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.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr ralph and jenny

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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr freakinhippie

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]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Rod Raglin