🍦Light those boats up!

Army-Navy preview, AACPS sets calendar, BOE install chair, ,,

Author

Naptown Scoop
December 08, 2023

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Bill Wagner has created some incredible content on our two podcasts for Army-Navy Week. His guests have been off the charts interesting. Check them out!

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan Sneddon, Rebecca Kraybill, & Lauren Burke Meyer

P.S. Happy early birthday, TJ! 🍰 

Annapolis ❌, Santapolis ✅

Santa Claus isn't coming to town. He's already here! Even with a very busy toy-making schedule up North, Santa's making time for Westfield Annapolis' renewed Santa experience, Santapolis, every day right up through Christmas Eve.

There's so much Holiday Fun to be had at Westfield Annapolis. From extended shopping hours to caroling, here are just a few things going on this month:

  • Ugly sweater photos with Santa

  • Christmas caroling

  • PJ photo day with Santa

  • Pet photos with Santa

  • Grinch storytime

  • … and more

In short: everything you need to get into the Christmas spirit right in time for the big day. Learn more about Santapolis on Westfield’s website and make this Holiday season just that extra bit memorable.

THE DIGEST

Top clicks of the week 🏆

Netherlands delegation to report learnings

Last month, a delegation of leaders from Annapolis visited the Netherlands. They wanted to learn from the masters about sustainability and preservation practices – 50% of their country is below sea level after all. Today (12/8), officials from that delegation will present their learnings in a special meeting. You can tune in to the livestream at 2 PM.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Wildberry Vintage Christmas Market

This is the second and final Vintage Christmas Market so don’t be a Grinch and miss it. Enjoy a beer garden, lots of local vendors, a special winter menu, and pictures with Santa. It’s also a great spot to buy our limited-edition philanthropic candle that features Wildberry on the jar! Saturday (12/9) 2–6 PM at 1047 Saint Stephens Church Road, Crownsville, MD.

Art Things Grand Reopening 🎨

After serving the Annapolis area for 55+ years, Art Things is ready for a grand reopening. The independent, woman-owned art supply store has scheduled the Grand Reopening tomorrow (12/9) from 10 AM-3 PM. There will be a ribbon cutting at noon and a gift with all purchases over $20! Art Things is located on the ground floor of Maryland Hall in room #108 – 801 Chase St, Annapolis, MD 21401.

California Tortilla opens in Westfield

Sure, not everyone sees a mall food court as a dining ~destination~. But when you stop and look around the Westfield Annapolis food court, there’s no denying it’s stacked. Rumors say you can find Scoop publisher Ryan there several times a week. The latest addition, California Tortilla, is now open for all of your burrito and taco cravings.

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.

The best Santa experience in town 🎅

Right up through Christmas Eve, Annapolis is now Santapolis at Westfield Annapolis. With a beautiful backdrop, multiple photo locations, and even kids activities if there’s a wait, Santapolis is the place for your family photo this season.

On December 11, you can even bring your pets for a photo with Santa!

Along with Santa photos, you may hear Live Arts MD caroling throughout the mall, get surprised at checkout by Westfield’s famous holiday elves, or simply take advantage of the extended hours through the year’s end.

Whether it’s a family photo with Santa or gift shopping with endless options, Westfield Annapolis has everything you need to make this season your family’s best one yet.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade

America’s favorite floating holiday parade sets sail tomorrow (12/9) at 6 PM! The weather looks great and the procrastinators are rushing to finish their decorations as we speak. The planners are sippin’ on Dark & Stormys. We put together an insider’s guide so you can do it like an old townie. And don’t forget to follow Scoop on Instagram to see the view from the judges boat! See you out there.

Kwanzaa exhibit at BDM

The Banneker-Douglass Museum opens its annual Kwanzaa exhibit tomorrow (12/9). It’s called A Story to Tell and explores Black history, art, and literature. Families are invited to an opening reception from 11 AM–3 PM with an artist talk, photobooth, Kwanzaa market, live music, and more. 84 Franklin Street, 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.

CIVIL NEWS

City Council meeting

City Council meets Monday (12/11) in the City Council chambers at City Hall at 7 PM – 160 Duke of Gloucester, Annapolis, MD 21401. The full agenda will be posted here before the meeting. Click here to submit public testimony or tune in virtually.

🍎 BOE Elects New President and VP

The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County elected Robert Silkworth (District 2) as president and Corine Frank (District 3) as VP at Wednesday’s meeting. They’ll both serve one-year terms. Both were elected to 4-year board terms in 2020. Robert has served as VP for the last two years.

You are now free to make vacation plans

Now that there are 23 days until 2024, AACPS has released the 2024–2025 school year calendar. Classes will start on August 26 and end June 13. Holiday breaks will follow this year’s schedule except for one new addition – the Board of Education has added Lunar New Year (January 29, 2025) to its list of observances. The bad news: School is still on. The good news: There won’t be any exams that day.

📚️ AACPS embraces the Science of Reading

Science and reading collided this week when AACPS approved a six-year, $19.5 million contract with Amplify Education, that’ll shift the way elementary students receive literacy instruction. The new method will embrace the popular Science of Reading philosophy in the 2024-2025 school year.

AACPS personnel will participate in extensive professional learning on the new method. Explore more about the Science of Reading, which focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

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EXTRA SPRINKLES

Remember Max from the Grinch? 🐶

Every family deserves a dog like him… And if your family is expecting a pet from Santa, you're going to need a new veterinarian too! Western Shore Veterinary Hospital in Annapolis is currently welcoming new clients. And their dedicated team treats each and every pet like one of their own. Make sure your new furry family member gets the great life it deserves. Reach out today.*

Caroling Cruise

Join us on the Wilma Lee for holiday cheer! Cruise through Annapolis, enjoying refreshments and caroling. This exclusive AMM event includes an AMM Santa hat, cookies, hot cocoa (with or without peppermint schnapps), beer, wine, and more. Ages 21+. Reserve your spot aboard the Wilma Lee for this festive evening!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Friday

52 🌡️ 38 | 🌤️ | 7% | 💨 SE 8 mph (7 knots)

Saturday

51 🌡️ 45 | 🌥️ | 7% | 💨 SSE 5 mph (4 knots)

Sunday

60 🌡️ 41 | 🌧️ | 42% | 💨 SSE 16 mph (14 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 47ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

49 West | Big 3 Trio | 8–10:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Grilled Lincolns | 9 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Bravenoise | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Meg & Bryan | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Clint Szafader | 8 PM
Great Frogs | Jess Marie | 5–8 PM
Jalapeños | Tom Lagana | 7:30–10:30 PM
Killarney House | Pete Best | 7–10 PM
Market House | Guava Jelly | 7–10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Joel Brandon | 9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Mac Heat Band | 10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | Rhythm Method | 8–11 PM
Old Stein | The Bayfield Brass Quintet | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | John Luskey | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Carbon Leaf | 8:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Shanters Acoustic Duo | 8 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Aaron Hawkins | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Aaron Hawkins | 5 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Nate Finn | 10 PM
Reynolds Tavern | Mike Heuer | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Shiftwork | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Harland Street Band | 8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | The Leftovers | 9:45 PM

Saturday

49 West | John Jensen | 5–7 PM
49 West | Steve Abshire, Sue Matthews & Joe Holt | 8–10 PM
Brian Boru | Lauren and Rusty | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Chad Grey | 8 PM
Dark Horse | Michael McHenry Tribe | 9 PM
Killarney House | John Luskey | 7–10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | Lower Case Blues | 8–11 PM
Pirates Cove | Kevin Lee | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Carbon Leaf | 3:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head On Stage | Carbon Leaf | 8:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Radio Free Baltimore | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Kevin Polluck | 10 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | 8 Ball Deluxe | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Left Of Center Band | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Larry Lay | 5–9 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Rickshaw Lizard | 9:45 PM

Sunday

The Choptank | David Sparrow | 8 PM
Dark Horse | Mixed Business Duo | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Brian Gaffney | 3–6 PM
Killarney House | Aaron Hawkins | 3–6 PM
Pirates Cove | Stephen Henson | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Carbon Leaf | 1 PM | Tickets
Rams Head On Stage | Emily King | 8 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Moran Trip Duo | 8 PM

SPORTS

Army-Navy preview

Wondering why Army’s a 3-point favorite? Or who Navy’s starting at QB and what he needs to do to win the game? The Navy Football Podcast’s in-depth preview of the 124th Army-Navy game featuring The Mid Report’s Mike James is where you need to be. Listen on the plane en route to the game, listen while you’re pretending to work today. . . Whenever you do, just listen. It’s a great episode.

Past results

Women's Swimming & Diving
12/7 vs. Army | W 162–138

Men's Swimming & Diving
12/7 vs. Army | W 154–147

Upcoming games & matches

Women's Basketball (3-5)
12/8 @ Dartmouth | 5 PM

Men's Basketball (2-5)
12/8 @ Quinnipiac | 7 PM

Football (5-6)
12/9 vs. Army | 3 PM

Women's Swimming & Diving
12/8 @ Navy Long Course Time Trials | 11 AM / 5:30 PM

Men's Swimming & Diving
12/8 @ Navy Long Course Time Trials | 11 AM / 5:30 PM

Wrestling (4-0)
12/10 vs. Ohio | 2 PM

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who is going to the Army-Navy game.