March 22 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for a Runners' Choice Run or Walk

This Sunday, meet outside 61C cafe for a default run or walk.  Socially distance yourself from each other and be safe!   I'm not sure if 61C is open for to-go coffee, but it still won't be the same without being able to sit and visit with everyone.

Last week we started at Five Points Bakery and coffee shop and ran or walked through Homewood Cemetery.  It was a great morning to run together while we still could and discuss the implications of Coronavirus.

There was a line outside Five Points but people were already starting to keep spaces between each other, and the shop was limiting the number of people inside.  We were able to sit inside, later learning they closed the seating area.

Endorsed:

• Everything at Five Points, so delicious!
• Water Aerobics at LA Fitness (probably suspended for now though)
• Big disaster movies: "Contagion" (one of the top most-downloaded films on iTunes right now and strangely accurate to what is currently happening), It's a Disaster! (Hulu), or more listed here
• Shows: "Love is Blind" (a guilty pleasure you can't stop watching), "Cheer," "Interior Design Challenge," "Modern Love"
• Working remotely:  use your TV as a second monitor-- you just need an HDMI cord; Skype, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams for video chat
• Phone calls because "social distancing" should really be called "physical distancing"-- we can still be social!

Not endorsed:

• Landlords still showing renters' apartments to strangers during coronavirus!

March 15 Run: meeting at the new cafe at Five Points Artisan Bakeshop, 6520 Wilkins Ave.

Yet another coffee locale to start from:  the new cafe at Five Points at 6520 Wilkins Ave. in Squirrel Hill, with the delectable pastries we know and love, plus coffee from Espresso a Mano.  There are so many of these now we could go on forever trying them out.

On Sunday we moseyed around industrial and commercial Larimer and East Liberty, circumnavigating that enormous development that we used to gawk at when it was a giant hole in the earth.  Things that aren't there any more.  Or, are there now but weren't.  Which is also true of the megadose of hipster-mania in the KLVN coffee emporium, living up to its motto: "TURNING ON AND PUTTING OUT THE CLEANLINESS OF CAFFEINATED STOKE AND POWERFUL CRYSTAL VIBES." Whoa. The barista made my espresso twice because he wasn't quite satisfied with it the first time.  You've never held coffee cups like these, and the music made me feel fairly ancient, not to mention slightly deaf.  You've gotta try it.


Totally appropriate to the ambience were these inspirational fired clay plaques discovered in Teri's basement!  (They may ultimately be found at the Center for Creative Reuse.)  We endorse all those words, as well as:

• The Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College
• Robotic dogs and cats - when we get old, we may not know the difference.  But, there are advantages!
• A"corn box" for your arm in PT (warm floating shredded corn cobs) feels terrific
• Watch:  Cheer on Netflix or Dixie Chicks on Amazon (upbeat), Trials of Gabriel Fernandez on Netflix (NOT upbeat)
• Listen:  Michael Pollan audiobook "Caffeine"

March 8 Run: Meet at KLVN Coffee Lab, 6600 Hamilton

For the 3rd time in a row, we're trying out a new coffee locale, so we'll meet at KLVN Coffee Lab at 6600 Hamilton (map), whose website gives no indication of what they actually do, but we'll hope for the best.  Someone will invent a run - lots of possibilities!

Last week we followed the rivers and as promised crossed bridges all around downtown - photos below do not relay the crystal beauty of the morning light on the water, but do show us investigating the legendary sinkhole and the gritty picturesqueness of alleyways.

De Fer Coffee was quite nice and has the continental touch of offering both coffee and cocktails.  We didn't ask whether the cocktails are available at 8 am but really should next time.  We were so glad to see our plot worked when Cheryl walked in - yay!!
Endorsements:

• Dan Droz "sculptural magic with metal"exhibit in Sharpsburg starting tomorrow!
• Pitt Osher classes, especially with Abby Mendelson and Chris Rawson
• Fireborn Studios pottery classes
• Major Taylor Cycling Club
• Um, there is evidently a Vagina Spa in Pittsburgh which may or may not be this one - if you want more info, you'll need to come to the run!

March 1 Run: Meet at Waterfront Place and 21st St. in the Strip

We're meeting at Waterfront Place and 21st Street in the Strip (map) and explore, what else, the waterfront.  Perhaps head over to River Ave. and Washington's Landing?  Or to Pt. State Park and maybe Station Square?  Bridges will be crossed.  Coffee at La Prima. We will locate a reasonable bathroom in advance.

Last week we climbed no hills but visited two cathedrals, both offering balm to the soul.  Hurray for St. Paul Cathedral for having open doors to anyone seeking an uplifting exquisite space at 7:30 am on Sunday, and even more hurrays for the many concerned Pitt students who are occupying the Cathedral of Learning  24-7 to pressure the Board of Trustees to divest from fossil fuels.  #OccupyCathy!

Endorsements at Arriviste Cafe begin with:

• Arriviste!  Perfect space, designer coffee, delectable pastry
• Speaking of designer coffee - KLVN Coffee Lab on 6600 Hamilton (will try soon!)
• And right in that neighborhood - East End Brewing has upped its game with pretty great food
• Movies to consider as precursors to the current horror show:  Recount and Game Change
• TV Series to escape it: Anne with an E, Virgin River, The Two Popes
• Exercise at the JCC - but don't get in the 5:30 am traffic jam
• Saturday morning walking group that meets at 7:30 am at Commonplace Coffee on Reynolds - Judy says we are invited!

Feb. 23 Run: Meet at Arriviste Coffee, 5730 Ellsworth in Shadyside

We're meeting at a new coffeehouse, Arriviste, at 5730 Ellsworth (between Maryland and Summerlea,) 7 am as usual, and will proceed in some direction from there.  And let it be known that there is now not only a Walk as well as a Run, but there has been a Walk to the Walk!  OK, maybe a little confusing, but just ask on Sunday.

Last week we tried to get to the panoramic view from Robert E. Williams Park, but somehow got lost in the maze of stairways leading up past the Peterson Events Center.  Aimee recorded that we climbed 663 feet in elevation in search of it.  "While we didn’t find the tower, we nearly climbed a mountain!" 

Coffee as always was a comfort, and an inspiration to read, listen, watch, and especially, try to shut off electronics during vacations (not easy.)
Endorsed:

• Books:  Anything by James Michener (so many!), stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Tatooist of Auschwitz, The Weight of Ink, Angle of Repose.
• Podcasts:  Invisibilia, How I Built This, Wondery (esp. The Shrink Next Door and WeCrashed.)  
• Movie:  Defiance (Partisans in the forest during WW2.)
• Concert this Sunday:  Sing a New Light - series in memory of victims of Tree of Life shooting, one of which was Richard Gottfried, brother of Carol, fellow RG member.  Information here.
• More places RG can run to.
• Five Points Artisan Bakeshop Cafe is now open!  Maybe next week...
• Your ancient iPod - still works!

February 16 Run: Meet at Phipps Conservatory for a Valentine's Day Run, Coffee at Starbucks on Fifth Ave

On Sunday, let's meet at the romantic Phipps Conservatory for a Valentine's Day run through Oakland.  A water tower was mentioned-- suggestions are welcomed for a way up.

This past Sunday, we met at the Detective Building again for a run through East Liberty.  We winded our way though interesting less-traveled side streets and found various housing types under construction, several community gardens, and an inviting little library.

 Little Library

The Detective Building

February 9 Run: Meet at the Detective Building, 224 N Euclid Avenue for an East Liberty Run

This Sunday, let's repeat the Detective Building run, as I missed it the first time and am still intrigued.  It's a co-working space and adaptive reuse project, plus there's a lot to check out in East Liberty, specifically the Whole Foods development which just broke ground.

