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