Ask Mr. Sun - Las Vegas Sun News

Have a question about Las Vegas? Mr. Sun, who has been with the Las Vegas Sun for more than half a century, will get you an answer.

Questions for Mr. Sun should be sent to mr.sun@lasvegassun.com. And if you wonder what happened to Vegas Vic, who used to answer your questions, go here.

Why do carefully separated recyclables end up tossed into one bin?: Thursday, June 10, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; Why, after people throughout the valley spend two weeks separating their recyclables, does Republic Services come along and throw them all together into one bin?

Who pays for the showgirls who accompany the mayor?: Thursday, May 20, 2010; ASK MR.SUN:; Mr. Sun; The showgirls are just one more indication that Mayor Oscar Goodman may enjoy politics, but his genius is in marketing.

How long can an apartment grand opening last?: Thursday, May 13, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; An apartment complex in my neighborhood has posted colorful flags off and on for almost 10 years. How long can an apartment grand opening last?

What state do people in Laughlin call home?: Friday, April 23, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; In the Laughlin area, it appears that 90 percent of the population is on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. Why is that?

How much water evaporates from the Bellagio fountains?: Wednesday, April 14, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; How much water evaporates during each Bellagio fountain show? How many gallons evaporate during hot summer days?

Why do all the houses have block walls around their property?: Wednesday, March 24, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; Mr. Sun: I have visited your city over the past 25 years, and now that my husband and I are retired we are considering moving to Las Vegas. When we drive the streets all we see are block walls. Why do all the houses have block walls around their property? Is it for safety reasons?

Is Las Vegas going to see light rail?: Friday, February 19, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; How far along is Las Vegas in finally getting light rail?

Is the Las Vegas Valley really a valley?: Friday, February 12, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; I’ve heard some people claim the Las Vegas Valley isn’t a valley. Is that true?

Why not go to single-zero roulette?: Friday, January 22, 2010; ASK MR. SUN:; Mr. Sun; Dear Mr. Sun: Why is it that casinos in Monte Carlo and all over Europe make enough money with single-zero roulette while U.S. casinos, including Las Vegas casinos, use double-zero, doubling their odds?

Is booze banned at the state Capitol?: Wednesday, January 13, 2010; Ask Mr. Sun:; Mr. Sun; Mr. Sun: Carson City legend has it that there’s no booze allowed in Nevada’s Capitol. As the story goes, before the Legislature had its own building across the mall from the Capitol, lawmakers were getting plied too early and too often by lobbyists. Is that true? And is the new Legislative Building dry too?

Where do Las Vegans' Christmas trees come from?: Friday, December 18, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; My parents were in town recently, visiting from Ohio, where Christmas tree farms are plentiful. They were very curious about where the trees on the lots here come from, as they look a little out of place in the land of sand and palm trees. Can you find out?

Does old-Vegas memorabilia have any value?: Friday, December 11, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; Mr. Sun; Can you tell me whether old-Vegas memorabilia (besides casino chips) have any value? If so, I’ll have her buy more!

Who is the “Lied” in Lied Discovery Children’s Museum?: Thursday, December 3, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Mr. Sun; The Lied of the children’s museum, Lied Animal Shelter, Lied Library at UNLV, Lied Ambulatory Care Center at UMC and a host of other facilities in Southern Nevada and across the country is Ernst F. Lied (pronounced LEED), a Nebraska car dealer who moved to Las Vegas in the 1950s and made a fortune in real estate.

When did Binion's $1 million display appear?: Wednesday, November 25, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Mr. Sun: My question is about Binion’s $1 million display. I have run across conflicting accounts that I’m hoping you can straighten out. Some sources state that the display first appeared at the Horseshoe in downtown Vegas in 1964. Other sources say it first appeared in the 1950s in a different club and moved to the Horseshoe in 1964.