Cindy Holden

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Moss Beach Homes, Inc., the lead agency for Aspira, one of the largest private providers of foster care services in California announced that it has changed its name to Aspiranet to better reflect the work it does in communities across California. In the agency's thirty-three years, it has gone from a single group home in Moss Beach, California, to a collaborative network of youth, family and community services that provide permanency and lifelong connections in communities throughout the State of California.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- SecuGen is pleased to announce the immediate availability of an improved version of the Hamster Plus fingerprint reader. This newly upgraded device captures fingerprint images much faster than previously. In addition, the Hamster Plus now makes the Smart Capture feature available. Smart Capture automatically adjusts the sensor brightness to capture fingerprints from dry and moist fingers.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The California economy may be struggling, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to sell a business. Members of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) are seeing a strong future for business sales within the state.

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. -- Plangarden enhances its drag-and-drop online vegetable gardening software by expanding features for its rapidly growing community of vegetable gardeners. The new Web 2.0 social networking features enable vegetable garden enthusiasts from all over the world to interact over a "virtual backyard fence" where they can ask or swap advice. On a Google Maps mash-up you can visually find fellow gardeners in your area or type in locations around the world that you are interested in.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- MyHollywoodFilm, a global virtual studio for the Independent Film production and education industry, has established a unique P2P networking community. Filmmakers can find instruction, establish their careers, create the films of tomorrow and gain worldwide, viewable exposure, 24/7.

SAN MARINO, Calif. -- Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation announced today the issue of U.S. Patent No. 7,347,998 for Targeted Gene Delivery in vivo. This patent provides additional intellectual property protection for the platform of highly advanced biotechnologies embodied in the company's leading anti-cancer agent, Rexin-G.

VENTURA, Calif. -- Wind Chaser(R), a product of Action Products(R), LLC, announces the arrival of the award winning first factory production models of their family and "eco-friendly" land sailor - the Wind Chaser.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Readers, writers and book-lovers of all ages will come together Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th to participate in the highly anticipated 13th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on the UCLA campus.

TEMECULA, Calif. -- Written Inc. has developed a breakthrough technology which has led to the first significant improvement to the 150-year-old science of handwriting analysis. This week, the company released the latest version of their personality assessment tool, Candidate Insight(TM).

FRESNO, Calif. -- F & M Tool and Plastics Inc., in Leominster Mass., a molding firm specializing in manufacturing eco friendly products, has announced the opening of Smartware Products, a division of F & M Tool and Plastics, a sales and distribution center in the Central Valley of California.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- In 2007, Metrolink's Board of Directors approved a three year program of annual system wide average fare adjustments of 3.5% that would take effect on July 1, 2007, 2008 and 2009 to keep pace with higher costs to operate commuter train service. Because of the escalating cost of diesel fuel, scheduled increases in costs for operating services contracts and new start-up costs related to the arrival of additional passenger cars in 2009, the Board is considering a fare increase of up to 7.5%.

MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Supreme Council of Datus Alimaong has reached agreement with Monterey, CA-based Abundant Biofuels Corporation to develop more than 1.2 million acres of ancestral domain for production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas in underused Lumad lands on the island of Mindanao.

GLENDALE, Calif. -- Intellikey Labs, a recognized leader in optical disc quality assurance content testing, announced today the launch of Intellikey DVD Testing Matrix 7.0. The first ever Blu-ray AMP(TM) and along with the latest Standard Def matrix enables Intellikey to provide the most definitive AMP(TM) rating system available for DVD testing on domestic players. Matrix 7.0 is the most representative DVD testing matrix ever released.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- SecuGen is pleased to announce that Club Sentry, Inc. has chosen SecuGen's Hamster fingerprint readers for integration with Club Sentry's club management software. The Hamster readers will be used to scan fingerprints of members when they check-in and check-out through Club Sentry's Biometric ID software module.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Underground Mexican hip-hop artist/entrepreneur, SOLOW13, breaks the music game wide open by establishing his own label, TRUTH LOVES LA WFAMILIA, LLC or simply LAWFAMILIA, LLC. The new imprint is a collaborative partnership between SOLOW13 and famed West Coast label, Latin Thug Records - best known for being founded by Cypress Hill's Sen Dog and home to the Reyes Brothers, B Real's "Gunslinger" albums and many other notable releases.

TORRANCE, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Music Network's "LAMN Jam" heads for the Big Apple, and has added an additional event sponsor in Send2Press(R) Newswire, a unit of Neotrope(R). Launched three years ago in Los Angeles (where performances continue), LAMN Jams go beyond traditional showcases by featuring artists performing original songs, followed by instant professional critiques from a panel of industry experts. This year, independent music artists will perform for $20,000 in prizes.

