Archive for April, 2008

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BYU Recruit–I’m Lucky to be Alive

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

From The Signal.com (CA):

Canyon High student/athlete Stephen Wirthlin said he’s lucky to be alive after a car accident on Saturday morning in Gorman.

The 17-year-old was on a Boy Scouts retreat when the car he was a passenger in landed awkwardly on a dip, then flipped a couple of times, taking out a fence and a couple of trees.

Withlin suffered a broken neck.

“I’m going to be fine, no worries,” he said.

The three-sport athlete - football, soccer and track and field - intended on continuing his athletic career at Brigham Young University next year, where he planned on playing football.

He was told by doctors that he is to not have any physical contact for two years.

Wirthlin said he will grey-shirt a year then go on his Mormon mission, which will give him three years away from athletic competition.

He will then evaluate his athletic future.

More importantly, though, Wirthlin said he is just grateful that something worse didn’t happen.

He was in the backseat of the car wearing a lapbelt when the accident occurred. (cont.)

Entire article here

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Archuleta continues to wow judges–Brooke White Voted Off

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

From The Daily Herald (Provo):

As the competition tightens in this season of FOX’s “American Idol,” the show’s judges are running out of things to say about Murray teenager David Archuleta.

Having wowed the judges from the early going, Archuleta drew the standard chorus of “good performance,” “beautiful voice” and “smart choice of song” from judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. Many media observers and bloggers predict he will be in the show’s final round.During weekly results shows, contestants are eliminated by popular vote among the show’s viewers. Though the vote totals are not announced, Archuleta has never been among the bottom three vote-getters. Wednesday, Archuleta was the second contestant to be declared safe from elimination. Brook White, a 24-year-old nanny originally from Mesa, Ariz., was eliminated Wednesday. There are now four contestants left, including Archuleta.

This week, “American Idol” contestants were asked to sing two of Neil Diamond’s songs. Archuleta chose to sing “Sweet Caroline” and “America.” Diamond was on hand to coach the contestants and offer comments about them.

“He’s kind of a prodigy,” Diamond said of Archuleta on Tuesday’s show, “and with a little guidance and a couple of suggestions, which I hope he takes to heart, I think he’ll do great on the night of his performance.”  (cont.)

Entire article here

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A day in the life of two missionaries

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

From MPNNow.com(NY):

Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints, Elder Jason Osborn and Elder Cody Leder talk to Sierra Cason who lives on Rossmore Street in Gates.

Gates, N.Y. - Dressed in white short-sleeve, button-down shirts, neckties and slacks, the two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Leder and Elder Osborn, approach a house on Rossmore Street in Gates where the owner is working on his porch.

Leder introduces himself and begins to explain his mission, but before he can finish, the homeowner interrupts.

“Not interested,” he says.

“Is there anything we can do for you?” Leder asks.

“You can go,” he gruffly replies before quickly disappearing into his house.
Splotches of red appear on Leder’s already pink cheeks. Heads down, they turn and leave.

Elder Jason Osborn, 23, is from Cut Bank, Mont., and Elder Cody Leder, 21, is from Woodburn, Ore. They’ve dedicated two years of their lives to being missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often known as the Mormon Church. Missionaries adopt the title “Elder” during their time serving the church. Currently the two men are canvassing the Gates and Chili area.

At the next house they stop at on Rossmore Street, the men receive a warmer response from Sierra Cason, a teenager who is watching her younger siblings play outside. She is polite, she listens to what they have to say without interrupting, and accepts a card from them with information on how to learn more about their religious beliefs.

Cason says she listened to the two missionaries because she didn’t want to be rude. She realizes not everyone is as patient.

“Some may not be interested, some may take the time to listen,” she says. “A lot of people don’t want to be bothered or care for it.”

Leder estimates the response is split 50/50 in terms of positive and negative receptions when they go door to door looking for people to teach.

As they head down Rossmore Street, a man in a white Veterans Outreach van beeps the horn and waves to them. They recognize him as Dave, a man they met last week while they were out walking. Dave was barbecuing and invited them to join. Although he isn’t a Mormon, he told the missionaries he is a man of faith.

“He invited us to come back anytime,” says Leder. (cont.)

Entire article here

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Donny and Marie: They’ll perform in a variety show on the Vegas strip

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

LAS VEGAS - Donny and Marie Osmond will perform at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

A hotel official said Friday that the brother-sister duo, who starred in the ”Donny & Marie” variety show in 1976, will play Tuesday-Saturday shows for 26 weeks spread over eight months at the Flamingo Showroom.

The 90-minute show, beginning Sept. 9, will be presented by Danny Gans and Chip Lightman of GansLight Entertainment. It is being billed as a greatest-hits multimedia spectacle on a custom stage with multiple video screens and a cast of dancers.

”My version of a variety show has been what Vegas has known thus far,” said Gans, an impressionist and comedian who has long played in Las Vegas. ”What we have now is a true variety show which conveys the real essence of America and the country’s love of homegrown talent.”

Tickets, $85, $99 and $115, go on sale Monday for the engagement, which marks a return to Las Vegas for Donny and Marie. Their musical family, The Osmonds, shared the marquee at the former International hotel with Elvis Presley in the 1970s. The International is now the Las Vegas Hilton.

”Donny and Marie are timeless entertainers and cultural icons,” said Don Marrandino, president of Flamingo Las Vegas. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. (cont.)

Entire article here

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‘American Idol’: Once shy, Utah’s David Archuleta bitten by limelight

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

Not everyone knew David Archuleta could sing. Not like America knows now.
On a parched June day in 2006 before the 17-year-old “American Idol” phenom became a household name, David and dozens of other teens were on their way home from an LDS Church youth conference in Martin’s Cove, Wyo., when friends started pestering him to sing.
“He was being bashful. He said, ‘No, I haven’t warmed up,’ ” youth leader Julie Lundberg remembered. “They were giving him all kinds of crap. I said, ‘They’re not going to leave you alone until you sing.’ ”
David finally relented, grabbing a microphone from the bus driver, and his airy voice resounded through the static-filled intercom system.  He sang Robbie Williams’ hit song, “Angels,” the same inspirational ballad he would later perform on “Idol.”
“It was cool. It was dead silence on the bus,” Lundberg said. “It’s like they all went, ‘Wow!’ ”
Two years later, David Archuleta is inching toward stardom. Since first stepping on the “American Idol” stage two months ago and stunning 25 million TV viewers with his interpretation of the 1961 Miracles’ hit, “Shop Around,” David has come to be viewed as the “Idol” contestant to beat.  (cont.)

Entire article here

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Kent, of course, sets the tone for Dodgers

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

From The LA Times:

At the risk of destroying the guy’s image, Jeff Kent is human.

He would prefer you to think of him as a monster, unapproachable, or just not think about him at all.

But he’s such a phony. He hits a home run in the first inning of the first game of the season for the Dodgers, the fifth time in his career he has hit a home run on opening day, and he’s met at home plate by Matt Kemp.

A year ago they might’ve come to blows, the cocky youngster and snarling old man standing in the same ZIP Code, but for a while there Monday afternoon it appeared as if they were dating, hugging each other like they really cared for each other.

“I learned from last year; you got me,” said Kemp, recalling a moment at the end of last season when he didn’t make a move from the on-deck circle to congratulate a teammate on hitting a home run. “I’m going to make sure I’m standing at home plate every time this year.”

The love fest over, Kent began to jog back to the dugout, raising a clenched fist with almost a hint of emotion to the fans sitting behind the plate — his mother, his father, his wife and four children. The old softy.

“I didn’t raise my arm very high,” he said, the marshmallow still trying to be crusty.

When we last heard from Kent & Co., they were sparring, the young players immature in their performance and preparation, and Kent, the meanie and curmudgeon, calling them out.

The Dodgers changed managers, the Giants came to town and everybody loves everybody, the Dodgers now maybe going undefeated this season.

SOME THINGS have changed, but not Kent. He offered no regrets about last season, maintaining as he always has that the game should be played a certain way.

In fact, Monday was quintessential Jeff Kent. He missed most of spring training because of a hamstring injury but pushed himself the last three days to prepare and show Joe Torre he belonged in the lineup rather than on the disabled list.

And with everyone talking about the arrival of Torre and all the young players, the oldest Dodger of them all stepped to the plate and made sure he only had to jog around the bases to get the job done.

“That’s why I wanted to play,” said Kent, who leads all active players with 18 RBIs on opening day. “This is what I do. It’s time to start the season, and I want to help my team win. I don’t want to hinder them in any way, so I wanted to make sure I was ready to go.”

It says so much about Kent and his businesslike approach to the game, that with the fanfare and distraction that opening day offers, he does his best work.

“I don’t get overwhelmed with everything that’s going on,” he said, the pro going about his work in a professional way, and now hoping it might rub off on others.

“I hope these young players know that I want them to succeed,” said Kent, who was two for three before being ordered by Torre to take the rest of the day off. “I know I’m a little rough around the edges . . . ”

Yeah, rough around the edges like a cactus, his reputation of being a jerk pretty well accepted as fact around the league, a job Kent considers well done, which really is a contradiction.  (cont.)

Entire article here

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Sobering Statistics

Monday, April 28th, 2008

From FoodinCrisis.com:

Jim Goodman, in a recent article in OpEd.com titled “Food Shortage Looming if Crop Focus Isn’t Altered”,  wrote the following:

An abundance of food is something we take for granted, but we have money. Collectively as a nation, food has always been there, and we could buy whatever we wanted. What if that changed? What if food became really scarce and really expensive? Could it happen? It has already started.

* Total world stocks of all grains are close to their lowest level in 30 years.
* USDA predicts wheat surpluses to be the smallest in 60 years.
* A virulent strain of wheat rust that can reduce yields to zero is spreading worldwide.
* Wheat prices have risen well over 50 percent from a year ago.
* The FAO cites 37 countries as facing a food crisis due to rising prices.

Executive director of the World Food Programme Josette Sheeran, in disucssing her agency’s ability to deal with the current food crisis, recently added the following:

Soaring food prices — up 55 per cent from June 2007 to February 2008, including an 87 per cent hike for rice in March — and dwindling global food stocks due to more world food consumption than production were seriously threatening the WFP’s ability to keep millions from starvation.

While the WPP’s focus is, understandably, on countries less affulent than the U.S., we should be careful to not be too smug about our current abundance–we are not immune to the vicissitudes of the global market.  This video from therealnews.com shows what is already starting to happen in the most prosperous country in the world.  (cont.)

Entire article here

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Taiwan artist will set brushes aside for mission

Sunday, April 27th, 2008

From The Deseret News:

Illustration by Esther Tsai

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Shortly after Esther Tsai graduates from Taiwan University of Art this June she will leave home, family and her art behind.

Perhaps her journey will be to a far-off land or it might be to some region of her native island. The reason for her journey: Esther will put on hold her promising career in art in order to serve an 18-month mission for the Church.

“I’ve dreamed of many places, but I’ll go where the Lord wants me to go,” said the 22-year-old artist as she awaits her mission call.

Members of the Church in many parts of the world were introduced to Sister Tsai’s tender artistic touch in April. Her portrait of a loving Asian mother and child appeared on page 43 of the April issue of the Ensign and on the cover of the April issue of the Church’s internationally distributed magazine, Liahona.

Esther comes by her talent and her love of art naturally. Her mother, Rachel Tsai, is also an accomplished artist and art teacher. The mother’s painting of a young woman reading scripture also can be found in the April Ensign, on page 40.

“My mother is my greatest inspiration,” Esther said. “She not only introduced me to art, but she set the gospel example for me.” (cont.)

Entire article here

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Thousands learn preparedness in LDS Sponsored Event

Sunday, April 27th, 2008

From NWANews.com (AR):

BENTONVILLE - What started as an idea to better prepare congregation members for an emergency grew to an event that has served thousands of community members.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bentonville hosted its second annual Emergency Preparedness Fair Saturday on the church grounds. This year’s fair was twice as big as the first year, with about 75 sponsors and 50 booths, said cocoordinator Travis Larson.

The idea for the first fair came nearly two years ago when the area was hit hard with ice storms. The area Churches of Jesus Christ wanted to help their congregation members be more prepared in case such a disaster happens again. As they did research, they found that the Department of Emergency Management wanted to get a similar message out and that Wal-Mart was teaching a similar message to its associates. So they all joined forces to create the first fair.

After the first fair organizers realized there were so many aspects of emergency preparedness that they wanted to better address this year and plans for this year’s fair took off.

“It’s a one-stop shop for emergency preparedness,” Larson said.

The first 1, 000 people or so to arrive at the fair received a 72-hour kits, which includes items that a person would need in the first 72 hours after a disaster, especially if there was no power. The booths included everything from how to make the kits to how to care for one’s pet in an emergency. There was also a booth to share information about how to handle emotional issues in a crisis and after the crisis immediately passes.  (cont.)

Entire article here

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Celebrations, sadness at LDS Church College reunion

Sunday, April 27th, 2008

From The Waikato Times (NZ):

FULL HOUSE: A variety show on Saturday night was the highlight of Church College’s 50th reunion over the weekend, which attracted more than 3000 former students.

Reunion committee chairman Richard Ball said the three-day reunion, held at the college on the outskirts of Hamilton, was an “absolutely amazing experience”.

“We have laughed, cried and laughed some more,” he said. “We’ve heard stories after stories. The shows have been mind-blowing with all the talent from overseas and round the country.”

There was a formal ball and variety show and a massive fireworks display before midnight on Saturday as well as sports games and market stalls.

The only Mormon college in New Zealand, Church College was founded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and built by volunteers from the US and New Zealand in the 1950s and ’60s.

It has schooled generations of families and during the weekend more than 3000 of those people, some from as far away as London, Afghanistan, Hawaii and Utah were at the celebrations.

“It was just incredible,” Mr Ball said.

He admitted the reunion was tinged with sadness due to next year’s closure of the school but said it made for a very special, final reunion. “It is with a sense of positiveness that we as a whole look forward to the next chapter.”

Deputy principal Ken Williams described the weekend as “absolutely marvellous”.

While the college had held reunions every five years, Mr Williams said there was extra significance to this one the 50th and the last before the school closes.  (cont.)

Entire article here

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LDS Church Announces Construction Of Two New Temples in Arizona

Sunday, April 27th, 2008

From KUTV.com:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has announced that it will construct two new temples in Arizona.

One of the temples will be in the Gila Valley, which lies northeast of Tuscon.

The other temple will be located in Gilbert, which lies in the Phoenix, Metro Area, south of Mesa.

The two additional temples will bring the total number of LDS temples that are in operation, in planning or being constructed, to 134.  (cont.)

Entire article here

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Kelly Poppinga signs with Dolphins

Sunday, April 27th, 2008

From KSL.com:

During the 2008 NFL Draft, linebacker Kelly Poppinga kept hearing the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins were most interested in his services. While neither team drafted him, both teams had standing free-agent offers on the table by early Sunday evening.

“It was a tough decision,” Poppinga said. “They both had identical offers and I was really leaning towards Seattle, but at the last second, and I mean literally at the last second, I decided to sign with Miami. If was a really tough decision and I really liked Seattle. Ultimately, I think Miami is the better fit.”

Poppinga will find out exact travel details later, but he knows he’ll be heading to Miami at the end of the week to get ready for the Dolphins’ mini camp.

“I’m really happy to be going to Miami,” he said. “It’s time to start playing football again.”

In Miami, Poppinga will meet up with former teammate John Beck and another BYU alum, John Denney. Beck is entering his second season with the Dolphins and will be challenging for the starting quarterback job during the offseason. Denney, a special teams performer, is entering his fourth season for the Dolphins.

“I think the Dolphins are lucky to get someone like Kelly,” Beck said. “I know they will be very happy with his character, work ethic, and the fact that he comes from a winning tradition at BYU.”

Poppinga started all 13 games as a senior at BYU, leading the Cougars with a career-best 113 tackles on the season. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound native of Evanston, Wyo., turned in 46 solo tackles and was credited with 7.5 tackles for a combined loss of 18 yards. He also had one interception, five pass break-ups and thee hurries. He was also selected as a second-team All-Mountain West Conference performer and was a two-time Academic All-MWC selection.

Poppinga’s brother, Brady, is preparing for his fourth season as an outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.

KELLY POPPINGA 6-2, 240 Evanston, WY / Utah State

At BYU SENIOR - (2007): Earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors … earned All-Mountain West Conference second-team honors … led the Cougars with 113 tackles … averaged 8.7 tackles per game … totaled 46 solo tackles and 67 assisted takedowns … posted a team, season-high 17 tackles in the COugars’ 27-22 victory over TCU … credited with an interception, including a 22-yard return on the season … had five pass break-ups and three quarterback hurries.

JUNIOR - (2006): Earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors … played in all 13 games for the Cougars … credited with 36 tackles, including 15 solo and 21 assisted takedowns … had 3.5 tackles for a combined loss of 12 yards … had two sacks for nine yards … credited with two interceptions … a significant contributor on a defensive unit that gave up only 14.7 points per game, ranking 10th nationally … part of a defense that ranked fourth nationally in turnover margin with +14 turnover margin (+1.08 pg).

REDSHIRT - (2005): Redshirted the 2005 season after transferring from Utah State.

Before BYU Was a first-team all-state selection as a senior after earning second-team all-state honors as a junior … helped team to the state championship as a sophomore … played both linebacker and tight end … also played basketball and competed in track … was an all-state selection in both of those sports as well, winning the state championship in the discus his senior year (162-10).

Personal Born in Evanston, Wyo. … son of Dennis and Vicki Poppinga … has three sisters and two brothers … brother, Casey, was a starting tight end for Utah State who enjoyed a career in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and 2004 NFC Champions Philadelphia Eagles … brother, Brady, was an All-MWC performer at BYU and currently plays for the Green Bay Packers … served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Guayaquil, Ecuador … wife’s name is Rebekah.  (cont.)

Entire article here

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LDS Yuma, AZ Stake celebrates milestone

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

From The Yuma Sun:

Colleen Whitmer walks through the church gym at the Yuma Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4300 W. 16th St., where most of today’s 50th anniversary celebration will take place.

There is curiosity, questions and misunderstandings when it comes to the Mormon church, said Colleen Whitmer, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

“There has been a lot in the press with Mitt Romney running for president and this mess in Texas, and sometimes people’s opinions can get colored,” she said.

Today, LDS church members invite the Yuma community to come to the Yuma Stake’s 50th anniversary celebration and find out for themselves exactly who they are and what is important to them.

“I think the biggest benefit to be gained (by the community) would be just that understanding of who we are and what we believe. And that we are just regular people trying to do the best we can - trying to make Yuma a better place to live for everybody,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer and members of the church will be celebrating the stake’s anniversary today starting at 3 p.m. at the LDS Yuma Stake Center, 4300 W. 16th St. Entertainment will include booth activities, food, musical performances, handicraft and quilt displays, historical displays, dinner and a dance.

Craig Colvin, high counselor at the church and committee chairman of the event, said the anniversary celebrates the organization of the Yuma stake, which is the church. Taken from the Old Testament, “the term stake comes from the prophet Isaiah, who prophesied that the Latter-day Church would be like a tent, held secure by stakes … Each stake is presided over by a stake president, assisted by two counselors,” explained Colvin. (cont.)

Entire article here

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‘American Idol’: Utah’s singing sensation David Archuleta

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

Not everyone knew David Archuleta could sing. Not like America knows now.

On a parched June day in 2006 before the 17-year-old “American Idol” phenom became a household name, David and dozens of other teens were on their way home from an LDS Church youth conference in Martin’s Cove, Wyo., when friends started pestering him to sing.

“He was being bashful. He said, ‘No, I haven’t warmed up,’ ” youth leader Julie Lundberg remembered. “They were giving him all kinds of crap. I said, ‘They’re not going to leave you alone until you sing.’ ”

David finally relented, grabbing a microphone from the bus driver, and his airy voice resounded through the static-filled intercom system. He sang Robbie Williams’ hit song, “Angels,” the same inspirational ballad he would later perform on “Idol.”

“It was cool. It was dead silence on the bus,” Lundberg said. “It’s like they all went, ‘Wow!’ ”

Two years later, David Archuleta is inching toward stardom. Since first stepping on the “American Idol” stage two months ago and stunning 25 million TV viewers with his interpretation of the 1961 Miracles’ hit, “Shop Around,” David has come to be viewed as the “Idol” contestant to beat. (cont.)

Entire article here

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