September 13 Run/Walk: Meet at Beth’s house, 9384 Hilliard Rd , McCandless

Beth has invited us back to her home, always delightful, surrounded by trails and greenery.  And, an added attraction of a crochet-fest tutorial afterwards for those that can stay.  If we each make a granny square, we can finish an afghan right there!  It's about 25 minutes from "the city."

Last week we returned to Sharpsburg, and considered moving there as a group project. Why not?  It's close to the river, has an indefinable appeal, and seems to be open to all kinds of creative living situations.  This discussion may have been affected by coffee provided by the Redhawk Roasters.  They also serve Pizza Ebraica, a rare treat.  Talk as usual was rampant.

• Area parks that are best kept secrets: Preston Park and Laurel Hill State Park.
• Watch movies:  Coyote v. Acme, Tony, Death Cafe (really?)
• Go on a yoga retreat in Troncones, Mexico with the beloved Linda Meacci. 
• See the sunrise over Lake Erie at Presque Isle.
• Appreciate art by local artist Oreen Cohen.
• Read London Falling and Say Nothing by Patrick O'Keefe.
• Travel with Patagonia Duffel/Backpacks.
• "But I had never even been out of New Jersey!"

Resistance Action of the Week - considering that ICE has stepped up its local brutality, particularly terrorizing the people of Beechview so that many are staying in their homes and not going to the local immigrant-owned businesses, how about heading up there (only 11 min. from "the city") and getting some great Latino food?  Here's what the PG food editor has recommended.  And bring your whistles.

September 6 Run/Walk: Redhawk Coffee Roasters at 1019 N. Canal Street Pittsburgh, PA 15215, Sharpsburg; Also Labor Day Run at 7:30 am at 61C

Text contributed by Beth (thanks Beth for taking notes!):

On September 6 we'll meet at Redhawk Coffee Roasters in Sharpsburg (also Lori's new place of part time employment) to have a look around, including a masterpiece sculpted by Oreen Cohen from metal scraps on display at the Sharpsburg Community Garden. Hooray for public art! 

Monday is Labor Day so we will have a holiday run a little later at 7:30 am at 61C Cafe.

Last week we enjoyed our favorite haunt, Homewood Cemetery, and the runners took advantage the fence hole portal to make a quick exit to coffee at Wendy's lovely patio with a bounty of treats from Five Points (thank you Mary Ann.)

 

Endorsements include:

 

The Mount Assisi Sunken Gardens at St. Francis University in Loretto, PA. Take a trip to Italy without leaving PA. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vkx4VhZGWEeE58Xi9

 

Deer Ball Repellant to keep the big rats away - https://a.co/d/07P2lFsx

 

Reuseable silicone food storage bags - https://a.co/d/0gAAowVG and also at Target.

 

Books, books, always books  – Land (Maggie O’Farrell); Whistler and The Dutch House (Ann Patchett); Harlem Shuffle (Colson Whitehead)

 

From the department of retro things we still love using – taking handwritten notes using a clipboard.

 

Resistance Action of the Week:  Take a trip north to McCandless to join EmpowHer (a grassroots group in the northern suburbs that Gretchen and Beth are active with) for a peaceful, nonviolent Rally for Democracy.  Meet at the intersection of Duncan Ave and McKnight Rd on Monday, September 7 from 5:15-6:15 pm. Show your support for democracy, build community, and show dictators they are not welcome here. We meet here twice a month on Mondays - join us any time. 

August 30 Run/Walk: Meet at Five Points Artisan Bakeshop, 6524 Wilkins Ave., Squirrel Hill

We'll meet again at the delectable Five Points, diets be damned.  Oh, right, there will also be a preliminary run/walk to multiple points of interest in the area.  

Dahntahn was at its best last Sunday, and Arts Landing particularly shined.  Several of us had not known about the glowing new pickleball courts.  The De Fer patio and its pumpkin bar were stellar, encouraging ample chitchat:

• We do love the old cookbooks (Moosewood!), but online recipes can be life-changing, most recently with the inimitable Ruhama.
• And you can use those perfect NordicWare sheet pans.
• Public Libraries! From the 19th century glass floors in CLP-Oakland's stacks to the Libby E-book App. 
• Head to NYC and see the World Premiere of Show Trial, written by the playwright daughter of our own Linda Rose, Laura (Zlatos), Off Broadway at The Tank (312 W 36th St.), 10/15-11/8!    
• When something hurts - it's probably your shoes - get a new pair.
• Ah, yes, after 25 years RG has come to this: we are to watch the Anti-Ageist TED talk.  Right on! (But hasn't she had some work done?)

Resistance Action(s) of the Week - take a look at this Action Calendar (put together weekly by the indefatigable Debra Fyock) and find an enormous bouquet of things people are doing and can do here. Just reading it will make you take heart.  

August 23 Run/Walk: Meet at De Fer coffee at 725 Penn Ave. in downtown's cultural district

Meeting at De Fer's downtown was our last-minute idea last Sunday - it's approximately next to the sparkling new Arts Landing where there may be picnic tables.  There should be onstreet parking.  Anyway, we'll figure it out. 

Last week - I think we all were trooping through in Frick Park?  At least the walkers were, bathing in its green glow, a result no doubt of the daily rain torrents. Then we were under the tent at Biddle's, having smuggled in some of Madeleine Bakery's 300% butter pastry.  This inspired us to focus entirely on natural health practices. 

• Endorsements for Dr. Lobur and the Pittsburgh Center for Functional Medicine.  P.S. he's pretty cute. Also, Suma Medicine in Highland Park.
• Sleeping in the woods or on the beach may support your immune system, or result in not sleeping.
• Recipe to defeat your cough:  Bring a pot of water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons of rosemary, 2 teaspoons of thyme, 2 teaspoons of oregano. Put a lid on the pot and let it steep for five minutes. Remove the lid, put a towel over your head breathe in the steam for 15 minutes.  
• Watch:  A Place to Call Home, here Elaine calls on us to love Australia again as we did with Offspring.
• Paddle:  with the Witches at North Park
• Get: a shingles vaccine

August 16 Run/Walk: Meet at Biddle's Escape, 401 Biddle Ave., Wilkinsburg

Starting line is at old fave Biddle's, where the coffee is OK, the decor is quirky, and the ambience is a comfort.  "A couple of thunderstorms" in the Sun. morning forecast, but we have faith.  And umbrellas.  

Last week we wandered around the Phipps side of Oakland - wondering WHEN are they going to finish the Panther Hollow bridge (supposedly this month LOL) but at least we were able to walk over and witness the blooming algae (our very own reflecting pool!) on the pond beneath.  There are various random statues of large men in the vicinity, including a newly uncovered Columbus.

Conversation in the Starbucks plaza brought together some historical themes.

• Collective party planning, reminiscent of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties of yore, weddings, birthdays, and graduation celebrations. Thumbs down for Grand Concourse ("sad") but thumbs up for the University Club ("not as stuffy as you think").
• Crazy personal connections - brand new friend Caitlin appearing from Boston turns out to have a Dad known to all of us and who may just possibly have featured Joanne in a novel as the "woman in spandex."
• Read:  Evensong, and Emily Alone by Stewart O'Nan (the Dad featured above.)
• Sunday Line Dancing at Highland Park is back!  If you actually open that link (ahem!) you will see a familiar face.

Resistance action of the week:  Never too early: make sure that you, your friends and family will be able to vote.   Check voter registration here, and if needed, register to vote here.  And in the interest of preparedness, make sure of your documentation: birth certificates, passports, real IDs, etc. 

August 9 Run/Walk: Meet under the tent at Schenley Plaza in Oakland (redux)

Torrential rain again! I say as I wring out every item of clothing I put on this morning.  So the fact that last Sunday the unheard happened: RG was rained out of Schenley Plaza. (For the record, 5 diehards did show up).  This seems to be just part of the new normal. But let's not go there - instead, we forge ahead! Start under the big tent next to the Carousel (map). 

But there was coffee - and Starbucks has real china cups again.  Other things to cheer us up:

• Watch:  The Odyssey, on IMAX if you can (but not in those puffy barcaloungers. OK, I know there is a difference of opinion, but really, just look at this). 
• Read: Land, by Maggie O'Farrell
• Summer events right here - the Frick tours are better all the time.  Make sure you get Linda!
• Also:  The Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl tour of 30! fascinating indie bookstores listed here - oh, well, we missed it this year but keep in mind for 2027!  Especially loved were Beyond Bedtime and City Books.  Speaking of loved - local romance bookstores are multiplying.
• Also: Hollidaysburg PA - it's adorable - who knew?  While you're there, head over to Canoe Creek State Park 10 minutes away.
• Chill with WZUM, Pittsburgh's 24-hour jazz station, which lists a ton of jazz venues (lately including RG fave Small Hours) and also, weeknights, somehow retrieves the long-lost Tony Mowod shows of yore.

And even this will cheer you up - Resistance Action of the Week:  every Sunday, the Substack feature Chop Wood Carry Water features a long list of acts of decency, bravery, resistance, and general upstandingness - see this for the latest, and check back here next Sunday, or daily for other resistance possibilities.

August 2nd Run/Walk : Meet at Schenley Plaza

 August 2nd Run/Walk : Meet at Schenley Plaza.  We'll figure out coffee from there.

Last week both the walkers and runners poked their noses into St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, admiring the beautifully restored stained glass.

The walkers then cruised up the Allegheny path to the Sixth Street Bridge, commenting on all the housing along that trail, and throughout the Strip.  

The runners went the other direction, taking in views of a variety of murals on the Strip and the 31st. Street Bridge. 

Creative rearrangement of La Prima's outdoor space provided room for everyone around the tables, joining throngs of other early morning coffee drinkers. Animated conversations ranged from discussion of the recent Friday morning ICE protest  and plans for trips to Niagara Falls (Everyone should go--it's not that far! Especially the Canadian Side).  For those interested in some novelized historical background, check out Joyce Carol Oates' The Falls.  

Other recommendations:  Bramwell originally presented on Masterpiece Theatre, now on BritBox.  (As a matter of fact there is a whole listing of former Masterpiece Theatre shows that provides a wonderful resource for potential bingeing at https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/shows/  (NB: this link should work but it's  wonky.)

Monday nights at Beit Kulanu (the unified Rodef Shalom Congregation and Temple Sinai) offer dinner and a variety of interest groups (including Mah Jongg and Needlework).  Worth checking out.

Line Dancing returns to Highland Park on Sunday, August 2 and for the next four Sundays.  7-9, following the Jazz Concerts.

Resistance action of the week:  Come to the weekly interfaith anti-ICE vigil any Friday, from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at ICE's Pittsburgh facility, 3000 Sidney Street on the South Side.  Organized by Casa San Jose, Pittsburgh Area Pax Christi, and the Sisters of St. Joseph to stand up against immigrant persecution. You'll see some familiar faces there!

See you Sunday!

July 26 Run/Walk: Meet at La Prima Coffee in the Strip, 205 21st St., Pittsburgh

 July 26 Run/Walk: Meet at La Prima Coffee in the Strip, 205 21st St., Pittsburgh 

Last week walkers took a tour of the Grand Prix, and through the lovely surrounding neighborhood.  Amazing woodwork and ceramics on one home which also featured an array of the flags of NATO.

  Runners stretched out a bit to run by Catherine Jerzec's new home before their Grand Prix tour.

Everyone ended up at Sharon's for coffee.  Due to continuing smoky conditions, we hung out indoors with excellent food and great conversation which was so diffuse that I didn't end up with any recommendations but a great time was had by all.  And, of course, we all ended up in the kitchen!

See you Sunday.

July 19, Run/Walk: Meet at Sharon Riddler's, 5612 Woodmont, Squirrel Hill

July 19, Run/Walk: Meet at Sharon Riddler's, 5612 Woodmont, Squirrel Hill.  Sharon has graciously offered to host our coffee.  We'll meet there and head for Schenley Park to visit the Grand Prix.

Last week the walkers cruised around East Liberty checking out the new construction (BIG apartment building) at Frankstown and Liberty, then walking back through the newly transformed Homewood Park and Pool.  

The runners visited several community gardens in the neighborhood and the church that was featured in the movie Dogma (unfortunately dilapidated 😞).  There are numerous former churches in sorry states around town.  It was suggested that one might be converted into the Running Group communal living space.  Need to get Amy working on the financing options for such a venture...

Conversation during coffee at KLVN Lab included the Polish sisters in Gretchen's order and whether or not they speak Polish. (Some do, Gretchen does not, but Bobbi does!)  This morphed into some discussion of the value of multiple language learning in young children. (Interested parties might want to check out this article: www.zerotothree.org>resource>dual-language.)  There followed some conversation about the "mother-in-law role"  and how it differs between sons and daughters.

