March 1 Run: Commonplace Coffee on Forbes in Squirrel Hill

Next Sunday - back to basics - we'll start at Commonplace Coffee on Forbes in Squirrel Hill, but probably actually have coffee at the 61C Cafe.  Don't ask me why, though it probably has something to do with pastry.

This is sort of like returning to our comfy home after 2 icy attempts to scale Mt. Dahntahn.  This last time, four of us simply ran from one block to the next, looking out from each corner to find a stretch of concrete in any direction that wasn't a skating rink.  We did find some, mainly in the bike lanes.  We also wandered around the fancy new Hotel Monaco, which kind of hits you in the face with over-the-top decorative touches (forgive the bias of someone in love with the William Penn), though the long, elegant bar was an exception, and we started planning a happy hour there soon.  8 a.m. was certainly a happy hour downtown that day, too, as the lines at both Starbucks AND Dunkin Donuts were immense, so no coffee either.  No wonder we're heading home.  (But we'll be back.)

Feb. 22 Re-Run: Omni William Penn hotel downtown - entrance on Wm. Penn Place

Next week:  a re-run of last week, which was to meet at the Omni William Penn Hotel downtown (entrance on Wm. Penn Place) and scope out new and old hotels, and anything else we like dahntahn.


OK, so last week didn't work out too well.  Running Group has been known to go out in all kinds of extreme weather, but this time (17 below wind chill?) was a bit much... except for the valiant and weather-defying Sarah! Our woolen hats (and buffs) are off to you!  Stay tuned for more adventures next week.

Feb. 15 Run: Omni William Penn hotel downtown - entrance on Wm. Penn Place

Post-Valentine's Day, we'll be meeting in the lobby of the William Penn hotel downtown, so we can visit, inspired by Virginia's intriguing description, the new Hotel Monaco downtown which is right next door.  We're going to really get a look inside (unlike last time when we tried to get past the security guard) and see how it compares to our old world favorite.  That will make for an interesting discussion over the Starbucks paper cups (no china! the only thing wrong with that place.)  Will there be hearts and roses?

Last Sunday we avoided the icy paths through the park, and headed down over the former slag heaps, through the shiny new Summerset development (and its gorgeous view) almost down to the Homestead Bridge, but then up, up, and up back to Beechwood with a quick trip past the houses of some neighborhood RG members who we tried to wake up. (Though admittedly some may have been out of town.)  The hills were a bit killer, but this is Squirrel Hill.  (In Spanish, La Colina de las Ardillas - more elegant, no?)  Unaccountably, though we had a pretty good turnout, nobody made it to coffee - which was a little sad.  And just as when a tree falls in the forest with no one to hear it, what of the endorsements when there is no napkin to write them on?

February 8 Run: Blue Slide park at the corner of Beechwood and Nicholson

Next week we'll check out the lay of the land at Blue Slide Park (Beechwood and Nicholson) and the rest of Frick Park from that starting point.  Depending on the ice and/or mud, we can either go through the park or follow Beechwood through it's twists and turns.  We're nothing if not spontaneous.

Last week at Bakery Square we were unexpectedly swamped by our running nemesis, The Fleet Feet franchise, the McDonald's of running groups. Hundreds of them!  Luckily we got off early, and just headed up the newly repaired Penn Ave. past many intriguingly hip storefronts, including the Center for Postnatural History and Los Sabrosos Dance Co. - which seriously made me think we were in Portland.  (Though my idea of Portland is purely imaginary.)  We entered the 19th century dignified calm of Allegheny Cemetery only to turn around and immediately head back to the Coffee Tree before the invading Fleet hordes returned.  In that very comfy space we endorsed:

• Nail polish - Opi brand Rosy Future and Color Zentury
• Cashmere sweaters for $4.50 ($3.75 with the over 55 discount!) at Goodwill
• Goodwill itself, particularly the new location in Lawrenceville and the Murrysville Clearing Center
• Etsy pattern for sewing mittens out of aforesaid cashmere 
• Making a quilt out of the t-shirts of your kids' childhoods
• The Wednesday/Friday fearsomely early morning runs, still going strong!
• Someone named Pauline downtown who repairs sweaters (I think this is it.)

January 25 Run: Strip to Lawrenceville starting at parking lot at 21st and Liberty

Next week will be a "real" (says Virginia) Lawrenceville run, starting at the parking lot at 21st and Liberty, with the traditional Italian stand-up coffee at La Prima.

Last week we had only a moderately-Lawrenceville run, since we ran through it pretty quickly and headed over the longish, scenic and historic 40th St. (aka Washington Crossing) Bridge to Millvale - this time checking out the original Pamela's (we must have breakfast there sometime), the place that used to be the weird acrylic furniture store (things that are not there anymore), the Grist House Brewery, which is next to a canal-appearing waterway evidently called Girty's Run (which has its own Facebook page, updated 7 hours ago!)  Aimee said it was a bit like the Netherlands in Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh being the operative word.)  Also spotted:  an inflatable to rival Our Lady of the Inflatables (see earlier post) - Santa and his entourage up on a rooftop.

Various thumbs up for Espresso a Mano cafe where we could set up a long table (great attendance!) and endorse:

• The Greens Cookbook
• Instagram? or Facebook?
• Shining Light Prenatal Education - evidence-based
• Local honey
• Miracle berries - taste-changers
• Not endorsed:  Fire-retardant anything, now shown to be poisonous - let's hear it for evidence!

January 18 Run: Rite Aid parking lot on Butler at 40th St. in Lawrenceville

Next week we'll have a Lawrenceville run, starting at the Rite Aid parking lot on Butler St., corner of 40th St., to check out its new shops, restaurants and galleries, get some great coffee at Espresso a Mano, and generally get in touch with our inner hipsters.  (We'll deal with our hips some other time.)

Last Sunday we ran through Highland Park, through some frigid temperatures and in some new directions - not all of them deliberate - all of which seemed to go uphill.  At the top, when we reached the icy reservoir, we found our reward:  certainly one of the most glowing sunrises RG has come across, captured perfectly here by Aimee.  More rewards:  passing many tastefully restored old houses, a solid 4.8 miles traversed, and of course a leisurely coffee at the exceedingly cozy Tazza D'Oro.



General exhilaration resulted in many endorsements:

• The Pittsburgh Hiking Meetup, inspiration for Joanne's aforementioned brave freezing dunk off the Mon Wharf.
• New and old potty-training methods
• Honey cardamom lattes and ginger hot chocolates
• Sweden!
• Addictive watching: The Returned on Netflix (the French Twin Peaks)
• Addictive listening:  Serial (this is already so popular that if you Google the word "serial" you will see nothing else for pages)
• Many books!
• All the light we cannot see
• Love in the time of cholera
• Tomorrow and Tomorrow
• The Position
• The Joy of Sex
• The debt to pleasure
• The happiest toddler on the block
• The Boston girl
• And the new bookstore in Squirrel Hill - Classic Lines - ironically opened by the guy who brought the Internet to Carnegie Library years ago

January 11 Run: Highland Park starting at Tazza D'Oro on Highland

I only know the basics because I was in NYC for the last 2 runs:  this coming Sunday, we'll start at Enrico's Tazza D'Oro on Highland Ave. near Bryant.  Joanne - this run's for you!  Not only because we really like it when you lead the HP run, but we are celebrating your New Year's bravery.  (But if you can't come, we'll understand and celebrate it anyway.)

I only have one endorsement: mine! Article in Grist.org about international running maps.  Full disclosure, my daughter Eve just got a job there, and is getting health insurance!  Also, I have the answer to the author's Boston question:  it's because almost everyone who lives there is under 25.)

January 4 Run: Later changed to: 5 Points Bakery on Wilkins - also New Year's Day Holiday Run at 7:30 a.m. from Starbucks on Forbes and Shady

Next runs: the default New Year's Day holiday run Thursday at 7:30 a.m. from Starbucks at Forbes and Shady (figuring that other places will be closed?) - and the Sunday run from our new go-to coffee location, the 61C Cafe on Murray. [Later changed to 5 Points Bakery on Wilkins.]  I have no idea where it will go, just where it will go to.

Last Sunday, as I set off in the midst of a steady rain, I thought - oh, boy, I really shouldn't have said that about never raining on the run - was just tempting fate - and now I have to go because I offered to lead - yech.  But, lo and behold:  five minutes after we started, the skies cleared, and we were hardly damp.  So again, ye of little faith!  Although it's true many of us are out of town. We had a small but as always loquacious group, traversed Larimer, Point Breeze, Shadyside, East Liberty, Friendship, and Garfield, and again got to witness the Moravian stars shining through the gloom at the corner of Hastings and Selwyn. 

