Happy Friday! Megan here.

First things first: This issue is sponsored by Voyage Federal Credit Union.

  • Voyage Federal Credit Union has all the features of a larger financial institution, but with a smaller team and a personal touch. Right now, you can get started with a free checking account at any of the three locations in Sioux Falls. Learn more here.

Weather check: Hot and breezy

A quick note: I'm taking a little break for Labor Day, so I'll only be in your inbox once next week (on Thursday – whoa!).

  • Members, that also means I won't be sending my Monday issue this week, but don't hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions about the week ahead.

This weekend, I'll tell you about the new planetarium (and how you can catch a free show). Also, remember on Wednesday when I told you about the need for food at Feeding South Dakota? Well, my friends over at Startup Sioux Falls and I decided to do something about it. Read all about how you can contribute to our food drive next week! Oh, and don't miss our roundup of events!

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

How to catch a free show at the new planetarium

Simplified: The freshly renovated Wells Fargo Cinedome and Sweetman Planetarium at the Washington Pavilion is ready to show off what it can do. Here's what you need to know about the new facility and how to catch a free movie this weekend.

Why it matters

  • It all started with the largest single donation from an individual in Washington Pavilion history – a $2 million gift from Dick and Kathy Sweetman.
  • With that, the Pavilion was able to update the existing Cinedome with state-of-the-art technology to bring outer space exploration to Sioux Falls. The planetarium will have the ability to do laser shows, live feeds of space launches and nearly endless programming options.
  • Mayor Paul TenHaken lauded the donation and the resource the planetarium brings to the community in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. He cited the importance of private donors in bringing these amenities to town.
"The number of people who step up in this city ... it's not normal," TenHaken said. "This is really, really remarkable."

Learn how to catch a free show this weekend


SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

How we're teaming up with Startup Sioux Falls to support Feeding South Dakota

This is a sponsored piece in partnership between Sioux Falls Simplified and Startup Sioux Falls.

Simplified: You read earlier this week about how Feeding South Dakota is seeing fewer donations and higher need. Well, we wanted to make it easy for folks to help out. Here's what you need to know about the Startup Sioux Falls and Sioux Falls Simplified food drive next week – and how you can win prizes for donating.

Photo courtesy of Startup Sioux Falls.

Tell me more

The food drive will run from Tuesday, Sept. 5 to Friday, Sept. 8.

  • Or, if you're a Startup Sioux Falls co-working member, you can donate anytime from now until Sept. 8.

You can drop off donations at Startup Sioux Falls, located at 100 E. Sixth St.

  • Bring donations to Startup Sioux Falls between 8-5 pm Tuesday through Friday. Enter at the public entrance on Phillips Ave.

If you donate Wednesday morning during the first-ever Startup Sunrise event, you'll be entered to win prizes. Keep reading to learn more.

Tell me even more

What types of food should I bring? And what if I'd rather give money than food?


TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Polled pork. Seventeen restaurants are participating in the third annual Downtown Pork Showdown, with recipes ranging from tacos to mac 'n cheese to a pork parfait (yeah, go look at the picture of that one). Find a list of restaurants and how to vote for your favorite dish here.
  • City done with first phase of Minnesota Ave. The city announced this week that it's completed the reconstruction of Minnesota Avenue from Russell to Second Street – including new "accent lighting." Total project cost was $14.07 million.
  • Paint the plow. Students (K-12) are eligible to apply to paint one of the city plows for the 14th annual "Paint the Plow program." Approximately 30 plows will be available for the program and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To sign up, email Dustin Hansen at dhansen@siouxfalls.org.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: Sept. 1-7

  • Get inspired. The Second Annual Woman to Woman Conference will take place Saturday, Sept. 9 at Calico Skies Vinyard and Winery. Connect with inspiring women, and find guidance and validation in your business journey. Details and tickets here. (P.S. Sioux Falls Simplified is a sponsor of this event!)
  • Brunch and a show. Drag brunch is coming to Crave with two shows on Sunday morning. The Rochester Girls will perform with hostess Allota Shots. Get your reservation and find more details here.
  • Catch LifeLight. It's the 25th anniversary of the LifeLight Christian Music Festival, and it's going big. Find a full day of music starting at noon on Sunday at 8th and Railroad. Artists include Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Colton Dixon and more. Details here.
  • Buy art, support music. Fifteen artists are teaming up to raise money for Levitt at the Falls. Their donated artwork will be raffled off for $5 per ticket during the event from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Β Details here.
  • Get some yin and yang. Relax with some yoga at Joy Collective Yoga Studio starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. Then, snag some coffee and treats from Daylily Coffee from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. More here.
  • Good ol' fashined radio fun. Midtown Coffee Radio Hour is hosting a live recording of its 20th episode, "Park Day" at the McKennan Park bandshell starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Details here.

ICYMI

More Simplified stories

Why disposal is likely the only option for Delbridge Museum taxidermy
Even if a group wanted to get together and find a new home for the collection of taxidermy at the now-closed Delbridge Museum, the city is likely to say no, a visibly frustrated Mayor Paul TenHaken told reporters on Tuesday.
How Dell Rapids is keeping City Hall downtown
The city offices for Dell Rapids will be moving into a new home next fall, but City Hall will still be on the town’s main thoroughfare.
How a mural was selected for the downtown parking ramp
It took 10 months, an abandoned request for proposals and a chance meeting at a downtown restaurant, but the city is now moving forward on a mural to adorn the side of the undeveloped 10th Street parking ramp.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this weekend:

  • Canaries
  • Kiwi
  • Not needing a third thing because everyone's brain is already on the weekend...

Become a member

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Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can buy me a coffee. :)


Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to Sales & Socials Director Olivia Bertino at olivia@sfsimplified.com or check out our media kit.

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Reach out

What story do you want to see simplified? Falling for something local? Send any news tips, attaboys, missed typos or long weekend vibes to megan@sfsimplified.com.


Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Community Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, Midco, the Great Plains Zoo, the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance and Voyage Federal Credit Union. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Special thanks to Voyage Federal Credit Union!

In addition to a free checking account, you can also open a share certificate (it's like a CD at a bank, but with better rates) and see a 5.18% annual percentage yield for 12 months. Let your money make more money for you. Learn more here.