November 5 Random Observations of The Grad Lake Bum
I’ll admit it right up front. I was disloyal over last weekend. I left my beloved Grand Lake for a chance to see Stevie Wonder at Hard Rock. WOW! I’ve wanted to see him forever (although he couldn’t see me, of course). That only leaves Quincy Jones and Paul McCartney on my musical bucket list. I don’t feel too badly about leaving the lake for 24 hours on a weekend. A couple of my besties left the Stevie concert and blasted off for Puerta Vallarta – and half of my remaining running buddies are heading to the British Virgin Islands this week leaving me at home to take care of the lake all by myself. I’m gonna need somebody to pick up some of my bar bill.
*****
As you may know, I’m not wild about the changing time…and I certainly much prefer Daylight Saving Time. Standard time pretty much eliminates “day drinking” opportunities through the winter because it’s almost dark before most of the bars open. Thank goodness for Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La where you can get a drink at 8:00 a.m. At least there’s one day-drinking option.
*****
The act of creating your own “alternate facts,” then quoting them as factual in order to influence others is not something that was invented by recent political campaigns. It’s an old advertising game. I don’t know where it started, but I am aware of a very creative campaign way back in 1946 for Camel cigarettes. If you have forgotten how “out there” old ad campaigns used to be, how about this claim? “More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette.” Yep. That was an actual ad campaign, apparently created by giving doctors free cartons of Camels, then asking what brand they smoked. Advertising truth is stranger than advertising fiction. (If there’s a difference.)
*****
If you’ve become accustomed to dirty fighting and politicians saying nasty things about each other – and you’re afraid of going into withdrawal this weekend because of an end to Trump rallies and political campaigns and commercials, join me Saturday night at Blind Swine for a special “Jello Wrestling” competition. It’ll probably be about the same thing; and by the time that event is over, commercials for the 2020 Elections will probably start running!
*****
PAST AND FUTURE DINING OPTION? Remember “Steak and Ale” restaurants? The final locations of the popular steak-and-salad-bar chain closed around 2010 – but they may be coming back. The parent company of Bennigans has purchased the “Steak and Ale” name. Their website says the iconic chain is “poised for an epic comeback.” Hmmm. What’s next? Chi-Chi’s? Even dining history repeats itself.
*****
DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND UPDATE: Shangri-La Resort changed restaurant hours of operation for the winter this week. Doc’s Bar & Grill at the resort hotel daily from is now open 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. daily serving breakfast and lunch – and Sunday brunch specials from 10:00-2:00 Sundays. Shangri-La Members and hotel guests may enjoy dinner service at The Summit Restaurant nightly, seven days a week from 4:00 p.m.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Do you ever wake up, kiss the person sleeping beside you and feel glad that you’re alive? I just did and apparently will not be allowed on this airline again.
*****
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: I pack two hours before leaving on a trip. I unpack three months after I get home.
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The popular Peter, Paul & Mary folk song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” was based on a poem written in 1959 by Cornell University student Leonard Lipton.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: When a Southern person says “With all due respect,” that is code for “You can kiss my ass.”
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: I got carded at the liquor store. My “Blockbuster” card accidentally fell out. The cashier laughed and said, “Never mind.”
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary CBS anchor Dan Rather turned 87 last week and folk singer Joni Mitchell turns 75 this week The first episode of “The Flintstones” aired 58 years ago. This weekend is the 29th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
*****
HELPFUL ADVICE OF THE WEEK: If you ever feel bad about procrastinating, just remember that Mozart wrote the Overture to “Don Giovanni” the morning it premiered.
*****
BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I don’t know about you, but I’ve thought about running away as an adult way more than I ever did as a kid.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Abby Moser, Candy Couch, Deidre Sparkman, Shaleen Wheeler, Frank Devorak, Chad Dalton, Mitch Lindley, Jot Hartley, Lisa Ledom, Greg Feldman, Kathryn Cavins, Maddy Cook, Tyler Graham, Christie Livingston, Jon Davidson, Tom Quillin, Dave Jones, Walli Daniel, Jeremy Riggs and Rusty Rowton.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you’re paying $4 a bottle for Smart Water, does that mean it’s not working?
*****
BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Grove Merchants Christmas Open House is this week, Friday & Saturday. Saturday night is a very unique fundraising event - Jello Wrestling at Blind Swine benefiting the Combat Vets Association.
