January 21 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
The long wait it over. It’s time for the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show aka Grand Lake boaters’ winter reunion. The show runs January 28-February 3 at the River Spirit Expo at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. If you’ve never been, it’s worth the trip – 5th largest show in the nation. Say something nice to your Grand Lake dealers and exhibitors. You don’t have to look around very much to realize this huge show wouldn’t be much of a show at all without Grand Lake exhibitors and dealers. It’s a terrific show.
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It’s a great time for those who are planning to join the party at the Tulsa Boat Show while still trying to keep you New Year’s Resolutions. A new study by the American Chemical Society says tequila can help you lose weight. Yep. Tequila! As it turns out, the sugar in the agave isn’t digested by the body so you don’t gain weight from it…but it still makes you feel full so you don’t eat as much (or maybe you just forget to eat). Either way, Margaritas are the new diet drink! Life is good.
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The Oklahoma City School Board has voted to allow students to use medical marijuana at school – but under strict rules and supervision. They’re a little behind the times, in my opinion. Years ago, when I was in school, lots of students used marijuana at school. I don’t remember a lot of rules or supervision, though.
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It’s a good thing the Air Force One pilots get detailed destination briefings. President Trump last week sent out a tweet about how excited he was to address the Farm Bureau convention: “Getting ready to address the Farm Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Love our farmers, love Tennessee - great combination. See you in a little while.” Fortunately, Air Force One delivered him safely to the convention for his speech…in New Orleans.
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Believe it or not, the original organizers of the Woodstock Music Festival have scheduled another Woodstock Festival at Watkins Glen, New York this summer, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the original. Can you believe it’s been 50 years? By the way, organizers have requested that, if you went nude to the original festival, please do NOT go nude to this summer’s event.
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It finally happened in Oklahoma! The Publishers Clearinghouse Prize Patrol showed up in OKC last week and told a flabbergasted Eddie Hargraves, “You just won a million dollars, buddy.” Eddie says he’ll pay some bills and save the rest for retirement. He’ll need plenty of spare time, I imagine, to open the volume of junk mail and sales pitches.
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If we pay federal taxes to pay for government services, shouldn’t we be getting a fat refund check for all the shutdown time when government hasn’t been providing those services? Asking for a friend.
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Doggone it, there’s always someone around to kill the fun. In Wichita Falls, Texas, a Wal-Mart store banned a woman from the store last week. I don’t know what the problem was. All she was doing was riding around in an electric cart for a couple of hours in the parking lot, drinking wine out of a Pringles can. If she wasn’t supposed to do that, why was the drink holder on her cart an exact fit for the Pringles can?
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Some really nice things happened for our area in the past couple of weeks. Finance101.com named Oklahoma the 2nd best retirement state in America (Arkansas was #1). Niche.com named Grove as the best retirement city in Oklahoma; and USA Today named Tulsa’s Gathering Place as the best new attraction in America. That’s a pretty good week!
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DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND LAKE TIP: The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La Resort, normally open only to members and resort guests, will be open to the public for three nights of Valentine culinary delights. Thursday-Saturday, February 14-16. $100 per couple. Harbors View Marina is also planning a public Valentine prime rib dinner Friday, February 15. $25 per person. Enjoy.
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BEST HEADLINE OF THE WEEK: Tim Tebow Announces Engagement to Girlfriend and 2017 Miss America (Don’t worry. I checked this out. It’s not a polygamy deal. Just a poorly written headline. As it turns out, Tim’s girlfriend and the 2017 Miss America are the same person.)
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Have you ever noticed that people won’t take any time to look up important information, but they’ll spend 15 minutes taking a test to find out what kind of potato they are?
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Don’t be confused. “Catsup” and “Ketchup” are the same thing.
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ODD NEWS EVENT OF THE WEEK: Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, one of the fiercest political critics of socialized medicine in countries like Canada, has scheduled hernia surgery this week. He’ll have the surgery done at Shouldice Hernia Hospital…in Ontario, Canada! Things that make you go, “hmmmm.”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Thirty-foot wall: $25,000,000,000. Thirty-two foot ladder: 759 pesos.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Never do anything you wouldn’t want to explain to the paramedics.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Entertainment icon Carol Channing, known for many award-winning performances including the starring Broadway role in “Hello Dolly,” died last week at her Rancho Mirage, California home. She was 97 years old. Country music legend Loretta Lynn is planning a big birthday bash for her big day in April. She’ll be 87. And television superstar Betty White turned 97 last week. She attributes her longevity to “vodka and hot dogs.”
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Paid for a limousine and the driver never showed up. I’ve paid all that money and have nothing to chauffeur it.
