🍦Scoop's guide to local bookstores

Good morning, Annapolis. Did you know there's a company called Prank-O that sells a puzzle that looks like a beautiful frozen mountain lake scene but there's a dog taking a dump on it that's not on the cover picture? Brilliant.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan Sneddon

It's buttery soft. It moves with you. And it looks just as good off the mat as it does on it.

Offline by Aerie — from the makers of American Eagle and Aerie — is now open at Annapolis Mall, right next door to Aerie. Think activewear designed for comfort, confidence, and real life. Whether you're hitting the studio, running errands, or just lounging like the queen you are, these are the pieces you'll reach for every single day.

Leggings that don't quit. Tops that actually fit. Styles that make you feel good without even trying.

And the best part? You don't have to wait. Offline by Aerie is open now — doors open at 10 AM. Come see what everyone's already obsessing over.

Shop Offline by Aerie at Annapolis Mall today.

There's nothing like the feel of turning a real page. Or placing a well-loved bookmark that's probably just a coffee receipt. Books are rad. Here's where to buy 'em locally.

Add the standbys – Old Fox Books on Maryland Avenue (a coffee shop too!), Back Creek Books' rare finds on Main Street, Park Books' original Severna Park location, and Wyrd Bookstore in Edgewater (also with a cafe!) – and you can read local in every genre without touching a "Buy Now" button.

Read the full guide here.

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Team Naptown Scoop Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS progress: $12,623/$20,000

1,861 of you voted, and it wasn't close: 69% say Atlas isn't good for Annapolis, 18% say it is, and 13% are undecided.

The written responses had some nuance a simple yay/nay vote doesn't allow. Three that stuck with us:

Thanks to everyone who voted – and especially to the 471 of you who wrote us mini op-eds.

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The clicks are in. Here's what you loved reading this week 🏆

And some other big stories, in case you missed them:

🦪 O'Learys is closing after 43 years in Eastport after losing its lease. The final day of service is August 2, and reservations are going fast.

🍗 The county Board of Appeals denied the drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A planned for Route 2 and Arnold Road, siding with the neighbors who fought the project for more than two years.

🎶 Rams Head revealed all 115+ artists playing the Annapolis Songwriters Festival, September 10–13 at venues across town.

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🎈 = family-friendly events

🎬 AND Creative Film Club: The Golem (1920) - Silent film classic at AND Creative Studio in the Design District, with live score by Adrian Bond and atmospheric projections. Pre-film discussion and post-screening conversation included.

🎭 CP presents 10 Minute Play Festival - Eight brand-new 10-minute plays from local playwrights at Colonial Players Theater. Pirates, aliens, existential crises, and questionable life choices – all for $10.

🎈🍽️ Food Truck Fridays - 12+ food trucks serving up diverse cuisines at the weekly rally on Harry S. Truman Parkway. Free admission, family-friendly.

🎭 CP presents 10 Minute Play Festival - Afternoon matinee of eight new 10-minute plays from local playwrights at Colonial Players Theater. Just $10.

🎈🐮 Anne Arundel County Farmers Market - Fresh produce, meats, dairy, tacos, coffee, and baked goods from local vendors.

🎈🎶 Concert at Quiet Waters Park: Black-Eyed Suzies - Free bluegrass at the park's summer concert series, 6–8 PM, with BBQ and Italian ice food trucks on site.

📚 Anne Arundel County Literacy Council Book Drive - Drive-up drop-off for gently used books. Proceeds benefit free adult education programs. No textbooks or reference materials, please.

🎈🎨 Annapolis Artisans Market - Two warehouses packed with vintage finds, art, furniture, clothing, jewelry, and pottery. Meet the artisans and enjoy food and drinks while you shop.

🎶 Laura Brino & Carly Winter (matinee) - Two Annapolis songwriters co-headline at Rams Head On Stage, celebrating Laura's new album (which you can also hear at the Songwriters Festival) and Carly's Nashville move.

🎭 CP presents 10 Minute Play Festival - Final matinee of eight new 10-minute plays from local playwrights at Colonial Players Theater. Just $10.

🎈🐮 Anne Arundel County Farmers Market - Sunday morning market with fresh produce, meats, dairy, and crafts from local vendors.

🎈🎨 Annapolis Artisans Market - Two warehouses full of vintage finds, art, furniture, and more. Meet artisans and enjoy food and drinks.

🎶 Celebrate Summer with SoulJourners - Fundraiser for the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival featuring the SoulJourners band. Shows at 4 PM and 6 PM, with complimentary drinks and America's 250th birthday cake.

🎈🎶 Maryland Hall Presents BloomHaven: JoGo Project & Pressure Band - Go-go meets jazz in this high-energy outdoor concert on the Maryland Hall lawn. BBQ vibes, summer nights, and kids 12 and under attend free.

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🚌 Hub, Sweet Hub – The school board unanimously approved the design for a $17.4 million bus facility on Shipley Avenue in Harmans – the last major fix recommended by the county's 2020 transportation audit. It consolidates two aging lots and gives AACPS room to grow its own fleet instead of leaning on 16 contractors. The board also updated its student cellphone policy, passing it 7–1.

