iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 26/09/2026

Same cameras. Per APD's answer to council, school-zone speed camera data is purged within 60 days if no summons issued within 30. www.alexandriava.gov/police-depar...

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 23/09/2026

City staff walked City Council through some of what they've found (so far) during demolition at City Hall, including a playbill dated to about the 1870s, legible enough to read the actors' names and the admission prices: 10 and 20 cents. Story - www.alexandriabrief.com/asbestos-has...

The most striking find was a playbill dated to about the 1870s, legible enough to read the actors' names and the admission prices, 10 and 20 cents. Staff believes it advertises an adaptation of Jack Sheppard, a play that traveled the East Coast, featuring a teenage actress billed as Minnie Palmer. Kotob said a worker on the Kluse Building likely attended the show and tucked the bill into the wall.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 23/09/2026

Backyard rain gauge has registered just about 3.5 inches of rain so far this week.

A rain gauge in Alexandria showing almost 90 mm. Rain measured from Sunday, Sept.20 - Wednesday, Sept.23.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 23/09/2026

This is exactly why reader-funded, newsletter-first journalism matters more than ever. The link economy is breaking. Direct-to-reader journalism has never mattered more. Axios: Link economy breaks as AI reshapes web traffic www.axios.com/2026/09/19/a...

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 08/09/2026

Spent the last few days wandering the South with my wife. Charleston, Beaufort, Bluffton, Savannah, Mount Pleasant, Tybee Island, Wilmington, and everywhere in between. No plan past the next morning's coffee, when we'd pick where to go. Highly recommend a follow-the-wind trip. Best one we've taken.

Old Sheldon Church Ruins near Beaufort, South Carolina.

French Huguenot Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 28/08/2026

For those wondering, here is what’s on Crooked Run’s menu

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 28/08/2026

New 8-seat bar has debuted at Stracci. First-come, first-serve.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 28/08/2026

Somebody asked about the Witter Place mural facing Duke St. a while back — here's where Yulia Avgustinovich's design stands. Witter Place Apartments is a $53 million affordable housing development slated open to open in December at 2712 Witter Dr.

The mural wraps the corner of Witter Place Apartments at 2712 Witter Drive.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 26/08/2026

Honored to be recognized — though responsible, fair reporting should be the baseline, not the exception. Of course, this doesn't change how or when I cover ACPS.

Screenshot of a draft Virginia School Boards Association resolution on the Alexandria City School Board's Aug. 27 agenda, placing Ryan Belmore of The Alexandria Brief on the 2026 VSBA Media Honor Roll. The resolution cites responsible and exemplary reporting on the community's public schools and requires a unanimous board vote.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 25/08/2026

Instead of answering my questions, DHS has taken to resharing my story on X and doubling down on their claims. Just a day in the life of a small city journalist.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 19/08/2026

Congrats, @beckyhammer.bsky.social! 😂 www.instagram.com/p/DcOgXYdOaf...

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 18/08/2026

Having grown up the way I did, I know what it means when someone treats you like you matter. That's what this is. Dignity, a backpack, and a room full of girls walking out taller than they walked in. Best of luck this school year to all! 2/2

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 18/08/2026

Last year I covered Mayor Gaskins' Back-to-School Hair Salon. This year my wife and I were among the sponsors — and spent the afternoon volunteering. More than 30 girls from AHRA and Community Lodgings came through Iye's Beauty Salon today. 1/2

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 15/08/2026

Checking in on the illegal ADU that has popped up in my backyard.

Aerial paper nest, likely the home of bald-faced hornets.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 15/08/2026

Wife got me jícaras for my birthday, so obviously the Real Minero came off the shelf. Espadín capón, barril espadín, barril verde y amarillo, mexicanito tripón capón — all Santa Catarina Minas. That last one's bottle 24 of 32.

Four clear mezcal bottles on a wooden table, left to right: Lalocura Espadín Capón, and three Real Minero bottles — Barril/Espadín Penca Corta, Barril Verde y Barril Amarillo, and Mexicanito Capón/Tripón Capón, all still strength around 50%. In front of them sit four small hand-painted jícara gourd cups on woven rings, each inscribed "Lolo Mercadito, hecho por Luis Carro."

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 15/08/2026

Update on opening date for Crooked Run

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 14/08/2026

Chasing business opening dates kind of Friday night.

Ted’s Bulletin is opening soon at Carlyle Crossing.

Honey Moon is opening soon at Carlyle Crossing.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 05/08/2026

3.54” of rain (and counting) so far this week here in Alexandria.

A backyard rain gauge in Alexandria shows 90 mm (3.54”) of rain has fallen since Sunday, August 2.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 01/08/2026

Made it to the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration today. It's gorgeous. Fun and informative for the youngin’s as well. Very much recommend. Looking forward to see what they do with programming.

Display of animals on black background encouraging you to look animals in the eye at the MOE in DC.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 31/07/2026

Made it to Planet Word in D.C. for the second time today. If you like language, writing, books, or words in general — which is to say, if you're a person — go.

