🍦Time to make your New Year’s plans 🎆

Good morning, Annapolis. Apparently starting a habit on Wednesday makes you more likely to stick with it. So today might be the perfect day to begin exercising, journaling, or simply drinking more water. Whatever you choose, we’re cheering you on.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Duffy Perkins

At Homestead Gardens, the season begins with our annual train displays, where running trains and winter scenes create an inviting sense of nostalgia. We encourage you to slow down, shop local, and create meaningful memories with the people who matter most. Explore fresh-cut Christmas trees or choose from lifelike trees (currently 40% off), each ready to become the centerpiece of your family traditions. Fragrant greens, hand-crafted wreaths, and thoughtfully designed porch pots bring the aesthetic and scents that define the holidays.

Our Christmas decor and distinctive ornament collections are displayed on signature themed trees, offering inspiration for personal touches that become part of your home year after year. Locally grown poinsettias (grown here in AA County) add rich color indoors. FREE photos with Santa on weekends and photo opportunities throughout the store help capture moments you'll treasure long after the season. Learn more here.

This is it. The biggest game of the year. The greatest rivalry in all of sports. Army-Navy. America’s Game. Both teams are bowl bound. Both beat Air Force. But only one walks away with the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy.

Statistically, #22 ranked Navy is the stronger squad. The Mids lead the nation in rushing yards per game and explosive plays and are near the top in many other categories. QB Blake Horvath is having an all-time great season. WR Eli Heidenreich is rewriting the record book. And nose guard Landon Robinson is leading a punishing defense.

But Army’s no slouch. They’re fifth in the nation for rushing, first for time of possession, and they don’t make many mistakes (just 9 turnovers on the year and 24 penalty yards per game). There’s also the time-honored truth that in a rivalry game, all bets are off.

Game time is 3 PM in Baltimore on Saturday, December 13. As always. . . Go Navy, Beat Army!

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.

Meet Phoenix, the timid-but-charming two-year-old poodle mix whose life is about to become a holiday rom-com. He’s the quiet leading man type — shy at first, but warms up faster than hot cocoa on a snowy night. Phoenix is learning to be brave on winter walks — putting one paw in front of the other — but his true specialty is cozy cuddles. Picture him in a tiny Christmas sweater, stealing hearts left and right.

The small-but-mighty pup is ready for his furever co-star. If you’re looking for your holiday happily-ever-after, Phoenix is taking applications. He entered the SPCA in October, but we doubt he’ll be hanging out for long. The poodle mixes never do. Hurry and scoop him up!

On December 13, the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade returns from 6–8 PM — bringing thousands of twinkling lights, 40+ festive boats of every size, and crowds who know there’s no better place to be on the second Saturday in December. It’s recognized by USA Today as a Top 10 holiday parade in America. Equally impressive, it’s a Naptown Scoop Top 5 event.

Whether you’re a first-time spectator or a longtime fan, here’s your quick guide to the best views, closures, what to bring, and what’s new. Don’t miss Annapolis’ sparkliest night of the year. Read the top tips for the EYC Lights Parade.

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Even without the discount, you’ll hear us swearing up and down, left and right, that Grumps has one of the best burgers in the city. But a cheeseburger with fries for just $5? Shut the front door. A double is just $7, while waffles, chicken tenders with fries, and the classic breakfast of two eggs, grits, and toast are all just $5. You can support a small business and get excellent food for less than what you’d pay in a drive-thru. Thanks, Grumps!

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.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to treat yourself… consider this the universe tapping you on the shoulder. Laser season is here, and Warrior Medical is the place to refresh, refine, and reveal your best skin. Think smoother texture, brighter tone, softer lines — the kind of glow that looks expensive even if you didn’t tell anyone how you got it.

And with Warrior Medical named to the Alma President’s List for laser excellence, you’re in the hands of the best. Whether it’s a gift for someone you love or a little “I deserve this” moment, it’s the perfect time to say yes to luminous skin.

Treat yourself — or someone special — with a laser appointment or gift card today.

We’ve got alpacas, Snowflake Alley, carolers on corners, and by far the holly-jolliest bunch of Norman Rockwell cosplayers you’ve ever seen. This week brings West Street’s holiday market, featuring the ever-popular Human Hamster Wheel. These are the best nights of the season for very good reason - we’ll see you out there.

Don’t know about Midnight Madness? We’ve got a full brief in last Tuesday’s Scoop.

We know, we know — you’re trying to get through Christmas before you start thinking about what you’re doing for New Year’s. Same. I’ve currently bought a total of . . . one gift. But some of the hottest places in town take reservations, and you don’t want to miss out because you waited too long.

🧨 Let’s start with downtown fireworks: If you’re planning to count down to January 1 at City Dock, you’ll need to do it earlier (again). Like last year, the city’s fireworks show goes off at 9 PM over Spa Creek. Perfect if you want to get home to watch the ball drop at midnight (or go to bed like me).

🍽️ Preserve has a 9-course tasting menu with optional beverage pairings, and reservations start as early as 5 PM or as late as 9:15 PM.

🦪 Acqua Al 2 is holding a New Year’s Eve party 8:45 PM-1 AM with appetizers, oysters, and three open bars. They’re also doing a formal sit-down dinner with a fixed-price menu and reservations available 5-8 PM.

🛥️ Watermark will take you on a tour of the harbor from 8-10 PM to see the fireworks while enjoying some tunes, plus complimentary champagne or hot chocolate.

🦀 The Choptank is doing a New Year’s Eve party on its rooftop deck 8 PM-1 AM — it’s a great place to see the fireworks!

🎸 Rams Head is throwing it back to the ‘80s on New Year’s Eve with a dance party and The New Romance starting at 9 PM.

🍸 The Captain’s Daughter (one of Annapolis’ newest editions) is closing out its first year at the Westin with a New Year’s Eve party 9 PM-1 AM with drinks, prizes, and a special late-night menu.

📚 Anne Arundel County Public Library has something special for the kids — no need to stay up until midnight when you can celebrate at a Noon Year’s Eve party 11:15 AM-1:00 PM at Busch Annapolis and Eastport branches.

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.

45 🌡️ 34 | 🌦️ | 40% | 💨 SSW 13 mph (11 knots)

38 🌡️ 29 | 🌤️ | 2% | 💨 WNW 15 mph (13 knots)

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

🎵🌳 = Outdoor Concert

49 West | Pam & Paula Classical Duo | 4:30–6:30 PM
49 West | Songbird Collective | 7:30–10 PM
Brian Boru | Nate Finn | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael Kocher | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Chris Diller | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jordan/Pressing Strings | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Milk Carton Kids | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Russell Jacobsen | 9 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Fred & Wilma | 9 PM

49 West | Annapolis Round Up | 7:30–10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Sean Bera | 6–9 PM
Brian Boru | Ray Wroten | 6–9 PM
Killarney House | O'McPub Band | 6–9 PM
🎵🌳 Middleton Tavern | Naptown Sings | 5–8 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael Kocher | 6–9 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Tony Lardieri | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Dan Haas | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Peter Mayer | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Chris Sacks | 5 PM

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who says, “Wednesday is the new Friday.”