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 Announces Appointments for Jan. 8-10, 2018 including to Department of Water Resources
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Karla Nemeth, 47, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the California Department of Water Resources. Nemeth has served as Governor Brown’s deputy secretary and senior advisor for water policy at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2014, where she was Bay Delta Conservation Plan project manager from 2009 to 2014.
Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon to Lead Assembly Delegation to Mexico in January
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) will lead a delegation of Assemblymembers on a four-day mission to Mexico, California’s neighbor and trading partner, to reinforce the closeness of the relationship. The mission will go from January 10-13, 2018. The legislative delegation will also include Assemblymembers Todd Gloria (D-San Diego), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Jose Medina (D-Riverside), and Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino).
Continuing Its Growth, VLP Law Group Welcomes Addition of Real Estate Partner Debra Schiff
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce that Debra Schiff has joined the firm's Real Estate Practice Group as a partner based in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Schiff is the second Los Angeles based attorney to join the firm's growing Real Estate Practice Group in recent weeks. Los Angeles attorney Craig P. Wood joined the firm as a Partner in December.
Gov. Brown and Pacific Coast Governors Condemn Federal Decision To Expand Offshore Drilling
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued the following statement in response to the federal proposal to expand oil and gas offshore drilling, including in Pacific waters, for the first time in decades:
Calif. Asm. Kevin McCarty Introduces Measure to Make CA Legislators Pay for Sexual Harassment Payouts – AB 1750
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Fulfilling his commitment to address sexual harassment at the State Capitol, Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento), on Wednesday introduced AB 1750, which would require the California State Senate and the California State Assembly to seek reimbursement for any sexual harassment settlements paid by the Legislature when there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by a legislator.
California Legislative Leaders Announce Bipartisan Approach on Sexual Harassment Prevention for 2018
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) today announced the formation of a joint committee tasked with creating a bicameral set of additional reforms to improve how the Legislature addresses the issue of sexual harassment and how it can better protect those who report harassment or abuse.
Calif. State Audit Finds Dangerous Flaws in California Concealed Carry Weapon License Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Auditor on Thursday released its findings of a nine month audit of the Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego County Sheriff Departments’ Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license programs, uncovering substantive flaws in how these counties issue CCW licenses. The audit also found that Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones violated numerous state laws and his own procedures in issuing CCW licenses.
VLP Law Group Welcomes Real Estate Partner Craig P. Wood as Part of Continued Growth Strategy
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce that Craig P. Wood has joined the firm's Real Estate Practice Group as a partner based in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Wood's practice encompasses the representation of institutional investors, private equity sponsors, high net-worth individuals, pension funds, pension fund advisors and private companies in a broad range of real estate projects throughout the U.S.
Jim Portner Joins FinTech Innovator, CLOUDVIRGA, as Chief Product Officer
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga(TM), developer of intelligent mortgage point-of-sale (POS) platforms, has hired Jim Portner as chief product officer. Portner will report to Cloudvirga CEO Michael Schreck and will oversee product strategy, development and marketing for the company's digital mortgage automation platforms.
Calif. Gov. Brown announces Appointments for Dec. 8, 2017 including Office of the Inspector General
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments for Dec. 8, 2017: First, Bryan Beyer, 44, of Rancho Murieta, has been appointed chief deputy inspector general at the Office of the Inspector General, where he was senior deputy inspector general from 2010 to 2012 and a deputy inspector general from 2007 to 2010.
San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee Passes Away After Heart Attack
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The staff here at California Newswire were sad to learn early this morning of the passing of S.F. Mayor Edwin "Ed" Mah Lee was the 43rd mayor of San Francisco and the first Asian American to lead the city. He reportedly died of a heart attack while shopping for groceries at a Safeway store. He was 65.
Cloudvirga Inc. and Docutech Partner to Help Loan Officers Work More Effectively
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga, developer of intelligent mortgage point-of-sale (POS) platforms, today announced a partnership with Docutech that will enable Cloudvirga's lender customers to work more efficiently, reduce the cost of document compliance and make the home loan experience more convenient for borrowers.
