🍦JD Vance to speak at USNA graduation

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Rockport, MA residents are dealing with the worst crime spree the city’s seen in years. Over the past few weeks, dozens of car mirrors and at least one window have been smashed by the same culprit — a pileated windowpecker. I mean. . . woodpecker.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Which Anne Arundel County employees make the most

• Anne Arundel Arts Month preview

• Hospitality job fair

Let’s get to it.

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

SPONSORED BY 84 LUMBER

84 Lumber is a proud supporter of our nation’s military and veterans.

For 10 years, 84 Lumber has honored Military Appreciation Month in May with the annual Operation Appreciation initiative. 84 partners with various organizations to provide support and resources to veterans in the communities we serve. Each 84 location has a purple parking spot reserved for combat-wounded veterans.

84 Lumber associates who are veterans or active-duty members are given an extra paid day off to use on a veteran-related holiday, such as Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day, each year. Each associate nationwide is also given a custom Operation Appreciation t-shirt.

In addition to the month-long promotions and partnerships, 84 Lumber honors veterans year-round through a 10% discount for all military personnel and first responders at all locations. Throughout the month of May, 84 Lumber is increasing the military discount to 20%. For more information, visit our website.

THE DIGEST

Governor’s Buy Local Cookout 🍽️

Someone out there reading this has an unbeatable recipe using Maryland crabmeat and sweet corn — or some other combination of Maryland agriculture. Whatever that recipe is, this is your moment to show it off. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is seeking chefs and restaurants for the annual Governor’s Buy Local Cookout on July 17 from 5–7 PM. Submit a recipe using food sourced from at least one (ideally more than one!) Maryland farm or waterman. You can submit an appetizer, main dish, side dish or salad, or dessert, and high school/college culinary teams are welcome to enter. Get details and apply.

Brayden Morgan joins Board of Ed 🗳️

One of the unique aspects of the AACPS Board of Ed is it’s the only local school board in the country where a student member has full voting rights — and the latest student to have that distinction will be Brayden Morgan of Glen Burnie High School. Last week, the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC) elected Brayden, a junior with experience on his school’s Athletic Leadership Council and AVID program, to serve the 2025–2026 term. His name now goes to Gov. Wes Moore for the formal appointment.

VP Vance to speak at Navy graduation ceremony

Last week, the Naval Academy announced the commencement speaker for its 2025 graduation and commissioning ceremony: Vice President JD Vance, who served as a Marine Corps military journalist before his careers in venture capitalism and politics. The VP will come to Annapolis on May 23 to address the USNA Class of 2025 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, but please note that the ceremony is open only to invited guests. As always, it will be livestreamed.

ℹ️ The Naval Academy’s commencement speaker selection rotates through then President, Vice President, and the Secretary of Defense.

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

You gotta read the caption on that photo:

If the Imperial ground forces were to make their way up the Chesapeake Bay, we'd be out of luck. With AT-AT's standing 74 feet tall and the average depth of the Bay being only 21 feet, nothing could stop them! If a stormtrooper were 6 feet tall, they would be able to wade through more than 700,000 acres of the Bay and never get their helmet wet. BUT if we want to lure the AT-AT into a trap, we just have to get it southeast of Annapolis near Bloody Point where “The Hole” is 174 feet deep.

Happy Star Wars Day and happy 5 year anniversary to this post that I'll never be able to top. May the fourth be with you!

📷: Bay photo by Megan Hannon, AT-AT photo from Disney/Lucasfilm

Tag @NaptownScoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

LOCAL BUSINESS

Job hunting? Consider the tourism/hospitality field 🏨

Being a professional vacationer isn’t exactly a viable job choice — but you can make your career in providing vacation experiences for others! In fact, tourism and hospitality is a booming industry in Annapolis. And as part of National Travel & Tourism Week (May 4–10), Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County has a Hospitality & Tourism Career Fair. Happening on Thursday 4–6 PM at the Maritime Conference Center, the fair will showcase full-time and seasonal positions with companies like the Marriott @ BWI Airport, Light House Bistro, Live! Casino Hotel, Arundel Mills, and more. Get info and register.

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.

SPONSORED BY LAWN DOCTOR ANNAPOLIS

The first line of defense against mosquitoes

Spring is here. Amazing! But also, that means mosquito season is coming up. . . Did you know proper lawn care can help reduce mosquitoes? They thrive in damp, overgrown areas, so a well - maintained yard makes your lawn less inviting!

Lawn Doctor Annapolis’ Yard Armour program is a mosquito’s worst nightmare. Their technicians know all the secret hiding spots and have an arsenal of products and equipment to protect you from the bloodsuckers. And they’re so confident that your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Lawn Doctor also offers fertilization & weed control, aeration, tick control, and perimeter pest control. Also 100% guaranteed. Get your free lawn evaluation today and enjoy outside to the fullest this season.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Coming Up This Week 🗓️

Let’s hope we don’t get quite as much rain this week as the forecast is saying we will — it would be great to leave the house without an umbrella. Here’s what’s on the calendar:

🤎 MLK Jr. Parade, downtown Annapolis. Rescheduled from April 12, this parade and the corresponding African Diaspora Festival honor the legacy of Martin Luther King. Step-off is 11 AM on Saturday from West Street and Amos Garrett Blvd.

👟 0.05K Bridge Run, Eastport. Be part of what Runner’s World magazine calls “the least challenging athletic event ever conceived” on Saturday at noon. Registration closes at midnight the night before.

📖 Paws to Read, Discoveries: the Library at the Mall. Elementary schoolers can gain confidence and build skills by reading aloud to the best audience ever (aka dogs) on Wednesday 5–7 PM.

🪴 William Paca Garden Sale, William Paca House & Garden. Take home a piece of history this Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM or Sunday 12-4 PM when you buy one of the 8,000 plants raised by volunteers at the William Paca Garden.

🎶 Music for Dance Family Concert, Maryland Hall. The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Theatre of Maryland team up for this all-ages concert on Saturday at 11 AM.

Anne Arundel Arts Month 🎨

When you think of Anne Arundel County culture, what comes to mind? Maybe sailing or seafood. But how about the arts? Our county has a thriving arts scene representing all disciplines, including visual and performing arts. Hence why the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County and Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County recognize June as Anne Arundel Arts Month. They’re teaming up with AND Creative Studios, Chesapeake Arts Center, and the Arts Lab of South County for a month-long celebration with live performances, festivals, showcases, and competitions. Organizers are creating an inclusive calendar of events and activities celebrating the arts, such as:

🖼️ First Sunday Arts Festival, June 1 — stop by West Street to browse work by local artists and crafters

🖼️ Paint Annapolis, June 1–8 — see artists painting en plein air (“in the open air”) throughout downtown

🖼️ Annapolis Arts Week, June 9–15 — enjoy a full week of activities involving all artistic disciplines at venues across the city

Is your business or organization holding an arts-related event? Be sure to get it on the calendar.

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

County Council Meeting ⚖️

“As amended” sounds like it’s going to be a key phrase at tonight’s County Council meeting. Several previously introduced bills are on the agenda as amended and up for a vote tonight, including General Development Plans and Comprehensive Rezoning for Regions 1 & 3. There is also an amended ordinance establishing a Department of Animal Services under the county executive’s office, as well as a newly introduced ordinance for greater transparency in districts where shore erosion and waterway improvement are issues.

See the full agenda for details on these and other legislation. The meeting starts at 7 PM at the Arundel Center (44 Calvert Street, Annapolis), and you can sign up to give testimony on any legislation.

Public safety tops Anne Arundel’s salary list 👮‍♂️

From a pay perspective, now’s a pretty good time to be in public safety, at least according to the numbers. Anne Arundel County’s Office of Personnel recently released data showing the highest-paid county employees in 2024, and everyone in the top 10 was either police or fire. Specifically, the top 3 earners were police corporals making between about $300,000 or more.

Why? Overtime. Those police corporals (the second promotional rank at AAPD) have a base salary of about $134k, but the county is more than 400 officers short of the recommended 1,200 so like Zach Bryan, they’re working lots of overtime. This shouldn’t be surprising after the City of Annapolis’ highest paid employee was a police lieutenant who outearned his salary by almost 50%. ($)

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EXTRA SPRINKLES

Step Into Spring: Secret Garden Tour

Join the historic Hammond-Harwood House this spring to explore Presidents Hill—featured for the first time—and Murray Hill. Discover two of Annapolis’ most charming neighborhoods, rich in history, architecture, and beautiful spring gardens. This self-guided tour includes intimate outdoor spaces ranging from formal boxwood designs to informal perennial retreats. Don’t miss your chance to peek behind the walls of these private gardens. The tour runs from 12–5 PM, June 7–8. Get your tickets today for this unique experience!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Monday

71 🌡️ 63 | ⛈️ | 44% | 💨 ESE 11 mph (10 knots)

Tuesday

73 🌡️ 59 | ⛅ | 24% | 💨 S 11 mph (10 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 66ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Monday

49 West | Josee Molavi & guests Sadia & Siena Rose | 7:30–10 PM
Brian Boru | PJ and Neal | 6–9 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Kevin Jackson | 8 PM | Tickets

Tuesday

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Hall Williams | 7 PM

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Baseball  (25-23)
5/3 vs. Binghamton | W 9-7
5/4 vs. Binghamton | W 3-2

Women's Lacrosse (15-5)
5/3 vs. Penn State University | W 14-13

Women's Rugby (4-5)
Women's 7s Premier National Championship

• 5/2 vs. Lindenwood | L 31-0

• 5/2 vs. Sacred Heart | L 39-10

• 5/2 vs. Army | L 22-0

• 5/3 vs. Davenport University | L 22-0

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who celebrated May 4th with a lightsaber fight in the driveway complete with costumes.