Ask Mr. Sun - Las Vegas Sun

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 page8@lasvegassun.com. And if you wonder what happened to Vegas Vic, who used to answer your questions, go here.

Is it legal to shoot a firearm anywhere in the deserts around Las Vegas?: Tuesday, June 30, 2009; ASK MR. SUN: Is it legal to shoot a firearm in the deserts around Vegas?; The headline on the gun shop poster might say so, but the fine print is more complicated.

When will I get my property tax bill?: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Clark County will drop the bills in the mail the third week of July.

Where did the Swim-In Pool Supply Co. sign go?: Thursday, June 18, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Our dear neon swimmer took her final jaunt down the slide in the early hours of Nov. 28. She had perched above Main Street since the early 1960s, but didn’t look at day over 30.

Where does the water for The Lakes come from?: Tuesday, June 9, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; The man-made body of water that gives the community its name is filled with tap water.

What does the neon 'DST' sign mean at the top of the California?: Tuesday, June 2, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; Driving by downtown on U.S. 95 recently, I noticed a flashing neon sign at the top of the California. It says “at the Cal,” and alternately flashes “eat,” “park” and “DST.” I know what eating and parking are, but what is DSTing?

Why does NV Energy need to assign customers a 19-digit account number?: Tuesday, May 26, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; They only have a few million customers. The Social Security system covers the whole country with just 9 digits.

Is the Las Vegas Valley Water District still looking for water wasters?: Tuesday, May 19, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; I recently heard that the Las Vegas Valley Water District is preparing to shut down its water waste team and that the idea is that even wasted water is revenue. Can it be?

What’s the speed limit on Lake Mead?: Tuesday, May 12, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Lake Mead’s harbors and marinas require that boats travel at wakeless speeds, which rangers usually set at less than 5 mph.

The 1,500-foot-long canopy over downtown's Fremont Street Experience that serves as a giant video sc

Who produces the Fremont Street Experience shows?: Tuesday, May 5, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Who else has a screen of the Fremont Street Experience’s dimensions?

Why don't Las Vegas homes have basements?: Tuesday, April 28, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; Dear Mr. Sun, How come Las Vegas homes don’t have basements, yet they all have pools? I’ve heard it was because of the hard caliche layer, but that doesn’t stop anyone from digging out a swimming pool.

How do I remove the smell of dog urine from fake grass?: Friday, April 24, 2009; ASK MR. SUN: Conservationists: Go ahead, wash it with water.; What can I do to remove the smell of dog urine on my fake grass? I suppose I can drench it with water, but then I’m back to square one with conservation.

Does Las Vegas have a film board for TV shows and movies being filmed here?: Tuesday, April 14, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; When Hollywood calls — and that happens frequently, considering 400 to 500 productions film here each year — it’s usually Dody Bateson or Sherri Powell who answers.

Why is the Fifth Street School on Las Vegas Boulevard?: Tuesday, April 7, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; Las Vegas Sun; When the Las Vegas Grammar School opened its doors in 1936, the town’s 12,000 residents almost immediately began calling it the Fifth Street School. It was on Fifth Street, after all.

Why aren't bad road repairs being fixed?: Tuesday, March 31, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Mr. Sun, I understand that ditches dug across our streets must be seamlessly repaired or the contractor could be fined. What then is the excuse for some of the tire-bruising teeth-rattlers at major intersections?

Why does the water here taste so awful?: Tuesday, March 24, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; High calcium and magnesium content gives our water that duststorm-in-a-cup flavor. The snowmelt that fills Lake Mead gathers the minerals on its journey.