Month: June 2016

Your Children Will Love Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center!

Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center — located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of Tampa Palms — has been family owned and serving the children of New Tampa since 1997, by Sue Anne Allbaugh, who serves as the center’s educational director, and Sue Ann’s daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Tom Driscoll.

Panda Hugs offers full-time childcare for infants (ages six weeks and older) to age five, VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten), plus after-school programs and summer camp for elementary-aged students (registration is now open for camps from June 13-August 9).

At Panda Hugs, the classrooms are large and roomy, and filled with toys for fun and learning. And, there are big windows from the halls looking into the classrooms, so parents can easily watch what’s happening. Panda Hugs has an open-door policy, where parents and caregivers are encouraged to stop in anytime to see what their kids are learning, and the learning center’s owners say they welcome the inevitable comments, questions, and even complaints that arise.

They point to the longevity of many of the school’s teachers as an example of what makes Panda Hugs special. Of the school’s 20 employees, six have worked there for more than 15 years, including the school’s director, Elsa Espinosa.

Before joining Panda Hugs 16 years ago, Elsa was the director of a preschool in Miami that was part of a large corporation — unlike Panda Hugs, which is independent, and not part of a chain.

“Here, it feels more like home,” Elsa says. “There, it was of a lot of paperwork. Here, our focus is more on working with kids, parents and teachers.”

A Unique Learning Environment

At Panda Hugs, kids don’t stay in one classroom all day. In addition to the large, open classrooms, the facility has a “music and movement” room for all kids older than age one. Teachers lead their students through activities such as singing and dancing, walking on the balance beam or playing with hula hoops.

Kids also get to visit “Rainbow World,” a fun, colorful room designed to look like a small town. There are “shops” and a “theatre” where kids play dress up and put on puppet shows. Plus, they can climb up to the “second story” and peek out of windows, then slide down a big slide into a ball pit.

Panda Hugs offers a truly unique learning environment, where the kids love to play. They also spend time each day on the school’s outdoor playground.

“The most important thing we emphasize is that children learn through playing,” says Elsa. “We provide an introduction to language, writing, math, the alphabet, phonics and reading,”

Elsa notes that the young students learn in small groups through centers. “We make it fun,” she says, “because the interaction with what they’re learning is the most important part.”

The school’s curriculum is a “blend” of programs created by Kaplan Early Learning Company and a curriculum created and developed personally by Sue Ann, who oversees how the curriculum is implemented in each classroom.

Sue Anne says that she spent 35 years teaching kindergarten, first and second grade in New Jersey, New York, Texas and Ohio. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY, and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten

Panda Hugs also is a provider for Florida’s free voluntary pre-kindergarten program, known as VPK. This year, more than 50 kids are getting ready to celebrate graduating from the school’s VPK and move into kindergarten.

At Panda Hugs, VPK is offered five days a week (9 a.m.–noon), or three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.). There is no cost to parents for the part-time VPK program, and parents have the option to choose extended care so their children can attend Panda Hugs full-time.

Elsa says in VPK, teachers are focused on preparing kids for kindergarten. Plus, Pand Hugs offers some extras parents might not expect.

“We teach sign language and also implement Spanish into the curriculum,” says Elsa. It’s a natural fit, she explains, since each classroom has one teacher who is Latin American. This diversity is reflected in the school’s students, too. “Our kids are very multicultural,” she says. “We are close to USF and have kids who are Asian, Arabic and Latin.”

When Jada McAlpin was looking for a VPK program for her daughter, a trusted friend who is an elementary school teacher recommended Panda Hugs. “I love that it’s a smaller, cozy facility,” Jada says. “From day one, it’s seemed like a family.”

She also appreciates the safety and security measures in place, like the fact that kids can’t open the front door (you have to be a certain height or the door doesn’t open) and she says she’s never seen a child standing alone in the hall.

“My daughter is doing so great, I can’t believe it,” Jada says, explaining that Shannae hasn’t just memorized her numbers and letters, but truly understands what she’s learning.

She also appreciates the teachers’ confidence to handle whatever comes up.

“There were some days where Shannae was crying and didn’t want to go to school, but the teachers just told me to go on and they would handle it,” Jada says. “As moms, we worry so much, but then I pick her up at the end of the day and she says she’s had the best day! I am in love with Panda Hugs!”

After-School Care

Panda Hugs also offers after-school care for elementary school kids, offering transportation from five local elementary schools: Chiles, Clark, Hunter’s Green, Pride and Tampa Palms.

Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are picked up at their respective schools at the end of the day and arrive at Panda Hugs around 3 p.m. Their afternoons include homework, arts & crafts, snack, and time outside on the playground.

Summer Camp

For any parent looking for fun, full-time care for their children over the summer – Panda Hugs offers a unique summer camp program.

Kids who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in fun and engaging programs while on summer break from school. This summer, activities will center around the theme, “ROCK-it!” From learning about rocks to rockets, and even rock music, summer camp will be all about rocks.

The price of summer camp includes all field trips – three or four each week – to favorite places such as MOSI, Gator Fred’s Party Center on Ehrlich Rd, the movies, Hillsborough River State Park, and more. There are also activities that fit the theme offered on the school’s premises, such as a scheduled hip-hop class.

Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center is located at 15051 BBD Blvd. It is open Mon.–Fri., 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. For more information, visit PandaHugs.com or call 977-8195.

Chamber Gets Shops at Wiregrass Mall Update

As the Wesley Chapel area grows, the Shops at Wiregrass mall, which opened in 2008, continues to face competition.

But the mall’s unique towncenter feel and commitment to community events, says general manager Greg Lenners, has helped it not only survive in the face of increased choices for area shoppers, but thrive.

“As a matter of fact, with the buildings that are going up in the front, and we are continuing to sign leases, business itself has been great,’’ said Lenners, who spoke at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC)’s monthly economic development briefing on June 23. “We took a little hit in the beginning with the outlets opening, but we’ve rebounded. We are actually exceeding our expectations right now.”

Lenners pointed to community events like the Fresh Market, charitable events with the American Cancer Society and March of Dimes, and new stores continuing to cycle in that have kept the Shops growing.

Lenners said Menchies Frozen Yogurt is coming to the mall, in the same area as Irish 31, and also teased about a possible “fast food Greek concept” restaurant in the same area.

He added that Avalon Spa, which will be located in between La Macaron and Dillard’s, will open by the fall, as will VisionWorks and Vitamin Shoppe, which share a building near JCPenney. Blingin’ Buddha, an eclectic giftshop, opened on June 1.

Lennars also heralded the June 24 opening of Vom Fass, a German-based store that sells exotic oils, vinegars and spices, as well as wines and gourmet foods.

The mall’s 30-acre Wiregrass expansion site, which could be open by the spring of 2018, is close to securing its environmental permits. When that happens, Lenners said, “We have earth movers ready to go.”

He said the plan is to build a connection to the existing mall with its own identity, but to make sure it flows properly from the mall.

As previously reported by the Neighborhood News, the mall expansion will have 200 high-end apartments, and be anchored by a movie theater, which Lenners said he has a letter of interest for and will be “dinner-type theater,” as well as a specialty grocery store.

“We’ve done a lot in seven and a half years,’’ Lenners said. “More than what your typical mall might do in 20 years.”

One restaurant that won’t be coming soon? The oft-rumored, Wesley Chapel Community Facebook forum favorite Cheesecake Factory, which Lenners says has been talked about for years.

“Will we eventually get a Cheesecake (Factory) or PF Chang’s? Nothing in the near future,’’ Lenners said. “I’ll be candid on that as far as those kind of guys.”

But as more businesses – Raymond James, anyone? – move to the area, creating great lunchtime crowds, and more homes are built in the Wiregrass area, the closer the mall gets to adding eateries like those.

Wiregrass Flag Day Celebration A New Tradition

FlagDay3 Most Americans know that our nation’s Independence Day will again be celebrated on Monday, July 4. The bet here is that far fewer people in our area —and throughout the nation — know that Flag Day is celebrated on June 14.

Well, Shops at Wiregrass mall GM Greg Lenners is hoping that he has started a new tradition by unveiling a new, 80-foot-tall flagpole (and 8’ x 12’ American flag) on Piazza Ave. in the center of the Shops. Although the event didn’t have great public attendance (only about 50-60 total attendees), several local political dignitaries were on hand for the celebration and raising of the flag — to only half-staff, in honor and memory of the 49 people who were murdered in Orlando just two days before (on June 12). Lenners opened the event with several moments of silence for those who fell and prayers for the survivors and all of the families affected.

Lenners, who pulled the plug on the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club’s fifth annual Freedom Festival (see stories on pages 1 and 4) at the Shops due to safety concerns, said, “We had to kill Freedom Fest, but to show our patriotic support, we finally installed the flag right there at the valet circle. And, it only took 7-1/2 years to find the perfect spot for the flagpole.”

