Neighborhood Extra: Tarmac races, Art in the Garden and youth triathlon

Kids ages 5 and up are encouraged to participate in the 10th annual Youth Triathlon on Monday. The event course will start and end at the Fallbrook YMCA, with the route looping through the Fallbrook neighborhood.

Participants are divided into three age groups, with each group completing a swimming, biking and running component. All skill levels can participate.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with staggered times. Registration is $25 per participant and includes a commemorative T-shirt. For more information and to sign up, visit YMCALincoln.org or in-person on the day of the race.

Dance for Parkinson's begins fall session

Ruth Davidson Hahn Dance Company is beginning its Fall 2026 session of Dance for Parkinson’s, a movement class for people with PD and their caregivers, at 1:30 p.m. at the Nebraska School of Performing Arts, 5601 S. 59th St. Ste. A, on Wednesday. The session runs through Nov. 11. Ruth Davidson Hahn, a professional teacher, choreographer, dancer, is a Stanley J. Wertheimer Fellow specially trained in the Dance for PD® method, and specially trained with Lifetime Arts and national leaders in creative aging program development.

The classes are open to people of all levels of mobility and no dance experience is necessary. Prices are $50 for 10-week session or $6 per individual class. Drop-ins are welcome.

For more information, call 402-540-1242 or email ruth@rdhdance.org.

14th annual Art in the Garden on Saturday

For the 14th consecutive year, Art in the Garden will take place at Lincoln’s Sunken Gardens, located on the southwest corner of 27th and D streets. The 2026 event is Clements Noyes’ third, and it’s set for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, rain or shine.

Dana Clements says, “The theme this year is Patchwork Garden. Like a quilt, the garden beds will vibrate as patches of color flow across the park.”

In addition to the colorful plantings, you’ll find artwork by roughly 50 artists of all media and styles including sculpture, pottery, watercolors, oil paintings, photography, silk scarves, steampunk art, assemblage art and more. All the artwork in the Garden is created by members of the Clements Noyes Art Gallery located at 119 S. 9th St. in downtown Lincoln, and it’s all for sale.

While browsing, attendees can enjoy live musical performances by local artists, including: High Street Irish, Jack Zeleny, Loraine Newby, La Dulce Vita Duo, Ryan Bates, Milkweed Junction, Evangeline Mason and Lincoln Irish Sessions. Dance groups will also perform.

For more information, call the Clements Noyes Art Gallery, 402-475-1061.

Downtown Parking Study survey

Park & Go is inviting community members to participate in an online survey as part of a Downtown Parking Study. The survey and interactive map will be available through Sept. 23 at engage.publiccoordinate.com/en/project/lincoln-downtown-parking-study.

Tony Bisesi, general manager, Parking Services said the 12-month study is designed to help the City of Lincoln better understand how the parking system performs and identify strategies that support residents, businesses, employees, students, and visitors as downtown continues to grow.

For more information about the Downtown Parking Study, contact Bisesi at tbisesi@lincoln.ne.gov, 402-441-6097.

Antelope Park yoga sessions begin Sunday

The Parks and Recreation Department announced that free yoga classes will return to Antelope Park beginning in September. The sessions will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Sundays, at the Shildneck Bandshell in Antelope Park, 1650 Memorial Drive. No registration is required.

The Parks, Lincoln, and Yoga (PLAY) wellness series has worked with Lincoln Parks and Recreation for 16 years to offer classes that are accessible to almost anyone, regardless of yoga experience.  

Teachers are selected for their ability to offer all class levels to allow attendees to experience the joy and energy of an outdoor community yoga event, said Katherine Warren, PLAY founder. 

For more information about the yoga series, visit lincoln.ne.gov/PLAY2026. For more information about Parks and Recreation, visit parks.lincoln.ne.gov.

Lincoln City Libraries Civic Lowdown Series

Lincoln City Libraries invites residents to learn more about the people, projects and services that keep Lincoln running through three informational sessions at Gere Branch Library, 2400 S. 56th St. The sessions are free and registration is not required.

The Civic Lowdown series connects community members directly with City of Lincoln departments and employees to learn what is happening in the community, ask questions and get a closer look at the work behind City services.

All sessions are from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Today’s session is “Waste Matters: Trash and Recycling” with Shay Flowerday, Environmental Health Educator. Learn what happens to Lincoln’s trash and recycling, how the system works and what residents can do to reduce waste.

Nacho Ride Tuesdays

Nacho Riders show their Husker pride on Tuesday at the Big Red Ride, officially starting at 5:30 p.m.-ish.

The ride begins anywhere along the Mopac Trail. It’s 10 miles from the Trailhead on 84th to Eagle. Beginning riders may choose to start at Walton.

Stop at “Bailey's Local” in Eagle for food/beverages, and enjoy the company of other bicyclists. Wear your Husker red and show your Husker pride.

The Nacho Ride is every Tuesday through September. 

Lincoln Airpark hosts motorsports action

Lincoln Airpark transforms again into a hotbed of racing excitement Sept. 8-11, as the Sports Car Club of America cranks up its annual Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships. It’s a free motorsports event for spectators to come watch.

The competition boasts roughly 1,300 entries for 2026, with autocross action going from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

Porsches to McLarens, Toyotas to Hondas, this is an auto extravaganza that includes Corvettes, Mustangs, and special-built cars roaring around a temporary motorsports circuit in Lincoln.

