Several years ago, I was invited to the Magic Show in the lower levels of Caesars Palace. Although it is gone now, what was the history of that show and why was it closed?

Our softball team will be arriving in Vegas for a tournament in late September. Is Harrah's Carnaval Court open again? It was previously under construction.

Did I hear right? The Downtown Grand is open and booked through Oct. 27 already? Did they have a grand opening?

Can you update us on the most recent "transformation" at the Gold Spike? My wife and I dropped in there last week, during the day and were a bit surprised to be staring at the "centrepiece" of what is apparently a new style of club...a very large bed!

What? The answer to the 7/18 QoD said chips shouldn't be used for tips. I have never seen a cocktail waitress tipped in anything BUT. So, how do they escape the rules regarding not gambling in their places of employment?

We went to see Priscilla Queen of The Desert on Wednesday evening and really enjoyed the show. However we found out that the run has been cut short and is ending this weekend. We could not find out any reason for this and wondered if you could throw any light on it.

Can you give me info on the zip-line that is opening at the Rio.

"Al Sachs and Herb Tobman" Part II

In a couple of recent QoDs, you've mentioned two old-time Vegas casino owners named Al Sachs and Herb Tobman. I'd never heard of either of them -- can you give us some more information, please?

Concerning privately owned casinos, as addressed in a recent QoD, what about: Tuscany, Ellis Island, Emerald and Rainbow (in downtown Henderson), and other smaller casinos in the Las Vegas valley?