California NEWS INDEX

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III (D – Los Angeles) will lead fellow legislators in honoring Los Angeles County Reserve Deputy Sheriff Shervin Lalezary for his acts of bravery during a ceremony in the Assembly Chambers on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In his 2012 State of the State speech, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. said California is “on the mend” and laid out an ambitious agenda for economic growth in the year ahead. The full text of the speech follows: (Remarks as prepared)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, John Banuelos, 67, of Elk Grove, has been appointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission. Banuelos worked at the California Conservation Corps from 1997 to 2004 and from 1977 to 1992 in multiple positions, including program and evaluation manager.

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services announces that leading global provider of solar energy services, SunEdison, a client of retail insurance broker Lockton Companies, has joined the growing number of solar energy providers to adopt PowerGuard's unique PowerClip extended warranty protection.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Remo Software, a leading software company who provides consumer software utilities today has announced the availability of a RAR file repair utility for repairing corrupt or damaged RAR archive files created by WinRAR.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Governor Edmund G. Brown issued a Proclamation declaring January 15th 2012 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- According to The Futon Shop, conventional mattresses are very likely to contain chemicals, some potentially toxic to humans and/or harmful to the environment. Most of these chemical compounds have a cloud surrounding the information on the possible harms they can cause. The way to go green is to choose a mattress with fewer chemicals or no chemicals. The ideal mattress would have low VOCs, no PBDEs, no formaldehyde, and no phthalates.

SANTA ANA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez announced today that she will host a grand opening event this Saturday, January 14 at her new campaign headquarters in Santa Ana. The office is located at 217 N. Main Street, #116, Santa Ana, CA.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed an agreement to expand a state and federal partnership that has, over the last two years, paved the way for more than a dozen utility-scale solar energy projects and more than 130 renewable power projects in California.

LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Since 1974, Dr. Marc Spitz of the Foot Pain Center has been helping patients to beat peripheral neuropathy. After observing epidemic numbers of people developing peripheral neuropathy in their feet, he decided to make this his practice's focus.

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services announces that leading solar manufacturer, Talesun, has joined the growing number of global solar panel manufacturers to choose PowerGuard's unique PowerClip extended warranty protection.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Nathaniel Kirtman III, 40, of Sherman Oaks, has been appointed to the California Lottery Commission. Kirtman has been senior vice president of publicity for NBC Universal since 2009 after serving as a vice president from 2006 to 2009.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Neotrope, a California-based brand identity, internet marketing, and PR firm established in 1983, today announced an extension on the deadline for its 2012 PR Grant program for nonprofit orgs to January 31.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Supervisor Malia Cohen today introduced a resolution at the Board of Supervisors to ensure that major redevelopment projects, such as Mission Bay, the Hunters Point Shipyard, and Transbay as well as affordable housing projects under the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency can continue after the State required their elimination.

VALENCIA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- LiveView GPS announced this week the launch of its new GPS tracking device - the Live Trac EZ GPS Vehicle Tracker - that takes only seconds to install and provides 10-second vehicle-tracking position updates.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck today announced the 2011 results of the City's Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program including a successful 2011 Summer Night Lights (SNL) program resulting in a 35 percent reduction in gang related Part 1 crimes for all SNL sites.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) today announced that he will move forward with Senate Bill 331, which would prohibit new tobacco retailers from locating within 600 feet of a school.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined by Supervisors Scott Wiener, David Campos and Christina Olague announced the introduction at the Board of Supervisors a $1.8 million budget supplemental for HIV/AIDS care and treatment funding to protect essential services to the City's most vulnerable despite severe budget shortfalls.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ –- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Denise Brown, 60, of Fair Oaks, has been appointed director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On the same day as the college football national championship game, California State Senator Alex Padilla announced he will be introducing legislation that would require that student-athletes injured during their college career be provided the necessary medical and financial support to complete their degree.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee today appointed Christina Olague as District 5 Supervisor, filling the vacancy left by Ross Mirkarimi. 'Christina Olague is my appointment for District 5 Supervisor,' said Mayor Lee.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Friday, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced that Salesforce.com is again expanding and creating more jobs in San Francisco, entering into the largest long-term lease in the City in more than a decade. Salesforce will occupy 400,000 square feet of office space at 50 Fremont, which when fully occupied, will accommodate 2,000 employees.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced today a partnership with Code for America to launch the world’s first Civic Startup Accelerator. Based in downtown San Francisco, the Code for America Accelerator will support entrepreneurs that launch companies to make City government more responsive, efficient and connected.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Police Chief Greg Suhr released the year end crime statistics showing continued historic low crime trends for the City of San Francisco. Mayor Lee and Chief Suhr announced that 2011 violent crime rates in San Francisco are down 6 percent from last year.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck today announced the City's 2011 year-end crime statistics that showed violent crime and property crime were reduced across Los Angeles for the 9th consecutive year.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Delivering on his promise to reduce pollution at the Port of Los Angeles and protect public health, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today marked a major milestone in the Clean Truck Program. The program required all trucks at the Port of Los Angeles to meet the toughest environmental standards in the nation by January 1, 2012.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Destination Earth has announced the launch of their unique Voluntourism Travel concept with a tour to Cambodia and Vietnam. This adventure highlights their business model, which offers fun, safe adventure tours to those who would like to travel responsibly and give back while enjoying their vacation.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Sgt. Noah M. Korte, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

