--Chris

Bob Sehlinger: The Siena Golf Club, the Highland Falls Golf Club, and the Las Vegas Golf Club all meet your requirements. Of the 3, Siena is the best course.

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New York, N.Y.: What is the best buffet in Las Vegas?

Bob Sehlinger: The Wynn Buffet, followed by the Bellagio Buffet, Paris Le Village Buffet, and the Mirage Cravings Buffet. A best buy is the Orleans French Market Buffet.

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Charleston, W.Va.: My husband and I are going to Vegas in December to celebrate our 5th anniversary (we also got married there). Which hotel would you recommend to help us celebrate this special occasion? Money is somewhat of an object, although we are considering the Bellagio. Thanks for your assistance.

Bob Sehlinger: Bellagio is fine but expensive. Others in the same class are Caesars and Wynn. Equal in quality but usually not as pricey is the Signature Condos and the MGM Grand. Because it's brand new, there are usually some good deals available. For romance, you can't beat the Red Rock Resort west of town by Red Rock Canyon.

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Houston, Tex.: We will be traveling to Las Vegas Nov. 29 for four nights. We are two "fifty-something" couples. We have traveled to LV many times, enjoying many casinos, shows, strip activities, but for this trip we are wanting to do the Grand Canyon air tour. I am not sure where to start! Best tour, best buy , best experience--thats what I am looking for--can you give some insight? Thanks.

Bob Sehlinger: Check out thanksbabs.com. Babs is the go to person for canyon trips and adventure activities.

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Raleigh, N.C.: How do you get the best prices on the big shows?

Bob Sehlinger: Some showrooms have lower prices for balcony seating or back of the house seats. Usually you can see just fine from these seats. Ticket discounts for the top shows are rare.

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Thornwood, N.Y.: My elderly, widowed mother has Alzheimer's and I have asthma. I also have two teenagers who I am raising alone. I love to travel and with the demands on my life, I need to escape when I can. However, since my mother lives with me (and I am her full-time caregiver), and I cannot afford to pay for care for her to take a vacation (it would put the cost of the vacation over my reach), I have to take her with me wherever I go.

So, my question is this, is there anywhere in Vegas where I could stay (non-casino hotel to avoid smokers--my asthma can't handle cigarettes) and that could entertain my teenagers plus take care of my mother (like a babysitter for the elderly)?

Plus, as more and more of our nation's seniors fall victim to Alzheimer's, and this disease lasts years so families try to live normal lives as much as possible, are our nations hotels, airlines, restaurants, etc. trying to accommodate us? Or I am expected to be a shut-in alongside my mother for possibly the next 15 years of my life and never travel anywhere because the travel industry can't handle this?

Bob Sehlinger: The new Signature Condos at the MGM Grand are situated away from the casino and have their own private entrance. Red Rock Resort would also be good, plus it's located near Red Rock Canyon and a lot of adventure activities for the teens.

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San Diego, Calif.: Where can I still find "old time Vegas" where I can play blackjack for a dollar, pai-gow poker for $5, have breakfast for 77 cents, enjoy a buffet for $5, and see a good show for the cost of 2 drinks?

Bob Sehlinger: Downtown Las Vegas.

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Fallston, MD: I have always heard that the slots are "looser" at the casinos off the strip. Is this a myth perpetrated by the older, less fashionable casinos? Is there any way to know whether there is any truth to this shiboleth?

Bob Sehlinger: Machines are programmed to return a certain % of the money played over the long term. Because off-Strip casinos compete for locals repeat clientele they often program their machines to give a higher return than Strip casinos.

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Bob Sehlinger: That's about it for today. Thanks so much for your good questions. My apologies for any questions that didn't get answered. Safe travels. Bob