This week's observations from the Grand Lake Bum 11-13-16

If you were wandering around the lake looking for your friends last Friday night, I found most of them for you. It seemed like every other person I saw at the Billy Joel concert at Tulsa’s BOK Center were Grand Lakers.  He put on a fabulous show, by the way, including a tear-jerking Veterans Day tribute as he invited a group of Oklahoma veterans on stage while he performed Goodnight, Saigon. Unbelievable.  By the way, boaters should be aware of Billy Joel’s continuing dedication to boating and clean water. He recently donated his custom built, 57-foot, $2 million commuter yacht, Vendetta, to the International Sea-Keepers Society which protects the oceans through research, conservation, and education. Vendetta was named, according to Joel, “because living well is the best revenge.”  Agreed!

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As we continue to shake out the results of the 2016 election cycle, you might want to buy cigarettes here before you head to California. Voters there approved a $2.00 per pack increase in cigarette tax. Wow!  Ironically, they also approved recreational use of marijuana. I guess they’re making a statement on the preferred smoking substance in the Golden State. Voters in Massachusetts and Nevada also voted to legalize recreational week. The Las Vegas slogan of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” will probably be especially true now.  Visitors won’t even remember what happened in Vegas!

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The Electoral College has picked up a lot of support this week.  Before the elections, it seemed like all my friends were supportive of abandoning the cumbersome Electoral College method of electing Presidents and preferred, instead, to let every vote count – the popular vote. This week, it seems like my Republican pals aren’t so enthusiastic about changing that, anymore. You don’t suppose that had anything to do with the fact that Donald Trump became only the fourth President in U.S. history to be elected to office while winning the Electoral College vote – but losing the popular vote, do you?

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My friends have varied opinions on the voter approval of the state question to “Modernize Liquor Laws” by allowing the sale of wine and cold strong beer in grocery stores and convenience stores.  If you wonder what the rest of the world is thinking, here’s a hint. Market Watch carried a post-election headline shouting “Oklahoma Votes to Make Beer Great Again.” The editorial applauded Oklahoma voters for “ending the prohibition on real beer.” I can’t tell yet whether it’s good business or not – but at least we don’t have quite as many people pointing and laughing at Oklahoma’s backward views of alcohol.

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In Belgium, the first – or at least the first legal – beer pipeline has been installed. It pumps quantities equal to 12,000 bottles of beer per hour from the brewery in Bruges, to a bottling operation two miles away. The company says that will keep big tanker trucks out of the historic city. Locals who donated to the cost of the project were enticed by an offer of “free beer for life.”  Non-contributors are just keeping their eyes open for a pipeline leak.

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In an unrelated story, a continuous-flow free wine fountain has been established in Abruzzo, Italy in hopes of attracting tourists who visit nearby Vatican City. I don’t know if it will work there, but I think it’s a great idea for Grand Lake.  Anyone who has ever hosted a reception will tell you nothing attracts a crowd at Grand Lake like free alcohol. I think the Chambers of Commerce and Grand Lake Association ought to get to work on a project like this.  Free-flowing booze, free to the public, twenty-four/seven. What could possibly go wrong?

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FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Just burned 2,000 calories. That’s the last time I’ll leave brownies in the oven while I nap.

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Michael Haggerty): When choosing between legal advice, your lawyer is the better bet over your cellmate, no matter how much hard-won "experience" your cellie may have. There is a reason, after all, he's locked up there with you.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen in front of Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg): Psychic Fair cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. (Thanks to Barb Pliler for sharing this one.)

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ANOTHER GREAT SIGN (seen by my pal George Sherman at Scheers in Kansas City): In dog beers, I’ve only had one.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Chuck Perry, Cliff Hudson, Tom Fielder, Leann Goff, Dar Phillips, Kenny Cole, Gary Goss, Val Saamer, Suzy Bloom, Jody Crabtree, and Barbara Patrick. My heart goes out to the millions of fans & friends of Leon Russell – an incredible musician and longtime Grand Laker. The superstar died in his sleep Saturday night in Nashville. He was 74. RIP.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  Does a man-eating shark eat women, too?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s a big weekend on Grand Lake – especially for mid-November! Thursday night is the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday night, Shangri-La Members will enjoy the annual   Festivus Party and Christmas Shopping specials. Saturday night is also the annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner & celebration at Monkey Island Pub. Bring a side dish and enjoy the community spirit. Sunday is another great feast – the Pre-Thanksgiving Sunday Brunch at The Summit at Shangri-La (10:00-3:00).

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

Area casinos have great musical options this weekend, as well, highlighted by a big Rick Springfield concert at Buffalo Run Casino Saturday night at 8:00. Entertainment at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill features Fun House Friday night and Dead Metal Society Saturday night. The weekend at Downstream Casino is highlighted by a Saturday night Jamey Johnson concert in the Pavilion. At Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar The Scott Keaton Band will provide a variety of blues and rock tunes, followed by Another Alibi 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 Thursday night – and this week, there is aWhiskey River concert, as well. T.J. McFarland will provide the Friday night musical entertainment, followed by Derryl PerrySaturday night.  At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by T.J. McFarland. September’s End will entertain Friday night followed by Leah and the Mojo Doctors Saturday night. The Hi-Fidelics will entertain Friday night at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including Thunder basketball, college football & basketball, PGA golf, NASCAR, and NFL games 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.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: If you’re ready for the Christmas season My Christmas Dream is Saturday night at 7:00 on Hallmark. Sunday night, it’s The American Music Awards at 7:00 on ABC. Season 3 of The Librarians also debuts Sunday night at 7:00 on TNT. Monday night features the first full Search Party at 10:00 on TBS.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Edge of Seventeen, Bleed for This and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Remember the good ol’ days before social media when you had to buy a supermarket tabloid to get your fake news?” – Jimmie Tramel

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, November 25 – Black Friday Night Seafood Buffet at The Summit at Shangri-La. Monday, December 5 – Grand Lake Association Annual Banquet at Wyandotte Casino. Saturday, December 10 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade on Grand Lake.

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In the college football world, our “Big Four,” OU, OSU, Tulsa, and Arkansas are all on the road this week – and all the games areSaturday. OSU is at TCU at 11:00 (Fox Sports 1) and Arkansas is at Mississippi State at 6:00 (ESPNU). OU and Tulsa both play at 7:00 – the Sooners are at West Virginia (ABC) and the Golden Hurricane is at UCF (ESPNEWS).

College action starts Thursday with Houston hosting Louisville (7:00 on ESPN). Besides the Big Four, other great Saturday match-ups include Kansas State at Baylor (11:00 on ESPN2), Ohio State at Michigan State (11:00 on ESPN), Wisconsin at Purdue (11:00 on ABC), Florida State at Syracuse (2:30 on ESPN2), Missouri at Tennessee (2:30 on CBS), Virginia Tech at Notre Dame (2:30 on NBC), Texas Tech at Iowa State (2:30 on Fox Sports 1), Texas at Kansas (2:30 on ABC), Indiana at Michigan (2:30 on ESPN), Clemson at Wake Forest (6:00 on ESPN), Arizona State at Washington (6:30 on Fox), and USC at UCLA (9:30 on ESPN).  In case you wonder how in the world Alabama holds on to that #1 spot, they play someone called Chattanooga Saturdaynight at 6:00 (ESPN).

NFL Thursday night action sends New Orleans to Carolina (7:30 on NBC). Sunday games include Baltimore at Dallas (noon on CBS), Tampa Bay at Kansas City (12:00 on Fox), and New England at San Francisco (3:30 on CBS). Sunday night’s game on NBC sends Green Bay to Washington; and Monday Night Football (ESPN) features Houston at Oakland.

The NBA action features Philadelphia at Minnesota and the Chicago at Utah in Thursday night action on TNT (7:00 and 9:30respectively). Friday night the OKC Thunder hosts the Brooklyn Nets at 7:00 (Fox Sports Oklahoma), Golden State is at Boston (7:00 on ESPN), and the Clippers are in Sacramento (9:30 on ESPN). Sunday night the Thunder will host Indiana (6:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma) before heading to L.A. for a Tuesday night game against the Lakers (9:30 on Fox Sports Oklahoma and NBA-TV).

College basketball gets underway this week, too.  OU and OSU will be as far from each other as they can get.  OU plays Thursdayagainst Tulane in the opening round of the Tire Pros Invitational in Orlando (6:00 on ESPN2).  Tournament play continues Fridayand Sunday. The Cowboys will be in Hawaii in the Maui Jim Invitational. They’ll start with Connecticut Monday night (8:00 on ESPNU) and continue tournament play Tuesday and Wednesday.

The PGA Tour is in Sea Island, Georgia this week as Davis Love III hosts the RSM Classic. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 12:30 Thursday-Sunday.

In the NASCAR world, you’d better watch fast if you’ve been planning to catch a race this year.  Coverage of the Ford Eco-Boost 400 from Miami starts at 1:30 Sunday on NBC.

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The weekend weather ahead looks a little more like Autumn. Saturday, we’ll have a high of 60 degrees or so, but we may have to fight off a few morning Thunderstorms. Saturday & Sunday, highs will be in the 50s, with lows in the 30s. We may even get a light freeze Saturday night. Be safe, be kind, and have a great weekend; and 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.

 

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)

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)