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.
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.
Calif. 'Teacher Bill of Rights' Bill by Senator Tony Mendoza Approved by State Senate – SB1225
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senate Bill 1225, authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), was approved by the State Senate this week. The...
Calif. Asm. O’Donnell Bill to Help Foster Youth Achieve Academic Success Passes Assembly – AB 2656
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) ensuring foster youth can attain their educational and economic goals passed...
Largest Long Term Care Workers Union in U.S. Celebrates One Year Anniversary with Groundbreaking Victories
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, SEIU Local 2015, one of the largest unions of long term care workers in the nation...
U.S. African American Buffalo Soldiers to Be Honored by Calif. State Senate at Capitol Ceremony
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers, an historic group of African American service members, Calif. Senator...
California Legislation Supporting Arts Education Sails Through Assembly – AB 2862
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- AB 2862, by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), promoting visual and performing arts education won Assembly approval today....
Calif. Asm. Hall Legislation to Create Nation's Strongest Wage Equality Law Approved by State Senate
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Senate this week approved SB 1063 by Senator Isadore Hall, III (D – South Bay), which...
Calif. Speaker Rendon Announces Assemblymembers to Serve on Budget Conference Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) appointed the following members of the Assembly to serve on the...
Bank of Southern California N.A. to Acquire Opus Bank La Quinta Branch
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL) announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the deposits of the La Quinta branch of Opus Bank located at 78080 Calle Estado #101, La Quinta, pending regulatory approval. The sale is anticipated to close on or about August 19, 2016.
Calif. Gov. Brown to Host Inaugural Subnational Clean Energy Ministerial in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Moving to further mobilize states, provinces and cities in the fight against climate change, Governor Edmund G. Brown...
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for May 31, 2016 including State 9-1-1 Advisory Board
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Amy Miller, 42, of Folsom, has been...
Calif. Senator Mendoza Calls for Review of State Workers' Compensation Anti-Fraud Efforts
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A series of news stories highlighting billions of dollars in workers’ compensation fraud in California over the last several...
Calif. Assemblymember O'Donnell Celebrates Breakwater Awareness Month with Paddle Out in Memory of the Waves
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In honor of Breakwater Awareness Month, Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell invites the public to join him for...
Calif. Joint Legislative Audit Committee Approves Audit of Alliance College-Ready Public Charter Schools
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) approved an audit request by Cailf. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) on a...
EPIC Insurance adds Broker-Producer Jake Perata to Calif. Golf Insurance Services Team
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Jake Perata has joined the firm as an insurance broker/producer for the firm's Sacramento Calif.-based Golf Insurance Services Practice.
Calif. Assemblymember O'Donnell Continues to Press Frontier for Answers in Sacramento Hearing
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) questioned Frontier and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) representatives in Sacramento about...
Speaker Rendon, Calif. Assembly Colleagues Launch Resolution Recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) joined Assembly colleagues today to introduce House Resolution 52 to mark National Gun Violence...
VLP Law Group LLP Welcomes Corporate Partner Chris Laukenmann to Team
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce that Chris Laukenmann has joined the firm's Corporate Practice Group as a partner based in California. Mr. Laukenmann's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, securities, finance, private equity, venture capital, general corporate, restructuring and regulatory compliance across industries.
Concord Mortgage Group Helps Baby Boomers Downsize Affordably with HECM and ReverseVision Exchange (RVX)
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision announced today that Concord Mortgage Group (Concord), a Westerville, Ohio-based full-service mortgage banker and division of NOIC, Inc. (NMLS# 121455), has chosen RV Exchange (RVX) as its reverse mortgage loan origination software (LOS). Concord offers home-equity conversion mortgages (HECM), commonly called reverse mortgages, to clients in eight states.
JRL Golf Junior Academy Open House at Angeles National Golf Club
SUNLAND, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- JRL GOLF is excited to announce their open house for the JRL GOLF Junior Academy, Saturday June 4, 2016 at Angeles National Golf Club from 10:30 a .m. - 5 p.m. JRL GOLF's open house provides the opportunity for junior golfers and their parents to experience the academy, meet the instructors, learn about our teaching philosophy, and hear from guest speakers, such as Chris Zambri Head Golf Coach at USC.
DocMagic Announces 'eQC' Automated Due Diligence Solution for Lending Industry
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, compliance, eSign and eDelivery solutions, announced the formal launch of its fully integrated 'eQC' solution that automates due diligence for investors and correspondent lenders.
EPIC Insurance Brokers Adds Senior Communications Consultant Liz Miller in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Liz Miller has joined the organization's employee benefits division as a senior communications consultant. Miller will be based in EPIC's San Francisco headquarters and report to John Gaffney, director of national benefits operations.
Ascende's Rob Massa to Present at Gulf Coast Symposium in Houston May 12
HOUSTON, Texas and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ --- MEDIA ADVISORY: Ascende, an EPIC company, today announced that Ascende Retirement Director Rob Massa is speaking at the Gulf Coast Symposium. Massa will speak on 'The Intersection of Health Care and Retirement' on Thursday, May 12 at 9 a.m. at the NRG Center in Houston, Texas.
The Mortgage Collaborative Adds 14 New Lender Members Nationwide including Arizona and Texas
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative, an independent mortgage lending cooperative, today announced the addition of 14 new lenders to their national network of originating members, according to the Collaborative's EVP of National Sales and Strategic Alliances, Rich Swerbinsky.
Tris is the new Social Search Engine with a 'Near Me' Feature to Bring People and Places Closer
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Developed by Tris Holdings, Tris Search and Chat Platform's goal is to be used to foster real communication in real life instead of virtual, and bridge online chat to real life chat.
The California Legislative Black Caucus Releases 2016-17 State Budget Priorities
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) today announced their 2016-17 budget priorities with a clear emphasis on issues that...
International Trade Education Programs Honored at 90th Annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast
CARSON, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- International Trade Education Programs (ITEP), a nonprofit focused on connecting high school students to careers, was recently honored with the 2016 Bob Kleist Leadership Award by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Recipients of the prestigious award demonstrate inspirational and visionary leadership in the development of world trade in Southern California.
EPIC Insurance Brokers' Inland Empire Team Supports Local Community and The Joyful Child Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, today announced details of community support provided by their Inland Empire division. In 2015, the EPIC Invitational Golf Tournament raised approximately $28,000 for the Joyful Child Foundation. This year's tournament generated an additional $40,477.
Apps World North America 2016 to feature EZER App for Crowd Sourced Delivery Services
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EZER, the app that connects those with trucks to businesses or individuals who need their stuff picked up and delivered, will showcase at Apps World North America on May 11 and 12, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The EZER booth will be located in the Startup City section of the expo at space S28.
Communicator Awards 2016: EPIC Insurance Wins 'Gold Award of Excellence' and 'Silver Award of Distinction'
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that the firm's Marketing, Communications and Design Team has received the 'Gold Award of Excellence and the 'Silver Award of Distinction' from the 22nd Annual Communicator Awards, the leading international awards program honoring communication professionals for creative excellence.
Calif. Assemblyman Gatto to Question Frontier Communications Over Outages
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Members of the local media are invited to attend a hearing held by Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles)...
Uproar Entertainment releases new stand-up comedy CD by edgy-raw comedian John Moses
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Uproar Entertainment is excited to announce the release of John Moses' second CD 'Upper Middle Trash,' recorded in front of a live audience. John Moses has been delightfully offending audiences throughout the United States, Canada and the U.K. for more than 10 years.
Frontier FAIL: Calif. Assemblymember O’Donnell to Host Town Hall Confronting Troubled Transition from Verizon to Frontier
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell invites residents to a town hall for customers impacted by the switch from...
Home-Equity Loans Facts Track seminar for mortgage lenders in Huntington Beach May 11
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision, Inc. is pleased to announce that it is again offering the popular 'Home-Equity Loans Facts Track' seminar for mortgage lenders interested in learning more about the home-equity conversion mortgage (HECM) loan on May 11, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, Sandpiper Room from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Calif. Asm. Mike Gatto’s Legislation to Protect Children From Identity Theft Clears Privacy Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Calif. Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee passed legislation by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblywoman Jacqui...
Geek Club Books Releases Interactive Digital Autistic Hero Comic Book for Inclusive Family Learning
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Geek Club Books, Inc., an autism nonprofit, today announced the release of their interactive digital comic book, 'The Mighty League, Vol. 2: The Horrible Hug.' This is the second in their digital and app autistic hero comic series created to help children understand their autistic peers and end the stigma of autism. The comic is downloadable via the Geek Club Books website.
EPIC Broker's David McNeil Appointed to Calif. Joint Powers Risk Management Authority Advisory Board
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, today announced that David McNeil, a principal in the firm's Inland Empire division, has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the California Association of Mutual Water Companies Joint Powers Risk and Insurance Management Authority (CAMWC-JPRIMA).
Mortgage Technology Provider, DocMagic Wins 2016 Innovation Award for SmartCLOSE TRID Portal
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., a premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, compliance, eSign and eDelivery solutions, announced that PROGRESS in Lending presented the company with one of its annual Innovation Awards for the development and widely successful launch of its industry-leading SmartCLOSE(TM) collaborative closing portal for TRID compliance. DocMagic was one of only seven recipients to receive the honor out of numerous applicants.
Isn't It Possible to Save the Frogs? asks Paraphrase LLC in Support of Save The Frogs Day
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- 'Little Green' book publisher, Paraphrase, LLC, pledges support for Save The Frogs Day 2016. Did you know there is a 'Save The Frogs Day'? You may have read or heard at some point in the last few years about the alarming rate of disappearance of frogs in the world. While you might ask why this is important, frogs are essential to many ecosystems around the world.
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Senator Mendoza Legislation to Prevent Wage Theft from California Workers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure, SB 1342, authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) that would protect workers by paving the way...
Bank of Southern California N.A. adds Kt Duong and Troy Ferguson to Sales Team
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), welcomes Kt Duong and Troy Ferguson, as Vice President, Business Relationship Managers to its seasoned team of bankers. Mr. Duong has been in banking and finance for 8 years, including Commercial Capital Partners, Commercewest Bank and Citigroup.
EPIC Insurance Continues 2016 Growth in the Sacramento Region with the Addition of Two New Consultants
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has announced continued expansion of their operations in the Sacramento Region with the additions of Victoria McKinney and Robin Neer. Both will be based in EPIC's Gold River office, under the leadership of Regional Director of Employee Benefits, Beth Barr.
L.A. Mayor Garcetti and Other Officials to Participate in Annual Great L.A. River Cleanup 2016
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Fifteen sites, three days, one LA River! This April, (Earth Month) come to the Los Angeles River for...
Syntax Creative partners with Children's Music Arm of Elevation Church
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Syntax Creative is pleased to announce a new deal with Elevation Church, which Outreach Magazine named in 2015 the 15th largest church in America. Pastored by Steven Furtick, the multi-site church with 20,000 weekly attendees calls over a dozen locations home, including its base in Matthews, North Carolina. Elevation Church will release its second Kids Worship album, 'One In a Million,' worldwide on April 29.
Vaccination Health Freedom Rally and CDC Truth March in San Francisco on April 22
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- LearnTheRisk will host a Health Freedom Rally and March demanding truth and transparency from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on the U.S. vaccine system and expose the real risks linked to vaccines. When: FRIDAY, April 22, 2016, 12-2 p.m. Where: San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place.
Calif. Legislative Black Caucus Issues Statement Praising New $20 Bill Featuring Harriet Tubman
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) today praised the United States Treasury Department for its announcement that Harriet Tubman,...
Calif. Senator Mendoza Bill to Increase Representation on L.A. County Metro Transportation Authority Board
SACRAMENTO, Cailf. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee approved SB 1472 authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), on...
ReverseVision Exchange Loan Origination Software Now Used in 12 States by Willow Bend Mortgage
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision announced today that Willow Bend Mortgage, an independent mortgage lender serving the South Central United States, has selected RV Exchange (RVX) as its reverse mortgage loan origination software (LOS). A long-standing community lender in its home state of Texas, Willow Bend began expanding its reverse mortgage program in 2015 and is currently licensed to operate in 12 states.