DocMagic Opens High-Tech Print Fulfillment Supercenter In Torrance CA to Support Growth
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, regulatory compliance and comprehensive eMortgage services, announced that it has opened a 12,000 square foot print fulfillment center minutes from its Torrance, California headquarters. DocMagic added the high tech "supercenter" to support lenders' growing need for secure, compliant paper documents as the mortgage industry transitions to a 100 percent digital mortgage process.
Calif. Assemblymember McCarty Calls for California Legislators to be Financially Liable for Sexual Harassment Claims
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) released the following statement on his commitment to end sexual harassment in the California Legislature. As the State Assembly looks into ways to further protect workers from sexual harassment and abuse, Assemblymember McCarty has offered a number of reforms to increase accountability of elected officials and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Cloudvirga Inc. Names Stephen DeSantis as its new CFO
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga(TM), developer of intelligent mortgage point-of-sale (POS) platforms, has appointed Steve DeSantis as its new chief financial officer. A seasoned technology finance executive, DeSantis will be responsible for driving Cloudvirga's financial strategies to accelerate its growth. He will report to Cloudvirga's recently appointed CEO Michael Schreck.
Long Beach arts organizations partner for family classic THE CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Ernest Borgnine Theatre
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Art-In-Relation (A.I.R.), Children's Theater of Long Beach (CTLB), and The Scottish Rite Cathedral announce a wonderful partnering of resources and talent for a 2017 holiday musical production of "The Christmas Carol." Plays Dec. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Ernest Borgnine Theatre, 855 Elm Avenue, Long Beach, CA.
Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon Statement on Raul Bocanegra
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) released the following statement regarding allegations made against Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra: "These allegations are extremely disturbing, especially since they come after Mr. Bocanegra had previously been investigated and disciplined as a staff member and agreed to stop any harassing or abusive behavior.
Five Top-30 U.S. Lenders Choose Cloudvirga Digital Mortgage Platform in Q3-2017
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga(TM), developer of intelligent mortgage point-of-sale (POS) platforms, has signed five of the nation's top 30 non-bank lenders in the last 100 days. The new customers collectively originate over $100 billion in loans annually.
Matic Insurance Services Raises $7M in Series A Round
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Matic Insurance Services (Matic), a digital insurance agency whose technology enables borrowers to purchase homeowner's insurance during the mortgage transaction, announced today it has raised $7 million in a Series A funding round. Investors participating in the round include Mr. Cooper, one of the nation's top 20 mortgage originators and the fourth-largest home loan servicer in the country.
CA Asm. Laura Friedman Announces Hearing on Changing Capitol Culture, Stopping Sexual Harassment and Abuse
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) Chair of the Assembly Rules Subcommittee on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention and Response has announced the first of the subcommittee’s hearings, which will be held on Tuesday, November 28th in the State Capitol.
‘A Boy Called Po’ Actors Activate their Voices for Autism during National Bullying Prevention Month
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Geek Club Books for Autism today announced that actors Christopher Gorham and Julian Feder, lead characters in the award-winning indie film, "A Boy Called Po" joined the #Activate4Autism movement, a public awareness campaign as a part of National Bullying Prevention Month. People on the autism spectrum are often misunderstood, marginalized, undervalued and 3 times more likely to be victims of bullying.
National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Names MAGLITE as the ‘Official Flashlight for Search & Rescue’
ONTARIO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) has named MAGLITE(R) the official flashlight brand of search and rescue. Engineered and built in the U.S., and supported by expert service at the factory, MAGLITE(R), was selected due to its reputation for outstanding performance and durability among other features essential to a flashlight for search and rescue purposes.
Calif. Assemblymember McCarty Statement Following Firing of Sacramento Officers Involved in Shooting Death of Joseph Mann
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento) today released the following statement in response to two Sacramento Police Department officers that were fired following an investigation of their involvement in the shooting death of an African American Sacramento resident, Joseph Mann.
