Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Warming up for the weekend

This weekend, I'm keeping it pretty short and sweet to give you more time to catch up on all the election coverage (and maybe sneak in a call for your mom or the maternal figures in your life!) But, I've got a cool update on new tech the city is using to increase transparency. Plus, you'll meet the mom bringing thousands of other moms together.

And now, news:

CITY

How new tech is helping the city be more transparent

Simplified: The city is in the process of re-launching Neighborhood Connect, an online tool that shows building permits, planning data, rezoning requests under consideration and code enforcement issues. Here's a closer look at the tool and how it can help you be more in-the-know about what's happening around town.

Why it matters

  • Neighborhood Connect allows users to set up alerts, so instead of consistently checking the city website, you can receive emails when, for example, there's a new building permit for housing in your neighborhood.
  • The city's been working on a program to increase transparency since 2014, and, after first launching Neighborhood Connect in early March 2020 (famously a fun time for everyone), they've worked on improvements to make the program as easy as possible and are re-launching it this spring, Senior Planner Jason Bieber said.
  • The site allows users to search specific parts of town – sorting by council districts or neighborhood associations, for example – but folks can also draw their own circles on the map or set up alerts for specific addresses. After an initial set-up, there's no need to go back to the city website. Users can simply rely on email notifications to get the information they're looking for.
"The beauty of it is you have so many options of what you want to see, where you want to see it and the frequency in which you want to be notified," Bieber said.

Tell me more

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

Meet the Sioux Falls mom building community on and offline

This is a paid piece from Sioux Falls Mom Connection.

Simplified: Kelsey Whitesel remembers how isolated she felt in the months after her children were born. Now, she's combating that isolation for herself and others by building a village through the Sioux Falls Mom Connection, an Instagram page bringing thousands of local moms together.

Why it matters

  • Whitesel started Sioux Falls Mom Connection on Instagram in 2023. She was inspired by another mom in the Twin Cities doing similar content sharing family-friendly events, recommendations, etc.
  • It didn't take long for her to recognize the real magic of the page: moms sharing their own stories, advice, ideas and recommendations. She began featuring individual moms from the area and crowdsourcing recommendations from the Instagram community.
  • Three years in, Sioux Falls Mom Connection has also developed community offline with brunch meet-ups, walking groups, special themed parties and even a book club led by fellow local mom Colleen Erwin.
"When you get older and when you become a mom, it can be harder to maintain and to make those friendships," Erwin said. "Kelsey is such a champion for adult friendships and female friendships, and she makes it happen. She makes it so accessible for us to all come together."

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Don't miss the Ink for Tomorrows event.* Ink for Tomorrows is back for its third year on May 16 with flash tattoos, food trucks, music, art vendors and more. Proceeds from this event will support individuals in our community who cannot afford mental health services. This years' funds will go towards buying and converting a minibus into a mobile play therapy office bringing play therapy to children who need it most. Tickets are going fast, so snag yours here today.
  • Spring tips from the city. Now that the weather is warming up, the City of Sioux Falls is putting out some reminders for residents.
    • Make sure you know when it's OK and not OK to water your lawn. See the full rules here.
    • You need a permit for a new lawn, and can get one by contacting Public Works at 605-367-8600.
    • The city has $100 vouchers available for planting street trees. Details here.
    • You can also get free compost from the landfill. Details here.
    • And, if you want text alerts about when street sweeping is happening in your neighborhood, you can sign up for those here.
  • From one mayor to the next. Mayor Paul TenHaken offered some guidance for the person that'll take over his job after the June election. That advice includes not viewing the office as a stepping-stone for a higher office, remembering to focus on youth, not taking criticism from folks you wouldn't take advice from and to keep politics out of the office. You can read the full well-wishes on Facebook or LinkedIn.

PRICE PREDICTOR

Can you guess the price of this Sioux Falls home?

This is a sponsored segment from Destinie Marshall with Discovery Real Estate Co.

This 2,400-square-foot, split-foyer home combines space, function, and comfort. It's got five bedrooms (three on the main floor), three bathrooms and a walkout back yard. The lower level expands your living space with a large recreation area, complete with fireplace and bar, perfect for hosting or relaxing. Can you guess the listing price?

  1. $405,000
  2. $450,000
  3. $475,000

Want to see your listing shared here? Email megan@sfsimplified.com.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

What we know – and don’t – about a new homelessness strategic plan
North Star Solutions, a South Dakota-based consulting firm, is developing a comprehensive, three-year strategic plan to address homelessness. But so far they’ve not publicly disclosed who’s paying for it, who’s in charge of it or what timeline they’re operating under.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Stuff to do: May 6-12
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Sioux Falls this week.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Schools are integrating therapy – and it’s paying off
The Sioux Falls School District this week shared early results from a pilot project to embed mental health therapists in schools to support students. And so far, it appears to be helping.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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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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