Fresh Fest in West Palm Beach

Bindu Yoga class held on the East Berm.

Fresh Fest drew a crowd of young athletes, active adults, people battling illnesses, yogis and others interested in living a healthy lifestyle.

Saturday's event at the Meyer Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach was expected to draw about 1,600 over the course of six hours, co-organizer Branndi Lewis said before noon.

Ode to my dog in Lake Worth

My dog in spring 2004 strikes a vigilant pose.

The dog days of summer remind me of my dog, Miska.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the thought that terrorists were living here, I thought I need to quit procrastinating and get a dog. Growing up, my family had a black dog, a mixed-breed beagle lovingly called Blackie. As an adult, I always wanted a dog. The terrorists' acts brought that desire to the forefront.

I wanted a shelter dog, about medium-size, one that would walk and help me get back into shape. Pure breeds came fraught with too many problems, plus I did not want to spend that kind of money on a dog.

Lake Clarke Shores woman checks off private farm tour from bucket list

Husband John pushes Susan into the van
for ride to Green Cay.

Susan Spencer-Wendel didn't know a private farm tour would be part of her bucket list, until Nancy Roe offered one.

Nancy, who runs Green Cay Farm west of Boynton Beach, operates the farm through the community supported agriculture program. She sells subscriptions "shares" to her farm, and in return, subscribers receive produce that she and her crew grow. 

One weekend each February, she opens Green Cay to her subscribers and their friends to see how they grow the vegetables and the innovative methods used to control pests and provide water to the crops.

Nancy graciously offered the private farm tour as an option when I asked whether the farm tour was wheelchair-accessible.

Wellington widow starts walking team to honor husband

The Herrera family: Crystal, Jorge and Isabella 

Crystal Ryan Herrera became a widow at age 29.

Her husband Jorge died in March 2011. He was clutching their 14-month-old daughter Isabella in his arms when he called out to Crystal. 

He never got to see the son she was carrying. Matthew was born a few months later.

Her husband's passing from sudden cardiac death rattled her soul. Her mom moved into the Wellington home she shared with her husband to help her. She went to grief counseling where she slowly learned to forge a separate identity. She also joined a club for widows to connect with like-minded people. And she found ways to keep Jorge's memory alive.