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.
Melyn Acasio Joins Bank of Southern California, N.A. at its Del Mar Corporate Office
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL) announced that Melyn Acasio has joined the Bank as Vice President, Client Relationship Manager at the Del Mar Corporate office. She will primarily focus on building new client relationships for the bank.
Culver City, California Becomes Latest U.S. Sanctuary City
CULVER CITY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- At its March 27, 2017 meeting, the City Council of the City of Culver City adopted a Resolution to declare itself a sanctuary city. According to the Resolution, "The City of Culver City is a sanctuary city for all of its residents, and the City stands in solidarity with other sanctuary jurisdictions."
California State Legislature Approves Audit of Concealed Carry Weapon License Programs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Joint Legislative Audit Committee has approved an audit request by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D - Sacramento) to evaluate the negative fiscal impacts and public safety questions raised by Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license programs in the state.
Calif. Congressman Cárdenas Introduces Legislation to Honor César Chávez
WASHINGTON, D.C. and SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas, introduced a congressional resolution honoring the life and work of César Chávez. Chávez was a prominent labor rights activist who organized migrant and farm laborers in the western United States.
Calif. Gov. Brown, Senate President Pro Tempore and Assembly Speaker Announce Landmark Road Repair Package
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon today joined labor, business and local leaders to announce a landmark transportation investment to fix our roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and put more dollars toward transit and safety. The $5 billion-a-year program will cost most drivers less than $10 a month.
National Public Pension Coalition: Why Pensions Matter Report Reveals Need for Pensions in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, the National Public Pension Coalition released a new report titled "Why Pensions Matter," a comprehensive examination of the origins and importance of public pensions. The report examines how public pensions have developed over time, as well as the ways in which pensions help to combat a growing retirement crisis in California and throughout the U.S.
Speaker Rendon Appoints Michael Flad to California Strategic Growth Council
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) has announced his appointment of Michael Flad of Burbank to the California Strategic Growth Council. The 10-member Strategic Growth Council brings together cabinet agencies and state departments and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research to coordinate support for sustainable communities, strong economies, social equity, and environmental stewardship.
Calif. Gov. Brown and NY Gov. Cuomo Reaffirm Commitment to Exceeding Targets of The Clean Power Plan
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- With the announcement that the United States will begin to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today issued the following statement reaffirming their ongoing commitment to exceed the targets of the Clean Power Plan and curb carbon pollution.
Calif. Congressman Cardenas: Dismantling EPA is an Attack on Our Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. and SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas, a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Environment Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the President’s executive order rolling back the Clean Power Plan.
Murtaza Baxamusa appointed to California ‘No Place Like Home’ Advisory Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) this week announced his appointment of Murtaza Baxamusa of San Diego to the No Place Like Home Advisory Committee. The 15-member No Place Like Home Advisory Committee includes state agency officials and appointees of the Legislature and Governor.
March 29 Sales at Jersey Mike’s in So. California Donated to Operation Gratitude to Send Care Packages to U.S. Troops
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On March 29, 2017 retail sales at 149 Jersey Mike's in Southern California will be donated again as part of annual "Day of Giving," to the non-profit Operation Gratitude in order to send care packages to our U.S. serving military overseas and around the world.
Fintech Mortgage Automation Pioneer Cloudvirga Raises $15M in Series B Funding
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cloudvirga(SM), developer of the automated, cloud-based intelligent Mortgage Platform(R) (iMP), announced today it has raised $15 million in a series B funding round led by Incenter, a Blackstone Group portfolio company. The new funding will support cloudvirga as it scales its technology and expands its product offerings.
New Study Linking Prevailing Wage Standards with Housing Reforms Would Close Affordability Gap
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A brand new study by construction industry research non-profit Smart Cities Prevail shows that linking prevailing wage standards with proposed reforms to streamline new housing development would close the affordability gap, save state and local governments tens of millions of dollars annually, and disproportionately benefit communities of color.
