July 7 Run: Blue Slide Park (Beechwood and Nicholson) for a Frick Park run

Don't forget the standard holiday run on July 4 - 7:30 at Commonplace (thanks for the reminder, Virginia!)

On Sunday we'll start at Blue Slide Park - which still amazes as the star of the hit song by Burgh native rapper Mac Miller (I know I've said this before but it is so crazy it bears repeating - and do take a look at this video to see young Malcolm demonstrating the cardboard slide technique.)

Last Sunday we discovered a number of things on the Strip route as promised - first of all, we stopped to check out another running group setup we passed on our way - festooned with flags, tents, snacks, maps, the whole shebang - Fleet Feet Flyers (appears to be based at a running shoe chainstore) - surely this is way too much coddling.  We are the real item.  Then - the 31st St. Bridge is back!  We headed over to do a circuit through Herr's Island and back to La Prima in time for fresh meles once more.  Artists and art careers were discussed and relatedly? a brilliant fresh bouquet of flowers was rescued from the street by Wendy.
Endorsed:

• Wendy Davis' pink shoes!  
• Documentary:  Chasing Ice
• Mo Willems - artist to investigate

June 30 Run: Through the Strip, starting at parking lot, Liberty & 21st

Next week we will travel through one of our favorite neighborhoods and check out what's new: the Strip is getting more interesting all the time, and is the home of not only great food and Steelers regalia, but...I guess you'll have to come along to find out.  Start at the elevated parking lot off of Liberty at 21st, and coffee most likely at La Prima.

You may have noticed that we skipped a week!  Aha!  Well, that was just to prove the mind-meld of the RG, through which no fewer than 8 runners, 2 walkers, and numerous miscellaneous of our tribe showed up on Sunday morning on Forbes between Shady and Murray with no notification whatsoever. This happily included newest tribal member, baby Greta (accompanied by mom Aimee).  Hopefully it will not mean the demise of the blog, but it does mean that I can relax.  From coffee hour, I sadly neglected to record our various pearls of wisdom, but at least remember a promise to send out the recipe for these incredible Dulce de Leche Molten Cakes (provided on our vacation by our son's girlfriend who is just as sweet.)

June 16 Run: Commonplace Coffee for a Father's Day Run on the fly

Next week we really couldn't decide on, since so many of us are going to be out of town (including me, so someone else is responsible for napkin recording duty.)  So we'll go with the backup Commonplace Coffee run - and perhaps someone will come up with a good Father's Day theme.   We did however think of some super ideas for the future:  checking out all the new stores on the Strip, and biking all the new trails, including tandems for anyone who doesn't have a bike.  And let's not forget Allegheny Center.  So many runs, so little time!

Today went beautifully according to plan as Virginia led us to many downtown fountain locales, finally reaching literally the heights (150 ft.) of the fabulous renovated Fountain at the Point.  Not only did we take in its awesome power and sparkle, we got a special tour from its generalissimo, Damon (pictured below.) He gave us a fascinating insider's view of its many new aspects, such as:  how it operates - buttons replacing rusty old levers; it symbolism - 3 smaller "peacock" fountains standing for the 3 rivers; and what Channel 4 didn't mention in this newscast when it was fired all the way up and it soaked the governor and fellow VIPs - take a look at second 14 and you'll see their tiny figures in the back running like hell.

Coffee was under the trees outside Starbucks at Market Square, which inspired reminiscences of trips downtown with grandmas, including white gloves and Candyrama.
Endorsed:
Jacquie:  The Perfect Cappuccino - documentary film
Laurie:  Running and Being - book - and his son lives in Pittsburgh!
Everyone:  Cafes - much better for meeting people than bars.

June 9 Run: Starting at PPG Place (Tomb of the Unknown Bowler) for a Fountain Celebration Run

How many times have we in sadness looked over from Mt. Washington or the West End Bridge to the empty spot at the Point where the glorious old fountain used to be?  Well, this particular thing that isn't there any more is coming back this weekend!  So we will be there to celebrate on Sunday a.m., starting at PPG Place - with its own fountain (surrounding the aforesaid Unknown Bowler.)  In fact, maybe some of us can think of more downtown fountains to make this a super-themed run - so write in if you want one on the tour and we'll connect the dots.

Last Sunday we traversed the 3 miles of trail from the Lowe's lot to the end of the new trail past Sandcastle, and turned back just exactly across from the famed eagles' next, evidently only minutes after one was seen swooping in (according to a dedicated fan who apparently hangs out there on Sundays at 7 a.m.)  Passing by the Eat'N Park patio with that sweeping view overlooking the Mon, we thought that next time we should try to get coffee there - so totally 'Burgh!  (Speaking of which, have you heard that we have recently beat out Portland?)

