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These signs ooze Jersey attitude. The New Jersey Department of Transportation is turning heads with sassy and sarcastic ads reminding motorists to drive safe. “Nice car,” one of the roadside electronic messages begins. “Did it come with a turn signal?” it then snarks. Another offers a punny take on legalized marijuana: “We’ll be blunt, don’t drive high.” One message mocks, “Get your heads out of your apps,” while a Halloween missive declares, “Hocus pocus, drive with focus.” The witty reminders come amid a grave rise in traffic accidents over the past three years. NJ State Police reported 564 fatalities through Oct. 20, compared to 542 in all of 2021 and 454 in 2020, according to data. “We are trying a few new messages that are both fun and catchy in hopes that people will remember the message and drive safely,” said NJDOT spokesperson Leanna Nelson. The quips are proving a little too effective at times. Nelson pleaded for drivers not to take pictures of the variable message signs while driving, while NJDOT even tweeted this threat: “If you keep taking photos of the VMS boards while driving we will turn this car around and go back to the old messages.”

NBA star's custom-built home with $250K veggie garden asks $8.9M Jeez, it would cost only a little more to get your veggies at Whole Foods, with none of the weeding, watering, and fertilizing necessary.

This topic was inspired by the death of Carly Simon's sister. Though sad, it brought up this happy memory: When I was a young'n, we had these things called 'records'. Perhaps you've read about them in history books. One day I was at the register in the record department of Alexander's department store, when I saw a pile of Lucy & Carly – The Simon Sisters Sing for Children Originally released in 1969, the album was reissued in 1973 to capitalize on Carly Simon's success as a solo artist, under the title Lucy & Carly – The Simon Sisters Sing for Children. For this edition, additional instrumentation was added to the original album to give it a more pop-oriented sound. It also had a new cover featuring a photo of the sisters. Anyhoo... they were on clearance for 10 cents apiece. Stupidly, I only bought 2, which I gift-wrapped and gave to friends. Because they were both pretty smart, they could tell from the shape what they were being gifted with. Imagine their joy when they opened their gifts, which was exacerbated when I told them what I'd paid. ALSO: my dad owned a liquor store, but neither he nor my mom drank more than a couple of times a year. As a result, we had a bar in our apartment filled with partially-empty bottles of booze. One day I took a couple that were mostly empty, spilled the contents down the drain, and filled them with water. I added food coloring to get the proper color. They still retained the smell stench of the booze. (when I was little, my dad used to drag us to wineries so he could get swag from the owners, and the stench of the booze left a lifetime distaste of alcohol) One of the album recipients was a girl named Sharon, whose apartment I hung out at occasionally. Her mom, Janice, was cool and we got along well. On the day I brought Sharon the record, I also brought Janice the 'booze' as a thank you for letting me hang out there fairly often. She put it away with her own stuff, where it remained until I 'fessed up a few weeks later. She laughed, but said she was glad she hadn't served it to any guests. OLD DAYS... good times I remember!

Carly Simon’s two older sisters died this week after losing their battles with cancer. Joanna Simon, known for her smoky-voiced mezzo-soprano opera, who was the eldest of the four Simon siblings died on Wednesday after a battle with thyroid cancer, one day before her 86th birthday. Her sister Lucy, 82, died on Thursday of breast cancer. The three sisters, along with their late younger brother Peter, who died from cardiac arrest while battling cancer, were the children of Richard and Andrea Simon. Richard Simon was the co-founder of the publishing house Simon and Schuster. While Carly Simon was the most successful of her siblings, her older sisters both found success in their professional careers, making a mark in their respective industries. After making her NYC opera debut in 1962, Joanna would go on to perform in hundreds of shows internationally including with the Vienna Philharmonic and the American Symphony Orchestra. A regular performer at Carnegie Hall, she performed on songs written by both of her sisters, including Carly’s “Turn of the Tide” which was used by the Democratic Party in an ad campaign. Her post-opera career saw her become an arts correspondent for PBS, winning an Emmy award in 1991 for her report on bipolar disorder and creativity for the MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour. She was married to Gerald Walker from 1976 until his death in 2004 and afterward dated CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite until his death in 2009. She has been credited with appearances on The Tonight Show, was the co-host of Ovation magazine’s Classical awards, and was a presenter at the 1971 Grammy Awards. Lucy Simon rose to fame when she joined her younger sister Carly as a member of the folk music duo, the Simon Sisters. The two released three albums from 1964 to 1969, including their debut album “Meet the Simon Sisters” which contains “Winkin’, Blinkin’ And Nod” the duo’s hottest single that reach 73 on the Billboard Hot 100. After a few years away from music, Lucy Simon returned with two solo albums. She won two Grammy awards in the 1980s, for her work on “In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record” and “In Harmony 2.” After her singing career, Lucy Simon became a Broadway composer, making her debut with “The Secret Garden”, which received a 1991 Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score and a nomination for the 1991 Drama Desk for Outstanding Music. Lucy leaves behind her husband David Levine, two children, and four grandchildren along with her sister, Carly.

