Counting the Little Joys

by Fayeruz Regan 11.2025

Every November, I publish a piece listing all the things in Richmond I’m grateful for. I’m even grateful that there’s never a shortage of things to list! In fact, the Notes app on my phone has become my go-to place to jot down something wonderful I’ve experienced here, whether it’s an outstanding local band or an unforgettable dumpling.

Keeping this growing list allows me to practice gratitude in my daily life, always looking on the horizon for the little joys that make life better.

Things in Richmond I’m grateful for in 2025

Weekend mornings on WNRN-FM

For those of you who have never turned your dial to 88.5 on Saturday and Sunday mornings, you’re missing out on a wonderful way to kick off the weekend. Flowing in on the airwaves from Charlottesville, Virginia, this commercial-free station delivers the vibes we need. On Saturdays, WNRN airs Grateful Dead and Friends from 9 AM until noon. This is followed by Bluegrass Sunday Mornings, with extremely talented & melodic pickers from 7-11 AM. Trust me when I say these shows will fill your home with a happy energy that will see you dancing around the kitchen and making your omelet taste that much better. You can stream WNRN-FM as well.

Snow Days at Bryan Park

The water crisis we experienced last winter faded into the distance when families gathered at Bryan Park to sled. The city’s crumbling infrastructure aside, we had waited years for this. The hills were covered in good snow and dotted with neighbors, eager to escape the drama. Both adults and children could be heard squealing their way down the slopes, and for a moment, it felt like childhood again.

Diner en Blanc

Who would think that a mid-sized city could show up in such a glamorous way? Richmond, Virginia joined the ranks of cities like Tokyo, Paris, and London, who celebrate Diner en Blanc, a French picnic tradition since 1988. Dressed in all-white ensembles, thousands of Richmonders gather in a secret location every September to enjoy an elegant outdoor picnic, complete with live music, sparklers, and more. Best of all, people are encouraged to bring their creativity, from ethereal table settings to dramatic ensembles.

Where Ya Bin?

Believe the hype. I couldn’t believe my ears when someone told me that on Thursdays, everything sells for 25 cents a piece, but it’s true. Sustainability is fun when you are sorting through giant bins of extra inventory from Amazon warehouses and local stores. We’re shopping our way into saving the landfills! You see, every Friday Where Ya Bin? refreshes their inventory with a $10 day. Every day the inventory sits there, it gets increasingly picked over, and less expensive. By Monday, everything is only $3 and by Thursday, 25 cents. Mind you, it’s mostly trashed by then. But it’s the thrill of the hunt for me. I often find facial serums from China, chocolates, and well, intimate toys. Rumor has it, the best deals for the money are on Wednesdays - dollar day.

Richmond Ballet’s Nutcracker

Much like Diner en Blanc, the Richmond Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker is an unexpected marvel for a mid-sized city. The historic theatre, the fantastical sets, and the talent are reminiscent of something you’d see in a big city, and I know because I’ve compared them. It’s such a breathtaking production that families have a tradition of going every Christmas. It never gets old.

Reveler on Cary

Reveler is more than a bar or music venue. It’s an immersive experience, where you can wander from room to room to take in a sensory overload of cool. The dark interiors are draped with colorful lights, and filled with art and oddities, from a mermaid in a bathtub to a regal room draped in red velvet. The food and cocktails are impeccable too.

The food

This feels like an awards show when I’m trying to cram in all the things but the music (in this case, word limit) is carrying me out…

• Pork and truffle dumplings at Ugly Dumpling - extra credit for the cool name

• The Italian hoagie selection at Polpetti (the bread is trucked in from Brooklyn weekly)

• Spinach and cheese pies (AKA “fatayer”) at the Mediterranean Bakery & Deli on Quioccasin –  they’re huge & tangy with sumac!

• The lamb & cumin stir-fried noodles (hand-pulled!) at Mr. Noodle

• French fries dipped in ranch dressing at Northside Grille

May you have a happy and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving!