Gloria Blint, President and CEO of Red House Communications, shares her active itinerary for the week of July 14th in NEXT Up, including why she’s fallen in love with Lawrenceville. Gloria worked at several regional ad agencies and as Director of Corporate Communications at West Penn Hospital before founding Red House Communications, where she has served as President and CEO for 20 years. She and Jim, her husband of 34 years raised two children—Matt, 30 and Jess, 26—and spend leisure time biking, kayaking and camping.
Tuesday, July 15
Jumping out of bed early and hoping for a sunny morning as I head to Mt. Lebanon tennis center for 90 minutes of doubles tennis at 8 a.m. On my way to the office I’ll celebrate my match victory with a cappuccino and croissant from my very favorite place, Big Dog Coffee (Hi Nikolay!). In the office I’ll be busy reviewing campaign work for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and talking to a new business prospect. Lunch on Tuesday includes a run to Lawrenceville for a short visit to beGalleries to see the exhibition, Woods to Water, the textile work of Pittsburgh native Sharon McCartney. As an added bonus, it’s only 10 blocks or so from my favorite French bakery, La Gourmandine, where I may pick up some lunch. And a chocolate croissant. After an afternoon at the office, I’ll play another 90-minute round of tennis, which equals 45 minutes per French pastry, if you’re counting.
Wednesday, July 16
Starting out early with my brand new Public bike to ride the Hot Metal Trail before heading into the office. After a morning of proposal writing, I’m meeting a client for lunch on the South Side—hoping she likes Thai Me Up or Little Tokyo, both favorite lunch spots of the Red House team. After that is a series of client and creative meetings. At the end of my day, I’m heading out to Edgewood Country Club to meet friend and attorney Pat Rodella to learn more about the Challenge Program Inc., an educational nonprofit organization that partners businesses with high school students.
Thursday, July 17
Making my own espresso early this morning and challenging my technical skills again with a virtual session for MyBoard, a volunteer mentoring program of the Chatham Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship. Then it’s into the office to prepare my notes and thoughts for a presentation to a new business prospect. That means I’ll only have time for a quick lunch from Hello Bistro, Eat’n Park’s new restaurant in the South Side … but at least I know it’s going to be healthy. Who said the ad business was glamorous? I plan to end my day with a short visit with my husband Jim to Bloomfield to visit my new, adorable grandson, Jack Avery. After plenty of hugs and more pictures than my iPhone can handle, maybe I’ll convince his parents—Matt and Megan—to wander up the street to grab a burger at Tessaros!
Friday, July 18
Whoops, car recall, so heading first thing in the morning to the dealer for repair. Then headed to Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for a meeting with the organizing committee for Open Streets, a free community event that closes the streets so people can walk, ride, dance and enjoy! After that, I’ll finish some office tasks before heading into the City to meet up for lunch at Bluebird Kitchen at Market Square with AJ Drexler, a good friend and new owner of Campos Market Research to talk shop and families, of course. Did I say how much I like Lawrenceville? I’ll be heading there in early evening for dinner at Cure, one of my favorite Pittsburgh restaurants.
Saturday, July 19
Early up and out for a trip to the Strip District to stock up on some favorite cooking items, like a special Sicilian olive oil from Penn Mac. But first Jim and I will stroll over to Peace, Love and Little Donuts and carry our tasty little treasures to 21st Street Coffee for an espresso accompaniment. Now buzzed, we’ll stroll through the Strip District picking up essentials and window shopping. Late morning, we’ll head into the Society for Contemporary Craft on Smallman to see Transformation 9, a ceramic show and likely buy some wonderful handcrafted item in the store there (Hi Megan and Marguerite!). Before we head home and if the weather is right, we’ll then trek up to Lawrenceville (again!) to grab lunch in our favorite outdoor dining place, Pusadee’s Garden. A day like this must be followed by a long late afternoon bike ride on the Montour Trail. We haven’t been out much this year, so I’m hoping we can do 20 miles at least by dusk.
Sunday, July 20
For three years I’ve been on the organizing committee for Open Streets Pittsburgh and Sunday is our first event downtown. I’ll be heading to Market Square early and so we’ll make a quick run to the Starbucks there in the square before the volunteering begins. Excited to see people enjoying their Sunday morning engaged in activities like Zumba, bike riding, dancing and yoga in Pittsburgh streets—all without traffic! Next summer the course will be miles and miles of activities on Penn and Butler Avenues. Later that day, I take on my official role as spouse and will be tagging along with my husband Jim to his business meetings at the incredibly beautiful Bedford Springs resort for a few days. The things we do for our loved ones …
Monday, July 21
This day absolutely starts off with some pampering from the resort’s spa. As luck would have it, another spouse plays tennis so I plan to get in a quick game before lunch. Later, I’ll be riding my bike into the lovely, quaint town of Bedford nearby to scour its incredible antique co-op, Founders Crossing. Assuming I haven’t picked up something that can’t be carried by bike, I’ll ride back to Bedford Springs and soak my aching muscles in the resort’s thermal rejuvenating springs or one of its grand swimming pools. My day will end with dinner hosted by the meeting sponsor, Master Interior Contractors Association of Pittsburgh.