August 1 Run or Walk: Meet at Pam and Chris's house at 2200 Beechwood Blvd.

Pam and multiple offspring (some small and adorable!) will be in town this weekend and she is going to lead the run and have everyone over for coffee afterwards.  So on Sunday we'll meet at 2200 Beechwood Blvd. at our usual 7 am time.

Last Sunday morning was spent in one of our comfort zones: neighborly Squirrel Hill, shiny vintage cars to look at, temp in the 70's, Sharon's shady backyard, delish homemade coffeecake, and sparkling talk which vanished into thin air as I was too lazy to write anything down.  I do recall an extended convo re Cleveland which was astoundingly civilized considering it took place in Pittsburgh.  

Some interim endorsements:

• The famous Roland, King of Line Dancing, on Thursdays at 7 pm at Schenley Plaza and Sundays at 7 pm at the entrance to Highland Park (preceded by a jazz concert from 5-7.)
• The even more famous Wendy, Queen of Zumba, on Friday evenings at 5:30 also at the entrance to Highland Park.
• The Root Slayer shovel for any digging or slaying you have in mind.

For lack of a photo from last week, here's one that I missed from the week before:

P.S. If anyone knows of a nice 2-bedroom apartment for rent in a not-brand-new building - I have a friend in search of one - please let me know.

July 25 Run/Walk: Meet at Sharon's (5612 Woodmont) and we'll revisit the vintage autos in Schenley Park

So what'd I miss?  (referring to Hamilton of course.) Not the American Revolution, though another one may scarily be underway.  Many thanks to Aimee for keeping track of RG lore so we don't miss anything.

On Sunday we'll meet at Sharon's house - 5612 Woodmont - where we'll come back to her lovely backyard space for post-run coffee and clatch.  We'll return to our annual viewing of fancy cars at the Vintage Grand Prix - happening in person!

Last Sunday we also found ourselves back with old favorites, the Strip, La Prima, and Colangelo's almond meles (meles are mentioned in this blog over 35 times - I did a search - this is embarrassing.) 

2 weeks of endorsements:

• FINALLY, after years of waiting, the Wednesday/Friday runs from the Squirrel Hill library will no longer start at the ungodly 5:45 am, but at 6:15.  
• Reminder:  Open Streets is returning this Sunday - this time in Hazelwood.
• Audrey came back to visit! Next time we'll set up a Mah Jongg game too.
• Where to get party dresses for women of a certain age (J. Jill, Boden, can't recall other) - and go to a tailor to make them fit perfectly, i.e. Distilo Tailoring at Shady and Forward.  
• Maybe watch first:  "What Not to Wear" 
• Listen: No Place Like Home on Ruby Slippers, Dolly Parton's America, Smartless esp the one with George Clooney.
• How to recycle in Pittsburgh (but why is it so hard??)
• Fruit:  Costco
• Chicken:  there's a lot of poultry history in Squirrel Hill, ask Max!
• Meat (not):  Beyond Meat better than Impossible Foods?
• No-gift wedding events (if they really mean it)
• Linda Meacci's August yoga retreat now only a drive away, and there are tipis!
• Also this TikTok sent by Tom and Kay with another outlook:

(It is quite impressive that Tom and Kay are familiar with TikTok.)

July 11 Run or Walk: Meet at Starbucks at the Waterfront

On Sunday let's return to an old favorite, the Waterfront.

Last week, Virginia led us on a great route through the South Side Slopes that took us up many, many, many steps until we couldn't go higher.  The higher we got, the better the view.  

Here is the route if anyone who missed it wants to check it out: http://www.southsideslopes.org/steptrek/church-route/

The mosaic steps were stunning.  I skipped coffee so I missed out on endorsements, but Elaine sent me these wonderful photos.  

July 4 Run: Meet at Big Dog Coffee- 2717 Sarah Street for a South Side Run or Walk

This is what we would mostly follow on Sunday for the South Side Church Walk:

From Big Dog Coffee (2717 Sarah) we'll be entering the slopes from 27th Street (instead of 15th Street as indicated on the map) so we can go up the Mosaic steps, but will loop around back to 18th Street and then run back to Big Dog Coffee. 

http://www.southsideslopes.org/steptrek/church-route/

Last week, I didn't write down any endorsements as we were enjoying breakfast/coffee at The Lot at Edgewater as what could be described as a "Caribbean vacation" compared to the week. It was a really enjoyable route through Oakmont, and was the first time we've ever met as a group there. Virginia showed us a house that is listed for $1.1 million in the development closest to the river:https://www.post-gazette.com/life/Buying-Here/2021/06/25/Oakmont-homes-houses-for-sale-real-estate-Pittsburgh-2021-Edgewater-at-Oakmont-2nd-St-Allegheny-River-Buying-Here/stories/202106270014

But now could spend 1/3 of that for an updated older house on the other side of Allegheny River Boulevard.  A bit of a frenzied housing market we have on our hands here!