Oct. 1 Run: meet at Biddle's Escape - 401 Biddle Ave. in Wilkinsburg

We're meeting at Biddle's Escape - one of our favorites - next Sunday, and Karen will lead a run that may or may not include the amazing Trash Raccoon sculpture at Construction Junction, but will surely involve early Fall in Frick Park.

Last week's run in Frick Park was a little quiet since a splinter group went off to run the Great Race (we were a lot cooler, literally.)  But as always, a total pick-me-up.  Just a few endorsements from the 61B:

• Trek bike tours in Provence!  
• Actual travel agents from Gulliver's Travels that get you there and back seamlessly.
• Saying that the croissant at 61B was very delicious is kind of a come-down after those, but it was.

Sept. 24 Run: Frick Park Gatehouse at corner of Reynolds and S. Homewood in Pt. Breeze

This Sunday, those of us not doing the Great Race will meet at the corner of Reynolds and S. Homewood in Pt. Breeze, and head into and around Frick Park.  Seeing that the Great Race starts on the other side of Frick Park at 9:30, we can absorb some of the pre-race energy en route.  Reminder: for Great Racers or not, Pam has generously communicated an "invitation to the great race gathering at 2200 Beechwood Blvd. Welcome anytime after 8 am - after the early run, or before the Great Race. You can have coffee, tea, juice, use the plentiful toilets, leave clothing on the porch or in the house..."

Last week - a nice Chatham & Shadyside run to compare the mansions on the route to the ones we saw recently off of Wilkins Ave near CMU.  So many of these in the Burgh!  Kind of like the opening scenes of Game of Thrones: castles aplenty.  OK, so I admit to succumbing to GOT after complaining about it for years. It was a help to see a fictional place where the daily news was even worse than it is here.  Dragons!

Lovely coffee as usual with endorsements:

• Chris' method for self-repair of eyeglasses - just ask him!
• The Moth GrandSLAM, mother of all Moths, at the New Hazlett on Oct. 20
• Memories of Joanne and Kristin leaping into action to protect the public from a live electrical wire on that very corner.  We still have the photo!
• Divine beer and yummy food trucks and a fun hangout at East End Brewing - even open on Sundays.
• Billie Nardozzi, local legend and unusual poet - has been covered on NPR and the Wall Street Journal - this is a video - seriously, you should watch it.  So Burgh!
• Honeygrow - a restaurant whose time has come right here in East Liberty - people are very excited.

September 17 Run: 7 am at 61C yet again

Next run starts at 61C yet again!

Thanks to Wendy for the update:

Sharon (with an assist from David) led us on a perfectly timed run through Homewood Cemetery where, engulfed in fog, we saw the usual suspects: deer and wild turkey. We admired the beautiful Jill Watson memorial, slipped through a hole in the fence near St. Bede’s, and headed back to 61C to discuss and endorse:

Travels: South Africa, Prince Edward Island, Vancouver, San Diego
Videos: The best type, featuring babies
Shows: The Scottsboro Boys at the Pgh Playhouse’s Rauh Theatre

Pasta: City Fresh Pasta at the Sunday Sq. Hill Farmer's Market - first bag free!
Races: The 4.12K Run benefits Casa San Jose, a community resource center that advocates for Latinos. Sign up by 9/17 to get your t-shirt and tote bag!

Also: Pt. Breeze Yard Sale with ~130 families tomorrow, September 16^th 9am-3pm. Click on the cool interactive map to see what’s for sale. And stop by and say hey to Wendy and David at Wilkins and Beechwood!

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/412KforCasaSanJose

September 10 Run: 61C Cafe again

We're meeting at 61C Cafe again because... well just because. Someone will come up with a great plan. This is a quick note because I just realized I have to get on a plane to Hartford tomorrow. Have a great run and will see you next Sunday!
(Don't forget to pick someone to write this message next week.)

September 3 Run: Colfax School (7 am as usual) and Labor Day Holiday Run: 61C Cafe (at 7:30)

Two runs coming up this weekend:  Sunday will be the usual run starting in front of Colfax School at 2332 Beechwood Blvd.  And Monday will be the Holiday run starting at 7:30 at the 61C Cafe on Murray.

Before I get to this week's report, here's a special upcoming race opportunity for a great cause:

• 412K for Casa San José on October 8 on the South Side:  https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/412KforCasaSanJose

Full disclosure: this is a cause that I volunteer for and is near to my heart (and since I write these messages, I get to put it on top!)  Casa San José is a small but feisty organization that supports and advocates for Latino immigrants in Pittsburgh, many of whom are now under threat by the current administration. Hopefully you saw their profile in our own Post-Gazette recently. If you can, please sign up for the run! Also please share.

So last week was delightful as always as we pounded through Oakland and surrounding territory.  We visited the Stephen Foster statue, the new bike lanes, the massive new Tepper School, and multiple hidden estates and mansions. Much to ponder!
Endorsements went far afield:

• taking an intrepid bike tour of Bangkok 
• clothing steamers (write in if you want one - it's up for grabs)
• poison ivy remedies:  jewelweed soap, Tecnu, Solvol? (can only be found in Australia), steroids!
• basement of the former Bishop's house with a wine cellar that needs a swipe card
• Wonder Tape (for your cashmere projects)
• Quantum Theater new play:  Red Hills
• Movies: Going in Style, The Midwife
• Photo on right:  from 2 weeks ago but so atmospheric I had to put it in.