January 24 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

This is the third time this month I’ve started my little ol’ column with the phrase, “It’s Show Time!” But…it is. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show starts Monday, January 31 and continues through February 6 at the Sagenet Center in Tulsa’s Expo Square. If you missed the Oklahoma Boat Expo in Tulsa and the Oklahoma City Boat & RV Show earlier this month, you have one more chance. Arrowhead, Blackbeard and Grove Marine will be exhibiting at next week’s show. Show season is wrapping up, so if you haven’t already picked out your next boat, it’s time. Only the Grand Lake Boat Show March 3-6 remains on the show schedule after this one.

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Speaking of great shows, the Oklahoma legislature convenes in regular session in a couple of weeks, and the official bill-filing deadline is now past for the upcoming session. Grab a tight hold and get a faraway look in your eyes. There were 2,256 new bills and 41 joint resolutions filed for consideration, plus another 2,500 or so held over from last year. And it’s election year. What could possibly go wrong? There are some real doozies proposed. Some of them might even be constitutional. This time of year, I’m always reminded of two pearls of wisdom. Mark Twain famously said, “It’s easier to fool the people than to convince them they have been fooled.” But my favorite originated with the lawyer/editor/politician Gideon John Tucker: “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.”

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There is no shortage of pre-filed Oklahoma legislation that is blatantly unconstitutional, but one in particular caught my attention this week. The author seeks to prohibit what he calls “anchor babies” from becoming citizens of Oklahoma. He says “birthright citizenship” to those born in the United States to non-citizen parents was never the intention of the constitution. I wonder if he has stopped to think about the fact that, if that were true, there would be no citizens of the United States who are white guys like him.

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Dust to dust? Or how about “dust to compost.” It may be the perfect way for plant lovers to spend eternity. A company near Seattle is now replacing burial and cremation with “recomposition.” In fact, that’s the name of the company – Recompose. They actually mix your decomposing body with leaves and twigs and “VOILA!” You’re compost – and I guess you spend all of eternity working in the garden.

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As I sat at The Anchor watching football Saturday night, I couldn’t help but wonder who was really tougher – the 49ers and Packers playing football in 10-degree weather with sideline heaters and big coats draped over each time they left the field – or the kids who spent the entire evening on the basketball court at The Anchor playing far into the sub-freezing nighttime in shorts and shirt sleeves. I was so worried about them, I stayed right there at the bar until midnight, just to make sure they didn’t dash back into the cold and hurt themselves.

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Speaking of the 49ers, here’s something to consider as we await Sunday’s conference championship games. San Francisco and the Dallas Cowboys have met in playoff games seven times before this year. Six out of those seven times, the winner of the Cowboys-49ers game has gone on to the Super Bowl.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Janet Link who was re-elected last week to the Presidency of the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Bud Wyatt, Paula Brumble, Cathy Weatherford, Jim Gibbs, T.J. Barnow, Michael Blackman,  Boston Butters, JoAnn Schaub, Katelin Threet Jumper, Vanessa Lillie, Bruce Burnett, Holly Weatherford, Justin Tesreau, and Steve Hudiburg.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night at 7:00 is the Pool League Tournament Championship Match at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Friday night, The Anchor hosts Winter Golf League Indoor Simulator Tournament Round 3 play. Monday, January 31-Sunday, February 6 is the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at the Sagenet Center at Expo Square, Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Tuesday, February 1 is “First Tuesday Trivia” competition at The Anchor at Shangri-La.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: In Oklahoma, a person declaring bankruptcy under existing law is allowed to keep a fairly wide array of assets, including five milk cows and their calves, 20 head of sheep, 10 hogs, two horses with saddles and bridles, 100 chickens, and a motor vehicle valued at not more than $7,000.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Of the final four teams in the NFC playoffs, Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady was older than all the opposing head coaches.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: If men could get pregnant, the morning-after pill would be available in ranch, barbecue, and xtreme nacho.   

