🍦Wanna solve a murder mystery?

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. I’m stoked to share that Naptown Scoop has officially reached 21,000 readers. Thanks for growing with us. Thanks for trusting us with your inboxes. And thanks for sharing us with your friends.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Touchdown Club awards

• Anne Arundel County by the numbers

• What to get your significant other for Valentine’s Day

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

A MESSAGE FROM 84 LUMBER

Transform your kitchen into a masterpiece with the exquisite selection of cabinets at 84 Lumber’s Kitchen and Bath DesignStudio. Our team of dedicated professionals understands that cabinets are more than just storage–they are a statement of style and functionality. Explore an array of colors, fixtures, and finishes that cater to every taste and preference, allowing you to create a kitchen that truly reflects your personality.

Whether you prefer a sleek modern design, a classic traditional look, or something in between, 84 Lumber’s DesignStudio professionals are here to guide you through the process.

Visit 84 Lumber’s Annapolis showroom at 1690 Balt-Annapolis Boulevard or take a tour of our Virtual Showroom before you stop by.

THE DIGEST

It’s that time of year again. What the heck do you do for Valentine’s Day?

Call us Cupid because this Valentine’s Day, we’re doing the heavy lifting (or shooting?) for you. And, we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t tell you to shop local for the best flowers, candy, booze, jewelry, cards, etc. Who can you check off your list from this guide?

✔️ Secret Crushes 🤫
✔️ New flames 🔥
✔️ Your one true love ❤️
✔️ Besties 🤝

What are you waiting for? Valentine’s Day Gifts (and date ideas) Worth Falling For.

LAA’s call for New Leaders nominations 🌟

Know a leader making an impact in Anne Arundel County who started an executive role between March 2024 and now? Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) is taking nominations for New Leaders that fit that criteria. These superstars will be recognized at LAA’s New Leaders Breakfast Celebration on April 30 at Carrol’s Creek Café. Submit nominations by March 14, 2025.

What’s LAA? Leadership Anne Arundel. They bill themselves as the premier leadership training and networking institute in Anne Arundel County and it’s been around since 1993. The flagship program is aptly called Flagship and it’s a 10-month deep dive into the inner workings of our county.

Touchdown Club of Annapolis Awards 🏈

Every year for 70 years, the Touchdown Club of Annapolis has chosen 2 outstanding football players — one from University of Maryland and another from the US Naval Academy. The Maryland player gets the Louis L. Goldstein Gold Helmet and the Navy player gets the Tony Rubino Memorial Silver Helmet.

UMD wide receiver Tai Felton follows in the footsteps of Taulia Tagovailoa (two-time winner & younger brother of NFL QB Tua Tagovailoa) and Torrey Smith (two-time Super Bowl champion) in receiving the Gold Helmet. Navy Inside linebacker Colin Ramos follows Malcolm Perry, Keenan Reynolds (three-time winner), and Roger Staubach (three-time winner) in receiving the Silver Helmet.

A sold-out awards banquet will honor both recipients on February 20 at the Annapolis Doubletree Hotel. ($)

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

@NAPTOWNSCOOP

Tag @NaptownScoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

LOCAL BUSINESS

Pickleball is booming. Here’s the proof

You can’t walk by a public park these days without hearing it. Thwock, thwock, twock. It’s the unmistakable sound of pickleball. And as you may have heard, it’s the fastest-growing sport in America. Just how fast? USA Pickleball says it’s grown 223.5% in the last 4 years. Nearly 20% of America’s adult population has played at least once in the last 12 months. But national growth rates don’t impress us. How’s it going around Annapolis? Here’s what we’ve seen in the last 4 years.

✅ Brand-new pickleball courts at city parks PLUS tennis courts painted to accommodate pickleball (Hint: the Annapolis Pickleball Club has a great list of locations)
✅ Pickleball courts on top of the brand-new Hillman Garage
✅ 11 new courts in Life Time’s 45,000-square-foot expansion
✅ The Putaway in Millersville
✅ PickleRage in Glen Burnie
✅ And Ball at the Mall – which started in the parking lot at the old Nordstrom space at Annapolis Mall and is now inside near the food court because Dick’s House of Sport is moving in.

Anne Arundel County by the numbers

Time for a quick economic vibe check on our county. Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation recently released its numbers for the end of 2024. Here’s a quick glance at 3 important data points:

🧑‍💼 Employment: Anne Arundel’s unemployment rate was 2.8% in November 2024, up from 1.8% in November 2023, but still lower than the rest of Maryland at 3.1% (2.2% in November 2023).

🏠 Real estate: 603 homes were sold with an average price of $589,400, which was up from 513 homes sold in 2023 at an average price of $519,100.

🏬 Commercial real estate: As of December last year, commercial office space was 7.5% vacant (⬆️ from 7% the year before), with commercial flex space at 8.4% vacant (⬆️ from 5.4%), industrial space 6.9% vacant (⬆️ from 4%) and retail space 3.3% vacant (⬇️ from 4.3%).

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

SPONSORED BY ANNAPOLIS ORTHODONTICS

Smiles are contagious

And if you started smiling when you saw that photo, well, you caught it.

A smile can say so much — I’m happy to see you, I heard my favorite song come on, or (in this case) I just saw my brand new smile for the first time.

Everyone deserves to feel confident when they smile. If you don’t, Annapolis Orthodontics knows how to get you there. Click here to schedule a consultation for you or your child today.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

SURVEY: We want to host more events in 2025. What do you want to see from us?

We’ve hosted lots of fun stuff over the years. Paddleboard meetups, citywide scavenger hunts, ugly sweater parties. . . And we want to do some more. Someone even suggested speed dating. We’re not sure about that, but we’re open to it. So we want to hear from you. What kinds of events would you participate in? Tell us right here.

Last Weekend to Catch Do Portugal

Think your job’s crazy? At least it doesn’t involve backflips on a trapeze or riding a motorcycle in loops around a steel cage. That’s a regular workday for the folks at Do Portugal Circus. Acrobatics, death-defying feats, and all-around magic. But they’re hitting the road after this weekend so if you wanna see, you better get to steppin’.

Cute Stuff, Great Prices

If being stuck inside with the Great Polar Vortex of ‘25 has left you feeling like your walls are a bit drab, we have great news: Local By Design is hosting their January Market this weekend with room after room of beautiful items to help spruce up your decor. The semi-annual sale puts great prices on their extensive collection, and popups from Mangia Baby Cupcakes and Grey Wolf Spirits will only enhance your shopping experience. Check their website for hours and directions. 1818 Margaret Ave.

It was Colonel Mustard. At Maggiano’s. With the Breadstick.

Wait a breadstick? Wasn’t it a candlestick. . . There are two murder mystery dinners this weekend. And the doctor called. He said this is the perfect cure for your polar vortex-induced cabin fever.

The first is at Maggiano’s and unfortunately, it’s sold out. So why are we telling you? Because there’s another one February 21 and the menu sounds awesome. Truffle honey whipped ricotta, anyone? Get tickets.

The other is at the Kent Island Resort which isn’t technically Annapolis but it sounds cool so we’re relaxing our rules just this once. Dress your best. You’ll be solving a mystery at the Billionaire’s Club Annual Masquerade Ball. Saturday night from 6–9 PM. Get tickets.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEATHER

Thursday

31 🌡️ 21 | 🌤️ | 3% | SSW 5 mph (4 knots)

Friday

34 🌡️ 18 | 🌤️ | 5% | 💨 NW 9 mph (8 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 33ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

49 West | The Jonathan Epley Guitar Trio | 7:30–11 PM
Brian Boru | Anton Does Music | 6:30–9:30 PM
Killarney House | Kristi Allen | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Dan Haas | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Fan Halen | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM

Friday

49 West | AJ & The Lovecats | 7:30–10:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Mixed Business | 8:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Sidewalk Soul | 9–12 PM
The Choptank | Jon Zorn | 8 PM
Brian Boru | Poehemia | 7–10 PM
Killarney House | Sam O'Hare | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Lodge | Jennifer Schimpf | 8–11 PM
Middleton Tavern | Shatners | 10 PM
Old Stein | Russell Jacobson | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Mike Scoglio | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Beginnings | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Steve Pimpo | 8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | A Classic Case | 7 PM

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Women's Basketball (14-4)
1/22 @ Boston University | W 74-64

Men's Basketball (6-14)
1/22 vs. Boston University | W 62–47

Upcoming games

Men's Hockey
1/24 vs. Lehigh | 7 PM

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend who reads way too many murder mystery novels.