In response to an endorsement for camping at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia, a question arose about whether camping is hazardous due to trees falling on tents.  (Apparently there was a recent tragedy in Cumberland County.)  Cabins are available!

Roye gave a brief review of  Three Sisters, Three Queens by Phillipa Gregory, "Riveting!"

In a quick recap of the Canonsburg 4th of July 5-K, Sharon noted that Canonsburg is an attractive little town.  It's main claim to fame seems to be Sarris Candies.

Resistance action of the week:  Good Trouble: 3 opportunities! (Registration NOT required - just go)

Sunday, July 12th Run/Walk Meet at KLVN Coffee Lab, 6600 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh

Since we met at a Commonwealth Coffee last week, let's give KLVN a shot after a tour around Homewood/Point Breeze. 

Last week's walk through Shadyside led us past a memorable sculpture urging us all to move forward,  

 and then on to Mellon Park to take a look at the lovely memorial for Annie Seamans which mirrors the stars in the night sky on the night of her birth.  Sorry, runners, I forgot to ask where you went...

Discussion centered largely around books.  Elizabeth Strout's latest met with mixed reviews, as did The Correspondent (Virginia Evans).  Ann Patchett's Whistler is a great read.  Charlotte M Gonaghy's Wild Dark Shore was recommended as were Poor Deer by Claire Ohshetsky, and Land  and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Hamnet author, Maggie O'Farrell.

Some discussion of the discomfort entailed in patronizing Amazon or other on-line conveniences concluded with the suggestion that we just buy less stuff!

The new Shadyside Commonplace is a worthy successor to the late lamented Georgie's.

Resistance Action TBA

Run/Walk on Sunday, July 5th, Meet at Commonplace Coffee, 5743 Walnut, Shadyside (formerly Georgie's)

 More of a post later today-- stay cool!

June 28 Run/Walk: Meet at Virginia's Home, 2100 Lancaster, Regent Square

Virginia has offered to host us for coffee in her beautiful garden in Regent Square.   

Last week we explored Mt. Washington.  The walkers had Patricia's excellent guidance which led us through Chatham Village and along Grandview Blvd with minimal hills.  The runners found their way to Emerald View Park and managed to find their way out again.

We enjoyed a lovely coffee time on Patricia's amazing deck.  There were a variety of conversations only some of which I managed to note. (Rookie mistake!)  The highlight, of course, was a rousing chorus of Chumba Wumba (aka Tubthumping) which may still be making its wormy way around some of our brains...

Recommendations flew by.  Caught a shout out for Astrid and it's British version, Patience, both on PBS.  Astrid reminded someone of how great Call My Agent is, and something led strong support for Shtisel on Netflix.  Minx is a fun but NSFW (or perhaps even at home if the neighbors can see your big screen TV) series, also on Netflix.  Last but not least was lavish praise for Ann Patchett's latest, Whistler.

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

June 21 Run/Walk: Meet at Patricia's house, 672 Meta St.

Patricia has graciously offered to have coffee at her house, 672 Meta St. in Mt.Washington (map) so we'll meet there and do some intrepid exploring in a new zone.

Last week we returned to old haunts, Schenley Park and good old 61C (when will they get a new muffin recipe?) in perfect weather.  Walkers found a new trail deep in the park ravine, enchantically called Ponticulus.  Endorsements abounded:

• Panadería Jazmín in Mt. Lebanon - authentic Mexican pastry and other delights.
• Handy cellphone stand to avoid arrest on the highway
• Shakespeare lives!  upcoming The Tempest at the Carrie Furnace from Quantum Theater, and Poor Yorick's Players in Monroeville.  Also in the book Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.
• Watch movie:  Pressure
• See musical: Carol King's Beautiful at CLO
• Read book: The Correspondent (well, everyone is reading it).
• See stars in the dark sky at Blackwater Falls or Wagman Observatory

June 14 Run/Walk: Meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead, Overlook & Greenfield Ave., Schenley Park

Here's a map.  We'll figure out the coffee spot en route.

Last week, clear skies, cool air, we met at the newer La Prima on Smallman Street and after our run/walk got to convene al fresco for coffee and conversation.  But Blog Keeper failed to take notes, can report almost nothing about our lively conversation, and begs for forgiveness.  

