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.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Lincoln crews replacing lead pipes for free, SCC opening a massive welding center, and the city rolling out a traffic safety plan to cut fatalities — catch up here.

State-level stories: Eight years since Nebraska’s total eclipse anniversary, fair volunteers are scooping cotton candy ice cream, and Native teens are convening to boost cultural pride — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Previously hacked data repository relaunches, ramen packs recalled over missing soy warning, and crypto markets tumble on inflation fears — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• March 50 miles to support homeless veterans
• Discover tools to parent confidently after trauma
• Join campus community at welcome reception
• Enjoy free books and carnival games
• This home warranty is 50% off until 8/24

🫶 We got your back

Sandwiches: Grab a salad if you must, but sometimes only a stacked sub will do. These must-try spots in Lincoln pack layers of flavor you won’t forget.

Travel: Think Nebraska isn’t built for epic road trips? Its tiny towns dish up charm, wide-open skies and that old-school Midwestern warmth you didn’t know you were missing. These hidden Nebraska gems prove you don’t need a crowded hotspot for an authentic adventure.

Kitchen: Skip the $800 monster machines that could probably blend your iPhone and the $30 lumps that choke on ice. Our 2025 blender guide cuts through the hype so you get a blender that actually works without leaving you $200 poorer.

Chocolatier: From silky truffles to bars you’ll 100% hide in the back of the pantry (sorry, not sorry), Lulubee Artisanal Chocolates is here to fuel your cocoa-fueled happiness. Just remember: sharing is optional, and “just one piece” is a myth.

Home: Many homeowners have no idea they’re sitting on thousands in equity they can use to redo their bathroom, kitchen, or whatever their hearts desire. This free equity loan comparison tool can help you find the best fit and get started on the right foot.

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

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📆 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

🇬🇷 My Big Fat Greek Festival 2025 | Friday (8/22) at 5:00pm – Trust me, nothing cures the late-summer blues like diving headfirst into a sea of souvlaki, baklava, and loud Greek tunes. Admission’s just two bucks or free with a few cans for the Food Bank, kids under ten get in gratis, and questionable dance moves encouraged.

🔮 Quantum Heart + Gong Meditation @ Bodhi Imports | Friday (8/22) at 5:30pm – If you’re up for decoding your heart’s secret clock, swing by Bodhi Imports in Lincoln for a free author talk and gong meditation. Astara Raven will drop cosmic wisdom from How the Stars Tell Time, while Orion’s gong helps you reclaim creativity, soul, and sanity.

This weekend

🧶 Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop @ Belmont Community Center | Saturday (8/23) at 2:00pm – Trade screen time for weaving giant loops in our cozy community center, no needles or knitting cred required. Choose your own private-label Lion Brand hues, upgrade to a herringbone pattern if you’re feeling fancy, and BYO coffee or any non-alcoholic drink.

🎸 Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge: Yes We Are Tour @ Pinewood Bowl Theater | Saturday (8/23) at 7:00pm – Summer’s biggest throwback duo is crashing into town: Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls are on a charity mission, slipping two bucks from every ticket to grassroots nonprofits. Dust off your air guitar, belt every anthem, and pat yourself on the back for a good deed.

🎸 Breakfast Club at The Eagles @ Lincoln Eagles Club | Saturday (8/23) at 7:30pm – Big hair? Optional. Big tunes? Guaranteed. The Breakfast Club is bringing their rock-and-roll energy to one of the best dance floors in town, and with drink prices this good, you might just stay out past your bedtime. $7 cover gets you in—your dance moves do the rest.

🚘 Duncan Aviation Charity Car Show | Sunday (8/24) at 8:00am – Thinking of Sunday plans? Cruise into a car show that parks vintage rides next to aircraft for Make-A-Wish Nebraska, free to spectators, packed with custom trophies, raffles, food, and tunes to distract you from the fact you’ll drool over someone else’s fully restored Corvette.

🥋 IKF Point Sparring Tournament | Sunday (8/24) at 10:00am – Whether you’re here for sharp kicks, crisp jabs, or a good excuse to grab beers, Lincoln’s semi-contact sparring tourney delivers. No real knockouts means you can bring the kids without losing an eyebrow, and there’s divisions for every age group.

📚 Activity & Storytime – AAC @ Sower Books | Sunday (8/24) at 1:00pm – If you’re looking for a story time that finally gets every kid talking, this AAC-friendly meet-up has you covered. Led by an ASHA-certified speech wizard, this Alma-inspired gathering blends adapted tales, hands-on activities, and a chance to bond with fellow families, devices included.

Next week

🎷 Monday Night Big Band | Monday (8/25) at 7:00pm – Think Monday nights can’t get any cooler? Swing by a free, biweekly big band night led by Greg Simon, channeling Village Vanguard vibes. Fresh local lineup keeps it lively, no cover, just pure swing and occasional sax solos stealing the spotlight.

📖 Sensory Storytime @ Elleinad Books | Tuesday (8/26) at 10:00am – Gather the tiny buccaneers and set sail for a free, pirate-themed storytime that tickles all eight senses, courtesy of Connect Pediatric Therapy. Think squishy seaweed, salty sea shanties, and surprise treasure clues hidden in the pages. Even landlubbers will be hooked.

🍷 Little Wine School: The World of Cabernet Sauvignon @ Art & Soul | Tuesday (8/26) at 5:30pm – I can’t think of a better excuse to break out good glassware than a night of sipping big red. Little Wine School explores Cabernet Sauvignon’s hotspots around the world, with tasting notes and enough tannin talk to have you calling yourself a Cabernet pro.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 8/22 Mark Stuart @ Zoo Bar – 5 pm
• 8/22 Hub & Soul Music @ Union Plaza – 6 pm
• 8/22 Crankdat @ The Royal Grove – 8 pm
• 8/23 Breakfast Club @ Lincoln Eagles – 7:30 am
• 8/23 Tom & Wes @ James Arthur Vineyards – 6 pm
• 8/23 Dirtfedd and more @ Bourbon Theatre – 7 pm
• 8/26 Jackyl @ Bourbon Theatre – 6 pm
• 8/26 Dark Watch and more @ Duffy’s Tavern – 6:30 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: Brandon Roseberry (SimpliCity Real Estate)

Cheerio Apartments serves up 35 spacious units with a dash of mid-century charm and a side of modern upgrades. The mix includes everything from cozy one-bedrooms to a rare three-bedroom with an extra half bath, all wrapped up in a building that’s as well-kept as it is cleverly designed.

Off-street parking means no circling the block, and the coin-op laundry keeps things simple. Keyless entry with a master code system adds a touch of tech, while the ALLO landlord plan brings in bonus income. Just the right blend of practicality and playful spirit.

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