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 are there thousands of footprints all over the parking garage at the Sahara?: Monday, November 16, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; The Sahara’s garage is one extreme example of a copycat phenomenon that has left its prints in casino garages across Southern Nevada.

Why don’t Vegas cabs operate in fare zones?: Friday, October 30, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Mr. Sun, Why don’t Las Vegas taxicabs operate in fare zones near the Strip rather than offering metered rides? And why don’t they offer flat-fare trips to the airport? It seems this would do away with long-hauling and “meter abuse.” Shine some light for me, Mr. Sun. — Eric

Why doesn’t anyone call Sunrise Mountain by its real name?: Friday, October 23, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; Mr. Sun, You recently answered a question that included a reference to Sunrise Mountain. Most longtime Las Vegans know it’s really named Frenchman Mountain. Ask Mr. Sun

What's the line of helicopters that arrives each night at sunset?: Friday, October 9, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Can you tell me what the line of helicopters that arrives each night at sunset over Sunrise Mountain is and where they are going?

What happened to the theme in Vegas' theme resorts?: Wednesday, September 30, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Las Vegas’ shift away from themed resorts reflects a couple of trends. The city had — at least until the downturn — succeeded in luring an increasingly upscale traveler. Casino operators simultaneously became less preoccupied with luring vacationing families to Las Vegas. This trend of catering to the worldly traveler has echoed up and down the Strip over the past decade.

Why are there saguaro cactuses in Arizona but not in Nevada?: Thursday, September 24, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Las Vegas would seem a nurturing environment for most any desert spectacle. Alas, the towering, iconic saguaro, which can grow to 60 feet and sprout dozens of upward reaching arms, isn’t suited to Southern Nevada. Experts say two factors keep the desert giants from expanding into the Mojave — temperature and rainfall.

What’s up with the vehicle fleet of Henderson police?: Thursday, September 10, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Cops everywhere drive gas guzzlers that would otherwise be senior-citizen eye candy, but c’mon — do they really need a stable of all or mostly Hummer-sized SUVs?

Why are the street lamps on Interstate 15 so tall?: Saturday, August 29, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; Transportation officials say they use towering, “high-mast” lights because they are more efficient — nine or 10 times more by one measure.

Do streets named for cities near Stratosphere reflect MLB standings?: Wednesday, August 5, 2009; Ask Mr. Sun:; Local lore says that’s why Las Vegas has those short avenues named for New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Is my Arizona citation enforceable in Nevada?: Tuesday, July 28, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; It is indeed illegal in Nevada for law enforcement to use permanently installed “photographic, video or digital equipment” to gather evidence for traffic citations.

Does the Las Vegas area have any kind of public access channels?: Tuesday, July 21, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Public access cable seems a bit of a throwback with the widespread availability of YouTube and other Internet sites. Why impress seven people in your area who can’t find the cable remote when there’s a world of Web surfers to entertain?

Is Las Vegas windier than Chicago?: Tuesday, July 14, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Las Vegas Sun; On those days when the Mojave Hairdryer is set to high — 110 degrees with a breeze — Las Vegas can seem a very windy place. Relatively speaking, it’s not.

Photo: Asian clam shells dot the site of the lost town of

How did seashells get to the former town of St. Thomas?: Tuesday, July 7, 2009; ASK MR. SUN:; Las Vegas Sun; The shells are the carcasses of Asian clams abandoned by the retreating lake.

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.