Big Boat Show Week For Grand Lake

It’s a big week in Oklahoma! The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show gets underway with festivities Monday night and continues through Sunday at the River Spirit Expo at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds; and we’re gearing up for the official opening of the 2017 legislative session next Monday. Both events should be really fun shows with lots of opportunities to find at least one thing you really like – and both have the likelihood of your ending up with less money in your pocket than you started with! Historic lawyer, editor, and politician Gideon J. Tucker said it best, clear back in 1866: “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.”

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The silliness begins!  You knew it would happen when the Oklahoma legislature went back into session.  Senator Joseph Silk has introduced a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution, allowing the state to secede from the United States. I can’t make this stuff up. He says there’s no reason to secede right now, but the communists might take over in 30 or 40 years and we’ll want a way out. Sheesh. It’s good to see lawmakers focused on our really important problems, isn’t it?

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Grand Lakers can’t walk through the Tulsa Boat Show without puffing up with pride. I swear, every one of the best displays is hosted by a Grand Lake business. Grand Lake dealers dominate the show to the point there wouldn’t even be a Tulsa Boat Show if not for them. Grand Lake Realtors, resorts, restaurants and service businesses fill a great section of the upper floor with an entire section exclusively for Grand Lake, hosted by the Grand Lake Association and the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The best publications distributed to show patrons are also from Grand Lake: The Grand Laker, Grand Times, Grand Paradise Magazine, and the Grand Lake Guide. Both huge opening night VIP parties are hosted by Grand Lakers – Nichols Marine at Shangri-La and Arrowhead Yacht Club. If we didn’t already have a Grand Lake Boat Show, we should consider substituting that name for the Tulsa Show. Enjoy the show. It’s a FABULOUS show. Thanks, Grand Lake!

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Have you noticed all those “but-wait-there’s-more” commercials on television always end with an offer to get a second of the sale items “ABSOLUTELY FREE…just pay a separate fee?” They never say how much that “separate fee” might be. I suggested to my boat sales pals, they could probably improve their sales figures with a similar pitch. They could offer their boats “ABSOLUTELY FREE…just pay a separate fee.” They wouldn’t have to mention that the “separate fee” is $250,000!  It might work, huh?  It must work on TV.

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Have you seen the company around the lake called We Luv Trees? I’m confused. They say they “Luv Trees,” but I only see them cutting trees down and cutting them up.  That’s what I call tough luv!

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Just when you thought you had heard everything – a Kansas man found a unique way to get out of his miserable marriage. After an argument with his wife, 70 year old Lawrence Ripple left her a note saying he “no longer wanted to be in that situation.” He told her he’d rather be in jail than living with her. So…when he left the house, he went to a bank, told them he had a gun and demanded cash. When the teller gave him several thousand dollars, he sat down in the lobby and waited for police. Monday he pleaded guilty to bank robbery and faces 20 years…without his wife! I would think he could have found a better option, but at least he accomplished his goal.

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Texan Rich O’Toole was on target with a question he tweeted after President Trump’s Executive Order about his infamous wall: “How in the world could they build a wall between Texas and Mexico? In 15 years they still haven’t finished I-35 between Waco and Austin.”

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EATS ON GRAND: Littlefield’s Country Store will once again begin serving breakfast and lunch this week.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK (from my friend Myles Davidson): For 2017, I am asking legislators to enact the Inexplicable Driving Irresponsibly and Offensive Transportation Act. Call it the IDIOT Driver Act for short.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Weekend forecast – boating with a chance of drinking.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK  (from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, referring to President Trump’s proposal to put a 20% tariff on all imports from Mexico): “Simply put, any policy proposal which drives up costs of Corona, tequila or margaritas is a big-time bad idea. Mucho sad!”

