Dh's friends were in Vegas the other day. They said it was a little chilly and windy. We went in March a few years ago and still needed a jacket. I'd recommend going to at least one show. I don't know what's out there right now, but we've been to several, but not any of the really big names. I insisted on going to Follies Berger because I wanted to see girls in the fancy boas. Stupid me didn't realize that "sexier than ever" meant topless. I figured that out pretty quickly as dh and I were sitting in the very front. It was a really good show. We saw Carrot Top the last time we were there. He was hilarious. I liked him much better than George Carlin which surprised me. We like to try out the food at the various places. House of Blues (Mandalay Bay I think) had a good breakfast. Ceasers used to have a nice higher end buffet, but our friends said that it had gone downhill this past year. Any of the hotel restaurants are pretty decent. I've never had bad food in Vegas. Caesar's Palace has some talking statues that are interesting(and free). You'd have to look up their schedules. Caesar's also has a lot of stores for shopping. We like to window shop. You never know who you are going to see out there. We walked by some sports shop and Pete Rose was in there hawking autographs. I it was te Rio had a free show with people dressed in I believe Mardi Gross clothes. The show people rode around the ceiling in big hot air ballon looking rides. It was fun and they were throwing the beaded necklaces. We crashed some Poker Convention there and got a ton of freebies to bring back for the kids. I haven't been to Hoover Dam, but we fly over it and the Grand Canyon to get there. One of the days we will go and bring the kids. We liked Red Rock Canyon and saw Elvis out there in the desert. If you're only there for a couple of days, it probably isn't a must see, but would be nice if you had more time. My recommendation is to bring along a pair of nice comfortable walking shoes. You'll need them because there is a ton of walking. Dress in layers so you'll be comfortable.

I'm not too keen on this. In your zone I would check out clematis. There are many varieties to choose from but a few of them produce scented flowers. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum) would be my go to vine of choice but these seem to be marginal at most in your zone.

Regarding the succulent planter: Hard to tell from that photo, however the media looks very peaty ... not a good thing for most succulents as it is too water retentive and once it dries out can be very hard to rewet. In general, cacti and succs desire a media that is very free draining (so coarse material with low organic matter). As with everything in life, there are some exceptions. Store bought cactus soil cut with perlite (50/50 or 30/70) will due for most. "The cacti planter is in front of a window that gets good light all day." Not to be snarky, but upon what are you basing the "good light" determination? If you are "eyeballing" it, that is a problem. Eyes are a terrible light meter. Because our eyes are so sensitive to light, light levels which appear bright to us often fall well below the threshold plants require for photosynthesis. A better option is to listen to what the plants are "telling" you. The tall plants on the right are practically "screaming" for stronger light based on how etiolated they are. Now as these plants have not been in your care long, it will take some time to see how well your current conditions suit them. Hopefully the new growth will be much tighter. The old growth with which it came to you is a done deal. You mentioned you grow orchids .... which type(s)? Knowing that may help in giving you a frame of reference regarding light. Provided one chooses plants with similar requirements, a community pot is indeed doable. The plants in that planter do not all have the same requirements. Due to how etiolated some of those plants are, it is difficult to be sure what some of them are which in turn makes advice giving more difficult. Senecio rowleyanus -- aka "string of pearls" (the viny guy with the spherical leaves) -- actually looks quite good. It does not want super strong/intense light though it does still want the light bright. The large rosette hanging over dead center appears to be an echeveria. That one wants very strong light. Summertime outdoors in the sun (after a proper hardening off.) Personally, I'd plan on hacking that one about an inch below the rosette. Doesn't have to be done right away. Leave the head unpotted for at least a few weeks. After it sends out new roots, then it can be potted up. The neck has a good chance of sending out new growths. "I’m not sure how to get it more light in the winter." Supplemental lighting via a daylight spectrum fluorescent bulb(s) could be helpful. Conversely, you could put the pot on a cool bright windowsill and be very stingy with the water. Growing the plants "hard" should limit their growth until warmer, springtime conditions return. At that time you could give them more sun and water.

I have and adore Vielchenblau. I first saw it down the street from where a friend lived, it was in full bloom. I asked for cuttings [this was a monster rose that covered the whole side yard] and the lady refused. So I kept at it until I found out what it was. Shame it doesnt bloom all year, ditto Lady Banksia. I have these two planted near each other.