I live in Hawaii and like many folks here love to go to Vegas to eat and to gamble. I am writing because my friend just told me our state Legislature just passed a law so that they are going to tax me now on anything I win when I gamble – even if I lose overall! Do you know about this and can you explain?

I’ve seen a few references to Claudine Williams recently passing away. They say she was a gambling pioneer in Las Vegas. I’m sure I’m wrong, but I thought she was a French torch singer married to Andy Williams. Who was Claudine Williams and what did she have to do with Las Vegas?

I have seen the term money laundering, but have never understood what it meant. Would you please explain?

If you are lucky and win a huge jackpot, one that pays annually, say, $50K or so, what happens if the casino or game manufacturer files bankruptcy or goes out of business?

I've noticed that many casinos have great old rock and roll playing continuously in the background. I've enjoyed this terrific music at casinos ranging from El Cortez to South Point and even at The Aquarius in Laughlin. Is this from a service like satellite radio, a great collection of CDs, iTunes or what?

I heard the Star Trek Experience re-opened on May 8th downtown on Fremont Street to coincide with the premiere of the new Star Trek movie. I also read the Trek rides are still in development and wouldn't open until 2010, and the museum artifacts are still in storage and Quark's Bar hasn't opened either. Appears to me there's not much to see at this point other than a gift shop. Is there anything actually to see at the new Star Trek Experience at this point?

A friend of mine was staying at the Tropicana during NAB/BEA convention this past April. While he was at the Convention Center, he saw a TV report that one of the towers at the Trop had been closed because it didn't meet "code." He wasn't affected where he was staying. Which tower was it? Used to love the Tropicana till the last owners took the fun away and got rid of a lot of very experienced dealers, waitresses, pit bosses. What's happening with it now that they are in bankruptcy?

With the recent tragic passing of Danny Gans, I got to thinking, has the Strip ever gone "dark" for an hour to mourn the passing of a Vegas celebrity, like Sinatra or Elvis? If so, I'd be interested in knowing who and how many.

One of my memories of my first trip to Las Vegas was seeing the picketers outside of The New Frontier. I remember hearing that they had been there for years. Can you tell me about the history of the labor action, how long it went on for and how is was resolved?

We just bought a vacation condo and was wondering can you get a state ID card in Nevada to show "Local" residence while having a driver's license in your home state? We would like to be able to take advantage of offers for locals.