Naptown Scoop
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🍦You haven't heard of this speakeasy

🍦You haven't heard of this speakeasy

Michelle Obama Awards, new tiki bar, traffic maintenance building fire...

Naptown Scoop
March 19, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Apparently 33-year-old Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the next James Bond? His 57-year-old wife, Sam, is older than both the last bond, Daniel Craig (56), and his wife, Rachel (54).

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Michelle Obama Awards
New tiki bar
Traffic maintenance building fire

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Ryan Sneddon

How to sell your home for Top Dollar

This housing market is hot! 🔥 There’s record low inventory and the average home is selling after only 9 days on the market. And through it all, Brad Kappel continues to achieve Top Dollar for his clients. How?

One reason is that Brad prepares homes for the market like they’re his own. Did you know a fresh coat of paint can increase your asking price by more than the job actually costs? And that’s just one of Brad’s secrets.

The always hot Spring market is right around the corner. Talk to Brad before it’s too late to take advantage. He’ll connect you to the best local contractors to prepare your home to get Top Dollar.

Make Your Move with Brad Kappel – Maryland’s #1 Waterfront Realtor.

THE DIGEST

County Traffic Maintenance Building catches fire

An overnight fire caused almost $6 million in damage at the Anne Arundel County Traffic Maintenance building early Monday morning. An MDTA representative saw the fire at the Broadneck Road facility and called for help shortly after midnight Sunday. More than 60 firefighters from multiple departments spent 90 minutes taming the flames. Nobody was injured or killed.

The cause is unknown and under investigation. Staff who worked in the affected part of the building have been moved to an undamaged area in the back. ($)

SPHS grad Jackson Merrill in the big leagues ⚾️

2021 Severna Park HS grad Jackson Merrill, is etching his name next to Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones. Ever heard of them? Jackson is expected to start for the San Diego Padres in today’s season opener against the LA Dodgers. You probably won’t be watching though. Since the game is in Seoul, South Korea, it starts at 6:05 AM EST. So why is Jackson making history?

He’ll join Griffey Jr. and Jones as the only MLB players since 1974 to start in center field on opening day before turning 21. We’d offer him a beer to celebrate but uh. . . it’s illegal. Catch Anchors Aweigh Podcast Host Bill Wagner’s full report in The Capital. ($)

The Sperry King of Naptown Scoop 🛥️ 👞 👑

I thought I was a good Annapolitan with 4 pairs of Sperrys. But I’ve got nothing on Eastport resident and friend of the Scoop Chris Perez. He’s got 9 pairs of Sperrys and if you count all brands of boat shoes Chris says it gets, “Downright embarrassing.” The longtime Annapolis visitor recently turned full-time resident has over 2 dozen pairs. Happy spring, Chris! You’re definitely ready.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Meet Ponche 🍹🥥 🌴

Outside, it’s downtown Annapolis – with historic brick buildings and (for now) chilly weather. But inside Annapolis’ newest bar, it’s an island getaway with tropical drinks and bamboo décor galore. This hot new spot has a unique vibe you just have to experience for yourself. Hours are currently in flux – opening a new spot is always tough – follow on Instagram for the latest 🏝

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Gateway Village Wine & Spirits joins the scene

More options are always nice when it comes to buying booze. Especially when you’re already late for dinner at a friend’s house and you just remembered you were in charge of wine. Gateway Village Wine & Spirits just opened up in Gateway Village – home of Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods. And if you can’t get there in person, they can send something your way via UberEats. Visit at 2645A Housley Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

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.

Spring is in the air 🍀

You know that neighbor who had the perfect green lawn last summer? They started preparing for that in spring, likely with Lawn Doctor. Let me explain.

Winter is rough on grass. Cold makes it go dormant, kind of like a hibernating bear. Lawn Doctor’s spring care programs use tried and true methods like essential fertilization to control spring weeds and bare patches to rejuvenate your grass and protect it from future damage.

