New Year's Day Holiday Run: Starbucks in Sq. Hill - and Jan. 3 Sunday Run: the Ace Hotel, 120 S. Whitfield St., East Liberty

Once more, an embarassment of running riches this week:  2 runs - holiday New Year's Day default run at 7:30 from Starbucks (on Forbes) in Squirrel Hill, followed by the Sunday run at 7:00 starting at the new Ace Hotel on 120 S. Whitfield St., East Liberty.  We're not sure about coffee availability there but Zeke's is around the corner, also great and open at 8.  If nobody else wants to lead, I'll take it up to the Allegheny Cemetery and back.

Last week I not too hopefully asked for ideas for the Squirrel Hill runs, assuming there is nothing new under the Forbes@Murray sun, but how wrong I was. PtB and Iain took us out some unaccustomed streets over to Fernwald and its romantic view of a misty sunrise all the way down to the Carrie Furnace, not to mention a surfeit of stunning mid-century modern homes, all expertly described by Wendy.  Our sadly unfulfilled search for holiday decorations last week was totally redeemed in many yards this time, especially one on Marlborough that absolutely ruled them all and included tiny dancing and singing snowmen (photo thanks to Pam.) Then on Sunday Pam took us into every hidden cul-de-sac off of Beechwood and Shady (good interval training as every one goes straight uphill.)  More architectural gazing at secret mansions we never even knew were there (how many Pittsburghers are in the 1%?) including the Scaife estate on Braeburn Place, which as you can see below is creepily blocked out on Google Maps street view.  Now that's power. 


Had to race back with bagels for visiting rambunctious nephews, so no endorsements recorded - though feel free to write in with anything essential.

Dec. 25 (Xmas Holiday Run at 7:30) at Starbucks on Forbes and Shady AND Dec. 27 (Normal Sunday Run at 7) - at 61C Cafe on Murray at Bartlett

Wow, that was a long subject line. But it had to include the default 7:30 a.m. holiday run on the 25th (Starbucks on Forbes and Shady), as well as our usual 7 a.m. run on Sunday (61C Cafe on Murray at Bartlett.)  And I might as well add the New Year's holiday run at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 - also at Starbucks - but will send a reminder next week.  A lot of running time coming up!  No special routes planned yet - bring your ideas. 

Last week we had a rather deflated tour of holiday inflatables - a few sad puddles of plastic, and not much else to look at.  Even the glowing Moravian stars on Hastings are gone.  Maybe it's hard for homeowners to get in the seasonal spirit when it's so damn warm.  Sorry, but winter should come with icicles, snowdrifts, frigid air blasts, drippy noses, numb toes, etc.  Call me Scrooge, but I love that nice warm feeling you get after a good run in the freezing cold, especially when a group coffee is involved.  Also, we need it so that we can wear buffs.

Speaking of which, many endorsements!

• For families that are combining Chanukah and Christmas:  special glasses that turn Christmas lights into little Stars of David
• Christmas Music events - Pittsburgh Camerata , Heinz Chapel, and madrigals at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church (note for next year) 
•  Leaf and Plate on Ellsworth - teas to cure whatever ails you - seriously
• smitten kitchen cooking blog - and we were just asking about gingerbread!
• the new Ace Hotel in East Liberty - great lunch, and how did we get so trendy?
• the story of Kaufmann's Department Store and the family behind it - a real saga from the PG - so many things we didn't know!
• Kenyon Jewelers in Wilkinsburg - provides jewelry therapy as well as repairs
• Another don't miss series:  The Man in the High Castle - not the heart-warming kind though
• Future runs:  Troy Hill and its Shrine, and Aspinwall/Sharpsburg

Stay tuned for more...

Dec. 20 Run: 61C cafe on Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill

It's Inflatables Time!  We're starting and ending at the 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill and will try to make an efficient circuit of the most unusual and outrageous holiday inflatables in a 2-mile radius.  This will be a group effort, so try to keep the address of your favorite one in mind.  My own favorite was the Virgin Mary on the North Side (pictured here) which we saw last year on that terrific run led by Cheryl - but I guess that's too far.  Hopefully we'll come up with some challengers this time.

Last Sunday was the running equivalent of comfort food: Downtown revisited in its holiday best in the early morning, no traffic, great turnout (more than in the photo!) and led once again by Tom. We then had the antique and homey elegance of the William Penn lobby practically to ourselves, after viewing the new and improved ice rink, the hundred gingerbread houses (from afar this time), the Vatican-sized creche, towering lit-up Christmas trees, some totally charming store windows (a surprise now that Macy's/Kaufmann's is defunct) especially the one below from the Children's Museum, and 2 unexpectedly decent menorahs.
The Shrine to Famous Lawyers at Tom's place of work was magnificently, um, lawyer-like.  We gazed up at the sparkling new Tower at PNC Plaza and are trying to figure out how to get inside one day.
This may sound like we didn't run at all, but we did - honest - more than 4 miles according to Aimee's watch! But with stops.
I have no notes from coffee and so endorsements will have to wait, but storytelling was definitely a theme - and we are still trying to get a group to go to a Moth StorySLAM - next one apparently is Jan. 5 at the Rex - let's try!

Dec. 13 Run: Annual Downtown Holiday Run, to start at the William Penn Hotel lobby

'Tis the season to be running dahntahn!  On Sunday we'll make our annual visit to the heart of the Burgh in all its holiday glory - starting and ending at the venerable and magnifique Omni William Penn Hotel lobby (entrance on Wm. Penn Place between 6th Ave. and Oliver Ave.)  Rumor has it that Kaufmann's/Macy's that is not there anymore NEVERTHELESS has festive Christmas windows.  Many old and new decorative landmarks (including the horrible PVC-pipe menorah) will be visited - and the run may, just may, be led once again by...  Tom!  Please write in if you need a ride.

On Sunday we thought we should try to locate Lainy's keys, which somehow fell out of her pocket on the route last week, so the reverse Bird Run it was again, this time with all of us staring at the ground.  All we found was a spoon, unfortunately, but we did stop and see the 6 million aluminum tabs encased in hundreds of glass blocks, all in the shape of a Jewish star as seen from above, forming the eloquent Holocaust Memorial on the corner of Beechwood and Forward.  Perfect Hanukah run.

