June 4 Run/Walk: meet at the famous Wendy Bennett Trailhead, at the start of Overlook Drive in Schenley Park

Next up:  we'll meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead (MAP) for a leafy Schenley Park excursion.  Coffee locale TBD.

Last week Upper Lawrenceville called, and we scaled the hill that Aimee heard was called "The Homie". Why? Most likely The Protestant Home for Incurables, once located on Butler and 54th. Thanks to the evil come-hither call of The Internet, I just wasted 20 minutes on that.  Mediterra Cafe, also on Butler, maybe on the same spot?, was awesome and the first of the endorsements (which also include some from the 61C holiday run.)  More of them:

• Job title:  Intimacy coach.  You can get certified!
• Succession - a billion words have already been written about this, which may be justified
• Watch movies:  She Said, The Whale, A Man Called Otto, Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade
• Watch TV series:  Firefly Lane
• Elephants in general but especially their orchestra.

May 28 Run/Walk: meet at the Mediterra Cafe, 5202 Butler St. in Lawrenceville

Today just a bulletin:  Meet at the new Mediterra Cafe, 5202 Butler St. in Lawrenceville, which will probably circumvent the various street closings for Open Streets.  

(But don't miss Open Streets later!) 

May 21 Run/Walk: Meet at 61C cafe in Squirrel Hill

We'll meet on Sunday at the tried and true 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill - just because.  Last week we paid homage to the Blessed Mother at her Parkway Shrine (which is looking a little bare these days?) and tried the latest Tazza D'Oro in Oakland (which could use more outdoor seats but sunshine made it delightful anyway.)  There was a valiant attempt to scale the Cathedral stairs beforehand but it got stuck on the 4th floor.  Next time!

Endorsements:

• Grant's article in the Pittsburgh Magazine on Smithton - following up on our super-fun bike trip!
• The Jetsons - we've actually come pretty far along this road, but it's a lot darker than anticipated.  
• Watch:  Still - the story of Michael J. Fox
• Listen: Wiser Than Me, We Can Do Hard Things - podcasts
• Read:  Men Yell at Me - blog
• Open Streets: the joy of car-free life on our roads - coming up Sunday May 28th!

May 14 Walk/Run: Meet at Pitt's Cathedral of Learning, then head for the Shrine

We'll meet at the Cathedral of Learning (map, but you can't miss it) on the Fifth Ave. side. There should be free parking on Fifth Ave. or thereabouts on Sunday at 7.  Then we'll head for the Shrine of the Blessed Mother, most appropriate Mother's Day destination!  Coffee TBD but in the vicinity.

Last week we traversed Squirrel Hill to say hello to the Marathon route, and then kibitzed delightfully in Wendy's bright new kitchen and already leafy garden.  In addition to endorsing:

• Trader Joe's smoked rainbow trout fillets
• Making yogurt in your Instapot.  In fact, just the Instapot.

there was much talk about climbing - Aconcagua (Max has been there), Kilamanjaro (someone else, I forget), and the Cathedral of Learning (Teri invites all to the 6:30 am 34-flights multiple repeat climb of the stairs - see you there??)

May 7 Run: Meet at Wendy's house, 6425 Wilkins, at Beechwood

It's Marathon Day on Sunday, so we'll navigate the road situation and start at Wendy's house on the corner of Beechwood and Wilkins.  There should be plenty of street parking around there, and here's the info. about road closures that morning.  Coffee at Wendy's (thank you!)  

Last week we visited Art All Night (a few bleary-eyed attendants and LOTS of definitely unusual art pieces) and its rarely visited environs around The Strip, Polish Hill, and Lawrenceville.  The James Cafe turned out to be just right - we tarried lots of time to endorse

• Newest and most adorable RG member:  Ruby (pictured below - the one with fur)
• More love for Linda Meacci's yoga retreats - 2 in Mexico and a new one in Spain.
• Knives - buy Global ones; sharpen whatever you have at In the Kitchen
• Well, let's hope we don't have to use this one anytime soon:  Shadyside Hospital.
• Mah jongg - we need to start again! 
• RG fave Buffalo Rose free concert this Saturday! 3Rivers Outdoor Co in Regent Square, 5-6 pm.