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.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation to Revamp California Bail System
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Taking action to revamp California’s bail system, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday (Aug. 28) signed Senate Bill 10, the California Money Bail Reform Act, which preserves the rights of the accused, while prioritizing public safety.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Aug. 27-28, 2018 including Department of Social Services
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has announced the following appointments Aug. 27-28, 2018: First, Todd R. Bland, 56, of Elk Grove, has been appointed assistant director of the Automation, Integrity, and Client Initiatives Branch at the California Department of Social Services, where he has been deputy director of the Family Engagement and Empowerment Division since 2011.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation including AB 2782 California Environmental Quality Act
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week (Aug. 24), Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills: First,AB 1887 by Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside) – Public education governance: service on boards and commissions.
Calif. Gov. Brown announces Appointments for Aug. 17-21, 2018 including Advisory Commission on Special Education
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Alexander Pal, 36, of Carmichael, has been appointed chief counsel at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, where he has been acting chief counsel since 2018 and served in several positions from 2013 to 2018, including assistant chief counsel and attorney.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation for Aug. 2018 including Surfing as the Official State Sport
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Gov. Brown signed numerous bills into law on Aug. 20, 2018, including Assembly Bill No. 1782, establishing surfing as the official state sport. List of additional bills signed follows.
El Monte CA 2018 Back-to-School Fair Provides School Supplies and More to 1,100 Families
EL MONTE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Families and children starting a new school year will have a brighter beginning thanks to the 2018 El Monte Back-to-School Resource Fair. Over 1,100 children received much needed school supplies on August 18 at the El Monte Valley Mall.
Calif. Legislature Approves McCarty Measure to Ban For-Profit Charter Schools – AB 406
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Legislature today approved AB 406 by Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), which would prohibit for-profit corporations from managing and operating charter schools in the Golden State. This bipartisan measure was approved by the State Senate on a 28 to 7 vote and by the State Assembly on a 49 to 15 vote.
ReverseVision Expands Support for its Proprietary Reverse Mortgage Technology Products
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision, the leading provider of technology and training for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) industry, today announced that it is offering a combination of enhanced software functionality and professional services to help mortgage lenders launch proprietary reverse mortgage products.
XG Communities LLC announces City of Whittier CA to establish new path to 5G using small cell infrastructure
WHITTIER, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- XG Communities LLC, a premier provider of wireless, asset marketing and wireless management services for cities and municipalities across the United States, announces their agreement with the City of Whittier, preparing the City for small cell applications.
EPIC Recognized Among Inc. Magazine’s 2018 Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that it has been ranked No. 2746 on Inc. Magazine's 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.
Finance of America Mortgage Gives Advisors and Borrowers a Cutting-Edge Experience with Technology from Cloudvirga
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga, a leading provider of digital mortgage point-of-sale (POS) software whose enterprise technology is powered by the intelligent Mortgage Platform, today announced that Finance of America Mortgage (FAM) will deploy the Cloudvirga Enterprise POS as its digital mortgage platform.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Aug. 10-13, 2018 including to Community Colleges Board of Governors
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Monday (Aug. 13), Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Tamma Adamek, 53, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of external affairs and media relations for the Complete Count Census. Adamek has been deputy director of communications at the Financial Information System for California since 2016.
Calif. Congressman Cardenas Legislation to Increase High School Computer Coding Signed into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. and WASHINGTON, D.C. /California Newswire/ -- Last week, key priorities in the High School CODES Act were signed into law. The effort, led by Reps. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Pete Olson (R-TX) and Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), will help high schools throughout the country encourage computer coding education, establishing a pipeline between students and jobs that will strengthen America’s economy.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Aug. 1-6, 2018 including University of California Board of Regents
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments on Aug. 6: First, Laphonza Butler, 39, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the University of California Board of Regents. Butler has been president of SEIU United Long Term Care Workers Union since 2010.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs 2018 Tribal Compacts
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. this past week (Aug. 2) announced that he has signed a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, as well as amendments to the current tribal-state gaming compacts with the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians, the Karuk Tribe and the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.
Calif. Congressman Tony Cardenas statement on the end of the Sinclair-Tribune Merger
SACRAMENTO, Calif. and WASHINGTON, D.C. /California Newswire/ -- The merger should have been a spike in the end zone for Sinclair, but the refs stopped them at the 1st yard line for unfair play, says Calif. Congressman Tony Cardenas (29th District of Calif.). It must have been a real upset for Sinclair. But not for the American public.
The Mortgage Collaborative Releases TMC Benchmark 2.0
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's only independent mortgage cooperative, today announced the release of its enhanced benchmarking solution for its lender members. In collaboration with TMC Preferred Partner LBA Ware, TMC Benchmark now has an improved user interface, augmented reporting dashboards and peer segmentation.
Cloudvirga Adds Digital Mortgage Integration with Insurance Provider Radian Guaranty
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga, a leading provider of digital mortgage point-of-sale (POS) software whose enterprise technology is powered by the intelligent Mortgage Platform, has partnered with Radian Guaranty, a subsidiary of Radian Group (NYSE:RDN), to deliver instant and accurate mortgage insurance (MI) rate quotes and streamline the ordering of MI certificates for lenders.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for July 18, 2018 including to Medical Board of California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Claire Tauriainen, 46, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed general counsel at the California Housing Finance Agency, where she has been an assistant general counsel and single family team lead since 2007.
Calif. Gov. Brown Issues Legislative Update for July 16-18, 2018 – New Bills Signed for California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills on July 18: AB 216 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) – Vote by mail ballots: identification envelopes: prepaid postage. (continued)
OpenClose Launches DecisionAssist Mobile for Originators at CMBA 46th Annual Western Secondary Marketing Conference
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- OpenClose(R), an industry-leading multi-channel loan origination system (LOS) and mortgage fintech provider, announced at the California Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA) 46th Annual Western Secondary Marketing Conference that it unveiled DecisionAssist(TM) Mobile, which provides fingertip access to the company's proprietary web-based product and pricing engine (PPE)
Cost-Effective GPS Distribution Over Fiber from Optical Zonu Corp: Optimized for C-RAN
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Optical Zonu Corp, a U.S. carrier-approved supplier of RF-Over-Fiber transport solutions and fiber monitored digital transport, has released a version of their GPS Fiber Transport specifically designed for providing the GPS connectivity for C-RAN hubs. This feature now offers 8 and 16 outputs with optional auto-switchover redundancy.
CandyLipz LLC Conducts Clinical Trial to Resolve Consumer Cupping Concerns from Lip Plumping System
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- When some customers showed concern over cupping marks after using the lip plumper manufactured by CandyLipz, LLC, the company quickly jumped into action. It hired a third-party independent investigative research vendor, Biometrix, Inc -, a company that has conducted clinical trials for major multinational biotech, dermatology, product manufacturers and more for 20 plus years - to prove that there was nothing to worry about.
Calif. Brown Signs Final 2018-19 State Budget with Record Rainy Day Fund, School Funding
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, seven and a half years after taking office and inheriting a $27 billion budget deficit, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed his final state budget, which fills the Rainy Day Fund to the brim and sends record funding to California’s classrooms.
California’s 2018-19 Budget Act Includes Big Wins for Sacramento and West Sacramento
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Jerry Brown yesterday signed the 2018-19 Budget Act into law, enacting a responsible, balanced, and on-time budget that includes historic reserves for a rainy day and makes critical investments in the people of California. Working closely with the Legislature, this budget brings together shared priorities of the Assembly, the Senate, and the Governor.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for June 28, 2018 including to California Ocean Protection Council
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Carlie Jackson, 38, of Elk Grove, has been appointed administrative assistant at the California Natural Resources Agency, where she served as an administrative assistant from 2012 to 2014.
