Notes: Nepenthe Gallery extends pop-up sculpture garden at River Farm through October

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Tuesday, Sept. 23, the 266th day of 2025. There are 99 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86°F. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65°F. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

🚨 You need to know

A pop-up sculpture garden that debuted at the American Horticultural Society’s annual gala last Friday will remain on display at River Farm in Alexandria (Fairfax County) through Oct. 20, organizers announced Monday.

The installation, curated by Nepenthe Gallery, features 14 sculptures by artists from across the United States and internationally. Works include pieces by villagers from India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve created in conjunction with “The Great Elephant Migration Project,” as well as sculptures by artists from California, Virginia, Oklahoma, Massachusetts and Ukraine. The collection includes both whimsical and serious pieces, ranging from an illuminated acorn by Kevin Carman to a bronze heron by David Turner.

“We were thrilled to partner with Nepenthe Gallery to host a pop-up sculpture garden at this year’s AHS gala,” said AHS President and CEO Suzanne Laporte. “Guests were charmed by the whimsical artworks they provided, which brought an added layer of wonder and enchantment to an already joyful evening.”

The exhibition is free and open to the public, though donations are encouraged to support River Farm’s stewardship. The historic Fairfax County property at 7931 East Boulevard Drive is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A portion of proceeds from any sculpture sales will benefit AHS.

Sculpture Garden (Credit: Nepenthe Gallery)

Here’s what else to know

ACA Tax Credits Face Expiration – About 400,000 Virginians could lose health insurance marketplace coverage if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits expire at year’s end. Alexandria resident and cancer survivor Laura Packard joined lawmakers on a Monday call, explaining how the ACA marketplace saved her life during cancer treatment and keeps her covered as a small business owner.

VRE Schedule Changes Coming – Starting in January 2026, Virginia Railway Express will adjust rail service with some trains operating from Alexandria instead of Union Station due to the Long Bridge Project, which will separate freight and passenger lines by 2030.

Alexandria Native Leads USA Basketball – Alexandria native Kara Lawson was named head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team through 2028, including the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Schools Join Federal Funding Fight – Alexandria City Public Schools filed a motion to intervene in Fairfax County’s appeal to halt federal funding restrictions tied to the district’s transgender student policies, escalating the legal battle against the Trump administration.

Metro Service Restored After Train Incident – Metro service was restored Monday after being suspended when a trespasser was struck by a train in Alexandria, causing significant delays for commuters.

Also in today’s news: Faith leaders will hold a prayer vigil tonight at Four Mile Run Park Plaza (6-7 p.m.) in solidarity with Alexandria’s immigrant community. Alexandria’s Clerk of Court will officiate Halloween weddings at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum on Oct. 31. A Waldorf-based company has taken over the longtime Rosenthal Landmark Honda dealership on Duke Street.

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The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Sep 22, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our event calendar.

Things To Do

10 a.m. – SEPTEMBER English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop – Beginner Conversation at Beatley Central Library
10:30 a.m. – Playtime! – ¡Hora de jugar! at Beatley Central Library Reading Garden
10:30 a.m. – Bilingual Storytime at Barrett Branch Library
11 a.m. – Baby and Toddler Time at Barrett Branch Library
3 p.m. – Hammond Ice Cream Social Fundraiser at Jeni’s
4:30 p.m. – Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m. – One-On-One Computer Help at Barrett Branch
6 p.m. – Convierte tus Monedas a Dolares – Financial Literacy Workshop at Beatley Central
6:45 p.m. – Eco:mmunion – Climate Change Discussion at Barrett Branch
7 p.m. – BeerYoga at Port City Brewing Company

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.

Live Music & Entertainment

219 Restaurant – Justin Gillen Trio at 9 p.m.
Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden – Live music at 5 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant – Antonio James at 6 p.m.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap – Live music at 6 p.m.
Lost Dog Cafe – Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub – Trivia at 8 p.m., Pete Baker at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub – Trivia at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill – Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Garden – Trivia at 7 p.m.

City Information & Meetings

City Government: OPEN
Flag Status: FULL STAFF
Trash Collection: ON TIME
Recycling Collection: ON TIME Yard Waste Collection: ON TIME

City Meetings & Events:

6 a.m. – Chinquapin Open
4 p.m. – Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility Open
7 p.m. – Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops (Virtual via Zoom)

ACPS Meetings & Events:

Regular school day – all ACPS schools open