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  Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears & Pistachios Brussels sprouts are a popular side dish this time of year. This side is easy, very satisfying, and a great way to combine two autumn favorites in one dish. 1 pound brussels sprouts (halved lengthwise)3 tbsp olive oil½ tsp salt6 grinds black pepper1 Bosc pear (halved lengthwise and cored)¼ cup shelled pistachios (chopped coarsely)Juice of ½ large lemon Preheat oven to 425℉. Place the prepared brussels sprouts on a baking sheet and pour on the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix with clean hands. Place the pear halves, cut sides-down, on the baking sheet, making sure there is enough oil to coat their cut surfaces.Roast the brussels sprouts and pear for about 20 minutes. Then turn the brussels sprouts with a metal spatula so that both sides will get caramelized. Check the pear - it may not be caramelized at this point.After another 10 minutes, turn the brussels sprouts again. Flip the pear. Reduce the oven heat to 375℉.Add the pistachios - you just want to heat them up and toast them slightly.After 5 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Squeeze lemon juice over all the ingredients. Use your spatula to chop up the pear halves. Toss everything thoroughly, check the seasoning, and serve on a platter or in a bowl. Side Dishbrussels sprouts, holiday side dish, side dishes, thanksgiving side

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October brings plenty of ways to get out and enjoy Richmond, from fall festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations to Halloween happenings, live music, local markets, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re looking for a weekend tradition or something new to try, something is happening all month long. 📅 Friday, October 2nd Plant BINGO | 6 pm to 7:30 pm |📍 James River Cellars Winery Join us for Plant Bingo—where greenery meets fun, and you could win indoor houseplant prizes! Plus, leave with a succulent and planter by RR. | 🎟️ Tickets Required First Annual Pink Ball | 7 pm to 11 pm | 📍The Lobby Bar @ Quirk Hotel An unforgettable evening of elegance and purpose benefiting the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Saturday, October 3rd Powhatan's Festival of the Grape | 11 am to 6 pm |📍 Powhatan's Historic Courthouse Village Powhatan’s favorite fall tradition is back— gather in Powhatan’s Historic Courthouse District to sip, shop, and celebrate 23 years of the Festival of the Grape with bold reds, crisp whites, and a few sparkling surprises! | 🎟️ Tickets required VÄSTOBERFEST | 12 pm to 5 pm | 📍Vässen Brewing Company "Join us for food, friends, music, and of course… Beer!🍺 " | Free Admission Lager World Invitational 2026 | 12 pm to 10 pm | 📍The Veil Brewing Co A festival dedicated to crispy lagers, guest (lager) breweries, friendly competition, and plenty of beer and food to welcome the changing seasons. | Free Admission Spookeasy Punk Rock Flea Market | 12 pm to 7 pm | 📍 17th St Farmers Market | Shop local. Support DIY. Keep it weird. | Free Admission 📅 Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th 2nd Street Festival | Saturday (11:30am - 7pm) + Sunday (12pm - 6pm) | 📍 Jackson Ward 38th annual festival celebrating the rich culture of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood | Free Admission Hardywood OktoberFest |  12 PM Saturday - 8 PM Sunday |📍Hardywood West Creek "Join us for traditional German beers, festive bites, stein hoisting, live music, and more!" | Free Admission 📅 Sunday, October 4th Richmond's Crystals & Mystics Festival | 11 am to 4 pm | 📍Carillon Join us for an enchanting outdoor festival filled with crystals, handmade treasures, holistic wellness, mystical experiences, delicious treats, and unique small businesses from across the region. | Free Admission 📅 Tuesday, October 6th - Sunday, October 11th Broadway in Richmond: Mamma Mia! | Showtimes Vary | 📍Altria Theater | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Friday, October 9th Spooky Fun Fest | 4:30 pm to 8 pm | 📍Pole Green Park "The ultimate family-friendly Halloween celebration, filled with festive activities, games, and not-too-spooky fun for kids of all ages." | Free Admission 📅 Saturday, October 10th 2nd Annual Francine Fest | 2 pm to 10 pm | 📍Main Line Brewery "Celebrate Queen Francine and her great return while raising money and pet supplies. This year we will have vendors, live bands, performance art, DJ’s, and a Francine costume contest!" | Free Admission Francine will not be present! 📅 Friday, October 9th - Sunday, October 11th Richmond Folk Festival | Friday (6:30pm - 10pm) + Saturday (12pm - 9:30pm) + Sunday (12pm - 6pm) | 📍 Brown's Island Celebrate the roots, richness, and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling, and food. | Free Admission 📅 Wednesday, October 14th - Sunday, November 8th Maymont's Garden Glow | Opening Times Vary | 📍Maymont/The Robins Nature Center Spectacular light displays transform Maymont after dark into an unforgettable evening of color and light. | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th 56th Richmond Oktoberfest | Friday (6pm to 10pm) + Saturday (3pm to 10pm) | 📍 Old Dominion Building @ Richmond Raceway Enjoy authentic German food and beer, live music, Bavarian dancing, family-friendly activities, a stein-hoisting competition, and more. | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Saturday, October 17th Hog on the Hill | 12 pm to 6 pm | 📍 Libby Hill Park | Enjoy music, food, and drinks | Free Admission 2026 Harvest For All | 10 am to 2 pm | 📍 Good Foods Grocery Join Commonwealth Autism and Good Foods Grocery for our annual fall festival! This community centered event features live music, local food & craft vendors, mini train rides, a pumpkin patch and so much more! | Free Admission - RSVP Oystoberfest | 12 pm to 6 pm | 📍St. Thomas' Episcopal "Oysters the way you like them in a fun, family-friendly festival in Richmond’s Northside. A day full of live music and a Kids’ Zone, featuring moon-bounces, face painting, and other activities." | Free Admission 📅 Sunday, October 18th Zorch Pizza's Fall Market | 1 pm to 5 pm | 📍Zorch Pizza Parlor Market Highlights: curated lineup of local artists, pizza, and pints | Free Admission The 2026 Wine Expo | 5 pm to 8 pm | 📍Blue Atlas Grab a glass and enjoy 25 different wines from 6 different vendors. | 🎟️ Tickets Required (Ticket price includes buffet table and smash burgers.) 📅 Monday, October 19th - Sunday, October 25th Richmond Restaurant Week | Each restaurant offers a three course prix-fixe dinner menu for $42.26 with $5.26 donated per meal to Feed More. | 🎟️ Make a Reservation 📅 Thursday, October 22nd Halloween Unhappy Hour | 6 pm to 9 pm | 📍 Poe Museum's Enchanted Garden Presented by Triple Crossing | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Friday, October 23rd Trick or Treat at VMHC | 4 pm to 7 pm | 📍Virginia Museum of History & Culture | Registration is not required but appreciated "Join the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) and more than 25 local non-profits for some pink Halloween fun at the annual Trick or Treat event. Participating partners will set up spooky stations throughout the museum for kids to safely trick-or-treat for candy and other free giveaways. There will also be crafts, games, a Halloween band, a bounce house, a trackless train, chocolate-making demos, and free museum admission." 📅 Saturday, October 24th The 21st Annual Richmond Zombie Walk | Begins at 1 pm | 📍Carytown Trough or Treat | 2 pm to 5 pm | 📍Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park Walk around the pastures to learn about the animals and history of the farm while gathering some treats and prizes. | Free Admission Smoketree Zombie Fun Run | 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm | 📍Smoketree (Starting Line) Not your typical 5K. Smoketree neighborhood is transformed into a spooky, family-friendly Halloween experience where runners navigate a 3-mile course filled with chasing zombies, elaborate decorations, neighborhood block parties, and fun surprises along the way. | 🎟️ Registration Required 📅 Friday, October 23rd - Sunday, October 25th Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention | Friday (3pm - 2am) + Saturday (12pm - 2am) + Sunday (12pm - 7pm) | 📍1021 Kroger Center Blvd | A weekend of Art, Tattoo, Family & Fun! | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Monday, October 26th Oyster Fest at Pinky's | 6 pm to 9 pm | 📍Pinky's Join us for a neighborhood hang with oysters, wine, and good vibes. 