Calif. Gov. Brown appoints 10 California superior court judges for June 2018
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the appointment of 10 California superior court judges, which include: One in Calaveras County; 4 in Los Angeles County; one in Orange County; one in San Francisco County; one in Santa Barbara County; one in Santa Clara County; and one in Sonoma County.
Cal State LA awarded $1 million grant to improve diversity and inclusion for California students in sciences
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California State University, Los Angeles today announced it has received a $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to train faculty to better engage with students from all backgrounds who study science.
California Joint Committee on Rules Approves Landmark Sexual Harassment Policy
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Joint Committee on Rules today approved a landmark overhaul of the Legislature’s policies on sexual harassment with an aim of transforming the workplace culture in California. The comprehensive policy revision attempts to promote a workplace culture of respect, civility and diversity, using a range of tools.
C3 Risk and Insurance Launches Mobile Inspection App for Businesses and Insurance Pros
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- C3 Risk & Insurance Services today announced the launch of its new SaferWorks smartphone technology for businesses to use in documenting inspections. The app is designed to be extremely simple and easy to use by both the company administrator and by the company end users.
Paragon Insurance Holdings Welcomes Tonya Fuller and Ashley Forslund to Winery and Brewery Team
NAPA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Paragon Insurance Holdings LLC ("Paragon"), a national multi-line specialty MGA (Managing General Agency) based in Avon, Conn., today announced that Tonya Fuller has joined the firm as Vice President, Winery and Brewery. Additionally, Ashley Forslund has become a member of the Paragon team in the role of Senior Underwriter, Winery and Brewery, working in close collaboration with Fuller.
Brian Chu, CIC, CLCS Joins EPIC Insurance Brokers in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that risk management and insurance professional Brian Chu has joined the firm's operations in Southern California as a Vice President.
Residents Medical Tackles Severe Doctor Shortage in America by Facilitating Residency Program Placements
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- It's a fact. There's an increasing shortage of primary and specialty care physicians in the U.S. According to new research by the Association of American Medical Colleges, estimates show that by 2030 there could be a shortage of up to 120,000 licensed physicians. Residents Medical is working to help fill the gap.
Calif. Legislature Sexual Harassment Prevention Subcommittee Releases Draft Recommendations for Transforming Capitol Culture
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), chair of the Joint Committee on Rules Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response, and Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), vice chair of the subcommittee, today released draft recommendations to overhaul the Legislature’s policies on sexual harassment and to transform the workplace culture.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Unveiling Of New John Van Hamersveld Murals Kicks off 2018 Summer in L.A.
SAN PEDRO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Kicking off the start of summer 2018, Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will unveil two new commissioned murals by artist John Van Hamersveld, whose iconic work celebrates Southern California’s surf and sand culture. The Aquarium is part of the new state-designated San Pedro Cultural Arts District due to its design by world-famous architect Frank Gehry.
NotaryCam Celebrates 100K Online Notarizations, Demos at National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) 2018
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- NotaryCam, Inc. (NotaryCam) today announced that it has completed more than 100,000 online notarizations since introducing the service in 2012. To celebrate this milestone, NotaryCam will offer free demos of its eClose360 platform to attendees of the 2018 National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) being held June 6-8 at the Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit.
New Mobile Arcade Game Flying Fu, from Accio Motion, is family-friendly martial arts designed to test your patience
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Accio Motion LLC, a rising star in the production and publishing of mobile games, announced today the release of its new family friendly martial arts game: Flying Fu. Available now on the App Store and Google Play.
Optical Zonu, Sayres, and Cogitari Link Up to Bring Cutting-Edge RF over Fiber Solutions to the Defense Industry
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Optical Zonu Corp ("OZC"), a major manufacturer of analog and digital fiber optic solutions, is pleased to announce a new RF over Fiber solutions partnership with Sayres & Associates and Cogitari.
