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].

Around Town

Hosting an event in Alexandria? Promote it on ALXnow’s event calendar

By Ryan Belmore
A paper calendar (Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash)

Looking to attract more people to your upcoming local gathering?

Submit it to ALXnow’s event calendar and connect with locals searching for things to do in our community. Thousands of Alexandria residents turn to our calendar when planning their activities. Free basic listings help spread the word about your event, while paid promotional options give you premium visibility with featured placement on the site, in our email newsletter, and on social media.

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Around Town

Final Hours: Alexandria’s Best BBQ crown up for grabs as voting ends tonight

By Ryan Belmore
Food at Smoking Kow BBQ at 3250 Duke Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

The clock is ticking for Alexandria’s barbecue enthusiasts. Tonight at 11:59 p.m., voting closes for ALXnow’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Barbecue Restaurant, and the competition has been sizzling hot.

With just hours left to cast ballots, Smoking Kow BBQ has maintained a commanding lead throughout the two-week voting period, capturing nearly 32% of the vote with 617 supporters rallying behind their smoky specialties. The popular spot has clearly struck a chord with local diners craving authentic pulled pork and tender brisket.

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Sports

Big Train sweeps Aces to capture third straight championship

By Ryan Belmore
Photo of Alexandria Aces advancing to 2025 Cal Ripken Sr. League Championship Series (Photo provided by Newport Gulls)

The Bethesda Big Train defeated the Alexandria Aces 15-3 Monday night at Frank Mann Field to sweep the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series and claim their third consecutive title.

The Big Train won their 12th championship in franchise history and fourth in five seasons with the two-game sweep. They opened the series with a 10-4 victory Sunday in Game 1.

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News

Alexandria Library Director receives national Trailblazers Award

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria Library Director Rose T. Dawson (r) and John Page, Chair of the BCALA Awards Committee. (via Alexandria Library)

Alexandria Library Director Rose T. Dawson received the prestigious Trailblazers Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association at the organization’s annual conference in Philadelphia last month.

The award represents the Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s highest honor, presented every five years to recognize pioneering contributions that have “blazed a trail” in the library profession. Dawson became the first black director of the Alexandria Library when she took the position in 2008.

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News

Alexandria residents have limited time left to claim federal solar tax credit

By Ryan Belmore
Solar panels (file photo)

Alexandria residents interested in installing solar panels have less than five months remaining to take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit before it expires at the end of 2025.

The federal residential solar tax credit is set to end after Dec. 31, 2025, due to recently passed federal legislation, according to a Monday press release from the City of Alexandria. To qualify for the credit, expenditures must be completed by the deadline.

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Around Town

From Tax-Free Shopping to Glow Paddling: Alexandria’s week packed with events, live music, and summer fun

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

Alexandria is serving up a diverse menu of activities this week, from Monday’s comedy nights and yoga sessions to a spectacular glow paddle adventure on Saturday evening. The Tax-Free Weekend kicks off Friday at select Old Town boutiques, while music lovers can catch everything from Three Dog Night at The Birchmere to traditional Irish sessions at local pubs. Families won’t want to miss the Friendship Firehouse Festival on Saturday or Harry Potter’s birthday bash at Del Ray Pizzeria on Thursday.

Whether you’re looking to swap plants, learn ventriloquism, or enjoy chamber music at the Lyceum, Alexandria’s packed calendar offers something for everyone through August 3rd.

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News

Federal investigation concludes Alexandria schools violated Title IX civil rights law

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A months-long federal investigation has concluded that Alexandria City Public Schools violated Title IX civil rights law with policies allowing transgender students to use facilities aligned with their gender identity.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced Friday that Alexandria’s policy providing facility access based on “gender identity” rather than biological sex violates federal law.

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News

Meet Roman: The 95-pound gentle giant looking for his next adventure buddy

By Ryan Belmore
Roman (via AWLA)

Roman is the kind of dog who commands attention the moment he walks into a room—and at 95 pounds with a striking steel-gray coat, he’s hard to miss. But don’t let his imposing size fool you. This 3-year-old is all heart, ready to trade his kennel for a cozy spot on your couch and a permanent place in your family.

A Perfect Family Addition

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News

USDA to vacate Alexandria’s Braddock Place, home to food assistance programs

By Ryan Belmore
Braddock Metro Center (via Cushman & Wakefield)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday it will vacate its facility at 1320 Braddock Place in Alexandria as part of a sweeping reorganization that will relocate thousands of federal employees from the Washington region to five hub cities across the country.

The Alexandria facility houses the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers critical federal nutrition assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. The relocation could affect operations for programs that serve millions of Americans, though officials emphasized essential services will continue uninterrupted.

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