🍦Poster Party

Good morning, Annapolis. It’s a huge weekend for Navy football. Our Mids are about to face the undefeated #22 ranked Air Force Academy. The game is sold out, Roger Staubach’s number will be enshrined on the field, and I’ve got a good feeling.

Check out our latest Anchors Aweigh Podcast for an expert pre-game breakdown (plus a conversation with Navy rifle coach Mike Anti) with Navy radio announcer Pete Medhurst and Capital sportswriter Bill Wagner 🎙

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

—Ryan Sneddon & Rebecca Kraybill

P.S. Happy birthday to Ellen Humphries Ponder! 🎂

New Year’s Eve. It’s one of the best nights of the year. We all have traditions – watching the ball drop, fireworks, college football. Well here's a new tradition for you: The Choptank’s exclusive New Year’s Eve Gold Party.

Yes. This year, the Choptank is hosting its first-ever New Year’s Eve party.

All-inclusive tickets include a buffet and appetizers, premium open bar, an espresso martini bar, and the best view of the Annapolis fireworks. In other words, everything you need to make this year’s New Year’s Eve your most memorable one yet

Early Bird discount tickets are on sale until November 6 but are expected to sell out quickly. Be part of a new Annapolis tradition.

St. John’s College just got a cool $35.1 million from the Hodson Trust. This brings the endowment to $244.5 million and sets up $1.8 million for yearly scholarships. With this gift, the Trust has given an unprecedented $100 million to St. John’s since 1965. Hodson is to thank for various scholarships and renovations, among them — you guessed it — the Hodson Boathouse on College Creek.

ICYMI, the college just wrapped up $13.75 million in renovations on Mellon Hall, the largest building on campus.

Extra Scoop: Legend has it (even though it’s probably not true) that Colonel Clarence Hodson started the Trust after some college students helped him while his car broke down driving through Maryland. He didn’t know which college they were from so he set up the trust to benefit Washington College, Hood College, St. John’s College, and Johns Hopkins University.

Monday: Rec and Parks wants your input on new parks
Tuesday: 🔮 Peer into Annapolis’ future
Wednesday: Annapolis Hope Progress
Thursday: Fall Fest on West

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📸 @laughingsoprano | 📍Southwest Airlines

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In case you missed it: Pusser’s is closing after 30 years of dockside painkillers. Their landlord (Annapolis Waterfront Hotel) didn’t renew the lease so Pusser’s will pack it up in November 2024. In its place, Atlas Restaurant Group (owners of The Choptank) announced a multimillion-dollar renovation for the space.

Understandably, the combination of these announcements caused quite an Internet stir. One commenter said in all caps, “IF U REMOVE THE DOCK BAR YOU WILL RUE THE DAY” to which Atlas CEO Alex Smith responded with a simple, “not moving.” Atlas’ press release also confirmed there will still be a dockside bar.

Another sentence we liked from the press release: “Atlas will now operate three waterfront restaurant concepts with unique food and beverage offerings at three different price points.”

Stay tuned. We’ll be following this story closely.

You know how cicadas spend years underground and then just pop up when the vibes are right? HERE. is like that except 1) not a gross bug 2) way less noisy and 3) it happens 4x/year.

The fall pop-up shop with a ton of local products opens tonight (10/20) with a party from 6–8 PM. Then there’s a trunk show Saturday from 3–6 PM, pumpkin painting Monday 6–8:30 PM, and lots and lots more lined up. Find it at 4 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401.

👉 Naptown Scoop merch is at the pop-up! It’s actually the only place to snag Scoop hats, shirts, and our exclusive Smith & Quinn quarter zips.

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.

Holiday season is coming up and Westfield Annapolis is leveling up its game this year with an upgraded Santa experience. Santa’s getting his own space across from Free People.

It’s a lot more intimate, interactive, and it will look stunning. We can’t reveal too much yet, but trust me – it’s Hollywood worthy.

Give your family this truly magical experience. Book your reservation early. These slots are going to fill up fast!

New location. New poster. Nancy Hammond Editions has lots to celebrate. The gallery is moving to Eastport in November and you can grab Nancy’s 2024 “LIVIN’ THE LIFE!” Annual Chesapeake Poster there on Saturday (10/21). From 10 AM–5 PM, mingle with Nancy herself (her first time at a release since 2019) and grab a poster for $75 before prices increase to $150 on 10/23. You can buy one online all weekend, too.

Important: The party is at 416 6th St Annapolis, MD 21403. You’ll miss the party if you show up to the gallery at the Town Center ;)

Extra Scoop: Nancy’s been making an annual poster every year since 1997. It was focused on Annapolis until 2004. Since then it’s followed a broader Chesapeake theme. Here’s the first one ever!

The Maryland Federation of Art hosts its annual Collector’s Choice fundraiser this Sunday (10/22). It’s like playing the lottery but there’s more. . . actual winning. When you show up, you get a number. When your number is pulled, you pick a piece of art and take it home! You can attend in person (at Volvo Cars Annapolis) or join online. One ticket gets two people in!

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend? Why not eat delicious junk food, ride fun sketchy rides, and play rigged games? There’s really nothing like an old school carnival and the one at Westfield Annapolis is hittin’ the road Monday morning. Btw, you only live once, so go ahead and spring for the unlimited ride wristband. You know you want to.

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’s a City Council meeting scheduled for Monday at 7 PM but no agenda has been posted yet. When it is, you can find it here and submit public testimony here. The meeting will be in the City Council chambers at City Hall – 160 Duke of Gloucester, Annapolis, MD 21401.

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69 🌡️ 55 | 🌧️ | 46% | 💨 S 11 mph (10 knots)

65 🌡️ 51 | ⛅ | 12% | 💨 WNW 16 mph (13 knots)

60 🌡️ 45 | ⛅ | 15% | 💨 WNW 18 mph (16 knots)

49 West | Gary Wright, Leah Weiss & Jimmy Jacobs | 7:30–10 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Starbelly | 9 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Top Dead Center | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Ray Wroten | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Chris Durm | 8 PM
Great Frogs | Katie Fisher | 5–8 PM
Killarney House | John Luskey | 7–10 PM
Jalapeños | Tom Lagana | 7:30–10:30 PM
Market House | Alex G and Faith | 7–10 PM
Market Space | Greg Viola | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | All You Need | 10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | Tommy McGee | 8–11 PM
Old Stein | Timmie Metz | 8–11 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7–10 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Music Room | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Remedy | 5 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Kristi Allen | 10 PM
Reynolds Tavern | b.en | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Arrival | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Miller Brothers Band | 6 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Arthur Richoz | 3–7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Ryan Keith Band | 9:45 PM

49 West | Dean Rosenthal’s 4 Piece Racket | 7:30–9:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Kieron Brian Raphael | 8 PM
Brian Boru | Ciaran Quinn | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Shelby Blondell | 8 PM
Dark Horse | Penny Pistolero | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Carly Winter | 12–3 PM
Harry Browne’s | Wake Zone | 7–9:30 PM
Killarney House | Stephen Henson | 7–10 PM
Market House | Alexander Peters | 7–10 PM
Market Space | Blue Sea Revival | 2–6 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael McHenry Tribe | 10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | Royal Flush | 8–11 PM
Pirates Cove | Larry Turner | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Wild Feathers w/ JB Strauss | 1 PM | Tickets
Rams Head On Stage | The Secret Sisters w/ Amy Stroup | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Tommy McGee Band | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Michael K | 10 PM
Reynolds Tavern | b.en | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Fast Times | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Honey Sol | 6 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Mr. VCR | 3–7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Will Hill Band | 9:45 PM

49 West | Little Big Band | 7–9 PM
The Choptank | b.en | 8 PM
Dark Horse | West Street Revival | 9 PM
Galway Bay | The Drinker & The Scholar | 4–8 PM
Galway Bay | The Hyland Brothers | 12–2 PM
Killarney House | Matt Guilherme | 3–6 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Justin Ryan | 4–7 PM
Market House | Troll Tribe Duo | 5–7 PM
Market Space | Justin Berd | 2–6 PM
Old Stein | The Edelweiss Band | 2–6 PM
Pirates Cove | Eddie Rogers | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Choir! Choir! Choir! | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Shawn Owen | 3–7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Adam Forbes | 8 PM
Woodwind Music Cruise | Ernie Halter | 10 AM–1 PM | Tickets

Baseball
10/22 vs. Air Force | Noon

Football (3-3)
10/21 vs. Air Force | Noon

Women’s Golf
10/21-22 @ Lady Blue Hen Invitational | TBA

Men’s Golf (0-1)
10/22 @ ODU/OBX Intercollegiate | TBA

Men’s Hockey (1-4)
10/20 @ San Diego State University | 7 PM
10/21 @ Western Michigan | 5:30 PM

Men's Lacrosse
10/22 vs. Penn (Scrimmage) | 10 AM
10/22 vs. Bryant (Scrimmage | 12 PM

Rifle (2-2)
10/21 @ Ole Miss | 9 AM
10/21 @ Memphis | 9 AM

Men's Heavyweight Rowing
10/21-22 @ Head of the Charles Regatta | TBA

Men's Lightweight Rowing
10/22 @ Head of the Charles Regatta | TBA

Women’s Rugby (2-4)
10/22 vs. Mount St. Mary's | Noon

Men’s Rugby (7-0)
10/21 vs. Air Force | 10 AM

Intercollegiate Sailing
10/21-22 @ Open Atlantic Coast Championships | All Day
10/21-22 @ Open Atlantic Coast Tournament | All Day
10/21-22 @ Tom Curtis Regatta | All Day
10/21-22 @ Yale Women's Regatta | All Day

Offshore Sailing
10/21-22 vs. J/105 Chesapeake Bay Championship | TBA

Women's Soccer (7-7-3)
10/20 @ Holy Cross | 5 PM

Men’s Soccer (5-6-3)
10/21 vs. Holy Cross | 6 PM

Sprint Football (3-1)
10/20 vs. Chestnut Hill | 7 PM

Men's Squash
10/20 @ Barb Tournament | 4 PM

Women’s Swimming & Diving (0-1)
10/21 vs. George Washington | 10 AM

Men's Swimming & Diving (0-1)
10/20 @ UMBC | 4 PM
10/21 vs. George Washington | 10 AM

Women’s Tennis
10/20-22 @ ITA Atlantic Regional | All Day

Women's Volleyball (13-5)
10/21 @ American University | 7 PM

Wrestling
10/20 @ Blue and Gold Wrestle-Offs | 7 PM

Midshipman first class Xavier McDonald is having a great week. First he was named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Award (college football’s version of the Walter Payton Man of the Year). Now he’s been named a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy – college football’s premier award for community service. If you’re unfamiliar, Xavier has an amazing story.

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