CULVER CITY, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Saturday, January 14, 2012, 12 Noon, Haas Entertainment will be unveiling its state-of-the-art 3D video projection system in time for the end of the football postseason playoffs. Haas Entertainment will also be showcasing the latest in home automation controls from Crestron for your iPad. The public and media are invited to see first-hand how projection system can enhance the viewing experience of the upcoming divisional playoffs.

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services announces that Chinese solar manufacturer, ZNShine, has joined the growing number of international solar panel manufacturers adopting PowerGuard's unique PowerClip extended warranty protection.

SAN DIMAS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ESI Edgebanding Services Inc., Has announced the full update of HanStone Quartz Surfaces color selections for 2012 on the ESI web site. HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces combines the natural elegance of quartz with advanced technology to create a new realm of possibilities, dramatic colors and vibrant patterns in a solid surface with Greater strength and resilience.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, James Adler, 75, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Law Revision Commission. Adler has been an arbitrator and mediator since 2005.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released 2011: Milestones and Accomplishments, a year-in-review report on the Governor’s actions since taking office. It may be downloaded in PDF format starting today.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Angel Barajas, 29, of Woodland, has been appointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association, Yolo County Fair Board. Barajas has served as a labor representative at the Service Employees International Union Local 1000 since 2007.

COMPTON, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Isadore Hall announced today he would seek reelection to the State Assembly in the new 64th District. The 64th Assembly District includes the cities and communities of Compton, Carson, Watts, Wilmington, Willowbrook as well as portions of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Shelyna V. Brown to a judgeship in the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Donald I. Segerstrom Jr. to a judgeship in the Tuolumne County Superior Court.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Matthew P. Guasco to a judgeship in the Ventura County Superior Court.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Kathleen E. O'Leary as presiding justice of the...

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointments of Kerry R. Bensinger, Michelle Williams Court, Holly J. Fujie, Michael Garcia, Roberto Longoria and Michael J. Raphael to judgeships in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Christopher J. Plourd to a judgeship in the Imperial County Superior Court.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointments of Raquel A. Marquez, Otis Sterling III and John W. Vineyard to judgeships in the Riverside County Superior Court.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has issued an emergency proclamation for State Route 60 near Montebello, following the explosion of a gasoline tanker truck which caused major damage, requiring the demolition and reconstruction of roadway and bridge structures.

TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Neotrope, a California based brand identity, internet marketing, and PR firm established in 1983, today announced it has expanded the deliverables of its 2012 Non-Profit PR Grants Program. All recipients of the 2012 program will now also receive up to $2,500 in additional services; specifically free online text and banner advertising on Neotrope(R) News Network sites. This brings the dollar value of the grant to each chosen recipient to $5,000, or $50,000 total value in donated services for 2012.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Friday joined business leaders and elected officials for the dedication of Soitec's North American headquarters in San Diego.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Friday announced the following appointments: First, Kiyomi Burchill, 27, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant secretary at the Health and Human Services Agency. Burchill has been a policy consultant in the Office of Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg since 2008.

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- What's blonde, blue-eyed, six-feet tall and looks like a leading actress? She's Aloha Wanderwell - the first woman to travel around the globe in a car; she was 16. And, AlohaWanderwell.com is dedicated to preserving her nitrate films, books and more.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released additional details on panel participants and the issues that will be covered at the Governor's Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California's Future.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In another move to make government more efficient and reduce unnecessary costs, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday issued an Executive Order directing the state's agencies and departments to review the approximately 2,600 annual reports they are required to submit to the Legislature, and identify those that are no longer useful or necessary.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Spc. Thomas J. Mayberry, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.