Oct. 13 Run: PPG Place Downtown to visit the Giant Rubber Ducky

Thanks to Aimee for sending this in (and leading last week's run)!
 
Next Sunday (10/13), we will meet at the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler in PPG Plaza Downtown for a spectacular Giant Duckie Run!

Here's what we did last Sunday:
Borough Councilman and Third Ward resident Michael Lefebvre led the group on a wild and hilly adventure through the streets of Wilkinsburg, that brought us to hope, despair, and hope again!  Running past abandoned, dilapidated structures with broken windows, we also ran past beautifully renovated historic residential and commercial buildings, community gardens, and many, many churches, all glimmers of hope in a borough with a shrinking tax base.  The borough was historically known as "The Holy City," with its unusually high concentration of churches, seceding from the City of Pittsburgh in 1876 to maintain the religious integrity of the community.   http://www.wilkinsburgpa.gov/about/history.aspx

Efforts by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation have transformed both residential and commercial buildings in the central part of the borough.  We marveled at the dramatically restored Crescent Apartments and Wilson House:
http://www.landmarkspreservation.org/work/wilkinsburg/the-crescent/
http://www.landmarkspreservation.org/work/wilson-house/

Scaling a steep hill, we found ourselves admiring the Singer Mansion, which has been continuously occupied since it was built for $75,000 in 1864.  See page 20 for a picture of the mansion.
 
After returning to the Regent Square part of Wilkinsburg, we found a house that was recently featured on the inaugural Wilkinsburg House Tour a few weeks ago.  It was originally purchased for $6,600, fixed up, and resold a year later for $363,000!!!  While the house was purchased through a Free and Clear sale, "flipped" and re-sold, good tax opportunities exist for those who occupy the house for at least 10 years. Here are the details on the borough's TaxBase Expansion Ordinance (which provides a nice tax abatement).
 
At coffee at Biddle's Escape, we discussed the debacle of Wilkinsburg's troubled school district recentlyborrowing $3 million and hiring consultants with expensive tastes (!), and the ongoing government shutdown (we couldn't resist).  
 

Oct. 6 Run: Start at Biddle's Escape on Biddle & S. Trenton for a special Wilkinsburg run

Expanding our latest tradition of politically-involved runs and local discoveries, Aimee has talked Wilkinsburg Council member Mike Lefebvre into taking us on a tour of the multiple churches (and other outstanding sights) of Wilkinsburg, starting and ending at the charming Biddle's Escape coffeehouse.  Not to worry about missing the Giant Rubber Ducky - we'll visit him (her?) the following Sunday.

Last Sunday, we anticipated the slowly gathering hordes of Great Race runners in Squirrel Hill, and made a grand tour through a yellowing Frick Park and Homewood Cemetery in what was simply perfect autumn weather.  A delightful run, despite the cvetching about Pittsburgh hills (I include yours truly) which, let's face it, is like complaining about sand in Death Valley.

Endorsement:  Stretching
Non-endorsement:  the "scraper"

Roye

Sept. 29 Run: Default location at Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill because...

The Great Race takes place next Sunday, so those of who aren't among the brave 15,000 who registered, will take off from Commonplace on Forbes and figure out something that won't get us too tangled up in the course, but will get us involved in the excitement.  It might be a good idea to arrive by foot or bike, since they barricade some streets at some point in the morning.

Last Sunday's run was another discovery, as Joanne led 18 of us up, and up, and up into the misty hills of Morningside to reach some spectacular views, and also cute little streets we'd never seen named Downlook and 55 1/2.  We returned to Mildred's Farm - which looked a bit disheveled - and to that unforgettable spot where on one run years ago, some random guy got out of his car and started running with us in his pajamas.  Hey - maybe he's on this list!   Coffee at Tazza d'Oro was slightly raucous as we monopolized about half of it; probably the regulars were relieved when we finally left.

Virginia has promising news stemming from last week's adventure:

I wanted to share a cool spin-off from Michele's run through Braddock last week. The minister at Michele's and my church (Waverly Presbyterian) saw the photo on facebook of our group at the Welcome to Braddock sign. Since she's working with some of the groups there, especially the Braddock Youth Project, she was talking to Michele's husband Brian about helping the boro organize a 5K run as a fund-raiser in Braddock, and have kids from the youth project design the race shirts.  The Braddock Youth Project offers summer and after-school programs, but lost its funding for the after-school program this fall. So the money would help restore some of those efforts and more.  I'll keep you posted if this idea evolves into an actual event....

