East End Runners

So many decisions could have been bad!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Mar 23 Run: Coffee Tree

Because some of our group will be celebrating Easter or taking advantage of the holiday and traveling, we thought a run from the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill would be the easiest. Meet there at 7:00 - those who turn up can determine the route.

Today was one from the Tom's Classic Run Series. Even though Tom was making the route up as we traversed Oakland, he still managed to fit in quite a few informational gems such as: where the Luna Bar got it's name (there used to be an amusement park on that site from which a tiger once escaped); a short discourse on Schenley Farms with contributions from the group; that extra palms from the Catholic celebration of Palm Sunday are burned to make ashes for Ash Wednesday (my husband also knew this tidbit of Catholic lore); the is the first year since 1940something that St.Patrick's day fell in Easter week; and where to find the home plate from Forbes Field (ask Tom). Although it was dark when we started, Oakland sparkled as we crossed the Panther Hollow Bridge and at the end we all were glad we spent 50 minutes learning a little bit more about our lovely city.

One question asked on the run but not answered was how is the date for Easter calculated. My husband,Dave, provided the answer: it falls on the first Sunday, after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox is this Thursday and the full moon falls on Friday.

Here is an article that relates to the very topical Coffee Tree discussion: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/nyregion/16towns.html

For those interested in summer rowing possibilities check out the TRRA webpage: http://www.threeriversrowing.org/

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