Green - Issuu

from July 25, 2013

This Week

The Nugget gets some of its material back in the form of compost that feeds the plant beds around the property. Whether it’s raining in June or dry in December, Truckee Meadows Water Authority always values responsible water use. That’s why we encourage

Weather-Wise Watering.

Meat and greens

The annual Nugget Rib Cook-off’s leave no trace ethic

There are only two Labor Day weekend events for many Northern Nevadans: The Burning Man Festival and the Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off. While the Burning Man’s core value of “leave no trace” is by D. Brian Burghart well known, events like the rib cook-off can often get a bad rap, simply because of the mindboggling amounts of consumption of food, drinks and brianb@ packaging. newsreview.com Lauren Garber, the Nugget’s public relations manager, said the cookoff’s recycling program goes back to 2011, when the company made changes to the operation and layout of the festival to more easily allow for cleanup and separation of throwaways by placing recycling containers in high-traffic areas. The Rib Village, too, got a makeover with all plates, cups, utensils and food being compostable. These efforts have diverted some 82,140 pounds of waste from landfills since the program started. So what’s that look like? From Aug. 29 through Sept. 6 of last year, that was 1,080 cubic yards of cardboard at 48,780 pounds. The glass recycled weighed in at 1,400 pounds. Compost during the same period yielded 21,960 pounds. Steve Duque, operations manager for Castaway Trash Hauling, which handles the Nugget’s recycling, said the compost number included some 80 cubic yards of meat products. And it’s not just the rib festival, the Nugget has a year-round green program. In 2012, the hotel and casino diverted more than 447,900 pounds of food and recyclables from landfills through composting and recycling. In fiscal year 2012, excluding the rib festival, that broke down to 104,000 pounds of cardboard and paper, 262,107 pounds of food compost, 59,872 pounds of glass, 10,920 pounds of plastic, and 11,060 pounds of metals. “We make a conscious effort here at the Nugget to consistently recycle and compost everything we can,” said Garber. “There are bins all over, even on our management floor and in our executive offices. We just make a conscious effort to compost and recycle wherever we can. That even includes our employee cafeteria. And when it’s all said and done, Castaway takes it away to their facility, and then eventually we get some of that compost back, and it goes into our planting beds around the Nugget.” It seems logical that the casino would make some cash back from all that good citizenship, but that’s not the way it works. Not yet, anyway. “The way it works right now, we don’t make any money back on it,” Garber said. “We could make some money back on it in the future, but right now we do it because it’s the right thing to do. Throwing away all that extra food, throwing away glass and plastic, it’s just not a good practice for the environment. So even though we lose a little money financially by composting and recycling, it’s best in the long run for our community.” This year, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, which is in its 25th year, will run Wednesday, Aug. 28 through Monday, Sept. 2, 2013. It’ll feature 24 rib cookers from around the world and attract a halfmillion people. Ω

Proper tree care begins with proper drip irrigation and Weather-Wise Watering to build a deep, strong root system.

The Truckee Meadows Community Forestry Coalition provides you with resources to properly care for your trees, using the weather as your guide. For a wealth of Weather-Wise tree care tips and a list of trees for our high-desert climate visit

www.communityforestry.org www.communityforestry.org

This message is brought to you by the water lovers at

Itʼ s happening in

EVENTS

SHIRLEY’S FARMERS’ MARKET

The 21st annual farmer’s market features fresh produce from Nevada and Northern California farmers, children’s activities and live entertainment. Th, 3-8PM through 8/22. Free. Victorian Square Plaza, Victorian Ave.

