January 22 Run: Meet at Phipps Conservatory

This Sunday’s run (January 22) we’ll meet at the entrance to Phipps Conservatory for an Oakland run, hoping to experience the cacophonous swirling mass of crows roosting in the Oakland trees (brimmed hats suggested).

Last weekend’s runs involved the following: Sunday, an abundance of bird droppings from the massive roost mentioned above and Sarah’s Mom who joined us from Michigan.

 and Monday:  a new pedestrian bridge in East Liberty and a stop at  the Franklin West Memorial Statue in Shadyside….and Anat who joined us from New Jersey.

Coffee…..touched on all things musculoskeletal, trips to New Zealand, and other things that didn’t get recorded on a napkin.

Posted by Elaine

January 8 Run: Schenley Park starting at Wendy Bennett Trailhead

Hoping for a non-icy wintry scene in Schenley Park, we're meeting at the storied Wendy Bennett Trailhead where Bartlett meets Hobart in Schenley Park (map).  If there's ice, we'll re-route from there.  

Last week:  another holiday weekend with 2 excellent runs around Squirrel Hill.  See photos for the little lights in the dark scene from Fernwald Drive, and the cute gingerbread house at the cozy 61C.  I'm currently in Colorado at 7800 feet with about 10 inches of snow falling, so I'm definitely not running around here, but I did go ice skating on a frozen lake.  







Endorsements:
Found in Philly:  chocolate chip and cherry cookies - recipe.
Quantum Theatre - many of its productions are just unforgettable.  Also the amazing offerings of Pittsburgh theater in general
Movies:  Fences (Pittsburgh!), Manchester-by-the-sea (especially if you miss Boston accents), Jackie (ditto, to an extent), and Man of the Year with Robin Williams (prescient) 
Book: Resisting Happiness by Matthew Clark
Recycling, especially sweaters!

January 1 and 2 Runs! 61C Café on Murray at 7 (Jan 1) ; then Blue Slide Park on Beechwood Blvd at 7:30 (Jan 2) What better way to start the new Year!!

61C says Yes, they will be open on News Years Day at 8 a.m. (thank you for checking, Cheryl), so we’ll start the year off with that weather friendly location at 7.  Then the extra holiday run will take place in Squirrel Hill South, starting at the entrance to Frick Park by the Blue Slide Playground on Beechwood Blvd at 7:30.  If the weather cooperates and we have some morning light (sunrise is scheduled for 7:43 a.m.) we can get in some wooded trails and the usual spectacular park views…   

How is it that we failed to take even one photo on last Sunday’s Christmas morning run? Must be that Sarah W was away and the rest of us fell down on the job. We had an enthusiastic group, heading through Chatham and then Shadyside, climbing back up to coffee at Starbucks in Squirrel Hill.  

Monday’s holiday run started in Shadyside, where we welcomed back Cheryl and a new friend, Jan. We ran through Oakland passing the giftwrapped house on Fifth Avenue and visiting the Shrine of the Blessed Mother, before returning for coffee at Coffee Tree on Walnut street. Coffee highlights included Cheryl pulling a mystery item out of her running tights…the hysterical laughter seems to have wiped out any other memories of that coffee chat.

Posted by Elaine (thank you!) - now endorsements from Sunday being added by Roye:

• Crows - greeting the group every week with the "sound of the winter run" and their general amazingness
• Coffee made with the "Clover" machine at Starbucks, and also the Aeropress in anyone's kitchen.  Ask David for tips on how to use.
• Nigella's Almond Clementine Cake - make one or beg PtB for some
• Shows:  Mozart in the Jungle (season 3 is out! perhaps mentioned before but can never be recommended enough), Project Runway Junior, (perhaps negated by) The True Cost of Clothing, Raiders of the Lost Art, Shameless
• Running up 34 flights of stairs multiple times (and taking the elevator down to spare the knees) seriously there was a guy there who does this once a week.

