Fill your brain with ideas and information from some of the world’s greatest thinkers…for free. Tiny nonprofit TED challenges bright minds to give the “talk of their lives,” then provides them to listeners free online. Hear Bill Gates on budgets, discover “Mathemagic,” or be stunned by the talent and intelligence of 11-year-old violin prodigy Sirena Huang. Your friends will think you’re too smart to hang out with them anymore; TED.com.
Elite Learning
The completion of the new Riviera Preparatory School campus for grades 6-12 is ahead of schedule for the 2011-12 school year. The state-of-the-art facility incorporates the latest educational technologies and helps foster an environment in which students can explore core subjects and various electives including Architecture, Chorus, Band, Dance, Film Appreciation, Fitness, Ecology and more. Riviera’s new campus will help it maintain its position as a premier educational institution since 1950; 305.666.1856; RivieraSchools.com.
Parking Dilemma
You just finished a successful meeting in the Brickell area and are walking out to your car when you see that orange-and-white document sitting on your windshield notifying you that you’ve been cited for a parking violation. The sight of the ticket on your car makes you pause for a second before considering your options. But exactly what are your options? Since a parking ticket is actually written to your vehicle, it doesn’t appear on your driver’s license record. That being said, many people just pay the fine. If you decide to pay the fine, remember that you only have 30 days to do so without incurring a substantial late fee. For those who feel that the ticket was issued erroneously, a legal challenge can be mounted against the ticket. To challenge the ticket, recipients of a violation should notify the court of their intent to have their day in court. Instructions on how to ask for a court date are listed on the ticket. As an alternative, you can also visit Miami-DadeClerk.com/Parking_Hearing for information. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts entertains the following defenses for parking violations: 1.) The offense was not committed. 2.) The vehicle was taken without my consent (stolen vehicle — submit theft and recovery reports). 3.) I was not the owner of the vehicle or the person having the care, custody or control of the vehicle at the time of the offense (A sworn affidavit is required giving the name, address and driver’s license number of the other person so that they can be notified of their liability and can offer a rebuttal).
The team at The Law Office of Adorno, Damas, & Associates P.L., are always available for more information on this topic as well as several other areas of law. To schedule a free consultation, call 305.381.9999 or visit AdornoDamasLaw.com.
Weird Stops
Forget the Eiffel Tower and Buckingham Palace. Here are some wildly offbeat world monuments less likely to make the bucket list you’ve been keeping.
Ghost Town
The Ghost City in Fengdu, China, is modeled after the Chinese Hell. The collection of temples boasts catchy names such as “Nothing-To-Be-Done Bridge” and “Last Glance at Home Tower.”
Silver Fountain
Don’t drink from this one! The Calder Fountain in Barcelona pours out poisonous mercury instead of water, which is probably why the folks at the Fundació Joan Miró keep it safely behind glass.
Shark Attack!
This bizarre monument in the otherwise normal town of Headington in the UK takes the form of a shark falling through the roof of a suburban home. It was commissioned to commemorate the bombing of Nagasaki.
