February 5th Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

So, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Big deal. I don’t believe him. I never have liked rats, anyway. If we have the equivalent groundhog prognosticator around Grand Lake, he obviously has had some trouble trying to remember if he saw his shadow or not.  This weekend is a good example – forecast Friday high of 60 – forecast Saturday high of 38.

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I hope you made it to the Tulsa Boat Show. If you didn’t, you must be the only one. It seems like I saw everybody I know at some point during the show. If all the “SOLD” signs I saw on so many boats are an indication of the year ahead, it’s going to be a fabulous year of success for the Grand Lake economy.

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In case some important dates slip past you at times, this weekend marks the date of the largest number of relationship break-ups all year. The reason, of course, is the fact that Valentine’s Day is next week. Guys tend to view Valentine’s Day as an unnecessary, yet costly expense. Flowers, candy, dinner, a show or concert. Economists say that breaking up the weekend before Valentine’s Day, then reconciling the weekend after, amounts to an average saving of $300 for the average American male. If you’re one of the guys who can’t get out of your relationship that quickly, don’t forget Valentine’s Day is next Wednesday.

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Things that make you go “hmmm.” The Tennessee legislature has a newly renovated home in the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville. With the new home come some new rules which were adopted jointly by Lt. Governor Randy McNally and House Speaker Beth Harwell. No hand carried signs and no signs on sticks will be allowed because they might be a safety hazard. For the same reason, no pets will be allowed in the building. Ironically, they kept a rule they adopted last year. Guns are okay.

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My cop buddies assure me there are several telltale signs as to whether or not someone has had too much to drink – but I’d say Douglas Jon Francisco of Tampa, Florida gave the most unique indication I’ve heard in a while. Employees of a bank complained to authorities that someone was apparently “asleep” in a car that was in the bank’s drive-thru. When officers tapped on his window, Mr. Francisco woke up abruptly….and tried to order tacos. Ooops. Wrong drive-thru!

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I know you’ve heard “man bites dog” type of stories, but how about a “dog shoots man” story? It happened in a remote area of Russia. Sergey Terekhov let his dogs out to run before a hunting outing. One of them got excited, ran back to him, jumped up and clawed the trigger of Sergey’s shotgun, shooting him in the abdomen. He was 64.

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Remember Barney the Dinosaur? If you’ve ever wondered what happened to him, I found out. David Joyner is the guy who was inside the Barney suit for 10 years on the “Barney & Friends” television show. These days, David is working as a tantric sex guru in Los Angeles. He claims he can reunite his clients’ body, mind and spirit through a tantric massage and unprotected sex. Sorta brings a new meaning to Barney’s ol’ “I love you, you love me” message, doesn’t it?

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President Trump gave his State of the Union speech last week – but despite the fact the President gives such a speech every single year, the U.S. House Sergeant at Arms’ Office who prints tickets every year, apparently doesn’t save the artwork for tickets. The office had to kick into emergency mode the day before the speech to reissue tickets to members of Congress and their spouses when it was discovered that the title of the event was misspelled – “State of the Uniom.” If they were going to let a typo slip past, thereby creating an instant collector’s item, I think “State of the Onion” would have been a much better typo.

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Sometimes we can all get a little carried away with our political views, but things really got carried away at an anti-immigration rally in Arizona. The protesters demanded to know if Navajo Congressman Eric Descheenie is in this country “illegally.” Just let that sink in for a minute.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: I don’t know if Facebook has ever made the lame to walk. But it has, beyond all doubt, enabled the dumb to speak.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Drinking rum before noon makes you a Pirate – not an alcoholic!

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TWEET OF THE WEEK:  Not to brag, but I just went into another room and actually remembered why I went in there. It was the bathroom, but still…

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: In two years, 1990 will be thirty years ago. When I think “thirty years ago,” I think 1970.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: In two years, 1990 will be thirty years ago. When I think “thirty years ago,” I think 1970.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: I can’t believe I missed a mention of my ol’ running buddy “Radio Jim” Frazer’s birthday last week. He’s a great friend!Happy birthday wishes also go out this week to Steve Weatherford, Hayley Whitehead, Stan Noble, Kim Self-Hutchison, Sandy Garrett, Martha Jennings, Ben Wolfe, Dennis Barber, Ally Jones, Dustin Able, Tamara Carrott, Brad Coston, and Betty Dennis!

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If rabbit’s feet are so lucky, what happened to the rabbit?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s a really busy week around the lake. The Home of Hope Chocolate Affair is Thursday evening at the Craig County Fairgrounds from 6:00-8:00. This weekend is also the 20^th Annual Grove Home & Garden Show at the Grove Civic Center. The show runs Friday-Sunday. Saturday is an all-day Mardi Gras celebration at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel with a fabulous Cajun Buffet from noon until 8:00. Tuesday afternoon is a Reader’s Theatre presentation at 3:00 p.m. at Playmakers in Grove. Tuesday is also election day. Monkey Islanders vote on a bond issue to provide emergency services facilities to attract 24/7 ambulance service to the Island; and my pal David Poindexter is also on that ballot running for District #1 County Commissioner. Next Wednesday, of course, is Valentine’s Day. Enjoy.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: It may be winter time at Grand Lake, but there’s plenty of entertainment. At The Shebang on Monkey Island, the talented Randy Lunsford entertains weekends. Across the street at Big Shots, Saturday night is dance night! Just down highway 125 at Monkey Island Pub,Friday night is Karaoke night. The Blind Swine also has karaoke fun, and live entertainment every Saturday night by Erin Fitzgibbon. Further down the highway at the Road Hog Saloon, Lickitty Split will be on stage for a big Valentine Dance Party Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Grand Lodge Bar & Grill in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Friday night, The Pointer Sisters will be on stage at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. Cherokee Casino Grove will feature the Krista Meadows acoustic duo for a special Valentine’s Day show February 14. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 will feature a late Friday night show byJesse Joice beginning at 10:00 p.m. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke Thomas Martinez kicks off the weekendFriday night, followed by Whiskey Poet Society on Saturday. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment beginning with Brett & Terri Thursday andPhil Vaught Friday night in the Echo Bar. Saturday night, music is by Torn.  Friday night Lucas Gates gets things started for the weekend at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the Super Bowl, College Basketball, PGA Golf, and NBA play are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Friday night is live presentation of The Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies airs Friday night at 7:00 on NBC. Saturday night, there’s a fantastic documentary for music lovers on Showtime at 8:00 – Eric Clapton: A Life in 12 Bars.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Peter Rabbit and The 15:17 to Paris

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I think it’s wrong that only one company makes the game Monopoly.” – Steven Wright

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, February 17 – Mardi Gras Party at Monkey Island Pub. Friday-Sunday, March 2-4 – Welcome Back Weekend! Saturday, March 3 – Ice Breaker Poker Run. Thursday-Sunday, March 8-12 – Grand Lake Boat Show at Grove Civic Center. Thursday, March 15 – Vinita Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, Craig County Fairgrounds. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Renaissance Festival in Vinita. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Long John Sumner’s Big Meat Run at Disney. Saturday, April 7 – GEFFE Gala at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, April 14 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce “Bootleggers Ball.”

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In the NBA, the OKC Thunder have a busy few days ahead starting late Thursday night with a 9:30 tip-off against the Lakers in L.A. (TNT). Sunday, they’re back home to host the Grizzlies at 6:00 (FSOK) and the Cavaliers Tuesday (7:00 on TNT). Then, it’s back in the plane to head for Memphis and a rematch with the GrizzliesWednesday night (7:00 on FSOK).

On the college courts, Tulsa kicks off the weekend on Thursday night hosting Tulane at 6:00 (ESPNEWS). Oklahoma State will be at West Virginia Saturday morning at 11:00 (ESPN) and OU will be on the road at Iowa State at 1:00 (ESPN). Other great Saturday games include Kansas at Baylor (1:00 on CBS) and Texas Tech at Kansas State (7:00 on ESPNU). Next week, OU is at Texas Tech Tuesday night at 8:00 (ESPNEWS) and OSU hosts Kansas State in Stillwater Wednesday at 6:00(ESPNU).

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

And believe it or not, it’s NASCAR time. Daytona week begins Sunday with the Advance Auto Parts Clash. Coverage will be on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 2:00Sunday afternoon.

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The weekend weather looks like another quick-change artist’s routine, with Saturday’s high temperature dropping 20 degrees below Friday’s nice forecast. Friday’s high will be around 60, but Saturday & Sunday highs will be closer to 40 with nighttime lows in the 20s. Find a place to have indoor fun. 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

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)

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 on Monkey Island

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

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 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

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)

Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)

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