Perhaps the number of endorsements is inversely correlated to the number of endorsers? Probably it's just that I can only pick up one conversation at a time -

• Serial - gotta listen
• This American Life and NPR apps: you never have to be without them
• Things that you think you are making happen, but you are probably wrong:  elevator and street crossing buttons
• What do to about the environmental cost of flying somewhere - carbon offsetting?
• Get your personal budgeting act together
• Children's books! Even the forgotten ones 
• Toys:  wobbles, toy drones (oy - actually this was endorsed at Shadyside Variety, itself an endorsement)

December 28 Run: Bakery Square Coffee Tree - and Christmas Day Holiday Run: 7:30 am Commonplace Coffee on Forbes

Don't forget the holiday run on Christmas Day - 7:30 a.m. from Commonplace Coffee on Forbes (but we'll have coffee afterwards at Starbucks, since they'll be the only place open.)
And on Sunday, I'll call this one, since we didn't make a plan:  meet at the Bakery Square Coffee Tree, (map) for a 5-neighborhood run with Moravian stars. 
And, a reminder for all you early-birds who love the thrill of racing down a hill in pitch darkness, the 5:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday runs from Forbes and Shady are still happening! 

On Sunday, our traditional holiday dahntahn event had an excellent turnout and good weather, and we ranged over the usual sights.  I have to say that the run itself seemed somewhat uninspired this year - maybe because all the downtown construction has the place looking disheveled, or because the Macy's windows were pathetic, the new Mellon Square was fenced off, the sound sculpture was NOT fixed, Market Square looks like a Shantytown, and the City menorah was STILL crappy.  We took a quick tour inside Macy's, which was OPEN, and which may have depressed everybody. OK, let's suppress the grinch: there were bright spots.  The crazy Steeler-paraphernalia vendors were ready to go at 7 a.m., the carols wafting out of the subway stop were sweet, and the quick illegal entry into the almost-done hip new Kimpton Hotel was kind of fun.  And of course the always beautiful dawn views over the river.
And, there were many endorsements!

• Yummy oatmeal cookies (Joy of Cooking recipe) brought by Carrie
• Sharpsburg eateries:  the Gran Canal Caffe for dinner and the Cafe on Main for breakfast.
• Mah-jongg Meetup at Panera in Bakery Square (but no beginner's classes yet...)
• Dreadnought Wines wine-tasting - we are now planning a RG event on February 6 - stay tuned
• "Add your own recipes" feature on Epicurious - they will be there forever
• Undercover Boss starring Bill Peduto - was Sunday night - hope you saw it!  Though it was pretty cheesy.  Oh dear, grinch is returning...

December 21 Run: Annual downtown holiday run, starting at PPG Place Skating Rink

Sorry guys - it's Hanukah!  And pre-Christmas!  Crazy-time!  So this is a little late.

Next Sunday's run is the long-awaited Annual Downtown Holiday Run - starting at the PPG Place Skating Rink (map) at which we will tour dahntahn's glorious festive decorations and hope against hope that those crappy PVC-pipe menorahs have been upgraded to something decent.  Also that the captivating sound sculpture on Strawberry Way is operational.  Coffee most likely at the Market Square Starbucks.

Last week was further proof that, despite all appearances, it never rains on the run - o ye of little faith!  And just to symbolize the faith that we did have, it was highlighted by the largest inflatable Mary possibly ever seen.
Cheryl led our trusting group on a magnificent art-and-architecture-studded run through the Mexican War Streets, California-Kirkbride (I think), Manchester, and Allegheny West.  Too many adorable and fascinating things, and views,  to catalog here - you'll just have to come along the next time.  Except I will mention RandyLand, which gave us the chance for only a slight trespass as we climbed up to peer through the gates - below.  Relaxing coffee but the holidays have me too frazzled for endorsements - will be more relaxed by Sunday, so remember to bring some.

December 14 Run: Mexican War Streets starting at Crazy Mocha on the North Side

This coming Sunday, Cheryl has graciously offered to take us around her new neighborhood - the North Side Mexican War Streets and maybe a bit of Manchester, and we'll meet at the Crazy Mocha on 2 E. North Street (map.)

Last Sunday on the strip our run started under the flight of hundreds of crows across the early dawn sky, and ended with the sight of a giant transparent moon setting by the river.  We ran down Penn Ave., crossed the 31st. St. Bridge (reportedly the longest bridge... somewhere?), visited the homes of random Steelers on Herr's Island, followed Laurie through our customary trespass to get on the trail back to the 9th Street Bridge and a straight shot (tip for future runs: top notch restroom at the Hampton Inn on Smallman) to the promised La Prima, amazingly busy at 8 a.m. on Sunday, as we squeezed in around a stand-up table, helping ourselves to just-baked almond meles.  This produced many endorsements:

• Kukicha Tea, only available at the East End Food Coop, provides more calcium than just about anything
• S&D Polish Deli for all things Polish, including fabulous pirogies and pierogi-making classes
• Dreadnought Wines has a Casual Friday night wine tasting event that sounds delightful - suggestion was made for RG to attend en masse - how about the 19th??
• Movies:  Interstellar (the future) - Moonstruck (the past, including Cher!)
• Brass Quintet concert at Phipps
• Nationality Rooms annual holiday event - the afternoon after the run - belly dancing, African drumming, guys in Lederhosen, bagpipes, samosas, strudel, and a once-a year tour of a hidden secret room based on the House of the Seven Gables - don't miss it next year -

Dec. 7 Run: 21st and Liberty for a Strip Run

Next up:  meet at the parking lot at 21st and Liberty in the Strip District.  We'll try to weave the themes of Pearl Harbor Day and Pierogies into this run.  Maybe things that start with P, which includes Pastry, of course, at La Prima!  For the hardiest among us, there will be a run to the run, starting at Wendy's house at Wilkins and Beechwood, at 6:15, I think - please send a correction if needed.  (RTTR times recorded in 2007 say 1 hour from Wendy's house to the Downtown Hilton.)

For the Thanksgiving holiday week we had two runs, the first to take the edge off the day beforehand, and the second to recover and burn off some of that butter afterwards.  I don't know about you, but several pounds of butter that had been in the fridge on Wednesday were gone by the time we sat down at the table.  On Thanksgiving, Virginia took us up and down 6.5 cleansing miles around Squirrel Hill, and on Sunday it was the bird run of RG lore, now getting its name from a trendy backyard chicken coop spotted off Beechwood.

Endorsed:  more trends, going local (are we turning into Portland?)

• CocoBella Naturals 
• The Framesmith on Murray - ask for the Wendy Bennett discount!
• Don't miss the Handmade Arcade this Saturday at the convention center
• Center for the Arts Giftshop - see adorable pierogi ornament:
• New local bookstores rising from the Barnes & Nobles ashes
• The Burgh's own Michael Keaton in Birdman, and soon-to-be visiting scholar at CMU

Preview: Dec. 14 run is a tour of the Mexican War Streets and Manchester, starting at Crazy Mocha (also local) on 2 E. North St., led by our newest Northside resident, Cheryl.  Then, on Dec. 21, the annual Christmas and Hanukah Holiday run downtown, more details to follow.

Thanksgiving Day run: Commonplace at 7:30 AND November 30 Run: 61C Cafe on Murray at 7

First, Thanksgiving (in 2 days!) - Virginia will "lead a Thanksgiving morning run (for anyone not doing the Turkey Trot) that starts at Commonplace Coffee at 7:30 a.m.  It is a 6 1/2 mile run that goes thru the golf course, around Schenley Plaza and around Cathedral of Learning, back thru Shadyside and Point Breeze to Squirrel Hill." 

Second, next Sunday - we didn't really settle on anything special, so we will start at our new home at 61C Cafe on Murray Ave., and will be surprised.  However some plans are being made for a Troy Hill run soon, to pay homage to the largest collection of relics outside the Vatican, and probably also outside of the early bird movie at the Manor. (I can say that because I have been known to be there myself and actually fit in pretty well.)

This past Sunday was delightful, as the frigid temp had finally fled, and Frick Park was almost bare so that you could easily see the tiny fairy doors in the tree trunks, that we looked for as we ran through. Looming hawks and atmospheric crows brought Audubon to mind - evidently the Univ. of Pittsburgh has one of the few remaining sets of original prints.  But even more delightful was coffee at Wendy and David's house afterwards - we didn't want to leave, even after the fabulous treats from the hot new bakery across the street had dwindled to crumbs on the plate.

Endorsed:  
The aforesaid bakery, 5 Points, on Wilkins!
Whidbey Island and Deception Pass near Seattle
Friendsgiving - escaping from the family mishegas
Book:  Michael Chabon's Telegraph Ave. - almost as good as his Kavalier and Clay

November 23 Run: Meet at the Frick Park gatehouse on Reynolds Street for an enchanted run through the woods.

Next Sunday, meet on Reynolds Street at the Frick Park gatehouse for a magical, enchanted run led by Wendy to search for the "fairy doors" and "gnome homes" hidden within trees along Tranquil Trail.  This is a run not to be missed!  Wendy is also kindly inviting us all to her and David's home afterward for coffee (6425 Wilkins at Beechwood; park on Beechwood).  We're hoping the new Five Points Bakery next to Wheel Deliver will be open for us to purchase treats, but if not, Wendy will have backup treats.

Last Sunday, we met at Riverview Park for a combination trail-road run led by yours truly.  We began at the Allegheny Observatory and took in the views of the Downtown skyline (unfortunately the Observatory is closed for tours for the season), then circled back to the trails.  We explored the winding trails and steep topography of the park, blinking off snowflakes from our eyelashes, and stopped to check out some ruins (Watson's Cabin, behind the group in the photos, on the "to-be-refurbished" list).  We then admired the beautifully restored Chapel Shelter (nice spot for a wedding!) and the Bear Pit, which is now a Public Works storage shed, but once had actual bears living on the ground level while spectators could watch from above on the next floor (!).

Endorsements from during the run: Orphan Black now available on Netflix; also Twin Peaks' reunion coming up!  Coffee was back at 61C, but I didn't write down any further endorsements on a napkin (still Roye's domain!), so I will leave it at that.

November 16 Run: Meet at the entrance to Riverview Park (near Riverview Avenue and Rt 19-Perrysville Avenue)

Next Sunday, we will explore--for the first time, I believe, in EERunners' history--Riverview Park, one of the City's beautiful parks and home to the Allegheny Observatory.  I think the leaves on the trees may have fallen enough for us to catch some great views of the City as well as the surrounding hillsides.  I will lead us on both the trails (weather- and light-permitting) and the roads, to show the group some of the secrets the park has to offer.  Park along Riverview Avenue (near Perrysville Avenue) near the entrance to the park.  From Squirrel Hill, it's about a 15-20 minute drive.

I don't have a summary for last Sunday's run because I wasn't there, and many others were running various races.  The EQT 10-Miler, Clarkston Backroads Half Marathon, and I believe a Chesapeake Bay Bridge race were all represented by EERunners!

I hope we can all reunite soon, including Roye (I think she's returning stateside soon!!!) and those on our injured list.  Hopefully my well-researched Riverview Park run will be just the ticket to bring everyone out.

November 9 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe- Someone will have an idea

Next Sunday meet at our NEW default location, 61C Cafe, and hopefully someone will think of somewhere fun to go. I will miss the run (free RAD day at the zoo, oh the life of a toddler mom!), plus it's the day of the EQT 10-Miler (not sure who will be running that), so plans for a run were not made.
Speaking of the EQT 10-Miler, Virginia has announced that she will no longer be needing her bib and wants to offer it to someone for free:

...please see if anyone wants a free entry for the EQT 10-miler. Rather than formerly transfer the number, which is hassle, I'll just pick up the T-shirt and bib and deliver it to the home of anyone who wants this. It's a $60 value -- for free! -- Thanks, Virginia

So, we had a large-ish group meet up at Tom's house for a pleasant jaunt through Oakland, CMU, and Schenley Park. Beautiful, perfect running weather! We welcomed new and old runners (so good to see alternate run runners Tom, Jonathan, and Paula!) and we continued to wish those on our injured list to get well soon-- we miss you!

Stay tuned for a new upcoming run I will lead the following Sunday-- no spoilers, but I'm going to do some reconnaissance tomorrow to check mileage, views, points of interest, etc.!

November 2 Run: Meet at Tom's House- on Aylesboro near Forbes- and turn your clocks back

Next Sunday, we'll meet at Tom's house (on Aylesboro just before Forbes) to run the "alternate Sunday run."  Don't forget to turn your clocks back Saturday night for the end of Daylight Savings!

This past Sunday, a small group of us patiently waited for the sun to come up so that we could enter Frick Park and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.  Until it was bright enough, we ran through Summerset at Frick Park neighborhood, then linked up to the trail in the valley, past the Irish Center, and into the park.  The trails were gorgeous, and we crossed a new trail that we will have to run sometime when we're feeling a little adventurous: the Rollercoaster Trail.   Tammy, who has toured it before, assured us that there are lots of downhills to make up for the uphills!  After considering an exit from the park down a leaf-covered trail onto Forest Glen, we decided to continue on and exit near Blue Slide Park.

Post-run coffee was at 61C because, honestly, we love the baked goods there!  We facetimed Roye in Uruguay and chatted with her, as she regaled us with stories of the slower pace there, as well as the locals' favorite transportable drink, mate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage), where everyone is carrying around thermoses of hot water to refresh their mates!  Roye seemed to be equally enjoying and frustrated by the slower pace of life there.  We miss you, Roye!

October 19: 61B Cafe in Regent Square for a Frick Park Run

Next Run, we will meet at 61b Cafe on Braddock Avenue. We might head down into Frick Park to enjoy the fall colors!

Thanks to our newest runner, Tammy, for summarizing the run!

Homewood Cemetery run

Started at Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill, cutting through Smithfield Cemetery, where we admired the sunrise, before heading over to Homewood Cemetery. In Homewood, we observed graves and tombs of individuals Pittsburgh streets are named for such as Baum and Negley.

Stopped at a grave with a lengthy humorous epitaph and proceeded toward the North where we paused again at the pyramid memorial for Robert A. Woods and his wife. A quick search online turned up this article: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19361212&id=EHwtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aHEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3652,3841637

Because I'm a sucker for a good pun, I have to mention Chris's explanation of the next tombstone on the tour enscribed with the surname FRIED. Apparently, this is what you get if you're not good. heh.

Afterwards we scaled a hill back up to a line of mausoleums (Tomb Alley) where moguls in Pittsburgh's steel industry were laid to rest, including Peacock and Frick. Peacock was a sales manager at Carnegie Steel Co. Frick took over after Carnegie left and was so unpopular that the Fricks are actually buried under an extra stone slab to protect them.

We passed a couple of beautiful sculptures in this area: Schoonmaker and Mellon. I couldn't find information identifying any special meaning of the angel other than it being a guardian angel. Link to info about Schoonmaker himself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Martinus_Schoonmaker

A number of us were struck by the sadness of the Mellon sculpture entitled "Motherless" but in this article under the question, "Is there one thing on the tour that people react to the most?" reveals it's not what it seems.
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/a-conversation-with-jennie-benford/Content?oid=1335700

After admiring the sun illuminating the apex of the pyramid tomb of successful coal shipper William Harry Brown, we jogged around the outside, observing the Jewish and Chinese sections (with a herd of deer in betwixt!) and launched up a hill for some hill work before getting back onto Forbes en route to Commonplace.

Coffee Convo:
How long the running group has been around (~22 years!) and how cool it would
be to create a map of participants and who brought them in, etc.

Book recommendation: Women Don't Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever

Teaching: KWL defined. What do you KNOW? What do you WANT to know? What did you LEARN? (Quiz next time)

The importance of a good night's sleep and that it's totally ok to go to bed at 9 or 9:30 to make it up super-early for a great workout!

Lots of good lucks given to Sarah who will be heading to Columbus, OH for her marathon this weekend and to Aimee and Kristen who will be running the Buffalo Creek half marathon.

Oct. 12 Run: Meet at Commonplace Coffee for a special run led by Chris Horowitz

Next Sunday (Oct. 12), meet at Commonplace for an unprecedented run led by Chris Horowitz.

Last Sunday, we enjoyed a run around Wilkinsburg led by Aimee's friend, Michael Lefebvre.  We started and ended at the lovely Biddle's Escape and enjoyed the crisp fall morning, which made for perfect running weather.  Because the route was similar to the run he led a year ago, here is the summary from last year:

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 restoredCrescent 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).

An addition to the route this year was a jaunt along the Linear Park:
http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_35381.html#axzz3Fbd6tQbC

Since I had to log a few extra miles, I didn't stay for coffee.  Here's what Wendy had to say about the coffee discussion:
Endorsements: digital pianos, advantages of being an employee rather than a boss, jewish-hindi funk music, sweating vs. not sweating while running, missing people who are out on injured list, where was Sandy?!, big welcome to Tammy; hoping Molly can join us soon.

October 5 Run: meet at Biddle's Escape coffeehouse at Biddle and South Trenton, Wilkinsburg

Meeting at Biddle's Escape coffeehouse, Wilkinsburg, for a very special run arranged by Aimee.  Wilkinsburg Council Member and fellow runner Mike Lefebvre will lead our group around his neighborhood to show its highlights and new developments.  This is the second chance for anyone who missed this great run the first time (and I'm completely bummed that I'm going to miss it again.)

Speaking of which, I'm a little short on time these days, so will only say about last week's run that it was a gorgeous early fall Frick Park and cemetery run, that it actually may have been somewhere else but we were talking so much I didn't notice, that we delved deeply into existential questions like:  why are the electrical plugs in other lands all different shapes?, and that we were maybe the first to cross the starting line for the Great Race.  Kudos to all of you who both started and finished it!