Calif. Congressman Tony Cardenas Hosting Manufacturing Day Events in San Fernando Valley
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This Friday, U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) will host his next Manufacturing Day Events at Los Angeles Mission College Campus Center in Sylmar, CA on Friday, October 27 and Spectrolab on Monday, October 30, 2017.
Emerging Cyber Threats: David McNeil of EPIC to Present at American Assoc. of Water Distribution & Management Event
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Principal David McNeil will present at the American Association of Water Distribution and Management (AAWD&M) Ronald W. Seymour Memorial Thought Leadership Lab which will be hosted and live streamed from the Las Vegas Valley Water District on Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.
Vets To Work Event on Oct. 24 Comes to West Covina, CA
WEST COVINA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- West Covina American's Job Center of California in conjunction with East San Gabriel Valley ROP have announced the VETS TO WORK event, Tue, October 24, 2017, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM PDT.
10th Annual Great California ‘Shake Out’ Again Prompts Residents to Prep for Drop, Cover and Hold On
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:19 a.m. on October 19, 2017 during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, which began in California in 2008. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes – wherever you live, work, or travel. ShakeOut is also a major activity of America's PrepareAthon!
For Halloween, DangerMan The Urban Superhero Releases Super Suit Costume for Kids of All Ages
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Halloween night just got safer! America's Real Life Urban Super Hero, DangerMan, will roam the streets trick-or-treating with the likes of Superman, Batman and Spider-Man as the new DangerMan Super Suit is now available for kids! Actor and mentor Roger I. Tinsley, the founder of the DangerMan Urban Superhero brand and CEO/President of the DangerMan Education Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has released the new costume just in time for the holidays.
Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) Honors Vans at 28th Annual Collector’s Choice Gala
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) raised more than $315,000 at its 28th Annual Collector's Choice Gala and Live Auction held on Saturday, October 7th at Montage Laguna Beach. The total amount raised beat last year's record.
The Mortgage Collaborative Unveils TMC Benchmark, a New Lender Member Benchmarking Solution
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative, the nation's only independent mortgage cooperative, has released its monthly benchmarking solution to its Lender Members. The first reports were made available this month and will be provided to participants on a month-to-month, real-time basis.
‘High & Outside a baseball noir’ – Geoffrey Lewis’ last film gets North American Premiere at Austin Film Festival
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Standard 17, LLC announces "High & Outside : a baseball noir," also nominated for Best Screenplay & Best Film at the prestigious 2017 Raindance Film Festival in London. The film premieres Oct. 27 & Nov. 1, 2017 at the Austin Film Festival. "High & Outside" is about an independent league baseball player, Phil Harding (Phil Donlon), who takes desperate measures to keep his imperiled big-league dream alive, which threatens to destroy his already fragile family.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation To Protect California’s Hard-Working Immigrants
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed a package of bills to enhance housing, school, workplace and civil protections for California's immigrants. "This action protects public safety and ensures hard-working people who contribute to our state are respected," said Governor Brown.
Calif. Measure to Expand Educational Access for Refugees Signed Into Law – AB343
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure which will provide refugees with in-state tuition at California Community Colleges during their first year of residency was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown (D - California). Assembly Bill (AB) 343, part of the 'California Welcomes Refugees' legislative package, furthers the Golden State’s efforts to integrate refugee immigrants into our state.
Artists and Advocates Activate their Voices with Geek Club Books for Autism during National Bullying Prevention Month
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Geek Club Books, Inc., an autism nonprofit, today launched #Activate4Autism movement, a public awareness campaign as a part of National Bullying Prevention Month. The autistic are often misunderstood, marginalized, undervalued and 3 times more likely to be victims of bullying. The campaign brings together voice, stage and film actors, children's authors, comic artists and autistic advocates who activate their voices for autism, speaking out for acceptance and inclusion.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Legislative Updates, Bills Signed into Law, for Sept. 26-28, 2017
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills, including: AB 184 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Sea level rise planning: database, and AB 333 by Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) – State Highway Route 185: relinquishment: County of Alameda.
Calif. Gov. Brown announces appointments for Sept. 27-28, 2017 including Health and Human Services Agency
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments on Thursday: First, Karin Caves, 62, of Carmichael, has been appointed deputy director of communications at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislative Package to Address Housing Crisis, including AB678
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Brown signed a package of housing bills that will provide a combined $4 billion in funding for affordable housing from bond sales, document recording fees and to red tape during the development project approval process. Included in the package is Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra’s (D-Pacoima) Assembly Bill 678.
Calif. State Legislature Approves Bill to Fix Unemployment Crisis for Classified School Employees – AB 621
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, the California State Assembly sent to the Governor legislation by Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) that will provide vital financial assistance to more than 284,000 classified school employees in California who live paycheck to paycheck. Assemblymember Bocanegra introduced the legislation to bridge the financial burden that classified employees face during the summer months, which often forces them to rely on food banks, max out credit cards, or collect cans on the side of the road.
Calif. Congressman Cardenas Leads Hispanic Heritage Resolution, Highlights Contributions of DREAMers
WASHINGTON, D.C. and SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In recognition of 2017 Hispanic Heritage Month, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) introduced H.Res.524 in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was joined by 104 Members of Congress who signed on as original co-sponsors.
Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) Awarded AARP Community Challenge 2017 Grant
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) is pleased to announce it has received an AARP Community Challenge Grant. AARP announced its grant recipients on its website on September 7, 2017. CARR is one of only 4 AARP's Community Challenge Grant recipients in California.
CA Gov Brown Calls for Deeper Trans-Pacific Collaboration on Climate Change at Eastern Economic Forum
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today joined leaders from Japan, South Korea, Russia, China and more than a dozen other countries at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia where he pushed businesses and governments to join forces not just on trade and investment but also on the decarbonization of the economy.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs New Compact with Morongo Band Of Mission Indians
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The compact affirms the Tribe's commitment to the residents of Riverside County and is intended to enable the tribal government to invest in worthy causes.
Calif. Measure to Ensure Fairness in the Election Process Approved by the Legislature – SB 45
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) today announced the passage of Senate Bill 45 (SB 45). The measure, which will ensure fairness in elections throughout California, passed the Senate Floor on the special consent calendar with bipartisan support and no opposition
SELF DRIVE Act: House Passes Calif. Rep. Cárdenas Bill in Autonomous Vehicle Legislative Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. and SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3388, the SELF DRIVE Act including language introduced by Rep. Cárdenas to establish an advisory council at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on autonomous vehicles.
MAGLITE Comes Out on Top of COLLEGE Magazine List of Top Ten Safety and Security Products College Students Must Have
ONTARIO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Every year millions of parents send their children off to college for the first time and what to pack for that child is top of mind, says MAG Instrument Inc. The days of making sure they have clean sheets, lots of socks and an umbrella are long gone. Kids these days have very different needs than in years past and College Magazine has put together a list of the Top Ten Safety and Security Items College Kids Must Have and a MAGLITE flashlight is top of the list.
VLP Law Group LLP Welcomes David Jargiello as Returning Partner and General Counsel
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce that David Jargiello has rejoined the firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and the firm's General Counsel. Mr. Jargiello is a business transactional lawyer with more than 25 years' experience in San Francisco and Silicon Valley primarily representing venture capital funds, professional service firms and legal technology companies in complex corporate finance, corporate securities, fiduciary duty and risk management matters.
Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon Statement on DACA Repeal
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) released the following statement after President Donald Trump exercised executive authority to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Latino Victory Project Statement on Trump Decision to End DACA Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cristóbal J. Alex, President of Latino Victory Project, issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it would terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects certain undocumented youth from deportation.
Calif. Congressman Cardenas statement on Trump decision to eliminate Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. and WASHINGTON, D.C. /California Newswire/ -- Today, U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program.
In California, Late Rock n’ Roll Legend Ritchie Valens Gets Highway Designation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, California approved Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra’s (D-Pacoima) ACR 23, officially naming a portion of Interstate 5 between State Route 170 and State Route 118 in the northeast San Fernando Valley after rock and roll icon Ritchie Valens.
