Naptown Scoop
Posts
🍦Christmas Lights of the Year

🍦Christmas Lights of the Year

Holly Beach Farm, affordable housing bill, Marley Station Mall trains...

Naptown Scoop
December 20, 2023

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Take a deep breath with me. Take another one. One more. . . I hope that was relaxing. Now let’s get Scoopin’.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Affordable housing
Public water access
1,000 coats

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan Sneddon, Rebecca Kraybill, & Lauren Burke Meyer

Naptown Scoop’s Christmas Lights of the Year

Congratulations to John and Dina Haines of Severna Park! Their gingerbread house-themed Christmas lights made them the winner of Naptown Scoop’s First-Ever Holly Jolliest Home Contest.

We had almost 50 entries. In the end, John and Dina’s unified theme, squeaky clean design, and a little tasteful animation sealed the deal.

So what do they win? A staycation and shopping spree worth $550. But when I told them that, John and Dina blew me away and said they’re going to donate that same amount to Annapolis Hope.

Thank you to everyone who participated – especially John and Dina for your amazing generosity.

Happy Holidays from Brad Kappel

The end of the year is near and I want to send you warm wishes of joy, happy memories, and prosperity as the holiday approaches. Your support and trust mean the world to me.

Cheers,
Brad Kappel

P.S. If you’re selling in 2024, Make Your Move with Brad Kappel.

THE DIGEST

Have you seen the Christmas trees at the State House?

Every December, garden clubs from all over Maryland decorate Christmas trees for the State House lobby. There are 24 in total – one for each county and Baltimore City – each with a different theme.

The trees are in the main lobby right inside the visitor’s entrance. Enter on the side without the lawn. It’s completely free. just remember your ID.

The State House is open to the public from 9 AM–5 PM every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day – even with the exterior restoration. And speaking of. . . has anyone noticed the scaffold sheeting is custom-printed to match what’s underneath? Pretty cool!

Marley Station Mall train garden closing 🚂

Sadly, the Marley Station Train Garden closed on Monday due to a rent hike. The 32-year-old holiday tradition had already attracted 1,800+ guests this season. And while this is technically a bit outside Scoop’s radius, many of our readers have made the slight drive over the years. So we have to ask. . .

Anyone know a place in Annapolis the train garden can move? ($)

Holly Beach Farm being turned over to DNR

300 acres on the Chesapeake Bay are set to be transferred from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to DNR about 20 years after the state helped finance thezx purchase from a private citizen. A stipulation of that aid was that it be opened to the public. And it has, but on a very limited basis.

Paul Peditto, DNR’s assistant secretary of land resources, said it will be open to the public under DNR, but the agency will take its sweet time to get it there. Once the Board of Public Works approves the transfer, DNR will take a long, hard look at how to open Holly Farm to the public without straining the natural resources or completely traffic-trapping the nearby residents who already have to deal with miles of Bay Bridge and Sandy Point State Park traffic every weekend. ($)

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

LOCAL BUSINESS

Admiral Cleaners gives back

Giving back looks different for everyone. Some businesses make big cash donations. Others never decline donating to a silent auction. At Scoop, we often donate advertising. Here’s what they do at Admiral Cleaners.

They collect over 1,000 coats from their customers, clean each and every one, then distribute them to families all over Anne Arundel County. Recipients included Marshall Hope Pantry, Tyler Heights/Park/Hilltop and Bell Grove elementary schools, local Afghan refugees, and Hope For All. Thanks Admiral Cleaners!

P.S. This is not sponsored. Admiral Cleaners doesn’t even know we’re doing it. We just wanted to recognize a locally-owned business for doing something awesome :)

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.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Annapolis

I’ve lived in Annapolis for 14 years. And for 10 of those, I commuted across the bridge to run Queenstown Veterinary Hospital. I always dreamed of opening a vet hospital in my hometown.

So this year I did – Western Shore Veterinary Hospital on Bestgate Road. And I’ve been blown away by the response from you, Naptown Scoop’s loyal readers.

Dozens and dozens of you have trusted us to care for your pets. You’ve made this launch more successful than I ever imagined. And many of you have become personal friends.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

– Dr. Marianne Bailey

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Important Christmas/New Year’s info

The final two holidays of the year are coming up so listen up. Here are some important service disruptions you may need to know.

City and County trash collection: If Monday is your trash day, it’ll be Tuesday next week. If Tuesday’s your day, it’ll be Wednesday. It will follow the same pattern for New Year’s Day because that’s also a Monday.
City and County offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Naptown Scoop: We’ll sending our final email of 2023 this Friday (12/22). Our very hardworking writers are taking a well-deserved break and we’ll be back in your inboxes on January 2.

Plan ahead: New Year’s Eve

We all know there are fireworks on NYE (and we’ve got those deets), but what else can do you? I’m so glad you asked. Many restaurants and bars are having parties that sound like a smashing good time. We even have an exclusive discount for Choptank’s Gold Party. Here are 7 awesome options at all price points for your NYE fun. And of course, here’s the fireworks info:

Annapolis is shooting fireworks over the harbor at two times on December 31. The first will be a family-friendly 7 PM. The second will be the traditional midnight. If you plan to watch from your boat, arrive early. The 1,000-foot safety zone around the fireworks barge covers the entire width of Spa Creek so you won't be able to get through between 4 PM – midnight.

The Longest Night

At 4:30 PM tomorrow (12/21) at the People’s Park (43 Calvert Street), the Anne Arundel and Annapolis Coalition to End Homelessness will host the annual Longest Night Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service. This is when we remember our homeless community members who lost their lives over the past year. Its date is no accident. December 21 is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. The event is held outside to highlight the cold, one of the many challenges homeless people face. All are welcome to attend.

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

Affordable Housing bill fails to pass County Council

A much-amended and hotly debated bill that would have required most large-scale new residential developments to allocate a portion of units for renters and buyers below certain income levels failed to pass during the County Council meeting on Monday. While many bills pass on party lines – there are 4 Democrats and 3 Republicans – the Council voted this one down 4–3. Glen Burnie Democrat Allison Pickard joined her Republican colleagues in voting “nay” because she thought the bill didn’t provide enough incentives for developers.

County Executive Steuart Pittman said in response to the lobbying surrounding this bill that he will be asking the County Council to ban campaign contributions from developers with pending applications. ($)

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

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Holiday Special – Your Summer Sailing Adventure awaits

J World Annapolis is offering 10% off on all courses. Whether you're a novice or an experienced sailor who wants to learn something new – J World Annapolis has what you are looking for. Offering Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, Performance Sailing, Private Instruction, Online Seminars and more. Gift Certificates are also available and make a perfect Christmas gift. Valid through January 31, 2024. Contact them through [email protected] or call 410-280-2040. Register here.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Wednesday

47 🌡️ 33 | ☀️ | 3% | 💨 NW 8 mph (7 knots)

Thursday

46 🌡️ 32 | 🌤️ | 2% | 💨 N 9 mph (8 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 46ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

Thursday

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Women’s Basketball (4-6)
12/19 vs. Goucher College | W 105–50

Upcoming games & matches

Men's Basketball (3-6)
12/21 @ Youngstown State | 2 PM

Wrestling (5-0)
12/21 @ American | 7 PM

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

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who works for the Secret Service.

🍦Christmas Lights of the Year

Holly Beach Farm, affordable housing bill, Marley Station Mall trains...

TOGETHER WITH

Naptown Scoop’s Christmas Lights of the Year

SPONSORED BY BRAD KAPPEL
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE