Aug. 4 Run: Meet at Mellon Park (the Spray side) parking lot, corner Beechwood and Fifth

Next run we can meet and park in the Mellon Park lot - next to the Spray Playground, corner of Beechwood and Fifth.  7 am as always.  But we'll head over to Bakery Square for coffee later at the new Starbucks - and see if by some chance it could be different from a million other Starbucks.  Actually I won't be there so don't forget to find a new blogger for a few weeks.  (Aimee, Wendy, Lainy, and Teri can all post to the blog, but everyone can send out the message.)

Last week on the South Side it was still steamy but bearable as we headed for the river trail.  On the way, we peered at the anonymous local office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 3000 Sidney Street - no identifying sign, except for a flag - but the site of hundreds of heartbreaking stories.  Down on the riverside there is a sudden glut of fancy boats in marinas.  What is Pittsburgh coming to?   We also previewed the big set-up for Open Streets, which later on was a huge fiesta.  And then we experienced our future if Roboburgh has its way.

In the comfort zone of Big Dog Coffee, we discussed Mexico, appliances, cars and bikes, and teenagers:

• Kraynick's Bike Shop - appeared magically in my hour of need and totally rescued a vacation, in 30 minutes.  Plus, should be a Pittsburgh Historic Landmark.
• Books:  The Lacuna by Kingsolver, and any good bio. of Frida Kahlo
• Movies:  more Mexico: Frida - which is fascinating, and Roma - which is brilliant.
• TV - The Great Hack - we are all at risk.
• AirBNB Experiences - things to do while your staying in one! 
• The new kitchen faucet with a spray feature INSIDE.  Find it and a million more things at the Home Improvement Warehouse.
• Don's Appliances!  So much faster and easier than big box stores.  Don't let the showrooms with the high end models put you off - they carry all levels, just find them on the website.  But you have to call it Dawn's.
• Aimee is selling a Subaru - come to the run to talk to her if you're interested
• Teen trajectory:  "First it's the bar mitzvah parties, then finally the driving test."

July 28 Run: Meet at Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah Street, on the South Side

It's Open Streets again, so we'll meet (at 7 am, of course) close to its route at one of our favorites, Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah Street on the South Side. (This is in case anyone wants to bike or hike the Open Streets fiesta when it starts at 9.)   There should be plenty of parking on the street, and since it's outside of the route, no street closings in the way if you arrive via the Hot Metal Bridge.

Last Sunday it was STILL steamy hot, and I must say it was a relief to be one of the walkers.  So I can't speak for the runners, who made it all the way to Herr's Island and back, but they were definitely sweatier.  All evaporated as we lounged in the lovable but grungy sidewalk courtyard of the Original La Prima, (or, La Prima Primera!) downing the incomparable meles from Colangelo's next door.  A shout-out to Bella Notte down the street, for graciously letting us use their bathroom, even before they opened. Women of a certain age are grateful.

What did we talk about? A LOT, but the only things that will be recorded here are:

• Rooftop Happy Hours (we will try one of these before the winter) - Tryp Hotel, The Oaklander.  
• August will soon be here with Line Dancing at Highland Park on Sunday nights with the famous Roland Ford!  (Some of us were recorded for all time here - in the back somewhere.)
• Shakshouka, aka Eggs in Hades - great for brunch.

July 21 Run: Start at La Prima Espresso on the strip - probably best to park on Penn Ave.

It will still be pretty hot, so let's go to a place with few hills and with a river breeze - Herr's Island!  No coffee there, though, so let's start at La Prima, 21st off of Penn Ave.  Though we usually park off of Liberty Ave., the last time I was there I saw some severe NO PARKING signs, so I think we can park on Penn - it will be early enough to find spaces.

Last week we peered at a few honorary consulate residences and then just moseyed around Pt. Breeze and Squirrel Hill, stopping (we love to stop) at Howard Aiken's Sterrett School garden on the way. Highlight: celebrating Bastille Day by snarfing down croissants of various kinds in Wendy's cool bamboo-shaded yard, and heading out carrying beautiful veggies from HER garden.
Endorsements:

• Gardens!
• Kretschmann Farm CSA
• Movie:  Drum Line
• TV:  Big Little Lies (Meryl is amazing) and Aziz Ansari's apologetic Right Now
• Bathroom colors - NOT dark ones, too hard to clean mold
• Elaine's Israeli contractor for home remodeling (ask her for contact)
• David Coulson Hand Lettering and calligraphy - exquisite!

July 14 Run: Meet at 1447 Beechwood Blvd. in Squirrel Hill (off of Wilkins)

Why are we meeting at 1447 Beechwood Blvd. on Sunday?  It's Bastille Day! And that (for a reason we need to investigate) is the address of the French Honorary Consulate in Pittsburgh.  There are some clues in this article by PG columnist Brian O'Neill, who has also written a book called "The Paris of Appalachia: Pittsburgh in the 21st Century" which I think we all have to read.  And afterwards, how about cafe et croissants au chocolat at Five Points Bakery on Wilkins?  We can grab the outdoor tables, or if there's no room, just smuggle them into the 61C.

It must be admitted that, impossibly, we were all rained on in Schenley Park last Sunday.  But only at the end.  We dripped a little bit on the floor of the 61C. 
Endorsements (had some saveur francaise even then)

• Janet's umbrella - acquired at a Placenta Meeting in Paris
• US Women's Soccer!!  They had beaten the French team - then the World Cup!!
• Fall Run Park in Glenshaw - not Niagara but something
• As Bastille Day also brings to mind prisons: Pittsburgh's Lights for Liberty Vigil is Thursday evening, July 12, 7:30 pm in Schenley Plaza in Oakland - to stand with people all over the world against the horrific abuses in US detention camps.  (There is one in Paris too!) 

July 7 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead in Schenley Park, at Overlook Drive and Greenfield Ave.

Here's a map to the Wendy Bennett Trailhead, where we are meeting on Sunday.  Beyond that, who knows?  The urban forest beckons, full of mystery.  Coffee to follow at 61C, full of schmoozers.
Happy Fourth!

Here's how we were last week -