California Congressman Cárdenas: American Healthcare 1, Trump 0
WASHINGTON, D.C. and SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas released the following statement regarding the Republicans’ decision to pull their healthcare repeal legislation.
Calif. Speaker Rendon Appoints Abigail Medina to Dental Board of California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) has announced his appointment of Abigail Medina of San Bernardino to the Dental Board of California.
5 BARS Sports welcomes Alessandro Feitosa as VP Solution Engineering for its High-density Wi-Fi Networks
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- 5 BARS(R) Sports today announced that Alessandro Feitosa has joined 5 Bars as Vice President, Solution Engineering. Alessandro brings 15 years of experience and expertise in the sports and technology space. He has led strategic pursuits and deployments across the globe.
EPIC Insurance’s Gill and Pilger to Present at SOAHR SHRM-Atlanta HR 2017 Conference
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Benefits Strategy Consultant Suzannah Gill and Director of Employee Benefits Compliance Carl Pilger will present at SOAHR, SHRM-Atlanta's 27th Annual HR Conference, on Wednesday, March 29 at 2:40 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Ga.
Avalon Malibu Joins New Vista Behavioral Health Family of Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Centers
MALIBU, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- New Vista Behavioral Health, a leading provider of addiction treatment, is proud to announce the acquisition of Avalon Malibu. The addition of Avalon to Infinity Treatment Centers, and Simple Recovery, expands the offerings of New Vista Behavioral Health's distinctive, effective and complementary group of addiction and mental health programs, providing exemplary care to clients struggling with chemical dependency or mental health issues.
Housing Advocates and Residents Call on Los Angeles City Council to Limit Short-Term Rentals
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A growing alliance of affordable housing advocates, local neighborhood renters and homeowners, hotel employees and hotel representatives gathered today in front of Los Angeles City Hall to call on City officials to adopt smart regulations for short-term rentals, according to Keep Neighborhoods First.
Teachers, Parents Speak Up as Autism Acceptance Ambassadors for 2017 Autism Awareness Month
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- April is Autism Awareness Month, celebrated worldwide in 2017. Geek Club Books, an autism nonprofit, is challenging the observance with their Autism Acceptance Ambassador Initiative. The initiative mobilizes parents and educators to actively get out and move the public from "awareness" to "acceptance and inclusion" in support of individuals on the autism spectrum in their communities.
California Film Tax Credit Generates More Filming and Jobs in 2017
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, the California Film Commission (CFC) announced the recipients for recurring television series, new series, relocating series, and pilots under AB 1839, the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act, authored by Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) in 2014.
Calif. Gov. Brown Appointments for March 13-15, 2017 include State Water Resources Control Board
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Tam Doduc, 50, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the State Water Resources Control Board, where she has served since 2005. Doduc served in several positions at the California Environmental Protection Agency from 2000 to 2005, including deputy secretary for environmental quality, assistant secretary for air and chemical programs, assistant secretary for agriculture and chemical programs and assistant secretary for technology certification.
California Lawmakers Decry Trump Administration Ploy to Destroy Clean Air Automobile Standards
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon blasted the cynical ploy by the Trump administration and auto manufacturers to roll back vehicle pollution standards finalized earlier this year. In coordinated action, on the same day the Trump administration moved to weaken these standards, the auto manufacturers also challenged them in federal court.
Calif. Assembly Democratic Leaders Announce ‘Degrees Not Debt’ Higher Education Budget Package
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Led by students and parents, Calif. Assembly Democrats, including Speaker Anthony Rendon (D – Paramount) and members of the Assembly Budget and Higher Education Committees today announced a bold higher education budget package designed to reduce student debt and make college affordability a reality for the nearly 2.8 million undergraduate students in California’s University of California (UC), California State University (CSU) and California Community College (CCC) systems.
