Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: It's planting season, babyyyyy

This week, you'll get a first look at the city's new arts and culture strategic plan. Plus, I've done my best to simplify the five charter amendments on the June 2 ballot – just add it to your (ridiculously long) list of things to research before you vote. Plus, don't miss some events that are really bringing summer vibes.

And now, news:

CITY

Here's a first look at the city's arts and culture plan

Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday got a first look at the full draft of the first city-led arts and culture strategic plan. The plan both took stock of the city's existing assets and made recommendations for steps the city can take to expand opportunities and strengthen the local arts scene.

Why it matters

  • The City of Sioux Falls has increased its focus on promoting arts and culture over the last couple of years – including hiring Maren Engel as the full-time arts coordinator and establishing a seven-member city arts commission.
  • This marks the first time the city has been the driving force behind that work. The city, in partnership with consultants at Keen Independent Research, has been working on this plan for the last nine months, including meeting with stakeholders and surveying the public.
  • The 196-page plan details five key strategic priorities with a total of about two dozen specific recommendations for action items the city can take to improve access to arts and culture, help artists, and work to cement Sioux Falls as a destination for the arts.
"We see this as an intended to be an active, collaborative road map – not just a document to gather dust on the shelf," said Jennifer Smith Hoesing, chair of the city arts commission.

Tell me more about the plan

2026 CITY ELECTION

What's a charter amendment and why do I need to vote on five of them in June?

(Editor's note: This is just one part of a series of stories about local candidates in the upcoming June 2 primary, municipal and school board election. Find more coverage here.)

Simplified: Residents will weigh in on five proposed changes to the City Charter, the governing document for Sioux Falls. Here's a simplified look at those proposed changes, and what your vote either way would mean for the city.

Why it matters

  • Sioux Falls has operated under a "home rule" charter since 1994. Essentially, it means the city has its own governing document and can make the rules that it wants as long as those rules don't conflict with state or federal law.
  • The only way to make changes to the charter is through a public vote. That means even things like typos or updating dates (which will come into play in this year's proposals). It also means the public gets to decide if and when the policies governing the city are updated.
  • Each election year, the city's Charter Revision Commission takes a close look at all of the charter sections and listens to proposed amendments – which are submitted both by city offices and by individuals in the community.

What are the proposed amendments?

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

Get ready to kick off summer at this zoo event

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.

Simplified: Summertime hits different at the Great Plains Zoo – with longer hours, zookeeper chats, chances to feed giraffes, and the perfect weather to spend the day outside. It all kicks off with the Summer Celebration event on Saturday, May 23. Here's what you need to know.

Why it matters

  • Summer Celebration is one of the zoo's biggest events of the summer with additional games, activities, vendors and, of course, the splash pad.
  • Admission for Summer Celebration is included in a Monarch Membership – "one of the best membership deals in town," as PR and Marketing Director Denise DePaolo puts it. Others can save an average of $2 per ticket if you buy your special event tickets online in advance.
  • The event will also include a Sioux Falls Fire Rescue truck on display, hula dancing lessons, giraffe feeding and zookeeper chats. Argus Leader is sponsoring this year's Summer Celebration.
"Visiting the zoo is a cornerstone experience for children and families," DePaolo said. "It’s a place where we can feel connected to the larger world here in Sioux Falls."

What else is happening at the zoo this summer?

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Seriously, check your voter registration. I get it – I like to procrastinate, too. But you have less than a week to update your voter registration (or register, period) if you want to be eligible to vote in the June 2 election. So get registered, friends. You can check your registration on the Secretary of State's website. And if you need to get registered, find a list of spots where you can do so on the city's website – or stop by Terra Shepherd on Saturday, and I'll help you out.
  • SKOL, middle schoolers! The Minnesota Vikings are teaming up with the Sioux Falls School District to launch a girls flag football program for middle and high school girls through the district's community learning centers (CLC). A grant from the Vikings will fund a pilot program this fall, with a long-term goal in the district of getting girls flag football as a sanctioned sport in South Dakota. Students interested in participating can learn more about enrolling in CLC on the district's website.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: May 13-19

  • Get registered (and ready) to vote. And, even if you're registered, double-check your registration to make sure it's up-to-date. Need help with either of those things? Or have general questions about the upcoming election? I'm going to be hanging out at Terra Shepherd Boutique on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to answer your questions and, in partnership with our friends over at the League of Women Voters, we'll also be helping folks get registered. Come make sure your voice can be heard! Details here.
  • Hang out at Good Earth State Park. The park is hosting a summer kickoff event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, featuring live music, food trucks, scavenger hunts and a mysterious "big new surprise." Details here.
  • Hang out at The Good Earth Farm. It's opening day for The Good Earth Farm, and you know what that means: pizza time. You have to have a ticket to go, and you can decide if you want a pizza or non-pizza ticket. Details and tickets are available here.
  • Refresh your closet. EmBe is hosting another Refresh Your Closet sale this weekend with a chance to shop new-to-you clothes and support programs that empower women with each purchase. The sale runs Thursday through Saturday. Details here.
  • See some hunks. Their word, not mine. The "Magic Hunks" from Australia are performing at Wiley's on Thursday evening, and it's giving Magic Mike in a big way. Details and tickets here.
  • Get dinner and a show. The Premiere Playhouse has its final Underground Series performance of the season this weekend with a production of "Death of a Salesman." Non-meal tickets are also available, and the show runs Friday through Sunday. Details and tickets here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

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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

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