February 22 Walk/Run: Meet at Panera Bread, 210 West Bridge Street, Homestead

Once again we'll meet at Panera Bread, this time on the Waterfront: 210 West Bridge Street in Homestead

Last week, at the big table at the Boulevard of the Allies Panera, we talked about birds.  The days are longer and the temperatures are not as frigid, and we're pleased to see and hear all of them, even the crows and sassy bluejays.  We went from birds to raccoons and then to groundhogs.

A groundhog (or woodchuck or whistle-pig or thick woods badger) is a sciurid, and though we hate the way they tunnel through our gardens, they also aerate the soil.  Like humans: good and bad.

Then there's Max's friend, with a pet groundhog she feeds organic almonds.

Raccoons are not sciurids or rodents.  They're in the family Procyonidae.  You can find a giant replica of one in Millvale. https://www.millvalecdc.org/current-projects/rainbow-raccoon-park

While in Millvale, you can also "drink tea, eat cake, and discuss death," if that's your thing.https://deathcafe.com/deathcafe/24644/

                                                                                     

February 15 Run/Walk Run/ Meet at Panera Bread, 3401 Boulevard of the Allies

This Panera was praised by a reviewer for its “large free parking lot.” Good to know, if also a case of damning with faint praise.  But we should be able to walk and run on ice and snow-free streets.  

Last week, faced with sub-zero temperatures, we, hearty walkers and runners, bundled up and stayed indoors.  (Except for Sharon…)  The knitters (Roye and Bobbi), took out their yarn and promised to share their talents.  Nearly everyone sitting around the table at Commonplace had gone to Catholic school --  Aimee, Joanne, Mary Ann, Jane M, Roye, and Bobbi – six of the nine of us.  Five of the six praised the experience.  We heard about an “adorable nun,” and the “opportunity to learn.”  Only Mary Ann couldn’t wait to get out.

She did. 

Resistance action of the week:  Allegheny County Council is set to consider an ordinance that would widely prohibit county employees from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.  Please call/email your County Council member (find your district here and your rep. here) and ask that they co-sponsor this bill.  Details here.

February 8: Weather Advisory Update! Meet at Commonplace Coffee, 7514 Thomas Blvd., at 8 am

Due to the following:

...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST SUNDAY...* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 15 below zero.

We'll just meet at Commonplace near the Co-op around 8 am.  That way some lunatics can possibly walk there, or exercise at home beforehand.  Or just warm up the car.

February 8 Run/Walk: Meet at the NEW La Prima in Oakland, 3400 Fifth Ave.

We are in search of surfaces conducive to running and walking, and Oakland seems to have employed the best snow removal equipment.  And we want to scope out the new La Prima, at Fifth and Halket, so we'll start there. 

Where did we go last week?  All around Rockwell Park, and whatever goes on there is a mystery.  But thumbs up for Commonplace, which seems to have found the magic coffee/treats/aura formula - just get there early enough to bag a table.  We love:

• Nuns. They're awesome. They powered up the Friday morning ICE vigil. Gretchen organizes a bunch of them. For medieval roots of their glory, read: The Matrix.
• Magical sacred singing in otherworldly surroundings - Compline at Heinz Chapel any Sunday evening at 8.  (Shoutout to RG member Elena!)
• More monastic: Benjamin Britten opera Curlew River at Pittsburgh Opera.
• How to replace Target: Costco! - another RG love affair.  

Resistance action of the week:  You can join fellow ICE OUT demonstrators at 2 p.m. on Sunday, where the Hot Metal Bridge meets Three Rivers Heritage Trail. And if you're a fast knitter and can snag some rapidly disappearing red yarn, you can wear your Melt the Ice Hat.