🍦Major Yellowfin fraud case update

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop – the newsletter equivalent of your favorite song ending just as you park right in front of where you need to go.

Let’s get to it.

—Ryan Sneddon

Nonprofit of the Week: Bay Paddle

In September 2020, Chris Hopkinson became the first person to paddle a SUP (stand up paddleboard) the entire length of the Chesapeake Bay – about 200 miles – to raise money for Oyster Recovery Partnership. In 2021, he proved he wasn’t the only crazy person around and got about 100 people (some solo, some teams) to complete the same journey.

Things changed in 2022. Chris shortened the main paddle to 150 miles and staged it over 5 days from Rock Hall, MD to Cape Charles, VA. He also added a 45-mile, two-day option from Rock Hall to Cambridge, MD. In those three years, the Bay Paddle raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to clean up the Bay.

The 2023 variation of the Bay Paddle includes a 33-mile paddle race, 12-mile paddle race, 5k road race, and a 5-mile eco-adventure paddle on July 22 and 23. Proceeds will support the Oyster Recovery Partnership, Chesapeake Conservancy, and WaterKeepers Chesapeake. Click here to learn more!

P.S. You’ll want to watch the Bay Paddle closely over the next few years. Chris has huge plans!

Sponsored by Brad Kappel, Executive Vice President, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Coming Soon: Modern Farmhouse on Lake Ogleton

You know those partnerships where 1 + 1 = 3? This is one of those. A Purple Cherry Architects and Bayview Builders masterpiece that’s sure to be the hottest thing in the Bay Ridge market.

The interior gleams with white shiplap walls, luxurious finishings, and an elevator serving all levels. 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms neatly fit into a smart and spacious floor plan. But the smart doesn’t stop there. A Control4 system controls the security system, speakers, TVs, and more through your phone or tablet.

Outside there are multiple balconies and decks to enjoy stunning views of Lake Ogleton. And when it’s time to get on the water, your deep water private pier with multiple lifts and slips is just steps away.

Homes like this are rare in ultra-desirable Bay Ridge. Don’t miss Brad Kappel’s open house from 2–4 PM this Saturday.

Quick Hits

Who’s speaking at USNA graduation?

Quick update to our life-saving, must-read Commissioning Week guide. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin will deliver the commencement speech. This isn’t open to the public but will be streamed online.

If you missed the guide, it’s available right here. And yes, we know the Herndon Climb isn’t technically part of commissioning week. You know how tomatoes are technically a fruit but everyone accepts them as vegetables? It’s like that.

Bird bikes and scooters service area expanding

Anne Arundel County has been watching Annapolis closely ever since sky blue bikes and scooters appeared on our streets. During tomorrow’s Bike to Work Week Pit Stop at City Dock, County Executive Steuart Pittman will announce a partnership with Bird to bring the scooters & bikes to areas surrounding Annapolis, including Annapolis Town Center. If you want to attend the Bike to Work Week Pit Stop, head to City Dock between 7–10 AM. County Executive Pittman and Mayor Buckley are arriving via bike or scooter around 8 AM.

The Bay Bridge may have a 6-knot speed zone soon

DNR has proposed a 6-knot speed zone around areas of the Bay Bridge that will be redecked over the next couple years. The thought is that reduced speeds will reduce wakes which could hurt construction workers or damage barges. If implemented, it will be active until March 2026. The measure is open for public comment until June 5 so this is your chance to share your opinion with DNR. Click here to see full details and provide feedback.

Yellowfin case update: Jury finds Harvey Blonder guilty of fraud

After 2 weeks in court and 8 hours of deliberation, a jury found Harvey Blonder guilty of fraud and ordered him to pay $9.6 million in damages. The money isn’t going straight to the plaintiffs though. Harvey has to write a check to Yellowfin, which he still owns 50% of. However, the damages money will be controlled by current managing partner, Jamie Kujawski, if Harvey doesn’t appeal. ($)

Context: Yellowfin minority investors Jamie Kujawski, Paul Hetzel, and Mike Loprete sued majority owner (and then managing partner) Harvey Blonder in July 2021 after they got suspicious of how he handled Yellowfin’s finances. The partners alleged that Harvey directed Yellowfin profits to his many other businesses instead of distributing them to investors.

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#NaptownScoop

Save the Bay

📸 @fv_porkchop | 📍Save the Bay

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Local Business

First look: Miller’s Ale House

So we tried out Miller’s Ale House at Annapolis Mall and let’s just say it’s pretty clear Miller’s has over 100 locations. The build out is first class, the service was smooth, and most importantly, the food was great. Check out all the photos from our visit (including the menu and beer list).

Now I’m going to say something that may undermine all credibility I’ve built up in 2.5 years of writing Scoop. . . .

Boneless wings are just better. Miller’s chicken Zingers® are where it’s at. I crushed 6 with the hot garlic sauce. Excellent flavor, not too spicy, and perfectly crispy.

Check Miller’s out at the old Macaroni Grill spot at Westfield Annapolis – 178 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. Open 7 days a week, 11 AM to midnight (1 AM Friday/Saturday).

Happy Birthday, Forward Brewing 🎂 

Congratulations to Cam and Claire Bowdren on three years of success at Forward Brewing in Eastport. If you’ve never been and you like craft beer, you gotta check it out. I also have to give a shoutout to the amazing staff.

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 Sonia’s Table Meal Delivery

Delectable meals you don’t have to cook 🧑‍🍳

Got no time to cook but still want to eat healthy, home-cooked meals? Great news. You can have your steak and eat it too. Let me explain.

Sonia’s Table offers a vast selection of hearty, chef-made meals – each one prepared fresh daily with locally-sourced ingredients and delivered right to your door. Whether you need family meals or individual portions, Sonia’s Table has you covered. And delivery is 100% free.

Just a quick pro tip: Mention Naptown Scoop when you subscribe and you’ll get five free meals. Sign up today and start enjoying fresh, chef-made meals this week.

What’s Happenin’

Herndon Climb

Today, all 1,000 plebes (aka Naval Academy first-years) will try to climb the Herndon Monument. It’s a 21-foot-tall granite obelisk. Usually not too hard to shimmy up using the ole human pyramid. But something about 50 pounds of vegetable shortening and nonstop hose water seems to make it tough.

The plebes won’t become known as midshipmen fourth class until they knock off a plebe hat called a dixie cup and replace it with a cover (upper classmen’s hat). Want to watch this sweaty scrappy spectacle? It’s great fun – mostly because you don’t have three layers of a pyramid on your shoulders. It starts at 8 AM Wednesday. The Herndon Monument is in front of the Chapel. Enter through Gate 1. Here’s a map.

The Local Experience Concert Series

Live Arts Maryland is kicking off a brand new concert series tonight called The Local Experience. In it, you’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories, never heard originals, and the songs you know and love. You know how in movies the main character somehow always knows about the cool, underground concert? That’s basically what this is. No movie magic required. Timmie & Tambo are the first performers for the new series. They start at 7:30 PM tonight at the Live Arts Studio at Westfield Annapolis. Tickets start at just $25.

P.S. If you know Timmie & Tambo, you know you won’t want to miss this. If you don’t, here’s my sales pitch. If you closed your eyes you could easily mistake Timmie Metz’s voice for country superstar Chris Stapleton’s and Tambo’s got such an impressive energy and vocal range. It doesn’t hurt that their chemistry is unmatched.

POSTPONED: Curious Cocktail Party

Due to a poorly timed broken foot, Bread & Butter Kitchen has been forced to postpone the Great Curious Cocktail Party scheduled for tomorrow. Get better soon, Monica!

Weekend preview

🥍 NCAA lacrosse tournament quarterfinal games will be held at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this Sunday. #5 Penn State faces Army (#GoLionsBeatArmy) at 12 PM and #3 Notre Dame faces #6 Johns Hopkins at 2:30 PM. Tickets are available starting at $20. Should be some very high-quality lax.

💸 The Trash to Treasures Rummage Sale at the Pip Moyer Center got rained out last week so it’s this Saturday from 8 AM to noon. If you want to sell stuff at this community-wide yard sale, register online then show up at 7 AM for setup. If you want to buy stuff, show up any time between 8 AM and noon but remember, the early bird gets the worm.

Reminder: Boatyard Beach Bash tickets

For the uninitiated, the Boatyard Beach Bash is a Key West-style concert featuring members of Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band. It raises money for the Annapolis Maritime Museum where it’s held and is a proper good time. We’re reminding you now because it has sold out for 10 years running now and we don’t want you to miss out. The party is Saturday, September 9. VIP tickets are already sold out!

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.

Stories with ($) require a third party subscription.

Extra Sprinkles

“I picked the colors. They did the rest.”

House painting is not easy. Do you know anyone who enjoys it? I don’t. But what if you could just pick your colors, snap your fingers, and voila… beautiful, new paint. That’s what it’s like to work with Blue Star Paint & Property Services (plus or minus a few days depending on job size). When it’s time to paint, choose the no-stress option, Blue Star Paint & Property Services. Contact them anytime for a free quote!*

Wanna hang out with the Caps announcers?

You’ve heard their voices. Now you can hear their mission. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin recently partnered with 3 Steves Winery to produce Broadcast Blanc – a chardonnay where every bottle sold fights rare gynecological cancers. Come meet Joe B and Locker, try the wine, and even hang out with former Caps players at the Blackwall Barn & Lodge on May 19. Don’t miss the live and silent auction with epic Caps memorabilia.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

Weather

Wednesday

67 🌡️ 49 | ☀️ | 1% | 💨 N 14 mph (12 knots)

Thursday

67 🌡️ 55 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 E 9 mph (8 knots)

Live Music Lowdown

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5 - 7 PM
Brian Boru | Larry Lay | 6 - 9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6 - 10 PM
Live Arts Maryland | The Local Experience: Timmie & Tambo | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Market House | Sean Pelan | 7 - 10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael Waskey | 6 - 9 PM
Pirates Cove | Loose Change | 6 - 10 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5 - 8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Andrew Duhon | 8 PM | Tickets
Reynolds Tavern | Aaron Hawkins | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Christopher Dean | 9 PM

Thursday

49 West | Jeff Antoniuk’s Monthly Jazz Jam | 7:30 - 10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Andrew Bell | 5 - 8 PM
Brian Boru | Brian Gaffney | 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Killarney House | Jennifer Schimpf | 6 - 9 PM
Market House | Dana B | 7:30 - 10:30 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6 - 10 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5 - 8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Gibson Brothers | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Victoria & Steve | 5 PM
RiverBay Roadhouse | Ryan Keith Duo | 7 - 10 PM

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who doesn’t strike you as a good dancer but has one absolutely killer move they can break out at a wedding that makes everyone say, “WHOA!!!!!!!'“