The one who got away. 💔

Howdy Ledgers,

There’s lots to get into this week. So buckle those buns up, because its time to rock and roll. 🤘

In this week’s issue:

• Trev: Husker AD dumps us.

• Mammoth: Archie the Mammoth has sweet new digs.

• What To Do: Hockey, big bird watching, and woolly mammoths.

• Sportz: Selection Sunday is upon us.

• Neighborhood Watch: A colorful classic near the Capitol building.

The Great Hashbrown Race: Final Chance to Vote
We asked and you answered. Here are the local restaurants you said had the best hashbrowns in Lincoln (in no particular order). We’ll also be trying out the chains that a few of you recommended too, for scientific comparison... 🧑‍🔬

• Engine House Cafe

• Hi-Way Diner

• Tina’s Cafe

• Penelope’s Lil’ Cafe

• Cooks Cafe

- Landon

Last Week’s Poll Results:
Should Grammy-nominated artists be able to compete on "The Voice?"

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👎 No. A Grammy is the pinnacle of success (60%)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👍 Yes. A Grammy doesn't equate to mainstream success (30%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤷 It depends (10%)

TREV

All you had to do was stay. 💔

We thought it was real love. But as it happened, we were just another stepping stone in the ascent of Trev Alberts, the all-American boy turned UNL Athletic Director.

On Wednesday, Texas A&M announced that they hired Alberts as their new AD, where he will replace Ross Bjork. Alberts, a former football star for the Cornhuskers, has been the athletic director at Nebraska for nearly three years and leaves after overseeing significant projects including “Volleyball Day”, Memorial Stadium renovations (which received mixed public reviews), and the hiring of Nebraska Football coach Matt Rhule.

Trev’s Resume Highlights:

• 1990-1993: Played linebacker for NU

• 1994-1996: Indianapolis Colts Linebacker

• 2009-2021: UNO Athletic Director

• 2021-2024: Hired as the UNL Athletic Director to replace Bill Moos

• 2024: Hired by Texas A&M as athletic director

An emerging pattern?.. The University of Nebraska system has recently seen the departure of several key staff members. Last year, the former university president, Ted Carter, was recruited by Ohio State to become their next president. Ronnie Green, the former chancellor, retired last year.

Called up to the big leagues… Dennis Leblanc, a long-time Husker athletic staff member will serve as the interim AD. He will have a tall task ahead of him as he navigates the tumultuous landscape that is Nebraska athletics and its rabid fanbase.

MAMMOTH

Woolly mammoths for the next generation. 🦣

If you grew up in Nebraska, there are a few things that you definitely experienced as a child: a beautifully lukewarm Runza at a football game, a pilgrimage to Chimney Rock, and one of my personal faves — a trip to Morrill Hall, the home of Archie the woolly mammoth.

After six months, Morrill Hall has re-opened to the public following its largest renovation ever. The museum and childhood education staple received $9.3 million in funding courtesy of LB 384. The renovations included ADA compliance updates to make the facility more accessible, new classroom updates for visiting groups, updates to the entrance area, updates to existing exhibits, as well as the addition of several new exhibits.

From the Mammoth’s Mouth… Here are some new and updated exhibits that visitors can expect to see. 👇

📌 Why it matters… Morrill Hall is more than a building on the UNL campus, it’s a key educational opportunity for kids of all ages that highlights Nebraska’s natural history findings. Also, come on — who doesn’t love a Woolly Mammoth?

WHAT TO DO

Hockey, big bird watching, and more woolly mammoths.

This weekend, we’ll embrace our inner National Geographic. From the games of modern man to the miracle of global migrations, we’ll see it all.

• 🏒 High school hockey players.
  You’ll start your weekend at the Ice Box. The Lincoln Stars will be taking on the Chicago Steel (the lesser-known cousin of Blue Steel). Don’t worry about knowing the rules of the game, you’re mostly here to enjoy a beer and a hotdog while adrenaline-filled teenagers smash into one another. Don’t overdo it though, because you have an early morning on Saturday.
  GRAB TICKETS
  

• 🦩 Early morning rendezvous with the cranes.
  Grab your binoculars, we’re going to watch some birds. Wake up early on Saturday and load up the car while it’s still dark outside. Hit the road and head toward the Kearney/Grand Island area by 5:30 am to get to your preferred viewing location before sunrise (this is the best time to watch the cranes). Stay for a while and soak in one of the largest migrations in the world. Afterward, grab coffee and breakfast to fuel up for the trip back to Lincoln. Carve out a bit of afternoon time for a nap to recover (this is 30 👨‍🦰).
  

