VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/77405
IN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WATER CONSERVATION GROUP'S CAMPAIGN ASKING TOO MUCH, WATER AUTHORITY SAYS By Brian Nordli staff writer K ami Dempsey wants the phrase "90 by 20" to be in the back of Southern Nevada residents' minds whenever water is used. She wants them to think about it when they water their lawns, brush their teeth and refill glasses from the tap. She wants them to know water can disappear but that they can help prevent the evaporation of water resourc- es by remembering "90 gallons per capita per day by 2020." Dempsey is the Southern Nevada coordinator for the 90 by 20 water conservation campaign, which targets residential water usage in Colorado River Basin cities. The campaign's goal is for each home in those cities to limit per capita water usage to 90 gallons per day by 2020. Drew Beckwith, the water policy manager for Western Resource Advocate, a nonprofit environmental law and policy organization that supports the campaign, said achieving the goal could have a tremendous effect on the dwindling Colorado River. "It presents quite a bit of water savings from where we are today," Beckwith said. "One million acre feet of wa- ter saved; that's enough for more than two years of water supply." The campaign is focused on cities that use the Colora- do River as a water source. A recent report put together by 90 by 20 indicates that 35 million people from Colo- rado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada rely on the river as a source of water. Beckwith said water is not always on people's minds be- cause it seems limitless. After all, it is always there with the twist of a faucet. Yet, the current nationwide drought already has significantly depleted the Colorado's inflow into Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Beckwith said the drought should serve as a wake up call that water can disappear and that this campaign is the perfect way to do it. "What (Western Resource Advocate) really liked about it is it's a basinwide perspective with the underlying rec- ognition that the Colorado River is in trouble," Beckwith said. "More water is used in the Colorado River than Mother Nature is providing, and we need to look at a so- lution nationwide." To accomplish the goal in Southern Nevada, Dempsey said, partnerships with local businesses and water con- thority are key. She said she believes their support will trickle down to families and homes throughout South- ern Nevada. Dempsey said she thinks residents of the Las Vegas Valley are ahead of schedule. "I think we will find a lot of people already at the 90 by 20 effort," said Dempsey, a Las Vegas resident. "I applaud our community. … For a community that's grown in the last 20 years, the fact that we've reduced water as we've grown is phenomenal." ager Doug Bennett, however, isn't thrilled by the idea. He said it doesn't consider that Southern Nevada doesn't rely solely on the Colorado River for water and that it re- river. 10 FEELING THE HEAT: The bathtub ring at Lake Mead illustrates how far the water level has fallen since a flood in 1983. VEGAS INC FILE DINING CALIFORNIA SANDWICH SHOP CHAIN TOGO'S WILL EXPAND INTO LAS VEGAS By Conor Shine staff writer T he already-crowded Las Vegas sandwich scene is about to have a new competitor as West Coast staple Togo's Eateries plans an expansion into the market early next year. Founded in 1971 in a shack near San Jose State University, Togo's has developed a cult following through the decades, thanks to its healthy portions and fresh ingredients, CEO Tony Gioia said. "When you have a Togo's sandwich, it ac- tually looks like the picture on the menu board. said. It's overflowing with meat," Gioia The company aims to build 10 to 15 loca- tions in the Las Vegas area, Gioia said, and is interviewing franchisees and scouting loca- tions in hopes of opening its first store early next year. Most of Togo's 245 stores are concentrated in California, but the company recently has been extending its reach into Oregon, Wash- ington and Sparks. "We love Las Vegas and want to be there. We think it's a great opportunity in a grow- ing market," Gioia said. "Especially during an economic downturn, people want value. Our value is great service, a great store, great food and lots of it." Unlike many shops that use an assembly- line process when making sandwiches, Gioia said Togo's sticks to a more traditional deli-style experience where one employee builds a customer's sandwich from start to finish. "Our sandwich-maker takes the time to handcraft the sandwich, made specially for you," he said. He said the Southern Nevada Water Authority hasn't had many talks with the campaign but that the 90 by 20 servation groups such as Southern Nevada Water Au- message conflicts with Southern Nevada Water Authori- ty's goal. The water authority takes into account outdoor and indoor residential water, and it has set a goal of 125 gallons per capita per day. "It's a conservation theme, but it's like two choirs sing- ing different songs. It can clash as far as messaging," Bennett said. "We think it's unreasonable for people in different communities to be expected to perform at the same level." Dempsey said the program is in its infancy stages and needs support from groups such as Southern Nevada Southern Nevada Water Authority Conservation Man- Water Authority to succeed. She is confident Southern Nevada residents will reach the goal. If nothing else, she wants them to remember 90 by 20. "Everybody agrees water is the foundation to any com- cycles 40 percent of the water it does use back into the munity," Dempsey said. "You can't have growth, infra- structure, dining and quality of life without water." Togo's menu covers all the sandwich shop staples, from roast beef and turkey to meat- ball and Italian subs. The menu also includes salads, wraps and soups. The chain's most popular sandwiches in- clude the turkey and avocado, made with fresh mashed Hass avocados, and the pas- trami, featuring meat made according to Togo's special recipe, Gioia said. Although many Las Vegans' sandwich loy- alties lie with local favorite Capriotti's Sand- wich Shop and its Thanksgiving-inspired Bobbie, Gioia said he's confident residents would find Togo's a tasty alternative. "We have a lot of competitors, and there are other sandwiches that taste good," he said. "But where's the beef? When you have a Togo's sandwich, you are satisfied big time. There's no smoke and mirrors." | 6 AUGUST 2012 |