Back at Commonplace we got the distressing announcement from David that the S.H. Giant Eagle no longer carries its store brand shredded wheat. What's next - no more Klondikes?!  And then, the demise of the letter - our children will be the first generation maybe since the invention of paper not to hold on to those yellowing packets tied up in ribbons.  That actually is distressing.  But cheer up - we now have podcasts and audiobooks, two of which were endorsed:
 - Cocktail Waitress, by James Cain
 - In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson - this one (along with many others) downloadable from the Carnegie Library!
Is that an even trade?
Roye

June 2 Run: Start at Lowe's parking lot at the Waterfront for a South Side Trail run

On Sunday we’ll do our own reconnaissance of the newly opened final link to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail:  the connection through Sandcastle (through which we have bushwhacked on earlier occasions.)  Pam suggested that we begin at the maze down at the Lowe’s end of the Waterfront, and just follow the trail as long as time permits, then come back.  Or something else.  We’ll figure it out.  Coffee location undetermined.

Last week was chock full of RG special experiences: the National Cartoonists Tour of Dahntahn led by Wendy and David on Sunday, and the Memorial Day Holiday Run to the Soldiers & Sailor’s Memorial (not to mention the Boden sale.)  I wish I could report on the first but I was sadly AWOL - reports are that it was terrific. The second also had its delights:  cool bright weather, a long stretch in Schenley Park, the Memorial getting spruced up for its big day, and a close-up view of David’s fabulous giant celebratory cartoon of the people and places of Pitt’s LRDC, done in honor of its anniversary celebration this year.  I missed the 3 p.m. rendezvous at the Boden extravaganza (had to go early) - did anyone go?

Shout-out to Sarah and Tom, on the DL – we miss you on the run and hope recovery happens soon!

P.S. Teri forwarded this email – good for us to know:

Christine Lovejoy posted in Severn Street Neighbors Christine Lovejoy 10:01am May 29 Folks who use the trails in Frick need to be careful. there is a homeless man living there and he has been assaulting cyclists. Carl called the police and had him arrested, but he was let out and is back in the park. Please be careful.

May 26 Run: Downtown starting at the Omni William Penn Hotel main entrance

Special treat next week as we are joined by some of the nation’s most creative and funniest people, members of the National Cartoonist Society who also run!  David (our very own cartoonist) and Wendy are helping to host the group for their first-ever meeting in the Burgh, and so we decided to invite them along on our Sunday run – which will be downtown and will try to expose our fair city’s best sights.  Coffee will be at the Starbucks inside the hotel lobby (a treat in itself.)

At the bottom of this message, Wendy gives us the “absolute correct hotel info” complete with visuals. More info. about the epic gathering of Cartoonists in this must-read article by David from Sunday’s PG!

Last week our Bakery Square took us through:  Larimer, East Liberty, Garfield, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Friendship, and Shadyside, in that order.  (By adding just 5 more minutes, we could add Point Breeze, North Point Breeze, and Homewood – I am determined to do that next time - Pam’s idea from a few months ago, by the way.)  We intersected with the City Spree – 5K No Course Event - a highly organized group doing another neighborhood run and clearly cooler than us – but they were leaving at 8 so we didn’t wait.  Important fact revealed by Scientist Jan as we were breathing hard up a seriously vertical slope in Allegheny Cemetery:  Pittsburgh has no hills!  This is an Earth Science truth related to the concept of erosion – Jan will explain.

Another fun coffee at the spacious Coffee Tree (but they shouldn’t wrap their pastries in plastic) with the following endorsements/pans:

·         Everyday Noodle was panned due to chalky taste and percussive noise – but nearby Ramen Bar got thumbs up.  Related information:  Jacquie explained that the difference between northern and southern Chinese cooking is huge – like comparing Russian and French food – we have a lot to learn.

·         Rainbow Nails is great – on Forbes between the library and the old Baskin Robbins (another “thing that isn’t there anymore” proving that Beth – who gave directions - is a true Pittburgher.)

Roye

Back to Wendy:

This week we'll be stuffing goody bags for the attendees of the National Cartoonist Society (NCS) Convention and include info about our planned run next Sunday at 7 am. I'm thinking we should meet at the main entrance to the Omni William Penn Hotel, right across from Mellon Square Park on William Penn Place. There should be free street parking at that time and the Mellon Square Garage  which is inexpensive and open 24/7, can serve as back up.

See you next week!

