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.
2017 Earth Day Heroes Honored by California Safe Schools
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In honor of Earth Day 2017, California Safe Schools celebrates all of the heroes who strive every day to protect our environment. This year, CSS is honoring the following 2017 Earth Day Heroes with awards and commendations for their exceptional efforts to protect human health and Mother Earth.
California Speaker Rendon Announces Assembly Committee Changes for April 17, 2017
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) today announced following changes to the membership of Assembly standing committees.
Calif. Legislation on Drug Pricing Transparency Wins Key Support from Consumer, Medical, Pharmacists Groups – AB315
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation authored by Calif. Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) calling for the first-time regulation of the middlemen of drug pricing -- Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) -- today received a boost with the endorsement of Consumers Union, the California Medical Association, the California Pharmacists Association, and the San-Francisco-based HIV/AIDS advocacy group Project Inform.
World Hemophilia Day 2017: San Francisco City Hall will be Lit Up Red in Recognition
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California (HFNC) will participate in World Federation of Hemophilia's (WFH) "Lighting It Up Red!" campaign in recognition of World Hemophilia Day, on April 17, at 7:30 p.m. on the steps of San Francisco City Hall.
City of Long Beach and Carnival Cruise Line Start Renovations at Long Beach Cruise Terminal
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line marked the beginning of a multi-million-dollar renovation of its Long Beach Cruise Terminal facility to accommodate larger ships and enhance terminal operations on Wednesday. A “FUNstruction” groundbreaking ceremony today included remarks by City of Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, President and CEO of Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau Steve Goodling and Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Strategic and Commercial Port Development Carlos Torres de Navarra among others.
Calif. Assemblymember O’Donnell Welcomes Nominations for 3rd Annual Teacher Recognition Ceremony
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying outstanding local teachers to honor at his 3rd Annual Teacher Recognition Ceremony. To be eligible, nominations for educators who live or work within Long Beach, San Pedro, Signal Hill or Catalina Island must be received by April 20, 2017.
Northern Humboldt Union High School District California Selects Edupoint Synergy
MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Edupoint(R) Educational Systems has been selected by Northern Humboldt Union High School District (NHUHSD) to implement the company's Synergy(R) Student Information System, replacing Schoolmaster. The district's cloud-hosted Synergy solution will include the fully-integrated Synergy Online Registration, California State Reporting, TeacherVUE(R) Portal With Gradebook, and ParentVUE(R) and StudentVUE(R) portals.
Traffk LLC announces addition of Mr. David Brown to expanding team in health solutions market
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Traffk(TM) LLC is pleased to announce the addition of Mr. David Brown to the expanding Traffk team. Brown will fill the role of Market President, serving Traffk's payer and health solutions market. Traffk modernizes the insurance underwriting process with more accurate data insights and risk profiling, allowing risk-bearing companies or health plans to manage profitability.
Residents Medical’s 2017 Medical Candidates ‘Match’ into Healthcare Residency Positions
LOS ANGELES, Calif., /California Newswire/ -- Since November 2016, during what is called the "Pre-Match" cycle, Residents Medical's candidates have been offered coveted and competitive ACGME accredited medical residency training slots. In the graduate medical field, this is the time when they find out where they will be starting their medical residency training.
California Nonprofit Orgs Rethinking Their Future Under the Trump Administration
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In a survey of over 800 nonprofits conducted in March by the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), “Government in Transition; Nonprofits in Transition,” the majority of respondents report significant changes in their organizations since the November 2016 election.
Utelogy Corporation Selects Western Rep Associates As Manufacturers Rep on West Coast
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Utelogy, which makes software for control, management and analytics of audiovisual systems for business and education, has signed a representative agreement with Western Rep Associates. Utelogy provides Software-Defined audiovisual (SDAV) technology for control management, analytics and services for smart classrooms, conference rooms and video-conference rooms.
Calif. Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Rejects Gov. Brown’s Cuts to Child Care and Early Education Programs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D - Sacramento), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance led a bipartisan effort today to reject Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to reduce support for state child care and preschool programs and voted to restore $527 million in critical child care and preschool funding.
Calif. Congressman Cárdenas Joins Lawmakers on Introduction of ABLE 2.0: Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance ABLE Accounts
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) along with Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Jim Langevin (D-RI) today introduced a package of bills to enhance the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014. The package includes the ABLE to Work Act, the ABLE Financial Planning Act, and the ABLE Age Adjustment Act.
Atlantic Coast Mortgage Selects ReverseVision RVX Loan Origination Software for HECM Division
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision, the leading provider of software and technology for the reverse mortgage industry, today announced that Atlantic Coast Mortgage (ACM) has selected RV Exchange (RVX) loan origination software (LOS) to support its new home-equity conversion mortgage (HECM) division.
Ferret Owners Hopeful as California Fish and Game Commission Finally Consider Issuing Pet Permits
LA MESA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legalize Ferrets, a California organization that continues to advocate for ferret legalization in the state, has a watchful eye on The California Fish and Game Commission this month. Why? The commission is set to consider issuing permits for ferrets during its April 26, 2017 meeting in Van Nuys, Calif.
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.
