The last weekend in October in review

I know the calendar says different, but I always think of this week as the last week of summer.  It’s not that there won’t still be nice, warm days ahead, it’s just that it doesn’t seem normal to be wandering around in the dark at 5:30 in the afternoon.  It doesn’t matter what we think, though…we still need to set our clocks back one hour before we head to bed Sunday night, otherwise we might show up early for work on a Monday morning.  That would make no sense at all.

*****

If we’re going to have an extra hour of drinking time any weekend, I guess this week would be a good time.  It’ll give us an extra hour to sip a little thinking fluid and make that final decision about how to cast our votes for every office from President to County Sheriff. If you haven’t studied up on the State Questions, there are seven of them.  Take a look before you head to the polls so you don’t hold up the line.

*****

If nothing else, the Presidential campaign has exposed the true personalities and biases of a lot of people who normally don’t expose such things.  It seems like everybody hates Trump or Clinton or both, so it should be an interesting election night. I hope you were able to keep most of your Facebook friends through the thick and think of Facebook misinformation. It’s probably hard on some of you to lose friends while fighting over someone neither of you ever met.  It’s easier for me. I’m so offensive and insensitive all year every year that my list of friends is always down to a pretty manageable size.

*****

As we live through increasingly perilous time, it’s important to remember that not everyone is dangerous who looks dangerous. Some of them are just stupid.  For example, the New York City Metropolitan Opera canceled its Saturday afternoon performance at intermission after a suspicious character was seen sprinkling some kind of substance all over the orchestra pit. The building was evacuated, and the substance tested.  As it turns out, the rumors of an out-of-town man planning to sprinkle the ashes of his late mentor at the opera turned out to be correct.  We don’t know the identity of the ash sprinkler – or his mentor. The sad ending of the story is that his mentor saw a very short span of eternity enjoying the opera – and a lot more of it viewing the inside of a vacuum cleaner bag. RIP

*****

The highest court in the land has agreed to decide the “transgender restroom” case.  Sheesh.  I can’t believe we’ve gone all this time without having the United States Supreme Court show us where we should go pee.

*****

Oklahoma has made another Top Ten list…sadly. Employee Benefit Advisor put together the list of “Ten States with the Worst Health Care,” factoring in insurance premiums, number of doctors per capita, and percentage of population with health insurance.  Oklahoma was ranked as the 8^th worst state. Fortunately, we still have our friends in Arkansas and Mississippi to make us look better. Alaska took the pennant as the #1 Worst Health Care State in America.

*****

FEEL OLD FACT OF THE WEEK: The Rolling Stones were on tour last week when Mick Jagger turned 73!

*****

FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: In the ‘60s we took LSD to make the world look weird. Now, the world is weird and we take Prozac to make it look normal.

*****

LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Michael Haggerty): If your license has already been suspended eight times, your latest ticket probably isn’t going to go well.

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (an obvious reference to Oklahoma’s upcoming vote on SQ 792): Wal-Mart wants to sell wine.  Odd. Chinese kids don’t even make wine.

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Randy Lunsford, Mark Gibson, Kayla Thomas, Scott Brecheisen, Bud Hawkes, Diedre Sparkman, Frank Devorak, Cindi Lillard, Candy Couch, Jake Morin, Shaleen Wheeler, Abby Moser, and Mitch Lindley.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  Have you ever noticed that a woman’s “I’ll be ready in five minutes” and a man’s “I’ll be home in five minutes” are exactly the same amount of time?

*****

BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Saturday afternoon & evening (4:00-9:00) is the big Barn Dance & Dinner at Judy’s barn, hosted by Harbors View Marina. Contact Harbors View for ticket and transportation information. Saturday night is the big Winterset Gala sponsored by DCCSN. It’s at the Robinett Center in Jay. Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant hosts a special Michael Zinke Wine Dinner Saturday night (no regular dinner service Saturday at the Summit).

*****

GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great musical entertainment around the lake this weekend, including Randy Lunsford performing nightly in the Burlesque Room at The Shebang on Monkey Island. Fridaynight, Clint Walker will also be at Shebang, performing in the Back Stage Room. Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub – and Lickitty Split will be on stage Saturday night at the Road Hog Saloon.

In Miami, Saturday night is a special evening at the Coleman Theater. Rave On will be on stage presenting The Buddy Holly Experience. East of Grove on Highway 10, there’s always great music at J.R. Spanky’s and Grand Lake Casino.

On South Grand, Friday night comedy/musical entertainment features Tommy Nolen at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina.Saturday night’s big Harbors View Marina Barn Dance & Dinner at Judy Florida’s farm will feature live music from Whiskey Poet Society.

Other area casinos have great musical options this weekend, as well. Entertainment at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill features The Band DeLorean both Friday & Saturday nights. The ShotGunBillys will entertain Friday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night, followed by Aces Wild Saturday night. Kenny Babb will perform in Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge both nights. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, there are free line dancing lessons every Wednesday night and Cash for Karaoke competition on Thursdays. The Bobby Dale Band will provide theFriday night musical entertainment, followed by Southern Green Saturday night.  At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by Honkytonk Renovators. Aces Wild entertain Friday night followed by Joe Giles & the Homewreckers Saturday night. The Eddie Valen Band will entertain Friday night at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West. If you think you have a comedy skill set, Thursday night is Open Mic Night at the Loony Saloon at The Stables Casino in Miami. If you’d rather watch the professionals, John Pinney will be on stage both Friday & Saturdaynights with special guest Jeff Vaughn.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including Thunder basketball, college football, PGA golf, NASCAR, and NFL Football are the Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club and J.R. Spanky’s northeast of Grove.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 50^th Annual Country Music Awards show is Wednesday night at 7:00 on ABC. Friday night is a big NetFlix night with availability of the drama special The Crown as well as Dana Carvey’s Comedy Special: Straight White Male, 60. The regular Saturday night shows are great enough, but you certainly won’t want to miss the Presidential Election Eve presentation of the Saturday Night Live Election Special at 9:00 Monday on NBC. For a little different election coverage, tune in to Stephen Colbert’s Live Election Night Democracy’s Series Finale: Who’s Gonna Clean Up This S#*t?on Showtime beginning at 10 p.m.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Trolls, Hacksaw Ridge, and Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “America is divided between those who think Trump will lose because the election is rigged – and those who think he will lose because it’s not.” – Stephen Colbert

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, November 19 – Festivus Party and Christmas Shopping Party at Shangri-La Golf Club.Saturday, November 19 – Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner & celebration at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, November 25 – Black Friday Night Seafood Buffet at The Summit at Shangri-La. Saturday, December 10 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade on Grand Lake.

*****

It’s huge sports week, even with the wrap-up of the World Series.  It’s the biggest weekend of the year for horse racing fans – The Breeders Cup races will be broadcast live beginning Friday from 4:00-7:00 and again Saturday from 1:30-7:00 on NBCSN. The Classic will air on NBC Saturday night from 7:00-8:00.

In the college football world, OU kicks off the weekend of play Thursday night at Iowa State (6:30 on ESPN). UCLA & Colorado also play Thursday night. Friday’s schedule includes Temple at UCONN (6:00 on ESPN2) and San Jose State at Boise State (9:15 on ESPN2).

On Saturday, Oklahoma State is at Kansas State and Arkansas hosts the Florida Gators (2:30 on CBS). Tulsa is at homeSaturday night facing East Carolina (7:00 on ESPNEWS). Other top games on Saturday include Alabama at LSU (7:00 on CBS), Florida State at NC State, Navy at Notre Dame (10:30 on CBS), Kansas at West Virginia, Texas at Texas Tech, TCU at Baylor (2:30 on Fox), Tennessee Tech at Tennessee, and Nebraska at Ohio State.

The NBA action features the first match-up of the OKC Thunder and the Warriors since the Kevin Durant fiasco. That game isThursday night at 9:30 at Golden State (TNT), immediately following the Boston vs. Cleveland game. OKC hosts MinnesotaSaturday evening in a 5:00 o’clock game (Fox Sports Oklahoma). Monday night, the Miami Heat comes to town (7:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma).

NFL action kicks off Thursday night with Atlanta at Tampa Bay (7:30 on NFL). Sunday include Dallas at Cleveland (Fox) and either Jacksonville at Kansas City or Pittsburgh at Baltimore (CBS) all at noon. The 3:30 game on CBS will feature Indianapolis at Green Bay or Tennessee at San Diego. Sunday night (7:30 on NBC), Denver will be in Oakland for that age-old rivalry; and Monday Night Football sends Milwaukee to Dallas to face the Cowboys (7:30 on ESPN).

The PGA Tour is in Las Vegas this week for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 3:30 Thursday, Friday & Saturday, and 2:30 Sunday.

In the NASCAR world, it’s Sunday afternoon racing from Fort Worth this week.  Coverage of the AAA Texas 500 starts at1:00 Sunday on NBC.

*****

The pre-election weekend weather looks nice. We might have a shower or two Friday, but sunshine returns Saturday with highs pushing 70 and lows around 50. There won’t be a weather excuse not to vote. The election day forecast is sunshine and a high around 70. Be safe, be kind, and have a great weekend. As you enjoy all Grand Lake has to offer, 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.

 

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)

Island Joe's Kentena at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

J.R. Spanky's on Highway 10 north of Grove (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)