December 11th Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum
Whew! If you made it through the weekend gone by, the Christmas celebration is all downhill from here. With parades in Vinita, Ketchum, Jay, Grove, Salina and across the Pensacola Dam from Langley to Disney – plus the Christmas Lights Boat Parade out of Cherokee Yacht Club (along with the watch party at Harbors View Marina) and the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club, it was a physical impossibility to make every event. Only the Second Chance Pet Rescue Christmas Breakfast & Dessert Auction and the Polar Bear Plunge managed to get underway with no competitive event somewhere else on the lake. I hope you made the ones most important to you and your family. The holiday season is official well underway at Grand Lake.
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I got finished with my multiple early evening celebrations in time to be in front of a television set Saturday evening for the Heisman Trophy Presentation Watch Party at Doc’s at Shangri-La – and it was the perfect topping to a great awards week for OU players when Baker Mayfield added the Heisman to his Walter Camp, Davey O’Brien, Maxwell awards and his 3rd Big 12 Championship. Now…on to the playoffs and a National Championship. That would be the perfect topping for a stellar college career.
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If you had a Heisman party or some other event that kept you from personally seeing the beauty of the 2017 Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas Lights Boat Parade, you can catch it all on a televised rebroadcast – and you have four chances. The parade will be televised Saturday, December 23 in Tulsa on KTUL, Channel 8 from 11:30-noon and in Oklahoma City on KWTV, Channel 9 from 5:00-5:30. On Christmas Eve, December 24, the parade will be televised in Joplin on KSN, Channel 16 from11:30- noon and in Oklahoma City on KSBI, Channel 23 from 2:00-2:30 p.m. Surely you can catch one of those telecasts. If not…you’re too busy! Set that DVR.
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My pal John Bryan may have the best insight into the strange current events of the day. After the Olympic Committee banned all Russian athletes from the Winter Olympics, John asks, “Do you think Trump will pardon the Russian athletes?”
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The Union of Concerned Scientists recently outlined how climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the western United States. Fox News mogul Rupert Murdoch called their conclusions “alarmist nonsense.” Last Friday Murdoch’s $30 million estate in Bel Air, California was destroyed by California wildfires. Things that make you go, “hmmm.”
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Things are changing down under. Australia’s parliament voted last week to legalize same sex marriage, becoming the 24th country in the world to do so. Apparently the debate lasted longer than was necessary. When the final vote was called, only four members of Parliament voted no.
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Turnpike tolls are being increased by an average of 2.5%. Bolt Fiber has announced television service subscription rates are increasing approximately 10%. How ‘bout your paycheck? Merry Christmas.
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All this news about sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misbehavior has reached the ultimate limit. There’s Weinstein, Masterson, Spacey, Rose, O’Reilly, Lauer, Franken, Farenthold, Conyers, Moore, Trump, Hockenberry and others. But I think we finally got the winning scandal entry last week. Freedom Caucus Congressman Trent Franks (R-Arizona) resigned, admitting he offered a female staffer $5 million to have a baby with him. She must be quite a woman; but that’s still one very strange “proposal” that probably nobody can top. That resignation was a really good idea, by the way!
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GOOD HEALTH NEWS OF THE WEEK: Tequila is a probiotic. It can actually help maintain the proper balance of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract, assisting with digestion and other health issues. You’re welcome.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: When I was young, I decided to go to medical school. At the entrance exam, we were asked to rearrange the letters P-N-E-I-S to form the name of an important human body part which is most useful when erect. Those who answered “SPINE” are doctors today, while the rest are on Facebook.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Dear Naps: I’m sorry I treated you like such a jerk when I was a kid.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I went line dancing last night. Well, it was a roadside sobriety test…same thing.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Rich Lawson, Holly Roach, Renee Hartley, Katie Carmical, Nevyle Cable, Tina Blackman, Ray Stowers, Zack Brown, Jill Swisher, Amber Benson, Christie Landry, Kyle Hudelson, Kaye Hansen, Donald Murphy, Casey Davis, Jim Cottom, Patrick Wetwiska, and Richard Lowry. Congratulations, too, to the Afton High School Eagles football team – Class A State Champions for the first time ever!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Does it count as saving someone’s life if you just refrain from killing them?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Shangri-La Members will enjoy “Brunch with Santa” at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant Saturday from 10:00-2:00. Saturday night is the Afton Christmas Parade at 5:00 p.m. and the “All Things Christmas Costume Party” at Monkey Island Pub.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There are great entertainment options around the lake this weekend. Randy Lunsford returns to The Shebang for nightly entertainment this weekend. Across the street At Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, dance the night away on Saturday with great dance tunes. Just down the highway from there, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform at the Blind Swine Saturday and there’s always greatSaturday night live entertainment at the Road Hog Saloon.
Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well, highlighted by Saturday night’s Evening With Lee Ann Womack at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion. Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar hosts Retrorockerz Friday night, followed by music from Backroad Anthem Saturday night. Cherokee Casino Grove featuresWestern Justice Friday night and Pumpkin Hollow Band Saturday. Grand Lake Casino will spotlight Rusty Knight & the Dazes on Friday night followed by area favorite Lickitty Split Saturday night. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar Thursday night with a performance by Brett & Terri. Fridaynight, Hi-Fidelics will be on stage; and Saturday, FM Live will perform. There is open Karaoke every Thursday night at Lost Creek Saloon at Bordertown Casino; andThe Mark Chapman Band will be on stage at Lost Creek Friday night followed by Libby Starks Saturday.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NFL Football, College Basketball, College Bowl Games, and NBA play are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Showtime at the Apollo: Christmas airs Thursday night at 8:00 on Fox. A Christmas Story: The Musical is Sunday night at 6:00 on Fox. The Daily Show’s Yearly Show 2017 is on Comedy Central at 10 Monday night; and A Home for The Holidays airs Tuesday night at 7:00 on CBS.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ferdinand, Gotti and Star Wars: The Last Jedi
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I understand why the third little piggy ate all the roast beef and the fourth little piggy got none because, after all, he is a pig. But why was he eating roast beef? Pigs don't eat roast beef. What are we teaching our children?” – Randy Krehbiel
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SAVE THE DATE: Monday, December 25 – Christmas Dinner served at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La 11:00 a.m. until close. Thursday, December 28 – OSU vs. Virginia Tech in the Camping World Bowl at 4:00 p.m. – Watch Party at Doc’s at Shangri-La Marina. Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Fundraising Party, Dance & Celebration at Playmakers in Grove. Sunday, December 31 – Shangri-La Resort special New Year’s Eve room rate with late check-out and free transportation to Monkey Island clubs. Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve karaoke party with midnight toast at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina. Monday, January 1 – Happy New Year’s Day – #2 OU vs. #3 Georgia in the Rose Bowl at 4:00 p.m., Rose Bowl Watch Party at Doc’s at Shangri-La.
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This week’s action in the NFL kicks off Thursday night with Indianapolis hosting Denver at 7:30 on NBC. There are a couple of rare Saturday NFL games this week with Chicago at Detroit at 3:30 and the L.A. Chargers at Kansas City at 7:30, both on the NFL Network. Sunday noon games include Cincinnati at Minnesota (CBS) and Green Bay at Carolina (Fox). At 3:30 New England is at Pittsburgh (Fox) with a Sunday night match-up featuring Dallas at Oakland (NBC). Monday Night Football spotlights Atlanta at Tampa Bay (7:30 on ESPN).
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder have a busy week starting Friday night as they host Philadelphia (6:00 on ESPN) before traveling to New York to face the KnicksSaturday (6:30 on Fox Sports Oklahoma). Monday, they are back home hosting Denver (7:00). Wednesday, they host Utah (7:00), both on Fox Sports Oklahoma.
In college hoop action, Wichita State hosts OU Saturday afternoon at 3:00 (ESPN2) before returning home to host Northwestern State in Norman Tuesday night at 6:00(Fox Sports Oklahoma). Florida State hosts the OSU Cowboys Saturday afternoon at 1:00 (Fox Sports 2). Tuesday night, it’s OSU and Tulsa in Stillwater at 8:00(FSOK following the OU-Northwestern game).
College Bowl Games start this week. None of the great ones, of course. Saturday games include Troy vs. North Texas, Boise State vs. Oregon, and Middle Tennessee vs. Arkansas State. Tuesday Akron faces Florida Atlantic; and Louisiana Tech and SMU play Wednesday night.
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The weather for the weekend ahead looks much improved over the weekend gone by. Highs will be around 60 Friday & Sunday, jumping up to about 65 under sunny skies Saturday. Low temperatures will be well above freezing, hovering around 40. There are plenty of events this weekend, both inside and out. Grand Lake is the perfect spot to enjoy the holiday season – but be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me.
GRAND LAKE BUM
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Looking for places to go, things to do, services to use or property to buy in the Grand Lake area? Here’s a starter kit listing of “open to the public” fun places to spend time at Grand Lake.
1909 in Downtown Grove
American Grill in Grove
Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (smoking upstairs—open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Bobbers Café in Langley
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Coffee Shelter in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)
The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Office on Monkey Island (smoking)
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove