I've just returned from Gig Harbor, WA. I spent 5 days visiting with my daughter after attending her graduation from Evergreen College. I’m 3-for-3: three kids, all three now college graduates. A writer, an attorney and a chef. I feel I’ve accomplished a major milestone in my own life, even though they did all the homework. I’m very proud of Taryn, Riana and Jordan ... and I’m looking forward to a life of free legal counsel, books dedicated to Mommy Dearest, and gourmet dinners.

In my ongoing attempt to keep you informed, I’d like to share the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce's relocation guide. I invite you to log on and bookmark this resource. Since it was produced by the Chamber, as you can imagine it is dominated by the Chamber’s business members. You won’t find me here, and you won’t find my favorite restaurants, either. As always, feel free to ask me specific questions. But this is a helpful reference guide, even though biased in some areas.

Two other references that I frequently provide to my clients contain valuable information on our schools and on crime.

And now, readers, it’s back to our online tour of Las Vegas with Lucy Stewart, LAS Consulting. We hopped off the bus at Palazzo in our last visit.

On your left is Bellagio, which was built in 1998. Inside you will find the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where the displays are changed out five times each year to reflect the current season (winter, Chinese New Year, spring, summer and fall). In front of the hotel is an 8-acre artificial lake, home to the large dancing water fountain synchronized to music and known as the Fountains of Bellagio. Fiori di Como, Dale Chihuly’s famous handblown glass flowers, is the world’s largest glass sculpture, covering 2,000 sq. ft. of the lobby ceiling.

Caesars Palace, built in 1966, is one of the oldest properties still standing on the Strip. Long-time Las Vegas visitors will remember Evel Knievel’s unsuccessful attempt to jump the hotel’s fountain in 1967. His son, Robbie Knievel, completed the stunt in 1989. Caesars Palace is home to the Forum Shops, the highest grossing mall per square foot in the U.S.

Next up on our tour is The Mirage, built by Steve Wynn and opened in 1989. A $600,000 mock-up of the erupting volcano was built before the real one could be approved. Southwest Gas had to grant special permission for the natural gas to smell like Piña Colada rather than rotten eggs. Visitors know the Mirage as the home of the White Tiger Habitat, which still remains after Siegfried & Roy closed in 2003 after 13 years at the Mirage.

And we’ll hop off the bus at the Venetian, which combined with The Palazzo is the world’s largest hotel. Next stop when we hop back on the bus -- Wynn Las Vegas.

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