Bertucci’s: Brick Oven Pizza and More

The most important thing in the world of pizza is the oven. Your crust can be perfectly formed, your sauce can be tangy and delicious, but if your oven can’t get hot enough to cook it, the pizza may not turn out right. The key to Bertucci’s success is the brick oven at the heart of the restaurant, which gets each and every pizza perfectly crisp.

This is an excellent casual Italian chain that delivers high-quality food at reasonable process to Columbia locals, and it’s usually quite packed, especially on weekends. Some of the most popular dishes include the Ultimate Bertucci pizza, which is divided into quarters, each with a different flavor profile – meatballs, chicken, ham, and pepperoni. The eggplant Panini is also quite good, and the calzones are hearty and satisfying. You can choose your own ingredients, letting you tailor the meal to your liking!

Bertucci’s
9081 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 312-4800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bertuccis-brick-oven-restaurant-columbia

Patapsco Valley State Park: An Enormous Maryland Park

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and bask in the serenity of nature at Patapsco Valley State Park. It encompasses 16,043 acres of wilderness along the Patapsco River and is nationally recognized for its grandeur and beauty. Recreational opportunities abound, with 170 miles of trails for hiking and biking, as well as eight developed recreational areas for barbequing and picnicking. Large groups can reserve one of the park’s many pavilions. Trails range from rugged to paved, accommodating a wide variety of hiking abilities. Kayaking, fishing, canoeing, camping, and horseback riding are also part of the many activities on the park’s agenda. Stop in at the Avalon Visitor Center located in a 19th century stone building to learn about the history of the area and see a replica of the 1930s forest warden’s office that once graced the park.

8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 461-5670

June – National Safety Month

June: National Safety Month

A month dedicated to hazard prevention for our residents and their families.

June is “Resident Appreciation Month”

We love our Residents and are sooooo excited to celebrate our Residents!

June 12 – Senior Meeting 10am

June 19 – Breakfast on the Go! 7:30am-9am

June 21 – Pool Party and Cook out- Picture Drawing 11am-2pm

June 21 – Resident Meeting to Join our "Parents Club" – 2pm

Door prizes-Games-Fun

Lake Elkhorn Park: 37 Acres of Outdoor Recreation in Columbia

Built by the Columbia Association in 1974, Lake Elkhorn is one of the major locations for recreation in the planned community. The reservoir spans over 37 acres, and abuts many of the area’s most desirable townhouses.

Local fitness buffs love to use the trail around the lake for walking or jogging, as it stretches a comfortable two miles. One stretch of the trail is lined with a variety of exercise equipment that you can use to work the rest of your body. If you’re a fan of fishing, every spring the lake is stocked with trout and bass, which grow to significant sizes. A man-made dam on one end of the lake is a popular place to hang out. During the winter, the park draws crowds for some of the best sledding in the area, while a playground offers lots of fun for kids of all ages.

Lake Elkhorn Park
7200 Dockside Lane
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 715-3161
www.columbiamaryland.com/elklake.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/lake-elkhorn-park-columbia

Learn to Make Lasagna 3 Different Ways

Lasagna isn’t the easiest dish to prepare, but like most dinners, having a great recipe can make all the difference. These flavorful, cheesy lasagna recipes will appeal to all tastes and ages, and if you follow the steps, they’ll surely become favorites in your recipe book.

Best Lasagna Ever [Pioneer Woman]
This recipe is great for the home chef who doesn’t want to hunt down sophisticated ingredients at fancy grocers. Most of the ingredients are likely already right in your own refrigerator. Using simple ground beef, your morning breakfast sausage, cottage cheese and sliced mozzarella, you can create a decadent lasagna in under an hour.

Simply Recipes Lasagna [Simply Recipes]
This traditional lasagna recipe offers a bit of sweetness for a surprising boost of flavor. It uses the usual Italian seasonings and tomato sauces to appeal to lasagna lovers, but it also incorporates extra cheeses that just about anyone will appreciate.

The World’s Best Lasagna [Allrecipes]
If you want to make lasagna for a large group, this is the recipe to do it with. This meat and cheese-filled pasta dish takes a bit more time and effort than your usual lasagna, but it’s well worth the wait on special occasions such as dinner parties or holidays.

Memorial Day

Click here to read more about the history of this holiday.

Red Pearl Restaurant: Classic Chinese Cuisine

If you’re looking for delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine in a gorgeous, scenic setting, make a reservation at Columbia’s Red Pearl. Located on the banks of Lake Kittamaqundi on the Columbia waterfront, this restaurant has been wowing local foodies for years with a bevy of astounding dishes. The staff here knows how to make dishes that draw from both Cantonese and Mandarin traditions, and some favorites include the Mandarin shrimp, which comes in a remarkably robust and complex sauce, as well as the Peking duck. On weekends, go for traditional dim sum service, where the staff brings out appetizers on the little carts and you pick and choose depending on what looks good. Some hits on the dim sum service are the steamed pork buns, which are flavorful and juicy, as well as the steamed water chestnut cake, which is a must-try. Service is low-key and prices are fair.

Red Pearl Restaurant
10215 Wincopin Circle
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 715-6530
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-pearl-chinese-restaurant-columbia

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery: A Popular Sandwich Shop

Stop being disappointed with your brown bag lunch and head over to Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery. This Columbia sandwich shop is serving some of the best sandwiches in town. All the sandwiches come on fresh baked bread. You can see the bakers working hard making the bread when you go to the counter to order your sandwich.

The London Broil, piled high with beef, lettuce, red onion, mayo, and mustard, is one of the most popular sandwiches but regulars say you can't go wrong with any of the fresh creations. If you're feeling especially hungry get a side of the couscous or potato salad. Homemade soups, fresh baked breads, and pastries are also available.

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery does get busy during lunch, so arrive early to avoid a crowd.

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery
6945 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 290-3434

Pamper Yourself at the Spa at Turf Valley

If you’re looking for a world-class spa experience in the area, the Spa at Turf Valley will meet all of your needs. The Turf Valley resort hotel has been offering top-flight accommodations to travelers to the central Maryland area for many years, and the spa offers a beautiful, tranquil environment for you to relax and undergo a number of signature treatments. Regular visitors rave about the Marvelous Mini package as a great, affordable way to line up a day of pampering. Consisting of a pair of services, including an intense Swedish massage, a European facial, or an hour-long body treatment, it also comes with a light lunch.

Visit the Spa at Turf Valley's website to learn more about this relaxing destination.

Spa at Turf Valley
2700 Turf Valley Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 203-2755
www.turfvalley.com

Pin It on Pinterest