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Miguel Angel Fragoso-Hernandez sets goal of medical career in Watsonville WATSONVILLE >> At Pajaro Valley High School, Miguel Angel Fragoso-Hernandez is known as Nino, or Kid, a nickname bestowed during his freshman year, when, a year younger than most students after skipping first grade, he was the smallest player on the junior varsity soccer team. But Fragoso-Hernandez, now a 17-year-old graduating senior and class valedictorian, has another title in mind: doctor. He'll take a step toward achieving his career goal when he enrolls at UC Berkeley in the fall to study biology or biochemistry. At a graduation ceremony Thursday, he plans to remind his classmates how they reached this point in their lives. "It's not like you did it on your own. Your teachers helped you. Your parents helped you all through your life," Fragoso-Hernandez said. "At the same time, (the graduates) sit here because they worked for it." Fragoso-Hernandez will speak from experience. His parents, Martin Fragoso and Julia Hernandez, emigrated from Santiago Tulantepec in Hidalgo, Mexico, to the U.S. in their teens. They were very poor, Fragoso-Hernandez said. His father scrounged from garbage cans to get enough to eat. His mother, living on a rural ranch, watched two siblings die in childhood. Here, they worked in the fields at first, but later Miguel's father became an auto mechanic and eventually bought the business from his boss. After volunteering at Freedom Elementary School, his mother was hired to supervise students at recess. As the family's income improved, they were able to move from a series of crowded garages into a three-bedroom apartment in a Holohan Road complex. Though he was only 7 at the time, Fragoso-Hernandez recalls his amazement at the space and the fact that the apartment had its own kitchen. Growing up, he watched his father work two jobs at times, and his mother devote herself to work and raising three sons. But he didn't understand what they were trying to accomplish until high school. "I thought they came to find a better life for themselves," Fragoso-Hernandez said. "I didn't realize until my sophomore year that the ultimate goal was to have a better life for their children." Though neither Fragoso nor Hernandez went to school past the sixth grade, they knew education was the key to reaching that goal, and they instilled that value in their children. Fragoso-Hernandez said math and science captured his interest at any early age. He paid attention as his older brother did his homework, and by the end of kindergarten he had mastered multiplication. He finishes high school with a 4.24 grade point average. In addition, he was a forward on the varsity soccer team for three years, and has worked as a math tutor in an after-school program for elementary students since he was 14. His father's struggles with poor health led him to decide on a medical career, either as a general practitioner or a surgeon. "I grew up seeing him with all these problems, and I wanted to be able to do something but I couldn't," he said. "I want to be able to do something for someone in the same situation." When Fragoso-Hernandez was in middle school, the family moved to Gilroy, but he and his two brothers, Eric, a sophomore at Cal State Monterey Bay, and Marco, a seventh-grader at Lakeview Middle School, elected to commute each day so they could remain in Watsonville schools. The three brothers were born in Watsonville, and Fragoso-Hernandez considers the city home. Once he earns his medical degree, he plans to return. "Without Watsonville, I wouldn't be where I am today," he said. "I want to give back to this community." Content provided by http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/education/ci_25899165/valedictorian-credits-immigrant-parents-providing-opportunity

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — After 17 years on the force, San Jose Police officer Huan Ngyuen had learned not to get emotionally involved in his work. But then one got through. On May 6, a road rage slaying in his Little Saigon neighborhood, on the streets where he grew up and now patrols, took the life of a Vietnamese immigrant like himself. The victim was a 37-year-old bus driver who left behind a widow and two young children, one with severe autism. "We try not to get emotional, but sometimes these things really affect me," Nguyen said. "It kind of hit the soft core of my body." Ngyuen and his colleagues sent texts to friends and family asking if they could help the widow. Then, at his friends' urging, he launched a website, hoping to raise a few thousand dollars. Word spread quickly: Now, less than three weeks since the murder, nearly $100,000 has poured in from the local Vietnamese community and far beyond, including Houston, Boston, New York, even London. "I'm very thankful, and I'm very surprised," said widow Dieu Huynh, a limited English speaker whose husband's cremated remains were buried last weekend. Sinking into her couch with her 4- and 7-year-old sons, she fought back tears, telling Ngyuen in Vietnamese how her youngest son, Steven, keeps asking her to call his father. Her older son, Henry, can't talk, but hugs and kisses her. Unable to function independently, Henry dashes out the door into the street if left unattended, has seizures, and will need a lifetime of constant care. "When I met this family, I could see they were going to need help," said Ngyuen, himself a father of two. "It really, really got to me." National Center for Victims of Crime Executive Director Mai Fernandez said online, crowd-sourced fundraisers are increasingly common for crime victims, but usually it's friends or family who launch them. "I've never heard of a police officer stepping in like this. This sounds like a really special person," she said. "When there's a tragedy out there, there are a lot of heroes who step up. It's amazing to see the outpouring of generosity of the public. Humankind really does care about each other." Ngyuen, who sought approval before reaching out publicly and has the full support of San Jose Police Chief Larry Esquivel, said he's shy about being in the spotlight. "But this isn't about me at all," he said. "My job is to help others. No amount of money can replace their dad, but this can help those boys as they grow up." Ngyuen also is keeping an eye out on his patrols for the suspect who shot Huynh's husband, Phuoc Lam. That morning, with a rare few hours free, Lam and Huynh were doing errands for her upcoming birthday party. Suddenly Lam slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting two men in a Volkswagen Jetta who pulled out of a mobile home park driveway in front of him, police said. Lam climbed out of the driver's side to survey the scene. Words were exchanged, and as Huynh was stepping out to see what was going on, her husband was shot. Police said she told them she saw Lam fall. Huynh doesn't speak of it in front of her children. But at that moment her life crumbled. Read the entire story here. Content provided by http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/26/san-jose-police-officer-raises-money_n_5393027.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news

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A Performance Bond guarantees a contractor’s faithful per...y can include payment and maintenance bond coverage along with the primary performance bond as needed. How fast can Allstar issue a Performance Bond?Allstar is known for quick turnarou...

Allstar Underwriters, a division of Allstar Financial Group, offers a comprehensive Product Liability Insurance program designed to help agents and brokers place complex and non-standard risks. Whether your client is a manufacturer, importer, distributor, or startup, we can tailor coverage to meet their unique liability exposures. Ideal Accounts and Appetite We provide flexible solutions for a wide range of businesses involved in the production, distribution, or sale of physical products. Accounts that are a strong fit for our product liability program include: Manufacturers Importers Repackagers Sellers Distributors We are also open to unique and challenging submissions, including: Start-up companies Businesses with prior claims activity Non-renewed or hard-to-place risks Coverage Highlights and Advantages Our program offers Primary and Excess coverage options, with both Claims-Made and Occurrence forms available. Coverage types include: Product Liability Insurance only Product Liability with General Liability Coverage with vendors and product recall expense Excess Product Liability Worldwide coverage options Target industries include Food, Nutraceuticals, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Medical Devices, Automotive Parts, Toys, Sporting Goods, and Raw Materials. Underwriting Flexibility Allstar Underwriters has the ability to handle complex and non-standard risks. We work with multiple carriers across both admitted and non-admitted markets, allowing us to find creative solutions for unusual or distressed accounts. Our underwriting team is experienced in reviewing challenging submissions and can structure terms to meet your client's requirements. Territories and Availability This product liability program is currently available in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. We offer access to both admitted and non-admitted markets, depending on the risk profile and carrier availability. Why Work With Allstar Financial Group? Allstar Financial Group is a trusted Managing General Agency and Excess & Surplus Lines Broker with deep expertise in specialty and hard-to-place risks. Our Product Liability program is built to serve the needs of agents and brokers seeking flexible, responsive underwriting and access to top carriers. We offer fast turnaround and personalized service to help you win and retain business. Give one of our underwriters a call today for more information. Frequently Asked Questions What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?This program is ideal for manufacturers, importers, distributors, repackagers, and sellers of consumer products—especially in industries like food, medical devices, automotive parts, toys, and chemicals. Can you consider start-ups or businesses with prior claims?Yes, Allstar Underwriters welcomes submissions for start-up businesses, as well as accounts with claims history or non-renewed coverage. What coverage options are available?We offer Primary and Excess Product Liability coverage, with options including standalone liability, general liability bundles, vendor coverage, recall expense, and worldwide protection. Is this program admitted or non-admitted?We work with both admitted and non-admitted markets to meet the specific needs of each account and state jurisdiction. Which states is this program available in?The program is currently offered in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.

Real Estate Development Allstar Financial Group offers Real Estate Development insurance solutions, including casualty and umbrella placements tailored for developers, general contractors and owners of apartment and condominium projects. Our small-business solutions division provides a streamlined quoting and binding process for habitational and mixed-use development accounts—call to speak with one of our underwriters for program specifics and submission requirements. Overview of the Program From Allstar Financial Group This program is designed to help agents place construction and development risks with flexible casualty and excess/umbrella options. Policies can be written on a project-specific basis or as broader packages where appropriate. The program supports both primary liability needs and excess limits to protect insureds from construction and premises exposure during development, lease-up and early operations. Casualty Coverage Highlights Monoline or package options Minimum premium starting at $500 Primary limits available up to $5,000,000 / $5,000,000 Project-specific policies available Uninsured subcontractor coverage Optional coverage enhancements, including: Blanket additional insured Waiver of subrogation Primary, non-contributory wording Per project / per location aggregate Hired & non-owned auto (certain classes) Miscellaneous professional liability (certain classes) Umbrella Coverage Highlights Limits available up to $5,000,000 Minimum premium starting at $750 Supported or unsupported placements Underlying Requirements and Underwriting Standards AM Best A-VI or better for auto or general liability AM Best B++ or better for employers liability Typical underlying GL limits: $1,000,000 / $2,000,000 / $2,000,000 Ideal Accounts and Appetite The program fits a broad range of real estate development risks, including: Contractors and general contractors Habitational developments (apartments, condos during construction and lease-up) Office, retail and mixed-use projects Vacant or phased occupancy projects Wholesale and institutional developers (subject to underwriting) Agents should submit accounts with clear project details, GC/subcontractor relationships, and reasonable loss control measures. The program can accommodate many common construction classes, but higher hazard or heavily insured-loss accounts may require referral. Coverage Advantages Flexible placement: monoline or packaged casualty options with project-specific policies when needed Enhanced endorsements available to satisfy owner/GC contract requirements (AI, waiver of subrogation, primary/non-contributory) Excess/umbrella capacity up to $5M with supported and unsupported structures Quick quoting and binding through a dedicated small-business solutions team Underwriting Notes and Minimums Minimum premiums noted in the program materials start at $500 for casualty and $750 for umbrella; actual minimums can vary by state, class and coverage structure. Project-specific placements are available—include scope, schedule, values and subcontractor controls with submissions to speed review. Territories and Availability This program is available in most of the southeastern U.S., including: AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN and VA. Availability may vary by class and limit—please check with underwriting for territory-specific acceptances and any admitted vs. E&S placement requirements. Why Work With Allstar Financial Group on Real Estate Development Business Underwriter access: program administered by a managing general underwriter with excess & surplus lines brokerage capability, providing flexibility where admitted markets are limited. Practical endorsements to meet contract needs and reduce coverage gaps during construction and early occupancy. Responsive small-business solutions team that helps generate quick indications and bind policies for typical apartment and condo developments. Project and location aggregate options that help manage complex multi-site exposures. Example Accounts That Fit the Program A regional developer building a 150-unit apartment complex seeking primary GL with project-specific wording and a $2M primary limit, plus supported umbrella capacity. A general contractor on phased retail redevelopment needing blanket additional insured endorsements, Waiver of Subrogation and per project aggregate limits. Frequently Asked Questions What types of accounts are a good fit for this Real Estate Development program?Accounts that commonly fit include apartment and condominium developments, mixed-use retail/office projects, general contractors and owners with manageable loss histories and clear subcontractor controls. The program handles project-specific placements and multi-location risks within the stated territories. What are the minimum premiums and available limits?Casualty minimums start around $500 and umbrella minimums start around $750, though actual minimums can vary by state and submission. Primary limits are available up to $5M/$5M and umbrella limits up to $5M. Can the program provide contract language required by owners or lenders?Yes. The program offers a range of optional endorsements—blanket additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary/non-contributory wording and per project/per location aggregate—to help satisfy contract requirements where available. Which states are supported and will you place on an admitted basis?The program is available across most southeastern states, including AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN and VA. Placement (admitted vs. surplus) depends on the class, limits and state regulations; underwriting will advise the appropriate market for each submission. Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.

