🍦$0 parking & Turkey Trots

Good morning, Annapolis. We’re continuing our week of thankfulness leading up to Thursday. We’ve got two more Scoop team members sharing what they’re thankful for:

Dylan — Books, dogs, and all the people who don’t judge me when I’m singing along to “Livin’ on a Prayer” at a red light with the windows down.

Duffy — The films of Charles Grodin, air tags for cats, and the impressive extent of Bon Jovi’s unabashed fan base outside the state of New Jersey.

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

As temperatures drop, now is the perfect time to replace old or drafty windows and improve your home's insulation before winter sets in. Andersen Windows & Doors, known for their superior energy efficiency and long-lasting performance, help keep the cold out and the comfort in, while lowering your energy bills.

At 84 Lumber Annapolis, we carry a full selection of Andersen products in a variety of styles and finishes to match any home. Whether you're tackling a full remodel or replacing a few units, our team is here to help.

For a personalized quote or to confirm product availability, contact Store Manager, Bill McDonald, at 410-757-4684 or [email protected].

We’re open on weekends for your convenience! Visit us at 1690 Balt-Annapolis Blvd Saturdays from 8 AM–4 PM and Sundays from 9 AM–4 PM.

Take a virtual tour of the showroom before you stop by!

Robert Silkworth was a school teacher for 49 years before he became president of the County Board of Education in 2020. With the recent vote toward redistricting, the Capital sat down with the Brooklyn Park HS alum to discuss his understandings and expectations from the other side of the table. His insights show the macro perspective the Board of Ed. was attempting to adopt throughout the (oftentimes challenging) discussion.

“It became very clear when I was on [the adequate public facilities commission] that redistricting is something that had to take place because we had many schools that were over capacity or closed to new students or development. What’s one of our number one problems in Anne Arundel County? Affordable housing. So when the schools are closed, that also meant that those communities are closed to potential building of affordable housing.”

The interview is worth the read. ($)

Meet James Kitchin: Anne Arundel County’s first certified publicly financed candidate, qualifying after raising more than $68,000 from 650+ local donors. County Executive candidates can draw up to $750,000 from the public fund, in addition to small-dollar contributions. Running against Republican Dave Crawford, the Democrat has pledged to accept only small-dollar contributions ($250 or less) and no money from corporations, PACs, or special interests. The county’s Public Campaign Finance program — created in 2023 — exists to elevate community voices over big-money influence. A celebratory event/fundraiser is set for December 11, 5:30–8 PM, at ArtFarm in Annapolis.

Publisher’s note: Naptown Scoop does not endorse political candidates. This story is not an endorsement. It is, however, an interesting piece of news we thought you’d enjoy reading.

Time to dry clean your tux and that pretty dress you can’t breathe in, because the Annapolis Rotary Club has announced their annual Black Tie and Diamonds gala will happen on March 7. And while no one actually feels good wearing a cummerbund, you’ll feel great knowing that all proceeds benefit Chrysalis House, the women’s residential recovery facility now in its 40th year. Grab tickets with early bird pricing through Nov. 28. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Click here for more.

We know, we know: you love complaining about parking downtown. It feeds your soul more than a late-night Murder, She Wrote marathon. But between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you’re going to have to find another excuse for not heading downtown for dinner because the City is bringing back two-hour free parking at metered spaces and one-hour free parking at the Mills-Hillman garage. And if you do eat downtown, you can grab a two-hour validation coupon at any one of these fine participating establishments. So maybe tell your friends it’s too cold to scooter, or try to claim there are no Ubers. Because you may have 99 problems but paid parking ain’t one.

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You might not know it, but over 200 businesses in Annapolis will be celebrating the Saturday after Thanksgiving with Small Business Saturday, a nationwide movement to encourage everyone to support local, independent businesses. It’s essentially a shopping party, with open houses, drinks and snacks, discounts, and special merchandise drops. Every business celebrates in their own unique way, so your best bet is to simply make a plan for hitting all your favorite establishments and checking in on your small business owners (trust us: they’ll be in the mood to give back). Here’s a little sample of what you can expect:

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.

As financial planners, we’re deeply grateful for our clients who value thoughtful financial management and long-term planning. Your commitment to making informed decisions and staying engaged in your financial journey inspires us at Scarborough Capital Management every day.

As we look ahead to the co`ming year, we hope you continue to feel confident and empowered in your financial future. Together, we’ll navigate opportunities, challenges, and milestones with clarity and purpose.

Interested in learning more about our personalized 401(k) management financial planning and wealth management services, and how we can help you tame those unknowns and live with more confidence? Contact the Scarborough team today.

