Happy Friday, Lincoln. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In today’s edition: Rosie’s holiday sip & shop, The Living Nativity, Little Women screening, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Second-half surge in Lincoln: Nebraska extended its nation-best 11-game unbeaten streak with an 80-73 win over Winthrop, led by Rienk Mast’s 31 points. The Huskers host South Carolina Upstate on Saturday at 1 pm — read the full recap.

Boost for Nebraska agriculture: The USDA has chosen Lincoln for a Natural Resources Conservation Service regional office over 10 other states. The hub will help farmers access conservation funding and reduce runoff risks statewide — read the full story.

New chapter for UNL journalism: UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications dean Shari Veil will step down Dec. 23 to become provost at North Dakota State University, with interim leadership details coming soon — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: Last week, my step-dad got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Annual plans are 55% off until Sunday — check it out here.

Highlights this week

• Enjoy breakfast and selfies with Santa
• Shop one-of-a-kind gifts from local makers
• Experience LSO’s holly jolly holiday concert
• Celebrate the state Christmas tree lighting
• Celebrate at Wax Buffalo’s German-inspired market
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals
• Pet parents: Don’t miss Chewy’s Black Friday sale

🫶 We got your back

Seasonal yard waste rules explained: Starting Monday, Dec. 1, Lincoln and Lancaster County residents can mix grass and leaves with household trash through March 31. Haulers may add fees based on volume and weight. Tip: use paper lawn bags, since frozen leaves tend to stick to plastic cans. See when mixing is allowed.

Fresh ideas take root: Check out UNL’s student-built hydroponic systems at public open houses on Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, 9:30–10:30 a.m., in the Plant Science Teaching Greenhouse (3855 Fair St.). Chat with student teams, see prototypes growing greens, fruits, and edible flowers, and enjoy seasonal treats in the cozy greenhouse. Meter parking available nearby. Get all the details.

Spin-worthy treasure hunt: Crate-diggers, rejoice. At Lincoln Vintage Vinyl, browse fresh and pre-owned LPs, CDs, and tapes, plus 30,000+ 45s. They buy, sell, and trade, and they stock vintage stereo gear… a painless way to tune up your setup before the next RSD drop.

Health drinks that don’t taste like grass: With tasty tea and matcha blends for everything from recovery and radiant skin to energy without the crash, a metabolism boost, and immune support, everything in Pique’s lineup tastes as good as it makes you feel. They’re clean, there are no additives, and all new monthly subscriptions are 20% off for liferight now. Yup… literally forever (or until you cancel).

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🦃 19th Annual Turkey Chase @ Sandhills Global Event Center | Friday (11/28) at 12:00pm – The Turkey Chase is back for its 19th year, and it’s taking over the whole weekend. Whether you’re chasing glory, bragging rights, or just burning off yesterday’s pie, this three-day event has you covered. Show up ready to move — or at least ready to pretend you’re an athlete.

🎸 The Surfrajettes @ Zoo Bar | Friday (11/28) at 6:00pm – A 6 pm show means you can rock, refuel, and still be in bed at a reasonable hour. The Surfrajettes bring reverb-drenched surf, psychedelic shimmer, sky-high beehives, and go-go boots to Zoo Bar, $20 advance, $25 day of, tickets at the bar or Ticketweb.

This weekend

🧸 Stay and Play @ Walt Branch Library | Saturday (11/29) at 11:00am – After storytime wraps, the fun keeps rolling with hands-on, imagination-fueled play. Kids get free rein with developmental toys while caregivers swap stories and breathe for a minute. It’s unstructured, low-pressure, and exactly the kind of wholesome chaos Saturdays were made for.

🎉 Holiday Open House & Live Music @ James Arthur Vineyards | Saturday (11/29) at 12:00pm – Swing by the winery for cookies, hot mulled wine, and live holiday tunes while you pretend it’s ‘just browsing’ in the gift shop. It’s cozy, festive, and a perfectly acceptable way to combine errands, merriment, and a little self-gifting.

