🍦Winter storm Blair is coming

Good morning, Annapolis. We’re calling it now. Anyone who’s turning 45 this year is in for a good year because 2025 is a perfect square year. 45×45 = 2025. The last time this happened was 1936 (44×44).

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• All-County sports teams

• How to dispose of your Christmas tree

• Jimmy Carter’s tie to Annapolis 🇺🇸 

Let’s get to it.

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

THE DIGEST

Winter Storm Blair ❄️ ☃️

Warning: Milk, bread, eggs, and cocoa are about to run low at your favorite grocery store. Winter Storm Blair is expected to blanket the mid-Atlantic this weekend. Some sources say we could see up to a foot of snow.

As y’all know, Naptown Scoop isn’t a minute-by-minute meteorologist. So use your favorite weather app for the most up-to-date information. Ours is Wunderground. And when the flakes start falling, we want to see the snowy magic. So definitely tag @NaptownScoop in all your pics 📸

Remembering Jimmy Carter 🇺🇸

Since Jimmy Carter’s passing on December 29, tributes across the country have honored the 39th president of the United States. The centenarian and 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner dedicated decades to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts.

Locals will proudly recall he is the only U.S. Naval Academy graduate to become president. “President Carter’s legacy is forever cemented as the ultimate example of our mission to develop our nation’s leaders,” wrote USNA Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids. “His lifetime of service will forever serve as an example to all midshipmen, past, present, and future, and to all citizens who desire to serve our nation.” Rest easy, Jimmy.

How the heck do I get rid of a Christmas tree? 🎄

Now that the most wonderful time of the year is over, it’s time for. . . this time of the year. And if you’re a holiday purist that puts up a real tree and wreath, you may be wondering, “What the heck do I do with this dead tree?” Well, you’ve got some options.

🌲 If you live in the City of Annapolis:
You can put your tree out for collection with other natural yard waste. Just make sure you remove all lights, garland, and decorations. Tree taller than 6 feet? Cut it into 4-foot (maximum) sections first.

🌲 If you live in Anne Arundel County:
Just like Annapolis City waste collection, Christmas trees are considered yard waste, along with your natural garland and wreaths. Be sure to remove all decorations and cut all tall trees in half. Bag in biodegradable paper yard waste bags — not plastic.

🌲 And if you wore Birkenstocks before 2014:
If you’re looking for a garden-friendly option to dispose of your greenery, consider composting. Remove any wire frames from your wreaths. Boxwood trees and greenery are better off in the trash because of pests. Also worth noting: Broadleaf evergreens (holly, magnolia, boxwood) are often coated with anti-desiccant to make them last longer. It’s not toxic and they’ll still decompose, but it may take longer than usual.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics signs 15,600 lease at Annapolis Technology Park 🦴

We can’t resist making a pun about a joint space here, because the Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics just signed leases for not one but two spaces at the Annapolis Technology Park on Riva Road. The Anne Arundel Orthopaedic Surgeons division and the Bay Area Orthopaedics division will open at 2629 Riva Road and 2635 Riva Road respectively, and they’re expected to move in later this spring. Orthopaedic Surgeons is currently at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Bay Area Orthopaedics is in Arnold.

P.S. The Dash In gas station/car wash/convenience store near here just opened and you are going to want to make it your regular spot if it’s on your commute.

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 STRETCHMED

You don’t need medicine. You need to stretch.

Don’t take it from us. Take it from the Washington Post. As reported by health and wellness columnist Gretchen Reynolds, “If your body is flexible, you’re likely to live longer than someone whose body and joints are tight and rigid, according to the first, large-scale study of the links between flexibility and mortality.” In the study by Claudio Gil S. Araujo, 3,139 men and women between ages 46 and 65 completed an evaluation of overall flexibility. Researchers followed them for more than a decade. They found that people with the stiffest joints — especially women — were substantially more likely to die prematurely than those with greater flexibility. Assisted stretching decreases pain, improves posture and mobility, and increases longevity. One Scoop reader said StretchMed Annapolis literally changed his life. So what are you waiting for? Book your no-cost intro stretch today.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Foodie Friday 🍽️

After indulging this holiday season (so many cookies), these healthy spots are calling our name for a healthy reset.

Toastique, 214 Harker Place
The Gourmet Toast and Juice Bar offers a fresh (re: pun) experience. With dishes like HOT Berry Oats, Mango Tango Bowls, or Orange Crush Smoothies, it’s obvious to see why. Don’t forget about everyone’s favorite toast – Avocado Smash Toast or because it’s Maryland, Spicy Crab Toast. 🍞

Annapolis Juice Shop (Formerly RASA), 82 Maryland Ave.
Cold-pressed organic juice anyone? Consider their “Refresh” flavor with grapefruit, lemon, and mint. Their food options, like Macro-Nutrient Bowls, also make clean eating taste delicious. 🥤🥣

CHOPT, 2331 Forest Dr STE A B 
Whether you’re craving a salad, wrap, or bowl, CHOPT has you covered. Their Tinga Hatch Chile Bowl packs a spicy punch, while the Sweet Apple Orchard Salad brings all the sweet flavors. 🥗

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/County Council meeting

On the agenda for Monday’s County Council meeting:

• Pre-built short-term buildings

• School bus facilities

• Edward Byrne Grant

• 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, 21401

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WEATHER

Friday

42 🌡️ 26 | 🌦️ | 57% | 💨 SW 10 mph (9 knots)

Saturday

32 🌡️ 23 | 💨 | 0% | 💨 WNW 21 mph (18 knots)

Sunday

34 🌡️ 26 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 WNW 13 mph (11 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 43ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

49 West | The Blue Rhythm Boys | 8–10:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Michael McHenry Tribe | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | The National Bohemians | 7–10 PM
Galway Bay | Doug Segree | 7–10 PM
Killarney House | Ciaran Quinn | 7:30–10:30 PM
Market House | Kings of Marigold | 8:30–11:30 PM
Old Stein | Eddie Pasa | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Dave Tieff | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Moran Tripp Band | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Aaron Hawkins | 8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | The Shatners | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | George Evans | 8 PM

Saturday

49 West | Blank Page | 7–10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Rick & The Revolving Doors | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Ciaran Quinn | 7–10 PM
Great Frogs | Brandt Dunn | 12:30–3:30 PM
Killarney House | Joe Hickey | 7:30–10:30 PM
Maryland Hall | Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder | Tickets | 7:30 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Brandon Hardesty | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Trainwreck | 9 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Blueline | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Guava Jelly | 8 PM

Sunday

49 West | Gary Wright, Ann Porcella, Leah Weiss, and Bill Schmidt | 5:30–7:30 PM
Brian Boru | Finbar's Flight | 4–7 PM
Galway Bay | The Corkers | 4–8 PM
Great Frogs | b.en | 12:30–3:30 PM
Market House | Casey McConville | 5–7 PM
Pirates Cove | Aaron Hawkins | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Gathering Bloom | 7:30 PM | Tickets

SPORTS

All-County sports teams roundup

Three cheers for the Capital Gazette’s 2024 All-County teams! 📣 📣 📣

If you didn’t know, All-County teams are made up of the best players from every school. It’s a great honor and it isn’t easy to make the list. So we wanted to say congratulations to everyone who made it and highlight each team. And before you run to complain, we’ll share the Cross Country team once it’s posted.

🏈 Football:

• Player of the Year: Malik Washington (Archbishop Spalding)

• Coach of the Year: Jack Walsh (Arundel)

🏑 Field Hockey:

• Player of the Year: Ryleigh Osborne (Crofton)

• Coach of the Year: Leslee Brady (Archbishop Spalding)

🏐 Volleyball:

• Player of the Year: Sydney Lawrence (Broadneck)

• Coach of the Year: Bethany Hayden (Old Mill)

⚽️ Boy’s Soccer:

• Player of the Year: Lucas Gardeniers (South River)

• Coach of the Year: Ryan Keeter (Chesapeake)

⚽️ Girl’s Soccer:

• Player of the Year: Abby Cover (Severna Park)

• Coach of the Year: Rick Stimpson (Severna Park)

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone on an All-County sports team.