Coffee time gave us surprise visits by Cheryl and Tom, and so many endorsements!

• Annual Hanukah Parade of Cars and Bikes later in the day - some of the group biked it, so we hope to hear a report on Sunday, HOPING there were no PVC-pipe menorahs this time. (I'm a little obsessed with this.)
• Wisdom of Tom on Twitter
• Making your opinion count on gun control - tweet to local politicians - or write - or call.  Even to Sen. Pat Toomey, who actually sponsored gun control legislation and deserves credit.  Or contact our runner Chris Horwitz at elgrip@gmail.com, who is organizing about it.  
• Twote as the past tense of tweet 
• Newest runner Rachel!
• Star Wars inflatables in Marlborough St.
• Another delectable Israeli cookbook by Pittsburgh native Mike Solomonov:  Zahav.  
• Pam's awesome Pittsburgh running pants, pictured.  Get them at the Great Race Expo!
• Overheard about a young man stretching outside: "He's got great hips!"  (He did.)

December 6 Run: 61C Cafe (again) on Murray in Squirrel Hill

Next week:  back to our current default:  61C Cafe on Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill.  It's the call of the familiar, and we can certainly go in a number of directions from there, TBD.

Last week, being both a holiday and a calorie-crammed one, we had a good group on each of 2 runs.  On Thanksgiving, Virginia led - through Schenley Park I think? Once again, I was talking too much to notice.  But it was definitely a needed invigorating start to a day of roasting, sauteing, whisking, chopping, slicing, etc.  In my case, as usual, bandaids were required.  Lainy and her neighbors, however, got to stand around, wine glasses in hand, watching successive turkeys being lowered into a barrel of boiling oil.  So naturally, on Sunday, what could be more fitting than going on our legendary Bird Run - and visiting the bird-frying spot itself - which gave it some meaning since the original birds are so long gone that nobody remembered exactly where they were.  (If you do, write in!)  We did spot an amazing antique doll collection in a window on lower Murray, though.

Coffee time was full of endorsements:

• Exhibit at the Carnegie Museum - Silver to Steel: modern designs of Peter Muller-Munk - gorgeous appliances of the Mad Men era, many created in our fair city
• Love the Coopers - let's hear it for yet another movie filmed in Pittsburgh!  (But are there RG members in it?)
• St. Philomena's, aka Community Day School - local monument to ecumenicism (someone needs to update that entry)
• RG appearances in the PG SEEN column - they do happen - please tell! 
• Handmade Arcade on Saturday Dec. 5 - local creations, great for gifts and also inspiration.  (This is where I got the cashmere mitten idea that took over my entire winter)
• Possible new ice rink in Shadyside's Hunt Armory (location of a previous Handmade Arcade in fact) - fingers crossed
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries- this was served alongside that fried turkey and was a huge hit
• Medical consultations provided at coffee - it was a Norovirus - luckily we have our own infectious disease expert.
• Musical offspring!
• Margot and her group Hourglass at the Smiling Moose, Dec. 10 and 11
• Jules and his group SacréFunk at the Club Café, Dec. 5 - not to mention the Jewish Soul Stew of Chillent at the Squirrel Hill Sports Bar on Sunday night
• Overheard:  "The Running Group Has Spoken"

November 29 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for a Neighborhood Run; Thanksgiving Morning Run: meet at Starbucks SqHill

On Thanksgiving morning, sleep in a little to meet at 7:30 at the Squirrel Hill Starbucks on Forbes.  Virginia will lead a run through Schenley Park, possibly extending to Oakland and Shadyside for those looking for a longer run.

Next Sunday 11/29, meet at 61C Cafe at the regular time for a regular neighborhood run.  After traveling to other neighborhoods lately, let's stay close to home base this time.

Last Sunday, Pam toured us through Homestead, starting in the Waterfront, crossing the train tracks, and up into Homestead, up the hills into Munhall.  We got off to a slow start, waiting at the railway crossing, where we counted 114 cars (excluding the double stacked ones), all covered in snow, coming from the west.  Perhaps a harbinger of weather to come, but glad not yet!  It was hard to run very far without passing a church.  At the pinnacle of Munhall, we found the historic Munhall Fire Hall, established in 1894.  We also wandered around the gorgeous Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, and pondered a bite at gastropub Dorothy 6.

Coffee was at Panera at the Waterfront, where Roye sparked a lively discussion on the origins of the bidet, which quite seriously lasted most of the coffee time!  Things that make you go hmmmm.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22 Run: Meet at Waterfront Smokestacks for a Homestead Run

Next Sunday, let's meet at the Waterfront smokestacks (between Costco and Movie Theater) so we can have a Homestead run.

Last Sunday, we took one of the usual Highland Park runs in reverse.  It's funny how different things can look when in reverse.  At coffee, various topics were discussed, including a "single serving friendship" made at Target, and my favorite quote: "I needed 3 potatoes and 2 green peppers, and I spent $197."

Across the street from Target, Eastside, is coming along, and the conversation veered toward the concept of microunits in apartments.  This is actually one of the trends I'm following at work for my coverage of the multifamily market, so I was quite happy to share my nerdiness with the group.  Basically, in Pittsburgh, a "microunit" is around 500 square feet, but in New York and Seattle, it's around 350 square feet, about the size of a hotel room.  There are some great concepts out there, bringing back Murphy beds, built in furniture, etc.  These compact units are embraced by Millennials, but quite frankly, tend toward male Millennials.  But they only work in dynamic mixed use neighborhoods in apartment communities with lots of common areas/amenities.

Endorsements:
The ultralight down vests and coats from Costco
Marshall's in Greentree-- best selection
Weighted vest from Dick's-- helps with preventing osteoporosis

November 15 Run: Meet at Tazzo d'Oro in Highland Park

This Sunday, let's meet at Tazzo d'Oro (Highland and Bryant) so we can catch the tail end of the fall foliage in beautiful Highland Park.

