July 30: Park in the lot at Liberty and 21st for an Open Streets run on Penn Ave.

We had originally settled on the South Side for Sunday, but then realized that it's Open Streets (route:  Doughboy to Downtown along Penn Ave.,) and it's kind of fun to have a run in the same neighborhood.  Also some might want to stay and maybe take some boxing lessons.  So let's meet at La Prima - parking in the lot at Liberty and 21st.  There should be a good supply of meles this time. South Side is up for next week.

Last week we also did Penn Ave., on the Garfield/Friendship end, and as always, were amazed at the amount of new stuff appearing along the way.  Who is living in all those places?  Sharon will be glad to know that a significant amount of change was picked up on route.  Maybe the new apartment dwellers are strewing quarters all around as they head back from the new breweries.

We endorsed:
More aprons!  They protect your t-shirt when frying latkes, and also are terrific gifts/favors when you need a lot of them.
More laughing!  Al Franken - his interview on the Commonwealth Club and also new book:  Al Franken: Giant of the Senate.  And podcast Live from the Poundstone Institute. And 2nd series of Master of None.
More disturbing Southerners: Ozark on Netflix and the S-Town Podcast (from the makers of Serial.)
More ??? The head bobble. This was new to me, go ahead and google it.

July 23 Run: Meet at Bakery Square outside Coffee Tree

We’ll explore the continuing redevelopment of East Liberty, Garfield, and Bloomfield. Or maybe even go in a different direction..?

This past Sunday a sizeable crowd showed up for our ritual trespass run through the Pittsburgh Grand Prix racing grounds, otherwise known as our own Schenley Park. How dare those ersatz security people tell us that we can’t access our trails or find our way out of the park…! After the run there was 61C coffee and Sharon’s outrageous homemade blueberry cake. No napkin notes again but it was a perfectly delightful morning to lounge with coffee in the outdoor seating area.

(Thanks to Lainy for posting)

July 16 Run: Meet at 61C Squirrel Hill for a run to the Paddock

Not sure it's called that, but it's a great name!  Reminded by Sharon that it's Grand Prix weekend, we can start at the 61C and head over to Schenley Park to tour the vintage cars on view, and evade the traffic tie-ups.

The run was in Regent Square last weekend and hit some favorite stairs in the neighborhood - I'm still on the DL so just biked there in time for coffee and chat. (Reminder:  anyone can show up for coffee!) As we reminisced, we realized that our group coffee habit began in the early 2000's as Virginia and Michelle discovered they had a little time to kill after a run.  And then Lainy reminded us that the whole week-to-week thing pre-dated email and that the upcoming route was transmitted by human voice alone. "We actually said it!" This seems like science fiction. Endorsements, however, are a more recent phenom.

Here are a few:

• The Medóc Marathon, in Bordeaux, France which has 23 wine stops.  (We can dream.)
• (As I looked that up, I also found that the Guardian newspaper - for which, thumbs up! - also has an entire section on Running.)
• Someone recommended a book called the "Love of Running" which I can't locate on Amazon, but which may be "For the love of running" by Rudrani Devi, but it also might be "Train your brain to love running with self-hypnosis," "Get off your ass and run: a tough love running program," "Stop running from love" or possibly "All's fair:  love, war, and running for President."
• For handyperson recommendations, besides Angie's List (which requires subscribing) try Thumbtack.
• For getting rid of stuff, there are Off the Floor, Thriftique, and Freecycle.  Nextdoor lets you post to your neighbors and also is the essence of nebby.
• Isis and Trixie (pictured) seen at the former Fire Engine Park on my way back.  (Couldn't let this go without a photo.)

July 9 Run: 61B Cafe on Braddock Ave. in Regent Square - also don't forget Tuesday July 4 Holiday Run: 61C Cafe on Murray Ave, 7:30 am

(Don’t forget! Tuesday July 4 Holiday Run: 61C Cafe on Murray Ave in Squirrel Hill AT7:30 am)

July 9 Run: 61B Cafe on Braddock Ave in Regent Square. Michelle will lead us on a tour of Edgewood, including an infamous staircase.   

About a dozen runners gathered Sunday morning for a sunny and warm loop through the Strip District, over and along the Mon, under the convention center tunnel, and atop the loading docks of Smallman Street. Coffee and pastry happened under a brilliant blue sky. We welcomed Mark, Kendall, and McKenzie, and literally ran into Laurie’s daughter Mary! Happy 4^th of July to all!