A large illuminated globe made of blue and white dots hangs from the ceiling of a grand hall with wood floors and arched windows. Listening stations with screens and handsets line the wall behind it.

A towering wall covered in raised white letters spelling hundreds of words in overlapping rows, lit from above, with projectors and speakers mounted on the ceiling. The largest words run along the bottom; smaller ones stack toward the top.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 31/07/2026

Seven years ago today I got to talk to Molly Tuttle at Newport Folk and did a heroic job of not saying "I'm such a big fan" more than four times. She's as cool off stage as she is on it. Fun fact- Before they both hit it big, Molly and Billy Strings used to be roommates.

Molly Tuttle and me talking under a tent at Newport Folk Festival, 2019.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 23/07/2026

Didn't expect to find The Alexandria Brief in my mailbox today. A campaign mailer citing my February reporting on the Potomac Interceptor. I cover the news. What politicians do with it is up to them.

A campaign mailer for Rep. Don Beyer featuring a torn-paper graphic of an Alexandria Brief headline from Feb. 24, 2026 — "Beyer leads regional delegation demanding federal funding for Potomac Interceptor repairs, and a backup water supply for the region" — above the text "Don Beyer is fighting Trump to protect our environment." The mailer appears to be photographed on a carpeted floor near a farmers market tent.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 21/07/2026

Past, present, and future of Alexandria policing — in one room, over lunch. Chiefs David Baker, Don Hayes, and Tarrick McGuire sat down today for a rare conversation. Full story coming to The Alexandria Brief.

From left to right: former Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes, current Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire, and former Alexandria Police Chief David Baker.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 15/07/2026

Kicking off the morning at Breakfast with Burch, an informal gathering with ACHS Principal Michael Burch. Parents asking a wide variety of questions. Plan is for it to become a monthly series. More to come on alexandriabrief.com.

ACHS Principal Michael Burch speaking to room of parents on Wednesday, July 15.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 30/06/2026

When I started The Alexandria Brief, I figured I'd cover council meetings, schools, and small businesses. I did not have "interview a World Cup team in my own backyard for a month" on the list. But that's been the last month. And today, Croatia leaves Alexandria. (1/4)

Alexandria Brief publisher Ryan Belmore interviews Croatia defender Marin Pongračić at Episcopal High School on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the team's final day based in Alexandria before departing for its World Cup Round of 32 match against Portugal in Toronto.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 27/06/2026

The 9th Annual Alexandria Pride Fair is underway until 6 p.m. at John Carlyle Square Park. More to come on alexandriabrief.com.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 26/06/2026

The Washington Spirit are eliminating the standalone General Manager position, with responsibilities redistributed across its existing leadership team.

Press Release: Sporting Operations Structure Update
Washington, D.C. (06/26/2026) -- The Washington Spirit announced an update to its soccer operations structure today, effective immediately. The club is eliminating the standalone General Manager position, with responsibilities redistributed across its existing leadership team. Soccer operations oversight will be managed by Haley Carter, President of Soccer Operations. Operational responsibilities will transition to the Director of Operations, and sporting functions will continue to be managed by the Sporting Director.

The club is deeply grateful to Nathan Minion for his many contributions and his dedicated service to the Washington Spirit. Nathan played an important role in building the foundation this organization stands on today, and his commitment to the club and its players has left a lasting mark. We thank him for everything he has given to the Spirit and wish him every success in his next chapter. The club remains committed to an enduring, high-functioning performance model and the long-term development of the Washington Spirit.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 23/06/2026

Alexandria reportedly has 17 local journalists per 100,000 people. The metric bundles part-timers, freelancers, and contributors into full-time equivalents. Appreciate the effort, but we need a cleaner measure of who's actually covering local news. localjournalistindex.com

Map from the Local Journalist Index 2026 showing U.S. counties above and below their state average for local journalist equivalents per 100,000 people. A tooltip highlights Alexandria City, VA with 17.16 LJEs per 100,000, a population of 159,102, against a national average of 7.8 and state average of 9.5 LJEs.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 22/06/2026

Flighty hit me with 'this is your 130th time here' when landing at DCA today and I don't know whether to be impressed or seek help. Either way, thankful to have no travel on the calendar for a few weeks.

Lock screen showing Sunday June 21, 6:59. A notification from a flight tracking app reads "Arrived in Washington DC! 86°. Welcome to DCA Terminal 1, Gate A8. Local time is 6:44 PM (1 minute early). It's 86° with scattered clouds. This is your 130th time here."

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 18/06/2026

Recently picked up a "probably 200-year-old" Jordanian tribal water jug at an estate auction. Came with a typewritten card from the collector who bought it in Amman in 1987, where someone had handwritten "1780–1790". Is it actually 18th century? Unclear. Do I love it? Yes.

A yellowed, typewritten index card reading: "Old Jordanian tribal water or wine jug acquired in Ammon, Jordan in 1987. Handmade; probably two hundred years old." The date "1780–1790" is added in handwriting at the end.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 16/06/2026

Attention bargain hunters: TravelZoo is offering up discounts on select Alexandria hotels and the Potomac Water Taxi this summer. Deals - www.travelzoo.com/destinations...

