🍦Fourth of July Guide (America 250 edition)

Good morning, Annapolis. It’s June 17 and we’ve already had 20 days over 80ºF. Including one in March. If you haven’t fired up the grill at least twice already, I’m disappointed.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan Sneddon

Some properties offer waterfront views. Others offer amenities. Very few offer an entire lifestyle.

Following a transformative $7 million renovation by Pyramid Builders, 2045 Maidstone Farm Road stands as one of the most extraordinary waterfront estates on the Chesapeake Bay — designed for those who've always envisioned a private Bay retreat as their primary residence or legacy property.

Days begin overlooking the Bay and end gathered around the heated saltwater pool, hot tub, or private beach. For those who want more, the estate offers tennis, pickleball, a golf simulator, fitness center, indoor lap pool, sauna, game room, wine tasting room, and even a climbing wall — something for every generation, every mood, every day.

Yet what makes this property so special is not the remarkable list of amenities. It's the feeling. The privacy. The serenity. The endless water views. The sense that every day feels like a vacation — just minutes from downtown Annapolis, with the Bay as your front yard.

Home. Resort. Legacy. All of the above.

Step inside the estate and experience one of the most extraordinary waterfront properties on the Chesapeake Bay.

▶ Watch the property video

Offered at $12,950,000

Listed by the Brad Kappel Team, Maryland's #1 Waterfront Team | 410.279.9476

Your dog's least favorite holiday is back — and this year Annapolis is throwing an extra-big party for America's 250th.

We mapped the whole weekend so you don't have to. There are two nights of fireworks (and everyone has an opinion on which is better), neighborhood parades from West Annapolis to Eastport to Severna Park, an all-day America 250 festival downtown, and a Hamilton screening on the lawn at St. John's. I don’t know if singing along is acceptable but I sure hope it is.

We also rounded up the best ways to watch the show from the water — whether it’s your own boat, a Watermark cruises, or Capital SUP’s paddle/cookout combo — plus where to stash the car while you have all the fun.

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Team Naptown Scoop Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS progress: $12,263/$20,000

Always Faithful Dog Training of Annapolis helps dogs and puppies become calm, confident, and well‑mannered through leadership‑based, real‑world training. We specialize in private, in-home training of leash manners, obedience, behavior issues, and puppy foundations. Without treats, clickers, shock collars or gimmicks. Start your dog’s transformation today! Call 240-363-4432 or visit www.alwaysfaithfuldogs.com/annapolis.

Rushmore is our Dog of the Week tribute to America 250. And although Labrador retrievers hail from Canada, they were the most popular dog in the US for 31 years (frenchies unseated labs in 2022). So in our mind, a lab is an all-American dog 🇺🇸

This six-year-old black lab — "Rush" to his friends — came to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County back in January after he decided he wasn't a fan of sharing a house with other dogs. The fix is easy: make him your one and only, and he's all in.

He also doesn’t like men. Or small children. But you know he does love? Car rides. Can’t get enough of ‘em. He doesn’t even need the window down. Although it would be nice if you don’t mind. . .

Rush is in a foster home right now but if you meet his very particular qualifications (not a man, kids who have aged out of Paw Patrol), we think you should apply to meet him.

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People change jobs. They retire. They get laid off. Oftentimes, there’s a 401(k) left behind — and a decision to make about what to do with it.

Your four options: leave it with your former employer (easy, but the investment choices are usually limited); roll it into your new employer’s plan (fine if your new plan is good); roll it into an IRA (usually the most flexible, most powerful option for most people, though costs may be higher); or cash it out. Option four is the terrible idea. Cash out a $200,000 401(k) and the IRS takes a large chunk of it in the same tax year, plus there’s usually a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you’re under 59½. People do it anyway because it can feel like found money. It isn’t.

The right answer depends on your situation. How good is your new employer’s plan? What’s in your existing plan’s investment lineup? What are you actually paying in fees? And do you have a real strategy for the money once it moves?

A direct rollover to an IRA is a straightforward process. Done correctly, there’s no tax, no penalty, no disruption. Done incorrectly, it can be expensive.

Scarborough Capital Management routinely guides Annapolis families through rollover decisions.

Get a free consultation!

If you weren’t already spending all of your discretionary income at Annapolis Plaza, you probably will be soon. Because in addition to Home Goods, Homesense, and Trader Joe’s, there’s about to be a World Market

World Market opens Friday, June 26 at 160 Jennifer Road, the chain's first store in Anne Arundel County. The 16,800-square-foot shop stocks the usual World Market spread — globally inspired furniture, home décor, gifts, and gourmet food — and it's opening alongside the brand's biggest-ever food expansion: a dedicated Asian Market section that runs from Buldak ramen to collectible Kit Kats.

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⚽ Home Pitch – The Annapolis Blues men's team host Hill City FC tonight at 7 PM at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. And while a couple of U.S. World Cup tickets will run you $2k each on Friday, Blues tickets start at just $13. And the Bay Bhoys supporters' section makes it one of the rowdiest atmospheres in semi-pro soccer.

🍔 Smash Hit – Leo, the West Street restaurant whose burger's won Best Burger in Annapolis two years straight, just spun up a ghost kitchen. Leo Burger does three smash burgers — including a veggie version — for pickup and delivery only, Monday–Friday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM. Goodbye, app fees. Consider lunch handled.

🎣 Coast to Coast – Local Coast, the hunting, fishing, and coastal apparel shop at 167 Main Street, just marked one year downtown. The locally-owned outfitter is a great Annapolis story. They started out selling online, at pop-ups, and with social media. And lots of boat shows. Then they opened a store in Severna Park. And now they have a store on THE retail street in downtown Annapolis. We love to see it. Stop by at 167 Main Street.

🎶 Free Bird – The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra just announced its iconic Pops in the Park concerts. Here’s the deal: September 5 at 11:30 AM at Downs Park and September 6 at 5:30 PM at Quiet Waters Park. The America 250-themed program features Maryland Poet Laureate Lady Brion narrating Copland's Lincoln Portrait. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and a lawn chair but not money for parking (that’s free!).

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86 🌡️ 72 | 🌤️ | 13% ☔ | 💨 S 10 mph (9 knots)

94 🌡️ 72 | ⛈️ | 44% ☔ | 💨 SW 16 mph (14 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 74ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
49 West | The Black Feathers | 8–10 PM
The Admiral’s Cup | Stephen Henson/Slip Hippies | 7–10 PM
Brian Boru | Joey Fitz | 6–9 PM
🌳🎵 Dinner Under the Stars | D'Vibe and Conga | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Julep | Dana B | 5–8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Justin Ryan | 5–8 PM
Middleton Tavern | Alex Lee | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Nate Finn | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Robyn Hitchcock w/ Emma Swift | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Aidan Ewald | 9 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Open Mic | 6 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Steve and V | 9 PM

49 West | Jazz Wire Jam Session | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Admiral’s Cup | Heartwood | 7–10 PM
🌳🎵 AMM Tides & Tunes | A Classic Case | 7–9 PM
🌳🎵 Annapolis Town Center | Groove Spot Band | 6:30–8:30 PM
Beer Farm | The Devaney Brothers | 5–8 PM
Brian Boru | Ciaran Quinn | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Ray Weaver | 7–10 PM
Killarney House | Faith & The Faithful | 6–9 PM
La Sierra | Cristopher Dean | 5:30–8:30 PM
The Lodge | Moe Stringz Steel Pan Duo | 5:30–8:30 PM
Market House | Brett Buehler | 7–10 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Jam on the Lam | 7 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Massacoustics | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | George Evans | 5 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Federico Jazz | 5:30 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Doug Day | 4–8 PM

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