I was browsing through a magazine in the doctor's waiting room recently and read a snippet reproduced from an old New York Times about how there had once been camels in the Nevada desert. Do you know anything about this?

I just finished reading Beneath the Neon, which will always make me think twice about what –- or who –- might be under my favorite resorts. Is there much reaction to the book in Las Vegas? It would seem to me that law enforcement might be concerned about more people exploring the drains as a result of the book – and certainly it seems like a security risk for it all to be so easily accessible.

I read the recent QoD about ways to stay cool in Las Vegas. I know about the ice bar and the Vodka Locker at Mandalay Bay, but I'm intrigued by the "ice spa" at Caesars that you mentioned. Does snow really fall from the ceiling?

Are there any specials in town for all the military folks that visit? My friends and I are looking at doing a trip out there in November as a diversion from Nav School.

What's up with this thing called Fremont East? I heard there's some sort of grand opening celebration downtown, but what is it?

When I tell friends that Las Vegas hasn't had Mob ties for the last 20-25 years, they laugh and offer to sell me beachfront property in Arizona. I know I'm right, but how do I shut them up?

I know that many Texas hold 'em hands have a name. For instance, almost everyone knows that a 10-2 is called the "Brunson," because he won two WSOP events with that hand. I've heard the 10-3 is called the "Weinberg." What is the origin of this name. In fact, do you have a list of poker hand names and their origins?

I heard that the highest price ever paid by a collector for a casino chip was $75,000, at the 2005 Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club convention. True? If so, what was the chip and why was it considered so valuable.

I love visiting Las Vegas in the summer and am interested in going swimming at Lake Mead. I have looked online for a list of public beaches/swimming areas and have not been able to locate any. Where are the best places for swimming on Lake Mead?

Years ago I always heard that Las Vegas wasn't a very welcoming place for gay and lesbian travelers. Has that changed?