TravelZoo email on June 16, 2026 - “Up to 25% off—Summer stays in historic Alexandria, VA”

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 15/06/2026

Here at Episcopal HS for Croatia's press conference — striker Ante Budimir and midfielder Nikola Moro, two days out from England. I asked them about the loud, festive weekend around Alexandria (fireworks, flyovers) and whether they're locked into a routine. More to come at @alexandriabrief.com.

Two Croatian national team players seated at a press conference table in front of a blue sponsor backdrop. At left, Ante Budimir wears a white "Hrvatska" T-shirt and speaks into a microphone; at right, Nikola Moro wears a light blue Croatia training top with the number 7.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 14/06/2026

Local journalism and local music have a lot in common: both keep a community talking to itself. Proud to sponsor Crab Shack Live and the young Alexandria artists who lit up the stage tonight.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 11/06/2026

Visited 1823 Cafe at the Virginia Theological Seminary last night for an Alexandria Soccer Association event. The restaurant is open to the public, many last night called it a hidden gem for that part of the city. Hours and more info here vts.edu/1823-at-vts/

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 09/06/2026

Proud to sponsor Crab Shack Live this Friday! Jack Kilby's beloved Del Ray music studio turns 10 with a night of live music. 📍211 E. Oxford Ave · Fri June 12, 6–9:30pm · food by La'Baik. Come hang 👇 alexandriabrief.com/del-rays-crab-shack-music-marks-10-years-with-anniversary-concert-june-12/

A Del Ray home that doubles as one of Alexandria's most quietly influential music studios will throw open its doors in June for the 10th anniversary edition of Crab Shack Live.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 08/06/2026

There's no link available for the newsletter. Here are the screenshots. I'm so confused. I've also reached out to the city and ACPS about the newsletter claims re: no consultation.

ACHS Town Crier June 8, 2026 (Screenshot 1)

ACHS Town Crier June 8, 2026 (Screenshot 2)

ACHS Town Crier June 8, 2026 (Screenshot 3)

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 08/06/2026

Alexandria waterfront from the sky this evening. Apologies for the reflection, couldn’t get the window to open.

View of Alexandria waterfront from airplane.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 05/06/2026

This is what 'I am NOT letting this new sod die', while also trying to conserve water, looks like.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 05/06/2026

Breaking news from The Alexandria Brief: our two newshounds have once again chosen the sunbeam beat over actual reporting. No leads followed. No stories filed. Maximum coverage of one (1) warm patch of carpet.

Nino and June, two dogs, bask in the sun.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 02/06/2026

New election coming for EAA (Teachers Union).

Carol Bauer, VEA President, email to members regarding EAA Election Information

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 01/06/2026

FYI: Ghost is experiencing systemwide issues with new pages and posts not publishing today. I'm still working on new stories and hopefully will be able to share them with you all soon. Thanks for your patience.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 22/05/2026

What folks were driving when this photo was taken.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 22/05/2026

Keeping an eye on a case at the Court of Appeals of Virginia next week: an affordable-housing partnership is appealing its suit against the Alexandria City Council, ARHA, and a developer after a circuit court dismissed it last year. More to come. Tips welcome.

Court of Appeals of Virginia case caption. Record No. 2068-24-4, from the Circuit Court of the City of Alexandria. Case: Pendleton House Limited Dividend Housing Associates LP v. City Council for the City of Alexandria, et al. For appellant: Roy R. Shannon Jr., Minturn T. Wright, Shannon L. Peake and Zachary L. Chapman. For appellees: Robert W. Loftin, Constantinos G. Panagopoulos, Travis S. MacRae, John J. Woolard and Sarabeth H. Rangiah.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 21/05/2026

Story soon. Hopefully by end of week.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 16/05/2026

I think the live video feed has a max time limit.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 06/05/2026

Opened this for Cinco de Mayo and it felt right. Cinco Sentidos Pechuga Minero. Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca. Clay pot distilled a third time with chicken breast and seasonal fruits. One of mezcal's oldest ceremonial traditions. Drink With Respect. (1/4)

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 04/05/2026

Timeline for all here... Incident occured in the 5 p.m. hour on May 1 First post by APD at 8:49 p.m. on May 1 My story published at 10:22 p.m. on May 1 Second post by APD at 9:28 a.m. on May 2 I updated my story today to include second post and have followed up with APD regarding context.

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Ryan Belmore @ryanbelmore.com · 01/05/2026

Ben’s Chili Bowl gets its own emergency alert this morning.

[AlertDC] On Friday, May 1, 2026, Ben’s Chili Bowl reopening will take place in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with this event, there will be parking restrictions and street closures that motorists should take into consideration:
On Friday, May 1, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the following street will be posted as Emergency No Parking and closed to vehicle traffic:

• U Street from 12th Street to 13th Street, NW

For timely traffic information, please visit https://x.com/DCPoliceTraffic.

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