When my family moved to Reno in 1996 I immediately fell in love with the blue sky and the gorgeous views of the mountains upon walking out of the Reno airport. Today when we return from a trip we see only the huge cement parking structure blocking those views. Reno has changed in just seven short years. We are going to lose many more interesting sites that charmed us into moving here in the first place. The once wide open desert plains and Washoe valley are now filled with sprawling housing developments. Strip-mall developers and cookie cutter chain stores are squeezing the South Virginia Street merchants out. Unfortunately, Reno is beginning to look like every place else.

It is common knowledge that Reno has a reputaion for being Sin City. Friends and relatives from away constantly remind us of the brothels and gambling that take place in the State. We are teased by relatives in the Midwest about Reno being nothing more than a Party Town. Everyone thinks we're misbehavin so we might as well be! (Ms. Behavin' that is.)

Reno was voted one of the quirkiest cities in the U.S. by Mature Magazine in 2001 and it went virtually unnoticed. Shortly after arriving in Reno, I photographed my very favorite places that represented the quirky sites that make Reno, Reno. These photos became the backdrops for Ms. Behavin' in RENO the Biggest Little City in the World. Reno needs to capitalize on what is left of its uniqueness...this will help.

Tourist will find this small souvenir booklet easy to pack. Local residents will enjoy this humorous look at Reno and will send it to their relatives across the country as stocking stuffers, gifts or keepsakes. The City of Reno needs to be poked fun at in an artistic manner...this will help.

Always, Ms. Behavin'

Beth Alice Rubenstein
Artist/Author