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.
The Mortgage Collaborative Releases Aggressive 2016 Growth Data with $150B in Origination Volume
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative, the industry's premier mortgage cooperative, today released year-end data on its 2016 growth. "Adding 50 new lender members and 20 new Preferred Partners in 2016 met the aggressive goals established by our Board, and grew our aggregate origination volume to over $150 billion," said David G. Kittle, CMB, the Collaborative's President.
EPIC Insurance Brokers Again Recognized as a Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has been recognized by their team members nationally as one of the "Best Places to Work in Insurance" in a survey conducted annually by Business Insurance Magazine and co-sponsor Best Companies Group. This is the 7th time that EPIC has received this significant and meaningful award.
Calif. Speaker Rendon Reappoints Paul Fearer to Covered California Board, Reaffirms Commitment to Health Exchange
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) announced the reappointment of Paul E. Fearer to the board of the California Health Benefit Exchange. More than 2.8 million Californians have purchased health insurance through Covered California since the exchange opened its doors in 2014.
Utelogy Corporation Hires Rod Gummerman as Senior Developer for SDAV Solutions
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Utelogy Corporation, creator of software for control and management of audiovisual systems for business and education, brings Rod Gummerman on board as Senior Developer in the company's most recent hire.
A Voice For Choice, Inc. Statement On New Lawsuit Filed to Challenge California’s Extensive Vaccine Mandates
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A group of California plaintiffs, led by A Voice for Choice, Inc., have filed suit challenging California’s extensive vaccine mandates, one of the broadest in the nation. With the passage of Senate Bill 277 in 2015, California now requires kindergartners to get twenty-five doses of vaccines – including for a sexually transmitted disease – before they can attend school. Unlike previous suits, this lawsuit eschews much medical or scientific discussion, and focuses instead on constitutional rights.
Calif. Speaker Rendon Appoints Assembly Committee on the Office of the Attorney General
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- As part of the confirmation process for California Attorney General-designate Xavier Becerra, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) today announced he has appointed a Special committee on the Office of the Attorney General.
Venice California Arts Center, Beyond Baroque to Mark 50th Anniversary in 2018
VENICE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Beyond Baroque, one of the nation's leading independent Literary Arts Centers, is planning a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2018. Guided by the nonprofit's Executive Director, Richard Modiano, and council of prominent artist-curators, a program of activities commencing January 1, 2018, will take place at Beyond Baroque's Venice location and in venues throughout Los Angeles.
Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza Introduces ‘California Rebuild’ Infrastructure Proposal with SB4
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On December 5, 2016, Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza introduced Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), which would allocate $1.2 billion dollars to reduce emissions, health risks, and also to redevelop the infrastructure of California’s goods movement network. This measure would improve goods movement corridors which are vital to the state’s economy.
Legislation to Help Calif. Children Suffering from Trauma and Toxic Stress introduced by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Shortly after being sworn in to his second term in the California State Assembly, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) this week introduced Assembly Bill 11 (AB 11), which will create a child care early intervention partnership to help California infants and young children suffering from toxic stress.
Calif. State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra Introduces Legislation to Establish Hate Crime Registry
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, on the first day of the 2017-18 California Legislative Session, Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-San Fernando Valley) introduced legislation to establish the California Hate Crimes Registry, which would make public the names of those criminals convicted of a hate crime and the crimes of which they were convicted, while protecting the confidentiality of the victims.
Speaker Rendon Strikes Defiant Tone for State as Calif. Assembly Reconvenes on Eve of Trump Presidency
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Shortly after being re-elected as leader of the Calif. Assembly, Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) stuck a defiant tone calling for the "protection of Californians against the incoming presidential administration" in his remarks to the newly sworn-in Assemblymembers.
Calif. Governor Brown Appointments for Nov. 21-29, 2016 including California Student Aid Commission
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ --This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Michael Martel, 62, of Rancho Murieta, has been appointed warden at the California Health Care Facility, Stockton, where he has been acting warden since August 2016 and served as chief deputy warden in 2016 and as a correctional lieutenant from 1990 to 1996.
