December 10 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

If you didn’t make it to the Polar Bear Plunge and the Christmas Lights Boat Parade over the past weekend, you’ll have another chance this weekend – unless we get another “Fake News Forecast.” As soon as organizers started canceling events last Thursday, I assured my pals that the cancellations would make it a certainty that we wouldn’t get a single drop of precipitation. Sure enough. As it turns out, the forecast for the coming weekend is almost exactly like the actual weather we had last weekend. Oh, well. At least it was good for famed Tulsa TV Meteorologist Travis Meyer who was named “Bread and Milk Salesman of the Year.” I sometimes wonder if the TV weather gurus are in cahoots with the grocery stores. The last milk I actually drank was sometime in June, but by golly I dashed out to buy some Friday because….well, just because everybody said to.

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Radio stations in Cleveland, Denver, and San Francisco are facing backlash after banning the Christmas classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” suggesting that the lyrics may be referring to date rape. So, it took them 74 years to figure this out? The song was written in 1944, for God’s sake. Do you think we might be getting a little too sensitive?

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If you like to let your car run for a while to warm up while you’re waiting, you may not want to do it if you’re in Tulsa. The police department in Tulsa says officers will be writing tickets for unattended cars that are running, claiming it is an easy invitation for thieves. I guess they never heard of remote starters or key fob door locks. Weird. You would think it would be up to you whether or not you want to start your car, but I guess not.

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Congratulations to OU quarterback Kyler Murray, winner of the 2018 Heisman Trophy. That makes OU the first school to have two different back-to-back Heisman winning quarterbacks. OU is now tied with Notre Dame and Ohio State for the most Heisman winners from a school (7). Here are some throwback facts that might catch you a little off guard. It has been ten years since OU quarterback Sam Bradford won the Heisman Trophy, thirty years since OSU’s Barry Sanders won it, and 50 years since O.J. Simpson’s win! Next year will represent the 50^th anniversary of the Heisman win for OU’s Steve Owens.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: One night a Viking named Rudolph the Red was looking out the window when he said, “It’s going to rain.” His wife asked, “How do you know?”  “Because Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear.”

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Five drunk guys will start a fight. Five stoned guys will start a band.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The word "slut" originally had no sexual connotation but referred to women or girls of untidy appearance, often because of their occupations. It was often applied to servants and maids who toiled in dirty jobs.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: We have zero tolerance for racism, turkey bacon, decaf coffee, and non-alcoholic beer.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Had a bad mix-up at the store today. When the cashier said “Strip down facing me,” apparently she was referring to my credit card.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: “Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone is 72, body builder turned actor turned governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is 71, and game show host and animal rights activist Bob Barker turns 95 this week.  

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OFFICIAL TULSA TELEVISION WINTER WEATHER FORECAST: Snow possible, anywhere from 0 to 145 inches. Maybe. Could start at 6,7,8,9 o’clock. Maybe today or maybe not. Possibly none.

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BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I just read that 4,153,237 people got married last year. Not to cause trouble, but shouldn’t that be an even number?

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BAD CHRISTMAS CAROLE OF THE WEEK (child overheard singing this): “Christmas Tree” by Lady Gaga

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RECIPE FOR CAJUN EGG NOG: Step 1 - Pour whiskey into a glass. Step 2 – Drink dat.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Larry Duke, George Blair, Kelly Mlnarik, Rich Lawson, Debbie Stevenson, Holly Roach, Nevyle Cable, Ray Stowers, Jill Swisher, Amber Benson, Jade Piper, Christie Landry, Kyle Hudelson, Tina Blackman, Terry Graham, Jim Cottom, and Donald Murphy.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If we’re going to start arming school teachers, will librarians need guns with silencers?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Saturday is the rescheduled Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club at noon, followed by the Christmas Lights Boat Parade out of Cherokee Yacht Club about 5:30. There is also a Boat Parade Watch Party and Potluck Dinner at Harbors View Marina. Saturday is also the Salina Christmas Parade; and Saturday night is the “All Things Christmas” Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday is the annual  Brunch with Santa for Shangri-La Members at the Summit Restaurant; and Sunday night is another “Sip and Paint with Kim” session at Juan Montez Restaurant at Red Arrow Marina (6:30).

