🍦Scoop’s no-BS Boat Show guide

Good morning, Annapolis. A nightclub in Japan is going viral for hosting a book rave where people read on the floor surrounded by aesthetically pleasing lights as a DJ plays ambient music. All I can think is, congratulations, you invented a library with music and without chairs.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan Sneddon

Positioned where the Channel meets the Chesapeake Bay, this exceptional end-unit residence captures sweeping, unobstructed views of the Bay and iconic Bay Bridge from nearly every room. 

Beautifully updated throughout, the two-bedroom, two-bath home features light-filled interiors, a covered wraparound patio, generous green space, and private no-stair access, creating the privacy, ease, and feel of a single-family home with the convenience of condominium living.

Chesapeake Harbour residents enjoy two pools, a community beach, marina, tennis and pickleball courts, shoreline trails, and waterfront dining at The Beacon, all minutes from Downtown Annapolis and Eastport.

Offered at $775,000 by the Brad Kappel Team. Call 410.279.9476 to learn more or schedule a private tour.

In the past, the Boat Shows have paid us to write stuff for the shows. And it was good stuff. But I missed their calls this year so I get to write whatever I want. Fasten your life jackets. This is Scoop’s no-BS guide to the Annapolis Boat Shows.

First things first: go to both shows. They’re awesome for different reasons. Go on whichever day has the best weather and plan to spend at least 3 hours, ideally more. Don’t try parking downtown unless you’re going right when the show opens.

Just park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (or the Board of Ed on October 10 – $20, cash only) and ride the shuttle. This will drop you near several bars, which make a great first stop. Once you have a drink, get to Dock A and walk the floating docks to see the biggest boats.

Then walk down Ego Alley to see the smaller boats. They’re much easier to get on. Disembark on the west side to see the Tent D exhibitors (and another drink/pit beef sando at the Fleet Reserve Club, which is open to the public for the show). Continue walking Ego Alley clockwise until you’ve seen all the tents and boats. Then exit via Dock A and see the final land vendors (by the Yanmar engine tent) on your way out.

Bonus points: take a seminar. You can learn to boat, or take better photos, or fish, or plan a Great Loop trip. On-water three-hour trainings are $225 (and include a show ticket). The dockside seminars are free.

The Annapolis Powerboat Show is October 8–11. The Annapolis Sailboat Show is October 15–18.

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

Team Naptown Scoop Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS progress: $13,273/$20,000

Always Faithful Dog Training of Annapolis helps dogs and puppies become calm, confident, and well‑mannered through leadership‑based, real‑world training. We specialize in private, in-home training of leash manners, obedience, behavior issues, and puppy foundations. Without treats, clickers, shock collars or gimmicks. Start your dog’s transformation today! Call 240-363-4432 or visit www.alwaysfaithfuldogs.com/annapolis.

Meet Milo Monroe, a three-year-old American bulldog mix who has been at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County since March 11. He has one blue eye, one brown one, a coat full of freckles, and a grin that takes up half his face.

Milo is deaf. But like the Marine Corps, he’s all about improvising, adapting, and overcoming. As such, he’s learned an array of hand signals and will do every single one of them for a treat.

He’s a fan (and staff) favorite at SPCA community events, so you know he’s one of the good ones. He’s also a proud member of the RACE team (Runner Assisted Canine Exercise) and an agility course pro.

Now the fine print: Milo’s house-trained. But like my neighbors who put out fruit leather and veggie straws on Halloween, he doesn’t like kids. Other dogs and cats will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Good news is, he won’t care if they bark too much.

And even though he’s deaf, I guarantee you’re still gonna tell him he’s a good boy when you meet him.

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

The transition to retirement brings an unheralded psychological shift: the steady biweekly paycheck ends, leaving you to draw down a finite pool of wealth.

Creating a predictable "retirement paycheck" means orchestrating Social Security, pensions, IRAs, and taxable accounts. It isn't simple—drawing from accounts in the wrong order or taking Social Security too early can inadvertently push you into a higher tax bracket and accelerate account depletion.

A little proactive planning before retiring helps insulate your wealth from unnecessary taxes and market downturns.

Scarborough Capital Management has spent over 35 years helping Annapolis families build dependable retirement strategies.

Schedule a free checkup at SCMadvice.com.

Want to rent out your place on the side for a little extra cash without a license? It probably won’t be worth it anymore. With only one no vote, City Council on Monday approved increasing the maximum fine for an unlicensed short-term rental (STR) from $1,000 to $5,000.

Worth noting: This doesn’t mean the fine’s automatically five big ones. Just that it can be. Elsewhere. . .

Public hearing: A bill letting Annapolitans run cottage food businesses saw testimony from just one person, Rob Carroccetto. Since he runs Bar & Batter (booze-infused pastries), he was obviously a fan.

Second readers: The council ratified two-year contracts with the city’s AFSCME, firefighter, and police unions and waived city fees for the Dec. 28 Military Bowl Parade. It also extended the Art in Public Places Commission’s makeover and seated five new members (more on that later). And the bill letting you park in front of your own driveway went back to committee.

Coming attractions (aka first readers): The council agreed to hear more about an outdoor dining rewrite, city crews entering homes to check what your water line is made of, and a new Main Street Program advisory task force.

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

🎨 Art Officials – Annapolis named the first five members of its new Art in Public Places Commission Monday: Julien Jacques (Ward 5), McShane Glover (Ward 1), Leah Weiss (Ward 3), Kaitlyn McQuaid (Ward 2), and Joan Brady (at-large). The council dissolved the old commission in February after several complaints. The council also extended its deadline for rebuilding the commission beyond the original six months. Which is a good thing because it still has to fill four more seats.

🛣️ Night Shift – Central Avenue in Edgewater between Camp Letts Road and Beverley Avenue gets repaved starting tonight. Crews work 8 PM to 5 AM Sunday through Thursday, so expect a single lane and a flagger if you’re out late or early. The job should wrap by mid-October, weather permitting.

🦀 Grant Expectations – Annapolis Rotary’s Crab Feast grants close Thursday at 5 PM. Local nonprofits can ask for up to $4,000. You’ll need 501(c)(3) status and your IRS determination letter to apply. The money has to be spent by next September and your nonprofit must be in these ZIPs: 21401, 21402, 21403, 21405, 21409, 21012, 21032, 21035, and 21037. Here’s the form.

🎆 One Last Time – JessFest returns to Fairview Farm in Davidsonville on October 10, and the Beard family says this fourth one will be the last. They throw it every fall for their daughter Jess, who died of metastatic breast cancer at 30. Proceeds support Respite Retreats, an Ellicott City nonprofit that gives cancer patients, caregivers, and families a little time away from cancer. There will be live music, kids activities, food trucks, and fireworks at 7 PM. Grab tickets (kids 10 and under are free).

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

76 🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ | 1% ☔ | 💨 SW 8 mph (7 knots)

81 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | 0% ☔ | 💨 SW 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 69ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

🌳🎵= Outdoor concert

The Admiral’s Cup | Stephen Henson/Slip Hippies | 7–10 PM
Brian Boru | Chase & Davey | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Big Scott | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jordan/Pressing Strings | 5–8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 6:30–9:30 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Open Mic | 7 PM

49 West | The Alter Ego Quartet | 7:30–10 PM
The Admiral’s Cup | TBA | 7–10 PM
Beer Farm | The Wombmates | 5–7 PM
Brian Boru | Ted Garber | 6:30–9:30 PM
Copper Creek | Open Mic | 7 PM
Killarney House | Nate Finn | 6–9 PM
Market House | Micheal K | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Victory Boyd | 8 PM | Tickets

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with the friend who never sits down at a bar, even when there’s an open stool right next to them.