Wendy

 

May 19 Run: Bakery Square Coffee Tree for a Garfield-Friendship-Shadyside run

Next week we'll check out what hip new things have popped up on Penn Ave. and then tour around a number of contiguous neighborhoods, starting and ending at the Bakery Square Coffee Tree.

Today with only last-minute notice, a good-sized group went looking for mother-type-inspiration and decided to head back to the freshly renovated Shrine of the Blessed Mother in South Oakland, having been foiled in the last attempt by a lost baby deer.  We somehow navigated around the Race for the Cure crowds without being blocked anywhere.  All was brisk, bright and green, and we traversed a monumental hidden staircase and railroad tracks before heading back through Schenley park trails.  Two daughters joined us!

Later on, a story about how the RG networking capability changed a young woman's life in a few days.  We also learned about the Pittsburgh Moishe House where young Jewish (and maybe not?) singles can live, hang out, eat barbecue (probably kosher though), play poker and frisbee, and generally get to find each other - apparently there are scores of them, including in Budapest!  I guess this could also change a young woman's life in a few days.  Also wedding talk - rings, dresses (strapless make people nervous), caterers, and moms (really) trying not to be interfering.

Endorsements:

• Movie: Four Weddings and a Funeral
• Dry cleaning from New Life and also the one inside the Market District Giant Eagle (who knew?)
• The return of the Boden Clearance Sale on Saturday May 25! A number of us will follow Wendy's strategic lead and not go until 3 p.m.  We may put up a RG flag to indicate where we are in the giant changing room.  Tip:  wear a sleeveless tank top so you can try things on and then go out for more stuff without having to get dressed again.
• The word "shlumpy" (opposite of the Boden Sale)

Roye

May 12 Run: Mother-inspired run from Commonplace

Sorry for late notice -
We're meeting tomorrow (Sunday May 12) for a mother-inspired run at Commonplace Coffee - hope to see you there!
More info next week -

Wendy and Roye

May 5 Run: for non-marathoners, Commonplace Coffee and on the fly

For next Sunday - to our Marathon runners who have been an inspiration to the rest of us for months:  bonne chance, buena suerte, super good luck on the race next week!  Everyone else will set out from Commonplace as the default spot, usual 7 a.m. time, for parts unknown.

Last Sunday in Frick Park was even more glorious than the previous week, as the trees had just reached that early spring green and pink misty stage, and the temperature was perfect, and spirits were high (probably because the pre-marathon training had finally lightened up - and also because Lainy turned down the job in Philly - many reasons!)   I had to miss coffee hour - so no news from there this time. Anyone else - feel free to write in!

Roye

April 28 Run: Frick Environmental Center (off Beechwood) for another run in the park

Frick Park was so lovely last week that we thought we should just repeat the experience from another angle, so we are starting at the Frick Environmental Center parking lot .  We are going to print out the fantastic map of the park that Aimee had and get inspired.

Aimee gets kudos for that run for its somehow giving us literally a new perspective on and from Frick Park - which seems impossible seeing that we've been there a zillion times.  But it deserves as many repeats as it gets - it is inexhaustible.  People are training for the marathon - coming up soon! - so the coffee hour had a small but lively group, ranging widely over:  special hairbands, not-so-friendly Chicago, moving and mementos, solutions for the dreaded marathon chafing situation, and the state of our Buccos.   We thought up a future run around Allegheny Commons. And thanks to Wendy's eagle eye, some bonus intel to anyone who reads this message and who wears clothes: May 25: be there.

April 21 Run: Blue Slide Park for a Frick Park run

Next Sunday the happily returned Aimee will lead a run through Frick Park starting at Blue Slide Park - also now infamously a hit album by Pittsburgh's own rapper Mac Miller, who I used to see regularly when he was in diapers.  Don't even think of googling the lyrics: it's the end of innocence.  (For newbies - this is the playground located at the intersection of Beechwood Blvd. and Nicholson St.)

During last week's run I was talking so much I can barely recall where Karen led us:  we started at Commonplace, and then I think the next thing I knew we were on the Chatham campus, but when I looked around again we were in Frick Park?  It was a lovely run, at any rate. I'm also attributing this lapse to jet lag, which connects nicely with what appeared to be the day's theme:  travel!  To Shanghai, the Grand Canyon, Paris, Amsterdam, and other points, with some of us endorsing the beauties of travel planned and arranged by experts, like those nice people who arrange for vans to drive alongside your bike routes through the Loire Valley.  Also the extraordinary phenomenon of finding stays in people's apartments over the internet: AirBNB, VRBO, TripAdvisor - which can range from awful to sublime.  And wasn't it true that we got our coffees to the strains of "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Peter Paul & Mary?  Following which we heard some "Tales of Lower Waldron", which despite its name is actually superior to any other part, and which we should tour next Sunday, being so close.  And welcome to new runner Jackie!

