September 2 Run: meet at Frick Park entrance Reynolds and S. Homewood, also September 3, Holiday Run: 61C at 7:30

Another quickie:
On Sunday we're meeting at the entrance to Frick Park at Reynolds and S. Homewood at 7 am - coffee locale TBD.
On Monday there will be the usual holiday run at 7:30, meeting at the 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill.  Whew!  Hopefully more time next week for decorative prose.

August 26 Run: 61C Cafe on Murray in Squirrel Hill

A quickie:  runners and walkers meet at default 61C cafe in Squirrel Hill - 7am - see you there

Also, a photo from last week's run from Aimee:

August 19 Run: Meet at the Madeleine Bakery in Wilkinsburg, 609 South Trenton, a block from Biddle's

Next Sunday, we're taking advantage of the new outdoor tables at the exquisitely français Madeleine Bistro and Bakery, tucked away in a little urban oasis in Wilkinsburg at 609 S. Trenton, a block from other old favorite Biddle's.  There will also be a run/walk thereabouts.  But it's possible the croissants are the main attraction. 

All thanks to Laurie for last Sunday's extravaganza!  She took us on a new route through Schenley Farms, the Hill District and Polish Hill, involving panoramic 'Burgh views, a creepy hidden tunnel, weird monkey carvings, a bridge over a highway, a secret staircase, an historic church, etc etc.  We did NOT care about the hills.  This was followed by a scrumptious brunch that probably could feed all 142 people on this email list.  (There really are that many.) Speaking of which, we had an exciting surprise return after 20 years of one of RG's founding mothers - Beth!  Wow.  We hung out so long on Laurie's patio that there are too many endorsements to list, but here are some:

• One more time!  Roland Ford and his line dancing fabulosity at Highland Park on Sundays from 7-9.  When Wendy turned up the tunes on her phone and offered to lead, we jumped on it - see evidence: 
• Next Saturday August 18 from 8:30-10 am at the Penn Hills YMCA (here's a map) - Wendy is teaching Zumba at a special session! 
• Dancing in the Park at Schenley Plaza - on Wed. nights, and Aug. 29 will be Summer Soul Line Dancing celebrating Michael Jackson's B'day, starting at 6:30 pm
• Female anglers!  Beth told us about her women’s fly fishing group: they're fishing this Sunday on Yellow Creek in Bedford County with extra gear for newbies - for info. contact Jodie Minor or Nora Cline at pwwtuwomen@gmail.com
• Pickling: you can throw different things in there together and they're even better that way
• "Push button cherry pitter" - we all tried it and it works!
• Occasionally a flashback to our kids' school programs "is like PTSD" - except at CAPA.
• Richmond VA is a great place to visit.  Especially the waterfront.  And we can visit Audrey and return to mahj.  Road trip!
• Choderwood - at intersection of Washington Blvd and Allegheny River Blvd - "hidden oasis" - who knew?
• Lists of things to do downtown created for convention-goers:  Restaurants in the Burgh near convention center and Things to do near convention center

August 12 Run: Meet at Laurie's house, 4401 Schenley Farms Terrace (best place to park is on Bigelow)

On Sunday we'll start at Laurie's house since she graciously invited us for coffee!  Address is 4401 Schenley Farms Terrace (sort of up and across from the dear departed Schenley High School) and Laurie says the best place to park is on Bigelow.  Here's a map.  We'll go up to Robert Williams Memorial Park and the Reservoir to check out the scene that is apparently up for renovation soon.

Last week we visited the less traveled side of Lawrenceville, and it's also hopping with weird new storefronts like The Small Mall, Happy Bellies, Piebird Pastry, and Caffe D'Amore/Nine Stories Bookstore which has delicious coffee but maybe a somewhat too relaxed atmosphere.  Sitting out on the street, we endorsed:

• Show on All Things Considered that will electrify your ideas about plastic and trash
• The Industry Public House - good for parties and kids
• Places where people are helping:  the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank - you can help people sign up for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance) and many other food-related jobs.  Also by playing the piano at the VA Hospital. And an election is coming soon - voter registration and lots of candidates out there!
• Book:  Smoketown
• Teenie Harris photos - and evidently there's a new exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Art
• Pittsburgh Symphony Outreach concerts during the summer 
• Highland Park jazz concerts followed by line dancing every Sunday!

August 5 Run: Lawrenceville run starting at Caffe d"Amore at 5400 Butler St.

On Sunday we'll see the newest things to come to Lawrenceville - or maybe hop over to Millvale - or wander through Allegheny Cemetery - choose your adventure!  We'll start at a new coffeehouse (at least for me) with a cute name - Caffe D'Amore - at Butler and 54th. 

Last week it was the South Side's turn, and we had quite the nautical experience overlooking the expanding display of fancy boats - definitely not the old Pittsburgh scene along the river, which I remember as mainly a lot of tawdry geese and their gunky droppings.  Speaking of which, we stayed off of East Carson.  Big Dog Coffee was not doggy but delightful, where we learned about:

• Neurasthenia - why we get up early for running group
• Vitamin B12
• The famous Woods Hole - Falmouth run
• The fact that you can see the new Sasha Baron Cohen outrageousness on YouTube
• Podcasts to not miss:  Cover-Up (about Chappaquiddick), Roe v. Wade on The Daily (really anything on The Daily),  The Wilderness (not the woods but maybe how to get out of this mess).
• Saranac Lake - not wilderness either but pretty appealing
• "organ recital" - basically cvetching - sorry, but it's where we are.  Back to Neurasthenia.