📅 Wednesday, October 28th artoberVA: Branch Halloween Open House | 6 pm to 9 pm | 📍 The Branch Museum Join us after dark for a night of haunted fun at The Branch.  Our beloved costume contest returns, along with ghost stories from our friends at Haunts of Richmond. | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Friday, October 30th Black Cat Market | 5 pm to 10 pm | 📍Main Line Brewery "Come shop with us with a beer in hand at Main Line with a costume party for Halloween! There will be 30+ vendors & food trucks along with live music from The Royal We!" | Free Admission 📅 Saturday, October 31st Scott's Addition Pumpkin Festival | 12 pm to 6 pm | 📍Carmax Park Live music, food, drinks, and costume contests for all ages | Free Admission RVA Halloween Block Party | 12 pm to 10 pm | 📍Main Line Brewery Richmond's Halloween Day + Night Festival — live bands, DJs, costume contests, Pilates, football, food, drinks & more!  | 🎟️ Tickets Required (advance tickets recommended) Woofyween 2026 | 2 pm to 5 pm | 📍Center of the Universe Brewing Join us at this year’s Woofyween at Center of the Universe Brewing Company. Bring your furry best friend out to our fall festival where you can enjoy music, food, other activities, and even a pet costume contest! This year’s event will benefit Hanover Humane Society, so come out and enjoy the festivities! Richmond Symphony's Halloween Spooktacular | Show starts at 3 pm | 📍Carpenter Theatre For this Halloween, the Richmond Symphony brings the thrills to the stage—mixing classical favorites like Danse Macabre and Night on Bald Mountain with cinematic hits from Harry Potter, ET, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. | 🎟️Tickets Required 📅 Ongoing Events Silent Reading Party | Day and location vary month to month Flying Squirrels Baseball Games | Days and times vary Shows at the Allianz Amphitheater  Wine and Watercolors with Shop Made in Virginia Shows at The Altria Theater Sunday Artisan Market at Brambly Park | Sundays from 1pm to 5pm Trivia Night RVA at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Wednesdays from 7pm t0 9pm BINGO Night at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm Comedy Shows at the Funny Bone Music and Events at Hardywood Brewery | 📍Richmond | 📍West Creek South of the James Farmers Market | Sundays from 10am to 1pm | 📍4021 Forest Hill Ave RVA Big Market | May-Oct: Saturdays from 8am to 12pm | 📍Bryan Park

I'm a writer. Not because I've been published, or even because I'm particularly great at it. I'm a writer because I write. I've kept journals since I was 12, and I still have most of them, stacked on shelves and boxed in my attic in various states of embarrassment, hilarity,  and grace. (I know that's not most people.) But lately, when the world feels unceasingly heavy, and it seems like everyone I know is carrying something hard, I keep coming back to the page. Not because it fixes anything, but because it helps me carry whatever "it" is. If you're a lifelong journaler, you already know what I mean. This one's for the rest of you. The other day, I listened to an episode of Dan Harris's 10% Happier podcast called The Science of Journaling, with Dr. James Pennebaker. He's a UT Austin psychologist who's spent about forty years researching what happens to people, physically, when they write about hard things. Not gratitude lists or to-do lists. The actual difficult stuff. His findings, boiled down: about fifteen minutes of writing about something that's weighing on you, done for a few days in a row, measurably makes a difference. His original 1986 study had college students writing for 15 minutes a day, four days in a row, about the hardest experiences of their lives. Over the following six months, that group visited the campus health center at roughly half the rate of the students who wrote about surface-level topics. Half. His research links the practice to a range of outcomes including improved sleep, less worry over things, and sharper working memory. Big claim, but one he's spent a career backing up with data. Since then, decades of follow-up research (his and others') have linked expressive writing to improved immune function (measured, in some studies, with actual blood work), better sleep, lower blood pressure, less rumination and anxiety, sharper working memory, and reduced pain and fatigue in patients managing chronic conditions like arthritis and asthma. Not a cure for anything. But a surprisingly powerful thing to do with a pen for fifteen minutes. Here's the important part, and what that separates journaling that helps from journaling that doesn't. Venting alone isn't what does it. Writing the same complaint over and over about the same thing can actually make you feel worse. What Pennebaker's research keeps pointing to is that the benefit comes from processing. From using the writing to actually understand what you're feeling, why, and what it might mean. You don't have to be eloquent. You don't have to reach any conclusions. You just have to be honest on the page in a way you might not be anywhere else. What gets me? (But I didn't have the actual data to support it until now.) Your brain runs a background loop about the hard thing, whether you like it or not. Writing it down just gives that loop somewhere to go. If you've never journaled and don't know where to start, try one of these prompts. Set a timer. Fifteen minutes. That's all you need. 1. What am I actually circling? The thing your brain keeps replaying. Whatever it is. Write it out. Don't fix it. It doesn't need to be a story, or even have good punctuation. Just get it on the page and out of the loop in your head. 2. What would I say if I knew no one would ever read it? This is the question that separates a real journal from a performative journal. Answer it honestly, because that's literally the point of the whole thing. But whatever you do, keep it somewhere actually private! Pennebaker even explains that it's the writing, not the keeping of the writing, that's important, so you can also burn it, shred it, or whatever floats your boat. 3. What am I making more room for and what am I letting go of? A gentler prompt. This one is great for a Sunday morning with a good cup of coffee. No app required. No beautiful notebook (although if a beautiful notebook is what gets you to sit down, get the beautiful notebook! See last month's piece on The Cozy Journal in Carytown). A pen and any paper will do. If you like a digital option (which I use as well), I love 750 Words. Based on the concept of the Morning Pages from The Artists' Way, it's a great, password-protected, online portal for all your writing. I've used it for at least 10 years, and I love it. I know this isn't a real estate post. But I created this section of the newsletter to showcase the things that I'm actually loving, that I want to share. Surprise, but it's kind of rare that real estate is what I'm loving. (I love it every day, but not in the "omigosh, I love it so much that I just have to share it with everyone".)

A forever favorite (or at least since I owned Gourmet Delights in the early '90's), these muffins are a little more dense, a little more flavor filled, and a little more, dare I say nutritious, than your average bakery muffin. Carrots and pineapple and raisins and apples and walnuts… If you don't like a lot of “add ins," these are not for you, but if you do? They are the best! They freeze well, too, so you can always have them at the ready to grab and go! Sconset Muffins One of the most popular muffins at Gourmet Delights - these pack a punch with flavor (and dare I say, they're so loaded with goodness they are even a little healthy.) 3 eggs1 cup sugar⅔ cup vegetable oil2 tsp vanilla2 large Granny Smith apples (grated)1 cup grated carrot1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)½ cup raisins½ cup coconut flakes½ cup chopped pecans2 cups flour2 tsp baking soda½ tsp salt2 tsp ground cinnamon Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.Add apple, carrot, pineapple, raisins, and coconut. Stir to blend.In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add to the liquid ingredients, stirring well to combine.Pour into well greased muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full.Bake at 350℉ for 25-30 minutes.

