August 28 Run/Walk: Meet at the Jail Trail Parking lot in Greenfield for a sendoff to RG's bikers

Since a number of us are going to ride the Pedal Pittsburgh route on Sunday, we thought we could all meet at one place to wish them a great ride (especially those going for 40 miles!) The Three Rivers Heritage (aka Jail) Trail parking lot (map here) is off of 2nd Ave. in Greenfield, and at 7 am shouldn't be crowded yet.  Lots of routes available.  Coffee location TBD.

Last week pouring rain, lightning and thunder did not deter runners from their appointed rounds, though the rest of us sheltered the whole time under the Starbucks roof at Bakery Square.  Runners came back not electrified so it was all good.  

Endorsements:

• Professor Lainy and her colleagues explain all about the new OTC hearing aids. The fact that this is top of the list tells you something about RG.  
• The best thing to hear is singing by Gretchen's daughter Margot: Small Hours Trio at Kingfly Spirits this Sun. 2-5.
• More about hearing and NOT endorsed:  your phone is always listening to you if you haven't changed the settings.

August 21 Run/Walk: Meet at Bakery Square (best parking is Mellon Park lot off of Fifth at Beechwood)

We'll meet at Bakery Square, with several route, coffee, and outside sitting options, and we'll discover if they still show sports on the giant screen at 8 am.   If you park in the Mellon Park lot, just walk across the baseball field to the crosswalk over Penn to Bakery Square.  It briefly occurred to me that we could get coffee at the new Amazon - I mean Whole - Foods instead, but on recent investigation, that place feels like a huge boondoggle.  Let's discuss.

Our visit to Downtown and the Hill was inspiring!  Charming new homes, expansive views, the renovated August Wilson House, the site of Max's Dad's childhood home, The CAP I-579 park where Beth explained the water flow designs, etc.  Other topics:

• The Art Commission is meeting about designs for the Fern Hollow Bridge/Trail on Wed. Aug 24 in the afternoon - zoom link and timing here if you're interested.
• Find out how to make a pollinator garden on 8/27 at 7 pm in North Park.
• Word on Pittsburgh basements: "if they don't have odor control, they smell bad."
• Word on panhandlers: how to respond with kindness and good sense? The Pope has an idea.

August 14 Run/Walk: Meet at the entrance to the Omni Wm. Penn Hotel on Wm. Penn Place

Lots to visit downtown, so we'll meet at the entrance to the Wm. Penn Hotel (dear to RG) and find parking on the streets nearby, which is usually easy on Sunday mornings.  There's also a parking garage across the street.  We can see the new-ish Frankie Pace Park, aka CAP because it's high above I-579, and the August Wilson house, which opens to the public this weekend, and a NEW TARGET in what once was Kaufmann's (sic transit gloria mundi.)  And, though there is no longer a Starbucks inside the Wm. Penn, there is a Bruegger's right outside, and a park across the street.  Maybe bring a chair just in case.  

The Northside was on view last week, and we visited its many features:  Aviary, Randyland, Mexican War Streets, the 2.5 million Northeast Fountain, George Washington, the Dream Site - always a treat.  So was Adda Coffee & Tea and its outside patio and great service - a new find!  So we endorsed:

• 
  the Mission of Mercy yearly free dental clinic last weekend, which also offered free hearing tests (Lainy was on the scene) and hearing aids, and eye exams and glasses.  Not endorsed:  the fact that so many people can't get care and needed this.
• How to get a nurse to call you back at UPMC - send a portal message saying you have abdominal pain.
• 
  Podcasts:  This is Critical with Virginia Heffernan of Trumpcast fame.  Also the 1619 Project.
• The wooden folding chairs leftover from Pittsburgh WW2 Air Raid wardens.
• Highland Park Reservoir of Jazz on Sunday nights.  Followed by Roland!
• The Cleveland Public Library - awesome.
• A fulfilling way to volunteer this election:  answering the PADems Voter Hotline. Virginia and I have done this; easy to do from home on your own schedule - and it actually makes a difference!  Next zoom training is Thurs. 8/18 at 6 pm - info. here.

August 7 Run/Walk: Meet at Adda Coffee and Tea, 926 Western Ave. for a visit to the Northside

Let's revisit Allegheny Commons and/or Mexican War Streets to see what's new, and try out having our kaffeeklatsch (thanks Gretchen!) at Adda Coffee and Tea, 926 Western Ave., which looks intriguing and has a patio outside.

Last week we explored Frick Park on the Regent Square side.  Judy revealed the spot where the barred owls roam, and runners somehow got under the new bridge.  Under the shaded porch at Biddle's we discussed how not to be the lady on the plane pathetically looking for help to get her carry-on into the overhead bin. Or trying and having it crash into someone's head. This may be unavoidable. But anyway we endorsed:

• The personal trainers at the JCC, esp. Will and Peer?
• Joanne's Triathlon group - the Mighty Tri Girls.
• Lap swimming at the Highland Park pool at 7 pm.
• Bike-a-thons: Pedal PGH, Tour the Montour, EQT 10-mile.
• Kayaking - particularly the sit-on-top kind which may look bogus but are awesome.