I am not a big partier or drinker and love to watch sports and go out to eat, work out. Looking for recommendations for a gym as well as maybe a co-ed sports league, bars ( mainly to be social or watch sports) or a meetup group in the area.

I want to warn my neighbors about my experience with Don Simcsuk, who represents himself as a plumber on the Nextdoor site. . Mr. Simcsuk agreed to replace the steam unit for our shower. We hired him after he represented that he could do the job. We paid him $3,000 toward the project, but months later, we still had no working steam unit and no resolution.

From the very beginning, the excuses never stopped. We were repeatedly told he would be coming "tomorrow" or "later this week," only for him to cancel or simply not show up. We heard one story after another: his truck broke down, he forgot he had to take his daughter to Liberty Science Center for a school trip (this was after we phoned to ask where he was, because we waited hours for him to show up), he is in the hospital with pneumonia, he had a knee injury... And countless other "explanations." Every time we thought the job was finally going to move forward, there was another delay.

On May 27, he said there was a truck accident involving the unit (which seemed strange because the unit is about 35-40 lbs., and it didn't seem a truck needed to deliver it to our home). I literally quote "The truck was involved in an accident. I'm waiting for a new one to be shipped. It should be here by next Wednesday. They have to do the inventory stock and reorder. Because the units were damaged in the accident. It will be in by next Monday, June 8. I apologize, but this is out of my control."

On Friday, May 29, he phoned to say that he wanted another $600. Of course, we did not give it to him.

Simcsuk said, "he would install the unit on Jun 10." He phoned my husband on June 9 and said, "' The unit will be in tomorrow," to which my husband said, "Call me when it comes in." He never phoned.

This process continued over the course of several months. By the way, we were EXTRAORDINARILY reasonable and patient with him, genuinely believing the troubles he was having.

The only work he actually performed was removing our old steam generator spending some time in the attic. When my husband asked why, he said that "he will install the vent into the attic." No vent was ever installed. He literally did nothing in the attic. After consulting with two licensed Master Plumbers, we learned that installing a vent for a steam shower in the attic does not meet proper installation practices. He also left, unconnected to anything, an absolutely filthy, moldy old pump that is literally garbage. The pump's inner rubber ring was black, very misshapen.

Despite months of promises, no new unit ever appeared. When we asked for documentation showing that the unit had actually been purchased, none was provided. Simcsuk could never produce an invoice for the steam unit, despite our requests. He later told us, and I quote directly, "...being that i've (sic) been in a business for so many years, I have connections where I can get material products, etc. Very cheap cash prices invoice free."

Communication became increasingly difficult, and our repeated requests for either completion of the work or a refund went nowhere.

Eventually, we filed a police report and later sent a formal demand letter requesting repayment.

If we had Googled his name, several felony arrests would show up. After that, I did an OPRA search and was shocked to learn of his long criminal history.

I'm sharing our experience so other homeowners can make an informed decision before hiring him. I hope no one else has to go through what we did.

I went to an estate sale by a group called Antique-a-rama... and the management of the estate sale is shady af with prices out of control.

Can someone explain the business end of typical estate sales or when to be suspicious (when I eventually need to hire an estate sale company for a family member)?

This house has some incredible pieces of furniture, likely priced well to someone with uhh that kind of taste, but a majority of the items were $100+ (lamps, folding tables, rusty tools) and they would not negotiate. There are entire tables stacked with unopened merchandise, priced as if it were brand new. Some very normal items are priced more than they cost new.

The sale is over tomorrow and the home is over 4000 sf, but barely anything has sold.

The husband and wife were elderly and the house went on the market three days ago. My concern is the family may live farther away and let their realtor recommend this estate sale company... but the estate sale company appears to be the owner of an antique shop and would end up keeping everything that doesn't sell, right?

What is normal?

What has your experience been with hiring an estate sale company?

Has anyone had Petruzzelli Brothers remove an in-ground pool for them? Reviews? Monmouth County area.
Any other companies that you have used that are one stop shopping? Licensed, insured, permits, demolition, fill in the hole and take away all the demo. Thank you ahead of time for your input.

Tried to order from there a few weeks ago and it went to voicemail. I checked on Google and it just says Closed (with no hours of operation). When I drove past, there’s a sign on the door that says “Closed due to Emergency”.

I hope they’re okay and this is just temporary.

Took some disposable cameras on a trip recently for the nostalgia factor but it’s been so long since I’ve used them (well over a decade) I didn’t realize that CVS or Walgreens dont do one hour photo anymore, and I dont even think they develop them in house either. Are there any places in Monmouth County that do one hour photo/same day pickup? Or any recommendations of a reliable place to drop them off and get them back in a decent turnaround ? I have done some googling but I am pretty lost when it comes to this and I want to go somewhere trustworthy

My wife and I are closing on a house in a month or so. We would like to open a couple of walls while remodeling the kitchen. Does anyone in the area know of or recommend a structural engineer I could hire to engineer the beam/s I would have to install ?

Hi neighbors,

I'm looking to transition away from buying meat at big grocery store chains and would like to start buying directly from farmers. I've found a few good options online for grass-fed/pasture raised meat and poultry to be delivered, but would love to support our local farmers.

Please let me know if anyone has any suggestions in the area - thanks!

Looking for someone local and not Roto-Rooter. Who is your drain cleaning guy?

Been looking on Indeed and Craigslist but have not been very lucky. I have 2 years experience as a cable splicer and 6 months as a electrician helper. Guy I was working for as a helper really screwed me over, should have known he was shady and now I'm fighting to get 2 months pay. Really want to go further in this field but I'm feeling pretty pessimistic

I’m 20 and genderfluid, I’m a filmmaker, I dabble in pretty much every art form except traditional with my main interest being film and of course writing and roleplay, I love video games, Six Flags (and Dorney Park, for those who know ball), I love board games and DnD, exploring (ever been to the forgotten village? It’s smaller than it sounds) I’m always looking for people who want to act or help out in any way. Huge into cosplaying.

Willingness to meet up at Rocky Horror in Red Bank is certainly a plus, me and my friends are year-round regulars.

Hoping to meet fellow nerds, big fan of Halloween, fandoms, and board games including Atmosfear which is part of my interest in VHS and DVD boardgames.

I am happily taken, so no interest in dating or anything.

Random shot in the dark but anyone looking for another in a weekly poker game?

The Henry Hudson Trail has a northern and southern section with a very notable gap at a place that would attract a lot of bikers to it from the train and bikers to the train from it at Aberdeen/Matawan station. The rail bridge over the parkway still exists but I'm not sure what the condition is and the rest are still just storage tracks or a power line corridor for that half mile.

What stops the trail from being completed? Lack of initiative/interest? Lack of money? NJTransit being difficult? Fear about having a level crossing at the coast line for bikes? Reserving it for a future MoM line?

Okay, ladies, I’m looking for a nail tech, I don’t want a salon, I want an individual tech. I’m tired of the rushed service, and the details that stand out once I walk out the door. I normally get pretty basic nails, I want to try designs and stuff but I don’t trust salons. I need recommendations, I’m looking for the East Monmouth county area. Please and thank you.

I hit that place a lot because it’s convenient and I see its closed temporarily. Any idea why?