September in Richmond is the perfect mix of lingering summer fun and the first hints of fall. From food + wine festivals and live music to markets, cultural events, outdoor adventures, and plenty of Oktoberfest celebrations, something is happening nearly every weekend. Here are a few of the events we’re looking forward to around Richmond this September—plus some ongoing favorites to keep on your radar throughout the month. 📅 Saturday, September 5th History Hike on the VA Capital Trail | 9 am to 11:30 am |📍 Capital Trail Richmond Trailhead at Great Shiplock Park All American Boat Parade | 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm | 📍 Riverside Vines 📅 Sunday, September 6th Wine & Oyster Festival | 12 pm to 5 pm | 📍 James River Cellars Winery Plant A Park Fest | 11 am to 8 pm | 📍 Brambly Park | Tickets Required 📅 Friday, September 11th - Sunday, September 13th Lebanese Food Festival | Fri & Sat - 11 am to 10 pm; Sun - 10 am to 8 pm | 📍 St. Anthony Church Pups, Plates, and Pours | Times vary by day and location | 📍 Locations vary - Kick-off @ Final Gravity Brewing | Explore participating locations throughout the weekend in support of the Richmond SPCA. 📅 Saturday, September 12th EcoFest | 11 am to 3 pm | 📍 James A. Buzzard River Center | 3rd annual community celebration of nature, sustainability, and the local community VA Pridefest 2026 | 12 pm to 8 pm | 📍 Midtown Green The Healing Garden Market | 12 pm to 5 pm | 📍 Agecroft Hall & Gardens | Shop wellness-focused vendors, body-warming food, and yoga on the grass Paperback Parlor Book Truck Grand Opening | 1 pm to 5 pm | 📍 Brambly Park RAMSFEST | 2 pm to 4:30 pm | 📍 Stuart C. Siegel Center | VCU Athletics annual block party kick-off event for the 2026-27 season Blue Crab Festival 2026 | 12 pm to 3 pm | 📍 Child Savers - The Overlook | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th Pups, Plates, and Pours | 📅 Sunday, September 13th Lakeside Fall Fest | 11 am to 3 pm | 📍 Lakeside Farmer's Market 📅 Friday, September 18th - Saturday, September 19th 66th Annual Armenian Food Festival | 11:30 am to 9 pm | 📍St. James Armenian Church 📅 Friday, September 18th - Sunday, September 20th East Coast Expo: Antiques, Art, & Design | Times vary daily | 📍Old Dominion Building | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Saturday, September 19th - Sunday, September 20th Iron Blossom Music Festival | 1 pm to 11 pm |📍Midtown Green 📅 Saturday, September 19th RVA Soul House Fest 10th Annual Celebration | 1 pm to 7 pm | 📍 Taylor Farm Park 📅 Tuesday, September 22nd - Sunday, September 27th Broadway in Richmond: Dirty Dancing | Showtimes vary | 📍 Altria Theater | 🎟️ Tickets Required 📅 Saturday, September 26th Luck Stone's 4th Annual Run the Rock | Rockville 5k | 9 am to 12 pm |📍Luck Stone - Rockville Plant 2026 East End Festival | 11 am to 7 pm | 📍 17th Street Market Richmond VegFest 2026 | 12 pm to 6 pm | 📍 Bryd Park 📅 All things Oktoberfest Saturday, September 12th Benchtop Brewing Oktoberfest Triple Crossing's 2nd Annual Oktoberfest Sunday, September 13th OktoberForest Fest@ Fine Creek Brewing Company Thursday, September 17th Libbie Mill OktoberFest Friday, September 18th - Sunday, September 20th St. Benedict Oktoberfest Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th Maymont Bier Garden Saturday, September 26th Center of the Universe Oktoberfest Folktoberfest October 3rd VÄSTOBERFEST Hardywood Oktoberfest October 16th 56th Annual Richmond Oktoberfest 📅 Ongoing Events Silent Reading Party | Day and location vary month to month Flying Squirrels Baseball Games | Days and times vary Shows at the Allianz Amphitheater  Wine and Watercolors with Shop Made in Virginia Shows at The Altria Theater Sunday Artisan Market at Brambly Park | Sundays from 1pm to 5pm Trivia Night RVA at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Wednesdays from 7pm t0 9pm BINGO Night at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm Comedy Shows at the Funny Bone Music and Events at Hardywood Brewery | 📍Richmond | 📍West Creek South of the James Farmers Market | Sundays from 10am to 1pm | 📍4021 Forest Hill Ave RVA Big Market | May-Oct: Saturdays from 8am to 12pm | 📍Bryan Park

