good morning. good morning. political ground zero. president obama wades into the debate over the mosque being build near the world trade center and stirred up controversy. will his comments cost democrats votes in the midterm elections. the accused craigslist killer, philip markoff, found dead inside his jail cell. the former medical student apparently took his own life as he waited trial for the murder of a woman he met online. this morning her family is furious. and unforgettable year. president clinton was in the white house, "the lion king" was tops on the big screen and the biggest song of the year was by

the swedish band. for one woman it feels like 1994 every day, because it's the last year she can actually remember. her remarkable story when she joins us live today, monday, august 16th, 2010. nbc-universal television captions paid for by captions paid for by nbc-universal television and good morning. and good morning. welcome to "today" on a monday morning. i'm matt lauer. >> and in for meredith, i'm ann curry. good morning, everybody. this is a creepy story about this woman who doesn't remember anything after 1994. >> she was in an accident and lost all her short-term memory. so the last real point of reference for her is 1994. weird question here. she's going to come in here and do an interview today. at some point in the near future, she'll forget that she was here today. >> that's true. >> so it's an odd occurrence. we'll talk more about that. >> we'll try to make an

impression. maybe you can switch things up for her. we're going to switch to something much more important perhaps in terms of the country. we're talking about president obama fending off critics, including sarah palin, after expressing his view on a mosque planned for ground zero. he says that muslims have a right to build wherever they want, but palin is challenging the president to tell the country if he thinks they should do it. we'll get the latest on this coming up this morning. also ahead new details on that tragic accident at a sporting event in california. the driver lost control in an offroad race and then rolled into the crowd of spectators who were lining the course. at least eight people were killed, 17 others injured. coming up we're going to talk to a man who witnessed that all happen. also coming up, we're going to be getting a closer -- are we getting closer, rather, to a royal wedding between prince william and kate middleton. there's a rather interesting sign coming from england this morning. we'll tell you when some say the safe bet is for the big day, matt. let's begin on a monday morning with president obama jumping into the political

firestorm over a planned mosque near ground zero. savannah guthrie is at the white house with more on this. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you, matt. for weeks when aides here were asked about the mosque they really tried to stay out of it, saying this is a local issue. but on friday night the president walked right into the controversy and made it a national one. the president and first family in florida this weekend. hoping to show the gulf and its waters are open for business. but the message was overshadowed by mr. obama's decision to wade into an emotional ground zero controversy. on friday night at a white house dinner celebrating ramadan -- >> please have a seat. >> reporter: -- the president spoke to the first time about a muslim organization's plans to construct an islamic community center and mosque in the shadow of the world trade center site. >> ground zero is indeed hallowed ground. but let me be clear, as a

citizen and as president, i believe that muslims have the right to practice their religion, as everyone else in this country. that includes -- that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower manhattan. >> reporter: the comments touched off a political firestorm, with headlines saying the president came out supporting plans to build the mosque. the next morning in the gulf, mr. obama tried to clarify, telling reporters he was speaking only about the right of muslims to freely worship, saying, quote, i was not commenting and i will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there. with the appearance that he was now backtracking by saturday night, the president spokesman had to clarify yet again saying, quote, just to be clear, the president is not backing off in any way from the comments he made last night. for weeks the president's aides

have side stepped the mosque question. >> i think this is rightly a matter for new york city and the local community to decide. >> reporter: so what changed? senior white house aides tell nbc news the decision came from the top. president obama felt it would be inappropriate to host a ramadan dinner at the white house, yet try to dodge the controversy. but the president's critics pounced. >> you can't be changing your position from day to day on an issue which does go to our constitution and also depose to extreme sensitivity. that's where i'm critical of the president for not being clear. >> i think it does speak to the lack of connection between the administration and washington and folks inside the beltway and mainstream america. >> reporter: sarah palin weighed in on twitter, asking the president, quote, we all know that they have the right to do it, but should they? this is not above your pay grade. well, senior aides tell nbc news this morning this may not have been something necessarily that was smart politically heading

into the midterms, but they say it took courage for the president to speak out and that he felt very strongly it was his role to do so. by the way, he leaves today, this morning, on a five-state, three-day political trip. a lot of democrats worried this creates a fresh political headache heading into those midterms, matt. >> savannah, thanks very much. republican congressman peter king from new york is an outspoken critic of the plan to build the mosque and community center near ground zero. congressman king, good morning to you. >> good morning, matt. >> you've been blunt. you said president obama is just plain wrong on this. and i want to make sure i understand exactly what it is you think he's wrong about. is it this statement, let me read it for you. as a citizen and as president, i believe that muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country, and that includes the right to build a place of worship and community center on private property in lower manhattan. do you agree with those words or disagree? >> i would agree with those

words taken by themselves. what i was opposed to and am still opposed to is the inference he was giving or clear inference he was giving friday night that he was supporting the project in lower manhattan, the building of the 13-story mosque. now, the president has backed away from that so right now i'm not certain what his position is. no, muslims and every other religion have the absolute right. but with rights come responsibilities, and i strongly believe the responsible thing to do is not to build the mosque near ground zero. >> but you say supporting the building of that. i mean that's what critics are saying. but when you really look at the words, he simply is supporting religious freedom. >> matt, i think the president was trying to have it both ways, because from what i understand everyone at the event on friday night and certainly next day the media well into the afternoon concluded that the president was saying he supported the project. it was then that sometime on saturday he had to back away, and for a person who is such a great communicator as president obama is, he was, i think, trying to have it both ways or trying to have it one way,

implying he was supporting the actual building of the mosque there and once he got political feedback, probably from his own party, pushback, then he decided to just modify his position, which i think is really wrong. he has clouded an issue which he should either stay out of it altogether or if you're going to take a stand, be precise on where you are. no one was disputing the right to do it, it was blornt they should. >> let me read you something from the "washington post" and stick with me. pundits have every right to raise questions about the construction of an islamic center near ground zero. where is the funding coming from, what are the motive of the supporters, is the symbolism insensitive. but the view from the oval office differs from the view from a keyboard. the president not merely has opinioning he has duties to the constitution and the citizens he serves, including millions of muslim citizens. by this standard obama had no choice but the general path he took. declaring a mosque off limits would equate islam with violence and terrorism.

no president would ever consider making that statement. do you agree with that? >> no, i don't. i believe that if the president was going to raise the issue, he was going to bring it to the level which he should have of it being a right, a constitutional right, then he should, using the president's words, use this as a teachable moment. he could have said yes, the muslim community has the right to build this mosque. they also have to appreciate the tremendous insensitivity that this demonstrates and then try to have the parties come together and work out another site. he could have used it. he could have used the bully pulpit to bring the nation forward if the muslim community and americans but if their leaders want to build a bridge to other faiths, to other ethnic groups, this is an ideal opportunity to do. >> it that's a good point. it's not that you're disagreeing with what he did say, it's more that you're offended or find insensitive what he didn't say? >> and also the inference he was giving. anyone who was watching that on friday night came across -- came

away with the belief that the president was supporting the building of the mosque. not just the right, but actually supporting them doing it. now he's saying he's not supporting it. i think he missed an opportunity. >> right. >> he could have used that as a teachable moment. >> based on the heat of this moment, sail of one to ten, this issue in terms of resonating with voters in the midterm elections, ten being, you know, catastrophic, where do you see it for the democrats? >> i think it probably hurts the democrats. i don't want to make a political issue out of it. i would hope this could be resolved next week and everybody forgets about it by election day. i have too many close personal friends who are suffering right now because of all this to make this a political issue. i don't want to be talking about this from now to election day, believe me. >> congressman peter king. congressman good seeing you as always. >> thank you very much. now let's get a check of the rest of the top storiestories. we've got natalie morales. >> reporter: investigators in california are looking for answers in a racing tragedy over the weekend that left eight

spectators dead. a truck hurtled out of control into the crowd watching the race in the mojave desert. one eyewitness said the driver hit a rock, lost control, then tumbled. some spectators had been standing within four feet of the unmarked track. we'll have much more on this terrible tragedy coming up. officials in colombia say a colombian passenger jetliner crashed while landing this morning on a resort island. 131 people were on board. there are injuries and at least one person was killed. new details this morning about last week's plane crash in alaska that killed former senator ted stevens and four others. miguel almaguera has more from anchorage. miguel, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning. members of the ntsb say two things are critical in their investigation. talking to survivors and examining the wreckage. now they have begun to do both. as a heavy lift helicopter hoisted the wreckage from last monday's crash, investigators spoke to survivors. one victim told the ntsb he

