We are going to be in Las Vegas in July with our young children (ages 2 and 5). Are there any nice splash pads (sometimes called spraygrounds or splash parks) where we can bring our kids in case we want a change of scene from our hotel pool? Any other interesting ideas to beat the heat with the kids?

Are "resort fees" taxable income for hotels? I've seen people on the LVA message board claiming that hotels prefer to add resort fees instead of raising rates because the resort fees aren't subject to sales tax. If that's the case, what's to stop hotels from charging a $1 room rate with a $68 "resort fee"? To me, it's income that the hotel is bringing in and should be taxable. Who is right? (... and, either way, I'm anti-resort fee. I'd rather see hotels advertise their actual rates, not fake lower rates that come with mandatory fees.)

I noticed that non-locals are prone to refer to your fair city as "Vegas." Isn't that usage frowned upon by locals? Perhaps you can share the background of the name Las Vegas and identify its other common references, such as "Sin City."

What is the status of Fountainebleau? Will it ever open?

LVA is a great resource for those of us looking for a good bargain in dining, lodging, and gaming in Las Vegas. Are there similar resources to check for bargains in other Nevada cities and towns; for example Laughlin, Reno, Mesquite, etc?

I'll be attending the SEMA show in November and staying downtown. I usually rent a car when I come to town, but may do this trip without. What are the cheapest ways to get from downtown to the Las Vegas Convention Center?

Is there some national database pertaining to high rollers that can be tapped into by casinos to find out if a person is of gambling stature or not? We recently went to a casino in Iowa with a friend who has never been there in her life. However, she is quite the gambler and is always comped. Upon check-in, she immediately received a free room and comps for meals, etc. How did this happen? I've been to this casino several times and never get free rooms.

Some time ago, you mentioned Las Vegas movies, and I came upon a movie featuring a very young Brad Pitt, Gabriel Byrne and Kim Bassinger. The movie is called Cool World, and It's about a world of "doodles" or cartoons, and it takes place partly in that world and part in Vegas. There are some interesting scenes of a Nevada prison, the "Union Plaza" inside and out owned by "Vegas Vinnie", some air shots of the Strip and some shots of Fremont Street before Fremont Street Experience. The movie isn’t all that good but the shots of Vegas are good. Do you recall that movie?

Question #1: Intriguing story on Howard Hughes. I know he had many Hollywood starlets for lovers. Would you know who they might have been? Sounds like the infamous "casting couch." Question #2: Regarding the QoD of Wednesday 06/23/10, what was the religious affiliation of Howard Hughes, if any? I cannot find the answer to this question online.

Was the Las Vegas-style of solitare ever really dealt in a Las Vegas casino or anywhere in Nevada?