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.
California Military Sexual Assault Legislation Signed by Governor Brown
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1422 by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The law removes investigations and prosecutions of military sexual assault cases from the chain of command in the California Military Department ensuring that there is no conflict of interest in the evaluation and prosecution of sexual assault cases. SB 1422 goes into effect on January 1, 2015.
State Legislature Passes Bill Streamlining California Solar Permitting – AB 2188
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Bill (AB) 2188, by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D– Torrance), was approved today by the State Legislature with...
Bill to Mandate Child-Abuse Training for California Teachers Clears Senate – AB 1432
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles) bill to strengthen training requirements and prevent child abuse in schools passed the...
State Legislature Approves California High School Advanced Computer Science Bill – SB 1200
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SB 1200 by Calif. State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) won final legislative approval after a unanimous bipartisan vote of...
Calif. Senate Approves Innovation Awards for Creative Californians to Help Streamline State Government – AB 2138
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Good-government advocates rejoiced today after the California Senate passed the Innovation Awards bill by a vote of 31-4, says...
Covered California access to Vision Care for Adults heads to Senate for Vote – AB 1877
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) announced that his bill to improve access to vision care for adults...
DCH Toyota Dealership Car Thief Arrested after Making Off with 3 Client Vehicles Left for Repair Work
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On August 19, 2014, at approximately 1700 hours, officers from the Torrance Police Department responded to a car thief...
ArteQuesta announces updated Web Portal Providing Collectors and Art Investors with Art Market Intelligence
MILL VALLEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ArteQuesta, a fine arts investment company is pleased to announce the launch of its new website at artequesta.com. ArteQuesta's web portal is designed to assist collectors, patrons, art professionals, and individuals in making thoughtful decisions for establishing or maintaining an art-investment portfolio.
Calif. Legislation to Ban State Sale and Display of Confederate Flag Approved by Senate
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation by Calif. Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III (D- Los Angeles) to prohibit the State of California from selling or...
The Compliance Group grows business 20 percent in Q2-2014, expands into Chicago/Midwest territory
CARLSBAD, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Compliance Group, Inc. (TCG), a Leading mortgage compliance services provider, today announced it has increased its roster of clients by 20 percent in the second quarter of 2014. This crop of new business includes a mix of mortgage lenders, retail and community banks and credit unions.
New Indiegogo campaign, Saving Albert, is an effort to create prototype for life-saving device for potential drowning victims
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The tragic drowning of Albert Jones, a 7-year old boy, closely affected George A. McKinney, president and CEO, Better Life Technologies Group. As a result, in February 2014, he patented a swim safety system device, the 'Albert Jones Anti-Distress Device' (AJADD); - a device geared to making lives safer in every underwater situation around the globe.
New virtual reality commercial entertainment division launched by ImmersiON-VRelia and International Immersion Industries
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ImmersiON-VRelia today announced the launch of the immersive industry's first-ever virtual reality commercial entertainment division. The new division will be dedicated to providing head mounted displays and content to amusement parks, visitor attractions, immersive cinemas and promotional platforms. The division is the result of a new partnership between ImmersiON-VRelia and International Immersion Industries.
Calif. Assemblymember Hall Statement on AB 1576, requiring condom use in adult films, was held in Senate Appropriations Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III (D – Los Angeles) released the following statement after his AB 1576, requiring...
Gatto Introduces California Legislation to Prevent Evidence Destruction at Gun Buy-Back Programs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- What is the quickest way to get rid of a murder weapon? Unfortunately, in some cities, it is turning...
Senate Bill Strengthening California Voting Rights Act Headed to Gov. Brown – SB 1365
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A bill that would strengthen the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) is on its way to the desk of...
Calif. Assembly Passes Bill that Levels Playing Field for Aerospace Companies – SB 718
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Muratsuchi, Chair of the Select Committee on Aerospace, released the following statement on the passage of SB 718...
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center adds the retail risk management and property-casualty team of JLT Towers Re
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC), a nationwide retail property, casualty and employee benefits insurance broker/consultant, today announced the addition of the retail risk management and property/casualty team of JLT Towers Re. This strategic build-out of a team serving large, complex risk management accounts is a product of EPIC's broadening alliance partnership and collaboration with JLT Towers Re.
Civic Resource Group named to '100 Most Promising Technology Companies' list for its innovative IT platform called CivicConnect
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Civic Resource Group today announced that it received a notable inclusion on the CIOReview100 list in CIO Review magazine for its innovative programs and solutions that help civic organizations across the U.S. achieve their goals to become 'Smart Cities' in 2014.
Reverse Mortgage Volumes Trend Upward in Closed Loan Data says Rob Katz of ReverseVision Inc.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Contrary to what has been reported for the past six months, reverse mortgage originations have been trending up according to ReverseVision, Inc., a leading provider of reverse mortgage lending solutions. ReverseVision's RV Exchange (RVX) is the leading reverse loan origination system (RLOS) and lending system of record for the majority of reverse lenders.
Bill to Strengthen California Voting Rights Act Approved by State Assembly – SB 1365
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A bill to strengthen voter protections under the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) was approved today by the State...
Calif. Military Sexual Assault Legislation Headed to Governor Brown – SB 1422
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A bill to remove investigations and prosecutions of military sexual assault cases from the chain of command is headed...
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments including to California Veterinary Medical Board
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments for July 31, 2014 including: Lael...
California Congressman Tony Cárdenas and Charles Dent Form Bipartisan Student-Athlete Caucus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, in Washinton, D.C., U.S. Reps. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) and Charles W. Dent (R-Penn.) announced the formation...
New report shows nonprofits rank as 4th largest private employer in California and contribute 15 percent of state GDP
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- According to the CalNonprofits organization, California nonprofits generate $260 billion in total economic activity every year, producing more...
Calif. Assemblymember Muratsuchi Statement on Solar Lobby Day with Tech Firms at State Capitol to promote AB 2188
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Muratsuchi released the following statement on the Solar Lobby Day that was jointly sponsored by The...
VLP Law Group LLP adds Mark D. Taylor and Jeffrey A. Fromm for bankruptcy law, corporate and transactional matters
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP today announced the addition of Mark D. Taylor and Jeffrey A. Fromm as partners. Taylor, based in Washington, D.C., practices bankruptcy law. Fromm, based in New York City, focuses on corporate and transactional matters.
Wholesale Trading Co-Op Insurance adds casualty brokerage veteran Jennifer Terra as VP Casualty Broker
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Wholesale Trading Co-Op Insurance Services, LLC (WTCI) announced today that casualty brokerage veteran Jennifer Terra has joined the firm as Vice President/Casualty Broker. Terra will be based in WTCI's New York office, reporting to casualty team leader and Director, Joe Hayes.
California and Mexico Sign Pact to Strengthen Economic Ties and Expand Trade
SACRAMENTO, Calif. and MEXICO CITY /California Newswire/ -- On the final day of the California Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico, Governor Edmund G....
Parks Forward Commission announces Draft Plan for sweeping changes to ensure long-term sustainability of California State Parks
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Parks Forward Commission, an independent panel of experts charged by the Legislature and Governor to review the future...
Quandis Technology Enables Scott Law Firm to Automate Name Permutation Searches to Comply with SCRA
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Quandis, Inc., a leading provider of mortgage servicing software, today announced that Scott Law Firm, which serves the default servicing industry, is actively utilizing its new military search name permutation functionality. Scott Law Firm can now more easily and efficiently identify active duty military borrowers in the DoD database to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Parks Forward 'Camping Cabins' for California State Parks Debut at 2014 State Fair
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Parks Forward today announced that new and innovative “camping cabin” designs aimed at attracting non-traditional campers to California State...
Free Online Course on HUD Mortgagee Letter Changes offered through RV University (RVU)
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision, Inc., a leading provider of business solutions for the reverse mortgage industry is offering a free online class 'Understanding the New Rules Regarding Non-Borrowing Spouses,' focused on changes announced by HUD in recent Mortgagee Letters 2014-07 and 2014-12 through its ReverseVision University (RVU).
Calif. Governor Brown Selects Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar for California Supreme Court
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar as his choice for associate justice of the California...
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for July 21, 2014 including to the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday announced the following appointments: First, Steven Cliff, 44, of Sacramento, has...
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for July 21, 2014 – Signs Bills into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Monday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills, including: AB 230...
Larry Weisenthal, M.D., Ph.D., today announced new findings that unravel mysteries about the root cause of atherosclerosis
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Larry Weisenthal, M.D., Ph.D., today announced new findings that unravel mysteries about the root cause of atherosclerosis - the narrowing of blood vessels that leads to heart attack and stroke. It is a big step toward developing drugs, possibly in the very near future, that prevent the most common forms of heart disease.
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center acquires Jenkins Insurance Services
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The shareholders of Jenkins Insurance Services, a Leavitt Group agency, have sold 100 percent of their shares in Jenkins to Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC). The transaction, which closed on July 17, was retroactively effective July 1, 2014. Jenkins, with California offices in Concord, Sacramento, San Jose, Orange County, and in Reno, Nevada, employs 160 and has approximately $34 million of annual revenue.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for July 18, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills, including: AB 319 by...
Calif. Assemblymember Hall Thanks Gov. Brown for Removal of Confederate Flag Items from State Fair
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III (D – Los Angeles) today thanked California Governor Jerry Brown and his administration for their...
Calif. Governor Brown Makes Appointments to County Superior Courts for July 16, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wendesday, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced various the appointments of a judgeship in California County Superior...
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update, New Bills Signed into Law, for July 16, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills which include AB...
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for July 16, 2014 including to California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Vice Admiral Jody A. Breckenridge, USCG...
Calif. Marketing Firm, Neotrope, again donates $25K in Services for Worthy Causes with 2014 PR Grant
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Neotrope, a 31 year old brand marketing, PR, and content development firm in California, today announced launch of its latest annual PR Grant program for U.S.-based 501(c)3 charities for 2014. Launched in 2000, the non-profit PR Grant was designed to help raise awareness of selected charities to traditional media, to the public, as well as to potential 'halo' sponsors.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for July 14, 2014 including to the California Water Commission
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Andrew Ball, 60, of Piedmont, has been...
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center welcomes Andrea Levin as a VP in the North Bay
PETALUMA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC), a retail property, casualty and employee benefits insurance broker/consultant, today announced the addition of Andrea Levin as a vice president in their Petaluma office. Levin brings 24 years of experience in the development and management of property and casualty insurance and risk management programs, working with a wide range of business and industry and specializing in financial institutions.
Calif. Assemblymember Muratsuchi Statement on Signing of Assembly Bill 2389
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Muratsuchi, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Aerospace, released the following statement on the signing of AB...
Calif. Congressman Cárdenas' Bill Seeks More Diverse Small Business Funding with HUBZone
SAN FERNANDO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, in Washington, D.C., Today, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas introduced legislation allowing equal access to the Small Business...
Lessons from the Field returns to 2nd Annual CISO Summit 2014 for risk management professionals and InfoSec managers
ROSEVILLE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- HTCIA (The High Technology Crime Investigation Association) will be hosting its 2nd Annual CISO Summit on Aug. 28, 2014 at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Austin. This is a full day event where IT information security managers, risk management professionals and executives can interact and exchange strategies from leaders in the field.
ImmersiON Partnership with VRelia will enhance the Augmented Virtual Reality experience
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ImmersiON, a USA company of Manuel R. Gutierrez Novelo, announced today its strategic fusion with VRelia, a company owned by Jose Antonio Garcia Marin headquartered in Spain. Novelo, the founder of internationally awarded TDVision, has proven a leader in the design and development of 3D digital infrastructure and visualization systems.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation July 7, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Monday, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills, including AB 1623...