CARPINTERIA, Calif. -- Holland Scott Gallery today announces the debut of the Environmentally Responsible Green Energy Fine Art Lamps. These lamps combine energy-efficiency technology with fine-art design. Elegant photographic floral images and art-deco linoleum patterns from the 1930's are the result of energy efficient LED lamp technology and the Giclee fine-art printmaking process.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- In a new documentary series on DVD, released by Gallery of Historical Figures(R), artist and raconteur George Stuart gives his take on the formative and often turbulent history of England. Murder, treachery, greed, love and hate punctuate the timeline, as the country evolves from Tudor absolutism into constitutional monarchy of Victoria.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and NORMAN, Okla. -- Last year, images of Britney Spears' shaved head were splayed all over the media. And, in celebration of Spears, Mainsite Contemporary Art in Norman is exhibiting an appropriated image for public viewing through March 28. Los Angeles artist, known as XVALA, set out to define Spears' spiritual, emotional and economical value.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- RenderX, a market leader in "XML to PDF" and "XML to PostScript" technology, officially released the Beta versions of two new software products - DataStyler and XML Report Generator (XMLRG). DataStyler is an application for quick creation of templates for variable data embedding.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- SecuGen Corporation, a world leading fingerprint technology company, announced today that its well-known Hamster(TM) line of fingerprint readers is now available with Tutis Biometric Logon, an Active Directory compatible network authentication application.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- SecuGen Corporation, a world leading fingerprint technology company, today announced its collaboration with WCC Smart Search & Match, a leading provider of high-performance search and match software. WCC Smart Search & Match has developed ELISE ID, the Platform for Multi-Modal Fusion.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Today, popular online jewelry merchant MyBargainJewels announced the launch of a new line of charm bracelets dubbed "The Guardian Eye." Each bracelet is handmade of Murano glass beads and fits any wrist size. At first glance, these trendy bracelets are simple enough, yet shrouded in thousands of years of superstition.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- 1st Pacific Bancorp (NASDAQ: FPBN) announced today that Frank J. Mercardante, a member of the board of directors of 1st Pacific Bancorp since July 2007, resigned from the Company's board. Prior to his appointment as a director of 1st Pacific Bancorp, Mr. Mercardante was Chairman and CEO of Placer Sierra Bank and previously was President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Community Bancorp since 1998.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- SolarReserve, the Los Angeles-based solar thermal power company that has licensed an innovative energy storage technology for on-demand utility-scale solar power, today announced the appointment of William R. Gould, Jr. to serve as Chief Technical Officer.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- gus is pleased to introduce their premier line of higher end leather wallets and accessories designed exclusively for men and featuring beautifully hand-sewn craftsmanship as well as their unique "splitshot perforation" styling.

ENCINO, Calif. -- In December 2007, MedSort.com, a premier online personal medication list management system, launched a comprehensive personal health records system - MedSort Health(TM) - which empowers consumers and patients to take control of their health records. Since January 2007, MedSort.com has been helping patients to create and manage their medication and allergy list online.

DANA POINT, Calif. -- Holistic Pet Expert, Susan Blake Davis from Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist is urging pet owners to take their pets to the veterinarian BEFORE their pets act sick. Davis says that holistic and preventative veterinary care are the keys to pet health and longevity. Her statement comes as a result of hearing heart wrenching tales from pet owners over the holidays seeking miracle cures because their pets needed to be euthanized and they didn't even know they were sick.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Dee Rule, "Baby Nurse and Nanny to the Stars," has been helping families for over 18 years. She is now making the media circuit and offering free advice to parents who need answers on sleep routines.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- On December 16, at the age of almost 40, Dr. Thienna, a leading skin care author who is conscious of health and fitness on all levels, broke the Guinness Book World Record for the most Sumo squats in one hour. The event was overseen by an official adjudicator from the U.K. at the San Francisco State University Basketball Gymnasium.

SAN MARINO, Calif. -- Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation announced today that the company has received a Certificate of Product Registration for Rexin-G(R) from the Philippine Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), enabling the commercialization of its lead product as a safe and effective treatment for a broad spectrum of intractable cancers.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- SecuGen is pleased to announce that Bromba Biometrics BioIDENTICA SDK is now compatible with SecuGen Hamster III, Hamster Plus and Hamster IV fingerprint readers. The BioIDENTICA SDK allows a simple integration of fingerprint technology into any existing or new software application that can benefit from biometric authentication.

