First things first, this issue is brought to you by The Good Night Theatre Collective.
- The Good Night Theatre Collective is bringing back one of its most-requested musicals: The Rocky Horror Show. The cult classic will bring all of your favorite characters to the stage just in time for Halloween. The show runs Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 at the Belbas Theater in the Washington Pavilion. Don't miss your chance to snag tickets here.
Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Perfect for staying inside with a hot beverage and a good book – if only we didn't have to go to work.
This week, City Council meetings were pushed back a day so councilors could attend the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting last night, so you won't find much for city news today (but there'll be plenty in Friday's newsletter!) Instead, today you'll meet a Sioux Falls woman who has made it her mission to share stories from people experiencing homelessness. Plus, you'll find an update on Christ the King Elementary, several other Super Simplified Stories and a ton of fall events happening this week.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
Meet the storyteller documenting homelessness in Sioux Falls
Simplified: When people talk about homelessness in Sioux Falls, it's often seen or described as one big homogeneous issue. Jackie Barr is trying to change that narrative with a storytelling project to shine a light on the individual people who make up the unhoused community.
Why it matters
- Barr started working on her project, called "Now That You See Me," last winter, but her experience hanging out with folks who are unhoused dates back much farther.
- Growing up, Barr spent quite a bit of time with her grandmother, who helped create the Homeless Education Program in the Sioux Falls School District. She remembers tagging along for some of that work and playing with kids who, to her, were no different than herself.
- Today, Barr primarily connects with unhoused people through her internship with Midwest Street Medicine, a nonprofit bringing medical care directly to people who need it. She's also a student at the University of South Dakota pursuing a career in addiction counseling.
"She's out there doing the work that we need to happen to help people stay alive," said Mo Dittberner, cofounder of Midwest Street Medicine. "She's part of the solution – not the problem."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Christ the King parents lose appeal. After more than $100,000 in fundraising pledges and work to provide a strategic plan to save Christ the King Elementary from closure, the Bishop O'Gorman Catholic School System ultimately said no to parents. The school is set to close at the end of the school year.
- “This final decision was incredibly challenging for our Board of Directors,” President Kyle Groos said in a statement. “The decision reflects a sincere commitment to the mission and to the future of our school system as a whole.”
- The Catholic School System denied requests for interviews several times over the last few weeks. No one from the district has spoken to Sioux Falls Simplified outside of the prepared statements since the closure was announced.
- A new cyber ops degree.* Dakota State University will now offer a Master of Science in Cyber Operations following approval earlier this month from the South Dakota Board of Regents. The new graduate degree is grounded in applied cybersecurity research within the field of computer science, equipping students for positions in intelligence, defense, law enforcement, and infrastructure protection, and the program is designed for both current students and working professionals. Learn more here.
- 📋 How livable is Sioux Falls? The city is looking for your feedback. The National Community Survey is now accepting responses, and the City Council is encouraging all residents to participate in the survey, which will be used to help shape the future of Sioux Falls and determine how the people who live here view the community. The last survey took place in 2023. You can take it here. (It doesn't take very long.)
- Get the edge on AI.* Want to learn how to supercharge your productivity with the help of AI? Get all sorts of insights for companies, leaders and entrepreneurs at the upcoming AiEdge Summit on Oct. 30. You'll find hands-on workshops and expert insights at this one-day event. Learn more and get your tickets here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Oct. 15-21
- This one's for the hunting wives.* If the pheasant opener means you lost your spouse for the weekend, Downtown Sioux Falls retailers have the perfect event for you. Hunting Wives Weekend will give you your own "hunt" to explore hands-on activities at a variety of Downtown locations. Participate in at least five activities at the 8th and Railroad Center businesses and you'll be entered to win a grand prize valued at more than $500. See a list of participating locations and activities here.
- 🍻 Happy Hour all day. Two Steel District restaurants are celebrating one-year anniversaries this week with all day happy hour specials. Check out both Dahlia and Big Sioux Burger for deals all day Wednesday.
- Support local theater. Monstrous Little Theatre Company is putting on a production of "How I Learned to Drive" at Last Stop CD Shop Thursday through Saturday. The show is structured around the memories of a teenager recalling formative moments and lessons, often painful. Learn more and get your tickets here.
- Dance with the (Sioux Falls) stars. It's the annual Dancing with the Sioux Falls Stars event this Saturday. Your ticket will fund Empire Mental Health Supports and also bring you a night of watching local celebs tear it up on the dance floor. Details and tickets here.
- Learn how to use your voice. Want to be an advocate for people in your community but don't know where to start? The Transformation Project is hosting an advocacy how-to event specific to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. It's happening Friday evening at the Prism Center. Details here.
- 🎃 Trek to the farm. Want a fall pumpkin patch experience a little off the beaten path? Our Farm in Parker, South Dakota is about a 35-minute drive from town, and you can find a petting zoo, corn maze, zip lines, bouncy house, corn pit, gourd launcher and a pick your own pumpkin patch. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan 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
Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️
Special thanks to the Good Night Theatre Collective!
Don't miss your chance to experience all of the campy, rock musical mayhem. Get tickets here, and then spend the next two weeks shivering with antici —pation.