Old Glen Allen VA: The Neighborhood With More History Than You'd Expect Most people drive through Old Glen Allen on their way somewhere else. They pass the old schoolhouse, the tavern, the little 1940's gas station frozen in 1940, and they keep going north toward the interstate or south toward Short Pump, not quite registering that they've just passed through a mile of genuinely remarkable American history. Let's check it out a bit. How Glen Allen Got Its Name Before it was Glen Allen, it was called Mountain Road Crossing. That was the working name when rail service began here in 1836, connecting this stretch of Henrico County to Richmond and points north via the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. The area got its current name during the Civil War, from the homestead of the widow Mrs. Benjamin Allen, who operated a small post office for her neighbors out of her home. In military dispatches, Union soldiers called it "Allen's Crossing" because the Allen property served as a landmark for troops fighting in the area. And here's where the story gets interesting. Mrs. Allen later married Captain John Cussons, a native Englishman, former Confederate scout, author, and entrepreneur, who settled here after the war and founded a successful printing company that employed up to 50 workers at its peak. Cussons, apparently not a man who did things halfway, then built Forest Lodge in 1881, a grand hotel with over 100 rooms intended to attract tourists via the nearby railroad, though it ultimately failed financially. The remains of Forest Lodge still sit along the Mountain Road corridor, holding their ground next to a CVS and a storage facility (poignant or funny, depending on your disposition, but I feel it's a little of both). General Sheridan's Union cavalry column of 12,000 horsemen passed through the area on the morning of May 11, 1864, spreading out to destroy miles of railroad track before encountering J.E.B. Stuart's forces nearby, which brought on the Battle of Yellow Tavern. The ground under Old Glen Allen's established subdivisions has seen some things. The School on the Second Floor Glen Allen School was founded in 1886 by Elizabeth Jane Holladay, known locally as Miss Lizzie, who was 38 years old when she began teaching children on the second floor of her simple frame home on Mountain Road. By 1899 the community had grown enough to warrant an actual schoolhouse. By 1911, a proper brick building with a bell tower and a cast iron bell weighing more than 150 pounds had been built to replace it. The school kept expanding through the 1930s, added an auditorium, a gymnasium, and a home economics cottage, and served the community until 1978. It reopened in 1999 as the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, now a 50,300-square-foot multiuse space hosting theater groups, art exhibits, classes, concerts, and community events. Miss Lizzie would probably enjoy knowing the bell and its tower are still there. Virginia Randolph: A Bigger Story Than Most People Know Along Mountain Road sits a small museum that deserves considerably more attention than it typically gets. (The story of small museums, I suppose.) Virginia E. Randolph was born to formerly enslaved parents and made her early career as an educator in Henrico County. In 1908, she was chosen by the Henrico County supervisor to develop a model program of vocational teacher training and supervision. Under the auspices of the Jeanes Foundation, the methods and plans she developed in Henrico County eventually achieved internationally widespread adoption. The Virginia Randolph Training School, established in 1915, was the first publicly supported academic high school for African American students in Virginia. The museum dedicated to her legacy is a National Historic Landmark, and her remains are interred on the grounds. (She didn't rest on her laurels, either,  teaching in Henrico County schools until her retirement in 1949. The Gas Station Where Everyone Knew Your Name The Courtney Road Service Station was built around 1925 and was known in the 1940 Richmond telephone directory as the "Friendly Service Station." Owned by the Barlow family and operated by Mr. Wiltshire, it was the kind of