BMR Weekend In Review by The Grand Lake Bum

The rock climbers who showed up by the thousands in Disney over the weekend for the annual Big Meat Run ended up, for the most part, in a Big Mud Run. April showers started eight days early this year; but it seems like no amount of water can dampen the spirits of the four-wheeling aficionados. Some of ‘em probably liked it better. It makes sense. Water shouldn’t detract from a Grand Lake event, for heaven’s sake!

*****

Everybody had something they loved over the past weekend. Mudders had mud. Rain fans had rain. Chilly weather lovers had chilly weather – and by Sunday afternoon, sun lovers got their wish, filling the lake with boats and the golf courses with duffers. By the way, if you are a weekender who is new to Grand Lake, you should know about the “Grand Lake Sunday afternoon rule.” No matter what the weather is like for the rest of the weekend, it’s always perfect by mid-afternoon on Sunday. That’s why the rest of us finally had to give up and move here full-time.

*****

 If you’ve been watching the news lately, you know they play sorta rough in Russia – but I couldn’t help but think back on my days as a young accordion player (yeah, I know) when I saw what happened in the village of Cheboksaray, Russia. Some guy told his accordion-playing buddy he didn’t like the music, so…the offended accordion player killed him. With a crowbar. Then polished him off with a sledgehammer o the head. Then left his body in his apartment for three days. Then chopped it up with an axe and carried some of the parts to various garbage bins in his accordion case. Then got tired, and left a few parts behind. When police tracked him down, he resisted arrest…with a pitchfork. The moral of the story is: accordion players are paranoid enough. Don’t irritate one of ‘em.

*****

I’m not sure anything could be more embarrassing for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. During his appearance before a U.S. Senate committee attempting to explain why he was the perfect guy to make the right decision, the current members of the Supreme Court issued a ruling overturning one of his judicial decisions…unanimously. Oops.

*****

I think we should petition the Vatican to persuade Pope Francis to move to Grand Lake. Last week, he proved he’s a Grand Laker at heart. “Water is needed to live,” he said, “but wine expresses the abundance of the banquet and joy of the celebration. Wine is necessary for the celebration.” I may be Catholic, after all.

*****

A buddy of mine is a financial manager, believe it or not. I had him take a look at my stuff, and I got good news and bad news from him. The good news: I have enough money to live comfortably the rest of my life. The bad news: I have to be dead byTuesday.

*****

Last week, the Oklahoma House of Representatives spent more than an hour debating whether or not a lifetime hunting license holder should be charged an additional fee for a bear tag. Your tax dollars at work. At least they’re focusing on the important issues facing our state, right?

*****

The Governor of Arkansas has signed a new law which could allow concealed weapons at University of Arkansas basketball and football games. I think I’m with State Representative Greg Leding whose district includes Fayetteville. He called the law “horrifying.” Heated competitions, bad officiating, angry, screaming fans – and guns. What could possibly go wrong?

*****

Be careful what you say while you’re hanging out in your glass house. Former Colorado Republican Party Chairman and conservative radio host Steve Curtis said last year “It seems to me that virtually every case of voter fraud I can remember in my lifetime was committed by Democrats.” I guess he can update his data base now. Tuesday, HE was charged with voter fraud.

*****

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan said last week, “No one should have to buy health insurance if they don’t want to. That’s freedom.” Cool. So we don’t have to buy automobile insurance anymore, either because…you know – freedom?

*****

My defense lawyer friend Josh Davis went to a DUI conference in New Orleans last week. I can’t think of a more appropriate place to learn about drunk driving!

*****

PLACES TO STAY AROUND THE LAKE: The new River Bend Hotel is now open at River Bend Casino (formerly Wyandotte Casino) in Wyandotte.

*****

DINING & DRINKING ON GRAND UPDATE: Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island is now scheduled to open Saturday, April 8.

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: There isn’t a key to my heart, but you can jimmy that thing open with a credit card.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: I was born to be wild, but only until around 9:00 p.m. or so.

