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Centennial Park: A Wonderful Park in Columbia, Maryland

March 4, 2014 by

The 50-acre reservoir known as Centennial Lake is the keystone of this amazing park that draws visitors from all over Maryland to play, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors. The best way to get a handle on the bounty of activities offered here is to take the 2.4 mile loop walk around the gorgeous lake. While there, you’ll find a boat rental outlet so you can take to the water, but be aware that there is no swimming allowed in Centennial Lake. Anglers flock to the park to cast for trout, bass, and other fish that the state stocks in the reservoir. The wetland ecosystem surrounding the lake makes it a great place for birdwatching, with majestic herons, egrets, kingfishers, and more calling it home. The park also has manicured picnic areas, playfields, and more. During the summer, the Parks Department stages a number of concerts at Centennial Park that draw large crowds.

Centennial Park
10000 Route 108
Columbia, MD 21045
http://www.yelp.com/biz/centennial-park-columbia

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,

Spring is Just Around the Corner

March 1, 2014 by

Dear Residents,

With Spring just around the corner we wanted to remind you of our Patio rules. Be sure to spring clean your patio. We allow approved patio furniture and plants,all other items must be removed. Please do not use charcoal grills or gas grills on your patio. Please contact the office with any questions. Happy Spring Cleaning!

 

Filed Under: Life at Monarch Mills Apartments Tagged With:

Find Nearby Bicycling Routes with These Online Tools

February 18, 2014 by

Whether you're an avid cyclist or a relative newcomer to riding, these online tools make it easy to find places to bike nearby. These three sites feature biking routes shared by other users, including maps, mileage, details, and sometimes even photographs.

(If your favorite route's missing, you can sign up and share it with other cyclists!)

Bikely
A popular bike route mapping website, Bikely has a large number of active users. On the site, you'll find bike maps uploaded from users' GPS devices. Although these maps often don't include any additional info, they can help give you ideas for interesting nearby rides.

Map My Ride
The website for a popular cycling smartphone app, Map My Ride offers users an online interface to see maps and statistics for their bike rides. In addition, Map My Ride lists great riding routes all over the country and offers a fun "Route Genius" feature that can recommend a ride based on your location and desired biking distance.

MTBR Trails
For mountain bikers, MTBR's Trails page catalogues mountain biking trails all over the country. Browse through to find your state, then you can see trails organized by nearest town. The database also enables mountain bikers to rate and review trails!

Public Domain/Public Domain
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Find Nearby Bicycling Routes with These Online Tools

February 18, 2014 by

Whether you're an avid cyclist or a relative newcomer to riding, these online tools make it easy to find places to bike nearby. These three sites feature biking routes shared by other users, including maps, mileage, details, and sometimes even photographs.

(If your favorite route's missing, you can sign up and share it with other cyclists!)

Bikely
A popular bike route mapping website, Bikely has a large number of active users. On the site, you'll find bike maps uploaded from users' GPS devices. Although these maps often don't include any additional info, they can help give you ideas for interesting nearby rides.

Map My Ride
The website for a popular cycling smartphone app, Map My Ride offers users an online interface to see maps and statistics for their bike rides. In addition, Map My Ride lists great riding routes all over the country and offers a fun "Route Genius" feature that can recommend a ride based on your location and desired biking distance.

MTBR Trails
For mountain bikers, MTBR's Trails page catalogues mountain biking trails all over the country. Browse through to find your state, then you can see trails organized by nearest town. The database also enables mountain bikers to rate and review trails!

Public Domain/Public Domain
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Cafe de Paris: Beloved French Cuisine in Columbia, Maryland

February 12, 2014 by

Columbia diners have long loved this delightful French restaurant, not only for the ambience but for the quality of the food and service. What other restaurant in the area has the owner walk diners to the door when they’re finished, inquiring about their meal? With that kind of attention to detail, you’re not going to be surprised to learn that the food is held in very high regard by regular diners.

Escargot, a French food specialty, is presented well here, paired with butter and garlic and cooked til tender. Order a cheese and bread plate to start, and sample the simple pleasures of French cuisine. The crepe bar, open only on Saturday afternoons, draws a number of diners to this Columbia restaurant. Regulars rave about the crème brulee, too.

As a side note, Café de Paris closes relatively early—9 p.m. on weekdays—so if you want to check it out, don’t wait. You might not be able to get a table if you arrive after 8!

Café de Paris
8808 Centre Park Drive
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-3904
www.cafedepariscolumbia.com

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , , ,

Open House

February 10, 2014 by

Open House February 14-February 15

Choose your neighbors! Invite a friend, co-worker or family member and once they move in, you will receive a Referral Bonus.

Refreshments- Door Prizes 

Filed Under: Life at Monarch Mills Apartments Tagged With:

AMC Columbia 14: The Big Screen

February 5, 2014 by

If you’re looking to catch a movie in Columbia, one of the best places to do so is at the AMC Columbia 14. This massive megaplex boasts fourteen screens including an IMAX auditorium, and the programming includes the hottest Hollywood blockbusters. Unlike many large theaters, this place is kept scrupulously clean, with top-quality prints and comfortable seating. The snack bar is well-stocked with a variety of options, from the standard popcorn and candy to more elaborate options like nachos. The staff is also very helpful and informative about the movies showing. Ticket prices are reasonable, but because this place is so popular you should plan to show up early to get a prime seat. The one complaint that people have is that parking, which is shared with the Columbia Mall, can get scarce, especially on weekends. That said, this is easily the area’s best-regarded multiplex movie theater.

AMC Columbia 14
10300 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 423-0510
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amc-columbia-14-columbia

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,

Resources for Entrepreneurs from the Small Business Administration

February 4, 2014 by

You’ve always dreamed of owning your own business, but becoming an entrepreneur is a huge undertaking! These helpful articles from the U.S. Small Business Administration can help you figure out whether and how to start your own business.

Is Entrepreneurship for You?
This SBA article discusses both the benefits and pitfalls of becoming your own boss, and it paints a realistic picture of what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. Read the list of character traits necessary to become a successful entrepreneur, like independence, risk taking and creativity, to determine whether or not you would make a good business owner.

20 Questions Before Starting
These 20 questions will help you decide if you have all of the necessary tools to get your new enterprise up and running. On topics ranging from market research and customer service to sales, pricing, and financing strategies, this list of questions can help you think about the realities of running a business.

10 Steps to Starting a Business
A great deal of planning goes into starting a successful business, and the Small Business Association offers these 10 important steps to take to get your new company off the ground. Including everything from choosing a location to writing a business plan, these informative steps will help you become more prepared.

Public Domain/Openclipart.org
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

See The American Folklife Center’s Quilts and Quiltmaking Collection Online!

January 28, 2014 by

If you’re interested in sewing, fashion, textiles, or quiltmaking in specific, you’re sure to love the American Folklife Center’s beautifully curated Quilts and Quiltmaking Collection. This collection features the history of quiltmaking in America from 1978 to 1996, with a more modern exploration of this intricate craft.

This collection combines material from The Blue Ridge Parkway Folklife Project and the Land’s End Collection, both parts of the American Folklife Center. The Blue Ridge Parkway Folklife Project told a narrative about historic and newly made quilts over the years in and around the border of North Carolina and Virginia, using six quiltmakers and their work to epitomize the history of the craft. The Land’s End Collection features 181 winners of state and national quilting competitions in 1992, 1994, and 1996 and represents excellent design and skill during that period. Combined, these two collections form one beautiful, historical representation of American quiltmaking and the people behind it.

This collection is incredibly vast, with historical items that tell the story of American quiltmaking in a variety of different formats. It includes 410 photos, 181 audio files, and a number of well-written articles and essays that history buffs and quilters alike will love. And you can see it all online!

Quilts and Quiltmaking in America, 1978 – 1996 [Library of Congress]

Public Domain/Public Domain
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Iron Bridge Wine Company: Raise A Glass

January 21, 2014 by

Located in a former biker bar, the Iron Bridge Wine Company has left behind its shady past and developed into one of the finest places to sample a variety of vintages in the area. A spectacular wine list is the best reason to visit—the servers are knowledgeable about what they have on offer, and it’s accessible for the casual drinker, with very well priced bottles. If your stomach is rumbling, Iron Bridge Wine Company offers a robust and exciting tapas menu, overflowing with delicious small plates that are perfect to pair with wine, in the classic Spanish tradition. Be warned: this place doesn’t skimp on flavor, and many of their dishes pack a serious punch of garlic and spice. Don’t miss the braised pork belly appetizer, an astounding package of succulent, crispy goodness. The sesame-seared tacos are also unforgettable.

Iron Bridge Wine Company
10435 Route 108
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 997-3456
www.ironbridgewines.com

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,
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