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🍦Someone squashed the bug billboard

🍦Someone squashed the bug billboard

Fire Prevention Fair, Spring Sailboat Show, Cafe Rio is no mas. . .

Naptown Scoop
April 23, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. If pollen had a personality, it would be way too confident right now. Kinda like a guy named Chad explaining crypto at the neighborhood cookout.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Fire Prevention Fair
Spring Sailboat Show
Cafe Rio is no más. . .

Let’s get to it.

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

Brad Kappel’s Home of the Week: 119 W Bay View Drive

This breathtaking coastal-style waterfront home in Hillsmere Shores is officially under contract — after receiving multiple offers and selling over list price in just 4 days. With panoramic views of the South River and Chesapeake Bay, it’s no surprise this one didn’t last long.

The market is red hot, and buyers are eager for well-presented homes like this.

Thinking about selling? Now is the perfect time. Contact Brad Kappel today to find out how we can help you get top dollar for your home.

THE DIGEST

Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park: A Virtual Walk Through History

The gates may be closed, but Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park just opened — online. Anne Arundel County launched a virtual photo tour on Google Maps that lets you explore the historic campus in its dilapidated state. You’ll see haunting structures, learn powerful stories, and get a glimpse of the park’s future transformation. Once a segregated psychiatric hospital, the complex’s complex past is being preserved as plans unfold to reimagine it into a space for healing, art, and community. Start your walk here.

Western Shore Veterinary Hospital offers your pets the finest wellness care, state-of-the-art diagnostics, dental treatment, and surgery ranging from spays/neuters to sophisticated treatments. You can find them online, by phone at 443-936-0660, or at 910C Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Dog of the Week: Zuko

🔥 Hot dog alert 🔥

Meet Zuko — like the fire prince. And yes, he lives up to the name. This young shepherd mix is a whirlwind of brains, brawn, and boundless energy. Zuko isn’t your average fetch-and-snuggle kind of pup — he’s more like, “Let’s hike six miles, solve a Rubik’s Cube, and then maybe I’ll let you rub my belly for a second if you’ve earned it.” Zuko is part of the SPCA’s enrichment program, which means he needs a confident human (and a trainer) who can help him through some food guarding. Oh yeah, and no kids or other pets.

Sound like your soulmate in shepherd form? Visit the SPCA. Zuko’s been waiting for you since June 2022.

Community Scoop: Governor Parris Glendening Reflects on His Legacy

In this Earth Day episode of Community Scoop, co-hosts Vincent Moulden and Jared Littmann talk with former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening about his journey into public service and his legacy of Smart Growth. It’s a thoughtful conversation on leadership, the environment, and what continues to inspire him today. Watch now.

🏛️ Big Justice Energy: New Supreme Court Building Coming to Annapolis

Maryland’s highest court is getting a serious upgrade. The state will break ground this August on a new five-story Supreme Court building just off Rowe Boulevard. The current building, built in 1972, is showing its age (read: leaks, poor HVAC, and not enough space).

The new digs will feature underground parking, courtrooms for both the Supreme and Appellate Courts, a legal history museum, and a fresh home for the Thurgood Marshall Law Library.

The old Robert C. Murphy building? It’ll shift to administrative use. Price tag: $15 million-plus. Timeline: 3 years. ($)

Bye bye bug billboard 🪲

The legendary City Dock cockroach has crawled away — at least for now. After years of sparking debates and photobombing tourists, Annapolis’ only billboard has swapped pest control for public safety. The new ad features a shark, a cellphone, and a clear message: “Don’t drive distracted.”

Photo credit: Jarvin Hernandez

Historic or eyesore? That’s up to you. But with the iconic roach gone, even Annapolis’ quirkiest landmark isn’t immune to change. Will the bug return? Only time (and the next advertising lease) will tell. For now, eyes on the road.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

🌯 Adiós, Cafe Rio: Severna Park Spot Closes Suddenly

Bad news for burrito buffs — Cafe Rio in Severna Park has officially closed its doors. Word spread through local Facebook groups this week, and sure enough, the lights are off and the windows are dark. If you’re mourning your favorite lunch spot, don’t. At the risk of sounding insensitive, there’s a Chipotle right across Ritchie Highway.

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.

Your Skin Has a Story — Let’s uncover it

Tired of battling breakouts, fine lines, or skin that just won’t glow? Time to stop guessing and start knowing. Join Warrior Medical Group for Discover Your Skin’s Story — an immersive one-day event that puts your skin in the spotlight.

