Monday Open Line


Las Vegas is renowned for spectacular stage shows and as a destination for conventions and expositions. One opens there today that likely would draw an enormous crush of visitors. But sadly, the 2016 International Pizza Expo at the city’s convention center is not open to the general public. Running through March 10, the attendees are in the serious business of the preparation, improvement and distribution of one of America’s favorite foods. The first pizzeria in the U.S. opened in New York City in 1905, charging a nickel for an entire pie. Now, about 3 billion pizzas are sold annually across the nation at something more than 5 cents. There are some 70,000 pizzerias among the country’s nearly 526,000 sit-down and limited-service restaurants. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.