ISSUE 5 · SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026 · LIFE BY DESIGN, NOT DEFAULT
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND This Week |
Photo: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
This is a week with no city meetings and one deadline. The City of Richmond’s meetings calendar lists nothing until the Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday, November 2. What does run this week is county voting for the November 3 general election: early voting ends Friday, October 30, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the first five days of early voting, the county’s own report counts 134,890 in-person ballots. Around town: a book swap this afternoon on Jackson Street, Halloween at the library and the George Ranch on Saturday, and a 12-year-old Lab named Lorna looking for a quiet home.
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Liberty Watch |
Photo: Adavyd / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fri 10/30 last day of early voting | Mon 11/2 Planning & Zoning 5 p.m. | Tue 11/3 Election Day 7 a.m.–7 p.m. | Mon 11/16 City Commission 4:30 p.m. |
Voting, through Friday. The county’s schedule lists 38 early-voting sites. Two with Richmond addresses, George Memorial Library (1001 Golfview Dr.) and the Richmond Water Maintenance Facility (110 N. 8th St.), are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Two others, Jones Creek Ranch Park (7741 FM 359) and Lakes of Bella Terra Rec Center (11620 W. Torino Reale Dr.), are open noon to 6 p.m. today and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The full list is in the county’s early-voting schedule; Election Day polling places are in its Election Day schedule. Sample ballots by precinct are on the county’s sample-ballot page.
Monday, November 2, 5 p.m. — Planning & Zoning Commission. The city’s calendar lists the meeting; no agenda is posted yet, so we can’t say what is on it. The next City Commission workshop is Monday, November 16, at 9 a.m., with the regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. (the city holds commission meetings at 600 Morton St.). The Development Corporation of Richmond board meets Tuesday, November 10, at 5 p.m. County Commissioners Court meets Thursday, November 12, at 1 p.m. in the 1909 Courthouse.
On the city’s agendas-and-minutes page, the most recent minutes it posts are for the May 18 meeting.
City Hall, still moving. The city’s October 2 notice says it plans to be in its new City Hall at 1517 Thompson Road in November, that it is not open for business there yet, and that it will tell the public when it is. Until then, offices are at 402 Morton St. and meetings at the City Hall Annex, 600 Morton St. (city announcement).
| Your move: if you have not voted, early voting at any listed site ends Friday; Election Day is Tuesday. Look up your registration and districts on the county elections page before you go. |
Sources: Meetings calendar · Commission agendas & minutes · DCR meetings & agendas · County early-voting and Election Day information · Early-voting schedule (PDF) · Election Day schedule (PDF) · Commissioners Court schedule · City Hall notice
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Mapping Our Community: Where Richmond Votes Early |
Source: Fort Bend County Elections, early voting by personal appearance report, updated Oct 24, 2026
The county posts early-voting counts by site. Through Friday, October 23, it counts 134,890 in-person ballots countywide, from 31,793 on opening Monday to 28,445, 24,891 and 23,074 over the next three days, then 26,687 on Friday. Seven sites with Richmond addresses account for 26,161 of them, about 19 percent (our arithmetic): George Memorial Library led at 6,594, ahead of Bowie Middle School (6,162) and Great Oaks Baptist Church (4,196).
The lens worth keeping: the report counts where ballots were cast, not where the voter lives, and Saturday’s counts were not in yet when we read it. A count of ballots says how many people showed up, not who or what is winning. Results are the county’s to post after the polls close Tuesday.
| 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: This week: Formation Comes Before Function (The Shepherd); If It's Not Written, It Doesn't Exist (The Advocate); Empty Rooms Are Not Consent (The Sentinel); Culture Moves Faster Than Argument (The Maestro); On Time. In Budget. No Bullshit. (The Builder). Get them by email → |
Sources: Early voting statistics (county page) · Early voting by personal appearance (PDF)
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND From the Council This Week |
 | MONDAY, OCT 26 · THE ELDER Before We Build Anything New, Someone Should Ask What Was Here |
 | TUESDAY, OCT 27 · THE COUNSELOR The Mortar Is the Part Nobody Sees |
 | WEDNESDAY, OCT 28 · THE PHYSICIAN Health Is a Project, Not a Prayer |
 | THURSDAY, OCT 29 · THE PATRON Wisdom That Does Not Transfer Dies |
 | FRIDAY, OCT 30 · THE CLIENT Teach Me: Notes From the Seat That Sits Down to Learn |
Every piece, every figure linked to its source: councilonlocalrelations.org
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Around the Block |
 | Little Wrangler’s Trick or Treat Saturday, October 31, at the George Ranch, 10215 FM 762, Richmond. The ranch describes it as trick-or-treating from historic house to house, with a costume welcome and a pumpkin photo spot. The page does not list a start time or price; for details email info@georgeranch.org or call 281-343-0218 x220. Photo: The George Ranch, from its Trick or Treat page. |
| Book Swap — 1–3 p.m., The Bookend, 611 Jackson St., Ste A1. Bring one to three gently loved books and trade for something new to you. | ||
| Genealogy and Crafting: An Introduction — 10:30–11:30 a.m., George Memorial Library, Room 2C. Heritage scrapbooking, fiber arts and other creative ways to tell a family story. Teens and adults. | ||
| Everyday Convenience Apps for Seniors — 10–11 a.m., George Memorial Library Computer Lab: food, grocery and ride services. A Tuesday series. | ||
| Family Story Time: Friendly Monsters — 10:15 and 10:30 a.m., Children’s Corner, with take-home crafts. | ||
| Pajama Night Story Time: Friendly Monsters — 6 and 6:15 p.m., Children’s Corner. Pajamas and blankets welcome. | ||
| Novel Writing Prep — 5:30–8:30 p.m., Room 2A. Prompts, brainstorming games and talk about writing for adults; registration required, closing at 5:30 p.m. | ||
| Boo Bash — 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Bohachevsky Gallery, George Memorial Library. Ages 14 and up: spooky book nooks in a tin, vintage Halloween collage cards, a DIY snack-mix bar and a murder-mystery challenge. | ||
| STREAM – Halloween Edition — 2–3 p.m., Children’s Corner Gallery. Halloween crafts, games and treats, open to all ages. |
Run a Richmond event? Send it by Thursday.
Sources: George Ranch trick-or-treat · Book Swap · Genealogy and Crafting · Convenience Apps · Family Story Time · Pajama Night · Novel Writing Prep · Boo Bash · STREAM Halloween
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Prosperity Spotlight |
Catapult Academy
Catapult Academy teaches art and leadership side by side. Its site says small-group classes, taught by professional visual artists, are open to children ages 5 and up year-round, working in drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking in 75-minute weekly sessions. Carmen Flores, a visual artist and educator, is its founder. Develop Richmond describes the business at 210 Morton St. as an art gallery, an art academy and two studios for lease to creative professionals in one building.
A trial class is $35, according to the Academy’s site. It also runs guided painting for kids’ birthday parties on Friday afternoons, “Paint & Chill” nights for teens 12 to 17 on selected Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., and a “Paint & Sip” for adults 21 and over.
| Catapult Academy · 210 Morton St., Richmond · (281) 714-7061 Call ahead for hours; the weekly class schedule is on its site · catapult-art.com Photo: Catapult Academy. |
Sources: Catapult Academy: Classes · Catapult Academy: Events · Catapult Academy: Contact · Develop Richmond: Revitalized Downtown
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Food Scene |
Photo: Pier 36 Seafood & Oyster Bar.
Pier 36 Seafood & Oyster Bar
Pier 36 is a Gulf Coast seafood house run by the Cantu family. Its site says the story began decades ago in Needville, where Jimmy Cantu’s mother and aunt opened a restaurant; Jimmy trained at the University of Houston’s Hilton College and opened Pier 36 in Richmond, then Fulshear, and the restaurants are still family-owned and operated. The menu names whole fried catfish, seafood gumbo, crawfish étouffée, ceviche, grilled tuna and rainbow trout, all made from scratch, with Pete’s Oyster Bar at the center of the room.
Looking ahead: Hoodline reported in September that Pier 36 has signed a lease to move into Richmond Station, the former fire station at 112 Jackson St. in downtown Richmond, with a spring 2027 target. Until then, the Richmond restaurant is on Highway 90 Alt near FM 359.
| Pier 36 Seafood & Oyster Bar · 1410 E Hwy 90 Alt #200, Richmond · (281) 238-4800 Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–9 p.m. · Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m. · Closed Sunday · Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–7 p.m. (bar and select areas) · pier36seafood.com/richmond |
Sources: Pier 36: Richmond location · Pier 36: About · Hoodline, September 2026
✦ Trivia Question |
Richmond was established in early 1837. How long did it take the Republic of Texas to incorporate it? (Answer at the bottom.)
✦ Quote of the Day |
“Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.” — Mirabeau B. Lamar, in one of his messages to Congress; he retired to a plantation near Richmond and is buried in the Masonic Cemetery here (Handbook of Texas)
✦ Secret Little Hack |
Know your early-voting options before you drive. The county’s schedule lists 38 sites, and Sunday hours differ by site. George Memorial Library and the Richmond Water Maintenance Facility are closed today and open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; Jones Creek Ranch Park and Lakes of Bella Terra Rec Center are open today from noon to 6 p.m. Read the schedule before you go (county schedule).
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Real Estate Pulse |
Source: Redfin, read Oct 24, 2026
$339,900 median sale price Sep 2026 | 97.1% sale-to-list price | 8.6% sold above list price | 48.2% had a price drop |
Redfin’s ZIP 77469 page, read Saturday, still covers the three months ending September 2026, so the headline figures match last week’s: a median sale price of $339,900, down 1.5 percent from a year earlier, 65 days on the market, and 355 homes sold in September. The page adds a few measures worth a look: homes sold at 97.1 percent of list price on average; 8.6 percent sold above list (up 0.4 points from a year ago); and 48.2 percent had a price drop (up 1.6 points). The median price per square foot is $157, down 1.9 percent. Your move: look up your home’s 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 |
Photo: The Bookend, where today’s book swap is held
Open your home for a while. Fort Bend County Animal Services says it needs foster homes for adult dogs and cats that need a break from the shelter, animals with special behavioral needs, neonatal kittens and animals recovering from illness or surgery. A stay can be a weekend to several months; fosters supply food and supplies and keep the shelter updated (foster page). Or trade a book at this afternoon’s swap (The Bookend).
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Adopt a Friend |
 | Meet Lorna About 12 years · Female (spayed) · Labrador Retriever, brown and white Shelter staff call Lorna “the definition of gentle and graceful.” She arrived underweight with a serious wound around her neck and has healed with the shelter’s medical care. She walks calmly on leash without pulling, takes treats gently, has a calm, low-energy streak and isn’t interested in toys, and staff say she isn’t a fan of cats. She has been in shelter care since June 24, 2025, and is staying with a foster family now — call the shelter to meet her. See Lorna’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 |
Illustration
Election week is a good week to let kids see how a ballot works. The county posts sample ballots by precinct; sit down with yours, read a race out loud, and ask what each office does and who the person in it answers to. Younger kids can do a pretend ballot at the kitchen table: two choices for dinner, one pencil, one box to mark, and a count at the end. More at unrivaledacademy.com. (Sample ballots)
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Local Theory & Remnant Radio |
 | Now playing: Low Stress Living — Local Theory (March 24, 2026 · 20 tracks). Listen. Remnant Radio streams the whole catalog 24/7 at radio.thinkandactlocally.com · Spotify. Thirteen releases. Sovereignty through sound. In the Studio now: Load Bearing. Vote on the mixes. |
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Weather Forecast |
Sun  Increasing clouds 81° 59° | Mon  Cloudy, then sunny 82° 65° | Tue  20% showers 81° 65° | Wed  40% storms 82° 65° | Thu 20% showers 82° 65° | Fri 40% showers 81° 66° | Sat  40% storms 84° – |
Clouds build today, with a high near 81 and a low near 59 tonight. Monday starts cloudy and turns sunny, near 82. Rain chances return Tuesday afternoon at 20 percent, rise to 40 percent for showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon, ease to 20 percent Thursday, and are back to 40 percent Friday and for Saturday’s Halloween (showers and thunderstorms, partly sunny, high near 84). Highs hold at 81 to 82 through Friday.
Sources: National Weather Service (HGX), retrieved Oct 24, 5:49 p.m. CT (forecast issued 1:21 p.m.)
✦ 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. We earn a referral if you join. CrowdHealth is not insurance. 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 |
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✦ Unrivaled Marketing Solutions |
 | You built the business — now make sure your Richmond neighbors can find it. Book a free 15-minute call with David: we’ll look at how your business shows up online and where customers may be slipping past. If you want us to fix it, that’s paid work, and David will go over the price on the call. Book a free 15-minute call. One of our own businesses. |
✦ Sponsor Spot |
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✦ 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 →
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✦ Tuttle Twins: For the kids at your table |
 | The Tuttle Twins Monster Sale runs through Halloween. Their graphic novels turn big ideas about money and freedom into adventures kids actually want to reread — and brand-new Season 4 just landed. All four seasons (44 hardcover books) are $349 this month. Get ready for questions at dinner. As a Tuttle Twins affiliate, TAAL may earn a commission if you buy through our link. |
THE HERALD ✦ RICHMOND Community Voices |
What is the one downtown Richmond spot you send every visitor to first — and what do you wish were there too? Hit reply — one or two sentences — and we’ll run the best next Sunday.
✦ Take Action |
- Vote early through Friday, Oct 30 — George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Dr., is open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Swap a book this afternoon, 1–3 p.m., The Bookend, 611 Jackson St. — bring one to three.
- Meet Lorna at Fort Bend County Animal Services — call 281-342-1512 first.
✦ Submit Your Content |
Events, business features, volunteer calls, letters from Richmond: david@thinkandactlocally.com. Deadline: Thursday 5 PM for Sunday.
✦ Answer to Trivia |
Months. The Handbook of Texas says Robert Eden Handy and William Lusk established Richmond in early 1837, and the Republic of Texas incorporated it that May (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 wants to know when and where to vote before the week runs out.
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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.
