Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: That rain might turn to snow
Bingo check: Time is running out to get your BIN-GO Shop Local card filled out and turned in. Small Business Saturday is next weekend, and the following week, we're drawing our bingo winners!
- It's worth noting: There are ways to participate in the bingo game without spending a dime, if that's important to you. Certainly, the goal is to encourage folks to support small businesses, but there are a number of ways to show support even if you're unable to make a purchase.
This week, you'll find the latest on ongoing discussions about if and how the city will pay for new pools and indoor recreation. You'll also learn about a cool upcoming event bringing art and nature together, meet some business-owner besties, and catch up on some Super Simplified city news. Plus, don't miss a chock-full event guide.
And now, news:
CITY
City Councilors tighten the reins on a bond for new pools
Simplified: Sioux Falls City Council members on Tuesday voted to limit the total aquatics bond amount to $68 million, set tighter restrictions on individual project costs and require the city to share their plan for programming the new recreation centers before an official bond vote in December.
Why it matters
- The clock is ticking on a 60-day deadline the city has to hit if it's going to have a chance at reimbursing itself for the $9 million spent earlier this year to buy the former Sanford Wellness Center on Tea/Ellis Road. This purchase was initially included in the first iteration of a $77 million aquatics bond to fund new pools and indoor recreation.
- Though, after Tuesday's meeting, it's pretty safe to say that $9 million isn't going back into the city's coffers.
- Councilors have also had varying degrees of consternation about the total project cost – especially because the facilities they're voting to fund haven't been fully designed yet.
- The council passed three resolutions on Tuesday, each putting its own parameters on a bond ordinance that's expected to be before the council in the next few weeks.
"Admittedly, there is some tension, specifically in the area of indoor recreation," Councilor Rich Merkouris said after about an hour of discussion on the various aquatics bond resolutions. "And we're working to bring clarity to that moving forward, but I think overall it's a great thing that we still got the mutual goals (of replacing aging pools) accomplished."
Tell me more about the resolutions
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How art and nature intersect at the Creative Creatures event
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Simplified: Local artists will share their work – inspired, in part, by the beauty of butterflies and sea creatures – during an upcoming event hosted by the Butterfly House and Aquarium. Here's what you need to know about Creative Creatures.
Why it matters
- This is the third year for Creative Creatures, a partnership between local visual arts organization Untitled.10 and the zoo and aquarium, and each year's event has looked a little bit different.
- For the first time this year, the Nov. 30 event will be hosted at the Butterfly House and Aquarium. It'll also be the first time artists will have works available for purchase – including some works inspired by their own visits to the butterfly house.
- The partnership is a win-win for the two organizations. Untitled.10 gets an opportunity to showcase their work in a different part of the community than its typical downtown shows, Co-Director Levi Sternburg said. And the butterfly house gets a chance to bring unique, creative programming to its members and visitors.
"This is a great experience to match your love of art with your love of animals," said La'Toria Horan, director of experience and engagement with the butterfly house. "It'll really connect – for kids and families – art with animals and art with conservation, which is really important to us."
Tell me more about the event
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Sluggish sales tax. The city's sales tax revenue is "softening" in most industries, according to Finance Director Shawn Pritchett. Restaurant sales tax growth was down month-over-month for the first time since early 2021, according to data shared with the City Council Tuesday.
- On a similar note: Councilors also learned in this presentation that the latest unemployment rate is 1.4%. Pritchett said right now there are about five and a half jobs available for every unemployed person in the community.
- Big cars, don't cry. But you should know that City Council advanced an ordinance to ticket/fine large vehicles that park in the 142 angled spots on Phillips Avenue between 9th and 13th Streets. That moves now to a final vote in the coming weeks.
- Neighborhood grant applications open soon. Attention all neighborhood associations: you'll be able to apply for a piece of a $125,000 city fund for neighborhood improvements. Find more information and connect with your neighborhood groups here.
- Big week for canceling meetings. Two city committees taking on big topics opted to cancel their meetings this week. The Southern Sioux Falls Aquatics committee was set to meet Wednesday afternoon, but that was canceled. The Riverline Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday was also canceled.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How lifelong friends became Barre3 business partners
This is a paid piece from Barre3 Sioux Falls.
Simplified: Barre3 Co-Owners Amanda Roder and Angela Jones have a friendship that spans generations. Now, as business partners, they're hoping to grow the community that's meant so much to them over the years.
Why it matters
- Both women grew up in Le Mars, Iowa, where Jones' mother and Roder's grandmother were close friends.
"We've known each other since birth," Jones said. "Amanda's been with me through so many changes in my life."
- Roder first discovered Barre3 about eight years ago, even before the physical location in southwest Sioux Falls was established. She would often encourage Jones to join her at classes.
- The two women fell in love with the Barre3 community, as well as the organization's philosophy of finding balance in your body, meeting yourself where you are, and moving in a body-positive environment.
"We’re kind of like a warm hug when people walk through the door," Roder said. "We want people to feel empowered ... You go so many places that you don't feel that way. I think that's what sets us apart – everybody’s different, and that's exactly how you’re meant to be."
Tell me more about the co-owners
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Nov. 20-26
- Celebrate 'Pink Friday.' On Fridays, we wear pink. No wait, that's not it. Pink Friday is actually a new-ish tradition to encourage folks to shop small first by supporting local businesses the week before "Black Friday." Several local retailers are participating, and it's a great time to fill out your BIN-GO Shop Local card.
- Donate toys, eat Indian tacos. Watecha Bowl will trade you one of their tasty Indian tacos for your donation of new toys (of equal or greater value) to be donated to Native American kids in the foster care system (where, as SD Searchlight reported last year, they're overrepresented.) Anyway, go do some good and enjoy the best fry bread in the city. Details here.
- Support local artists. Serendipity Studio is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its downtown art gallery on Thursday evening. See new works, meet the artists, and celebrate. Details here.
- Get mystical. Psychic Medium Julie McGraw will be doing readings at Glacial Lakes Distillery from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Sip themed "potions" from the bar and see what fate has in store for you. Details and reservations here.
- Make your Thanksgiving centerpiece. Before everyone goes and decks the halls, you can deck the table with a homemade floral Thanksgiving centerpiece. You've got two different events to choose from with classes at Cellar 54 on Monday and In Flower on Tuesday.
- See the lights. It's Winter Wonderland time at Falls Park. Catch the official lighting ceremony and fireworks starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Plus, Falls Overlook Cafe will have free ice cream while supplies last. More details here.
- Take a hike. The Great Outdoor Store is hosting a group hike Wednesday evening at Tuthill Park. Bring your headlamp, meet up at 5:45 and expect for a hike that lasts about an hour. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
- Espresso
- Coffee
- Reading the comments on this story about a new sign at Falls Park
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Why shopping small is worth your time this holiday season
It’s been a tough year for many small businesses in the Sioux Falls community – and consumers are starting to see it as restaurants and retailers around town shutter. But you can help.
Megan Raposa
What to consider before you adopt your next pet
The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society shared some pro tips for what questions to ask yourself and what plans to have in place before you adopt your next pet.
Megan Raposa
This program is helping people buy homes and find stable housing
A new pilot program aims to help educate folks about their rights as tenants, the ins and outs of renting, and even potential paths to homeownership. It’s all thanks to the work of Sioux Falls Thrive’s Housing Action Team.
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
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