Swimming Pool

The Opening of our Pool and Splash Park 2014

Parents, be sure to get your Swimming ID's before the opening of our pool on Memorial Day. As a reminder, we have grills and a gazebo for you and your family to cook out at Monarch Mills!

Don't forget the Putting Green and the Sand Volleyball Court for your enjoyment. Stop by the clubhouse for the volleyball and golf supplies.

American Pool Lifeguards will be offering Swimming Lessons, please call the Clubhouse for more information.

Celebrating Earth Day

The most effective way to honor the planet we live on is to think of ways to save our environment. We can start by refraining from just discarding our stuff and think of recycling it instead. One of the ways to practice is to use our natural resources. Instead of discarding unwanted appliances, tools, or clothes, try selling or donating them. This is a way to not only reduce waste, but also to help others.

Batter Up: 2 Sites for Lesser-Known Baseball Coverage

True baseball fanatics are interested in all aspects of the game, not just the Major League. If you follow Minor League Baseball, high school baseball, college baseball, and even international leagues, you're likely looking for reliable online sources to help keep all your stats and scores straight. These two websites are ideal for those who just can’t get enough of America’s pastime.

Minor League Baseball
Keep up with the Minor Leagues with this easy-to-navigate, detailed website. The Minor League Baseball site is full of scores and game highlights from your favorite smaller teams, as well as information about promising young players. The top headlines fill you in on the latest baseball news as soon as you visit the site, complete with high-quality photos and a summary of scores. There’s also a section for top prospects and trending topics that other baseball fans are talking about, providing you with enough baseball information to last all day.

Baseball America
With detailed information about college, high school, and international baseball teams and players, Baseball America is great online resource for lesser-known baseball coverage. It also offers the usual major and minor league coverage, but with the addition of the thoughtful, expert opinions of the site’s baseball-fanatic writers.

Stanford Grill: Good Food Done Right

Sometimes you just want to eat classic American cuisine ably executed. If that’s the case, stop in at the Stanford Grill for hearty, satisfying food made with great ingredients and served in sizable portions. This local institution has earned raves from locals for its exceptional service as well, which is professional and courteous. But it’s really the food you’re visiting for, and some of the top dishes include the spectacular steaks – the prime rib is exceptional, as is the filet mignon. Other good selections are the rotisserie chicken, which is cooked slowly so it remains moist and delectable. The sides are also quite good, with the buttery mashed potatoes earning special raves and the macaroni and cheese being big enough to be a full meal. For dessert, don’t miss the bread pudding, which regulars rave about. Stanford Grill also hosts regular jazz brunches with live music that draw big crowds.

Stanford Grill
8900 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-0445
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stanford-grill-columbia

Trattoria E Pizzeria: From The Crust Up

This casual Italian restaurant is regarded by locals as one of the best pizzerias in Howard County, for a number of reasons. The first and most important thing is their pizza crust, which is hand-tossed and fired to get to the perfect balance of chewy and crispy. The sauce is made with fresh tomatoes and has a great balance of sweetness and acidity without overwhelming the crust, and the range of toppings is very diverse. Regulars recommend that you keep your pizzas simple, however, with Italian sausage and broccoli both being favorites. The best thing about these pies, however, is how refreshingly light they are. At Trattoria E Pizzeria, the high-quality ingredients make for great pies. If you don’t feel like a slice, Trattoria E Pizzeria offers a variety of other dishes, from baked pastas to satisfying calzones.

Trattoria E Pizzeria
8630 Guilford Road
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 381-1256
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/31/352678/restaurant/Baltimore/Trattoria-E-Pizzeria-Columbia
http://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-e-pizzeria-da-enrico-columbia

Bikram Yoga Columbia: Stretch Out

Bikram yoga is practiced in a special room heated to approximately 105 degrees. This additional heat is said to help the muscles and tendons in your body stretch to their full capacity easier, with less stress, as well as spurring your body to flush out accumulated toxins in the same way that a sauna does. Practicing yoga can improve performance across your body, from improving your breathing to your posture.

Regular visitors have been raving about the supportive, helpful staff at Bikram Yoga Columbia. No matter what your level of experience, they offer a class that is perfect for your needs. Patrons visit for general fitness, pain relief, and a variety of other issues. The facility is well-kept and supplies all necessary equipment, and prices are very reasonable. Give it a try – you might like what yoga does for you!

Bikram Yoga Columbia
6935 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-1866
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bikram-yoga-columbia

Healthy Grain Recipes

Though you should only eat them in moderation, grains are a necessary part of any nutritious diet. These simple, creative recipes will show you how to prepare healthy grains and properly incorporate them into your daily meal plan.

Quinoa-Stuffed Tomatoes
A unique take on traditional stuffed peppers, these quinoa-stuffed tomatoes combine the health benefits of quinoa with a serving of vegetables. By hollowing out a tomato and filling it with quinoa, mixed veggies, and a few simple spices, this makes a fun meal that even young children will enjoy.

Roasted Red Pepper and Toasted Orzo
Enhance the flavor of orzo with the addition of sweet roasted red peppers, chicken broth, and zesty spices. This delicious side dish pairs perfectly with a variety of meats or other main courses, and at just around 200 calories, it won’t ruin your diet.

Wow-y Maui Pasta Salad
Full of fresh island flavor, this Hawaiian-style pasta salad uses cucumbers, carrots, snow peas and pineapple in whole-wheat rotini pasta. It is ideal for a summer cookout side dish or as a light, warm-weather lunch, and its whole-wheat pasta base gives it a full 10 grams of protein.

For more healthy grain recipes, visit the NIH website here.

Public Domain/Public Domain

Spring is Here!

We want to look our best for this spring season!
Our Spring Cleaning List:

We are doing an inspection of the window treatments (blinds) throughout the community to replace any worn or damage units. Please give us a call at the office if you have any questions or need your blinds replaced.

Lake Elkhorn Park: Picturesque Pond

Located in Owen Brown Village, this man-made lake provides a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Lake Elkhorn was built in 1974 by the Columbia Association and measures 15 feet to the bed at its deepest point. A two-mile path stretches around the water, and the surrounding park is a great place to enjoy a variety of recreational activities. The well-kept lawn off of the main parking area has a quaint gazebo and pavilion for picnics and other activities, and there is a playground for children as well. The biggest draw is the path, which draws runners and bicyclists in significant numbers. Some complain that the footpath is a little too narrow for the amount of traffic it gets, so be cautious. The lake forbids swimming and boating. This is a charming and idyllic public park that is a great place to bring your family to enjoy a relaxing summer afternoon.

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

The Ale House Columbia: Tasty Comfort Fare

The Ale House Columbia is a great spot to enjoy a casual dinner, relax with friends over drinks, and watch the game on one of the 30 big screen TVs. With a spacious outdoor patio and three indoor bars, there is room for everyone. Start with a drink from the bar. Over 50 different types of beers are available, including local, global, and house brand beers. Cocktails and wine are also available. The menu is full of modern American fare like Burgers, Salads, Flatbreads, and Tacos. Indulge in some comfort food like the Mac & Cheese, Braised Short Ribs, and Honey Sriracha Wings. Check out the regularly held events like beer tastings, happy hour, and live music. Open for lunch and dinner every day.

The Ale House Columbia
6480 Dobbin Center Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(443) 546-3640
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ale-house-columbia-columbia

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