Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

First things first, this issue is brought to you by Junkin' Market Days.

  • Junkin' Market Days is bringing a one-of-a-kind shopping experience to Sioux Falls on Nov. 14-15 at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall. Explore a curated market featuring more than 100 small businesses offering shabby chic home decor, rustic furniture, boutique clothing, gourmet food and much more. New this fall are make-and-take items including candles, custom signs and sourdough starter. Learn more here.

Weather check: About as 'fall weather' as it gets

This week, I'll catch you up on some of the most divided City Council decisions in recent years. Plus, from SNAP funding to coupon clipping, there's a ton of Super Simplified news for you this week. And don't miss our round-up of events on what promises to be a calmer weekend now that Halloween is over.

And now, news:

CITY

Should the city be in the fitness business? Councilors split.

Simplified: In an uncommonly divided vote Tuesday night, the Sioux Falls City Council voted 5-3 on two separate but significant parks-related resolutions. One of the primary reasons for the divide was disagreement on the role the city should play in providing space for indoor fitness equipment.

Why it matters

  • The first vote Tuesday night was to approve the parks department's five-year master plan, and the second vote approved the schematic design for a new indoor recreation facility at Frank Olson Park. Both passed, but not without significant discussion in the three and a half hour meeting.
  • Even the councilors who voted against the proposals noted they didn't disagree with them entirely. There's very much consensus on most of the plans – particularly the philosophy that Sioux Falls needs both a new indoor aquatics facility and more indoor play options – especially since the city's community centers shifted focus.
  • Councilors also wanted to see more specific financial models for the parks department's future goals and more community buy-in at all stages of the process. Underlying the discussion Tuesday night was a general sense that the plans presented "missed the mark," as Councilors Jennifer Sigette and Miranda Basye put it.
"But that doesn’t mean we can’t build on this in the future," Sigette added.

Tell me more

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

This isn't your grandmother's community theatre

This is a paid piece from The Premiere Playhouse.

Simplified: A new series from The Premiere Playhouse is bringing bold, edgy and immersive theatre to the Sioux Falls scene. Here's what you need to know about the Underground Series before its first show debuts later this month.

Why it matters

  • Community theatre in Sioux Falls has seen some big shifts in recent years in an ongoing effort to innovate, continuously develop artists and reach new audiences. Sioux Empire Community Theatre rebranded to The Premiere Playhouse in 2021, and earlier this year, the organization announced a new location downtown and an expanded mission.
  • As part of those changes, the Playhouse is moving from primarily mainstage shows at the Orpheum to include more immersive, experiential, dinner theater performances in partnership with Icon Lounge. The first of the shows in the Underground Series, "American Idiot" is taking place Nov. 21-23.
  • The Underground Series is bringing shows with more edge, more risk-taking and that are meant to make the audience think. Executive Artistic Director Oliver Mayes described it as "an artists laboratory" for performers to test their talents in new ways, too.
"Theatre is such a fun way to express yourself, and I think people forget that anger and angst and sadness are emotions that people need to feel," performer Casey Schultz said. "And we can show it on stage."

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • About $400M in reserves, but no money for SNAP. Gov. Larry Rhoden this week said he doesn't support using the state's "rainy day" fund to fill a gap in funding for food assistance after a pause in federal funds. South Dakota Searchlight has the details.
  • Say hello to winter.* Great Bear Ski Valley is hosting Welcome Winter Fest on Saturday, giving folks a chance to celebrate the upcoming snowy season with a ski swap, community vendors, free chairlift rides, food from 605 Island Guy and a special deal on season passes. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more here.
  • Play some basketball.* The Sioux Falls Family YMCA is hosting a 3v3 high school basketball tournament next week, with a 3v3 middle school basketball tournament coming up in January. Sign up as a team of three with an optional four spot for a substitute – learn more and register here.
  • 🏗️ Avera breaks ground. Avera this week broke ground on a three-story addition to the heart hospital. This $21.5 million project will house high-end diagnostic imaging services and administrative space. Here's a peek at what the addition will look like when it's completed:

More Super Simplified Stories

  • Share your thoughts on a new Kuehn Park pool. Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation is hosting an open house Thursday evening to see renderings for the brand-new, state-of-the-art aquatic center at Kuehn Park and learn about the next steps in the project.
    • Features in the design as it stands now include a 5,000-square-foot, zero-depth-entry activity pool; a 235-foot-long, 10-foot-wide lazy river; and a 35-foot-high tube slide.
  • ⛸️ Save the date. The ice ribbon at Jacobson Plaza officially has an opening date (if all goes to plan). It's expected to open alongside the city's celebration of the Falls Park Winter Wonderland lights at around 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Once open, the 14,000-square-foot ice ribbon will have programs throughout the winter including “Mascot Monday,” “Family Fun Skate,” and the “Prince and Princess Skate Party." Admission will be $5 with rentals for an additional $3. Learn more here.
  • Clip those coupons. The 2025 Downtown Gives coupon book is officially here, and all proceeds will benefit Emily's Hope. The book features coupons from close to two dozen businesses And, if life has taught me anything thus far, it's that if a tatted up David statue tells you to do something – you do it.

*Denotes a paid partnership.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: Nov. 5-11

  • Add some sparkle to your wishlist.* Need to drop some hints? You can compile your holiday wishlist at an exclusive party at Thomas James & Bechtold's Jewelry. Sip on adult beverages, swoon over diamonds, sapphires and all sorts of pretty things, and create your holiday wishlist. It's all going down from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. You can also start eyeing your favorites by shopping online.
  • Just breathe. As we enter the holiday season chaos, the folks at Selah Space are inviting you to sloooooow down for a minute. Functional Health Coach Melissa Eich will lead a 75-minute breathwork session at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday that's designed to release stress, reconnect with your body, and find steady energy. Reserve your spot here.
  • It's the great pumpkin roll, Charlie Brown! The Sioux Falls parks department is hosting the third annual Pumpkin Roll at Tuthill Park. Bring your leftover pumpkins to the park and roll them down the hill for a chance to win prizes. Plus, enjoy pumpkin-themed treats and crafts. Details here.
  • Stock up on books. If you, like me, are readying to basically hibernate during the winter months, you might need some new reading material. Reach Literacy has you covered with a bag sale where you can fill a tote for $25 Friday and Saturday. Details here.
  • S-I-N-G-O. It's like Bingo meets "name that tune," and it's happening Friday night at Giving Hope Bingo. Details here.
  • Celebrate Toy Store Day! It's Neighborhood Toy Store Day at Child's Play Toys in downtown Sioux Falls on Saturday. Is it a real holiday? Who cares – it's a fun one. Enjoy treats from The Cookie Jar, crafts, demos, games, and giveaways throughout the day. Learn more here.

*Denotes a paid partnership.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Meet the newest addition to Sioux Falls parks
The city this week marked the opening of the Arrowhead Park house, a new facility for parks and recreation programming that’s also available to rent for private events.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Get a look at the latest plans for Frank Olson indoor rec center
The design for the new indoor pool and recreation center at Frank Olson Park is nearing completion.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Why a downtown convention center plan is on ‘pause’
It’s not goodbye – it’s see you later. That was the vibe during a Monday afternoon Riverline District Steering Committee.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, SafeSplash Swim School, Dakota State University, Redmond Prime Cuts, Great Bear Ski Valley, 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 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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Special thanks to Junkin' Market Days!

Don't miss the  11th Junkin' Market Days Shopping Event in Sioux Falls. The event will be held at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall on November 14 and 15. Follow Junkin’ Market Days on Facebook and Instagram for exclusive product sneak peeks and BOGO ticket discounts. Click here for more info.