🍦Maryland Apple Month

Good morning, Annapolis. A company called Seattle Ultrasonics just announced a chef’s knife that vibrates 40,000 times per second to reduce cutting force by up to 50%. But we’re even more impressed by the secondary benefit: food doesn’t stick once you cut it.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Duffy Perkins

From October 22–30, a 6.47-acre estate on Saint Helena Island will be offered at luxury auction. With over 1,600 feet of protected deep-water frontage on Round Bay and facilities for yachts up to 110 feet, this property blends privacy with exceptional access.

The main residence, constructed of Belgian marble and mahogany, showcases extraordinary craftsmanship, while a converted water tower offers a one-of-a-kind office with panoramic views. A guest cottage, sandy beach, commercial-quality pier, and landscaped grounds complete this secluded sanctuary, just minutes from Annapolis.

Starting bids are expected between $1M and $1.9M, with submissions due by October 21. Proof of funds required.

Explore this rare opportunity with Brad Kappel today.

Branch out this fall — the City of Annapolis and Arbor Day Foundation are giving away up to two free trees per household. Annapolis homeowners can reserve online and pick up on Saturday, November 8 (10 AM–12 PM) at the Kenneth R. Dunn Municipal Pool in Truxtun Park.

Choices include:

Don’t leaf this opportunity behind. Help grow our urban tree canopy and root for a greener future!

Western Shore Veterinary Hospital offers your pets the finest wellness care, state-of-the-art diagnostics, dental treatment, and surgery ranging from spays/neuters to sophisticated treatments. You can find them online, by phone at 443-936-0660, or at 910C Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Harpo might be little and he might be old, but he still possesses a lot of love and needs a home where he can share it at the end of his life. At 15 years old and 11 pounds, he’s staying with foster homes through the SPCA, and his foster families say he’s very easy and sweet. He’s a big fan of sleeping (same, Harpo, same) and is always happy to snuggle with you while you’re chilling on the couch. He’s been with the SPCA since last year, and his health has improved since then — he’s not on any medications, but he does need a special kidney diet. Fill out an application for a chance to meet Harpo and see whether you’re a good fit to be his furever home.

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October is the apple of our eye. Why? Governor Moore just declared it Maryland Apple Month. There’s a certificate and everything. It makes sense. Maryland is home to over twenty apple varieties. Celebrate by visiting nearby orchards.

🍎 Larriland Farm | Woodbine | Look for Crimson and Autumn Crisp. Yum! Call 410-442-2605 to confirm what’s ripe. Open Sat/Sun (9 AM–5 PM), and Tues-Fri (9 AM–6 PM).

🍎 Miller Farms | Clinton | Locally-sourced apples ready for the taking. Hours: Mon-Sat (8 AM–7 PM); Sun (9 AM–5 PM).

🍎 Lohr’s Orchard | Churchville | Pick-your-own apples and grab a jug of fresh-pressed apple cider. Hours: Mon-Sat (9:45 AM–5:45 PM); and Sun (9:45 AM–4:45 PM).

🍎 Baugher’s Orchard | Westminster | Enjoy a day in the country picking Crimson Crisp, Fuji, Jonathan, Cortland, Golden Delicious, or Empire. Plan your visit and buy tickets.

Join the Oct. 1–10 social media challenge: eat an apple a day, post photos on Facebook and Instagram with #SnackSmartMaryland, and you could win tasty prizes! Read all the contest details.

We can’t be the Sailing Capital of the World without people around to actually fix our boats, right? At least that’s what the City of Annapolis thinks, and it turns out that the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) agrees. They’ve announced a new trade Marine Tech Apprenticeship Program aimed at the next generation of marine techs, focusing on areas such as inboard and outboard engines, electrical and vessel systems, and marina operations. All adults over the age of 18 are encouraged to apply - and please do, soon. Because we have over 165,000 boats registered in Maryland and just 1,088 businesses supporting the industry. We need more hands on deck.

📧 For details and an application, email Emily Decker at MTAM.

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.

Sick of calling your doctor just to be told the next available appointment is three months out? Warrior Medical gets it — and they’ve got a better option. Direct Primary Care gives you unlimited office visits, zero copays, and same or next-day access to your provider.

No red tape. No insane wait times. Just real care when you actually need it. You can even text your provider for even faster care.

Whether you're managing a chronic condition or just want a doctor who knows your name, Warrior Medical puts your health first.

Join Warrior Medical’s Direct Primary Care now — because great healthcare shouldn’t be hard to find.

And none of these involve raking leaves.

City Dock | Annapolis Powerboat Show | You don’t have to be able to afford a boat to be able to afford the boat show. | October 2–5.

Crownsville | Maryland State Jousting Competition | It’s the state sport of Maryland but I bet most of us haven’t been to a jousting match. | October 4 starting at 11 AM.

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | Navy Midshipmen vs. Air Force Falcons | GO NAVY, BEAT AIR FORCE. | October 4 at noon.

