February 10 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Happy “National Relationship Break-Up Week.” It’s an American tradition. With the rising cost of flowers, chocolates, spa treatments, jewelry, lingerie, fancy dinners, and vacations, this is the week when one partner tends to end a relationship in advance of Valentine’s Day, primarily to avoid the cost of the holiday that is rapidly surpassing Christmas as the “most expensive gift-giving holiday.” Don’t worry. Apologies will be offered and relationships will be back in place by next week sometime.
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Did your favorite team win the Super Bowl? If you are an OU fan, your team won! For the third straight year, there were more former OU players in the Super Bowl than any other college program – 6 on the Kansas City Chiefs and 3 on the Philadelphia Eagles. I’ll say this: it sure is going to be weird not having any football this weekend.
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Egg prices continue to rise – and the bird-flu-induced egg shortage is hitting restaurants now. For those of you who make Waffle House your late night and early morning go-to…Waffle House now has a fifty-cent per egg surcharge. I guess it’ll be waffles or pancakes for me!
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Among the volumes of odd legislative proposals in the current Oklahoma legislative session is a bill by State Representative Dell Kerbs (R-Shawnee) to allow municipalities to use general revenue funds to purchase one-way out-of-state bus tickets for the homeless. I guess that’s one way to solve the homeless problem – just make it someone else’s problem – but I feel left out. Why do you have to be homeless to get this free travel offer? What about the rest of us? I would like for taxpayers to pick up half the tab for my travel, too! I’ll pay my own way back home.
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Oklahoma’s school absentee and drop-out rates may be increasing soon. State Representative Chad Caldwell (R-Enid) is successfully pushing legislation called the “Bell to Bell, No Cell” bill. It would prohibit cell phones in schools all day long. Judging from the number of young people refusing to accept jobs that won’t let them talk & text on their phones all day, I figure kids will be choosing their beloved cell over the school bell.
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I saw an ad the other day for a furniture store specializing in chairs, love seats, and sofas. The name of the store was “Shack of Sit.” I feel for the person who has to answer the phone there every day.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Dustin Able, Brad Coston, Frank Klaus, Betty Dennis, Lindsay McCown, George Couch, Mike Flanagan, Lance Funderburk, Sandi Pellow, Lisette Coston, and Rachel McCorkle.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tuesday is the final “Tuesday Trivia Night with Lee Lawson” for the winter at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Thursday is “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Friday night is the Valentine Gala in Shangri-La Resort Hotel’s Roosevelt Ballroom (6:00 p.m.) and Valentine for Kids at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00-10:00 p.m.). Saturday afternoon is SINGO competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor at Shangri-La (3:00-5:00). Saturday night is also “Free Movie Night” in the simulator bay at The Anchor – Cars (6:00). Sunday afternoon is the opening performance of Persnickety at Playmakers in Grove (additional performances February 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, and March 2). Beginning Monday, February 17, The Anchor at Shangri-La and The Galley Restaurant at The Anchor will open at 11:00 a.m. daily.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Dime Box, Texas is said to have gotten its name from the local practice of leaving a dime for the mail carrier each time someone left an item in the community post box.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper job for “lacking imagination.”
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Leonardo da Vinci, born out of wedlock, didn’t have a traditional last name. Instead, he was known as “da Vinci,” meaning “from Vinci,” the town where he was born.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Elephants are born weighing 250 pounds. They are the biggest babies on earth except for the people mad at Taylor Swift for being excited at a football game.
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Sex at noon taxes” spelled backwards is still “Sex at noon taxes.”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Your weekends last a lot longer if you start drinking on Wednesday.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The main function of the little toe on your foot is to make sure all the furniture in your house is in place.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Every morning, I take my cow on a long walk through a local vineyard. Yes, I herd it through the grapevine.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why did the person who invented the word “abbreviated” make it such a long word?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: My Valentine’s Day plan: 1) Breakfast in bed; 2) Chocolates; 3) Watch a movie; 4) Dinner for two; 5) Regret eating two dinners.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. They can walk to school like I did.” – Yogi Berra
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: University of Tulsa and Miami Dolphin great Howard Twilley died last week. He was 81. Composer/arranger John Williams who has written more scores to movies than any other composer, turned 93 over the weekend; and two legendary American newscasters also had birthdays last week. Tom Brokaw and Ted Koppel both turned 85 years old.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island Scott Musick performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Hook entertains at the Valentine Gala at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, and Terry Jordan will perform at the Summit Restaurant Friday & Saturday nights. DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar.
On South Grand Lake, The Barrett Lewis Band will be on stage Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Ashlynne Grey opens the entertainment Friday night at Scissortail Marina for Nashville recording artist KC Johns.
In Grove, D’ Elegantz starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night, followed by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night. Western Justice performs Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by Indianna Jeffries Saturday night. There’s karaoke every Wednesday night, the Kevin Upshaw Band will be on stage Friday night, and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.
The Best of Motown and More returns to the Coleman Theatre in Miami Friday evening at 7:00. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music by The Blues Underground Saturday night followed by karaoke with DJ Kay. Left of Center provides the music Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar. There are three nights of live music this week at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar. The Brothers Moore will entertain Thursday night followed by Members Only Friday and Big Smitty Saturday. Jon Dooly will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by Funkin’ Gonuts Friday and Diversity Saturday.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La will close for renovations Monday, February 17. Lunch and dinner service will be offered daily with the all-new Italian menu at The Galley at The Anchor at Shangri-La. After being closed for renovations in January, Big Shots on Monkey Island is now open Friday & Saturday nights. Blind Swine and One-Eyed Monkey cafe on Monkey Island and Bradford Barbecue in Ketchum are all three closed until Spring. Duck Creek Liquor is now open at The Shops at Grand Meridian in Cleora.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 on NBC. The Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special will air Sunday night at 7:00 on NBC. The Equalizer kicks off a new season Sunday night at 9:00 on CBS, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver returns to HBO Sunday night at 10:00. The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Love Hurts and Heart Eyes both open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, February 22 – Sh*tshow Comedy Show at Big Shots (7:30 p.m.). Thursday, February 27 – South Grand Lake Chamber membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley featuring Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (11:30 a.m.). Saturday-Sunday, March 1-2 – Welcome Back Weekend on South Grand and Monkey Island. Saturday, March 1 – Cherokee Yacht Club Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run. Friday, March 7 – First Friday Wine Share at DK Home Accents in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 7-9 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Craig County Community Building in Vinita. Wednesday, March 12 – C.O.W. Week’s “Grove’s Got Talent” show at the GHS Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Thursday, March 13 – South Grand Lake Foundation “Mardi Gras in March” at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley benefiting Ketchum Warriors Backpack Program (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 14-16 – Grove Home & Garden Show at the former Whoops location. Saturday, March 15 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Bootleggers Ball in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, March 20-23 – Big Meat Run at the Off-Road area at Disney. Saturday, March 22 – “Killer Keyz” Dueling Pianos return to Shangri-La for one-night show.
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The NBA is in the spotlight this week. The OKC Thunder host New Orleans Monday (7:00) and Miami Wednesday (7:00), then travel to Minnesota Thursday night (7:30) ahead of the All-Star Break. The NBA All-Star Saturday Night including the Skills Competition is Saturday night at 7:00. The All-Star Tournament is Sunday night beginning at 7:00.
There are some great college basketball games this week. Saturday highlights include Arkansas at Texas A&M (11:00), Vanderbilt at Tennessee (12:00), Auburn at Alabama (3:00), LSU at OU (5:00), Kentucky at Texas (7:00) and Kansas at Utah (9:00).
PGA golfers are at Torrey Pines in San Diego for The Genesis Invitational this week. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday. TV ratings should be up. Tiger Woods is playing.
The long wait is over for NASCAR fans. Another season of racing gets underway Thursday night at Daytona with Duel 1 at 6:00 and Duel 2 at 7:45, both on FS1. Sunday is the biggie, though – The Daytona 500 is Sunday at 1:30 on Fox.
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After a crappy weather week at Grand Lake, we’ll get a little relief for at least part of the weekend. High temperatures Friday & Saturday will be around 50 degrees, but Saturday night, we’ll drop into the teens – and we’ll be lucky if Sunday’s high gets above freezing. It’s a good time to provide a little winter revenue for your favorite bars & restaurants. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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.
Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)
Billy’s Burger Bar & More in Ketchum
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Bradford BBQ in Ketchum
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s on Monkey Island
Chicken Coop west of Langley
Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Gambino’s Pizza in Ketchum
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove
Hero’s Deli in Grove
Hero’s Deli in Langley
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)
Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Legacy Eatery in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Bar on Monkey Island
Monkey Island RV Resort
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Poppin’ on Grand in Cleora
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor
R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
Rise-N-Dine, Ketchum
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Scissortail Lounge at Scissortail Marina
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina
Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove
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 Artichoke Restaurant in Langley
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove
