We read a lot about MGM Mirage’s Project CityCenter in the LVA and Las Vegas Review-Journal, but not much seems to be said about Echelon Place, the other big multi-billion-dollar construction project on the Strip. Would you be so kind as to fill in the blanks for us curious readers? Thanks!

How realistic are the surveillance techniques they use at the "Montecito" on the TV show "Las Vegas"? On the documentaries I've seen about Vegas on the cable channels, they show the surveillance department operation separated completely from the casino operation, but on the show all the characters intermingle freely in the surveillance room. Also what about the "visual IDs" and iris recognition, etc. that they use. Is this really done in a real casino?

I recently read something regarding the closing of the Luxor Nile River attraction in 1995 and that while the official line is that it was closed due to an upgrading of the property, one of the real reasons for the closing was that there were ghost sightings by customers of workers killed during the construction. This is sweet (not that the people died, of course, but the fact that they were possibly haunting tourists)! Tell me more, please. Do these ghosts ever show up in any of the other areas of the Luxor?

What is happening with the Tropicana? I have heard comments that it is really deteriorating in service, cleanliness, etc.

As a follow-up to the recent QoD regarding the Desert Inn, what happened to the time capsule?

With the passage of four California Indian tribal compacts to increase the number of slot machines at their casinos, it raises the question: What impact have Indian casinos had on Vegas gaming? What do you expect will happen with the slot machine increase? Do you foresee hotel-rate decreases, increased comps, or more generous paytables to attract the California crowd?

I started going to Las Vegas in the '80s. I remember one time walking out of a casino and finding a temple in their parking lot. If I remember correctly it was a Hindu or Buddhist temple. What was the story with the temple and what casino did I stumble out of?

We're coming to Vegas soon and our downtown hotel wants $11.95 per day for wireless Internet service. Where are the free wireless hotspots?

One reader writes, "I heard sometime back that the Imperial Palace was going to be imploded last year to make way for a new casino. But I still get fliers and advertisements to stay there. Do you know if and when Imperial Palace is scheduled to be imploded? Also, are there any other casinos that are to be imploded in the future?" Another asks, "Is the Imperial Palace closing down? I have tried to book in September 2008, but this is not possible."

I'm going to be in Vegas for two weeks and will have to do laundry once. Do you know what kind of prices the hotels will charge me to wash? I figure they'll be expensive, so do you know of any laundromats that are within walking distance of the Strip or any place that will pick up and return my laundry at a reasonable price?