This past Sunday, Michele led us through the high and low points of Braddock, with no worries about missing out on hills.  We started out with the Edgar Thomson Works  and wound our way up to a bridge connecting to North Braddock.  We saw the Free Store and the community garden, but a couple of new things were going on.  For example, the Brew Gentlemen Beer Company, which has been flourishing along with its accompanying food trucks that appear on Friday and Saturday nights.  Then, Mayor John and his wife Gisele hosted coffee for us in their home.  Again, what an amazing experience to be able to ask questions of a PA candidate for US Senate!

November 8 Run: Braddock Run and Coffee at the Fettermans'

This past Sunday, Sharon led the group through Squirrel Hill in search of festive and scary Halloween decorations. Coffee was a bit abbreviated (got to be productive with that extra hour), so I didn't catch any endorsements.

This Sunday, Michele offered to lead a very special run in Braddock.  Park on Braddock Avenue near the intersection with 11th Street.  Braddock Mayor John Fetterman and his wife Gisele will host coffee at their home afterward.  This is a great opportunity to learn about this evolving borough and ask questions of a 2016 Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.  Below is a note from Michele. She added that we can donate anything to the Free Store in addition to the specific items listed:

"Since Gisele and John have so graciously offered to host coffee, I am hoping that our running group can again help support the FreeStore.  While shopping over the next two weeks, and remember the upcoming run, can you please make a feminine hygiene product, diaper of any size or formula purchase to donate.  Gisele will be so happy and grateful.

"Furthermore!  please know that when Gisele offered to host coffee, she made NO MENTION of asking for a FreeStore contribution!  This is my idea completely and no one should in any way feel obligated to donate.  We are a fortunate group of means.  A this is a small donation to us but can be a "lifesaver" to someone in need.

"Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will have a lovely morning.  For those who do not remember, it is necessary to drive all of the way through Braddock and park around Edgar Thompson."

November 1 Run: 61C Cafe for a Neighborhood Halloween Run- REMEMBER TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS!

This Sunday, let's meet at 61C Cafe so that we can run around our 'hood to check out the various Halloween decorations.  And remember to change your clocks to fall back to reflect the end (or is it the beginning?) of Daylight Savings.

This past Sunday, Roye led us on a jaunt through Allegheny Cemetery. While we didn't find the Halloween decorated tombstones, we thought the whole place, being a cemetery, was quite "Halloweeny."  The colors of the trees seemed to be at peak-- so beautiful.  And the crows flying overhead signaled the change of seasons.  I didn't catch any endorsements at coffee because there were just so many conversations happening simultaneously.  Always a delight.

Nov. 8 (the following Sunday), we will be in Braddock for a run led by Michele. Roye already sent the "save the date."  I'll send the details next week.

October 25 Run: Commonplace at Voluto (5467 Penn Ave) for an Allegheny Cemetery Run

Sunday we decided to enjoy some more of the beautiful fall foliage, but this time from Allegheny Cemetery.  We will start and end at Commonplace at Voluto, a few blocks away on Penn Ave.

Last week, Karen led the group through Point Breeze, Homewood Cemetery and Frick Park.  Until Daylight Savings happens next weekend (Nov. 1), it's still quite dark until about 7:30, so the neighborhood streets and community gardens were welcoming until it was light enough to enter the park.

At coffee, numerous conversations were overheard, so I will try to summarize what I caught:

First, the serious stuff:

Chris wants to announce a gun violence forum taking place on Thursday, 10/29, at 6:30pm at 2200 Beechwood Blvd.  Please spread the word.  Any questions or to RSVP, email him at elgrip@gmail.com.

On that same topic, Audrey has crafted a beautifully and succinctly written letter that you can use to write your politicians.  For the letter, contact her at: aekane@gmail.com.  Or, write your own and send along to the following:

Websites for politicians:
http://doyle.house.gov/
http://murphy.house.gov/
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=PA

Under "Contact Me" you can fill out an email and write a letter or copy and paste what Audrey has written.

Other info:
http://billmoyers.com/2014/06/13/say-no-to-the-new-normal-five-things-you-can-do-about-gun-violence/

Now, the fun stuff:

Endorsements for food:
Convenient and tasty BBQ beef brisket at Costco snack bar
Almond croissants from Five Points Bakery
Peace Love Donuts (but only the Oakland location)

Endorsements for movies:
Robin Williams tribute
Me and Earl now on demand- HBO and Showtime.

 

October 18 Run: entrance to Frick Park at Reynolds and S. Homewood

The woods are turning ever more beautiful so we are taking advantage with a Frick Park Run, and will meet at the stone gatehouse in Point Breeze, at Reynolds and S. Homewood.  Karen will make sure we don't get lost.  Coffee most likely to follow at 61C Cafe.

Our autumn excursion through Schenley Park last Sunday was a little early in the month to be radiant, but it was still lovely as always.  Actually as a native New Englander, I think its leafy pride is a bit much - the colors there are almost day-glo - it's kind of a juvenile taste.  Here fall is more subtle, like a nice burgundy compared to Kool-Aid.  And, speaking of subtle, it's Stillers season!  

Multiple endorsements of all kinds bubbled up:

• Off the Record - like the Capitol Steps but all about Pittsburgh, courtesy of our amazingly talented news/film/radio/TV workers and supporting the Food Bank - go see it next year!
• adorable town of Cambria, CA - where Judy is headed temporarily - she says come visit!
• the fact that Wendy knit sweaters for her bridesmaids
• Five Points Bakery - can't say it too many times - have you tried the Tahini Cookies?  
• our resident judicial expert says: David Wecht and Hugh McGough.  Also Eat That Read This (also endorsed) additionally supports Christine Donahue and Kevin Dougherty.  And apparently if you select individual names instead of a straight party vote it carries more weight and is known as a "power vote" but maybe I should make sure I have that straight...
• not exactly an endorsement but it's got to be said:  Trader Joe's has gone bonkers over pumpkin.  I think there's pumpkin pizza dough - maybe pumpkin brie - it's nuts.
• the Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante, starting with My Brilliant Friend - PLEASE read them so we can discuss!  1500 pages goes by in a flash!
• And here we got totally psyched about TV series:
• Frankie and Grace
• Orange is the New Black
• The Good Wife
• The Affair
• Veep
• House of Cards
• The Newsroom

Now we're all set for winter.

October 11 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for a Schenley Park Trail Run

This coming Sunday, let's meet at 61C Cafe for a Schenley Park trail run to see any first signs of leaves changing colors.  (Normally we meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead, but we decided to start and end at 61C for coffee drinking purposes:-).

