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🍦Beat the Heat: Cooling Centers Now Open

🍦Beat the Heat: Cooling Centers Now Open

Coming soon: Porchfest Annapolis, Next County Exec to Get 27% Raise, Let's Go! Music Festival . . .

Naptown Scoop
June 05, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. It’s vitamin D season! Until the weekend, of course, when it’s supposed to rain :(

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Coming soon: Porchfest Annapolis 🎶
Next County Exec to Get 27% Raise
Let's Go! Music Festival

Let’s get to it.

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

Do you know a young adult that is struggling to thrive on their own?

The story often sounds like this: “As much as we enjoy having our son at home, we struggle watching him flounder with little sense of direction. How can we help him achieve independence while maintaining a strong, loving relationship with our child?"

Mission Next Coaching is designed specifically to empower individuals to navigate life's most challenging transitions with confidence and resilience. We work with young adults – or their parents – to turn desires into definable action steps. With the right support, your young adult can thrive independently – and you can enjoy peace of mind knowing they’re ready.

So instead of making your young adult the head of the ‘Forever Home' department, e-mail Dr. John Wojcik at Mission Next Coaching to take your next step.

THE DIGEST

Next Anne Arundel Exec to Get 27% Pay Raise

Getting a raise is always nice! And County Council agrees, as they unanimously voted to increase the next County Executive’s annual salary by 27%. This is the first pay raise for the position since 2017, moving it from $142,000 per year to $180,000 in hopes of increasing the pool of qualified candidates. The County’s personnel board calls the current salary “embarrassingly low” and even though he won’t benefit, current County Executive Steuart Pittman says the raise is “long overdue.” ($)

14 graduations, 5 days, 1 venue 🎓

Not to make the kids these days roll their eyes and say, “Okay, millennial,” but there was a time not too long ago when AACPS didn’t have a local venue big enough for graduation ceremonies. Most schools booked places like Towson University or the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, neither of which are right down the street. But now that Live! Casino & Hotel is open, AACPS (finally) has the space it needs — and Live! gets a tax break for providing the space at no charge.

The big challenge? Accommodating all 14 high schools in one week. Somehow AACPS makes it look easy. Organizers keep the ceremonies on schedule and under two hours, so Live! is able to host three schools a day. Specifically, this entails:

🧑‍🎓 Long hours. A rotation of AACPS employees is at Live! from 5 AM to 10 PM.
🧑‍🎓 Managing crowds. Students get tickets for 6–8 attendees, and AACPS employees direct traffic in the parking lot.
🧑‍🎓 Custom planning. Each school gets to decorate the stage and plan a unique program as long as they stay within the 2-hour timeframe.
🧑‍🎓 Arriving early. Grads show up an hour in advance to line up for their walk across the stage.
🧑‍🎓 Staying respectful. The post-ceremony greetings and photo ops have to be short because attendees for the next graduation are probably already in the parking lot.

Cooling Relief 🔥

Temps are (finally) starting to climb. So, Anne Arundel County is doing something cool. Literally. They’re opening public facilities for relief during scorching weather. Stay chill 24/7 at police stations, or visit libraries and senior centers during regular hours. (Note: The Arnold Senior Center is unavailable due to renovations.) Each facility offers AC, water, and restrooms. It pains us to say it, but pets are not welcome — unless they’re service animals.

Need extra support or shelter? Dial the Crisis Warmline at 410-768-5522. For all the sizzling details, visit aacounty.org/cool. Remember: heat’s no joke — hydrate, seek shade, and don’t forget your shades. 😎

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

LOCAL BUSINESS

Curt’s New Spin: Tide Cleaners Washes Up in Edgewater 🧺 🫧

Warning: we’re taking laundry puns for a full spin cycle. The Tide has turned in Edgewater, and it’s cleaning up nicely. Curt Schwab, local entrepreneur and owner of several Rita’s, has opened Maryland’s first Tide Dry Cleaners — with loads more locations coming soon across Anne Arundel County. The Edgewater flagship at 3069 Solomons Island Rd serves as the central “home plant,” supporting convenient satellite drop-off spots. Backed by Tide’s legacy (yes, that Tide) and powered by an exclusive 4-step cleaning process, the service promises a new standard in garment care.

HERE. Naptown Pop Up Market returns to ATC

Just in time for some summertime shopping, HERE. returns to Annapolis Town Center for the ultimate summer kickoff. The Naptown Pop-Up Market brings in a great mix of small businesses exhibiting their unique offerings, with everything from vintage clothing to handmade stationery; clothing to ice cream cones. Bring the whole family down to the ATC green by Tatte. Saturday, 10 AM – 3 PM. Rain date: Sunday.

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.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

Carnival at the Mall All the classic carnival rides in one spot! Through June 15 at the Annapolis Mall parking lot. Wristbands for unlimited rides run $25–30.