And their expertise doesn’t stop there. They’ll even give you mowing techniques so your grass will be the envy of the neighborhood all summer long. Get your free quote today!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Bell House Catering, Bread and Butter Kitchen, and Toast the 21st are collaborating on an immersive dining experience this Monday (3/25). You’ll watch The Menu and enjoy food and drink inspired by the film. The movie follows a couple who travel to a coastal island for an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu with shocking surprises. The event runs from 6–10 PM at Toast the 21st – 1355 Generals Highway, Crownsville, MD 21032. Hurry and get your ticket. There’s limited seating.

🤔 What’s Toast the 21st? Let’s just say you’ll want to keep your voice down and not just because of the movie.

Michelle Obama Awards

County Executive Steuart Pittman, along with Carl Snowden, convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders, recently named 14 recipients of this year’s Michelle Obama Awards. These annual awards recognize female leaders who demonstrate leadership in social justice and inclusion. Congratulations to:

Faye Allen Belt
Karen Theimer Brown
Maisha Gillins
Mikel Hicks
Ginina A. Jackson-Stevenson
Tatiana J Klein
Enid Collinson Lee
Kellie Michele McCants-Price
Ellen O. Moyer
Janet Owens
Leah Aiello Paley
Lisa Shore
Toni Strong Pratt
Juanita Banks-Whittington

The awards ceremony featuring a keynote by PG County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is set for Monday night (3/25) at Maryland Hall. Read honoree bios and RSVP.

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

LaToya Nkongolo case update

After being arrested for suspected drunk driving in January, LaToya Nkongolo, a candidate for the District 5 Board of Education seat, pleaded guilty to negligent driving this week. The police saw unsealed bottles of alcohol in her car and smelled alcohol on her breath but LaToya refused to take a field sobriety test, breathalyzer test, or sign anything related to BAC. County prosecutors later dropped all alcohol-related charges. In the end, the 45-year-old paid $150 in fines and got probation. ($)

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EXTRA SPRINKLES

Ready for your no demo Reno?

Do you love your cabinets, but think they could use a refresh? Cabinet refinishing is one of Blue Star Paint & Property’s specialties. You can update the look of your kitchen by simply changing the color of your cabinets. Blue Star can bring your light and bright or dark and moody vision to life. Visit Blue Star’s website to set up a free estimate for your kitchen cabinets.*

Save This Date: April 28th at Maryland Hall

On Sunday, April 28 starting at 10am, Maryland Hall will host the first ever Naptown Vinyl Record Show. Nearly 30 record/CDs/cassettes and also vinyl art vendors have been confirmed; awesome food options (Ledo Pizza, Maine Cousins Lobster and Picante!), music by guest DJs, a bar, and a turntable raffle are in the books! And the 79th Annual Flower Mart will also be hosted there that day. A must-go! More information at www.marylandhall.org/record.*

How do you fight a disease with no known cure?

With dogged persistence. Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system. And while there's no cure now, super smart people are working on it. Our local nonprofit, the Burrows Hill Foundation, supports that research. Its founders have 2 daughters with FA. They'd like to invite you to A Night to Fight FA on April 20 to support that life-saving research. Learn more here.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Wednesday

61 🌡️ 34 | ⛅ | 4% | 💨 WSW 17 mph (14 knots)

Thursday

49 🌡️ 33 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 NW 13 mph (11 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 50ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

Thursday

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Men's Lacrosse (4-4)
3/19 vs. Villanova | L 14–7

Upcoming games & matches

Baseball (10-10)
3/20 @ Saint Joseph's | 3PM

Women's Lacrosse (7-1)
3/20 @ Loyola | 6 PM

Women's Tennis (16-5)
3/21 vs. Loyola Maryland | 3 PM

Wrestling (8-6)
3/21 @ NCAA Championship

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has hosted a wedding in their backyard.

🍦You haven't heard of this speakeasy

Michelle Obama Awards, new tiki bar, traffic maintenance building fire...

TOGETHER WITH

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