mid-century filling station designed to look like a home, where locals could pick up groceries, a cold beer, and catch a ball game on the radio. Henrico County had it restored and placed it at the corner of Courtney Road and Mountain Road for public display. Step inside and there's a glass countertop, a vintage radio on the windowsill, and the specific feeling of a Saturday morning in 1942. It is, unexpectedly, a delight. The Courtney Road station is part of a mile-long historic corridor along Mountain Road that also includes Meadow Farm Museum, the Cultural Arts Center, the remains of Forest Lodge, and Walkerton Tavern, all restored properties owned and maintained by Henrico County. That the county has been this deliberate about preservation, given the development pressure that has transformed everything around it, says something. Walkerton Tavern and Meadow Farm Walkerton Tavern was built by John Walker between 1824 and 1825 and has served as a tavern and possibly a field hospital for wounded Union cavalrymen in 1864. It is available for private events today, which means you can host a wedding reception in a building that once held casualties from the Battle of Yellow Tavern. Meadow Farm, a preserved 1810 farmstead, is best known for its connection to Gabriel's Rebellion, the 1800 slave uprising planned by Gabriel Prosser. It is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The museum offers living history demonstrations and farm animal exhibits, with the grounds open daily. The Neighborhood Today Old Glen Allen, the historic village core along Mountain Road and the surrounding residential areas, offers buyers something the rest of Henrico County's newer suburbs cannot quite replicate: established neighborhoods with mature landscaping, larger lots, and a sense of having been lived in for long enough to have genuine community character. Older homes near Glen Allen's historic Mountain Road core, some dating to the early-to-mid 20th century, can be found in the $325,000 to $425,000 range, offering larger lots than newer subdivisions, with established neighborhoods from the 1980s and 1990s such as Wellington Farm listing four-bedroom homes between $380,000 and $475,000. Glen Allen's standout amenity is Three Lakes Park and Nature Center, a 300-acre county park with three connected lakes, a boardwalk aquarium building, fishing piers, and miles of walking trails, all free to the public. It is one of the great underappreciated parks in the Richmond region and tends to surprise people who stumble onto it for the first time. The school picture: Glen Allen High School offers an International Baccalaureate program and ranks among the top schools in Henrico County. The feeder schools throughout the area consistently perform well within an already strong county system. Glen Allen's price per square foot averages roughly $235, generally $10 to $15 less per square foot than comparable homes in neighboring Short Pump, with Henrico County's consistently competitive real estate tax rate. For buyers who want the Henrico County school system, established neighborhood character, proximity to Three Lakes Park, and slightly more breathing room than Short Pump's more densely developed corridors, Old Glen Allen makes a compelling case for itself. And if you want to understand what you're moving into before you sign anything, take a slow drive down Mountain Road first. Stop at the Cultural Arts Center. Read the historical marker outside the old gas station. Hit up the Glen Allen Super Market for a cold drink, a hot lunch, a six pack, or some local corn (or maybe a home baked piece of pie!). Want something a little different? Check out Con Salsa Venezuelan and get something delicious- from delicious fresh pressed juices, arepas, empanadas, bowls, and more. So good! Then walk past what's left of the grand hotel that a Confederate-scout-turned-printer built next to a railroad track in 1881, convinced that tourists would come. They may not have come then, but they're definitely coming now. Thinking about a move to Glen Allen or the broader Henrico County area? I've been covering this market for more than 20 years and know it in detail. What questions can I answer?

August is packed with reasons to get out and explore Richmond! From beloved local traditions like the Carytown Watermelon Festival and 804 Day to live music, family-friendly festivals, farmers' markets, and outdoor events, something is happening nearly every weekend. Here are a few of the can't-miss events and recurring favorites to add to your calendar this month. 📅 Saturday, August 1st JamPacked Festival | 4 pm to 11 pm |📍 Kanawha Plaza Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival | 6:45 am to 11:15 am |📍 Robious Landing Park 804 Day | 12 pm to 6 pm | 📍17th St Market 📅 Tuesday, August 4th National Night Out: EHRC 2026 | 6 pm to 8 pm | 📍 Eastern Henrico Rec Center 📅 Saturday, August 8th RVA Children's Book Festival | 11 am to 4 pm | 📍 Richmond Diversity Center 📅 August 8th - 9th Richmond Jazz and Music Festival |📍 Maymont | Tickets required 📅 Sunday, August 9th Carytown Watermelon Festival | Starts at 10 am |📍 Carytown 📅 Sunday, August 16th Summer Madness Market | 11 am to 3 pm |📍 6110 Lakeside Avenue 📅 Saturday, August 22nd 7th Annual Crabs, Beer, & Spirits by the James | 12 pm to 7 pm |📍 Kanawha Plaza | Tickets required 📅 Sunday, August 23rd Brunch on the Plaza | 3 pm to 7 pm | 📍 Kanawha Plaza 📅 Saturday, August 29th Richmond Comedy & Music Festival | 7 pm to 11 pm |📍Imani Catering-Conference Center | Tickets Required 📅 August 28th - September 5th Chesterfield County Fair | Times Vary by Day | 📍Chesterfield County Fairgrounds 📅 Ongoing Events Silent Reading Party | Day and location vary month to month Flying Squirrels Baseball Games | Days and times vary Shows at the Allianz Amphitheater  Wine and Watercolors with Shop Made in Virginia Shows at The Altria Theater Sunday Artisan Market at Brambly Park | Sundays from 1pm to 5pm Trivia Night RVA at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Wednesdays from 7pm t0 9pm BINGO Night at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm Comedy Shows at the Funny Bone Music and Events at Hardywood Brewery | 📍Richmond | 📍West Creek South of the James Farmers Market | Sundays from 10am to 1pm | 📍4021 Forest Hill Ave RVA Big Market | May-Oct: Saturdays from 8am to 12pm | 📍Bryan Park  

This month's recipe isn't really a recipe. It's more of a permission slip. Cold Sesame Noodles Cold sesame noodles is the perfect dish when you don’t want to make anything. Boil the noodles, shock them cold, whisk together a sauce that’s mostly pantry staples, and toss in whatever vegetables are hanging out in the fridge. Cucumbers from the garden? Carrots. Edamame if I have some in the freezer. Leftover grilled chicken (I just cook a bunch on Sundays.) The magic is in the sauce, and it’s just soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, a little peanut butter for body, garlic for punch. It comes together in the time it takes the noodles to cool, and it somehow tastes even better the next day, which makes it the rare recipe that’s actually easier the second time around. This is a “make it your own” kind of dish. Swap the vegetables, use shrimp or steak instead of chicken, throw in a handful of chopped peanuts if you want crunch, ad a little cilantro on top (if you grew it yourself. It is 2026.) There’s no wrong way to do it, and if that’s not exactly what August calls for, I don’t know what is. 12 ounces spaghetti or lo mein noodles4 tablespoons soy sauce2 tablespoons rice vinegar2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter2 garlic cloves (minced)1 tablespoons honey or brown sugar1 teaspoons hot sauce or sriracha (optional)2 tablespoons warm water (to thin sauce)1 English cucumber (thinly sliced)1 cups carrots (shredded)1 cups shelled edamame (I use frozen)1 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped (optional- or steak, shrimp, tofu…go crazy))3 green onions (sliced)1 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds Boil the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 12 ounces spaghetti or lo mein noodles according to package directions until just al dente.Shock them cold: Drain the noodles and rinse immediately under cold water, tossing until fully cooled. Drain well and set aside. This stops the cooking and keeps them from clumping.Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 1 tablespoons honey or brown sugar, and 1 teaspoons hot sauce or sriracha (optional). Add 2 tablespoons warm water, to thin sauce a little at a time, whisking until smooth and pourable.Toss it together: Add the cooled noodles to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over top and toss well to coat. Add 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced, 1 cups carrots, shredded, 1 cups shelled edamame, and 1 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (optional) if using, and toss again.Finish and serve: Top with 3 green onions, sliced and 1 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds. Serve right away, or cover and chill — it’s even better the next day. Toss with a splash of water before serving if it’s tightened up in the fridge. Main Courses

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