July 8 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Despite the big surprise storm last Friday afternoon, and Mother Nature tossing a little late afternoon water to tease those involved with four days of professional fireworks presentations around the lake, the extended 4^th of July weekend on Grand Lake was fabulous! The water level subsided enough to enable a lot more dock access – and people were EVERYWHERE – on the water, on the golf courses, around the pools, in the clubs, in the restaurants and in the stores. And what an incredible line-up of musical performers all around the lake, too! Congratulations to everyone for sticking with the plan for holiday fun on Grand Lake. It was awesome.

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The saddest 4^th of July storm story is not the sudden monsoon that hit Grand Lake…or even the earthquake that hit Los Angeles County. The saddest storm story is the July 3rd apparent lightning strike that set fire to two Jim Beam warehouses, resulting in 45,000 barrels of bourbon being burned. I can’t believe they just let it burn off instead of calling guys like me to bring straws and help with the clean-up. I’ve never seen such blatant alcohol abuse!

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So, the OKC Thunder traded Paul George to the L.A. Clippers? My friend Mickey Thompson summed up that decision best: “Paul George trade? No big deal! Hell, I remember when the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth. And they were right back in the pennant race in... 80 years? No worries.”

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I’m constantly amazed at how often people overreact. Take the case, for example, of the suburban Maryland elementary school where a little girl brought some play money to school. She gave a hundred dollar bill – a fake one – to her friend who tried to spend it in the school cafeteria for lunch. I think it’s silly that school security got involved. I think it’s even sillier that the Prince George’s County police were called. But it went waaaaayyyy overboard when they got the Secret Service involved because of possible counterfeiting. Sheesh.  

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Zafer Kuzu should have just done the community service he was sentenced to by a judge in Turkey. But, he didn’t want to – and knew if he was hurt he might be able to get out of it. So, he strapped three pillows to his back and convinced his girlfriend to shoot the pillows with a shotgun. He was 24.  And stupid.

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DINING & DRINKING ON GRAND LAKE UPDATE: Shangri-La is hosting open-to-the-public Shrimp Boils and Karaoke every Thursday night from 6:00-9:00 in “The Cave” on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Harbors View Marina hosts Shrimp Boils on Friday evenings.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Today largely forgotten, singer/songwriter Laura Nyro was immensely influential to pop music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1968 and 1970, her songs were recorded by The Fifth Dimension ("Stoned Soul Picnic", "Wedding Bell Blues", among others), Blood, Sweat and Tears ("And When I Die"), Three Dog Night ("Eli's Coming") and Barbara Streisand ("Stoney End"). Nyro also had a hit with her recording of Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Up on the Roof."

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: If you can’t afford a doctor, go to an airport. You’ll get a free x-ray and breast exam; and if you mention Al Qaeda, you’ll get a free colonoscopy. (thanks to Sue Davidson for sharing this one)

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BEST NEWSPAPER HEADLINE OF THE WEEK: Kansas expands Medicaid services for brain injuries to include those left out (my friend George Sherman sent me this headline to let me know there is new hope for Kansas people without brains.)

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Anyone seen exiting through this door will be asked to leave.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My Dad died when we couldn’t remember his blood type. As he died, he kept insisting for us to “be positive,” but it’s hard without him.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: It’s another hot day, so I’ve taken all my clothes off and opened every window. I feel so much better, although the other people on the bus don’t seem so pleased.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: A good thing about water is you can drink it at work. A good thing about vodka is it looks like water.  

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NEWS OF THE WEEK: In York County, Virginia a man was arrested on the 4^th of July for burning an American Flag. He was arrested specifically for exercising his First Amendment rights to burn the flag if he wants to…but you’re not allowed to set ANYTHING on fire in a packed Wal-Mart parking lot.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The movie “Forrest Gump” debuted in theaters 25 years ago. Olivia de Havilland, star of the film classic “Gone With The Wind,” turned 103 years old last week; and remember Arte Johnson, the Emmy winning actor who played the part of the German soldier Wolfgang on the old “Laugh-In” TV show? He’s the guy who was famous for the phrase “veeeerrrrry interesting.” He died last week at the age of 90.  

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jaime Dobbins, Mike Aberle, Kelly Aberle, Bob Graper, Tami Wilson, Jon Wilson, John McFerron, Kasidy Jeffers, Alan Kraft, John Moore, Dylan Hutson, Tina Tolleson, Tony Russell, Melody Casper, Carolyn Frans, Tevarhee Brackin, Judy Florida, Shana Wheeler, Jimmy Young, Erik Altom, Tammy Altman, Angie Jones, and Jay Fleming.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What do people in China call their good dishes?

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BEST EVENT OF THE WEEK: Saturday and Sunday there will be SDBA Drag Boat Races in Wolf Creek.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment all around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan will kick off the weekend at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Whiskey Poet Society will entertain Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is open Friday and Saturday nights for karaoke fun and there’s great dance music featuring right across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday & Saturday nights. There is also great dance music at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night followed by DJ Deeko. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Tuesday is DJ fun with Deeko and Wednesday nights, Erin Fitzgibbon is back for karaoke fun. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always great live music Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, Chunky Monkey with Steve White will furnish the tunes Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.  Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina features entertainment on the deck Friday and Saturday nights. Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina features music by Str8ght Shot Friday night followed by Jake Brake Saturday.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Runnin’ on Empty Friday night, followed by RocKFiscHSaturday.  At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and The Jeff Tatum Band will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night followed by Cedar Creek Saturday.  At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, Jesse Joice performs live Friday night and DJ 5Star Entertainmentwill provide the music Saturday. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features the music of Eastern Heights Friday night and Mayday by MidnightSaturday night. Lover’s Leap Lounge at Downstream features Steve Smith & Kelly Brown both Friday & Saturday nights. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill there is live DJ action every Friday & Saturday night at 10:00. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week.Glory Days perform Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Paralandra Friday night and Jesse Joice Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including Wimbledon Tennis, PGA Golf, NASCAR, and Major League Baseball are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV:  Living Grand on Grand Lake airs at 7:30 on RSU-TV. Cannibal Sharks airs Sunday night at 9:00 on National Geographic. Next Wednesday, Season 9 of Suits premieres on USA at 8:00, followed by a spinoff from that series, Pearson at 9:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Crawl and Stuber

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 18 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Big Shots on Monkey Island (Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell speaking). Thursday-Saturday, July 18-20 – Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Family Getaway Weekend. Saturday, July 20 – Grand Bobber Drop. Saturday, July 20 – Oklahoma Legislative Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 20 – Aquapalooza adjacent to Grand Lake RV Resort in Duck Creek. Saturday, July 27 – Cobalt Splash Bash in Ketchum Cove. Friday-Sunday, August 9-11 – Thunder on Wolf Creek boat races. Saturday, August 31 – Redneck Raftout in Check-In Bay.

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The biggest tennis tournament of the year wraps up this weekend. Wimbledon competition continues daily this week. The Women’s Semi-Finals are Thursday, the Men’s Semi-Finals are Friday, both beginning at 7:00 a.m. Women’s finals are Saturday morning at 7:00 and the Men’s finals are Sunday morning at 8:00. Coverage is on ESPN.

The PGA Tour arrives in Illinois this week for the John Deere Classic. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Kentucky this week for some Saturday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Quaker State 400 begins at 6:30 Saturday evening on NBCSN.

There’s some good Major League Baseball action on the tube this week beginning Thursday with the Houston at Texas at 7:00 on ESPN. Saturday, you can see all the Sox. The White Sox are at Oakland at 3:00 (FS1) and the Red Sox host the Dodgers at 6:00. Sunday, Washington is at Philadelphia at noon (TBS) and the Red Sox host the Dodgers again at 6:00 on ESPN. The Dodgers are at Philadelphia Monday night at 6:00 (ESPN) and the Yankees host Tampa Bay Wednesday night at 6:00.

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The weather for the weekend ahead looks like July is supposed to look with light winds, lots of sunshine, highs around 90 and lows in the mid 60s. Get out and have a fabulous time.  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

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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.

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

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 (smoking)

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

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

Henrie’s Grill 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

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 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