December 3 Run/Walk: Meet Downtown at Rock n' Joe Coffee- 514 Penn Avenue

This past Sunday the runners ran around the North Park Lake and Dasch kept Beth company walking on the Rachel Carson Trail.  The morning clouds broke up to reward us at the end with a beautiful sky

reflected on the Lake.  Coffee was at Convive and included the following endorsements:

• Don's Appliances as an antidote to too many choices
• Induction ranges
• Jane Jacobs and The Death and Life of Great American Cities

And the following non-endorsements:

• Biking on the El Camino de Santiago -- is ill-advised
• The housing affordability crisis which keeps getting worse!

Also I am sharing with the group an opportunity tomorrow to see Ron Donoughe's studio in Lawrenceville:

Finally, this photo is included as "another RG adventure."

November 26 Run/Walk: Meet at Spillway Lot at North Park at the corner of Babcock Blvd and Pearce Mill Road (map in message)

Our intrepid Beth is leading our North Park Run on Sunday - we'll meet at the Spillway Lot at the corner of Babcock Blvd. and Pearce Mill Road (map).  And then afterwards, head to coffee at Convive (that map).  This will be worth crossing a river.

On Sunday, Parisi Cafe and Swisshelm Park were adorable as always.  Runners valiantly scaled heights and depths to Duck Hollow and back.  On Thanksgiving, we rounded Squirrel Hill trying to keep up with Max on wheels, and gave thanks for the comfort of each other, especially for listening to our medical (and other) kvetching.

Endorsements:

• Ompractice - a repeat because it's so good
• Priya Parker - teacher of "artful gathering" (maybe we know something about it already?)
• Wabi-sabi explained by Wendy and also here.
• Aldi's Aisle of Shame - we should plan a visit, maybe before:
• Happy Hour - when is our next one??  Also Mitten Workshop - maybe both together!
• Janet once again speaking truth to power.

November 19 Run/Walk: Meet at Parisi Cafe 7107 Harrison Ave. in Swissvale AND Thanksgiving Holiday Run/Walk: meet at 61C at 7:30

We're meeting in front of the charming Parisi Cafe in Swissvale, 7107 Harrison Ave. (map).  Also it's an "Italian market" and "located in Rocco's Tavern", so not our usual hangout.  Routes are available to Swisshelm Park, the still midcentury (last one) Swissvale Center, or the once excitedly anticipated Edgewood Towne Centre (now a bit sad - should have predicted that from the ridiculous spelling.)  And don't forget our own Turkey Trot on T-Day from the default location, 61C, later than usual at 7:30.

On last Sunday, we scrunched into the tiny Redhawk coffee shop (thank you to the graciously nice guy who we elbowed into a corner) after a bracing Oakland excursion.  I don't know what runners did but walkers climbed the equivalent of 21 floors (re my Health app) up beyond the Peterson Center into a monstrous amount of construction. Hail to Pitt! (I always find that a little too close to Heil.)

Endorsements:

• ¡España Hermosa!  Max reported on the fabulous retreat in southern Spain with Linda Meacci (RG's favorite yoga teacher), and there will be another one in Mexico in February:
•  "Women in the Round" on the beach in Troncones (last year's was loved by Max and Wendy.)  If you're interested, check it out soon because Early pricing ends Dec. 1.
• the Batman movie filmed in Pittsburgh  - all of it, but the scene of Heinz Field imploding is wild.
• Feldenkrais movement therapy, we need everything we can get.

November 12 Run/Walk: Meet in Oakland at Redhawk Coffee Roasters, 120 Meyran Ave. (off of Fifth Ave.)

Oops, just realized this is Friday!  Have spent the week draining my brain and heart reading news, getting depressed (except for election results😊) and have lost track of time.  But here we are - and since I think someone said Oakland last week, we'll visit yet another new coffee locale, Redhawk Coffee - at 120 Meyran, off of Fifth Ave.  Oh, yeah, we'll run/walk too - any direction is possible.

Last week at the delightful Arriviste cafe, we were mistaken for the "Shadyside Celebrity Crowd".  Perhaps they are not so hip as we thought.  Our routes took us to Shadyside's mansions hidden down alleys and dead end streets, and also an apparently adult playground.  Once seated with caffeinated beverages and carbs in such comforting company, it was hard to leave. We learned:

• Post-menopause, every single cell slows down. Great.
• It is unclear in my notes but that datum may have come from Samantha Bee.
• More on that theme:  Moms in perimenopause often coincide with teenage sons in the same house, explosions ensue.
• Noom seems to actually work if you want to lose weight.
• If you don't want to lose weight: Mad Max has a special dinner for 2 at $40, Big Burrito will give you something free on your birthday, and there were votes for new restaurant Lilith.
• Best place for vaccines:  the Hub at Pitt.
• We shared a lot about Israel and the Palestinians. It's unfathomable. But sharing helps.

November 5 Run/Walk: Meet at Arriviste Coffee, 5730 Ellsworth, for a Shadyside excursion

We're going as hipster as we dare this week as we meet at Arriviste Coffee, 5730 Ellsworth in deep Shadyside. (Actually, are hipsters still a thing?  Probably thinking of hip replacements.) 

Halloween-time was delightfully spooky in the drippy dark (but not really raining).  The front yard decorators of Regent Square totally nailed it.  Coffee followed cozily inside with a bunch of endorsements, some here:

• The Mission of Mercy clinic which over 2 days last week provided free dental, hearing and eye care to 1,465 patients! More amazing info. about it here. 💕 to everyone involved - with the many volunteers including several RG regulars.
• Several more saw and heard Jane Fonda last week - marvelous at 86, star of stage and screen, pioneer of the Workout, and devoted climate activist frequently getting arrested.  Hear her inimitable voice on this podcast, interviewed by Julia Louis Dreyfus.
• Can we all try to be part of an Indian wedding?  Virginia provided gorgeous photos.
• The Cupid Shuffle
• The Lox & Bagel Strata (recipe here.)
• If you ever need to kosher your dishes - the Dish Mikvah
• VOTE NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 7!  Local is as important as national AND there are many state judges to elect (who are keeping our democracy alive these days.)  Election guide here.