Boat Show Weekend In Review By The Grand Lake Bum

It looks like a great year for the Grand Lake area economy!  The Tulsa Boat Show is like an economic groundhog for the lake. If dealers sell a lot of stuff at the show, the economy at the lake seems to follow suit for rest of the year – and dealers sold a lot of stuff.  Congratulations to us all!

*****

Apparently the boat show management was trying to spruce up the activity a little bit, but a zip line through the building and a hot dog eating contest didn’t seem to be the attractions they had hoped they would be.  Perhaps they should try to find something a little more water-related. And, NO – NOT that water skiing squirrel again!  I discovered a great water activity that happened in Argentina. A new world record was set for the number of people holding hands and simultaneously floating in water for 30 seconds. There were 1,941 people in the mass float in the salty waters of Lake Epecuen in the Buenos Aires province. That easily broke the old record which was set in Taiwan in 2014. I’m thinking that might be a good event for a Saturday afternoon in Woodard Hollow.

*****

I’m sure glad I trained carefully for the drinking marathon that goes along with spending the entire week in Tulsa at the boat show. I ran across some people who obviously had not trained for the big week, and they seemed to pretty much alternate days they could function. I always say it’s like any sport – you need to train regularly to be ready for competition!

*****

With groundhog day, the Tulsa Boat Show and the Super Bowl all in our rearview mirror, it’s time to get ready for spring. The weather this week already seems like spring – and Welcome Back Weekend is a short three weeks away! 

*****

Did you see the big drug crackdown at Rutgers University?  The NCAA announced that Rutgers had not penalized 16 football players who violated drug policies – so Athletic Director Pat Hobbs is cracking the whip. He announced that players would be suspended from their team if they were caught using illegal drugs…the fourth time. Seriously. Oh, wait.  If it’s just marijuana, you get suspended after you’re caught the fifth time.

*****

Rutgers isn’t the only place that seems to be looking the other way. In Russia, the parliament voted 380-3 the lighten the penalties for first-time domestic abuse. Instead of jail time, the first offense will only get offenders a ticket – as long as offenders only beat their spouse once a year – and if the injuries are not “substantial.” Happy wife-beating day.

*****

Smuggling across the U.S./Mexican border apparently runs both ways.  And drugs aren’t the only addictive substance, as any sugar freak will testify. Sonia Garcia has already put one kid through college with her Crispy Kreme smuggling operation. She loads up in El Paso every day, smuggling 40 boxes of doughnuts across the border, selling them at a 60% mark-up out of the trunk of her car to hungry users in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Cocaine isn’t the only addictive white powder, I guess. Sugar counts, too!

*****

A 28 year old man in Scotland is in custody after breaking into a business and stealing a car. The car was an unmarked police car – and, by the way, police stations should be pretty high on the list of places you shouldn’t break into.

*****

If you want to fill up a few hours with some sick fun, get on your computer and search “dangerous teen trends. You’ll get more than 600,000 results. There are videos of kids setting themselves on fire, pouring alcohol in their eyes, snorting condoms, seeing how long they can strangle each other without passing out, and a zillion other nutso things. I’m not sure what’s wrong with teenagers – but they don’t seem to be getting any less weird.

*****

Trader Joe’s grocery stores have gained the reputation of having relentlessly cheery employees; but apparently “cheery” is a little harder to find in New York. Thomas Nagle has filed an unfair labor practices complaint after he was fired for not being cheery. He said he smiled frequently, but management at Trader Joe’s argued that his smile was not “genuine.” Don’t just smile at me, by golly. Smile like you mean it!

*****

I found a new addition to my collection of unusually named towns & cities.  How about this one? Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. I think that’s an odd name for a community that’s both landlocked and 100 miles from New Jersey.

*****

EATS ON GRAND: Chef Harrell Pickens (of Anna’s Bananas and Shebang fame) is taking over the butcher shop and meat market at Littlefield’s Country Store.

*****

BEST FACE BOOK POST THIS WEEK: Scientists have grown human vocal cords in a petri dish. The results speak for themselves.

*****

LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Michael Haggerty): Be sure to remove all your valuables before having your vehicle repaired. Especially cocaine.

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Sandy Garrett, Steve Weatherford, Ben Wolfe, Tamara Carrott, Dennis Barber, Betty Dennis, Brad Coston, and Terry “Buffalo” Ware.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  How do you get off of a nonstop flight?

*****

BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Home & Garden Show at the Grove Civic Center Friday-Sunday. Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner Friday & Saturday at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La.

*****

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. Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub, and there’s always great live entertainment on the weekends at the Road Hog Saloon.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well, highlighted by a Saturday night concert by Sawyer Brown at The Pavilion at Downstream Casino. At Downstream’s Legend Sports Bar The Brandon Butler Band takes the stage Fridaynight, with Oreo Blue wrapping up the weekend Saturday night. Kenny Babb will be in the Lover’s Leap Lounge both Friday &Saturday nights. The Crush will perform atop the 1897 Bar at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar Friday night, followed byTravis Kidd Saturday night. At Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, The Stonehorse Band will perform Friday night.Saturday, Club 60 will host a UFC 208 Watch Party for the Holm vs. De Randamie fight. The weekend at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace, Friday night is fight night featuring Shobox: The New Generation. Trailer Park Bar & Grill features great music from The Sex both Friday & Saturday nights. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by Brett & Terri. Friday night, Paralandra will entertain, followed by Diversity Saturdaynight. If live stand-up comedy is more your style, Troy Gittings and Thomas Nichols will perform at the Loony Saloon at The Stables 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.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: Alec Baldwin hosts Saturday Night Live as President Donald Trump Saturday night at 10:30 on NBC.Sunday night at 7:00 The Grammy Awards will be on CBS; and at 10:00 Sunday night, catch the season premiere of Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver on HBO.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Deadpool and Zoolander 2

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m glad I learned about parallelograms instead of how to do taxes.  It’s really come in handy this parallelogram season.” – Sage Boggs

*****

SAVE THE DATE: 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.

*****

With football season officially in the rear view mirror, it’s time to focus on basketball. The OKC Thunder dominates NBA television coverage this week, opening Thursday night’s TNT double-header hosting Cleveland at 7:00. It doesn’t get any easier as the Golden State Warriors come to OKC Saturday night in prime time (7:30 on ABC).  Monday night, Westbrook & company are back on TNT at 7:00 on the road in Washington. Other great NBA games include Boston at Portland Thursdaynight (9:30 on TNT), Indiana at Washington and Chicago at Phoenix Friday night (7:00 and 9:30 on ESPN) and San Antonio at New York Sunday afternoon (2:30 on ABC).

College basketball has some really good games this week, too. Saturday, OSU is at home hosting Texas (3:00 on ESPN2), and OU is on the road at Iowa State (5:00 on ESPN2). Tulsa hosts Houston at 5:00 (ESPNU). Kansas is at Texas Tech (1:00 on ESPN), Kansas State is at West Virginia (11:00 on ESPN) and top-ranked Gonzaga is at St. Mary’s Saturday night (7:15 on ESPN). Monday night, Baylor is at Texas Tech (6:00 on ESPNU) and Kansas hosts West Virginia (8:00 on ESPN).

On the PGA Tour, it’s off to the beach – Pebble Beach for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Coverage begins at 2:00 Thursday& Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday &Sunday.

*****

The weather for the upcoming weekend looks pretty darn good. We’ll have sunshine and mid-60s Friday with temperatures edging up near 70 on Saturday before the clouds & cooler weather bring Sunday’s high temps down a little – but just to the mid 50s. Pretty darn nice for February! Get out and have some fun; but 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)