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake over the holiday weekend. On Monkey Island Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub and Saturday night there’s a great DJ for the “All Things Christmas” party at the 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 always live entertainment Saturday nights at the Road Hog Saloon.

In Miami, there’s a great concert Saturday at the Coleman Theater. The Tulsa Praise Orchestra and Choir present “A Big Band Christmas” live Saturday night.

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. Saturday night, DJ Wade will provide the musical entertainment during the Ugly Sweater Contest at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Friday night Cherokee Casino-Grove will feature music by Whiskey Poet Society. Saturday nightJesse Joice will entertain. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Thomas Martinez entertains at Bordertown Friday night, followed by Cedar Creek Saturday. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features music by Hi Fedelics Friday night. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, The Eddie Valend Band will perform Friday night followed by The Tim Amey Band Saturday night, both in Club 60 West Bar. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Chris Hyde performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Johnny Dale Roberts Friday night and The Rumor Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NFL games, college football bowl games and college & NBA basketball games are Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Roma is available on NETFLIX Friday. Springsteen on Broadway will be available Saturday on NETFLIX. Sunday night at 6:00 is the Miss Universe Pageant on Fox. Tuesday Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable will be available on NETFLIX, and Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown is also Tuesday night at 7:00 on CW followed immediately by Greatest Holiday Videos Countdown at 8:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Mule, Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, Vox Lux, and Mary Poppins Returns

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” – Groucho Marx

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 21 – Winter Solstice Party on the patio at The Shebang at 5:30. Saturday, December 22 is the “Christmas Movie Marathon” at Shangri-La Resort Hotel.

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Believe it or not, the college football Bowl Games begin this weekend. There are six games Saturday, and one each Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. You’ve probably even heard of some of the teams, although you may not have heard of any of the bowls! Including the National Championship Game, there are 41 bowl games this year.

It’s a really good week for the NFL. Thursday night action features the L.A. Chargers at Kansas City at 7:00 on Fox. If you have the NFL Network, there are two good games Saturday – Houston at the N.Y. Jets at 3:30 and Cleveland at Denver at 7:00. Sunday noon games include Dallas at Indianapolis (Fox) and Miami at Minnesota (CBS). The 3:30 game on CBS sends New England to Pittsburgh. Sunday night’s game has Philadelphia at the L.A. Rams (7:00 on NBC); and Monday Night Football features New Orleans at Carolina (7:00 on ESPN).

There’s great NBA action this week, too. The Thursday night double-header on TNT features the Lakers at Houston and Dallas at Phoenix. The are home hosting the L.A. Clippers Friday night at 8:00 and Chicago Monday night at 7:00 before heading to Sacramento Wednesday to take on the Kings at 9:00, all on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

College basketball action is good this week, too. Villanova is at Kansas Saturday morning at 11:00 (ESPN). OU is on national television twice this week, hosting USC Saturday night at 8:00 and Creighton Tuesday night at 8:00, both on ESPNU. Southern Miss is at Wichita State Saturday at 4:30 (CBSSN) and Xavier is at Missouri Tuesday at 6:00 on ESPNU.

PGA Players are off for the holidays. They’ll be back on the course in Hawaii the first two weeks of January for the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the Sony Open.

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Proving once again that it’s not the “weather” that’s a problem, but rather the “weather forecast,” this weekend actually doesn’t look much different than our actual weather over the weekend gone by. It’ll be a few degrees warmer, but still chilly. Weekend highs will be around in the upper 40s with lows in the low 30s. Gonna be a chilly weekend for parades, but it looks like a great weekend to party indoors.  So, party on, but remember…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)

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

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)

Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

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)

Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora

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 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