🍦Buddy the Elf breakfasts

Good morning, Annapolis. Scoop publisher Ryan here. Yep, still here. Like we do every year, Scoop’s taking a good chunk of December off. We hope you enjoy this newsletter about 6 times more than usual because the next time you’ll see us is December 30.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

Running out of time? Annapolis Mall has you covered. Whether you’re still checking off your gift list or squeezing in one more Santa visit, this is your moment.

Find easy wins at Apple, lululemon, Zara, American Eagle, H&M, Swarovski, and Crate & Barrel — the kind of gifts that look intentional, even when they weren’t planned weeks ago. From cozy staples to sparkle-worthy surprises, it’s all here and ready to go.

And don’t miss your last chance to see Santa before the big day. Bring the kids, grab a photo, and lock in one more holiday memory before schedules get wild and wrapping paper takes over your living room.

Skip the shipping stress. Skip the guesswork.

Finish strong at Annapolis Mall.

Now that we have Anne Arundel’s official holiday protocol, we’re sharing both the city and county’s schedules again.

City of Annapolis:

Offices are closed December 25–26 and January 1. They close at 3 PM on December 24 and 31. A few exceptions:

Anne Arundel County:

Offices and WMS facilities are closed Christmas Day. For both Christmas and New Year’s weeks, Thursday trash pickups will happen Friday and Friday pickups happen Saturday.

Monday: Annapolis Holiday Market
Tuesday: Black Market Bakers is opening on West Street 🥐
Wednesday: What’s Made Plus doing in 2026 👟
Thursday: Annapolis Holiday Market

On Wednesday, Congress passed the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision to block the construction of a second golf course in the Greenbury Point Conservation Area. This is the second time the NDAA, which authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense and establishes defense policies, has included such a provision. Interestingly, Senator Chris Van Hollen authored the Greenbury provision, but voted against the bill citing other reasons. The bill passed 77–20, and now goes to the White House for signing. ($)

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Yes, some spots are keeping the lights on and grills firing. Here’s our full list so far:

If you’ve got a craving for fresh-baked goods this time of year (hey, who can blame you?), take note of your options with Black Market Bakers. They are putting their food truck in Severna Park on a brief hiatus until mid-January (stay tuned for an official reopening date). But as of 6:30 AM today, their biggest brick-and-mortar location ever is open on West Street. Stop by 1804 West Street, Annapolis to in person on opening day.

As a recovering ice cream for breakfast sneaker, I don’t just have a sweet tooth. More like a sugar-coated mouth. If Buddy the Elf were roaming Annapolis in search of the four main food groups, these spots would stop him in his tracks.

Miss Shirley’s Cafe | 1 Park Place | The Food Network calls them the “Best Pancakes in the Country.” Why? They’re served with whipped butter, organic grade A pure syrup (possibly from Buddy’s sleeve), and a dusting of powdered sugar. The Oreo-Les Pancakes = Oreo crumbles, cream cheese icing, and chocolate syrup colliding in the best possible way.

Iron Rooster | 12 Market Space | Can you say Gourmet Pop Tart? The RoosTart delivers childhood nostalgia with a chef’s touch in flavors like brown sugar, mixed berry, and strawberry cheesecake while the Berry Crunch French Toast piles on the sweetness and whipped cream.

Double T Diner | 12 Defense St | Take your pick — Cannoli Pancakes, Nutella Pancakes, Ice Cream Waffle, the sugary list goes on and on. It’s a greatest-hits album for anyone who believes dessert belongs on the breakfast menu.

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.

Recent announcements reported by CNBC concerned some of our clients and friends. We were again reminded how critical it is to ensure your retirement plan is resilient enough to withstand financial shocks.

Here’s how to stress test your retirement plan, focusing on adjusting your investment allocations, managing healthcare options, and maintaining financial stability.

1. Maximize Your Emergency Fund
2. Tighten and Project Your Cash Flow
3. Reevaluate Your Investment Allocations
4. Consider New Income Opportunities
5. Reevaluate Your Retirement Timeline
6. Healthcare Options After a Layoff

We invite you to review our Retirement Planning Checklist: 5 Steps to Prepare for Retirement!

THURSDAY

Downtown | 11th Hour Midnight Madness | The procrastinators always have the most fun! 5–11 PM

St. Johns College | Annapolis Holiday Market | This adorable market has food and craft vendors, making the shopping season fun. Through Sunday.

FRIDAY

Maryland Hall | Holiday Pops | The 70 musicians of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra join forces with the Bowie State University Choir for this incredible holiday celebration.

Edgewater | Old Stein Inn Weihnachtsmarkt | Great vendors, glühwein, live music, and tasty food make this the best time of the year. 5–9 PM.

SATURDAY

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | Naptown Running Festival | Annapolis is a running town with a sailing problem. With 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon distances, you can come and see why. 7:30 AM start.

Edgewater | London Town by Candlelight: Family Hours | The magic of London Town brings history, music, and holiday celebrations to life. 11 AM to 6 PM.

SUNDAY

Annapolis Waterfront Hotel | Candlelight Concerts presents Christmas Carols on Strings | These concerts are dreamy and romantic and perfect for a holidate. 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM tickets remain.

FRIDAY, DEC. 26

Downtown | Military Bowl Clydesdale Parade | Bring the whole family out to see the Clydesdales parade down West St. 2:30 PM

SATURDAY, DEC. 27

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | Military Bowl | The Pitt Panthers take on the East Carolina Pirates. 11 AM kickoff.

Parole | Annapolis Toy Show | Vintage, modern, and collectible toys make this a fun walk down memory lane. | 9 AM to 2 PM at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.

NEW YEAR’S EVE, DEC. 31 🎆

Annapolis is launching fireworks over the harbor at 9 PM on NYE.

Preserve | 9-course New Year’s Eve tasting menu with optional beverage pairings | 5 PM–9:15 PM

Acqua Al 2 | New Year’s Eve party with oysters, appetizers, and three open bars, plus a fixed-price dinner option | 5–8 PM; party 8:45 PM–1 AM

Watermark | Fireworks cruise with music, champagne, and hot chocolate | 8–10 PM

The Choptank | Rooftop New Year’s Eve party with prime fireworks views | 8 PM–1 AM

Rams Head | ‘80s-themed New Year’s Eve dance party with The New Romance | Starting at 9 PM

The Captain’s Daughter | New Year’s Eve party with drinks, prizes, and late-night menu | 9 PM–1 AM

Anne Arundel County Public Library | Noon Year’s Eve celebration for kids who refuse to stay up | 11:15 AM–1 PM

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.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell proposed a $1.9 billion fiscal 2027 school budget at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting, a 6.5% increase that emphasizes “people over programs” amid economic uncertainty and declining enrollment. Nearly half of new funding would go toward employee compensation and benefits, including a 2% cost-of-living raise and 205.3 new positions — many focused on special education, which has grown 17% in five years.

Targeted investments include music instrument repairs ($363K), robotics programs ($505K), middle school sports ($290K), 47 community schools ($6M), opening of New Village Academy at Annapolis Mall ($4.1M), and the Carver Early Education Center for 120 Pre-K students ($1.1M).

The board will vote Feb. 18 before the budget goes before the county council. Public hearings are set for Jan. 6 and Jan. 8, with a budget workshop on Jan. 20. ($)

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56 🌡️ 29 | 🌧️ | 88% | 💨 W 21 mph (18 knots)

40🌡️ 38 | 🌤️ | 2% | 💨 SSW 9 mph (8 knots)

51 🌡️ 25 | ⛅ | 2% | 💨 WNW 14 mph (12 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 39ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Dean Rosenthal’s 5 Piece Racket | 7:30–10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | TrioSonic | 9 PM
Brian Boru | The Loose Cannons | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Abbey Danna | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Noelle and Jeff | 9 PM
Dark Horse | Bond & Bentley | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Josee Molavi | 1:30–4:30 PM
Killarney House | Ciaran Quinn | 7:30–10:30 PM
Middleton Tavern | Mike McHenry | 10 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Nicky Stacy | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | The Hyland Brothers | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Low Cut Connie | 8:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Beatless Band | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Stefan Heuer | 9 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Blueline | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Desert Shade | 9:45 PM

49 West | The Befuddlers | 4–7 PM
49 West | Dream Punch & Friends | 7:30–10 PM
Brian Boru | The Jazz Perpetrators | 4–7 PM
Galway Bay | Brendan Pelan | 4–8 PM
Great Frogs | Ahmed Warshanna | 1:30–4:30 PM
The Lodge | Mark Tatum | 11 AM – 2 PM
Market House | Carly Winter | 5–8 PM
Pirates Cove | Doug Segree | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Jon McLaughlin & Friends | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | West Street Revival | 7 PM

49 West | Songwriters Night | 7:30–10 PM

Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
Middleton Tavern | Songwriters Showcase | 6–9 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Dirty Grass Players w/ The Black-Eyed Suzies | 8 PM | Tickets
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM

The Point | Jordan/Pressing Strings | 5–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Mr VCR | 9 PM

Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Rhythm & Screaming | 8 PM

49 West | Ryan Moran w/ American Darling | 7:30–10 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Dan Haas Band | 8:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Timmie Metz Band & Enslow | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | Suzy and Shaun | 7–10 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Choptank | Oliver Dyer | 8 PM
Great Frogs | Alexander Peters | 5–8 PM
Killarney House | Brett Buehler | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Lodge | Brandt Dunn | 5–8 PM
Middleton Tavern | The Shatners | 10 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Brody Wingate | 5–8 PM
Pirates Cove | Pete Best | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Jimmie’s Chicken Shack  | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Guava Jelly | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Tavair Dominque | 9 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | The Backburners | 8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | C Burch & the Noize | 9:45 PM

49 West | John Jensen | 4–6 PM
49 West | Sinners | 7–9 PM
Brian Boru | Blakely Cain | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Anthony Hurley | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Mach 3 | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Joe Esham | 1:30–4:30 PM
Killarney House | John Luskey | 7:30–10:30 PM
Middleton Tavern | Pretty Big Deal | 10 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Kyle Steel Duo | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Pressing Strings | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | The Black Orchid | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Madisun Bailey | 9 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | George Evans | 8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | American Darling| 9:45 PM

49 West | Blake Cramer Trio | 7–9 PM
Brian Boru | Big Brothers Porch | 4–7 PM
Galway Bay | O'McPub Band | 4–8 PM
Great Frogs | Sarah Paige | 1:30–4:30 PM
The Lodge | Eugene Chapman | 11 AM – 2 PM
Pirates Cove | Fred & Wilma | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Pressing Strings | 8 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Michael K | 9 PM

49 West | Rehaash | 7:30–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Stephen Kellogg | 8 PM | Tickets

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Seldom Scene | 8 PM | Tickets

Women's Basketball (6-4)
12/21 @ University of South Florida | 1 PM
12/31 @ Boston University | 2 PM

Men's Basketball (6-5)
12/19 vs. Coppin State | 5 PM
12/21 vs. Rosemont College | Noon
12/31 vs. Boston U. | 1 PM

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who makes delicious food at Christmas that you’re very much looking forward to eating.