Naptown Scoop
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🍦Capital Gazette has new ownership

🍦Capital Gazette has new ownership

Melting snow at Lawyers Mall, USA lax hall of fame, more snow...

Naptown Scoop
January 18, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. It’s obvious I don’t have kids when I tell you to watch the AACPS website for snow day updates when they already don’t have class. Thanks for sticking with us through all of my mistakes. – Ryan

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Melting snow at Lawyers Mall
USA Lax Hall of Fame
Book sale

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Ryan Sneddon

P.S. Happy Birthday to Kate Myers aka Front Doors of Annapolis and the best-selling author of Excavations! 🍰

A MESSAGE FROM CURRENT DERMATOLOGY

Treatment Spotlight: Halo Skin Resurfacing Laser

Halo is a cosmetic laser treatment that combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to address a wide range of skin concerns. This hybrid fractional laser is designed to rejuvenate and renew the skin's tone and texture, effectively targeting issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven pigmentation. The non-ablative component targets deep within the skin, promoting collagen production and overall skin renewal, while the ablative wavelength addresses surface imperfections. This results in a more youthful, radiant complexion with minimal downtime. The Halo laser is a game-changer for those seeking comprehensive skin revitalization with precision and efficiency. If you have been looking for a complete skin reset then look no further. Schedule your consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists today to see if you are a candidate for Halo laser.

THE DIGEST

Top clicks of the week 🏆

Wednesday: St. John’s College announces winter “lecture series”
Thursday: 🗳️ Which Annapolis Blues jersey do you love?

Major stories of the week

We’re trying out a new feature similar to the Top Clicks above where we revisit the highest impact stories of the week.

Sinclair Broadcast Group executive chairman and lifelong Marylander David D. Smith bought the Baltimore Sun (which owns the Capital Gazette) from hedge fund Alden Global Capital. Details aren’t public but Smith said he paid “nine figures” in a meeting with the Sun’s staff.
Eastern Shore brewery RAR opened Chessie’s Wharf in West Annapolis on Tuesday. It’s been packed every night since. Visit at 609 Melvin Avenue.
Admiral Yvette Davids relieved interim superintendent Admiral Fred Kacher to become the Naval Academy’s 65th superintendent and first woman to hold the post. Admiral Kacher will become the commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Japan.

Melt system at Lawyers Mall gets its moment

If you walked around downtown Tuesday, you may have noticed there was no snow on Lawyers Mall. That’s because the snow doesn’t stick to the post-renovation brickwork out front of the State House. There’s a nifty new system under the bricks that steam heats an alcohol-based compound to keep it warm when temps drop too low. No need for chemical salts or snow removal equipment! And no need for legislators to take a snow day during the General Assembly. (Sorry, guys 🤷‍♀️) ($)

Annapolis native inducted into USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame 🥍

It’s easy to see why Acacia Walker-Weinstein will be in the Chesapeake Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame. The former Sherwood Forest resident was a standout midfielder for Annapolis High School where she amassed 205 career points. She was a two-time All-American at UMD and the youngest member of the gold medal-winning 1999 US U-19 national team. And as Boston College women’s lacrosse head coach, she’s compiled a career record of 173-52 and won BC’s first national championship in 2021.

Read the full story by Bill Wagner, writer for The Capital and co-host of our Anchors Aweigh Podcast. ($)

Coyote name contest winner

Since David Sites, the official Thomas Point Lighthouse photographer, suggested the winning name for the new decoy coyote, Drew, he let us give away his two tickets to tour the lighthouse in 2024. Congratulations to David Palmer. You’re going to the Lighthouse!

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

📸 @kstevenson_art | 📍Maritime Republic of Eastport

Tag @NaptownScoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

B.I.G. Book Sale

Sorry to all the bookworms for the wrong date we included in last week’s Scoop — the B.I.G. Book Sale is actually this weekend: Friday, January 19 from 3–5 PM and Saturday, January 20 from 8 AM–2 PM. B.I.G. (short for Books for International Goodwill) sells secondhand books to promote literacy here and abroad — and their book sales are definitely big, with thousands and thousands of books. Stop by to support their mission and stock up on reading material for the next time you get snowed in. It may be sooner than you think.

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.

CIVIL NEWS

City Council meeting

On the agenda for Monday’s City Council meeting:

Restaurant parking lot usage pilot program extension for outdoor dining
City noise prohibitions and enforcement
Short-term rental licenses and regulations
See full agenda

You are welcome to attend. The meeting starts at 7 PM in the City Council chambers at City Hall — 160 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. If you’re interested in providing testimony, submit it here.

Annapolis Ahead 2040 heads to the City Council

The Annapolis Planning Commission officially approved a draft of Annapolis’ new comprehensive plan, Annapolis Ahead 2040. It outlines the vision for the city’s future through – you guessed it – 2040. The draft is available to read now. It covers housing affordability, transportation, climate, and more.

What’s next? The draft heads to City Council for formal adoption. More opportunities for public comment will happen and we’ll share them when they do. Worth noting: The comprehensive plan is an ideology, not law. It doesn’t change zoning regulations.

County Council meeting recap

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Anne Arundel County Council held hearings on five bills. Three were amended, two of which expanded benefits for county first responders. These bills are up for a final vote at the February 5 meeting:

Bill 91-23 expands who qualifies for a county tax credit, and how much they’ll receive.
Bill 93-23 lets new fire and police hires buy up to five years of service credits to put toward current pensions.

Two bills were defeated, including Bill 92-23, aiming to align roadside small businesses with nearby residences. Bill 94-23 would have amended zoning requirements for business complexes in residential districts. See the full recap on the Capital Gazette. ($)

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EXTRA SPRINKLES

Create Everlasting Memories ✨

Host Your Special Event at Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park! Discover a distinctive venue with stunning waterfront views. Whether it's a wedding or any special gathering, Our Museum and Park campuses offer a unique and charming setting, ensuring an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Secure your date by booking now!*

Meet the Inn at Horn Point 💎

It’s a shame. Most locals don’t know Annapolis’ best accommodations so when friends visit, they stay in some chain hotel with no local flair or granny’s Airbnb. Next time, tell your friends about the freshly renovated Inn at Horn Point. This top-rated bed and breakfast in charming Eastport is the perfect home base for Annapolis adventures – be it a history tour, Rams Head concert, or just visiting friends. There’s a reason almost every guest is a repeat or referral guest. Learn more.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Friday

33 🌡️ 22 | ❄️ | 75% | 💨 N 9 mph (8 knots)

Saturday

27 🌡️ 21 | 🌥️ | 3% | 💨 WNW 18 mph (16 knots)

Sunday

34 🌡️ 20 | ☀️ | 3% | 💨 NW 15 mph (13 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 38ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

NAVY SPORTS

LISTEN: New Anchors Aweigh Podcast 🎙️

On this week’s Anchors Aweigh Podcast, Navy athletics insiders Bill Wagner and Pete Medhurst focus on the big Navy football news: hiring Drew Cronic as offensive coordinator. They also interview gymnastics coach Kip Simon and captain Ian Dinmore and discuss the recent performance of Navy’s basketball squads. Check it out! It’s a 50-minute listen.

Two new coaches for Navy football

Jay Guillermo and David Cole are two new names you need to know in Navy football. These coaches come to Annapolis from Mercer – just like the new offensive coordinator, Drew Cronic. They’re stepping into the positions of offensive line coach (Guillermo) and tight ends coach (Cole). David Cole has worked with Drew Cronic for a total of 6 seasons at multiple schools. Jay Guillermo had just joined the Mercer staff at the end of last season. He was the starting center at Clemson in 2017 when the Tigers won the National Championship.

Upcoming games & matches

Women's Basketball (5-11)
1/20 vs. Army | 11 AM

Men's Basketball (7-9)
1/20 vs. Army | 1:30 PM

Men's Gymnastics
1/20 vs. Navy Open | 2 PM

Men’s Hockey (4-12)
1/19 vs. Towson University | 7:30 PM

Men's Lacrosse
1/21 vs. Denver (Scrimmage) | 10 AM
1/21 vs. High Point (Scrimmage) | 2 PM

Rifle (4-6)
1/20-21 vs. Alaska Fairbanks | 9 AM

Men's Squash (10-7)
1/19 vs. Bowdoin | 6:30 PM
1/21 vs. Franklin and Marshall | 2 PM

Women's Swimming & Diving (5-3)
1/20 vs. James Madison | 11 AM

Women's Tennis
1/20 vs. St. Bonaventure | 9 AM
1/20 vs. Saint Francis | 3 PM

Men's Tennis
1/19 @ at Penn | 11 AM & 3 PM
1/20 vs. St. Bonaventure | Noon
1/20 vs. Saint Francis U | 6 PM

Women's Track & Field (0-1)
1/19-20 vs. Wesley A. Brown Invitational | 4 PM/9:30 AM

Men's Track & Field (1-0)
1/19-20 vs. Wesley A. Brown Invitational | 4 PM/9:30 AM

Wrestling (6-2)
1/20 @ Lehigh | 2 PM
1/21 @ Binghamton | 2 PM

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THANKS!

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