This past Sunday it was a blustery snow that made visibility a little difficult, but it proved worthwhile.  I led the group through Garfield, around a newer housing development, ascending up to a pinnacle (sorry about the hills!) where the Water Tower and Garfield Community Farm are located.  What a treat-- the community garden was not there the last time we did this run several years ago!  I don't have any endorsements, just these photos that show this really unique community gem.  Apparently they have a mobile market and volunteer program.  The farm had a miniature labyrinth, an elaborate compost system, a greenhouse, and even some resident rabbits!

February 2 Run: Meet at Commonplace Coffee in Garfield, 5467 Penn Avenue

A quick note going out late to advise you of the location for Sunday: the Voluto Commonplace Coffee in Garfield at 5467 Penn Avenue.

Last Sunday was a run we shall call "Hidden Highland Park."  Joanne led the group through various twists and turns, through small hamlets and castle-like homes.  It was just what we needed for a change of scenery, and she delivered.  No endorsements to speak of, but warm coffee & conversation at Tazza d'Oro.

January 26 Run: Meet at Tazza D'Oro for a Highland Park Run

This Sunday, let's start/end at Tazza D'Oro at 1125 N. Highland Avenue for a run in Highland Park.  We will be as loud as we want and not worry about curmudgeons shooting us mean glances because after all, coffee shops are not libraries!

This past Sunday was a run in Lawrenceville starting with a loop around Allegheny Cemetery then a loop around Friendship/Garfield along Penn.

Along Penn Avenue we pass by our first endorsement, the new women-owned Halcyon Salon, where Elaine says you can get a haircut for $35.

Other endorsements for this vibrant part of Penn Ave include:

Penn Avenue Unblurred (gallery crawl)
Spak Brothers Pizza
1:1 Yoga
People's Indian Restaurant which has been there forever!
Arts & Crafts Botanica & Occult Shop
Los Sabrosos Dance Company

Not on Penn Avenue but endorsed:
Bitter Ends Garden Luncheonette

Back at Ineffable Ca Phe, we gathered by the fake fireplace and discussed:

Deer vision (which we correctly guessed is not great, about 20/100)
Camping
The Long Long Trailer movie
Waiting for Bittman (not  to be confused with Waiting for Guffman)
Mark Easton
Anthony Bourdain's controversial Pittsburgh special (you either loved it or hated it)
Rick Sebak sightings and antics

Future starting/ending location for a run, probably this summer:
Hallowed Ground Homestead

Jan 19 Run: Meet at Ineffable Ca Phe, Penn Ave between 40th and 39th

We're going to explore Bloomfield next Sunday - where we haven't been since 2018 when we first crossed the Bloomfield Bridge - much to see!  We'll start at the Vietnamese-inspired Ineffable, at 3920 Penn Ave. across from the haunted Frank Clack Health Center, once toured with our scientist Beth, so we know it's true.

Last week we made the long trek to the Penitentiary - a dark and atmospheric route along the Ohio on the trail - appropriately creepy.  But the CCAC Starbucks, unlikely as it may seem, was a comfort. 

Endorsed:

• TV:  Escape at Dannemora - appropriately, and also Anne with a E - adorable, and has a 19th C. orphanage in it too.  Also Season 3 of Mrs. Maisel - another era but still historic
• Charles Dickens made a visit to the Pen!
• There was some talk of an episode of Mindhunter being filmed there, but on further review, it looks like it was the "neo-Gothic prison compound of West Virginia State Penitentiary"
• More 19th C.:  the pattern for Beth's Shawl in Little Women
• Movies:  The Two Popes, and Searching for Sugar Man.

Jan. 12 Run: Meet at the Starbucks at CCAC on the North Side

We're going to the Penitentiary on the Ohio River!  And I just read this about it:
During Charles Dickens visit to the city March 20–22, 1842, he visited the original prison and some scholars believe he based the classic A Christmas Carol on conditions at the facility.
so I'm extra excited.   We'll start and end at the CCAC Starbucks on the North Side. (map.)