Apr 14 Run: Commonplace Coffee

Those of us left at the end of coffee were not in a creative mood so went with the first thing that came up for next week's run: meet at Commonplace for a TBD run - maybe Frick Park? maybe Beechwood Blvd?

We ran through Schenley Park this morning which despite small patches of green still looks stripped to its bones and waiting for a decorator to fill in the gaps. Thanks to the lack of leaves, we saw two fat raccoons as well as a few deer. We were joined by new mother Aimee - welcome back - and sent good travel thoughts to Roye in Paris.

Only a few of us stuck around for coffee but we had a delightful conversation, sparked by Aimee's questions, about our experiences raising our children. So much of it boiled down to relax, follow your instincts, and let them be the person they are. It was all accompanied by helpful and interesting stories.We also noted that as a mother you are likely to be worrying for the rest of your life (hopefully not obsessively so).

Pam confirmed that the series of books that several of us used: "Your X Year Old" by Louise Bates Ames still are valuable resources.

Virginia recommended the Get Well Room, which is run by the Carriage House in Squirrel Hill. It is a place that slightly under-the-weather children can go.

It's mentioned here in the link to About Carriage House: http://www.carriagehouse.org/about.html 

Here's a story about the reopening of the Get Well Room last March when they found Kate Golightly as the nurse.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/childrens-center-get-well-room-reopens-for-business-220968/

Apr 7 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

First run of April 2013 will be in Schenley Park  - meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead (below the Oval, at the intersection of Bartlett and what we think of as the Boulevard but has a different name at that point).

As Judy commented there is a breath of Spring in the form of new beginnings in the air - Passover has just passed and this is Easter Sunday, yesterday the sun came out and it was 50+ degrees.
In honor of the holiday we tried to visit the Shrine of the Blessed Mother - which now has a Facebook Page - but we were stopped by a small deer trapped by the surrounding fence. There were deer on the hillside above and we were not sure how that lone deer made it over the fence but we decided to back out and leave the gate open in hopes that the stray would find its way to is herd. This seemed to have some Easter significance.

We took off into Oakland viewing the apartment house that burned this week, rediscovering Oakland Square with its sweeping views of Panther Hollow and finding a new set of stairs leading down to the small community below. We climbed back up the stairs near the Schenley Park Visitors Center to find people making pancakes on the porch for the attendees of the Sunrise Service being held near the Playground across the bridge (Google maps says it is Dinosaur Park???). It was an eventful run for a holiday and that is not even mentioning the difficulties people had even getting to Phipps due to the buggy race road closures.

In keeping with this unexpected obstacles theme, Common Place was closed, so we went back to Coffee Tree. We had a Seder recap and there were some very interesting ones, strong EE Runner recommendations for Yoga Teachers Linda Meacci and Richard Gartner, a vote for clothes shopping at Target and of course another Costco discussion.

March 31 Run: Meet at Phipps for an Oakland Run

On Easter Sunday, what better place to visit than the Shrine of the Blessed Mother, deep in the heart of Oakland, starting at Phipps Conservatory at 7 of course, though those diehard run-to-the-runners will pre-start at Commonplace Coffee on Forbes at 6:40.

On Sunday we were lucky enough to have Anne Jane back to lead us in, around, and through the maze of Homewood Cemetery, because nobody else seemed to be paying much attention to where we were going: this run for some unknown reason became a marathon of talking.   Which intensified as we waited fruitlessly for Commonplace to open (where were you, fellows?) and then wandered back to our old stomping grounds at the Coffee Tree, where we miraculously found enough tables and chairs to host a stream-of-consciousness seminar on:
branding workshops where strangers call you "shifty"
matzo covers of long ago lost, and afikomen of long ago found (a bit dusty)
software (not softball) teams
Sheryl Sandberg - well sure, if you're Lady Grantham you can lean any way you want
imposter syndrome
how to fill your life

and endorsed:

E2's Sunday Sauce - let's go!  Also - need to set up a Moth evening!

Netflix streaming on iPads, to watch:

Goodnight, We Love You (documentary on Phyllis Diller)

Her Masters Voice, (documentary by Nina Conti, astounding British ventriloquist)

Almond macaroons at Whole Foods (this is an addendum) - and a happy Pesach!

Mar 24 Run: Commonplace Coffee

A request was made to stay close to home next week so we will meet at Commonplace Coffee for a neighborhood or maybe a cemetery run.

