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🍦Flamant is closing

🍦Flamant is closing

Bird's bankrupt, sculpture feedback period extended, AACPS' modest budget increase...

Naptown Scoop
December 21, 2023

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Welcome to the final Naptown Scoop of 2023. We’ve had an amazing year with you. I hope you’ve found my publication helpful, entertaining, and always positive.

Thank you for reading. We’ll see you in 2024.

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan

Written by Ryan Sneddon, Rebecca Kraybill, & Lauren Burke Meyer

P.S. Happy birthday to Allison Torre! 🍰

A special end to the year 🎆

“Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin.”

And that’s exactly what we will celebrate at The Choptank’s Exclusive New Year’s Gold Party! Get ready for a next-level experience on the second floor on December 31st, starting at 8 PM. All-inclusive tickets include:

An unforgettable standing buffet and menu of passed hors d’oeuvres featuring some of The Choptank’s most popular dishes.
An open bar with signature cocktails, liquor, beer, and wine.
An always-entertaining DJ.
The best view of the fireworks from The Choptank’s rooftop deck.

… it’s the recipe for a perfect end to the year, and an even better start to the new one.

And they are giving two tickets to readers of the Scoop, to thank you all for your loyalty this year. All you have to do is click here to enter the giveaway. We’ll randomly select a winner on Saturday (12/30) at 8 AM. Or get your tickets here.

THE DIGEST

Yesterday was supposed to be the deadline for residents to give feedback on which sculpture should come to Westgate Circle. But just like choosing a movie with your family, it’s never that easy. ($)

Some felt rushed. Others disliked the options. Others were critical of one artist arranging outside funding. All that to say, you now have until January 21 to submit comments. Submit feedback here.

St. Mary’s footballers sign with UMD and Navy

In 2014, 8-year-old Davon Watkins met Rico Queen (assistant for St. Mary’s football) in a grocery store. Rico told Davon to check out St. Mary’s. Davon did, going on to play at St. Mary’s as an offensive lineman. This week, Davon signed with University of Maryland. His teammate, Teddy Androus, also committed to play in college, but he’s staying local at the Naval Academy. Congratulations to both Davon and Teddy! ($)

Reminder: BYO Bags 🛍️

Next time you read the Scoop, the Bring Your Own (BYO) Bag Plastic Reduction Act will be in effect. On January 1, Anne Arundel County retailers can no longer provide plastic bags to customers by law. Retailers can provide non-plastic bags for purchase, but it’s much easier to bring your own.

Bird’s bankrupt but we can still ride

You may have seen the news that Bird, the micro-mobility company that operates the blue scooters around town, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday. Fear not, Bird riders, city spokesperson Mitchelle Stephenson said Bird representatives told the city this will not impact our fleet (flock?). ($)

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

LOCAL BUSINESS

Flamant is closing

Flamant, the Belgian bistro in West Annapolis, announced yesterday that its last day of service will be December 31. Frederik De Pue, a trained chef from Belgium, bought the building in 2015 and opened Flamant shortly after. Frederik says the building’s new owners have a culinary background and will “continue operations shortly the new year with an exciting new menu.”

There are still reservations available before 12/31 to savor one final wild boar lasagna.

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.

New year, new you 🎇

Many of us say it every year… But 2024 is the year to finally make change happen! And RetroFitness in Westfield Annapolis is here to encourage all Scoop readers.

To help you give the new year a good start, they are offering a special RetroFitness January Offer:

Buy one, gift one for free!
Buy a $39.99 Ultimate membership, and get a free Flex Membership
Get up to $350 in value

So what are you waiting for? 2024 is the year for change. And it all starts with better health. Learn more here.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Important Christmas/New Year’s info

City and County trash collection: If Monday’s 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.
City and County offices are closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
🍦 Naptown Scoop: This is our last Scoop of 2023. We’ll be back in your inboxes on January 2.

Year-end Preview 🗓️

Before we turn on our hilarious OOO responder, here are the main events for the rest of 2023

Eating out on Christmas Eve and Christmas
What’s open on Christmas Eve and Christmas? We’re glad you asked. We’ve compiled a guide to dining, drinks, and more over Christmas. Here it is.

New Year’s Eve 🥂
The countdown is on to 2024. Hurry and get your tickets! And don’t miss Annapolis’ two fireworks shows. Check out our NYE roundup.

Military Bowl 🏈 🐎

2023 Military Bowl festivities include a parade and Virginia Tech vs. Tulane on 12/27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will lead the parade from City Dock to the stadium starting at 10 AM.

If you’re just into the Clydesdales and not football, they’re marching around West Annapolis the day before (12/26) from 1–3 PM. Click here for more info.

The game kicks off at 2 PM and should be a terrific matchup. VT is coming on strong and Tulane is playing its best football in school history. Tickets start at $35. On-site parking is SOLD OUT. Click here for other options. If you arrive early enough, many stadium neighbors sell parking in their driveways.

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

AACPS’ modest budget increase

Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell proposed the FY25 operating and capital budgets on Wednesday. His operating budget calls for just a 3.7% increase – the smallest in 9 years. Public hearings will be held on January 9 and 11 at 6 PM. A public workshop is scheduled for January 16. The board is scheduled to adopt the budget in February. Visit this site to review the budget and see public meeting information.

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

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Gift of Membership

Discover a year of thrills! Join or renew your AMM membership for year-round FREE Museum Admission, exclusive discounts, and invites to events like AMM’s Annual Meeting and Winter Lecture Series, plus more. Visit our site for membership options and delve into a sea of benefits! Dive into a world of excitement with AMM!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Friday

42 🌡️ 35 | 🌤️ | 3% | 💨 ENE 4 mph (3 knots)

Saturday

47 🌡️ 39 | 🌤️ | 8% | 💨 SE 5 mph (8 knots)

Sunday

50 🌡️ 41 | ⛅ | 8% | 💨 ESE 2 mph (2 knots)

Monday

52 🌡️ 43 | 🌤️ | 8% | 💨 E 3 mph (3 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 44ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

Saturday

Sunday - 12/24

Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Mr. VCR | 8 PM

Monday - 12/25 🎄

Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Rhythm & Screaming | 9 PM

Tuesday - 12/26

Wednesday - 12/27

Thursday - 12/28

Friday - 12/29

Saturday - 12/30

Sunday - 12/31

Tuesday - 1/1

Copper Creek Pub & Ale House | Jazz Jam | 8–10 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM

SPORTS

Anchors Aweigh special edition: Navy football coaching shakeup 🎙️

It’s already been a busy offseason for Navy football. Assistant head coach Ashley Ingram left to take a head coach job at Carson-Newman and first year offensive coordinator Grant Chesnut won’t be returning in 2024. Listen to Navy athletics insiders Bill Wagner and Pete Medhurst analyze those changes as well as the Navy lacrosse’s last-minute loss of its offensive coordinator on the Anchors Aweigh Podcast.

Past results

Men's Basketball (3-7)
12/21 @ Youngstown State | 2 PM

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

Upcoming games & matches

Women’s Basketball (4-6)
12/30 @ UAlbany | 2 PM

Men's Basketball (3-7)
12/30 vs. William & Mary | Noon

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

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop this year. I appreciate each and every one of you.

🍦Flamant is closing

Bird's bankrupt, sculpture feedback period extended, AACPS' modest budget increase...

TOGETHER WITH

SPONSORED BY THE CHOPTANK ANNAPOLIS

A special end to the year 🎆

THE DIGEST

St. Mary’s footballers sign with UMD and Navy

Reminder: BYO Bags 🛍️

Bird’s bankrupt but we can still ride

LOCAL BUSINESS

Flamant is closing

SPONSORED BY WESTFIELD ANNAPOLIS

New year, new you 🎇

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Year-end Preview 🗓️

Military Bowl 🏈 🐎

CIVIL NEWS

AACPS’ modest budget increase

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Gift of Membership

WEATHER

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

Saturday

Sunday - 12/24

Monday - 12/25 🎄

Tuesday - 12/26

Wednesday - 12/27

Thursday - 12/28

Friday - 12/29

Saturday - 12/30

Sunday - 12/31

Tuesday - 1/1

SPORTS

Anchors Aweigh special edition: Navy football coaching shakeup 🎙️

Past results

Upcoming games & matches

THANKS!