Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 71 degrees. Northeast wind 10 to 13 mph.Clear tonight, with a low around 52 degrees. Northeast wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening.
🚨 You need to know
Together Women Rise will host a public event on October 11 to mark the International Day of the Girl Child and launch a national campaign supporting women and girls in the Global South, as government foreign aid to women’s programs declines.
The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, located at 201 S. Washington St. It will feature speakers, live music, and a special recognition of a longtime advocate for gender equality.
Keynote speakers include Barbara Collins, co-founder of Together Women Rise; Beverley Francis-Gibson, CEO of Together Women Rise; and Aleta Williams, board chair of the Batonga Foundation, which works with adolescent girls in Africa. The program also includes a performance by the American Youth Chorus.
During the event, Together Women Rise will unveil its new “Rise to Meet the Moment” campaign in response to declining government support for foreign aid and gender equality programs.
“Today’s global challenges to girls’ rights are more urgent,” Francis-Gibson said. “Already vulnerable populations of women and girls are at even greater risk of child marriage, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence, maternal and newborn mortality, infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, and more.”
Tara O’Connor LaRose, a longtime supporter, will be honored with the organization’s inaugural Award for Exemplary Service.
Tickets are $25. Register at give.togetherwomenrise.org/idg2025.
What else to know
Federal shutdown begins – Alexandria offers resources – The federal government shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. today after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement. Alexandria has created a resource page for impacted residents.
‘Can’t pay rent, can’t go shopping!’ Northern Virginia feels the heat – With more than 13,000 federal workers in Alexandria, local businesses and city leaders warn the economic ripple effects could be severe. “Those folks can’t pay rent, can’t pay real estate taxes, can’t go shopping,” said City Council member Canek Aguirre. (WUSA9)
VRE celebration postponed – Virginia Railway Express has postponed its celebration of its 100 millionth rider, originally scheduled for today, due to the government shutdown, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley announced last night during City Council’s Legislative Meeting. The celebration will be rescheduled.
CONTINUES Arcade officially opens in Alexandria – Owner Allen Brooks celebrated the grand opening of CONTINUES at 1050 N. Fayette Street on Tuesday evening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Congressman Don Beyer, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, and Chamber ALX CEO Joe Haggerty. The nostalgic arcade features over 50 original arcade cabinets, Skee-Ball, claw machines, and pinball machines, with special events planned every night this week.
Coming Up: I was on hand for last night’s 2+ hour City Council legislative meeting and will have more coverage throughout the day.
📈 Tuesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Sept. 30, 2025.
- Man struck by train at Potomac Yard Metro dies, was being chased
- Del Ray restaurant employee suspended after customer reports hidden bathroom camera
- Three suspects arrested for murder of Alexandria man in Fairfax County
- Alexandria School Board opposes DASH proposal for high school students
- Patrick Garrity, longtime Alexandria realtor and St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizer, dies at 63
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our event calendar.
Things To Do
- 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Whimsical Wednesdays at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library.
- 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Stitcher’s Space at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library.
- 10:30 a.m. – 1s and 2s Time at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library.
- 11 a.m. – Just Babies at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library.
- 11:15 a.m. – Whimsical Wednesdays at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library.
- 11:30 a.m. – 1s and 2s Time at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library.
- 4 p.m. – Ask A Teen Librarian at Beatley Central Library Teen Section.
- 5 p.m. – Paws to Read at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library.
- 5 p.m. – Spitfire Book Discussion at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library.
- 5 p.m. – Roll For Initiative: D&D at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library.
- 5:30 p.m. – English Language Learning (ELL) Workshop – Intermediate Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library.
- 6 p.m.- Knit Nite! at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library.
- 6 p.m. – Period Products 101: Exploring Reusable and Disposable Options for Young People at Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop
- 7 p.m.- Monthly Meditation – Free online meditation class via Zoom.
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant – James Bazen at 9 p.m.
- Atlas Brew Works – Bingo at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden – Live music at 5 p.m.
- Hops N Shine – Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant – Steve Ragsdale at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider – Line dancing at 6:30 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub – Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub – Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Port City Brewing – Bluegrass Jam Night at 7 p.m.
- Rock It Grill – Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse – 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. – VIRTUAL: Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
- 7 p.m. – Independent Community Policing Review Board
- 7 p.m. – Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing
ACPS Meetings & Events
- No ACPS meetings scheduled for today
Alexandria City High School Sports
- 6 p.m. – Football: JV vs Coolidge High School at Alexandria City High School
