Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: It's about to get real cold
🚨BINGO UPDATE: Do you have a BIN-GO Shop Local bingo card that you picked up but never had a chance to turn in? In the spirit of the holiday season, I'm feeling a little extra generous and want to give you a chance to win prizes even still.
- Here's what I need: Take a picture of your BINGO card (doesn't have to be a full BINGO in order – just make sure you've checked off at least five of the boxes). Then email it to me at megan@sfsimplified.com. You can also text it to me at 605-545-4565, my actual real cell phone number that I'm trusting you with, so use it wisely. Anyway – I'll get you entered into the giveaway if you send it to me by Friday.
This week, I've got a look at what the Sioux Falls City Council is hoping to see top-of-mind in Pierre. And speaking of Pierre, you'll find a Super Simplified look at Gov. Noem's proposed budget. You'll also learn about the Humane Society's record-breaking year and get a behind-the-scenes look at how a massive food production facility chose Sioux Falls as its home. Oh, and don't miss this week's event guide – there are a TON of chances to see Santa this week.
And now, news:
CITY
What the City Council wants state lawmakers to focus on in 2025
Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council is looking to send a short and sweet wish list to lawmakers in Pierre, citing success with that approach last year. Here's a look at what they're thinking.
Why it matters
- In previous years, the list of legislative priorities was much longer, with more than a dozen items the council deemed important. In recent years, though, the approach has been to limit to about a half-dozen items in the hopes that at least a few Sioux Falls-endorsed ideas make it to the governor's desk.
- It's an approach with some record of success. Last year, for example, the city asked lawmakers to allow the Delbridge Museum collection of taxidermy specimen to be donated out-of-state.
- That passed into state law, and the city is now in the process of collecting interest from any in- or out-of-state nonprofits.
- This year, the first draft of legislative priorities has five items, including efforts to increase the city's water supply and get more kids connected with childcare assistance.
"We felt it best to narrow it down to a smaller group that is more palatable and more powerful – if you're asking for two or three or four things," Councilor Curt Soehl said. "And we seem to, as you saw in the presentation, check a few of those things off."
What's on the list?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Why CJ Schwan's chose Sioux Falls for its massive food production facility
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
Simplified: CJ Schwan's officially broke ground last month on a new, 700,000-square-foot oriental foods processing plant in Foundation Park North. Here's how the Sioux Falls Development Foundation helped bring it all together.
Why it matters
- This facility is expected to employ 600 people, with another 50 jobs opening up in a downtown office building for CJ Schwan's.
- Conversations on the project started in early 2021, and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation was involved from day one to help coordinate incentives, get the land ready for development and make sure the company chose Sioux Falls as its location.
- The Foundation helped coordinate everything from utility infrastructure to wastewater solutions, and in-total, the new facility will bring an ongoing economic impact to the city.
"There were a lot of challenges that we helped work through here, locally, and it was just a real team effort on behalf of Sioux Falls and the State of South Dakota," said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Foundation.
Why Sioux Falls?
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- State spending outlook. Gov. Kristi Noem gave what may well be her last budget address as South Dakota's governor on Tuesday. Noem – who is expected to resign to take her appointment from President-elect Donald Trump as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – is pitching an overall smaller budget than last year with proposed cuts to social services and South Dakota Public Broadcasting, but increases to fund a new state penitentiary and to fund scholarships for kids in private schools.
- Bye bye, big ol' trucks on Phillips Ave. The City Council on Tuesday formally approved a new rule ensuring drivers don't park in a way that sticks out into traffic on four blocks of Phillips Avenue downtown. Essentially, if your car sticks out past the parking space, you're liable to get a $15 parking ticket. This only affects 142 parking spots between 9th and 13th Streets, and downtown as a whole has more than 3,000 available parking spots.
- Giving beyond Tuesday. It might not be Giving Tuesday anymore, but Sanford Children's is relying on your generosity extending throughout the rest of the week. The organization is participating in a Midwest Communications Radiothon Thursday and Friday. You can find more details and donate online here.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
What's behind the Humane Society's record-breaking year
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society has helped more pets get adopted this year than ever before. The shelter shared a behind-the-scenes look at what went into the record-breaking adoption year.
Why it matters
- The shelter saw its 4,000th adoption in late November, already about 200 more than were adopted in all of 2023 – which was also a record-breaking year. As of early December, that number has already surpassed 4,100.
- Shelter leaderships attributes the success in part to the ways in which the Humane Society has lowered the barriers to adopting, simplified the application, and focused on matching the right pet with the right owner.
- There's also a lot to be said for the shelter's consistent and engaging social media presence in helping raise awareness about the animals that are looking for a home.
"Every animal has a story, and we can share that story with social media," Community Outreach Director Dana Peterson-Konzem said. "The more we're able to get an animal's photo out there and have someone make a connection with the soulful eyes peering at them, the more likely they are to get adopted."
Tell me more about the record-breaking year
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Dec. 4-10
- Fiddle all the way.* Live on Stage is bringing some holiday magic to Sioux Falls this week with its Holiday for Fiddlers show at 7 p.m. Thursday. Fiddlers Kenny Putnam, Tom Schaefer and Owen Dejong will come together with an all-star support band for a night of festive fun. Get your tickets here. (And quick– they're selling fast!)
- Christmas at the Cathedral.* The 28th Annual Christmas at the Cathedral performance is happening next week. This year’s theme, “Go in Peace,” is a first-hand account of the monumental events surrounding Jesus’ birth, and event proceeds benefit the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, as well as the ongoing care of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Get your tickets here. (And follow SF Simplified on Instagram for a ticket giveaway later this week.)
- See Santa (everywhere). The jolly old elf is keeping plenty busy in Sioux Falls this weekend with a Friday stops at Voyage Federal Credit Union's Dawley Farms branch and Fleet Farm, Saturday stops at the Washington Pavilion, the Great Plains Zoo, Mosaic, Hy-Vee, and Sunday stops at the Alliance. Sunday is also the day to meet "Caring Santa" at the Empire Mall – a special, sensory-friendly experience.
- Collect some art. The Washington Pavilion is hosting the Art Collective Friday and Saturday in the Visual Arts Center. This is one of the largest gatherings of local artists in the Sioux Falls area, and several artists also have special pieces available in various raffles. Details here.
- Cheers to charcuterie. Cultivated in Love is celebrating five years in business as Sioux Falls go-to charcuterie experts. You can help them celebrate at a holiday charcuterie workshop at The Retreat by Blue Haven on Sunday afternoon. Details and tickets here.
- A carol for the kids. Spotlight Theatre Company – the former Dakota Academy of Performing Arts – is also getting into the holiday spirit with a production of "A Kid's Christmas Carol" Friday and Saturday. See how little Ebby Scrooge learns to go from naughty to nice. Showtimes and tickets here.
- On Thursdays, we go shopping. Downtown retailers are kicking off the first of several "Theme Thursdays" this month with a "peppermint" theme. Several shops will stay open late to accommodate holiday shoppers, and many have little peppermint-themed treats and activities. (Oh, and while you're out and about, see if you can find Metli, the Elf on the Shelf – rumor has it he's got gift cards.) Find a full list of participating stores here.
*Denotes a paid event listing.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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