October 12 Run/Walk: Meet at Redhawk Coffee Roasters, 1019 N. Canal St. in Sharpsburg

We'll see what's doing these days in Sharpsburg starting at Redhawk Roasters, 1019 N. Canal St.  The last time we went there we were wearing mittens.

As for last week, many photos (below) tell the tale.  We were way up (see stairs) in Spring Garden and Troy Hill, seeing the actual Spring, the first Croatian Catholic Church in America, and the fence that Bobbi's Mom jumped over to get the phone call saying her Dad was coming home from WW2.  And the views.

• Not endorsed:  ticks.  They are legion.  Cover up, stay on the trails and away from meadows.
• Endorsed:  Meditation.  Really anything that will induce calm.  I'm trying it out, plus whiskey.
• Also endorsed:  Small Hours jazz trio (starring Gretchen's marvelous Margot), at The Hotel in Sewickley this Saturday at 7.
• Resistance activities for the week:
• This is last-minute but Indivisible Regent Square is meeting again tomorrow (Thursday) 7604 Charleston Ave. (off Braddock) at 6:30. Learn what can be done and meet kindred souls.
• (A repeat) Check your voter registration and your whereabouts on Nov. 4 to make SURE you get your vote in to RETAIN the judges on the PA Supreme Court (and others).  Also nag friends and family.

October 5 Run/Walk: Meet at Kinder Being Cafe, 715 East St. (sort of Troy Hill, sort of North Shore - see map below)

We'll return on Sunday (7 am sharpish) to Troy Hill (last seen, June 2024) and, after trekking up the Hill and back, try out a new coffee spot, Kinder Being Cafe (map) found by our Scientist/Cafe Scout, Beth.  A highlight may be crossing the bridge over he parkway.

Last Sunday we penetrated a dense creepy fog surrounding Homestead - we circled its iconic library, and tried out the new, endorsed! Arabica Robusta cafe.  The sun came out in the end, hopefully a metaphor.  Just caught a few more endorsements:

• The Savannah Bananas - a wilder version of our national sport, sold out everywhere, was recently at PNC Park and super fun.  Get your tickets early for next year.
• On that theme, the new Clemente documentary, showing that Pittsburgh's beloved Roberto was a mensch for all time.
• The Johnstown Flood National Memorial - I never understood the historic significance of this astounding event until I went there.  On second thought, this now has a referral to: doi.gov/shutdown, so maybe wait a bit.
• Resistance activity of the week:
• For something that gives you the feeling that you've actually helped, as well as meeting some great people, try one of the Pittsburgh Overpass Project sites.  You can just show up and be part of a team holding a giant banner over the parkway.  Thousands will see it.  It's a national phenomenon.  And it's short.
• For an uber-listing of many things to do, see Alison Huettner's "Upcoming Protests an Events".  It's a smorgasbord so it's easy to pick one.

September 28 Run/Walk: Meet at Arabica Robusta Coffee House, 207 E. 8th Ave, Homestead

Another Sunday, another new coffee house:  we'll discover the new Arabica Robusta (prize for best name) in Homestead (map), and explore that quirky, historic locale, home apparently of the "most famous event in labor history,"  Also a former church that is now a Dragon's Den, and an old bank given over to axe-throwing.

Last Sunday in Oakmont we skirted the Allegheny in the dawn light, and then encountered the most unusual cafe emporium in RG history.  We were not quite prepared for the Oakmont Bakery.  But we decoded the kiosks and responded appropriately when numbers were called.  We found a table away from the melee inside, and managed to accumulate some fine pastries without day-glo frosting.  For some reason, the "expresso drink" list didn't contain an expresso, but the coffee worked its charm anyway. 

• Resistance activities of the week - 
• Protest Citizens Bank (here are ways and more info.) for funding immigrant prisons.  At least sign the petition.
• Put this on your calendar: the next national NO KINGS rally - Oct. 18, 12:30, City-County Bldg.  There are some preliminary ones, too - this one is this Sunday in Oakland. But on Oct. 18, we need everyone in the streets.
• Things to do in DC (besides avoiding masked federal agents): the National Building Museum, the Postal Museum, and Ford's Theater.
• the new VW Electric Camper - it's not at Woodstock anymore
• Chiboust wedding cake - was it fair to assign someone to make this for 70 people?
• Listen to podcasts:  The Rest is History; Throughline
• Our Senator Dave McCormick lives in Squirrel Hill - who knew? His real home has been in CT.
• For RG devotees of the Boden Sample Sale - it's Oct. 4 at the Convention Center.

September 21 Run/Walk: Meet at the Oakmont Bakery, One Sweet Street (really), in Oakmont, naturally

Here's the map for the Oakmont Bakery - much to explore around there!

Last week we moseyed around Allegheny West and Manchester.  We are continually surprised by the myriad lovely/curious/weird vistas hidden away in this town.  Bobbie, who used to live here, gave us the lowdown on local edifices, and Beth, as always, found the garden.

Thumbs up (¡pulgares arriba!) for Colombino Coffee - delish, comfy and friendly - we'll try the one on Butler St. next.  Mainly we talked about what to do in this time of alarm and dismay.  We agreed it would be good to use this forum for sending out ideas - so stay tuned. For today:  

1. Call your congresspersons.  First, listen to AOC here (adorable) and find out why calling works best.  Then use 5calls.org (or any other way) to make your calls.  Important: don't worry about crafting a long message or getting tongue-tied (we all do), it just takes a little practice.
2. Tell everyone you know and love about the upcoming judicial election on Nov. 4.  Are they registered? Need a mail-in ballot? See this.  The judges on the ballot that need to be retained are all Democrats (just vote YES on each retention - there are no party labels) in order to keep their majority and hold on to our voting rights.  More info here and here.

But also there was joy and cheering about the two precious new RG babies born last week - mazel tov to Elaine and to Linda R. and their families!

                                              

Sept. 14 Run/Walk: Meet at Colombino Coffee, 926 Western Ave. on the North Side

Quick note tonight - time flies when you're retired. Sunday we'll tour the North Side from its Allegheny West neighborhood - many directions to explore, as well as a new coffee spot, Colombino Coffee (map.)

Last week on the South Side we skirted the river and found a nice large table and decent coffee, but.... no muffins!  We'll go back to Big Dog next time.  Some endorsements were recorded:

• Black Rooster Baltic Rye bread.  This does sound amazing.  We will ask Linda the baker if we can make it ourselves.
• The Pittsburgh Left, which (I never knew) is "technically illegal."  Love it or leave it, basically.
• The Penguin Lessons - one of those oddly marvelous Argentine films.

        I always feel there is something off about writing this blog as if the world is normal now, which it isn't, so

• Question for next time: what do we do when we see our country, that we thought we knew, dissolving before our eyes?  Let's talk.  
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Sept. 7 Run/Walk: Meet at Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah St. for a South Side excursion

Back to Big Dog (map) on Sunday, where we will try to occupy the large table, around which many dramatic RG tales have been told.  (For anyone new to the group, we meet at 7 am.  Not sharp.)

Last (actually Sunday and Monday make it This) week's locations were Highland Park and Squirrel Hill.  Walkers missed the sunrise over the reservoir, but it was still glorious, and then Jane M. took us to see the hidden hobbit/elf houses.  Next day we did a circuit past the Wendy Bennett Trailhead (where are you WB?) and the Pocusset walkway.  Runners didn't share their routes, and you might ask them why.  

• We are trying to keep spirits up here so won't dwell on the daily horror, but we will include some points of light:  Casa San José's Rapid Response Team, 900+ strong -  Growing attendance at the Shady/Fifth Outrage Hour  - Ditto at the Friday 8 am Interfaith Prayer Vigil at ICE HQ.
• Go see:  Fences, outdoors at the August Wilson house (Saturday is the last day!)
• But you can see the Renfest through Sept. 28 - sword swallowers, jousting, witch trials - Aimee says to go early.
  
• Read:  Foster (and anything else) by Claire Keegan.  Also, the movie.
• Hear: Buffalo Rose (RG fave) at the Oaks on Sept. 19.
• Watch:  Netflix documentary Katrina.
• Description of an unknown man:  "he's like a doodle male."  
• Birthing secrets were revealed in epic detail on... Labor Day.  
• Lainy will soon be staying in a castle in the Cotswalds where she will be surrounded by labrador retrievers:

August 31 Run/Walk: Meet at the Tazza D'Oro, 1125 N Highland Ave. at 7 - then, on Labor Day, Holiday run at 61C at 7:30

Lovely Highland Park and its environs await.  Sunrise is at 6:46 a.m. - maybe we can just catch it over the Reservoir.  

Last Sunday our tripartite group: 

1. Marched through Chatham campus and surrounding streets, noting (with Beth's help) marvels of water infrastructure.
2. Ran all around Frick Park, 4+ miles, going only uphill.
3. Biked to all corners of our fair city with the Pedal Pittsburgh mob. 

Those not on wheels convened in the relaxing outdoor patio of 61C.  Do you think we could slip them a new recipe for scones?  

• Mushroom tour of Hays Woods - next one is October 25
• The yART Sale was great but over - try for next year - 
• Of all things, the Univ. of Pittsburgh enables recycling for unusable textiles !  Public drop-off is around 7500 Thomas Blvd. (large blue bin in parking lot past gates, behind building near picnic table and entrance).
• We have GOT to visit the Ebisu Life Store on Forbes for a mind-blowing Sensory Alternative Experience.
• From Paula the Brain (also Farmer) we learned that 90% of gardening is weeding.
• Gretchen left early to travel to the mighty statewide protest against ICE at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center (read: prison).  We were with her in spirit.