The Heights is a pizza slice shaped neighborhood of 1,500 single family ranch and two story homes…read morein Jupiter, Florida. The official name is North Palm Beach Heights but most people just call it the Heights. The Heights is located off of Donald Ross Road and is between I-95 and Abacoa. The Heights neighborhood really loves Christmas and Florida Power and Light really loves the Heights. Every December the Heights shows their love of the holidays by decking out their homes with lights, inflatables, and all kinds of decorations. Some of the highlights are the lighted arches that stretch over the street and street nicknamed Candy Cane Lane because every house on the street is lined with colorful candy canes. My favorite decorations included the robotic arm sleigh flying the rooftop, tropical Santa taking a break from the Christmas madness by lounging out on his beach chair, the lighted flamingos which is so Florida, and all of the Star Wars inflatables because you can't confine Christmas to just this galaxy. Be sure not to miss Hollywood and Pompano Streets. You could easily drive around for an hour and not see it all. Best of all, it is free fun that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Come out and enjoy the tradition of the Heights holiday decorations this season.

The Mariner is the name of the distinguished looking sea captain who stands watch over the entrance…read moreto Phil Foster Park, one of the best snorkeling spots in South Florida. Who is he, and how did he end up here? Now that's a tale. The 10-foot tall Mariner statue was created in 1978 by local artist and World War II Army Air Corps veteran Cpl. Earl LaPan. During his long career, LaPan created hundreds of works of art that can still be found throughout South Florida. He began painting at an early age, launching his career in New Jersey before moving to Florida in 1933. He took a brief break from art to fight in WWII and after the war he returned to Florida and picked it up again. His artwork adorned hotels in Miami and across the region, and many of those paintings remain on display today. Earl LaPan passed away at the age of 97 on February 19, 1996, and was laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. The Mariner was created as a tribute to Jerry Thomas, founder of Mariner's Bank and a former President of the Florida Senate. According to Thomas's son, Jerry himself served as the model for the sculpture. When Mariner's Bank closed, the statue was relocated to Phil Foster Park in 1983, where it has stood ever since. I've always liked this statue reminiscent of the Gorton's Fisherman and look for it when I drive past. Its placement beside the water feels especially fitting, as if the old sea captain is still keeping a watchful eye over the boats, divers, and snorkelers passing through the inlet.

I like public art so it gets five stars for brightening up the corner of 45th Australian Ave. This…read morepiece is located in district one. It is part of the "Hello Sunshine" installation which was chosen by the West Palm Beach Art In Public Places through a competition. There are five pieces in total installed at different intersections that serve as gateways to the city. The five pieces cost a total of $256,000 and the program is funded by private developers. While they all feature rays of sun each piece is different. They all are made of aluminum panels, reinforced with steel and a concrete base. They are yellow with a white interior. The artist behind the idea is Paulina Bouyer-Magana. She is part of an art collective out of Los Angeles called Aphidoidea. This is how they describe the project. "Here is "Meet "Hello Sunshine" - Hello Sunshine is the geometrical representation of the sunrise that is sectioned into five clusters of sunrays. Each cluster is unique and together they form the whole sunrise, but just like the notion of union, one cannot see the whole picture at once. You have to experience each part individually, in order to appreciate the whole thing. We want to give people the opportunity to go out and experience all five districts and see the whole picture that makes up West Palm Beach." This sculpture was installed earlier this year. It is so new that I found the instructions to put it together still stuck on it. Some community groups were outspoken against the project feeling that the money could have been better spent elsewhere. It definitely catches the eye and now that I know about it I'll be on the lookout for the other pieces in the city.

Fletcher Beach is located one half mile south of Stuart Beach on A1A and just north of Gilbert's…read moreBar Refuge House Museum on Hutchinson Island. The Scott and Billie Fletcher Beach was purchased by Martin County in 1973. This is the only beach on this end of Hutchinson Island that I was easily able to find parking for. It does not have a lifeguard or restrooms so it is not as popular as some of the other beaches. While it may lack in amenities it is more secluded which is nice if you are looking for a more peaceful beach experience. From the parking area you just hike up a trail over the sand dune to the beach. The beaches on this part of Hutchinson Island have rocky looking outcroppings known as the Anastasia formation which was named by E. H. Sellards in 1912. The formation was deposited during the deposited during the late Pleistocene and the "rocks" are really sand and coquina limestone embedded with mollusk shells and sparry calcite. It forms cliffs and caves that form a habitat for sea life. It is not very comfortable on bare feet but it makes a lovely backdrop for pictures. If you are looking for a more off the beaten path beach, Fletcher Beach is ideal for sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, fishing, surfing, swimming, and photography.

This spot was a place that my parents decided to take me when I was visiting them in Florida for…read morethe holiday. They wanted to do something outdoorsy but safe so we decided to visit the beach for a bonfire. The beach was a quick drive from their condo and the parking was just off the road, and the parks department keeps the lot clean. You have to walk on a wooden path to get to the beach which is over a slight hill. The beach is large and well kept, we found a perfect spot to build a small fire and just relax and star gaze. As far as beaches go, it's a nice one! I didn't see any trash which is always impressive to me. This is a place I'd like to come back in the daylight to check out and do a traditional beach day. But if you want to enjoy a nice fire and beautiful night skies, this is your place! Kudos to to Florida and their awesome beaches.

While walking along the shoreline in Sunset Park in West Palm Beach, I discovered Sun Salutations,…read morepublic artwork created by artist Vito Di Bari in 2021.He has created art in 25 countries worldwide from interactive 23 foot installations to underwater coral artworks in the Gulf of Mexico. The sculpture was inspired by the official seal and logo of West Palm Beach. It was crafted from water-jet-cut, powder-coated aluminum and dichroic tempered glass to create a celebration of light, movement, renewal, and the natural beauty of South Florida. What makes this artwork special is its interactive design. The sculpture rotates completely on its own axis, continually changing its appearance as the light shifts throughout the day. Sunlight passes through the central glass medallion, catching and refracting the rays into colorful reflections. It is especially captivating at sunset when it showcases a beautiful harmony between art and nature.

Forever and Always was created in 2016 by nationally recognized artist Mark Fuller. Fuller is an…read moreenvironmental graphic and industrial designer. He created the glittery butterfly in Palm Beach Gardens and the obelisk at Legacy Place. He also designed the fish and lizard cutouts on the sound barrier wall along Interstate 95 and the Fish Out of Water sculpture along the water in West Palm Beach. Forever and Always was created for the Compassionate friends Memorial Garden in Palm Beach Garden. The sculpture features two hands in an open position, with the shape of a heart removed from the center of each palm. Between the hands, a heart with wings floats. The sculpture is on a 7 foot tall concrete pedestal. This sculpture is meant to give visitors to the garden a sense of hope and serenity. Fuller said that he designed the hands to be seen as in a praying position or as a gesture of letting go. A loved one's touch stays with someone even as they come to terms with the loss. You can find Forever and Always in the area along the lake near the Burns Road Recreation Center.

I don't typically find public art inside a shopping mall, but that's one of the things that makes…read moreThe Gardens Mall so special. In fact, It is the only major shopping mall in Palm Beach County with commissioned artwork permanently displayed on site. While grabbing a drink in the food court, I couldn't help but notice the gorgeous mural wrapping around the upper walls near the ceiling. It tells the story of Florida's history, and if you've read any of my reviews, you know that's exactly the kind of thing that grabs my attention. Installed in 2007, the mural, The Story of Florida, was created by Chicago based artist Augustina Droze. Her portfolio includes public art commissions for The Forbes Company, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Tucson Pima Arts Council, and Nagpur International Airport, among many others. Speaking about the project, Droze said, "I'm an artist for the people, and what better place to find a good cross section of people than at a mall?" Touché! The mural was commissioned as part of the mall's multimillion dollar renovation, which was completed the following year. Taking more than nine months to create, it guides visitors through Florida's history, beginning with the Indigenous peoples and the arrival of the Spanish explorers. As the story unfolds, you'll also find scenes of the Everglades, Henry Flagler's railroad, early pioneers, and the rise of Florida's citrus industry. Every section is filled with colorful details. I really enjoyed taking my time to study all of the images while sipping my drink. Public art has been shown to enrich commercial spaces by creating memorable experiences that encourage people to linger and spend money. All I can definitely say is that the mural adds something special to a typical mall food court.

Sometimes an interesting discovery can happen accidently. While entering the PGA National Park, I…read moremade a wrong turn and came upon this stunning sculpture at the entrance to the Palm Beach Gardens Innovation Center. The massive stainless-steel robotic hand holding a polished globe immediately caught my attention. It looked like something straight out of The Terminator. Hand of Time is a stainless-steel sculpture created in 2017 by Slovak born artist Peter Garaj (1969-2022). Before becoming a renowned sculptor, Garaj was an international downhill ski racer representing Czechoslovakia. He moved to the United States in 2001 and eventually settled in Palm Beach County, where he became known for his polished stainless steel sculptures that give the illusion of flowing even though they are made of metal. Garaj specialized in ultra-contemporary industrial sculptures that blended geometric precision with organic movement. Works such as Hand of Time explore themes of progress, momentum, innovation, and the passage of time when displayed in modern architectural spaces. His ability to transform stainless steel into forms that appear almost fluid made his work recognizable once you see them. I enjoyed learning about Garaj who was able to beautifully blend technology, motion, and imagination This sculpture is also part of Palm Beach Gardens' Art in Public Places program. Under the city's ordinance, new nonresidential developments valued at $1 million or more must dedicate 1% of their construction costs toward public art. Developers can either install artwork on-site or contribute the equivalent amount to the City's Art Impact Fund, helping enrich the cultural and artistic landscape throughout the community.