December 25 and 26 Runs: Starbucks on Forbes at 7; then Coffee Tree on Walnut Street at 7:30

This holiday posed a new dilemma: is the Christmas Day run at holiday-time or regular time?  This required no less than a group referendum. And, planned locations have been switched, by me.  After checking with the usual coffee haunts, (apparently the ONLY coffee place open on Christmas Day is Squirrel Hill Starbucks,) we'll start there on Sunday at 7.  Then the extra holiday run on Monday will take place in Shadyside, starting at the Coffee Tree on Walnut at 7:30. Did I make that confusing or what?  Sorry - just look at the title of this posting, it's all there.

Last Sunday, what looked like it was going to be a miserable freezing rainy run kept all but a valiant two of us in bed, but then the attraction of visiting Cheryl in her new Cork Factory apartment made the rest of us hop out and get there in time for coffee. Stunning views (picture doesn't do it justice,) elegant coziness and terrific company of course made it hard to leave.
Just some of the endorsements that surfaced:

• The gorgeous dogs at the Cork Factory - perhaps more gorgeous than the people (excepting Cheryl)
• Gel shots for knees - also possibly spirinolactone (Pam spelled it for me) - but what to do about yoga butt?
• Meraki exercise studio - something new again
• Blue Apron cooking ingredient delivery
• Or, just go out to:  B52 in Lawrenceville, Di Anoia's Eatery, Smallman Galley
• Best idea yet:  "In bed by 10" dance party.  Hope to see you there!

December 18 Run: Start at the Cork Factory (Apartments), 2349 Railroad St. in the Strip

(Thanks to Elaine, this week's communicator!)

December 18 Run: We'll start at the Cork Factory to join Cheryl, have a strip district run, and she'll treat us to coffee in her new apartment. Meet at: the Main building of the Cork Factory 2349 Railroad St. in the Strip.

Sunday’s run was the annual tour of downtown holiday decorations…The new “neighborhood” Christmas tree at the City/County building was delightful and alas, no PVC pipe menorah in site. The Christmas windows at the former Kaufmann’s department store have been replaced with photos by Teeny Harris (of Pittsburgh Courier fame). The tour included a few gilded and marbled lobbies in downtown buildings (Koppers, Gulf, William Penn Hotel). Oh, and we found a note in the snow welcoming us to the Christmas tree at Point Park (see photo)….maybe Santa left it? (or someone else whose name starts with San….?)  
Coffee at Market Square Starbucks included endorsements for:

·        All things cat…including cat Instagram accounts and cats in the bathtub

·        Drunk History on the comedy channel

·        Luther- on Netflix

·        Flying Falcon with prey vs driver in Oakland

David Adler’s History books for grown-ups who want to read books written for young readers

·        Congrats to Aimee on the birth of baby boy Alexander Conrad! We all look forward to meeting him and seeing you back on the streets…

December 11 Run: Annual Holiday Run! Starts at PPG skating rink downtown

On Sunday we're in for the annual Dahntahn Holiday Run, starting at the PPG ice rink, where we go from one festive site to another, and comment on what's new, what's old, and whether they've finally replaced that wretched PVC pipe menorah with a decent one. But what will replace the Kaufmann's windows?  I won't be there, so please report.  (Speaking of which, thank you in advance to whomever takes over this message next week.  Special treat to announce:  on the 18th, we'll start at the Cork Factory to join Cheryl, have a strip district run, and she'll treat us to coffee in her new hip apartment!)

Last week's trek through Frick Park was just right, and we did find the secret rope ladder entrance, and also a truly impressive inflatable Hanukah scene - rivaling the awesome inflatable Mary on the North Side, which we really must revisit one of these days.

Endorsed:

• Burgatory burgers
• Hot toddies as the best winter medicine
• Tile wireless trackers for finding anything. Easy to use?  "I don't know - my daughter set it up."
• Strange mysteries emanating from baby monitors
• Uncle Tungsten by Oliver Sacks
• Moonlight the movie
• the Cheswick Goodwill as a source for more cashmere

December 4 Run: Colfax School on Beechwood Blvd.

On Sunday we'll meet at Colfax School on Beechwood Blvd. Maybe we'll revisit the new Frick Environmental Center?  Or the secret entrance to the park via rope line? Plans were sketchy, in fact I'm not even sure this was the locale, but we'll go with it.  Coffee most likely at 61C.  Coming soon: annual holiday run downtown!

