Do a Flip Into the Foam Pit at Sky Zone Trampoline Park

For both kids and adults, Sky Zone Trampoline Park is one of the most fun places you’ll find in all of Columbia. This unique facility is filled from wall to wall with padded trampolines, and after slipping on a pair of treaded Sky Socks, you can hop on and enjoy hours of jumping fun.

Learn to do flips and other tricks by jumping from the trampolines into the large foam pit, or bring the little ones to enjoy the specified toddler jump period. There are open jumps during which anyone can pay to jump, or if you’re looking for a unique birthday party idea, you can rent out one specific area for all of your friends.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park has a snack bar that offers tasty pizza, soft drinks, and other snacks, as well as private lockers where you can store all of your belongings while you jump.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park
7175 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21046
(443) 546-4477
www.skyzone.com/Columbia

Take Your Morning Run to the 2-Mile Loop at Lake Elkhorn Park

Whether you’re an avid runner looking for a scenic trail or simply seeking some outdoor R&R in Columbia, Lake Elkhorn Park is a beautiful place to visit. This popular local park is centered around a scenic lake that makes a great place to fish during warmer weather, and the numerous benches along its shores also create relaxing places to catch up with a friend on a sunny day. You’ll even find kayak launches where you can go boating amidst the ducks on the lake’s calm waters.

Lake Elkhorn Park has a 2-mile paved trail that winds around the perimeter of the lake, offering a scenic loop for runners to exercise outdoors, as well as outdoor exercise equipment if you want to add some strength training to your run. Have a picnic at one of the shady tables or even host a child’s birthday party at the pavilions for rent at this beloved area park.

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

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 February 29th, 2016. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Make Lunch a Treat at Bon Fresco Bakery and Cafe

When you’re looking for a quick lunch in Columbia that’s still fresh and healthy, Bon Fresco is the place to go. This local bakery and cafe has a clean and modern atmosphere complete with bakery cases filled with fresh-baked pastries and a convenient ordering counter that makes it easy to order your food and get on your way. If you choose to eat in, Bon Fresco also has a comfortable dining area with a number of cafe tables and free Wi-Fi throughout.

The menu includes hearty sandwiches in styles like the London broil, chicken picante, and vegetarian hummus topped with fresh veggies and pesto, as well as fresh, daily soups and sides of Israeli couscous and lentil salads. Everything is available for affordable prices that are perfect for a casual lunch, and there are even whole loaves of bread that you can take with you for dinner at home!

Bon Fresco
6945 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 290-3434
www.yelp.com/biz/bon-fresco-columbia

Red Sky: Laurel’s Delightful New American Cuisine

Red Sky in Laurel serves delightful New American cuisine. The spacious, modern interior is warm and inviting, as is the menu, which features a nice array of choices to please the pickiest appetite. Raves are given to the Creamed Crab Soup, with hefty chunks of crab swimming in a creamy, sherry accented broth. Ditto for the Blackened Tilapia accompanied by dollops of creamy risotto, the 8 ounce center-cut Filet Mignon, and the Crab Cake Sandwich served on a fluffy Kaiser roll. The long chrome bar is perfect for mingling after work with a yummy chilled cocktail while chatting with friends or flirting with a special someone. Red Sky also serves Sunday brunch, and has a happy hour from 3 until 7 p.m.

Red Sky
14707 Baltimore Boulevard
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 604-2144

Take Your Morning Workout Outdoors at Centennial Park

If you’re an active Columbia resident who is always looking for new ways to switch up your workouts, pay a visit to the scenic trails at Centennial Park. This family-friendly park is a favorite amongst the area’s runners, cyclists and walkers, as it contains scenic trails that wind through wooded areas and along the large lake.

Fishers will enjoy casting off at one of the lake’s sturdy piers, while just about anyone would love spending the afternoon relaxing along the lake’s shores. You can even rent paddle boats for an even closer view of the lake’s calm waters. Centennial Park contains a number of pavilions, picnic areas and barbecue grills perfect for a summer afternoon cookout, and there are attached public restrooms at some of the larger pavilions. The playground area is popular with younger children, and the entire park is dog-friendly if you want to bring your furry friend.

Centennial Park
10000 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7271
www.centennialmd.org
www.yelp.com/biz/centennial-park-columbia

How to Create a Stunning Holiday Tablescape

If you’re hosting your family’s holiday dinner this year, you likely want to create a beautiful table that will complement the elegant meal. Here are a few tips for creating a holiday tablescape that would rival any professional decorator’s.

  1. Avoid clutter. While you want to decorate the table a bit more elaborately than on a normal day, you also want your guests to be able to comfortably reach for the cranberry sauce.
  2. Choose a color scheme. Seasonal red and green is always a classic combination, but a holiday tablescape also looks beautiful in shades of silver, gold or stark white.
  3. Add candles. One quick and easy way to take your table from everyday to extraordinary is by adding candles all over. Think tall candlesticks in glass holders, delicate tea lights or even short pillar candles inside of a lantern.
  4. Add a bit of greenery. Whether you choose festive poinsettias or a wreath of evergreen, adding some greens to your tablescape is an absolute necessity.
  5. Use textiles. Add a large, intricate tablecloth to give your dinner an elegant feeling, or simply disperse placemats at each place setting for a casual yet stylish look.
  6. Add name cards. If you have a seating arrangement in mind, be sure to make artistic name cards for each person’s seat.

5 Stunning Holiday Tablescapes [Good Housekeeping]
22 Gorgeous Holiday Tablescapes [iVillage]
Tips for Creating a Homemade Holiday Tablescape [Dummies.com]
5 Tips for a Beautiful Holiday Tablescape [One Sweet Appetite]

Share Naan and Curry With Friends at Chutney Indian Restaurant

At Chutney Indian Restaurant in Columbia, the fragrant smells of warm curry, jasmine rice, and fresh baked naan fill the air all day long. This authentic Indian eatery’s convenient location makes it a good choice when you’re on a lunch break or running errands in the area.

Their lunch buffet boasts all of your favorite meat and vegetarian dishes, from chicken tikka masala to chana masala, as well as tasty sides like rice, samosas, and mango chutneys. For dinner, you’ll find entrees with heaping portions of biryanis, tandoori platters, and various curries, each served with so many sides that you’ll likely end up with leftovers. The takeout options are just as popular as the restaurant’s dine-in service, and if you’re busy, you can even order delivery to anywhere in the immediate Columbia area.

Chutney Indian Restaurant
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-3600
www.chutneymd.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chutney-indian-restaurant-columbia-2

The Mall in Columbia: Your Source for Fabulous Fashion Finds

If you want to treat yourself to some new clothes or those great sneakers that you’ve had your eye on, you’ll find all kinds of clothing and accessories at The Mall in Columbia. This local mall is home to all of your favorite national chain retailers, including Macy’s, Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor. For trendier finds, H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch and Express offer stylish options for men and women, while Foot Locker and Finish Line boast name brand sneakers and other styles of shoes.

There are also stores for children, bath and beauty stores and even a few options with stylish home décor items. The Mall at Columbia is large and modern, with a spacious food court with some upscale options like P.F. Chang’s and the Cheesecake Factory. If you’re not in the mood for shopping, take in one of the latest blockbusters at the mall’s AMC movie theater.

The Mall at Columbia
10300 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-3300
www.themallincolumbia.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-mall-in-columbia-columbia-2

Dieting? These Foods Can Help You Lose Weight!

Dieting is never easy, but once you know the right foods to eat you'll start to see the pounds melt away. Here are a few smart foods that will help you to lose weight and stay fuller for longer.

  1. Beans and legumes. Foods like black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas are high in fiber, which builds muscle and helps to keep you feeling full. Beans are also very inexpensive, and they’re a great alternative to meat for those who are vegan or vegetarian.
  2. Dark chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit, it doesn’t have to sabotage your whole diet. Dark chocolate is a great alternative to sugary milk chocolate, cakes, and cookies, and it is also lower in calories. Just be sure to mind your portion sizes!
  3. Eggs and turkey sausage. Eating a protein-packed breakfast will help you to stay on track for the rest of the day. Eggs are great because they’re versatile and can be prepared a number of different ways, and lean turkey sausage is much lower in fat than traditional pork sausage. Eat this meal with a side of fresh fruit to start your morning off right.
  4. Avocado. You may think that you need to avoid eating fat in order to, well, lose fat, but healthy fats like avocado are actually an important part of any lean diet. The oleic acid found in avocados helps to quiet hunger, and these superfoods are also packed with fiber and protein.

9 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [WebMD]
Best Superfoods for Weight Loss [Health.com]
15 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [Good Housekeeping]
Use These 8 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [U.S. News]

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