The Power of Self_Discipline--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

The Power of Self_Discipline

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

After giving a wonderful performance, a highly accomplished pianist was approached by one of his fans. “You played so well,” said the admirer. “I would give my life to play the piano as well as you.” The pianist responded, “I have, I have.” To develop such remarkable talent, this performer had literally given his life. He had disciplined himself to practice for hours each day, setting aside other desires so that he might achieve what, for him, was a higher goal. The key to all his success was self-discipline. When we hear the word discipline, we often think of punishment or a highly restrictive and perhaps even harsh environment. Some might resist or resent discipline because they feel it limits their freedom. But the kind of discipline practiced by the pianist did not take away his freedom; it gave him freedom—freedom to perform and bring great joy to his audiences. True self-discipline is not confining; it is liberating. It grants freedom to do the things we really want to do. Self-discipline focuses our efforts and gives us the power to reach our goals. Each hour of disciplined practice, each decision to keep moving in the right direction, each step toward a well-defined goal makes us better and allows us to do more. There is nothing more restrictive than unmet potential. Through self-discipline, we discover our true potential and make it a reality. That is freedom. It seems that those who achieve the most in life, like the concert pianist, decide what they want to do and then stick to their task no matter how long or difficult the way. They have learned that self-discipline is the key that unlocks the door to our hopes and dreams. Program #4176 Musical Selection: 1. This Is My Father's World 2. How Excellent Thy Name 3. Prelude in B Major (Organ solo) 4. Holy, Holy, Holy 5. Spoken Word 6. When You Wish Upon a Star from "Pinocchio" 7. If Clarions Sound

Dozens dead as quake, tsunami hit Samoas

Dozens dead as quake, tsunami hit Samoas

By FILI SAGAPOLUTELE

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves that swept ashore on Samoa and American Samoa, flooding and flattening villages, killing dozens of people and leaving several workers missing at devastated National Park Service facilities.

Cars and people were swept out to sea by the fast-churning water as survivors fled to higher ground, where they remained huddled hours after the quake struck early Tuesday. Signs of immense devastation were everywhere, with a giant boat getting washed ashore and coming to rest on the edge of a highway and floodwaters swallowing up cars and homes.

The quake, with a magnitude between 8.0 and 8.3, struck around dawn about 20 miles below the ocean floor, 120 miles (190 kilometers) from American Samoa, a U.S. territory that is home to 65,000 people.

Hampered by power and communications outages, officials hours later struggled to get a handle on the damage and casualties. At least 39 people were killed — 20 on Samoa and 19 on American Samoa — but officials acknowledged the death toll seemed sure to rise.

"I don't think anybody is going to be spared in this disaster," said acting American Samoa Gov. Faoa A. Sunia.

Mase Akapo, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in American Samoa, reported at least 19 people killed in four different villages on the main island of Tutuila. Officials reported at least 50 injured, and possibly many more.

In neighboring Samoa, an Associated Press reporter saw the bodies of about 20 victims in a hospital at Lalomanu town on the south coast of the main island of Upolu, and said the surrounding tourist coast had been devastated. At least three villages were flattened.

Sunia declared a state of emergency in American Samoa, describing "immense and widespread damage to individual, public and commercial buildings in coastal areas" along with death and injury. Gov. Togiola Tulafono, who was in Honolulu for a conference, told reporters that more victims could be found when rescuers reach areas that are inaccessible by roads.

Tulafono says his immediate family was safe, but there was at least one death among his extended family.

Of the death toll, New Zealand's acting Prime Minister Bill English said that there has "really only been guesses, but some of these places appear to have been hit very hard, and you would expect considerable loss of life."

"I would underline the fact that this is a situation that's unfolding," English said. "We don't have information about the full impact and we do have some real concern that over the next 12 hours the picture could look worse rather than better."

America Samoa is home to a U.S. national park that appeared to be especially hard-hit. Holly Bundock, spokeswoman for the National Park Service's Pacific West Region in Oakland, Calif., said the superintendent of the park and another staffers had been able to locate only 20 percent of the park's 13 to 15 employees and 30 to 50 volunteers.

Mike Reynolds, superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa, was quoted as saying four tsunami waves 15 to 20 feet high roared ashore soon afterward, reaching up to a mile inland. Bundock said Reynolds spoke to officials from under a coconut tree uphill from Pago Pago Harbor and reported that the park's visitor center and offices appeared to have been destroyed.

Residents in both Samoa and American Samoa reported being shaken awake by the quake, which lasted two to three minutes. It was followed by at least three large aftershocks of at least 5.6 magnitude.

New Zealander Graeme Ansell said the beach village of Sau Sau Beach Fale was leveled.

"It was very quick. The whole village has been wiped out," Ansell told New Zealand's National Radio from a hill near Samoa's capital, Apia. "There's not a building standing. We've all clambered up hills, and one of our party has a broken leg. There will be people in a great lot of need 'round here."

The Samoan capital was virtually deserted with schools and businesses closed.

Local media said they had reports of landslides in the Solosolo region of the main Samoan island of Upolu and damage to plantations in the countryside outside Apia.

Rescue workers found a scene of destruction and debris with cars overturned or stuck in mud, and rockslides hit some roads. Several students were seen ransacking a gas station-convenience store.

Eni Faleomavaega, who represents American Samoa as a non-voting delegate in the U.S. House, said he had talked to people by telephone who said that Pago Pago — just a few feet above sea level — was leveled. Several hundred people had their homes destroyed, although getting more concrete information has been difficult, he said.

In Washington, President Barack Obama issued a disaster declaration, making federal funds available to victims in American Samoa.

Rear Adm. Manson Brown, Coast Guard commander for the Pacific region, said the Coast Guard is in the early stages of assessing what resources to send to American Samoa. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. John Titchen said a C-130 was being dispatched Wednesday to deliver aid, asssess damage and take the governor back home. A New Zealand air force P3 Orion maritime search airplane also was being sent.

One of the runways at Pago Pago International Airport was being cleared of widespread debris for emergency use, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said in Los Angeles.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was deploying teams to American Samoa to provide support and assess damage.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of American Samoa and all those in the region who have been affected by these natural disasters," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.

The dominant industry in American Samoa — tuna canneries — was also affected. Chicken of the Sea's tuna packing plant in American Samoa was forced to close although the facility wasn't damaged, the San Diego-based company said.

The ramifications of the tsunami could be felt thousands of miles away, with federal officials saying strong currents and dangerous waves were forecast from California to Washington state. No major flooding was expected, however.

In Los Angeles, lifeguards said they will clear beaches around 8 p.m. in response to a tsunami advisory for possible dangerous currents.

Japan's Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami warning all along that country's eastern coast.

While the earthquake and tsunami were big, they were not on the same scale of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami that killed more than 150,000 across Asia the day after Christmas in 2004, said tsunami expert Brian Atwater of the U.S. Geological Survey in Seattle.

The 2004 earthquake was at least 10 times stronger than the 8.0 to 8.3 measurements being reported for Tuesday's quake, Atwater said. It's also a different style of earthquake than the one that hit in 2004.

The tsunami hit American Samoa about 25 minutes after the quake, which is similar to the travel time in 2004, Atwater said. The big difference is there were more people in Indonesia at risk than in Samoa.

Associated Press writer Keni Lesa in Apia, Samoa, Ray Lilley in Wellington, New Zealand, Jaymes Song and Herbert A. Sample in Honolulu and Seth Borenstein and Michele Salcedo in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Who Are You?--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Who Are You?

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

A dialogue in Lewis Carroll’s tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrates one reason change can be so hard: “Who are you?” said the Caterpillar. . . . Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”1 We’re like Alice in some ways—change fills our days too. And because each change shapes us in undeniable ways, life’s instability may sometimes cause us to question who we really are. But while changes happen around us and to us, what really matters is what happens inside us—the way we cherish loved ones after the loss of a family member, the way we look at life after the birth of a baby, the way we treat strangers after we’ve lived in an unfamiliar place. These are all aspects of our true identity that seem to manifest themselves most clearly after life-changing events. Think back to the changes you have faced. How did you handle the pressure, pain, or even exhaustion that accompanied them? What about the excitement, the creativity, the exhilaration? Did you wait out the shifts and turns hoping to fall back into old ways, or did you cross the bridge to new understanding and catch the vision of fresh opportunity? Did you learn things about yourself that you could not have learned in any other way? The willingness to make the best of an unexpected condition, the desire to keep focused on strengths and goals, to find balance, to move forward with confidence may be signs that we are adjusting, growing, and learning. Startling changes caused Alice to struggle with the caterpillar’s question, “Who are you?” But if we are willing to accept and learn from them, life’s changes can actually help us see who we really are. 1 (1920), 60. Musical Selection: 1. Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah 2. O Divine Redeemer 3. How Firm a Foundation (Organ solo) 4. Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee 5. Spoken Word 6. Where Love Is 7. Canticle of Faithfulness Program #4175

Admiration--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Admiration

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Who are the people you most admire, and why? Some admire those who have acquired worldly success, wealth, athletic prowess, prestige, or celebrity. Others look up to those who made a difference in the world or in someone’s life, those who have inspired others to be their best or carry on despite hardship and disappointment. Either way, we all—whether we realize it or not—admire someone. So consider for a moment, what makes a person worthy of your admiration? Almost daily, popular figures emerge on the world’s stage, attract attention for a moment, and then, almost as quickly as they appeared, fade into distant memory. But fame is not admiration; prominence is not a measure of respect. True admiration lasts longer; it’s not fleeting and is never forgotten. Noted rabbi Abraham Heschel once said: “When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”1 Very often, the clever get attention, while the kind, the compassionate, the good-hearted are sometimes set aside, forgotten in our rush for the flashy. But the years have a way of putting popularity and prestige in perspective. Acclaim and accomplishments tend to fade over time, but kindness endures. In the end, we reserve our deepest admiration for those who treated others with love, because it’s love that binds hearts together. Meanwhile, celebrities come and go, flashing across the sky like an occasional comet; but true heroes are as consistent as the rising sun and as timeless as the sparkling stars. And while kind people may not get the headlines or show up on the evening news, they are the people we remember with fondness, even long after they’re gone. They are the people who deserve our admiration. 1 In Harold S. Kushner, When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough: The Search for a Life That Matters (2002), 58. Musical Selections: 1. "Saints Bound for Heaven" 2. "O Holy Jesus" 3. "All Creatures of Our God and King" (Organ solo) 4. "There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today" 5. Spoken Word 6."Come, Ye Children of the Lord" 7. "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" 8. "Hymn of Praise"

I will Lift Up Mine Eyes--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

I will Lift Up Mine Eyes

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

The psalms are among the most beloved poetic works ever written. They have been set to music, recited, and cherished for generations. They speak of hope, of faith, and of a longing for peace. These ancient poems are evidence that people living hundreds of years ago needed reassurance and comfort just as we do today. People have always wondered how things will work out, if life will get better, if heaven is aware of their struggles and challenges. Times have surely changed—nations and people have come and gone—but universal yearnings remain, and inspiring words such as these continue to uplift and encourage: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1–2) The principle taught in this psalm is familiar to experienced hikers. They know to keep their eyes fixed on a reliable landmark in the distance: a tree, a rock, a hill. Then, even if their path takes them in directions they did not expect, as long as they keep that landmark in sight, they eventually reach their destination. Likewise, during our journey of life we can lift our eyes and fix them upon everlasting things. We need to, because the path of our lives is never completely straight; neither is it always upward. Twists and turns, high points and lows mark our course. But lifting our eyes to a steadfast and immovable source of help can reassure us during the rough times. It takes faith to look heavenward when surrounded by difficulties and discouragement. It takes courage to keep going when others have already given up. But as we do, we will be reassured and guided, as was the psalmist so long ago. Program #4173

Nation marks 9/11 with acts of volunteerism

By VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press Writer Verena Dobnik, Associated Press Writer Sat Sep 12, 7:00 am ET

NEW YORK – The nation marked the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with rain-soaked remembrances and acts of volunteerism honoring those who rushed into danger to help.

Around the country, Americans packed up care packages for soldiers, planted gardens for low-income families and painted abandoned, boarded-up homes. The anniversary Friday was declared a day of service for the first time this year to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives to save others from the burning World Trade Center.

Memorials in New York, at the Pentagon and at the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania all took place under gray skies.

At the trade center site, volunteers — from soup kitchens, advocacy groups, the Red Cross, the United Way — joined relatives of the lost to read the names of those killed in the twin towers. They spoke under tents to protect against rain.

"I ask that you honor my son and all those who perished eight years ago ... by volunteering, by making some kind of act of kindness in their memory," said Gloria Russin, whose son, Steven Harris Russin, was killed on 9/11.

Hours after the attack and for weeks afterward, volunteers responded to New York City's needs, sending emergency workers to help with the recovery, cards to victims' families, and boxes of supplies.

President Barack Obama, observing his first Sept. 11 as president, declared it a day of service. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recalled acts of post-9/11 selflessness as links "in a continuous chain that stopped us from falling into cynicism and despair."

Eight years later, Americans marked the anniversary with service projects.

Volunteers in Boston stuffed packages for military personnel overseas. In Tennessee and West Virginia, they distributed donated food for the needy. In Chicago, they tilled community gardens, cooked lunch for residents of a shelter and packed food for mothers and babies.

And on the Ohio Statehouse lawn, volunteers arranged nearly 3,000 small American flags in a pattern reminiscent of the trade center's twin towers. At the top was an open space in the shape of a pentagon.

"It's different than just seeing numbers on a paper, when you actually see the flags. It's a visual impact of those lives," said Nikki Marlette, 62, of the Los Angeles suburb of Palos Verdes Estates, visiting Columbus for Saturday's Ohio State-Southern California football game.

Rapper Jay-Z pitched in Friday night with a sold-out Madison Square Garden concert paying tribute to fallen police and firefighters. The proceeds will be donated to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.

As the names of the World Trade Center victims were read earlier in the day, some relatives called out greetings and messages of remembrances when they reached the names of their own loved ones.

"We love you, Dad, and we miss you," said Philip Hayes Jr., whose father, long retired from the Fire Department, rushed to the site that 2001 morning and ultimately gave his life.

Theresa Mullan, who lost her firefighter son, Michael, wore a poncho and shivered in the rain as she waited for her son's name to be called. She said she couldn't dream of being anywhere else.

"It's a small inconvenience," she said of the weather. "My son is the one who ran into a burning building."

Moments of silence were observed at 8:46, 9:03, 9:59 and 10:29 a.m. — the precise times that jetliners struck the north and south towers of the trade center and that each tower fell.

At ground zero in lower Manhattan, relatives and friends of victims visited a partially built, street-level Sept. 11 memorial plaza that had not been there a year ago.

The memorial, to be partially complete by the 10th anniversary in 2011, will ultimately include two square pools evoking the towers' footprints, with victims' names surrounding them and waterfalls cascading down the sides.

In Shanksville, Pa., bells tolled for the 40 victims of the fourth hijacked jetliner that crashed there.

Eight years after 2,976 perished in the attacks, Obama vowed at the Pentagon that the United States "will never falter" in pursuit of al-Qaida. "Let us renew our resolve against those who perpetrated this barbaric act and who plot against us still," he said.

On a day already fraught with emotion, the Coast Guard massed vessels in the Potomac River in a training exercise, causing confusion. The exercise took place near the bridge where Obama's motorcade had passed earlier. As a precaution, departures from Reagan National Airport were halted for about 22 minutes at midmorning.

Initial, mistaken reports on two cable news channels said the Coast Guard was firing shots on the river. A group for military families expressed outrage that the Coast Guard exercise was held while families of 9/11 victims were gathered at the Pentagon.

George W. Bush, whose presidency was defined in part by that day, had no public appearances planned. In a statement, he said he and his wife, Laura, were thinking of the victims and their families.

___

Associated Press writers Suzanne Ma in New York, Nancy Benac in Washington and Dan Nephin in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

Dedication blesses two African nations--Cameroon, Rwanda

Church News

Dedication blesses two African nations

Published: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009

During a historic 16-day tour of Africa on Aug. 16-31, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated Cameroon and Rwanda for the preaching of the gospel. In so doing, he became the first known apostle to ever set foot in either nation.

Photo courtesy Africa Southeast Area

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, left, Elder Paul Koelliker, center, greet Mayor Masini of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

"A dedicatory experience for a country is always spiritual," Elder Holland said during an interview with the Church News upon his return to Salt Lake City. "These two were particularly spiritual. Maybe it was because it was Africa. Maybe it was because of 'the last shall be first and the first shall be last,' with some who are getting the gospel later in our dispensation responding with such acceptance and delight. Maybe this is all part of 'an African moment.' "

His trip took him to seven countries in all, with the other stops on his itinerary being Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Elder Paul E. Koelliker of the Seventy and Africa Southeast Area president accompanied Elder Holland during his travels.

Photo courtesy Africa Southeast Area

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, second from left, and Elder Paul E. Koelliker stand with the Haile family in Ethiopia. Fikodu Haile earned his Duty to God award.

Cameroon

On Aug. 21 Elder Holland gathered local Church leaders on a green hillside overlooking Cameroon's capital city of Yaounde and dedicated the country for the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of the Church. Standing on a large stone overlooking the city, he referenced the second chapter of Daniel regarding a stone being cut out of the mountain without hands and filling the earth, even the far reaches of the earth like Cameroon.

Later in the day, approximately 600 people gathered to hear Elder Holland speak at Yaounde's City Center. The building has a large rock atop its roof; the apostle elicited smiles from the congregation by commenting about how quickly the rock had moved from the side of the hill to the middle of the city following the dedicatory prayer.

Rwanda

Elder Holland dedicated Rwanda on Aug. 27 during a sacred moment on the top of a mountain overlooking the capital city, Kigali. Eric K. Hyde, president of the Kigali Branch, openly wept during the proceedings.

Photo courtesy Africa Southeast Area

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland greets young members of the Church in Uganda during his Africa tour.

"We are doing all we can, Father in Heaven, to reach to heaven," Elder Holland said during the dedicatory prayer. "We ask Thee with great affection, loyalty and love that Thou would bring heaven down to us. We ask that Thou would receive us here, as we stand tip-toe to enter Thy presence, feel Thy Spirit and build Thy kingdom."

Highlights

The African journey began when Elder Holland left Utah Aug. 16 and landed in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Aug. 18. While in Ethiopia, he spoke to missionaries, held a large fireside, and visited the home of Brother and Sister Yonas Haile. Their son, Fikodu, a 17-year-old priest, humbly showed Elder Holland his signed and completed Duty to God booklet. Fikodu is the first young man in Ethiopia to earn the award.

During a stake conference Aug. 22-23 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Elder Holland divided the Kinshasa DR Congo Masini Stake to create the Kinshasa DR Congo Kimbanseke Stake — DR Congo's eighth stake. Nearly 2,700 members gathered in two meetinghouses with the conference being broadcast from one location to the other over a local cable channel.

Photos courtesy Africa Southeast Area

George Kijjambu, 9, conducts an 80-voice children's choir during a meeting that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland addressed while in Kampala, Uganda.

Not wanting to disappoint the members gathered in the auxiliary chapel, Elders Holland and Koelliker asked members seated there to remain for a few minutes following the conclusion of the meeting so they could come and personally greet those members. The second building was filled to capacity. Members in both meetinghouses expressed gratitude at the chance to see and hear an apostle of the Lord.

"They had 56 men sustained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood in just that one stake conference," Elder Holland said. "The Church in Africa is definitely growing."

Elder Holland took advantage of a five-hour plane layover in Nairobi, Kenya, to disembark and speak to the zone leaders of the Kenya Nairobi Mission.

Photo courtesy Africa Southeast Area

Church members gather with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve to witness the dedication of the African nation of Rwanda for the preaching of the gospel. The dedication was part of Elder Holland's seven-nation tour.

In Uganda, 9-year-old George Kijjambu impressed Elder Holland by leading an 80-voice choir of Primary children through a rendition of this year's new Primary hymn, "My Eternal Family," in front of 1,500 people. Elder Holland brought laughter to the audience when he said he was taking George's name back to Mack Wilberg of the Tabernacle Choir "just in case Brother Wilberg is thinking of retiring."

Also in Uganda, Elder Holland paid a visit to the New Hope for Africa school and orphanage. Nearly 150 orphans ages 4 to 17 live at New Hope for Africa, where the Church is providing new living quarters and other supplies for learning.

"I thought 'New Hope for Africa' was a wonderful metaphor for everything the gospel is doing," he said in the Church News interview. "But we still have a lot of work, a lot of challenges, a lot of Africa we're still not in."

Photo courtesy Africa Southeast Area

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, left, and Elder Paul E. Koelliker greet the mayor of the Masini district of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Elder Holland's travels wound down with a district conference Aug. 29-30 for the Mutare Zimbabwe District. He subsequently returned to Salt Lake City Aug. 31 after more than two weeks in the field.

"I want the Saints to know that Africa is one of the bright, beautiful emerging frontiers of the Church," he said. "It sounds ominous sometimes just to hear the word 'Africa' because we think of dangers. Like any other place there can be dangers, but for the Church and the members it is one highlight after another, one bright spot after another.

"These people are so given to faith. I've often thought that perhaps the Lord in His justice, mercy and outreach made up for what they don't have in material blessings by giving them an extra measure of spiritual blessing and insight."

Photo courtesy Africa Southeast Area

Church members gather around Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, at the site where he dedicated the African nation for the preaching of the gospel during his tour of Africa.

Elder Holland referred to some literary references of Africa being "the dark continent."

He said he doesn't agree with that description. What is his description of Africa? "With the gospel of Jesus Christ it's a beautiful bright light to the world."

— Elder Eric Jackson of the Africa Southeast Area, and Jamshid Askar and Gerry Avant of Church News

© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company

Basketball team from Kueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan won the 2nd place in Williamsport Little League World Game

Park View Little League Wins 2009 Little League Baseball World Series Championship

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
August 31, 2009

A World Championship game crowd of more than 32,000 helped Little League International welcome Vice President Joseph R. Biden and Chris Drury, Captain of the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, into to the Little League Hall of Excellence, then settled in to watch Park View Little League from Chula Vista, Calif., defeat Chinese Taipei’s Kuei-Shan Little League, 6-3, to win the 63rd Little League Baseball World Series.

Vice President Biden and Mr. Drury were honored prior the World Championship game, and enjoyed the game from their seats behind home plate at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. The vice president, stayed for the duration of the game and assisted Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and Chief Executive Officer; and Dennis Lewin, Chairman of the Little League International Board of Directors, with the presentation of the World Championship banner.

The World Championship game story is available here: http://www.littleleague.org/series/2009divisions/llbb/gamestories/30Sunday/game32/gamestory_template.html

Results from all 32 games of the 2009 Little League Baseball World Series are available here: http://www.littleleague.org/series/2009divisions/llbb/series.htm

Images from the World Series are available here: http://www.littleleague.org/worldseries/gallery.html

The win by Park View Little League was the fifth straight World Series Championship for a team from the United States, and marked the 31st time a U.S. team has won the title.

On six occasions, a league from the state of California has now been crowned the best Little League team. Prior to this year, the last time a team from California won the World Series was 1993, when Long Beach defeated Chiriqui Little League of Panama, 3-2, in the world championship game. California has won the United States championship 16 times.

Kuei-Shan Little League made its first appearance in the Little League Baseball World Series.

Representing the Asia-Pacific Region, the team from Chinese Taipei was the most recent team from that area of the world to reach the World Series. Excluding the U.S., Chinese Taipei has won the most Little League Baseball World Series (17).

The Healing Power of Art--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

The Healing Power of Art

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Convincing evidence and lived experience tell us that our emotions are linked to our well-being. And while common sense is not always common practice, it’s clear that improving our attitudes and perspectives can have a positive influence on our overall health. One of the best ways to lift our emotional and physical outlook is through creating and enjoying works of art. A health professional said, “By engaging in dance, poetry or music, people are likely to initiate processes that help them manage stress, reduce negative mood states and perhaps change behavior that we know impacts cardiovascular risk and recovery.” 1 That’s the healing power of art. Whatever our level of well-being, art can lift and improve it. One young woman who had undergone two heart transplants found it emotionally healing to turn the details of her medical challenges into poems and stories. Her nightmares went away, her stress was relieved, and she had a distraction from pain and depression.2 Another patient found that inspirational music gave him a sense of serenity and strength, a feeling of hope that things will work out. Art connects with our soul: music can soothe the troubled heart; poetry and good literature can boost our spirits; a beautiful painting or inspiring performance can take us to a calming place that, for a moment, brings some comfort and peace. Imagine what the world would be like with no creative expression, no music, no poetry or literature, no colorful paintings or beautiful sculptures—how empty and dull life would be. Nobody should have to live in a world like that. Art can affect not only our health but our entire outlook on the world. It not only enriches life—in a sense it is life. The well-known author Henry James observed, “It is art that makes life…, and I know of no substitute whatever for [its] force and beauty.”3 1 Joshua Smyth, in Ron Winslow, “In Search of the Science behind the Healing Powers of Art,” Wall Street Journal, June 30, 2009, D3. 2 See “The Healing Powers of Art,” D3. 3 Theory of Fiction (1972), 91. Program #4172