December 26th Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Right on the heels of the most stressful holiday of the year, here comes the very best holiday of the year. New Year’s – the only holiday dedicated exclusively to drinking and football. The only way to improve on this most perfect of all holidays would be to move it to a warmer time of year. Wait. That would just mean unwanted guests cluttering up the lake and burning up the boat space. Never mind. Let’s just leave it like it is. Happy New Year!
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Congress passed their gigantic “tax cut and tax reform” bill – primarily reducing corporate tax, inheritance tax, and real estate investment tax. But do you know what else was in that bill? Yeah, me neither. Nobody does. Couldn’t find a single member of Congress who had read the entire bill before they passed it. And they want it to be effective immediately. If you are a controller, CPA, or especially the operator of a payroll company, you’re having a rotten holiday period. Despite what any talking head says on the news, don’t expect any change in the withholding on your paycheck for at least a month or so. Congress didn’t consult anyone from the IRS or any other experts – so nobody knows how to implement all the stuff they don’t even know is in the bill. Good luck to us all!
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In Oklahoma, voters are starting to take things into their own hands. My pal Mickey Thompson and others filed a petition with the Secretary of State last week calling for a vote on a $4,000 teacher pay raise funded by raising the gross production tax on new oil & gas wells to 7% (still as low as any other state) instead of the current 2%. The legislature should have done this already – but it looks like the legislature isn’t going to do anything to get our state out of this economic crisis. Thankfully, we have initiative petition processes in Oklahoma. Looks like we’re going to have to do this ourselves, with no leadership from our “leaders.”
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Spinach was credited with giving Popeye those bizarre looking balloon muscles, but a guy in Russia has found something that can bring those goofy look muscles to the real world. It’s a dangerous combination of olive oil (the liquid, not Popeye’s girlfriend), lidocaine, and benzyl alcohol that he injects directly into his muscles giving him the balloon-like muscles which currently measure 23 inches in diameter. Despite doctor’s warnings that the injections will likely bring on paralysis that could require amputation, the bozo says he’s continuing the injections until his muscles measure 27 inches. So far he has injected six liters of the mixture. He says he wants to be recognizable, get a bunch of subscribers on Instagram and stop working. He says he’s also considering an offer to become a porn star. I’m not sure how that came up. Maybe his biceps aren’t the only muscles he’s injecting.
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Speaking of such things, air pollution can become a popular thing. I read in The Times of London that the male population is growing in Ringaskiddy, Ireland as a result of local lore that a Pfizer plant which manufactures Viagra emits “love fumes” that give men free erections. Bartender Debbie O’Grady is given credit for the explanation, “One whiff and you’re stiff.” Pfizer denies the whole thing, of course, but local men still gather around the plant exterior regularly to breathe sniff the fumes. Oh, and how does Pfizer explain the baby boom in Ringaskiddy right after the plant opened in 1998?
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Not funny, but interesting. Forbes has released their year-end list of the most powerful women in the world. German Chancellor Angela Merkel tops the list, followed (in order) by British Prime Minister Theresa May, Melinda Gates, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and General Motors CEO Mary Barra. Pretty awesome list!
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S Random Factoid of the Day: "The Mysterious Affair at Styles," English author Agatha Christie's first published novel and Hercule Poirot's introduction to the literary world, was first published in the United States.
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BEST HOLIDAY FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: Three Wise Women would have 1) asked directions; 2) arrived on time; 3) helped deliver the baby; 4) brought practical gifts; 5) cleaned the stable; 6) made a casserole; and there would be peace on earth!
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Although I can still party like an absolute rock star, it would appear that I can no longer recover like one.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Barbara Smith, Robert Vandommelen, Linda Ballard, Mike McCurdy, Debbie Dooley, Chuck Harris, Judy Harris, Shelli Borin, Reggie Wallace, and Mark Londagin.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is Iceland abundant with greenery and Greenland is covered with nothing but ice and snow?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday afternoon at 4:00, there’s an Camping World Bowl Watch Party at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La - OSU vs. Virginia. Sunday night, there are great New Year’s Eve celebrations everywhere, including a New Year’s Eve Fundraising Party, Dance & Celebration at Playmakers in Grove. Shangri-La Resort also offers a special New Year’s Eve room rate with late check-out and free transportation to and from Monkey Island clubs. There’s also a New Year’s Eve karaoke party with midnight toast at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina. Monday, there’s a special Rose Bowl Watch Party & Buffet at Doc’s at Shangri-La beginning at 3:00 (4:15 kick-off). The party continues into the night as Clemson & Alabama face off in the Sugar Bowl.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: The New Year’s weekend is upon us – and there’s plenty of live entertainment from which to choose. On Monkey Island, Randy Lunsford will entertain throughout the weekend at The Shebang. Across the street at Big Shots, there’s a great New Year’s Eve bashSunday night with great dance music, a champagne toast and breakfast pizza. Just down highway 125 at Monkey Island Pub, Friday night is Karaoke night – and there are great dance parties planned at Monkey Island Pub both Saturday & Sunday nights. Although the Pub is normally closed on Sundays, they’ll be partying and champagne toasting with DJ Robbie on Sunday night this week because it’s New Year’s Eve! A Blind Swine, DJ Big Daddy will spin the tunes on New Year’s Eve with a complimentary photo booth with props and an optional midnight breakfast buffet ($7.00). Further down the highway at the Road Hog Saloon, Lickitty Split will be on stage to ring in the New Year Sunday night.
