In the month of October, Creative Hair School of Cosmetology in Flint will celebrate 20 years of training students to become future beauty industry leaders. The school will hold several events welcoming prospective students and customers including Braiding Boot Camp, for teens to learn natural hair techniques (Oct. 1-3). Class start date for all programs is Oct. 7. On Oct. 8, from 10am–2pm, the school will celebrate Customer Appreciation Day, where customers will receive half-off pricing for hair services along with refreshments.
Film makeup and special fx have a long history of holding us in fear, awe and delight on the Silver Screen, and the industry is much more than brushes and cosmetics. Even the smallest effect requires a team of artists with expertise in sculpting, drawing, molds, silicone, latex, etc. The amount of talent and artistry involved is staggering. My City Magazine caught up with Flushing native and makeup special fx artist, Erik Porn, to learn more about his road to career success.
For Flint native, Jasmine Hall, things have come full circle. While studying at Harvard University, her mind would often wander to thoughts of Flint and how, one day, she would return home. After graduating from the Ivy League school this past May, earning a master’s degree in neuropsychiatric epidemiology with concentrations in public health leadership and population mental health, Hall has returned to her beloved hometown with the goal of making a difference. And that goal is well on its way to being met as she will be working under the direction of Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the local pediatrician whose own research exposed Flint’s water crisis and who directs the Flint Registry.
A small, family business in Grand Blanc, Grand Oak Mortgage Company specializes in residential mortgage lending and pre-approvals, and also assists borrowers who are looking to refinance their current home or purchase a new home. “The majority of our business comes from past client referrals and realtor referrals,” says Owner, Carol Landis.
In 1914, an Irish immigrant named John Walter Donlan wanted to help erect a new Roman Catholic Church in the Flint community. To generate funding, he found a place at the market downtown where he began selling fresh fish supplied by family friends in Bay City. The fish market was a hit, and in no time, Donlan and many others were able to raise enough money to build St. Matthews Catholic Church. Immediately thereafter, Donlan started the Flint Fish Company at 521 Brush Alley. Built upon a pledge of selling only the highest quality fish and providing excellent customer service, the company was highly successful. In 1949, Donlan’s son, John Mason Donlan moved the business to its current location at 3116 Corunna Road. In 1980, a new facility was built at the same location by Michael Wallace Donlan and in 1998, the business was passed to its current owner, Michael John Donlan. Since its beginning, Donlan’s has been the community’s go-to fish place and is Flint’s longest-running business – here for 105 years.
A dedicated family man, youth baseball coach and motivational speaker, Dr. Bobby Grossi is also the author of two books: Changing the Face of Dentistry, and Your Destiny is Not Hereditary: How Becoming a Better You Impacts Others, the latter published in September.
The excitement is mounting for one lovely Flint native. Talisha Nicole Gilbert, who was crowned Ms. Black Michigan USA in November 2017, is heading to Washington D.C. in July to represent her state in a national pageant, Ms. Black USA. “I’m extremely excited!” Gilbert exclaims. “I’m thrilled at just having the opportunity to be a part of it.” Ms. Black USA is the premier pageant for women of color. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to outstanding young women of color and to develop the “whole woman, mind, body and spirit.”
Not many businesses can say they’ve endured more than a century, but W.J. Phillips Insurance Agency in Flint Township has been in business for 101 years and is now run by a fourth generation of family members. Stephen Phillips currently owns the agency started by his grandfather, William J. Phillips. “We are the oldest family-owned Auto Owners Insurance agency in the country!” he exclaims.
The Honorable Celeste Bell was appointed to the bench of the Genesee County 7th Circuit Court by Gov. Rick Snyder to replace retiring Judge, Archie Hayman. Humble and down-to-earth, she came to the position highly recommended by the legal community. Additionally, the newly appointed judge brings extensive knowledge and experience with her. She previously served in the Genesee County Office of Corporation Counsel as the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of the Civil Division, serving as legal advisor to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners and all County departments, and acted on behalf of the County on civil matters.