TORRANCE, Calif. -- Neotrope(R), a leading advertising, PR, and Internet Marketing firm established 1983, today announced it has been chosen by a leading New York Computer Consulting firm, S & R Network Consulting, to provide promotion and brand development for their company and Website.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- For the first-time ever, the folks who live in Santa Monica and surrounding areas, will get a taste of third-world culture at the International Handcrafted Gifts and Home Textile Expo to be held on January 20 and 21 at the Santa Monica Doubletree Hilton.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Engate Technology Corporation, a leading anti-spam supplier and pioneer of next generation network profiling and connection management security solutions, today announced the signing of an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Agreement with Net Integration Technologies Inc., a provider of all-in-one small business servers.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Social Platform LLC, a leading provider of white label social networking software, today announced it has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the niche players quadrant in the "Team Collaboration and Social Software, 2007 Magic Quadrant" (*Note 1) report.

GILROY, Calif. -- Bookstand Publishing announces the release of "Revelation of the Unrevealed" (ISBN: 978-1-58909-431-4), authored by Michael O'Patrickson, and based on real-life experiences. At the core of the book is a discussion and analysis of hypnotism.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- On Sunday, December 16 at 2:00 p.m., a Guinness World Records (GWR) adjudicator from the United Kingdom will attend a record-breaking attempt by Dr. Thienna Ho. Dr. Thienna is challenging the current record of 4,656 squats in one hour. The event will be held at the San Francisco State University Basketball Gymnasium.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Over 80% of all children in the United States never play in their neighborhoods without adults present, according to a new survey published on Playborhood.com. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the figure is even higher - over 90%.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Authernative, Inc., the developer of innovative user authentication and identity management technologies, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company its patent for a key conversion method.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Georg van Handel (CEO) and Chris Honetschlaeger (President) of BETA Records, LLC, announced today that they will partner with Audiobaba to match mainstream artist searches to unsigned artists, using their proprietary acoustic fingerprinting technology.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- SecuGen is proud to announce that Bioscrypt Inc. (TSX: BYT), a leading provider of identity and access management solutions, has chosen to integrate SecuGen's fingerprint sensor into their V-Station (Optical) reader. With the introduction of the V-Station (Optical), Bioscrypt has added SecuGen's optical sensor technology to its award-winning line of readers for physical access control.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- BETA Records, in anticipation of their upcoming release of Version 3 of their online music social community, has created a technological innovation that could ultimately allow websites to become more dynamic, creative and sophisticated while enabling companies to cut costs and reduce loads on servers needed in large-scale clusters.

LAKE WORTH, Texas -- Thirteen-year-old Jake Tinsley will realize a lifelong dream this week when a character he invented as a young boy debuts in a new comic book published by Galveston-based Wham Bang Comics. Two Fisted Adventures #1 becomes available online this week.

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. -- Always Best Care Senior Services has expanded into the Granada Hills/Sherman Oaks, California areas. America's premier in-home care, assisted living placement service, and personal response company, is proud to announce seniors in Granada Hills/Sherman Oaks can now rely on Always Best Care Senior Services for outstanding care.

SAN MARINO, Calif. -- Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation announced today that the company has taken a major step toward the commercialization of its lead product with the opening of a Phase II Registration Protocol using Rexin-G for osteosarcoma in the United States. Following the accelerated approval of Rexin-G for the treatment of all solid tumors by the Bureau of Food and Drugs in the Philippines, Epeius opened a number of Phase I/II clinical trials.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Always Best Care Senior Services has expanded into the San Diego area. America's premier In-Home Care, Assisted Living Placement Service, and Personal Response Company, is proud to announce seniors in San Diego can now rely on Always Best Care Senior Services for outstanding care.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Social Platform LLC, a leading white label social networking software provider announced today its support of the Open Social initiative spearheaded by Google. Open Social fosters a collaborative development community through a set of common APIs for building social applications across the web.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Dealers Edge, LLC an Indiana-based management company, Tom Stinnett RV Freedom Center of Clarksville, IN and La Mesa RV Center, Inc. one of the nation's largest RV dealers, headquartered in San Diego, CA have coordinated their resources in order to offer temporary and short term housing solutions to Southern California wildfire victims.

MONTCLAIR, Calif. -- Immerse yourself in the vibrant and colorful Vedic Era! Experience the celebrations and ceremonies of India, western and world music and fun family entertainment, for three energizing and joyful days at the Grand Consecration of a Vedic Temple. Join us at the new Nithyananda Vedic Temple, Nov. 9th - 11th at 9720 N Central Avenue, Montclair CA, 91763.