Big Kitty 🐈‍⬛

The Lincoln Ledger: November 22nd, 2024

November 22, 2024

Happy Friday Ledgers,

Come one, come all, to the inaugural TLL “If we don’t win six games, I will ugly cry” Meet-Up, sponsored by my therapist. We called an audible and decided to take our tailgate from the parking lot to the bar (Occidental) to enjoy the game from the comfort of a place with running water and heat. 😊

Here are the details:

  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 23rd @ 12:00 PM (Game starts at 2:30 PM)

  • Location: Occidental

  • Attire: IDK man, whatever you want to wear

  • What to expect: We’ll watch the game, hang out, and hopefully not leave disappointed in the final score

In this week’s issue:

  • Big Kitty: Mountain lion spotted near Lincoln

  • What To Do: Bin 105, shooting stuff, and smashing things

  • Sportz: Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge

  • Neighborhood Watch: We Post. You Design.

We’ll see you tomorrow. 🫶

- Landon

BIG KITTY

Mountain lion spotted near Lincoln. 🦁

It’s the debate that’s been dividing friendships and testing bravado for years: Could you take on a mountain lion with your bare hands? Well, it might be time to put your money where your mouth is, tough guy.

This week, the Lincoln Police Department confirmed a mountain lion sighting near Bennet, NE. A local resident was startled awake by a notification from their trail camera. The footage revealed a stealthy feline prowling through the area.

Not the first sighting… While rare, mountain lions are no strangers to the Lincoln area. They’ve been known to pass through from time to time—the most recent encounter occurring in 2022 when a mountain lion decided to take a casual stroll through a Lincoln neighborhood backyard. These elusive predators are seasoned travelers, often trekking up to 1,000 miles in search of food or territory.

History and population… According to The Nebraska Game and Parks website, and the Mountain Lion Foundation, mountain lions are native to Nebraska but were extirpated in the 1890s (Prairie Lion didn’t have the same threatening ring to it). However, since their removal, small populations of the animals have slowly recolonized in the Pine Ridge, Niobrara River Valley, and Wildcat Hills.

In 2023, the state estimated there were 70 mountain lions in Pine Ridge, 27 in the Niobrara Valley, and 24 in the Wildcat Hills, and one in your bedroom (ayo!). The numbers are monitored closely, as larger populations can kill livestock and potentially harm those who encounter them.

📓 Survival Guide: What to Do if You Encounter a Mountain Lion
On the (very) slim chance you come face-to-face with a mountain lion, here’s how to maximize your chances of survival:

  1. Walk Away—Slowly

    Back away calmly, keeping your eyes on the animal. Do not turn your back or run; mountain lions are predators and sudden movements could trigger their instincts.

  2. Get Big

    Make yourself appear as large as possible. Stand tall, wave your arms, and shout firmly. You’re trying to convince the lion you’re more trouble than you’re worth. Short Kings, never fear, it’s all in the confidence when it comes to flexing on these cats. (please don’t flex on these cats)

  3. Do Not Approach

    This might seem obvious, but curiosity can be deadly. Keep your distance and give the animal plenty of room to retreat. (This is starting to feel like good marital advice in an argument, TBH).

  4. Fight Back (if it comes to that)

    If a mountain lion attacks, use whatever you can to defend yourself—sticks, rocks, even your fists. Aim for its face and eyes, and don’t give up. Most attacks are rare and avoidable, but if one happens, your determination could save your life. (Scratch that, terrible marital advice).

📌 Why it matters…
Mountain lions evoke a mix of fascination and fear, but they’re a testament to nature’s ability to rebound when given the chance. If you’re lucky enough to spot one from a safe distance, count yourself as having witnessed a piece of Nebraska’s wild heritage.

So... do you think you could take a mountain lion?

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Note: If you answered “Absolutely”, please watch this video and then re-consider. 

WHAT TO DO

Bin 105, shooting stuff, and smashing things.

🍷 Happy hour at Bin 105
Tonight is a wine night. Begin your Friday evening at Bin 105 with a bottle of wine from across the world and enjoy a charcuterie board and some warm bread. Make it a date or a happy hour with friends to cap the work week. You’ve earned it.

🏹 Shootin’ stuff
Ever wanted to try archery or rifle? Saturday is your chance. The Turpin Outdoor Education Center is hosting “Try Archery” and “Try Rifle” events designed to safely teach you the basics. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon with the family. Who knows, maybe you’ll inspire the next biathlete.

📣 The Lincoln Ledger “If we don’t win six games, I will ugly cry” Meet-Up
Don’t miss this truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet at a bar, watch the game, and have a drink with people you don’t know.

🥽 Planning ahead: Smash your stress away
Post-election blues? Holiday family overload? Or maybe you’re just craving the oddly satisfying thrill of smashing something into tiny pieces? Consider booking yourself a session at “Smashin’ it 402”, and turn a bad day into a glorious moment of controlled chaos. Here’s your inspo.

SPORTZ

Sporting headlines from around the capital.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

We Post. You Design. 🎨

This week, we’re switching things up. While we do love the sound of our own voice, this home is all about you. Whether you’re a seasoned Pinterest pro with a finely tuned algorithm or someone ready to tackle their first big design project (minus the heavy lifting), this is your moment to shine.

The home itself? A blank canvas with tons of potential. Will you transform it into a dark academia sanctuary, a maximalist dream, or a Ralph Lauren-inspired retreat? Only your vision will decide. This is your chance to showcase your creative genius, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to life. Here’s how it works:

The Rules:

  1. Submit a link to a Pinterest board that captures your design vision for the home.

  2. Write a short description of your design—just enough to bring your concept to life. Include a ❤️ KEEP section for what stays and a 🗑️ TOSS section for what goes.

  3. The house must be restored (no tear-downs allowed).

  4. Submit your entries using the link below by the end of the day on Sunday.

How we’ll judge:
Subjectively, it’s all about the vibes. We’re looking for creativity, clarity, and bold design choices that make us want to start saving your board immediately.

Categories:

  • ⭐️ Overall Design: For the entry with the best overall design and vision

  • 😱 The Absolutely Unhinged Award: Reserved for the most delightfully chaotic and wonderfully cringe-worthy entry

Prizes:

  • Winners will receive a coveted Lincoln Ledger T-shirt—so exclusive, it’s practically legendary

  • All designs will be featured in next week’s issue (or kept anonymous if you prefer to stay mysterious)

  • The unhinged winner gets bragging rights for being our favorite wildcard and will be enshrined in Lincoln Ledger history

The stage is set. The canvas is ready. It’s your move. Show us what you’ve got and make this house your masterpiece. ✨

CHECKLIST

An over-ambitious weekend to-do list.

  • Pick up some more leaf bags

  • Check your thermostat settings to optimize for cold weather ahead

  • Order a SAAD lamp for those 8:00 AM sunrises

  • Make one final yard waste trip to the dump for the year

  • Burn a creosote sweeping log in your fire, to break down that soot

HEADLINES

More news from around the capital.

🐯 Weekly Wildcard:
One headline (or post) we never saw coming.

ABOUT TLL

We created this sliver of the internet to make it easy for no-coasters to keep tabs on what’s happening in Lincoln and to give you new ideas on how to spend your time.