🍦Local shoe company opens store downtown

Good morning, Annapolis. Since it’s fall, ordering iced coffee is now illegal. I don’t care that it’s going to be almost 80 today. Rules are rules. And I want to see chunky sweaters starting on Monday.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

84 Lumber is honored to once again to partner with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the 2025 Innovative Housing Showcase (IHS), collaborating for the second consecutive year with the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) and the National Framers Council (NFC).

The event took place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. 84 Lumber, one of SBCA’s largest national members, contributed a range of building materials to help complete this year’s build.

Together, we constructed two 1,500-square-foot two-story duplex units on the National Mall in under 10 hours.

The Innovative Housing Showcase features forward-thinking and affordable housing solutions that help increase housing supply, reduce construction costs, improve energy efficiency, and support continued innovation across the industry.

84 Lumber was proud to serve on this initiative!

The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County just announced a bunch of new projects. The goal: fund local solutions to stormwater, flooding, and habitat loss. Backed by $2 million from the Maryland State Management Team, these FY2026 projects focus on water quality, shoreline protection, and community stewardship.

The Key Point Giant Stormwater Management involves the Severn River Association (SRA) addressing the parking lot of Giant grocery store on Bay Ridge Road. They have a stormwater management project aimed at controlling runoff after large storms using rain gardens, collection drains, and more.

Stormwater Management and Living Shoreline in Wardour brings the SRA together with the Wardour community to create options for reducing stormwater runoff and improving the resilience of their shoreline. This project involves native species and enhancing the shoreline to protect the land in the case of sea level rise.

The Merryman Stream Restoration and Sewer Rehabilitation will restore approximately 490 linear feet of stream valley along a tributary to Spa Creek near Merryman Road and inspect and line the aging sanitary sewer infrastructure located in the valley. This will enhance aquatic habitats, promote stormwater management, and support localized flood mitigation for adjacent communities.  

The Brewer’s Hill Cemetery Step Pool Conveyance, managed by the City of Annapolis, involves addressing stream erosion without needing to excavate graves from the 200-year old cemetery. The project will establish about 500 feet of new step pool stormwater conveyance using a series of pools within the degrading stream bed until it reaches a stable floodplain.

The Ridout Creek Roadside Gully Prevention project is focused on a historical farming area near Whitehall Bay. The recent development of two subdivisions has created an excess of stormwater across impervious surfaces and into the farm’s fields, and the project will essentially build a water conveyor belt that will mimic the elements of native stream and wetland pathways to the Severn River.

Operation Build-a-Reef Oyster Restoration is helmed by the Oyster Recovery Partnership and will leverage grassroots community support to help restore oysters to the Severn River sanctuary. So far this year, the ORP has planted over 9 million oysters in the Chesapeake.

The Truxtun Cove Upland Assessment involves two projects off Hilltop Lane. The pool and tennis court are are earmarked for bioretention and a submerged gravel wetland, respectively, both aimed at capturing stormwater runoff and disposing of it safely.

The Tree Ambassador Program establishes volunteer networks to plant trees in urban areas. Tree Ambassadors are educated on how to properly identify, plant, and care for trees in their communities and beyond.

The Mulberry Hill Trail and Bridge Design will establish a public access site near Cedarwood Cove.

The Jabez Branch Overlay Zone is focused on protecting a branch of the Severn River that is home to a naturally-reproducing population of brook trout. The project will minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff while maintaining the stream’s temperature and flow for the trout, among many other benefits.

If you’re an AACPS family, you know what the end of each grading quarter means: two early dismissal days. But that could change, depending on what feedback Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell hears from families, staff, and other community members. Changes in Maryland law as of this year mean AACPS needs to meet the minimum number of seat hours for students (1,080 at elementary and middle school and 1,170 at high school) but not necessarily the previously required 180 days. So if schools can do the same number of hours with fewer days, should they?

Here's what it means: If these changes are made, there would not be two early dismissal days. Instead, students would go to school for one full day; then the next day, students have off, and staff have a full workday for grading and professional development. Changes would go into effect this school year starting with the second marking period: Students would have full days on Jan. 15, March 26, and June 16, and they would have no school on Jan. 16, March 27, and June 17.

What do you think? Dr. Bedell wants to hear from you by next Wednesday. Fill out the survey.

Fact: You can never have enough mom friends. Grow your lifesaving group chats with Greater Severna Park Mother’s Club, which began in 1981, evolving through several name changes before becoming a nonprofit in 2018. All moms from Severna Park and surrounding areas are welcome to join. They offer adult socials, kids’ events, meal trains, moms’ night out, play groups, family parties, community outreach, and so much more! So no matter what stage of motherhood you’re in — you’ve found your village. Membership dues are $55 annually. Join today.

