January 7 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

The 2019 boating season has arrived!! The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show is coming up later this month, of course, but if you’re in the OKC area, check out the 2019 OKC Boat and RV Show at the State Fairgrounds in the capital city THIS WEEKEND – January 11-13. I promise it will make Grand Lakers proud when they walk through the show. Just like the Tulsa Show, it’s easy to figure out there wouldn’t be much of a show at all if not for Grand Lake boat dealers. They’ll have more than 100 boats at the OKC show. I’m pretty sure that’s more boats than the OKC area dealers even carry in inventory. Grand Lake is truly the boating capital of Oklahoma! That’s why smart boat buyers try to do business with a Grand Lake dealer! See ya’ in OKC this weekend!

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I suppose it wouldn’t be normal to start a new year without a new controversy. At the behest of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, GRDA is apparently providing one. The discussion has been reopened needlessly about “habitable structures,” the man floating homes on the lake where people either live full time or spend weekends and vacations. Even though an OU study indicated they had “no significant detrimental environmental impact,” owners are being told they will have to meet strict new over-the-top requirements or be forced to tear them down. Worse yet, they’re being told that, even though they have been previously approved and permitted,” they won’t be able to sell them. In other words, your floating $250,000 home may have been approved by the government – but if you sell it, it will just be a $25,000 dock. Can you say “confiscation of private property?” I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve talked to a lot of them who say this policy is just one lawsuit away from being history. These structures are all over Lake Texoma (and many, many other lakes and rivers throughout the United States. They’re very popular, very cool and have created no problem….except on Grand Lake? Sounds like another government solution in search of a problem. Thanks, FERC.

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We all know what “market price” means on a menu when we see it next to lobster tail, for example…but if you decide to order raw tune at Kiyosho Kimura’s Sushizanmai restaurants in Japan, be sure to ask what the price is – exactly. Kiyoshi just paid a record $3.1 million for a 613 lb. Bluefin Tuna to serve in his restaurants. Is my math right? Is that a little over $5,000 per pound? At that price, they ought to at least cook it!

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I couldn’t help but think of my good friend and Grand Lake Sensei Kari Baker when I saw the story out of Charlotte, North Carolina about the big bruiser who was trying to kidnap a woman. She managed to run into a Karate Dojo begging for help – which she got. The instructor asked the man to leave, “protected” himself when the attacker got aggressive, managed to get him outside where he was “dealt with” and police were called. The attacker didn’t go directly to jail, though. He left on a stretcher and I couldn’t really get a report on his condition. Didn’t really bother me, though. (Deep bow.)

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GRAND LAKE DINING TIP: The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La Resort, normally open only to members and resort guests, will be open to the public for three nights of Valentine culinary delights. Thursday-Saturday, February 14-16. $100 per couple. Enjoy.

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GRAND LAKE DRINKING NOTICE: I’m giving up alcohol for a month. Wait, that came out wrong. I’m giving up. Alcohol for a month!

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BEST (FAKE) QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Trump: “When I said ‘the Mexicans would pay for the wall, I meant Mexican Americans…which naturally includes all Americans who have eaten Mexican food.’”

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Remember, having sex on a regular basis keeps your memory alive. I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2016.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Although already a major film star, actor Robert Montgomery enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after the U.S. entry into World War II and served aboard the destroyer Barton during the D-Day Invasion. He later became what amounted to an early version of a communications director for President Dwight Eisenhower.

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BEST REVENGE OF THE WEEK: A man who lives near an airport was irritated by the constant noise of low-flying aircraft. He painted a giant sign on his roof that read, “Welcome to Cleveland.” He lives in Milwaukee.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Went to the Air & Space Museum today, but there was nothing there.

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SECOND GREAT SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (on a Methodist Church marquee): Adultery is a sin. You can’t have your Kate and Edith, too.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: My wife said, “You weren’t even listening.” I thought that was a weird way to start a conversation. (thanks to Terry Jones for sharing this one)

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: World Wrestling Entertainment announcing icon “Mean Gene” Okerlund dies last week. He was 76. Remember “Captain and Tennille?” Daryl Dragon – aka “The Captain” – died last week. He, too, was 76.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The bad news: nothing is permanent. The good news: Nothing is permanent.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Bill Sanford, Carrie Connor, Doug Schoppa, Mark Cavins, Jacqui Haglund, Kristi Mullinax, Paul Bulten, Sandy Scott, Mickey Landers, Edward Battaglia, and Dale Forrest.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Since there is a speed of light and a speed of sound, is there a speed of smell?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday at noon is the Grove Chamber luncheon – Robert Rupp, President of Integris Grove will be the speaker at the Community Center. Saturday is “Karaoke Night with the Full Monty” at Monkey Island Pub. If you want to beat the crowd for early boat show bargains, the Oklahoma City Boat and RV Show is this week – Friday through Sunday at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in OKC.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake over the weekend. On Monkey Island, Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub – and Saturday night this week is the big “Karaoke with the Full Monty” night at the Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday), and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s live music every Saturday at the Road Hog Saloon. 

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.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features entertainment by Western Justice Friday night and Lucas GatesSaturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Brent Baker entertains at Bordertown Friday night, followed by Whiskey River Band Saturday. Knight and Daze will be on stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Stonehorse will perform Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Morgan Squared performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Phil Vaught Friday and Saturday nights.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NFL playoff games, PGA Golf and college & NBA basketball games are the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Season 6 of Brooklyn 99 airs Thursday night at 8:00 and has moved from Fox to NBC. The Blacklist has moved to Friday nights at 8:00 on NBC. Madame Secretary is at 9:00 Sunday nights on CBS.  The Passage airs Monday night at 8:00 on Fox.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: The Upside

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Nobody talks more of free enterprise and competition and of the best man winning than the man who inherited his father’s store or farm.” – C. Wright Mills, 1951

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 17 – South Grand Lake Chamber “Business After Hours” at Grand Meridian RV Park. Thursday, January 17 – Grove Chamber “Business After Hours” at Grand River Abstract in Grove. Thursday, January 17 – Vinita Area Chamber Murder Mystery Dinner at Craig County Fairgrounds. Friday, January 18 – “Silver Lining” opens at Playmakers in Grove. Saturday, January 19 – Chili Cookoff at Grand Meridian RV, Cabin, and Tiny Home Resort. Saturday, January 26 – Movie Night at Shangri-La Resort. Monday-Sunday, January 28-February 3 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at River Spirit Expo, Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Friday-Sunday, February 8-10 – Grove Home & Garden Show, Grove Civic Center.

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In the NFL, it’s divisional playoff time! There are two games Saturday (Indianapolis at Kansas City at 3:30 on NBC and at L.A. Rams at 7:15 on Fox) and two games Sunday (Chargers at New England at noon on CBS and at New Orleans at 3:30 on Fox).

There’s great NBA action this week, too. The Thursday night double-header on TNT features Boston at Miami and the OKC Thunder at San Antonio. Saturday night at 7:00 the Thunder host the Spurs in OKC (7:00 on FSOK). They’re back on the road Tuesday night in Atlanta at 6:30 (FSOK).

College basketball highlights of the week include Cincinnati at Tulsa Thursday night at 6:00 (ESPN2), OSU at West Virginia Saturday at 11:00 (ESPNU) followed by TCU at OU at 1:00

(Fox Sports Southwest), and Wichita State at Houston at 7:00 (CBSSN). Monday night, Baylor is at OSU (8:00 on ESPNU) and Texas is at Kansas (8:00 on ESPN). K-State is at OU next Wednesday night at 6:00 (ESPNU), and UCF is at Wichita State (9:00 on CBSSN).

PGA Players are in Hawaii for the second consecutive week. Coverage of the Sony Open is on the Golf Channel beginning at 6:00 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 5:00 on Sunday.

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This weekend’s weather won’t be as picture perfect as last weekend, but it’s going to be nice! We’ll have light winds, partly cloudy skies, and high temperatures pushing 50 degrees with lows in the mid-30s. Of course, the weather is always great for dining & drinking in January, so, party on! Remember, though…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)

Hilltop Café in Grove

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

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.)

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

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)

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 Gentlemen’s Club 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