New Year's Weekend in Review by The Grand Lake Bum

Another New Year’s Eve celebration is in the books – and I survived again. Everybody who knows me realizes that a day dedicated exclusively to football and drinking is pretty darn close to a perfect holiday in my books! There was great entertainment everywhere you looked around the lake, giving an indication of the holiday spirit on the lake for the year ahead. The only bigger drinking event for Grand Lakers might be the Tulsa Boat Show – and that’s coming up in less than a month! Can you believe it?

*****

I must admit, of all the New Year’s Eve choices on Grand Lake, the one that brought the biggest smile to my face was the renewal of an ancient Grand Lake tradition – Don White performing New Year’s Eve at the newly reopened Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Helluva deal. It’s also nice to see the new courtesy slips at Mooney’s. Glad to see the revival.

*****

I sneaked down to OKC over the holiday weekend for a Sunday brunch with some pals. I’d never been to Sophabellas before, but I love the understanding of real life that their management has. On the front of the menu, their bloody mary bar and $1 mimosa “policy” explains that “We know that Sunday morning is possibly just your final act of Saturday night. We understand if you need to keep your sunglasses on.” Very understanding.  Since we live in the midst of a quaint little drinking community with a boating problem, Grand Lake restaurants, bars & clubs should keep this gentle policy in mind.

*****

Speaking of drinking on Grand Lake, several people have asked me if the new Cherokee Casino Grove is accessible by boat. The answer is “no” – unless you take a really, really good run at the shoreline. It’s close enough to the water that such access is a possibility, though. Any hot shot developers listening?

*****

The crazy New Year’s Day water skiers and wake boarders got pretty lucky this year, weatherwise. They ended up with mid-50s temperatures – a better offering than the Polar Bear Plungers had back on December 10. Oklahoma weather. Who knows?

*****

More year-end statistics are out, comparing all the states; and we finally beat Mississippi at something!  In the “Personal Income Growth” category, Mississippi was not last this year.  Oklahoma was.

*****

With regard to Tulsa State Representative Dan Kirby, can someone tell me is he is – or is he ain’t?  First he was caught on sexual harassment allegations by his former Executive Assistant. Then, since he works for taxpayers, taxpayers were tapped for the $44,500 paid to his former assistant and her attorneys to settle the case. In embarrassment and humiliation, Kirby resigned. But, embarrassment and humiliation are only passing fads in the political arena – and Representative Kirby is apparently over them both.  He now says he is rescinding his resignation and taking his seat back in the House of Representatives, because he got bad advice regarding the settlement – and he’s not guilty of doing anything wrong.  In the meantime, another former assistant of his has now filed a complaint. House Speaker-Elect Charles McCall says a house committee will investigate the mess starting this week. My question is – if he resigns, the seat is vacant, right?  So there’s a process for filling it – and I don’t think that process is a former office holder saying, “Overs, overs.  I’ll take it back. I changed my mind. I didn’t do it!  OVERS!” We’ll see, though. Stranger things have happened.

*****

Speaking of strange things and affairs in the political world, we have the first casualty from President-Elect Trump’s White House team. Jason Miller announced his resignation as White House Communications Director before he even got to see his office.  As it turns out, that’s not a good job for a guy who is already busy with a pregnant wife and a pregnant mistress. Especially when the mistress also happens to be a co-worker – who also called for his resignation on Twitter referring to him as “baby daddy”. Oops. (At least it was the Communications Department – and there was obviously no lack of communication.)

*****

If you’re old, you might want to think about a woman.  I mean as your doctor. A Medicare analysis of data indicates elderly patients seen by female internists were less likely to die or be readmitted to hospitals in the short run than those with male doctors. As a general rule, I’d rather get naked with a woman, anyway, so I guess I’m okay with that.

*****

If you’re looking for a new vacation destination, my pal Libby Smith tells me that, as of Sunday, January 1, it is legal to hunt catfish with a pitchfork in Illinois. You’re welcome.

*****

FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: The fact that there’s a “Highway to Hell” and only a “Staircase to Heaven” tells you a little about the anticipated traffic numbers.

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: The answer may not be at the beach, but shouldn’t we at least check?

*****

LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): When you try to run from your crashed out car to avoid the cops and a DUI, try not to forget your kid in the back seat.

*****

MY PERSONAL NEW YEAR’S FACEBOOK POST: Stop asking me to repost your post to prove that I read your post, or that I hate cancer, love Jesus, think your cat is cute, or agree with your politics. Happy New Year!

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Susan Graham, Sergio Andre, Mark Witten, Morgan Grubb, Kent Harrell, Kendra Sue Montana-McGeady, Greg Price, Tracie Gelinas, Becky Wetwiska, Carol Cable, Bill Sanford, Mark Cavins, and Carrie Connor.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  If you wear cowboy clothes, are you ranch dressing? (thanks to my pal Jon Wilson for this one)

*****

BEST EVENT OF THE WEEK: Free Fleetwood Mac tribute at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West Event Center Saturdaynight by Mirage: Visions of Fleetwood Mac.

*****

GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: We kick off the new year with great musical entertainment around the lake this weekend, including Clint Walker Friday night at the Back Stage Room at The Shebang and Randy Lunsfordperforming in the through the weekend in the Burlesque Room. Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub, and there’s always great weekend fun at the Road Hog Saloon.

Area casinos have great musical options this weekend, as well, highlighted by a Saturday night tribute by Mirage: Visions of Fleetwood Mac at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West Event Center. In the Club 60 West Bar, The Band DeLorean kicks off the Wyandotte weekend Friday night, followed by Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice Saturday night. Time Machine will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Paralandra on Saturday night. Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino always has great Friday & Saturday night musical entertainment, but I can’t tell you what it is this week. It’s not that I won’t tell you…I just don’t know. They didn’t get it posted on their website in advance. Hungover from New Year’s Eve probably. Kenny Babb will perform in Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge, however, both nights. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by The Jeff Fox Band. Travis Kidd will entertain Friday night followed by The High-Fidelics Saturday night.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the final college football bowl games, NBA basketball, and NFL playoff action are the Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: Nashville moves from ABC to CMT for the kick-off of its fifth season Thursday night at 8:00.Emerald City, NBC’s long-delayed (and dark) re-boot of the Wizard of Oz airs Friday night at 8:00, preceded at 7:00 by the 13^th season kick-off of Grimm. The 74^th Annual Golden Globe Awards will be televised Sunday night at 7:00 on NBC.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Hidden Figures and A Monster Calls

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Historians studying photographs from four decades ago have come to the conclusion that the U.S. must have believed in science at some point.” – Andy Borowitz

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 19 – OKC Boat and RV Show opens at the Cox Convention Center. Saturday, January 21 – Loverboy concert at Downstream Casino. Monday, January 30 – Opening Night for the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show (South Grand Lake Chamber buses -$35 per person including show tickets – will leave from the Grove Civic Center at4:00 and Reasor’s in Langley at 5:00. To reserve seats, call the Chamber at 918-782-3214.)

*****

In the college football world, we’re right down to the end of another season. Following the “Big Four” bowl games Monday – including OU and Auburn in the Sugar Bowl at 7:30 on ESPN - the National Championship Game is Monday night, January 9 at 7:00 on ESPN featuring the rematch of the decade: Alabama vs. Clemson – again. Let’s hope it turns out differently this year. If you want a good warm-up to the biggest game, there’s another big one Saturday – the NCAA FCS Championship pits James Madison against Youngstown State at 11:00 Saturday morning on ESPN2.

NFL action moves into “The Playoffs” this week.  Saturday and Sunday each feature two Wild Card games. In the NBA, the OKC Thunder kicks off TNT’s Thursday night double-header facing the Rockets in Houston at 7:00. TNT will also feature intermittent coverage of San Antonio at Denver before the nightcap with Portland hosting the L.A. Lakers at 9:30. Friday night, ESPN has the double-header with New York at Milwaukee at 7:00 and Memphis at Golden State at 9:30. Saturday night, it’s Thunder basketball again as OKC hosts the Denver Nuggets at 7:00 before heading to Chicago to take on the Bulls Mondaynight at 7:00, both on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

College basketball has some good games this week, too. Saturday, OU is at Kansas State at 2:00 (ESPNEWS) and Oklahoma State is at Baylor at 6:00, (ESPNEWS). Kansas hosts Texas Tech Saturday evening at 6:15 (ESPN2).  

The PGA Tour is underway for another year. The pros will be back on the course in Maui this week for the SBS Tournament of Champions. Coverage will be on the Golf Channel beginning at 5:00 Thursday, Friday & Saturday. NBC will pick up the final round coverage at 2:00 Sunday.

*****

It must be winter. The forecast for the first full weekend of January looks…cold. We might see a snow flurry or two Thursday& Friday before the sun comes out for Saturday & Sunday. Even at that, highs will only be around the freezing mark with lows in the teens. It looks like the perfect weekend to spend mid-afternoons outside and evenings at your favorite bar. While you’re there, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you.  It could be me. 

GRAND LAKE BUM

Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum?  No problem.  Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their web site.  If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both and www.360grandlake.com, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing.  E-mail or contact 360grandlake.com to sign up.

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)

Bobbers Café in Langley

Book ‘ems at South Wind Marina in Bernice

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the patios)

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

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

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

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 Vinita (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)

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

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

Book ‘ems Restaurant & Pub at South Wind Marina in Bernice

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

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)

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the 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

Wyandotte Nation Casino at Twin Bridges (smoking)