Brunswick, Maine: Why are the hotel prices so high on the weekends? I thought there was a surplus of hotel rooms.

Bob Sehlinger: In a word (OK two words) Southern California. Every weekend tens of thousands of Southern Californians head for Las Vegas. Also big sporting events, concerts, and other special entertainment is primarily scheduled for the weekend.

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Richmond, Va.: We are combining the Grand Canyon with Las Vegas the week of Dec. 15th, 2007 and plan to take the overnight mule trip down the canyon. What's the weather like?

Bob Sehlinger: You should be prepared for just about anything. The weather is all over the map in December. Average high temperature on the Canyon rim is about 50 degrees. Average low at river level is around 33 degrees.

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Ventura, Calif.: Regarding Las Vegas (Sin City), there are many of us attractive single senior ladies (perhaps men also) who would enjoy going to visit more ofter if we knew which is the best place to stay at with people in our age range. It would be nice to know a spot that has dancing and entertainment where one can mingle and enjoy ourselves. Also it would be nice to be able to get rooms at a single rate rather then double occupancies. Believe me there is a need to know and there is a demand for this type of information especially when we have the time to travel and enjoy life! Do consider this question. Many thanks.

Bob Sehlinger: There's really not a place that matches your description perfectly, but Harrah's, the Flamingo, and the Tropicana come close. Off the Strip, consider Sam's Town and the Gold Coast. Regarding rooms, most rates are the same in Las Vegas for single occupancy as for double occupancy.

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Bensalem, Pa.: I will be traveling to Las Vegas in December. I seem to remember someone telling me about a place in Vegas to purchase same day show tickets for half price. This would be similar to TKTS in New York. Do you have any information on this? Thank you.

Bob Sehlinger: There are 2 half-price ticket outlets, Tickets2Nite and Tix4Tonight with several locations around LV. You have to buy tickets the day of the show and tickets for the big shows like the Cirque du Soleil productions are rarely available, but otherwise there's a pretty good selection.

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