October 4 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I’m pretty sure all of the pelicans have arrived in time for the big festival in their honor at Wolf Creek Park in Grove this weekend. They’ve been arriving at Grand Lake for the past few weeks – and it looks to me like there is going to be a record attendance of pelicans at this year’s festival. Wouldn’t surprise me if there was a record attendance of people, too! It looks like Mother Nature is planning a perfect environment.

*****

Sunday was a really cool day at Shangri-La Golf Club. The Heart of a Lion Classic Golf Tournament was kicked off with the National Anthem sung by former Broadway entertainer and Shangri-La member Ron Young – and a musical tribute to American troops was sung by country music superstar and Shangri-La member Toby Keith. If that’s not enough, the charity tournament was sponsored by liquor distributor Armada Distributing and Western Son vodka. That kind of sponsorship makes for a a more “relaxed” atmosphere…and much better gifts in the  tournament ditty bags!

*****

Here’s some good news for Grand Lake boaters. Work on the dam at Lake Hudson downstream necessitates saving back some water to refill Hudson to normal levels when the work is done. That means, instead of the normal fall-winter-spring 742’ lake elevation, Grand will be kept a foot deeper – 743’ – until sometime around the first of the year. BTW, there is a possibility that due to changes in the chain of command, we may not have to drop to the low 742’ level in the future.

*****

Is everybody finally finished posting on Facebook that they love their sons and daughters? Who ever heard of Daughters’ Day or Sons’ Day before this year? I thought Hallmark was the only company inventing fake holidays to sell stuff. I guess Facebook is in that business now, too!

*****

Here’s what NOT to do when your team has just clinched the Major League Baseball Division Championship. Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams had a bit too much to drink at the team’s celebration. Something irritated him enough to make him mad enough to punch a wall. He broke his pitching hand and will likely miss the entire playoff schedule. Here’s a tip for irritated major league pitchers: don’t punch the wall with the same hand you throw with.

*****

Half-time entertainment has been announced for next year’s Super Bowl: Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige headline the Hip-Hop Halftime. What does it say about me that I can’t name a single song by any of them.

*****

BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s time for the annual Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove Thursday-Sunday. Saturday morning is the Pelican Festival Parade starting at the Civic Center in Grove at 9:30. Friday is the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves Golf Club. There’s are huge OU-Texas Watch Parties Saturday morning at 10:00 at The Anchor at Shangri-La, Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, and Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Cedar Port Marina’s annual Customer Appreciation Party is Saturday night.

*****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The Mosquito Kingdom was a remote semi-autonomous area along the Caribbean Coast of Central America whose name was derived from the Miskito people, who in turn took their name from Miskut, by tradition their first great leader.

*****

ODDEST FACT OF THE WEEK: The Texas Rangers just capped their first 100-lost-games season since 1973. At least they’re in the record books for something. BTW, the Orioles, Diamondbacks, and Pirates are also in the “elite” 100-loss column this year.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: America – where your credit score says you can’t afford a $700 mortgage, so you pay $1,200 rent.

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (in a restaurant): Restroom is for eating customers only.   

*****

TWEET OF THE WEEK: Do we even need Halloween? I’ve been wearing a mask and eating candy for 18 months.

*****

BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Why did the art thief’s van run out of fuel? He had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What does the Trans-Siberian Orchestra do January-November?

*****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: By replacing potato chips with grapefruit as a snack, you can lose up to 90% of what little joy you have left in life.

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Singer Olivia Newton-John turned 73 last week. The Tulsa Tribune newspaper stopped publishing 29 years ago. Actor Tommy Kirk, a true Disney Legend who began his career as a youngster starring in the classic “Old Yeller” died last week. He was 79.

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Halloween is the beginning of the holiday shopping season. That’s for women. The beginning of the holiday shopping season for men is Christmas Eve.” – David Letterman

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Nancy Saamer, Joe Wilburn, Patty Northrop, Barry Eller, Renee Russell, Pat Flanagan, Brady Finton, Luke Curley, Lane Worley, Saunie Boeve, Art Couch, Mark Funke, Richard Leuszler, Bob Altmiller, Jim “Tree” Hollingshead, Tom Love, Jim Fowler, Gene Pearcy, Russ Arnold, Brian Brandwein, Michelle Robertson – and sweet Sarah Williams!

*****

BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Franklin Birt entertains indoors at Doc’s. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Friday and Saturday nights (now starting at 6:00 pm); and just across the street, DJ K-Bandito leads the cavalcade of great DJs and dance music at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Saturday night is great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub -  Karaoke with Tim.

On South Grand Lake, The Clint Ingram Duo provides the entertainment Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by Boone Mendenhall Saturday night.

In Grove, DJ 2Legit will lead the fun Friday night at The Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday afternoon, Mid-Life Crisis entertains from 2:00-4:00, followed by Next Halen on stage Saturday night from 7:30-9:30. At The Regatta in Grove, KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Friday night, followed by Brett & Terri performing Saturday night.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett and Terri in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Stonehorse Friday night and Encore Saturday. The Uncrowned Kings perform Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Three Chord Justice Saturday.

*****

DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The Landings Market & Grill on Monkey Island is closed until October 15. Road Hog Saloon is now closed on Tuesdays. The Anchor at Shangri-La will be closed Saturday night for a private event. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open only Friday-Sunday (11:00 a.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday). Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill has new operating hours – open at noon daily, closed Tuesdays. Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda now has reduced hours of operation – 4:00-9:00 Thursday, Friday & Monday, 11:00-9:00 Saturday, 11:00-8:00 Sunday. Stuff’ns Café in Ketchum is now closing at 2:00 p.m.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: Back-to-back episodes of the new comedy series Ghosts airs at 8:00 Thursday evening followed by Bull kicking off a new season at 9:00, both on CBS. Nancy Drew debuts Friday night at 8:00 on CW and Shark Tank returns Friday night at 7:00 on ABC. The Equalizer starts a new season Sunday night at 7:00, NCIS: Los Angeles follows at 8:00, and a new season of Seal Team premieres at 9:00, all on CBS. The Voice airs Monday & Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC.

****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: James Bond is back! No Time to Die opens in theaters this week, along with Lamb. My Brother My Sister and There’s Someone Inside Your House are both available this week on NETFLIX.

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 16 – Chuck Wagon Dinner & Dance Under the Stars at Har-Ber Village (6:00). Saturday, October 16 – the musical “Gretel” opens at Playmakers in Grove. Saturday-Sunday, October 16-17 – Members Pickleball Tournament at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Friday-Saturday, October 22-23 – Ghosts of Grove Haunted History Tours from the Grove Community Center. Saturday, October 30 – Barrels, Broncs & Bulls Rodeo at Grover Round-Up Club (6:00).

*****

SPORTS WATCH: College football is in week #6 – and the second Saturday in October means it’s OU-Texas weekend! Kick-off is 11:00 Saturday morning on ABC. If that’s not enough, Arkansas is at Ole Miss, SMU is at Navy, Penn State is at Iowa, and Alabama faces Texas A&M. Saturday night at 8:00, Tulsa hosts Memphis (ESPN2) for Golden Hurricane Homecoming.

The Rams are in Seattle to kick off the week of NFL action Thursday night at 7:00. Sunday, you’ll need multiple screens at noon as Denver is at Pittsburgh and Miami is at Tampa Bay, both at noon. The Chargers host the Browns at 3:00. The Giants are at Dallas and San Francisco is at Arizona at 3:30; and Buffalo is at Kansas City at 7:00. Monday Night Football sends Indianapolis to Baltimore.

PGA players are headed to Las Vegas this week for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Coverage from TPC Summerlin is exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning at 4:00 Thursday-Sunday.

It’s finally time for so-so fans to start watching Major League Baseball. The playoffs are officially underway.

NASCAR drivers are racing at Charlotte Sunday in the final race in the Round of 12 Playoffs. Coverage of the Bank of America ROVAL 400 begins at 1:00 Sunday on NBC.

*****

Weather for the weekend ahead looks picture perfect for all of the outdoor activities – sunshine, light winds, and high temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s with lows in the low-to-mid 60s. We couldn’t ask for better weather for an October weekend of festivals, golf, boating, and outdoor fun! There’s plenty happening around the lake this weekend, so get out an enjoy all you can – indoors or outdoors! I’ll be out and about, so 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 

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  Grand Lake Living and www.360grandlake.com, 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 newspaper.

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

Coppers Tea & 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

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

Gabby’s Place 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