Equipment

Last night, after an endless parade of promos involving hockey pucks and Saturday Night Fever recreations, Jimmy Fallon officially took over as host of The Tonight Show. For New York Magazine’s recent cover story, writer Jada Yuan spent three hours on the town with Fallon while he was preparing to hand over the Late Night reins to fellow SNL alum Seth Meyers and bring NBC’s storied Tonight Show franchise back to its original home at Rockefeller Center for the first time since Johnny Carson relocated it to California in 1972. But there were just too many random fun facts and telling quotes to be contained by a magazine feature, which can only mean one thing: bonus Fallon. Here, culled from hours of transcripts with the latest Tonight Show host and those who know him well, are 39 more things to know about Jimmy Fallon, including his thoughts on fatherhood, mayonnaise, and golf do-overs, and what his fallback plan is if he bombs in his new gig.

1. The Tonight Show news was on such tight lockdown, Fallon didn’t tell his parents until the night before the press release came out. His wife, Nancy Juvonen, knew from the beginning, though. “Nancy, she’s great,” he says. “She can keep a secret.” 
2. Moving to an earlier time slot means Fallon can worry less about his parents’ well-being. His mom and dad used to go to bed at 10 and set an alarm for 12:30 a.m. so they could watch every episode of Late Night live — until Fallon insisted on buying them a DVR and programmed it himself. “I was like, ‘You guys don’t look healthy. You’re not getting enough sleep. You have to tape the show.’” Now they’ll get to go back to watching it live. “It’s a big deal for them,” he says. “I think it’s going to be much healthier for them.” Fallon’s mom also calls him every day with notes.
3. He plans on using “everything I’ve learned in my whole life” to get the show to work, including his first college major. “If there’s a computer-programming sketch, I will somehow make that happen,” he says. (He switched to Communications, and dropped out the College of Saint Rose in Albany a semester shy of graduating, but got an honorary degree in 2009.)
4. It’s a good thing the show didn’t move to L.A., because “I’m the worst driver in the history of the world,” says Fallon. “My wife does all the driving. I can drive, like, technically, but…

The late Frank Zappa’s “vaultmeister” has unearthed 23 previously unreleased and rare recordings that Zappa may have been considering for a sequel to his beloved jazz-rock masterpiece, 1969’s Hot Rats.

The apocrypha, which totals three-and-a-half hours of music, will finally come out on June 30 via a three-disc set titled Funky Nothingness.

More from Rolling Stone

Zappa’s estate is previewing the set with Zappa’s interpretations of two songs from 1954 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, “Work With Me Annie/Annie Had a Baby,” with violinist Don “Sugarcane” Harris singing lead:

The recordings, cut in February and March 1970, find Zappa playing with a lineup similar to the one on Hot Rats: multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood, violinist and vocalist “Sugarcane” Harris, Wrecking Crew bassist Max Bennett, and drummer Aynsley Dunbar. The music, which mostly is instrumental, includes Zappa originals, cover songs, and improvisational jams that the estate says lean on R&B, blues, and jazz influences.

The compilation includes a couple of previously released tracks (“Sharleena” came out on 1996’s The Lost Episodes) but the music is recontextualized on Funky Nothingness.

The release, co-produced by Travers and Zappa’s son, Ahmet, will be available in a variety of formats, including a three-CD version featuring the 11-track album, featuring Zappa’s original mixes of the songs, compiled along with two bonus discs of outtakes. It includes a booklet with photos from the session. It will also be available to stream and download in both standard and high-resolution formats. There will also be double-LP pressings in a variety of colors.

“Funky Nothingness, as an album, is special in that it features at least three written compositions, three cover versions, and multiple instrumental jam-oriented segments, all previously unreleased,” vaultmeister Joe Travers said in a statement. “It’s very rare to find that amount of music from one set of sessions that has gone unheard for such a long period of time.”

Story continues

Although many of the songs are instrumental, Zappa sings a 12-and-a-half–minute interpretation of Lightnin’ Slim’s “I’m a Rollin’ Stone” (Zappa later used the music from the track for “Stink-Foot”), and Sugarcane sings “Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild.” Some of the instrumentals, including “Khaki Sack” and “Twinkle…

The Little Free Library (LFL) at Carnegie Public Library is back. Check the library’s garden area for the large and lovely LFL, filled with books to borrow any time. With thanks to Altrusa of Washington Court House, Carnegie Public Library helps support many LFL’s in Fayette County. To find one near you, visit littlefreelibrary.org/map.

Have you heard about the library’s Beyond Books collection? As patron needs evolve, so does the library. Beyond Books is made up of nontraditional library items available to borrow with a library card. The newest addition to our Beyond Books collection: disc golf discs and a sewing machine! These items are available for check out with a library card for seven days. Stop in or give us a call at 740-335-2540 to learn more!

Programming for kids this week: Preschool aged children are invited to Bonnie’s Books in Jeffersonville on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., and Hello, Friends! on Thursdays, at 11 a.m. Storytime is a great place to socialize, develop listening and literacy skills, and enjoy stories, crafts, songs, and playtime! Coming up, “Create with Noel” takes place on Tuesday, April 25 at 11 a.m. This art program is aimed at exploring various art forms and concepts, perfect for children ages 5-12. The following week “Science with Aaron” takes place on Saturday, April 29 at 11 a.m., and again on Tuesday, May 1 at 11 a.m. This science program is both fun and educational, perfect for children ages 5-12.

Before you know it, it’s going to be May! Join us on Tuesday, May 2 at 12 p.m., is the final installment of a three-part series presented by Sarah Sowell, Family and Consumer Sciences educator, and Jennifer Eggleton, SNAP-ED Program Assistant for the Fayette County OSU Extension Office. Sarah and Jennifer will show us how to plan, shop for, and prepare healthy and budget-friendly packed lunches for adults and kids. Join us in person or online via Facebook Live! On Saturday, May 13, opening day of the Fayette Farmer’s Market, pay a visit to the library book bike! The bike’s name will be announced on that day, and visitors will have an opportunity to borrow or purchase books, pick up a copy of the library newsletter, learn more about the library’s apps and digital resources, or get a library card! Let’s grow! Also on Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m., children and their families are…

Some of us aren’t as young as we once were — our social calendars revolve around our kids, and we doze off on the couch at 8 p.m. Going out on the town can feel like a distant memory. Gone are the days when nights out started at 9 p.m. and dining out with your significant other was a multiple-night-a-week occurrence. Now, we’re lucky to discuss going out only to settle on staying in to scroll through movies for an hour before calling it a night.

While the reality of date nights may change, that doesn’t mean time together with your partner or potential partner can’t still happen. It’s time to rethink your dates. Take advantage of the daylight hours and ditch your responsibilities, just for a bit. Enjoy a weekend day or take advantage of those school hours. Play hooky from work or trade a long lunch for what used to be a night on the town. We aren’t getting any of these days back, so get out and enjoy them. Here are three ideas to get you started.

Head East

A drive out the Mount Baker Highway into the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest opens the opportunity for a lifetime of adventures. From playing in the snow to hiking to peaks, there’s always something to do in this vast wilderness. In winter, you can strap on skis and cruise along trails or shred the slopes. If putting on skis all but guarantees an ACL injury, grab some snowshoes and move along at your own pace as you enjoy the quiet of a snow-covered forest.

As the snow wanes, hiking trails become more accessible, opening access to nature’s wonders. Heliotrope Ridge Trail takes you through ice-cold creeks and up to Coleman Glacier. The Yellow Aster Butte Trail exposes you to beautiful wildflowers. If a less strenuous walk sounds more your speed, Horseshoe Bend Trail is a good choice.

Want your date to include incredible summer scenery without the workout? Head up to Artist Point or, year-round, pull into Nooksack Falls. Both offer awe-inspiring views just steps from your car. Wherever you choose, bring your camera along and document your date, whether hiking to the highest peak or simply pulling to the side of the road to enjoy a view.

No trip east is complete without a bite to eat on the way back. My can’t-miss option is the North Fork Brewery,…

“>Roc3,

VALKYRIE

The Valkyrie is a turnover distance driver with great glide. A great choice for tailwind or downhill drives.

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“>Valkyrie

Andrew DeBruin

@discgolfdudez

Andrew fell in love with disc golf after receiving an Innova Starter pack with a DX Aviar, Shark, and Leopard for Christmas. He and his friends went out to try disc golf in the local city park and they have been playing together nearly every day since. The Disc Golf Dudez can be found on courses in the Grand Rapids, MI area, making great videos no matter what the conditions. 

Follow @discgolfdudez on Instagram for quality disc golf content almost daily. With over 1,000 posts seen by over 15K followers, the Disc Golf Dudez are doing more than their part to spread the…

Sponsored

Spring is here, and it’s never been a better time to visit the Auburn-Opelika area! From mountain biking to pickleball—and everything in between—the Auburn-Opelika area has something fun for people of all ages, interests and abilities. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Opelika Pickleball Facility — Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center

Did you know that pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for three years in a row? Similar to tennis but on a smaller court, pickleball is an easy-to-learn activity that’s popular among all ages.

The Opelika Pickleball Facility at the Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center offers a total of 24 individually fenced regulation courts under two covered facilities with LED lighting, ample parking and more. The best part? The facility is free and open for public use 24/7!

Learn more about the Opelika Pickleball Facility.

Opelika Pickleball Facility: 1001 Andrews Rd, Opelika, AL 36801

2. Town Creek Inclusive Playground 

Completed in mid-2022, Town Creek Inclusive Playground is one of the newest attractions in the Auburn-Opelika area. With more than 30 play structures on the 60,000-square-foot campus, the Town Creek Inclusive Playground has something fun for kids of all ages, abilities and interests, including:

• Playground equipment
• Parallel play components
• Fitness equipment
• Sensory components

In addition, the playground is surfaced with poured rubber and ADA-compliant accessible turf to enable those who use assistive devices to access all parts of the playground. The playground campus includes two pavilions, which can be rented out for private events.

3. Tumble Tree Disc Golf Course — Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center

Also located at the Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center, the Tumble Tree Disc Golf Course is a great course for pros and first-timers alike. The 18-hole course crosses bodies of water, follows trails through peaceful pine forests and travels over inclines and hills—AND it’s free to play!

Players are encouraged to bring their own discs and plenty of water while playing the course.

Pro Tip: Write your name and phone number on your discs in case they get lost!

4. Opelika Community Archery Park — Spring Villa Park

Featured photo by Adam Brown

Story by Adam Brown

There is a sport that many have never heard of that is exploding in popularity, is free to play, and is a great way to get outdoors for all ages. That sport is disc golf. For most people, disc golf is a lot different than what they think, so let’s start with the basics.

Disc Golf is exactly what it sounds like, but disc golfers throw discs instead of using irons and drivers to hit a dimpled ball. Some may have heard the term “frisbee golf,” but that term is not technically correct because the discs used in disc golf are not frisbees. Frisbees, which are a trademarked product of the Wham-O company, as you might see in collegiate or professional ultimate frisbee matches or even being thrown around on the beach is a standard 175-gram disc with a diameter of 10 ¾ inches. These were the first discs used in disc golf, but the game has evolved.

These days, discs come in different shapes, styles, plastics, and weights all for different uses, preferences, or shots out on the course. Rather than one standard disc, disc golf discs have different jobs based on the disc type. Just like golf you have drivers, putters, mid-ranges, and fairway drivers each with subtypes within those groups. Each disc has different flight characteristics that the player can expect from it when thrown correctly. These standards can be found printed right on the disc most of the time, and if not are on the manufacturer’s website. The first big diversion from golf is the size of the basket. Rather than putt into a hole, in disc golf you putt into a patented basket that acts as an above-ground hole with chains that are designed to catch discs.

Another way disc golf is different is the courses on which it is played. Yes, disc golf is played on large open courses like golf, but it can also be played on wooded trail-like courses.  Some of the hardest holes in the sport are like an obstacle course in the woods that takes precision to conquer. When starting, beginner packs that feature a driver, mid-range, and putter are available for purchase to introduce players to the game before building their collection for tougher or more technical shots. 

The sport is relatively new. The organized version of today was invented by the same inventor of the frisbee at Wham-O Toys, “Steady” Ed Hendrick, in the 1970s. Hendricks was not only the inventor of the frisbee, but also the inventor of the disc golf pole hole, and the…

From the desk of Owl P. Jackson, Esq.

April 11, 2023 by Owl P. Jackson, Esq. in Opinion, Recap with comments

The sun rises over the Cumberland River, chasing away two rounds of gloomy weather and a general sense of melancholy. The earth begins to warm. Players come alive. And if you listen closely, between the birds and the breeze, you’ll hear it—the dulcet tones of a thousand roaring engines. In my opinion, these are the top 10 storylines of the 2023 Music City Open.

1. Simon Lizotte finishes strong

“I’ve been chasin’ the big wheels all over Nashville waitin’ for my big break to come.”

8 birdies. 8 birdies in a row to finish the tournament. No one saw Simon coming, including Simon himself. In his own words, “It makes no sense. It feels so weird to feel like you’re never in contention until suddenly you’re on top.” In case you were still questioning it after a second-place finish in Austin, Simon showed he will be just fine with his new bag of discs. He joined Paul McBeth and Ken Climo (ever heard of ‘em?) as the only players to win from the chase card more than once in their Elite Series career. Cue the victory lap.

2. The chase card does it again

“Livin’ on ketchup soup—homemade, crackers and Kool Aid.”

Speaking of chase card wins—for the third Elite event in a row, the MPO winner has come from the chase card. Kyle Klein did it at WACO. Gannon Buhr came back in Austin. It was Simon’s turn in Nashville. That’s tied for the most Elite event chase card wins in an entire season (2010)—and we’re only 4 events in. There is really no argument anymore; live is the best option for tournament consumption. That said, it has really been a wonderful year for Gatekeeper Media. Other than an unfortunate shot to the skull, they’ve had all the luck. Jomez’s Big Jerm bemoaned during his tournament sign-off, “Maybe we’ll be able to bring you guys the action of the winner one of these events, who knows?”

3. Kristin Tattar back on top

“I look good in cowboy clothes, and I sing through my nose. Webb said, “That’s the way to get ‘er done.”

Kristin Tattar returned from a quick trip to her home in Estonia, ready to tackle the next string of tournaments. She sorta just hung around for the first two rounds, starting the final round in fourth place. In the end, Kristin showed her greatest strength:…