Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Stormy
Sticker update: I've got three new sticker designs! Want to rep SF Simplified on your water bottle/laptop/etc.? I'll be hanging out at Terra Shepherd today for their First Friday event (alongside Daylily Coffee and Darling Flowers) – stop by and I'll make sure you get one!
This weekend, I've got a story that hits particularly close to home. It's World Breastfeeding Week, and, as someone currently breastfeeding (and has now spent a cumulative two years of my life doing so) I wanted to hear from other women about their experiences breastfeeding in Sioux Falls. The good news? It's overall positive, but there's always room for more resources and education. You'll also find a roundup of local events, some Super Simplified Stories and some cool news from our sponsors.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
How breastfeeding moms find support in Sioux Falls
Simplified: It's World Breastfeeding Week. Sioux Falls Simplified talked to several women in town about how they're finding support and where they could use more help.
Why it matters
- Supporting breastfeeding moms is a matter of public health, Avera lactation Barb Giles said. Breastmilk is a living organism, Giles added, and it's responsive to the baby's needs.
- It's also time-consuming, hard work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, with continued breastfeeding for the first two years of age or longer.
- Largely, women in Sioux Falls say they feel supported in their breastfeeding journey. And, increasingly, they say they're comfortable feeding their children when and wherever they need to – including nursing in public.
"Don't let a nursing mother embarrass you because it's not embarrassing," Sioux Falls mother of two Megan Figueroa said. "I'm not trying to embarrass you. I'm trying to feed my child."
How moms are finding support – and what they still need
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This fast-growing credit union has an 80-year history in Sioux Falls
This is a paid piece from Voyage Federal Credit Union
Simplified: Voyage Federal Credit Union has grown from about $60 million in assets to more than $200 million in the last decade. Learn more about how this Sioux Falls financial institution is bringing large-scale resources to members with a small, local feel.
Why it matters
- Voyage's history dates back to 1939, when then-called Sioux Falls Bell Federal Credit Union was chartered to serve employees in the local Sioux Falls telephone industry.
- Since then, it's merged with more than a dozen other credit unions – most recently with Good Samaritan Federal Credit Union in 2021 and with Vermillion Federal Credit Union this year.
- That growth has also brought expanded services. Voyage now offers a new online banking platform, more business banking opportunities and indirect lending to more than a dozen local auto dealers.
- But even as it grows, Voyage is maintaining a commitment to putting its members first and giving them the service level they'd expect at a small, local financial institution alongside high-tech features to make managing money easy.
"They get the best of both worlds," CEO Jeff Schmidt said. "They still get the personalized service, community-owned, 'this is my credit union' feel. It doesn't feel like a big Wall Street bank."
Tell me more about Voyage's growth
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- New trail race coming to town. 605 Running Company and Undeniably Dairy are teaming up for a new "Dairy Dash" race on Aug. 12 at Good Earth State Park. There's a one-mile race for kids, and four- and eight-mile trail races for those age 11 and up. Details and registration here.
- Watch out for motorcycles. The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicks off today West River, but many bikers will also stop by Sioux Falls. Be sure to be extra cautious on roadways, and be extra diligent about checking your blind spots for bikes.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Aug. 4-10
- Meet me at the fair. The Sioux Empire Fair kicks off this weekend and runs through Aug. 12. Pigeon 605 scouted out what's new, and you can find schedules and tickets here.
- Create a community canvas. Hartt Studio is teaming up with the Transformation Project from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to create a large-scale art composition made up of a bunch of 5-inch by 5-inch canvases created by individuals. Stop by Hartt Studios to participate. More info here.
- Grab some art and pizza. Sunny's Pizzeria is hosting its second annual Bazaart event from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at its 26th Street location. Grab a pizza, a beer, and support some local artists.
- See Spot jump. Watch dogs run and jump into a pool of water at the DockDogs event at Scheels. The event runs Saturday and Sunday. Schedule and details here.
- Party like it's First Friday. The August Eastbank Block Party will run 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday at 8th and Railroad. Find live music, food trucks, activities and local vendors. Details and lineup here.
- Pursue pizza. Falls Area Bicyclists is hosting a "Pizza Pursuit" from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday. For $10, you can bike along with a group to four (or five, if you take the long route) different pizzarias in town. Details here.
ICYMI
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What I'm falling for this weekend:
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