Fireworks at Haymarket, service shifts, budget slashes, cider flights, book fair brews, climate chats, and more.
June 27, 2025
Happy Friday, 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 weekend ahead:
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Uncle Sam Jam 🎆
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Route 46 change 🚌
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Movie in the park 🎥
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
UNL service center cuts: Ten positions at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Bureau of Sociological Research were eliminated amid government funding cuts — read the full story.
Haymarket hosts Uncle Sam Jam: Lincoln’s free Uncle Sam Jam is set to debut at Haymarket Park on July 3 with live music, a flag-lowering ceremony, concessions, and a Pepsi-sponsored fireworks display — get the details.
StarTran Route 46 shift: Service will reroute from Arnold Heights’ residential streets to better serve the growing Air Park area starting June 30 — see the full details.
Is your bank underperforming? If you’re earning less than 3.80% APY with your current savings account (the national average is 0.41% 👀)… the answer is yes. Do yourself a favor and take the time to open a SoFi savings accounts. It could earn you up to 9x more in interest on top of no fees and a $300 bonus with eligible direct deposits — what are you waiting for?
Highlights this week
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University of Nebraska cutting another $20M
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NE baseball player joins KC Royals Hall of Fame
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Hang out with Pastor Tom at Gimme Shelter
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Donate blood and receive free game tickets
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Play volleyball and support Brave Animal Rescue
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Endurance’s auto warranty is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pom-pour perfection: When life gives you apples, SARO Cider turns them into sparkling, spiced sips you didn’t know you needed—whether you’re into crisp and dry or sweet and cinnamon-kissed, they’ve got the pour to match your fall-in-love mood.
Last bite, best bite: Tiny towers of frosting, molten center marvels, and a sugar swagger that’ll keep you guessing what’s coming next—The Rabbit Hole Bakery is where your sweet tooth (and your Instagram feed) both get their moment in the spotlight.
Mic drop central: From shower-stall solos to power-ballad bravado and the occasional “sorry, not sorry” encore, Steve O’s Lounge hands you the mic, cranks up the neon, and dares even the most tone-deaf among us to steal the show.
Bolt action: Hunting for bold florals, buttery satins, or that perfect canvas for your next DIY masterpiece? Cosmic Cow stocks bolts of fabric so good you’ll actually look forward to hemming, quilting, or just petting every. single. yard.
Plot twist (AARP is actually amazing): It’s packed with perks that actually matter — discounts at hotels, restaurants, flights, even car rentals. Plus, you’ll unlock a second membership for free for someone else in your house. At just $15 per year… it’s kind of a no-brainer.
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📆 Lincoln happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🩸 Haymarket Park Blood Drive @ Haymarket Park | Friday (6/27) at 12 pm – Donate blood, save lives, and score up to four free tickets to the Saltdogs game later that night. It’s a win-win for your community and your weekend plans.
💦 Floating Sound Journey @ Sattva Sound Therapy | Friday (6/27) at 7 pm – Let go and float (literally) through a sound bath meditation, either in the pool or on dry land. Limited spots, max relaxation. Bring your swimsuit or your yoga mat—your choice.
🎬 Movies in the Park: Wicked @ Air Park Recreation Center | Friday (6/27) at 8:45 pm – See the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda under the stars. Bring your blanket, snag a good spot, and enjoy this spellbinding adaptation for free—just beware the flying monkeys.
This weekend
🌼 Garden Party @ Gere Library | Saturday (6/28) at 10 am – Celebrate local food, herbs, and sustainability with Community Crops and friends. From herbal tea tastings and Indigenous practices to hands-on garden activities and music, this free, family-friendly fest is full of earth-loving goodness.
🏳️🌈 Y-Not Market: Queer Edition @ The Resonator | Saturday (6/28) at 12 pm – It’s market time with extra sparkle! This Pride-celebrating pop-up brings together LGBTQ+ makers, bakers, and thrifters from Lincoln and Omaha for a vibrant afternoon of creativity and community. Expect handmade goods, fierce vibes, and some of the best humans around.
🌎 Climate Up Close @ Pioneers Park Nature Center | Saturday (6/28) at 1:30 pm – Join top scientists from NOAA, Harvard, and beyond for a face-to-face chat about climate change. No jargon, just real talk, open Q&A, and a rare chance to get clarity from the experts. Free, but registration is a must.
📚 3rd Chapter Boozy Book Fair @ White Elm Brewing Company | Saturday (6/28) at 5 pm – It’s back for another round, and it’s a page-turner. Sip local brews while browsing indie reads, then explore a lineup of surprise vendors. Think Scholastic Book Fair—but with beer and grown-up energy.
🛁 Clyt; or, The Bathtub Play @ Johnny Carson Theatre | Sunday (6/29) at 2 pm – Greek tragedy meets modern feminist wit in this lyrical, darkly comedic take on Clytemnestra’s story. Expect a bathtub, a Greek chorus, and an unforgettable cast in this regional premiere that dives into motherhood, identity, and revenge. Mature themes, bold storytelling — theater lovers, this one’s a must.
🚲 Sunday Ride with Trek Lincoln – White Elm @ Trek Bicycle Lincoln | Sunday (6/29) at 4:30 pm – Saddle up and cruise into summer with this casual adults-only bike ride ending in pints at White Elm Brewery. It’s the perfect blend of light cardio and cold beer, and a great excuse to catch up with friends (or make new ones) before the workweek hits.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/27 Root Marm Chicken Farm Jug Band and more @ Union Plaza – 6 pm
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6/27 Borgore @ The Royal Grove – 8 pm
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6/27 Happy Endings @ Cappy’s Hotspot Bar & Grill – 8:30 pm
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6/27 Wheelwright @ The Zoo Bar – 9 pm
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6/28 Sam Morrow @ The Zoo Bar – 5 pm
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6/28 Gene Davis @ Art & Soul – 6 pm
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6/28 M-80 @ Cappy’s Hotspot Bar & Grill – 8:30 pm
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6/28 J Balvin + Bad Bunny Oasis Party @ The Royal Grove – 9 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Lincoln edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Steve Leffert (Brokers of Real Estate) – 5 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | Built in 2019 | 4806 sqft
Why settle for a cookie-cutter castle when you can rule your own 2.32-acre kingdom inside Lincoln’s city limits? This custom walkout ranch is basically a nature documentary waiting to happen, with deer, wild turkeys, foxes, and enough birdsong to make Disney jealous. The wraparound deck is perfect for spotting wildlife—or judging their fashion choices—while the hot tub, gazebo, and treehouse keep both grown-ups and pint-sized adventurers entertained.
Sustainability gets a standing ovation here: geothermal heating, city water, private septic, and not one, but two backup wells. The tornado-safe room doubles as a secret lair, and the remote-controlled gate ensures only the coolest guests make it past the drawbridge. All this, plus a driveway that can host a small parade and landscaping so lush, the squirrels are on a waitlist.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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