"Today's News" on Aug. 9 disclosed the decline in revenues for the Strip and downtown areas, but showed significant increases in Reno and Lake Tahoe. What are the reasons behind the figures?

Can we get a taxi driver to stop off at the Vegas sign for a photograph, wait while we queue, then carry on to M Resort (from Bellagio). We are confused about the rules regarding when and where taxis will pick up, etc. I note it is a long walk in either direction to a hotel pick-up point.

I heard that Wynn Las Vegas replaces the carpet every 9 months, while other hotels replace theirs after many years. My wife would like to know what they do with the old carpet, since she thinks it would be great in our basement casino.

We all have heard about the D and the upgrades at the former Fitz, but anything on the Lady Luck casino?

I've been looking into staying at South Point while on vacation in October, but I have not been able to find out if they charge a daily resort fee. Do you know if they do, and if so, what the daily fee is?

Where and what is the Smith Center?

When can one hear the carillon at The Smith Center being played?

My friends and I have been going to the Envy Brunch on Sundays to enjoy Wes Winters and his gifted piano playing with his songs. There were many tables of regulars for that brunch. It was very affordable making it a wonderful afternoon after church, etc. Many of these regulars were seniors. They would get up and dance between the tables enjoying Wes. Wes is not performing there now and there is talk he will not be back. My group has been Sunday brunching for years - we loved the brunch at The Steakhouse, Circus Circus. When it closed, we found Envy. Now we are looking for a location again that is relatively easy to access and not over-the-top expensive. Any ideas for us?

I was at a Bob Dancer class and a Florida man asked a question about gaming in Florida vs. Nevada. Bob answered that Florida is a Class II gaming state. What are the gambling "classes" and how did they come about? And why would I want to know about the different classes if I am gambling in an Indian casino, or in states other than Nevada?

What, if any, places are left in Vegas that the Rat Pack and other headliners used to dine and hang out. We would like to visit some on our upcoming October trip to Las Vegas. Thank you for your time and keep up the good work.