Calif. Gov. Brown Names U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra California’s Next Attorney General
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today named U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) to replace Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last month. The nomination, which is subject to confirmation by the California State Assembly and Senate, will be officially submitted after Attorney General Harris resigns.
ReverseVision President and CEO John Button named a 2016 Vanguard Award Winner
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision, the leading provider of software and technology for the reverse mortgage industry, today announced that its President and CEO John Button has been selected as a 2016 Vanguard Award(TM) winner by HousingWire magazine. Button was recognized for his excellence as a business leader as well as his overall contributions to the reverse mortgage industry and U.S. housing economy.
EPIC Brokers’ Rob Massa and Craig Schmidt Named 2016 ‘Top Benefit Advising Innovators’
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) named Director of Retirement Rob Massa and Senior Wellness Consultant Craig Schmidt as "Top Benefit Advising Innovators."
Latino Victory Project Condemns President Elect Trump’s ‘Voter Fraud’ False Allegations
OPINION: Yesterday, Donald Trump reacted to the election recount in Wisconsin and to the news that Hillary Clinton has over 2 million more popular votes than him, by lashing out on Twitter and arguing election fraud. President-elect Donald J. Trump claimed through social media that he “won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”
EPIC Insurance Brokers’ Chuck Simpson to Speak at OSHA Oil & Gas Safety and Health Conference
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Senior Risk Control Consultant Chuck Simpson will speak at the OSHA Oil & Gas Safety and Health Conference on Wednesday, November 30 at 2 p.m. at the Hilton Americas in Houston, Texas.
Bank of Southern California, N.A. adds Luz Gonzalez as Branch Sales Manager in Rancho Mirage
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL) announced today that Luz Gonzalez has joined the Company as Branch Sales Manager of its Rancho Mirage branch. Most recently, Ms. Gonzalez served the Coachella Valley community as a Deputy Sheriff for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, following a successful eleven-year career at El Paseo Bank.
Covered California adds LIBERTY Dental Plan as option for 2017 Business and Family Plans
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- LIBERTY Dental Plan is proud to announce its selection as a participating dental plan for the 2017 benefit year. LIBERTY will offer individual or family dental plans through Covered California this open enrollment period as well as coverage options for small businesses.
California Assembly Democrats Unanimously Retain Anthony Rendon as Speaker
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- At their organizational caucus today, Calif. Assembly Democrats chose Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) to continue as their party’s leader...
Proponents of California Plastic Bag Ban Declare Landmark Victory for Proposition 67
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Californians have voted to enact a state law to ban plastic shopping bags, the first state in the nation to do so. Proposition 67, the referendum on the state law (Senate Bill 270) passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2014, is leading by 52-48 percent.
Statement from the California Federation of Teachers: Calif. Voters Have Spoken, Time to Roll up Our Sleeves
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- With the passage of Proposition 55, California’s voters resoundingly (62-38) agreed that public education remains a top priority. The...
Amongst the Historic Terror, Major California Election Day Victories for The Los Angeles River
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) is celebrating a Major victory for the Los Angeles River with...
Calif. Assemblyman Gatto Holds Rally, Awareness for Victims of Homicide
WHITTIER, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto has announced a rally, "Awareness for Victims of Homicide," to remind policymakers, law enforcement (and...
Andy Warhol Original Painting ‘The Gold Thinker’ to Be Auctioned for Charity
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- "The Gold Thinker," an Andy Warhol original painting, a Gold Marilyn comparable masterpiece, to be auctioned online with eBay for Charity November 7 - 17, 2016, Michael P. Wilson, the painting's owner, announced today. eBay For Charity will host the auction.
California Safe Schools Celebrates its 18th Anniversary, Honors Humanitarians and Environmental Health Trailblazers
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Monday, October 17, in historic downtown Los Angeles, at the California Endowment, California Safe Schools, the internationally...
Representative Democracy for a Growing California: Should Counties Have Elected Executives and Larger Boards?
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past Thursday, Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), and Senator Robert Hertzberg (D-Van...
