Reno, Nevada has a longstanding tradition of being a small, close-knit, railroad and mining community. As time went on, some would say we've become better known for gambling, legal prostitution, even divorce. We are, as the saying goes, the biggest little city in the world! Still, Northern Nevada has an identity of it's own, one that some feel is slipping away.

Over the hill and across the Sierra, lies the great state of California. Of course, that great state includes big cities, big traffic and some big money. Slowly, but surely, those Californians have realized that us Nevadans are on to something. The simpler way of life, smaller communities, and lower cost of living has brought Northern Californians here by the thousands. As the Mercedes and BMW's make their way from the Bay Area to the Truckee meadows, you can almost expect a throng of angry Nevadans with pitchforks, torches and rifles.

But what on earth are we really afraid of? Progress? Change? Traffic? Oh my, maybe even a growing economy? A native Nevadan would shudder at the thought. Here's what I have to say about that. GET OVER IT. Northern Nevada is going to change. Northern California will change too. That's life. As a native Folsomite, who moved here from Casper, Wyoming, I get it. I saw my hometown of Folsom grow from a sleepy community to a major suburb. I also saw Casper when, believe it or not, we became a 2 Wal-Mart town. And guess what, everyone survived. In fact, everyone benefited.

When I moved to sleepy little Casper, people were quick to judge. As I moved to Reno, yup, it happened again. Blond... California. Young... Immature. Fancy clothes... Rich. It's funny the judgements people will make when they don't take the time to get to know someone, or make the effort to accept them. If you took the time to get to know me, you're judgements might change. Blond... Natural. Young... Full of fresh ideas and surprisingly experienced. Fancy clothes... Target. Things aren't always what they seem. I think the same goes for other Californians who are coming in. With growth, comes progress, but moving into the future does not mean you have to get rid of the past.

If you want to take your pitchfork, torch and rifle to every California who crosses the great divide, I ask you this: take a moment and think about what you're doing. Is progress really so bad? Are Californians really so awful? Instead of focusing on how Californians are ruining little Reno, think twice about how, maybe, they could make it better!