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.
World Savvy immersion study and cultural exchange program in Bangladesh enables US youth leaders and educators
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Thirty U.S. youth leaders and five U.S. educators are set to return next Saturday, January 12, 2013, from a month-long immersion study and cultural exchange program in Bangladesh from World Savvy. The group studied how global climate change has impacted local communities in Bangladesh, and upon return to the U.S., the students will apply their new knowledge by launching climate change projects to improve their U.S. communities and the world.
California's fastest growing brokerage Edgewood Partners Insurance Center welcomes Terri Parreira as principal in Fresno
FRESNO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC), a retail property, casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage, has added Terri Parreira as a property and casualty insurance producer and principal in its Fresno office. Parreira brings an extensive knowledge of risk management, property and liability insurance and workers' compensation cost control to EPIC.
Children’s Gardening Workshops at the Great Park Farm + Food Lab
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Families from throughout Orange County can expect their kids to come home with dirty hands after a day at one of the Orange County Great Park's Children's Gardening Workshops. The free monthly workshop series at the Great Park’s Farm + Food Lab provides hands-on gardening activities for children ages 3-to-11. The year-round series of Children's Gardening Workshops is set to begin Sunday, January 13.
Calif. Assemblyman Jeff Gorell's First Act as Budget Vice-Chair: Offer Voters Decision on State 'Rainy Day' Surplus Fund
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Assembly on Thursday announced that Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) has been chosen to serve as vice-chairman of the Assembly’s Budget Committee. As one of the first acts in this new leadership role Gorell introduced legislation that will give California’s voters the ability to make an earlier decision on implementing the state’s “rainy day” surplus fund.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Jan. 2, 2013
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday announced the following appointments: First, Luis Dominicis, 59, of Downey, has been appointed to the California Dental Board, where he has served since 2008. Dominicis has been a dentist in private practice since 1993.
New Exhibit in Hollywood, 'Five Views' Represents Recent Work by Five Emerging Photographers
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calumet Photographic is proud to host this exceptional exhibit that offers deeply personal work from photographers exploring new themes: 'Five Views' represents recent work by five emerging photographers in the gallery of Calumet's Hollywood store located at 1135 N. Highland Ave. The exhibit begins January 8 and runs through February 8, 2013.
Bank of Southern California has been recognized as one of the top small business lenders among medium sized banks, in San...
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California N.A., a locally owned community business bank, has been recognized as one of the top small business lenders among medium sized banks for the largest number and dollar volume of 7(a) loans in 2012 in the greater San Diego area according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center acquires Homeplace Insurance Brokers Inc, expands into Inland Empire
ONTARIO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC), a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire Homeplace Insurance Brokers, Inc.
Launch of ArteQuesta Portal Features Museum-Quality Artworks and Collections, Resources for Art Investors, and Humanitarian Community
MILL VALLEY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ArteQuesta co-founders Jessica Jacobson and Rayah Levy today announced the long-awaited launch of ArteQuesta.com, the company's intuitive new web portal featuring museum-quality artworks and collections.
Bank of Southern California adds Banking Expert Marie Bruning as VP Client Relationship Manager
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California N.A. has announced that Marie Bruning has joined the bank as Vice President, Client Relationship Manager. She is responsible for business development and client relationship management for the company, and will be headquartered in the company's corporate office in Del Mar.
Colton based Premier Medical Transportation company announces partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank
COLTON, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Premier Medical Transportation, a Colton-based medical transportation company, has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to serve Riverside and San Bernardino in a year-long campaign, Driving Away Hunger. Premier Medical Transportation will donate one meal to Second Harvest Food Bank for every transport call they receive. The Driving Away Hunger campaign began Nov. 1, just in time for the holiday season and will run throughout 2013.
SecuGen Corporation announces Android compatibility of SecuGen Hamster Fingerprint Readers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen Corporation is pleased to announce a demonstration of Android(TM) compatibility with SecuGen Hamster IV(TM) and Hamster Plus(TM) fingerprint readers. This demonstration will be shown in SecuGen's booth (#36175) at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from January 8 - 11, 2013.
TeamF1 Inc becomes a member of the Telecom Council of Silicon Valley, a platform facilitating innovation and fostering relationships
FREMONT, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- TeamF1, Inc, the leader in embedded networking and security software solutions for wired and wireless applications, announced today that it joined the Telecom Council of Silicon Valley, a business tool providing leaders in the telecom industry, a means to connect, interact and innovate.
Calif. Assemblyman Gatto Introduces Legislation to Protect California’s Native American Sacred Sites
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) announced that he will be introducing legislation to protect California's Native American sacred sites. The state's legislative counsel is still working with Gatto to draft specific details, but it is anticipated that the legislation will include a process for public review of a proposed project if that project threatens a sacred site.
San Francisco Moves Forward with Pedestrian Strategy: the Pedestrian Safety Executive Directive
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and San Francisco Department of Public Health to announce the draft Pedestrian Strategy is nearing completion. City officials, advocates and community groups reaffirmed their commitment to pedestrian safety during the holiday shopping season today at the Powell Street Promenade where existing pedestrian improvements have helped holiday shoppers stay safe on busy San Francisco sidewalks.
Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Dec. 20, 2012 including California Subject Matter Project Advisory Board for Arts
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Caliornia Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Alice Y. Hom, 45, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Council for the Humanities. Hom is the director of the Queer Justice Fund at Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, where she was philanthropic advocacy manager from 2007 to 2010.
TechNet Presents California Senator Alex Padilla with its Tech Champion Award
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) last week was presented with the “Tech Champion” Award from TechNet, at TechNet’s Annual Policy Conference and Tech Academy. TechNet is the leading bipartisan political network whose members represent some of the world’s leading technology companies including Google, Cisco, Facebook, Intel, Oracle, Ebay and Microsoft. The award was given to Senator Padilla for authoring legislation that promotes California’s leadership in innovation and technology.
San Diego Children's Choir Honored as a 2012 Top-Rated Nonprofit
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The San Diego Children's Choir (SDCC) today announced that it has been honored with a prestigious 2012 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations. "We are excited to be named a Top-Rated 2012 Nonprofit," says Donna Icenhower, executive director.
Bank of Southern California announces Robert Marshall appointed Executive VP and Chief Credit Officer
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bank of Southern California N.A. announced today that Robert Marshall was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. In this role, Mr. Marshall will lead the Bank's credit function, overseeing credit risk management, credit approval and credit analysis functions, and ensuring the overall quality of the Bank's lending portfolio is maintained.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Dec. 19, 2012 including California Commission on Emergency Medical Services
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Douglas Faigin, 66, of Marina del Rey, has been appointed to the California State University, Board of Trustees. Faigin has been president of City News Service Inc. since 1985.
Calif. Governor Brown Appoints New Corrections Secretary Dr. Jeffrey Beard
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that Dr. Jeffrey Beard has been appointed Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Beard, 65, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, served as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections from 2001 until his retirement in 2010, overseeing more than 51,000 inmates and 16,000 employees.
Interthinx, a Verisk Analytics Subsidiary, Hosts Successful Beltway Breakfast Series for Mortgage Markets, Examining Post-Election U.S. Housing Outlook
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Interthinx announced today the success of its second in a series of Washington, D.C., 'beltway breakfast' forums dedicated to building confidence in the mortgage markets through a renewed focus on data integrity. 'The Housing Outlook Postelection' explored how the Administration and Congress can work together on the future development of solutions and policies that affect the real estate finance industry.
Ten U.S. based charitable non-profits will receive in-kind grants totaling $50,000 with the 2013 Non-Profit PR Grants
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Neotrope, a marketing, PR, and information publishing company founded in 1983, today announced its annual Nonprofit PR Grant Program for 2013. Ten U.S. based charitable non-profits will receive in-kind grants totaling $50,000, including public relations, news dissemination and online marketing services, as part of the company's 30th anniversary.
