Are there any new plans for the shrink-wrapped steel structure in front of the Venetian?

On my next trip to Las Vegas, I'm thinking of making a side trip to Zion National Park in Utah with an overnight stay in Mesquite. What's the best place to stay in Mesquite, and when’s the best time of year to visit Zion?

My wife and I used to visit Slots A Fun when it still paid out in coins. Are there any slot environments that still pay in coins or have they all adopted the paper-redemption coupon?

OK, so the governor signed into law upping the room tax at local hotels, supposedly to help pay for a new stadium to house the "Las Vegas" Raiders. I realize that increase won't cost visitors much more dough, but my question has to do with the timing of the imposition of that increase. When does it go into effect? Does the NFL have to approve the move of the franchise from Oakland to LV, or will visitors pay the increase regardless of that approval? I'm very skeptical that the NFL will approve the move, and I suspect that the extra money will simply end up being used for something else.

We’re thinking of spending some time in Death Valley next spring during wildflower season. How hot will it be and can you give us some safety tips? (We’re a couple in our 60s, pretty fit, but inexperienced in desert hiking.)

The Lucky Dragon is opening December 3. I heard it was an Asian-oriented casino. Any truth to that? I was also wondering where it is located and if there are any pictures of the casino, restaurants, floor, etc.?

I have visited Las Vegas since 1969 and moved there in 2004, now living in Pahrump since 2009. I mention all these dates for a reason. I recently explored the downtown streets in Las Vegas, searching for a business that I no longer found in the phone book but did exist when I moved to Las Vegas. I was dismayed at the state of the downtown businesses, many closed and in disarray, littered with homeless. It all seems ripe for cheap realty acquisition and renovation of downtown casino businesses. Has all hope abandoned Las Vegas or is there some positive future in the works?

Certainly there have been several false starts, but what would you project the north Strip area (from Wynn to Stratosphere) will have available five or so years from now? Or will it continue to be basically a blight -- one abandoned construction project after another?

Are there any websites that keep jackpot payout statistics by casino? Particularly jackpots in the million-plus range?

Can you still bypass the line at the Bellagio by sitting at the bar?