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.

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, we followed the Boyds through their grind-joint beginnings to their cornering of the Hawaiian market. In today’s installment, Boyd Gaming takes two fateful steps.

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.

"Iconic" Las Vegas restaurants: Part II.

I just saw your recent "Today's News" item about Carmines coming to Las Vegas. The flood of chain and branch restaurants from other cities coming to Vegas depresses me. I first noticed the trend when Caesars closed its signature Italian place for Rao's, followed by the iconic Nero's for some New York steakhouse that can be found in Atlantic City and God knows where else. I feel like Las Vegas is losing it special uniqueness. Are there any iconic Las Vegas restaurants left? If yes, would you please list them?

I'm headed to Las Vegas in June. Taking lots of cash and traveler's checks has always made me nervous, especially going through security at O'Hare and McCarron's airports. Here's my question: Is there a standard practice that security check-in uses at airports for people who want to hold on to their cash and traveler's checks? I don't want to be physically separated from my money but also don't want to be considered a security risk/cash-smuggling criminal by tucking away the money on my person when going through security checkpoints. Thanks for your help and keep up the excellent QoD work!