🍦Chesapeake National Recreation Area?

Good morning, Annapolis. If you missed our announcement yesterday, we’re now sending the Naptown Scoop newsletter every weekday. I’m excited and a little nervous. Don’t Give up the Scoop!

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Smashing Grapes closing, Lodge opening

• Baygrass Music Festival

• National Night Out

Let’s get to it.

—Ryan Sneddon

Why is Scoop coming out every day now?

Naptown Scoop started as a weekly publication. That only lasted 2 weeks before I realized I’d never make enough money to live off the advertising. So I started publishing three days a week. Yesterday, I announced that Scoop will now come out every weekday. And I want to tell you why.

To be honest, it’s a money thing.

I’m not going to try to convince you that I switched so Scoop is shorter and easier to read each day or because not publishing two days every week held us back – although I do believe those to be true.

But what really happened is a potential client wanted advertising that was sold out under our old schedule. So I zoomed out, decided we could publish daily without dropping the quality, and sold the ads.

I hope you appreciate the honesty. Y’all rock. Happy Tuesday.

THE DIGEST

MD Delegation introduces legislation to make Chesapeake Bay a National Recreation Area

Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative John Sarbanes have introduced a bill that would create a new national recreation area around the Chesapeake Bay. The designation doesn’t come with full national park status but it does bring National Park Resources. There are about 40 similar areas around the country. If passed, the bill would let the National Park Service acquire and operate the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, Burtis House, and the Whitehall Mansion. ($)

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

#NAPTOWNSCOOP

One of these things is not like the other

📸 @lizwarburton_ | 📍Downtown

Post with #NaptownScoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

LOCAL BUSINESS

Smashing Grapes 🔜 The Lodge 🦋 

Metamorphosis. It’s a beautiful thing. Turning caterpillars into butterflies and old restaurants into new ones. Which is what Titan Hospitality’s doing with Smashing Grapes near the mall. This fall, it will reopen Smashing Grapes as The Lodge – which will be heavily inspired by Titan’s current Blackwall Barn & Lodge concept in Gambrills. Peruse that website to get a feel for Annapolis’ new Lodge. Love Smashing Grapes? Don’t fret. Titan’s still got one in Gambrills and they’re opening another one in Columbia after the Lodge opens.

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’

Save this Date: Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival 🪕

Kentucky has bluegrass. Annapolis has Baygrass. The Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival is back at Sandy Point State Park on September 30 and October 1 with 14 bands across 2 stages including the Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, and more. And since the festival’s motto is Every Jam Saves the Bay, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the Alliance for the Chesapeake bay, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Watershed Stewards Academy. Grab a GA ticket or ball out with VIP 🤩

VIP Includes parking, reusable cup with discounted refills, chef-prepared dinner every night, and so much more.

Drum Corps: An American Tradition 🥁

Do you or your kids like drums? Then you can’t miss the Drum Corps International show at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium tonight (8/1). Drum Corps from New Jersey to California are playing for the top score (oh yes, this a competition) from 7:15–9:30 PM. The Cadets are the only ones with an encore built into the schedule so my money’s on them. Click here to get tickets.

National Night Out

National Night Out is an annual event for police, fire, and emergency personnel to build connections with their local community. Because after all, they are there to help us. Enjoy free food, games, and new friends at three locations around Annapolis tonight (8/1).

• Annapolis Gardens (5–8 PM) | Bay Ridge Gardens, (5–8 PM) | Michael E. Busch Library (6– 8 PM). See exact locations.

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

One-room Schoolhouses for the 21st Century

Curiosity may kill cats, but it’s innovation rocket fuel in humans. Unfortunately, our school system crushes curiosity year by year until kids hate learning because learning = school and school = boring. As Einstein said, “It’s a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.” Acton Academy Annapolis’ unique approach stimulates creativity through collaborative work, mixed-age classes, tons of outdoor activities, and much more. Enrollment is open for Fall 2023 until August 15. Curious? Click here to learn more.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Tuesday

81 🌡️ 68 | ☀️ | 4% | 💨 NNE 9 mph (8 knots)

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Tuesday

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
Pirates Cove | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with a park ranger.