With a holiday display of wattage that lights up the sky around Kapolei, the Akee family is well known for its Christmas cheer. And we do mean “cheer.” As in, Heineken tree, anyone?

Q. What are you reading? A. Right now I’m really into “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” by David Sedaris. I read every Sedaris book. I find certain authors I like and read everything they write. He makes you realize how normal your life was or is.

MIAMI — The Roman Catholic Church is set to hold its first beatification ceremony on Cuban soil this weekend, honoring a humble 19th-century monk who helped the sick during an 1835 cholera epidemic.

This is the biggest shopping weekend of the year, even in a difficult economy. If packed shopping centers aren’t your thing, maybe the many craft fairs of the season will attract you.