🏰 Huzzah, a Reminder – Tickets for the Maryland Renaissance Festival's 50th season go on sale Monday at 10 AM – online only and date-specific, with no sales at the gate this year. Popular days sell out, so set an alarm. Adults are $31 and kids 7–15 are $17, plus fees. The festival runs weekends August 29–October 25 (plus Labor Day) in Crownsville. Get your passport to merriment.

🎟️ Yard Sale – The Navy Athletics ticket office has moved to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Ave) – meaning you no longer have to get yourself onto the Academy grounds just to buy football tickets. Drive to Gate 5, tell the attendant you're visiting the ticket office, and you can even preview seats for football and lacrosse. Hours are Monday–Friday, 10 AM–4 PM. Details here.

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83 🌡️ 68 | 🌤️ | 0% ☔ | 💨 E 9 mph (8 knots)

82 🌡️ 69 | 🌤️ | 9% ☔ | 💨 E 7 mph (6 knots)

84 🌡️ 70 | ⛈️ | 27% ☔ | 💨 SE 6 mph (5 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 81ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

🌳🎵= Outdoor concert

49 West | Justin Lees Jazz Trio | 8–10 PM
The Admiral’s Cup | Ken Gutberlet, LoveDrunk | 3:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Mixed Business | 8:30 PM
Beer Farm | Michael McHenry | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Mike Sharp | 9 PM
Brian Boru | The Loose Cannons | 7–10 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Choptank | Dan Heely | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dave Tieff | 4–7 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Tension | 9 PM
Galway Bay | Sam O’Hare | 7–10 PM
Great Frogs | Guava Jelly | 5:30–8:30 PM
Harper’s Waterfront | John Luskey | 8–11 PM
Killarney House | O'McPub Band | 7:30–10:30 PM
Libbey's Coastal Kitchen | Greg Seybold | 5–8 PM
Market House | Michael K | 8–11 PM
Market Space | Hurricane Kevin | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Moon Cherry | 10 PM
Pirates Cove | Pete Best | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Marion Meadows & Alex Bugnon | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Jonathan Viers | 9 PM
Reynolds Tavern | Noah Booz | 7–8 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Red Betty and the Ruckus | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Macheat | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Chris Button | 4 PM
Stan & Joe's Saloon | Mr. VCR | 9:45 PM
🌳🎵Watermark Annapolis Sunset Cruise | Daphne Eckman | 8–9:30 PM | Tickets

49 West | American Roots w/ Gary Wright, Leah Weiss & Jimmy Jacobs | 7:30–10 PM
The Admiral's Cup | Joe Matheus, Ryan Webster & Dollar Store Fire | 3:30 PM
Beer Farm | Anthony Frijia | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | The Cyphers | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Pretty Big Deal Duo | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Ken Gutberlet | 8 PM
Coconut Joe's | Mike Newberry | 2–5 PM
Coconut Joe's | Swarm of Bees | 9 PM
Dark Horse | Severn River Band | 9 PM
🌳🎵Dinner Under the Stars | Free Motown Concert | 6–9 PM
Great Frogs | Jacob Panic | 4:30–7:30 PM
Killarney House | Nicky Stacy | 7:30–10:30 PM
Market House | Sydney Smith | 8–11 PM
Market Space | Stan Graham | 2–6 PM
Middleton Tavern | Deni Starr Band | 10 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 3–6 PM
Pirates Cove | Eric Irvin Duo | 7–10 PM
🌳🎵Quiet Waters Park | Black-Eyed Suzies | 6–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Laura Brino & Carly Winter | 1 PM | Tickets
Rams Head On Stage | Freddy Jones Band w/ Chris Stake | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Local Souls | 9 PM
Renditions Golf Course | Sunset Groove | 5 PM
Reynolds Tavern | Mike Heuer | TBA
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Remedy | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Rik Ferrell | 7 PM
Stan & Joe's Riverside | Adam Forbes | 4 PM
Stan & Joe's Saloon | Pandor | 9:45 PM

49 West | Seth Kibel Trio, Klezmer & More | 7–9 PM
The Admiral's Cup | David Sparrow | 2–6 PM
Beer Farm | Michael McHenry | 4–7 PM
Brian Boru | Bob Krauss and Warren Prentice | 2–5 PM
Coconut Joe's | Mark Desrochers | 2–5 PM
Galway Bay | O'McPub Band | 4–8 PM
Great Frogs | Daphne Eckman | 1–4 PM
Libbey's Coastal Kitchen | Frank McCreary | 2–5 PM
The Lodge | Tony Gatlin | 11 AM – 2 PM
Market House | Nyah Auane | 5–7 PM
Market Space | Brandt Austin Dunn | 2–6 PM
Pirates Cove | Brandon & Thordis | 2–5 PM
Pirates Cove | Dust on the Bottle | 6–9 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Steve Oliver & The Grainger Brothers | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Naria | 12 PM
Stan & Joe's Riverside | Joe Hickey | 4 PM
Stan & Joe's Saloon | Shawn Owen | 9 PM

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves cauliflower rice. I bet you can't find one.