February 12th Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

We have managed to put another rotten winter weekend in our rearview mirror. That’s one less…and hopefully there aren’t many more in our future. It’s just a couple of weeks until Welcome Back Weekend – and less than a month until Daylight Saving Time kicks in March 11. Grand Lake boat dealers are busily scheduling final pre-closing sea trials for boats sold at the Tulsa Boat Show. If you’re not ready for Grand Lake’s peak season, you’d better get your plan in place. It’s time!

*****

The Winter Olympic Games are underway in South Korea. A lot of people thought relations between the U.S. and North Korea were getting better when they saw North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump were seen chatting it up while entering the stadium for the Opening Ceremonies. The resemblance was striking, but the two imposters were ejected by security. Neither Kim Jong Un nor President Trump attended the ceremonies. The two imposters said they were just trying to promote world peace – and were confused about why they were ejected. “Doesn’t everybody want world peace?” they asked.

*****

By the way, Grand Lakers, if the water makes you want to pursue a dream of sailing to the Caribbean – or maybe even around the world – perhaps you’d better get a new boat and do a little practicing here at home. You wouldn’t want to end up like the Colorado couple that bought a 1969 model 28-footer in Alabama and completed their total sailing lessons by having one of their fathers give them some lessons by sailing the boat to Tampa Bay. They sold everything they had, “fixed up” the boat, loaded their worldly belongings on board and headed out on the first leg of their trip to Key West. They made it 30 miles before their boat hit  a reef, ripped off the keel, took on water, capsized and sank, as everything but their passports, $90 in cash and a cell phone floated into oblivion. They said their dream isn’t dead. They hope to buy another boat someday and try again. First, they’ll have to raise the $10,000 needed to follow the Coast Guard orders to remove their boat from the bay. Before they try again, maybe some lessons would be a good investment. And a newer boat.

*****

We all worry about politics and government in Oklahoma…but at least there’s Kansas to make us feel better. Legislators are scrambling to change the law about qualifications for running for Governor. Kansas has some of the nation’s strictest restrictions on voting, but absolutely no requirements to run for Governor. As a result, six high school students have declared their intentions to run for Governor. None of them will be voting for himself, though – because none of them is old enough to vote. As of now, though, they can legally run for Governor of Kansas.

*****

If you own a dog, this is a great time to live in China. The Chinese New Year starts Friday – and 2018 is “The Year of the Dog.” If a dog approaches your door, the belief is that good fortune follows. In my experience, if a dog approaches my door, great expense follows.

*****

Saturday, February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. If you want to perform a random act of kindness when your path crosses mine, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve and Basil Hayden are my top choices.

*****

No matter what you think of Democratic U.S. House Leader Nancy Pelosi’s politics, you have to admire her endurance. She is 77 years old. But last week she held the floor of the House for eight hours, reading the personal stories of many “dreamers.” Eight hours…that breaks the previous record for holding the floor of the House which was set back in 1909. And she did it with no breaks – and wearing 4-inch heels! That reminds me of the great quote from former Texas Governor Ann Richards about women politicians: “Ginger Rogers could do everything Fred Astaire did, except she did it in high heels and backwards!”

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: The relationship between a husband and wife is psychological. One is psycho. The other is logical. (Thanks, Terry Jones, for sharing this one.)

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Forget Tide pods. Take the Lawn Brownie challenge.

*****

TWEET OF THE WEEK:  Does eating Tide pods take skid marks out of underwear? Asking for a friend.

                                                                     *****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you stir coconut oil into your kale, it makes it easier to scrape it into the trash.

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to the talented musician Terry “Buffalo” Ware, Mecky Yandell, Erin Talley, George Couch, Bob Corlett, Amy LaGere, Rich Talley, Ainslee Stanford II, Tyler Carson, David Flegler, Blake Keeton, Roy Green, and Zach “Peach” Roach.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If your car says Dodge on the front of it, do you really need a horn?

*****

BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Monkey Island Women’s Auxiliary is hosting a fundraising Chili Luncheon Saturday from 11-2 at the Monkey Island Fire Department. Doc’s at Shangri-La offers special room rates and a Valentine dinner special Friday & Saturday nights. Saturday is also the annual Mardi Gras celebration at Monkey Island Pub.

*****

GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: It may be winter time at Grand Lake, but there’s plenty of entertainment. At The Shebang on Monkey Island, the talented Randy Lunsford entertains weekends. Across the street at Big Shots, Saturday night is dance night! Just down highway 125 at Monkey Island Pub,Friday night is Karaoke night – and Saturday night is the big Mardi Gras Party at the Pub. The Blind Swine also has karaoke fun, as well as live entertainment everySaturday night by Erin Fitzgibbon. Further down the highway at the Road Hog Saloon, there is great live entertainment every Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Grand Lodge Bar & Grill in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove will feature Krista Meadows and the Sleeping Giants Friday night, followed by FM LiveSaturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Aaron Woods kicks off the weekend Friday night, followed by Brent Giddens on Saturday. The Uncrowned Kings will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. Big Smitty will kick off the weekend at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment beginning with Lickitty Split Thursday and Allen Biffle Friday night in the Echo Bar. Saturday night, music is by Stonehorse. If comedy entertainment is more your style, Derek Richards will be on stage at the Loony Saloon at The Stables Casino both Friday and Saturday nights with special guest Antonio Aguilar.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the NBA All-Star Game, College Basketball, PGA Golf, and NASCAR action are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: Everything Sucks will be available Friday on NetFlix. CBS Sunday Morning (9:00 a.m. on CBS) will feature a visit with Jimmy Buffett. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is on HBO Sunday night at 10; and The Winter Olympic Games air nightly all week at 7:00 on NBC.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Early Man and The Monkey King 3

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Illegal immigrants caught voting should be stripped of their citizenship.” – HUD Secretary Ben Carson – Wait. What?

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Sunday, March 2-4 – Welcome Back Weekend! Saturday, March 3 – Free Boating Safety Course at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (8:00-5:00). Saturday, March 3 – Ice Breaker Poker Run (stops are CYC, AYC, Cedar Port, Mooney’s, VIP Pizza at Hammerhead). Thursday-Sunday, March 8-11 – Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show at Grove Civic Center. Thursday, March 15 – Vinita Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, Craig County Fairgrounds. Friday, March 16 – several candidates for statewide public office will be making their cases and be available for questions at the new Grove Airport Terminal building at 5:30.Saturday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day parties at Monkey Island Pub and Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Renaissance Festival in Vinita. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Long John Sumner’s Big Meat Run at Disney. Saturday, April 7 – GEFFE Gala at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, April 14 – Free Boating Safety Course at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (8:00-5:00). Saturday, April 14 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce “Bootleggers Ball” at Cherokee Yacht Club.

*****

In the NBA, it’s time for the All-Star break. There’s only one televised NBA regular season game this week – L.A. Lakers at Minnesota Thursday night at 8:00 on TNT. All-Star festivities begin Friday night with the Celebrity All-Star Game at 6:00 (ESPN). All-Star Saturday Night features the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Competition, and Slam Dunk Competition beginning at 7:00 on TNT. The All-Star Game is Sunday night at 7:00 on TNT. Regular play doesn’t resume in the NBA until February 22.

On the college courts, Wichita State kicks off the weekend on Thursday night hosting Temple at 6:00 (ESPN2). The Shockers also travel to Cincinnati Sunday (3:00 on ESPN) before returning home to host Tulane Wednesday night at 6:00 (CBSSN).OU hosts Texas Saturday morning at 11:00 on ESPN before heading to Lawrence for a big Monday night match-up with Kansas (8:00 on ESPN). OSU is at TCU Saturday night at 7:00 (ESPN2), then returns home to host Texas Tech in Stillwater Wednesday night at 6:00 (ESPNU).

PGA players head to Pacific Palisades, California this week for the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club. Coverage begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS also picks up third round coverage Saturday at 2:00.

It’s time for the really big NASCAR kick-off weekend, too. Coverage of the Daytona 500 begins Sunday at 1:30 on Fox.

Winter sports dominate the small screen this week, though. Coverage of the Winter Olympic Games begins nightly at 7:00 all week on NBC.

*****

The weekend weather forecast is a little warmer this week, although we may have a few showers Friday & Saturday mornings. Highs Friday & Saturday will be in the upper 40s, while Sunday’s high under partly cloudy skies will be in the low 50s. Nightly lows will be in the mid-30s. There’s plenty happening around the lake this weekend, so get out there! 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.

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)

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 on Monkey Island

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

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 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

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)

Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)

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