And Aimee has a line on a tour of the Churches of Wilkinsburg possibly coming up.  Not to mention the autumn leaf extravaganza in the parks, and the South Side StepTrek route.  Watch this space...

Sept. 22 Run: Highland Park run, meet at Tazza D'Oro on Highland Ave.

Next week, Joanne has offered to guide us through Highland Park (also Stanton Heights and a visit to Mildred's Farm at harvest time.) Meet at Tazza D'Oro at 7.

This week - where to begin?  Surely Michele put together the most memorable and dramatic feature-packed run of runs, perfect to open our 20th anniversary RG year (well, it's more or less around now.)  Starting right in front of the looming iconic and still-flaming Edgar Thomson Steel Mill, zigzagging up and down the Braddock streets to view the whole range of modest houses and venerable storefronts, (falling-down and boarded up, and also thriving and cared for), gorgeous Victorian edifices, quirky artists' dwellings, community gardens, new housing and business development, historic landmarks, murals galore - the whole place pulsing with proud history, economic devastation, creative reconstruction, and future hope.  Also Joanne's grandmother's birthplace and the store run by Michele's grandfather.  All this culminated with the most special warm welcome (coffee, bagels, etc. included) from Mayor John Fetterman and his wife Gisele and their adorable kids in their new extraordinary loft home, its giant windows facing onto the afore-mentioned Edgar Thomson Works, back to where we (and much of Braddock) began.  And a 10-minute ride from Squirrel Hill.  We learned about Gisele's inspiring and rapidly expanding brainstorm, the Freestore,

about Braddock's heroic road to recovery with the Mayor's help, and the documentary film being made about it this very moment. All power to it!  (Whoever is reading this: all contributions of clothing, linens, diapers, etc. to the Freestore will be happily received.)

(Thanks to Virginia for the photos and to Michele for the experience.)

September 15 Run: Braddock, PA! Braddock Ave. and 13th St. (map link in message)

Meeting/parking place is "grassy area on the left hand side of Braddock Ave. and 13th St." in Braddock PA.  Here's a Google Map.  Write in to the group email if you need a ride or directions and someone will surely provide it.  Please try not to miss this one - it promises to be memorable.   Michele is the moving force for this amazing and special run - here is her description (edited to not reveal some surprises.)  THANK YOU MICHELE!

Roye

This just keeps getting crazier and crazier!  

1.  We are running through the streets of Braddock - crazy!

2.  There is a woman in town filming a documentary about the community and how it is struggling to survive AND is interested in us coming there and might want to follow us around a bit!  HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!?!?

3. Unique after-run feature to be revealed later!

We will do short out and back along the Edgar Thompson Works.  It is quite a place to see!  I think I have us about 4.5 miles...  We might be stopping along the way though to admire some of the unbelievable architecture!   Did I say this was going to be CRAZY!?

The mayor's wife Gisele runs a "free store"
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-east/donations-make-price-right-at-braddock-free-store-659124/

so if anyone wants to make a "thank you" gift donation, they can bring their clothing donations OR 

a pack of diapers. They are better than gold at the free store.   HOWEVER no one should IN ANY WAY feel obligated to donate.

That is the run down on the run!  I'm expecting more details about the documentary.  I'll pass any important 

Info onto you!

See you Sunday!

Michele

P.S.  Google maps directions from Forbes and Murray:

Head east on Forbes Ave toward Shady Ave

About 4 mins

go 1.4 mi

total 1.4 mi

           

2.

Turn right onto S Braddock Ave

About 7 mins

go 2.1 mi

total 3.5 mi

           

3.

Continue onto Kenmawr Ave

go 0.1 mi

total 3.6 mi

           

4.

Slight right to stay on Kenmawr Ave

About 1 min

go 0.4 mi

total 4.0 mi

           

5.

Continue onto Braddock Ave

About 3 mins

go 1.1 mi

total 5.1 mi

           

Braddock Ave & 13th St, Braddock, PA 15104‎

Sept. 8 Run: Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill again - destination unknown at the moment

Next week will begin again at our default meeting place, as the fall flurry of activity seems to be diverting our creative juices into other parts of life - but we will always get back to the run, and several ideas are germinating.  Like:  Step Trek!  ranging up and down the South Side Slopes - admittedly mainly walking but we can get some running in there also.  Also:  Braddock!  possibly meeting its famous eccentric mayor.

However, this week's Commonplace run was anything but commonplace and PtB managed to think of a completely new route, melding the Wendy Bennett Trailhead run with the Oakland streets run with the Schenley Oval, which she revealed was once a horse race track with a frighteningly rickety grandstand.  We ran down a long staircase that appeared out of nowhere, beside a jumble of hidden houses all on top of each other, and then passed the Potato Chip Building at CMU, all of which seemed to pop out of an illustrated children's book. The following day Sharon took us though another new route in the Frick Park direction - glorious right now - continuing the staircase theme and visiting the site of the long-awaited, newly planned Frick Environmental Center, which some of us remember as the smoking ruin we ran by the morning after it burned down years ago. It will rise from the ashes.

Endorsements:

• Gaby & Jules - finally OPEN - lines out the door.  Macarons have been tested and c'est si bon!
• J.Jill - South Hills Village, even better the website, but wait for the great sales AND free shipping.
• Stretch: the Unlikely Making of a Yoga Dude
• Idea for wedding gift:  Jerusalem cookbook with related spice box from Penzey's (they will help)

Addendum:  more items from PtB:

·         The route:  http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/280119647

·         source of fantastic historic photos, including the horse race track - http://digital.library.pitt.edu/images/pittsburgh/ 

·         jjill sale:  http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/index.aspx.  Free shipping at the minute. Returns are super easy to a store.

·         Literary genius - http://www.gwarlingo.com/2013/at-a-time-when-poetry-was-forbidden-seamus-heaney-was-a-lifeline/

Sept. 1 Run and Labor Day Runs: Commonplace Coffee on Forbes

We'll be back at Commonplace next weekend for both Sunday (7:00 a.m.) and Monday special holiday (7:30 a.m.) runs - returning to the comfort zone.  Someone will think of a creative destination: Labor Day theme, anyone?  Maybe a tour of RG workplaces? Magee Hospital?

Speaking of RG, Lainy confirmed that this fall we will in fact celebrate 20 years of covering ground and waking up anyone on the route with windows open in the early hours.  Plans are underway - though perhaps the anniversary trip to Paris may not be realistic.  Maybe Paris, Ohio.  A quick report on last week, mainly because I was AWOL and also discovered that the napkin recording technique has a fatal flaw when spilling occurs, so suffice it to say that with luck Virginia appeared to lead us through the quirky charm of parts of Wilkinsburg/Regent Square and then through large leafy swaths of Frick Park and back.  Came back wondering about that sign on a house close to Biddle's Escape: freeingthegoddess.net - and found that the quirky charm is happening inside as well as out.

Today we were back on the strip, flanked by Pedal Pittsburgh bicyclists around every corner, proving once again that the Burgh puts Portland in the shade. Which was proved again by the magnificent multi-colored spectacle of Knit The Bridge, which we crossed twice.  Synchronicity also happened twice, when we looked over the rail and shouted to Anne Jane in her shell on the river, and when we looked up from our cappuccinos to see Cheryl come riding up on her bike.  We thank Enrico's (and Teri) for being there with warm chocolate croissants, relieving our great sadness at the sight of a dark deserted bakery where those succulent peach meles Karen told us about were made. Sic transit gloria pastry.

August 18 Run: Biddle's Escape, on Biddle and S. Trenton, Regent Square area

Next week's run we'll return to an idea from 2 weeks ago, when we saw how delightful the outdoor space is at Biddle's Escape cafe (map.)  So let's start and end there, and in between explore Regent Square, Edgewood, Swissvale - hopefully someone will have an idea of exactly how to do that.  If not, we'll figure it out.

Sad news is that even after we ran our magic circle around PNC Park, the Bucs lost their 3rd in a row to the Colorado Rockies, so maybe we should hold off doing that again.  Once more we saw the Fleet Feet running group starting rather close to our run, which led us to suspect they are checking our blog for ideas. Their calendar for next week says TBA - 'nuff said.  Saw along the way:  two caged (sadly) birds of prey, old and new Allegheny Center libraries, fabulous statue of George Washington (had a super-hip ponytail), adorable streets (Virgin Way and Avery), 2 little bridges over a pond, 2 big bridges over the river, one of which was being festooned with thousands of bright knitted panels for the biggest yarn bombing ever. 

One more try - let's get tickets for a Moth Night Out - August 22: On Point - Stories of Balancing Acts .  Lainy and Sarah have been judges. (And they're back on the run - hurray!)

Love:
Books - What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist That Tried to Kill Your Wife?, Movement of Stars, Caleb's Crossing 
Movies - Way Way Back, Identity Thief
TV - Orange is the New Black, Breaking Bad finale, Downton Abbey anticipation
Cookbook - Jerusalem
Crop - Wendy's garlic
Idea - residencyinmotherhood.com 

Hate:
Leafblower wielded incessantly by a pathetic individual clearly insecure about his manhood making a godawful racket in Market Square on SUNDAY MORNING WHEN THERE WERE NO LEAVES IN SIGHT.  

Aug. 11 Run: PPG Place downtown for a Celebrate the Bucs run

We'll start once more at PPG Place, aka Tomb of the Unknown Bowler, but head north this time to pay homage to PNC Park, home of the winning Pittsburgh Pirates, the current best team in baseball! This is a historic event! Hopefully our attentions won't jinx it.  And then, we'll go even further north to take a tour of Allegheny Commons:  here's the idea.  

Surprise from today uncovered:  all kinds of things at Phipps!  In a trek that spanned the elegance of 19th century design and the super coolness of 21st century environmental knowhow, Teri's plan toured water lily ponds, outdoor garden paths, and way around back, the spanking new uber-green Center for Sustainable Landscapes. This building is planned to be completely off the grid - capturing its own water and making its own power.  From its green (and purple and pink and yellow) roof, we got yet another fabulous view of our fair city.

Back at Commonplace, romance and shopping ruled, with talk of how young people date today (casual), and how their moms buy wedding clothes (shoes are important!)  Also, some of us pretty much levitate out of there because the cappuccino has 4 shots.
Endorsed:  Bondstreet Shoes in Shadyside
Also:  the cappuccino

Go Buccos!!

August 4 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead (beginning of Overlook Drive going up to the Schenley Oval)

This Sunday we really will start at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead (where Hobart meets Greenfield Rd. at the foot of the Schenley Park Oval) as proposed by Teri, who intriguingly suggested this route "with one detour." Come see this mystery revealed.

Speaking of revelations:  oh, ye of little faith!  Yes, last Sunday at 6:35 a.m. it was pouring rain, but by 6:50 the skies were clearing, and thereafter showed nothing but the "bright intervals" that British weather people optimistically report (I think this is what we call "partly cloudy".  PtB please confirm.)  We were still a robust band of 8 or so, padding over the still glistening trails through Frick and Nine Mile Run all the way to Duck Hollow, to catch a view of fly fisherman casting over the misty river. The streams were full and making rather loud picturesque gurgling and rustling noises, and yet, miraculously, so little mud.  Shout-out to the trail maintenance folks!  As there were only 3 of us at coffee, the only endorsement was the place:  Biddle's Escape, which is cuter than ever with a great outside space - so another run will be planned from there soon.  And mazel tov to Pam and Chris, who recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a 30K run through NYC in 95 degree heat and are still smiling.

July 28 Run: Meet at Tennis Court parking lot on Braddock Ave., corner of Biddle

Next Sunday we'll meet at the parking lot next to the Tennis Courts on Braddock Ave., corner of Biddle, and try out Virginia and Sandy's midweek Duck Hollow Run - 5 miles there and back.  Also coffee at the adorable Biddle's Escape - don't miss it!

Last Sunday we were given carte blanche to sashay through the fancy cars on display at the Grand Prix event in Schenley Park - we heard that people were kept out later, but we were so charming that we were also offered cold drinks.  The vehicles were adorable - exotic antique little sports cars with cute insignias, painstakingly polished by their loving owners and some still with their custom-made covers on - Cheryl (I think) said they looked like they were just waking up. The owners looked a bit hungover however. Then we traveled up and down the summery park trails until we returned to commandeer the outdoor tables at Commonplace, enveloping one hapless soul who hopefully didn't mind.

At least she got to hear all the endorsements:
 - Megabus - again - Lainy told how she amazed her job interviewers with this sensible preference over the nightmare of modern air travel.  We did hear a few mixed reviews though. 
 - Weight-bearing exercise classes (guess we need those too) at Crossfit Pittsburgh 
 - Yiddish - slightly bad words (schmuck) and untranslatable good ones (machatunim) and the book that tells the story of how Yiddish was rescued by a 24-year-old college student: Outwitting History.  And speaking of books -

• Transatlantic, by Colum McCann
• Maine, by J. Courtney Sullivan
• IQ84, by Haruki Murakami
• Florida books:  Lucky You, by Carl Hiaasen and The Orchid Thief, by Susan Orlean

 - and finally, Prancercise:  actually sent in earlier last week by Wendy - you simply have to watch this, even for a few minutes - and picture our whole group trying it out together on the trail past Blue Slide Park.  Please let's. Just once.

Change in plans for July 21 Run: now starting at Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill

Thank goodness I was reminded that the Grand Prix is this weekend, so it will be hard to get near Schenley Park, at least with a car.   So we’ll start at Commonplace and head over in that direction anyway to take a look at whatever cool vehicles we can get to.

(Also a correction:  it was Cheryl who got the Groupon and discovered the Japanese toilets – my napkin recording skills need work!)

Roye

July 21 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead (beginning of Overlook Drive going up to the Schenley Park Oval)

This Sunday we'll start at the familiar Wendy Bennett Trailhead (where Hobart meets Greenfield Rd. at the foot of the Schenley Park Oval) looking for a cool breeze under the trees.

Last Sunday was anything but cool, and even at 7:15 a.m. the sun was brutal.  But our valiant band headed up Beechwood Blvd. to ultimately traverse the whole Summerset development, which looks a little like a movie set, and you half expect an android or one the Stepford Wives to glide by.  But the view is spectacular and the gardens are lovely - who knew the slag heaps held such promise?   And we got to engage in some spontaneous bushwhacking and minor trespassing, so a very satisfying run in all respects.

Coffee cooled us all off, and inspired many endorsements:

• The movie shot in Pittsburgh, at the Regent Square this week: New York Heartbeat.  Anyone want to go on Friday?
• Ma Peche restaurant in NYC - one of the Momofuku group (we need one in Pittsburgh, just for the name!)
• Kitano Hotel in NYC with amazing Japanese toilets, for which Pam found a Groupon Getaway
• Free concert with world-class bagpipers on Thursday night at Shady Side Academy.
• If you've wondered where Wendy's gorgeous hairstyling happens: Salon Louie

July 14 Run: Colfax School (Beechwood and Douglas)

Nostalgia made some of us think of Colfax School - a frequent starting point in the olden days.  At one of our 2 runs this week we were musing about how long this thing has been going on - 20 yrs?  Only Lainy knows and she has told us several times but we keep forgetting.   There have been numerous suggestions for a platinum anniversary (I looked it up) celebration - a run down the Champs Elysees, up the Grand Canyon, over the Brooklyn Bridge?  OK, how about under the Allegheny River on the Northshore Connector?

Two runs, two coffees, so much information!  Will skip the run descriptions and cut straight to the chase:

• Furries!  Yikes - definitely TMI this a.m. on discovering what happens to the hotel rooms.  Wendy got to see the parade (off limits to non-Furries) without wearing a tail by using her blending-in skills (advice in general: "just look like you belong and you can get in anywhere"), and Teri had a conversation with a wolf ("Um, your mouth is moving."  "So is yours.")
• Carrie gave us some amazing impressions of China, including "don't eat the taro root."
• Does anyone whistle anymore?
• Our wardrobes may need to be winnowed but mens' wardrobes ought to be decimated particularly the corroded flip-flops.
• French women know how to light up a grey suit with orange/red scarves and shoes.  They also drink champagne.
• Virginia and Sandy have begun a 6 a.m. Tues-Thurs. run in Regent Square - a 5-mile route to Duck Hollow and back - more on where it starts later.  Or just look for Virginia's pink Wendy Davis shoes.
• Our audiologists told us about Pittsburgh's hearing clinic for musicians.
• Where should we live when we want to jettison the big old house?  Can we start a cooperative housing project for RG members?  Can we just move into Wendy's house?
• Psychology Today has a find a therapist service but it's really not very helpful since Judy isn't in it (by choice.)  Also, I don't know about you but I think that room looks kind of creepy.
• If you ever need a wedding veil, tiara, or button - check out Parker Button/Clarissa Boutique, now in its 4th incarnation on Carson Street.  A lady there named Penny knows everything about them!  It's also adorable.
• More fabulous buttons, trims, fabrics, and vintage etc. at Loom Exquisite Textiles on the strip.
• Famous Pittsburgh caterer - All in Good Taste
• Delightfully refreshing summer/winter syrup from Teri:  mix 2 cut-up lemons, 1/2 cp. chopped fresh ginger, 1/2 cp. honey and let steep for a while.  Then mix several TB with seltzer or hot water.  Store in refrigerator.
• Finally, for my yoga teacher training I need to practice teaching a class.  Free!  I can't promise enlightenment, but a good stretch and maybe some cookies.  If anyone's interested, email roye.werner@gmail.com and we'll figure out a time.

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