California Board of Accountancy Welcomes New Board Members
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Board of Accountancy (CBA) has announced the reappointment of Leslie J. LaManna, CPA, to the CBA, and the appointment of three new members: Jose A. Campos, CPA, of Glendale; Scott Harris, Esq., of Los Angeles; and Katrina Salazar, CPA, of Sacramento. Ms. LaManna, who has served on the CBA since her appointment in 2007, was elected as President of the CBA in November 2012. Her reappointment and the three new appointments were announced December 14, 2012 by Governor Jerry Brown.The CBA consists of eight public members and seven members who are Certified Public Accountants.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto Secures Funding for Cutting Edge Piezoelectricity Project
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- After two years of work, California Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) has found a new partner in the fight for green transportation and domestically produced alternative energy. Building on an idea of Gatto’s, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced that it will fund preliminary research on the potential of using California’s roadways to generate green electricity.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Dec. 17, 2012 including California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Janet Falk, 66, of Oakland, has been appointed to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. Falk was vice president of real estate development for Mercy Housing from 2002 to 2011 and executive director of the California Housing Finance Corporation from 1999 to 2002.
California-based marketing and PR firm, Neotrope, announces dedicated web portal for the annual Non-Profit PR Grants program
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California-based marketing and PR firm, Neotrope, today announced the formal launch of a dedicated web portal for the company's annual NonProfit PR Grants program at http://prgrants.com as part of its 30 year anniversary. The PR Grant program was originally launched in 2000 to help assist U.S. 501(c)3 worthy causes.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Statement on Connecticut School Shooting
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff and issued the following statement in response to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut:
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Dec. 14, 2012 including California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Michael Brown, 60, of Santa Barbara, has been appointed to the California Ocean Protection Council. Brown has been principal and partner at Brown and Wilmanns Environmental LLC since 2006 and was principal at Michael S. Brown and Associates from 1999 to 2006.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Dec. 13, 2012 including California State Board of Food and Agriculture
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Thursday announced the following appointments: First, Daniel Dooley, 62, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, where he has served since 2008. Dooley has served in multiple positions at the University of California, Office of the President since 2008, including vice president and senior advisor for agriculture and natural resources and senior vice president of external relations.
PCM of California to Manage San Clemente's New Providence Community; Addition to HOA Portfolio Latest in Company's Impressive Growth
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- PCM of California, Inc. (PCM), an Associa company, announced today that it has acquired management duties of San Clemente's New Providence Community Association, effective December 1. The 225-home community is the sixth to be added to PCM's Orange County management portfolio in recent months. PCM now manages 6 associations in the city of San Clemente.
The Pacific Pinball Museum welcomes the public to experience pinball with a European flair, with new rare addition to collection
ALAMEDA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Pacific Pinball Museum (PPM) welcomes the public to experience pinball with a European flair. Play a game on the newest addition to their exciting collection of more than 80 playable games: a 1967 Rally West Club. This game marks the one resident of their collection not produced in the United States.
Gold Team California Attracts Major 3-day Aerospace UAV Conference to Ventura County
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Office of Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) announced today that he and Calif. Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, co-founders of the economic development effort "Gold Team California," will be hosting a 3-day conference on future civilian applications and job creation opportunities for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Non-military application of this technology is the fastest growing manufacturing sector in the global aerospace industry and expected to grow by 700% between 2012 and 2018.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto Receives Legislator of the Year Award From the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) will be presented with the Legislator of the Year Award tonight from the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (CRNG), a not-for-profit group that represents renewable natural-gas producers throughout the country. Renewable natural gas is an alternative, renewable energy, derived from the natural decomposition of waste from landfills and organic sources and is used to generate green electricity and clean transportation fuel.
Consumers National Bank is successfully utilizing LendingQB Web-based loan origination system
COSTA MESA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- LendingQB, a provider of end-to-end loan origination software, announced that Ohio-based Consumers National Bank is successfully utilizing its Web-based loan origination system (LOS) to operate its entire mortgage lending business. LendingQB was selected specifically to launch the bank's mortgage business in April 2012.
Film and TV Industry Asset Management Leader, Sample Digital, Re-brands Company as DAX LLC
CULVER CITY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Sample Digital, the leading provider of production workflow and media asset management tools to the film and TV industry, has re-branded as DAX, LLC. Major film and TV companies actively using DAX, include such companies as Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, CBS, Showtime, and Lionsgate.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for December 10, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Kent Sasaki, 48, of Walnut Creek, has been appointed to the California Building Standards Commission. He has served in multiple positions at Wiss Janney Elstner Associates Inc. since 1989, including principal, board member and engineer.
