Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Warm and windy
🏀 Calling all sports fans!* We are planning our coverage for basketball season and would love to hear from you on what's working and what we can do better. PLUS one survey filler-outer will win a $25 gift card to your favorite coffee shop (or brewery, if that's more your speed).
*Not a sports fan, but still wanna keep getting Simplified news? You can click "unsubscribe" and toggle off the "SF Sports" newsletter if it isn't your vibe. No hard feelings! But please do share our sports coverage with the fans, athletes and high schoolers in your life.
This week, we're getting spooooooooky with a whole bunch of Halloween events. Plus, I've got more intel on some changes coming to the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium in the coming months. Then, don't miss some Super Simplified city news and a round-up of events happening this week.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
Where to find Halloween fun in Sioux Falls – whatever your vibe
Simplified: Spooky season is upon us! And whether you're all-in on haunted houses and scary movies, or if you're more of a "let's hang at the pumpkin patch and then hit up a trunk-or-treat" vibe, there's something for everyone happening in Sioux Falls.
Here's your Simplified breakdown:
Megan Raposa
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How your zoo membership is evolving amid Butterfly House transition
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium is one step closer to being all together in one location. The Butterfly House and Aquarium will close at the end of this year as the new Butterfly Garden on the Great Plains Zoo campus is set to open in early 2027. We sat down with zoo staff to talk about what this adjustment means for members.
Why it matters
- The Monarch Membership is the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium's premium membership tier – offering access to both the zoo and butterfly house campus. As SFZA transitions to one campus, the Monarch Membership is also evolving to offer even more benefits beyond seeing all of the animals in one destination.
- Membership covers year-round admission, and, starting Jan. 4, Monarch members will get exclusive early admission starting at 9 a.m., as well as early access to ZooCamp registration, discounted tickets for special events and a first look at the new Butterfly Garden when it's ready to open.
"That membership really pays off when you can come and just enjoy a little bit of time in the Butterfly Garden and then pop out and see your favorite animal," PR and Marketing Director Denise DePaolo said.
- Current Monarch members can also continue to visit both campuses through the end of the year. And, for those who aren't quite ready to commit to membership, SFZA is offering a limited-time "Sea & Snow" pass with discounted admission to both campuses.
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- 🚗 Council defers parking vote. The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to defer a final vote on increasing downtown parking rates. No reason was given for the deferral during the meeting, but often decisions are deferred when councilors want more time to hear from constituents and work with city staff on an ordinance. That'll now go before the council on Nov. 4 (a rare Wednesday meeting because the Tuesday that week is Election Day).
- Weigh in on a $105M school bond. The Sioux Falls School District is looking for community feedback on its plans to replace Whittier Middle School, add a new west-side elementary school and significantly upgrade Patrick Henry and Edison Middle Schools. You can share your thoughts via this survey.
- 🍂Homeowners, do you need your yard raked? Active Generations is looking for qualifying homeowners to participate in the annual Rake the Town event. This year's volunteers outnumber the homeowners asking for help, which means there's capacity for another 60 homes to have their yard raked for free. To qualify, you just have to be an adult age 60 or older, or an individual with a disability residing in Sioux Falls or Brandon. Apply here.
- More chicken. Fast food chicken restaurant Raising Cane's has set an opening date. The Sioux Falls location – located near the mall on 41st Street – is the first in the state, and it's set to open Nov. 17, according to a news release.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Oct. 21-27
- Get jellicle. The Good Night Theatre Collective is staging the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Cats!" this weekend at the Washington Pavilion. The show runs Thursday through Sunday, and you can snag your tickets here.
- Catch a (mystery) movie. The State Theatre is keeping it creepy and mysterious this weekend with a mystery horror movie late Friday night. Before the show, catch a screening of a new, local short horror-comedy film, "Creature from the Case," and then stay for a surprise horror film. Get your tickets here.
- Hang with the dads. The Sioux Falls Stroll Club is hosting a social Sunday afternoon at Stones Coffee and Play. Join for an afternoon of fun and community connection starting at 3 p.m. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Learn more here.
- Tell the mayor what you think. Mayor Christine Erickson is hosting the first of three "Sioux Falls Listens" events from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Wednesday evening at Levitt at the Falls. Learn more about these sessions here.
- Catch a comedy show. Improv Falls is back this weekend with a good ol' fashioned comedy show at Icon. The audience brings the ideas. Improv Falls brings them to life. Snag your tickets here.
- Connect with the community. The Sioux Falls League of Women Voters and the local NAACP chapter are teaming up for an event celebrating connections with people of Sioux Falls you might not otherwise meet, strengthening ties and empowering all to shape a culture of mutual respect and resilience. It'll also include live music from Etta and the Vendetta and The Abatimbo Group. It's all going down from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Multicultural Center. Details here.
- Catch a local documentary. SDPB is hosting a screening of its "Standing Proud: Women in Uniform" documentary – including the premiere of Part 2. The documentary showcases the stories of South Dakota veterans that highlight the growth, struggles, victories, and insights about service and patriotism. Event details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Tom A. Savage
Megan Raposa
WANT TO HELP MORE PEOPLE FEEL THIS SMART?
Support Sioux Falls Simplified
Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:
- Forward this to a friend. Sharing is caring, and the best gifts are the ones that make your life easier – like this smarter, easier local news.
- Become a member. Consider buying into a smarter Sioux Falls by becoming a member and offering financial support to the no B.S. journalism you've been reading here.
- Give a one-time gift. Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can give a one-time gift here.
- Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com.
Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️
