April 27 Run: Lawrenceville sights starting at Butler and 37th

Well, at least it's not Friday.

Having been captivated by the streets of Lawrenceville last week, I'll lead a run (4.73 miles for you marathon trainees) which will start (and end!) at the Expresso a Mano coffeehouse at Butler and 37th, essentially running around in circles to see them.  We'll hit the trail by the river and much of the cemetery.  And the outside of the most unusually decorated house ever seen.

I imagine there will be a run-to-the-run - so write in if you're organizing -

Last week was Easter Sunday, and a surprising number of us got up before the Easter bunny to run through Homewood Cemetery - where we lamented the sad news of the demise of the public gardens - and Frick Park.   We then grabbed most of the seats at the Coffee Tree, where there were too many conversations to keep track of, but these endorsements surfaced:

• NPR podcasts - including the TED Radio Hour
• Maple Parsnip Cake for Passover or anytime - and Wendy's astounding news that baking powder is kosher for Passover!  I tell you it has rocked my world.
• City of Asylum in the Mexican War Streets
• And most enthusiastically, the Scratch and Dent at Sears, which I now see can be incorporated into Sunday's run - we'll try!

April 20 Run: Commonplace Coffee on Forbes in Squirrel Hill

(Please fire me from this job:  somehow I turn around and it's Friday!)

So next week, after several adventures, we are having a comforting familiar run from Commonplace Coffee on Forbes in Squirrel Hill - since it's Easter and also the 6th day of Passover, maybe we can involve some ecumenical theme.  Also apparently "Look Alike Day" and the beginning of "Organize Your Files Week" so we can throw that into the mix.  Or maybe just bask in the long-lost 70 degree weather. 

Our adventure last Sunday was to circle around: the 40th St. Bridge (with its adorable painted state seal decorations), the many sights of Millvale, the Millvale Rowing Center (Anne Jane probably in the vicinity), the 3 Rivers Heritage Trail, the 31st. St. Bridge, the warehouses of Penn Ave., the Roberto Clemente museum, and the adorable storefronts of Butler Street in Lawrenceville.   Millvale was especially picturesque, as we visited the church with the Maxo Vanka murals (which we couldn't see, but here they are courtesy of internet magic), numerous hippie-style community gardens, a genuine French Bakery, the astounding furniture store across the street

(this photo does no justice at all to the blindingly shiny acrylic contents), the original Pamela's (at which we still have to commit to a future post-run breakfast), Mr. Small's, etc., etc.  Then back to Squirrel Hill for another coffee from which I had to exit before noting the usual words of wisdom - more next time!

April 13 run: Millvale run starting at Butler and 40th St. RiteAid parking lot in Lawrenceville

Next run was inspired by Aimee and will be around and about Millvale, starting in Lawrenceville at the corner of 40th St. and Butler, RiteAid parking lot.  It turns out that the newest contingent of runners has no recollection of a Millvale run - I thought "how could that be?" until I did a blog search and found out that we did it in... 2008, as described then by Anne Jane:
After a sharp but short uphill we arrived at St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church where we stopped for an all too short look at the murals:  We continued through Millvale proper where we took in some of the local sites (Mr Smalls , Jean Marc Chatellier's Bakery and the new Pamela's Diner). Although many of us were "knackered" due to the heat and humidity we agreed it was a special run and made plans for a run that would start (and end at) the diner!
Hey, what an idea!  Apparently opens at 8 - we can decide en route, though we'd have to run back to our cars after loading up on pancakes. Or.. run back to the cars first and just drive over.  Let's see.

Last week we were finally all treated to Michele's full-of-surprises run through Frick Park, Regent Square, Edgewood, up to and almost including the back of the K-Mart Parking Lot (one foot in just to get another RG trespass credit.) Previous attempts had been foiled by icy and glacial conditions, but this third time was the charm, in fact totally charming, as it had the miraculous effect of tying parts of the city together in completely unexpected ways through hidden steps and alleys.
Delightful round-up again at the 61B, endorsing:

• Maintenance of brain functioning - a good idea. How? Who knows, but there was this Nun Study...
• Mah Jongg - might help
• Grey hair - does not help
• Pond's Cold Cream - used by our grandmothers
• Penguins who recognize voices
• Using your French Press plus a microwave and a whisk to froth milk
• The people who give out sample delicacies at Costco
• a FREE HAIRCUT (see below) - which at least takes us somewhat back to brain - or head - functions - am a bit worried about the disconnectedness of this list -

Special offer arriving via Michele (whose own haircuts are super-chic:)  
Days available are Sunday and Monday (Sunday is pretty full but there is lots of room on Monday)
South side Salon - 1700 East Carson.  These are one hour appointments for a full haircut - trims are acceptable.
My hairdresser, Jeffrey, needs 30 "models", which means heads of hair.  It is not a fashion show or competition.  Philip Pelusi has a haircutting philosophy called Volumetrics.  The people that will be doing the haircuts are experienced salon owners and other hairdressers from out of town, who will be demonstrating their knowledge of Volumetrics.  It won't be a sales pitch.  He just needs your head!
If you are interested call Tracy at 412-488-6618.  I think the Monday session is at 11:00 AM.

April 6 Run: Return to Regent Square, 61B Cafe on Braddock

(Sorry about that last blank message - fingers slipped)

This Sunday Michele has offered to introduce some surprise features in this Regent Square run starting at the newly discovered 61B cafe on Braddock.  We can only hope that FINALLY we won't be discouraged by a major ice storm.

Last week, my personal example of RG synchronicity at the downtown run: last minute discovery of no car - caught the 71C bus from Pt. Breeze at 6:50 - got off at Smithfield at 7:20 - headed past the Wm. Penn (saw Darryl) - then a pit stop at the Greyhound Bus Station (nice facilities) - over to the underground pathway at the Convention Center - emerging riverside at the exact moment that the group was passing directly across the river (clearly spotted due to Sandy's dayglo jacket) and met halfway across the 7th St. Bridge.  Enough said.

The usual delightful gabfest at La Prima (though only apricot meles available) with the following endorsements:

• New stuff happening with the Eaglets, involving tasty dead mice and fish - am seeing 2 babies at this moment - though evidently there are 3 - adorable
• "Race" exhibit at the Carnegie - will change the way we look at everyone
• Ability of Lainy to, Mountie-like, get her man: one Israeli audiologist in a sea of 7000.
• Romantic Valentine's Day surprise visits