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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.

DocMagic

DocMagic Launches New Total eClosing Solution, Transforming the Entire Mortgage Process

TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, compliance, eSign and eDelivery solutions, announced today the formal launch of its fully integrated eClosing solution that electronically transforms the entire mortgage process from initial eDisclosure to final eClosing through investor eDelivery.
SECUGEN CORP

ISC West 2016 Las Vegas: SecuGen Corp. to Showcase UN20 Serial OEM Sensor

SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen, a world leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to announce the UN20 Serial(TM), a stand-alone high performance, low cost, optical fingerprint sensor. SecuGen will be showcasing the UN20 Serial at ISC West 2016 from April 6-8, 2016.

The Carlyle Group Acquires Wholesale Trading Co-op and Rebrands Firm as Wholesale Trading Insurance Services

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Wholesale Trading Co-op Insurance Services, a privately-held wholesale insurance specialist serving a group of leading retail insurance brokers, announced today that The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG) has agreed to acquire a majority stake in wholesale insurance broker JenCap Holdings, LLC and the assets of Wholesale Trading Co-Op Insurance Services, which will be re-named Wholesale Trading Insurance Services, LLC.

LIBERTY Dental Plan Advances Oral Health, Empowering Physicians to Provide Fluoride Varnish

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- LIBERTY Dental Plan continues to innovate and be a champion for whole health by partnering with the Center for Oral Health and medical providers to create a program that will help increase the number of children receiving fluoride varnish - a critical treatment that helps prevent further dental issues later in life.

Platinum Data's Craig Zielazny Named to Board of Advisors, Wittenberg University Master of Science in Analytics Program

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Platinum Data Solutions, a provider of valuation data and analytics solutions, has announced that Craig Zielazny, the company's senior vice president of valuation analytics, has been named to the Board of Advisors for Springfield, Ohio-based Wittenberg University's new Master of Science in Analytics program. The Board of Advisors is charged with collaborating to create the department's curricula and courses, and could include guest lecturing. The inaugural semester for Wittenberg University's Master of Science in Analytics program begins in August 2016.

Django Unchained Actress Daniele Watts stars in SCRATCH Horror-Comedy Film

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- After directing over a dozen short films, French filmmaker Tristan Convert announced he has directed his first feature, 'SCRATCH,' an original horror comedy starring Daniele Watts ('Django Unchained'), for which he has launched an Indiegogo campaign, to reach $10K for finishing funds. Set in Los Angeles's known-to-be haunted Old Zoo, 'SCRATCH' is one of the first, if not the first, found footage films shot entirely on an Apple iPhone 6.

EPIC Insurance Launches National Construction Specialty Group with the Addition of Brian McDonnell

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today the addition of veteran construction broker Brian McDonnell as a managing principal, and the formation of the EPIC National Construction Specialty Group.
SECUGEN

SecuGen to demonstrate new Hamster Pro and UPx Sensors at the ISC West Conference 2016

SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen Corporation, a world leading optical fingerprint device and technology vendor, is pleased to announce that the ultra-low cost Hamster Pro and UPx OEM fingerprint sensor for 2016 are now available for purchase.

Million Acts of Kindness: Mr Cabinet Care Opens Doors to Anaheim High School Students

ANAHEIM, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Students at an Anaheim High School in California received a hands-on chance to learn the basics of business, community leadership, and the lost art of woodworking with local kitchen-and-bath remodeling company Mr Cabinet Care.
Brain Injury Awareness Month

California Legislature Declares March 2016 as Brain Injury Awareness Month

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, the California State Senate approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 110 authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) on a...

Autism EDU Educational Tools for April Autism Awareness Month Bring Topics of Autism into Classrooms

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Geek Club Books, Inc., an autism non-profit, today announced Autism EDU, a collection of free educational tools for educators and parents to teach autism topics in inclusive classrooms. Video files, e-books, apps, student handouts and curriculum guides are downloadable via Geek Club Books website.

Over $85 Million of prominent San Francisco Bay Area homes to be offered at California Lifestyle Auction

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Luxury home auction consultant Guy Masters, in cooperation with Olivia Hsu Decker, the legendary luxury home specialist and co-owner of Decker Bullock Sotheby's International Realty present this unparalleled opportunity to bid on six of the finest homes in Northern California. Each non-distressed property represents the best of the California lifestyle. Ms. Decker will be donating five percent of her fees to the successful bidders' charity of choice.

Business Insurance Risk Management: EPIC VP Dan Houston to Moderate Panel on 'Captive' Topics

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and ATLANTA, Ga. /California Newswire/ -- In the world of risk management, captive insurers are taking on a major role for companies of all sizes. As the number and types of captive insurers are expanding, so too have the types of risks that captive owners are funding through these alternative-risk financing structures, says EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants.
Assemblyman Mike Gatto

Calif. Assemblyman Gatto Introduces Legislation to Curb Fraudulent Disability Placard Use – AB 2602

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) introduced legislation to address the illegal use of disabled parking placards in...
Calif Gov Brown

Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for March 10-14, 2016 including California Volunteers Commission

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Sandra Alfaro, 50, of Hanford,...
Tony Mendoza SCR 105

Calif. Legislature Honors Contributions of Pakistani-American Community, Declares March 23 Pakistani American Day 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Calif. State Senate today recognized the contributions of California’s Pakistani-American community by adopting Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 105...
ReverseVision RVX LOS

ReverseVision Exchange Loan Origination Software selected by Alpha Mortgage of N.C.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision has announced that Wilmington, N.C.-based Alpha Mortgage, a full-service mortgage lender serving the Carolinas and Virginia, has selected RV Exchange (RVX) as its reverse mortgage loan origination software (LOS) solution. Alpha Mortgage opened its reverse mortgage lending channel in early 2016 under the guidance of division manager and Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional Greg Gianoplus.
Parks Forward

CaliParks Updated Bilingual, Mobile, Web-Based App Could be a Matchmaker Between People and Nature in 2016

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Nature and technology might not seem like a good fit to some. But everyone needs to get outdoors...
SF Mayor Edwin Lee

S.F. Mayor Lee Swears in New Appointments and Reappointments to City Boards

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Last week, March 7, San Franciso Mayor Edwin M. Lee swore in the following new appointments and reappointments...
Assemblyman Mike Gatto

Calif. Asm. Mike Gatto Introduces Legislation Giving Law Enforcement Vital Resources to Investigate Cold Cases

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) introduced legislation to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate cold cases in...
SEIU ULTCW

2016 'Stand up to Hate' Campaign Offers Naturalization Workshops Throughout the U.S.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- As part of the “Stand up to Hate” campaign, SEIU, Mi Familia Vota, NPNA, iAmerica, UFCW, Unite...

National Lymphedema Network Celebrates March 2016 as Lymphedema Awareness Month

BERKELEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) is celebrating Lymphedema Awareness Month this March. The NLN kicked off the month by...

Actor Massi Furlan plays Anthony Servidone in New Movie 'Live by Night' directed by Ben Affleck

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Actor Massi Furlan takes on the role of Anthony Servidone opposite Ben Affleck in 'Live by Night' a 1920's prohibition-era American crime film written and directed by Affleck and produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, is being distributed by Warner Bros and slated to hit the theaters in 2017.
EPIC and Ascende

Ascende Wealth Advisers named a 2016 Top 100 Retirement Plan Adviser Team

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- For the third time in a row, Ascende Wealth Advisers, Inc. (AWAI) has been named one of PLANADVISER'S Top 100 Adviser Teams in America. Nominated by several clients, vendors and peers, AWAI now qualifies for the PLANSPONSOR Retirement Plan Adviser Team of the Year award - a prestigious recognition the team almost brought home in 2014 when placing as a finalist just three years into AWAI's existence.
Assemblyman Mike Gatto

Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto Releases CPUC Reform Initiative, as Proposal Gains Steam

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) released the text of his proposed constitutional amendment, ACA 11, to reconfigure...

