🪨 Caliche: the real hard rock of Las Vegas

🚗💨 Fool Zones

Twenty-six kids have been hit by cars near schools this year, a jump from the last school year. Crossing guards and others report that motorists seem more impatient these days, unwilling to slow their roll, regardless of the presence of children. [KTNV]

• More bad traffic: Why orange cones are here to stay. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

💵 Big Math

Fifteen billion dollars: That’s how much tourism honcho Steve Hill says Las Vegas stands to rake in over the next few months, between major sports events and conventions. He estimates the Grand Prix alone will generate $87 million in taxes. [KTNV]

• Hill’s sky-high projections have been met with some skepticism:

💻 More Hacks on the Way?

Before our cultural amnesia bumps last month’s Strip cyberattacks from our memories, the Las Vegas Weekly takes a sobering look at the city’s online vulnerability. Says one expert, “It’s not a matter of if you’re going to get hit, but when you’re going to get hit.” [Las Vegas Weekly]

• Context: What do the cyberattacks mean for the Strip? [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🗳️ Pense Goes Primary

Former veep Mike Pence is now the first major GOP presidential contender to file to run in Nevada’s primary election in February, rather than in the GOP caucus. (The election is run by the state, the caucus by the party.) Donald Trump has already filed for the caucus — which is how the party intends to award primary delegates. [Nevada Independent]

• Pairs nicely with: My brief interview with political journalist Steve Sebelius about Nevada’s nonpartisan voters. [Hey Las Vegas 📧]

🃏 Parade of Mischief | Today-Saturday | 6 p.m.

If you need a booster shot of halloween spirit, this family-friendly cavalcade of scary floats and marchers should do the trick (or treat). [Downtown Summerlin; free]

🐭 ‘Stuart Little’ | Today-Sunday | Various times

The newish troupe Neon Spark Youth Theatre stages the family classic about the adventures of a talking mouse in New York City. [Las Vegas Little Theatre, Valley View and Spring Mountain; $12]

🛡️ ‘Age of Chivalry’ Renaissance Festival | Today-Sunday | Various times

Chain mail, turkey legs, swords, louts, and wenches — the imaginary past becomes nerdily alive at Ren Fair. [Sunset Park; $17-$40]

🎨 Downtown Summerlin Festival of the Arts | Today-Sunday | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrating its 27th year, the three-day event features the works of more than 100 local and national fine artists as well as children’s activities and entertainment. [The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin; free]

🖼️ Chalktober Fest | Saturday | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An afternoon of chalk art competitions, plus activities for kids, a pumpkin patch, and food trucks. [Skye Canyon Park; free]

🥘 Vegas Unstripped | Saturday | 7-10 p.m.

A roster of top Vegas chefs each cooking brand new dishes makes for one of the valley’s biggest food events. [California Street, Arts District; $150]

• Context: Our talk with Vegas Unstripped organizer Eric Gladstone about how the national media treats the Vegas food scene. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

✍️ ‘Obsessions’ Poetry | Sunday | 6-8 p.m.

Presented by Avantpop Bookstore in the whimsical setting of the Office of Collecting and Design, this event brings together local poets under the theme “Obsessions.” [New Orleans Square; $17.85]

🎸 Lowdown Local Punk | Sunday | 6-11 p.m.

Valley bands Soft Party, K.E.W.K., Mutual Head, and Ugly Boy tear it up in an all-ages show. [Taverna Costera, Arts District; no cover]

F1 Traffic Solutions, Magnet Schools, Baby Tortoises

On this week’s news roundup: Podcast host Dayvid Figler is joined by audio producer Layla Muhammad and TheList.Vegas publisher Andrew Kiraly. They’ll talk about (a) the workarounds proposed by tourism honchos to help Strip workers deal with F1 traffic; (b) magnet schools and “school choice”; and (c) the release of baby desert tortoises into the wild.

➕ Dig this ensemble mojo? Check out (🎧) last week’s hoppin’ news roundup: school start times, street vendors, and whether Sphere’s razzle-dazzle is 👍 or 👎