We covered the South Side trail and streets, the riverside and the Hot Metal Bridge for last week's Sunday run, all with that ineffable Pittsburgh picturesque charm that we get to see at dawn every week.  But the best part was the chi-chi coffee setting at the Hotel Indigo: Technology Center - which we hope to revisit soon for a happy hour (Monday, Jan. 13 at 5:30, I think but will confirm on Sunday, or somebody write in please.)

We endorsed:

• Kathleen the exercise lady that offers weekly sessions for $7 outside at Highland Park - I have no contact information so more later
• the word "shpilkes," defined in Wiktionary, perhaps explaining why we are running around at 7 a.m.
• The Kaufmann's building downtown will have a Target, a hotel run by the Fontainebleu, apartments, and already has a rooftop pool with a bar, to which you can get a day pass (Happy Hour as soon as it warms up!)
• Podcasts:  Mobituaries - esp the one about Audrey Hepburn, and The Shrink Next Door
• TV:  The Durrells in Corfu and The Deuce
• Movie:  What About Bob?  from 1991 with Bill Murray
• Books:  Nine perfect strangers (same author as Big Little Lies), and all stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer (Nobel-prize winning Yiddish writer)
• The naked guy on a bike of blessed running group memory

Photo from last week that I forgot to send in:

January 5 Run: meet at the parking lot at the Hot Metal Bridge and 2nd Avenue, and New Year’s Day Run at 61C- 7:30 am

January 5 Run: meet at the parking lot at the Hot Metal Bridge and 2^nd Avenue, and New Year’s Day Run at 61C- 7:30 am

Don’t forget to join the New Year’s celebration run at 7:30 am this Wednesday morning, starting at the 61C café in Squirrel Hill.

Next Sunday, we’ll take in some Southside from the parking lot by the Hot Metal Bridge and have coffee at the Indigo Hotel’s Eliza restaurant ,after.

This week’s runs included an ethereal cemetery tour through the thick Christmas morning fog on Wednesday, and a slow climb up Troy Hill, on Sunday, to tour that hidden gem of a neighborhood. We befriended an authentic 40 year local who sang the praises of the overstuffed hoagies at   Pear and the Pickle (see endorsements). The views from Troy Hill were astounding and, as expected, rain held off until the run was done. Oh ya, and going DOWN Rialto street is way more reasonable than climbing up!

A few endorsements:

·        Troy Hill Restaurants:

·        Pear and the Pickle (which evidently carries Boar’ Head meats and loads them onto oversized hoagies)- doesn’t open early enough for running group coffee

·        Scratch f&b

·        Movies:

·        Knives Out

·        Uncut Gems

And of course,  Little Women - most notable for its amazing costuming, especially the SONTAG shawl, which Roye will no doubt be sporting in cashmere well before Spring!

Bingeworthy:

The Durrells in Corfu- the daily adventures of a most imperfect British family embracing life on the Greek Island of Corfu (on Amazon Prime) .

EM

December 29 Run: Meet at Herrs Island, in the parking lot under the bridge

That's it: meet at Herrs Island, aka Washington's Landing (map here).  From Penn Ave., go over the 31st St. bridge, take a left onto River Ave., then your first left onto the island and you'll see the parking lot to your left. 
Too much going on this week to provide more info.  Stay tuned!

December 22: Phipps Conservatory Oakland, plus Christmas run: Starbucks Forbes and Shady (7:30 am start)

December 22 run: Start at Phipps Conservatory Oakland, plus Christmas run: Starbucks Forbes and Shady (7:30 am start)

Last Sunday we did the annual downtown Christmas tour.  The tree at the point shone brightly against the dusky morning sky. We ornamented the giant ornament and were dwarfed by the giant figures of the creche, and the tree at the City-County building (now featuring a video showing the raising and decorating of said tree!). No Hanukah menorahs in sight might actually be better than those PVC pipe versions of yesteryears. We trespassed onto the courthouse yard to view “where the Christmas tree used to be” and passed the old Kaufmanns’ department store where the Christmas windows “used to be”. It was delightful to have Sarah Wallace back for her first of two holiday downtown runs of the day. In the elegance of the William Penn Hotel lobby, napkin topics (including the true meaning of  Okay Boomer and Wendy’s well-maintained rhomboids) were plentiful, but were not actually recorded on a napkin.

This Sunday we're starting at Phipps Conservatory for a visit through Oakland.  Also don't forget the default holiday Christmas run at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at 61C.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Dec. 15 Run: Annual Holiday Run Downtown - meet at Market Square

It's that time again - we'll be visiting all the seasonal delights of dahntahn, starting in Market Square.  I'm sadly going to miss it but wish everyone a Merry Everything!

Last Sunday was as Victorian as Christmas Pudding - angelic statues in Allegheny Cemetery - the big hearth at The Abbey - we were just waiting for Pickwick.  We also saw geese walking on water.

We were so comfy that a whole slew of endorsements came up:

• The new Gingerbread House Display at the City County Building - well curated and including several gingerbread buses in sinkholes.
• Buti-Yoga, starring "intentional shaking & vibration to release trauma stored at the cellular level"
• Sing, an Irish Christmas at the Benedum this Thursday
• Many, many water filters - very confusing but our scientists Beth and Galit will figure it out soon
• RG member Maia's poetry reading TOMORROW night at the Steel City Slam, FullPint WildSide Pub
• Acupuncture at the Center for Integrative Medicine takes insurance (sometimes.)  Good for anxiety, shoulders, etc.  Ask for Tricia.  There is evidently Dog Acupuncture somewhere too.
• Movie:  Dark Waters
• Book:  Gift from the Sea
• People who look like their dogs, as in 101 Dalmations, but it's true!
• Not endorsed: cursed plastic - now found in sea salt and fleece jackets and whales.

Dec. 8 Run: Lawrenceville next - meet at The Abbey at 4635 Butler Street

In preparation for another icy run, we'll meet Sunday at the warm wooden coziness of The Abbey, on 4635 Butler Street near 47th St., (open at 7 so we can wait inside) and then we'll maybe go High Victorian in Allegheny Cemetery - or else see what the Lawrenceville shops are offering.  'Tis the season!  Speaking of which, there are also plans for the Downtown Holiday Run which will take place on Dec. 15, so get your Santa hats ready.  Or is it Pussy hats?  It's that season too.

Last week - Shadyside?  It's all a blur.  Great coffee though!

Endorsements:

• Misfits Market Box - year-round discount organic vegetable delivery with a twist!
• Airborne super vitamin remedy for incipient colds - works for me
• the JCC Group Power class - maybe for those who are mourning the demise of Club One. (For a few of us this was our entree into the running group years ago.)
• the Pittsburgh Girls Choir Holiday Concert
• TV:  Last Breath on Netflix; His Dark Materials on HBO (that was in last week, but still)
• Bears: someone found one in their car.  Also one is starring in His Dark Materials.
• Book:  Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
• Popsockets for your phone
• Or, no phone
• 79 climate-friendly gift ideas 

Dec. 1 Run: Commonplace Coffee in Pt Breeze, 6736 Reynolds

We'll start on Sunday at the new-ish Commonplace Coffee in Pt. Breeze, at 6736 Reynolds.  This is near Mellon Park, site of the Center for the Arts, whose holiday store will be having a 20% off sale that we can head over to if we have an extra-long coffee (it opens at noon.) Not sure of a direction - maybe a return to the hidden wealth alleys behind Beechwood and Shady?  It's the 1%!!

We had two runs/walks last week with the theme represented at right.  Both immersed in Schenley Park's November gloom.  But revived as always by the dynamite combo of endorphins, caffeine and most of all, us and so many endorsements!

• The Midwest, where people talk to each other
• Thomas, WV
• Painter Ron Donoughe
• Taking the water taxi at the Boston airport
• Tip: when you need to leave your luggage somewhere in a safe place, try any hotel - they usually don't ask if you're staying there
• Kate St. John's blog about birds and the 'burgh
• Free Stores (Braddock and Wilkinsburg) are great places to donate things to
• Handmade Arcade (Dec.6, but too commercial and crazy)  or the I Made It Market (Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 and more original but only in the suburbs - seriously?)
• Squidtivity - the nativity with squid puppets - apparently seen at Handmade Arcade
• TV series:  His Dark Materials
• For our knee problems:  ICE, ICE, ICE
• I hear this is now a thing:  Cashmere sweatpants

November 24 Run: Start at Staghorn Cafe, 517 Greenfield Ave, plus Thanksgiving Run: 61C cafe (7:30 am start)

On Sunday we thought we would go backwards into Schenley Park, from Greenfield, just to change it up.  So we're starting at the cute Staghorn Cafe, where our scone judges were impressed 9 months ago.

Last week, runners visited what appears to be a cartoon moonscape in the process of being dismantled on Schenley Plaza.  Walkers discovered an antiquarian bookstore (Shadyside Books) on the second floor of something called "Caboodle Trading Post" whose purpose is shrouded in mystery.

As if those weren't weird enough, we sort of endorsed:

• Dog Diving
• The old Heads Together video store 
• Espresso with a shot of anise
• The bathroom in the basement of the Cathedral of Learning
• Ring: Your very own surveillance
• 1974

and the kindness of the barista at Starbucks in Bakery Square who custom-made an icepack for us.

Nov. 17 Run: meet at Mellon Park parking lot, off of Fifth Ave. at Beechwood

We'll meet at the Mellon Park "Spray Park" parking lot (map here), locus of a thousand runs!  Seriously, we can go in any direction.  Think about your favorite one and we'll vote on the spot.  After the run, we can try out the new Starbucks in Bakery Square, which proclaims in its "Amenities": "oven-warmed food."  Hmmmm.

Last week we covered Regent Square streets with a deep dive into Frick Park - a perfect combination.  Later, the 61B cafe seemed to have a particularly comfy aura - maybe it's the little chairs that can squeeze together.  Convo seemed to be a lot about food - oven-warmed and not.  Heard at the table; "I need to make kale chips!"

Endorsements for:

• Kretschmann Farms Organic CSA - now featuring enormous fennel fronds and chicken - they have winter boxes too.
• Roast those chickens 8 ways with Mark Bittman (Soy sauce one especially)
• If you can overcome your politics addiction, the New York Times also tells you how to carve a turkey.
• Birthday cake to mail to faraway kid (stays fresh and intact):  Maida Heatter's Sachertorte
• the peanut butter machine at the East End Food Coop
• amazing views from the "Church Route" steps on the South Side
• Malcolm Gladwell audio anything
• 60 Minutes, starring Pittsburgh, on the anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting.

Nov. 10 Run: Meet at 61B cafe in Regent Square for a Frick Park run

Not a typo - that's the 61B Cafe which is on S. Braddock in Regent Square - we'll go from there deep into the dusky park to face the momentous approach of winter.  Or something like that.

Last week so many of us made it ALL THE WAY into the suburban North Hills so that Gretchen could lead us through the cinnamon-y morning light in North Park.  It was lovely.  

Things to consider:

• New non-pharma ways to increase bone density involve standing on vibrating machines and/or jumping around to thumping music.  If you know anything about this, write in!
• Don't forget to vote Tuesday - tomorrow!  Here's everything you need to know from the League of Women Voters. Women Voters Unite!
• Only Lainy can take a selfie that includes 9 faces.