Now she is leaving for the summer, and there will only be one Jane.  Which is it?  

Also, Buffalo Rose headlined the Three Rivers Arts Festival!

June 7 Run/Walk: Meet at the newer La Prima in the Strip, 1100 Smallman Street

Today the 2026 Three Rivers Arts Festival opens in lovely dahntahn!  And Sunday we'll be there to explore its latest location at the spanking new Arts Landing.  Amazingly, it won't be raining.  We'll meet at La Prima #2 (map), adjacent to the Convention Center, where maybe, just maybe, the underground fountains will be flowing.  

Last week, after a spin through Frick Park, we had a glorious return to the comfort and abundance of Elaine and her Kitchen on fabled Lower Waldron.  And then, on Thursday eve, the lollapalooza fabulous zumba/line dance party to celebrate our Wendy's special b'day. Much to be grateful for!

• The intrepid cyclists reported back from their trip out east: much fun, new sights, highlights being the vastness of Bethehem Steel's carcass, and Washington's Landing, about which Sharon had memorized surprising facts. 
• Jane M. will offer a story class.  Details forthcoming!
• A new cashmere mitten workshop is being planned.  Hit the Goodwills.
• "Situationship" is a thing, one that we know next to nothing about.
• Buffalo Rose (long endorsed by RG) is profiled in the newly reborn Post-Gazette, as it headlines the abovementioned TRAF on Thursday, June 11, 7:30 p.m.  Be there!

Resistance action of the week:  a reminder - tomorrow, Saturday, at 10 a.m., protesters will gather at the Citizens Bank branch in Squirrel Hill (1801 Murray). They will join protests around the US, demanding that the bank stop financing GEO Group and Core-Civic, the two main operators of notorious immigrant detention facilities, AKA prison camps. GEO runs Moshannon, 3 hours from Pittsburgh and the largest one in the Northeast.

                                 

May 31 Run/Walk: Meet at the entrance to the Blue Slide section of Frick Park (on Beechwood near Nicholson)

Here's a map.  There are picnic tables!  And if a couple of people bring a chair and some coffee or other drinkable, maybe a treat too, that should work.  Checking COVID-era entries it seems that in May of 2020 we were meeting on zoom 😢, but by May of 2021 we were finding outside seating and coffee to go.  So we tip our baseball caps to the past and enjoy the predicted gorgeous weather!

Last week, we were outside too, on the Biddle's porch after a tour through that handsome end of Wilkinsburg and a fantastically verdant Frick Park.  We discovered later that one of the Biddle neighbors was arrested in an energetic FBI raid a day earlier for broadcasting particularly savage death threats.  Craziness is in the air, people. We are trying to stay sane by concentrating on:

• how to repel deer and bunnies by spraying a mix of 50% water and 50% half & half.
• reading wondrous books, which we could start bringing to our coffee hour to trade.  One mentioned: Station 11.  One not mentioned:  Outlander (ha!)  And celebrating the wondrous writers in our group.
• And celebrating birthdays - this time Elena's - and more to come soon! 

Resistance action of the week - so many to choose from, let's focus on Moshannon:

• Save the date!  Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. in front of the Citizen's Bank branch, 1801 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill.  Citizens Bank finances the private prison operator GEO Group that runs the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest ICE detention site in the Northeast, and a few hours from Pittsburgh. On that day, people will be protesting at Citizens branches all across the country. More info. here.


• Help to shut down Moshannon! There is a movement to contact the 3 Clearfield County Commisioners, who will be voting about renewing their contract with GEO Group. You can email
• John Sobel (R) jsobel@clearfieldcountypa.gov
• Tim Winters (R) twinters@clearfieldcountypa.gov
• David Glass (D) dglass@clearfieldcountypa.gov (you can thank Mr. Glass because he has agreed to vote to end the contract)
• More info. here. 

May 24 Run/Walk: Meet at Biddle's Escape, 401 Biddle Ave., Wilkinsburg

Besides the Run and the Walk, there is also the Bike, so we cheer for our 2-wheeled sisters on their trek starting Sunday to parts known and unknown.  We await your report!  For the rest of us, we'll meet at Biddle's, 7 a.m., maybe bring an umbrella.

