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🍦AACPS bus woes in rearview

🍦AACPS bus woes in rearview

Art Walk, Business hall of fame, St. John's introduces new application process...

Elle Ponado
August 17, 2023

Good morning, Annapolis. On this day three years ago, we sent the first Naptown Scoop newsletter to 70 readers. Today, we’re sending to 16,050. It’s amazing how far we’ve come and I still believe we’re just getting started. Thank you. I can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

St. John’s College’s new application process
Business Hall of Fame inductees
Weekend preview

Let’s get to it.

—Ryan Sneddon & Rebecca Kraybill

THE DIGEST

AACPS bus woes in the rearview 🚌

For the first time since 2021, AACPS’ bus system will be 100% operational on the first day of school in a couple weeks. Many routes weren’t in service over the past 2 years due to a lack of drivers caused by what they saw as low wages. It’s a delicate system though. AACPS has all the drivers it needs if things go smoothly, but there currently aren’t any reserve drivers if someone calls in sick; there are 60+ in training for the 14 reserve spots.

Teacher vacancies are also lower this year than last – 224 compared to 418. ($)

St. John’s College continues to buck tradition

After fundraising enough money that they actually cut tuition, St. John’s College is introducing another innovation – the discussion-based application. It includes two interviews, one with an admissions counselor and one with a faculty member. Applicants will talk about their interests, favorite books, and their perspective on the curriculum. These interviews will assess their ability to engage in thoughtful, sustained conversation – a hallmark of the St. John’s experience.

While they still offer a traditional essay-based track, SJC sees two clear advantages to this new application. First, it prevents unscrupulous students from using AI to write admissions essays. And second, it’s way faster than the written track. Students using the discussion-based application will know if they’re in within 2 weeks. Click here to learn more about St. John’s College.

🦋 Spread your wings and fly away

Monarch Academy of Annapolis is expanding so more little butterflies can spread their wings. The Annapolis-based academy will offer 2 new Pre-K classrooms (now totaling 6) for the 2023–2024 school year. Applicants must be county residents and meet the AACPS income guidelines. Learn more.

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#NAPTOWNSCOOP

📸 @officialdavidflores | 📍Maryland State House

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LOCAL BUSINESS

🕘 💵 Final days of tax-free shopping week

Reminder: Maryland Tax-Free Week continues now through midnight on Saturday (8/19) to help you out with back-to-school shopping. Select items (clothing, footwear, and accessories priced $100 or less) are completely free of sales tax. The first $40 of backpacks is also exempt. See all the nitty gritty details here.

New business MVPs

Dim the lights and cue the pump-up music. The Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2023 inductees to the Business Hall of Fame. The below inductees are being celebrated for their notable leadership in the community:

Mark “Turk” Powell: Mark is an entrepreneur with three decades of overseeing companies in the service, technology, and construction/engineering sectors.
Robert Kramer: Over the past 35 years, Robert has established himself as a steadfast advocate for reform in senior housing and services.
Vanessa Carter: Vanessa retired in 2015 from the Department of Health as Chief of Administrative Services. She was responsible for managing the policy and operational demands and a workforce of 750+ employees.
David Plott: David’s three-decade law career includes a diverse client portfolio across commercial, industrial, and residential developers.

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.

The pain free life 😌

Having pain in places you don't want? Sleepless nights? We all experience it at some point. It’s just part of life, right? Wrong. Anne Arundel Urology just opened a state-of-the-art interventional radiology center in Annapolis. Here they offer non-surgical treatment of enlarged prostates, uterine fibroids, hemorrhoids, and even knee and shoulder pain. General anesthesia isn't required and you'll go home shortly after your procedure. You don't have to live uncomfortably. Click here to learn more.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Annapolis Art Walk 🖼️ 👞

The 33rd annual Annapolis Art Walk is back tonight (8/17). Galleries are open 5–9 PM with refreshments, demonstrations, and of course, art. Participating galleries include West Annapolis Art Works, Maryland Hall, Gallery 57 West, MFA’s Circle Gallery, Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Museum, Jo Fleming, Mylo Studios, McBride Gallery, and Annapolis Marine Art Gallery. Break out your comfy shoes!

Weekend Preview

🎻 Annapolis Chamber Music Festival. Two chances to get classy with classical music. Journey through music from the Western Hemisphere alongside specially curated wines (Saturday 8/19 at Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 7:30 PM). Or enjoy an afternoon of works inspired by the ocean (Sunday 8/20 at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3 PM). Get tickets here.

🐟 Maryland Seafood Festival. Come for the food, stay for the views. The 55th festival takes place at City Dock with loads of seafood vendors, local beer, and family fun. Park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for $10 with a pre-purchase voucher ($15 day of) and catch the free shuttle. Saturday (8/19) and Sunday (8/20). Get tickets here.

🦀 CRAB Cup to support accessible boating. It’s the largest fundraiser of the year for Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating. 90+ sailboats (and some powerboats) compete in a family-friendly race at 12 PM from Eastport. Then a Shore Party kicks off at 4 PM at Eastport Yacht Club with food from Boatyard Bar & Grill and live music from Misspent Youth. Saturday (8/19). Get party tickets here.

⚽️ Navy women’s soccer. Navy faces off against St. John’s University (no, that’s not the Annapolis one) for a home game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Sunday (8/20) at 1 PM.

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.

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Aye, aye, captain 🏴‍☠️

There’s a new kid on the block: Pirate’s Treasure Art, a local art business. From bottle art to sea shell art, and from paintings prints to candles, owner and artist Sue has it all. The goal? Enlightening the life of others through creativity and meaningful art. Items are displayed on a regular basis at Evelyn’s in West Annapolis or at upcoming events, including the First Sunday Arts Festival, Chesapeake HS, and the Broadneck HS Craft Bazaar. *

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Thursday

85 🌡️ 75 | 🌥️ | 15% | 💨 SE 12 mph (10 knots)

Friday

84 🌡️ 65 | 🌥️ | 6% | 💨 WNW 13 mph (11 knots)

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

Navy Sports

Schedule

Women’s Soccer
8/17 vs. Charleston Southern University | 7 PM

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has a three-year-old.

🍦AACPS bus woes in rearview

Art Walk, Business hall of fame, St. John's introduces new application process...

THE DIGEST

AACPS bus woes in the rearview 🚌

St. John’s College continues to buck tradition

🦋 Spread your wings and fly away

#NAPTOWNSCOOP

LOCAL BUSINESS

🕘 💵 Final days of tax-free shopping week

New business MVPs

SPONSORED BY ANNE ARUNDEL UROLOGY

The pain free life 😌

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Annapolis Art Walk 🖼️ 👞

Weekend Preview

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Aye, aye, captain 🏴‍☠️

WEATHER

Thursday

Friday

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

Navy Sports

Schedule

THANKS!