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Made Plus, a very cool Annapolis-based sustainable business that creates made-to-order personalized sneakers, recently opened their first pop-up location at 186 Main Street. The location makes sense since the factory and studio where shoes are designed and crafted is only about 5 miles away. You can choose and customize your next pair of shoes knowing the whole process happened in town. Check out their website and see how you can design your new pair then visit them downtown!

Now that summer is over and some of us might be more willing to drive along Route 50 close to the Bay Bridge, you might notice there are new businesses opening up at Jemal’s Bay 50 Shopping Center on the eastbound side of the highway. As of this week, Hyatt Commercial, which manages the center on Whitehall Road, announced three new tenants:

❄️ Coastal Climate Control, specializing in marine air conditioning, refrigeration, and DC solar power generation, storage, and management.

🫖 Capital Teas, the beloved local retailer focused on high-quality teas and creative blends.

🚿 Exquisite Glassworks, a go-to source for shower doors and other custom glass needs.

Coastal Climate Control is currently open — Capital Teas and Exquisite Glassworks are slated to open by the end of the year.

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.

Need some hardy perennials for your sandy soil? How about some natives that will boost your pollinator score with the local beekeepers? Thankfully, Historic London Town and Gardens is having their annual Fall Plant Sale at just the right time. Many of the plants are derived from their impressive campus, so you can speak to gardeners who know what types of soil, sun, and shade will serve your new friends the best. October 4 at Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater. Opens 8 AM for members, 9 AM - 1 PM for non-members.

ICYMI, yesterday was the first official day of autumn. Bring on alllllll the fall things — especially events.

Homestead Gardens’ Fall Festivals: Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 27-Oct. 26, 10 AM–4 PM. Davidsonville only. Enjoy barnyard animals, hay rides, and pumpkin picking. Tickets.

The Friends of the Light House Shelter’s Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin purchases support the The Light House, a homeless prevention and support center. Opens Sept. 27, and the Navy Women’s Basketball squad sells pumpkins on Sept. 28. Hours: Thursday/Friday, 2–6 PM; and Saturday/Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM. Visit St. Martin's Lutheran Church (*1120 Spa Rd*).

MD Corn Maze: Get lost (literally). Staff watches from a tower if that happens, and they swear it’s not haunted. Play the QR code game in the maze. BYO flashlight for night visits. Running Saturday and Sunday until November 2. Tickets. — 389 Gambrills Rd

Maryland Avenue Fall Festival: Old-fashioned fun in the heart of DTA on Sunday, Oct. 19, 10–5 PM: vendors, food trucks, entertainment, and Halloween Pup parade. Free entry and parking (Calvert St Garage). Rain or Shine!

Barktoberfest at Annapolis Town Center: Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 AM to 7 PM at the Boathouse Pavilion in the East Village. Dog fashion show, stein-holding contests, yard games, and photo ops. Proceeds support the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. Register.

🎩 Colonial Players presents An Ideal Husband Sep 5–27. Colonial Players opens its new season with this witty Oscar Wilde comedy about a politician trying to hide his sordid past.

🌥️ Compass Rose Theater presents Annie Opening Sep 19. The Compass Rose season begins with this family-friendly musical about a plucky orphan who knows the sun’ll come out tomorrow.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Annapolis Chorale presents Brigadoon Sep 26–27. Follow the exploits of two American tourists who stumble upon a magical Scottish village that appears every 100 years in this Lerner & Lowe classic.

Coming up…

🎶 ASO presents A New World Oct 10–11. Spanish-born guitarists Pablo Sainz-Villegas and Maestro José-Luis Novo take the stage together for an unforgettable evening.

🥸 Classic Theatre of Maryland presents The Importance of Being Earnest Oct. 1-19. Two men escape their social obligations by adopting fake identities, both of them under the pseudonym Earnest.

🧛‍♂️ Colonial Players presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors Opening Oct 24. This hilariously absurdist take on the classic vampire story may cause bloodcurdling screams — of laughter.

💔 Children’s Theatre of Annapolis presents West Side Story Opening Oct 24. Young lovers are caught between rival gangs in this musical set to open the new season at CTA.

Get involved…

🏫 Compass Rose Theater opens registration for fall classes Explore all aspects of the theatrical arts with professional teaching artists.

🪏 Children’s Theatre of Annapolis holds auditions for Holes Oct. 11-12. Auditions for this nonmusical production are open to ages 12-18.

🥃 Colonial Players holds auditions for Other Desert Cities Sept. 28-29. Be part of the latest production in the Colonial Players season.

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.

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

78 🌡️ 70 | ⛅ | 16% | SE 7 mph (6 knots)

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

🌳🎵 = Outdoor Concert

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

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
49 West | SKRIBE w/ Jacob Panic | 8–10 PM
Brian Boru | Nate Finn | 6–9 PM
🌳🎵 Dinner Under The Stars | SoulJourners | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Ray Weaver | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Johnny Pluos | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Ari Hest & Chris Trapper | 8 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Troll Tribe Trio | 9:30 PM

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 already has the new iPhone and you’re definitely not even a little bit jealous.