🍦Big bus driver vote

Good morning, Annapolis. On this day in 1994, Friends premiered on NBC. I can only wonder if they knew at the time, how many people would base their entire personalities on one of the characters.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

With kids back in school and routines settling in, now is the perfect time to give yourself the attention you’ve been putting off. Fall and winter are ideal seasons for facial procedures. Cooler weather and less travel mean you can recover more comfortably at home and step into the new year looking refreshed. By the time spring arrives, you’ll be ready to reveal results that look natural and feel like the best version of you.

At Murthy Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Namita Murthy — a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon — combines more than a decade of surgical training with a natural aesthetic to create subtle, refined outcomes. She offers thoughtful, unrushed consultations, a personalized treatment plan, and direct access to your physician through a HIPAA-compliant platform.

This season, make time for yourself. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Murthy today and take the first step toward a more confident you.

After a few weeks of uncertainty for AACPS families with kids who ride the bus (that’s approximately 7,200 kids), drivers and employers are en route to a deal to would avoid a strike. Back in August, bus drivers and aides with the union UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO voted to go on strike, seeking higher wages and better health insurance options from their employers, Annapolis Bus Company and RE Wilson. As of last Thursday, they reached a deal — one that union members will officially vote on this Thursday. If that happens as it’s expected to, the agreement goes into effect immediately and school bus transportation will continue without interruption. ($)

In today’s lesson, we’re learning how Anne Arundel County Board of Education advanced four Phase 2 redistricting proposals to public hearings. The plans — two from Superintendent Dr. Bedell and two with Board amendments — would rezone 900–1,500 students, shifting school boundaries across the Arundel, Crofton, Meade, and Annapolis clusters to relieve overcrowding and balance enrollment. Both Board plans expand the “Legacy Student” option to include juniors and seniors in 2026–27.

Mark your agenda, we mean calendar, for next steps:

The Board expects to adopt a final plan in November for August 2026 implementation.

If you’ve been to see a production at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, you know they’re producing shows that are much bigger than what you’d expect when you hear “children’s theater.” Now the nonprofit organization known for theater education and professional-quality productions is expanding to do more. They’re fundraising to renovate the facility’s detached annex into an arts center that will allow them to do much more programming: two state-of-the-art classrooms for education, along with a black-box theater with seating for 75, where they can hold performances and events. (Bonus: This facility will be available for rent to other community organizations.)

A big undertaking like this isn’t cheap — CTA has been raising money for this project for years, and the Growing Our Reach Campaign is the easiest way for the general public to support it. A donation of any size helps add up to bring the vision of this arts center to life.

Fun fact: Scoop writer Dylan Roche (who wrote the above story) is on CTA’s advisory board.

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Ok so I know this is confusing but Oktoberfest starts in September. And while the true Munich festival (and many local copycats) were held over the weekend, many hosts of those copycats still have delicious Oktoberfest beer. If you’re a Märzen lover, this is the best time of the year. Here’s where to grab yours.

🐏 Rams Head Tavern (and Roadhouse!). Their traditional Märzen-style lager is crafted from eight German malts and three different hops. Smooth caramel notes and crisp bitterness. And did you know there was a ram emoji? Us either.

⛵ Forward Brewing. The party was over the weekend but they’ll pour Oktoberfest until it runs out. Forward also has an incredible pretzel and what goes better with German-style beer than a pretzel?

🦑 Chessie’s Wharf. Also home to a great pretzel but our love is the drunken tots.

🇩🇪 West Annapolis Oktoberfest. The biggest and best Oktoberfest celebration in all of Annapolis. Sponsored by Chessie’s Wharf so you know the beer will be good. September 28 from 11 AM – 4 PM.

🐝 Garten. In Severna Park or down for a drive? It’s worth it btw. Also home to a fabulous pretzel. You can even add on spinach sauerkraut dip. Garten is a modern beer garden and the concept was literally invented in Germany so they had to be on this list.

🐟 Lures. No beer list in Annapolis is complete without Lures (who also has phenomenal food. Can you tell I’m hungry?) They’re carrying Laurel’s Jailbreak Brewing’s Oktoberfest.

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.

Yoga Factory's 200-Hour Vinyasa Teacher Training, beginning this January!

Led by Ally Hughes-Hetrik and Katy Johnston, who bring over 40 years of combined teaching experience, this training offers both depth and breadth- whether your intention is to teach yoga or to take your personal practice to the next level.

And here’s the best part: Register before November to receive early bird pricing!

This training is not only for aspiring teachers- it’s for anyone ready to dive deeper into yoga, strengthen their practice, and explore yoga as a way of living.

WEDNESDAY

West Street | Dinner Under the Stars is winding down too quickly for us. The Souljourners perform | 6 PM

THURSDAY

Back Creek | The September Sunset Concert Series has the Eastport Oyster Boys in town for a rowdy good time | 6 PM

Parole | Burgers & Bands Unplugged is a cool initiative to advocate for suicide prevention awareness. Sponsored by Charm City Run, Julep will be grilling burgers while Michael K. brings the acoustic tunes | 6–9 PM

William Paca House | Blazers. Bourbon. Cigars The region’s top business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and visionaries come together for a night of whisky and bourbon to support Historic Annapolis | 6 PM

FRIDAY

Downtown | Crabtown Frolic is an exceptionally cool traditional music festival celebrating Gaelic revival music in historic spaces. Grab your day or weekend tickets (it’s a lapel pin, not a paper bracelet!) and get to jigging around downtown. Check out the full schedule here. Timing varies by venue.

Forest Drive | SOFO Drive in Movie Nights bring The Hunt for the Red October to the parking lot of the Bay Ridge Shopping Plaza. We’ll be there with our lawn chairs and a blanket | Dusk

SATURDAY

Severna Park | Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Co Cocktail Fundraiser is a great night of supporting and celebrating your local fire department with cocktails, small plates, an auction, and more. Get your friends together and do some good | 5 PM

SUNDAY

West Annapolis | Oktoberfest | Why fly to Munich when you can drive to West Annapolis for beer, revelry, and delicious food? | 11 AM – 4 PM

Annapolis Town Center | Anchors and Artisans Pop-Up Market is the brilliant work of the Makers of Maryland community, who showcase local artists, vendors, musicians, and more | 11 AM to 4 PM

Calling all talented creatives: the Annapolis Arts Alliance at Quiet Waters Park is accepting submissions for Art by the Bay now through October 5. If you’re a painter, sculptor, photographer, glass or fiber artist, send in your submissions now. The Alliance is accepting up to 65 two-dimensional submissions from members and 25 submissions from student artists - submissions need only convey the vibrant relationship between art and nature.

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.

Hop aboard the historic Wilma Lee on Oct 16 (10:30–1:30) to watch the start of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. $95 gets you drinks + a boxed lunch from Bread and Butter Kitchen. 21+ only—don’t miss this Annapolis tradition! Bring your camera! Tickets here!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

75 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | 8% | 💨 SSE 9 mph (8 knots)

79 🌡️ 68 | ⛅ | 15% | 💨 S 10 mph (9 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 73ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | The Candy Rocks | 7:30–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Robert Cray Band | 8 PM | Tickets

Brian Boru | Ray Weaver | 6–9 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Michael K | 6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Wallflowers w/ Brother Elsey | 8 PM | Tickets

Women's Rugby (2-2)
9/20 vs. LIU | W 31-14

Women's Soccer (8-3)
9/20 vs. Boston University | W 3-1

Men's Soccer (2-3-4)
9/20 @ Boston | L 1-0

Women's Volleyball (5-6)
9/19 vs. Army | L 3-1
9/20 vs. Holy Cross | W 3-1

Men's Soccer (2-3-4)
9/23 vs. Air Force | 7 PM

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who drove 244 miles for an air show this weekend.