Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Hot, then a little more fall-y, then hot again
A personal note/PSA: We had a bit of a scare in our house this week when overnight the smoke alarm went off, and we realized the dog had jumped up and accidentally turned on one of the burners on our stove. Thank goodness our smoke alarms were working, and no damage was done (besides a slightly melted spatula).
- The next morning, I got a press release from Sioux Falls Fire Rescue about a "Sound the Alarm" event during Fire Prevention Week last week. Firefighters around the city are helping folks install smoke alarms – the best defense against loss of life or property in fires. So there's your reminder! Check your smoke alarms, and if you need them installed, call 211 and the folks at SFFR will help you out!
This week, I've got a look at how a new merger between a relatively new and a long-standing nonprofit is going to help more people in the state heal. You'll also learn about the Olde Town Dinner Theatre's upcoming season, find a Super Simplified look at takeaways from the latest Sioux Falls crime statistics, and, of course, you'll find a round-up of upcoming events.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
How The Compass Center is healing through care, movement and Taylor Swift tickets
Simplified: Two nonprofits are teaming up to help survivors of sexual assault and other familial or relational trauma. Here's what to know about the merger between Move to Heal and The Compass Center – including how to support them while also earning a chance to see Taylor Swift in concert.
Why it matters
- Both organizations are marking major milestones in the coming months, with Move to Heal celebrating five years in operation in December and The Compass Center celebrating 50 years in 2025. The merger marks both nonprofits' commitment to creating a continuum of care from crisis intervention to long-term healing.
- That healing will involve the long-established support from The Compass Center, and Move to Heal is bringing its healing arts program, grounded in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), according to Sydney Bartunek, founder of Move to Heal.
- As part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the Compass Center is also raffling off a pair of floor tickets to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert in Indianapolis. More on that here.
“By integrating Move To Heal’s innovative approaches with our established programs, we’re creating a comprehensive support system for trauma survivors that is unparalleled in our region," said Michelle Trent, executive director of The Compass Center.
Tell me more about the merger – and the tickets...
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Meet the small-town theater bringing thousands each year to Worthing
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.
Simplified: The Olde Town Dinner Theatre in Worthing brings 100 people nightly to the town of less than 1,000 people south of Sioux Falls. Learn more about how the organization has grown and changed in more than four decades of continuous community theatre.
Why it matters
- Olde Town was established in 1982 by a group of volunteers, and it's remained a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization ever since – including the cast, crew, wait staff and bartenders.
- Over the last 42 years, the theatre has continued to be a strong, affordable entertainment option, according to Executive Director Megan Bakken. Tickets for the show – including a four-course dinner – start at $50, and dessert-only matinee showings are only $35 per ticket.
- Not only are the shows affordable, but they're also a major draw to the town of Worthing. Each year, the theatre attracts about 8,500 people – a tremendous economic impact for the community.
"Our location in Worthing provides a central location that attracts not only the Sioux Falls audience, but also the rural audience from small towns and farms from throughout the region," Bakken said. "Our theatre is overflowing with quality food, entertainment, and volunteer opportunities."
Tell me more about the upcoming season
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- No booze in libraries. Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday unanimously passed an ordinance to prohibit consumption and possession of alcohol on Siouxland Libraries property. To clarify, this was already the library's policy, but the city ordinance gives them a little more weight behind it.
- Disorderly conduct definition expanded. City Councilors on Tuesday unanimously voted to change the verbiage on the city's ordinance related to disorderly conduct. The wording change takes out some specific verbiage related to crowds and updates to apply to anyone who "unreasonably obstructs or interferes with pedestrian or vehicular traffic."
- (Side note: I had a far more in-depth conversation with Police Chief Jon Thum about what this means for the unhoused population. Stay tuned for more on that in Friday's issue.)
What's the TL;DR on the latest crime stats?
- Homicides up, overall crime is steady. Sioux Falls has seen eight homicides this year, the most since a record high in 2020. Overall crime is relatively flat, with some violent crime like aggravated assault seeing a slight dip.
- Car thefts down. A big highlight for the police department was the statistic that, for the first time since 2017, the city saw a decrease in the number of stolen vehicles reported at 950 so far this year. That's a credit to a citywide marketing effort about the importance of locking your car, Chief Jon Thum told the City Council last month.
- Police short 18 officers. Mayor Paul TenHaken said one of his biggest concerns is that society "vilified" the profession of police officers in 2020 and the perception hasn't recovered. Right now the department is short 18 officers, and the city is actively recruiting to fill those positions.
- Local officials want to crack down on reckless driving. Both Mayor Paul TenHaken and Minnehaha County State's Attorney Daniel Haggar said they'd like to see state lawmakers take action to stop reckless, exhibition driving and street racing. Watch for more specifics on that as we get closer to the 2025 legislative session.
More Super Simplified Stories
- City has a new building guy. Longtime building inspector Neil King will take over as chief building official later this month as current leader Butch Warrington retires.
- One year of groceries on the go. The Eat Well Sioux Falls Mobile Market is marking one year in business next week. They're celebrating by offering 10% off purchases next week, as well as hosting events – including a free vaccination event. Get the details here.
- More parking at the airport. The new parking ramp at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport is officially open for business. Learn more about where to park and rates here.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Oct. 2-8
- Drink wine, appreciate art. Downtown Sioux Falls is shutting down a block of Phillips Avenue for an immersive art experience as part of the Art & Wine Walk Friday night. Plus, you can also catch artists (and, of course, wine) at more than two dozen local businesses. Find a full lineup here.
- Skol, Vikes! Nah, not the purple guys. It's Augustana University's annual Viking Days festivities this weekend. Catch the parade on Grange Avenue starting at 10:30 Saturday, followed by tailgating and a game against University of Minnesota Duluth. Find a full schedule of Viking Days events here.
- Check out some decks. Let's Skate is hosting its annual "Drawing Blanks" skate deck art show starting with an opening at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Artists in the area get a blank skate deck (the skateboard-y part of the skateboard) and get to decorate it however they like. Many artists then donate the proceeds of their art sale to Let's Skate to enhance skateboarding opportunities in the community.
- Learn about Leo. South Dakota Public Broadcasting is hosting "An Evening with Leonardo DaVinci" Thursday night at the Washington Pavilion. This adults-only event will include Leonard0-themed activities in the science center, showings of an upcoming documentary in the planetarium, a special art activity, and a free scoop of ice cream. It's a free event, but registration is required. You can snag your tickets here.
- Get spooked. The Haunted Farm in Worthing opens this weekend with both a haunted woods and a haunted barn. You can fully immerse yourself in the spookiness in, basically, the middle of nowhere (like, who could even hear you scream?). Oh, and if you get too spooked, you can take a break on the hay ride or in the heated snack shop. Details here.
- Have some mocktails and a meal. Parker's Bistro is hosting a non-alcoholic cocktail dinner starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. It'll feature a four-course meal with NA drink pairings. Reservations required – get more details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
How the ‘new’ Nordic Hall is bringing creatives together
It might look nondescript on the outside, but Nordic Hall – a historic office building on the south side of downtown – is bursting with creative energy.
Megan Raposa
Meet the new nonprofit using empathy as medicine
A Sioux Falls-based nonprofit is looking to create more empathy in the healthcare system by better understanding the experiences of immigrants and refugees.
Megan Raposa
As centers risk closing, council says direct support for childcare a ‘hard sell’
Providers say without direct funding, the ongoing childcare crisis in Sioux Falls will remain an issue. But that’s going to be a “hard sell” for the community, Councilor Curt Soehl noted.
Megan Raposa
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