noticed nothing unusual before the float plane slammed into a remote rugged mountainside in southwest alaska. >> he stated as they were flying along that he detected no changes in pitch or engine noise and that they were flying along and then they just stopped flying. >> reporter: 13-year-old willie phillips is the youngest survivor. he was released from the hospital over the weekend. meantime, new photos of the wreckage show the battered fuselage of the aircraft. before takeoff, weather was poor, but it was pilot terry smith's decision to fly in fog and rain with visibility at three miles and the cloud ceiling at just 600 feet. the ntsb says weather may be a factor in the crash. smith had been a commercial pilot for nearly 30 years, but spent only 45 hours behind the controls of the otter, the type of small plane that went down. the ntsb wants to know if the

cockpit warning system, which can detect mountains, was working at the time of the crash. the summer months here in alaska can be the most dangerous time to fly. since june, there have been 17 fatalities in air accidents. a mass for former senator ted stevens will be held later on today. >> miguel in anchorage, alaska, for us. thank you, miguel. overseas markets are mostly lower this morning. erin, what's the focus this week? >> reporter: well, stocks could struggle to get a bit of traction. we also have more evidence of a slowing global economy. this morning growth in japan disappointed and it is now official, china is actually the second largest economy in the world, upsetting japan's long rein as number two. now keep in mind the u.s. economy is three times bigger than china. it could take two decades for china to catch up but the u.s. economy is in a rough spot and this morning the latest investment bank to cut the growth forecast for the united states, ubs. still some challenges and a chop

y week ahead. back to you. >> erin burnett at the new york stock exchange, thank you. martin kaymer is celebrating a big win in the pga championship beating bubba wats championship sunday in a playoff. it was what happened before the playoff. dustin johnson was penalized two strokes on the 18th hole for illegally touching his club to the ground in a waste bunker and that kept him out of the playoff. he said he no idea he was in a bunker but said he thought he was just on ground that had been trarveled trarvel trampled by spectators. >> my husband is aghast that that would happen. >> no question about it. al's off today, we have got stephanie with us. how are you doing? >> good. let's talk about our low pressure around the gulf of mexico. this could become a depression yet again. regardless if it does or not, we will see heavy rain here for the next three days.

there's a threat for severe weather here throughout a big chunk of the northeast. now here's a look at what's good morning to you. i'm craig herrera. fog to start out the morning. one of those days when it will clear out earlier. today will be a warmer day than yesterday, but only by a few degrees. 70s and 80s on the map. a couple of low 60s at the beaches. today and tomorrow being fairly nice, in the 80s. we cool off the remainder of the week with the wind back next weekend and 70s back in the forecast. >> ann, over to you. >> all right. . stephanie, thanks. now more on 9 aaccusationed craig's list killer found dead in his jail cell. jeff rossen has the details.

>> this really came out of nowhere and shocked everyone from prosecutors to markoff's own lawyer. he used his background, his training as a medical student to commit suicide. he apparently, according to sources, used a pen inside of his cell to stab himself and then suffocate himself, all inside his own jail cell. >> reporter: prison guards found phillip markoff's lifeless body in his cell sunday morning. he was reportedly dead for hours before anyone noticed. law enforcement sources say markoff, the accused craigslist killer, killed himself late saturday night on which would have been his one-year wedding anniversary to his faen who dumped him a year ago. >> when the anniversary came out, i think he realized he was never going to have anything like that again and his lawyers weren't going to get him off, he was going to spend hiss life in prison and that's something he couldn't face. >> reporter: this clean-cut

medical student was accused of leading a double life. by day, the all-american boy engaged to a beautiful woman planning a wedding that would never happen. by night, the craigslist killer attacking women he found on the website's erotic services section. prosecutors say he killed one of them in a boston hotel room. brisman, a massage therapist. >> the family was getting ready, preparing for the trial, i mean getting psychologically set to actually look this man in the eye. now, all of a sudden, we find out the guy's gone. >> reporter: the evidence was piling up against him. inside markoff's home, investigators found plastic ties and duct tape he used in the attacks. sources say he took the victim's panties and kept them assess suf as souvenirs under his bed. they say he hallowed out his grey's anatomy textbook and hallowed them inside. >> he preyed on young women who are vulnerable. who are unlikely to resist. unlikely to fight back. >> reporter: markoff tried to

hurt himself once before when he first got to jail last year, just after his then fiance visited him behind bars and told him it's over, he cut himself. markoff was pow suicide watch. recently we're told he kept to himself, alone in his cell reading a lot. >> this suicide was not a bid for attention that we sometimes see as they try to get people feeling sorry for themselves. he had medical training, he knew how to kill himself and he made sure he was very successful at it. >> reporter: a devastating blow for julissa brisman's family. a family ready to confront him in court. >> a trial would have produced closure on any number of levels and that's when the truth comes out but that won't happen now. >> reporter: the familiar lively of brisman are said to be furious about all of this. we spoke to markoff's family who says they're absolutely devastated by this. now the focus shifts to the prison, in middle of the city of boston. the question is, how the prison

officials let this happen. a high profile inmate left alone for so long where he's able to kill himself in such a slow and agonizing way without being detected for hours. ann? >> jeff rossen, thank you very much. >> it is now 7:18, once again here's matt. now to an historic moment for the u.s. military in iraq. more than seven years after then president bush announced the start of the war, american troops are winding down the combat mission and leavingal th country. nbc chief foreign correspondent richard engle is with us. richard, good morning to you. >> good morning, matt. soldiers from the last american combat brigade have already begun to leave, all american combat troops will be out of iraq by the end of this month. this is a symbolic and emotional time after so many years of sacrifice. >> reporter: suiting up for the last time in iraq, soldiers prepare to board a flight from

baghdad airport to the united states. >> let's finish this off strong. >> mission accomplished and we did it now we're on our way home. >> reporter: the soldiers are from the 42 striker brigade based in washington state. they call themselves the raiders, and now they have a special place in this war. the raiders are the last combat troops in iraq. when the rest of them leave by the end of this month, the combat mission will be over. >> my best mission here is leaving. that's my best memory. >> leaving and leaving and leaving. >> really looking forward to some mcdonald's. >> reporter: the troops checked to make sure their weapons are unloaded. and settle in to wait for their flight. >> i'm very, very excited. can't wait to see my wife. we haven't been together in two years. >> reporter: the 42 striker brigade commander colonel john norris told me that ending the combat mission is a historic privilege. >> i think it represents closure. it represents the end of a chapter, seven years of war in

"operation iraqi freedom." we have the privilege of being the last combat brigade in iraq. 'he wen and we are in the redeployment process now with the brigade. and that represents the end of "operation iraqi freedom." >> reporter: it's the biggest logistical operation since world war ii. the u.s. military is moving 1.5 million items. and disposing of nearly 200 million rounds of broken hardware. outdateded armor is cut into pieces so they can't be used to make bombs. damaged electronics are mutilated to ensure they don't contain any secret codes or information. but in central baghdad, many iraqis worry about their country's future after american combat troops pull out.

on the tigris river, this ferry man told me he only receives two hours of electricity a day but i realize how desperate people feel here when a man swam up to the boat. tell the man we are swimming because we have no power or water in our houses. in a nearby alley, sewers were overflowing in the street. no one has come here to clean here in eight months, he said. the government is a disaster. but baghdad is much safer than a few years ago. u.s. commanders say the iraqi security forces are ready to take more control. back at baghdad's airport, the raiders are finally given permission to board. by now, it's nighttime, they have been waiting for hours, but it isn't dampening the mood. >> i'm going home! whoo! >> reporter: and unlike combat troops before them, these

soldiers won't be coming back to iraq. the combat troops still in iraq are clearly excited. they are already packed and waiting for orders to go home. they're also very proud of what they have accomplished over so many years in terms of building the iraqi security forces and reducing the overall level of violence. matt? >> richard engel at camp liberty for us this morning, thank you very much for that support. coming up, tragedy in california's desert. an out of control truck slams off the road and into spectators. we will talk to a man who was feet away and lost a good friend [ male announcer ] when meg whitman arrived at ebay, they had 30 people and an idea. meg's job was to make it happen.

it took leadership. focus. and the ability to bring people together. meg whitman delivered. named one of america's best ceo's by harvard business review, she grew ebay 15,000 strong and made small business dreams come true. now meg has a plan to create jobs. fix sacramento. and deliver results. meg whitman. for a new california. texting...blogging... all this technology, but you're still banking like pilgrims!

it's time for new school banking, bubbie. interest plus savings at capitalone.com. why earn bupkis, when your savings can earn three times the national average!! three times the national average!!! new school banking at capital one bank. with interest plus savings, go to capitalone.com!!!!! what's in your wallet? somebody help me down. just ahead, a new warning to parents about a new way predators are targeting teens online. also a woman who suffers online. also a woman who suffers from a rare disorder that it's tough to get enough servings of vegetables

every day if you don't always like the taste of them. good thing v8 v-fusion juice gives you a serving of vegetables hidden by a serving of fruit. v8. what's your number? good morning to you. a couple minutes before 7:30. i'm kris sanchez here with mike inouye. we are looking at the roadway. a lot of kids heading back to school today. >> with kids coming back from summer vacation, parents are going back to work. watch the surface streets, the school buses. a little heavier than the last couple of weeks at this time. sunol, southbound side heavy from the area south of brunell. a slow drive, and starting to bunch up again south from highway 84 around the bend. clear once again to san jose,

where 101 starts to slow down in that area. low clouds an issue as well. >> still hanging around. mid 50s around the area. fog bank about 1800 feet. today will be the warmest day of the week, but it's only in the mid 80s out. there san francisco, 64, 70s for the north end of the bay. seven-day forecast, cooling off as wewednesday.oou dnday. and back with more news after this break. [ male announcer ] how can rice production in india,

affect wheat output in the u.s., the shipping industry in norway, and the rubber industry, in south america? at t. rowe price, we understand the connections of a complex global economy. it's just one reason 75% of our mutual funds beat their 10-year lipper average. t. rowe price. invest with confidence. request a prospectus or summary prospectus with investment objectives, risks, fees, expenses, and other information to read and consider carefully before investing.

it is a big day for students and teachers all around the bay area. in the san jose unified school district they are back to class this morning. trace elementary school in san jose will open on time despite a devastating fire last month. there are a few charred remains. the school set up a temporary campus located across the street with about 20 portable classrooms but, again, will start on time. more local news in a half hour. the "today" show returns in less than a minute.

7:30 now on a monday morning, 16th of august, 2010. lady liberty in the distance there. kind of a hazy morning here in new york. temps were about 74 degrees. supposed to get a little warmer today and be a little humid as well. these are some of the people gathered outside that don't seem to mind the weather. we'll get outside and say hi in just a couple of minutes. i'm matt lauer along with ann curry who's in for meredith this morning. just ahead, the latest on a deadly accident at an off-road race in california's mojave desert. >> that's right, matt. eight spectators were killed when a driver lost control of his truck and rolled into the

crowd. straight ahead we'll be speaking to a man who was there and witnessed it, losing one of his long-time friend. also you've wander your teens about the dangers of sexting, sending sexually explicit material over the internet. now there is a new and possibly greater risk to their safety. this is called sextortion. coming up, what predators are doing to target young people and how you can talk to your teenagers about this. also imagine if you woke up this morning and had no idea what you just did on sunday. >> that's one woman's life. every single day. she lost her short-term memory after an accident, can't remember anything that's happened in the last 16 years. not even parts of her own wedding. in fact she only remembers her husband because they met before 1994. we're going to be talking to them exclusively and find out how this came to me. >> it's really fascinating. let's begin with that tragic crash at a sporting event in california's mojave desert. we have maura in loma linda with

the latest. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, ann. the investigation into what caused saturday's deadly accident continues today with officials planning to interview some of the injured recovering at local hospitals. this as we learn more about those killed in the crash, avid racing fans, almost all in their 20s. a makeshift memorial in the desert marks the spot where 24-year-old zachary freeman was tragically killed. freeman was one of thousands who gathered on a dry lake bed in california's mojave desert for an off-road truck race and then in an instant, spectators became victims when an out of control truck slammed into the crowd, many standing just feet away, killing eight, scattering their bodies on the ground. 17 were injured. >> it's not fair. >> reporter: freeman's girlfriend of two years says she would almost certainly be among the dead if she hadn't stepped away to go to the bathroom. while she was gone, the man she hoped to marry was killed. >> this is our favorite thing to

do is to get out and go to the desert. that's all he wanted to do is go out and have fun. and it ends up like this? >> reporter: the truck was one of more than 80 taking part in the annual race known as the california 200 on saturday evening. photographer david conklin captured the moments leading up to the tragic accident. >> dust everywhere, lots of people starting to run to the scene. people yelling, people screaming. >> reporter: the driver, 28-year-old brett michael sloppy wasn't injured, but is clearly in pain, posting on his facebook page, so incredibly lost and devastated. my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends involved. sloppy has not been charged with a crime. desert racing is essentially self-governed. organizers often let crowds stand right on the sidelines with no barriers whatsoever, no protection. >> you cannot prevent the spectators from getting right on the course unless you put barriers up along the whole course, and some of these courses are 100, 200, 300 plus

miles long. i think the spectators have to take some responsibility for themselves. >> everyone gets as close as they can. it's exciting, it's thrilling. >> reporter: a fast-moving thrill that quickly led to tragedy. now, in terms of the investigation, the bureau of land management issues permits for these off-road races. the permit for this specific event notes that the organizer is responsible for safety. it also notes that vehicles should be moving no faster than 15 miles per hour when traveling within 50 feet of crowds, a regulation that clearly was not enforced. ann. >> all right, thank you so much. keith carty witnessed that deadly accident and his long-time friend, brian wolfin, was among those that were killed those who were killed. keith, your condolences to you. >> thank you. >> this was supposed to be a buddy's weekend, you've been friends with brian for 10 years.

as a friend and a witness, how would you describe what you saw? >> there was devastate just carnage, shoes, hats, keys, wallets, bodies just spread out all over the desert. never seen anything like that before. >> you saw brian and you know him to be a man so full of life that you didn't believe he actually had died, is that right? >> yeah, no, i saw him there, but i didn't think that it was him. and so i left, and about 30 seconds after i left, a friend called and said, hey, brian's down here, you got to come and identify the body, he didn't make it. and so i went back down and i looked real close and it was definitely him and i checked for a pulse, but you could tell he wasn't with us anymore. even before i checked for the

pulse. so it was really obvious what had happened. >> and given that you've lost a friend and yet you love this sport, do you have any second thoughts about the safety questions that this accident has raised? do you believe now there should be happened? >> that would be completely impossible and we wouldn't want that as a spectator or as anybody in the sport. the most important part in this whole deal is you have to have common sense. granted the spectators are a little bit close, but as i have said in past interviews, you know, it's nobody's fault and that's because the spectators have to use common sense, obviously, but so do the drivers, if there's a huge jump coming up and lines of people on either side, you have no business doing 80 to 100 miles an hour through there. so it's kind of a washout.

you have to -- you can't just throw common sense out the window because you're racing. you have to -- you know, it's the drivers' responsibility to make sure that he's driving in a safe manner when there's spectators around. once he gets through the spectators, go ahead and put it to the floor. >> do you mean that the driver was not driving in a responsible manner. >> i took that jump at least 20 or 30 times that day just for the fun of it. and there's no way -- and that was with no people around. there's no way i would go 80, 90 miles an hour through that jump. i was pulling 40 to 60 miles an hour and that was just on the edge of control and that was with no people around, and now bring people around and put a truck right in front of you and, you know, this is what happens. granted, the people were obviously close, but the driver has a responsibility to drive responsibly around those people.

it's nobody's fault, yet it's both parties', you know. >> i don't want to interrupt you, i just want to give you a chance to speak about why you're speaking out this morning, i know you want to race money for brian's family, he's left behind two small children, 5-year-old seth and 1-year-old sarah, what would you like for them to remember about their father who was lost in this accident? >> well, he was a very good family man. him and his family is the reason that i'm even on the air right now. i'm not here to -- for any other reason. i want to make sure -- the first thing i thought about when i saw brian laying there is that now seth doesn't have a dad and so what's he going to do? what's his 1-year-old girl going to do? she doesn't have a dad either. we have started a memorial fund, brian wolfen.com. and if you have any donations, even if it's just a dollar, we

would happily take it, it's going to go directly to brian's wife. >> keith cardi, thank you so much. and now let's get a check of the weather from stefp stephani abrams. >> there's a threat for severe weather through a big chunk of the northeast, otherwise it's hot in the northwest, we're talking good morning. this is the routine. live drive over the golden gate, mist and drizzle, south side of the bay, same story. east side of the bay, cloud cover. hot, 60, 70s and 80s today it will warm up earlier today. 77 san jose, 64 san francisco. 81 in concord. low 80s for walnut skrecreek.

seven-day forecast, same for tomorrow, then we cool off. and we have some friends visiting from australia. if you want to get your international forecast, go to weather.com 24 hours a day. coming up next, teenagers being blackmailed for photos they take and post online. what you need to be talking about with your teens coming up right after this. mcdonald's ha. where? it's really good. do you see it? it's called hope. hope? yeah. hope. i don't see any hope. i don't see any hope in here. you can't see it there, but you can see it here... 'cause every time you get a happy meal or a mighty kids meal some of the money goes to ronald mcdonald house charities. to help lots of kids and families. hope's good! happy meals. the simple joy of helping. ♪

that's why every new toyota comes with the star safety system standard. it's is a combination of five accident avoidance technologies. the star safety system is something that's standard on 100 percent of toyota vehicles. we always think of safety, even in the concept design of our vehicles. [ male announcer ] the star safety system. standard. because we know, there's nothing more important to you than your safety. all our new safety features are at toyota.com/safety. [ female announcer ] wisk is about to change the way you look at stains forever. discover the power of our stain spectrum technology

in the new red bottle of wisk. in stores now! would you like that to hurt now, or later? uh, what? sir, do you want heartburn pain now or later? [ male announcer ] these medicines make you choose. pepcid® complete doesn't. it's fast acting and long lasting. pepcid® complete works now and works later.

it's fast acting and long lasting. ♪ your favorites, in pieces. we're back at 7:43 with an even darker side to sexting that's when a teenager takes a photo of him or her ahn posts it online. a lawyer and online child safety

advocate, welcome back, good morning. >> let's make sure we understand, sextortion exactly is what? >> kids take a naked picture of themselves and it gets out to someone who uses it to blackmail them into performing more sexual acts. >> they're doing it, they're sending it. someone is sitting there waiting, saying wait a second, now i've got a naked photo of you and i will take that photo and either spread it wider or use it for some other purpose, show your parents unless you do the following. >> and the following could be actually engaging in sex or taking a lot more pictures. >> i think parents are thinking that kids do dumb things, i'm not saying my child would not make a mistake, but i'm pretty sure my child would know how to

stop this if someone reached out to him or her. >> the kids want to hide it, they took a picture and they don't want it to be made public, and now the possibility of that picture being used to blackmail them as potential sex offenders, it's harder to get them to report it to a police officer. he was posing as a girl and asking boys for pictures and extore extorting them. and lots and lots of kids were involved. >> is this ever happening with someone, the child who sent the explicit photo knows or is this only a stranger who does this. >> sometimes it's someone they know. it might be another person at school that's using this. but most of the time we're deeming wi dealing with sexual predators, the old-fashioned kind who are molesting kids online and off. >> the lesson here is don't sext

in the first place. because once you engage in that, you're putting your head in the lion's mouth. >> if you think you're in love, or you think it's going to get you a date, or you're on a dare, you're doing it and once you do it, you're now vulnerable to really bad stuff. >> if you're a parent and your child says i did something dumb and someone is reaching out to me online. >> the parent needs to make sure the child is safe and then calls police. and we need to recognize the kids have to tell someone and if they don't tell their parents, they have to tell their friends and the friends need to speak out because you would rather have an angry friend than a hurt one. just ahead, we're going to lighten things up and tell you why the odds makers are so sure that prince william and kate middleton will tie the knot soon.

