🛝 The Westside’s new indoor playground opens today

We have to talk about the weather for a second, because it is finally cooperating. That means more reasons to get out, explore, and maybe stay out a bit longer than planned.

This week’s picks lean into that, with everything from easy family outings to nights that turn into stories later. Take a look, pick one thing (or three!), and go do it.

The Graduation Gift They Will Replay Forever: A Custom Song Written for Your Senior

Graduation only happens once, and it deserves something more than a gift card. Songs for Your Story takes your senior's name, memories, and inside jokes and crafts them into a fully custom, professionally produced song. Play it at the party, drop it behind the slideshow, or just send it to them on the big day. Give them something nobody else will think to give.

Country, pop, hip-hop, ballads. You pick the style. They handle everything else.

Before you decide, go to songsforyourstory.com/graduation and hit play on any song. Just 30 seconds. You will be blown away.

Starting at $79. Graduation season only.

Thank you to our sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the community. 🙏

🛝 A New Spot For Indoor Fun At The Westside Rec Center

The Gist Sioux Falls is opening a new 1,600-square-foot indoor playground at the Westside Recreation Center on 8701 W. 32nd Street. We're all invited to the grand opening today, April 23, at 10:30 a.m. to check out the new space. This project follows a year of big upgrades like new lighting, fresh carpet, and resurfaced gym courts.

Why It Matters Having a dedicated indoor spot for kids to play is a total game-changer for our neighborhood, especially when the weather isn't cooperating. It’s great to see the city putting so much care into the Westside center, making it a place where families can actually hang out and stay active together.

🏗️ Downtown Rail Yard Redevelopment Moves Forward with $95 Million Mixed-Use Plan

The Gist: A long-anticipated redevelopment of the former BNSF rail yard land in downtown Sioux Falls has cleared a major hurdle, with the Sioux Falls City Council now weighing an $8 million tax increment financing package for Iowa-based Christensen Development. The proposed $95 million project would transform roughly four acres south of Eighth Street into three buildings: a five-story office and retail building with 60,000 square feet of Class A commercial space, and two apartment buildings with about 300 workforce housing units combined. A five-story parking ramp would also be included, with public access on evenings and weekends. The development agreement sets a completion deadline of December 31, 2031, and the city would retain a strip of land for a bike trail extension through the site.

Why It Matters: For downtown residents and businesses, this fills a major gap between the Cherapa Place corridor and the Whittier neighborhood, extending the walkable fabric of downtown eastward and adding hundreds of new residents to the area. The bike trail connection also adds meaningful infrastructure for the broader greenway network.

🍳 An airy morning retreat for curated sips

Housed in a lovingly restored 1908 grocery building, Perch is a bright corner for those who appreciate a well-made morning.

With Mother’s Day arriving in just a few weeks, the floral Bouquet Latte or a plate of sourdough avocado toast feels like a timely indulgence. The menu shines with local touches, like the farm-fresh Dakota mushrooms in the American Hash.

It is a small, bustling space where the service is kind and the neighborhood pride is palpable.

🌸 Petals for a custom spring tabletop

A stroll down East 10th Street reveals The Flower Mill, a local favorite that has been brightening Sioux Falls homes since 2006.

The cooler is currently packed with seasonal blooms, perfect for a quick room refresh or a thoughtful gesture as Moms’ Day approaches. You can select your own stems and watch as they design a bespoke bouquet right in front of you.

For those planning ahead, they will be open Sunday, May 10.

🥚 Egg is a spirited seven-month-old Domestic Shorthair

She brings a sense of adventure to every corner of the home. While Egg enjoys a solo mission to explore, this independent explorer is easily swayed by a warm lap and a few chin scratches.

She is medium-sized, litter trained, and famously the first to arrive at the dinner bowl. Egg is currently located in our community with an adoption fee of $175. She is remarkably social and thrives alongside other dogs, cats, and children.

To learn more about this quirky gal,

🎪 83rd El Riad Shrine Circus | Sioux Falls Arena | Sioux Falls | 04/24–04/26 | More
Full weekend of big-top action: acrobats, clowns, tigers, horses, camels, and more.

🌊 Special Olympics Swim Meet | Midco Aquatic Center | Sioux Falls | 04/24 | More
Cheer on local athletes in this inspiring community sports competition.

📖 Beyond the Books | Our Savior’s Lutheran Church | Sioux Falls | 04/25 | More
Interactive literary festival with author panels and community storytelling.

🌏 Party for the Planet | Sertoma Park | Sioux Falls | 04/25 | More 
Earth Day celebration with a Big Sioux River clean-up and fishing activities.

🐾 The Little Rascals | Sioux Falls State Theatre | Sioux Falls | 04/25-04/26 | More
Nostalgic childhood mischief and clubhouse fun on the historic big screen!

🦖 T.Rex 3D Experience | Wells Fargo CineDome | Sioux Falls | until 04/30 | More
Immersive prehistoric adventure through the eyes of the apex predator.

🎭 The Music Man: National Broadway Tour | Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Washington Pavilion | Sioux Falls | 04/30-05/02 | More 
The story of fast-talking Harold Hill and River City features beloved songs!

💡 TEDxSiouxFalls 2026 | Washington Pavilion | Sioux Falls | 04/23 | More 
"Ideas worth spreading": 9 thought leaders sharing stories for a global audience.

🎭 Hairspray | Orpheum Theater Center | Sioux Falls | 04/24 | More 
Energetic 1960s musical featuring bright costumes and big hairdos.

💪 Four Twenty Falls 2026 | Bigs Bar | Sioux Falls | until 04/25 | More 
A four-day music festival spanning Rock, Funk, Electronic, Reggae, and Hip-Hop!

🏎️ Adult Pintwood Derby | Severance Brewing Company | Sioux Falls | 04/26 | More
Nostalgic miniature car racing with a craft beer in hand.

💥 Levitt Music Maker Mixer: Healing Side of Music | Startup Sioux Falls | 04/29 | More 
A free session exploring music therapy with experts, live demos, and treats.

🎺 Fellowship Jazz Center Orchestra featuring Andrea Ross | Orpheum Theater Center | Sioux Falls | 04/30 | More 
Celebrating International Jazz Day and the orchestra's one-year anniversary!

🍽️ Swiftie Dinner! Session 1 | Plum’s Cooking Co. | Sioux Falls | 04/29 | More 
Era-inspired demonstration cooking experience featuring iconic flavors and pairings.

Thanks for reading Our Newsletter! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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