If you're not heading outta town for the holiday weekend, why not start it with a massage on Friday evening? I think one of the best deal on massages in the Twin Cities is at CenterPoint School in Dinkytown (1313 SE 5th St., Mpls., 612-617-9090). They normally charge $40 for a 60 minute massage, but you can print a $10 off coupon to make it the best deal I've ever seen from CenterPoint.

I have gotten more than a dozen massages at CenterPoint since I wrote an article about massage schools last year. I think CenterPoint students give first quality massages that I enjoy as much as ones I've had from more experienced masseuses/masseurs.

But here's the rub, if you will. All clients are being worked on in a large room separated by glorified shower curtains. yes, it's totally private and you never see anyone else, but you can hear their conversations. It's a bit disconcerting the first time, but people try to talk in soft tones and piped in New Age music softens it a bit. One other nit: Parking in the adjoining lot costs about $1.50 per hour, but I have not had trouble finding free on street parking within a block or two. You can buy the parking coupons at the massage desk.

The coupon is valid only on Friday, May 28 between 1 and 9 p.m. (The school is closed this Saturday.) Deep tissue, full-body Swedish and Shiatsu massages are available on Friday. The east-west Shiatsu/Swedish massages are not available this weekend. You can specify a male or female student, but it might make getting a specific appointment time more difficult.

Coming in June: Spa clinic massages including aromatherapy, salt and sugar exfoliation, heated stones, foot relaxation and paraffin baths. Since some of the spa sessions are 75 minutes, prices are slightly higher.