February 18 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
February is almost gone – and it’s time to make sure your boat is dewinterized and ready if you plan to participate in the Welcome Back Weekend Poker run which is NEXT WEEK, believe it or not! It’s not always a good thing that “time flies,” but it’s always a good thing in the wintertime. Even if you’re not participating in the Poker Run next week, it’s time to call your favorite service department and schedule your dewinterization. Last freeze date is normally around mid-March. We’ll be rafting up in no time!
*****
Speaking of Welcome Back Weekend, I think it’s pretty cool that Shangri-La Resort has added a Murder Mystery Dinner to the weekend festivities. “Murder at the Circus Masquerade” is Saturday night, March 2 as part of the resort’s “Mardi Gras” celebration. Find a mask and join the fun!
*****
The Duck Creek Bridge on Highway 85 won’t be closed this summer after all. Worried business owners were successful in their protests of the scheduled bridge replacement which was supposed to start the first week of March and last six months…closing the road during the busiest time of the year. The Department of Transportation has now agreed to delay construction until after Labor Day. Here’s a shout-out to Senator Michael Bergstrom for taking the message to the right ears.
*****
Who says there’s not life after death? There is at least political life after death. Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb got 2,038 votes in last week’s mayoral election, despite the fact he died in December. He moved on into a runoff with former mayor Dan O’Neil. It was a tough election day for third-place finisher Richard Prawdzienski who finished the race behind a live guy and a dead guy.
*****
Double-standard? The Oklahoma House of Representatives voted 70-30 to allow Oklahoma citizens to carry guns with no permit whatsoever. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, one more thing. No one is allowed to carry guns in the State Capitol where the House of Representatives votes.
*****
I think I might have found the best travel bargain ever! A travel blog called “TravelPirates” is offering a ride on the Jose Cuervo Express train from Guadalajara to Tequila, Mexico. Prices for the train ride start at $111 and include a tour of the Jose Cuervo distillery. But here’s the best part…the train trip includes all-you-can-drink tequila. I’m not sure if they have any food or not – but I’m pretty sure I could drink more than the cost of my train ticket. That’s like spending an evening in a bar and getting a free train trip, too!
*****
It’s a good thing the Silver Spring, Maryland Public Library no longer charges “past due” fees for overdue children’s books. They received a copy of “The Postman” in the mail last week, along with an apologetic note explaining that the sender’s parents had checked the book out, then inadvertently packed it away with all their belongings when they suddenly had to move – in 1946. Better late than never, right?
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, is named for Texas Congressman and U.S. Sen. Roger Q. Mills. Why it was called "Roger Mills" instead of simply "Mills" County is unclear.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: It’s like winter is mad and keeps storming out, then coming back yelling, “and another thing!”
*****
BEST HEADLINE OF THE WEEK: Woman Killed by Train Linked to Shoplifting Incident (I’m not sure how they can be sure – all trains look alike.)
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen in a bar): Finish your beer. There are sober children in India.
*****
BEST ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: On HGTV they can flip a house in a month, and I’ve been “getting ready to vacuum” for the past two weeks.
*****
WHAT’S THE CORRECT DESCRIPTION? If a cow fails to produce milk, is it a “Milk Dud” or an “udder failure?” (thanks to Linda Wall for sharing this one)
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Newspaper heiress and controversial 1974 Symbionese Liberation Army kidnapping victim Patricia Hearst turns 65 this week. Me? I’m “wax Coke bottles” and “candy cigarettes” old.
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: People who confuse the words “burro” and “burrow” don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground.
*****
RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: English is difficult. It can be understood though, through tough thorough thought.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Blake Keeton, Mark Ledom, Zach “Peach” Roach, Roy Green, Jim Wyche, Todd Gayer, Bob Howard, Ryan Stoner, Larry Pierce, Greg Hopeman, Andi McConn, Bob Kelly, Travis Davidson, Robyn Guest, Laura McCrary, Winston Connor II, “Ugly John” Mullen, Matt Jobe, Gary Sisco, Leta Carson…and me!
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do underwear and socks come in resealable bags, but potato chips don’t?
*****
BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Tuesday, February 19 is the premiere of the new GRDA film Our Borrowed Water at Ecosystems Center in Langley at 6:00 p.m. Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber monthly luncheon at 11:30 – and a “Business After Hours” event at the Blue House in Langley at 5:00.
*****
GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake to kick off the new month. On Monkey Island 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), and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s live music every Saturday at the Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Thursday night is Trivia Contest night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. 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.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino-Grove features music from Southern Drawl Friday night followed by Members Only Saturday. Grand Lake Casino features music from The Uncrowned KingsFriday night. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Thomas Martinezentertains at Bordertown Friday night. Cedar Creek will be on stage Saturday night. Flaming the Red will perform both Friday and Saturday nights at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill. In Buffalo Run’s Peoria Showplace, The John Conlee show is Friday night’s featured entertainment (7:00 p.m.). Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Jeff Fox performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Big Smitty Friday. The Dirty Saints wrap up the weekend Saturday night at Indigo.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including PGA Golf, NASCAR, and college & NBA basketball games are the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: Paddleton and Workin’ Moms are both available on NETFLIX Friday. The 91st Annual Academy Awards program airs live Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC. The Voice returns Monday night at 7:00 on NBC followed by the premier of the new NBC series The Enemy Within at 9:00.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World and Fighting With My Family
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The income tax has made liars out of more people than golf has.” – Will Rogers
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 28 – “Carnival with a Cause” - South Grand Chamber Charity Pie/Dessert Auction at Cherokee Yacht Club. Friday-Sunday, March 1-3 – “Welcome Back Weekend” on Grand Lake! Friday, March 1 – Sip, Shop and Sashay at the Den of Uniquity on Monkey Island. Friday, March 1 – Baja Disney at the off trail area by the Pensacola Dam. Saturday, March 2 – Mardi Gras party at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, March 2 – Murder Mystery Dinner at Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Thursday-Sunday, March 7-10 – Grand Lake Boat Show, Grove Civic Center. Sunday, March 10 – DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME RETURNS! Saturday, March 16 – Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party & Dance at Monkey Island Pub. Thursday-Sunday, March 21-24 – Sumner’s Big Meat Run in Disney. Saturday, March 23 – Ladies Wine Tasting at The Casitas followed by a co-ed karaoke & dance party at Grand Meridian RV Park. Sunday, March 24 – Shangri-La Lake-to-Golf 5K. Saturday, April 13 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootlegger’s Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, May 4 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina – music by 5th Element. Saturday, May 18 – Ales & Tails at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 – Toes in the Grand celebration at Wolf Creek Park in Grove.
*****
The All-Star break is over, and the NBA is back on schedule. The OKC Thunder have back-to-back home games Friday hosting Utah (8:30 on ESPN) and Saturday hosting Sacramento (7:00 on FSOK). They’re on the road Tuesday at Denver (9:30 on TNT). There’s a good on Saturday night, too – Houston at Golden State (7:30) on ABC.
College action is good this week, too. OU hosts Texas Saturday morning (11:00 on ESPNU) before traveling to Iowa State Monday night (7:00 on ESPN2/U). OSU is at Kansas State Saturday afternoon at 3:00 (ESPN2/U) before heading to Lubbock to face Texas Tech next Wednesday night (6:00 on ESPN2/U). Tulsa is at Temple Saturday morning (11:00 on ESPNEWS); and there’s another great game at 11:00 Saturday, as well – Tennessee at LSU (ESPN).
PGA Players are scattered across the western hemisphere this week – in Puerto Rico and in Mexico. Coverage of the Puerto Rico Open is all on the Golf Channel – 9:30 Thursday & Friday mornings, 1:30 Saturday, and 12:30 Sunday. Coverage of the WGC-Mexico Championship starts at 1:00 Thursday & Friday, and 11:00 Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this week for the Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500. Coverage is Sunday afternoon at 1:00 on Fox.
*****
The weekend weather ahead looks pretty darn good for the last weekend of February. We may have a few early morning showers here and there Saturday & Sunday mornings, but the forecast also calls for high temperatures in the 50s and low temps above the freezing mark. That’s an improvement, for sure. Of course, the weather is always great for dining & drinking at Grand Lake in February. So, party on! Remember, though…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 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 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)
Hilltop Café in Grove
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
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.)
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
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)
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 Gentlemen’s Club 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
