March 5th Grand Lake Bum Random Observations

Another Welcome Back Weekend is behind us. Congratulations to Ice Breaker Poker Run winner Tom Bene (four of a kind – 4s). Rich Landon was a close second with a full house (kings over queens), and Tiffany Harper’s flush took the third place prize. There’s no turning back now, boys & girls. The return of Daylight Saving Time is just ahead of us (set your clocks forward when you go to bed Saturday night), followed by St. Patrick’s Day, and the first day of Spring - and another season is underway at Grand Lake!

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In Bangor, Maine, there is apparently a parent who really wanted to do something special for workers at a daycare center. A parent brought cookies for all the workers on Valentine’s Day. Within 15 minutes, the delighted workers became very laid-back, hungry, and high. Yep. Marijuana cookies.

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I had never heard of Ural Airlines before, but a recent event netted them a little extra publicity. I don’t know if it was a scary take-off or what – but everyone on the flight from Antalya, Turkey to Moscow remained totally silent (stunned might be a better word) for 20 minutes as a female passenger removed her underwear, then used the vent above her seat to dry them.

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People are just bizarre, aren’t they? A man and woman were arrested at a Long Island, NY theater after they dumped popcorn on a 2-year-old who talked during a Star Wars movie, then threw the box and hit the baby in the head. Police actually charged the couple with endangering the welfare of a child. The child wasn’t hurt, though. I thought it would be more appropriate to arrest the duo for a salt and buttery.

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Here is the best news I’ve been able to bring you in a long time. A new study at the University of California-Irvine indicates consumption of coffee and alcohol can lead to a longer life. I’m going to be immortal!

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Actual CNN Headline: “Boeing 777 will struggle to maintain altitude when fuel tanks are empty.” I thought I was going to fall out of my chair laughing. I’m pretty sure ALL airplanes have that problem when their fuel tanks are empty.

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As of last week, there’s a new “least safe job” in the United States – White House Director of Communications. At the rate they’ve been dropping, we may all have to take a turn at that job.

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Anybody who knows me realizes I am a giant advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act and equal opportunities for those with disabilities – but there’s a chance the State of Iowa has taken it too far. To avoid any criticism for treating those with disabilities differently, Iowa is issuing gun permits to all applicants, regardless of their disabilities….including the blind. No, really. What could possibly go wrong, right? (Which reminds me…I still haven’t figured out why there are instruction in Braille at the bank drive-through.)

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: I’m going to donate these bags of old clothes to Goodwill; but first I’m going to drive around with them in my trunk for 4 months. (Thanks to Sue Davidson for sharing this one.)

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Welcome to Oklahoma – birthplace of the Blizzafloodquakenado

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TWEET OF THE WEEK:  Instead of cleaning, I just watched an episode of Hoarders. I didn’t realize how fantastic my house really looks!

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID: The Republic of Chad, which is mostly desert, is named for the Kanuri word meaning “lake.”

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FUNNIEST (FAKE) PHONE RECORDING OF THE WEEK: You have reached the Robert Mueller plea deal office. All our agents are currently helping other customers. Please continue to hold.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I got drunk last night and decided to do my own taxes, and now I’m getting back $4 million this year!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Tara Barnow Smith, Sheena Carson, Russell Perry, Lisa Cookson, Cindy Morrison, Debia Feldman, Jenny Lee, Tiffany Holbrook, Beverly Jones, Ralph Richardson, Kara Keeton, Dan Dillingham, Myles Davidson, Roberta Arnold, and Kaleb Forkner.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If a product label says “Do not use if seal is broken,” how are you supposed to open and use it?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show is this weekend – Thursday through Sunday at the Grove Civic Center. Saturday night is the “Really Big Show” – a combined presentation of the famed Croak-Off and Coots Talent/No Talent Show at Big Shots on Monkey Island.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment around the lake this weekend. At The Shebang on Monkey Island, the talented Randy Lunsford entertains weekends. Across the street at Big Shots, Saturday night is the “Really Big Show” – the combination of the famed Croak-Off and the Old Coots No Talent/Talent Show. Adult entertainment, but a really fun gig! Just down highway 125 at Monkey Island Pub, Friday night is Karaoke night. The Blind Swine also has karaoke fun, as well as live entertainment every Saturday night by Erin Fitzgibbon. Further down the highway at the Road Hog Saloon, there is great live entertainment every 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. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Scott Ellison Friday night and Reverse Reaction Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Splinter Middleton kicks off the weekend Friday night, followed by Chris Hempfling and Raisin Kain on Saturday. The Eddie Valen Band will be the featured band Friday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West. At Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, there’s a late start to Friday night’s show (10:00), but it’s a great one – Jessie Joice. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment beginning with Brett & TerriThursday and Donnie Ray Stevens Friday night in the Echo Bar. Saturday night, music is by Sweet Trouble.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including college and NBA Basketball, PGA Golf, and NASCAR are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, 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: The series premiere of Champions is Thursday night at 7:30 on NBC. American Idol returns on a new network this week, Sunday and Mondaynights at 7:00 on ABC. A new series, Rise, debuts Tuesday night at 9:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: A Wrinkle in Time and The Hurricane Heist

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Supporters were surprised to hear President Trump suggesting last week that authorities should ‘take the guns first – worry about due process later.’ I don’t know why everyone was so surprised. The President has a reputation for reaching out and grabbing things without asking.” – Peter Sagal

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 15 – Vinita Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, Craig County Fairgrounds. Friday, March 16 – several candidates for statewide public office will be making their cases and be available for questions at the new Grove Airport Terminal building at 5:30. Friday, March 16 – St. Patrick’s Day party at Monkey Island Pub – bagpipers play hourly 6:00-10:00. Saturday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day party at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina. Saturday, March 17 – Live Boxing at Grove Civic Center (5:30). Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Renaissance Festival in Vinita. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Long John Sumner’s Big Meat Run at Disney. Friday, March 30 – Blood drive at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, Holderman Ballroom from 11:00-4:00. Saturday, April 7 – GEFFE Gala at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, April 14 – Free Boating Safety Course at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (8:00-5:00). Saturday, April 14 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce “Bootleggers Ball” at Cherokee Yacht Club.

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On the college basketball courts, it’s conference tournament week. After two games Wednesday, quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship are Thursday with games at11:30 and 1:30 on ESPN2 and at 6:00 and 8:00 on ESPNU. Semi-finals are Friday at 6:00 and 8:00, both on ESPN2; and the Big 12 Tournament Championship game is Saturday at 5:00 on ESPN. Sunday afternoon, TBS will broadcast the NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday Show at 5:00. NCAA Play-In games are set for next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The NBA is back to a full schedule this week, too. The OKC Thunder have three consecutive home games – hosting Phoenix Thursday night (7:00 on FSOK), then back-to-back games with San Antonio Sunday (7:30 on ABC), and Sacramento Monday (7:00 on ESPN) – before a quick road trip to Atlanta for a Tuesday night game (6:30 on FSOK).  Wow. Four games in six days!

PGA players are playing in Palm Harbor, Florida this week. Coverage of the Valspar Championship begins on the Golf Channel 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 12:00Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Vegas this weekend. Coverage of the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube begins Sunday at 2:30 on Fox.

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The weather for the coming weekend doesn’t look as good as last weekend, but it’s all good. We may have a shower or two Saturday & Sunday morning, but highs will be around 60 with lows in the 40s. There’s a lot of stuff happening around the lake this weekend, so get out there and enjoy the fun; but 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