🍦Instant classic

Good morning, Annapolis. It feels inappropriate to say Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish readers this morning. Instead, we just want to say we care about you and we’re happy you’re here.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

The holidays are just around the corner, which means parties, family photos, and plenty of reasons to feel confident in your skin. Now is the perfect time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Namita Murthy, a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, and explore personalized treatments that help you look refreshed and radiant before the festivities begin.

At Murthy Facial Plastic Surgery, you’ll experience thoughtful, unrushed consultations, advanced techniques, and results that are beautifully natural—never overdone.

Don’t miss our popular End-of-Year Specials on aesthetic treatments and skincare, designed to help you glow all season long!

Follow @drnamitamurthy and @glowingskinbysharon on Instagram and Facebook for all the details!

Have you tired of hearing “Horvath to Heidenreich!” this season? Us either.

Navy didn’t lead Saturday’s Army-Navy game for long, but they led when it mattered. Army did its thing (massive time of possession) in the first half and held Navy to just three possessions (TD, three-and-out, fumble). With about 10 minutes left in the third quarter, Army had a commanding 16-7 lead.

And then Navy’s team of warriors who have now led the Academy to its only consecutive ten-win seasons in the program’s 146-year history flipped a switch. It would be a stretch to call what Army did up to that point running the table. It would not be a stretch to use those words for how Navy responded.

After going down 16-7, Navy’s offense came to life and showed serious guts (see: going for it on fourth and long for the game winning touchdown). And the defense was an actual brick wall. Army’s final 4 drives of the game amounted to literally 1 offensive yard.

When the clock hit zero, Navy led 17-16 and the game was an instant classic. The highlights are longer than usual (20 minutes) but they’re absolutely worth it.

By Lauren Burke Meyer

I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to read my neighbor Stephanie Verni’s new book, From Humbug to Humble: The Transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. After finishing Charles Dickens’s classic A Christmas Carol last holiday season, I was ready to devour it — and did, mostly in one sitting. Verni’s story picks up where Dickens left off. . .

Did Ebenezer Scrooge stay true to his word and become a better person?

What became of Tiny Tim?

It’s a story of redemption (looking at you, Scrooge 👀) and spreading kindness whenever you can. From Humbug to Humble also includes charming illustrations from one of Stephanie’s former students, Adrianna Murphy.

Both Dickens’s and Verni’s books are tightly written (<200 pages) and follow a similar structure: five “staves” (aka chapters). My only wish is that Stephanie dug deeper into Scrooge’s struggle for change. Regardless, I’ll forever cherish my signed copy from Park Books and plan to invite Stephanie to one of my upcoming book club meetings!

Five years ago, Annapolis settled a lawsuit with public housing residents over poor living conditions. We remember it well because it was the biggest story a barely one-month-old Naptown Scoop had ever covered. The city agreed it would inspect and license public housing units. However, the city’s now moving to settle two other cases that say it failed to do that — and that this failure amounts to racial discrimination

One of the cases is a 1,600-person class-action suit; the other involves a deceased public housing resident. Both sides filed paperwork seeking a settlement on Friday. New mayor Jared Littmann said on the campaign trail that he would prefer to settle the suits. ($)

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

Did you have an appointment at AAMC canceled on Friday? Maybe you were waiting on some bloodwork and couldn’t see your results? Luminis Health’s computer network suffered a software glitch and went down for about 24 hours. Although officials say patient care continued safely, many appointments and procedures were rescheduled. Frustrating? Maybe. But given all that can go wrong in a hospital, this might be a minor inconvenience. ($)

Maybe your Christmas wish is not having to cook dinner — and who can blame you? There are 364 other days in the year for that. Or maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas at all but eating out while everyone else watches Elf or Die Hard for the fifteenth time is one of your favorite family traditions.

We know the following are accepting reservations for Christmas Day, whether you want something formal or a little laidback:

🥩 Chart House Prime — 300 Second Street, Annapolis
🦪 O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern — 113 Main Street, Annapolis
🍸 Captain’s Daughter Bar & Lounge — 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis (inside The Westin)
🍻 Rams Head Tavern — 33 West Street, Annapolis

P.S. It’s a well-known tradition for Chinese restaurants to be open on Christmas. Many Chinese kitchens (including the ones owned by coming-soon-to-Annapolis-chef Peter Chang) report Christmas as their busiest night of the entire year. We’re working on a separate list for this.

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.

THURSDAY

DTA | Midnight Madness | The final Midnight Madness of this Christmas season. Also featuring the Annapolis Holiday Market at St. John’s College. Note: This Midnight Madness officially ends at 11 PM but Nearly Midnight Madness doesn’t have the same ring to it so they didn’t change the name | 4–11 PM

FRIDAY

Maryland Hall | ASO’s Holiday Pops | The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra performs classic carols and heartwarming holiday tunes. Some songs feature the Bowie State University Choir. Also featuring a Saturday matinee in Severna park | 7:30 PM

SATURDAY

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | Naptown Half Marathon & 10k/5k | Lace up your Hokas and choose your distance because holiday races shouldn’t just be on Thanksgiving. Btw, the 5k is new for 2025 although it doesn’t have any downtown Annapolis on the course | 7:30 AM

ALL WEEKEND

St. John’s College | Annapolis Holiday Market | Over 100 vendors selling things like art, food, soap, spirits, and much much more.

Last week, we shared a few ideas for a New Year’s Eve celebration around Annapolis, but we keep finding new options. Two others you might consider:

Severn Inn has a fixed-price buffet with seatings starting at 5 PM. The last seating is 8 PM. Those diners will enjoy the downtown fireworks across the river at 9 PM. The bar closes at 10 PM so you won’t be toasting at midnight. That’s just fine for old souls like us.

Leo does an a la carte New Year’s Eve party, so you can pay and enjoy at your own pace, whether you reserve an early table at 5 PM or a later table at 8 PM. There will be luxe specials, champagne by the bottle, and caviar service.

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.

The year may be winding down, but the County Council isn’t yet. They have a long night ahead of them tonight from 7 PM to 11:30 PM at the Arundel Center (44 Calvert St, Annapolis). The agenda will be available on the Council website by 6 PM. In the meantime, get all the details for tuning in and submitting testimony.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Winter Lecture Series is a great way to spend a winter evening in Annapolis. Held on Thursday nights, these talks explore Chesapeake Bay history, maritime culture, ecology, and art through expert speakers and local storytellers. Attend in person at the museum or join virtually from home. Lectures are free for First Mate members and above, with tickets available for non-members. Details and registration at amaritime.org.

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

31 🌡️ 24 | ⛅ | 2% | 💨 WNW 11 mph (10 knots)

39 🌡️ 31 | 🌤️ | 2% | 💨 ENE 5 mph (4 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 41ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | The Eric Scott Trio | 7–11 PM

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7:30–9:30 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM

If you played boys basketball at Annapolis High (or had a child who did), you likely played under the mentorship of Coach John Brady. His 39-year coaching career included 22 county championships, 16 state semifinals, and 3 state finals (including a state championship win in ’90). In fact, he had an astounding career record of 772-173. Sadly, after a battle with a chronic illness, Coach Brady has passed away. He’s remembered by fellow coaches and past players who have described him as “legendary,” “an icon,” and “a tremendous mentor.” ($)

Football (10-2)
12/13 vs. Army | W 17-16

Women's Basketball (6-4)
12/14 vs. Christopher Newport University | W 82-47

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who goes a little overboard with the Christmas decorations.