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🍦Annapolis city manager resigns

🍦Annapolis city manager resigns

Naval Academy's sale of the century, Naz's Halal and Blowfish Poke, and two grants/scholarships...

Naptown Scoop
April 02, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Ever read Naptown Scoop from a private island? You might after today.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Naval Academy’s Sale of the Century
Naz’s Halal and Blowfish Poke
Spring formal dress parades

Let’s get to it.

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

Brad Kappel’s Home of the Week: Dobbins Island

We've featured many homes for our friend, Brad. But this one might take the cake. Because it's not a home – it's an entire island. . .

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of Annapolis' only private islands – Dobbins Island. 7.2 acres in the heart of the Magothy River with a 4,000+ square foot custom home with 360-degree water views. It also has a deep-water dock, sandy beach, and a rooftop deck.

The home was built in 2019 and features 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and of course, breathtaking views from every window. Wildlife, stunning sunsets, and total serenity await.

Think island living sounds inconvenient? Worry not. Your vehicle is never far away thanks to a private dock and parking nearby on the mainland.

Legacy properties like this are true once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Contact Brad Kappel today to schedule your private tour of Dobbins Island.

THE DIGEST

Annapolis City Manager resigns

In some unexpected news, Michael Mallinoff is resigning from his position as Annapolis’ City Manager. His second-in-command, assistant city manager Victoria Buckland, will act in his stead starting May 8. Several City Council members expressed concern at the City Manager leaving right before budget season but Mayor Buckley said Mallinoff will make sure the budget’s introduced April 14.

Mallinoff’s been city manager or the position’s slightly less powerful predecessor three times now. He was city administrator from 1989–1995 and city manager from 2010–2014 & 2022–present. It’s unclear what’s next. When Mallinoff left Charles County in 2019, he worked in Tanzania and India before returning to the US. ($)

Western Shore Veterinary Hospital offers your pets the finest wellness care, state-of-the-art diagnostics, dental treatment, and surgery ranging from spays/neuters to sophisticated treatments. You can find them online, by phone at 443-936-0660, or at 910C Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Dog of the Week: Meet Your New Running Buddy, Hennessy

Some dogs are smarter than others. Shepherds? They're the Einsteins of dogs. They'll never mistake burglars for friends (hi, golden retrievers). Or your slippers for a vicious rodent (hi, terriers). All that to say, Hennessy is a winner. A brindled three-year-old Dutch Shepherd with a heart of gold.

She's looking for an owner who wants a best friend, not leash candy. And she desperately needs someone as active as she is. Her dream day is a drive in your Jeep (top off) followed by a trail run and post-run beers at a dog-friendly brewery. She'd also do best in a home without children or other pets. Hennessy’s been at the SPCA since December 2022 so it’s time for her to run away with someone’s heart. Maybe yours?

Now seeking: Antwine Military Service Award candidates 🫡

Do you know a soon-to-be AACPS grad who’s entering the military? We’ve got something for them. Applications are now open for the 2025 Military Service Award in honor of Candace C.W. Antwine. It helps recipients with expenses related to enlisting (think uniforms and basic training supplies) so there’s no financial barrier to military service. Applications are open through April 21.

🔎 Who was Candace Antwine? She was a Navy veteran who served on the AACPS Board of Education from 2018 until her death in 2021. The board formed this award in her memory to honor grads committed to serving in the U.S. military just like Candace.

Art grants applications now open 🎨

This April, let’s drop the starving artist stereotype, shall we? The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County works hard to fund the arts with grants for nonprofit programming. If it’s within the arts disciplines and it serves the residents of Anne Arundel County (and it’s in need of money), it’s likely eligible for the Community Arts Grant. Applications for Fiscal Year 2026 are now open as of yesterday and will be open through the end of the month. If you’re a nonprofit arts organization, you can apply in one of three tiers: tier 1 (organizations with a budget up to $100K), tier 2 (with a budget $100K–750K) and tier 3 (more than $750K). Get details on grants and eligibility or submit your application.

