Clogtown - The Salt Cave Minneapolis

Well ... if you don't follow me on social media, you may not know what my family is going through. A very long story short, my adored and revered Mother had to have her leg amputated below the knee last Friday. I am back in Minnesota to help and to advocate - and to cry and hold hands a lot. I don't know how I can possibly leave this warrior woman until I know she will be in good hands and is solid, so in the meantime, I'm going to share some stories from what I'm calling Clogtown - The Twin Cities. In all of this ordeal, I have maybe never felt more stressed out. I never planned to be here so long, so there is work to think about, my mother's health, her home, where she'll go next ... all of it. I've driven by The Salt Cave Minneapolis for a few years, and wondered about it. I looked it up and one of the things it claims to help is stress, so yesterday I found myself taking a break from the hospital and headed to The Salt Cave.

A little storefront on Nicollet Avenue doesn't really look like much, but once you are led downstairs into the salt cave, it's pretty cool. One room that is bathed in a rose quartz-ish light and lined with lawn type chairs, and the floor is covered with so much salt it's like having your bare feet in sand.

This beach vibe is enhanced by a soundtrack of crashing waves, and the attendant told me to sit in the chair closest to this vent for the best salt experience - but that I would get salty. I sat down and tried to just breathe and focus the breaths along with the ebbing and flowing waves on the sound system. I'm a terrible meditation person, because my mind immediately races to ten thousand places - especially now. Focusing my breathing to the waves did help a bit, but I still found myself going over what calls and emails I need to make, and all that jazz. 

I was alone until an older gentleman came in and sat a few chairs down. We paid no attention to each other, and after a while I forgot he was there. I felt tingly a couple times, and also nearly nodded off another couple of times. It was supremely relaxing (as opposed to the Dragon City Acupuncture at Southdale cacophony I endured for a chair massage. I don't know how a place meant to relax and de-stress can stay in business across from Dave & Buster's!), and when I briefly opened my eyes, I saw that my clothes and body was entirely covered with salt, as if I'd fallen asleep outside in a light snowfall. I was told that it works via your breathing, but the Himalayan pink salt also goes in through your pores. I was covered an inch deep, so I should be real good.

After the 45 minutes session ($30) was over, the lights gently get brighter and you start dusting off the salt. While doing so, I realized that the tension I had felt at the base of my skull was no longer there. The slight headache I'd had between my eyes was also absent. I felt as if I had just woken up from an intense nap, though I never fell asleep. The only physical thing I could really complain about after was that I was extra thirsty - makes sense. I asked the man who was in there with me how it was working for him, as I'd been told he comes every week, and we had waited for him to start. I'd still be there listening to him (and I was fine with it) if the attendant hadn't come downstairs to say she had to close up, but he was EFFUSIVE in how much it had helped him. He had a rare lung thing that he went to the Mayo Clinic for, and after regular sessions at The Salt Cave, he'd been told at his follow up visit that the thing was gone and that his lung capacity had actually increased! I believe.

There are several afflictions the salt sessions help with, from asthma to allergies to skin problems, but even if you just need a break from some real harsh reality, like me, The Salt Cave really can help you. My spirits, attitude, tension, and stress had all been somewhat lifted, even if for just 45 minutes. The invisible part, like salt in your pores, must help too, because I feel physically fantastic today. Hey ... whatever helps in times like these! They also offer yoga classes in there, and gong and sound bath things, and you can arrange to get a chair massage while sitting in your session - next time for sure. I like that Minneapolis is into groovy things like this, and realized once again that you can find your Venice anywhere, as it's inside of you. But Venice could use a Salt Cave too! Check it out ... you'll be better for it.

And Have a HAPPY 4th, Everyone - from sea to shining sea and every lake and river in between!

The Salt Cave
4811 Nicollet Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
#612-567-2587
Saltcaveminnesota.com

Hang Loose!

I was racing along the beach this morning, faster than usual because there's just always so much to do, and so many places to be, and so many thoughts to think and blah, blah, blah ... when I saw this dude had strung up his hammock between the pillars of the pier. He was just chilling there, reading a book. Relaxing. Hanging loose.

As we saunter on into the weekend, let this be a nice reminder that sometimes it's crucial to just slow down and enjoy a moment, turn off your phone, and just chill. Thinking about how lucky you are.

Happy weekend, Homies!

Home And Away - Back In The Venice Bubble (Where I Belong)

Well, I just got back from a beautiful Summer vacation in Minnesota, where I was born and raised. The entire state was showing off the whole time, with breathtaking beauty, perfect Summer weather (I include a couple thunderstorms in that, because to me and any other Californian, they're now so wonderful and rare), cool new spots, wonderful old haunts, and the laughter and fun of family and friends. It was awesome, and this picture pretty much sums up me the whole time, soaking it all in, and deep in thought.

There were outstanding, inspiring times ... volunteering at the Hendrickson Foundation Charity Golf Tournament, where they raise funds and celebrate the incredible achievements of disabled hockey players. Talking my way in to the National Association of Black Journalists party put on by Prince at Paisley Park. Prince! In bronze lounge pajamas and giant afro, right there, Prince! There was swimming in the freshwater lakes and rivers that no matter how great the ocean is (and it is), it just isn't the same. There were great new restaurants (Lyn65, Betty Danger's Country Club, the brand new WOW Fireside Pizza, Revival, Sun Street Bakery, Glam Doll Donuts, Izzy's Ice Cream), and ones that have gotten too big for their britches by far (http://www.yelp.com/biz/psycho-suzis-motor-lounge-minneapolis-2?hrid=lQjQhu46gl72hRzfFAHESA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)).