*****

BEST INSIGHT OF THE WEEK: I can’t believe I forgot to go to the gym today. That’s seven years in a row!

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Andy Stewart, Kathi Sikorski, Chelsey Weatherford, Tonya Blair, Anna Pickens, Mike Farley, Becky Sconyers, Wayne Smith, Kacey Threet, Erin Gayer, Steve Wetwiska, Tod Sanger, and Sam Walker.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  How is it possible to run out of space?

*****

BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Saturday night is the annual GEFFE Gala benefitting the Grove Education Foundation for Excellence. The gala is at the Grove Civic Center. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition: The Way We Worked continues its run at the Har-Ber Village Museum this weekend and will continue through May 8.

*****

GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There are plenty of entertainment options around the lake this weekend, including Randy Lunsford performing through the weekend in the Burlesque Room and Clint Walker in the Back Stage Room at The Shebang on Monkey Island Friday & Saturday nights, and the Balcony Bar will also be open upstairs at The Shebang with Karaoke (if it’s above 60 degrees). Across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, enjoy all the best tunesFriday night – and a live performance by Even Keel Band Saturday night. Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub – and there’s always live music Saturday nights at Road Hog Saloon.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well.  The Dropouts will perform atop the 1897 Bar at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar Friday night. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill, Str8ight Shot will perform both Friday& Saturday nights. The Tribute Kings will be on the stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by Boston Mountain Playboys. Fridaynight, Travis Kidd will entertain, followed by Another Alibi Saturday night.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA action, March Madness, 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.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Amazing Race moves to a new time & day this week, Thursday night at 9:00 on CBS. Alec Baldwin is The Donald again this week on Saturday Night Live, 10:30 Saturday night on NBC. The 52^nd Academy of Country Music Awards will air live Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS; and season 2 of Home Fires airs Sunday night at 8:00 on PBS.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: The Boss Baby

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My grandparents didn’t come to America all the way from Germany just to see it get taken over by immigrants.” – Donald Trump

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 8 – South Grand Lake Chamber’s Bootleggers’ Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, April 8 – Roadhouse 125 restaurant opens on Monkey Island. Sunday, April 16 – Easter Sunday Buffet at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant. Saturday, April 29 – fundraising concert & dance featuring The Old Bulldog Band at Big Shots ($30 tickets on sale now – proceeds to the Monkey Island Golf Cart & Pedestrian Trail). Friday, May 5 – GRDA Lake Launch 2017 – “Grand Fiesta!” at Ecosystems Center in Langley (6:00-9:00). Saturday, May 6 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina.

*****

Things are getting deadly serious this week in the March Madness battles. We’re down to the Final Four teams. Semi-final battles are Saturday afternoon & evening with game 1 at 5:00 and game 2 at 7:30, both on CBS. The National Championship Game will follow on Monday night, April 3, at 8:00 on CBS. Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four is this weekend, too, withFriday night action on ESPN2. The Women’s National Championship Game is Sunday afternoon at 5:00 on ESPN.

In the NBA, Thursday night’s TNT double-header features Cleveland at Chicago early (7:00) and Houston at Portland late (9:30). Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs are at the OKC Thunder (7:00) and Houston is at Golden State (9:30), both on ESPN. Sunday, Boston is at New York at noon (ABC), Charlotte is at OKC Thunder (2:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma) and Utah is at San Antonio (2:30 on ABC). The Thunder host Milwaukee Tuesday night, April 4, at 7:00 on ESPN.

The PGA Tour players are headed for Houston, Texas this week. Coverage of the Shell Houston Open begins at 3:00 Thursday& Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday &Sunday at 2:00.

NASCAR drivers are running at Martinsville this week. Coverage of the STP 500 begins at 1:00 Sunday afternoon on Fox Sports 1.

*****

Weekend weather ahead looks just like April normally looks. We may have to dodge a shower or two but, for the most part, the weather looks good with high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 60s. Springtime is here – so let’s get the party started! 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

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 and www.360grandlake.com, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing.  E-mail or contact 360grandlake.com to sign up.

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)