While it would seem Roye and I planned our schedules to cover for each other, it was sheer coincidence that I joined the group on a Sunday she was traveling thus being able to fill in as scribe.
Elaine delivered on the Bald Eagles - yes, we really did see the nest and the male bird guarding it thanks to Sharon's binoculars - although some with sharp eyes could see him clearly without assistance. It was a steel gray kind of morning - like those we are too familiar with lately. But it was not raining or snowing and the temperature while chilly was not biting so the run was pleasant enough. It was livened up by three trains, one which blew a greeting whistle and that always spectacular view of downtown from the Hot Metal bridge. Personally I enjoy that flat run by the river, it has a calm feel particularly during the winter.

Only a few of us made it to coffee but informative as always. Subjects discussed:

• The joys of compression socks especially while flying. Elaine keeps a pair in her brief case to prevent swelling
• Exquisite torture, Wendy's evocative description of foam roller usage - which was endorsed by several of us
• Advertising for a Physical Therapist to run with us so we can take advantage of their talents/training 
• Gluten-free vegan dishes for Seders
• The closing of the Pussy Cat - so sudden 
• Red, White and Blue Thrift Store on Route 51 - the best in Pittsburgh, although the Goodwill on the South Side can also yield some treasures
• And from the run, an endorsement for Page Dairy Mart at the intersection of Beck's Run Road and E Carson Street

March 17 Run: Hot Metal Bridge, parking lot off of 2nd Ave. at Bates

Next week, wear your green of course, and also bring binoculars!  We’ll start out at the Thermo Scientific parking lot this side of the Hot Metal Bridge, head over the bridge, and then, following special notification by Lainy, turn left so as to eventually be in the perfect spot to see the nesting bald eagles that have set up house in Hayes!  There was some talk of a run-to-the-run - please check in if so.

Last week our Highland Park run followed a glowing sunrise through the park and especially over the reservoir (photo capturing it courtesy of Teri.)  A parallel walk was taken by Joanne and Judy, a great option to consider for those of us that land on the DL from time to time, or are, ahem, no spring chickens.

Speaking of nesting, and spring chickens, the highlight of coffee hour was a visit from the adorable 6-week-old Greta (and her equally adorable mom Aimee.)  Check out this action photo (thanks, Sarah!) and you'll see that Greta is completely engaged in the conversation and undoubtedly thinking of terrific endorsements to share as soon as she can talk.  So our chat naturally gravitated toward our history in diapers (collectively, tens of thousands of them?) but then on to not-so-secret Hotwire's Secret Hotels and using it to get a great rate at Pam's recommended Belnord Hotel in NYC, job negotiation techniques which hopefully end with staying in our fair city with a better salary, and TechShop Pittsburgh in Bakery Square: we are not sure what it is, but it's super-hip.

March 10 Run: Tazza D'Oro for a Highland Park Run

Next week will bring us back to Highland Park, starting at the Tazza D'Oro café on Highland Ave.  A shout-out to Joanne:  If you lead it, we will come.  Well, I guess we will come anyway, but it would be great to see you.

Sunday we traversed the Strip, and spent a good 5 minutes actually contemplating climbing over an 8-ft. fence blocking the long-closed 31st St. Bridge, but then someone said, "Hey, we don't even like that bridge."  So another potential brush with the law was gone, and the rest of the run was fun but uneventful.  Heading down the long wide industrial stretch of Railroad St. straight toward the downtown towers in the dawn felt like a movie set, UPMC looming above like the Eye of Sauron.

Happily at La Prima there were exactly enough freshly baked almond meles to go around, which went some way to cheer up a discussion of the eventual future of runners -- being walkers.  And also the machinations of hospitals and health insurance companies, as laid out in the recent Time article, Bitter Pill, and confirmed by Dr. Pam. [Long pause in real time here while I became totally mesmerized by that article - really, read it.]  And the question:  why do we have to wait hours to see the dermatologist?  Especially since it seems to take about 5 seconds to diagnose and promptly slice off parts of our anatomy. (If there is a dermatologist on this list, please don't take it personally.)  Finally:  where is Tom?  We miss you.

March 3 Run: Strip run - parking lot at 21st and Liberty

Next week we are planning a run around the strip, starting at the parking lot right above Liberty Ave. at 21st. St. and criss-crossing a few bridges. We will hope to end with warm almond meles at La Prima - I wonder if we can call in an order?  If I think of it this week, I'll try.

This week we headed from Regent Square to the top of Pt. Breeze, and back through the cemetery, a cold grey quiet Pittsburgh morning that our group tore through making it sweaty, colorful, and raucous - that's our job!  But where were the deer and that tubby little groundhog?

Was there some talk of a run through Braddock?  Sarah and Wendy say there are some murals we can't miss, and perhaps we can get Mayor Fetterman to come along, since he seems to be available for PR ops.  Most of the group peeled off before coffee at the newly configured and still cute Biddle's Escape - now they have a table just for us!  Four of us still covered a lot of verbal territory, all of which escapes me since I forgot to use the napkin technique.   We welcomed back Michelle (!), who recalled the origin of our sainted coffee hours, which she started with Karen and Virginia in the olden times, hugely increasing our happiness quotient.

Feb. 24 Run: Tennis Court parking lot on Braddock across from Biddle for Regent Square run

For those lucky enough to have tomorrow off (ahem) - don't forget the usual 7:30 a.m. holiday run starting at Commonplace.

Next week we only know where we are starting, not where we are going - how philosophical is that?  We'll begin in the tennis court parking lot on Braddock Ave., and figure out where to go according to the weather.  OK, so maybe not that deep. Will probably end up at Biddle's Escape (a new favorite) for coffee.

Today's slippiness (!) took us both ways through Chatham, whose well-heeled neighbors really know how to keep their streets pristine, and over through Shadyside, whose equally posh residents rely on Public Works unfortunately, but whose mansions were just as gorgeous in the snow.  (I'm deliberately using "posh" to try to get PtB back.)  But the best words today were Virginia's:  "I'm not leading the run, I'm just out front."  This has so many mind-melding interpretations that we will be deconstructing it for years, but suffice it to say that it has already become a RG slogan.

On the topic of lingo, back at Commonplace, we pondered the café lingo laid out in the NYT article much of which has to do with what the baristas call the customers - ummm, not going there.  Especially after we spent the first half hour standing around treating the place like a cocktail-party.  Chat-wise, as usual food reigned:  first Teri discovered the Urbanist Guides to extremely hip dining etc. in the back (I can't believe we missed the launch party!), which led to Burgatory (worth 2 hour waits) and the defunct Minutello's (food was awful but the murals were adorable.)  A natural segue then, from those temples of ground beef and pepperoni to veganism in various forms:  in-house-only, before 6, by marriage, etc.  A surge of enthusiasm for turning RG's treasure trove of food advice into a blog of its own:  "Eat 'N Run" - let's do it!

Endorsed:

• Fabulous trail running shoes (great for snow) modeled by Teri
• Snacking at the Strip:  the eggplant-parmesan sandwich of Lainy's life; beans & greens at Colangelo's; the mung bean pancake outside Sam Bok(?), the Vietnamese sandwiches from the lady under the umbrella
• Trader Joe's soup in cartons:  butternut squash, red pepper
• Smart Balance, not to be tampered with

Feb 17 Run: CommonPlace

Meet at CommonPlace Coffee in Squirrel Hill for a  TBD local run. Lots of other places were suggested but none felt quite right so we went for the comfortable option - a good one for mid-February.

As advertised, Karen led a Chinese New Years run. It did include a climb up Serpentine Drive (appropriate for the year of the snake) but she also had us run backward around the CMU track as a New Years challenge. Back at CommonPlace Yi fed us dumplings. Maybe this is our second chance at starting the year!
We also looked ahead to Valentine's Day thanks to Wendy who brought a wide variety of cards to share - some came withe sounds and vibrating eyes.

Recommendations:
After Hours at the Library - The next one is on May 17 in Lawrenceville
Kind Bars - a Leslie Bonci recommended snack
Prezi - presentation software suggested by Elaine Mormer

Feb. 10 Run: Start at Commonplace Coffee for Chinese New Year's Run

Karen reminded us that next Sunday begins the Chinese New Year 4711, the year of the snake, and she will lead a run, natch, down the Serpentine, starting at Commonplace Coffee on Forbes.  Don't forget to wear something red.  We hope Yi will come and explain everything.

I did my usual run to the run - which unlike you all I only do when I don't actually do the run itself - so I missed the revelation of Tom's mysterious Sunday whereabouts, except that it tends in the Oakland direction.  It was a somewhat snowy slog, but winter still has charms, one of which is the miracle of sweating in 15 degrees.  Immediately on sitting down to coffee we returned to the topic of local writer David Gershon-Harris and his fascinating profile by Virginia in the PG (scooped here first, please note) and his prize-winning Moth story (as promised) combining trolling for sex and canvassing for votes - no wonder Obama won.  Telling funny stories led us to Wendy's recollections of the Squirrel Hill Lapiduss family - with two famous and famously gay sisters continuing to tell them to Hollywood and the world.  Continuing down memory lane, we reminisced about our adolescent musical discovery - why always in the basement? - and the ways we all arrived in Pittsburgh, the best of all possible worlds, where things that are not there anymore are still there.

And vat else?  Related endorsements:
Restaurants:  Ramen Bar, Mongolian Grill, the soon-to-open French Bakery only steps away on Forbes (mouth-watering pastel macarons pictured outside), e2 and its Sunday Sauce event (RG to go in April?)
Movie: Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work 
Songs we still know the lyrics to: Rocky Raccoon, American Pie, Age of Aquarius
Yoga: Inner Hearth (on Reynolds), Mookshi Wellness Center (above Biddle's Escape), and to prove that the whole yoga world has arrived in Pittsburgh - a Yoga Expo on the 17th.
Future re-opening of the Fountain at the Point, closed since 2009!, at the 3 Rivers Arts Festival this summer

Photo: running through Chatham

                                                   


                                        a vision of us a few weeks ago:  courtesy of Teri

Feb. 3 Run: Tom's House on Aylesboro almost at Forbes

Next week we will start at Tom's house, without Tom's permission but with hopes that he, Paula, and Jonathan will reveal where they have been going. Evidently once you are in this running group, it is very hard to escape.

Though today and the rest of this week conjure up the Wicked Witch of the West ("melting...melting!") last Sunday was more Nanook of the North, and we learned there are not only underpants for running in the cold, and but probably more useful: fleece-lined running pants from REI (our retail correspondent, Teri, reports that "they can order them for you over the phone and have them shipped to your house for free if you are a member.  They are item #836331 and they are still on sale for $31.93 - # is (412) 488-9410".)

Our route up Penn (Garfield) down Coral (Friendship) and back through Shadyside/Mellon Park took us by some extremely hip locales and was followed by a sunny coffee hour in Bakery Square, where we covered:

• what's up with those weird medieval-style gowns wore by academics and graduates, and how many of them are naked underneath (at least one, we know)
• how to trace marathon runners in REAL TIME with RaceMyRace - cheers for Cheryl's daughter Laura!
• how depressing it is that our airport is empty but at least we're contributing a lot less to global warming
• the movie Flawless with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robert de Niro (can anyone follow this stream of consciousness?)
• buffs again!  We tried but none could compete with Yi (pictured left) in buff-hipness. A BYOB (bring your own buff) run planned soon - but not in the buff, PLEASE.  (Sorry!  but needed to bring it back to the beginning.)

Jan. 27 Run: Bakery Square parking lot for a Penn Ave./Friendship run

Next week is supposed to be frigidly cold, so we are trying to avoid icy places.  We'll start at Bakery Square, head down the "street collage" of Penn Ave. (recently made famous in the New York Times) and pass by some of the great old houses of Friendship; coffee to follow at Coffee Tree Roasters at Bakery Square.

Today our hardy band set out in a howling wind from under the looming shadows of the Homestead Smokestacks as the temperature started plummeting (cue orchestra) but actually the path by the river was sheltered, and we were warmed up by the time we headed back into the wind for some serious resistance training.  We did take one of our usual retail detours to revisit the Tin Front Cafe and nextdoor Annex Cookery store in quirky downtown Homestead, where there is also the endorsed Smoke Taquería - reasons to get back there!

Back to Commonplace Coffee, where we started with appy talk (sorry) about Spotify, WAYZ, and the new Google Maps app, hugely enhanced, which we all must download immediately after hearing Wendy's moving description of the calm, wise, comforting friend now living in her purse.  The new Anna Quindlen book came up, somehow bringing us to the point where Chris said "let's talk about death" which was a bit of a downer (appy no longer) until we realized it was about estate planning.  Luckily at that point a celebrity walked in - writer and most recently winner of the Moth Grand Slam Competition last week, David Harris-Gershon (pictured here with our own Moth correspondent, Lainy) - watch out for his new book!

More stories were told, these involving the phrases "Kennywood is open" and "Going commando" - you probably have some too!  Bring them next week.

Jan. 20 Run: Homestead run starting at Waterfront Smokestacks

Next run will tour the Homestead hills and monuments and anything else that turns up - perhaps another member of the clergy will offer a church tour!  Start is at the Waterfront parking lot at the foot of the giant smokestacks (which for some reason remind me of Stonehenge - there has got to be a theme here somewhere.)

At our last run Pam once again was our very own Rick Sebak in uncovering yet another Pittsburgh discovery: the most exquisite place to see the sun rise in Pittsburgh, which is (seriously) from the ridge over the slag heaps that are now Summerset, where the wide rosy view toward the Waterfront, over a river breathing trails of mist, lent unreasonable romance to housing and retail development.  It was so lovely that we took the same route there and back.

