🍦Swim, stroll, or smile with Santa 🎅

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop, the only newsletter that has a 100% approval rating from all the household elves.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• AACPS receives high marks 🌟

• Scav on the Ave continues 🍭 🍦 🛍️ 

• Weekend Preview: Holidays are here edition! 🎄 

Let’s get to it.

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

SPONSORED BY ANNAPOLIS MALL

Your Holiday Headquarters Awaits! 🎄

This holiday season, Annapolis Mall is your one-stop destination for gifts, events, and festive fun! From Apple to Lululemon, Crate & Barrel, and more, you’ll find everything on your list — and plenty of festive fun while you shop!

🎅 Visit Santapolis: Stop by Santa’s magical wonderland (now through December 24) for family photos and unforgettable memories.

🎶 Holiday Entertainment: Enjoy live performances like the Holiday Kids Concerts with Guava Jelly or the Rising Stars.

🎁 Spread Cheer: Donate to the Salvation Army Angel Trees or get your gifts wrapped at our Wrapped in Purpose Gift Wrap Station, with proceeds supporting local causes.

✨ Don’t forget to check out the locally owned shops for unique finds and surprises from our Holiday Elves!

Shop, celebrate, and make this season magical at Annapolis Mall! Visit annapolismall.com for the store directory and more details.

THE DIGEST

Apply now: Be the Rotary’s beneficiary 💎

The Annapolis Rotary is looking for the next nonprofit to be the beneficiary of the club’s Black Tie and Diamonds Gala 2026. Applications are open through Sunday, December 15 and whichever nonprofit is selected will receive proceeds from the annual Black Tie and Diamonds fundraising event in 2026. Apply now.

Historic Annapolis commends local preservationists

On Wednesday evening, Historic Annapolis recognized several distinguished Annapolitans for their work in historical preservation. Sarah Elfreth, Kenneth Tom, Alma Cropper, Dr. Carol Benson, and Dean D’Camera were all commended for their work as dedicated stewards maintaining the original charm of Annapolis. Historic Annapolis has been working for the last seven decades to protect the unique historical identity of the city, and these partnerships make that work all the more possible.

Alderman Huntley Listening Tour ☕️

For the past two months, Ward One Alderman Harry Huntley has hosted listening sessions on Wednesdays at Acton’s Cove Park. Now that the weather has turned colder, here are the coffee shops you can find Alderman Huntley in the upcoming months, from 8–9 AM. Sure there will be coffee consumed . . . But this is also a great opportunity for local residents to voice any concerns.

☕️ 12/11: Bitty and Beau’s
☕️12/18: Rise Up in Market House
☕️ 1/8: Brown Mustache in Old Fox Books
☕️ 1/22: The Red Bean
☕️ 1/29: Cafe Olé (Due to size constraints, bundle up for a walk with coffee. Meet by 8:05 AM.)
☕️ 2/12: 49 West
☕️ 2/19: Poindexter in the Graduate Hotel
☕️ 2/26: Curate

County Council votes to keep paper bag fees 🛒

After almost a year, hopefully you are used to grabbing your reusable tote bag when it’s time to run errands—and on the chance you forget, you pay a 10-cent fee for a paper bag. The County Council voted this week to keep that 10-cent fee in place, rejecting a bill that would have removed the fee and associated penalties on retailers that don’t collect it. Councilwoman Shannon Leadbetter of District 7 introduced the bill, which was also supported by Councilwoman Amanda Fiedler of District 5 and Councilman Nathan Volke of District 3. ($)

AACPS receives high marks 🌟

AACPS is reaching for the stars! Sixteen schools increased their ratings, with 53% of county schools now shining bright at 4 or 5 stars on the 2023-2024 Maryland Report Card. Hilltop Elementary skyrocketed with a 2-star boost, landing at 4 stars, and 11 schools earned top-tier marks (5 stars): Arnold Elementary, Benfield Elementary, Crofton Woods Elementary, Davidsonville Elementary, Folger McKinsey Elementary, Hillsmere Elementary, Jones Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Severna Park Elementary, Shipley’s Choice Elementary, and Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School.

This year marks the third consecutive year AACPS ratings have surpassed the state average. See the complete Maryland Report Card results.

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

📸 @treeolowphoto | 📍City Dock

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SPONSORED BY LACE SILHOUETTES LINGERIE

Did you know 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size?

Discover the perfect fit with a complimentary, expert bra fitting at our boutique at 152 Main St. in the heart of Annapolis! Enjoy a personalized shopping experience in a warm, inviting space. We offer a curated collection of luxurious yet affordable brands, including UGG and PJ Salvage, along with exclusive pieces you won’t find in department stores. Every woman deserves to feel confident and beautiful—visit us today and find the perfect fit that’s all about you!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Reminder: Scav on the Ave 🔎

Don’t forget—Scav on the Ave wraps up (pun intended) on December 12. 🎁 So, join in on the fun, interactive scavenger hunt + get your holiday shopping done. Here’s how it works.

1.) Grab a copy of our Scavenger Hunt checklist on the Journal or ask any of the 10 shops for one.
2.) Search for the ice cream plushie at any or all of the 10 stores.
3.) Snap a picture when you find the plushie. 📸
4.) Let the shopkeeper know, then claim a small prize at each store where you find the plushie.

It’s that simple!

Bonus points: Tag @NaptownScoop while you play.

Weekend Preview

At the Scoop, we consider Thursday as the kickoff to the weekend. At least during Midnight Madness season! 🎄

Thursday

🛍️🎄Local by Design Midnight Madness: How cute is this reusable mini Annapolis bag?! It’s FREE to the first 25 customers. Open 5–11 PM for a festive night of shopping at 41 Maryland Ave.

Saturday

🏊‍♀️🎅Swim with Santa: Santa's trading his sleigh for swim trunks at the Arundel Olympic Swim Center! For just $12, you get pool time, a pic with Santa, and a stuffed stocking. Must be at least 3 years old and fully potty trained. Enroll now. Walk-ins also welcome!

📸 🎅SOFO's photos with Santa: Pose with Jolly Old Saint Nick at Fire Company 08 - Annapolis Neck (991 Bay Ridge Road in Annapolis), from 10 AM to 12 PM. Enjoy festive music and light refreshments.

🛍️ 🎅WACA Holiday Market: Enjoy a stroll through West Annapolis with holiday shopping, hot chocolate, food, and a visit from Santa from 11 AM to 5 PM in the parking lot of 20 Ridgely Ave, at the corner of Annapolis St and Giddings Ave.

🍻 🎅The 4th Annapolis Santa Stroll from Peake Social: Wear Santa costumes, Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Elf attire, holiday onesies, etc. for a jolly bar crawl along downtown Annapolis! Bring a toy or donation to support local families in need this holiday season. Goes 12:30–7 PM. Tickets get you a free Santa hat, entry, and drink/food specials.

💪Market House Fundraiser: Help raise money for Danielle Brazeal to CRUSH cancer! Enjoy time with friends, live music, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction from 1–5 PM. No cover or ticket needed.

🐐Live Nativity with Animals: After St. John the Evangelist Church’s 5:15 PM Mass, catch their Live Nativity at Larsen Field from 6:15–7:30 PM.

Sunday

🍻🎅Heroes Holiday Market: Heroes Pub is hosting their 4th annual holiday market from 8–11 AM. There’ll be food, drinks, a Santa sighting, and shopping with 35+ local vendors. This year’s raffle supports River Arts District Asheville as they rebuild after Hurricane Helene damaged about 80% of it.

🎩 🥃 Moonshiners Ball: Dress as flappers, gangsters, or moonshiners during this Repeal of Prohibition celebration and annual SPCA fundraiser at the Governor Calvert House from 6–11 PM. Bid on raffles and silent auction items while enjoying music, lite fare, and a cash bar.

Get ready to stay up late! ❄️

It’s Midnight Madness time! We have Snowflake Alley selfies, late-night snacking, and a few glasses of Galway Bay eggnog in our future. These three Thursdays in December (starting tonight!) are sacred to all Annapolitans as a celebration of holiday splendor, late-night meetups with old friends, and free parking. The fun will extend from City Dock all the way up West Street, with the best decorations on Maryland Avenue (if we do say so ourselves). Grab your hat and a pair of fuzzy boots: the fun starts at 4 PM and shuts down at 11.

Winter shopping is HERE. in downtown Annapolis

Have we mentioned that one of our favorite shopping spots is HERE.? HERE. a pop-up shop that is, the one-of-a-kind boutique featuring artisan crafts and products from local makers. The winter shop is now open at 14 Church Circle, and if you need an excuse to visit, Midnight Madness is a great time to buy something for yourself or a loved one. HERE. is open 10 AM– midnight today and December 12, and 10 AM–11 PM on Dec. 19. Can’t make it for Midnight Madness? They’re open 10 AM–6 PM daily.

Reminder: Free parking 🚙

Reasons to visit downtown this holiday season: plenty of great shopping, beautiful decorations, and — of course — free parking. That’s right, if you’re visiting downtown Annapolis any time between now and New Year’s Day, you can get 2 hours of free parking at downtown meters using ParkMobile or 1 hour in Noah Hillman Garage. It’s one small way the City of Annapolis supports its local businesses during the busiest shopping season of the year.

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.

WEATHER

Thursday

43 🌡️ 29 | 💨 | 24% | W 23 mph (20 knots)

Friday

37 🌡️ 27 | 🌤️ | 1% | 💨 NW 16 mph (14 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 48ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

49 West | Jeff Antoniuk and Helluvaband | 7:30–10 PM
Brian Boru | Ted Garber | 6:30–9:30 PM
Killarney House | Loose Change | 6–9 PM
Market House | Suzy and Alex | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Los Lobos | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | PJ and Neal | 5 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Tony Streamella Band | 6 PM

Friday

49 West | Tom Mitchell & Friends | 8–11 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Dave Chappelle Band | 8:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Michael McHenry Tribe | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | Poehemia | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Mike Sharp | 8 PM
Killarney House | Joe Hickey | 7:30–10:30 PM
Market House | Severn River Band Duo ft. Ben Lonsbury & Bryan | 8:30–11:30 PM
Middleton Tavern | Pretty Big Deal | 10 PM
Old Stein | Frank "Elvis" Raines in the Biergarten | 8–11 PM
Pirates Cove | Kevin Lee | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Mike Miller | 8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Wheelhouse | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Ryan Keith | 9:45 PM

NAVY SPORTS

All-American Athletic Conference

Congratulations to 8 Navy football players who received recognition from the All-American Athletic Conference when it announced its 2024 players of the year and all-conference selections yesterday:

🏈 Colin Ramos
🏈 Landon Robinson
🏈 Rayuan Lane
🏈 Justin Reed
🏈 Dashaun Peele
🏈 Riley Riethman
🏈 Connor McMahon
🏈 Ben Purvis

Past results

Women's Basketball (6-3)
12/4 vs Dartmouth | L 61-58

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