Last week we ran at dawn, and tweaked a familiar route along Penn Ave in East Liberty - first paying respects to the once hopeful Democratic campaign HQ in Bakery Square (alav hasholom) and then heading up into high Garfield where Pam posed with an alarming crocodile and we encountered a bunch of whimsical decorations and a terrific view.

At coffee by the fireplace, we were treated to a celebrity visit by the adorable Iggie (his grandparents came too) and heard about the new Quantum Theater opera, wedding wardrobe malfunctions, and families and their mishegoss.  (All this Yiddish - must be the holidays!)

Thanks to group photojournalist Sarah for the photos!

November 27 Run: Mellon Park parking lot where Beechwood meets Fifth Ave.

This week has been a bit crazy, so no news (also I lost the napkin.)  Let's just say we'll meet at the Mellon Park parking lot where Beechwood ends at Fifth Ave.   Coffee most likely at Bakery Square Coffee Tree, and we'll probably head up Penn Ave. to Allegheny Cemetery and try to run off some of that butter-laden holiday.  Though feel free to invent something new!
Roye

November 20 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead - the Last Leaves of Fall Run

We'll meet up at 7 am (actually 7:05) Sunday at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead - where Bartlett meets Hobart in Schenley Park (map) - and hear the crunch of dead leaves underfoot surrounded by a brown and yellow haze, hopefully missing the rain.  Can you tell I'm depressed?  It's been a tough week.  I'm sure the run will be great.

But last Sunday was lovely - right at the border of 2 seasons with a red sun rising and white frost on the grass.  Also the deer (photo credit: Lainy) at this point are looking at us the same way teenage kids do - "oh, not you again."  And the season is already getting busy, so most had to run off before coffee - but we did get this endorsement:

Annual Harvest Dinner at the Jamison Farm, famous for its lamb - but you REALLY have to like lamb.

November 13 Run: Blue Slide entrance to Frick Park on Beechwood Blvd. opposite Nicholson

This Sunday we’ll meet at the entrance to Frick Park by the “Blue Slide” playground on Beechwood Blvd, so we can enjoy the sight of brilliant fall colors and the sound of fallen leaves crunching beneath our shoes.

During last week’s run Teri took us on a whimsical tour of little free libraries sprinkled about Squirrel Hill. The photo tells it all. Happy Birthday to Teri!!!

(Thanks to Elaine for posting)

November 6 Run: 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill again

There was some talk of next week's run being a Little Library tour, but without a particular zone - so we might as well meet at the old standby, 61C Cafe, and see what little libraries we can find from there.  We'll at least find the Big Library at the corner of Forbes and Murray - where, we are reminded, there is still the infamous weekday run that starts every Wednesday and Friday at 5:45 a.m.!

In a hurry again (still looking for some other bloggers to take a turn or two) so not reporting a lot about last week - luckily Sarah sent this photo.
We saw some pretty impressive Halloween displays, including a giant mobile cat head, and a yard full of creepy ghosts at Aylesboro and Murray.

Endorsements:

• Annie Proulx's Barkskin and Accordion Crimes
• Attack Theater
• perhaps Mall Cop
• BodenUSA Liquidation Sale at David Lawrence Convention Center Saturday Nov. 12
• NCJW Designer Days - evidently up and running - though described as "not as good as it used to be, just like life itself" - still worth a try, at Lawrenceville location.
• not taking your Samsung phone on a plane
• Shmatas and their interventions - ask at the next coffee

October 30 Run: Start at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill for Halloween Theme Run

Short and sweet - courtesy of Elaine:

Next week’s run meet at 61C in Squirrel Hill for the annual Halloween Inflatables tour!

Last week’s run took us on a spectacular sunrise loop around North Park Lake. Coffee was at the North Park Boathouse lakeside restaurant.

Photos tell more - courtesy of Sarah and Teri:

Teri: "If we could we would run about the earth seeking the successive autumns. (With apologies to George Eliot)".

October 23 Run: North Park Boathouse parking lot

(Further update:  if you want to carpool to North Park, be at 61C Cafe at 6:30)
(Thanks to Elaine for this update!)

NEXT WEEK: FIELD TRIP TO THE NORTH! We’ll welcome in the fall colors with the 5 mile loop around North Park Lake. Meet in the parking lot of the North Park Boathouse (here's a map.) If that lot is closed off for an event, park across the street at the Rose Barn lot.

We had a hearty group of runners and walkers this week, heading out under the light of the Hunter’s Supermoon. We ran from the 61C to and through Schenley Park, thanking Mary Schenley for her kind gift of this spectacular wooded haven.  The trees are showing fall colors and a friendly deer unflinchingly  greeted us along the trail.   Coffee was boisterous and we were glad to see Audrey to wish her a fond farewell.

Endorsements:

Duolingo- Free app for learning or reviewing a 2^nd language. (Laurie was speaking French before the first cup of coffee was consumed!)

Neutrogena- Rapid Wrinkle repair

Using a napkin to record coffee talk endorsements (which was not done!)

E.

October 16 Run: start at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill - destination unknown

Next Sunday:  starting at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill - no particular plan as yet.

Last Sunday - I missed the Highland Park run but made it to coffee - so the photos (thanks, Sarah!) will tell the story and show off the romantic dawn light.  Enrico's Tazza D'Oro continues to be particularly comfy for RG confabs - this time endorsing:

• Warby Parker eyewear
• hot apple cider
• buns as the new hairstyle (yay, librarians!)
• Babysitter Club books, now linking moms and daughters

Much election talk, which continues to amaze, dismay, scare, horrify, and very occasionally uplift - in other words, truth stranger than fiction.  Only 4 more runs before the big day!

October 9 Run: Possible Morningside run starting at Tazza D'Oro on Highland Ave.

Meet in Highland Park at Tazza D’oro Café on Highland Avenue, where we will head towards Morningside (maybe).

Coffee time was short but very sweet…

Major endorsement was sandwich platters that could be ordered from Costco to feed a crowd. And one was ordered as we spoke :-).

Photos tell the story of last week's run:  dawn light at the very top of Oakland, and Tom explaining the significance of historic baseball sites in Posvar Hall.

Thanks to Elaine for reporting!

October 2 Run: Westinghouse fountain in Schenley Park

On Sunday we will start at the George Westinghouse Memorial statue and fountain, right behind CMU (here's a map) which is finally done with its major renovation and is now a sight to behold.  Not sure where we'll end up for coffee.

Walkers ruled last Sunday (runners were probably all doing the Great Race) and we had a gorgeous trek through sun-dappled and somewhat nippy Frick Park, which we entered via a route we have only rarely taken, down the appropriately named Forest Glen Road and then up a rope handrail and over a wooden bridge, etc.  Frick is full of secrets.  Discussion of cashmere mitten-mania, which is planned to start again soon, this time expanding to baby booties - prepare for the booty call.

Endorsement:  conjunction of great events and exhibits and a book signing all about famous Civil Rights organizer and Congressman John Lewis (who will visit) at the August Wilson Center and the Toonseum - details here.  Now I'm off to see Michelle O.!

Sept. 25 Run: Start at Pam's house 2200 Beechwood Blvd. (Check Great Race road closures before you park.)

We're starting (at 7) and finishing (at 8) at Pam's house at 2200 Beechwood Blvd., which is also the starting point for the Great Race (which begins at 9:30), more or less.  So park anywhere in the general vicinity, and it would make sense to check the road closures ahead of time.  Pam has offered to provide coffee (and helpfully, toilets) at her house at 8 (thank you Pam!), for the RG finishers and the Great Race starters. 

Last week was a Frick Park run with a difference.  It was a perfect late summer morning in the park, as we headed in a leisurely way toward the newly opened Frick Environmental Center, which is both a "living building" and LEEDS platinum, also gorgeous. Some of us got a bit verklempt when thinking of that day many years ago when the running group approached this very spot on a Sunday at dawn, to come across the smoking ruins of the old Frick Nature Center:  we've come full circle. This time, seeing it was not yet open for the day, we still tried to get past the gate (in characteristic fashion), and got nervous as a staff member approached us... to offer us a tour! Which was amazing and included the super hi tech basement where the energy to run the place seems to be created literally out of thin air.  Kudos to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for putting us on the eco-map.  We were all inspired to make and encourage donations of $$ and also eco-themed gently used or new books, especially children's, which they will place in their adorable family library. 

Coffee at 61C, where we had a welcome visit from Judy, who has become a happy Californian, and where we learned the sad news (for us) that Audrey will go back to being a Virginian soon - now who will help us with Mah Jong?  Stay tuned for news of a post-run coffee at Wendy & David's to bid farewell.

A few endorsements, fairly random:

• Chef's Table TV show
• Old fashioned names - Harriet, Sylvia, and others that I can't remember
• Cemetery plots at Homewood Cemetery - even if you're not really buried there
• Votespa.com - will answer all your questions about voting, i.e. registration, absentee

RG now has 125 people on the list.  We should have a party.

Sept. 18 Run: Colfax School

FOR NEXT SUNDAY:  please meet at Colfax school on Beechwood so we can run up to explore the new Frick Environmental Center, which just opened.

Today, after meeting on Washington's Landing, we had a lovely run up, up, up, up Rialto to the top of Troy Hill (where most of the neighborhood was surprisingly flat) and stopped to admire this house for sale that has a fabulous view. Turns out the PG wrote a story about it.

http://www.post-gazette.com/life/homes/2016/06/17/Buying-Here-Looking-down-from-Troy-Hill/stories/201606190043

We also found St. Anthony's Chapel, (saintanthonyschapel.org) which is supposed to have the largest number of Catholic relics outside of the Vatican. It was closed, but gives tours most days. We returned to Washington's Landing via a different staircase that dropped us on the edge of Route 28, and new bike path that took us back to the island.

I can't report on coffee since I couldn't go, but we'll update next week.

Have a great week. 

Virginia

Sept. 11 Run: Start at parking lot on Herr's Island/Washington's Landing

(Will try not to make this complicated.)  The start of the run is the parking lot across from the Washington's Landing Marina - which you get to by crossing the 31st St. Bridge from Penn Ave., taking your first left on to River Road, taking your immediate next left down to Herr's Island (called the 30th St. Bridge in the map, and then Waterfront Drive), and there it is at the bottom. Here's that map.  Piece of cake!

So the plan was to do a Troy Hill run from there, which would be to go back up to the 31st Street Bridge and cross Rte. 28 (there are crossing signals there) to go up, up, up Rialto Street which leads right into Troy Hill, and is just a few blocks away from the famous St. Anthony's Church and plenty of neighborhood charm.  I was going to lead that run, but now I won't be able to be there - so hopefully someone else can do the honors.  Or change the run altogether - many other possibilities from there!

Now there are 3 runs to summarize, but let's just say that at some point this crazy bike was seen,

and that they were all as fun and uplifting as always.  The last one (Schenley Park) had most of us puzzling over what exactly happened since we were talking so much - though the sudden brilliance of the dew sparkling on that new grassy path by Bartlett finally brought us to attention.  Re endorsements, I've been a bit lax about keeping track, but here are those that survive:

The Year of Mercy - something we could all use - which is going on right now.

The PAT Track app for realtime bus info - getting some love

Also getting more love:  yoga teacher and all-round inspiring person Linda Meacci

Should be getting even more love:  newspapers - we need them!  

Ways to read some newspapers and magazines that need subscriptions:  1. The public library databases, which you can get from the comfort of your home  2.  Your airline miles program  3. The mysterious 3 lines in the upper right corner of your browser that allow you to "go incognito," so they can't count your free articles?  It could work.

"The night of" miniseries on HBO - riveting.

Viking River Cruises - known to all the Downton Abbey fans - actually very nice.

Living in a place where the roaches aren't the size of birds.

Sept 4 and 5 runs: default at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill

Just a bulletin - will try for more later.

Sunday's run at 7 and Monday's holiday run at 7:30 will both leave from the 61C Cafe on Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill.  Bring ideas of where to go.

Following week preview:  Troy Hill!