Driving in from Bakersfield, close to the Cali-Nevada line, there’s what I’m sure is a huge solar-power installation. I’ve seen other such projects in the Southwest, but this one seems to use mirrors instead of collectors, and tall towers stand in the center of the fields. I suppose I could Google it, but I’m sure lots of other people have the same question: What kind of plant is it?

Where can we find the closest easy hiking trails to Las Vegas? We’ll only have a couple of hours, but we’d like to get out of the city and into the desert, with some sun and fresh air.

I enjoy my view of the Bellagio fountains from my room at Paris, but the booming gunshot like sounds coming from there must tick off more than just this guest. Have nearby hotels complained about the noise that the fountains cause?

On my recent visit to Las Vegas, we noticed more panhandlers than police. Is this problem being addressed?

I see that quite a few hotels are hiring for pool season. Any idea when it starts? I have a trip planned at the end of March and am hoping to hit the pool.

Every day I hear about another arena in Las Vegas – how many are actually proposed? Could this decade’s arenas match last decade’s high rise condos?

Do you have an update as to activities for Chinese New Year?

Do you know which casinos will be selling the Chinese New Years chips ($8) like last year? I will be in Vegas next week and would very much like to purchase some. Thanks.

A few years ago we were at the Hoover Dam gift store and we were talking to someone who worked there. She told us that a new water pipe was being built at Lake Mead because the water level was going down in Lake Mead and within a few years the old pipe would be above the water level. Is this true and what is the status of the new pipe?

With all of the visitors to Las Vegas each year, is there any idea of how many are "First Timers"?