General Contractor Insurance Allstar Financial Group, through its Allstar Underwriters division, provides a flexible and competitive General Contractor Insurance program tailored for independent agents and brokers. Built to address the complex liability exposures of general contractors, the program gives agents access to casualty and umbrella solutions with customizable endorsements and project-specific wording when needed. Overview of the Program Allstar’s General Contractor Insurance program is designed for agents placing small- to mid-sized construction risks. Whether the insured manages residential single-family projects, multi-unit habitational work, or light commercial renovation, Allstar offers market access, flexible underwriting, and the policy forms often required by project owners and GC clients. Operating as a Managing General Underwriter (MGU) and an Excess & Surplus Lines broker, Allstar works with multiple carriers to provide broader coverage options than typical admitted markets. The program is available in most states, with a strong footprint in AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, and VA, and offers both admitted and non-admitted placements depending on the risk and location. Target Classes and Risk Appetite This program fits a wide range of contractor-related operations, including: General contractors (residential and commercial) Habitational risks (apartments, condos, multi-family) Retail and wholesale tenant fit-outs Office and light institutional projects Limited vacant building exposures (select classes) You might have a client who manages a portfolio of small commercial renovations or oversees mixed-use residential projects — Allstar can provide project-specific liability coverage and endorsements to match those exposures. Casualty Coverage Highlights Available as monoline or within a package Minimum premium levels start around $500 (varies by class) Primary liability limits available up to $5 million per occurrence/aggregate Project-specific and per-project policies available Options to address uninsured subcontractor exposures (subject to underwriting) Common enhanced endorsements offered: Blanket Additional Insured Waiver of Subrogation Primary and Non-Contributory wording Per Project / Per Location Aggregate Hired & Non-Owned Auto (select classes) Miscellaneous Professional Liability (select classes) Umbrella Coverage Highlights Limits available up to $5 million Minimum umbrella premiums start around $750 (varies by account) Supported and unsupported umbrella structures available Underlying Requirements: AM Best A-VI or better for Auto or General Liability AM Best B++ or better for Employer’s Liability Typical GL limits required: $1M / $2M / $2M Underwriting and Submission Notes Allstar’s underwriting team, including its Small Business Solutions division, focuses on quick reviews and practical binding options for construction risks. Expect responsive turnaround, flexible minimum premiums by class, and the ability to structure project-specific or location-specific aggregates. Include ACORD applications, loss runs, and project details for the fastest review. States and Availability The program is available in most states, with strong market activity in AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, and VA. Allstar places both admitted and non-admitted coverage depending on the risk profile, limits needed, and state filing requirements. Why Work With Allstar Financial Group? Allstar brings decades of underwriting experience and a reputation for responsive service. As an MGU and E&S broker with access to multiple carriers, the firm helps agents place complex or non-standard general contractor accounts that may be difficult to place in standard markets. Their focus on construction-related risks, project-specific wording, and enhanced certificate operations makes them a useful partner when clients need tailored liability and umbrella solutions. Frequently Asked Questions What types of accounts are a good fit for this General Contractor Insurance program?This program is ideal for residential and commercial general contractors, including those working on habitational, retail, institutional, and mixed-use projects. Are project-specific policies available?Yes. Allstar offers project-specific policies and per-project aggregates to match the needs of individual construction jobs. What is the minimum premium for coverage?Casualty minimums generally start near $500 and umbrella minimums near $750, though actual minimums vary by class and account characteristics. Is coverage available for uninsured subcontractors?Options to address uninsured subcontractor exposures are available, subject to underwriting review and approval. In which states is this program available?The program is available in most states, with a focus on AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, and VA. Admitted or non-admitted placement depends on the specific risk and state. Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.