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Christopher Simmons

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. 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...
News from California Newswire

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...
News from California Newswire

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.
News from California Newswire

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...
News from California Newswire

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.

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