samhexum

Carnivores are in mourning tonight... Bob Veale, best known for being 1/3 of Pittsburgh's meatloaf trio (Veale, Lamb, Moose), has died.

Robber busted in driverless Waymo taxi — when it pulls over after detecting sirens

Meredith's husband died on Xmas eve.

Goes into effect Wednesday. I think I'll celebrate by sitting on my ass all day in front of my computer.

Astoria pride: Tootles & French named USA Today’s Best New Restaurant Queens native Adrien Brody wins Golden Globe for Best Actor for performance in ‘The Brutalist’ Brody, 51, a native of Woodhaven, was nominated for his performance in the audacious three-and-a-half-hour post-war epic “The Brutalist.” The film follows a Holocaust survivor and architect in the United States after the Second World War. Brody remains proud of his Queens roots and paid a visit to Woodhaven last May, stating that the neighborhood helped make him the man that he is today. “This is where I was born and raised. Made me the man that I am these days,” Brody said during an Instagram video documenting his return to Woodhaven. The Queens actor beat off competition from Timothée Chalamet, and Ralph Fiennes which I'm sure they enjoyed. Daniel Craig (“Queer”), Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”) and Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”) were also nominated in the Best Actor in a Drama Film category.

Stella Stevens was in dire need of a paycheck when Playboy came calling. The actress, who was groomed to be the next Marilyn Monroe before she made her own mark during the final years of Hollywood’s golden era, died in 2023 at age 84. She’s now the subject of a new documentary by her son Andrew Stevens, “Stella Stevens: The Last Starlet.” It features commentary by Quentin Tarantino and Vivica A. Fox, among others. In the film, viewers learn how Stevens, who had a young son to feed, took an offer to pose nude for the magazine. It cemented her role as a sought-after screen siren, but it came at a price. “She was alone in Hollywood, barely 18 years [and] broke with no source of income,” Andrew told Fox News Digital. “A photographer and his wife came to her, and they said, ‘We shoot for this magazine called Playboy, and we’ll pay you $5,000 if you do a layout.’ Stella said, ‘It was a job, and I needed a job. I had a child to support. I was a single person living in LA and I didn’t know anyone. So I took the work.’” Before stripping down, Stevens was discovered at a department store in Memphis. She was flown to Hollywood for a screen test and then signed a three-year contract with 20th Century Fox. While Stevens filmed three movies in six months, she was dropped by the studio over a work card technicality. Despite the $5,000 offer, Stevens said Playboy founder Hugh Hefner told her after the racy shoot that he would only pay her half. To earn the rest, she had to work as a hostess at one of his clubs. “She’s quoted as saying, ‘I told him to shove it, I will not,’” said Andrew. Stevens signed a new contract with Paramount. She scored a co-starring role in “Li’l Abner” as Appassionata Von Climax. She was determined to get her photos back before they went to print. “She called Hugh Hefner and said, ‘I have this big Hollywood movie now… please don’t publish the photos. I’ll buy them back from you,’” said Andrew. “He said, ‘Oh no, you have a contract. We’re using them.’ So, [Playboy] exploited ‘Li’l Abner,’ which takes place in a mythical place called Dogpatch. They titled her photos ‘Dogpatch Playmate.’” “The irony is, after being dropped from 20th Century Fox, she won a Golden Globe as Best Newcomer of the Year in 1960 when Marilyn also won a Golden Globe for Best Actress,” Andrew shared. “And [Marilyn won] for the studio that had just dropped [my mother’s] contract.” Stevens felt that being a sex symbol was a “double-edged sword,” said Andrew. “On one hand, she appreciated that she got more attention in the Hollywood community,” he explained. “Everyone wanted to meet her… [But] the old Hollywood studio system at that time was a very male-dominated, misogynistic community. And the casting couch was very real. And as [film critic] Leonard Maltin is quoted as saying [in the film], ‘There was a whole town run by early day Harvey Weinsteins.’” “In some ways, [being a sex symbol] gave her a career boost,” said Andrew. “But on the flip side, she’s quoted as saying it killed doing anything decent or legitimate after that. People wouldn’t take her seriously because of this sexpot moniker that she was given. So, the more weighty and meaty dramatic roles were not as forthcoming as the more frivolous post-Marilyn Monroe-type roles.” Stevens was determined to be taken seriously as an actress. According to the documentary, Stevens had zero desire to appear alongside Elvis Presley in 1962’s “Girls! Girls! Girls!”. “The studio was pushing her to do it,” Andrew explained. “At the time, very few actors had any say over what the studio assigned them to do… Stella, quite outspokenly, said, ‘I don’t want to be the girl that Elvis Presley leaves for another girl. That’s not what I have in mind for my career.’” “She had just finished a film called ‘Too Late Blues,’ directed by John Cassavetes, starring Bobby Darin,” Andrew pointed out. “It was this… dramatic piece. That’s the kind of work she was interested in doing. Not some frivolous fluff piece, although Elvis movies were very popular at the time. [But] nobody took him seriously as an actor, and nobody took them seriously.” “She was having her own struggles with trying to be taken seriously after having posed in Playboy.” While Stevens had “great respect” for Presley, she urged the studio not to cast her in the film. Stevens only agreed to do it after she was promised to play opposite Montgomery Clift in her next movie. It never happened. Stevens detested the Presley flick and could never bring herself to watch it. There was one person who believed in Stevens’ talent – Jerry Lewis. The comic chose her to play his love interest in 1963’s “The Nutty Professor.” “Stella and Jerry Lewis loved each other,” said Andrew. “They had such a great collaborative working relationship. When Jerry got the green light to shoot ‘The Nutty Professor’ at Paramount, he said, ‘I want the most beautiful girl you have under contract.’ And I think he named the role Stella Purdy after Stella. They just had a lovely relationship.” “I have fond memories of knowing Jerry Lewis and being on the set, watching him direct,” Andrew recalled. “… I think he was a great mentor for Stella.” Growing up, Andrew admitted that his relationship with Stevens was complicated. She dropped out of high school at 15 to marry Andrew’s father, Herman Stephens. The couple divorced in 1956, and she took Andrew to California, where she could pursue an acting career. His father and grandfather later showed up at her home to take him back to Memphis, resulting in an ugly custody battle. “The unfortunate thing about both of them is that they were babies having babies,” Andrew reflected about his parents. “My mother was 16 and my father was 18 when I was born. “My father barely graduated from high school. My mother had to quit high school to stay home and take care of me. She went to school at night to get a GED to be able to then go to Memphis State University… But neither one, quite honestly, was really equipped to take care of a child.” “… My preference would always have been to be in Memphis with my friends and the rest of my family,” Andrew admitted. “I certainly don’t begrudge my mother from wanting her child. But quite frankly, neither of my parents had the goods to be able to raise a kid.” While mother and son had “multiple periods of estrangement,” they bonded on set. She directed the 1989 film “The Ranch,” which starred Andrew. He later directed her in 1991’s “The Terror Within II.” Stevens worked steadily in television in the 1970s and ’80s, appearing in “Wonder Woman,” “Hart to Hart,” “The Love Boat” and “Night Court,” just to name a few. She stayed busy until she could no longer work due to Alzheimer’s disease. To Stevens’ dismay, his mother wasn’t included in the Academy Awards’ annual “In Memoriam” segment, and she never received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “My mother deserved better,” said Andrew. “Even though my life with her was tumultuous and complex and not always warm and fuzzy, time and distance have given me a new perspective on the impact she had.”

Google maps

@pubic_assistance is a connoisseur of that classic bit of cuisine. 😇 😁 😋 🤣

My sister: Is Marie Osmond sending paper roses? Me: No, but she's catering the shiva calls with products from Nutrisystem

Legendary singer Wayne Osmond has died at 73.

Not immediately. Jaclyn Smith's hubby at the time was the show's narrator, so (naturally) they recast him in the role. In 1971, Roger Davis narrated the voiceover theme sequence for the western series Alias Smith and Jones, starring Pete Duel as Hannibal Heyes/Joshua Smith and Ben Murphy as Jedidiah "Kid" Curry/Thaddeus Jones. He also appeared in one of the episodes ("Smiler with a Gun") as slick gunfighter Danny Bilson. Bilson has the distinction of being the only character kind-hearted Kid Curry was ever driven to kill during the series. When Pete Duel committed suicide at the end of 1971, Davis replaced him as Hannibal Heyes. However, after Davis completed just 17 episodes, it was clear the show would not achieve the same level of popularity it had with Pete Duel. The series ended in 1973 when competition from the popular Flip Wilson Show siphoned the show's ratings.

Thanks a lot for the spoiler alert.

I keep not getting around to getting the latest booster.

Mitch Modell, the former CEO of the famed New York sporting goods chain that went belly-up four years ago, wants to buy bankrupt retailers Party City and Big Lots. Modell — whose family-run company featured the buzzy “Gotta go to Mo’s” jingle — is looking to raise $1 billion to bid to throw a financial lifeline to the flailing businesses, he told The Post on Monday. Party City and Big Lots, which both filed for Chapter 11 protection in recent months, operate a combined 1,600 stores and employ a total of 33,000 workers. Modell, 70, said he was at President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on Dec. 19 when he got the idea to buy the legacy retailers and put his sons, Matthew, 23 and Maxwell, 22, in charge as co-presidents of the new company, he told The Post. He has lined up a veteran team of executives to evaluate a possible deal — including Larry Meyer, former chief executive of Forever 21 and Uniqlo, and Demos Parneros, ex-CEO of Barnes & Noble. “Our goal is to save 33,000 jobs,” Modell told The Post, adding that he is not putting in any of his own money. Modell, whose family founded the company more than 130 years ago, believes he can revive Big Lots and Party City by offering largely the kind of merchandise his stores sold before filing for bankruptcy protection in 2020. He would keep the retail brand names but get rid of the bulky furniture Big Lots is known for, while Party City would sell footwear and other sports apparel in addition to its core party supplies business. To provide rock bottom prices, he intends to turn to inexpensive foreign manufacturing from Source One Global, which has factories in China, Mexico and India. “Our sourcing capability is the difference maker,” he boasted, adding that he didn’t have this relationship with Source One Global when he was running Modell’s. New Jersey-based Party City filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 20 for the second time in two years. Ohio-based Big Lots filed for bankruptcy in September. Over the weekend, Big Lots struck a $490 million deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners and Variety Wholesalers that would save up to 400 stores. A bankruptcy hearing scheduled for Monday was adjourned for one day, according to court records. Modell said he spoke with representatives of Gordon Brothers informing them that “I’m not going away and we want to be your partners.” Big Lots reaches deal to keep hundreds of stores open, save jobs

Dear Abby: I am a widow of two decades who has raised a family in an old historic home in a small island town. In the course of renovating and maintaining the home, a father-and-son electrician team have been like family. During the past year or so, the dad, who is in his late 70s (older than I am) has started making unwanted romantic overtures in the form of suggestive or lovey-dovey texts, emails, phone calls, invitations to lunch or cocktails and professions of having harbored “secret fantasies” while working for me throughout the years. What’s even worse is that his romantic partner of decades is in a mid-range stage of dementia. I find this annoying and insulting, and I have politely discouraged or tried to deflect his overtures with humor. Fortunately, he does not live on the island, but if he sees my car in town, he begs me to meet up for a “quick hug.” Electricians of his caliber are rare, and I really can’t afford to lose him. His moonlighting rates have always been a “friends and family” deal. His son has taken a job with a big outfit and is rarely available. How do I pull the plug on the dad’s amorous advances, without him blowing a fuse? — Extinguished in Maine Dear Extinguished: Tell this man in plain English that you think he is a terrific friend, but you are morally opposed to involving yourself romantically with anyone whose partner is ill. He needs to hear it. JEEZ, YOU IDIOT, DROP TROU AND GET EVEN BETTER RATES IN THE FUTURE! Dear Abby: My mom and two sisters constantly complain about their physical ailments. None of them has been evaluated or diagnosed by a physician. They have tried repeatedly to treat themselves with outdated advice and cure-alls that aren’t backed by scientific information. I have tried to express to them the importance of proper nutrition and resistance training, since building and keeping muscle is so important as we age. Abby, I’m no expert, but I have transformed my body and my life with those simple rules. My mom and sisters are so defensive and dismissive of my advice, I’ve all but given up trying to talk to them. If they won’t at least try something new to feel better, how can I deal with their constant complaining? Do I keep suggesting the same things to them? Do I ignore their complaints? — Family Helper in California Dear Helper: Because trying to guide your mother and your sisters toward a healthier lifestyle hasn’t worked and has become a source of frustration for you, stop trying to help. They have tuned you out, and your efforts are wasted. A step in the right direction would be to ignore their complaints and change the subject rather than give them advice they won’t follow. BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF SO THEY DON’T WIND UP GOING TO PRISON FOR DOING IT TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ANNOY THEM CONSTANTLY.

my heart bleeds (if that were literal, I'd have to calculate whether I could afford to get it treated) UnitedHealth Group CEO quietly telling execs company will hit financial records

FBI warns leagues about organized theft groups targeting athletes I know it's morally and legally wrong, but considering that I've had to decide which tests to get that my doctor wants me to have and which specialist to see that he recommends because I can't afford all the copays (the first thing they teach in medical school is "assume all your patients are upper middle class so you never have to waste any time bothering to ask if they can afford what you are going to recommend") it's hard for me to have any reaction other than "my heart bleeds..." And don't even get me started on the term "pain management", which is Latin for "suck it up and learn to live with it unless you can sell a kidney to afford physical therapy".

You get to borrow a cup of sugar anytime you want to

The victim in a Queens cold case homicide has finally been identified more than three decades after her body was discovered in a grassy area along the Cross Island Expressway near Cambria Heights in August 1991, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday. The Cold Case Unit currently has 47 homicide victims who have yet to be identified. Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng secured a half-million dollar grant for advanced DNA testing and genealogical investigations by the Queens DA’s Cold Case Unit, which will be used to obtain such answers for other families. “As I have said, it is never too late for justice, and the $500,000 I secured for the DA’s Cold Case Unit will go a long way towards investigating and prosecuting local cold cases and providing answers and closure for families,” said Meng. Since then, the Cold Case Unit has initiated genealogy investigations into 14 cases involving unidentified human remains.

Used to be sad, Used to be shy, The funniest thing, the saddest part Is I never knew why. Kicking myself for nothing was my favorite sport. I had to get out and start enjoying 'cause life's too short... There's a new girl in town and she's feeling GOOD- Got a smile, got a song For the neighborhood. Things are great when you stand on your own 2 feet And this girl's here to say With some luck and love Life's gonna be So SWEE-EET!

from tonight’s MLB Trade Rumors chat: Jays Fan Does no one want the Jays money, or are we simply being used as leverage and not actually in on these Free Agents? Either way, should i abandon baseball and live at the bottom of the sea? Mark P There will be no accusations Just friendly crustaceans under the seaaaaaaa Also, wouldn’t it be living at the bottom of Lake Ontario, in this context? Anyway, actual answer….as noted earlier, the Jays probably aren’t many players’ top choice right now. A free agent will listen to what they offer since why not, but if a more clear-cut contender can at least come close on money, the Blue Jays don’t have much leverage WHY NOT? EACH OPTION HAS EQUAL DEGREES OF CULTURE & SOPHISTICATION… Dear Abby: A year ago, I found out my husband has been cheating on me with multiple women for more than a decade and kept two of his conquests for that entire time. He also sent all our savings to his girlfriends in another country. Because we have two disabled adult children and one neurotypical adult child, I decided to stay in the marriage. A year later, I’m still struggling. In fact, I feel worse. I barely sleep and have developed severe anxiety. I have no one to talk to about this because I’m embarrassed and humiliated by what he’s done to our family. To shield my children, since they would suffer needlessly if they knew about his infidelity, I put on a facade and pretend everything is OK. I am desperate for sleep, but all I do is cry and wander around my house at night. My husband places all the blame on me, which leaves me feeling so betrayed and hurt that I don’t know what to do. What are the steps I need to take to put this behind me and move forward without having to replay it in my head all the time? — Rocked World in California Dear Rocked World: Your first step should be to speak to your physician about what has been going on, and then to ask for a referral to a licensed mental health professional. It is important you have someone to talk to because remaining silent is making you sick. A GUN DEALER. Speaking the truth will not reflect badly on you THOUGH BEING A DOORMAT KINDA DOES. Your children have nothing to gain by being kept in the dark. When your husband emptied your bank account, he was hurting them financially as well as you. Once you are emotionally stronger, consult a lawyer AN INSTRUCTOR AT A SHOOTING RANGE and take your cues from that person about how to protect yourself and your children. Dear Abby: My mom and I have an extremely difficult relationship. She wants to treat me like a child, even though I’m 66. My husband and I do a lot of things for her and her husband, as they’re in their mid-80s. Thanksgiving was a disaster, and we no longer want to spend any holidays with them. She asks everyone but me why I’m mad at her. When I tried to explain to her in a letter how her actions affect me, she got defensive and called it “hateful.” I don’t like confrontations. I’m like a deer in headlights and can’t think of anything to say to her. How can I let her know we plan to spend our holidays alone now, without her feeling like we hate her? — Alone in the South Dear Alone: I see no reason NOT to tell your mother you will spend no more holidays with her and her husband BECAUSE SHE’S A BITCH WHO IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT TO SUGARCOAT THINGS. If she asks, say you have made “other plans” and won’t be available BECAUSE SHE’S A BITCH WHO IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT TO BE AROUND. If she accuses you of hating her or being mad at her, tell her for the reasons stated IN YOUR LETTER, it has become too stressful BECAUSE SHE’S A BITCH WHO IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT TO BE POLITE TO. If your mother complains to the rest of the relatives, as she probably will, explain your reasons for skipping the stress-filled holidays and tell them they can explain it to her because every time you have tried, she tunes you out BECAUSE SHE’S A BITCH WHOM YOU HAVE DECIDED IS NO LONGER WORTH THE EFFORT TO HAVE ANYTHING MORE THAN A SUPERFICIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH.

Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100. RIP “I think it's very important for all of the students ... to remember the importance of peace, human rights, and love for one another, and the principles that never change in our lives. Rosalynn and I and our entire family thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

So how does she get the coupon? It would really help, as I'm sure she's in a higher income bracket than I am.

More than 400 fur seal pups spotted off San Francisco coast in ‘truly remarkable’ comeback Over 400 fur seal pups were found resting in an inlet at the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge off the coast of San Francisco, CA.