Valerie Gotten
Valerie G has been an editor with California Newswire for several years, is a gifted theremin player, can quote copious lines from 'Red Dwarf' and also knows where her towel is. Oddly, she does not drive, nor does she take the bus. She identifies as both human and democrat.
San Diego Children's Choir celebrates 22nd annual Holiday Concert and Community Sing-along in December
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The San Diego Children's Choir (SDCC) will perform its annual Holiday Concert and Community Sing-along on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m., at The First United Methodist Church of San Diego in Mission Valley. The children will sing selections from Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols and include traditional favorites such as The First Noel, Joy to the World and Silent Night. The public is invited.
San Francisco Named Finalist in Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced San Francisco has been selected as a finalist for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge, a competition created to inspire United States cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges, improve city life and can be shared with other cities across the nation.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for October 2, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: first, Adam Day, 43, of Alpine, has been appointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association, San Diego County Fair Board, where he has served since 2008. Day has been the assistant tribal manager for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation since 2002. He was general manager at NCG Porter Novelli from 2000 to 2002 and vice president at the Flannery Group from 1999 to 2000.
S.F. Mayor Lee Kicks off San Francisco Fleet Week 2012 31st Anniversary Celebration
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee today kicked off the celebration of the 31st Anniversary of San Francisco Fleet Week and highlighted the lineup for San Francisco Fleet Week 2012. “Fleet Week is a San Francisco tradition and we take this opportunity to salute the men and women in uniform serving and protecting our country,” said Mayor Lee.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for October 1, 2012, to California Law Revision Commission
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments to the California Law Revision Commission.
Launch of Great Park Jack-O-Lantern Starts Countdown to O.C. Great Park Pumpkin Harvest
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Great Park Jack-O-Lantern took flight today to mark the unofficial start of fall and the launch the countdown to the fifth annual Great Park Pumpkin Harvest on Saturday, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s Pumpkin Harvest will feature a variety of activities and family entertainment, including free pumpkins from the Great Park Pumpkin Patch for all children 12 and under, while supplies last.
Calif. Assemblyman Gatto's Bill to Bring Back Vintage License Plates signed by Gov. Brown
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assembly Bill (AB) 1658, by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D–Los Angeles) was signed today by Governor Brown, establishing the California Legacy License Plate Program. The program will allow car enthusiasts to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for one of three iconic California license plate designs.
S.F. Mayor Lee Celebrates Opening of City's New Bridge HIV Research Facility
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee today officially cut the ribbon to open the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH)’s new Bridge HIV research facility as part of the City’s new $9.5 million HIV/AIDS Research Center, located at 25 Van Ness Avenue.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation to Advance Clean Energy Transportation in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills to encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles and energy in California.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Native American Day
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G Brown, Jr. announced a Proclamation declaring September 28, 2012, as Native American Day.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 28, 2012 – New Bills Signed into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills, including: AB 276 by Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) – Central Coast Hospital Authority. AB 377 by Assemblymember Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana) – Pharmacy. (Additional follow.)
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 28, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, LaRonda Bowen, 60, of Pasadena, has been appointed small business ombudsman for the California Air Resources Board, where she has served since 2009. Bowen was sole proprietor of Bowen and Associates from 2000 to 2009 and was public advisor for the South Coast Air Quality Management District from 1989 to 2000.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Padilla Bill to Spur Job Creation in California – Incentivize Investment in Advanced Manufacturing
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Jerry Brown today signed Senate Bill 1128 authored by State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The bill will encourage investment, job creation and economic growth in California by allowing sales and use tax exemptions on the purchase of manufacturing equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2013.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 27, 2012 – New Bills Signed Into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills: AB 40 by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) – Elder and dependent adult abuse: reporting. AB 41 by Assemblymember Jerry Hill (D-South San Francisco) – High-Speed Rail Authority: conflicts of interest: disqualification. (Additional follow.)
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Padilla's 'Student-Athlete Bill of Rights' – goes into effect on January 1, 2013
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law Senate Bill 1525 authored by State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The new law, known as the “Student-Athlete Bill of Rights”, will require universities located in California that generate on average more than $10 million a year in media revenues to provide specific protections to college-athletes.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto's California Green Fuels Bill Signed into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assembly Bill 1900, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), a bill which removes barriers to the development of renewable natural gas (RNG) as a fuel in California and will save local rate-payers millions on their utility bills, was signed by Governor Brown today.
