🍦All aboard for the North Pole 🚂

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop. We have a Christmas carol for you: Jingle bells, Batman smells, Army laid an egg. 💙 ⚓️ 💛 

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Little Yellow Bird Foundation 🐤

• Navy beats Army and wins CIC Trophy 🏈 🏆

• Maryland High School Football Rankings 🏈

Let’s get to it.

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

Homestead’s Model Train Conductor 🚂

All aboard! If there’s something about a model train display that fills you with “kid on Christmas morning” energy, you’re not alone. Model train displays are one of those holiday decorations that maintain their novelty and charm because you don’t see them too often anymore — probably because they take a lot of time to put together!

We recently talked to Joe Hartline, who creates the train display at Homestead Gardens every year. If you’ve ever seen it, you know how impressive it is. (And you might be surprised by how much time goes into putting it together!) Read the interview.

A MESSAGE FROM MURTHY FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Holiday Glow-Up? Yes, Please! 🎁

Celebrate the season with exclusive savings at Murthy Facial Plastic Surgery! Whether you’re treating yourself or looking for the perfect gift, our December specials are the perfect way to refresh and glow for the holidays.

🎁 Hurry—only 8 left before Christmas! Don’t miss out—new appointment times are now available!

• Call us to snag your deal as a credit and use it within 30 days of purchase—easy peasy! 

• Got someone special in mind? Gift certificates are available to help you play Santa this year! 🎅

📞 Call us at 443-333-8083 or visit murthyfacialplasticsurgery.com to purchase your special or schedule your consultation.

Wishing you a beautiful holiday season from all of us at Murthy Facial Plastic Surgery! ✨

THE DIGEST

Navy beats Army and wins CIC Trophy 🏈 🏆

There is but one college football game where victory isn't merely triumph, but a testament of pride, tradition, and unyielding spirit – America's Game: Army vs. Navy. It's been said at Navy that a season's glories are hollow unless gilded with victory over Army. And on this sacred stage before 60,000 roaring witnesses and millions more at home, Navy faced a formidable foe.

Army was ranked #22. They won the American Athletic Conference by crushing a Tulane team that shut Navy out 35–0 at home. And their coach was so confident that he joked about whether or not Annapolis even had a football program anymore.

And yet, Navy controlled the game from the kickoff. They never lost the lead. And they turned 3 Army turnovers into 10 points. In their previous 12 games, Army had 5 turnovers.

After a 31–13 victory, Navy sang their alma mater second, once again proving that anything can happen in a rivalry game.

The work's not done, though. Navy's heading to its first bowl game since 2019 (Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, TX) to play Oklahoma on December 27. Tickets, which are almost sold out, start at $55.

And the EYC Lights Parade Winners Are…

Merry Creek-mas and Sea-son’s Greetings, Annapolis! This was another amazing year at the Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade on Saturday night. More than 40 sailboats and powerboats made their way along Spa Creek, lighting up the Annapolis shoreline with a show of good cheer.

Of course, there were a few standouts, and we’ve got a list of winners. Check out our Journal article to see the names and photos of the winners.

Little Yellow Bird Foundation 🐤

A little (yellow) birdy told us 68 million Americans lack dental insurance, and 56 million live in areas with too few dental professionals. Many health conditions — heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and pregnancy complications — can often be avoided with good oral health.

Confession: The Little Yellow Bird Foundation told us. Founded in 2019 by Ashley Morabito of Morabito Family Dental, they’re fundraising for a June 2025 trip to serve remote, under-resourced communities in Belize. A donor will match up to $50,000 of donations given by 2024’s end—doubling your impact! Donate today.

Want to help even more? Join their mission trip.

Annapolis City offices closed on Christmas & New Year’s 🎄

Most of us agree we love staying cozy at home on holidays — and that includes city officials. So Annapolis government offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with Annapolis Transit service ending at 7 PM on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Trash and recycling pickup will be unaffected. The Pip Moyer Center and Stanton Community Center will close at 5 PM on Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve and will be closed on the day of. See details on closures and schedule changes.

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

📸 @aycjrsailing | 📍City Dock

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SPONSORED BY ANNAPOLIS ORTHODONTICS

Seven’s the magic number 😁

Most people don’t know this, but your first orthodontic evaluation should be by age 7. Why? There are a handful of dental conditions that if addressed early, can save you a lot of complicated orthodontic treatment at a later age.

That’s why Annapolis Orthodontics created the First Look, a complimentary evaluation to screen for these conditions.

Annapolis Orthodontics is locally owned and lovingly operated by Dr. Julie Langguth. Schedule a First Look with Dr. Julie today!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Coming up this week

Not to make you panic, but . . . it’s the week before Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa. No matter how or what you’re celebrating: keep calm and carry on!

Wednesday

💙 Advent Nights & Advent Lights: St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church is hosting a contemplative “Longest Night” Blue Christmas service, honoring the broad spectrum of feelings people experience during the Christmas season. RSVP.

🛍️ 🏥 Luminis Health Fundraiser: The Auxillary fundraiser supports the hospital’s “Healthy Aging initiative.” When you buy gifts at the Beacon Gift Shop (Hospital Pavilion North, Level 1, 2001 Medical Pkwy) and Bayside Gift Shop (Belcher Pavilion, Level 2, 2000 Medical Pkwy) you help their 5-year goal to raise $5M. Shop their holiday sale (25% off storewide; Auxillary + Luminis employees get a bonus 10% off) from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.

Thursday

🧺 BD Provisions Stocking event: Fill a stocking or basket with products from vendors: BD Provisions, The Half Shell, Cookies by Care, and Hip Mod Vintage. BD will give you the stocking or basket for free! Goes 5–8 PM at 844 Ritchie Hwy, suite 101, Severna Park.

🛍️🎄Final Midnight Madness: It’s the Eleventh Hour and final chance to act like you’re in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Shops and restaurants open until 4–11 PM.

🛍️ Luminis Health Fundraiser: Shop the holiday sale again from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Ongoing

✨🌊Lights on the Bay: There’s still time to partake in the holiday lights display along the Chesapeake Bay—all in support of SPCA! Open every night (including holidays) until January 1, Sunday–Thursday from 5–9 PM or Friday/Saturday from 5–10 PM.

Musical Monday 🎶

There’s still one more holiday concert to catch this season:

Be sure to join the Annapolis Blend Chorus for its holiday program at the Busch Library on Tuesday 7 PM. The a cappella group will perform holiday carols and other festive favorites, and you’re welcome to sing along or simply enjoy the beautiful melodies.

Save the Date: Parade of Light on 12/29 🕯️

Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad of Anne Arundel County's Parade of Light on December 29! The event kicks off at 5:30 PM, leaving from Safeway (2635 Housley Road, Annapolis). Arrive by 5 PM if you’d like to join the parade. The procession ends at City Dock (near the Alex Haley Memorial) around 5:45 PM, where they’ll light a giant menorah to mark the festival of lights. Enjoy latkes, donuts, and hot drinks too! This free event is open to all, but please RSVP.

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

On the agenda for tonight’s County Council meeting:

• Mixed-use district zoning

• Home occupations — requirements for conditional use

• Master plan for water supply

• See full agenda

The meeting is at 7 PM in the Arundel Center. The public is welcome to attend. Click here to submit testimony or watch online. — 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis, MD

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WEATHER

Monday

47 🌡️ 45 | ☁️ | 24% | 💨 E 4 mph (3 knots)

Tuesday

57 🌡️ 38 | ⛅ | 15% | 💨 W 7 mph (6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 42ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Monday

Rams Head On Stage | Annapolis Christmas Show | 7 PM | Tickets

Tuesday

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Annapolis Christmas Show | 7 PM | Tickets

NAVY SPORTS

Maryland High School Football Rankings 🏈

As the saying goes: “Crabcakes and Football. That's what Maryland does!” We often talk crabcakes, but let’s congratulate our county’s high school football teams. Sports Illustrated’s Top 25 poll for Maryland high school football features 3 AACPS teams, including one at the very top!

• No. 1: ARCHBISHOP SPALDING (12-0): After their third straight MIAA A Conference title, led by University of Maryland-bound QB Malik Washington, Spalding tops the list.

• No. 11: ARUNDEL (12-1): The Wildcats earned their first state championship since 1975, defeating Linganore, 35-7.

• No. 17: BROADNECK (10-2): The Bruins made the Maryland Class 4A state semifinals for the second year, losing to state champ Quince Orchard.

Past results

Football (9-3)
12/14  vs Army | W 31-13

Men's Basketball (3-8)
12/15 @ Virginia Tech | L 80-72

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THANKS!

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