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 Help California Workers Save for Retirement – SB 1234
SACRAMENTO, Cailf. /California Newswire/ -- Taking action to boost financial security for all Californians, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed SB 1234 by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), that will create new retirement savings accounts for the nearly seven million workers who do not have one.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Earthquake Early Warning Legislation – SB 438
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed legislation - SB 438 by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) - to help advance the development of a statewide earthquake early warning system in California.
Calif. Gov. Brown Continues Busy Week: Vetoes Bills and Signs New Laws Sept. 29, 2016
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.announced that he has signed various assembly bills and senate bills, including AB 1639 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein.
Calif. Gov. Signs Bill Banning California State-Funded Travel to States with New Anti-LGBT Laws – AB1887
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Governor Jerry Brown this week signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1887, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) and...
Friends of The Los Angeles River Celebrate 30 Year Anniversary with Fandango ‘Take Me To The River’
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Friends of the Los Angeles River (FOLAR) will celebrate 30 years of advocacy on the L.A. River with a gala at L.A. River Studios in Cypress Park on Oct. 8, 2016 from 7:30 -11:30 p.m. Music industry tastemaker and veteran radio personality Nic Harcourt from KCSN 88.5 FM will host the evening’s festivities.
Bank of Southern California, N.A. Announces $7M Capital Offering with Castle Creek Capital
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL) announced today that it has signed a stock purchase agreement for a private placement of $7 million of the Bank's common stock with Castle Creek Capital, based in Rancho Santa Fe, California. The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter, subject to regulatory approvals and other standard closing conditions.
Calif. Gov. Brown Issues Legislative Updates for Sept. 22-23, 2016: Bills Signed and Vetoed
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed a wide range of bills, including...
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Consumer Protection Legislation including AB 1580
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills to strengthen consumer health...
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Nation’s Toughest Super Pollutant Restrictions Into Law
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed SB 1383 by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), which establishes the nation's toughest restrictions on destructive super pollutants including black carbon, fluorinated gases and methane. If followed worldwide, these acts would help cut the projected rate of global warming in half by 2050.
Wine Tourism on the Go: Kazzit Announces Redesigned Web Portal and New Mobile App
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Kazzit, the wine industry's most all-inclusive online community, today announced the launch of a new, redesigned version of its website, www.kazzit.com. Still 100 percent free to consumers, key features of the site include a sleeker, more attractive design, a more engaging user experience with enhanced search and navigation, and a new mobile app.
A Night at the LA River Sept. 10 at the Frog Spot, FoLAR’s riverside visitor center
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Friends of the Los Angeles River and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation are hosting A Night at the LA River at the Frog Spot, FoLAR’s riverside visitor center on Saturday September 10th 5 – 8 PM. The evening will feature the release of the Luskin Center’s LA River Greenway Guide, a panel discussion - The LA River Greenway Through Public-Private Partnership.
Pick-up Artists: From Arcadia to Zuma, volunteers sought for huge Sept. 17, 2016 Coastal Cleanup Day
SANTA MONICA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Local environmental group Heal the Bay has issued a call for Southland residents to join the world’s biggest single-day volunteer event – the 32nd annual Coastal Cleanup Day, to be held Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 8, 2016 including California State Rehabilitation Council
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Victoria Benson, 62, of Fresno, has been reappointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council, where she has served since 2014. Benson has been adult transition project coordinator at the Exceptional Parents Unlimited Region 3 Parent Training and Information Center since 2005.
New stand-up comedy CD ‘Brown Sheep’ by Tamer Kattan released by Uproar Entertainment
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Uproar Entertainment is excited to announce the release of "Brown Sheep" by Tamer Kattan. Recorded in front of a live audience at The Comedy Underground in Seattle Washington this CD showcases the exceptional talent of Tamer Kattan who uses his cultural diversity to inform his unique comic views on life, society and the world today.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Ambitious and Historic Climate Change Legislation
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Ten years after California adopted the toughest greenhouse gas emission reduction goals in the nation, Calif. Governor Edmund...
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 6, 2016
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Joyce E. Dudley, 63, of Carpinteria,...