There was seeing children grow, reuniting with college roommates, meeting new neighbors, and waving to old ones. There was still an Ice Cream truck playing music down my old block! I saw the Twins win in their new to me stadium! I went to my favorite art museum (The Walker) for their great International Pop show. There were deep talks and solid reflection. There were laughs and conversations with very best friends for life. There were my brothers, both. There was Mom (really, the main point).

But within all that, I'm a little worried about Minnesota. This was the longest I've been there since I first ever moved right after college, so it got more into what it's like to live there, vs. just being a good time holiday run. I noticed a distinct lack of Minnesota Nice - the one trait I'm most proud of when I describe where I'm from. It has always been THE thing ... and I'm afraid it might be endangered, like so many other things in our world.

People were uptight. I heard the word "terrorists" brought up in several conversations, from vastly different people. WHAT?! Like, you think about that normally? I heard both "Somalians" and "Mexicans" being spoken of disparagingly, by people I formerly thought highly of. I heard people speak of gay marriage with an eye roll. People afraid to go downtown. I heard someone actually PRAISE Michelle Bachmann. People were HONKING in roundabouts! Psycho Suzi's set the tone for bitchy service, but they weren't alone. I was all proud of all the bikes being ridden everywhere, and then I saw a news story that bikers were being targeted by people in cars throwing concrete bricks at them! Like two metal plates and jaw wired shut getting hit, for RIDING THEIR BIKE IN THE BIKE LANE! This is a GOOD thing, that helps traffic and the environment, Minnesota Commuters! Man. Talk about road rage.

Kids were climbing on the lake monster, so the city just took it away. No more fun. I'd just be happy kids WERE out climbing on things, instead of on their screens! Families (both that I knew and strangers in public) bickered and bitched to where I'm not sure I believe in the marital institution at all anymore. The same people asking me when I'm going to ever settle down. No, thanks. Not if that's what it ends up being. I was seeing a lot of Settled, not Down. There are still a few wonderful examples, but they would take up maybe one hand of fingers. Seriously, what is going on back there? Or is it everywhere, and I just live in the Venice bubble?

Not that we're immune in the bubble, of course. The moment I got back, I'm all riled up about an article depicting just how badly Google and Snapchat and pure GREED (and people like Tony Bill saying that if you're an ESTABLISHED artist you can afford the rents here - what a DICK thing to say after all the years he's lived here. I'm shocked.) are threatening to make OUR Venice extinct. No way. There's no way I'm giving up our bubble. It's WHY I moved here, to be free, to try not to judge, to express myself however I want, to support and encourage others like me. To live how we want to live, without judgement, with acceptance. Not to have the same chain stores, and road rage, and bickering, and fear, and rigidity that everywhere else seems to have. NO. WAY. It's well worth fighting for. And preserving, no matter what.

Minnesota - I think you need to be next to legalize marijuana (Ok, after California, technically. It just seems like it always has been legal here). Everyone needs to RELAX and breathe deeply, and appreciate the abundant beauty and quality of life and cool places and people. Stop freaking out over traffic, the Viking Stadium, guns, lion killers, and people that aren't Scandinavian. It's very unbecoming, especially when I used to be so proud that we would always be the only Blue State. Think of Paul Wellstone ... you're better than this. I love you so much, I always have the best time, but honestly, I think it's time for some real reflection back there. Thanks and love to the kindest woman at the Cub grocery store, who made me go in front of her giant cart with my three things, chatting and complimenting me the whole time. Two strangers leaving as friends, everywhere you go. That's what I remember. That's how I grew up to be who I am. That's what gave me hope that it's still there, it just needs encouragement.

Venice - The moment I got back, I started getting the signs that this is exactly where I belong. Friends honked and waved and welcomed me back. A big sign saying WE DON'T JUDGE was the first thing I saw on my walk. A butterfly landed on my shoe just as I was saying how happy I was to be back, and maybe I questioned it, but now I know this is my spot. It wouldn't leave until I laughed. It grounded me to the spot. I'm HERE. And that just means I'm going to be even more vocal and even more staunch in my belief that all we who truly LOVE it here (and not just the money to be scrounged out of creative people that can't hack it) have a responsibility to protect and preserve our town from the tech carpetbaggers who would have it be another whitebread office park. Again, NO WAY. It's not over, not as long as we're here. And we're not going anywhere.

Yet ... with all of this ... we're all under the same shooting stars tonight. And if we don't work TOGETHER to preserve the whole EARTH (seriously, read the climate change article in the current Kevin Hart Rolling Stone - there won't be any beach front property in Venice - or a Venice at all - real soon if emissions don't stop. Minnesota will BE the Venice of America. That's why I'm trying to cool it up now. Let's get to work.

"There's only one kind of folks - FOLKS." - Scout, To Kill A Mocking Bird.



*Special shout out to Wilco! Their fantastic new and FREE album, Star Wars, provided the soundtrack for my beach walk reflection and is the perfect album for one foot in the traditional Midwest, and one in the experimental, swaggering West. Awesome. Download it for free today, and thank them by purchasing an album from someone they dig.