Hoge Fenton Expands Its Intellectual Property and Privacy Data Security Practice
SAN JOSE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- We are pleased to announce that Counsel Lee Lueddemann, formerly of the Law Office of Leopold Lueddemann in San Ramon, Calif., and Associate Marianna Khoury, formerly of Twitter, Inc., have joined Hoge Fenton. Both are members of the firm's Intellectual Property and Privacy & Data Security Groups.
Senator Tony Mendoza Convenes Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles and Auto Insurance in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On March 8, Chairman of the California Senate Insurance Committee Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) convened a hearing on the development of Autonomous Vehicles and the implications for the auto insurance industry. While no legislative proposals were presented, the informational hearing will be a factor in the policy discussions going forward.
Calif. Congressman Tony Cardenas votes to oppose Republicans’ Affordable Care Act repeal legislation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today in Washington, D.C., U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas released the following statement regarding his vote to oppose Republicans’ Affordable Care Act repeal legislation.
Calif. Asm. Bocanegra Introduces Legislation to Help Fund Film and TV Workforce Development Programs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima), the author of the current California Film Tax Credit, and Assemblymember Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) proposed legislation today (AB1664) to increase funding for entertainment industry job-training programs to help build a bigger workforce of below-the-line workers in California.
EPIC Insurance Brokers Recognized as a ‘Top Specialist’ for Construction and Design Firms Nationally by IBA
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that EPIC has been recognized among an elite group of U.S. specialty brokers by Insurance Business America (IBA).
Community Advocate Martha Cota Named Calif. 70th District 2017 Woman of the Year by Asm. O’Donnell
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D – Long Beach) honored Long Beach’s Martha Beatriz Cota on the Assembly Floor yesterday as the 70th District’s 2017 Woman of the Year. Ms. Cota founded Latinos In Action in 2009 and has served as its Executive Director since its inception.
Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform Announces its First Corporate Sponsor, Grace Care Management
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) is pleased to announce Grace Care Management as CARR's first corporate sponsor. President and CEO Cindy Hasz stated, "Grace Care Management is pleased to support CARR's consumer advocacy work; it long overdue, and much needed by the growing numbers of seniors who are receiving assisted living placements in California."
Calif. Assemblymember McCarty Names Tamika L’Ecluse Assembly District 7’s Woman of the Year
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento) today named children’s advocate Tamika L’Ecluse as the Assembly District 7’s 2017 Woman of the Year. Ms. L’Ecluse was born in Sacramento and raised by a single mother. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at American River College in hopes of earning an Associate degree in Science, but later shifted her focus to Early Childhood Education.
Calif. Asm. Speaker Rendon Appoints Rosemead Mayor Pro Tem Polly Low to Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) has appointed Polly Low, the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Rosemead, to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.
Calif. Asm. O’Donnell Reappointed to Lead the Assembly Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, Calif. Assemblymember Speaker Anthony Rendon (D – Lakewood) announced he has renamed Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D – Long Beach) as Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement. Assemblymember O’Donnell’s district includes the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which together represent the two busiest maritime hubs in the United States.
City of Paramount Mayor’s Statement on AQMD Suspending Aerocraft’s chromium 6 Operations
PARAMOUNT, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) announced that the sensors near Aerocraft in the City of Paramount have again exceeded levels for hexavalent chromium agreed to in a prior abatement order between SCAQMD and Aerocraft Heat Treating. As a result, SCAQMD has ordered Aerocraft to suspend certain operations.
Simple Recovery In-network Services Now Available with Anthem Blue Cross
COSTA MESA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Simple Recovery, a leading Chemical Dependency Treatment Center in Orange County, California, announced today their ability to provide in-network addiction treatment services through 14 major insurance carriers, including Anthem Blue Cross.
Qualia Labs Integrates with Old Republic Title’s ezJacket and Closing Protection Letter Software
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Qualia, the fastest growing provider of title settlement software, announced it has completed an integration with Old Republic Title's ezJacket and Closing Protection Letter (CPL) software applications. As a result, title agents can now generate policy jackets, policy reports and CPLs directly without leaving the Qualia system.
Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) Awarded Grant for Age-Friendly Community Project
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) announced today that it is the recipient of a $30,000 grant funded by the Del Mar Healthcare Fund, through the Age Friendly Communities Program at the San Diego Foundation. The grant will move San Diego towards becoming an Age Friendly/Livable Community for All Ages, a designation of the World Health Organization and AARP.
Calif. Gov. Brown Takes Action to Bolster Dam Safety, Repair Infrastructure after Winter Storms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- With extreme weather putting increasing stress on California's roads, bridges and flood control system, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr....
Friends of the LA River announce the 28th Annual Great Los Angeles River CleanUp: La Gran Limpieza
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Friends of the LA River (FOLAR) is proud to announce the 28th Annual Great Los Angeles River CleanUp: La Gran Limpieza (CleanUp). FOLAR’s annual CleanUp has exploded in recent years, shattering records for volunteer turnout and trash collected, and is the largest urban river cleanup in America.
Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza Appointed to The Joint Legislative Audit Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León today appointed Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC). The Senate Rules Committee confirmed the appointment Wednesday afternoon.
EPIC Brokers’ Brian Tanner, Mary Grandy and Tony Lorber Honored as 2017 ‘Power Brokers’ by Risk & Insurance
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Principal Brian Tanner, Senior Vice President Mary Grandy and Senior Vice President Tony Lorber have been recognized as 2017 Power Brokers by Risk & Insurance Magazine.
Calif. Gov. Brown Appointments for Feb. 21, 2017 include California Earthquake Authority Advisory Panel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Christiana Tiedemann, 59, of Berkeley, has been appointed deputy secretary for law enforcement and counsel at the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Calif. Speaker Rendon Appoints Bell Mayor Saleh to Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) this week announced the appointment of Mayor Ali Saleh of the City of Bell to serve on the board of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.
SF Mayor and City Administrator Appoints Carrie Bishop as City’s First Chief Digital Services Officer
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Friday, S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee and City Administrator Naomi M. Kelly today announced the appointment of Carrie Bishop to serve as San Francisco’s first Chief Digital Services Officer.
Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza Will Host a Senior Scam Stopper Seminar in Lakewood, CA
LAKEWOOD, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza and the California Contractors State License Board are hosting a free Senior Scam Stoppers seminar. A panel of experts will provide information to seniors about scams and how they can protect themselves from becoming victims.
Calif. Asm. Kevin McCarty Introduces Legislation to Give Californians a Fair Chance at Employment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento), introduced AB 1008, known as the Fair Chance Act, which will eliminate employment barriers for individuals formerly convicted of a crime. Historically known as, “Ban the Box,” this bill would prohibit a prospective public or private employer from asking a prospective employee if they had been convicted of a crime on an initial application for employment.
U.S. Rep. Tony Cardenas hosts an Affordable Care Act Town Hall meeting in San Fernando, CA
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tues., Feb. 21, 2017, U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) will host an Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") Town Hall meeting in San Fernando.
Chris Kiley Joins Wholesale Trading Insurance Services (WTIS) in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Wholesale Trading Insurance Services, LLC (WTIS) announced today that industry veteran Chris Kiley has joined the firm as Managing Director/Property Broker. WTIS is a privately-held wholesale insurance broker created and managed by industry veterans whose goal is to better align the business interests of the retail broker, the wholesaler and insurance carriers.
EGW Publishing Announces Its Newest Book, ‘Poets About Poetry: Interviews with Contemporary American Poets’
FREMONT, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EGW Publishing, established 1979, is proud to announce the release of its newest book, "Poets About Poetry: Interviews with Contemporary American Poets" by H. Philip Hsieh. 14 renowned poets, including four Poets Laureate of the United States, a Nobel Prize winner (chemistry), three Pulitzer Prize Winners and other prestigious poetry award recipients are presented in this book of interviews.
