Sunday October 25 Walk/Run: Meet at the entrance to Riverview Park – 144 Riverview Avenue

Here's a map to the meeting spot at Riverview Park.

Blog-keeper Jane B is thrilled to be back with RG and enjoyed the long table at Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill.  However, it's hard to hear the conversation at the other end of the table, so if you're some distance from the blog keeper, send news or endorsements after our gathering.

RGers at our end of the table got to hear a modest, abbreviated history of how the cashmere mittens came to be.  It goes something like this:  Roye's daughter Lena had a cashmere sweater with a lot of moth holes.  Very sad, seemingly hopeless -- except to Roye.  She looked on Etsy for patterns and found one that used three pieces of cashmere for the outside and three for the inside.  This was maybe eight years ago.  The mittens were made, and then she and Lainy did a workshop, which woke up Lainy's desire to sew.  Now these incredibly warm, festive, washable mittens are an RG emblem.  They're the best.

Some endorsements grew out of that:

Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse has old sewing patterns.

Beck's Used Appliances refurbishes sewing machines.

Loom, a beloved source for fabric, notions, and much else, has relocated to 346 Butler Street, Etna

Check out Task Rabbit for handymen and other workers.

And always remember to leave your washing machine door open.

Resistance Action of the Week:  Just another encouragement to VOTE EARLY if possible.  Voter protection groups agree: the more early votes are cast, the harder it is to sabotage the election - and here are 7 more reasons. You can request a ballot until 10/27 - and if you have your mail ballot, you can drop it off at a ballot return location it any time instead of counting on the post office.  Here are all the times/locations in Allegheny County.

October 18 Run/Walk: Redux - Meet at Wendy Bennett Trailhead in Schenley Park

Since we were so formidably rained out last week, we will try again (and with even better leafy chromatics) at the famed WB Trailhead in Schenley Park, corner of Greenfield Rd. and Overlook Dr. (map).  I just noticed on Google Maps that the trail we take is called the Bridle Trail.  Once, within living memory, there were horses.

Last Sunday, a good number of us, loathe to miss our Sunday a.m. gabfest, showed up anyway at Commonplace, munched on the considerably better muffins to be found at Squirrel Hill coffee shops, and conferred.

• Votes differed on:
• Hokas - will they give you a comfy run, or make you fall on your face?
• Senior living:  rent ($$$) or own (roof is leaking!) I guess that's $$$ too, so a wash.
• AI - helpful thought partner? ubiquitous menace replacing your brain, controlled by evil techlords?
• Visit: Niagara-on-the-lake -the falls, wine, theater, and Lake Ontario!
• Shop: Friend-of-RG Rick Malmstrom's handmade silver jewelry
• Listen:  How I Built This podcast.
• Read:  books/stories by our 2 Janes:  Jane M and Jane B.  Also Marlon James' The Disappearers.
• Stay dry while you pedal:  Baleaf waterproof, breathable bike jacket.

Resistance Action of the Week:  Early voting! It will safely bank your vote ahead of potential stormy weather on election day and beyond.  Here's how and where you can do it.  And don't forget NO KINGS this Saturday - noon at the City County Building and 5 pm at Shady and Fifth - also more on the map.

photo credit:  https://www.facebook.com/pittsburgh.then.now/posts/there-is-a-certain-quiet-that-settles-over-schenley-park-once-october-arrives-th/122139381135388850/

October 11 Run/Walk: Meet at Wendy Bennett Trailhead in Schenley Park

 This week will be a walk in the park, starting from our favorite spot.  The Wendy Bennett Trailhead is unmarked, but easy to find, on the corner of Greenfield Rd. and Overlook Dr.  Here's a map.  

Last Sunday took us through the neighborhood surrounding Trace Brewery, and eastward to St. Mary's Cemetery on sunny (and completely ice-free) streets.  Not only was Trace Brewery open, but so was Jak's Bakery, and delicious treats were secured.  (We also found out who to call to make sure the Brewery is going to be open.)

Once again the origins of Running Group were considered, reminiscing about the Toy Lending Library and the auspicious meeting that started it all.  In September we (should have) celebrated our 33rd year! It was suggested that we start planning for the 35th, perhaps returning to NYC...

Several stories of RG adventures were shared, not repeated here because what happens in Running Group, stays in Running Group.

Talk of the state of the country and the upcoming election was unsurprisingly depressing, but Elaine cheered us up by telling us about her friends who spent the weekend being trained to be balloon holders in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  This effort involves hundreds of Macy's employees, and each balloon is handled by many holders, all of whom dress in outfits related to the balloon's theme.  Who knew?!

Recommendations included a few new Goodwill Stores in the suburbs-- one was in Wexford but others are lost in the ether...

The musical, "In Clay" at the City Theater is highly recommended (closes Sunday.)  Last week there was a movie endorsement for "Nonnas" on Netflix.  

Alas that is the full extent of my notes, but hope to find a way to add  Roye's Resistance Action.

See you Sunday.

October 4 Run/Walk: Meet at Trace Brewing, 4312 Main St. in Bloomfield

Next up is Trace Brewing in Bloomfield, regarding which, "we tried twice to go there and they weren’t open so hopefully the 3rd time is the charm."  If so, potentially beer at 8 a.m.  Why not?

Last week we visited the lovely lairs of Pittsburgh's 1%, the ones in Shadyside anyway, complete with hidden pathways and secret gardens.  We asked, how can so many people have this much money?  A question for our time.  Afterwards at the cavernous Coffee Tree Roasters, under a loudspeaker emitting "music", we overcame the sound and had a fine time. Unfortunately, my napkin notes vanished, but a few topics under discussion stood out:

• It's actually not hard to end up at the wrong funeral.
• Most endorsed underwear source:  Jockey. You can see it at Target ahead of ordering it. Notably absent source:  Victoria's Secret.  Sigh.
• Watch on streaming:  Little Dorrit, and a movie with 4 letters starting with N...Norm? Nerm? It's supposed to be good! Will find out for next week.
• Shakespeare in the Parks, only 3 weeks left.  It's the Merry Wives of Windsor happening during the Reagan administration.  See Mistress Quickly as the Material Girl!