🎶 Holiday Music Series: Chris Sayre @ James Arthur Vineyards | Saturday (11/29) at 2:00pm – If you need a break from gift lists and parking-lot dodgeball, slip into the Holiday Music Series and let local favorite Chris Sayre handle the carols. It is a Saturday-afternoon thing, easygoing, festive, and the perfect excuse for lingering with cocoa, conversation, and zero errands.

🛍️ Rosie’s Holiday Sip & Shop @ Rosie’s Sports Bar & Grill | Sunday (11/30) at 10:00am – Rosie’s Holiday Sip & Shop is back, pairing festive cocktails with easy browsing from local vendors. Sip, mingle, and check off the gift list with makers like arae decor & more, then smugly avoid the mall, the chaos, and the usual holiday rush. Grown-up field trip.

🍳 Meal with Strangers-Sunday Brunch Series @ A Restaurant in Lincoln | Sunday (11/30) at 11:00am – Sunday brunch in Lincoln means one thing, getting chatty with strangers over good coffee, eggs, and easy conversation. A cozy meet-up for grownups who actually make eye contact, with delicious plates and the chance to meet someone new.

🌟 The Living Nativity @ 3B Homestead | Sunday (11/30) at 2:00pm – Step into a grand 1888 barn for an untraditional nativity where volunteers, and some very professional goats, retell Luke 2. It is the 10th year, so expect star lighting, cocoa, live music, and The Stable Store, all free, all low-fuss magic.

Next week

🎅 Cookies, Claus, & Community | Giving Tuesday with Matt Talbot and Thrivent @ Sheridan Lutheran Church | Tuesday (12/2) at 3:30pm – Giving Tuesday calls for cookies, cocoa, and Santa schmoozing at Sheridan Lutheran, plus pitching in to assemble care kits for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Suggested $25, give what you can, and Thrivent matches $1 per $2, fees covered, so 100 percent goes to Matt Talbot.

🎬 UNL Film Club presents: Little Women| Tuesday (12/2) at 7:15pm – Whether you can recite Jo’s lines, or still think Laurie is a girl, UNL Film Club is screening Greta Gerwig’s Little Women free at The Ross. Cozy, sharp, and Nebraska holiday core. Grab your free tickets at the Ross box office, in person, not online.

🎺 NJO 50th Anniversary Concert II: 1985-1994 @ The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel | Tuesday (12/2) at 7:30pm – Nothing beats a nostalgia hit set to a horn section. NJO is revisiting 1985 to 1994 with charts by Tom Larson, Randy Snyder, and a who’s who of Nebraska greats like Luigi Waites, the Gulizia Brothers, Dave Brown, and Bev Jester. Real chops, no filler.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Spafford @ The Royal Grove – 6 pm
• 12/3 Sevendust @ Bourbon Theatre – 7 pm
• 12/3 Music Bingo @ Big 10 Sports Bar – 7 pm
• 12/4 Open Mic Nights @ Hub Cafe – 5 pm
• 12/4 Turnpike Tributedours @ Bourbon Theatre – 6 pm
• 12/5 Jeremy McComb @ Buck’s Bar – 9 pm
• 12/6 Jerry Renaud @ James Arthur Vineyards – 2 pm
• 12/6 ATLiens @ The Royal Grove – 8 pm
• 12/7 Anastasia @ Annie L. McDonald Theatre – 2 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).

Listed by: Jayme Shelton (Red Door Realty)

Modern rustic vibes meet everyday function in over 3,100 square feet. Five bedrooms and three baths orbit a generous dining zone built for feasts and game nights. Alder solid wood doors, sunlit rooms, and a thoughtfully planned kitchen with stainless appliances, granite counters, and a walk-in pantry keep the tone warm and polished.

An oversized three-stall garage swallows gear, tools, and hobbies, so the living stays uncluttered. Flexible spaces handle guests, work, and weekend projects with style.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →