March 29 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe, and for the foreseeable future

We're still going - believe it or not - it's OK to exercise, says our (only) leader Gov. Wolf, and it's totally possible to run and walk 6 feet apart and STILL talk.  Take it from us:

So for a while we'll have weekly meet at the 61C Cafe and find as many routes as possible from there. 

We did have a lovely run last week, through Schenley Park and through the CMU campus and over the golf course, where we investigated the BRAND NEW public golf club being built, looking pretty spiffy.

Our discussion on the way and standing around (6 feet apart) on the street afterwards had the usual sparks of insight and brilliance, but they were not recorded.  No napkins available outside!

Instead, here's at least one that looks good - happy movie recommendations from some friends of Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic:
And another:  61C has takeout.

BEST OF ALL - Lainy has arranged a ZOOM COFFEE HOUR from 8-9 on Sunday! Anyone who runs/walks will get back to their homes by 8 so we can make it.

Mormer, Elaine A is inviting you to drop by for Virtual Running Group Coffee

Topic: East End Runners/Walker's Virtual Coffee, after your solo run or walk

Time: Mar 29, 2020 08:00-9:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID: 759 393 782

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March 22 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for a Runners' Choice Run or Walk

This Sunday, meet outside 61C cafe for a default run or walk.  Socially distance yourself from each other and be safe!   I'm not sure if 61C is open for to-go coffee, but it still won't be the same without being able to sit and visit with everyone.

Last week we started at Five Points Bakery and coffee shop and ran or walked through Homewood Cemetery.  It was a great morning to run together while we still could and discuss the implications of Coronavirus.

There was a line outside Five Points but people were already starting to keep spaces between each other, and the shop was limiting the number of people inside.  We were able to sit inside, later learning they closed the seating area.

Endorsed:

• Everything at Five Points, so delicious!
• Water Aerobics at LA Fitness (probably suspended for now though)
• Big disaster movies: "Contagion" (one of the top most-downloaded films on iTunes right now and strangely accurate to what is currently happening), It's a Disaster! (Hulu), or more listed here
• Shows: "Love is Blind" (a guilty pleasure you can't stop watching), "Cheer," "Interior Design Challenge," "Modern Love"
• Working remotely:  use your TV as a second monitor-- you just need an HDMI cord; Skype, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams for video chat
• Phone calls because "social distancing" should really be called "physical distancing"-- we can still be social!

Not endorsed:

• Landlords still showing renters' apartments to strangers during coronavirus!

March 15 Run: meeting at the new cafe at Five Points Artisan Bakeshop, 6520 Wilkins Ave.

Yet another coffee locale to start from:  the new cafe at Five Points at 6520 Wilkins Ave. in Squirrel Hill, with the delectable pastries we know and love, plus coffee from Espresso a Mano.  There are so many of these now we could go on forever trying them out.

On Sunday we moseyed around industrial and commercial Larimer and East Liberty, circumnavigating that enormous development that we used to gawk at when it was a giant hole in the earth.  Things that aren't there any more.  Or, are there now but weren't.  Which is also true of the megadose of hipster-mania in the KLVN coffee emporium, living up to its motto: "TURNING ON AND PUTTING OUT THE CLEANLINESS OF CAFFEINATED STOKE AND POWERFUL CRYSTAL VIBES." Whoa. The barista made my espresso twice because he wasn't quite satisfied with it the first time.  You've never held coffee cups like these, and the music made me feel fairly ancient, not to mention slightly deaf.  You've gotta try it.


Totally appropriate to the ambience were these inspirational fired clay plaques discovered in Teri's basement!  (They may ultimately be found at the Center for Creative Reuse.)  We endorse all those words, as well as:

• The Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College
• Robotic dogs and cats - when we get old, we may not know the difference.  But, there are advantages!
• A"corn box" for your arm in PT (warm floating shredded corn cobs) feels terrific
• Watch:  Cheer on Netflix or Dixie Chicks on Amazon (upbeat), Trials of Gabriel Fernandez on Netflix (NOT upbeat)
• Listen:  Michael Pollan audiobook "Caffeine"

March 8 Run: Meet at KLVN Coffee Lab, 6600 Hamilton

For the 3rd time in a row, we're trying out a new coffee locale, so we'll meet at KLVN Coffee Lab at 6600 Hamilton (map), whose website gives no indication of what they actually do, but we'll hope for the best.  Someone will invent a run - lots of possibilities!

Last week we followed the rivers and as promised crossed bridges all around downtown - photos below do not relay the crystal beauty of the morning light on the water, but do show us investigating the legendary sinkhole and the gritty picturesqueness of alleyways.

De Fer Coffee was quite nice and has the continental touch of offering both coffee and cocktails.  We didn't ask whether the cocktails are available at 8 am but really should next time.  We were so glad to see our plot worked when Cheryl walked in - yay!!
Endorsements:

• Dan Droz "sculptural magic with metal"exhibit in Sharpsburg starting tomorrow!
• Pitt Osher classes, especially with Abby Mendelson and Chris Rawson
• Fireborn Studios pottery classes
• Major Taylor Cycling Club
• Um, there is evidently a Vagina Spa in Pittsburgh which may or may not be this one - if you want more info, you'll need to come to the run!