🍦Annapolis is for lovers

Good morning, Annapolis. Did you know roughly 14% of the US workforce is expected to skip work today because of the Super Bowl? So if you’re clocking in today, good on you. Hard work is underrated these days.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Celebrity hairstylist gets a Key to the City

• Affordable housing announcement

• Coming up this week: Special Valentine’s Edition

Let’s get to it.

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

THE DIGEST

Celebrity hairstylist to receive Key to the City

Celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey will be honored at this year’s Key to the City awards on February 16th. Dorsey, whose clients include Cardi B, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna, was born in Annapolis and attended Annapolis Middle and High Schools. This year’s celebration will showcase the cultural and historical significance of Black hair, and the many local artists and creatives who have contributed to this legacy. While in Annapolis, Dorsey plans on visiting local salons and public schools to share his experience and inspiration. Catch him while you can.

Affordable housing announcement coming today 🏠

Let’s be real: Housing is expensive. The Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA) works to make quality housing attainable for all people, and they’re receiving major financial support from state, county, and city governments today. The announcement is set for 10 AM at the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis Offices — 1217 Madison Street, Annapolis 21403. What to expect: $3.3 million in funding, including . . .

💵 $300K from the Department of Housing and Community Development
💵 $1 million from the State of Maryland
💵 $500K from Anne Arundel County
💵 $1.5 million from the City of Annapolis

These funds will help HACA provide public and affordable housing and create more economic development opportunities.

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SPONSORED BY YOGA FACTORY ANNAPOLIS & CROFTON

Strength, Sweat, and Yoga

Do you think yoga studios are always slow, relaxing places with gentle music playing and people meditating while sitting cross-legged? Think again.

Yoga Factory isn’t just about slowing down — we bring the heat, too! HIIT Yoga, Sculpt & Sweat, and Buti are all-levels classes designed to build strength, boost endurance, and torch calories, all while staying rooted in mindful movement.

🔥 Buti – A powerful mix of yoga, primal movement, and dance-driven cardio.
💪 HIIT Yoga – High-intensity training meets yoga for the ultimate challenge.
🎶 Sculpt & Sweat – Strength training with resistance bands, weights (optional), and high-energy beats.

Ready to push your limits? Join Yoga Factory for a workout like no other!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Fundraiser Focus 🔍

We have a lot of great nonprofits doing a lot of great work around Annapolis. And we get asked to share that good work so often that we’re creating a regular feature for it. It’s called Fundraiser Focus and it will run every Monday. We’ll share about a nonprofit (or several) and its upcoming fundraisers, projects, or maybe even a quick story about their work. Here’s the first one.

🩰 Ballet Theatre of Maryland (BTM) has its 46th Anniversary Gala on March 30 at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. It’s titled Elegance on the Water and will involve a one-night-only performance featuring BTM dancers. BTM began as the Ballet Theatre of Annapolis in 1978 but changed its name in 2000 to focus on the entire state of Maryland. BTM has been a professional dance company since 1996. It offers the only ballet training program in Maryland with a path from beginner to professional.

Want to submit a nonprofit? Just click here!

Coming Up This Week 🗓

Who knows what the weather is going to do this week. . . Snow? Rain? Both? Much ado about nothing? Until there’s white stuff falling from the sky, it doesn’t hurt to make plans to get out and about this week. Here’s what’s happening:

Monday
🎮 Ages 11+ can stop by the Eastport Branch Library for a Teen Hangout with video games, crafts, and snacks from 4–5:30 PM.

🍹 Get crafty while enjoying a fun drink at the Busch Annapolis Branch Library’s Makers & Mocktails for adults from 6–7 PM.

Tuesday
🚲 Network with other cyclists and advocates about issues that are important to you at the Maryland Bike Symposium from 8:30 AM–3 PM at Annapolis City Hall.

Wednesday
💔 Celebrate friendship instead of romance with airbrush tattoos and other activities at the Teen Anti-Valentine's Party at Eastport Branch Library from 4–6 PM.

Thursday
🎨 Learn the best approaches for arts advocacy by connecting with artists and lawmakers at Maryland Arts Day from 8 AM–2 PM at St. John’s College’s Key Auditorium.