California Homecare Workers Seek Fix to Current State Payroll Processing System
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, November 1, 2016, In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers from throughout the state will testify at...
Melissa Krasnow joins VLP Law Group LLP as Partner in Privacy and Technology Transactions Practice Groups
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce that Melissa Krasnow has joined the firm as a Partner in the Privacy & Data Security, Technology Transactions and Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Groups. As the first Minnesota attorney to join VLP, she will be based in Minneapolis and will continue her practice in these areas.
MostFit to Hold 5th Annual ‘Pushups for Puppies’ Fitness Fundraiser on November 13
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- MostFit Founder and Owner, Andrew Gavigan, along with Personal Trainer and MostFit Cofounder, Erin Fukuda will be holding their fun and heartfelt Pushup for Puppies Workout Event for the fifth consecutive year on Sunday, November 13, 2016. 100-percent of the proceeds go to S.T.A.R.T. Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team.
Calif. Gov. Brown Appointments for Oct. 6-7, 2016 include California Cybersecurity Integration Center
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- During the first week of Oct. 2016, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Keith...
Calif. Senator Mark Leno to Lead Celebration on 50th Anniversary of Medi-Cal In San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) will lead the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Medi-Cal by...
Calif. Speaker Rendon Names Assemblymember Ken Cooley as Next Rules Committee Chair
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) today announced that Assemblymember Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) will become the chair of...
nCino Bank OS selected by Bank of Southern California, N.A. to Improve Workflow Process
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL) announced today that it has selected nCino's Bank Operating System to automate the Bank's lending and treasury management processes, enabling the bank to ultimately better serve its customers.
5 Bars Wins Cooperative Purchasing Contract to Provide Connected, Wireless Infrastructure to Calif. Government Entities
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- 5 Bars announced today it has been awarded a national cooperative contract to provide an intelligent technology platform that is used for master planning of wireless infrastructure to cities, municipalities and government entities. The competitively solicited and publicly awarded agreement by the City of Sacramento, Calif. is made available through National IPA.
MOBY to Play at Friends of The Los Angeles River 30-Year Anniversary Fundraiser Oct. 8, FoLAR Fandango
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Artistic visionary and electronic music pioneer Moby will perform at Friends of the Los Angeles River’s thirty-year anniversary...
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto receives James Hansen Courage Award for Work on CPUC Reform
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) was presented with the James Hansen Courage Award on Thursday from Environmental...
Voice Talent Industry Roadshow, LevelUp, Coming to San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The largest voice-over marketplace in the world, Voices.com, has announced the launch of an industry roadshow, set to take place across the United States this upcoming Spring 2017. The event is LevelUp - a fast, 1-day information sharing event that will bring voice actors, coaches, and clients together like never before for a fast-paced day of workshops and networking.
EPS Inc. rolls-out the No Lift Pallet Mover for Warehouse Operations
NEWARK, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Engineered Process Solutions, Inc. (EPS) is pleased to announce the launch of a unique risk mitigation tool - the No Lift Pallet Mover. Designed and patented by the CEO of EPS, Mr. Eugene Swinehart, the No Lift Pallet Mover allows any manufacturing or distribution center worker to safely move an empty pallet.
Gov. Brown, Calif. Legislative Leaders, Business, Environmental Groups Mark 2-Year Anniversary of Plastic Bag Ban Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and legislative leaders today joined more than 400 business, environmental, and local citizen groups in celebrating the two-year anniversary of the signing of Senate Bill 270, announced CA vs. Big Plastic. SB270, the state’s plastic bag ban, urging voters to support Proposition 67, the referendum on the law that will appear on the November ballot.
Calif. Assemblymember O’Donnell Bill to Boost School Attendance Signed by Governor – AB 2815
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) to ensure students attend and stay in school was signed by Governor Brown on Thursday. AB 2815 expands the role of district and county attendance supervisors so they can effectively address the root causes of chronic absenteeism.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation to Bolster Transparency, Oversight, Reform at California PUC
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Moving to bolster governance, accountability, transparency and oversight at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Governor Edmund G. Brown...
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...
