Your next cup of coffee ☕️

The Lincoln Ledger: May 17th, 2024

Happy Friday Ledgers,

This just in, top hots are totally hot right now. Abraham Lincoln, our city’s namesake, has a new mural in town. Unveiled earlier this week, the Lied Center will now sport a vibrant, quilt art rendition of our famed historical mascot. Be sure to check it out this weekend while driving downtown.

In this week’s issue:

  • Coffee: Rose Cat brings coffee with a conscience.

  • Capital Humane Society: Lincoln shelter at capacity.

  • What To Do: Burrito seeking, free fishing, and a trip to Wyuka.

  • Sportz: “You miss every shot you don’t take.”

  • Neighborhood Watch: Cute maybe craftsman, maybe bungalow?

Friday feelings are at an all-time high with this weather. Have a great weekend. ☀️

- Landon

Last Week’s Poll Results:
No poll last week. We were too busy stressing about our moms reading the newsletter. 😬

COFFEE

Rose Cat Coffee Co. and Reading Society opens its doors. ❤️

When life gives you coffee, hire amazing people to brew it. That’s the philosophy behind the newly opened Rose Cat Coffee Co. and Reading Society, a cozy spot in Lincoln making waves for all the right reasons.

With over 80% of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) unemployed in the U.S., the launch of Rose Cat is a local milestone toward opportunity equity. Founded by Lincoln resident Brenda Kasaty, this coffee shop is more than just a place to grab your morning java—it's a beacon of opportunity.

The Facts:

  • About 6.5 million people in the United States have an intellectual or developmental disability. (via CBCIDD)

  • Only 19.1% of adults with IDD are employed, compared to 61.8% of those without disabilities (via CBCIDD)

  • When hired, many adults with IDD experience job stability. (source Special Olympics)

    • 62% of adults with IDD employed in a competitive setting have been at their current job for 3 years or more.

    • 81% of adults with IDD employed in a sheltered setting have been at their current job for 3 years or more.

A Brew-tiful Beginning… Kasaty, driven by a desire to break the stigma surrounding interactions with people who are different, has created a welcoming space that hires individuals with IDD. On their grand opening day last month, they had 18 employees on the payroll, ready to serve the community with a smile.

The response so far? Nothing short of amazing. In just one day, the crew sold 487 beverages, averaging about one drink per minute. Talk about brewing success!

Sip, Read, Repeat… Rose Cat isn’t stopping at coffee. They’re also launching a reading society designed to be a sanctuary for book lovers. Patrons can dive into a large in-house library curated with inclusivity in mind.

📌 Why It Matters
By providing job opportunities for individuals with IDD, Rose Cat is fostering a more inclusive community and creating a model for businesses everywhere. This is great for Lincoln, and should be celebrated.

CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY

Capital Humane Society at capacity. 🐶

Springtime usually means blooming flowers and gentle showers, but this year in Lincoln, it also means an overwhelming number of surrendered pets. The Capital Humane Society recently took to Facebook with an urgent plea, announcing they’ve hit 100% capacity for dogs and can no longer accept new animals, except in emergencies.

A growing crisis… The Capital Humane Society, a privately held organization with contracts with the City of Lincoln Animal Control, has been battling this capacity crisis for months.

Next steps… To help manage the overflow, Capital Humane Society has rolled out a limited-time promotion: 50% off all adoptions through Sunday. This initiative aims to find loving homes for as many animals as possible and bring their capacity numbers back to a manageable level. Additionally, CHS is reaching out to foster programs and local shelters for additional support.

How you can help… There are two ways to address the current problem and improve the situation for the future.

  1. Spaying and Neutering: Ensuring your pets are spayed and neutered to avoid contributing to the overpopulation of pets.

  2. Adoption: Have you ever considered adoption? Now might be the perfect time. You’re not only giving a pet a loving home but also helping to alleviate the current crisis at the shelter.

    ➕ Plus, what better companion for your Hot Girl Walks than a sweet adopted pet? What better support for your Hot Girl Cries than a furry-loving presence? What better partner for your Hot Girl Long-Term Success & Happiness than a pup with a second shot at a loving home? Most importantly, adopt knowing you’re bringing in a new family member for the long-term, not just for now.

WHAT TO DO

Father Son Fishing Trip GIF by Outside TV

Gif by outsidetv on Giphy

Seeking: burritos, fish, and an early grave.

The mood: outdoorsy. The vibes: all-time high. We’re in for a good one this weekend. 🤠

🌯 Burrito Seeking
Tonight, we’re on the hunt for a burrito filled with perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned carne asada. Our vote is the recently opened Restaurante la Union on South Street (in the space formerly occupied by South Char Grill 🪦). If you haven’t experienced the transformative qualities of a pupusa, you’ve been living your life on autopilot & it’s time to seize all the cheese-stuffed Salvadorian pancakes that life has to offer. TLL also recommends: El Chapparo, Super Taco, Taqueria El Rey

Here’s Your Order: 

  • Appetizer: Chicharron y queso pupusas

  • Second Appetizer: Tacos Al Pastor

  • Entrée: Burrito Carne Asada

  • Drink: Mandarin Jarritos or Horchata

  • Need an adult drink with dinner? Go to Super Taco for the Cantarito & stay for the birria. 🍹

🎣 Gone Fishing (or to the State Park):
Saturday is for the outdoors. We’ll go full Chaco and take our Jerusalem cruisers to a nearby Nebraska State Park, where entry is free all day. We’ll bring our fishing rod or pick a cheap one up at your nearest Walmart & perfect our Nitty Gritty Dirt Band number for the next karaoke night at Steve-O’s. It’s free fishing day across Nebraska and we’ll give it a proper try, worms and all.

Not feeling like the outdoors? Attend the Food Truck Rodeo in the Haymarket instead from 2-6 pm. 

🌳 Historical Tour: Wyuka Cemetery
In a haystack of Facebook events, this one could be a needle. You’ve driven by Wyuka hundreds of times and have almost surely heard someone in your car say, “It’s actually pretty nice in there." So indulge your curiosity on Sunday with a guided tour led by the Preservation Association of Lincoln. You’ll learn about the architecture, soak in the surprisingly beautiful landscape, and maybe reserve your spot for the future 🗺️.

SPORTZ

Sporting headlines from around the capital.

  • 🏐 Volleyball: Omaha Supernovas will play in the first-ever pro volleyball federation championship match tomorrow at 3:30 pm at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. Get Tickets.

  • ⚾️ Baseball: Huskers beat Michigan State yesterday 2-1, keep prospects alive.

  • 🥎 Softball: NU misses out on NCAA Softball tournament.

  • 🏈 Football: Memorial stadium renovations have been updated.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Cutesy Craftsman 🧵 (or is it a bungalow?)…

Cute and compact, with plenty of character and the capacity to be the ultimate single-family home, this residence sits in what we believe to be the golden zone in terms of footprint, rooms, and layout. You’ll have your personal space, but never feel alone.

Located at the intersection of the Country Club neighborhood and midtown, this 1950s bungalow is ready for its next owner to put their touch on a classic. With three sunlit bedrooms and one bathroom, this home is ideal for a small family, a couple, or a solo adventurer. The large, fenced backyard is perfect for summer barbecues, gardening, or relaxing. Plus, the detached garage offers extra storage or a potential workshop.

The Details:

  • 4 beds, 2 baths

  • 2,496 sq/ft

  • Built in 1930

❤️ KEEP: The hardwood floors, the fireplace, the bathroom floor tiles, the mega tree in the backyard, and the windows (if possible).

🗑️ TOSS: The kitchen (it’s time for a refresh here), some caulking around what is sure to be a leaky tub (from personal experience), the basement dorm room aesthetic, and every ceiling fan in the home.

🙏 Architecture Wizard Needed:
Can someone with real architectural expertise tell us what kind of house this is? Is it a bungalow, craftsman, or something else altogether?

Respond to this email with the answer. We’ll sing your praises next week.

CHECKLIST

The to-do list for A Players.

  • 🧤 Pull weeds in your beds.

  • 🌾 Mow your grass. You had an excuse last week when it rained, but that time has passed.

  • 🪶 Dust the track lights in your home.

  • ⚾️ Grab tickets for the college world series in OMA.

  • 👟 Buy some new shoes. The soles on your daily wearers look a little tough, pal.

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.