Walking through Festival of Trees in West Palm Beach

The 'Marmion' tree with a Santa on its side greeted us
as we entered through a side gate.

The Festival of Trees creates a Christmas mood in me, regardless of the 80-plus-degree days that is our winter weather this month.

The sights and smells inside the walls of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens create a magical world that brings out the holiday joy in me. The West Palm Beach event is my favorite Christmas festival.

Doing the Turkey Trot through Palm Beach

Shiny Sheet staffers pose after the Turkey Trot. A few ran, the rest jogged,
walked or strolled.

I knew the 5K Turkey Trot would be a special race. The swag befitted its Palm Beach location. With our registration package, they gave each participant a bag of goodies, which contained a soft T-shirt, Onli lemon watermelon sparkling water, Fiber One nutrition bar and reflector to wear, along with the registration bib.

It was more than enough to make me want to take up running. I did start the 5K jogging -- mostly because I was in a pack of runners.

Dancing outside in West Palm Beach and Thanksgiving challenge

Dancing at Ginger's Dance Party -- November 2013

Young or old, age doesn't matter at Ginger's Dance Party. The outdoor dance attracts a crowd on the first Saturday of each month. The free event takes place at the Waterfront Commons, courtesy of the West Palm Beach Community Events. That department pays for the DJ -- Full Throttle Entertainment -- and the lights. 

Teens wake early for Jupiter 5K

Volunteers run the race-day registration.

While many teens were sleeping in Sunday morning, a dedicated group were at Carlin Park early for the 3rd Annual Zoe Loren 5K.

They volunteered at the check-in and race-day registration tables, at the snack tent where some danced to the rhythmic music provided by a DJ and at the water and drink stations. They also came to run in the 5K held in honor of Zoe Loren.

Experience circus in Lake Worth

Molly, of Boynton Beach, flies through the air while holding onto the trapeze.

Ever dream of running away to join the circus? With Circus Experience opening last month in Lake Worth, circus arts classes are now available in Palm Beach County.

Late Saturday afternoon, three women came to the Trapeze class. Molly, 22, was the most experienced, having tried the trapeze while vacationing at various Club Med locations in the Caribbean. Mande tried it once before and returned for another session. Maria, who heard about the trapeze class from Mande, was the newcomer.

Costumed dogs in West Palm Beach

This golden retriever was wearing a "Wide Retriever"
football jersey. But he didn't stay to join the contest.

Saturday mornings, before yoga at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, I park in the Banyan Street garage for free and make my way down to the GreenMarket.

I buy greens from my favorite vendor, Stephen's Produce. The proprietor of that stand and Stephen's dad, Ken Shuler, often sells out of what-I-consider the primo greens by the time yoga is over. I select and pay for my greens before yoga, and Ken is nice enough to hold them in his coolers for me.

It also gives me a chance to scope out the market and their special events. This past Saturday, they had a Halloween costume contest for dogs at 11 a.m.

Walking trail at Berkshire Elementary in West Palm Beach

Berkshire Elementary has a walking trail that anyone
can use on weekends and holidays.

When a teacher friend told me that Berkshire Elementary had a newly opened walking trail, I added that suburban West Palm Beach path to my list of fitness places to rate.

The school sits on Kirk Road, between Summit and Forest Hill boulevards, just one block north of Happiness Street.