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I only want to hear the words “salt and ice” if we’re talking about margaritas.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: To the lady who flipped me off when I honked at you, your phone probably isn’t on top of your car, anymore.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Say what you will about Australia, but when it comes to tennis, they know how to return a Serb.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do eggs come in flimsy Styrofoam cartons and batteries come in a package only a chainsaw can open?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: People aren’t getting dumber. Dumb people are just getting louder.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: PGA GOAT contender Jack Nicklaus turned 82 years old last Friday. Actress Yvette Mimieux, the first to show her navel in a movie (Where the Boys Are), died last week. She was 80 years old. Ralph Emery, the Dean of Country Music Broadcasters, also died last week at the age of 88.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.” – Bertrand Russel

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Zack Baker performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Thursday night is karaoke night at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Friday night at the Swine. Saturday is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, Jump Suit Love will provide the music Saturday night at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill.

In Grove, Magen Faulconer provides the music Thursday night at the Grove VFW. Cory Lee entertains Saturday night at The Regatta. There is Friday night live entertainment by Morgan Squared at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Rusty Meyers entertains Friday night, and Lyle Parman and the Slidebar Band take the stage Saturday night.

In Miami, country music star Lorrie Morgan will be on stage live at The Coleman Theater Thursday night at 7:30.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Johnny Dale Roberts in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Travis Kidd, and Encore wraps up the weekend Saturday night. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, Asphalt Cowboys are featured both Friday and Saturday nights.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: In-house Chef Tyler will be the featured “Guest Chef” at The Shebang Wednesday, January 26 preparing Wonton Soup, Orange Chicken and Crab Rangoon. The Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island is now open for breakfast and lunch 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Checkered Past in Grove and The Artichoke in Langley have now both re-opened following a mid-winter break. The Grill at Indian Hills has also re-opened following closure for renovations. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now operating under winter hours of operation - open only Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday brunch only.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The first half of the final season of Ozark is available on NETFLIX along with the premiere of All of us are Dead. Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girls airs Monday night at 9:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: American Underdog is in movie theaters. SXSW Award Winner The Fallout is available Thursday on HBO Max. Home Team is available Friday on NETFLIX and The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild is available on Disney+.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, February 4 – Dave Rader Open European at Flying J Ranch & Hunt Club. Friday, February 4 – Playmakers’ Legacy Awards at First United Methodist Church in Grove (6:30). Friday, February 4 – First Friday Wine Share at New Life Spa in Grove’s South Pointe Shopping Center (6:00). Sunday, February 13 – Super Bowl LVI Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Monday, February 17 – Liverpool Legends live at the Indoor Pavilion at Downstream Casino. Friday-Sunday, February 25-27 – 918 Grand Prix at Mid-America Outdoors. Thursday-Sunday, March 3-6 – Grand Lake Boat Show at the Grove Civic Center. Friday-Sunday, March 4-6 – Welcome Back Weekend! Saturday, March 12 – Glow Golf (nighttime golf) at Shangri-La Golf Club (6:00).

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SPORTS WATCH: We’re down to just four teams in the NFL Playoffs. Both Conference Championship games are Sunday (2:00 and 5:30 p.m.).  Two teams will go home – and two will move on to Super Bowl LVI February 13.

There’s great college basketball this week, too. It’s Big XII/SEC Challenge Saturday with OU at Auburn and West Virginia at Arkansas, both at 1:00, and OSU at Florida at 3:00. Next Monday night, TCU is at OU at 8:00. The OSU Cowgirls host Kansas at 1:00 Saturday and the Lady Sooners host Texas at 2:00. The OU women travel to Waco next Wednesday for a rematch with Baylor.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder host Indiana Friday night at 7:00 and Portland Monday night at 7:00 before traveling to Dallas to face the Mavericks next Wednesday at 7:30.

The PGA players are in San Diego this week for The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Due to the Sunday NFL Conference Championship games, this week’s tournament will be on a Wednesday-Saturday schedule. Live coverage will begin on the Golf Channel at 11:00 Wednesday, 2:00 Thursday & Friday, and 1:30 Saturday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 4:00 Friday and 3:30 Saturday.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks pretty good considering it's the last weekend of January. Friday will only have a high temperature in the mid-40s with a low that night in the mid-20s - but Saturday and Sunday add about 10 degrees to each of those extremes. Should be pretty nice! There are plenty of entertainment options, and it’s a good time to find a nice spot to watch those NFL Conference Championship games Sunday. Remember, though, no matter where 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.

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 Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

Domino’s in Grove

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill at Grand Meridian

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

Forage in downtown Grove

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

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

Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Monkey Island Trail Rides

Monkey Island Winery

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove

Pickles at the Lake in Langley

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

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)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

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 Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove

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

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove