June 2 Run: Start at Lowe's parking lot at the Waterfront for a South Side Trail run

On Sunday we’ll do our own reconnaissance of the newly opened final link to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail:  the connection through Sandcastle (through which we have bushwhacked on earlier occasions.)  Pam suggested that we begin at the maze down at the Lowe’s end of the Waterfront, and just follow the trail as long as time permits, then come back.  Or something else.  We’ll figure it out.  Coffee location undetermined.

Last week was chock full of RG special experiences: the National Cartoonists Tour of Dahntahn led by Wendy and David on Sunday, and the Memorial Day Holiday Run to the Soldiers & Sailor’s Memorial (not to mention the Boden sale.)  I wish I could report on the first but I was sadly AWOL - reports are that it was terrific. The second also had its delights:  cool bright weather, a long stretch in Schenley Park, the Memorial getting spruced up for its big day, and a close-up view of David’s fabulous giant celebratory cartoon of the people and places of Pitt’s LRDC, done in honor of its anniversary celebration this year.  I missed the 3 p.m. rendezvous at the Boden extravaganza (had to go early) - did anyone go?

Shout-out to Sarah and Tom, on the DL – we miss you on the run and hope recovery happens soon!

P.S. Teri forwarded this email – good for us to know:

Christine Lovejoy posted in Severn Street Neighbors Christine Lovejoy 10:01am May 29 Folks who use the trails in Frick need to be careful. there is a homeless man living there and he has been assaulting cyclists. Carl called the police and had him arrested, but he was let out and is back in the park. Please be careful.

May 26 Run: Downtown starting at the Omni William Penn Hotel main entrance

Special treat next week as we are joined by some of the nation’s most creative and funniest people, members of the National Cartoonist Society who also run!  David (our very own cartoonist) and Wendy are helping to host the group for their first-ever meeting in the Burgh, and so we decided to invite them along on our Sunday run – which will be downtown and will try to expose our fair city’s best sights.  Coffee will be at the Starbucks inside the hotel lobby (a treat in itself.)

At the bottom of this message, Wendy gives us the “absolute correct hotel info” complete with visuals. More info. about the epic gathering of Cartoonists in this must-read article by David from Sunday’s PG!

Last week our Bakery Square took us through:  Larimer, East Liberty, Garfield, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Friendship, and Shadyside, in that order.  (By adding just 5 more minutes, we could add Point Breeze, North Point Breeze, and Homewood – I am determined to do that next time - Pam’s idea from a few months ago, by the way.)  We intersected with the City Spree – 5K No Course Event - a highly organized group doing another neighborhood run and clearly cooler than us – but they were leaving at 8 so we didn’t wait.  Important fact revealed by Scientist Jan as we were breathing hard up a seriously vertical slope in Allegheny Cemetery:  Pittsburgh has no hills!  This is an Earth Science truth related to the concept of erosion – Jan will explain.

Another fun coffee at the spacious Coffee Tree (but they shouldn’t wrap their pastries in plastic) with the following endorsements/pans:

·         Everyday Noodle was panned due to chalky taste and percussive noise – but nearby Ramen Bar got thumbs up.  Related information:  Jacquie explained that the difference between northern and southern Chinese cooking is huge – like comparing Russian and French food – we have a lot to learn.

·         Rainbow Nails is great – on Forbes between the library and the old Baskin Robbins (another “thing that isn’t there anymore” proving that Beth – who gave directions - is a true Pittburgher.)

Roye

Back to Wendy:

This week we'll be stuffing goody bags for the attendees of the National Cartoonist Society (NCS) Convention and include info about our planned run next Sunday at 7 am. I'm thinking we should meet at the main entrance to the Omni William Penn Hotel, right across from Mellon Square Park on William Penn Place. There should be free street parking at that time and the Mellon Square Garage  which is inexpensive and open 24/7, can serve as back up.

See you next week!

Wendy

 

May 19 Run: Bakery Square Coffee Tree for a Garfield-Friendship-Shadyside run

Next week we'll check out what hip new things have popped up on Penn Ave. and then tour around a number of contiguous neighborhoods, starting and ending at the Bakery Square Coffee Tree.

Today with only last-minute notice, a good-sized group went looking for mother-type-inspiration and decided to head back to the freshly renovated Shrine of the Blessed Mother in South Oakland, having been foiled in the last attempt by a lost baby deer.  We somehow navigated around the Race for the Cure crowds without being blocked anywhere.  All was brisk, bright and green, and we traversed a monumental hidden staircase and railroad tracks before heading back through Schenley park trails.  Two daughters joined us!

Later on, a story about how the RG networking capability changed a young woman's life in a few days.  We also learned about the Pittsburgh Moishe House where young Jewish (and maybe not?) singles can live, hang out, eat barbecue (probably kosher though), play poker and frisbee, and generally get to find each other - apparently there are scores of them, including in Budapest!  I guess this could also change a young woman's life in a few days.  Also wedding talk - rings, dresses (strapless make people nervous), caterers, and moms (really) trying not to be interfering.

Endorsements:

• Movie: Four Weddings and a Funeral
• Dry cleaning from New Life and also the one inside the Market District Giant Eagle (who knew?)
• The return of the Boden Clearance Sale on Saturday May 25! A number of us will follow Wendy's strategic lead and not go until 3 p.m.  We may put up a RG flag to indicate where we are in the giant changing room.  Tip:  wear a sleeveless tank top so you can try things on and then go out for more stuff without having to get dressed again.
• The word "shlumpy" (opposite of the Boden Sale)

Roye

May 12 Run: Mother-inspired run from Commonplace

Sorry for late notice -
We're meeting tomorrow (Sunday May 12) for a mother-inspired run at Commonplace Coffee - hope to see you there!
More info next week -

Wendy and Roye