While staying at the Mandalay Bay last week, we had a room that faced McCarran International Airport. At the corner of the Strip and Hacienda Avenue we saw from our room what looked like a large yellow star or compass painted on the ground. Do you have any idea what it is and its purpose?

I just saw your Today's News item about "octogenarian comic" Marty Allen. He's really 89 years old?! Does that make him the oldest performer in Las Vegas? If not, who is?

I love the QOD feature, and read it just about every day. I was wondering how often Anthony Curtis contributes to the answers?

I remember, a few years back, that you could check into some hotels at the airport. Are there still hotels that do that and if so, which ones are they?

A few years back you used to open up the archives of QOD for a 24-hour period for everyone about once a year. I have not seen this in the last few years. Any plans of doing this again?

What is the largest payout for a single bet in the history of Las Vegas?

What can you tell me about Carl "Safe Sax" Ferris, the sax player on Fremont St.? I have seen him for years and was wondering about his history, and his compensation. Do casinos chip in or does he play for tips and CD sales?

Who has outdoor dining that allows smoking?

Can you tell me the story behind the chess board in Annie Duke's new book Decide to Play Great Poker? A friend of mine who knows chess was leafing through my copy, saw the chess board graphic, and said "That's a famous board." But he didn't know the details.

What happened to Danielle Demski? She is no longer hosting the Vegas Minute.