I just got my first promotional e-mail from the "new" Westgate (formerly LVH). I always read the fine print at the bottom. It says: "Any changes to reservations may be subject to revised rates or reservation change penalties." I can understand changes being subject to revised rates, but are "reservation change penalties" a new way to get more money, as with the resort fees? I called the hotel and got no specific answer from the reservationist, other than the first night’s deposit is charged if you cancel late -- no specific hours given to do that. To me, it says if I change my reservation at any time, there is some kind of penalty. What can you find out?

Over the past several Sundays, we’ve highlighted our books on poker (The Moneymaker Effect), blackjack (Blackjack Blueprint, The Blackjack Life), history (Cult Vegas), fiction (The Vegas Kid), prostitution (Madam), and gambling classics (Comp City). This week we focus on one of our many books on the mob, Cullotta – The Life of a Chicago Criminal, Las Vegas Mobster, and Government Witness.

With today’s QOD answer, it sounds like the north Strip is coming back to life. So what’s the current story on that empty high rise on the east side up there that’s never been completed or occupied?

I was wondering who the current owners of the Riviera Hotel and Casino are and if there are any plans for the property? I know in the past several years it’s had several owners. I also know they’ve tried a lot of experiments to improve the property, but that many of the Las Vegas guides, such as Fodor’s, no longer even mention the place. It seems many of the most recent guides list nothing north of Wynn and Encore. Can you give us an update on the Riv, especially now that SLS is about to open?

I saw a steel girder superstructure on the former Holy Cow site, opposite SLS and the Bonanza gift store. Are they building something there?

Did Steve Wynn ever try to purchase the land where the Catholic Cathedral is located when planning the Encore?

This week’s "Sample Sunday" spotlights one of the landmark books in the Huntington Press line, Madam—Inside a Nevada Brothel by Lora Shaner, a former Sheri’s Ranch madam, a job title that’s effectively a catch-all for a combination of hostess, shift supervisor, bookkeeper, house mother, juggler, and cop.

Lately you’ve expertly answered questions about a number of Nevada casinos in a state of flux. As a former Las Vegas resident, now living in northern Nevada, I would love to know the story on the Ormsby House in Carson City. Neighbors tell me the place has been in a state of remodel/repair/"flux" for as long as they can remember.

What’s the status of the road to the Grand Canyon Skywalk? I know the project has been mired in a lot of controversy. Is it still open and, if so, will the 14-mile access road ever be paved? Until it is there's no way I'd risk driving on a dirt track way out in the middle of the desert.

On LVA’s recommendation, we went to dinner at Mastro’s in Crystals at CityCenter. Great meal, but the waiter asked my date if she wanted a white napkin, a black napkin, or both? What’s the reason for that?