šŸ¦What the heck is a Whiffenpoof?

Galentine's Day, what's replacing Mission BBQ, how's your water...

TOGETHER WITH
Brad Kappel key and anchor logo

Good morning, Annapolis. 3 million smart toothbrushes were recently used in a DDoS attack that shut down a website for several hours and caused millions in damage. Iā€™ll stick with my Internet-free bristles thank you very much. šŸŖ„ 

In todayā€™s Naptown Scoop:

  • Galentineā€™s Day. And no, thatā€™s not a typo.

  • Stevens Hardware building

  • Howā€™s your water?

Letā€™s dive in.

ā€” Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Ryan Sneddon

Endless Severn River views

Homes like this donā€™t hit the market often. This 7-acre Severna Park estate has 1,600 feet of water frontage and views that stretch down the entire Severn River on a clear day. Itā€™s unparalleled privacy less than 10 minutes from the heart of Severna Park.

Every corner of this grand three-level residence, from the waterfront primary suite to the grand living room with soaring ceilings and a stone fireplace, presents a breathtaking panorama. Three additional bedrooms all have winter water views through the trees.

Outside, you can enjoy the stunning views from the wrap-around deck or rare heated waterfront pool.

This is more than a home ā€“ itā€™s your totally private retreat perched above the river. And you can imagine how peaceful itā€™d be to enjoy with friends and family, but I recommend you experience it for yourself.

THE DIGEST

A little Valentineā€™s Day secret

Hot people make plans for Valentineā€™s Day well in advance. OK, we donā€™t make the rules but when was the last time you saw a last-minute Valentineā€™s dinner in a rom-com? No ideas? We gotcha covered with a killer lineup of restaurants and hotels so you can plan the best date youā€™ve had in a long time. No excuses now. šŸ’•

Howā€™s your water?

Tap water is pretty convenient, eh? Anne Arundel County wants to make sure all 6,000 service lines are up to the EPAā€™s Lead and Copper Rule revisions. Thatā€™s a recent regulation aimed at keeping lead out of drinking water (always a good thing). You can help by giving your input to the countyā€™s Water Service Inventory Program, aka Water SIP. I donā€™t know about you but I like my water how I like my gasoline ā€“ unleaded.

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

šŸ“ø @droneusphotography | šŸ“Eastport Bridge

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Whatā€™s going in the Stevens Hardware building (formerly Mission BBQ)?

There have been a lot of rumors about whatā€™s replacing Mission BBQ. And while we donā€™t know whatā€™s replacing it, neither does anyone else. Not even the Stevens family, who maintained ownership of the building after closing their hardware store. Thereā€™s been lots of interest in renting the space but for now, no tenant is confirmed. Weā€™ll keep you updated.

Annapolis Restaurant Week preview šŸ½ļø

For the uninitiated, Annapolis Restaurant Week is one of our favorite weeks of the year. Restaurants offer pix fixe menus so you can score multi-course meals at reasonable rates. So, mark your calendars for February 24ā€“March 3! In the meantime, here are Scoop writer Laurenā€™s picks. (Laurenā€™s husband, take note).

šŸ¦€ Federal House Bar & Grille: Iā€™m a Maryland girl at heart. Meaning I carry Old Bay in my purse and always set my eye on all the delicious crab dishes, which Fed House has plenty of.

šŸŸ Carrolā€™s Creek CafĆ©: Usually reserved for special occasions in our house. Take this opportunity to savor one of Annapolisā€™ best meals with a water view. The Herb Encrusted Rockfish Fillet is the best fish Iā€™ve ever had. And their Flourless Chocolate Cake is a chocolate loverā€™s dream.

šŸ‡«šŸ‡· CafĆ© Normandie: The best French cuisine and a menu where you canā€™t go wrong. Thereā€™s Surf and Turf options. And I can also vouch that the duck, roast chicken, and salmon with blueberries are delectable.

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.

WHATā€™S HAPPENINā€™

Galentineā€™s Day on Maryland Avenue

First of all, whatā€™s Galentineā€™s Day? Itā€™s a ladies-only holiday typically celebrated on February 13 but it can be observed any day between February 1 and Valentineā€™s Day. The writing staff of the TV show Parks & Recreation invented it as a reminder for women to support and uplift one another. This Thursday (2/8), the shops on Maryland Avenue are celebrating with sales, specials, snacks, and sips from 5ā€“8 PM. So grab your bestie pals and get on over to Maryland Ave!

Got Blood?

Giving blood is one of those little things that makes a big difference. And thereā€™s a serious blood shortage right now. Letā€™s roll up those sleeves. The Parole Rotary of Annapolis has its annual Rob Smith Blood Drive on February 12 from 8:30 AMā€“12:30 PM at the Annapolis Yacht Club parking lot ā€” 2 Compromise Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.  Donations benefit the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Walk-ins are welcome but registration is encouraged.

43rd Annual Dance Festivals šŸ©°

AACPSā€™ Office of Health, Physical Education and Dance just announced that the 2024 Dance Festival season runs Wednesday, February 14 to Friday, March 1. This season celebrates 43 years of dance festival performances from our local elementary, middle, and high schools. You can also catch the 10 AACPS dancers who earned All-State honors, placing them among the top 24 dancers in Maryland. Hurry! Some dates are already sold out. Tickets and more info.

Save the Date: Yale Whiffenpoofs in Annapolis

What the heck is a Whiffenpoof? Why, itā€™s a member of the worldā€™s oldest collegiate a cappella group, which hails from the university called Yale and dates back to 1909 according to this old email. And the Yale Whiffenpoofs are coming to Annapolis next month. Be sure to mark your calendars to hear them live and in person March 7 at 7:15 PM at St. Anneā€™s Episcopal Church ā€” thatā€™s the one in the middle of the traffic circle. Among this yearā€™s Whiffs is Severna Park native Clifford Clay Jamieson (Yale '25). Get tickets.

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

āš–ļø Board of Education meeting

On the agenda for todayā€™s Board of Education meeting:

  • Mo Gaba Positivity and Perseverance Awards

  • Contract renewals for Monarch Academy Public Charter School and Monarch Global Academy Public Charter School

  • Mascots and colors for Severn Run High and Two Rivers Elementary

  • See full agenda

Use this website to submit testimony or watch online. The meeting is at noon at the Parham Building ā€“ 2644 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. You can attend in-person or watch online.

Police department reassignments on pause

There was a plan to reassign some positions within Anne Arundel PD. Until there wasnā€™t. The county police department was going to reassign 62 positions, from school resource officers to narcotics detectives. This was supposed to be done by March. But Jeff Amoros, the County Executiveā€™s Chief of Staff, said last week that the plan is on hold pending ā€œstakeholder engagement.ā€ As for how long that will take, it seems everyone involved is exercising their right to remain silent. ($)

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EXTRA SPRINKLES

Maryland Hall to Host First-Ever Naptown Vinyl Record Show

Save the date for Sunday, April 28: the Naptown Vinyl Record Show will be hosted at Maryland Hall! An outdoors-family-friendly-full-fun-day for enthusiasts, collectors and curious Annapolitans, with live music, food trucks and surprises! Third Eye Comics has jumped in as a major sponsor and supporter. To become a Vendor or a Sponsor, visit www.marylandhall.org/record or contact Maria Abreu at [email protected].*

Itā€™s Time to Paint

Has it been a while since youā€™ve painted and your walls arenā€™t in their prime anymore? Whether you just want a refresh or a fresh start, Blue Star has the crew for your job. They can color match or help you pick a new color for your walls. Mention ā€œScoop Specialā€ when you call to schedule your estimate and receive $100 off each room if you get your walls, ceiling, and trim painted. Call today 443-949-9156.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Wednesday

46 šŸŒ”ļø 32 | ā˜€ļø | 5% | šŸ’Ø NE 7 mph (6 knots)

Thursday

50 šŸŒ”ļø 40 | šŸŒ¤ļø | 6% | šŸ’Ø S 8 mph (7 knots)

šŸ’§šŸŒ”ļø Water temperature = 41ĀŗF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell and Friends | 5ā€“7 PM
Brian Boru | Larry Lay | 6ā€“9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6ā€“10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Nate Finn | 10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | Mixed Business | 7ā€“10 PM
Pirates Cove | Larry Turner | 6ā€“9 PM
The Point | Jordan | 5ā€“8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | b.en | 7 PM
Stan & Joeā€™s Saloon | Rhythm and Screaming | 9 PM

Thursday

Brian Boru | Aaron Hawkins | 6:30ā€“9:30 PM
Copper Creek Pub & Ale House | Open Mic Night | 8ā€“10 PM
Killarney House | Jennifer Schimpf | 6ā€“9 PM
Market House | b.en | 7ā€“9 PM
Oā€™Loughlinā€™s | Kavoossi | 6ā€“9 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6ā€“10 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5ā€“8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Nate Finn | 5 PM
Vibe | Open Mic Night | 7ā€“11 PM

Upcoming games & matches

Men's Basketball (8-13)
2/7 vs. Bucknell | 7 PM

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