk Management Product to its Relationship-Building Tech, Opens New San Francisco Office
SAN FRANISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Aclaro, the leading provider and developer of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain-based technology solutions, announces the launch of their newest Fintech App in conjunction with the opening of a new office in San Francisco, California.
Bank of Southern California, N.A. Hires Pamela Marble as Managing Director in Orange County CA
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has announced the appointment of Pamela Marble as Managing Director in Orange County. In this role, she will be responsible for business development and client relationship management.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Dec. 5, 2018 including to the California Conservation Corps
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, Dec. 5, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Heidi Steinecker, 41, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of the Center for Health Care Quality at the California Department of Public Health. Steinecker has been health care executive consultant at Global Health Consulting since 2017.
Cal State LA honored as a 2018 Champion for Transfer Students
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cal State LA was among 16 colleges and universities in California recognized for exemplary efforts to support transfer students. The Campaign for College Opportunity named 12 community colleges and four California State University campuses as 2018 Champions of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer. The institutions was honored at a December 4 event in Los Angeles.
SecuGen to Feature the Hamster Pro 10, FBI Certified Fingerprint Reader at CES 2019
SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen, a world leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to be featuring the Hamster Pro(TM) 10, an FBI certified and ultra-slim fingerprint reader, at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Residents Medical Group Helps Canadian Med School Graduates Get 2019 Residencies
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Canadian medical students and graduates are facing limitations and challenges when it comes to finding credible medical residencies. Residents Medical is offering solutions.
Bank of Southern California NA Opens West Los Angeles Office, Fifth In County
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. ( OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL ), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, Calif., is pleased to announce its continued expansion in Los Angeles with the opening of a new production office in West Los Angeles.
Amitabha Buddha’s Holy Birthday Dharma Assembly 2018 Held by True Buddha Dharma Center at Bao Ta Si Temple
COVINA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Amitabha Buddha is the Lord of Buddhism of the Western World of the Utmost Bliss, says True Buddha Dharma Center. According to the "Amitabha Sutra Expounded by the Buddha," this Buddha emits light that is unmeasurable and has a life that is unmeasurable. It is for those reasons, He is called the Amitabha Buddha.
8th Annual Spine IEP Fellows and Young Surgeons’ Course in S.F. Sets Record Attendance
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Magnifi Group Inc. reported a record number of Spine Fellows and Young Surgeons from top spine centers and hospitals across the U.S. in attendance at the 8th Annual Spine IEP Fellows and Young Surgeons' Course in San Francisco, Calif., on November 16-18, 2018.
Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) Welcomes New Board Member, Ms. Susan Valoff
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) is pleased to welcome Ms. Susan Valoff as its newest member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Valoff was installed in this role at the organization's last board meeting on 14 November 2018.
Cloudvirga taps former Altisource CTO James Vinci as Executive VP of Technology
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga(TM), a leading provider of digital mortgage software, today announced that mortgage industry veteran James Vinci has been selected to fill the firm's newly created executive vice president of technology position. In this role, Vinci will execute Cloudvirga's technical vision, oversee initiatives to strengthen developer talent and collaborate across departments to scale technical initiatives to the company's explosive growth.
Real Life Urban Superhero DangerMan to Tribute Stan Lee at Third Annual DangerMan Hero Awards
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- An evening of celebration will mark the 20th anniversary for DangerMan, America's Real Life Urban Super Hero at the Third Annual 2018 DangerMan Hero Awards, taking place on Saturday, December 8 at the California African American Museum (CAAM). During the affair, DangerMan will pay homage to his friend and recently departed mentor, comic book legend, Stan Lee.
SecuGen to Showcase its U10 FBI Certified Optical Fingerprint Sensor at CES 2019
SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen Corporation, the world leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to announce that they will be showcasing the U10 optical fingerprint sensor, at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Bank of Southern California, N.A. Hires Juliana Rowland as Managing Director in Orange County
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has announced the appointment of Juliana Rowland as Managing Director in Orange County. She will be responsible for cultivating new client relationships for the Bank with a focus on Orange County's business community.
Frisbee Sonic by Wham-O Named One of the Best New Toys of 2018
CARSON, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Frisbee(R) Sonic, the new "square" Frisbee by Wham-O, has been added to the Fatherly list of 100 Best New Toys of 2018. The designations, compiled by a team of editors, dads and kids, honor the manufacturers who harness technological advancements, imagination and product design to churn out play products that inform, inspire, develop and entertain. Wham-O reinvented the way Frisbee(R) and all discs will fly in the future with the introduction of the Frisbee Sonic.
Magnifi Group Joins the WYSE Travel Confederation to serve the Student and Youth Travel Industry
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Magnifi Group, a leading provider of educational technology solutions, has joined membership of the WYSE Travel Confederation. WYSE Travel Confederation is a world-renowned not-for-profit organization serving the youth, student, and education travel industry. WYSE membership enables Magnifi to serve the Student and Youth Travel Industry with its state-of-the-art eLearning platform, Learn-WiseGo.
City of El Monte CA Remembers Former Mayor Patricia A. Wallach for Service to the Community
EL MONTE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The City of El Monte is remembering former Mayor Patricia A. Wallach for her service and dedication to the community, after passing on October 27, 2018. Wallach was 81 years-old.
MCT Inc. Hires Rhiannon Bolen as Regional Sales Manager to Satisfy Increasing Demand for its Product and Service Offerings
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT), a leading mortgage hedge advisory and secondary marketing software firm, announced that Rhiannon Bolen has joined the company's sales team as one of its Regional Sales Managers and will be responsible for overseeing the Southern territory.
Former Roostify exec Jesse Decker joins Cloudvirga as chief customer success officer
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga, a leading provider of digital mortgage software, today announced the appointment of Jesse Decker to the role of chief customer success officer. Decker will lead the company's customer success division and work collaboratively with its product development and marketing teams to help leading mortgage lenders leverage the full potential of Cloudvirga's revolutionary point-of-sale (POS) products.
500 Leaders Expected to Attend 17th Annual Sacramento Event: Women in Law Enforcement Community Awards
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- More than 500 people are expected to attend the 17th annual award luncheon Saturday, November 17th, to recognize winners of the "Women in Law Enforcement" Business and Community Awards presented by the Sacramento Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
Large Number of 2018 Medical Residency Applicants Receive Rejections, says Residents Medical
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- 2018 marked the 16th consecutive increase in the number of medical residency positions offered and Residents Medical, an educational and residency placement organization, is taking notice.
Bank of Southern California, N.A. Announces its Q3-2018 Financial Results (BCAL)
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL) announced quarterly net income of $874,988 for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $1,088,043 for the third quarter of 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net income was $3,253,441, compared to $2,830,295 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Results for the quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2018, include approximately $1.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in expenses related to the acquisition of Americas United Bank (OTC Pink: AUNB), which was completed on July 31, 2018.