Hedge-fund manager Andrew Barroway spent roughly $35 million total constructing this enormous compound, only to recently resell it for $9.26 million. After paying $12 million in 2006 for a huge plot of land just outside of Philadelphia, in the tony community of Gladwyne, the Arizona Coyotes hockey team minority owner spent years and a large fortune building it into a 13,000-square-foot mansion in a Gothic Revival style. The six-bedroom, nine-bathroom property boasts a seven-car garage, an indoor pool, a tennis court, a movie theater, ATV trails, a wine cellar, five fireplaces and a guest apartment — all set on 32 acres of rolling hills. Barroway only briefly lived at the property, choosing instead to spend most of his time in Arizona while, following a 2013 divorce, his ex-wife and children stayed at the lavish estate, the outlet noted. In July 2016, Barroway first attempted to offload the behemoth, listing it for $28 million, which would’ve set a local record if sold for that sum. After not selling, the price went down, and down, and down — until he instead tried to auction the property in 2019, with a $14.9 million reserve price. That didn’t work either, and in 2021 the compound was subsequently listed for rent on Zillow for $40,000 a month. Now, the property is at last off Barroway’s hands, albeit at an extreme discount. Property records show that the home was purchased by a trust tied to digital advertising executive Thaddeus Bartkowski, who told the Journal he’d been renting the home for the past 14 months. The ad exec likes the compound for its seclusion, its similarity to historic area homes and “the quality and style of the construction,” he told the publication. Although the sale only fetched $9.26 million, the buying process was extremely involved and the total was, in fact, significantly higher due to multiple other assets not included in the purchase price. The home is set on 32 acres. Paramount Realty USA A movie theater within the compound. Paramount Realty USA One of nine bathrooms. Paramount Realty USA The home has an indoor pool. Paramount Realty USA In all, the house measures 13,000 square feet. Paramount Realty USA The estate was built in a Gothic Revival style. Paramount Realty USA The new owner had been renting the house for the past 14 months. Paramount Realty USA A grand entryway. Paramount Realty USA

Dylan McDermott-Mulroney was a good choice to take over as the star when Julian McMahon left.

THE CONNERS is apparently intent on employing every member of the SHAMELESS cast. William H. Macy-Huffman will guest star in an upcoming episode.

Getting a size out of Ye Why Kanye screamed at Charlamagne over Pete Davidson's '10-inch penis' Kanye West allegedly yelled at Charlamagne tha God over Kim dating Pete Davidson: “My wife is out here f–king a white boy with a 10-inch penis, and you won’t help me?”

Make some pork chops to go along with that, and you can invite Peter Brady over for dinner.

3 disappointing episodes in a row.

If you'd ever had Prince over for Thanksgiving, you could have served him that veggie and dessert.

It has been two decades since their heyday, but one bulk supplier of the iconic 3.5-inch floppy disk used to store data in 1990s says business is still booming. Tom Persky runs floppydisk.com, a California-based online disk recycling service that takes in new and used disks before sending them onto a reliable customer base — he reckons he sells about 500 disks a day. Who buys floppy disks in an age when more sophisticated storage devices like CD-ROMS, DVDs and USB flash drives have been made increasingly obsolete by internet and cloud storage? Those in the embroidery, tool and die, and airline industry, especially those involved in aircraft maintenance, says Persky. “If you built a plane 20 or 30 or even 40 years ago, you would use a floppy disk to get information in and out of some of the avionics of that airplane,” said 73-year-old Persky. At his warehouse, shelves are packed with bright green, orange, blue, yellow or black disks sent from around the world. At one end sits a large magnetic machine with a conveyor belt that wipes out information on disks, while another machine slaps labels on them. The warehouse also holds 8-inch floppy disks — an even older storage medium — including one labeled as containing the 1960 John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon US presidential debate. Despite being a relic in the modern world, Persky says floppy disks have several redeeming qualities. “Floppy disks are very reliable, very stable, a very well understood way to get information in and out of a machine,” he says. “Plus, they have the additional feature of not being very hackable.” Persky ended up in the floppy disk business after working in software development for a tax company in the 1990s that duplicated its software onto floppy disks. He says he fell in love with the business and took it on after it was spun off. But he is not expecting it to survive another 20 years.“When I see the ‘save’ icon, I see a floppy disk. But most people just see the ‘save’ icon,” Persky said. “I’ll be here for as long as people continue to want to have these disks. But it’s not forever.” I wound up having to throw away many when they became unreadable with the equipment I had at the time. You never know when an antique will become valuable. https://nypost.com/2022/10/20/floppy-disks-get-second-life-out-of-california-warehouse/

A woman’s hilarious move from beyond the grave has managed to somehow put the fun in funeral. Twitter user Gracie Perryman posted the unique card left for every guest at her grandmother’s funeral, which featured a photo of herself sticking her tongue out at the camera. The message from her granny read: “Let’s keep in touch,” along with the finishing touch: a tiny Ouija board. “Received this at my grandma’s funeral,” said Perryman, who identified herself in the comments as the woman’s granddaughter. “What an icon.” Her obituary noted the woman, who went by Jodie, passed away Oct. 12 at 81, and was known for her creativity, “quick wit” and “clever sense of humor.” She should've gotten a tombstone that looked like that. (get a laugh with your epitaph!)

For the first time ever, many Americans will soon be able to order Popeyes’ annual Cajun-Style Turkey for delivery in honor of Thanksgiving 2022. If THAT doesn't raise the mood of the country, nothing will. Online pre-orders can be made on Popeyes’ special website – thecajunfix.popeyes.com – which is open to residents in the U.S. who aren’t living in Hawaii or Alaska. Poor Sarah Palin! Popeyes says doorstep deliveries will take one to three days once dispatched. Popeyes Cajun-Style Turkey is marinated in a signature blend of Louisiana-style seasonings, slow-roasted and flash-fried. The turkey only needs to be thawed and heated before it’s served. Sounds yummy! 🤢🤮🤑🥳 Cajun-Style Turkeys that are set for doorstep delivery are priced at $94.99 and sales tax might apply depending on state laws, Popeyes’ Cajun Fix website notes. Shipping is included in online orders. The cost of a Cajun-Style Turkey that’s picked up from a participating Popeyes restaurant starts at $49.99, but pricing varies by location, and that Cajun-Style Turkey purchases don’t include side orders.

The Yankees announced their roster for the ALCS, with infielder Oswald Peraza, right-handers Frankie Montas and Greg Weissert as new additions from the ALDS. They will take the place of outfielder Aaron Hicks, who is done for the year, as well as utility player Marwin Gonzalez and left-hander Lucas Luetge. Also of note, infielder DJ LeMahieu and outfielder Andrew Benintendi, both out with injuries, have not been added. Rear view Who approved this? South Brooklyn mural has awkward letter placing A mural plastered on the side of a Gowanus building attempted to celebrate the South Brooklyn neighborhood — but opening the garage door reveals an unfortunate mistake.

Rear view Who approved this? South Brooklyn mural has awkward letter placing A mural plastered on the side of a Gowanus building attempted to celebrate the South Brooklyn neighborhood — but opening the garage door reveals an unfortunate mistake.

The historic New Jersey funeral home where mobsters wound up after getting whacked in “The Sopranos” is facing a hit job itself. The Irvine-Cozzarelli Memorial Home in Belleville — which was discussed and featured in numerous episodes of the HBO Mafia drama — could be demolished as part of a redevelopment plan recently approved by township officials. It’s a controversial move, as the building on Washington Avenue where the storied business is located dates back to 1885 — and the local historical society doesn’t want to see it fitted for cement overshoes. “The place has incredible potential,” Michael Perrone, president of the Belleville Historical Society, told the paper. “And so to tear that down, is just crazy, it’s just crazy.” Viewers of the show will remember the elaborate interior, which was designed by late owner James J. Cozzarelli Jr., who started his funeral business there in 1972. But since his death in 2021, his family has had little desire to keep it running as a funeral home. In other words, they want to fuggetaboutit? “There’s nobody in the family who is a licensed funeral director that would be interested in buying [the business],” cousin Frank Cozzarelli told NJ.com nobody respects good, old-fashioned family traditions anymore, noting that limited on-site parking and the cost of needed upgrades have discouraged other funeral homes from purchasing the site. “It’s a large, beautifully appointed home, and he took great pride in his ownership of it, and how he kept it,” he added. “Unfortunately, time has passed and the property needs a great deal of maintenance, in addition to upgrades to current standards.” The resolution that allows demolition of the site was approved 3-2 with two council members abstaining. One of the abstaining members, Vincent Cozzarelli, is a distant relative of the late owner. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham voted for the resolution.Previously listed in 2014 for $1.8 million, the building is now under contract with Premier Developers LLC. Depending on the results of the planning board’s evaluation, the site may be demolished for apartments as early as 2023. The business was frequently seen and mentioned in “The Sopranos.” In one famous scene, mobster Paulie Walnuts, played by the late Tony Sirico, warned against starting a gang war because “there could be a line at Cozzarelli’s a mile long.” With that kind of history, Frank Cozzarelli admitted that it is difficult for his family to let go of the business. “These are both emotional and heart-wrenching decisions,” he said. “Our family’s so well-rooted in the town that we want to do something that’s fitting … as best as we can given the constraints of what James’ will says.” The Irvine-Cozzarelli Memorial Home and the Belleville Historical Society did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Sopranos themed B&B seems like a natural fit if there's any parking at all.