Former MMA Fighter Derrick Jones is Helping Kids Avoid Gang Violence by Participating in a Junior MMA Tournament
CULVER CITY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Derrick Jones, a former MMA fighter, is helping kids avoid gang violence through a Junior MMA tournament. The tournament will be held on December 9, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Focus Self Defense, 9000 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90231.
Children's Book Author-Publisher Donates 100 Books and One Month's Net Profits to Support Children in Need
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Author Arnold Rudnick and publisher Paraphrase, LLC, have donated 100 copies of new children's book 'Little Green' (ISBN: 978-0981587974) to the My Stuff Bags Foundation and have pledged all net profits from book sales for the month of December 2012.
California State Fire Fee Bills Being Sent to Local 44th Assembly District Residents – Short Window to Challenge Fee
CAMARILLO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Thousands of 44th Assembly District residents in certain unincorporated areas will be receiving in the mail a new California state tax bill charging property owners an additional fee for fire prevention services within the "State Responsibility Area" (SRA). The office of Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) is asking the media to help inform residents of this new bill and the very short time window allowed to challenge or appeal an erroneous fee.
At Starlight Children's Foundation's Winter Wonderland, Children with Cancer to Experience the Holiday with Celebrity Guests and Activities
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Starlight Children's Foundation's Winter Wonderland - a day when more than 350 Starlight kids, siblings and their parents are given the opportunity to experience the holidays by decorating cookies, making ornaments, meeting Hollywood celebrities, and more - will be held Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. at CBS Studios. The current 'X Factor' soundstage is being turned into a children's wonderland courtesy of Northwestern Mutual.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto Initiates Federal Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Decision
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) has introduced Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 1, a measure that begins the process to amend the United States Constitution to nullify the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In Citizens United, a deeply divided Supreme Court held that corporations are due the same free-speech rights enjoyed by natural persons.
Calif. Senator Padilla Introduces Bill to Regulate Drones in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) introduced Senate Bill 15 today which is the first attempt in California to establish regulations on domestic use of drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
VLP Law Group LLP adds Tarun Chandran to Expand Real Estate Practice
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its real estate practice with the addition of Tarun Chandran, who joins as a partner based in Chicago. Mr. Chandran brings considerable experience in commercial real estate and real estate finance transactions to VLP.
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center welcomes Hali Nielson as senior VP in Irvine
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC), a retail property, casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage, announced today the addition of Hali Nielson as senior vice president private client services in its Irvine office. Nielson brings 19 years of experience in insurance and risk management for individuals with a high asset base and significant property and liability exposures.
Calif. Senator Padilla Issues Statement on California State Auditor's Report on LAUSD Handling of Child Abuse Allegations
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Califonria Newswire/ -- California State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) released the following statement today regarding the California State Auditor’s report on Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) handling of child abuse allegations:
San Diego Children's Choir is looking for children who 'love to sing'
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- San Diego Children’s Choir is holding auditions in December and January. The Choir offers children a chance to achieve artistic excellence, attain personal goals and perform service to the community. Short 5-10 minute auditions will be held on Dec. 12 and 13 as well as Jan. 9 and 12 for children in grades 3-12. No audition is required for grades 1-2. The Choir has five convenient sites in Del Mar, Mira Mesa, Hillcrest, Lake Murray and Rancho Bernardo.
Calif. Governor Brown Appoints Two to judgeships in the Sacramento County Superior Court
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of Bunmi O. Awoniyi and Steven M. Gevercer to judgeships in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Awoniyi, 48, of Elk Grove, has served as a principal attorney with a family law practice since 1994.
LendingQB's Binh Dang will present on a panel 'Mobile Originations in a Tablet World' at 14th Annual Mortgage Technology conference
COSTA MESA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- LendingQB, a provider of end-to-end loan origination software, announced that its president, Binh Dang, will present on a panel session entitled 'Mobile Originations in a Tablet World' at SourceMedia's 14th Annual Mortgage Technology conference in Miami Beach, Florida on November 30, 2012.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Nov. 28, 2012 to Regional Water Quality Control Boards
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Monica Samaniego Hunter, 63, of Los Osos, has been appointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, where she has served since 2005. Hunter has been director of research at PAST Foundation since 2010 and has served as the central coast watersheds program manager at the Planning and Conservation League Foundation since 2004.