And of course the subsequent baby shower was huge fun, highlighted by the appearance of Aimee, of course, who looks pregnantly fabulous, as well she might after all the running she was doing.  We also held our own Moth storytelling competition, starting with Cheryl and ending with Lainy; Charles Dickens could not have provided more wild coincidences, eccentric characters or hilarious situations.  The theme was:  "We're finished!" but we hope not.

Many delectables were provided as could only be expected. Pam and Chris were as ever gracious hosts, and their amazing coffee making equipment was surpassed only by the weirdest knife ever seen.  (I am responding here to requests for the scones recipe, shamelessly identical except for the secret addition of a few drops of Fiori di Sicilia.)

This Thursday!  Chris invites everyone to a planning meeting at his and Pam's house (2200 Beechwood) of local citizens and politicians exploring avenues for Pittsburghers to control guns and gun violence, starting at 7 p.m.

Also this Thursday!  Super-Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Competition (the real one) - get tickets here - Lainy is sure to be there along with others of the group - you'll undoubtedly want to find each other, so texts will undoubtedly be flying.

Also endorsed!
Goodreads - social networking for bookies, naturally some of us are on there -
Roots Jungle Retreat in Dominica, experienced by Paula the Brain and Jonathan (also brainy) - and we want to hear more about the "jungle dining"
People of the Book - a novel
Must stop now before this turns into another novel.

Roye

Jan 13 Run: Pam Murray's House

Switching off posting with Roye - today is my turn to try and capture the run and the after-talk in words. A tough job but I have a glass of wine here to fortify me.

Next week meet at Pam Murray's House, 2200 Beechwood Blvd, for the run and Aimee's baby shower afterwards. Pam says just bring whatever you want to share, as we know it will be delicious even if it is all some form of carbohydrate. 

We met at Biddle's Escape (I keep wanting to call it Biddle's Retreat or Biddle's Revenge) for a  a scenic run through Edgewood. We ran past some gorgeous big houses, many still decked out for Christmas - one had two Christmas trees another a golfing snowman! Jan says these were occupied by Westinghouse employees when it still had a site near-by. There were also cozy bungalows and nice brick row houses along the way. Everything looked appealing in the snow. I promised myself I would not mention the hills.

Coffee was long and chatty, even though (or perhaps because) the tables were all higgly-piggly.  Some topics covered (I used Roye's napkin recording method):

• Pittsburgh's Inaugural GrandSLAM Championship: Fish Out of Water, Thursday, January 17th, at the Hazeltte. There is also the regular Moth this Tuesday on the South Side. 
• Peete's Coffee - Better if ordered directly, we are waiting for Wendy to tell us how to store the beans
• Restaurant Supply Store in the Strip recommended by Pam and Chris. I think it is Restaurant Depot
• Chicago as a good place to visit
• Book Recommendations:
• Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, Anna Quinland
• Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity, Andrew Solomon

This is the just the report from my corner - I am sure there were others items just as interesting  discussed elsewhere.

Jan. 6 Run: Back to Biddle's Escape, corner Biddle & Trenton, in Edgewood

Next week we’ll return to that adorable coffee house in Edgewood, Biddle’s Escape, corner of Biddle and Trenton.  An Edgewood run is planned but not specified – perhaps some are hoping that Virginia will figure it out for us :-) - but we’re nothing if not spontaneous.

The New Year’s run was bracing and a bit slippy (great word), so we were grateful nobody hit the pavement.  Chatham campus and Shadyside had their winter wonderland look, making me aware of the contradictions in wishing for more income equality while adoring the loveliness of the fairytale homes of the 1%.   But we balanced it out later by letting  Dunkin’ Donuts, with its comfy chairs and lots of space, beat out the fancy schmancy coffee at Starbucks.

Endorsements:

• Could not get enough of Buffs, especially as Elaine modeled her astonishing expertise at shaping them.  We think she should get her own website, like Wendy of last week’s scarf-tying fame!  Of course we returned to the Lookbook, and continued marveling at her brilliance.
• Two unorthodox and cool museums not far away, just over the OH border: Plastic Brick Museum (unofficial Lego) and The Museum of Ceramics – from East Liverpool, the Pottery Capital of the World (who knew?)
•  Cheryl sends this worthwhile petition to consider signing:  One Million Moms for Gun Control
• Documentary:  Craig’s List Joe – which evidently will bring back your faith in humanity, even after thinking about what caused the above petition.
• Even with hotties, we need good gloves – where else but Costco?

Stay warm!

Roye