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Integratron ~ Landers, CA

Do you feel like your life is really missing an alien-designed-cell-regenerating-perfect-acoustic-chamber-and-possible-time-machine-in-the-middle-of-the-desert? If so, we’ve got you covered. The Integratron—that afore-mentioned chamber—is kinda unlike any other experience you’ll have on Planet Earth. People throw around words like “magical” and “mystical”. We’d say it’s insanely cool and relaxing.

A huge white dome in an empty stretch of desert in Landers, CA just outside of Joshua Tree, you could easily believe this thing is ready for lift-off at any moment. The folklore is definitely other-worldly. It goes something like this: in 1953, George Van Tassel supposedly got instructions from an alien race from Venus declaring that humans were the most annoying species in the galaxy because we spend our entire lives being ignorant and destructive and by the time we finally learn what life is really all about, we die. What a waste! Their plan was to help us humans live longer, so we could actually do some good in the world and evolve human consciousness beyond being the bratty teenagers of the galaxy. Tassel’s idea was to build a rejuvenating dome that would slow down our aging process and help extend our lifespans so that we could finally become heralds of decency. Unfortunately, Tassel died mysteriously just weeks before the device’s opening–and the interior mechanisms of the dome were stripped without a trace, leaving just the chamber’s structure behind.

Fast forward a few decades to the year 2000 when sisters Joanne, Nancy & Patty Karl bought the Integratron and turned it into what it is today—a spiritual mecca offering crystal bowl sound baths for the curious seeker. Open by appointment only, you must sign up for a group pop-up or private sound bath if you want to be let on the grounds. Inside the dome, you’ll discover an architectural marvel—made completely of wood without the use of any metal, it’s the equivalent of being inside a giant musical instrument. Whispering from across the dome, you can hear your friend as if they are speaking directly into your ear. Infinite child-like fun abounds at this discovery…and dirty secrets can be shared without anyone else being the wiser.

The sound bath itself is a deeply relaxing experience. The “bath” part refers to the sound waves that wash over and through your body as you lay on a circle of mats on the ground. Seven large quartz crystal bowls of varying sizes are played in succession, each one’s unique tone correlating to our seven chakras. The deep tones ring and undulate, putting you into a meditative state. Some people have reported mystical experiences, visions, insights, transformative meditations or just a really nice nap. Any way it goes for you, you’ll come out feeling relaxed, refreshed, and yep…totally rejuvenated. No aliens required.

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To make an appointment, call 760. 364.3126 or email: integraton@gmail.com. Group sound bath pop-ups are $25 a person on weekdays & $35 a person on weekends & holidays. Private sound baths can also be arranged. The Integratron is open Wednesday~Monday. Closed Tuesday. www.integratron.com

>>Here’s some Cosmic tunes to set the mood for your inter-dimensional journey<<


Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2015 Sirens and Scoundrels

Kensington Presents The Dustbowl Revival at The Viaduct

Stepping into The Viaduct feels like unlocking the door to The Secret Garden—if that garden was a tiny park and entertainment venue hidden under Downtown’s Buena Vista Bridge beside the LA River with the MTA line zooming like a silver bullet overhead. If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like if Downtown LA itself invited you to it’s “closest friends only” living room party, this is it. Located deep in the far end of Los Angeles State Historic Park with the sweeping cityscape twinkling in the background, it really doesn’t get much cooler than this.

Kensington, the folks behind the Angeleno Heights free porch concert series, has teamed up with the California State Parks Department to bring completely unique one-of-a-kind nights to this intimate space. We checked out their summer concert event, featuring local Americana roots faves The Dustbowl Revival and openers The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers. Dustbowl had the crowd on its feet all night–stomping, jumping and dancing along in a full-blown LA hootenanny. We chowed down on BBQ ribs from Earlez Grille that were so buttery melt-in-your-mouth delicious, they had us thinking dirty thoughts. Couples snuggled on hay bails around a firepit sharing homemade vegan popsicles. The Haiku Guys brought the night’s poetry, creating personalized poems based on any one word of your choosing. The night ended with the band circling up down in the crowd for a group revival sing-a-long under the stars. The best night ever for a $10 suggested donation? We’ll be coming back for much much more. You can sign up for the invite list on the link below… See you at the next one!

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more Secret Fun delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

http://www.kensingtonpresents.com


Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2015 Sirens and Scoundrels

Ricing Cauliflower

 

Being allergic to gluten, I plan to experiment with gluten-free recipes for our Sirens & Scoundrels. Riced cauliflower is a great alternative to flour for pizza crusts and a healthy alternative to traditional starches like rice or potatoes. I don’t own a microwave. I choose to cook “old school”. So here’s some tips I’ve learned along the way for ricing cauliflower.

Dice the cauliflower tops off the head. You will be using the tops only, not the stalks. In a food processor, puree the cauliflower heads. Pour a small amount of water in the bottom of a pot, just enough to not touch the bottom of the colander that you will place inside. Bring to a boil, then add the pureed cauliflower into the colander in the pot. Cover and cook 5 minutes and remove from steam and heat. Let the cauliflower drain and cool to room temperature.

Place 2 Tbsp of cooled cauliflower onto a cheese cloth (I used a linen napkin) to ring out any excess moisture.

Quick Tips:

  • Let the cauliflower cool to room temp so as not to burn your hands.
  • If you don’t want to buy a cheese cloth, use a linen napkin or any other material as long as it’s thin enough for the excess water to drain out.
  • Work with a small amount at a time to ring out in the cloth–you can get a lot more moisture out that way.
  • Excreting as much moisture as possible from the puree makes for a much crisper and more flavorful ingredient.
  • Check back in the future as I experiment with Cauliflower Pizza Crust & Egg in a Hole.

 

 

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Recipe & Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2015 Sirens and Scoundrels