*****
GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake. On Monkey Island this weekend, the dance floor will be hoppin’ with karaoke fun and great dance music at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Just up highway 125, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday). This week, there’s Jello Wrestling Saturday night to raise money for the Combat Vets, and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, Lickitty Split performs Saturday night 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. There’s also a Bedlam Football party at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Saturday afternoon.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Brandon Butler entertains at Bordertown Friday night, followed by Whiskey River Band Saturday. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features Barrett LewisFriday night; and at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, The Stonehorse Band will perform Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Phil Vaught performs both Thursday and Friday nights in the Echo Bar, followed by Material Girl Saturday.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the PGA, College Football, NFL games, NASCAR, and NBA games are 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.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: Country Music’s Biggest Stars: In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts airs Sunday night at 9:00 on ABC. The 44th People’s Choice Awards ceremony is also Sunday night at 8:00 on E! The new series Real Country debuts next Tuesday night at 9:00 on the USA Network, and the 52nd Annual CMA Awards air next Wednesday night at 7:00 on ABC.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Overlord, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch and The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “According to a recent survey, men say the first thing they notice about women is their eyes. And women say the first thing they notice about men is they’re a bunch of liars.” – Jay Leno
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, November 16 – Flying J Ranch Extravaganza benefiting St. Jude. Saturday, November 17 – “Fill ‘em Up Breakfast Pancake Feed from 8:00-10:30 at The Shebang sponsored by Larry & Joyce Duke and The Shebang benefiting the Monkey Island Clothes & Toys for Kids Fund. Saturday, November 17 – Monkey Island Thanksgiving at the Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, November 18 – Pumpkin Painting at Juan Montez Cantina at Red Arrow Marina. Thursday, November 22 – Thanksgiving Feast at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Friday, November 23 – Shangri-La Members’ “Black Friday Night Seafood Buffet” at The Summit Restaurant. Saturday, November 24 – Christmas Tree Lighting and “Ugly Sweater Party” at Cherokee Yacht Club. Thursday, December 6 – Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights. Friday, December 7 – Judging of Duck Creek dock decorating contest. Saturday, December 8 – Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday, December 8 – Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run in Grove. Saturday, December 8 – Gingerbread Christmas Festival & Parade in Grove. Saturday, December 8 – Christmas Parade across the Pensacola Dam. Saturday, December 8 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club.
*****
It’s week #11 in the world of college football – and it doesn’t get any bigger than this in the State of Oklahoma. It’s BEDLAM WEEK. OSU is at OU Saturday at 2:30 on ABC. Tulsa is at Memphis Saturday morning (11:00 on ESPNU). Arkansas hosts LSU at 6:30 on the SEC Network. TCU is at West Virginia. Texas is at Texas Tech, Baylor is at Iowa State and Kansas is at K-State. Notre Dame hosts Florida State Saturday night at 6:30 on NBC.
Thursday night NFL action features Carolina at Pittsburgh at 7:00 (Fox). Sunday noon games include New England at Tennessee (CBS) and Arizona at Kansas City (Fox). The 3:30 game on CBS sends Seattle to L.A. to face the Rams. Sunday night’s game has Dallas at Philadelphia (7:00 on NBC); and Monday Night Football features the NY Giants at San Francisco (7:00 on ESPN).
There’s great NBA action this week, too. The OKC Thunder host the Rockets Thursday night (7:00 on TNT) before heading to Dallas to take on the Mavericks Saturday night (8:00 on FSOK). They’re back home at Chesapeake next week hosting Phoenix Monday night and the Knicks Wednesday night. Both games are at 7:00 on FSOK.
In the world of professional golf, it’s off to Playa del Carmen for the PGA players this week. Coverage of the Mayakoba Golf Classic starts at noon on The Golf Channel Thursday-Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Phoenix this week at the new ISM Raceway for the Can-Am 500. Coverage begins at 1:30 Sunday on NBC.
*****
We roll into the weekend with fall-like weather. Friday night low temps will dip down into the 30s. It’ll be pretty nice, though. We’ll have light winds and partly cloudy skies for the most part with highs in the mid-50s and lows Saturday & Sunday nights in the mid-40s. Party on! That’s what we do! Have fun and remember…wherever you decide to party, 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 website. 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 grandlakenewsonline.com and www.360grandlake.com, as well as Grand Times on Grand Lake, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker.
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)
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
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)
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
Comments:
Map It
