Chh, chh, chh, CHERRY BOMB!

Boy does that bring back memories. “The Runaways” soon to be shown at the Sundance Film Festival… back then who would have known! It seems like yesterday I was running home from school (I was 17 then), jump in the shower and get all dolled up for a trip to the Sugar Shack to dance my ass off. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights- as many nights as we could go. It was the only place I could dance and be myself with other creatures and strange fellows like myself.

Attitude dancing, that’s what I called it. You had to have the right attitude when dancing to the song playing. Bowie, Suzie Quatro, Rocky Horror– the Runaways you name it these songs had a style that you danced with. That’s what made it fun. If you EVER wanted to be a singer/actor, these were the groups that made you strut your stuff too and make sure EVERYONE knew you were someone special! As you paid your $3 dollars to get in you then proceeded to the left to see what Sid was up to as he checked your coat (if you were warning one) then to the right to see what mood Danny the bartender was in (he could be such a queen!). If Danny had too much bitch in him you would pay no attention, as Vicki was always smiling and ready to tell you what was going on that night.

I think many times when I tell these stories of the people we hung with (or knew) that people think I lie or I'm crazy. We did so much as teenagers. We were fortunate to grow up just 15 minutes from Hollywood. Hollywood… I think it lost its shinny star after the 80’s and the MTV generation. Kids back then didn’t have video games or cell phones to get our kicks. We had FRIENDS and adventures. Friends and adventures that would take us on a roller coaster ride for many years. New music, new art and new experiences.

I certainly hope the Runaways movies are more to truth than the Germs movie (What we do is secret) was. I often see high school kids wearing a germs shirt. Every now and then I pull up my sleeve and turn over my wrist and show them my Germ Burn, they know what it is which always surprises me. I guess that burn is in someway a mark that will forever have a story to tell of friends we once knew and hung with.

Currie Currie, Sandy West, Lita Ford, Jackie Fox, Vicki Blue (she counts too as she played bass I believe the longest and was in the band longer than Cherie) and Joan Jett… I hope the story is strong and truth, no sugar coating. For God’s sake at least wear Chemin der Fers!

Finally, I now have nieces that are of the age when we ruled the streets of Hollywood. It always puts a smile on my face when they want to hear the Runaways, X, Germs, Weirdo’s, Iggy… there is no generation gap here. Music is an important part of our lives. From my mother dancing to the Stones in the early 60’s, my chola cousin strutting to Motown in the mid 60’s, to me dancing to disco and punk… to my nieces dancing and playing guitars in the 2000’s, music is part of us. It good when my friend’s children are playing an instrument. My friends Oralia and Jamie Jimenez have a very talented son Kyle. Kyle played his sax for us the other night, very nice but all I could picture him doing was taking that sax and blowing away with some crazy Avanade Garde group… “like crazy man!”.

P.S. If you want to see some GREAT photos of Punk and the Runaways then visit JennyLens.com!

And P.S.S. Visit RonnSavala.com and order your product.. don't you want to look your best?

Mandog!

Pictured from top to bottom:'
JOAN JETT and ME (picture by Jenny Lens)

STEPHINE SERRANO (my niece) ROSA RAMIREZ (my sister) & BETO (my brother-in-law)

NINA GONZALEZ (my niece)

ALICE MARTINEZ (my sister)

Happy 2010 to all... Now let's CELEBRATE!

2009 for many of us was not the outbreak year we needed in these tuff economic times.  But we must all keep our heads up high, stand together and help one another and together we will make 2010 a banner year.  I am thankful for all the GREAT friends that pulled us through 2009, your friendship and belief in my work are appreciated more than you will ever realize.

I want to plug my Diversity Graphics store for the next few weeks as there are many important celebrations in the coming months starting with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day which is January 18th.  We have a new poster [MLKP09] as well as new buttons and bookmarks to help celebrate a great man, leader and visionary... the steps he laid are still well traveled.  His dream was finally a reality when history was made during the 2008 Presidential election.  Not only did we elect our first Black American as President in Barack Obama but we also showed that women now are important players future Presidential races as Hillary Rodham Clinton got millions of Americans out to the voters booths.

February 2010 is National Black History Month.  This year’s theme is “The History of Black Economic Empowerment” and our poster ask the question “Who is an Economic Leader?”   The answer is people who make choices that lead to changes in the kinds of opportunities people have.  With so many important figures in Black history we listed a few both past and present and know that many more names will be added to this list as Black Americans continue to make decisions and changes that will effect the multiple cultural landscape that make America.  This poster is also available from Diversity Graphics [BP10].

March 2010 is National Women’s History Month and 2010 marks the 30^th Anniversary of women being recognized for their achievements and impact both past and present.  This years theme is "Writing Women Back into History."  This poster [WP10] gives a brief history of some important figures that help write history in the 30 years this celebration. Visit Diversity Graphics to order yours.

Finally we hope you pass this information to your friends and business associates.  The importance in showing our support for the people that have made a change in world is more important then ever.  The need for cultural diversity is an ongoing lesson.  By displaying your support is the first step in understanding the many backgrounds that make up our home, the United States of America.