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

March 15 Run: Allegheny Cemetery and thereabouts - meet at Penn Ave. entrance

On Sunday we are touring Allegheny Cemetery, looking for signs of spring, and perhaps picking up a bit of Friendship (of course) along the way.  Meet at the Penn Avenue entrance.  Not sure about coffee location.

Last week was still icy in unpredictable spots - I know this even though I missed the run itself but ran over to Virginia's later. However, lots of warmth (and deliciousness) in Virginia's kitchen afterwards, as we bid farewell to Tammy, who is moving to LA, but has promised to come back for visits.  Much interesting conversation, too much to report, but here are endorsements:
Netflix:
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Tina Fey's latest)
Hemlock Grove (if you don't mind creepiness)

Books:
Audio version of Tina Fey's Bossypants
Amy Poehler's Yes Please
My Brilliant Friend - and the Neapolitan Trilogy by Elena Ferrante

Movies yet to come, made in our fair city:
Let It Snow - production spotted recently in our neighborhoods
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl - opening this summer in NYC - and featuring: several RG members!  Maybe planning a group trip to go see it there and do some circuits in Central Park, too.

Apps:
Busgazer - realtime information on Port Authority buses  - guaranteed to change your life
Pittsburgh Snow Plow Tracker - hopefully not to use until next year

Life:
Tammy's advice on using systems to make choices - please come back and tell us more.

March 8 Run: Virginia's house at 1200 Lancaster Ave. Regent Square

Thanks to Virginia for the following:

For those who have not heard, we're going to lose our running mate Tammy Thompson. But it's good news for her -- she's gotten a job in LA and will be leaving Pittsburgh the second week in March.

I'd like to give her a proper send-off by hosting an after-run breakfast at my house next Sunday, March 8. Tammy said she may not make it to the run, but she'll come afterward for the food!  

So instead of meeting at the 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill, let's meet at my house: 1200 Lancaster Ave., 15218 Regent Square.  I'm at the corner of Sanders and Lancaster on the Frick Park side of Regent square. This is four blocks off of Braddock Avenue -- turn at the corner at Sanders and Braddock where Vanilla Pastry and Typhoon are located. \

Don't forget the clocks change for Daylight Saving that day. We lose an hour, but I'll have plenty of coffee -- caffeinated and caffeine-free.
See ya then -- Virginia

Last week:  Intrepid souls!