Meet and Greet with Artists From Far and Wide at the The Columbia Art Festival on the Plaza

On September 9th and 10th, The Mall in Columbia will play host to The Columbia Art Festival on the Plaza all weekend long. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the plaza will transform into an outdoor art show.

More than 150 artists from around the country will set up booths displaying their greatest masterpieces. The fest is free, so whether you intend to buy or not, it's worth exploring the stunning collection of artwork. And once you're done, you can head next door to stores such as Lord & Taylor and Macy's to finish your day of shopping or grab some dinner in the mall. There's no need to RSVP for the Columbia Art Festival, simply show up and start perusing!

BNI Columbia Wednesday Breakfast Meeting: Building Business Relationships, One Cup of Coffee at a Time

BNI has a unique recipe for business networking success. To experience the power of meeting other business folks face to face, check out the BNI Columbia Wednesday Breakfast Meeting on September 6th.

Every Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 9 a.m., members of BNI Columbia come together for a free meet-and-greet over coffee and breakfast food at the Pink Cadillac Studio. It's an opportunity for people to get connected with other equally driven entrepreneurs who might have the skills or the resources they need to elevate their own business. Given that BNI boasts more than 8,000 chapters all across the globe, you can rest assured that this organization is more than capable of making a difference in the life of your business.

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Food and Wine Pair Beautifully at Iron Bridge Wine Company

The Iron Bridge Wine Company is a wonderful wine bar and restaurant located on Route 108 in Columbia. This spot is one of the area’s best places to enjoy the artful wonders of pairing food and wine together and should definitely be a summer bucket list item for practically anyone who loves a special dining experience.

This acclaimed restaurant boasts an impressive array of wines across a great many styles. At the same time, the folks behind this concept remain playful and unpretentious in the way these wines are showcased. This is evident in the wine flights available for you to sample. The food menus embody a similar attitude, using top-notch ingredients to create remarkable dishes that refuse to be boxed in by any one label. Whether you’re here for brunch, dinner, or just a snack, your taste buds will be well-taken care of at Iron Bridge Wine Company.

Maiwand Kabob: Authentic, Affordable Afghan Cuisine

In only a little more than a decade, Maiwand Kabob has already expanded into four separate locations. That's thanks to the family who owns it and strives to meet just one, simple goal: dish out fresh, authentic Afghan food at affordable prices. They're doing just that at all four branches, including the Columbia restaurant near Monarch Mills.

Unsurprisingly, the menu features many authentic Afghan kabobs. Chefs marinate lamb in a special blend of spices, slice it into chunks, and spear it and sear it. They do the same with beef, ground beef (AKA "kofta"), and chicken. If you want some greens with your dinner, order the chicken salad. The same boneless morsels of chicken are tossed atop a bed of greens with grilled veggies, olive oil, and balsamic. You can always go with the classic gyro sandwich, a mix of sliced beef and lamb in tandoori bread and served with fries and a drink if you're looking for something quick and simple at Maiwand Kabob.

Enjoy Upscale American Fare at the Stanford Grill

It doesn't matter what night of the week you come to Stanford Grill, there's always jazz music playing in the dining room. A jazz trio graces the main dining area with soft tunes as guests enjoy happy hour specials and cocktails or dig into a dinner of upscale American cuisine.

Stanford Grill offers a selection of steak, seafood, and burgers, but a few dishes stand out as house specialties. One of them is the wood-fired rotisserie chicken, which is roasted slowly to perfectly tender and then dished out alongside mashed potatoes and green beans. The Danish barbecue pork ribs are also seared very slowly in order to seal in the juices. They come with fries and cole slaw. Your other options range from spicy "rattlesnake" pasta with chicken to hardwood-grilled salmon served with tabouleh and house-made dressing. Stop by Stanford Grill to try one of the inventive dishes here!

Run, Bike, or Relax at Centennial Park

When Centennial Park was designed, its architects wanted to enhance the work that Mother Nature had already done, not detract from it. That's probably why this Columbia park has won multiple awards for its layout, particularly the way it remains sensitive to nature, even with man-made elements.

The largest man-made element is a 54-acre lake. Anglers flock here to cast their lines since the lake is continuously stocked by the State Department of Fisheries, but critters like deer, foxes, herons, turtles, and beavers simply know the lake and its surrounding banks as home. The remainder of the park's 337 acres plays host to 7.3 miles of paved paths that are perfect for running or biking as well as a 2.6-mile trail around the lake. So come to Centennial Park to rent a boat and enjoy the water, head out for a hike, or just enjoy some fresh air in Columbia this summer.

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Black Flag Brewing Company: An Ever-Changing Lineup of House-Brewed Beers

Black Flag Brewing Company switches up its tap list constantly so that the brewmasters get a chance to show off what they've been working on using their small-batch system. Of the 10 beers on tap, five are always the signature brews: the Flagship IPA, the Alpha Pale, the Mambo Sauce Double IPA, the Belgie Saison, and the Brunch Breakfast Stout. But the other five are a toss-up.

Black Flag is currently showcasing the Outback Haze, a Northeast-style IPA, as well as an unfiltered IPA. If you prefer something lighter, order a pint of the Z Morris Blonde, named for the straw-haired protagonist on Saved By the Bell. You can also indulge in a pint of the Belgian Waffle, which is part Brunch Stout and part Belgie Saison. Rounding out the current selection is the Rainbow Road, a hazy pale ale, and the Amber Waves, a warm amber ale. Sample one of the inventive brews this summer at Black Flag Brewing Company!

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Make Connections Over Coffee at the Business Networking Breakfast

The Biz Knows is an organization that exists to assist businesspeople in building their networks and expanding their ventures. That's why it will host the next Business Networking Breakfast, a monthly event, at Eggspectation on Thursday, July 20th from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

The Biz Knows members and non-members alike are welcome to come meet with other professionals and experts at Eggspectation and get to know their local community better. There will be a speaker at the event offering her or his wisdom about succeeding at business as well as plenty of time to mix and mingle with other networkers. Tickets start at $10 (for non-members; members are free) with opportunities to sponsor the event and receive recognition and a speaking opportunity. Bring your wallet if you want to also enjoy breakfast during the networking event.

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Enjoy Free Outdoor Yoga Classes This Summer

On Sunday, July 9th, head down to Haven on the Lake for an outdoor community yoga class in the sun. The class is slated to run for one hour, from 9 to 10 a.m., and features yoga movements ideal for yogis of all levels. The yoga class is completely free to attend. Those interested in attending are just asked to register online in advance.

Interested in attending this class? Yogis are asked to bring their own yoga mat, sunglasses, and sunblock to the event. Conveniently, the class is taking place only a few miles from Monarch Mills, so why not head out for some free yoga under the summer sky? Those who can’t make it to the class on Sunday, July 9th should mark their calendars for the future events, which fall on Sunday, August 13th and Sunday, September 10th.

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The Taste of the Islands Music and Wine Festival Comes to Catonsville on July 8th

Taste of the Islands Music and Wine Festival brings the tastes and sounds of tropical locales to Catonsville. From 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 8th, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum plays host to winemakers and musicians from around the region, and general admission is just $25 when you purchase tickets in advance. Bring extra cash if you wish to buy tickets at the gate.

DJ Tanz, The Image Band, and Upside Down will provide the tunes for the day. Enjoy the music as you taste test wines from Maryland and beyond. Funds raised by the event go to various community programs and organizations led by the Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival, including a college scholarship and the fest itself, so don't miss it!

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