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📸 @Sopiq Sopiq (from the Growing up in Maryland Facebook group) | 📍✈️

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Blowfish Poke grand opening luau 🌺 🐠

Say aloha to the newest addition to downtown Annapolis’ dining scene. Blowfish Poke Hawaiian Grill celebrates its grand opening with a luau this Saturday 11 AM–9 PM. Stop by 122 Dock Street, Annapolis, to don a lei, enjoy Hawaiian cuisine, drink fun beverages, listen to music, and even snag a giveaway. Based on early feedback from customers, it sounds like this restaurant hits the spot when you’re craving fresh and healthy. Be sure to follow on Facebook for more info.

Naz’s Halal coming to the Shoppes at Riva 🥙 🍛 🍔

Here’s another fast-casual hot take. Naz’s Halal Food (NHF) is opening next to Quickway Japanese Hibachi at the Shoppes at Riva. At NHF, Mediterranean meets American with kabobs, gyros, cheesesteaks, rice platters, burgers, wings, and mac and cheese bites. Talk about range! Naz likes to say, “It’s not fast food, it’s good food, fast.”

Cousins Naz and Kareem — who were public school teachers at the same NYC school — founded NHF in 2009. They started with a food truck in Queens as a “side business,” inspired by their family’s restaurant ownership. Today, the restaurant chain has 40+ locations and aims for 60 by the end of 2025. We’re glad Annapolis made their list!

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.

A World of Sound. An Unforgettable Night.

Don’t miss Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks V: Fiesta — a vibrant mix of rhythm, color, and premiere performances this weekend!

✨ Be there for the world premiere of Roydon Tse’s Restless World Anew

🔥 Feel the energy of Sonia Morales-Matos’ Fiesta No. 2 with the acclaimed Dalí Quartet

🌊 Get swept away by Ravel’s lush Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2

📍April 4–5 at 7:30 PM @ Maryland Hall. 🎟 SCOOP Exclusive! Buy One, Get One FREE with code SCOOPBOGO. Get tickets now and don’t forget the code!

This concert is made possible in part with the support of the Giese Foundation, MSAC, and ACAAC.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

2025 Spring Parade Schedule for USNA ⚓️ 🥁

In Annapolis, we like any excuse for a parade. The Naval Academy’s first formal dress parade of the season is Friday, April 4, at 4 PM (1600 for military timers). The Brigade of Midshipmen marches from Bancroft Hall to Worden Field with the Naval Academy Band and the Drum & Bugle Corps. On Worden Field, the Brigade performs the manual of arms and honors the senior officer or civilian dignitary present.

A tradition since 1845, this event showcases the discipline and teamwork needed to succeed in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. See all spring parade dates.

Artist Open Studios weekend is here!

Annapolis has an abundance of talented artists, and this weekend you can experience them up close and personal . . . in their own studios! Dozens of artists are showcasing their working spaces to the public to allow for a behind-the-scenes understanding of the painters, sculptors, fiber artists, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, glass artists, and woodworkers who make our area so vibrant. For an interactive map of the participating studios, click here.

Naval Academy holds “Sale of the Century”

It’s actually “Sale of the Century XI,” but we love hyperbole here so we’re running with it. This is an excellent opportunity to pick up some great Navy gear while watching a lacrosse game. On April 12, Navy-Marine Corps Stadium will become a massive marketplace with a wide variety of athletic equipment and apparel. Just buy a lacrosse game ticket for $10 then shop for shoes, lacrosse sticks, baseball bats, golf bags, game jerseys, clothing, and much, much more. April 12, 9 AM–4 PM.

P.S. You don’t need a game ticket to shop before 11 AM but you will need to pay for parking.

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

Wednesday

57 🌡️ 49 | ⛅ | 1% | ESE 16 mph (14 knots)

Thursday

77 🌡️ 63 | ☁️ | 15% | SSW 18 mph (16 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 55ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

Thursday

NAVY SPORTS

Upcoming games

Baseball (15-13)
4/2 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore | 5 PM

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THANKS!

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🍦Annapolis city manager resigns

Naval Academy's sale of the century, Naz's Halal and Blowfish Poke, and two grants/scholarships...

TOGETHER WITH

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EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE