http://www.naplesnews.com/news/news/columnists/don-farmer/?partner=RSSNaples Daily News Stories: Don Farmeren-usnews/columnists/don-farmerhttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/nov/03/farmer-file-doctors-diagnosis-medicare-mess-health/?partner=RSSMedicare occupies such a huge chunk of America’s health care environment that when the program is ill, most of us feel the pain or care about someone who does. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:42:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-291101-734444news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Doctors’ diagnosis: Medicare is a mess, health insurance tooNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-doctors-diagnosis-medicare-mess-healthurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-291101-734444Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/farmer-file-hooray-halloween----no-gifts/?partner=RSSHalloween used to be a mostly homemade scary, spooky thing. Now, this holiday once dominated by mommy’s little ghosts and witches has morphed into a green holiday. Not green as in weird old Al Gore or stupid new light bulbs, but green as in Americans spending almost $6 billion a year on October 31 delights. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:34:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-289138-734422news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Hooray for Halloween -- no gifts!Naples Daily Newsfarmer-file-hooray-halloween----no-giftsurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-289138-734422Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/oct/05/farmer-file-game-baseball-one-must-learn-lose/?partner=RSSThis should be about the most exciting time of the year for baseball fans, except for those of us who are ardent fans of one of the 22 teams that didn’t advance to post-season play. As I watched my team, the Atlanta Braves, blow their chance for a wild card ticket to the playoffs, I realized that while the Braves don’t always disappoint, they’re getting better at it. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-288482-734415news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: In the game of baseball, one must learn to loseNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-game-baseball-one-must-learn-loseurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-288482-734415Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/sep/29/farmer-file-grandparents-any-other-name/?partner=RSSTalking with friends who are grandparents in the aftermath of National Grandparents Day this year, I asked them what their grandchildren call them. That produced a lot of smiles and a rush of great grand names — Gammies, Mammies, Maamaws and PaaPaws and dozens more. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:24:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-287864-734409news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Grandparents by any other nameNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-grandparents-any-other-nameurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-287864-734409Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/sep/22/farmer-file-marco-residents-collier-commissioner-h/?partner=RSSSometimes an interesting idea bursts into the public awareness, only to flame out in the face of indifference or daunting obstacles. Here’s one that may survive because of the fervor for it — the desire to have a very large American flag permanently flying over the newly double-sized Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge that connects Marco Island to mainland Collier County. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:16:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-287336-734402news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Marco residents, Collier commissioner hoists up a great ideaNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-marco-residents-collier-commissioner-hurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-287336-734402Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/sep/14/farmer-file-does-movie-rating-system-get-f/?partner=RSSMost moviegoers know Hollywood is always pushing, testing, trying to get more naughty words, anatomical bits and other titillations into their films. Now they’re getting bolder, pushing the limits set up by their own industry. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:42:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-286662-734394news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Does the movie rating system get an ‘F’?Naples Daily Newsfarmer-file-does-movie-rating-system-get-furn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-286662-734394Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/sep/08/farmer-file-911-and-homeland-security-just-never-f/?partner=RSSIt was jarring to see the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in news briefings involving Hurricane Irene. It was appropriate, yet unsettling because some of us find it hard to separate that agency from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 or to ascribe a proper role for it in any other national calamity. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:09:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-286058-734388news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: 9/11 and Homeland Security: ‘Just never forget’Naples Daily Newsfarmer-file-911-and-homeland-security-just-never-furn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-286058-734388Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/sep/01/farmer-file-im-becoming-tongue-tied-grandparent/?partner=RSSAs we approach Grandparents Day on Sept. 11, I’m increasingly aware of the influence we can have on our grandchildren. What happened years ago, when our grandson was about 6, makes the point. It had to do with his mom’s desire to protect him from loose talk, especially the sort us geezers commit. “Dondaddy said the ‘S’ word, Mom!” don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:18:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-285511-734381news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: I’m becoming a tongue-tied grandparentNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-im-becoming-tongue-tied-grandparenturn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-285511-734381Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/aug/25/farmer-file-its-time-oust-er-i-mean-reduce-number/?partner=RSSI know budget cutting is on the agenda at Marco Island’s City Hall, as the city manager and the seven council members keep looking for ways to reduce city spending. One modest proposal I’ve heard kicked around in some circles is to reduce the number of City Council members from seven to five. Naples could do the same. I can’t think of any downside to the move in either place. And it would save a bit of money. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-284870-734375news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: It’s time to oust, er, I mean, reduce number of council membersNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-its-time-oust-er-i-mean-reduce-numberurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-284870-734374Change734375Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/aug/18/farmer-file-law-student-real-seniority/?partner=RSSWe used to call our neighbor John Arceri by his first name. Now we call him 2-L John. That’s because John, 69, of Marco Island, has passed the exams at Ave Maria School of Law, which makes him a second year law student. Yep, Grandpa is on his way to the worlds of Perry Mason, Clarence Darrow, Gloria Allred and, well, you get the idea. Besides, 2-L John might not choose to emulate any of the above. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-284340-734367news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: A law student with real ‘seniority’Naples Daily Newsfarmer-file-law-student-real-seniorityurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-284340-734367Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/aug/02/farmer-file-little-pillows-big-results--risk-child/?partner=RSSBetty Shepard has transformed a fun play time for her great grandchildren into a “cottage” industry with an impact on hundreds of children here. “I bought a few little yellow pillows, about five inches square, from a White Elephant shop,” Shepard explains. “When I saw how much fun and creative playing my great grandchildren had with them, I realized I could make these for other children. Their little hands can catch a soft pillow but not a ball, and they can learn colors, fabrics and how to count.” don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:56:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-283069-734351news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Little pillows: Big results for at-risk childrenNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-little-pillows-big-results--risk-childurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-283069-734351Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jul/28/farmer-file-remembering-mentor-world-tv-news/?partner=RSSA good friend and mentor died this week, Elmer W. Lower, a giant in the world of TV network news in the last half of the past century. You may never have heard of him because he wasn’t an on-camera reporter or anchor. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-282580-734346news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Remembering a mentor in the world of TV newsNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-remembering-mentor-world-tv-newsurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-282580-734346Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jul/20/farmer-file-naples-marco-connection-business-and-p/?partner=RSSTracking the “traffic” between Marco Island and Naples is getting interesting. Not vehicular traffic; rather it’s a pattern of cross-pollination of events, projects and people. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:44:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-281885-734338news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: The Naples-Marco connection for business and pleasureNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-naples-marco-connection-business-and-purn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-281885-734338Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jul/14/farmer-file-soap-loot-life-saver/?partner=RSSI have read that the favorite thing rich people steal from luxury hotels is soap. Why? Some folks just have larceny in their DNA. Some see hotel soap as virtually a no-risk theft. Would any upscale hotel stop a departing guest and ask to check his luggage for possible toiletries hidden in the soles of Gucci loafers or wrapped in a Victoria Secret? don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-281422-734332news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Soap: From loot to life saverNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-soap-loot-life-saverurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-281422-734332Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jul/07/farmer-file-hackers-high-noon-your-hard-drive/?partner=RSSYou know that in the world of cyberspace, hacking is a big deal, a major problem when America’s National Security Agency runs a website called CryptoKids. It’s a cartoon-centric effort to make “good” hacking cool, according to wire service reports. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:18:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-280844-734325news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Hackers: High noon in your hard driveNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-hackers-high-noon-your-hard-driveurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-280844-734325Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jul/05/farmer-file-very-special-effort-independence/?partner=RSSA first-time, modest effort is aimed at giving blind and visually impaired people here some good fun and a potentially great form of independence during this Independence Day period. The “independence” analogy may be a stretch but the project is heartfelt and could lead to something special. It is a plan to create a tennis program for sight-challenged youngsters. The initial session is set for Wednesday, July 6, at Cambier Park in Naples, thanks to Lighthouse of Collier’s summer camp and to Kevin Walker, tennis pro at the Arthur Allen Tennis Center. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:48:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-280632-734323news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: A very special effort at ‘independence’Naples Daily Newsfarmer-file-very-special-effort-independenceurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-280632-734323Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jun/30/farmer-file-its-going-be-bright-bright-icloudy-day/?partner=RSSHaving one’s head “in the clouds” means the person has unrealistic, impractical ideas. Steve Jobs never saw it that way and now he’s bringing “iCloud” to the vaunted Apple family of high-tech wonders. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-280246-734318news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: It’s going to be a bright, bright ‘iCloudy’ dayNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-its-going-be-bright-bright-icloudy-dayurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-280246-734318Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jun/16/farmer-file-woman-helps-heart-patients-while-fight/?partner=RSSThis is a story about a Naples lady who works her heart out to help heart surgery patients even as she endures her own life-threatening bout with stomach cancer. She is Hea Lange, who volunteers her time and efforts to the Heart Pillow Ministry at Naples First Church of the Nazarene. She and other women and men sew the little red pillows issued to heart surgery patients at NCH Healthcare System hospitals and other medical facilities here. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:06:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-279109-734304news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Woman helps heart patients while fighting her own medical battleNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-woman-helps-heart-patients-while-fighturn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-279109-734304Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jun/09/farmer-file-hail-fellow-and-female-heart-patients/?partner=RSSAmong some seniors we know in Naples and Marco Island, an informal, unofficial rule of etiquette has been around for a while. It’s the eight-minute rule for all social occasions, from after-church chat to dress-up galas, meaning shoes and long pants. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:50:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-278467-734297news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Hail fellow (and female) heart patientsNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-hail-fellow-and-female-heart-patientsurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-278467-734297Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/jun/02/farmer-file-pre-op-prep-calmed-my-pre-heart-surger/?partner=RSSOne vivid memory of my recent open heart surgery at a NCH Healthcare System hospital was the briefing my wife and I got from Tricia Sutton before the operation. A registered nurse and manager of RNs at NCH’s 6-North, Sutton managed to explain details of the daunting procedure, grisly, gross and lifesaving. But she did it so well I was able to stifle the urge to run screaming from the auditorium at the Schick Heart Center. don@donfarmer.com (DON FARMER)Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:04:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-277763-734290news/columnists/don-farmerDON FARMERNaples, FLThe Farmer File: Pre-op prep calmed my pre-heart surgery nervesNaples Daily Newsfarmer-file-pre-op-prep-calmed-my-pre-heart-surgerurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-277763-734290Change0Usable