Laquer Life

(this article originally appeared in Reno Tahoe Tonight Magazine in 2017)

Reno Girl Spends Summer in New York....

This summer my daughter auditioned for and was accepted to a Broadway summer intensive program, which allowed us to live in New York for an extended period. I currently reside in Reno, but have lived in Chicago and San Francisco in the past.

Here are my thoughts on living in New York and other big cities in comparison to our beloved “Biggest Little City.”

Culture: We have great entertainment, support it!

Reno has people working hard to create great cultural experiences – we need to support them. My family and I saw four Broadway shows this summer in New York that were astounding.
However, I would argue a great performance on a perfect summer night at Bartley Ranch is just as
magical, because Reno has some serious talent. I would check out The Sierra School of Performing Arts’ production of The Sound of Music this August at Bartley. Also, don't forget the Off Beat Music Festival November 2-4, 2017 (offbeatreno.com). Amazing bands from around the country. Go Reno!

Food: We may not have hundreds of choices, but what we do have is quality.

OK, we don't have a hundred restaurants to choose from in one category...let’s say Italian for
example, but we have a solid handful. Tim Magee (Chef-owner) at Calafuria on Center Street, in my humble opinion, is crushing it as far as quality Italian food goes. His homemade pasta holds its
own – period. Do yourself a favor and try it and the many other small restaurants in Reno/Tahoe.

People: We have seriously cool people in Reno/Tahoe/Chicago/San Francisco/New York/ #USA

Just as we are not the stereotype portrayed in Reno 911, I found people in New York to be friendly and helpful. People look out for each other. They are direct but kind. There is a sense of protection. Reno is like this too I think. People are kind and look out for one another. One way to look out for others is to volunteer, and there are a lot of places to volunteer in Reno. Spend some time volunteering to keep Reno awesome. It feels great! Check out volunteermatch.org.

Style: Wear what you want, when you want, and how you want.

This I love about New York: people wear whatever they want. The fashion is fabulous, funky and
unique. Casual is cool and flats make sense. I adore that women in New York wear dresses and converse. Our Reno/Tahoe vibe is so similar and supportive of this type of thinking. People
look pulled together, but not stiff. Speaking of looking pulled together, everyone seems to have
their nails done here (my obvious obsession). The Paintbox in New York (Soho’s it place for
manicures), does a great job with nail art. I had to try it, but you know what? The nail artists at
SOAK, and in many salons around Reno, provide equally awesome nail art at half the cost. Go nail
artists! Go Reno fashion!

Bottom line:

if you live in Reno/Tahoe, you are – in my opinion – among the luckiest. Seek out and support our
small businesses and our cultural events, breathe that fresh mountain air and know – you did it! You found a magical place to live with all the offerings of a big city, in a small package. You too are part of the magic. Congrats!