September 8, 2006

NEWS BRIEFS

Fine Arts Return to Evergreen Village Square

The 2nd Annual Evergreen Fine Arts Festival will celebrate creativity and music in the outdoors at the charming Evergreen Village Square Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10. This free event supports more than 65 professional artists and also features live music including performances ranging from acoustic wind player, Oscar Reynolds, to jazz and Latin music by the Jazz by Design Trio. The event is located on Ruby Avenue, off Aborn Road near Capitol Expressway and Highway 101 in San Jose. Festivities begin Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Throughout the weekend, live music will entertain the crowd and provide an intimate atmosphere for visitors.

For more information about the 2nd Annual Evergreen Fine Arts Festival contact Pacific Fine Arts at (209) 296-1195 or www.pacificfinearts.com.

EVHS Athletic Booster Club 4th Annual Holiday Craft Faire Nov. 18 and 19

The Evergreen Valley High School Athletic Booster Club will hold its fourth Annual Holiday Craft Faire Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school. There will be free admission and parking for all interested parties.

This year’s event will feature 57 craft booths, handmade items, hourly raffle drawings, food concessions and fabulous prizes, such as spa packages, dinner for two, handcrafted gifts, and more. In addition, there will also be a Children’s Arts & Craft Center.

Proceeds go to the EVHS Boys and Girls Athletics. Interested vendors can call (408) 896-6570 for more information.

CONSUMER ALERT- Hawaiian Insurance & Guaranty is liquidating

By Laura Aguilera
Allstate Insurance agent

If you are currently a “HIG” customer in California, you must find other insurance for your auto and property protection by September 20, 2006 12:01 a.m.

The Hawaii Insurance Commissioner, J. P. Schmidt, filed an application for an order of Liquidation of the Hawaiian Insurance & Guaranty Company, Limited (HIG) and it was granted August 1, 2006. HIG’s financial condition had been adversely affected by the experience of its parent company, Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation (VFI), and VFI’s affiliated insurance companies.

AM best rating = insurance companies with financial strength.

Most likely when purchasing a car, you usually check out the reviews and performance of that car to make sure it’s a good, reliable car. And, shopping for an insurance company should not be any different. As a consumer it is very important to check your insurance company’s A. M. Best rating, which is an indication of the financial strength of the company and its ability to pay claims. As a rule of thumb you generally want your insurance company to be rated B+ or higher which is an indication of their ability to pay out on their claims and that they will be around when needed. You can find this information at www.ambest.com.

If you are a policyholder with HIG you can call the numbers below with any questions:

. HIG: (808) 536-2777

. Hawaii Insurance Division: (808) 586-2790

. The Hawaii Insurance Guaranty Association: (808) 528-1222

To cancel your “HIG” policy you must call or write to them to request a refund – if they do not receive your request, they are not refunding any premium to their insureds.

California policyholders may contact the California Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at (800)927-HELP (4357).

Laura Aguilera is an Insurance Agent and has worked for Allstate Insurance for 8 years. Her office is located at 2923 the Villages Parkway, San Jose, CA 95135; (408) 223-3410.