Thanksgiving Holiday Run (7:30) and then November 26 (7:00) Run: both from 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill

Racing to get this out there since we need to advise on the Holiday run on Thursday morning at 7:30: 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill - and then also the usual Sunday Run at 7, from 61C also, possibly through lack of ideas but maybe just the comfort of habit.

In last week's episode, we chalked up one more neighborhood - Spring Garden - in our ultimate quest to get to all 90 (is anyone keeping track?) - also taking in Troy Hill (see mural) and East Deutschtown (see pizza oven) sights while covering 15 blocks of the Strip and crossing 2 bridges.  We climbed the dreaded Rialto and learned that it was once a running route for pigs headed for the slaughterhouse.  (Sorry - that may have required a trigger warning.)  We learned about the world-famous trove of relics at St. Anthony's.  We were the first inside at Smallman Galley on a holiday Sunday.  All before 8:30 am!

Smallman Galley proved to be a congenial place to hang out early on Sunday, with a hipper vibe than perhaps we deserved, and yummy muffins.  We did miss the almond meles at La Prima and may sneak them in another time.  This bathroom was far superior however.

As always, great endorsing:

• Amazing talent happening in Pittsburgh that we just come across almost randomly:  John Edgar Wideman having an informal chat at the Homewood Library, and thrilling performance by poet and actor Daniel Beaty at Pitt.  

• Threadbare Cider and Mead - very cool tours with everything you wanted to know about Johnny Appleseed in the Burgh, and the alcoholic delights of apples.  Also rather generous sampling.

• Tripoli Street Bake Yard - bake your own pizza and have a party outside, also "receive training on fire and oven safety from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire."  But is it over?  We need to find out.
• 
• MRI's - you can get them when you participate in UPMC studies - but do you want them?  There's always something...
• On that depressing note, also the New Yorker article on predatory people grabbing the property and control of unsuspecting elderly, perfectly legally.  Yikes!
• OK - we need something uplifting - watch the Wizard of Oz again!  
• Also, this Miracle Klezmer Retrieval:  Semer Ensemble (was here at the JCC. ) 

November 19 Run: Strip District to Spring Garden - meet at parking lot off of Liberty at 21st.

This Sunday we'll go into new territory - yes, there will be hills, but that's obviously not the new part.  Neither is our starting place: the parking lot off of Liberty at 21st St.  But from there we'll head over the river to Spring Garden (who's ever heard of it?) and then try out the coffee at the Smallman Galley around the corner from 21st.  I actually mapped a route!  (Is that cute or what?)  We don't have to follow it though.

If you tuned in last week you know we were heading to "parts unknown" in Wilkinsburg, and I'm ashamed to admit that I was so busy talking that those parts really still are unknown, by me:  I have no idea where we went.  I think we were in Frick Park at some point.  This is particularly bad for someone whose many hours of yoga training were all about "paying attention" and "being aware of the moment."

But I do have notes from the adorable Biddle's on our endorsements:

• Biddle's has the most amazing pastries from La Gourmandine. The almond croissant is, in a word, exquisite.
• Post-Gazette's new podcast: 3 Rivers, 3 Mysteries (also on iTunes) - Sherlock with a Yinzer twist, and it's all true.  I'm hooked.
• "Talk to the hand" - we remember this from our kids in high school, but I had no idea of its movie fame.
• Lainy's foolproof route to North Park:  279 to McNight Rd. to Babcock Blvd.  That's it!
• And go there at night for the Fire Pits at the Cafe
• The Spinnsters - women biking! (I am mad I missed the Ovarian Psycos documentary.)
• Pittsburgh's crossing guards - they're terrific and they have cold hands - they deserve cashmere mittens!

November 12 Run: Biddle's Escape Coffeehouse in Wilkinsburg

We'll meet at the old favorite Biddle's Escape, 401 Biddle Ave. in Wilkinsburg and head out to parts unknown (at the moment.)  Maybe someone who lives nearby will show up and lead  (hint hint.  But no pressure.) Biddle's always has something interesting going on, and for anyone who wants to hang out until 11, there is a concert with "Sweetheart of the Barricades."  Probably nobody does, but what a great name!

Last week we made the trek up to North Park, and Gretchen evidently waved a magic wand to make the downpour disappear - leaving a scene of golden autumn leaves in a misty haze and a perfect run around the lake.  We figured out that our approximate time, an 11.5 minute mile, is not terrible!  Also there is a restaurant right there where bottomless coffee is served with a view of the water.  Old and new friends joined us. Once again we learn the lesson:  it can definitely pay to cross a river.
Endorsements were:

• To get things done on your street:  Tweet to 311 adding #BillPeduto
• Australia - if you ever get a chance, go!
• New word "pendotting" meaning when multiple people just stand around in order to solve a problem
• Earhustle - a podcast about in San Quentin (trust Lainy)
• Death, sex, and money - not sure whether this is the name of something or is just death, sex, and money.
• If Bambi shows up in in your backyard, JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE, HE'LL LEAVE.

November 5 Run: North Park - meet at the Over the Bar restaurant at the North Park Boathouse

On Sunday, Gretchen will lead a run in North Park, her own hood - and we'll meet at the Over the Bar Restaurant which is right next to the North Park Boathouse - here's a map.  It's 36 minutes from Forbes & Murray according to Google.  And remember, we'll have an extra hour to sleep in:  it's the end of Daylight Saving time and we set the clocks back an hour.

Last week we had a mind-bending backwards route through Schenley Park, and also entered South Oakland, passing by Juliet St. (which tragically is near but never meets Romeo St.)  Rain had been predicted but held off beautifully until it was remarked that "it never rains on the run" which produced a moderate downpour.  Even that had its upside, which was the sight of Chris running through a field with a large green umbrella.

A slew of endorsements inspired by the warm and cozy 61C cafe:

• Christchurch, New Zealand may be heaven on earth
• Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown episode featuring Pittsburgh - Michelle is in it!
• Raviolis to die for in Cheswick at Emilia's Garden
• But do we have to drive into the suburbs?  It's so dark!  (But not this Sunday 😉.)
• Pasta stand at the Sunday farmers' market in Squirrel Hill
• White cashmere mittens for the crossing guards - stay tuned
• New clothing lines at Costco
• Boden Sale coming up on Nov. 11 at the Convention Center, 10 - 4