Profile on Katy Business: Pinot’s Palette

Have you ever dreamed of painting in a studio?  Do you consider yourself creative at all?  Can you draw a stick figure with relatively straight lines?  Are you up for a fun evening out doing something completely different?  If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you need to check out Katy’s newest social venue:  Pinot’s Palette!

Katy residents Kerrie and Alan Barnard are excited to bring this fun new “night out” experience to our area.  Located at 2910 Commercial Center Blvd, Suite 102, Katy 77494, the party and painting venue is in the Village Center Plaza near La Finca Mexican Restaurant.  They offer social art classes led by local artists who guide you through creation of your own masterpiece which you take home at the end of the night.  Each class features a different painting. 

Pinot's Palette Class

Looking for a unique party destination?  Pinot’s Palette is also available for private parties and corporate events.  You bring the guests and the refreshments; they provide the canvases, art supplies and instructor!

The Barnards opened Pinot’s Palette on December 29, 2010, and have been working hard to provide a fun party environment for everyone who visits.  No art experience is necessary.  There’s no pressure to be Picasso (but Picassos are welcome too!).  The only requirement is the desire to relax and have a good time!  Since they are a BYOB art entertainment studio, the normal public classes are for folks 18+ or 13-17 with an adult.  As their calendar grows, they will be hosting kids’ specific classes and art camps for kids.

For more information on Pinot’s Palette including class and event schedules, visit their website or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter!  Their phone number is 281.769.2961.

Profile on Katy Business: Fort Bend TaeKwonDo

The kids have been back in school for a couple of weeks now and as we all settle into our new routines, it’s time to start thinking about new activities.  Whether you want to get in shape, find something to keep the kiddos busy, or start a new family adventure, Fort Bend TaeKwonDo can help!

Fort Bend TaeKwonDo

Located on South Mason Road just North of the Westpark Tollway (FM 1093), Fort Bend TaeKwonDo offers martial arts training for everyone ages 3 and up.  From personal experience I can tell you that TaeKwonDo is a great family activity!  My entire family took TaeKwonDo lessons when I was in Junior High, one brother was in Elementary School and one brother was in Preschool.  My parents saw it as a healthy activity that we could all participate in together.  For them it was a great way to relieve stress and squeeze some exercise into hectic schedules while developing a common interest with their children.  As kids we learned focus and self-control while having a great time and building confidence.  I highly recommend the sport of TaeKwonDo.  I’m sure that the lessons we learned through our experience in the studio helped us in school and helped define who we are now as adults.  And mine is not the only family who enjoyed TaeKwonDo together…

Lou, Ellie & Carol Anatrella

Meet the Anatrella family, owners of FortBend TaeKwonDo.  Head Instructor Carol Anatrella began practicing TaeKwonDo in 1997, earning her Black Belt in 2002.  She is now a 4th Degree Black Belt and a Senior Certified Instructor.  Lou Anatrella joined his wife in the sport in 2003 and received his Black Belt in 2005.  Their daughter, Ellie, is a Sophomore at Seven Lakes High School.  She took up TaeKwonDo in 2002 (at age 7), received her Black Belt in 2004 and now holds a 2nd Degree Senior rank.  Ellie Anatrella is recognized as a Junior Certified Instructor.  Their son Jonathan, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, earned his 1st Degree Black Belt before retiring from the sport.  He recently became an Eagle Scout. 

As a team, the Anatrella Family’s goal is to help Katy Area families grow stronger.  Fort Bend TaeKwonDo is a Nationally Certified School featuring a family-focused, positive atmosphere.  They offer classes six days a week with special times for children, teens, adults and families.  And if you want to get into shape but aren’t crazy about the idea of sparring as part of your training, check out their KicknFit program…”a lighter version of TaeKwonDo with all of the fun and none of the contact”!

As they say at Fort Bend TaeKwonDo:  “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great!”  What are you waiting for?  Fort Bend TaeKwonDo is located at 6840 S Mason Rd.  Their phone number is 281.599.3331.  You can also learn more about them by visiting their website:  FortBendTKD.com.  Tell them you read about them on GetToKnowKaty!

UPDATE 09/21/2010:  Congratulations to Ellie Anatrella…She is now a 3rd Degree Black Belt!!

Profile on Katy Business: Athletic Nation

Travel to the corner of Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Mason Road and you will find Athletic Nation, a full-service fitness and nutrition education facility staffed by experienced, licensed personal trainers who believe in one-on-one attention.  And they have an interesting story on what brought them here…

Will Denyko, Owner: Athletic Nation

Owner Will Denyko is an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Iraq.  His post-military career began in oilfield services during which time he found himself moving through New Mexico, Louisiana and Texas including the Houston area.  It was during this time that Will began to gain weight.  When he had trouble physically fitting into areas that were required for his work on oil rigs, he knew he had to make a change.  Through months of research, Will learned to change his nutritional habits and began to exercise.  As his health and physical appearance improved, friends began to ask him for guidance and advice.  Will saw an opportunity to help others change their lives, and decided to pursue formal education to become a personal trainer. 

While he was working as a professional fitness trainer at a large national gym, Will met fellow trainer (and Mayde Creek alum) Adrian Gonzalez.  Will and Adrian share the belief that working with a personal trainer should be about more than just a 20 or 30 minute appointment running through exercises.  They started Athletic Nation to provide personal attention to each client, to learn their goals and their history in nutrition and fitness…to answer questions and provide guidance…to teach proper form and nutrition.  Denyko and Gonzalez believe that time spent with clients in one-on-one counseling is critical to success.

The Athletic Nation model is based on what Will and Adrian believe are the “3 Keys to Success:  Dedication, Motivation & Determination”…all things that folks tend to apply to the education and

Adrian Gonzalez, General Manager: Athletic Nation

career facets of their lives, but often forget in regard to their health.  So what can you expect when you walk in to Athletic Nation?  personal consultation with a Certified Fitness Professional, nutrition education, fitness assessments, 2-3 weeks of foundation building followed by re-assessments…a full, truly customized fitness program based on mini-goals and progress.

Perhaps Will says it best, “It’s not a body style change, it’s a lifestyle change”.  

Are you ready to change your life?  Athletic Nation is located at 2944 S Mason, Suite F, Katy, TX 77450 (in the Compass Bank strip center at Cinco Ranch Blvd).  Call them at 281.693.3656 or visit their website:  http://www.athleticnationhtx.com.