I was just wondering if you can tell us how the renovations of Bill's Gaming Hall is coming along? When is the projected date for it to reopen and what will its new name be? I'm sure you have told us before but I can't remember what it was.

Today we'll tackle two related questions in one: "On the recent Las Vegas "Bar Rescue" show, they 'rescued' Gypsy, the first gay bar to ever open in Las Vegas. At the end of the show, I see where the owner did not like the change and three days later closed the bar. Who pay for all the renovation costs and what happens when some owner decides he knows more than expert Jon Taffer and either changes the bar back or, in this case, closes the doors forever?" and: "Just curious: Did Bar 702 keep its great video poker pay tables after it was reborn from the old Sand Dollar (thanks to the show "Bar Rescue")?

"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?

I enjoyed the history lessons last week. However, I am curious about this statement: "An attempt [by Boyd Gaming] to merge operations with Michael Gaughan in 2004 was a shotgun wedding that went to divorce court within two years." Why was merging considered to be a shotgun wedding? Was it out of financial necessity?

My question is about restaurant trends in Las Vegas. First, every casino needed at least one or two fancy restaurants manned by "celebrity chefs." Then, the casinos all started opening "gourmet" burger joints, run by their celebrity chefs. Now, all of a sudden, every other casino is in a hurry to open a "gastropub" of some sort ... run by a celebrity chef. It seems like all of the casinos copy each other in a desperate rush to jump on the next "hip and trendy" fad. What's next, gourmet breakfasts to-go? Celebrity-chef juice bars? What do your food critics make of all of this?

You asked, "[Jackie Gaughan] was also a friend of Bill Boyd and we'd be interested in hearing about him, too. How about some background on the Boyds?" Yesterday, the Boyds pioneered the Boulder Strip, cleaned up the Stardust and began a celebrated tradition of philanthropy. In today’s installment, Boyd Gaming goes public and grows to undreamt-of scale.

I really enjoyed reading about Jackie Gaughan and respect him even more than before. I'm sure he had many other donations and philanthropic things which weren't mentioned. He was also a friend of Bill Boyd and we 'd be interested in hearing about him, too. How about some background on the Boyds?

To what extent, if any, does Jimmy Buffett have anything to do with Margaritaville? Is he the owner or does he just sell his name to the properties? Great place, by the way - good food, good music.