ISSUE 2 · SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026 · LIFE BY DESIGN, NOT DEFAULT
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND This Week |
The rules for old Richmond are being rewritten, and the first public look is Monday. The Planning & Zoning Commission gets a preview of changes to the downtown Historic Overlay District and a staff report on how multifamily and nonprofit uses are treated. Tuesday, a city board reviews four dangerous buildings in older neighborhoods.
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Liberty Watch |
Mon 10/5 P&Z meets 5 p.m. | Historic overlay rules preview | 4 dangerous structures | Oct 19 next City Commission |
Monday, October 5, 5 p.m. — Planning & Zoning, City Commission Room, 600 Morton St. (Zoom ID 862 7213 9228). On the agenda:
- Historic Overlay District (item C3) — a preview of Unified Development Code changes to the overlay and to the Historical Commission’s qualifications.
- Multifamily and nonprofit uses (item C4) — a staff report on how the code designates them and what it requires.
- Kamatchi Acres replat (item C1) — a public hearing on turning 3.423 acres in the River Forest Subdivision into one block and one lot.
Tuesday, October 6, 5 p.m. — Building & Standards Commission, same room: “dangerous structure” updates on 1008 S. 5th St., 206 Collins Road, 107 Fort St. and 401 N. 10th St.
Thursday, October 8, 1 p.m. — Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, County Courthouse, 401 Jackson St. Among its items: bids for the Harlem Road reconstruction and for improvements at the Mirabeau Lamar Homestead Park, plus two added early-voting sites for the November 3 election. The City Commission next meets October 19; that agenda isn’t posted yet.
| Your move: a preview is the cheapest moment to be heard — before the rules are drafted. If you own, rent or run a business downtown, Monday is the meeting. |
Sources: Oct 5 P&Z agenda · Oct 6 Building & Standards agenda · City meetings calendar · Oct 8 Commissioners Court agenda
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Mapping Our Community: Who Writes the Rules for Old Richmond |
Richmond’s historic core is why people visit, and the Unified Development Code decides what can be built in it. This week the city starts showing how it wants to change those rules, while a city board deals with old buildings that are failing.
Across the 77469 ZIP, prices are flat year over year and sales are up (378 in August versus 333). Inside the older core, the question is different: what can be built on a lot that already has a house, a storefront, or a building that needs saving?
The lens worth keeping: historic rules can protect what makes a town worth living in, or they can freeze it so nothing new gets built. The draft isn’t written yet. Monday’s preview is when residents can shape which one Richmond gets.
| GO DEEPER The Richmond record is being built. The Council on Local Relations publishes sourced city records — see how it works at councilonlocalrelations.org. Start here — the Primers: 01 The Long Flat Line (how the family changed) · 02 The Documents We Live Under (the written rules that limit power) · 03 The Household (what a household buys, priced in years of work) · all primers → From the Council: Starting Monday, the Council’s seats introduce themselves, one each weekday, beginning with the Chairman’s Why I Built a Council. Get them by email → |
Sources: Oct 5 P&Z agenda (items C3, C4) · Redfin — ZIP 77469
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Around the Block |
| Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo, last day — 4310 Hwy 36 S, Rosenberg. | ||
| Community Volunteer Fair — 5–7 p.m., George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Dr. Meet local nonprofits and charities. | ||
| Salsa & Bachata dance class — 2–4 p.m., George Memorial Library meeting room. Hispanic Heritage Month. | ||
| STREAM Express: Intro to Robotics — 2–4 p.m., George Memorial Library Children’s Corner. Hands-on for families. | ||
| George Ranch Historical Park — open Saturdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Run a Richmond event? Send it by Thursday.
Sources: Fort Bend County Fair · Volunteer Fair · Library events, Oct 10 · George Ranch
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Prosperity Spotlight |
Gold Connection Jewelers
Jane and her daughters Kim and Kerry founded Gold Connection Jewelers in Richmond in 1994, and the three still own it.
They started in a 500-square-foot log cabin. Two years later they moved next door into a 2,500-square-foot cottage on East Highway 90A.
Along with jewelry and watches, they do custom design and repair both.
| Gold Connection Jewelers · 206 E. Highway 90A, Richmond · (281) 344-9900 Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–6 p.m. · Sat 10–4 · Closed Sun–Mon · goldconnection.net |
Sources: Gold Connection Jewelers
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Food Scene |
Larry's Original Mexican Restaurant
Larry and Beatrice Guerrero opened Larry's Original Mexican Restaurant in 1960, and their family still runs it.
Larry, born in Fort Bend County in 1927, got his start with help from Houston Tex-Mex pioneer Felix Tijerina, whom he admired, and Mama Ninfa Laurenzo helped set up the kitchen.
Look up at the neon on your way in. The sign is modeled on the old Felix Mexican Restaurant sign, with "Larry's" where "Felix" used to be.
| Larry's Original Mexican Restaurant · 116 E. Highway 90A, Richmond · (281) 342-2881 Call ahead for hours · facebook.com/LARRYSORIGINALMEXICANRESTAURANT |
Sources: Larry's on Facebook · Houston Chronicle
✦ Trivia Question |
The Jaybird-Woodpecker feud climaxed in a gunfight on Richmond’s streets. On what date? (Answer at the bottom.)
✦ Quote of the Day |
“The cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.” — Mirabeau B. Lamar, 1838
✦ Secret Little Hack |
Free drive-thru shredding for Richmond residents: Saturday, October 17, 9 a.m. to noon, at City Hall, 402 Morton St. Bring your water bill stub as ID; staples and paperclips can stay in, and volunteers unload your trunk (city announcement).
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Real Estate Pulse |
$348,849 median sale price ZIP 77469 (Aug) | −0.33% vs. a year ago | 58 days median time on market | 378 homes sold (Aug) |
Flat prices, steady time on market, more sales than a year ago (378 versus 333) across the 77469 ZIP. Your move: know your appraised value at fbcad.org.
Sources: Redfin — ZIP 77469 housing market
| Looking to buy or sell? Nina Bright, Realtor — call or text 832-689-3170. Full disclosure: Nina is David’s wife. |
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Service Opportunities |
Find your cause at Thursday’s Community Volunteer Fair at George Memorial Library. Or adopt: Fort Bend County has waived adoption fees for cats and dogs.
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Adopt a Friend |
 | Meet Blinky About 6 months · Male (neutered) · Labrador Retriever “A happy, friendly pup who loves attention, happily accepts treats, and enjoys being around people. He likes playing with toys, also knows how to sit on command…most of the time!” Found in Richmond; adoption fees are waived. See Blinky’s listing → |
| Fort Bend County Animal Services · 1210 Blume Road, Rosenberg · 281-342-1512 Kennels Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Wed also 5–7 p.m.), Sat 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (closed Sunday) · adoption page |
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Growth & Learning |
Walk downtown Richmond with your kids and pick one old building. Ask: who built it, what was it for, and what should happen to it next? Then look at what the city’s historic rules allow. That’s the same conversation the Planning & Zoning Commission starts Monday. More at unrivaledacademy.com.
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Local Theory & Remnant Radio |
 | Now playing: Sovereign Ground — the latest Local Theory album (April 3, 2026 · 15 tracks). Listen · vote on the mixes. Remnant Radio streams the whole catalog 24/7 at radio.thinkandactlocally.com · Spotify. Fourteen releases. Sovereignty through sound. |
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Weather Forecast |
Sun Storms possible 81° 71° | Mon Mostly sunny 85° 70° | Tue Sunny 87° 69° | Wed Sunny 88° 69° | Thu Mostly sunny 87° 69° | Fri Slight storm chance 83° 68° | Sat Slight storm chance 84° 69° |
A chance of storms today, then a dry, sunny stretch Monday through Wednesday with highs in the upper 80s. Slight storm chances (about 25%) return Friday and Saturday.
Sources: National Weather Service (HGX), retrieved Oct 4
✦ CrowdHealth |
 | David and his family left traditional health insurance for CrowdHealth — a community that funds each other’s medical bills. Bills get negotiated down first; no claims department, no denial letters. See how it works. Referral link. David is a paying member. |
✦ Unrivaled Travels |
 | Planning a trip worth taking? Our own travel service books the expedition, cruise, or getaway you’ll remember — at no markup. info@unrivaledtravels.com · 281-241-1994 · unrivaledtravels.com One of our own businesses. |
✦ Unrivaled Candles |
 | Hand-poured jewelry candles — every one hides a piece of jewelry inside, valued from $10 to $10,000. Burn it down and find out what’s yours. Shop Unrivaled Candles. Full disclosure: one of our own businesses. |
✦ Unrivaled Marketing Solutions |
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✦ Sponsor Spot |
This spot is open. Sponsor this spot — reach Richmond neighbors every Sunday, in the one inbox they actually read. Reply to book it.
✦ They Told Him He Was Crazy |
David sold his metals. Not trimmed — sold. He kept the receipts, every decision sourced, so you can decide for yourself: conviction, or crazy? Read the filing →
David’s own account; affiliate link. Support never touches coverage.
✦ Have a Question? Ask It Live |
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Full disclosure: this is an affiliate link. But you know the rule — sponsors support the mission, never influence the message. David doesn't recommend anything he doesn't personally use.
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Community Voices |
Who in Richmond deserves a thank-you this week? The volunteer at the library fair, the neighbor who keeps an old house standing, the coach who stayed late. Hit reply — one or two sentences — and we’ll run the best next Sunday.
✦ Take Action |
- Show up Monday, Oct 5, 5 p.m., City Commission Room, 600 Morton St. (or join by Zoom).
- Find a cause at the Community Volunteer Fair, Thursday, Oct 8, 5–7 p.m., George Memorial Library.
- Shred it free Saturday, Oct 17, 9 a.m.–noon, City Hall — bring your water bill stub.
✦ Submit Your Content |
Events, business features, volunteer calls, letters from Richmond: david@thinkandactlocally.com. Deadline: Thursday 5 PM for Sunday.
✦ Answer to Trivia |
August 16, 1889. The Woodpeckers retreated to the courthouse; Gov. Sul Ross arrived the next day, and the Woodpecker officials were removed or resigned (Handbook of Texas).
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Keep the Herald Free |
No advertiser sets our coverage — readers keep it alive. The best thing you can do costs nothing: forward this to one neighbor who cares what gets built in old Richmond.
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Council on Local Relations · CLR Primers · Think and Act Locally · Unrivaled Marketing Solutions
The Herald is published by Think and Act Locally. Its facts come from the public record kept by the Council on Local Relations, which shares a founder with Think and Act Locally. Portions drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publication. Reply anytime: david@thinkandactlocally.com
