Happy Tuesday, Lincoln. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Lincoln Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead:

• Wine tasting 🍷 
• Guided hike 🥾 
• 4th of July 🎆 
• Things to do 📆 

Let’s get to it.

📰 In the news

Pantry demand surges: Lincoln’s Little Free Pantries ran nearly empty as dangerously high temperatures pushed more residents to rely on them — read more.

Lincoln’s giving circle marks a decade: 100s of Women Who Care Lincoln, now in its 10th year, has donated more than $294,000 to 32 local nonprofits as founders reflect on their impact and future — read their story.

Local coffee staple turns 30: The Coffee Roaster on Lincoln’s Old Cheney Road marked its 30th anniversary with games, food vendors and a rare air-roasting machine under one roof — check out the full story.

The most underrated investment: While markets seesaws with the headlines, gold and silver are quietly holding value behind the scenes. Curious how it works? Snag this free investor kit to learn more.

Highlights this week

• UN regents approved budget & tuition hike
• Webinar explores dementia’s family and staff impacts
• Monthly meeting discusses events and activism
• Weekly recovery support group in-person and online
• Get 1/2 off your first TruGreen lawn treatment

🫶 We got your back

Scoops of sunshine: Le Quartier Bakery & Café is your passport to gelato heaven, where every scoop tastes like a vacation in a cup—from tangy lemon to velvety stracciatella. It’s hands-down the sweetest way to beat the heat this weekend.

Pocket-sized perfection: If you’re craving dumplings that dance between delicate pleats and bold fillings, look no further than Chopsticks Chinese Cuisine—they steam, they sear, they even deep-fry, but no matter the shape, each bite packs a flavor punch you won’t see coming.

See clearly, look cheeky: Ready to upgrade your eye game? Local Eyes Custom Optometry isn’t your grandma’s eyewear counter (unless grandma’s a style icon). From retro cat-eyes to modern minimalist frames that whisper “I’ve got this,” they’ll have you seeing—and being seen—in a whole new light.

Kickflip ready: Drop in for decks, wheels, and gear that won’t bail on you—Precision Skateboards keeps everything locked in so you can focus on landing that trick instead of worrying about snapped axles.

👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?

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📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

📸 Lightroom Mobile Workshop @ Union Adventist University | Tuesday (7/1) at 6:30 pm – Turn your phone into a photo-editing powerhouse as you master Lightroom Mobile’s free and premium tools, from subtle color tweaks to advanced masking. Bring your smartphone or tablet (with the app installed), ask all your burning questions, and take your images from “nice” to “wow.” Suitable for ages 14+; $30 admission.

🧼 Specialty Workshop – Whipped Soap / Sugar Scrub @ AR Workshop Lincoln | Wednesday (7/2) at 5 pm – Get hands-on with scents, colors, and creamy textures in this DIY whipped soap and sugar scrub workshop. Craft perfect little gifts (or stock up for yourself), fuel your creativity with your favorite snacks, and leave with skin-loving goodies made by you.

🍷 July 2nd Wine Tasting @ Florio’s Italian Steakhouse & Lounge | Wednesday (7/2) at 5:30 pm – Wine Down Wednesday just got an upgrade: five exquisite pours from Italian Vine Distributing paired with Florio’s bruschetta. Sip, savor, and school your palate on regional tasting notes while enjoying laid-back summer vibes.

🎇 City Firework Show Viewing Party @ Barred Owl | Thursday (7/3) at 4 pm – Celebrate Independence Day with rooftop access to Lincoln’s grand fireworks show at 10 pm. Enjoy sprawling city views, a downstairs s’mores station and yard games, plus a full bar to keep the party going—all with zero cover.

🎆 4th of July Party @ Smoked Out Dispensary and Vapes | Friday (7/4) at 10 am – Fireworks, live performances, and killer deals collide at Smoked Out’s Independence Day blowout. Snag one of the LIMITED Smoked Out X Prelude Tees before they vanish. Feast, party, and puff your way through the festivities. Round up your squad and let freedom (and fun) ring!

