August 27 Run: Meet in front of Phipps Conservatory in Oakland

On Sunday we'll meet at Phipps and look at some features of Oakland that have been sources of some upset lately:  the Stephen Foster statue and the brand new bike lanes.  Lots of passion about those - of course we'll resolve everything.

Last week - seems like yesterday:  is it me or have the summer weeks increased their velocity? On Sunday we did the Schenley Park trails followed by a long coffee outside at 61C: sort of like comfort food.
Endorsed:

• The Eclipse! and Warby Parker for handing out special viewing glasses
• Books by Allegra Goodman, also Fierce Kingdom
• Podiatrists!  We really need one to run with us.  There used to be one!
• TV: Sleepwalkers
• Movies:  Step and Dunkirk
• Karaoke
• Zumba (taught by Wendy especially!)
• DNA testing?
• Life at Summerset???

Aug. 20 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

We'll meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead, and here's the map.

It's late - so a quick overview of last week:

We went up the South Side trail and back through the flats, avoiding the gross stuff that Saturday night turns up on S. Carson.

We were so many that the tables at Big Dog weren't big enough!

Endorsements:

• Menchie's Frozen Yogurt in the new East Liberty
• the Outlander audiobook - bodice ripping parts are hilarious
• Master of None: Season 2 - this keeps getting endorsed so must be great
• Game of Thrones - why does everyone love disembowelment and raping?  But they do.
• Things that are not there any more:  remembering Cafe Allegro
• TV/Internet/phone/etc. packages - good deals if you haggle
• Water you must drink every day:  1/2 your body weight in ounces.  Really?
• Seltzer - it's OK! It doesn't cause osteoporosis.
• Early morning yoga - but where?  Any ideas?

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August 13 Run: Meet at Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah St., South Side

On Sunday we will finally get around to the promised South Side run, which could involve climbing the famous stairs up to some awesome views.  Or alternatively, look in the windows of local re-sale stores for supplies for fall cashmere recycling workshops.  (Who's ready?) Or, run up and down the banks of the storied Mon. Whatever! This will start and end at the super-cute Big Dog cafe on Sarah Street.

After that over-long intro, I have nothing to say about last week's run because I wasn't there (was heading for the back roads in central PA.  Hint:  don't rely on your Google GPS in those circumstances.) But, we have some great photos care of Virginia, which as always are worth a thousand words:

August 6 Run: Meet at the PPG Place fountain downtown for a Regatta run

I know, I know, we've been promising a South Side run for 2 weeks now, but Lainy just alerted me to the Sand Sculpture created for the Regatta this weekend, and really we can't miss it.  So let's meet at the PPG Place fountain/ice rink downtown (map) and see the Regatta sights powering up.

Last week we were downtown too, on the Strip side, to run through the setup for Open Streets - which, if you didn't stay to see it, brought in more human-powered vehicles than I've ever seen in one space. We beat the wheeled crowds, though, and got our coffee-and-almond-mele fix at La Prima with no waiting.  Not to be a traitor to LP,  but I later discovered that the fabulous Smallman Galley 2 blocks away opens for coffee at 7 am on Sunday - let's keep it in mind for next time.
Endorsements:

• Picklesburgh - where runners especially liked the lemon jalapeno ice cream and the pretzel wrapped around a pickle with provolone.  Sadly over until next summer!
• May be related:  Pickleball?
• And related to that:  Presbyterian bowling (like they have at Frick Park)
• Not related at all:  Eagle Lake in Acadia
• Movie:  Little hours showing at the Hollywood Theater, Dormont this weekend
• Concert with Gretchen's daughter, Margot and her band, Hourglass:  St. Alexis Parish Festival in Wexford, Saturday August 5