Roz Strategies’ Tax Resolution Expert Michael Rozbruch Teaches Tax Pros How to Ramp Up Their Business
STUDIO CITY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- An exclusive, interactive 4-hour live training for CPAs, EAs and attorneys - "The 7-Figure Tax Resolution Practice Blueprint" - is scheduled for June 28. This free training is hosted by tax resolution expert, Michael Rozbruch, founder of Roz Strategies. He'll show tax professionals how to start a tax resolution practice from scratch (like he did) or take an existing practice to the next level.
New Book, ‘The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane’ debuts at Noir At The Bar in L.A.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Author Rex Weiner will debut "The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane" (ISBN: 978-1945572807) his gritty tales featuring private eye Ford Fairlane, the music industry's "rock n roll detective," at Noir At The Bar on June 10 at 7 p.m. The event brings together crime fiction fans with crime fiction authors reading from their work at the Mandrake Bar, Los Angeles.
Calif. Gov. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for May 22-31 2018 including to Health and Human Services Agency
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Thursday announced the following appointments: First, Diana Dooley, 67, of Sacramento, has been appointed Executive Secretary in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Dooley has served as Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency since 2011.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation Establishing Statewide Water Efficiency Goals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed SB 606 by Senator Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) and AB 1668 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) to help the state better prepare for droughts and climate change by establishing statewide water efficiency standards.
LOCAL: Millbrae City Council Reviews Draft Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance
MILLBRAE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Short-term residential rentals have been a hot topic for Millbrae residents since a house party last month went out of control, putting the surrounding neighborhood on guard. Because of this, the Millbrae City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance that could give both law and code enforcement officials more power to stop unruly short-term renters, and give the City tools and additional power to better regulate the industry locally.
Measure to Prohibit Bounty Signature Gathering, Passes California State Senate – SB 1394
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure by that would prohibit the practice of paying signature gatherers on a per-signature basis, was approved by the California State Senate today. Senate Bill (SB) 1394, authored by Fullerton Democrat Josh Newman, passed the Senate on a x-x vote.
Rose Nordbrock, Jeff Breskin, Pabla Barros and Jose Fuentes Join EPIC Insurance in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that risk management and insurance professionals Rose Nordbrock, Jeff Breskin, Pabla Barros and Jose Fuentes have joined the firm's operations in Southern California.
Calif. Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Provides Progress Report
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), chair of the Joint Committee on Rules Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response, and Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), vice chair of the Subcommittee, released the following statement to provide an update on the progress of the subcommittee’s work:
Calif. Assembly Approves McCarty Legislation Promoting STEM Education Through After School Coding Courses for Kids
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Assembly has approved AB 2098 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento), which would establish the After School Kids Code Grant Pilot Program to provide funding for after school programs that promote STEM education and focus on computer coding as part of their curriculum. The measure was approved on a 65 to 0 vote.
DocMagic Staff Join Together to Support Fourth Annual US Red Nose Day Fundraising Campaign
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, regulatory compliance and comprehensive eMortgage services, announced that on Thursday, May 24, the entire company participated in Red Nose Day - an effort to help end child poverty both in the U.S. and in some of the poorest communities in the world. Red Noses can still be purchased from Walgreens retail outlets through June 2, 2018 in support of the fundraising campaign.
Magnifi Group Inc. to Host its 5th Annual European Learn-Wise User Conference in Frankfurt
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Magnifi Group will hold its 5th annual Learn-Wise European User's Conference, June 6, 2018 in Frankfurt. The European User's Conference is dedicated to the unique training and compliance needs of European medical device companies.
MAGLITE Helps Sponsor The American Veterans Center and 2018 National Memorial Day Parade in DC
ONTARIO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- MAG Instrument, Inc., (MAG) has entered into a sponsorship agreement with The American Veterans Center and National Memorial Day Parade to provide resources for the organization and its programs. Among these efforts MAG will assist veterans to attend and be honored at the annual event.
