Happy Welcome Back Weekend by The Grand Lake Bum

Happy Welcome Back Weekend!  If we ever had such a thing as an off-season, it is officially in-season at Grand Lake now. We wrapped up the past weekend with giant Mardi Gras parties everywhere, and we’ll end the weekend ahead with giant parties to wrap up “Welcome Back” festivities – and we’ll finish the next weekend with the return of Daylight Saving Time. It’s time to get your lakin’ attitude on!

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If you’re planning to participate in the Ice-Breaker Poker Run Saturday, you can get to all six of the mandatory stops by land or by water. The Poker Run starts at 11:00 and chips need to be turned in to draw your cards at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturdayevening at the “Titanic Party” between 6:00 and 8:00. Poker run stops this year are Arrowhead Yacht Club, Cedar Port Marina, Cherokee Yacht Club, Grand Lake Boat Sales (at Hi-Lift Marina), Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, and VIP Pizza (at Hammerhead Marina).

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Attention smokers. Researchers at Rice University have confirmed that a man with a gene mutation weakening his hemoglobin avoided anemia because he smoked. Apparently the carbon monoxide from the smoke had been therapeutic.  His daughter who did not smoke, did not avoid the onset of anemia. So, the next time someone gives you trouble for smoking, tell them you’re just undergoing a hemoglobin treatment! If Governor Fallin gets her $1.50 per pack tax increase, maybe we should try deducting our entire tobacco cost as a medical expense.

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Oklahoma’s struggle to find some kind of lethal drug to enforce the death penalty in a humane way has finally been topped. The Arizona Department of Corrections has called for rules requiring inmates under the death penalty provide their own drugs. That might provide a more pleasant deathbed experience, but as you might imagine, there have been plenty of objections. First, many of the drugs are only available from illegal sources, of course and there might be a little problem of legality, as well. I’m not sure the state can order someone to kill themselves. So…the struggle for a solution continues.

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An era of TV justice ended this week with the death of Judge Wapner of The People’s Court fame. He was 97. Don’t be alarmed, though. As it turns out, the announcement of his death was made by his son, Fred Wapner. I should say Judge Fred Wapner, who is an actual non-TV real life judge.

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This week is the two-year anniversary of U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe officially declaring the end of global warming because he was able to show his colleagues a snowball on the Senate floor.

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Apparently not everyone is tired of Barack Obama. There is an actual underground campaign in France attempting to get a million signatures on a petition to persuade him to move to France and run for president. There are more than 500 posters that popped up in Paris last week promoting “Obama in ’17.” Who knew that President could be a career choice? You just move from country to country, apparently, as job openings occur.

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Have you been keeping tabs on who President Trump does and does not like? According to my records, he must like one-time nude model and former U.S. Senator Scott Brown better than almost anyone. He appointed him to a new job – Ambassador to New Zealand. New Zealand isn’t in the news much, so I’m not sure exactly what that job entails besides living in luxury in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, but I feel confident it is a job that does not suck!

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I’m really proud of myself. Despite the fact that Wednesday was National Margarita Day, I made it all the way to my birthday on Thursday. Can’t say much for Friday – but I was able to rally for Mardi Gras celebrations Saturday night. Happy March! It only gets better from here.

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NEWS NOTE: Apparently, the groundhog’s February 2 declaration of six more weeks of winter was fake news.

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PHILOSOPHY WORTH REMEMBERING: Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not.

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DINING & DRINKING BY WATER: Morrows Bar & Grill opens Friday for the season – and Arrowhead Yacht Club re-opensThursday.

