We go to Vegas for the stimulation but sometimes it just gets to be too much and we need to chill for a few hours. Could you recommend some public parks that are close to either downtown or The Strip, ones with grass and restrooms and free parking?

One year ago today (9/20) a story on Channel 13 News talked about the rebirth of the Summerlin mall behind Red Rock (see ktnv.com/news/local/170585956.html) They said work would begin in a couple months. Seriously? As someone who lives nearby, I see nothing. What's the scoop?

Has there been any update on the fate of Speed The Ride, which you last informed us had a possible new home at (yet another) shopping mall that was planned for somewhere in the valley?

What is your take on the Cosmo's "black hole" of a casino (as David McKee refers to it)? Do they simply know nothing about gamblers and running a casino? Are the bankers who own it too risk averse and took the "gamble" out of the table rules and pay tables? One would think a nice property like the Cosmo would be able to attract a fair share of high rollers.

I assume you are following the drama on Johnny Football. At least, I'm sure the sports bettors are. I saw that they had pulled down all of the lines for Texas A&M after the controversy hit. My question is, what happens to bets that were already made in this case. Are they still valid, or could the casino choose to void them? I'm also interested in what happens to the win totals for the season -- are those bets also voided?

We were at the grand opening of Jokers Wild, but it seemed to close just as quickly. What happened? We heard there were under the table deals that delayed it. Now it's part of Boyd, but I think it went through other owners. How did Boyd get it and what price did they have to pay to get it?

I understand that Lorena Peril has recently left from her lead role in Fantasy at the Luxor. Do they have a permanent replacement for her yet? Knowing that name recognition sells tickets, are they going to try to bring in someone like when they had Angelica Bridges as the headliner, or similar to the strategy followed with Peepshow?

Is it true that the Venetian in Macao is the largest building in the world?

What stood on the plot of ground prior to Fashion Show Mall? I know FSM was built in 1981 but have absolutely no recollection what stood there previously.

Las Vegas boasts a history that few cities can match and I have bought every book that Huntington Press offers on the subject. Unfortunately, I do not believe the town itself values its unique past, as scant little exists that focuses upon it. The Sahara had a wonderful collection of pictures on the way to its buffet and the Riviera has a plaque that lists all the performers that have appeared there. The Tropicana had a great museum of Vegas history but alas, that itself is also "history". We will be in Las Vegas soon for a long-awaited vacation and will see the Mob and Neon Museums, but are there any other attractions that focus on Las Vegas history? Does UNLV offer a class on local history as part of any degree program and if so, what might the textbook(s) be? Thanks