Mortgage Capital Trading and Fannie Mae Form Strategic Collaboration for Tech Deployment
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT), an industry leading hedge advisor and developer of MCTlive!(TM), the award-winning secondary marketing software suite, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Fannie Mae(R) to facilitate new technology deployment, collaborative planning, and better service to mutual clients.
ReverseVision Welcomes Retirement Income Expert Jamie Hopkins to Board of Directors
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision, the leading provider of software and technology for the reverse mortgage industry, today announced that Jamie Hopkins, Esq., MBA, LLM, CLU(R), RICP(R), has joined its board of directors. A noted expert and frequent speaker on matters of financial planning and retirement income, Hopkins is also a distinguished professor who has educated thousands of financial services professionals over the course of his career.
Calif. Public Health Dept.’s prepare for increase in TB testing, treatment with new screening guidelines from USPSTF
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Tuberculosis (TB) Controllers Association welcomes the United States Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF) rating published yesterday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, recommending the testing of adults at risk for TB exposure. This recommendation is focused on people born in countries with high rates of TB and those who have lived in congregate settings, such as homeless shelters.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Sept. 2016 National Preparedness Month
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, the first day of September, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued a proclamation declaring September 2016 as “National Preparedness Month” in the State of California. The text of the proclamation follows.
Calif. Governor Brown, Legislative Leaders Announce CAP-and-Trade Expenditure Plan Agreement
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony...
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation including AB 1564, 1658 and more
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed various Assembly Bills, including: AB 1564...
California Legislative Black Caucus Announces Leadership for the 2017-18 Session
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) today announced its Caucus leadership for the 2017-18 legislative session. After the election...
Calif. Assembly Concludes Productive, Prudent & Progressive 2015-16 Legislative Session
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement after the Assembly gaveled down on the 2015-2016 legislative...
Rob Massa and Craig Schmidt of EPIC Insurance Honored as Employee Benefit Advisers of the Year
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Employee Benefit Adviser (EBA) has named Director of Retirement Rob Massa the "Retirement Advisor of the Year" and Senior Wellness Consultant Craig Schmidt the "Wellness Advisor of the Year" in the publication's 2016 Employee Benefit Advisers of the Year Awards.
Operation Gratitude Volunteers to Honor First Responders, Assemble 10,000+ Care Kits on 15th Anniversary of Sept. 11 Attacks
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In partnership with the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department, Operation Gratitude volunteers will gather...
MostFit to Hold Catch a Lift Fund Workout Event in Los Angeles to Help Wounded Veterans
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- MostFit is holding their annual Catch a Lift (CAL) Fund Workout Event in two cities this year - Los Angeles and Austin, Texas - on Sept. 10. These fun group workouts are open to ALL with a $10 minimum donation, and free to Active Duty and Veterans. The events are designed to help raise money for Post 9/11 combat wounded vets to regain and maintain their physical and mental health by providing granted gym memberships, fitness programs or in-home gym equipment anywhere in the U.S.
Calif. Legislation to Create Nation’s Strongest Wage Equality Law Approved by State Assembly – SB1063
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Assembly today approved SB 1063 by Senator Isadore Hall, III (D – South Bay), which will...
Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon Statement on Passage of Climate Change Legislation – SB32
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement after the Assembly passed Senate Bill 32 to extend...
NLRB Columbia Ruling Breaks Down Major Barrier to Organizing Higher Ed Workers
BERKELEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Postdoctoral scholars at the University of California applaud today’s 3-1 decision from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that will help expand the academic labor movement. Overturning a 2004 decision, the NLRB ruled that Graduate Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants at private universities are workers with organizing rights.
Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon Statement on Cap and Trade Spending Plan
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement regarding a cap and trade spending plan: "A responsible...
Latino Victory Fund Statement on Donald Trump Extreme Immigrant Vetting Process
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Donald Trump recently said he will implement a strict, extreme screening process for people who wish to immigrate...
Valley Industry and Commerce Assoc. Endorses ‘Yes’ Vote On Calif. Plastic Bag Ban Prop 67
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California vs. Big Plastic recently announced that The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) added its support for...
VLP Law Group LLP adds Partner Edward Kwok to Firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce that Edward Kwok has joined the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group as a partner based in Silicon Valley, California. Mr. Kwok's practice focuses on patent prosecution and Inter Partes adverse proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and intellectual property litigations in state and federal courts.
New American Funding Builds Out 47-State Reverse Mortgage Op with ReverseVision RVX
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision, the leading provider of software and technology for the reverse mortgage industry, is pleased to announce that Tustin, California-based national mortgage lender New American Funding is expanding its reverse mortgage lending operation to 47 states using the RV Exchange (RVX) loan origination software (LOS).
Tack Artist Group Launches TACKTalks: An Innovative Educational Conference for Beauty Industry Artists Looking to Grow Their Personal Brands
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Tack Artist Group – a premier artist management, production, and branding agency – will be holding its inaugural TACKTalks conference in Los Angeles, Calif. on September 7, 2016. Designed for beauty industry artists looking to cultivate their personal brands into viable businesses, the exclusive event will offer up to 300 attendees an unprecedented opportunity to learn from and network with a panel of the industry’s top beauty influencers, insiders, and success stories.
San Diego’s The Mortgage Collaborative Adds 12 Providers to Preferred Partner Network
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative, an independent mortgage lending cooperative, today announced the formal approval of twelve new preferred partner companies to their national network, announced the Collaborative's EVP of National Sales & Strategic Alliances, Rich Swerbinsky.
City Of Berkeley Enacts First of Its Kind Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance
BERKELEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Last night, the City of Berkeley approved a first-of-its-kind local ordinance aimed at preventing wage theft on local construction projects, Smart Cities Prevail announced on July 20; authored by Councilmember Laurie Capitelli, co-sponsored by a majority of the Council and supported by construction industry trade associations and workers’ rights groups.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto and Gov. Brown Announce Sweeping CPUC Reforms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), the author of ACA 11 (which passed the Assembly by a 61-9 vote...
Actor Brian White to Host the 3rd Annual City of Angels After Party BET Experience Weekend
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DP Entertainment and Chuckie Miller announce actor Brian White ("Scandal," "Chicago Fire") to host a night of dancing and entertainment with professionals from around the country, June 24. The "BET Experience at L.A. Live" will bring together thousands of music lovers for a four-day, jam-packed entertainment fest.
Calif. State Assembly Approves Senator Mendoza Legislation to Prevent Wage Theft from California Workers – SB 1342
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure, SB 1342, authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) that would protect workers by paving the way...
Speaker Rendon, Budget Chair Ting on the Assembly Passing the California 2016-17 State Budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) and Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statements Wednesday...
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California endorses Safety for All Initiative on Nov. 2016 Ballot
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The 700,000 member Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California on Wednesday announced its endorsement of the Safety for All...
Calif. Asm. O'Donnell Declares Budget Agreement a Win for the California College Promise and Fiscal Responsibility
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) issued this statement following the passage of the 2016-2017 budget agreement: “Today’s...
New Data Shows California Ahead of Schedule in Meeting Governor Brown's Green Goals for 2016
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- New data released today shows California is shrinking its environmental footprint and is ahead of schedule in meeting Governor...
Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law Approved by Calif. State Assembly Transportation Committee – SB 1072
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The “Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law” authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) was approved today by the...
Nine Millbrae California Residents Honored for 130 Years of Service
MILLBRAE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, June 14, nine Millbrae residents will be recognized for their 130 years of combined service to the...
Friends of the L.A. River and Aquarium of the Pacific Release STATE of the RIVER 3 – The Long Beach Fish...
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) in partnership with the Aquarium of the Pacific, released...
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for June 9, 2016 including Contractors State License Board
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Peter Cervinka, 44, of Sacramento, has...
Wireless Innovator 5 Bars will Bring Cutting-Edge Wi-Fi and Cell Systems to Morongo Casino Resort
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- 5 Bars(TM) announced today it will be building and installing a state-of-the-art multi-carrier Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California. Once the system is installed in the coming months, Morongo guests will experience a profound improvement in wireless connectivity and data speeds within the resort due to the extended reach and connectivity of the DAS.