The event entry gate is at NW 36th Street between W. Mathis Street and W. Luke Street. The entire car-prep paddock is open to everyone, with cars and drivers accessible to answer questions or pose for photos.

This will be the 53rd running of the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships, and the 17th time in a row SCCA’s Solo National Championships has been held in Lincoln.

SCCA Solo is a competitive motorsport activity where orange traffic cones are used to create a twisty, miniature racecourse in a large parking lot or (in this case) on taxiways of an airport.

One at a time, competitors traverse the temporary circuit to see who can be quickest without hitting any cones or going off course. Drivers range from those using daily commuter cars to professional racers wheeling purpose-built vehicles. There is even a special class for those competing in race karts.

Avoca hosts Swedish workshops

The Old Avoca Schoolhouse in Avoca will stream three online Swedish Workshops for violins, violas, cellos, basses, soprano recorder, and alto recorder. The workshop will explore tunes from our “Swedish Fiddle Tunes  for Two” collection. 

The workshops will be on Tuesday, 7 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. and Friday, 7 p.m. There is limited enrollment, and preregistration is required.

For more information, and to register for the workshop, visit https://www.greenblattandseay.com/workshops_swedish.shtml.

Midterm election-themed speaker series begins at Saint Paul UMC 

America returns to the polls for a momentous, midterm election, and in preparation for Nov. 3, Saint Paul UMC is hosting a new speaker series called “The 2026 Midterm Elections: Power, Policy, and the Public Good.”

This series features local experts to discuss some of the most impactful and contentious electoral issues facing our democracy today, including mid-cycle redistricting, executive orders, dark money, and the implications this election has for our state, country, and the globe.

All sessions will meet on Tuesdays in September from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at Saint Paul United Methodist Church. These lectures are free and open to the public. Learn more at https://saintpaulumc.org/adult-ministries/

Aging Partners to host Medicare Part D workshops

Aging Partners will host two free one-hour workshops to help seniors learn how to navigate and compare Medicare Part D plans for 2027. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice looking up plans on their own computers or tablets and ask questions before enrollment begins.

The workshops will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at Aging Partners Victory Park Senior Center, 600 S. 70th St. on Sept. 9 and 16, for individuals who are comfortable using their own electronic devices to open a browser and navigate the internet. Attendees should bring their own fully charged laptop or tablet. Please note assistance for personal devices cannot be provided.

Preregistration is required. Individuals can sign up for their preferred date using the links below:

• Register for Sept. 9: https://tinyurl.com/Sept9-MedD-workshop

• Register for Sept. 16: https://tinyurl.com/Sept16-MedD-workshop

Digital Literacy Workshops for Older Adults

Aging Partners announced a series of free one-on-one digital assistance workshops for older adults will run from September through November. The workshops will aid older adults in using their own technology such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Participants should plan to bring their own devices for a hands-on learning experience.

Sessions range from 30 to 45 minutes Wednesdays at Aging Partners, 600 S. 70th St. through Nov. 18.

The workshops are made possible through a partnership with the University of Nebraska “Community Engagement” program and student-founded nonprofit, “Empower Tech.”

To register for the digital literacy workshops, call Aging Partners at 402-441-7158.

Donate used eyeglasses and hearing aids

Lincoln 21st Century Lions Club continues to collect used eyeglasses for future ophthalmology mission trips and used hearing aids. Drop-off locations are:

• America's Best, 400 N. 48th St. and 2900 Copper Ridge Drive;

• Super Target, 40th Street and Grainger Road;

• Eyes on Lincoln, 308 N. 48th St.;

• LensCrafters, Gateway Mall;

• Woodland Family Eye Care, Hickman;

• Stanton Optical Eden Place, 4645 Normal Blvd.;

• Premier Vision, 85th and Firethorn Lane;

• ProEye Vision Center, 8250 Old Cheney Road, Suite A;

• Capital Eye Care, southwest corner 40th Street and Yankee Hill Road;

• Russ' Market, 33rd and Highway 2 and 6300 Havelock Ave.;

• Super Savers, 27th and Cornhusker, 56th and Highway 2, 27th and Pine Lake and in Fallbrook;

• Hy-Vees, 84th and Holdrege, 70th and Pioneer, 27th and Superior and 6001 Village Drive;

• Pearl Vision Centers, 125 S. 66th and 1201 O St.;

• Blumenstock Family Eyecare, 1501 Pine Lake Road;

• Boever Family Eyecare, 5801 Hidcote Drive, Suite 200;

• Signature Eyecare, 5630 S. 84th (84th and Old Cheney),

• Sutton and Sutton Eye Specialists, Dr. Thomas Graul, 1610 S. 70th St.;

• Bud's Thrift Shoppe, 2226 O St.;

• Lincoln Eye and Laser Specialty, Fallbrook;

• Bryan Health Plaza;

• U-Save Pharmacy, Waverly;

Blue Valley offers support group

A support group specifically for people with family members or friends who are dealing with mental illness is available through Blue Valley Behavioral Health.

Strong Ties, a free support group, meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Blue Valley’s Lincoln office, 3901 Normal Blvd., Suite 201. The support group is facilitated by a Blue Valley Behavioral Health licensed therapist.

Strong Ties gives participants an opportunity to give and receive information and support from people who share similar circumstances in a safe environment and to ask questions about how to best help the person they care about.

Blue Valley Behavioral Health is a private nonprofit organization that has been providing counseling services in southeast Nebraska for over 50 years.

For more information, contact BVBH Lincoln office, 402–261–4017.