I believe Edgar Alan Poe (& The Munsters) had a raven who could answer that question for you.

I'm not a consumer of Indian food, as I tend not to like the spices that much, but my supermarket recently ran a circular coupon for a couple of weeks giving away something for free, so naturally I selected the mildest option and ordered two. Let's see how long they sit in the pantry before I eat them. (Best by 8/31/23) ALSO: Is it safe to eat sprouted potatoes? https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/safely-eat-sprouted-potatoes-102600998.html

Because somebody from one side or the other always seems to have an axe to grind and refuses to agree to even the most benign legislation.

Don't know. Low prices, I guess. I think I was in one once years ago. The nearest to me now is about 25 miles away.

Walmart dominates the grocery industry, with 25% of the market. They are known to use their market share as clout to get lower prices from vendors. Now the next 2 largest, Kroger & Albertsons, are discussing a $43 billion merger that would give them 13%.

A well-placed comma would've made that quote even more interesting: I had a patient who was exceeding good looking and hung, around the Hollywood scene in the fifties and 60s.

You can sleep like the dead at this short-term rental. A set of three macabre buildings in Worcestershire, England have gotten second lives as overnight lodgings. After buying the abandoned trifecta of spooky structures — a funeral home, a well house and a small church with an adjoining graveyard — owners Stuart and Victoria Dudley decided to maintain their ominous charm by converting them into vacation houses. Each is now available as a one-bedroom cottage, rentable for $220 a night. Inside the former funeral home, holidaymakers are treated to thematic decor including a line of coffins that read “Funeral Director” and embalming tables in the kitchen. unfortunately, U.S. funeral homes don't tend to be as old or as charming. so I don't think this will be a realistic path for others whose businesses are struggling.

DEAR ABBY: We recently found out my 19-year-old daughter is pregnant. This is her first boyfriend, and she is absolutely smitten with him. He has asked her to marry him, and we are excited and happy for her, but there is one thing we are having a hard time with: I am almost certain he is cheating on her. They live with us, so I can see the signs — he says he’s working late, and several times even told her he had to work all night. He’s always on his phone, and he never allows her to see it. He keeps it on silent and face down. When he gets a text message (which is often), he immediately says he has to go to the bathroom. Then he stays in there for about a half-hour. I’ve tried talking to her about what I’m seeing, but she gets mad at me. She says she trusts him and insists he would never cheat on her. It’s painful to watch this happening to her, and I don’t know how to handle it. Should I continue bringing it up or let her find out on her own? — KNOWS ALL TOO WELL DEAR KNOWS PARENT WHO RAISED A MORON: You have already brought it up. Your daughter should not rush into marriage just because she is pregnant, if that’s her intention. Because her boyfriend is living with you, he’s likely not mature or financially stable enough to be married to anyone. (What do his parents think about this?) I was tempted to advise you to hire a private investigator to find out if the young man is really working late or all night, but I’m not sure you need to go to that expense. The truth will eventually reveal itself. In the meantime, give your daughter plenty of emotional support because she is going to need it, and probably more. RAISED AN IDIOT WHO SHOULD NOT BE PASSING HER GENES ON TO ANYONE. DEAR ABBY: I married my high school sweetheart in 1967. In 1979, after 12 years of marriage, we refinanced our mortgage so we could add a room. During the credit check, it was brought to my attention that my wife had borrowed $14,000 and opened a secret mailbox in a different town to hide it from me. The problem was, and still is, that she has refused for 52 years to tell me what it was for. Needless to say, my trust in her was shaken. She had no drinking, gambling or drug problems. I must have asked her a thousand times what she needed the money for, and still no answer. Our marriage went downhill, I had an affair, and we separated. In 1990, we got back together, but it wasn’t the same. The kids were grown, so four years later we divorced. I’m 75 now, remarried 20 years ago, and I still can’t figure out why she couldn’t tell me the truth to save our marriage. (Abortion keeps popping into my mind.) A day does not go by that it doesn’t enter my mind even all these years later. My kids are estranged because all they know is that I had an affair. I suppose I will be wondering until my dying day. Advice? — STILL IN THE DARK DEAR STILL: What your ex-wife needed that money for is anybody’s guess. She may have used it to bail out a friend who was in trouble. She also could have been paying off a blackmailer. The possibilities are so varied that guessing her motive could be a parlor game. Since you asked, my advice to you is to finally let the past stay in the past and quit upsetting yourself over something you will never get a straight answer about. There are few more effective ways to diminish the joys of the present than to do what you are doing. GET SOME MATH LESSONS. '52 YEARS' MAKES NO SENSE GIVEN THE FACT THAT YOU FOUND OUT 43 YEARS AGO.