Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: A wet week ahead
This week, you'll learn about a couple of very cool projects happening in our community – both related to housing. You'll also find some fun Super Simplified Stories, a round-up of upcoming events and a picture of my family's sweet new addition: Meatball the cat.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
This documentary shares a snapshot of homelessness in Sioux Falls
Simplified: It started as a thought experiment. Local chef and business owner Rudy Navarrete said he was lying in bed one day just thinking about what it might be like if someone was dropped off on 8th Street in Sioux Falls with nothing – how would a person survive? Now, over a year later, Navarrete is preparing to debut a new, local documentary called "24 Hours on 8th Street" at the State Theatre later this month.
Why it matters
- Navarrete teamed up with local videographer Everett Palmer, to test out his thought experiment. Their documentary follows Navarrete and a team of volunteers spending 24 hours on 8th Street in Sioux Falls as they try to both get a sense of what it must feel like to be unhoused and capture firsthand experience from the folks living it.
- The goal is to start a conversation. Navarrete said he hopes, at minimum, the documentary helps destigmatize homelessness, and beyond that the hope is that people walk away "inspired to get involved."
- The hour-long documentary debuts at the State Theatre next week, with an invite-only showing on Wednesday evening followed by a public release Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22.
"We want anybody that watches this to see that there's something they can do within their capacity," Palmer said. "There's just such a wide range of ways you can get involved."
Tell me more
COMMUNITY
Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on new affordable housing development
Simplified: A brand new housing development in northeast Sioux Falls will bring eight twin-homes and a total of 16 housing units. Here's what you need to know about the latest development project from Habitat for Humanity.
Why it matters
- Habitat for Humanity helps connect people with safe, affordable housing through construction and renovation projects. This is Habitat's second housing development, and the groundbreaking takes place as its first development – Millard Acres, with 13 twin homes, also in northeast Sioux Falls – is on track for completion by the end of the year.
- Cliffview Heights, located kitty-corner from St. Michael's Cemetery off of North Cliff Avenue, is expected to have eight twin-homes upon completion. The project broke ground Tuesday in a celebration attended by Mayor Christine Erickson and other community and industry leaders.
- Habitat secured the funds for the land and infrastructure Cliffview Heights, but the nonprofit still needs to raise funds for building the homes themselves – an estimated $3.8 million project when it's all said and done.
"We're tackling this project just on faith," Welker said. "We are confident that we're going to find partners in Sioux Falls that are going to come and walk along side us to make this dream a reality for 16 more families."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Laundry at your doorstep.* Let's Laundry! is a new wash, dry and fold laundry service in Sioux Falls with an emphasis on being eco-friendly. Starting at $1.95 per pound, the business uses commercial detergents, boosters and softeners that are biodegradable, as well as wool balls in the dryer for static and softening without using harmful dryer sheets which clog up the landfills. Every first order gets 25% off their first order and an additional 10% if active military or any veteran with a CAC card or ID. Learn more at letslaundry.org
- Firefighter fitness. Planet Fitness this week is expected to donate a total of 18 pieces of fitness equipment to Sioux Falls Fire Rescue – including rowers, adjustable and flat benches, lat pulldown machines and dumbbell sets ranging from 5 to 75 pounds.
- Southeast Tech to break ground on new facility. Southeast Technical College will break ground Friday morning on the James Abdnor Center for Advanced Manufacturing, as well as a welding lab expansion. The $18 million project is funded by a combination of federal and state funds as well as local donors. Learn more here about Southeast Tech's expansion.
*Denotes a paid partnership
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Aug. 12-18
- Play plant bingo. Everyone goes home with a plant at this event hosted by Landscape Garden Centers at their downtown Bloom & Branch location. Your $50 ticket includes light snacks, a mimosa, 10 rounds of plant bingo and 10% off all house plants purchased during the event. Snag your tickets here.
- Enjoy books and butterflies. The Butterfly House and Aquarium is here to help you finish your summer reading challenge with the Books & Butterflies event on Saturday. Guests have a chance to win a book raffle, enjoy activities with Siouxland Libraries and color their own book bag, while supplies last. See more details here.
- Run at the Hill. Great Bear's "Chill at the Hill" event Wednesday night is actually less chill, more cardio. Join the Sioux Falls Area Running Club for a group run starting at 5:30 p.m. – all paces welcome – and then you can chill with food trucks and live music. Details here.
- Play some volleyball like it's the '90s. Was volleyball cooler in the '90s? Who knows, I was a small child, but Digz Volleyball is going retro this weekend with a '90s-themed 6v6 tournament with some wacky rules. It's all going down Saturday – find more details here.
- Party with some cupcakes. Oh My Cupcakes is hosting a customer appreciation event on Saturday at its west-side location with food, fun, and, of course, cupcakes. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
- Birria pizza
- Not an axolotl, but still adorable
- The new addition to our household (who the kids have named, "Meatball" because he's currently very long and skinny, like spaghetti, but we want him to get big and healthy and round – like a meatball, obviously):
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Tom A. Savage
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