Uproar Entertainment announces new Comedy CD by Funny Man Josh Adams

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Uproar Entertainment is excited to announce the release of Josh Adams' first comedy CD 'LIVE FROM THE DROP.' Recorded in front of a live audience at The Drop Comedy Club in South Bend Indiana, Adams delivers a clever, laid back, in your face look at the world in which we live accented with heavy hitting jokes.
U.S. Rep. Tony Cardenas

Calif. Congressman Cardenas Statement on Effects of AT&T – Univision Dispute

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Congressman Cárdenas released the following statement in response to the ongoing dispute between Univision and...

Jeff Birdsell, CMB and VP at ReverseVision Named 2016 MBA Tech All-Star

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Banking magazine announced today in its March issue that Jeff Birdsell, CMB and Vice President of professional services for ReverseVision, Inc., is a 2016 Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Tech All-Star. Birdsell is among just nine industry innovators who received the prestigious award, which celebrates leaders who have made outstanding long-term contributions to the field of mortgage technology.

At EPIC Way2Wellness Webinar, Dr. David Chenoweth to Address Workforce Health and Productivity

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Business leaders are too often faced with spiraling health costs that take a financial toll on their organization. However, these costs can be confronted through health and wellness programs that not only promote a healthier workplace, but also increase productivity. EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, today announced its Way2Wellness webinar on Health and Productivity Management (HPM) on March 15, 2016 from 10 to 11 a.m. PT.

Protector Holdings Acquires BetterWay Insurance Services, adds to Premier Insurance Services Brand

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Protector Holdings, a joint venture of EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants and Dowling Capital Partners, announced today the acquisition of BetterWay Insurance Services. Premier Insurance Services, acquired by Protector Holdings in 2013, targets the growing Hispanic Community in California.
MOST FIT

MostFit to Feature Product Line at 2016 IHRSA, ACSM and NIRSA Trade Shows

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On March 22 through April 3, 2016, the MostFit team will be in Orlando, Florida exhibiting and offering product demos, discounts and special offers at three of the largest fitness/recreational sports conferences in U.S.; the IHRSA International Trade Show and Convention, followed by the ACSM Summit, followed by the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Associations Annual Conference.

Covert Entertainment announces New Single 'Miss Jill on 108th' by Gay Hip Hop Artist RAHCCY

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Covert Entertainment's 23-year-old powerhouse performer, Rahccy is packing pain, pushing power, igniting love and stirring the fever in her every verse with the release of her debut single, 'Miss Jill on 108th.' Young, gifted and unapologetically gay, Rahccy is knocking down musical walls and rebuilding them her way, single-handedly revamping hip hop and restructuring its current status quo.
Assemblymember Ian Calderon

Calif. Nursing Home Quality, Staffing Still Falls Short, AB 2079 to Improve Patient Safety, Protect Taxpayers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) today joined more than one hundred nursing home workers to unveil AB 2079, a...

Platinum Data Solutions Named to the HousingWire HW TECH100 for Third Consecutive Year

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Platinum Data Solutions, a provider of valuation data and analytics solutions, has been included on HousingWire's 2016 HW TECH100 list for the third year of the three year old awards program. Since hiring eLynx co-founder Phil Huff as CEO in 2012, Platinum Data been focused on consistent innovation.

RSA Conference 2016: XTec and Secugen Team for Streamlined Card Lifecycle Management

SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen, world leading manufacturer of optical fingerprint technology and products together with XTec Incorporated, the industry leader in secure identity solutions, today announced a low-cost, dual factor fingerprint and smartcard reader, the Hamster(TM) Pro Duo/SC.
California Safe Schools Coalition

Support the Non-profit California Safe Schools Coalition and Protect Health and the Environment

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) is a children’s environmental health and justice non-profit founded in 1998 by Robina...