On South Grand Lake, there’s a little booze-sales-on-Sunday problem in areas that are not located in Delaware County, so there are a couple of great New Year’s Eve “Eve” parties planned Saturday night. Patrick Stewart will be live at Michelle’s Grand Lodge in Ketchum, and the great Don White will entertain Saturdaynight at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. It’s a three-day entertainment weekend at Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino. Friday night, The Dropoutswill entertain, followed by Mayday by Midnight Saturday night. On New Year’s Eve, there will be a DJ from 6:00-9:00, followed by a live performance by Another Alibi from 9:30-1:30. At Buffalo Run Casino, there’s a giant New Year’s Eve party in the Peoria Showplace featuring a great act direct from Las Vegas – The Rat Pack is Back! At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, Lickitty Split kicks off the weekend Friday night, followed by Bobby D on Saturday. Sunday night features a special performance by Big Smitty with Rachelle Turner. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 will spotlight the Trio Barrett Lewis Trio Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers four nights of musical entertainment beginning with Lucas Gates Thursday night. Friday night, music is by Mayday by Midnight, followed byDiversity Saturday night. New Year’s Eve will feature two great entertainment options – Chris Hyde beginning at 6:00 p.m. and Dirty Saints starting at 10:00.Another Alibi starts the weekend entertainment Friday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West, followed by a Saturday night fight part – a UFC 219: Watch Party spotlighting the Cyborg vs. Holm and Khabib vs. Barboza fights. Sunday night, enjoy the music of The Dropouts to ring in the New Year!
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: The Last Poster Child (the life story of my dear friend Pam Henry) airs on OETA Thursday night at 7:00. Dave Chappelle: Equanimity will be available on NETFLIX Sunday. Ellen’s Game of Games kicks off next Tuesday night at 7:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Molly’s Game, Mary Poppins Returns, All the Money in the World, and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.” – Abraham Lincoln
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Sunday, January 12-14 – Oklahoma City Boat Show at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Monday-Sunday, January 29-February 4 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show, River Spirit Expo at Tulsa State Fairgrounds.
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In the sports world, it’s time for some very serious college football bowl games. Oklahoma State kicks off the big weekend facing Virginia Tech Thursday in the Camping World Bowl (4:00 on ESPN) followed immediately by Stanford and TCU in the Valero Alamo Bowl (8:00 on ESPN) and Washington State playing Michigan State (8:00 on FS1). Friday’s five bowl games wrap up with USC taking on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl (7:30 on ESPN). Saturday, there are four more games including Iowa State and Memphis in the Liberty Bowl (11:30 on ABC), Washington and Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl (3:00 on ESPN) and Wisconsin vs. Miami in the Orange Bowl (7:00 on ESPN). New Year’s Day, it’s the really big stuff! Michigan faces South Carolina in the Outback Bowl (11:00 on ESPN2), UCF takes on Auburn in the Peach Bowl (11:30 on ESPN), and Notre Dame plays LSU in the Citrus Bowl (12:00 on ABC). New Year’s Day is topped off by the two national semi-final games – OU and Georgia in the Rose Bowl (4:00 on ESPN) and Alabama and Clemson in the Sugar Bowl (7:45 on ESPN).
There’s NBA action this week, as well. The OKC Thunder host the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night at 7:00 (FSOK) and Dallas Sunday night (6:00 on FSOK) before heading west after New Year’s to face the Lakers in L.A. Wednesday, January 3rd (9:30 on ESPN).
Our college teams are back in action on the basketball court this week, too. OSU hosts West Virginia Friday night at 6:00 (ESPNU) and OU is at TCU Saturdayafternoon at 1:00 (ESPNU). Wednesday, January 3, it’s Bedlam Basketball. OU hosts OSU in Norman at 8:00 (ESPNU).
NFL action is getting very interesting. Sunday at noon, Dallas is at Philadelphia (Fox) and the NY Jets are at New England (CBS). There are two televised games at3:30 – Kansas City at Denver (CBS) and Arizona at Seattle (Fox). Sports fanatics never had it so good!
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Those people who love to brag that they went skiing, wakeboarding or riding personal watercraft on Grand Lake on New Year’s Day will really have something to brag about if they do it this year. We’ll be luck to get out of the 30s anytime during the weekend ahead – except at night, when the lows will hover around 20 degrees. Fortunately, there are plenty of indoor festivities and great New Year’s Eve party options around Grand Lake. Take time to enjoy several of them with family and friends in this joyous season – but be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me. Oh, an one more thing…BOOMER!
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
Café Yum in Grove
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
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