To kick off this scholarly spectacular, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is giving a free concert on Saturday, November 8. Starting at 8 p.m. some of the best opera, ballet, theatre and symphony orchestra performers will showcase their many talents. Experience Verdi’s La Traviata or the Ballet Gamonet’s rendering of Nous Sommes. Tickets for this salutatory event can be found on the Arsht Center’s website or can be reserved in person at their box office on Biscayne Boulevard.

For 25 years, this venue has showcased some of the best local and international literary minds. Tavis Smiley, Dexter Filkins and Dennis Lehane (Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone) are just a few of many slated to be in attendance. In addition to the week-long reading author reading series, there are also several other special programs. Take the little ones to the Children’s Alley, uncover the rare books at the Antiquarian Annex or take advantage of the Spanish language events in the Ibero-American Authors Program.

This weekend, put down that television remote and make reading fun again!

For about $50 bucks a pop you and a bunch of friends can see Common and N.E.R.D. perform at the Filmore. The concert starts at 8:00 pm and tickets can be found at Live Nation’s website. If you’re not into Hip-Hop but love R&B, Mary J. Blige and Robin Thicke are performing at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise. With tickets starting at only $50, this 7:00 p.m. show will showcase the best of both artists. And if you’re jonesing for more Robin Thicke after the concert, head over to Spirits Nightclub in Hollywood for the Official Afterparty.

Addicted to Project Runaway, America’s Next Top Model and other fashion programming? Well for about $30 you can hob knob with fashion glitterati at tonight’s Rock the Fashion event. Hosted on the sands of Nikki Beach, guests can expect music, cocktails and some of the hottest fashions by local designer Marilyn Rumbaut. The proceeds for this event go to the St. Thomas University School of Law. And the best part? Students with a school id knock $10 off the cover price!

Don’t stay home this Friday night! South Florida is jam-packed with fun things to do.

Goodbye September and hello October!  You know what that means?  Time to turn your mind to all things spooky, haunted, scary, and just plain creepy.  Don’t let Halloween sneak up on you and drive you batty this year…why not plan ahead and start early?  This holiday is, after all, the most fun for the sake of fun holiday of them all!  (Please excuse my excitement, a birthday near Halloween does that to a person)

First things first, you need costumes.  I’ll list for you a few spooktacular costume shops in Miami, certain to provide you with every thing you need.  Dixon Costumes, found at NW 72nd Avenue, has been around since 1926!  This store offers over 20,000 costumes to rent, 200 to purchase, as well your basic wigs, makeup, and masks.  Miami Twice, located at SW 40th Street, offers quality vintage duds and new items.  This place is great for shoppers looking for unique costumes.  Looking for something more mainstreamed?  Party City at North Kendall Drive, has a great selection of costumes, accessories, and decorations.

Now that you are dressed for the occasion, let’s take a look at some events guaranteed to be a scream!  For families with children, there are great events you can bring your kids to before the inevitable Trick’or’Treating.

The Miami Metropolitan Zoo offers candy stations, craft workshops, and themed animal performances.  Free with admission on October 27-28, 11:00am-4:00pm.  The Gold Coast Railroad Museum will be ideal for young train lovers with a ride through a spooky forest, rail-realted crafts, and halloween storytelling.  This event is open on October 27-28 5:30pm-9:00pm.  Wonderful Jungle Island will give visitors the chance to enjoy creepy cookie decorating, a goblin pie eating contest, magical arts and witch crafts, a bounce house, DJ, games, Wii tournament (presented by Best Buy), and even more.  There is even a costume contest at the Garden Outpost from 12:00pm-3:00pm where you can win great prizes.  And let’s not forget the opportunity to see some amazing animals!  The event occurs on October 25-26.  Bring a Sierra Mist can to receive a $6.00 discount on general admission.  The Miami Children’s Museum will also offer Halloween decoration workshops and costume events.

No kids?  Then perhaps you find these events more appealing.  The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens will be holding a fancy soiree at the estate on October 27 from 8:00pm to 1:00am.  Guests are expected to come in costume.  Tickets cost $125.  Or how about the AAA Ghost Hunt & Tour in Fort Lauderdale?  You will be led on creepy tour, complete with scary stories, of downtown’s haunted attractions.  Spirits Nightclub in Hollywood is another option.  The danceclub will be having a costume contest Halloween night starting at 10:00pm.  The price will be $20.  Or if you are looking for something a little less structured, check out the Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach which is bound to come alive at night with outlandish sights and sounds.

Be aware that this is only a small number of the available activities and costume shops in Miami, or in South Florida in general.  No matter what you decide to do, or wear, make sure you relax and have some fun!

According to the Miami Herald, this project “would be located between the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and the central business district [and] calls for a mix of high-rise offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, entertainment and conference venues, schools and eventually residences.”

The developers have already invested $100 million on this project and are expected to seek additional financing as it progresses. When asked about the timing for this project, managing director Nitlin Motwani said “what this [difficult] market situation has allowed us to do is that we have not been rushed. It has allowed us to work more closely with the city and county, to understand what they want and what we want.”

According to the Herald, the proposal would call for a 20 year deal in which a special zoning district would be set aside for this project. Since it would take several years to construct, the developers are concerned about keeping the structures uniform.

If approved, the Miami Worldcenter will be about the size of eight Dadeland Malls which comes to more than 12 million square feet of construction.

Made famous for being Brandy’s little brother and the Kim Kardishian sex scandal, Ray J is now looking for love–at least that’s what the press release says. Ladies must be 21 and older and provide pictures, resume, etc. which would qualify them for being on his show.

VH1 has a reputation for being a dating reality show mecca. Flavor of Love, a Shot of Love with Tila Tequila and I Love NY are just a few fan favorites. NY (legally known as Tiffany Pollard) actually became famous for being a boisterous contestant on the original Flavor of Love dating show! Other former dating show contestants have used the exposure to jump start their careers. Flavor of Love Season 2’s Deelishis now has a jeans line, and Tango from I Love NY Season 1 is launching an album.

If you’re looking for a way to get your name and face out there, this could be a great opportunity! Doors open at 11:15 p.m. and casting will end at 1 a.m. Sunday morning.

Coconut Creek and Sunrise officials are looking to potential tax increases as a way of dealing with the deficit. On the other hand, the city of Deerfield Beach will be cutting programs and increasing other fees to adjust.

Most of the homes in question were already reduced- cost senior living communities. Sunrise Lakes in Sunrise, Wynmoor Village in Coconut Creek and Century Village in Deerfield Beach all incurred severe property damage due to 2005’s Hurricane Wilma.

This decrease in cost has placed buyers in a more favorable position than sellers. And with so many pieces of South Florida real estate up for grabs, sellers will have to accept lower bids in order to make a sale.

For more information on what your home is worth or the value of homes in a particular area check out the websites of the Broward County Property Appraiser and the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. Click on property search and type in either seller’s name, property address, subdivision name or property id.