🎉 4th of July Party @ Havelock United Methodist Church | Friday (7/4) at 12 pm – Join the 22nd annual Havelock Community celebration with free food, games, prizes, and a special guest appearance by Fire Station #5. Bring your family (kids must be accompanied by an adult) and a friend for two hours of courtyard fun.

This weekend

🥞 Waffle Weekend @ The Chocolate Season | Saturday (7/5) at 8 am – Experience Nebraska’s Famous Waffle Weekend at The Chocolate Season, hailed by Food Network as serving some of the best waffles in the USA. Indulge in eight rotating seasonal waffle creations that blend sweet and savory into a perfect morning treat. Pair your waffle masterpiece with a handcrafted coffee or tea, and browse the café’s selection of baked goods and quiches. Before you leave, swing by the Chocolate Shop to stock up on decadent desserts for weekend enjoyment.

🐴 Community Tack Sale @ Salt Creek Wranglers | Saturday (7/5) at 9 am – Salt Creek Wranglers is bringing back our community tack sale and you can join the fun for just a ten-dollar donation. Register online to claim your seller space or browse a variety of bridles, saddles, and equestrian gear. Whether you’re looking to score great deals or clear out your tack room, this event is a win-win. Come saddle up and support the Wranglers.

🌾 Guided Hike Summer Series 2: Prairie Appreciation Hike @ Prairie Pines Nature Preserve | Saturday (7/5) at 10 am – Lace up for Conservation Nebraska’s Guided Hike as we explore the prairie trails of Prairie Pines and uncover the unique flora and fauna that call it home. Led by Certified Nebraska Master Naturalist Cian Hassovic, this hike promises insights into prairie ecology and history. Open to all ages (recommended 8 and up), so dress for the weather and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Sign up in advance to get all event updates and trail tips.

🧘 Spiritual Healing Workshop @ Yoga Together Lincoln | Sunday (7/6) at 3 pm – Looking to reboot your mind, body, and spirit without breaking a sweat in a yoga class? Dive into an improv-style healing jam where you’ll learn clairvoyant techniques and soak up the vibes—volunteer or not. It’s a judgment-free zone for every belief system, so bring your questions and an open heart. Donations welcome but absolutely optional!

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 7/1 Social Distortion and more @ Bourbon Theatre – 7 pm
• 7/2 The Shucks Brothers @ Lincoln Community Foundation Garden – 12 pm
• 7/2 Wheezetones @ The Mill at Telegraph – 6 pm
• 7/2 Karaoke with DJ Romeo @ The Post – 8 pm
• 7/3 Uncle Sam Jam 2025 @ Haymarket Park – 7:15 pm
• 7/3 Shithook Live Band Karaoke @ The Zoo Bar – 9:30 pm
• 7/4 Bobby Gaboury @ Art & Soul – 6 pm
• 7/5 Pickle @ The Royal Grove – 8 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Andrew McNeely and Joshua Sand (BancWise Realty) – 8 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms | Built in 2017 | 5077 sqft

Silverfox Lane’s crown jewel flaunts over 5,000 square feet of “look at me” living, where four bedrooms on the main floor mean everyone gets their own turf—no rock-paper-scissors required. The kitchen’s custom cabinets and countertops are ready for culinary showdowns, and the island is big enough for both snacks and unsolicited opinions. Out back, the covered deck is primed for lazy afternoons and questionable sun hats.

Dive into the in-ground pool, which comes with its own heat pump for year-round aquatic antics, plus an automatic cover for those “oops, forgot to close it” moments. The pool house sports a bathroom with a shower and a fireplace on the outside, because why not? There’s a pond deep enough for epic cannonballs, and a detached garage with its own climate control—perfect for hobbies, hideouts, or suspiciously large collections.