June 1 Run: corner of Aylesboro and Forbes in Squirrel Hill

A bit of nostalgia for olden days leads us to start the run at the foot of Aylesboro near Forbes, where we often began it in the past.  Where did we used to go from there?  There may have been some sketchy scrambling up a hill in Greenfield.  Well, someone will remember something, or else we'll try something completely different.

A holiday weekend means 2 runs, so we obliged, with one classic over three bridges downtown, and one ad hoc through Homewood Cemetery - fresh, green, cool, perfect.
And endorsed:

• Travels through Montana, South Dakota, Idaho
• McCormick & Schmick's (downtown) happy hour - awesome! - an RG HH there now being planned
• Marty's Market food store/restaurant on the strip
• North Park's Bicycle Cafe at The Boathouse
• Pittsburgh Obama School winning the Kelly Award Best Musical for The Wiz!
• Idea to build bike trails along the busways
• Semiannual Boden Sale Saturday May 31 at the Convention Center - think it starts at 9 but it's good to get there early - or else at 3.  Somewhat wild - be warned.

May 25 Run: Market Square downtown for 3B/3R run

Thank you Lainy for the following report and technicolor photo!

Next Sunday let’s meet downtown in Market Square for a 3 Bridges 3 Rivers run.  Monday will meet at Commonplace Coffee at 7:30 for the usual Holiday sleep-in start time.

All of the elements of a classic Pittsburgh run converged on last Sunday’s East End Runners. We had brilliant sunlight along the river trail and two bridges with sweeping views of the river and the city. We experienced the jaw clenching auditory assault of a screeching freight train in one direction, and the high intensity whiz of speeding cars on the Parkway  in the other direction.

May 18 Run: Hot Metal Bridge: start at parking lot at Bates St./2nd Ave.

Next up: Over the Hot Metal to the South Side trails, starting at the parking lot at the foot of Bates St. and 2nd Avenue

This is just a bulletin because I've been knocked out this week by the most miserable respiratory virus ever to inhabit this particular vessel, and am only entering words in between coughs.  But even the nastiest flu meets its end! at which point we'll get back to tales of weddings, travels, jobs, food, houses, books, plumbers, mah jongg, physics, etc. etc.  Can't wait!

May 11 Run: Frick Park from the entrance on Reynolds and S.Homewood

Next week:  Frick Park run from the grand entrance on Reynolds and S. Homewood.  I'm just making this up since we made no decisions, but it seems reasonable, won't interfere with Race for the Cure, and it's the only run that I will run to (from 4 blocks away.)  Someone will come up with a plan, and the park should be in early springtime glory.  Of course, to all you Racers, we're with you in spirit.

Today we covered the Chatham campus, circled around much of Shadyside, and came back up what seemed like endless Hills of the Squirrel.  Theme of this run turned out to be the hip compact passive and super-sustainable houses that are tucked away among the sprawling Edwardian mansions, whose garages are bigger than said houses.  After our heating bills this year, we sort of fell in love with them.

Perhaps it was the happy return of Janet today that inspired us at coffee to go back to one of our favorite topics:  the Pittsburgh Public Schools and our hopes for them.  We sighed over the demise of Schenley (and its fabulous musicals), but were cheered by Sharon's thumbs-up for the Obama IB School.  Another fave subject - wedding locales - also on the docket.  That our group has gone from picking kindergartens to picking mother-of-the-bride outfits is kind of mind-blowing.
Looking forward to reports from Marathoners!

Endorsed:
More reportage on Tiny Houses from none other than Eve Andrews (forgive a doting parent)
New hip bar in East Liberty - from the people behind Bar Marco
Jamie Oliver's (!) Cooking Club at the Obama School  - also related to Bar Marco
Showing up at the County Council voting meeting on Tuesday night (details here) to protest fracking in our parks (thanks Pam and Chris for the alert)

May 4 Run: Back to Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill due to Marathon

Sure doesn't feel like May - what is this, Canada?  Oh, right - if it were, we'd have universal health insurance...

Back to the issue at hand:  since we have numerous Marathon Men and Women in the group, the rest of us  slackers will take off from our default location, Commonplace Coffee on Forbes to parts unknown.

Last week was a Lawrenceville run, led by moi, so I'm fairly biased - but it was awesome.  It included:
a spontaneous visit (suggested by David) to the wild scene of Art All Night in a giant warehouse - admittedly a bit bleary in the morning light despite the sounds of heavy metal in the background
a sylvan trail along the river leading to the requisite bushwhacking across the railroad tracks
rays of sun lighting up the legendary stained glass pictures of Pittsburgh industry in the old bank building on Butler St. (now PNC)
blocks of adorable Victorian row houses, culminating in this mind-blowingly decorated one (see photos)
tour of stunning Allegheny Cemetery with a brand new walkway complete with Bambi and friends
coffee at the super-hip Expresso a Mano where I ran into the chef of E2 getting her morning brew

AND endorsing
the amazingly quick return of Sarah!
documentary Finding Vivian Maier at the Harris
using the rubber bands that supermarkets put on broccoli to exercise your hands and fingers
New York Times tells us yet again that running is the best - this time for your skin
Evolve Mod Hair salon in Lawrenceville

NOT endorsing
edible marijuana
UPMC insurance cutoffs - taking us back to:  Canada!