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🍦Is outdoor dining here to stay? 🍽

🍦Is outdoor dining here to stay? 🍽

Bay Bridge Run, Lights on the Bay volunteers needed, Neighborhood Leadership Academy

Naptown Scoop
October 17, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop, bringing you your daily dose of local news, even when the browser won’t update, the battery is about to die, and the platform is being cranky. The Scoop must go on!

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Bay Bridge Run 🏃‍♂️
SPCA Lights on the Bay need volunteers 💡
Apply for Neighborhood Leadership Academy 👏

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Chelsea Harrison, & Ryan Sneddon

THE DIGEST

SPCA Lights on the Bay need volunteers 💡🌊

Want to make the nice list? 🎅🏻 Help set up SPCA's 30th Anniversary of Lights on the Bay on Sunday, October 20, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Trailers are ready and need volunteers (ages 16+) to unload at Sandy Point State Park. If you’ve never driven the scenic Chesapeake Bay route, with 70+ spectacular displays, Lights on the Bay is a holiday must. Proceeds benefit the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. Be part of the holiday magic and lend a hand. To register, email [email protected]. Volunteers must sign a waiver.

First Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards 👏

Last week, the Office of Hispanic/Latino and Multicultural Resources hosted the first annual Hispanic Heritage Awards to celebrate the Hispanic community’s contributions in Anne Arundel County. The awards honored 23 Hispanic and Latino residents in categories including leadership, education, public service, arts, and business. The event — held at the Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland — included a tribute to the late Miguel Angel Luna, an Anne Arundel County highway maintenance worker who tragically lost his life during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. See the list of 23 honorees.

Is outdoor dining here to stay? 🍽

If you’ve enjoyed dining al fresco (that fancy Italian phrase meaning “in the open air”) downtown over the past few years, we’ve got good news for you: the City of Annapolis may make seasonal outdoor dining a long-term thing.

Alderman Ross Arnett of District 8 recently introduced legislation that would implement a permanent policy for something that’s technically been approved via resolution for the past few years since the pandemic. Now restaurant owners will be able to go through the Board of Appeals to set up outdoor dining space between April 15 and November 1. A final vote on the legislation is expected by the end of 2024. ($)

Apply for Neighborhood Leadership Academy 👏

Applications are now open for the Neighborhood Leadership Academy, which recruits individuals to address community challenge and prepares them to engage with important local issues. Leadership Anne Arundel runs the program and selects candidates based on sincere concern for the county, current engagement in underserved neighborhoods, and commitment to making a difference. Class will begin in January with sessions every month through June. Deadline for applications is December 15. Learn more and apply.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

True Value sells to Do It Best 🔨

True Value, a 75-year-old brand with 4.5K independently owned locations across the country (including one in Annapolis), has announced it’s filing for bankruptcy and selling its operations to Do It Best Corp. Worth noting: Stores are not part of the bankruptcy proceedings and won’t see their daily operations interrupted. Do It Best’s CEO, Dan Starr, says this acquisition will give True Value stores “the strongest opportunities for growth.” ($)

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.

Know the Numbers. Be Ready to Move.

Even if you’re not ready to buy or refinance today, meeting with George Matthews at Ritter Mortgage Group ensures you will be when the time comes. With over 40 years as a CPA and 22 years as a mortgage expert, George offers personalized, no-pressure advice to help you understand your options.

Whether it’s your first home, dream home, or simply refinancing, George will review your numbers and guide you toward the best financial move — now or later.

Call George today so when the right market comes, you’re ready to act fast.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview

Friday

⚓️🎺 Naval Academy Formal Parade: The Naval Academy Band leads the Brigade of Midshipmen onto historic Worden Field from 4–5 PM.

Saturday

🎃👻 Fall Festival at Annapolis Town Center: Enjoy pumpkin picking/decorating, spooky crafts, face painting, a costume contest, and food trucks. Free entry from 11 AM–2 PM – just snag a ticket for headcount! Bring a canned food or monetary donation to help the AA County Food Bank. 🥫

🐐🧘‍♀️🎃 Happy Seed Co. Fall Fest: Celebrate fall at Happy Seed Co.’s first-anniversary Fall Market! Shop over 17 vendors, do face and pumpkin painting, try goat yoga, and more at this charming, woman-owned boutique in Davidsonville (3659 Riva Rd).

🔥Burning of Peggy Stewart: Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Annapolis Tea Party, when angry colonists burned the Peggy Stewart and ushered Maryland into the Revolutionary War. Watch the drone show recreation of the ship burning at 7 PM at Annapolis City Dock.

Sunday

🛍️🎶📖 Maryland Avenue Fall Festival: Deemed the best day on Maryland Ave, there’s shopping, local vendors, live entertainment, and storytime with Frolic the Fox. From 10 AM to 5 PM.

🎨 Fall Plein Air Open House, London Town: Artists of all levels are invited to capture the beauty of Historic London Town and Gardens from 10 AM–4 PM. Plein Air painters go for free. Other site visitors, pay admission. Check in at the Visitor’s Center upon arrival. ☔️Rain date: October 27.

🎀 Even Keel Calm for a Cure: Anyone battling cancer can enjoy free services, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Both the Annapolis and Canton spots will offer massages, facials, spray tans, reiki, and more. Space is limited. Call 410-862-0928 to book! In October, Even Keel will donate $25 from every $150 gift card sold and match all donations/gift card proceeds.

🐐🎃Homestead Gardens’ Fall Festival Weekends: See barnyard animals, take hay rides, and pick pumpkins at the Davidsonville location from 10 AM–4 PM. Carve out your place: get tickets.

Bonus: Want more fall fun? See all the can’t miss festivals happening within a half hour’s drive in Dylan’s guide to local fall festivals. 🍁

Brave the Terror Trail 👻

Ghosts and ghouls have taken over the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department every Friday and Saturday through October 26! This haunted trail is perfect for ages 8 and up, and there’s a Boo Loop designed for children under 8 who can enjoy a scavenger hunt while the older kids and grown-ups get their scream on. The trail opens at 7:30 PM each night (with parking opening at 7 PM) and the last tickets sold will be at 10 PM. Proceeds benefit AVFD Station 7. Get tickets.

On Your Mark, Get Set . . . Bay Bridge Run 🏃‍♂️

And go! Local runners are gearing up for the starting line of the annual Bay Ridge Run. With just three weeks of training left, we have only a few long runs before it’s time to taper and carb load for the race on Sunday, Nov 10. This is the only chance we get to run or walk over the Bay Bridge - all other times lanes are closed to pedestrian traffic.

If you’ve run in the past and haven’t signed up for this awesome 10k event, registration is still open, allowing you to nab one of the coolest medals around. Each year’s medal is one-fifth of a five-piece puzzle featuring different themes unique to Maryland. If you’re missing a puzzle piece, you can participate in a “Back in Time Virtual Race,” earning your commemorative medal by completing a 6.2-mile run on your own.

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

What’s new at Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area?

It’s been a while since we wrote about Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area – formerly known as Four Rivers Heritage Area. And since then, they’ve made a brand new website. It lists all of their attractions – 62 in total. I challenge you to see how many you’ve heard of. I learned about 14 places I didn’t even know existed! Visit the new site and learn how you can be a tourist in your own backyard.*

Don’t let retirement planning overwhelm you.

From where you are today to where you want to go, let Scarborough Capital Management guide you with experience and care. The methodology we use and the service we provide span all investment phases—from those who are saving for retirement, to those who are retired—and the transition in between. Let the Scarborough Team do the heavy lifting for you. Start planning for tomorrow - today. Explore Scarborough’s 401(k) Plan Management Services now.*

Advisory Services offered through Scarborough Capital Management (SCM), a Registered Investment Adviser.

The Final Countdown

Fish For A Cure (F4AC) is an annual fishing tournament and fundraising challenge supporting the Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, right here in Annapolis. So don’t wait any longer! Register your boat by Nov. 4 and get out there on the Chesapeake Bay to support cancer care in our community!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Thursday

60 🌡️ 46 | ☀️ | 4% | 💨 N 11 mph (10 knots)

Friday

67 🌡️ 49 | ☀️ | 3% | 💨 N 10 mph (9 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 69ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

NAVY SPORTS

This weekend: Navy vs. Charlotte 🏈

It’s homecoming weekend for USNA, and the Mids face off at home against Charlotte on Saturday beginning at 3:30 PM. If you can’t make it out to Navy-Marine Corps Stadium to watch the game in person, catch the live stream via CBS Sports Network or listen on Navy Football Radio Network.

Past results

Women's Soccer (8-8-1)
10/16 vs. American | L 1–0

Upcoming Navy games & matches

Men's Hockey
10/18 @ Drexel | 7 PM

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THANKS!

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🍦Is outdoor dining here to stay? 🍽

Bay Bridge Run, Lights on the Bay volunteers needed, Neighborhood Leadership Academy

TOGETHER WITH

SPONSORED BY 84 LUMBER

THE DIGEST

SPCA Lights on the Bay need volunteers 💡🌊

First Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards 👏

Is outdoor dining here to stay? 🍽

Apply for Neighborhood Leadership Academy 👏

LOCAL BUSINESS

True Value sells to Do It Best 🔨

SPONSORED BY RITTER MORTGAGE GROUP

Know the Numbers. Be Ready to Move.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview

Brave the Terror Trail 👻

On Your Mark, Get Set . . . Bay Bridge Run 🏃‍♂️

EXTRA SPRINKLES

What’s new at Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area?

Don’t let retirement planning overwhelm you.

The Final Countdown

WEATHER

Thursday

Friday

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

NAVY SPORTS

This weekend: Navy vs. Charlotte 🏈

Past results

Upcoming Navy games & matches

THANKS!