TLL MINI Edition: McRib

Happy Friday Ledgers,

Last week, Nebraska lost a true food industry icon. Roger Mandigo, longtime University of Nebraska professor and meat science pioneer, passed away—leaving behind a legacy that includes one of the most legendary fast-food creations of all time: the McDonald’s McRib®.

In 1972, backed by a grant from the National Pork Producers Council, Mandigo developed a method for binding meat together— paving the way for the McRib and, unintentionally, one of the best examples of modern scarcity marketing outside of the world of luxury goods.

In this week’s issue:

• What To Do: Walking, BBQ, and camo cosplay

• Sportz: Thank you John Cook. Pls don’t stop TikToking 🤠

• Neighborhood Watch: Professor’s Row

This week’s Mini Ledger comes to you straight from an economy seat, 30,000 feet in the air. Momma, we made it (*chest taps for emphasis). ✊

May this email reach you faster than the in-flight WiFi ever did.

- Landon

WHAT TO DO

Walking, Hawaiian BBQ, and boat shows

🚶‍♀️‍➡️ Go for a walk
It’s Friday evening. Shut down your work laptop, throw on a light jacket, and step outside for some fresh air. Tonight, you’ll celebrate the end of Dry January—while still keeping that healthy-ish mindset. Here’s your route:

• Start at Code Beer with a well-earned drink, it’s February 1st in Japan. The Mosaic Wheat is a solid choice for a night like this.

• Walk downtown to Yia Yia’s for a slice—the Polynesian is THE option.

• Finish at The Rabbit Hole Bakery for dessert, because balance is key. The avocado brownie is calling your name.

🍖 BBQ, but make it Hawaiian style
Inspired by Roger Mandigo, Saturday is all about a cuisine journey that starts with meat and ends with the meat sweats. Text the group chat (now officially renamed The Pork Gang) and tell them to meat you at Howzit Hawaiian BBQ for a feast of perfectly spiced, slow-cooked goodness.

Not sure what to order? The Spicy BBQ Chicken is always a winner, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Just show up hungry—you’ll thank us later.

🚤 Nebraska Boat Sports and Travel Show
Ever wanted to cosplay as an outdoorsy person? Now’s your moment. This weekend at the Nebraska Boat, Sports & Travel Show, you’ll confidently browse fishing gear you don’t know how to use, admire boats you’ll never actually captain, and nearly talk yourself into buying a small camper—because this is the year you finally embrace the great outdoors (probably). Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just here for the daydream, it’s the perfect place to channel your rugged alter ego.

🎭 The Lied Center X The Lincoln Ledger: Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Sponsored)
Next week, Moulin Rouge! The Musical takes the stage at The Lied Center, bringing all the spectacle, drama, and dazzling performances you’d expect—plus a lead character who is totally fine and definitely not doomed by a suspicious cough.

Catch the show February 4th–16th. TLL subscribers get an exclusive discount with 20% off tickets—just use promo code TLL at checkout.

SPORTZ

Sporting headlines from around the capital.

• 🏐 Volleyball: NU Volleyball Head Coach John Cook is retiring and will be succeeded by former Husker player and assistant coach Dani Busboom Kelly as the next head coach

• ⛹️ NCAAMB: Nebraska snapped a six-game losing streak to beat No. 18 Illinois

• 🏀 NCAAWB: NU Women’s Basketball got the job done against Purdue, winning 74-68 💪

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

3508 Orchard Street, Lincoln, NE 68503

Professor’s Row 👩‍🏫

Located on a stretch of the street affectionately known as Professor’s Row, 3508 Orchard Street sits just a stone’s throw from UNL’s East Campus, waiting patiently for its next owner. Now, far be it from us to tell you who should live here—but let’s be honest, we’re going to do it anyway.

The ideal buyer? Someone who enjoys a tall glass of Diet Coke on a warm afternoon, parked on the front porch with a book (or, dare we say, a New Yorker edition you ACTUALLY read). A bit of a DIY enthusiast—or at least someone willing to learn. Someone who can absolutely pull off a tasteful ascot or smoking jacket. Someone who appreciates a home with history but knows how to blend the old with the new. Maybe they even have a tiny European sports car they’d like to tuck into the garage, its two wooden doors adding just the right amount of charm to this classic Lincoln beauty.

Even in the dead of winter, when the grass fades and the shrubs look more like stray twigs, it’s clear: this home is a stunner. A great base, move-in ready, and full of potential for the next professor-at-heart to make it their own.

The Details:

• 3 beds, 2 baths

• 1,290 sq/ft

• Built in 1925

• A complimentary copy of “Your Baby’s First Year” (Eye Spy 🕵️: Can you find this in the photos?)

❤️ KEEP:
The stunning front porch, the cozy coffee/wine nook (this may need a bit of TLC), and the charming garage doors. We’re also big fans of the ribbon driveway (though, we admit, practicality in Nebraska is TBD). And let’s not overlook the parquet wood floors in the entryway—a subtle but gorgeous touch.

🗑️ TOSS:
The bedroom fan that appears to be missing a blade (was it lost in battle?), the very power-washable exterior, and the primary bathroom, which could use some fresh trim and a little patchwork love.

CHECKLIST

An over-ambitious weekend to-do list.

• Commit to 20 minutes of dog poo scooping in the backyard (this unseasonable warmth brings along a certain scent trail that your neighbors don’t looooove)

• Make a dinner reservation for Valentine’s Day 💕

• Ask your friends what their plans are for the Super Bowl (for an added bit of spice, consider not responding to them after you ask)

• Wipe down your dusty household electronics (make sure to use electronic safe spray)

• Check to see if you’ve got all of your necessary paperwork for tax season

HEADLINES

More news from around the capital.

• Fire Station: Lincoln Fire and Rescue Station #8 held its opening ceremony

• Convention Center: A bill advanced to allow lodging taxes to support the construction of a Lincoln Convention Center

• LNK: Lincoln Airport passenger numbers dipped in 2024 (what, you don’t want to fly to Denver???), meanwhile, Omaha passenger numbers hit record highs

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

• Fishy: A man received a 1-year prison sentence for throwing a bag of fish and carrots inside the new DMV building...