Nov. 1 Run/Walk: Meet at Madeleine's Bakery 609 S. Trenton in Wilkinsburg

We'll meet at Madeleine's Bakery on Trenton, a block down from Biddle (map) and am so looking forward to those unforgettable and unpronounceable kouign amanns, cold be damned. I've been told that the bakery still has chairs outside, but bring one just in case - and a down comforter wouldn't be a bad idea either.  Hot drinks available both there and at Biddle's a block away.  What more could one want?  Here's what: Aimee is bringing Michael, who will be our tour guide to what's new in Wilkinsburg.

Don't forget - time change at 2 am Sunday - set your clocks back and get another hour of shuteye.

Last week marked a milestone in RG history as walkers were double the number of the runners!  Please let's not dwell on what this implies.  See masked marauders below.  We hit Schenley Park after passing and ruminating on the fate of the Columbus statue, now swathed in filmy white, which may be deliberate.

We settled into our deeper discussions tucked into a nook in Schenley Plaza, well bundled up.  It's time to break out the cashmere!  Some endorsements:

• 
  Bernie in Pittsburgh!
• rotary phones 
• secret paths through Woodland Road and Murray Hill - does anyone know the shortcut to Wilkins?
• Comedian John Mulaney
• Bill Clinton (well, mixed reviews)
• The West Wing, and the West Wing Reunion (sounds sappy but it's great - it's HBO but that link is free.)
• Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins

Oct. 25 Run/Walk: Meet at Schenley Plaza in Oakland

On Sunday we'll meet back at Schenley Plaza in Oakland, under the tent. (map)

I missed last week's run/walk but got a quick summary from Virginia:

From our run in Highland Park on Sunday — we ran/walked thru the park and neighborhood, running thru the storybook street and by the gnome house. We gathered afterward near the fountain but really didn’t talk about any endorsements. 

Hope to see you on Sunday! 

Oct. 18 Run/Walk: meet at the entrance to Highland Park

 As I can't recall where we were planning on going this Sunday, I'll just suggest we meet at the entrance to Highland Park, and bring our coffee and chairs (and blankets?) to sit in the garden later.  Also, see below for special event taking place at 9 if anyone can stay! 

Last week took us to lovely Riverview Park and involved various attempts not to get lost.  There are maze-like paths, and the Google directions to get there are terrifying.  But it has great spot for schmoozing afterwards.  We heard a story combining matchmaking, twins and a colonoscopy.  

Endorsements:

• Wendy is co-teaching a Zumba Superspreader of Positivism event in Highland Park at 9 on Sunday.
• Emily in Paris on Netflix - especially Emily's clothes about which we are withholding judgment.  Also on Netflix:  The Eddy, Cable Girls, Indian Matchmaking.
• Last Man on Earth on Hulu, A French Village on Amazon.
• January Jones on Instagram
• Film:  God's Pocket
• Dropping off mail-in ballots and other ways of voting early in person!  

Oct.11 Run/Walk: Riverview Park - directions in the message

We're exploring Riverview Park on Sunday! 

Thanks to Gretchen, here are directions:  Meet at the end of Riverview Avenue closest to the Observatory. The Visitor Center will be to your right, the Observatory up the hill straight ahead. For GPS, an address that's close to there (not quite to the end of the street) is 66 Riverview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15214. Note that putting "Riverview Park" into GPS may lead you to another area of the park.

We can run/walk up and around the Observatory and then explore a few of the trails and sights of the park. Here's a link to the park map:  https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/415693/assets/docs/riverview-letter.pdf.  We can bring chairs and coffee and pick a spot to gather as the mood hits us - near the entry, up near the Observatory, at the Chapel Shelter, etc.

Last week we discovered the streamside paths and wildflower-covered world of an abandoned golf club.  (May this be the destiny of several golf clubs I could mention.)  Beth led the group all around Churchill Valley Greenway, part of the Allegheny Land Trust - a complete surprise! As was the appearance of Renee Dolney who is instrumental in the transformation and told us the terrific story, still unfolding.  Thank you Beth!

Our main endorsement - if you weren't there you should see this place.  

But also the lunatics posting polka videos on NextDoor.

Oct. 4 Run/Walk: a Churchill Valley Greenway Adventure!

Next Run/Walk:  courtesy of Beth, a Churchill Valley Greenway Adventure!

On Sunday, October 4, we’ll explore the still accessible and mainly paved trails at the former Churchill Valley Country Club property.  It has been abandoned for about a decade and is now a sea of wildflowers. The Allegheny Land Trust has the property under contract to purchase and protect for $3M with foundation, government, and community support.   https://alleghenylandtrust.org/churchill-valley/

Here are the directions:  If you are coming off the Parkway East from either direction, you will want to turn right onto Beulah Road/Rt 130 and head northeast towards Penn Hills. The former golf course is a minute or two from the Parkway and there is a pull off/parking area to the right along Beulah Rd just before a footbridge overpass. 

Note – if you accidentally end up at the Edgewood Country Club you’re at the wrong place!  Call Beth at (412) 216-3369 and we will get you to the right spot.  Bring coffee and chair. Attached is a little map of the area, and Beth will bring a copy for the walker and runner groups.

In addition to the attachment, here's a Google map to the old Churchill Valley Country Club  (Beth, correct me if I'm wrong.)

Last week we had a perfect run/walk/bike. (New feature: one can talk and ride a bike with the runners with no problem!) Joanne led us through previously unseen treasures of Highland Park, and then back to her peaceful cozy backyard, where we not only got some toothsome still warm coffee cake and coffee, but high level expertise on the voting process.  

I took no notes and so all the brilliance of our discussion has fled to the winds, but in the spirit of our electoral whirlwind, we can endorse:

• The political gnome party on the corner of Sheridan and Hampton (photo at bottom)
• Bethany Hallam and like-minded elected officials get creative to spread the word (don't miss this.)

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