Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Time for shorts and sunscreen

This week, you'll learn more about the school board candidates ahead of next week's election. And early voting is now open, so I'd really encourage you to go look at all of our coverage of the candidates as well. You'll also get an update on the Westside Recreation Center and find a ton of events happening this weekend (also it's Mother's Day on Sunday, so go send some love to a mom in your life).

  • Plus, stay tuned for Friday's issue to learn about how folks are bringing more art to their neighborhoods and some changes coming to community theater.

And now, news:

ELECTION

School board candidates talk after-school care, workforce and supporting teachers

Editor's note: This is part of a series of stories ahead of the May 13 Sioux Falls school board election. You can find other stories here, and keep following Sioux Falls Simplified for more details ahead of election day.

Simplified: We're less than a week away from the Sioux Falls School Board election, and Sioux Falls Simplified sat down with each of the four candidates to talk about a variety of issues to help you feel prepared to cast a ballot.

Tell me more. Who are the candidates?

The four candidates are (in ballot order):

  • Elizabeth Duffy
  • Trish Ringold
  • Nan Kelly
  • Thomas Werner

Learn more about them here:

Meet the candidates for Sioux Falls School Board
Four people are vying for two open seats overseeing the largest school district in the state.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

Here's a look at what the candidates had to say about after-school care, supporting teachers and behavioral challenges.

Full story here

CITY

Who's using the new Westside Recreation Center?

Simplified: The city has sold more than 3,700 monthly or annual passes to the new Westside Recreation Center since taking over the facility at the start of the year. The parks department shared what they've learned so far about who that center is serving.

Why it matters

  • The city purchased the center from Sanford for $9 million last year as a way to bring more indoor recreation to Sioux Falls. An additional $3 million for repairs to the building was included in an aquatics bond passed earlier this year.
  • In addition to monthly or annual passes, the facility also sells on average between 50 and 75 day passes each day.
  • Under the city's management, the rec center is serving more low-income people, more people of color and more families than under previous ownership, according to demographic data shared with City Councilors Tuesday afternoon.
"We’re seeing changes in the audience we’re serving in relation to the previous operation, and we’re seeing them in a positive way that aligns with what we were striving for," said Brett Kollars, assistant director of parks and recreation.

Show me the data

EVENTS

Stuff to do: May 7-13

  • This one's for the moms. It's Mother's Day on Sunday, and there are tons of ways to spoil the moms in your life, including a restful retreat with Conscious Connections, a sip & shop at Seasoned Style, a plant sale, a fancy brunch or a celebration at Nordic Hall.
  • Gear & Beer. It's the 8th Annual Gear & Beer Event at the Great Outdoor Store this weekend. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, you can swing by, grab a Fernson brew, check out some camping gear, grab some food from Backyard BBQ. Plus, proceeds from the event benefit Friends of the Big Sioux River. More details here.
  • BYOB. Bring your own book, that is. Alchemy House is hosting a "Silent Book Club" Thursday evening where readers can gather in a cozy, quiet space to enjoy their book around like-minded lit lovers. Then, you can get together and chat about what you're reading. More details here.
  • Buy some plants. Cherry Rock Farms is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and kicking off the festivities is their annual plant sale this weekend. It promises to be the biggest sale yet – details here.
  • Don't forget the dog moms. Shop Dog Boutique is hosting an event just for the dog moms out there. Swing by from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for vendors, giveaways and a chance to purchase a custom watercolor pet portrait. Plus, the event is also raising money for Rescue Network. Details here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Get smart about an eco-friendly yard with Alina Hedman
Alina Hedman is the urban conservation education coordinator with the Minnehaha Conservation District. She sat down with Sioux Falls Simplified to talk about spring yard work and how to support pollinators in your own back yard.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
How school board candidates feel about book bans and the dismantling of the U.S. Dept. of Education
Four people are vying for two open seats on the Sioux Falls School Board. Sioux Falls Simplified sat down with each of them and asked a slate of questions related to various issues relevant to public schools.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Sioux Falls nonprofits facing funding uncertainty, fewer donations
Sioux Falls nonprofits are losing out on millions of dollars due to federal cuts, according to a Sioux Falls Simplified survey of more than a dozen local nonprofits.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Great Bear Ski Valley, Encompass Mental Health, Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, 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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