National Wildlife Visitor Center: Learning Made Fun

The National Wildlife Visitor Center is a terrific place for families to explore and learn about how researching wildlife is essential toward the goal of preserving our natural resources. Located just south of Laurel and north of Bowie, the National Wildlife Visitor Center is the largest science and environmental education center operated by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Come into the visitor’s center and learn about global environmental issues and endangered species Bring your binoculars to the viewing pod. There you can view acres of landscape and wildlife habitats. Check out the art gallery and the interactive kiosk. Take your choice – a tram ride through the facility, or take a hike! The half-hour tram tour is available on weekends, and during the week in the summer. Either way, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of nature, and maybe learn something, too!

National Wildlife Visitor Center
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop
Laurel, MD 20708
(301) 497-5760
http://www.yelp.com/biz/national-wildlife-visitor-center-laurel

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends October 31, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Cafe Au Lait: Coffee and Banh Mi in Ellicott City

Love Banh Mi, those delectable little Vietnamese sandwiches? Café Au Lait is a favorite place to get them in Ellicott City, a place where you can sip some freshly brewed coffee and tea drinks.

If you haven’t tried them, you should: Banh Mi consist of meats, fresh and pickled veggies, and herbs sandwiched between a sliced French roll. The Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi has grilled chicken, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumbers & cilantro. Opt for the Pork Roll Banh Mi and you get roast pork, pate, ham, lettuce, cilantro, cucumber, jalapeno, carrot, butter and mayonnaise. Entrée salads are also on the menu, as are wraps. Stop by for breakfast and feast on croissants and bagels with cream cheese, or an egg bagel sandwich. Coffee, tea and smoothies are also served.

Cafe Au Lair
3290 N. Ridge Road Suite 105
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-8838
https://www.facebook.com/cafeaulaitec
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-au-lait-ellicott-city

Keep or Toss? Decluttering Rules to Live By

You’re not exactly a pack rat, but you definitely have more than a few items in the back of your closet that you haven’t looked at in a few years. Most people would say that their homes could benefit from a bit of de-cluttering, and these helpful tips will show you just how to do it.

  • Keep papers within reach. By keeping papers within eyesight, you’ll be more likely to deal with your paper mess before it accumulates into something much more difficult to manage.
  • Ask a few questions. When you’re going through the items in your home, ask yourself questions like: Have I used this in the past year? Does this benefit my life? Is it broken? If, so can I fix it? If you say no to most of these questions, put it in the donation pile.
  • Create a donation pile. Speaking of that donation pile, start one! You’ll feel a lot less guilty about getting rid of your unused items if you know they’re going to someone who will really appreciate them.
  • Clear off surfaces. After you clean out hidden spaces like closets and under the bed, make a rule that you’ll always keep surfaces like counters and desks free of clutter. Not only will your home feel more organized, this will ensure that it looks more organized, as well.

18 Five-Minute Decluttering Tips to Start Conquering Your Mess [Zen Habits]
25 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter [Good Housekeeping]
Keep or Toss: Questions & Tips to Help You Declutter [Apartment Therapy]

Conquer a New Route Today at Earth Treks Climbing Centers

Maryland boasts three Earth Treks Climbing Centers, including one in Columbia, and they're more than just climbing gyms. Earth Treks serve as watering holes for the local community of climbers, which you can join yourself with just a single visit to the gym. Take an introductory class to learn the basics and then embark on a journey up the walls, which are designed to evoke the great outdoors.

The Earth Treks in Columbia encompasses a whopping 20,000 square feet of climbing space, so you can expect to experience a new route every single time. It helps that staff continuously switches up the routes, too, so even the most seasoned climbers will encounter new challenges with each visit. Go bouldering in a separate area dedicated entirely to this freestyle sport, boost your strength and endurance in the typical gym area, or attend a private class to enhance your existing skills.

Earth Treks Climbing Centers
7125 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 872-0060
www.earthtreksclimbing.com/md
www.yelp.com/biz/earth-treks-climbing-centers-columbia-columbia

Just Think Summer

Keep thinking warm thoughts and soon you will be relaxing by the pool! Call today to make an appointment!

Monarch Mills where pets are family too.

Welcome Home to Monarch Mills!

We realize that your pets are family too and would love to have them move here with us. We have pet stations throughout the property and a nice big open green space.

Even your pets will be begging to live here once you visit.

3 Bedrooms in Columbia MD

Stop in now to secure your 3 bedroom apartment. These large units with full size washer and dryer are very hard to come by. Make your appointment today.

Just Think Summer

Keep thinking warm thoughts and soon you will be relaxing by the pool! Call today to make an appointment!

Do Something Good With Your Dinner Dollars at Mission BBQ

Mission BBQ debuted on September 11, 2011, and the date was no coincidence. Ten years after the United States suffered one of the greatest tragedies in its history, the founders of Mission BBQ wanted to give back to the heroes who sprang into action when the twin towers fell. That's why the Columbia restaurant regularly gives back to veterans, firefighters, police, and first responders, supporting charities such as the Wounded Warrior Project.

So if this cause is close to your heart, too, you can feel good about eating at Mission BBQ—not that you wouldn't otherwise. After all, the carefully crafted barbecue is tasty regardless of the philosophy behind selling it. Don't miss the brisket, which earns raves from Yelp reviewers. Pulled pork, turkey, chicken, and sausage round out the list of platters, but you can also get most of the meats in sandwich form.

Mission BBQ
6270 Columbia Crossing Circle
Columbia, MD 21045
(443) 832-6180
mission-bbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mission-bbq-columbia

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