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Pasco County commissioners Mike Moore and Ted Schrader, State Reps. Danny Burgess and Shawn Harrison and Rotary District 6950 Rotarian of the Year (see page 10) Eric Johnson of the Williams Auto Group and the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club, who sang the national anthem.

Also part of the event were local law enforcement officials on horseback, a beautiful color guard flag-raising ceremony and several active and retired U.S. military veterans.

“The Flag Day event isn’t a replacement for the Freedom Festival,” Lenners said. “But it is a nice little memorial and a patriotic nod and we hope it will become a popular annual event here.”

Flag Day

Wine, Paint, Fun & Friendship Flow At Pinot’s Palette!

As a sip-and-paint studio where people gather to create personal artistic masterpieces, the preferred pairings for a cabernet sauvignon at Pinot’s Palette in The Shoppes at New Tampa are art, family and friends, instead of a chargrilled steak or butterflied leg of lamb.

According to James Serrano, who co-owns the franchise with his wife Carol, the success of a day’s work at Pinot’s Palette is measured in the pleasure and satisfaction delivered to guests who come in for some creative recreation, as much as the revenue generated from seating fees and beverage sales. He sums it up in one word: “Service,” he says. “I have a servant’s heart and we have great artists (working here) who have a passion for this.”

It’s an approach that has made Jennifer Rakita of Seven Oaks a repeat customer. She says she often visits Pinot’s Palette with some of her gym friends for a more “aesthetic” workout. “James always takes very good care of us and makes sure we have a good time,” Rakita says, adding that the paintings she’s created at Pinot’s Palette have helped decorate her home. “I always leave with a nice piece of art and display them.”

Live Oak resident Michelle Rizzuto says the instructors who guide patrons during the painting sessions at Pinot’s Palette ensure your artistic success.

“I’m not an artist, but I can follow the instructions and the paintings turn out fine,” Rizzuto says.

Eight of Serrano’s nine employees are high-energy artists who lead guests step-by-step towards completion of that day’s art.

“I love the fact that we’re creating jobs for artists,” says Serrano, who notes that many of them are art students or recent graduates from the University of South Florida. For example, Ari Pascal received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from USF in December and is glad to have a chance to apply her skills.

“It’s a really unique job,” Pascal says. “I feel like I’m a teacher but it’s not a normal class because people come to unwind and enjoy themselves.”

As an example, Pascal enthusiastically began a recent two-hour Friday night paint party by asking attendees, “Are you guys ready to have some fun?”

The project for the session was a beachscape and by the time Pascal illustrated the techniques to add details like a starfish and footprints (photo, right), the painters were filled with feelings of accomplishment.

“I’d never done any painting before,” admitted Wesley Chapel resident Dinah Danao. “But, this (painting) is something I can keep.”

Danao had brought visiting family members from New Jersey with her to Pinot’s Palette and was glad she did. “We loved it,” she said. “They want to come back, we had so much fun.”

Serrano says his place also appeals to people who are involved professionally in the creative industries. For example, Darci D’Onofrio and Melissa Van Schaik operate the performing arts venue Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz. For the two Wesley Chapel residents, an evening creating guided artwork was more than a paint-by-numbers session.

“This is our girls night out,” said D’Onofrio. “It’s a great way to support the arts and we’re definitely coming back.”

“I thought it was fantastic,” added Van Schaik. “It was so relaxing and fun.”

As Diane Stickney, a staff artist at Pinot’s Palette expresses it, “This is fun art, not fine art.”

A Variety of Options

There are several ways to enjoy Pinot’s Palette’s offerings. Classes led by an art instructor are scheduled, with subjects selected from a catalog of more than 2,000 paintings. Two-hour painting sessions cost $35 per person and three-hour sessions are $45 per person.

There also are open studio sessions, where painters choose from a limited selection of paintings to recreate from written instructions without the aid of an artist that cost just $15 per person. The Pinot Perks rewards program offers special benefits to frequent painters.

Themed events add variety to the Pinot’s Palette calendar. “Date Night” sessions allow a couple to create a combined work of art from two canvases. Similarly, “Family Day” and “Mommy and Me” classes create a family-bonding event as well as a unique piece of art. According to Serrano, his black light painting sessions are especially popular and frequently sell out.

“We provide neon paint and black lights are everywhere,” he says. “The kids and adults all love it.”