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Michael Haggerty): Your jury trial is not the time to debut your new facial piercings, no matter how tasteful they may be.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Lynn Moore, Mark Blanchat, Sue Ruth, Jade Jennings, Pete Moss, Retta Smith, Josh Davis, Amber Forrest, Dave Been, Kim Self-Hutchison, Stan Noble, and Jim Stockwell.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  Why do you need a driver’s license to buy liquor when it’s illegal to drink and drive?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show runs through Sunday. Friday night is First Friday Wine Share at the Brush & Palette Gallery in Grove. Next Wednesday, January 8, is the Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Fairgrounds.

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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 at The Shebang and Clint Walkerperforming Friday night in the Back Stage Room. Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub, and there’s a special pre-Super Bowl show by Brett & Terri beginning at 1:30 Sunday afternoon as part of the big Super Bowl PARTY at the Road Hog Saloon.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well. At Downstream Casino’s Legend Sports Bar Brent Giddens & the VCR Band take the stage Friday night, with Joe Giles & the Homewreckers wrapping up the weekend Saturday night.Howard Gayles will be in the Lover’s Leap Lounge both Friday & Saturday nights. Western Justice will perform atop the 1897 Bar at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar Friday night. At Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, The Uncrowned Kings will perform in a free show Friday night. The weekend at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill features great music fromThe Sex both Friday & Saturday nights. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by Morgan Squared. Friday night, The Allen Biffle Band will entertain, followed by The Band DeLorean Saturdaynight. If live stand-up comedy is more your style, Jacob Williams will perform at the Loony Saloon at The Stables Casino with special guest Pete Daniel.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA & college basketball, PGA Golf, and NFL action 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. The Buffalo Bar and Monkey Island Pub will not be open for the Super Bowl Sunday night.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: There are two new sitcoms premiering Thursday night, and they both look pretty good. Powerless is on NBC and Superior Donuts debuts on CBS, both at 7:30 Thursday. Sunday, the Super Bowl is on Fox, of course, with pre-game at 2:30 and the kick-off at 5:30. The new series 24:Legacy premieres on Fox following the game.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Comedian

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Facebook arguments are really just a contest of who’s time is the least valuable.” – Nathan Anderson

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Sunday, February 10-12 – Grove Home & Garden Show at Grove Civic Center. Friday & Saturday, February 10-11 – Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner at Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Saturday, February 25 – Mardi Gras Party at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, February 25 – Mardi Gras Buffet & Party at the Summit at Shangri-La. Friday-Sunday, March 3-5 – Welcome Back Weekend on Grand Lake! Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12 – Grand Lake Boat Show at Grove Civic Center.

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The biggest sporting event of the week, of course, is the Super Bowl, with pre-game starting sometime Thursday (2:30 Sunday, technically) and kick-off at 5:30 on Fox.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder have a pair of home games this week, hosting Memphis Friday night at 7:00 and PortlandSunday afternoon at 2:00, both on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

Other good NBA action includes the Thursday night TNT double-header with Atlanta at Houston in the early game (7:00) and Golden State visiting the Clippers in L.A. at 9:30. Friday night, in addition to the OKC-Memphis game, ESPN hosts a double-header with the Lakers at Boston early (7:00) and Dallas at Portland at 9:30. Saturday night, ABC features Cleveland at New York. Sunday afternoon while the Thunder are on Fox Sports Oklahoma, the Clippers are in Boston at 1:00 on ABC; andMonday night’s TNT double-header  sends the Lakers to New York (6:00) and San Antonio to Memphis (8:30).

College basketball has some really good games this week, too. Saturday, OU and OSU are both on the road – OSU at West Virginia at 4:00 and OU at Texas Tech at 6:00, both on ESPNU. Tulsa doesn’t play until Tuesday night. They’re on the road at Memphis at 6:00 Tuesday, also on ESPNU.

On the PGA Tour, it’s off to the desert this weekend for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Coverage begins at 2:00Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 1:30Saturday & Sunday.

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Temperatures are warming up nicely – at least until Sunday. Friday & Saturday highs will be in the 60-degree range before dropping to a high in the 40s on Sunday. There’s a chance of some morning showers Friday & Sunday. Saturday looks just dandy. There’s plenty of fun around the lake this weekend – and at the final weekend of the Tulsa Boat Show! 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)