INSIDE WEEK OF DECEMBER 23-29, 2010 www.FloridaWeekly.com Vol. I, No. 11 • FREE Psyched out “Freud’s Last Session,” a debate BITING on sex and God, opens at Palm INTO Beach Dramaworks. B1 w MEDICARE’S COURTESY PHOTO The city’s costs to clean up after Frances and Jeanne were submitted to FEMA for reimbursement. The agency completed payment this month. FEMA the DONUT Goliath is Gardens Society HOLE See who’s out and about in Palm no match for Beach County. B12-14 w Gracie BY FLORIDA WEEKLY STAFF First there was Hurricane Frances, -------- turning the lush landscaping in the gated communities of Palm Beach Gardens into tons of drying debris. Later during that month of Sep- tember 2004, Hurricane Jeanne swept through the city. It cost $2.9 ---------------- million for the city to clean up from both storms. A total of 206,758 cubic yards of construction and vegeta- tive debris was Big fish rolling removed from “I’ve“I’ve seenseen casescaas A couple of tomes about tarpon public rights-of- BY BILL CORNWELL are out, and make great gifts way. wherehl people hit the bcornwell@flbcornwell@floridaweekly oridaweekly.com c for anglers. B3 w Then came donut hole and think: Hurricane Gra- ALTER LIVES IN FLORIDA AND IS cie. ‘Well, I’m not going a testament to the powers of Grace Wong, good medical care. He is near- to eat so I can afford that is. The city’s ing 80 but looks to be a good risk management my medications WONG W 15 years younger. He works 20 coordinator. hours a week and is a ready and or I’m going to eat Even as city willing volunteer for worthy crews were responding to the emer- and be without my causes. His weight is good; he does not smoke gencies, clearing streets and restor- and rarely drinks alcohol. medications. Literally, ing services, Ms. Wong began keep- Still, Walter has had his health problems — ing meticulous records. some make the including heart ailments — but he takes good City Manager Ron Ferris says Ms. care of himself and generally follows his doctors’ choice between food Wong worked seven days a week for orders. Walter’s health regime includes an array more than three months. She moni- and medication.” of prescription medications. He can afford these tored and tracked all load tickets, medications because he is enrolled in Medicare’s — Pam Fico, SHINE (Serving invoices and debris quantities. Part D prescription drug program, which also Health Insurance Needs of El- The Mashup She began filing paperwork with ders), a division of the Florida Here’s what you need to know SEE FEMA, A14 w SEE DONUT HOLE, A8 w Department of Elder Affairs to serve the right music with the right food. B8 w POSTAL CUSTOMER PRSRT STD C.B. HANIF A2 BUSINESS A15 EVENTS B6-7 U.S. POSTAGE OPINION A4 NETWORKING A17-20 FILM REVIEW B11 PAID FORT MYERS, FL PETS A10 REAL ESTATE A21 SOCIETY B12-14 PERMIT NO. 715 MUSINGS A11 ARTS B1 CUISINE B15 DATED MATERIAL - REQUESTED IN-HOME DELIVERY DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2010 A2 NEWS WEEK OF DECEMBER 23-29, 2010 www.FloridaWeekly.com FLORIDA WEEKLY COMMENTARY We need no labels to reflect on traditions, values at Christmas should be no compulsion in matters of Dominican Sister. “Rather the religious signif- Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon which the king n religion. icance takes precedent. Even so, in homes and said he would never give up the Muslims to I’m finding that more and more people, shops there are modest displays for this holi- their persecutors. c.b.HANIF some more actively than others, are trying to day. Even some Muslim shopkeepers display There’s been way too much suffering [email protected] learn what other folks are spiritually about — Christmas lights and images of Baba Noel, as among religious folk since. Witness “An or not — and honor that. Arabic speakers call our Santa Claus. Special Advent Evening of Commemoration and Given the occasion, I keep thinking back foods such as kibbi and pasha become usual Reflection” for the four U.S. churchwomen Amid all the joys of Christmas, most folks to what I wrote a few years ago in a column fare for the holidays. There is some gift giving martyred in El Salvador on Dec. 2, 1980. find time for reflection, if only for a moment, titled, “This Muslim Honors Christmas.” but again, very simple. The Christian commu- The Dec. 14 advent program, hosted by seeking meaning in the holiday season. So, “I hardly claim to speak for all Muslims, nity gathers for plays and pageants as well as Pax Christi Palm Beach at St. Ann Church dare I wade into the social and political who are as diverse as humanity. But count prayerful observance of the holy season.” in West Palm Beach, remembered Sisters swamp of (yikes!) “meaning” in this winter me among those for whom this day highlights “Even so,” she said, “since the U.S.-led Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel and holiday season? the spirit of love and humility that Jesus invasion of Iraq and the rise of counter insur- lay missioner Jean Donovan. You betcha. Because despite rampant com- taught and lived, and of whom God says in gency, holy seasons such as Christmas bring They had accepted dire risk in choosing to mercialism, Christmas is a spiritual commem- the Quran (57:27): ‘We gave Jesus the Gos- their own fear upon this minority community remain and serve as a shield for El Salvador’s oration of the miracle birth of Christ Jesus, pel and put compassion and mercy into the as certain groups, claiming they are doing persecuted poor. What else would his sincere peace be upon him, and of that great teacher’s hearts of his followers.’ ” God’s will, bring terror and death by target- followers do, than what Jesus would do? way of bringing the light into the world. I mentioned that for decades it has been ing Christian churches and gatherings. Hearing their stories, my sense is the sis- Of course, a lot of folks these days are my practice to bestow ribbon-bedecked bot- “This needs to be understood in balance ters would have appreciated a moment of lev- scared of spiritual. That’s largely due to the tles of Martinelli apple cider upon friends, with the continued experiences of terror for ity from several Sundays ago, courtesy of the tumult throughout history and throughout a token of both the season’s joy and sober the ordinary Iraqi citizen regardless of reli- Rev. Carol Yorke of the First Unitarian Uni- the world in the name of spiritual. reflection. gious identity.” versalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches. Yet the horrors that have been done in I cited, though not by name, my dear now Methinks Muslims and others should be “So, you do know what would have hap- Jesus’ name — and those of many other great departed friend Stebbins Jefferson’s query: “I more aware of an episode in the early history pened if it had been three wise women lights throughout the ages — hardly are rep- thought you didn’t celebrate Christmas.” of the Muslim community. instead of men, don’t you? They would have resentative of them. It’s worth noting that I don’t, was my reply, but I honor it because Severely persecuted in Mecca, some left asked for directions. Arrived on time. Helped the Bible-totin’, cross-burning Ku Klux Klan she — and so many others whom God has to Ethiopia, whose Christian Negus sheltered deliver the baby. Cleaned the stable. Made and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. both made the repositories of so much grace and them. The Meccans pursued, seeking their a casserole. And brought disposable diapers claimed guidance from the same holy book. good in America and the world — do. forced return. The Muslims appealed to the as gifts. One result today is that people increas- A lot has changed since then, of course — king that they once had been steeped in Rev. Yorke went on to remind that, “Hor- ingly aren’t inclined to consider themselves and little has. ignorance, worshiping idols and committing ror and tragedy do not mean the end of mean- aligned with any particular religious label. Roberta Popara, associate director of Our abominations, but had turned to worship ing, unless we choose to view it that way.” More and more, it seems, people are spiritual Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North only the creator. They recited the opening Instead, she said, “We can choose grati- independents, so to speak. Not affiliated with Palm Beach, said that being in Iraq for Christ- verses of the Quran’s chapter 19, named for tude.” any particular… er, party. mas in 2003 “gave me an opportunity to see Jesus’ mother Mary, at which the ruler wept. There’s room to remember that meaning And that’s fine. It’s way past time for quib- how a Christian minority and another culture The Meccans then claimed that Muslims of this day and season. bling over how good people conceptualize celebrate one of the most important feast disrespect Jesus, to which the reply came Christmas, as someone once said, is what their spirituality. days second only to Easter.” that the prophet taught that Jesus was a crea- you make of a reflection of your values, In fact, we’d all be better off if the world Most countries don’t observe the cultur- ture of God and his prophet, as well as his desires, affections and traditions.