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. 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.
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.