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BEST FACE BOOK POST THIS WEEK: I’ve been putting a lot of thought into it, and I just don’t think being an adult is gonna work for me.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Mr. Rogers did not adequately prepare me for the people in my neighborhood.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Taylor Brandwein, Joyce Maxson, Steve Cleary, Stan Orr, Diane McPeters, Jim Brown, Tom Workman, Tara Barnow Smith, Lisa Cookson, Ross Gray, Mike Schwers, and Sheena Carson.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  Why aren’t there ever any guilty bystanders?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s “Welcome Back Weekend” on Grand Lake. There’s a Bon Voyage Party at Arrowhead Yacht Club Thursday night, the “Ice Breaker Poker Run” with six accessible-by-land-or-water stops, followed by the “Titanic Party” at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturday night.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There are plenty of entertainment options around the lake this weekend, including a Friday night performance by Clint Walker in the Back Stage Room and a  full weekend of entertainmentRandy Lunsford performing through the weekend in the Burlesque Room at The Shebang on Monkey Island. Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub, and Western Justice will be on stage Saturday night at the Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, there are two great performers at Cherokee Yacht Club’s “Titanic Party, Dinner & Dance” Saturday night.Terry Jordan will be on stage in the main dining room and Empire will provide the dance music.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well, although I’ve discovered that some of the casinos have changed their websites recently to make it virtually impossible to find their entertainment – so some of them are missing. Phil Vaught will perform atop the 1897 Bar at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar Saturday night. At Wyandotte (or is it Riverbend now?) Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, The Eddie Valen Band will perform Friday night – and Saturday is a fight night double-header with another big UFC 209 Watch Party – Woodley vs. Thompson 2 and Khabib vs. Ferguson. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by Leslie Serrano. Friday night, Heath Wright & the Hangmen will entertain, followed by The Dropouts Saturday night; and Time Machine will provide the music Saturday night at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA & college basketball, and PGA Golf are the Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Sunday night is a huge night for new shows. The series premiere of Chicago Justice is Sunday night at8:00 on NBC, followed by the premiere of Shades of Blue at 9:00. Making History debuts at 7:30 on Fox, and the series opener of Time after Time is at 8:00 on ABC. The new Amy Schumer show: The Leather Special will be available Tuesday on NetFlix.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Logan

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.”– H.L. Mencken

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, March 3 – Morrows Bar & Grill opens for the season in Raper Hollow. Friday-Sunday, March 3-5 – Welcome Back Weekend on Grand Lake! Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12 – Grand Lake Boat Show at Grove Civic Center.Saturday, March 11 – St. Patrick’s Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday, March 12 – Daylight Saving Time (Yea!). Friday & Saturday, March 24-25 – Grove Area Merchants Association Spring Open House. Friday-Sunday, March 24-26 – Long John’s Big Meat Run on the rocks at Disney. Saturday, April 1 – GEFFE Gala (Grove Education Foundation for Excellence).

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have a tough road schedule this week, playing three games in four days before returning home. They’re at Portland Thursday night (9:30 on TNT), Phoenix Friday night (8:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma) and Dallas Sunday night (7:30 on ESPN) before returning home to host Portland next Tuesday night (7:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma and NBA-TV). Other televised NBA action includes Golden State at Chicago Thursday night at 7:00 (TNT), Cleveland at Atlanta Friday at 6:00(ESPN), followed by San Antonio at New Orleans at 8:30 (ESPN). The Chicago Bulls host the L.A. Clippers Saturday night at7:30 (ABC) and Golden State travels to New York Sunday afternoon at 2:30 (ABC).

It’s the final week of regular season play for college basketball. OU hosts TCU Saturday afternoon at 2:00 (ESPNEWS). Oklahoma State has Kansas at home at 5:00 Saturday (ESPN). Tulsa doesn’t play until Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at Tulane (ESPNU). Other top college games include Houston at Cincinnati (Thursday at 6:00 on ESPN2), Iowa State at Virginia (Friday at6:00 on ESPN2), Kentucky at Texas A&M (Saturday at 11:00 on CBS), Baylor at Texas (3:00 Saturday on ESPN), and Cincinnati at Connecticut Sunday at 11:00 on CBS.

On the PGA Tour, it’s off to Mexico for the WGC Mexico Championship. Coverage begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & 1:00 Sunday.

On the NASCAR circuit, they’ll be driving in circles in Atlanta this weekend. Coverage of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 begins at 1:30 Sunday afternoon on Fox.

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God must really love Grand Lake. The “Welcome Back Weekend” weather forecast is as nice as the last few winter weekends. Forecast highs will be in the mid-60s. Perfect weather for boating and golf – and there’s plenty of both on the weekend schedule. Enjoy the fun. Grand Lake has more of it available than anywhere. Remember, though, wherever you decide to play, 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)

Bobbers Café in Langley

Book ‘ems at South Wind Marina in Bernice

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the patios)

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)

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

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 Vinita (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)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

Book ‘ems Restaurant & Pub at South Wind Marina in Bernice

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

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)

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)

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the 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

Wyandotte Nation Casino at Twin Bridges (smoking)