July 26 Run: Ditto last week: Oakland, Schenley Plaza, meet under the tent.

On Sunday (tomorrow - this is kind of late - shamefaced emoji) we'll repeat last week - meet at the Schenley Plaza tent in Oakland (map), and no need to bring chairs because there are plenty of them!  We also found a cool and breezy spot which has space to spread out and is close to coffee purveyors and also portapotties - what more could one ask for?  Route opportunities: there's up into the Robert E. Williams Memorial Park and reservoir, there's the Shrine of the Blessed Mother, there's down Bates Street to the Hot Metal - or choose your own adventure!

Last week runners explored Italian Oakland and Panther Hollow - presenting the tragic question, how long until we can make the 4627 mile trek to Pizzoferrato? Or the 2 mile trek to the CMU swimming pool?  

OK, let's not dwell on it.  Some endorsements:

• Woodland animals are getting closer.  A bird was using my facemask, hanging on the clothesline, as a hammock.  Every day now is  groundhog day. 
• Local news, especially investigative, is dangerously scarce, but WESA and Public Source are getting better at it.
• The comet - which I missed of course - did anyone see it?  
• Watch Superstore on Hulu, say our Costco fans.  Also, 60 Minutes is still good.

July 19 Run: Destination Oakland! Bring a chair, etc. and we'll meet at the tent at Schenley Plaza

On Sunday we're meeting at Schenley Plaza (map) in Oakland and will spread out according to our new custom, so bring your chairs and desired accoutrements.  The Starbucks on Forbes (but not Fifth) is apparently open.

Report on downtown run last week:

• 
• The sinkhole is indeed filled in!
• Lots of room in Market Square to spread out.  
• Runners visited historic Freedom Corner and St. Benedict the Moor Church
• Walkers crossed bridges and wandered around the Northside.

Endorsements: 

• 9 Cafe at 900 Wood St. Wilkinsburg for takeout
• My Goodness Market in Regent Square
• Oakmont Bakery (but so far!!)
• Prantl's Burnt Almond Torte has a lot of stories about it, and also comes bite-size
• Fries at Hello Bistro

(I see we're getting sick of cooking)

• Dr. Sharon in the news, working to save the world!!
• The Moth on zoom
• Race: The Power of an Illusion documentary - basis of online Race Matters course Gretchen told us about.
• 1619 - New York Times series on reframing US History with the consequences of slavery
• Watch:  Hidden Figures, Homeland
• The Armstrong Trail
• "Any run not near my house"

July 12 Run: Downtown! Meet at the PPG Fountain and bring a chair.

It's been so long since we've been downtown!  March 1 - a million years ago!  We'll see if that sinkhole has been filled up.  We'll start and end at the PPG fountain (map) with all our COVID protections now, including BYO chairs which we can set the prescribed distance apart and our own bottled drinks and snacks and masks - it's another world.  Added attraction:  Aimee informs us that the downtown farmer's market will open at 9 near the convention center at 11th St. and Waterfront place (map.) 

Last week we had our forest experience in Frick Park (have we ever been grateful enough for this place?) and settled down in my backyard for more distanced sharing. Unfortunately, our Yankee Squirrel Flipper was not operational during that time.

Endorsed:

• The Town of Volant and its wine slushies (really, wine slushies anywhere)
• Book:  Rails-Trails Pennsylvania - and trails therein:  Armstrong Trail and Butler Freeport
• The Chicken Flipper  (not to be confused with the Squirrel Flipper) - Joanne says it makes the best chicken ever.
• RG member Sandy, back for a visit after 3 years!
• Gretchen's story about her Dad dotting the i at the Pitt Game
• Keystone State Park and its yurts
• Laurel Hill State Park and its lodge, and bathrooms!
• Watching:  Hamilton!!  Margaret Atwood documentary  The Parent Trap
• Podcast:  Make Me Smart 

July 5 Run: Meet at entrance to Frick Park, Reynolds and S. Homewood, then BYOCoffee at Roye's

We'll be back to forest bathing in Frick Park on Sunday - it did look glorious this morning, so let's meet at the entrance, at Reynolds and S. Homewood in Pt. Breeze.  Despite the depressing and scary COVID numbers lately, I have determined that Pt. Breeze has only had 7 cases so we should be OK.  (Polish Hill has had 0 cases - maybe we should go there next.)  After the run, we can walk the few blocks to my house (305 S. Lang Ave.) and I'll have chairs set apart in the shade, some sugary carbs cut in individual pieces, and a hose ready to cool anyone off.  Take that, Martha Stewart!

Last week we also drank in some cool green-ness in Frick Park, and afterwards lolled happily in Virginia's back patio, mainly reminiscing about decades-old entertainments.  The fact that "The Minnow Would Be Lost" song has been going through my head all week was actually kind of soothing!  We really need a lot of sooth right now.

So it would follow that endorsements were:

• Old shows:  The Love Boat, Mod Squad, Hogan's Heroes, Mr. Ed, Gilligan's Island, Laurel & Hardy, Snow White (Hitler's favorite movie?) and a lot more.  Also The Bionic Man, inspired by the return of Wendy (yay!) with some titanium in a compartment of her knee.  
• But some new shows:  Mrs. America, Hillary, The Good Fight, Irresistible.  
• Plus the fact that you can follow Trevor Noah, Seth Meyers, Samantha Bee, etc. on Instagram and get access to their shows.  I'm actually not sure that's right but it sounds like a good distraction.  We also need a lot of distractions.