🍦Back-to-School Essentials 🎒

Park Books hosts Jodi Picoult, Go! Time app, Maryland State House renovation

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Naptown Scoop
August 19, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop, the local newsletter that feels like the song ending right as you pull in the driveway.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

  • Park Books hosts Jodi Picoult 📚

  • Go! Time app is a go 🚖

  • Update: Maryland State House dome restoration ✨

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Chelsea Harrison, & Ryan Sneddon

AACPS Back-to-School Essentials 🎒

This is not a drill. School starts in 6 days. So, if you haven’t prepped and are feeling those back-to-school jitters, here’s what you need for AACPS students. Tip: Bookmark these for easy reference.

A MESSAGE FROM NEMACOLIN

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Just over 3 hours from Annapolis, luxury awaits you at this premier resort.

Experience real life magic. Visit nemacolin.com to plan your stay today.

THE DIGEST

✨ Update: Maryland State House dome restoration ✨

The Maryland Department of General Services Office of Design and Construction is behind the $42 million restoration of the Maryland State House, including its dome, facade, grounds, and Old Treasury Building. The dome's restoration – including the facade, railing, and shingles – was completed just before Governor Moore’s 2023 inauguration. Work on the lower façade and grounds is ongoing.

The State House remains open to the public, though the dome requires special access. Built from 1772 to 1794 without screws, nails, or bolts (instead using wood joinery), the dome’s construction was delayed by the Revolutionary War, a hurricane, and staff shortages. The interior remains largely unchanged, with names and dates scribbled on the walls. An octagonal room with a metal ladder leads to the top of the dome, which is capped by Benjamin Franklin’s original lightning rod and a gilded acorn, which was replaced in 2011. It’s also the best view in all of Annapolis (or so we’ve heard). ($)

Go! Time app is a go 🚖

The rollout of a new transportation app, Go! Time, has been a success for the City of Annapolis. With it, residents are able to pick up public transit from their location along what were previously the Orange Line and Purple Line. That means no longer having to travel the entire route — a huge convenience.

This on-demand ride service proved to be so successful that Annapolis will now discontinue the Orange and Purple bus routes in favor of the Go! Time program. Brown, Green, and Red routes remain unchanged.

📱Download the app: Search for “Go! Time” in either Apple or Android app stores. If you can’t access the app, you can schedule a pickup along the route by calling Transportation Dispatch at 410-263-7964.

City of Annapolis issues RFP for electric passenger ferry ⛴️

All aboard for the future! The Central Purchasing Office of the City of Annapolis is accepting proposals for the design, build, and commissioning of a battery-powered passenger ferryboat. Submit bids to the Central Purchasing Office (161 Duke of Gloucester Street, 1st Floor, Annapolis, MD). Proposals must be sealed and submitted by September 20 at 2 PM (no extensions or exceptions). The scope of work includes:

  • The design, construction, and commissioning of 2 battery-powered ferry passenger boats designed for a crew of 2 operators and 12–15 passengers.

  • The proposed battery-powered passenger ferryboat can’t accommodate any motor propelled passenger cars or heavy utility vehicles.

Interested parties can attend a pre-proposal meeting on August 21 at 2 PM via Google Meet. Get meeting details.

DNR Photo Contest Deadline Extended 📸

Hey, shutterbugs, you’ve got an extra week to enter the Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest. Maryland DNR, which organizes the contest, extended the deadline to next Monday. Enter your photos that reflect nature in Maryland, and your image could be among the winners featured in the department’s 2025 wall calendar.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be selected for categories of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Subject-matter subcategories will be chosen from each season:

🐦 Birds
🐛 Insects
🌸 Flora
🛶 Recreation
🌳 Landscapes
🌧 Weather and Wonder
🦊 Wildlife

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

LOCAL BUSINESS

Sweet! The Sugar Shoppe is officially open 🍭

There’s a new place in town where you can satisfy your sweet tooth. Entrepreneurs Jamie Denton and Eloise Patton recently opened The Sugar Shoppe in Severna Park, offering locals a place to “come for some delicious bin candy and stay for the fun.” In addition to candy, the shop offers colorful party supplies and creative gifts. Join the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening on Thursday at 5 PM — 4 Riggs Ave, Severna Park, MD

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.

Your healthcare should be focused on you

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Park Books hosts Jodi Picoult 📚

The mistress of twists, Jodi Picoult, is coming to Annapolis this week to promote her new book, By Any Other Name, with Park Books. The NYT bestselling author will be in conversation with journalist/critic Elizabeth Winkler at Maryland Hall on Thursday at 7 PM, and Park Books still has some tickets available (pre-signed book included with ticket price).

Theater Tuesday 🎭

The theater scene isn’t slowing down in the heat of summer. Auditions and youth performances are on this week’s schedule:

Auditions at Compass Rose Theater
Compass Rose Theater holds auditions for its production of Proof tonight at 6 PM and Saturday at 10 AM. Role are open for two women and two men, union and paid (stipend). Email [email protected] with resume, headshot, and video monologue to be considered.

TMC presents Oklahoma
Oh, what a beautiful mornin’ to order your tickets for Talent Machine Company’s youth show, Oklahoma. This classic runs through August 25.

Mark ye well the day: Maryland Ren Fest opens Saturday 🏰 🍗

We’re going to do this one in our best attempt at heightened language: Hear ye, hear ye! Be it known the Maryland Renaissance Festival (MDRF) opens its gates this weekend, heralding nine weeks of revelry, performances, shopping, food, and so much more to delight the senses. The festivities commence with the cannon at 10 AM and continue ‘til 7 PM each Saturday and Sunday (inclusive of Labor Day) until the 20th October. As the crowds are expected to grow as the season advances, ‘twould be wise to secure thy passage by buying tickets in advance. Let the merriment abound! 👑

EYC Foundation fundraiser 🦀

It’s time to shore up some support for the EYC Foundation, the charitable arm of Eastport Yacht Club, which raises anchor on its annual fundraising campaign next Wednesday. You can view items in the online auction now and plan out your must-bid items. Bidding starts August 28 through September 8. There is an impressive variety of items: local art, jewelry, unique experiences, and even a Wine Lovers’ Delight Raffle with a selection of 30+ champagnes and wines valued at over $1,000. Proceeds from the auction benefit the foundation’s work with youth, inspiring future stewards of the Chesapeake Bay.

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

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NAPTOWN SCOOP WEATHER IS POWERED BY. . .

Tuesday

75 🌡️ 58 | 🌤️ | 4% | 💨 NNW 12 mph (10 knots)

Wednesday

76 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ | 3% | 💨 NNW 10 mph (9 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 81ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

Tuesday

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
Pirates Cove | Cole Larravide | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Parijita Bastola | 8 PM | Tickets

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
Dinner Under The Stars | Wendall Live | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Kristi Allen | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jordan | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | LaMP feat. Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger & Ray Paczkowski | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who is already psyched for the weekend.