Christina Mendenhall

Taryn Marriott, 8, explains how important it is to smile while competing.

Two weeks ago we introduced you to the ambitious, endearing world of competitive jump rope in South Florida. There are speed drills, tears, backflips, and Olympic aspirations.You can read the cover story -- including my stintMore >>

Hector PIcard

Hector Picard was making his rounds through Hollywood on a typical day of work in 1992 when something went terribly wrong. More >>

Damon told himself it's hip to be square upon leaving Boston.

As far as mash-ups go, this is one for the books. More >>

via YouTube

CHECK IT.

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BSO

BSO gave out this Crime Stoppers flier at the meeting.

​The men file in slowly to the meeting room at the Broward Sheriff's Office headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. "As-Salaam-Alaikum," they greet one another, shaking hands, smiling warmly at a Sunrise police officer they recognize from prayer services.

About 25 men are here, some wearing skull caps, others wearing police uniforms. The civilians represent mosques from all over South Florida -- Pompano, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City. They gathered last Wednesday evening to meet the police officers from their towns.

It's the first meeting of its kind in Broward, organized by the Florida Muslim Congress, a group that promotes education and cooperation between Muslims and law enforcement officials. The goal is to help ordinary citizens understand terrorism laws and avoid being accidentally linked to extremists. Nezar Hamze, a member of the Florida Muslim Congress and executive director of the South Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, is leading tonight's meeting. "Our community leaders saw a need to deal with some serious issues," he says.

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Sometimes, banks lose, too.

​Once in a blue moon, even the most cynical among us find cause to celebrate. This year's legislative session in Tallahassee provided some unexpected victories for the little guys and defeats for the corporate interests that normally enjoy free rein in Florida. Two of the most shocking losers of 2012: banks and charter schools.

Witness the Florida Bankers Association's newsletter, mourning the defeat of bills that would have sped up the foreclosure process. "Unfortunately, the Florida Senate did not take the opportunity to pass substantive changes to Florida's foreclosure laws," the newsletter says.
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via Lynn University

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Ralph Alswang/Clinton Foundation

Impeached by the House, still left office with a 68 percent approval rating.

​Former President Bill Clinton is taking his "Embracing Our Common Humanity" tour to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts next Tuesday, where he will "explore the challenges of globalization, our growing interdependence and ways toward a common future based on shared goals and values," according to a release.More >>

Good guy lawyer: Wins $30 million suit, takes nothing

​The Cliffs Notes of the case so far: Eric Brody was left brain-damaged after a speeding off-duty BSO deputy smashed into his car on Oakland Park Boulevard in March 1998. A jury awarded Brody's family more than $30 million in a settlement, but, 14 years later, they've yet to receive a dime. (For the full-length version, check out our 2009 feature story.)More >>

via IMDB.com

The Hunger Games' Woody Harrelson (right) and... uh... some kind of Melanie Griffith-lookin' alien (left).

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