Edgewater | Wild Kid Acres 5-year Anniversary | From community trash dump to local treasure | October 4

Truxtun Park | Doggy Dive In | Bring your dog to the Truxtun Park Pool. Controlled chaos and fun guaranteed | October 5 from 3–5 PM

City Dock | Annapolis Sailboat Show | Like the powerboat show, but quieter | October 9–12

Severn | Chesapeake BMX East Coast Nationals | How often do you get to watch world-class BMX racing this close to home? | October 11-13.

Annapolis Harbor | The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race | We’re obviously rooting for the Woodwind but we’d be fine if the Pride of Baltimore II won, too. | October 14–19

Downtown Annapolis | Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival | A celebration of all things LGBTQ+ in Anne Arundel County | October 18

Annapolis | Ignite Annapolis | TED-style talks at Maryland Hall. 5 minutes each | October 21 at 7 PM.

Severna Park | Pig in the Park | Roasted pig and bourbon tastings, hosted by Park Tavern | October 25 from 2–5 PM.

Maryland Hall | Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and the Beatles | Classic tunes played classical style in a room lit entirely by candles. | October 30 at 6:30 PM. Maryland Hall.

Maryland Hall | Candlelight Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | A much better date than trick-or-treating | October 30 at 8:45 PM. Maryland Hall.

Ask any friend of Jess Beard about her, and they’ll tell you that she was a force to be reckoned with - a funny, loud, and fearless friend who refused to let a diagnosis stall her. Since her passing from metastatic breast cancer in 2022, those same friends have made sure to echo her passion in JessFest, an annual celebration honoring her memory. The event is always a family-friendly rockin’ good time, with live music, food trucks, kid activities, vendors, and much more. Get involved and honor this amazing woman’s short-but-incredible life, and help support cancer research in the process. 3–7 PM, October 11 in Davidsonville.

Annapolis is stacked with spooky fun this October — and we’ve got something for every age. Ghost tours, pumpkin walks, trunk-or-treats, haunted concerts, and even a witches’ pub crawl. Whether you’re wrangling little ones or looking for a grown-up night out, there’s plenty to fill your calendar. See the full list here.

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.

There are just two meetings left before new butts fill at least half of the City Council seats and the mayor’s chair. Here’s what City Council tackled on Monday.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

📌 Public hearing only – no vote.

Ordinance O-15-25, which removes the owner-occupancy requirement for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), received public comment both for and against. Supporters cited increased housing access and FHA loan compatibility. Opponents raised concerns about short-term rentals, investor ownership, and erosion of neighborhood character.

Duplexes in R2 Zoning

📌 Public hearing only – no vote.

Ordinance O-18-25 would allow duplexes in medium-density zones across the city — currently limited to single-family homes and duplexes built before 1970. Public comment was overwhelmingly negative, with residents warning about infrastructure stress, stormwater runoff, increased traffic, and displacement.

Snow/Ice Clearing Fee

✅ Passed unanimously.

New fees for property owners who fail to clear snow/ice from public sidewalks. Fees scale from $200 to $2,000, based on sidewalk length. These are in addition to the existing $100 fine.

Market House & Market Space Leases

🛑 No vote – sent back to committee.

The Market House lease extension (O-33-25) and Market Space interest waiver (R-34-25) were both postponed after heated debate in committee. Leases don’t expire until 2033, raising questions about urgency. Residents pushed back hard, calling the proposed lease extension "one-sided" and "rushed." Central Services is reviewing terms and back rent collections.

Speeding Fine Reform

🛑 Postponed

R-33-25, which would implement tiered fines for speed camera violations (e.g., higher speeds = higher fines), was delayed. The Finance Committee is requesting more data before proceeding.

Water Access & Paddleboard Concession

🛑 Postponed

R-40-25 (equitable public water access) and the associated paddleboard rental proposal at Truxtun Park were postponed pending a presentation from the Planning and Zoning Department.

Residents from the area spoke out strongly against the proposed concession, citing pollution, shallow water, lack of restrooms and parking, and environmental concerns.

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70 🌡️ 55 | ⛅ | 1% | NNE 12 mph (10 knots)

68 🌡️ 56 | 🌤️ | 4% | ENE 8 mph (7 knots)

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

Brian Boru | The Langer's Ball | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Loose Change | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jordan/Pressing Strings | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Lene Lovich | 8 PM | Tickets

The Annapolitan | Bridgette Michaels | 1:30–2:20 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Andrew Bell | 6–9 PM
Brian Boru | Ted Garber | 6:30–9:30 PM
Fleet Reserve Club | Michael K. | 2 PM
Killarney House | Aaron Hawkins | 6–9 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Hayes | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Yasmin Williams w/ Tre. Charles | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Fred & Wilma | 4:30 PM

Women's Soccer (8-4)
10/1 vs. Lehigh | 7 PM

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who gives out full-sized candy bars on Halloween.