Using the cutting-edge Alma IQ diagnostic system, attendees will receive a deep, personalized skin analysis and a custom treatment plan built to restore confidence and radiance.

VIP tickets include a luxe skincare kit ($170 value), a $100 service voucher, and 5 raffle entries. Free general admission is also available — just show up and bring your biggest skin questions.

📍 Happening May 15, 2025 at Warrior Medical Group. RSVP today.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Today’s featured event. . .

The Chesapeake Catfish Cookoff is a star-studded seafood smackdown. Chef Zack Mills (True Chesapeake) was Maryland’s 2024 Chef of the Year. Chef Jeremiah Langhorne (The Dabney & Petite Cerise) is a James Beard Award winner and The Dabney has a coveted Michelin star. Who will serve the most malicious yet delicious blue catfish? You be the judge at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Chesapeake Catfish Cookoff.

⛵ Spring Sailboat Show sails into town

Boats, booze, and bay breezes – must be spring in Annapolis. The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show is at City Dock this weekend with more than 100 sailboats, tons of gear, and major maritime vibes. There are new and brokerage (AKA pre-loved) boats, seminars and on-water clinics, and like we said, tons of gear. It’s the unofficial kickoff of sailing season in Annapolis. And no, you don’t have to be buying a boat (or even know how to sail one) to have a good time. 🎟️ Get tickets and see the schedule.

🚒 Sound the Alarm — Eastport’s Fire Prevention Fair is this Sunday

Fire trucks, firefighter demos, and a mini obstacle course for kids? Count us in. The Eastport Volunteer Fire Company’s Fire Prevention Fair is back this Sunday, April 27, from 12–3 PM at 914 Bay Ridge Ave — and it’s way more than stop, drop, and roll.

There’ll be fire and EMS trucks to explore, live demos (including a car extraction), and hands-on CPR and Narcan training. Littles can take on the Kids Fireman’s Challenge, and grown-ups can enter to win fire extinguishers or a 50/50 raffle.

Come hungry — burgers and dogs are on deck. And come curious. 🔥 It’s free, it’s fun, and it might just save a life.

Taste of Spring on West Street 💐

Taste buds, prepare for takeoff. Taste of Spring is taking over the first block of West Street this Sunday with live Island Breeze beats, Polynesian dancers, and knockout bites from 9 local faves – including jerk pork belly, shrimp stogies, and churros with chocolate.

Your welcome drink? A custom cocktail (or mocktail) from Gray Wolf Distilling. Your vibe? Sunshine, small plates, and sweet tunes. Oh, and did we mention raffles? Big ones.

It all supports the return of Dinner Under the Stars — so you can party now and dine al fresco all summer long. Rain date: May 3. Get tickets.

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

Try Your Luck in the Denim & Diamonds Raffle!

The Denim & Diamonds Bash will take place on Saturday, April 26! If you’re unable to join the Bash in person, you can still participate in the raffle! Purchase raffle tickets now for your chance to win a diamond tennis bracelet and a once-in-a-lifetime wine tour through France. Only 100 tickets are being sold for each item. Advance raffle sales will close on Friday, April 25.*

The #2 way to make fundraisers better

What’s the first way? No idea. But the #2 way is definitely luxury bathroom trailers. People have called Royal Flush’s bathrooms the “nicest bathrooms I’ve ever seen” and “better than the bathrooms in my house.” And that’s not made-up marketing talk. Those are real quotes we’ve heard on the job. Want your guests to say the same? Studies show that guests who like the bathrooms donate more⁺. Call Royal Flush at 410-881-6848 to secure the finest bathrooms in town.*

_⁺_{We made this up but the quotes are real}

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Wednesday

72 🌡️ 54 | ⛅ | 1% | ENE 8 mph (7 knots)

Thursday

75 🌡️ 55 | 🌤️ | 6% | SSE 10 mph (9 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 60ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

Thursday

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Baseball (22-20)
4/22 vs. William & Mary | L 9-3

Upcoming games

Women's Lacrosse (11-5)
4/24 @ American | 1 PM

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who thinks “light yard work” involves renting a Bobcat.

🍦Someone squashed the bug billboard

Fire Prevention Fair, Spring Sailboat Show, Cafe Rio is no mas. . .

TOGETHER WITH

SPONSORED BY BRAD KAPPEL
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE