The Liz Moore Market Watch Blog

By: Lauren Cummings

There is something special about sharing books; the creases from where the previous reader was  gripped by the tension of the story, the dog  ear folds from where they had to mark their  place, or even the little notes they have left  behind as they jotted down their thoughts – these qualities don’t just add character to the book  itself, it creates connections between readers. We  may each experience a story differently, but it is up  to us to share them.

How It All Started

Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin was inspired by the  “take a book, leave a book” projects launched by coffee  shops and community buildings. He placed a Free Little Library in front of his residence as a tribute to his mother,  who was a schoolteacher with a passion for reading. All  it took was a few people to recognize the importance of  easy access to books for everyone, and from there, a chain  of free little libraries was established across the country.  As of 2022, 150,000 mini-libraries have been registered  across 115 countries worldwide.

What is a Little Free Library?

Little free libraries are exactly as they sound, and no library card is required. Little free libraries are usually 
placed by residents of the community or by volunteers  that are passionate about spreading knowledge and 
story magic to everyone. These mini libraries symbolize community, inspiration, and support.

How Can You Start One?

Creating your little free library is easier than ever with  the help of the non-profit organization behind it all, Little  Free Library. This organization has made it possible for  people to announce their library to the public and provide  access to resources to get noticed by the community. 
1. Identify a location and steward
2. Get a library – create one yourself or buy one
on the Little Free Library’s online store.
3. Register your library – see the QR code below.
4. Set up your steward account 
5. Build community support

Building Inspiration

If you want to get creative and don’t want to purchase  a mini-library from the online store, there are plenty 
of resourceful ways to create a mini-library. We have  seen people convert old microwaves into mini-libraries,  small dog houses, storage bins, and even an old  cabinet. The one thing to consider is if the structure is 
weather-proof material so no books are ruined; a door is ideal for this requirement.

Register your library or find one near you at www.littlefreelibrary.org.

Looking to play a round of golf in Richmond? Here are our recommendations for the best spots:

Independence Golf Club
Recognized by Golf Digest as one of Richmond’s top courses, located on a beautiful estate with an event venue.
https://independencegolfclub.com

Providence Golf Club
Designed by one of the best golf course architects in the world and rated the highest of any golf club in VA.
www.providencegolfclub.com/

 First Tee of Greater Richmond
Select from three outstanding courses and support First Tee’s initiatives for RVA youth.
www.firstteegreaterrichmond.org/

The Summer Edition of our Liz Local Magazine is now available.  We've dedicated this issue to our four-legged, furry friends highlighting pet friendly places, interior design tips with pets in mind, and more!

View the digital version for your market below:

Peninsula Edition

Northern Neck Edition

Richmond Edition

Williamsburg Edition 

Fireworks are a must on July 4th and Richmond has many great spots to see a spectacular show.  Here are our recommendations:

Chesterfield Fairgrounds - Not only fireworks, but also a children’s inflatable play area, food vendors, live music, and more! 5-10:30PM, 10300 Courthouse Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832

The Diamond - Nothing says America like fireworks at a baseball game! See the Flying Squirrels play & enjoy the fireworks afterward.6:35PM, 3001 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23230

Byrd Park July 4th at Dogwood Dell is back! Fireworks can be viewed from Shields and Swan Lakes, the Fountain Lake area, and the area in front of the Carillon. 6PM, 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220

Looking for a way to celebrate St. Patty's Day in Richmond?  There are many great options!

Here are our recommendations:

Shamrock the Block
March 12th 12-6pm
Shamrock The Block is a FREE street festival in its 17th year - located on the Boulevard in Richmond, VA between Leigh and Broad Street.

Shamrock RunRVA 5K
March 13th 10:30am
Celebrating St. Patty's Day with the 4th Annual Shamrock RunRVA 5k! This 5k road run/walk will start and end at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, in the heart of RVA.

Official St. Patrick's Bar Crawl
March 12th 1-9pm
Richmond's Official St. Patrick's Bar Crawl Returns For The 5th Year! Register Now & Join The Shenanigans.

The winter weather is here to stay and snow is falling in Virginia.  Check out the best sledding spots in Richmond and make the most of your snow days.

1. FOREST HILL PARK (Southside)
Great for families with younger children!

2. BRYAN PARK (Northside)
The disk golf course is a great sledding spot!

3. MAYMONT (Downtown)
Sled on the hill at the Nature Center, the hill near the Dooley Mansion, or the hill behind the Children’s Farm. Give them a call first at (804) 358-7166 to make sure they’re open.

4. LIBBY HILL PARK (Church Hill)
If you want high hills and fast rides, this is the place for you!

5. HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY (Oregon Hill)
Ride down the hill at the back of the cemetery and enjoy the view of the river.

There is no shortage of holiday fun to be had in Richmond, Virginia this season.  Here are our top recommendations:

1. Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden - A spectacular light show in one of Richmond’s most beautiful spots. Gardenfest is open nightly through January 9, 2022. Buy tickets online only at www.lewisginter.org

2. Holiday Season at Maymont

Take a trip back in time and experience Victorian holiday grandeur at Richmond’s beloved Maymont! The Dooley mansion will be decked out in all its Gilded Age holiday glory. Runs through January 2022. Buy tickets online at www.maymont.org/events/holiday-merriment 

3. Illuminate Light Show at the Meadow Event Park

Enjoy the experience of Central Virginia’s largest drive-through light show! Runs through January 2nd, 2022. Purchase tickets at
www.illuminatelightshow.com

4. Holiday Movies at the Byrd Theatre

You’ve got plenty of options to choose from this holiday season at the Byrd Theatre! Classics from A Christmas Story to It’s a Wonderful Life will be showing at RVA’s most beloved cinema. Tickets & showtimes are available online at www.byrdtheatre.org/showtimes/.

Did you know that you can find a fantastic selection of fresh ingredients for your cooking projects, sourced from local suppliers right here in Richmond, Virginia? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites so you can support local businesses this holiday season and take your cooking to the next level.

Good Foods Grocery

A Richmond favorite, Good Foods Grocery was established in 1985 and has since provided the area’s largest selection of bulk flours, spices, and more. You won’t be able to beat the flavor of your freshly-baked goods when you use their ingredients!

Libbie Market

A full grocery, over 500 varieties of wine, a catering service, and bulk coffee and candies - what more could you want? If you need a one-stop shop, Libbie Market might be just the place for you.

Penzey's Spices

Do you have recipes this year that call for more unique spices? Your best bet is to go by Penzey’s Spices in Carytown. The selection is fantastic- a feast for your eyes as well as your tastebuds.

The Olive Oil Taproom

Home of over 54 flavors of oils and vinegars, the Olive Oil Taproom is your place to shop if you’d like to treat your guests to an unforgettable meal.

Ellwood Thompson's

Pick up locally-sourced ingredients at this popular spot right near Carytown. You can trust the quality you’ll find at this grocery that sells only the best.

Enjoy your holiday feasts with the best Richmond has to offer!

The past 15 months has been a roller coaster in our real estate world. It’s hard to imagine that in spite of being in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, we also experienced the hottest real estate market in US history. The perfect storm of low listing inventory and historic low interest rates converged to cause buyer demand to spike to all-time highs.

Clearly, it’s a great time to be a seller. But… what about the other side of that equation? Sellers are asking themselves, “I may get peak pricing for my home right now, but then I’ll have to turn around and pay peak pricing on the other end. Does that make sense for me?” Every situation is different, and the answer really depends on a lot of different factors. One thing that definitely makes sense, though, is that now is a great time for an in-depth look at values with your favorite REALTOR. If you’re not currently living in your dream home, now just may be the perfect time to explore alternatives.

Other drivers that are causing people to re-think their current space are the possibilities created by new opportunities to work remotely. Many people have realized that they can hang up their commute, and work from home…and that home can be anywhere they want. That freedom extends beyond location – it also means new and different features are important in a home: home offices and outdoor spaces have become all the buzz in recent months.

We’ve devoted this month’s edition of Liz Local to exploring a few of those features.

Check out a digital version of our Summer Liz Local Magazine:

Peninsula Edition

Williamsburg Edition

Richmond Edition

Northern Neck Edition