March 4 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Welcome Back Weekend festivities, for the most part, came off without a hitch around Grand Lake, starting with a great “Carnival for a Cause” charity dessert auction sponsored by the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Thursday, the First Friday Wine Share, and all the great Saturday events. As you might expect, Mother Nature’s wrath resulted in fewer boats participating in the Poke Run, but a lot of people opted to make the run by automobile – and the post-Poker Run party at Cherokee Yacht Club was a hit, for sure. Congratulations to winners Cris Wimer, Cherry Trevathan, and Becca Curtis with a Full House, Flush, and Straight, respectively.
*****
Shangri-La’s first Murder Mystery Dinner was a tremendous success – and I wrapped up the Mardi Gras celebration with some great Monkey Island late night drinking events at Monkey Island Pub and Blind Swine. Saturday was a really fun celebration; but certainly, no one was pleased to wrap up the Welcome Back Weekend Sunday with snow and single-digit low temperatures. It’s my understanding that damn groundhog is currently in Hawaii awaiting extradition to Minnesota on charges of fraud and lying to Congress.
*****
Things are looking up, though. The weekend ahead marks one of the great landmark dates of the year – the return of Daylight Saving Time! You might want to catch a nap or two Saturday afternoon because, when you leave the bar at 2:00 a.m. – it will actually be 3:00 a.m. Extended daylight hours are finally here! Get that boat dewinterization scheduled!
*****
If you’re looking for technological leadership, the top of the leaderboard is unchanged for the year gone by. South Korea is still #1 and Sweden is still #2, followed by Singapore, Germany, and Switzerland. The annual Innovations Index is prepared each year by Bloomberg Business, which credits South Korea’s continuing hold on first place to Samsung. The United States fell out of the top ten this year, dropping from ninth to eleventh.
*****
Our state is in the top rankings again! According to the “experts” at the clickbait site WalletHub.com, Oklahoma is the 12th most sinful state in the nation. The report ranked states based on their anger, jealousy, gambling and drinking excesses and vices, greed, lust, vanity and laziness. Oklahoma ranked even worse when it came to greed, as it was named the second-most greedy state in the country, while also being the eighth-most lazy, according to the study.
As my buddy wrote for The Lost Ogle, “I am disappointed in you, Oklahoma. Not because our state is now known for being the 12th most sinful place in the nation. But because we have chosen “greed” and “sloth” as our vices. If you’re going to sin, at least make it something fun like lust or vanity. Instead we are doomed to eternal damnation because we don’t like to share and are too lazy to get our steps in every day.”
*****
In Tennessee, the legislature is considering legislation to require lunch for hungry students, even if they are unable to pay. Seriously? We have arrived at a point so low that we now have to have a new law to allow hungry American children to eat? Sheesh.
*****
Victoria’s Secret announced last week it will soon be closing 53 stores. I guess clothing sales have been skimpy in more ways than one.
*****
BUM’S FOOD TIP OF THE WEEK: Margarine is one molecule away from plastic; and shares 27 ingredients with paint. Bon Appetit!
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Los Angeles is slowly moving toward San Francisco and will collide with it in about 15 million years.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Girls, if a guy remembers your birthday, knows what you enjoy, saves your pictures, and understands your family and friends – this guy is not your man. This guy is Mark Zuckerberg.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: We’ll be friends until we’re old and senile. Then we’ll be new friends!
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: I live in fear that Trump will deport my Latino mother-in-law, who lives at 1837 Third Street, LA 90023. Blue house, gets off work at 6 p.m.
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: There were several vegetable recalls in 2018, but not a single bacon recall.
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The famed doll “Barbie” first appeared at the International Toy Fair in New York 60 years ago Saturday. Mickey Dolenz, drummer and singer for The Monkees, turns 74 years old this week.
*****
BUM’S OLD AGE TEST: One way to find out if you’re old is to fall down in front of a lot of people. If they laugh, you’re still young. If they panic and start running toward you, you’re old.
*****
SURVIVAL TIP OF THE WEEK: If you’re lost in the woods, start talking loudly about politics. Someone will come to argue with you.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Ross Gray, Bradley Jumper, Tara Barnow Smith, Lisa Cookson, Tammy Pameticky, Russell Perry, Debia Feldman, Cindy Morrison, Jenny Lee, Tiffany Holbrook, Beverly Jones, Becky Brock, Ralph Richardson, Dan Dillingham, Kara Keeton, Roberta Arnold, and Myles Davidson. A fond farewell to longtime KTUL journalist Charles Ely who signed off for the last time last week after 35 years on the air. Good luck, Chuck.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do you get off of a non-stop flight?
*****
BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Grand Lake Boat Show is this weekend, Thursday-Sunday at the Grove Civic Center. Of course, an equally big event is the return of Daylight Saving Time in the wee hours of Sunday morning!
*****
GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake to kick off the new month. On Monkey Island 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), and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, Lickitty Split will perform Saturday night at the Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Thursday night is Trivia Contest night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. 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 music from Rod Robertson Friday night followed by 90LB Wrench Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Lucas Gates entertains at Bordertown Friday night. Bobby Degonia will be on stage Saturday night.Sugarpill will perform both Friday and Saturday nights at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill. At Buffalo Run’s Peoria Showplace, it’s another live “Price is Right” television weekend, with shows at both 1:00 and 7:00 Saturday and Sunday. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Brett & Terri perform Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Rackensack Friday. Leah & the Mojo Doctors wrap up the weekend Saturday night at Indigo.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including PGA Golf, NASCAR, and college & NBA basketball games are the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: Season 2 of For the People debuts Thursday night at 9:00 on ABC. The series premiere of After Life is available on NETFLIX Friday. Aretha: A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul airs Sunday night at 87:00 on CBS; and Biography: John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky airs Monday night at 8:00 on A&E.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Captain Marvel and The Wedding Guest
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.” – Bobby Jones
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 14 – Stakeholders Meeting regarding road construction project across the Pensacola Dam (2:00 p.m. at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley). Saturday, March 16 – Kyle Williams Boating Safety Course at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley. Saturday, March 16 – Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party & Dance at Monkey Island Pub. Wednesday, March 20 – First Day of Spring! Thursday-Sunday, March 21-24 – Sumner’s Big Meat Run in Disney. Saturday, March 23 – Ladies Wine Tasting at The Casitas followed by a co-ed karaoke & dance party at Grand Meridian RV Park. Sunday, March 24 – Shangri-La Lake-to-Golf 5K. Saturday, April 6 – “Get in Your Head” comedy/hypnotist show at Big Shots (8:30). Saturday, April 13 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootlegger’s Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club. Friday-Sunday, May 3-5 – In-Water Boat Show by Nichols Marine at Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, May 4 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina – music by 5th Element. Saturday, May 18 – Ales & Tails at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 – Toes in the Grand celebration at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Saturday, June 8 – Camp Bandage (10-2) at Grand Lake RV Resort.
*****
In NBA action, it will be a few days before folks around here can see the OKC Thunder anywhere except on television. They’re headed west this week for back-to-back games, Thursday at Portland (9:30 on TNT) and Friday in L.A. to face the Clippers (9:30 on FSOK). Monday night, they’re at Utah (8:00 on FSOK). They won’t be back home at Chesapeake Arena until next Wednesday when they host Brooklyn at 6:00 on ESPN.
Saturday is a big college basketball day around here. OSU hosts West Virginia at 3:00 (ESPN2), OU is at Kansas State at 5:00 (ESPN2), Wichita State is at Tulane at 7:30 (CBSSN), and Tulsa is at Memphis at 8:30 (ESPNU). The Big 12 Tournament starts next Wednesday.
PGA Players are in Orlando, Florida this week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. It will be Tiger Woods’ 19th appearance in the tournament. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 11:30 Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Phoenix this week for the TicketGuardian 500. Coverage is Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on Fox.
*****
Thursday and Friday look pretty nice this week, with highs in the low-to-mid-50s and lows around 40. Saturday, we may have a little rain, but high temperatures will be pushing 60. Unfortunately, we’re likely to suffer a 10-degree drop at both ends of the spectrum for Sunday. Of course, the weather is always great for indoor dining & drinking at Grand Lake. So, party on! Remember, though… be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me.
GRAND LAKE BUM
Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum? No problem. Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their web site. If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both grandlakenewsonline.com and www.360grandlake.com, as well as Grand Times on Grand Lake, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker.
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