🫧 Circus Pop! at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis Sunday, 2 PM. Veteran circus performer Logan Jimenez will impress the crowd with fire eating, daring escapes, and world-class bubble artistry.

🩰 The Nutcracker at Zachary’s Jewelers Sunday, 4:30 PM. Chesapeake Ballet Company performs selections from this holiday favorite outside of Zachary’s as part of Annapolis’ Grand Illumination festivities.

💐 Compass Rose Theater presents Pride and Prejudice Nov. 14-Dec. 14. Don’t miss the premiere of this original adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved classic romance.

🏫 Theatre Classes for all ages through Dec. 10. Last call to enroll in one of this season’s many classes through Compass Rose Theater.

If you’re thankful for movement, the outdoors, and good ol’ camaraderie, what better way is there to celebrate that than by starting Thanksgiving off with a turkey trot? These 5Ks are laid back and open to runners or walkers of all abilities. At the very least, it’s a good excuse to get out of the house for an hour. That way, you don’t get stuck helping in the kitchen or running a last-minute errand to the grocery store.

👟 The Greater Annapolis Y in Arnold Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 27) 8:30 AM. Take a scenic loop through Anne Arundel Community College’s campus to raise money for Y Fresh Mart food pantries.

👟 Fleet Feet Downtown Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 27) 9 AM. Start and finish at Fleet Feet’s original Eastport location while enjoying a downtown course to raise money for Girls on the Run Greater Chesapeake.

👟 Camp Letts Turkey Chase Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 27) 8:30 AM. This race offers 5K and 10K options through scenic Edgewater routes surrounding Camp Letts and raises money for campground upkeep as well as scholarships for campers who need them.

👟 Post-Thanksgiving Family 5K Sunday, Nov. 30, 10 AM. Close out Thanksgiving weekend with this fun run for the whole family at Kinder Farm Park to benefit Boundless Edventures.

School’s out this week for Thanksgiving, and we found the perfect creative project to keep students occupied: writing an original short story or poem. The State of Maryland Literacy Association’s annual Young Authors contest is now accepting submissions through December 12. That means if you complete the next great literary masterpiece while you’re off school this week, you still have time to enter it. Short stories should be 100-400 words for grades 1-2 and 300-800 words for 3-5. Poems should be 25-150 words. Get details and submit.

If you hang a Wreath Witherspoon with pride (or just love feeling festive), here are a few wreath events worth circling.

Holiday Wreath Workshop & Open House: Reclaimed of Annapolis hosts its annual event on 11/25 from 6–8 PM at The Boathouse (36 Market Space). Create 18” fresh wreaths with bows, ribbon, tools, complimentary wine, and the most important ingredient — assistance. Register.

Wreath Making Workshop @ The Sugar Shoppe: On 12/4, craft a custom winter wreath, sip wine, snack some, and leave with seasonal magic ready to hang. Beginners welcome. Tickets.

Holiday Wreath Workshop: The Hollyberry Garden Club brings make-your-own wreath expertise. All supplies and light refreshments provided. Held outdoors under a tent — dress for the weather. Register for the 10 AM–noon or 2–4 PM slot on (12/6) at 670 Ritchie Hwy.

Annapolis National Cemetery's Wreaths Across America: On 12/13 at noon, veterans will be honored with a ceremony and wreath placement. Support the effort by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering, or inviting others to join.

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.

Come volunteer at the Annapolis Maritime Museum and make a real impact right here in our community. From greeting visitors as a museum docent to helping with education programs, STEM activities and special events, there is a role for every interest and schedule. No experience needed. Just bring your curiosity and a little time to spare. Join a fun, friendly team and help inspire the next generation of Bay stewards. Learn more and sign up today.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

56 🌡️ 53 | 🌧️ | 83% | 💨 SSE 7 mph (6 knots)

65 🌡️ 40 | 🌦️ | 54% | 💨 SW 9 mph (8 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 51ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Hot Funyuns | 7:30–10:30 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
Middleton Tavern | Annapolis Songwriters Showcase | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Jim Messina and his band The Road Runners w/ Ivan Pulley | 8 PM | Tickets

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
Brian Boru | Mark O'Dell Duo | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Johnny Poulos | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jordan/Pressing Strings | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Fred & Wilma | 10 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | C.Burch & The Noize | 9:45 PM

Men's Basketball (3-3)
11/26 vs. Gardner-Webb | 4 PM

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with somebody who ignores all the humans at a house party in favor of playing with the host’s dog. But not somebody who kisses someone else’s dog on the mouth. That’s just weird.