Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Oh wait, sorry, I thought we were done with snow
No foolin' here: Just good vibes and gratitude. I've spent the last few days in Chicago at the Online News Association conference, and I've gotta tell you, it feels pretty good to be surrounded by a bunch of other journalists, creators and news professionals trying to keep our community informed.
- It also feels incredibly validating to know that we're doing a lot of stuff right. Sioux Falls Simplified is promoting civic engagement and just connecting folks to information that empowers them to shape our city's future. It's the best job I've ever had, and I'm excited to do more. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
This week, we're light on public meetings (as in, there were none), but there's still quite a few "super simplified" stories to keep you informed this week. Plus, don't miss a round-up of fun events – including a whole bunch of Easter egg hunts.
And now, news:
HEALTH
Millennials, it's time to think about cancer screening
Simplified: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month may have just ended, but as Millennials age (who me?), it's important to note medical recommendations for a number of different types of cancer. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- Doctors are seeing more people get colon cancer at younger ages, said Dr. Patrick Brau, family medicine physician with Sanford Health. That's why screening recommendations recently shifted from age 50 to age 45.
- It's also important to know your family medical history, Brau said. If you have a parent who had cancer, you'll likely want to get screened at a younger age than the typical recommendations.
- Screenings can help doctors catch the cancer at the earliest stage possible, which means treatments can typically be "less dramatic and usually better tolerated," Brau said.
"You’re not giving the cancer a lot of time to grow," he said. "You're not giving that cancer time to go through a process called metastasizing, where it spreads to other parts of the body."
What screenings do I need? And when?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This camp helps middle schoolers explore STEM careers
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
Simplified: A free, one-day summer camp will help middle schoolers explore STEM careers in a variety of fields with hands-on experience. Here's what you need to know about "Your Future STEM."
Why it matters
- The Sioux Falls Development Foundation started the summer camp for middle schoolers in 2023 as a way to show students what their interest in science, technology, engineering and math could mean in a future career path.
- This year's Your Future STEM camps will allow students to pick a specific career track to explore – choosing from options including healthcare, engineering, construction, energy and cyber.
- The ultimate goal is to help kids learn the various paths they can take after high school, said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce for the Foundation.
"We are helping out not only our employers today, but also, in the future, it sets those students to have that recognition and acknowledgement of what those businesses do," Guzzetta said.
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- It's an Egg-stravaganza!* The Great Plains Zoo's annual Egg-stravaganza event is happening Saturday with egg hunts tiered by age for kids up to 12. Guests can also explore educational opportunities, do an animal meet & greet and catch flamingo zookeeper chats. Find all of the details and get your tickets here.
- Here's who's running for school board. There's much more coverage to come, but for now, there are six candidates vying for three seats on the Sioux Falls School board, including three incumbents. Candidates include Dawn Marie Johnson, Marc Murren, Gail Swenson, Michael Stangeland, Jr., Stuart Willett and Jean Childs.
- The school board candidates will also be on the June 2 primary ballot (the same ballot that'll have the primary for the governor's race, legislative races, mayoral race, city council races and charter revision amendments ... busy, busy!)
- Showtime! The Washington Pavilion this week unveiled it's 2026-27 with Broadway performance series, including "Waitress," "& Juliet," "The Wiz" and "Shucked," among others. Subscriptions are available now, and single tickets will be available later this spring. Learn more here.
- Speaking of show reveals, there's also been some great line-up announcements in the local theater scene, including some big shows with the Good Night Theatre Collective and The Premiere Playhouse – so be sure to check those out, too.
More Super Simplified Stories
- $1 million for Southeast Tech. Marmen Energy has committed to a $1 million donation to support upgrades to welding labs in the to-be-constructed James Abdnor Center for Advanced Manufacturing and in the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center. Learn more here.
- A new name & a big goal. Abbott House – a nonprofit that supports children and families through intensive foster care, addiction recovery, psychiatric residential treatment and independent living for young adults – will now be called Abbott House Youth Services. The updated name was announced as the nonprofit kicks off a $3 million community appeal campaign with a goal to build two more intensive foster care homes and quadruple occupancy in independent living apartments.
- Why bother with eggs when you can hunt for pizza? Sunny's Pizzeria's sixth annual pizza hunt is back this month. Each day during the month of April, Sunny's will hide a wooden "free pizza" token somewhere around the city, post a clue as to its location and let the hunting ensue. Follow on social media to find the clues each day (and test your knowledge of random Sioux Falls landmarks along the way).
*Denotes a paid partnership
PRICE PREDICTOR
Can you guess the sale price of this Sioux Falls home?
This is a sponsored segment from Destinie Marshall with Discovery Real Estate Co.
This beautiful home provides a rare opportunity to move into a 1/2-acre wooded lot in the beautiful Old Orchard neighborhood. This three-bedroom, three-bathroom, cabin-style retreat features vaulted ceilings, wood beams, hardwood floors, newer appliances, pantry, and main floor laundry. Can you guess the sale price?
Want to see your listing shared here? Email megan@sfsimplified.com.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: April 1-7
- Hunt for eggs. There are a number of egg hunts happening in the area, including a trail hunt Friday at Great Bear and a "splash and dash" at Spellerberg Park Saturday afternoon. You can also hunt eggs Saturday morning at Look's and Woofs & Waves, or on Thursday at Edgewood Prairie Crossings retirement community. And, if you're up for a little drive, The Good Earth Farm in Lennox is hosting an egg hunt Saturday morning, and Air Madness is hosting one Monday in Harrisburg.
- Pour one out (actually, don't). Orion Pub downtown is having a funeral for Schlitz beer this afternoon, which will no longer be carried by its distributer. As far as I can tell, it's not an April Fool's joke, but even if it is, maybe go grab a pint anyway – just to be safe. Details here.
- 🚚 Touch a truck. Scheels is getting in on the "touch a truck" game with its first-ever event on Monday afternoon. Check out firetrucks, tractors, skid loaders, tree removal trucks and more in the south parking lot from 2 to 5 p.m. Plus, Oh My Cupcakes will be there selling treats for the whole family. Details here.
- Make your own cookies & candles. Just don't eat the candles. One Smart Cookie is teaming up with AR Workshop for a class on both candle pouring and cookie decorating. Details and registration here.
- Dance with Sanaa. No steps to learn, no pressure, no judgment – just an hour-long dance therapy session at Sanaa's 8th Street Gourmet. Your $30 ticket goes entirely to support Hungry Hearts fund for school lunches. Learn more here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
*Denotes a paid partnership
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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. ❤️