San Francisco Named America’s Best City by Bloomberg Businessweek, says Mayor Lee
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee on Wednesday announced that San Francisco has received the distinction as America's Best City in Bloomberg Businessweek.com’s 2012 best places to live ranking. San Francisco topped their list of 100 American cities researched.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Laws to Protect Privacy for Social Media Users
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today took to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and MySpace to announce that he has signed two bills that increase privacy protections for social media users in California.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs the Energy Security Coordination Act of 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed the Energy Security Coordination Act of 2012 (SB 1409), authored by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), which strengthens the clean energy partnership between California and the U.S. military.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Padilla's English Learner Reform Bills
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A pair of English Learner reform bills authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) have been signed by Governor Brown. SB 1108 would reform the English Learners reclassification system by identifying and implementing uniform statewide best practices. SB 754 would require school districts to post online the Economic Impact Aid they receive for each school and district.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update – Signs bills to improve education in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills to improve education in California: AB 644 by Assemblymember Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) – Schools: average daily attendance: online instruction. AB 1723 by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Los Angeles) – Postsecondary educational institutions: meetings: live video and audio transmission. (Additional follow.)
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 26, 2012 – Bills Signed into Law re Treatment of Animals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills related to the treatment and welfare of animals: AB 1162 by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Eureka) – Wildlife: poaching. AB 1776 by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Mountain View) – State government: Pacific leatherback sea turtle. (Additional follow.)
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 26, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Tara Murphy, 55, of Alameda, has been appointed assistant general counsel at the Department of Financial Institutions. Murphy was vice president and counsel at Fireside Bank from 1995 to 2012.
Five evenings of award-winning short films will be screened at the Orange County Great Park in collaboration with the Irvine International...
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Orange County Great Park in collaboration with the Irvine International Film Festival will host a series of screenings of award-winning short films at the Palm Court Arts Complex beginning October 4. The Independent & Inspired Film Series feature 18 films that will be screened over five evenings on select Thursdays through November 15.
Calif. Assemblyman Gatto's Water-Conservation Bill Signed into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- AB 2230, a California water-conservation bill authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) which requires all newly permitted car washes to use at least 60 percent recycled water, was signed into law today.
Calif. Governor Brown to Sign Padilla's Driverless Vehicle Bill today at Google's headquarters in Mountain View
MOUTNAIN VIEW, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Jerry Brown will sign SB 1298 authored by State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) today at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California. The bill will establish safety and performance standards for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on California’s roads and highways.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Padilla Bill to Expand Voter Registration – California Acts While Other States Move to Restrict Voting and...
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law Senate Bill 35 authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The new law will facilitate voter registration and further California's compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), commonly known as Motor Voter. The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2013.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Wieckowski Bill to Aid Low-Income Earners Facing Wage Garnishment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Low-income earners facing wage garnishment will be able to keep a little more money to make ends meet after Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill yesterday authored by Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont).
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Bolster California Business and Create Jobs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed a series of eight bills to bolster business and job creation in the state of California. “As California’s economy recovers from the deepest recession since the Great Depression, it’s important that state government bolsters local job growth,” said Governor Brown. “Simply put, these bills make it easier for people to do business in California.”
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Bill to Boost Commercial Space Travel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed a bill to boost the commercial space-travel sector in California. Assembly Bill 2243 (Knight) limits liability for space-flight companies.
Closely Watched California Homemade Food Act Signed into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles) Assembly Bill (AB) 1616, the California Homemade Food Act, was signed into law today. The California Homemade Food Act legalizes the sale of homemade, “non-potentially hazardous” foods by creating a two-tier system of “cottage food operations” based upon the point of sale
SF Mayor Lee Announces Accelerator That Will Help Minority Entrepreneurs Break Into Tech Sector
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced that NewME Accelerator, an accelerator for businesses led by underrepresented minorities in the technology industry, moved to the Bayview. NewME signed a three-year lease at 1552 Yosemite Avenue and is housing their members on nearby on Third Street.
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Support Veterans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Thursday signed several bipartisan bills that improve services and opportunities for veterans in California.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 20, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Elliot Block, 51, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director, legal counsel at the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, where he has served since 2006.
In O.C., Contemporary Artists Conceptualize the Year 1942 Exhibition Offers Artistic Complement to Farmers to Flyers Historical Perspective
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- History and art collide to provide a unique interpretive experience at the Orange County Great Park's Palm Court Arts Complex with a pair of exhibitions that contrast first-person story-telling and historical perspective with emotional interpretations of a time gone by.
The Nature Conservancy gifts 750 acres to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation for continued conservation management
WATSONVILLE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Nature Conservancy today transferred ownership of the majority of their Elkhorn Slough land holdings (750 acres) to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation for continued conservation management. This is the largest single transfer of conservation lands in history of Elkhorn Slough and cements the Elkhorn Slough Foundation as a significant conservation leader and land trust in the central bay area.
Calif. Governor Brown and Attorney General Harris Honor 3 with Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Awards
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. was joined by Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today to honor three individuals with the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor for their extraordinary commitment, service and bravery in the line of duty.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 13, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Rody Boonchouy, 34, of Vacaville, has been appointed to the California Concurrence Committee. Boonchouy has been the principal at the Da Vinci Charter Academy since 2011.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 13, 2012 – Signs New Bills into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills, including: AB 197 by Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-San Ramon) – Public employees' retirement. AB 801 by Assemblymember Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland) – Illegal dumping enforcement officers and code enforcement officers. (Additional follow.)
San Francisco Mayor Lee Proclaims October 2012 as Innovation Month
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee on Tuesday announced during his remarks at TechCrunch Disrupt SF that October 2012 is Innovation Month in San Francisco. This declaration is both a celebration and a call to action to highlight the City’s need to further embrace technology and catalyze greater job creation, community engagement and government efficiency through innovation.
S.F. Mayor Lee Announces New Biotech Incubator – Mission Bay Biotech Innovation Hub
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Monday, Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced the opening of the Bayer HealthCare CoLaborator, an innovative shared lab for start-up life science companies in Mission Bay. Mayor Lee also announced two new biotech startups are relocating to San Francisco to be the first companies to locate in the CoLaborator: Aronora Inc. from Oregon, and ProLynx LLC from Hayward.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 12, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Tina Andolina, 36, of Davis, has been appointed director of legislation and regulation at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Bills into Law: Legislative Update for Sept. 7, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has signed the following bills: AB 233 by Assemblymember Isadore Hall (D-Los Angeles) – Personal income taxes: voluntary contributions: California YMCA Youth and Government Fund. AB 432 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) – Transit: Sacramento County. Additional follow:
Calif. Bill to Allow Motorists to Show Proof of Auto Insurance on Their Smartphones Signed into Law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblyman Mike Gatto's (D-Los Angeles) Assembly Bill 1708 was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today. The measure would give California drivers the option to present their proof of auto insurance in electronic form, such as on a smartphone or other personal electronic device.
California Stadium Violence Prevention Bill Signed by Governor Brown
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Next time you find yourself at a football game, with a front row seat to a brawl in the stands between two rowdy fans, you’ll be able to more quickly and less conspicuously summon stadium security. Assembly Bill 2464, the Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), was signed into law today by Calif. Governor Brown.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto's Bill to Protect Senior Citizens Signed into Law (AB 1624)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- AB 1624, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D–Los Angeles), an important measure to protect senior citizens and others from...
Farmers to Flyers: Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and Mid-Century Orange County Exhibition Offers Thought-Provoking View of Southern California...
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Orange County Great Park will host a special reception to showcase the thought-provoking exhibition memorializing Marine Corps Air Station El Toro’s 50-year tradition of service and sacrifice titled, Farmers to Flyers: Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and Mid-Century Orange County.
Governor Brown Issues Statement on Death of California Highway Patrol Officer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday issued the following statement regarding the death of California Highway Patrol Officer Kenyon M. Youngstrom:
Special Election Proclamation by The Governor of The State of California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, California Governor Brown issued the following proclamation, resulting from the resignation of Senator Doug LaMalfa: SPECIAL ELECTION PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 5, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday announced the following appointments: First, Matthew McGuinness, 46, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Architects Board. McGuinness has held multiple positions at Interior Design Services Inc. since 1988, including president, vice president, sales and marketing manager, sales associate and bookkeeper.