5th Annual Comics Rock! 2016 adds Headliner Marsha Warfield in L.A.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Five years of funny is no small feat when you are a female in a male dominated industry coordinating an annual comedy fest. In fact, it is literally not a joke. But comedienne Hope Flood has handled it with amazing finesse and style as her Comics Rock! Convention returns, April 26 to 30, 2016 at J. Anthony Brown's JSpot Comedy Club.

EPIC Insurance adds Broker-Producer Steve Hall in Concord, Calif.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Steve Hall has joined the firm as a property and casualty insurance broker/producer.

EPIC Insurance Strengthens Northern Calif. Construction Practice with Addition of Trish Drew

SAN FRANCISCO and CONCORD, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Trish Drew has joined the firm's Northern California Construction Practice.

Medical Diagnostics Company, Holomic Re-Brands as CellMic LLC

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Holomic, LLC has been innovating mobile diagnostics for over 5 years, and continues to commercialize technology aimed at improving diagnostics in an ever-increasing environment that mandates on-demand, point-of-care and remote solutions. In this spirit, Holomic announced today the launch of their new corporate trademark, CellMic, LLC in a show of dedication to this mission.

Mark Niebuhr of EPIC Insurance Brokers Honored as a 2016 Insurance Industry 'Power Broker'

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants (EPIC), a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Mark Niebuhr has been recognized as a 2016 Power Broker in the Manufacturing sector by Risk and Insurance Magazine.
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.

Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Feb. 22, 2016 including Park and Recreation Commission

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Monday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Steven Cliff, 46, of Sacramento, has...

California Chiropractor Dr. Don Harte Calls New Use for Common Diabetes Drug Metformin 'NUTS!'

CORTE MADERA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Dr. Don Harte, noted Marin County, Calif. chiropractic activist, is calling the latest proposed use of the diabetes drug, metformin, 'Nuts!' 'In the 2/22/16 issue of TIME magazine, in what they call the 'Longevity Issue,' I have seen THE most outrageous potential claim that Medicine has ever made,' declares Dr. Harte.

Weitz and Luxenberg Secure $5.2M Verdict in Asbestos Lawsuit Against Fluor and Subsidiaries

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Nationally known law firm Weitz and Luxenberg P.C. secured a verdict of $5.2 million in damages on behalf of an 82-year-old Orange County, California, man and his wife who sued a Fortune 500 company they charged with contributing to his increased risk of developing mesothelioma, Weitz & Luxenberg announced today.

Help Fund Horror Indie MALEVOLENT with Voice Talent of Ray Wise, Morena Baccarin and William Shatner

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Coverage Ink Films, producers of the animated horror thriller 'Malevolent' have launched an IndieGogo campaign. The goal is to reach $45K for finishing funds. The film stars Ray Wise, Morena Baccarin, Bill 'Choptop' Moseley and sci-fi legend William Shatner. 'Malevolent' combines horror and sci-fi into an original, time-twisting concoction.

New Energy Start-Up Wattcoin Technologies Launched in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Wattcoin Technologies Inc., a platform-as-a-service (PAAS) solution for energy companies to manage their customer's billing processes, energy savings and renewable energy investments, opens office in San Francisco, Calif.
Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell

Calif. Assemblymember O’Donnell Introduces Legislation to Drive Down Suicide Rates – AB 2246

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D – Long Beach) introduced AB 2246 requiring local school districts to adopt a...
SF Mayor Edwin Lee

S.F. Mayor Lee Launches Innovative Emergency Medical Response Team to Reduce 911 Calls

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced the launch of the "Homeless Emergency Assessment & Response...
Gov Brown

Calif. Gov. Brown Proposes $176.6 Million Exide Cleanup Plan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. proposed a $176.6 million spending plan to fund expedited and expanded testing...
Calif Gov Brown

Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Feb. 16, 2016 including Department of Finance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tues., Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Amy Costa, 39, of Alameda, has...

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