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TECHNICAL OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Apparently you can’t use the word “beefstew” as a password. It’s not stroganoff.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Donna Palu, Ryan Rahhal, Richard Cannon, Jeff Thacher, Brad Williams, Kristy Mayfield, Danny Brumble, Paula Brumble, Brett Wisdom, Sarah Jackson Thompson, Bud Wyatt, Cathy Weatherford, Linda Athey, T.J. Barnow, Hunter Hays, Kevin Sanford, and Michael Blackman.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If cockroaches can survive atomic bombs and chemical warfare, what do you suppose is in that can of Raid?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Saturday is the “Backpack for Kids Chili Cookoff” at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Great food and a great cause! Saturday night is “Movie Night” at Shangri-La Resort. Movie starts at 8:00 – no admission charge for Mission Impossible – Fallout. Monday, of course, is opening night for the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at River Spirit Expo, Tulsa State Fairgrounds. The show runs through Sunday, February 3. Next Wednesday night, February 6, is the Home of Hope Chocolate Affair, 6:00 p.m. at the Craig County Fairgrounds.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake over the weekend. On Monkey Island Saturday night is “Free Movie Night” at Shangri-La Resort. Mission Impossible-Fallout starts at 8:00 p.m. Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday), andKJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s live music every Saturday at the Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features entertainment by Derryl Perry Friday night and Rocket Science Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Brent Giddens entertains at Bordertown Friday night, followed by Asphalt Cowboys Saturday. Blank Earth will be on stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Jesse Joice will perform Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week.Rackensack performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Oreo Blue Friday night and Jesse Joice Saturday.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including PGA Golf and college & NBA basketball games are the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The thriller Polar is available Friday on NETFLIX. If you like politics, the best such program is Circus on Showtime. NFL Conference Championship games air Sunday at 2:00 (Rams at Saints on Fox) and 5:30 (Patriots at Chiefs on CBS). The 2019 season makes its debut Sunday night at 7:00. The Greatest Super Bowl Commercials 2019 airs Tuesday night at 8:00 on CBS.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Serenity, Stan & Ollie and The Kid Who Would Be King
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We're now less than a month away from V-Day. Valentine's Day is a test. It's a test of your commitment, your preparedness, a test of whether you love someone enough to waste $100 on flowers that on any other day of the year would cost you $30.” – Jimmy Kimmel
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, February 2 – Souper Bowl Saturday at Integris Grove Hospital/Free health screenings and soup 9:00-1:00. Friday-Sunday, February 8-10 – Grove Home & Garden Show, Grove Civic Center. Friday-Saturday, February 15-16 – Midsouth Tackle, Hunting & Boat Show, Grove Civic Center. Thursday, February 28 – South Grand Chamber Charity Pie/Dessert Auction at Cherokee Yacht Club. Friday-Sunday, March 1-3 – “Welcome Back Weekend” on Grand Lake! Thursday-Sunday, March 7-10 – Grove Boat Show, Grove Civic Center. Saturday, April 13 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootlegger’s Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, May 4 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina – music by 5th Element.
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It’s a week of partying, celebrating and resting (probably in that order) for NFL players who made it to the Super Bowl, scheduled for Sunday, February 3.
There’s great NBA action this week, though. The OKC Thunder host New Orleans Thursday night at 7:00 (FSOK) before a nationally televised game Sunday at 5:00 hosting Milwaukee (ESPN. The Thunder are on the road Wednesday at 6:00 in Orlando (FSOK).
In college hoops TV highlights, Tulsa is at Cincinnati Thursday night at 6:00 (ESPN2). Saturday is the Big 12/SEC Challenge – OSU hosts South Carolina at 1:00 (ESPNU) and OU hosts Vanderbilt at 3:00 (ESPN2). Kansas is at Kentucky Saturday at 5:00 (ESPN) and Wichita State is at UCONN, also at 5:00 (CBSSN). Tulsa is back on the court Sunday afternoon hosting Houston at 1:00 (ESPNEWS). Monday night, OU hosts Baylor at 8:00 (ESPNU). Georgia is at Arkansas Tuesday night at 6:00 (ESPNU)
PGA Players are in still in California this week – in San Diego for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
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This weekend’s weather ahead doesn’t look quite as bad as the weekend gone by, but it’s going to be cold. High temperatures Friday & Saturday will be in the low to mid 30s with lows around 20. Sunday is a little better outlook with sunshine and a high around 40 – low in the mid 20s. It’s wintertime. Of course, the weather is always great for dining & drinking at Grand Lake in January, so, party on! I’ll be hanging out at the lake over the weekend – then I’ll be partying at the Tulsa Boat Show all next week. Come join the fun. Remember, though…wherever you decide to party, 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
Ailey’s Café in Langley
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 (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 at Littlefield Corner
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
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
Henrie’s Grill in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Hilltop Café in Grove
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
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.)
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
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)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
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 Gentlemen’s Club 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