Last week in our maiden voyage to West View, apparently once the site of an amusement park that rivalled Kennywood, we saw a Lithuanian cemetery, a range of City Steps, and Gretchen's childhood home.  Coffee at West View Brew was adorable, featuring a uniquely toothsome blueberry scone-muffin. In other news:

• Save the date!  Buffalo Rose at the Arts Festival, Thursday June 11 at 7:30 at the new Arts Landing downtown.  Let's make it an RG tradition - 
• It's rhubarb time, so head on down to the Rhubarb Festival in Intercourse PA! Oops, we missed it, (May 15) - let's try to get there next year.  But there's still lots more to do in Intercourse. 
  
• Watch the terrific schmaltzy escape film Remarkably Bright Creatures.
• Bobbi's church, the Unity Center of Pittsburgh, sounds like a balm for the soul in these times.
• Usually like-minded, we differ strongly on self check-out.  (The one in supermarkets).

May 17 Walk/Run: Meet at West View Brew, 442 Perry Hwy, West View, PA 15229

 West View Brew is our meeting place for May 17.

Last week, before meeting at the Parisi Cafe, we wandered over to the parkway construction site at the bottom of Commercial Street and tried to imagine the existing bridge being imploded and the new deck structure slid into place.  If someone gets to see this, please post photos and share your report.

Meanwhile, blog keeper (RG-BK) assumes everyone knows there will be a full closure of 376 East from July 10 to August 4.

More important matters were discussed over coffee:  For instance: should we celebrate Sketchers, or do they make us look old? 

Janet, our resident expert in many things, informed us of the coronary calcium scan that measures whether there is calcified plaque in the heart arteries and can estimate the future risk of a heart attack.  It's a short, simple CT scan.

She also answered the question:  What is a lipidologist?  Answer: a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats lipid disorders, such as high cholesterol and triglycerides.

But the more crucial question remains: do Sketchers make us look old?

We moved conversationally from the heart to the body and then to the stuff we accumulate in old age, and someone mentioned "Super Cooper," and the aged RG-BK, intending to inform, looked up "Super Cooper" and found:

Super Cooper Sunday, a YouTube series about golden retrievers

Super Cooper, the mentalist from West Bloomfield, MI

A restorer of Mini Coopers

A media company in St. CLoud, MN

etc.

recommendations:

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning - by Margareta Magnusson

Washage rugs

Facebook Marketplace

To stream:

Call the Midwife

Beef

Happy almost birthday, Linda!

May 10 Walk/Run: Meet at Parisi Cafe, 7107 Harrison Ave, Swissvale 15218

Officially our meeting place is Parisi Cafe and Italian Market, 7107 Harrison Ave, Swissvale.  

Marathon Sunday was cold and sunny and those of us who weren't hemmed in by road closures met at Fifth and Beechwood and continued to the Panera at Bakery Square, where, as always we shared verifiable information, conjecture, and good stories.  

We didn't talk turkey* on Sunday.  Instead we talked chicken, or rather listened, rapt, to Bobbi's tales of her chickens, including Dominique, who was raised by hand, and Bean, a hybrid chicken.  

*The origin of "talk turkey" allegedly comes from colonial times when colonists and Indians bartered over wild turkeys.   Folklore tells of a particular encounter, but it's possible the stories arose from an article in the  Niles' Weekly Register from 1837.

What's true is this:  The Post-Gazette is now owned by the Baltimore-based Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism and will be run as a nonprofit.  40% of the staff was cut, and there will be no arts coverage or editorial page.  But according to V.L., our reliable source, we should give them a chance.  

Pittsburgh City Paper, also acquired from Block Communications, was rebooted by LocalMatters, another nonprofit.  So give them a chance, too.

Bad news:  Ice is out and about, picking up individuals instead of groups, and thus attracting less attention.

Not exactly an answer to the question:  "How Trumpy is Lowe's?"  Both Home Depot and Lowe's contribute to political campaigns, but Home Depot's co-founder Bernie Marcus has been a major donor to Trump.  So maybe the answer to the question about Lowe's is "less Trumpy."

Up for debate:  Everything is better in Canada.

How to save money streaming films?  A Pitt or CMU ID card will get you access to the university libraries and to Kanopy with its vast collection of films.

Endorsements: 

Hana Lee Goldin's Substack that teachs you how to think like a librarian in the Age of AI. Card Catalogue for Life

For elevated garden beds, go to Costco or Gardener's Supply Company

The best basil plants for planting in your garden come from Trader Joe's.

Shocking Update on Outlander:  Aimee is two seasons behind.

May 3 Walk/Run: Meet at Mellon Park, Beechwood and Fifth Avenues, Pittsburgh.

It's Pittsburgh Marathon Day.  Same as last year, we'll meet near the spray park/tennis courts.  Then post run/walk, we'll gather at Panera Bread in Bakery Square.  

To avoid road closures, park on Beechwood or Reynolds and walk to Mellon Park.  Here's the 2026 Race Course for more information.

Last week, Wendy was our host.  RGers piled into her beautiful house and sipped coffee in her beautiful cups.  One RGer locked herself in the bathroom to spend time with her beautiful wallpaper.  Linda contributed delicious lemon poppyseed muffins and several RGers brought treats from Five Points, and if it seems as if there are too many superlatives, they're all well deserved.

Some opinions on grocery shopping:

The Giant Eagle in Shaler is the most chill. 

But no one will find you at the Giant Eagle in Greenfield.

For meat and eggs, check out the East Liberty Farmers Market.

For chocolate milk, try the East End Food Coop.

Then there's Costco, where the employees are treated well.

FYI:

Trader Joe's and Aldi are owned by the same German company.  They are run separately and have been called "conflicted cousins," for reasons that are probably obvious.

Speaking of running:  The Wednesday/Friday runs live on through Jonathan.  

For laughs, check out comedian Rachel Goldstein (not to be confused with Rachel Feinstein or Brett Goldstein) Rachel Goldstein

Sharon on kids:  "When you think they're all grown up, they still cost a lot of money."

Resistance action of the week:

Citizens Bank: Stop Funding Cruelty!  Citizens Bank is a key funder of GEO Group and Core Civic. These 2 companies run ICE detention centers holding 60,000 immigrants, including the notorious Moshannon Valley prison 2 hours from Pittsburgh. With millions of taxpayer dollars funneled to them by Citizens, these contractors regularly withhold necessary medical care, illegally put people in solitary confinement, allow severely inhumane conditions, and rip families apart. 23 prisoners have died in the past year.  Past protests against banks supporting ICE prisons, including JP Morgan and Citibank, have worked.  

Possible ways to join this nationwide protest:

1. Write some letters - Indivisible Philadelphia is running a letter writing campaign. Use this form to get info.
2. If you have money in Citizens Bank, consider moving it to another bank, and tell them why.
3. Join the local protest in front of their Squirrel Hill branch, 1801 Murray, every Saturday at 10 starting May 2.

April 26 Run/Walk: Meet at Five Points Bakeshop, 6520 Wilkins Avenue

Will the traffic be unbearable during the NFL Draft?  We speculated last Sunday, when we met at Commonplace Coffee. Will there really be twice as many visitors as residents of Pittsburgh?  At this moment, who can say, but we'll know when we meet up at Five Points Bakeshop on April 26th.

We had the chance to pursue lots of art at Art All Night, which this year met on Lexington Street, not far from Commonplace.  There were selections from very young artists...

 

and some work from those who were far more experienced.  

On the maybe-necessary front:  there's a shower in the very nice bathroom at Commonplace Coffee.

If you need a great eye doctor,  Steve Rogers is highly recommended.  Steven R. Rogers

Does Reiki cure all?
Can it heal a dog?  Start a dead car?  

We missed this year's Croatian Festival in Millvale, but you can get coffee or breakfast at  The Nook in Lawrenceville.

Let's celebrate our dogs, even when they aren't the smartest pups in the litter. "In Defense of Dumb Dogs"

We're rooting for you, Buddy Guy.  Keep up the good work, Tully and Rozzie, and all the companions whose names I've left out.  You may not be able to fetch a toy by name or herd sheep, but you comfort us when we're sick and love us when we're grumpy.

From Roye, at the other end of the table:  

A.W. Beattie Career Center Restaurant where earnest students make chef-level food at diner-level prices.

Read Empires of Light

Eat an egg sandwich https://commonplacecoffee.com/pages/rockwell-park

Ask Bobbi to demonstrate the bunny ears double knot shoe tying technique

Bike in Meadville on the  Ernst Trail and the John Oliver Trail

Consider an RG trip to Preque Isle.