10TH ANNUAL SCHEELS KIDS TRIATHLON

Ages 12 and younger This event will not be timed. $18 pre-registration fee includes T-shirt, bag and participatory medal. Sa, 7/27, 8AM, $18. Sparks Marina Park, 300 Howard Dr. (775) 353-2376

ACTIVITIES

SPARKS HIGH 1983 REUNION

Sidelines and the Sparks High class of 1983 are getting together to host a gathering of friends. F, 7/26, 8PM. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd.(775) 355-1030

SUMMER FAMILY MARKET “SUPER HERO THEME”

Recycled Rugrats’ Summer Family Market continues. Sa, 7/27, 4-8PM, free. RecycledRugrats, 300 Los Altos Pkwy.(775) 354-1041

SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB

Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group as we join the Reno Running & Fitness Tuesday night group runs. Tu, 6:30PM through 11/26. Free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

SCHEELS BIKING CLUB

Join Scheels cyclists to do some road biking around the city of Sparks. Moderate to strong riders are encouraged to participate. Th, 5:45PM through 9/26. Free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

JEFF ODOM

Spend a well deserved evening out and relax in the beautiful atmosphere of the Orozko Lounge. There is no cover charge and parking is free... Th, 7/25, 5:30PM, F, 7/26, 6PM and Sa, 7/27, 6PM, no cover John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

DANE RINEHART

Th, 7/25, 7PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711 AMERICANA/CALIFORNIA COUNTRY Thursday night live music! Calico and special guest! Th, 7/25, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd.(775) 355-1030

LES MISERABLES

Tahoe Players Association presents the full-stage production of Les Misérables through special agreement with Musical Theater International (MIT). Be sure to get your tickets to... Th, 7/25, 7PM, F, 7/26, 7PM, Sa, 7/27, 7PM and Su, 7/28, 2PM, $15-$25. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

EMERALD CITY BAND

Join the fun at the John Ascuaga’s Nugget in the Casino Cabaret for weekly live entertainment. There is also Country in the Cabaret weekly with... Th, 7/25, 7-11PM, F, 7/26, 4-9 & 8PM-1am, Sa, 7/27, 4-9PM and Su, 7/28, 7-11PM. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

DUO TONES

Enjoy an evening with great food and lively music at Trader Dick’s restaurant in the John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Their new menu includes many fresh and... F, 7/26, 6-10PM, Sa, 7/27, 6-10PM and Su, 7/28, 6-10PM. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

MIKE AND KELLY PROUD

F, 7/26, 8PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711 HOT TIMES IN THE WICKEDEST LITTLE CITY The party is on with live music and drink specials! Sa, 7/27, 9PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd.(775) 355-1030

MOON GRAVY

Sa, 7/27, 8PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711 KEITH ALLEN No cover Sa, 7/27, 8PM-midnight. Elbow Room Bar, 2002 Victorian Ave.(775) 356-9799

THE AFTERS

Join us for a night of worship with The Afters and special guests Kyle Sherman, I Am They and Zimmerman. Tickets are sold at The... Tu, 7/30, 6:30PM, $20 for VIP $12 for GA in advance and $15 at door $8 for group tickets. The Rock Church, 4950 Vista Blvd. (775) 355-7888

NATHAN MITCHELL

Spend a well deserved evening out and relax with live jazz each week in the beautiful atmosphere of the Orozko Lounge. There is no cover... W, 7/31, 6PM, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE

Open Mic Night every Mon night at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM through 9/30, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

BLACK AND BLUES JAM

Tu, 8:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

COUNTRY AT THE CABARET

The Casino Cabaret comes alive with the best in country music and dancing for “Country at the Cabaret” featuring DJ Jamie G. W, 7PM and Sa, 9PM, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LIVE JAZZ

Vocal and instrumental jazz from “The Great American Songbook”, performed by First Take featuring Rick (SAX) Metz. Fridays, 6PM through 12/27, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89441 (775) 657-8659 LADIES 80s with DJ LARRY WILLIAMS Ladies ’ with DJ Larry Williams, every Thursday! Th, 7PM through 10/4, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

COLORLESS BLUE

Colorless Blue performs live jazz for your dining pleasure. Su, 1PM through 12/2, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659

OPEN MIC

GREAT BASIN BREWING Open mic comedy. Th, 9PM, no cover, 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711

Follow me to Sparks - where it’s happening now!

CITY OF SPARKS

Mayor: Geno Martini. Council members: Julia Ratti, Ed Lawson, Ron Smith, Mike Carrigan, Ron Schmitt. City Manager: Shaun Carey. Parks & Recreation Director: Tracy Domingues. Mayor and Council members can be reached at 353-2311 or through the City of Sparks website.