This past Sunday, we enjoyed seeking out and finding as many Sukkahs (er, Sukkot, which is the plural, I believe) as possible on the last day of the holiday.  I believe PtB has the official count.  We even saw a Sukkah created by two of our own East End Runners, and a friendly neighbor of an EE Runner's Sukkah, complete with lights.  One thing I really enjoy about Running Group is that we learn so much from each others' faith traditions.  Keep it coming!

Endorsements from coffee include:

Duo Lingo free app for learning languages (but interactive, so using on the bus might not be recommended).

Sabbatical ideas for places, activities, etc.

Cities, cars that are conducive for short people!  (oh, the strange directions that conversations can take!).

That's all I got.  See you the following week, as I'm headed to West Virginia this weekend for the Apple Butter Festival.

October 4 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for a neighborhood Sukkot run

This coming Sunday, we will meet at the 61C Cafe, then tour Squirrel Hill for any and every sukkah we can find.

Last Sunday, a smaller group due to the Great Race met up at Bakery Square for an East Liberty restaurant and real estate development tour.  The massive Eastside development (apartments, retail) dominates the area, but we looked beyond, for great new restaurants like Pizza Taglio, and ones that started a while back when East Liberty was first being branded as Eastside, like Paris 66.  We saw large scale housing development and a dilapidated church on the back side of Target, along with small scale redevelopment on the Highland Park side of East Liberty Boulevard.

Coffee endorsements:

Lux Artisan Chocolates, which can be found locally at Mon Aimee in the Strip District, Biddle's Escape, the Chocolate Moose, etc.

September 27 Run: Bakery Square Coffee Tree for an East Liberty Restaurant Tour

For those of us not running the Great Race on Sunday, meet at Bakery Square Coffee Tree Roasters so that we can avoid any road blockages.  We will tour the new construction and newly opened/promised restaurants in this area, although we'll have to save the feasting for later when the establishments are open.

For those participating in the Great Race, Pam has again offered runners to use her house as a starting line pit stop/place to drop sweatshirts, etc.  Pam, typing with her non-injured hand, writes:

"I will take it easy, but am still planning on hospitality before and running the Great Race. 2200 Beechwood Blvd, just before the start. 412-425-1118 if you have questions. No need to RSVP. "

Heal up quickly, Pam!  And have a great race, Great Racers.

Last Sunday, we started at Nancy's East End Diner in Wilkinsburg in hopes that we could feast on brunch items post-run, but sadly, it doesn't open until 9am, and the old grill takes 40 minutes to heat up!  Galit and her husband, pushing in the stroller their 10-month old--youngest runner!-- showcased the various points of interest in Wilkinsburg.  We saw the Singer Mansion, the high school, an old post office, etc.  Several parts of the neighborhood were even cuter than the last time we ran through.  And houses are not on the market for long, if they even hit the market.  Google effect?  Or is this just Pittsburgh's Renaissance?

September 20 Run: 616 South Ave. in Wilkinsburg

From: Mormer, Elaine A <emormer@pitt.edu>

Meet at Nancy's east end diner,  616 South Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

September 13 Run: Market Square Starbucks for a Downtown and North Side Run

Next week, meet at our Downtown spot in Market Square at the Starbucks for what sounds like a fun run around Allegheny Center on the North Side.

Good thing Roye's run around Shadyside and East Liberty last Sunday was flat because it was huMID (!) and we were all feeling it!  We enjoyed our coffee outside at Bakery Square and the endorsements again returned to the best places to shop thrifty around town (South Side Goodwill, Red White Blue on 51) as well as out of town (Boston South End Goodwill described as "astounding"!).  I'm sure there were plenty of other endorsements/discussions after I left coffee...

The next morning for the special Labor Day holiday run, we had a large group start and end at 61C Cafe for a regular jaunt around Schenley Park, just the regular weekday running route because so many of us miss it.  I had to peel off early, so I missed out on coffee.  I will be out of town this Sunday so until next week, signing off, Aimee

September 6 Run: meet at Commonplace Coffee at Bakery Square

At least not late again, but another busy week, so just the announcement:
Start at Bakery Square parking lot in front of Commonplace Coffee (you have to actually put your car into the parking garage in back because I think they won't let people park in the lot - weird, I know.  But at least it's free.)
We could actually go in any direction from there - we'll see!

August 30 Run: meet in Regent Square at 61B Cafe on Braddock

Sorry it's late!  A busy week - so just the location this time:
We're meeting in Regent Square at the 61B Cafe on Braddock Ave.
See you there!

August 23 Run: Start at Costco parking lot in the Waterfront

Next week we thought it would be fun to return to the Waterfront and run on the path along the Mon - stop at the labyrinth, ponder the Carrie Blast Furnaces, and reach the rear end of Kennywood - maybe head back through Homestead.  Not sure about coffee - possibly at the Starbucks right in the Waterfront - or is there someplace in Homestead?  We'll see.

Last week, a summery experience of Frick Park while it was still cool, taking us from the depths to the heights and then a lovely downhill back to the start, at the Five Points Bakery, which as a bakery is simply awesome, but for our largish group on Sunday, a little slow on the coffee and short on the chairs.  Not being good at writing while standing up, this is all I've got:

• We are just as good as The Ethicist when determining the rights and wrongs of baseball ticket distribution.
• Everything inside 5 Points Bakery is marvelous - particularly recommend the Tahini Cookies.
• Vermont Bike Tours are great, even outside of Vermont.
• So is Costco - stay tuned.

August 16 Run: Five Points Bakery at 6520 Wilkins Avenue

This Sunday, let's start and end at the yummy Five Points Bakery at 6520 Wilkins Avenue (near Wilkins and Beechwood intersection).  There was some talk about running to Frick Park-- we'll see!

Last Sunday, I brought the group around to a less traversed section of Garfield near the water tower that  boasted some new housing, several community gardens, an old closed school with lots of potential, and tons of city steps.  Despite my reputation for taking the group on hilly runs, there was only one steep uphill, and it was worth it for the views.  We could see the Downtown and Oakland skylines!  I told people it was only 3.75 miles, but they were "vertical miles" for the elevation.  Let's embrace this beautiful topography!

I didn't stay long at coffee, but there was a coffee cocktail of the day as well as talk of frozen cocktails to make at home.  Both refreshing.

August 9 Run: Start at The Commonplace at Voluto Cafe, 5467 Penn Ave., Garfield

For this coming Sunday, Aimee has a plan, starting and ending at the Commonplace at Voluto Cafe in Garfield, 5467 Penn Ave., sort of across from the Pittsburgh Glass Center.  New sights in store!

Last Sunday the air was cool, the sky was clear, the river was sparkling as we crossed the bridges to and from Washington's Landing, the coffee was strong, the meles were still warm - what more could we ask for?  Am including 3 photos so everyone is accounted for, including Sid and Cutch, vividly executed but never seen when the store is open.  Another reason to be up and about at 7.

Delightful coffee at La Prima, naturally, with various endorsements:

• Traveling without the family - what conferences were invented for -
• The Fort Pitt Museum
• Birdman the movie, and also the documentary about casting by the famous Marion Dougherty 
• a run in Troy Hill with a visit to the famous church with relics
• Lake Arthur and its 14-mile bike route as well as pontoon boats

And best of luck to Gretchen's daughter who made it to the WYEP Singer/Songwriter Competition finals on August 24!

August 2 Run: 21st and Liberty Ave. parking lot for a Strip District run

August already?? ! Might as well make that a bit sweeter with some almond meles, so we'll start at the parking lot overlooking the 21st and Liberty intersection, as we usually do, make our way over a few bridges, and return to La Prima in time for warm pastries (fingers crossed) and strong coffee.  No hills! (Almost.)

Last Sunday we ended up doing the Wendy Bennett Trailhead run backwards, which I sort of hoped would make time go in reverse, but no luck.  However, the park was lovely!

Coffee was chock full of endorsements:
(Does anyone remember Chock Full o'Nuts, the Heavenly Coffee?  What did that even mean?)

• Push mowers - hurray for no lawn machine noise! - 2 are available from David Coulson (412-421-1230)
• Support the urban forest and learn tree identification from Tree Pittsburgh
• A true Shabbat without all those impossible rules - like many Israelis do it
• Picklesburgh - I guess we missed it, but there's always next summer
• Upscale exotic popsicles, aka Mexican paletas, available from Popstop around town but if you want to make them, a Vitamix is recommended, and Wendy knows how to get one half-price.
• Moscow Mule cocktails
• Food for Thought caterer on South Craig
• The Independent bar in Squirrel Hill, Whiskey Wednesday and amazing brussels sprouts.
• Superfunk!  H.B. Bennett's hit song, Shoot the Pump, and the upcoming Bootsie Collins concert at Hartwood Acres on Sunday

July 26 Run: 61C Cafe for a Runners' Choice Run

Whoops!  Saturday morning and I realized I haven't sent out the email yet.  Apologies for my delinquency.

Tomorrow, meet at 61C Cafe for a Runners' Choice run-- "someone will think of something."  I'm out of town, so I'll miss out on the adventures.

Speaking of adventures, we had lots of them last Sunday for our Vintage Grand Prix run in Schenley Park.  I shall call the run "In Search of Janis Joplin's Psychedelic Porsche."  Wendy's friend, Harvey, was visiting from Berlin, he an actor and his wife the Martha Stewart of Germany who just published a new book!  Harvey was focused on finding Janis Joplin's Psychedelic Porsche, so to find the porsche, we had to get to the golf course.  There were a lot of police officers guarding barricades all throughout the park, presumably to keep people safe and off the race track.  That didn't stop us from taking a little shortcut to the golf course (where we thought the porsche would be)-- doing what we do best, trespassing, with our Blatant Disregard for Authority:

If it's not blocked off, it must not be worth visiting

 Caution tape?  What caution tape?

We made it safely to the other side, checking Flagstaff Hill, then venturing up to the golf course to ask in vain for where the porsche would be.  Every car aficionado had different answers, and we were getting tired, so many of us split off from there, deciding water/coffee would be good to seek out instead of a porsche.  Wendy stuck by her friend Harvey, but later returned to the cafe without having found the porsche.

Discussions at coffee were cut short because it people had places to be, people to see, life to live!  See you next Sunday!

July 19 Run: Hobart and Guarino Streets at the entrance to Schenley Park (Fruit Loop side) for a Vintage Grand Prix Run

Next up, meet at the Schenley Park entrance on Hobart Street and Guarino near the Fruit Loop for a Vintage Grand Prix run to look at the cars.

Last Sunday, we ran an old favorite, a loop of Schenley Park on the trails, and the weather cooperated for a beautiful experience.

Topics of conversation at the coffee:

The need for more secure bike panniers
The kindness of strangers
Potential bike ride or long run: "Bike heaven" on the north side river trail downstream from science center.  
The Moth- upcoming Adam Gropnik and a moth evening Wednesday 9/30 - tickets go on sale 7/31 - maybe we have enough for a 'group' rate.

A cool photo from coffee and one from last week's South Side run:

July 12 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead for a Schenley Park Run

Next up: Meet at the Wendy Bennett trailhead at Bartlett/Greenfield and Panther Hollow Road for a Schenley Park run.

Last Sunday was a bonafide vertical run.  Roye led us up, up, up the South Side Slopes' windy streets and city steps for some amazing views and glute-shaping.  Some of us remarked that we didn't feel like we were in the city anymore.  But, we made our way back down the hill without getting too lost.

Highlights:
Zenith
South Side Park
Big Dog Coffee
Cheryl's blueberry pie with homemade crust

Endorsements/Topics of Discussion:
VitaMix, InstantPot
Frick Art Museum, rolling hills exhibit, Fridays when they stay open late
Grandparent names-- so many to choose from

July 5 Run: Meet at Big Dog Coffee in the South Side (27th and Sarah St) plus Holiday run Friday July 3rd at 61C Cafe

This Friday, 7/3, join us for a holiday run at 61C Cafe, a bit later at 7:30 so you can sleep in.

Next Sunday, let's meet at Big Dog Coffee in the South Side so we can investigate possible Step Trek stair running.

I'm sending this out soon after our slightly damp run this morning in Lawrenceville to give adequate notice for a 7:30 screening tonight (Sunday) of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill.  A few of us will be there to check out what I hear is a fantastic film!

This morning, we had just a bit of mist (except for what some rowdy squirrels sprinkled on us from trees above) for Open Streets on the Lawrenceville side.  We ran up Penn, through Allegheny Cemetery, then down Butler.  A bit of excitement was setting up on Butler Street, and a fair number of people on foot, bikes, and strollers came out to support the event.

At coffee afterward, we discussed testosterone-induced forgetfulness (exactly what it sounds like), brick-and-mortar versus online shopping, and scary adventures like ziplining and repelling.  

Endorsements include:

Repelling off EQT Tower downtown, for a cause

Rolling Stones last weekend were just awesome

A big sale at Carabella's in Oakmont

Something on the list of places to explore:

Arsenal Cider House

June 28 Run: Espresso a Mano cafe on Butler Street for another Open Streets celebration

Next up:  Aimee reminded us that Open Streets is happening again next week, so we'll try it this time from the other direction.  We'll start and end at the Espresso a Mano cafe in Lawrenceville, 3623 Butler St., go up through Allegheny Cemetery, and come back via Penn Ave.

We had a nice classic run on Sunday, to Schenley Park and back to the 61C, fine weather, with the surprise return of the maverick trio of Tom, Jonathan and Paula, who assured us that the 5:45 a.m. Wed./Fri. run from Forbes and Murray is still on!  There was a time when this practice appeared to me basically insane, and then there was a time when I (resistance is futile) joined up for a while, and now I'm sort of going back to the original viewpoint, but mainly with awe.

Endorsements:
Education:  The Pittsburgh Public Schools! Yes! Many of us - with our children - had and are having really good experiences, and we spent some time during the run and after lamenting all the unfair negative stories that are discouraging young parents from signing on.  More evidence: read the great Op-Ed piece in the PG by a student at the Obama School from that Sunday.

Entertainment:  More movies shot in the Burgh - where else?  Southpaw with Jake Gyllenhall - Love the Coopers with Diane Keaton - Concussion with Will Smith

Food:  Rick Easton's Bread & Salt bakery in Bloomfield - now in the New York Times!  Also the macarons from Jean-Marc Chatellier's bakery in Millvale, AND the handmade raviolis from the Groceria Italiana,  also in Bloomfield.

More insane physical activity engaged in by our members:  Rachel Carson 34-mile sunrise to sunset hike, called "brutal" even in the promo.  And the Ragnar Appalachian Trail Relay, "15 miles of Appalachian badassery" done entirely in the dark.  And finally, North Park Paddle Yoga!  Awesome.

June 21 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for a Run of Runner's Choice

After a nice tour through Frick Park and Duck Hollow, we enjoyed refreshments at Virginia's house in Regent Square.  We were too engrossed in Pam's photos of her daughter's wedding that we forgot to plan a run for next week.  So, meet at 61C Cafe and we will think of something!

Endorsements:
Squirrel Hill Night Market, although it's unclear when it will take place, some say July, others say August

June 14 Run: Meet at Virginia's house in Regent Square (1200 Lancaster Ave) for a Duck Hollow Run

Next Sunday, Virginia volunteered to not only lead a run to Duck Hollow, but to have coffee at her house after the run.  Two thumbs up!  Here are her directions:

Virginia's House: 1200 Lancaster Avenue, Regent Square. 15218


If coming from Squirrel Hill, head to Regent Square on Forbes, turn right on South Braddock and drive about 1/2 mile, thru the light and then just past the Square Cafe and turn right on Sanders (corner with McBrooms beer distributor, Typhoon and Vanilla Pastry). Go down four blocks toward Frick Park and you'll come to my house on the far left corner of Lancaster and Sanders.
       Please stay for coffee, light pastries afterward.
        412-719-7779

This past Sunday, we started and finished at Staghorn Cafe in Greenfield.  We first took the Greenfield Bridge to Schenley Park, looped through the trails in Panther Hollow, and climbed back up the giant hill to get coffee.  We were quite impressed with this new place, more with the merchandise than with the pastries (nothing fresh on Sundays, but discounted day-old pastries).  The place has an eclectic feel straight out of a Portlandia episode, complete with hilarious greeting cards, crocheted jellyfish (I kid you not!), Zeke's coffee, farmers market hand lotions, teas, etc.  It's definitely worth a trip.  Also, you can get Brunton Dairy glass milk jugs that you can bring back for refills!   No endorsements of note, except for Cuba!  (where Wendy recently made a trip!).

June 7 Run: Meet at Staghorn Cafe in Greenfield for a Greenfield/Schenley Park Run

This upcoming Sunday, Audrey will lead the run through Greenfield and into Schenley Park (while we can still run over the Greenfield Bridge!).  Meet at Staghorn Cafe at 517 Greenfield Avenue.

This past Sunday, we ran through Downtown and the Strip District during the Open Streets event.  We were able to meet up with Wendy and David, who traveled Downtown on bike to hop off and run with us.  There was so much activity and fun going on-- enough to satisfy the masses!  And I hear the event went very well.  I hear some of us even stayed for Zumba.

The weather was perfect for sitting outside in Market Square for coffee, so much so that I didn't keep track of endorsements (whoops!).  I will try better this Sunday.  Filling Roye's shoes is hard!

Photo credit Elaine Mormer

May 31 Run: Meet Downtown at the PPG Plaza/Tomb of Unknown Bowler

This Sunday, we'll check out the Downtown end of Open Streets Pittsburgh, where Penn Avenue and Butler Street between Market Square and Allegheny Cemetery will be closed to traffic between 7am and 1pm, and festivities abound!  Since the opening ceremony is at 8am in Market Square, with some famous speakers, it might be wise to try to carpool since there might be limited parking.  I have a lease in a parking garage and can fit 3 people in my car, leaving from Squirrel Hill, in case anyone is interested (let me know!).  Check out the information below on the event.  You may want to stick around after the run for Tai Chi, Zumba, or many other activities.

Last Sunday, Joanne lead us around both some familiar and not-so-familiar places in Highland Park.  A few of us complained of achy joints, tired muscles, etc. and we very nearly thought we might head back to Tazzo d'Oro instead of running since it's now open beginning at 7am.  But, we forged onward, because really, resistance is futile, right?

Post-run coffee topics included:
-Ghost town Trail, Clem's BBQ, Blairsville
-Cumberland-Frostburg train-bike "Triplette"
-Different ways to skewer chicken for shish kabobs

Running Group endorsements:
-Cowboy quinoa (Trader Joe's)
-Guilt-free guacamole (Trader Joe's)

___________________________________________________________________________________________
What is OpenStreetsPGH? It is an event that will take places usually reserved for motor vehicles and open them up to all users, people who are walking, running, bicycling, skating, shopping and dancing.

The 2015 route for OpenStreetsPGH will be mainly on Penn Avenue and Butler Street, with Market Square in Downtown at one end and Allegheny Cemetery in Lawrenceville at the other.

Penn Avenue and Butler Street and other roads will be closed to motorized traffic at 7:00 a.m. on each OpenStreets Sunday and will reopen at 1:00 p.m. Cars may cross the route only at major intersections.

There are three major program hubs along the route, one in Market Square in Downtown, one in the Strip District and one in Lawrenceville. Of course, the purpose behind Open Streets is to get folks to re-imagine city streets and recognize them as spaces to be used for many activities. Walk your dog – in the middle of Penn Avenue; ride your bike – all the way from Downtown to Lawrenceville without having to worry about cars; or let your child who is learning to online skate – practice in the middle of Butler Street. More information on OpenStreetsPGH is available here. 

May 24 Run: Highland Park run starting and ending at the Tazza D'Oro cafe on Highland Ave.

Next week - as we love to do - we're taking Joanne up on her offer to lead a Highland Park run, starting at the Tazza D'Oro cafe on Highland Ave., which will open at 7 a.m. on a Sunday, reminding us that we're getting closer to a city that never sleeps!  (Well, a little closer.)

Future runs: Aimee reminds us that the 31st is the first Pittsburgh Open Streets day, so we'll beat everyone out there and take a route on Butler Street or Penn Ave. - details later.  And for the following week, Audrey has discovered an intriguing new cafe - the Staghorn - on Greenfield Ave. open early Sunday, so we'll discover that and run across the Greenfield Bridge before it closes.

About last Sunday and the brave but minimal showing of runners after a 6 a.m. downpour - I was about to write "oh, ye of little faith" but then did a search of this blog and discovered that I had said that AT LEAST 3 other times in similar circumstances - which means that I am repeating myself, but also that this happens a LOT!  For lo and behold, not a drop fell between 7 and 7:55, and the park was not even muddy, but just atmospherically jungly and misty.  We peered in at the rising new Nature Center building, and recalled the day a decade ago when the RG came across the smoking ruin.

We had a lovely coffee, but for one small thing:  please, 61C, take a look at the vintage of your customers in the early morning and save the weird indie music for the millennials that show up around noon.

Endorsements:
The Ramen Bar on the Little's side of Forbes
The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame - kudos to Karen's family!
The Classic Lines Bookstore on Forbes in Squirrel Hill, and its wine-and-macarons events
The fact that both Karen and PtB are apparently related to the historical Jane Seymour, as seen in the also endorsed Wolf Hall on PBS (but why did it end before they told her story??)
The fact that Aimee and hopefully someone else will be your future bloggers for a while - as I'll be taking a blog break - thank you!!

May 3 Run: Start at Mellon Park parking lot off of Fifth Ave. (but don't park there - see message)

A number of us will be running in the Pittsburgh Marathon - all power to them! - but those of us who aren't will still follow the route a bit, starting at 7 as usual, at Mellon Park at the corner of Fifth and Beechwood.  BUT:  be sure to park somewhere on the Beechwood side because Fifth Ave. will be blocked off for sure and you may have to hang around Panera or the knitting store for hours, which actually wouldn't be so bad.

I have no report on last week's run, since I didn't manage to get there and only had a solo run up to 61C for coffee.  But then I got the happy surprise of seeing both Elaine and Anne Jane - return of the natives!  And a good complement of the group too, quite enough to have a delightfully long chat and to endorse:
(apparently a food theme this week)
Book:  Sous Chef: 24 hours on the line
Another book:  The Story of Sushi
Pittsburgh blog:  Eat this - read that (recommended by my daughter Lena who knows about these things.)
A robot that feeds you tomatoes while you run (not kidding - take a look - Aimee also knows about these things.)
Bread & Salt bakery in Bloomfield - none of those fripperies - bread that doesn't fool around.
A watermelon carved like a baby carriage - with lace! by Lainy for Galit's baby shower.

April 26 Run: Colfax School for a Frick Park run

I'm at a conference in Nashville this week, so just a bulletin this time:  meeting at Colfax School on Beechwood at Douglas in Squirrel Hill - we'll make a circuit through Frick Park - hopefully it won't be snowing -

April 19 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead at the bottom of the Schenley Oval for a classic park run

Meet up at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead - where Bartlett meets Hobart in Schenley Park (map) - and we'll run through the tiny green evidence of early springtime, hoping to avoid the muddier parts.  There may be trilliums!  (trillia?)

Sunday's mystery run was called that since I had no idea where we would be going, but we ended up pursuing an Eco theme, threading through the trees in Schenley Park, then up to investigate what's been going on at Phipps' LEED certified Center for Sustainable Landscapes and their Eco-friendly classroom, roof gardens, new statuary, and general model ecological-ness.  We headed back past CMU's similarly LEEDed Gates-Hillman Center and up the hidden nature path behind it.  Then we just tanked up on coffee, and endorsed:

• 2 great bars:  Houghs Bar in Greenfield, with its Artisan Nachos, and the Independent Brewing Co. on Shady.
• 2 eccentric guys:  The Kiltman, aka Richard Greenberg- and I quote: "hashem is the boss, I am the applesauce." Read more of the same here.  And the guy with a beard who rides his bike in all weather who wrote the book about all the steps in Pittsburgh.  
• 2 runs coming up:  Mother's Day to the Shrine of the Blessed Mother, and the week after up and down the StepTrek on the South Side. 
• 2 places to play Mah-Jongg:  the Meetup at Panera on Tuesday nights, and at random times with some of us runners - bring it up at the next run if you're interested.  Bring your Mah Jongg socks!
• Food Inc. - documentary that will make you mad and upset - is that an endorsement?  
• This one is:  new runner Gretchen - welcome!

photo courtesy of Aimee

April 12 Run: 61C Cafe again for a mystery run

We'll meet at the 61C Cafe on Murray Ave. again, head toward Frick Park, or Schenley Park, or both. Or maybe Homewood Cemetery, where there is now a family of wild turkeys adding to the other fauna.  We'll be spontaneous.

Well, I tried to see if our route last week did in fact look like the outline of a squirrel - umm, not really - but we did note the new Welcome to Squirrel Hill sign en route (PtB says they need volunteers for the garden.) And there was a bit of related theme, as we passed another garden that claimed to be a "certified wildlife habitat" (this is really a thing!) and also visited Sylvania Natives, an almost hidden-away nursery for native plants.  But the main thing was synagogues and churches up and down and near Beechwood Blvd., and we ran by a whole bunch of them - mainly homey little places, like the Agape Life church (left), B'nai Emunah, famous for its hot dog lunches, and one adorable place that doubles as both AND has services in Ukrainian. Also a church named Mary S. Brown Ames, with a mysterious grave marked "Shawnee" - and RG's devoted researcher PtB has uncovered that it's the 2nd oldest graveyard in Pittsburgh.   Also Iain revealed that Beechwood Blvd. was once the Nemacolin Indian Trail.  I think we've got enough for a novel here.

Endorsements:

• kosher for Passover baking (recipes below)
• doing a "phone cleanse"
• the word "perseverating"
• Sally - who grew up on "Mad Men"
• Cuba (can't wait to hear about the trip!)

Bonus feature!

Recipes for those of us starved for pastries during Passover:

1. PtB's recommended Ricciarelli via Nigella Lawson

2. Cheryl's Mom's Chocolate Chip Mandelbread

6 eggs
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. matzo cake meal
2 T. potato starch
1/2 c. oil
2 c. chopped nuts
1 t. lemon juice
Lemon rind

Sift cake meal, starch through strainer.
Beat eggs with sugar. Add oil, lemon juice and rind.
Mix in dry ingredients. Stir in nuts.
Add 6 oz. chocolate chips to batter.
Spray cookie sheet pan. Spoon into 3 loaves.
Bake 30 minutes at 350.

Cut and slice into 1" pieces.
Turn on side. Return to oven 30 minutes or until crisp. 

April 5 Run: Start at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill for and Easter/Passover run

Starting at the 61C Cafe on Murray in Squirrel Hill - our newest coffee location, and the challenge is, in honor of both holidays, to cover as many churches and synagogues as we can in an hour.  I looked at Google Maps and it's kind of like a connect-the-dots puzzle.  If you do it you get an outline of a squirrel!

First, I promised to go back 2 weeks to our return to Robert E. Williams Memorial Park, aka Herron Hill Park which takes us to the top of the Hill and around the reservoir which gets an amazing view of the city in all directions.  Checking the blog, this is the 6th time we've been there - starting in 2008.  It seemed more rundown than in previous years but at least we weren't chased by a large ferocious dog (2010.) We circled back to Laurie's house for coffee, which was delightful in every way, though not least because of the pecan sticky buns.

Last Sunday we really tried to retrace an old route through Greenfield, and did get as far as Big Jim's, but we got off track when we were barred from the crumbling steps next to the church (alas no trespass) and we simply ad-libbed, hitting the Jail Trail, an old stairway off of Bates, and the conjunction of Romeo and Juliet Streets in South Oakland.

2 weeks worth of endorsements:

• Crying Towels - Laurie has one from her grandmother, and Wendy has uncovered related facts including an intriguing connection with Terrible Towels - to be revealed in the next installment!
• In a pinch, croup and any number of ailments can be treated with your dog's prescription for Prednizone
• Lenox, MA, Kripalu yoga retreat, and the Berkshires generally
• The Trapp Family Lodge - where the hills are alive 
• Clem's Barbecue in Blairsville - only an hour away
• Safe biking behavior - especially as the years pile on
• Mark Wahlberg (really)
• Monica Lewinsky's TED talk: The Price of Shame - generated a new look at that whole episode, and also this comment found later by Sarah. 

March 29 Run: starts at WQED parking lot, 4802 Fifth Ave., Oakland

Got up this morning and wondered:  where is the run tomorrow?  Oh-oh - I forgot to send out the message!

It's from the WQED parking lot, 4802 Fifth Ave. Oakland - though I think we can't park there - just find a spot nearby.  We're going to try to recreate Bobbie's Greenfield run from the early days.  Hope someone remembers :-)

Blog to be updated later with details of last week's terrific run and even better coffee at Laurie's

(forgive if you got this several times - some problems with eerunners email...)

March 22 Run: Meet at Laurie's house, 4401 Schenley Farms Terrace across from Schenley High School

Next week, Laurie has graciously invited us to start and have coffee afterwards at her house at 4401 Schenley Farms Terrace (map - maybe easiest to park on Centre or Bigelow.)  We'll most likely do the run up to the up to Robert E. Williams Memorial Park (aka Herron Hill Park) which was "created in 1889, and designated a Historic Landmark in 1989" in a "tree-lined residential section of the Hill known as Sugar Top. This park offers one of the most unique, panoramic views of Pittsburgh."  We've done it before, though not in a while.




On Sunday we met at Allegheny Cemetery, still a bit dark and creepy at 7:05.  After tooling around the streets for a while, we got brave, went in and spent the time running up and down and up and down its many hills - never finding Stephen Foster's grave - but occasionally stopping to gaze at (and be gazed at by) LOTS of deer, maybe gathering there to escape the Mt. Lebanon firing squads.  No real signs of spring yet, though those of us with eagle-eye vision perceived some tree buds.  Appealing coffee stop at the other Commonplace (was Voluto) Cafe on Penn.  

Endorsements:

•   Dish restaurant on the South Side

•   E2 and especially its Sunday Sauce event (click on Events)

•   Udipi Cafe - all vegetarian Indian

•   Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia

•   Taking teenage kids on vacation - NOT