April 1 Run: 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill

Once again I'm down to the wire, so just a tiny notice this week:  we're meeting at the tried and true 61C Cafe, runners and walkers alike.  More juicy tidbits next time - happy Easter and Passover everyone!  

March 25 Run: North Side: meet at Crazy Mocha, corner of Federal St. and E. North Ave.

We're returning to the North Side, a big favorite, and meeting at the Crazy Mocha on the corner of Federal St. and E. North Ave. We haven't been in that neighborhood in ages (actually August of 2016 - in the unimaginably carefree BT era), and it has so much to see, including the newly renovated Allegheny Center into the LEEDS certified Nova Place, which Aimee will fill us in on.

Great run/walk last week revolving around Regent Square, Wilkinsburg, and Frick Park, and then gathering in Virginia's sunny welcoming kitchen full of delectables, where we wished her a Very Happy Birthday and talked up a storm as usual.  We forgot to sing, but we did engage in a pinky swear about something that will never be divulged. What was divulged though is the recipe for Virginia's fabulous granola, see below.

Endorsed:
March for Our Lives to end gun violence - don't forget that in Pittsburgh it's this Saturday at noon at the City County Building (in addition to 720 marches all over the world) And Lyft is offering free rides.
Southern Tier Brewery also on the North Side, esp. their Wintergreen Salad.
Get some sleep:  Ferberize, even your cat.
Happy Hour at the William Penn - stay tuned, we're going to plan a RG on there soon.
Casbah, the restaurant - favorite of many.
Green Queen book for kids
Carnegie PA - very cute with great places to eat, including Bakn and 131 East
Papa J's restaurant downtown, not only in "the city’s oldest-standing former brothel" but also haunted.  (That article says that “Pittsburgh is incredibly paranormal.”)

And here's that recipe you've been waiting for.  Thanks, Virginia!

Maple Granola

This is a beautifully balanced blend of oats, seeds, nuts and crystallized ginger.

·       1/4 cup of flaxseed finely ground (Giant Eagle sells this now

·       4 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats (not the instant kind)

·       4 cups of sliced almonds (raw or organic, not roasted)

·       1 cup green hulled pumpkin (pepitos) seeds. (raw or organic kind, not roasted)

·       1/2 cup sunflower seeds (again, not salted or roasted)

·       1 teaspoon salt

·       1/2 cup vegetable oil

·       1/2 cup maple syrup

·       1/3 cup of crystallized ginger, chopped in small pieces (optional -- just gives the granola a little kick)

Accompaniments: plain yogurt or milk

Put racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven on "roast" or bake to 350

Stir ground flaxseeds, oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, salt, oil and syrup in large bowl. (I usually put flaxseeds in last since it has the consistency of sand and it mixes together better that way)

Spread mixture evenly on two large baking sheets with sides. Bake, stirring granola and switching positions halfway through baking until mixture is golden brown.  Recipe calls for 30 to 35 minutes but I usually do it 13 minutes on each rack before switching so they don't get burned. Every oven is different.

Cool granola completely

Store in air-tight container in fridge or freezer

March 18 Run: Meet at Virginia's house at 1200 Lancaster Ave. in Regent Square

Special event:  Virginia invites us all to her house for a post-run/walk coffee to celebrate her landmark birthday!  I said some of us would inevitably show up with a pastry or two, so that's OK, but your delightful presence is all that is desired.


And the Oscar for best run director goes to...  Joanne, for Morning in Morningside!  Captivating new sights, new vistas, and a tempting opportunity for perilous bushwhacking briefly considered.  Coffee at Enrico's was maybe a bit noisy for their other clientele, but hey - let's not diss exuberance.  We solved Lainy's dilemma about the right tchotchke for a reunion.  And as RG's 25th anniversary approaches (or is it here?) we talked a lot about various eras (the Anita era, the Ruth era?) and timelines and a possible musical.  If anyone out there has a good RG story, just come to the next run/walk or coffee and divulge. 

Endorsed:
Cut & Sew!  adorably discovered deep in Morningside - learn how and much more
LP's on turntables - a revelation to anyone who hasn't heard one
Mr Rogers, and specials: on PBS, on Fresh Air
The Lower Waldron Homeowners' Association
MoviePass (which you can get at Costco), and all the movies that were at The Manor last week:  The Shape of Water, The Party, Black Panther, and Darkest Hour
Also, possibly:

March 11 Run: Meet in front of Tazza D’Oro in Highland Park for a tour of Morningside

Joanne has agreed to lead us through Morningside and we are always happy to follow Joanne wherever she takes us! Don’t forget to Spring Forward those clocks to keep up with your smart phone…

It was a surprisingly robust turn out for this past Sunday’s run, given temperatures in the low 20s! But the warmth we generated, including hugs, cashmere mittens, and endless chatter sustained us all. We followed the theme of What’s New in Oakland and found out that the answer is: A lot! New staircase (with an irresistible invitation to trespass), Posvar Hall renovations (though not the first run to include escalators), new student housing, new hotel, new high end apartments, and a new-to-us old city staircase. Sorry, no notes from coffee…

Elaine

March 4 Run: Meet in front of Phipps Conservatory for discovery of a new Pittsburgh staircase!

Lainy tells us that there are new stairs to discover in Oakland, so we'll start at Phipps and follow her.  Don't forget: 7 am, and we have both walkers and runners.  Sadly (though for a fun reason) I have to miss it, so be sure to get someone to post next week's run.

It's been so long since I wrote a nice juicy summary that there is now both too much to tell and also too many endorsements.  But since they are really what everyone wants to know, I can't just throw those napkins away.  So here's what we liked over the last month:

• March 2 (that's tonight!) at the Carnegie Museum - Spring Fling with jazz band
• March 4 (that's Sunday!) - Immigrant Rights are Human Rights demonstration downtown at Market Square from 2-4
• Homewood Branch of the Carnegie Library - a gem!
• August Wilson Birthday Celebration on April 28 - Hill District Block Party  Also mentioned was the possibility of one of his plays being produced in his backyard over the summer.
• Learn Circus Arts at the Brewhouse on the Southside
• Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park - if you need something to do with kids
• La Gourmandine and Corner Mercantile now opened downtown - too much temptation
• Venmo digital wallet - but maybe too invasive?
• Postmates food delivery 
• Purim costume lending library - though I don't see one in Pittsburgh yet.
• The bathroom at Superior Motors 
• Barebones Theater
• Books:  Women Don't Ask,  That's What She Said
• Movies and TV:  Animals with Cameras ("so beautiful it makes you cry"), Black Panther, Offspring (so many times!), 

What we don't like:

• Flooding 
• Dog buying scams
• Blue Apron and Olive Garden are too salty!