Ladies, Watch Your Purses
My Story....
Janette Valenzuela- La Salsera Con Shoes

A week ago I went to Rudolfo's nightclub on a Wednesday night with a friend of mine. I was in the mood to dance and it felt great being there with all the salseros since I had been gone from the scene for a little while. My friend and I valet parked and we went in and put our purses on the floor. I went to dance and she later went to dance. Later we wanted to move our purses to another table that had just become vacant when my friend said, "Where is my purse!"

Has it happened to you? It is not a very fun experience. I had this happen to me about 3 years ago. My purse was stolen at the Grand Avenue and not only did they take my money but they took my keys! I had to leave my car overnight in Los Angeles.

This is not fun ladies. It is so unfortunate that here you are, you work hard all week long. You work hard to pay for your clothes, your shoes and accessories and all you want to do is go out and have a little fun. Then your purse gets stolen. It can ruin your whole week! Unfortunately, there are people out there that have no consideration, no education and no respect for you or your valuables.

This recent incident along with my past experience inspired me to write an article especially for all the ladies who have been victimized and violated at the Salsa Club. I write this article for the future salseras who will perhaps become involved in this form of robbery. Many times what it so frustrating is that there is nothing you can do about it.

UNTIL NOW!

I have compiled a list of helpful hints to protect yourselves from ever being ripped off again. Let's see if those perpetrators can get to us now!

What to do
#1 - First of all, always valet park your car. Believe me it is worth the extra $2, $3 or $4 dollars. If your purse gets stolen the valet guys will have your car keys. If there is no valet service available only take your car keys in. Leave your house keys inside the car.

#2 - Get AAA. It is worth it! It has been a lifesaver for me. If your purse still gets stolen or you lock the keys out of your car just call AAA. Triple AAA offers a service for alternative keys. For more information please call 1-800-400-4AAA.

#3 - Get a dance bag and don't ever take a little black purse into the nightclub. My friend had one of these purses. These robbers know that these are the easiest purses to snatch. Or if they don't snatch your purse they will quickly and quietly take some money out while you are dancing. It only takes 10 to 20 seconds while you are out there dancing a full salsa song for 5 minutes! You have no chance!

#4 - If you have expensive dance shoes here is what to do. Go to Payless Shoe Store and get a pair of cheap $6, $7, or $8 shoes and walk into the club with those shoes. When you get into the club change your shoes. If they steal your bag they only stole about $10 in valuables. NO PROBLEM!

#5 - When you get a dance bag (not too small, not too big) sew your name on it. A robber will less likely steal a bag with a name on it. My dance bag and my friend's little bag were right next to each other. Which one did they take? Also, if they take this medium size bag it will be easier for the security person at the door to identify it. The robber will definitely think twice about this one!

#6 - Never take you Driver's License inside the club with you. Take two hours out of your day, go to the DMV and get a California ID card. Leave your Driver's License in the car. This way if your bag gets stolen you won't have to drive home illegally without your Driver's License.

#7 - Once you have your California ID go to a stationary store and buy a little,single, plastic,transparent, cardholder. The kind just small enough to fit a credit card in. Before you go to the club put your ID inside the pocket. Attach a medium or large safety pin to it. Put a $20 bill inside and camouflage the bill between the ID and a business card or an ATM or credit card. Attach the cardholder to an article of clothing that you are wearing whether it be inside your blouse or attached inside your pants or skirt. This way you will always be dancing with your ID and your money. If it is not hideable on your clothes then safety pin it in your dance bag where they will have a hard time finding it. If your bag still gets stolen they will have walked away with a dance bag, a cheap pair of payless shoes, a California ID and $20. Big Deal! You still have your keys, your Driver's License and your expensive dance shoes on your feet!

#8 - Don't take anything into the club that you don't want to part with. If, for example, you love your Lancome lipstick that costs $20 go to the supermarket and find the identical color in either a Revlon or Loreal. This will only cost you about $5, $6 or $7 bucks (always look for the sales!). When you are getting ready apply the expensive Lancome. Lancome stays at home and Revlon or Loreal goes to the salsa club with you. You walk into the club, and your physical assets are only worth less than $20. You look like a million bucks. But, don't miss the point of this whole concept! If your purse gets stolen you always get to go home to Lancome!

#9 - Have two ATM cards. If your ATM gets stolen inside the club you will have an alternative ATM for emergency purposes. I have always had two bank accounts. One for banking and the other for emergencies.

This is a concern for me. I was discussing this topic with Edie and I said that I really wanted to write an article for the Salseras, especially for the new ones, to take some precautions before going out.

Salsa is an incredibly exciting dance. The club scene is incredibly exciting as well. We do not want to take the fun out of it; however, you must remember that there are certain dangers. I remember the feeling when I first started going to the clubs with Joby before she ever got married and feeling so much adrenaline about getting into the club and onto that dance floor that sometimes we didn't stop and think about what we were taking inside the clubs with us.

I have actually had a friend of mine tell me an awful story of an attempt on her on the actual dance floor! She was dancing with this smooth-talking 'suavecito' that was distracting her with his eyes and lines as he was trying to smoothly pull the diamond ring off her finger!

Stop and think! If it is payday and you just cashed your check stop and think! Don't take all of your money inside. Yet it is amazing how many women forget to review their belongings. This is because we are so excited about how we are dressed and the anticipation of the night. Please always review your belongings. Unfortunately, my friend was in a rush and she forgot to dump out her money and then all her money was gone! It happens in a matter of seconds.

Edie and I were also concerned about the issues of safety for the Salseras. Edie and I have been guilty of this as well. We ask you to never go to a nightclub by yourselves. This can be dangerous. Always carpool with another Salsera or a group of Salseras. The chances of you being robbed or having some illegal drug put into your drink will be minimized.

We feel this is a very important issue. It happens. Do not ever think that you will never be a victim. We want the ladies to feel comfortable, have fun and most important feel safe while they are out dancing. Unfortunately, the world does not exist like this. Here are some tips for your safety.

Never get lost again! - There is a great website for directions and you will never get lost again trying to find a new club or a salsa party. Just click on http://www.zip2.com and type to and from directions and you will never get lost again!

Benefits of carpooling:

A. You will be able to split the valet car service and or perhaps the gasoline as well.

B. Taking turns driving will put less miles on your car. Believe us we know what is means to run your car down driving all over town to these events.

C. Your safety increases. As I said before the chances of you becoming victimized will be minimized.

D. Once again you may form great friendships!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article.