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)

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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.