🍦Don't get smished

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Very major announcement. Our brand new Adoptable Dog of the Week feature has moved from Thursday to Wednesday. Earth shattering stuff, I know.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• AACPS dancers who earned All-State Honors

• Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast

• Navy sports schedules are back in the Scoop

Let’s get to it.

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

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

Your Waterfront Dream Begins Here

The phrase, “once in a lifetime” is thrown around far too casually in real estate. Most of the time, “once in a lifetime” properties are rather commonplace. For this piece of land, however, “once in a lifetime” isn’t strong enough.

This is the last buildable lot on Lake Ogleton in the coveted Bay Ridge community. It’s been in the same family for 58 years and is coming to the market for the first time. Just bring your architect and imagine the possibilities.

Wake up to peaceful water views, step outside to your private dock, and embrace the coveted Bay Ridge lifestyle – a tranquil retreat just minutes from downtown Annapolis.

Don’t delay, because there’s literally nothing else like in Bay Ridge. And there never will be again. Call Brad Kappel to take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts.

THE DIGEST

Adoptable Dog of the Week: Meet Cooper

This week, we’re introducing you to a handsome blonde with the world’s most boopable nose — this is Cooper, and he’s our Adoptable Dog of the Week from the SPCA. A 6-year-old golden retriever, he’s said to still have the excitement and enthusiasm of a puppy. He was officially taken in by the SPCA in October, but he’s been staying in foster homes. If you’re interested in meeting him, apply to schedule a meet-and-greet.

🐶🐱 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of volunteer opportunities to support Cooper and other pets awaiting their forever home. The SPCA needs dog walkers, cat socializers, petite suite socializers, and other jobs at 1815 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403. Learn more.

Beware of Smishing 📱

We know “smishing” probably sounds like something NSFW, but it’s actually worse than that: Smishing (short for SMS phishing) refers to text scams, and Maryland Dept. of Transportation is warning there are scams going around about unpaid tolls. In fact, our publisher Ryan got one right as he was assigning this story to our writer Dylan, who got one of his own last week. Here’s what the message looks like:

It asks you to pay a toll associated with your vehicle. But note the 🚩 involved here: It comes from an unofficial Outlook address, and it include a payment link to EzDriveMA, not DriveEzMD. That’s because it’s a scam link, and DriveEzMD reminds everyone that it never requests payment via text message. If you think you have unpaid tolls, you can find them and pay them through the DriveEzMD site.

So be vigilant and don’t let yourself get smished.

13 AACPS dancers earn All-State honors 🩰 🌹

AACPS dancers step into the spotlight again with 13 dancers earning All-State honors. A panel selected awardees based on technique, musicality, professionalism, performance, and attitude.

We’re throwing roses on stage for these high school ladies: Arundel’s Claudis Yanss; Broadneck’s Mallory Willis; Crofton’s Gracie Beers and Sasha Failli; Old Mills Maliya David and Katherine Kirvan; Severna Park’s Vicky Beatty and Sophia Crivella; Severn Run’s Leola Keys; South River’s Audriana Nier; and Southern’s Alyssa Stallings, Tessa Stallings, and Catherine Venters. Another rose to Sasha, who earned the inaugural Excellence in Student Choreography Award at the Maryland Public High School Showcase for her piece, “Stay.” 🌹🌹

Catch these dancers at the 44th annual Anne Arundel County Public Schools Dance Festivals beginning February 12, 2025.

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Pollo Campero coming to Annapolis 🍗

We can tell you exactly why we’re going to be crossing the road (specifically Bestgate Road) later this year: to get to the delicious chicken. Guatemalan chicken chain Pollo Campero is opening its 9th Maryland location where M&T Brank used to be on the Annapolis Mall property. The restaurant specializes in fried chicken and citrus grilled chicken. TBA on an opening date — the 4K-square-foot space still needs to be converted from a bank to a restaurant.

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of Integrative Family NP 🎀 ✂️ 🩺

Medicine is always evolving and that’s the case with the new practice, Integrative Family NP, LLC. The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care practice combines traditional Western Medicine with patient-centered Integrative and Holistic approaches in the least invasive, toxic, and costly methods possible. Beyond office visits, they offer telemedicine and home visits. Meet Nurse Practitioner Katherine Grote and learn about the services she provides on Friday, January 17 during a Ribbon Cutting from 4–5:30 PM. Register for free. — 815 Ritchie Hwy. Suite 120, Severna Park, MD 21146

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’

JLA hosts 2025 Galentine's Day Brunch 💗

Writer Lauren here. 👋 If Galentine’s day celebrates female friendship, I want to be friends with this group of trailblazing leaders:

👩‍🚒 Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford: Anne Arundel County’s first female fire chief.
👮‍♀️ Police Chief Amal E. Awad: The county’s first female police chief.
🪖 Meade Garrison Colonel Yolanda Gore: A 22-year U.S. Army vet with key roles at the Pentagon, 1st Infantry Division, and Army Resilience Directorate.

The Junior League of Annapolis will honor these three women at its 2025 Galentine’s Day Brunch on Sunday, February 2, 10:30 AM to 2 PM, at the Doubletree Hotel in Annapolis. Celebrate women in leadership and network with like-minded individuals committed to advancing women’s causes. Grab a ticket!

2025 Legislative Breakfast ☕️ 🍳

Kick off the legislative year with breakfast and updates on January 17. Yum!

This event, hosted by the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce at the DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis, offers a great opportunity to connect with our elected officials and share concerns. Newly elected Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth will discuss Washington’s key issues, Senator Pam Beidle will cover General Assembly topics, and County Executive Pittman will provide an overview of his legislative and policy priorities for Anne Arundel County. Cost: $65 (Chamber members); $85 (non-Chamber members). Register now.

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

The #2 way to make fundraisers better

What’s the first way? No idea. But the #2 way is definitely luxury bathroom trailers. People have called Royal Flush’s bathrooms the “nicest bathrooms I’ve ever seen” and “better than the bathrooms in my house.” And that’s not made-up marketing talk. Those are real quotes we’ve heard on the job. Want your guests to say the same? Studies show that guests who like the bathrooms donate more⁺. Call Royal Flush at 410-881-6848 to secure the finest bathrooms in town.*

_{⁺ We made this up but the quotes are real}

Denim & Diamonds Is Back!

After six years, the best party with a purpose in town, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Denim & Diamonds Bash, is coming back! Get your outfit ready and save the date for Saturday, April 26 to help raise vital funds for pediatric mental health needs in our community. The Bash will feature fabulous cuisine, gourmet food trucks, a great band, and lots of fun surprises. Become a sponsor today!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Wednesday

32 🌡️ 18 | ☀️ | 1% | 💨 WNW 16 mph (14 knots)

Thursday

34 🌡️ 27 | ⛅ | 4% | SSW 9 mph (8 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 37ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
Brian Boru | Mixed Business | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael Waskey | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Newmyer Flyer Presents Bleecker Street | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM

Thursday

49 West | Jazz Wire Jam Session | 7:30–10:30 PM
Brian Boru | Ryan Keith | 6–9 PM
Killarney House | Loose Change | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Open Mic | 7 PM

NAVY SPORTS

Upcoming games

Women's Basketball (12-3)
1/15 @ Colgate | 11 AM

Men's Basketball (5-12)
1/15 vs. Colgate | 7 PM

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THANKS!

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