Author: Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is a journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. He served as Publisher of ALXnow from March to October 2025. He can be reached at [email protected].

News

Man dies jumping from 15th-floor balcony during FBI arrest attempt on King Street

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man died Friday morning after jumping from a 15th-floor balcony while FBI agents were attempting to serve a criminal arrest warrant at the Alexander Apartments on King Street.

Federal investigators from the FBI’s Washington Field Office were executing a court-authorized criminal arrest warrant around 6 a.m. when the man went out a window onto the balcony and jumped from the 15-story balcony, according to an FBI statement released Friday afternoon.

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News

619 young inventors showcase creativity at annual Thingamajig convention in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA's 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)

More than 600 local children ages 5-14 gathered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria on July 31 for the 31st annual Thingamajig Invention Convention, a free event hosted by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.

The convention drew 619 participants who engaged in more than 25 hands-on activities designed to promote science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills during the summer break between school years.

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News

Adoptable Dog of the Week: Meet Skylar, a well-mannered companion ready for adventure

By Ryan Belmore
Skylar (Credit: AWLA)

Skylar may be keeping her paws crossed for the right connection, but this well-mannered 4-year-old could be the perfect match for families seeking a calm, companionable dog.

The 51-pound brown and white mixed breed is currently available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, where volunteers describe her as an “easy-going girl” who has moved well past the energetic puppy phase.

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News

ARHA completes $56.8M purchase of senior facility for Ladrey residents

By Ryan Belmore
Alate Old Town, 1112 First Street (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority has completed its $56.8 million purchase of a senior living facility to house residents from a deteriorating high-rise, abandoning plans to demolish and rebuild the aging property.

ARHA closed Tuesday on The Alate Old Town Senior Living Facility at 1122 North First Street, which will house 110 age-eligible residents from the Ladrey Senior High-Rise at 300 Wythe Street. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development terminated operating support for Ladrey and issued vouchers to relocate its 168 residents.

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News

Alexandria seeks climate volunteers for new EcoAmbassadors program

By Ryan Belmore
EcoAmbassadors is a new climate and energy-centered volunteer training and community engagement program. (Screenshot via ecoactionarlington.org)

The city of Alexandria is partnering with EcoAction Arlington to launch a new volunteer training program aimed at mobilizing residents to take climate action in their neighborhoods.

The EcoAmbassadors program will train environmentally conscious volunteers to help their neighbors undertake personal actions that make homes and communities healthier and more livable, according to a press release issued Monday.

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News

Things to do this weekend in Alexandria: August 7 – 10

By Ryan Belmore
Shopping in Old Town Alexandria (via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria residents and visitors have a packed weekend ahead with the city’s annual Sidewalk Sale taking center stage Saturday, transforming Old Town into a shopper’s paradise while farmers markets, live music venues, and cultural attractions offer something for every taste.

Thursday kicks off the festivities with National IPA Day at Port City Brewing and the Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Market Square, while Friday brings the return of Derecho Lager and trivia nights at historic sites. Saturday’s highlights include the all-day sidewalk sale, multiple farmers markets from Old Town to Del Ray, and evening entertainment ranging from improv comedy at The Lyceum to tribute bands at The Birchmere.

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News

Captain Gregory’s advances to Virginia Cocktail Games

By Ryan Belmore
Brandon McDermott of Captain Gregory's presents "Rosé All Day". (Photo provided by Captain Gregory's)

Captain Gregory’s has advanced to the 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games, one of five northern Virginia establishments among 22 bartenders selected statewide for the competition.

The Virginia Spirits Board competition celebrates the state’s bartending community and local distilleries. Competing bartenders created original cocktails that pay tribute to a Virginia “hidden gem” location and feature a Virginia spirit produced in their region.

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News

Housing Alexandria celebrates 4 years of community garden events

By Ryan Belmore
Housing Alexandria Celebrates Community and Urban Farming at Annual Garden Events (courtesy of Housing Alexandria)

Housing Alexandria recently hosted its annual summer garden celebrations at two Alexandria community garden sites, marking four years of community engagement and nearly a decade of urban food production.

The events took place at The Station at Potomac Yard and The Bloom at Braddock, featuring garden tours, family activities, refreshments, mural painting, and a petting zoo. Residents, volunteers, and staff gathered to celebrate the organization’s commitment to urban agriculture and food equity.

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News

ABC store closes to public on Duke Street, converts to licensee operations

By James Cullum and Ryan Belmore
The Virginia ABC store at 4349 Duke Street has closed (via Google Maps)

An ABC store in Alexandria’s West End closed to retail customers last month and converted its operations to serve alcohol licensees only.

The store at 4349 Duke Street closed July 15 after nine years of operation, according to Virginia ABC. The agency moved the location’s contents to 901-929 S. Pickett Street, about 2 miles away, where it now serves licensees rather than walk-in customers.

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News

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy PTA earns National PTA Schools of Excellence recognition

By Ryan Belmore
Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy at 530 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town. (via Facebook)

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy PTA in Alexandria was among 330 schools nationwide named a 2024-2026 National PTA School of Excellence for building strong family-school partnerships.

The program recognizes PTAs and schools that enrich the educational experience and overall well-being of students through family engagement efforts.

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Opinion

Grow your business with ALXnow’s tailored advertising solutions

By Ryan Belmore

Finding the right audience in a vibrant city like Alexandria is key to business growth, and ALXnow provides a direct connection to the community’s heart.

Since launching in 2019, ALXnow has become a trusted news source, rapidly growing to reach over 250,000 engaged monthly visitors (as of our 2024 data). This readership isn’t just passing through; they are the people who live, work, and invest in Alexandria and its surrounding areas, actively seeking local information, making ALXnow the premier digital platform to place your message for maximum local impact.

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