Black History Month in Annapolis: Few of the Many 🏆

Resilience, dedication, and impact. Those are some of the qualities ascribed to this year’s recipients of the Few of the Many Awards, Anne Arundel County’s signature Black History Month event. The awards ceremony is this Wednesday from 6–8 PM at Maryland Hall — 801 Chase Street, Annapolis 21401. Each of the 14 honorees were chosen for being African American leaders who live in Anne Arundel County and exemplify this year’s theme: African Americans and Labor.

• Demetrius L. Ballard

• Patsy Baker Blackshear, Ph.D.

• Tierra Brown

• Shameka “Meke” Cole

• Joshua Hatch

• Candis Henson

• Robert L. Johnson

• Cheryl A. McLeod, Esq.

• Kirkland J. Murray

• Col. (R) David H. Patterson Jr.

• Barbara A. Quaye

• Reneé F. Spears

• Richard Louis Van Dyke

• Stephen V. Williams

You can read a short bio for each honoree here.

Coming up this week: Valentine’s special edition 💘

Virginia Annapolis is for lovers. ♥️

Thursday

🎹 Rams Head On Stage: Celebrate love and soul with “A Donny Hathaway Experience” at 8 PM. 21+ Grab tickets.

Friday

🎶 Hammond-Harwood House: Enjoy a romantic evening with a Valentine’s Day Concert featuring the Empressa Ensemble. Wine reception starts at 5 PM, concert is at 6 PM. Seating is limited, get tickets now.

🎤 Rams Head On Stage: Husband-and-wife folk-pop duo of Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler perform “Infamous Love Songs” at 8 PM. Tickets.

🩸Stan and Joe’s A Bloody Valentine’s Dinner: Delve into the chilling world of local true crime, sinister murder, and twisted tales from Annapolis’ long history. Tickets include a spooky welcome cocktail, dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, and entertainment. Doors open at 6:30 PM, dinner and storytelling 7–8:30 PM.

🍽️ What’s for dinner? Scan these 3-5 course Valentine’s dinner options from Luna Blu, Carrol’s Creek Café, Blackwall Hitch, Melting Pot, and more. PSA: If you’re dining out, make a reservation now. 📲

🛍️ Bonus: Shop local with these lovable V-Day gift ideas from us.

Fastest Float Dash ☘️ 🏃‍♂️🍺

Want a fun way to join Annapolis’ biggest parade? You’re in luck. Peake Social’s second Annapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fastest Float Dash lets you. On March 9, meet at 12:20 PM at SeaSalt (across from the Westin Hotel) for a 1-mile dash along the parade route. No walking! Dress in green, lace up, and race for the gold (or at least a pint)! The first 30 leprechauns to finish will grab a complimentary beverage at Dock Street! Costs $12 for ages 21+. Register by March 8.

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

Tonight’s City Council meeting will cover:

• Speed Monitoring Cameras

• City Docking for Dinghies & Small Vessels

• Non-Profit Vendors at Fall 2025 Boat Shows

• See full agenda.

The meeting is at 7 PM at Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers (160 Duke Of Gloucester Street Annapolis, MD 21401). The public may attend. Click here to testify or watch online.

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WEATHER

Monday

41 🌡️ 29 | ⛅ | 3% | 💨 NNW 8 mph (7 knots)

Tuesday

35 🌡️ 31 | ❄️ | 72% | 💨 ESE 5 mph (4 knots)

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

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Monday

49 West | Danah Denice, Jen Schimf, Callum & Angie Miller | 7:30–10:30 PMTS

Tuesday

49 West | SKRIBE & Damian Wolf | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Dom Flemons | 7:30 PM | Tickets

NAVY SPORTS

Annapolis RB Tyler Womack Signs with Villanova 🏈

Prolific Annapolis High running back Tyler Womack just signed with Villanova over offers from Navy and UMass. Yet, his road to become a Wildcat was bumpy one. Despite an ACL tear his freshman year and surviving a shooting near his home on Halloween 2023, Tyler’s resolve only strengthened. The Annapolis running back rushed for a state-leading 1,844 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior. His efforts helped turn Annapolis Football into a contender and earned him a rare Rhodes Trophy split with Malik Washington. Btw, the Rhodes is our county’s version of the Heisman. Congrats Tyler! ($)

Past results

Women's Basketball (15-7)
2/8 vs. Lafayette | L 61- 60

Men's Basketball (8-17)
2/8 @ Lafayette | L 61-51

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THANKS!

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