Dec. 1 Run: Commonplace Coffee in Pt Breeze, 6736 Reynolds

We'll start on Sunday at the new-ish Commonplace Coffee in Pt. Breeze, at 6736 Reynolds.  This is near Mellon Park, site of the Center for the Arts, whose holiday store will be having a 20% off sale that we can head over to if we have an extra-long coffee (it opens at noon.) Not sure of a direction - maybe a return to the hidden wealth alleys behind Beechwood and Shady?  It's the 1%!!

We had two runs/walks last week with the theme represented at right.  Both immersed in Schenley Park's November gloom.  But revived as always by the dynamite combo of endorphins, caffeine and most of all, us and so many endorsements!

• The Midwest, where people talk to each other
• Thomas, WV
• Painter Ron Donoughe
• Taking the water taxi at the Boston airport
• Tip: when you need to leave your luggage somewhere in a safe place, try any hotel - they usually don't ask if you're staying there
• Kate St. John's blog about birds and the 'burgh
• Free Stores (Braddock and Wilkinsburg) are great places to donate things to
• Handmade Arcade (Dec.6, but too commercial and crazy)  or the I Made It Market (Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 and more original but only in the suburbs - seriously?)
• Squidtivity - the nativity with squid puppets - apparently seen at Handmade Arcade
• TV series:  His Dark Materials
• For our knee problems:  ICE, ICE, ICE
• I hear this is now a thing:  Cashmere sweatpants

November 24 Run: Start at Staghorn Cafe, 517 Greenfield Ave, plus Thanksgiving Run: 61C cafe (7:30 am start)

On Sunday we thought we would go backwards into Schenley Park, from Greenfield, just to change it up.  So we're starting at the cute Staghorn Cafe, where our scone judges were impressed 9 months ago.

Last week, runners visited what appears to be a cartoon moonscape in the process of being dismantled on Schenley Plaza.  Walkers discovered an antiquarian bookstore (Shadyside Books) on the second floor of something called "Caboodle Trading Post" whose purpose is shrouded in mystery.

As if those weren't weird enough, we sort of endorsed:

• Dog Diving
• The old Heads Together video store 
• Espresso with a shot of anise
• The bathroom in the basement of the Cathedral of Learning
• Ring: Your very own surveillance
• 1974

and the kindness of the barista at Starbucks in Bakery Square who custom-made an icepack for us.

Nov. 17 Run: meet at Mellon Park parking lot, off of Fifth Ave. at Beechwood

We'll meet at the Mellon Park "Spray Park" parking lot (map here), locus of a thousand runs!  Seriously, we can go in any direction.  Think about your favorite one and we'll vote on the spot.  After the run, we can try out the new Starbucks in Bakery Square, which proclaims in its "Amenities": "oven-warmed food."  Hmmmm.

Last week we covered Regent Square streets with a deep dive into Frick Park - a perfect combination.  Later, the 61B cafe seemed to have a particularly comfy aura - maybe it's the little chairs that can squeeze together.  Convo seemed to be a lot about food - oven-warmed and not.  Heard at the table; "I need to make kale chips!"

Endorsements for:

• Kretschmann Farms Organic CSA - now featuring enormous fennel fronds and chicken - they have winter boxes too.
• Roast those chickens 8 ways with Mark Bittman (Soy sauce one especially)
• If you can overcome your politics addiction, the New York Times also tells you how to carve a turkey.
• Birthday cake to mail to faraway kid (stays fresh and intact):  Maida Heatter's Sachertorte
• the peanut butter machine at the East End Food Coop
• amazing views from the "Church Route" steps on the South Side
• Malcolm Gladwell audio anything
• 60 Minutes, starring Pittsburgh, on the anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting.

Nov. 10 Run: Meet at 61B cafe in Regent Square for a Frick Park run

Not a typo - that's the 61B Cafe which is on S. Braddock in Regent Square - we'll go from there deep into the dusky park to face the momentous approach of winter.  Or something like that.

Last week so many of us made it ALL THE WAY into the suburban North Hills so that Gretchen could lead us through the cinnamon-y morning light in North Park.  It was lovely.  

Things to consider:

• New non-pharma ways to increase bone density involve standing on vibrating machines and/or jumping around to thumping music.  If you know anything about this, write in!
• Don't forget to vote Tuesday - tomorrow!  Here's everything you need to know from the League of Women Voters. Women Voters Unite!
• Only Lainy can take a selfie that includes 9 faces.