Paint Annapolis The MFA’s Plein Air celebration begins its weekend of celebrations with Art on the Avenue, which runs 6–8 PM on Maryland Ave. Painting runs through June 8 in select spots around town.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

Let's Go! Music Festival Milky Chance, Third Eye Blind, Young the Giant, and more come to the county fairgrounds for two days of music, dancing, and more. Also on Saturday.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Opening Day: Summer Kick Off Event at Wildberry Wildberry Farm hosts dozens of small businesses in their outdoor market, which also features delicious food, great music, and yoga classes. Free goodie bags for the first 50 guests. 9 AM to 1 PM

Skate Park at Truxtun Grand Opening Come celebrate the grand opening of Truxtun Park Skate Park with a skating demo, clinics, giveaways, and more. Bring your board! 10 AM.

Secret Garden Tour 2025 It’s the Hammond Harwood House’s gorgeous self-guided walking tour through the Murray Hill and Presidents Hill neighborhoods. Also on Sunday.

Annapolis Blues Doubleheader The Women’s team takes on Virginia Beach City, while the Men face off with Lionsbridge FC. Let’s see if we can set another attendance record before the temperature hits 90! First match (women) starts at 5 PM.

SUNDAY, JUNE 8

Walk for the Animals

It’s the 32nd annual Walk for the Animals benefitting the AACSPCA. Come to Quiet Waters Park to get your steps in with your best friend, and check out the great vendors, volunteer opportunities, and animals up for adoption while you’re there. 8 AM – Noon.

Pre-Summer Paper Shredding Event

Need to quietly destroy some documents? On Saturday, Anne Arundel County residents can drop off personal documents to be securely shredded at Heritage Office Complex. There’s a four-box limit, and all shredding will be conducted by a secure handling service. 8–11 AM @ 2666 Riva Rd.

Feeding Hope fundraiser for AA Food Bank 🍞

Anne Arundel Food Bank does a lot to support our neighbors in need — but who’s there to support Anne Arundel Food Bank? Well, you are, of course. Or at least, you can be, if you get tickets to the Feeding Hope fundraiser. This is the food bank’s signature fundraiser, not to mention a chance to celebrate its volunteers and supporters. It’s next Thursday, June 12, 6–9 PM at the Naval Academy Alumni Association’s gorgeous Fluegel Hall. There will be food, drinks, live music by Red Betty & the Ruckus, and more. Tickets are still available.

Coming soon to a front stoop near you: Porchfest Annapolis 🎶

Imagine it — on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in late spring, you can walk around an Annapolis neighborhood and hear different local musicians playing from the porches, stoops, or driveways. That’s the idea of Porchfest, a trend that’s been growing around the country and comes to Annapolis this year on June 14 (rain date June 15). Walk around the Germantown-Homewood neighborhood 11 AM – 3 PM to hear 45-minute sets in all kinds of music styles. Check out the full lineup and when they’re playing, and consider ways to volunteer if you’re interested in being part of the inaugural event.

Now does anyone want to start a Porschefest with us???

Save this date: Ignite Annapolis Returns to Maryland Hall 🎤

Ignite Annapolis is back October 21 — bringing five-minute, 20-slide talks on everything from life hacks and the arts to innovation and nonprofits. Want to present your passion? Just know Ignite isn’t a platform for business development or sales pitches.

Submit by July 15 for a shot at the stage. Just remember their beautiful mantra, “Enlighten us, but make it quick.” Sixteen speakers will be selected and notified by August 18. Slides are due September 22. Produced with Leadership Anne Arundel, this year’s event supports the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Not selected? Your talk stays on file for future events so don’t be discouraged.

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

80 🌡️ 65 | ⛅ | 6% | S 12 mph (10 knots)

Friday

81 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | 24% | SSE 9 mph (8 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 70ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with your friend who has the longest commute.

🍦Beat the Heat: Cooling Centers Now Open

Coming soon: Porchfest Annapolis, Next County Exec to Get 27% Raise, Let's Go! Music Festival . . .

TOGETHER WITH

SPONSORED BY MISSION NEXT COACHING

Do you know a young adult that is struggling to thrive on their own?

THE DIGEST

Next Anne Arundel Exec to Get 27% Pay Raise

14 graduations, 5 days, 1 venue 🎓

Cooling Relief 🔥

LOCAL BUSINESS

Curt’s New Spin: Tide Cleaners Washes Up in Edgewater 🧺 🫧

HERE. Naptown Pop Up Market returns to ATC

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview

Pre-Summer Paper Shredding Event

Feeding Hope fundraiser for AA Food Bank 🍞

Coming soon to a front stoop near you: Porchfest Annapolis 🎶

Save this date: Ignite Annapolis Returns to Maryland Hall 🎤

WEATHER

Thursday

Friday

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

THANKS!