Beer, wine and soft drinks are sold separately, but Serrano says his prices are very fair. He has 15 beers and 15 wines to choose from. Moscato wines such as Beringer pink, Villa Pozzi and Cupcake D’Asti are popular, with the Cupcake entry being the best-seller, according to Serrano, who enjoys the bold flavors associated with Gnarly Head malbec.

Other wines, such as Beringer pinot noir and white zinfandel, Cupcake sauvignon blanc and shiraz, BV Coastal Estates Cabernet Sauvignon and more are on the shelf to satisfy grape-loving palates.

Available beers range from Bud Lite to Sea Dog Wild Blueberry, with Stella Artois, Angry Orchard and Blue Moon the favorites, according to Serrano. Food is not served, but guests are allowed to bring their own.

And, people looking for a place to celebrate special occasions, such as bachelorette, holiday, kids and corporate parties, can even book Pinot’s Palette for their private use. Team-building events can be arranged with members combining their canvasses into a single creation as a reminder that they accomplished something together. Serrano says custom paintings can even be produced from photographs, such as a Project Pet creation.

Kids birthday party packages start at $300 for 12 painters and the appeal to young artists is also evident in the popularity of the Little Brushes Kids Camp. Shelley Semczuk of New Tampa says the half-day painting sessions helped her grandson Justyn discover a new interest in art. “He never thought he could paint and now he finds that he can. It’s been a very positive experience.”

Pinot’s Palette has been open in Wesley Chapel for about eight months. Serrano became a franchisee of the Texas-based company after a career in the financial services industry. One of the reasons he says he chose Pinot’s Palette as a business is the company’s philanthropic “Painting it Forward” program, which donates a portion of a painting event’s proceeds to charity. “It’s an opportunity for me to give back to the community,” Serrano says.

As an example of that commitment to doing good things, Pinot’s Palette will hold a fundraising event from on Friday, July 1, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. to benefit victims of the June 12 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. It will be a black light event featuring a specially-designed painting. Serrano says 20 percent of the seating fees will be donated. As of press time Serrano was evaluating which charities are appropriate and worthy of financial support. “There are so many organizations out there that are trying to help,” says Serrano. You can find out more information and sign up for the event by visiting this page at Pinot Palette’s website: pinotspalette.com/wesleychapel/event/105788.

Other Painting it Forward fundraising events at Pinot’s Palette have benefitted Animalluvr’s Dream Rescue which rescues critically sick or injured dogs and cats and Frankie’s Friends, an organization providing financial aid to help people pay for a pet’s major medical expenses.

As a member of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, Serrano is an avid networker and advocate for local small businesses. “I’m often at the ribbon cuttings to support the businesses,” he says.

Like any new business owners, James and Carol find themselves putting in a lot of hours to establish themselves in the Wesley Chapel’s community. James says it’s starting to pay off. “The word is getting out and people are talking about us,” he says. “Wesley Chapel is growing and it’s perfect for a place like this.”

Pinot’s Palette is located at 1718 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. You can check out upcoming events, make reservations and ask questions online at PinotsPalette.com/WesleyChapel or by calling 428-6590.

Pinot's Palette

Locals Already Lining Up For Free Chick-fil-A

There is already one sure sign a new Chick-fil-A is getting ready to open — hordes of people camping out looking to be one of 100 to get free Chick-fil-A for a year.

Ahead of Thursday’s 9 a.m. grand opening at 2349 Sun Vista Dr. in the Cypress Creek Town Center on S.R. 56, roughly 75 people are already in line for the First 100 celebration, in the hopes of grabbing one of the lucky vouchers for 52 weeks of free chicken meals. Those in line will be served meals and entertained by a DJ as the clock ticks down.

The line opened at 6 a.m. this morning.

The First 100 is a tradition over 12 years old, and has given away nearly $27 million in free food. Each of the 100 lucky participants (18 and over only) will get a digital card loaded with 52 meal credits for a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, medium waffle fries and medium drink.

The new Chick-fil-A will be Lutz’s first of the stand-alone variety, and the 28th store in the Tampa Bay area. Local franchise owner Britt Young is expected to add 100 jobs to the community.

If you are reading this, you very likely live in the correct zip code to be eligible to attend the event. But to be safe, the list is here. A valid ID is required, or some acceptable documentation verifying your residence.

Young is also encouraging customers to bring new and gently used books to benefit Lutz Elementary.