• 🦣 Morrill Hall with the fam.
  We’ll end Sunday with a trip to see the updated Morrill Hall. We’ll spend some time exploring it and maybe learn a thing or two along the way.
  GET INFO
  

• 🍀 Bonus: St Patrick’s Day 10th Annual Street Festival
  This Sunday is St. Patrick's Day. If you're in the mood for some festive fun, head to McKinney's St. Patrick's Street Festival on Saturday or Sunday. The bar opens at 9:00 am, which brings to mind the classic phrase “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning.”

SPORTZ

A roundup of sports headlines.

• ⛹️‍♀️ NCAAWB: Husker women’s basketball will host an NCAA Selection Show watch party at PBA on Sunday at 8:00 pm.

• ⛹️ NCAAMB: Husker men’s basketball takes on Indiana tonight at 6:00 pm.

• 🏀 Coach: Fred Hoiberg was voted Big Ten Co-Coach of the Year.

• 🏐 Volleyball: Husker volleyball will play a spring match in Kearney.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

1445 East St, Lincoln, NE 68508

A colorful classic.

Make no mistake, this house is a classic.

Built for one of the original Woods brothers over a century ago, this home sports all of the flourishes and details absent in modern builds today. With over 4,000 square feet at your disposal, this one is going to be a full project. It's a good thing you’re a fearless, resilient, and talented home renovator, right? 👏

Each of the rooms will pose a new challenge for the inner interior designer in you to conquer. The reno will be long, but worth every second because of the quality of the canvas you’ll be working with.

Huddle up, cause here’s the game plan: 🔀

1. Establish a base: Like all great generals before you, you’ll start by making a base. Take one of the rooms at the end of the house on the first floor. This way you’ll have a place with easy access, but far enough away that you can contain your construction mess.

2. Boring stuff first: Foundation repair (if needed), electrical updates, and a roof inspection come first. While doing so, you’ll want to weave in some projects that give instant gratification, like pulling up the carpet or refinishing the hardwood floors.

3. Room by room: Each space will have a unique feel. You’ll overcome your fear of wallpaper and test bold colors because this house demands your best. You will also go big on light fixtures and accent lighting to warm up the home.

4. The kitchen: There’s no way around it, you’re going to have to redo this kitchen. Take it down to the studs and find a way to expand the footprint a bit. There is plenty of spare space to work with.

5. The exterior: The playground is cute, but it will need to go to make way for your vision. You’ll consider adding a picket fence to the front, a privacy fence to the back, and some tall cypress trees to block out the sounds of the city.

❤️ KEEP: The fireplaces, the intricate molding and millwork, the entryway tile and layout, and the wood floors (although you will need to refinish them).

🗑️ TOSS: The kitchen, the purple tiles in the bathroom (some original details are better tossed), the multi-colored rooms, the occasional holes in the ceiling, and maybe the foundation. 🤷‍♀️

The Details:

• 4 bed, 3 bath

• 4,168 sq ft

• Built in 1900

• A lot of potential.

CHECKLIST

Your weekend checklist, should you feel like it.

🪚 Get on the LES tree service list to trim any limbs near power lines.

🔖 Update your car registration.

🚜 Take your mower in for service.

🧻 Make a trip to Costco or Sam’s Club. It’s time to restock your supply of toilet paper.

HEADLINES

More news from around the capital.

• Two Pizzas: Yia Yia’s purchased another Lincoln favorite, Ramos Pizza & BBQ

• Downtown Streets: The City of Lincoln received $7M in funding from the federal government for downtown, street improvements

• Working 9 to 15: Lincoln is making 15 the minimum age for lifeguards at public pools.

🐻 WEEKLY WILDCARD (a headline we never saw coming)

• Beloved Vape Cat: Lincoln Police are on the hunt for Winnie the Pooh’s friend “Tigger”, who was involved in a vape shop robbery. 🐅