VOL 7 No. 26
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Sienna Plantation hosts Cub Scouts Homeowner challenges bank on forced flood insurance purchase By SESHADRI KUMAR A Fort Bend County resident has sued Wells Fargo Bank for forcibly collecting flood insurance for her home. Nancy Hentschel, a New Territory resident, alleged that the bank forcibly bought flood insurance for her home which was not under Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 100-year-flood plain map. Wells Fargo issued a forced flood insurance costing $6,000 for her property located on Vista Lake. The entire area, and her property in particular, has nev-
er been in flood plain, according to Hentschel. She is seeking a $10,000 damage from Wells Fargo in time, frustration and credit damage caused by the forcible purchase of flood insurance. Hentschel filed her lawsuit in the court of Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace. Terrea L. Moore, designated representative of Wells Fargo Bank, responded to the complaint by saying that the bank would defend itself against the lawsuit. The court subsequently ordered a mediation on May 29.
The bank representative participated in the mediation via telephone from California. As the mediation did not succeed, the matter is posted for trial and a date has not yet been set. The mediation proceedings have been kept confidential. Hentschel’s claim is significant because it challenges a lending institution’s unilateral purchase of flood insurance even though the insurance may not be necessitated by law. Also, the bank’s right to protect the asset on lien comes under question.
Missouri City celebrates Juneteenth Over 230 Cub Scouts ages 7 to 11 participated in the threeday 2014 Thunder Wolf District Day Camp hosted by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on Scanlan Trace in Sienna Plantation last week. The “Cubs in Space” themed day camp provided scouts a first step in the camping progression, creating a place for Cub Scouts and Webelos to test themselves, do new activities, make new friends and learn something new. From June 10-11 campers had a choice of a variety of activities ranging from leather works, team sports, BB and archery
target shooting for the scouting ranks of Tiger, Bear, Wolf and Webelo. BSA has been the pioneer in promoting youth devel-
opment and implements the safest guidelines to ensure boys the opportunity to improve outdoor skills in a safe environment.
A cut above the rest: WCJC cosmetology graduate makes her mark To Wharton County Junior College graduate and professional stylist Heather Hutson, working with hair means a whole lot more than simply shearing off lengthy locks. “I used to love the feeling I got right after having my hair fixed,” the 24-year-old said. “I want to help people feel their prettiest and be more confident.” A graduate of the WCJC Cosmetology Program, Hutson is currently working for the Albert Luiz Salon in Sugar Land. For the past six weeks, she has worked as a full-time hair designer. It’s her dream job. “I never thought I would be here, but I always wanted to be,” she said. “I love it. It’s never the same thing and I can’t wait to meet whoever will cross my path today.” A 2008 Needville High School graduate, Hutson obtained an Associate’s Degree in general studies and a cosmetology certificate from WCJC in 2012. It was time well spent. “I learned so much in school here,” she said. “The teachers were very helpful and open to questions.” Jacqueline Kuehn, WCJC’s Cosmetology Program Director, remembers Hutson as a talented student who possessed the dedication required to excel at her studies. “Heather was a great student. She was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the latest style and trends,” Kuehn said. WCJC’s Cosmetology Program covers the full gamut of hair and beauty services, including everything from coloring to styling to makeup analysis to facial treatments. In addition to classroom lectures, there’s also plenty of hands-
WCJC Cosmetology graduate Heather Hutson conducts a hair styling demonstration with model Shanna Schroeder of Edna during a recent visit to the Wharton campus. Hutson currently works for Albert Luiz Salon in Sugar Land. on training with clients in the lab. The coursework lasts 11 months for full-time day students and 18 months for those enrolled in the night program. Program participants come from outside the boundaries of Wharton County, traveling from Victoria, the Woodlands and Weimar, just to name a few. Kuehn said employment opportunities for graduates are vast, with jobs for hairstylists, hairdressers and cosmetolo-
gists projected to grow 13 percent between now and 2022. Average starting salaries are between $25,000 and $35,000 per year. “Demand for hair coloring, hair straightening and other advanced hair treatment has risen in recent years, a trend that is expected to continue over the coming decade,” Kuehn said. It didn’t take long after graduation for Hutson to find a place at Albert Luiz Salon. Her initial
year was spent in a demanding apprenticeship, one designed to train hair designers in the latest techniques of the trade. It was a test of patience and perseverance, Hutson said. “You definitely have to practice and study. It definitely pushes you,” she said. “But if it’s something you like, you’re going to want to take the extra time to do it right.” Hutson distinguished herself during the apprenticeship, so much so that she had the singular opportunity to accompany Albert Luiz to Fashion Week in New York City. The five-day event was life changing. “It was an awesome experience,” she said. “I would love to eventually be a lead stylist at Fashion Week.” Hutson will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Estetica magazine, which is doing an article on the importance of mentoring programs in the careers of new stylists. Since completing the apprenticeship, Hutson has worked full-time for Albert Luiz Salon in Sugar Land. One of the best parts of her job is helping clients feel better about themselves. “We’re trained to know what looks good on you,” Hutson said. Not that there aren’t challenges. For example, clients who come in with a picture of a famous supermodel – fully expecting to be miraculously transformed – don’t always get their wish. “There are limitations to what we can do,” Hutson said with a grin. “Your comb is not a wand.” For more information on the WCJC Cosmetology Program, visit the website at www.wcjc. edu
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. During the 2014 Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration, Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation offered five days of family oriented and fun-filled events & activities including a parade, historical reenactment, a scholarship golf tournament, a High School “Battle of the Bands” challenge, community service awards gala, and an open-air music festival. Above, the MCJCF Scholarship winners, with foundation members, scholarship committee members and community leaders, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, left, Don Smith, Missouri City councilman and founder-chairman of MCJCF, Cynthia Turner, Dr. Moncia Rasmus, Caludia Singleton, Ashlee Shermaen, Bobby Mills, Etta Smith, State Rep. Ron Reynolds and State Sen. Rodney Ellis.
On Saturday, June 21, the Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation wrapped up Juneteenth 2014 in grand style with the annual “One Mile of Smiles” Parade and Battle of the Bands. Above, on the City of Missouri City float at-large councilmen Chris Preston, left, and Jerry Wyatt, right.
Fourth of July Celebrations From 6-9 p.m. on Friday, July 4, Missouri City invites citizens to Buffalo Run Park for an exciting day of family-friendly activities, patriotic games, delicious food and the always popular fireworks show. The annual Fourth of July Celebration and fireworks show will take place at Buffalo Run Park, 1122 Buffalo Run Blvd. The evening will end with a fireworks show at approximately 9:15 p.m.; parking and stadium seating will be available at Thurgood Marshall High School, adjacent to the park. The City of Sugar Land’s Fourth of July celebration is scheduled for Friday, July 4, from 7-10 p.m., at Constellation Field, 1 Stadium Drive. The Star Spangled Spectacular at Constellation Field will include traditional patriotic entertainment along the concourse and on the field. Participants may bring blankets to spread out in the outfield and enjoy a variety of free entertainment and the fireworks finale after sunset.