♪ [ male announcer ] it's a universal gesture... ♪ a way of telling the world "you did it!"... without saying a word. introducing the mercedes-benz sls...amg. [ engine revs ] ♪ the best or nothing... that is what drives us. to get more of the fiber you need every day, try fiberchoice. with the natural fiber found in fruits and vegetables and 33% more fiber per serving than benefiber. go to fiberchoice.com to get savings and rewards.

that can take so much out of you. i feel like i have to wind myself up just to get out of bed. then...well, i have to keep winding myself up to deal with the sadness, the loss of interest, the trouble concentrating, the lack of energy. [ male announcer ] if depression is taking so much out of you, ask your doctor about pristiq®. pristiq is a prescription medicine proven to treat depression. pristiq is thought to work by affecting the levels of two chemicals in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. tell your doctor right away if your depression worsens or you have unusual changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts of suicide. antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens and young adults. pristiq is not approved for children under 18. do not take pristiq with maois. taking pristiq with nsaid pain relievers,

aspirin, or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. tell your doctor about all your medications, including those for migraine, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition. pristiq may cause or worsen high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or glaucoma. tell your doctor if you have heart disease or before you reduce or stop taking pristiq. side effects may include nausea, dizziness and sweating. for me, pristiq is a key in helping to treat my depression. ask your doctor about pristiq. [ laughs ] this is it! [ all ] 10...9...8... a new school year has so much potential! any resolutions? my resolution is the same as always; keep her full and focused with my fiber. [ all ] 3...2...1... happy school year! [ female announcer ] this school year, make a resolution to give your kid kellogg's frosted mini-wheats cereal. an excellent source of fiber from 100% whole grain. that helps keep them full so they can focus on the day ahead. keeps 'em full... keeps 'em focused.

char what are the odds we're going to see a wedding between prince william and kate middleton. martin fletcher is at buckingham palace this morning. >> reporter: all bets are off since it is so certain that britain will have a royal wedding that bookies are no longer taking bets on what year. but brits do love to gamble, so

the next question is what month will it be? >> prince william, the man who would be king, and kate middleton, will she be queen? now they're so on, bookies won't take bets anymore. >> for six months now, every bet is that 2011 will be the year. >> reporter: and where will it be? the new yorker, 500-10. but hang on, old chap, he hasn't even proposed. it now turns out that kate middleton's brother james works for an investment company setting rain forests. and the 23-year-old university dropout to be a business development manager there, he runs a company makes cakes. observers are worried that he'll

trade on the royal family's name. >> the royal family needs to be very careful that they don't find themselveses with another fergie except with another pair of trousers on. >> by the way, which month is the bookies favorite for william and kate to marry next year? june is the favorite. i guess the real question is has anyone told them? >> martin fletcher, thank you so much. >> june 14. i got money that says it. just ahead, the woman trapped in 1994 because she has no memories of the past 16 years.

there's oil out there we've got to capture. my job is to hunt it down. i'm fred lemond, and i'm in charge of bp's efforts to remove oil from these waters. bp has taken full responsibility for the cleanup and that includes keeping you informed. you may have heard that oil is no longer flowing into the gulf, but our spotter planes and helicopters will keep searching for any oil. we use satellite images, infrared and thermal photography to map and target the oil. we're findi less oil every day, but we've still got saouthnds of vessels ready to clean it up. local shrimp and fishing boats, organized into task forces and strike teams. plus, specialized skimmers from around the world. we've skimmed over 35 million gallons of oil/water mixture and removed millions more with other methods. i grew up on the gulf coast

and i love these waters. as long as there's oil out there that could make it ashore, i'm gonna do everything i can to stop it. bp's commitment is that we will see this through. and we'll be oure asonasta ig ket s to clean up the gulf. ♪ i can't hold her hand on the bus. ♪ or be there to show everyone how great she is. but what i can do is give her everything she needs to be excited for school, while staying in my budget. that's why i go to walmart. she has everything she needs. and then some. [ female announcer ] walmart has low prices on not just a few things, but everything on their back-to-school list. guaranteed. save money. live better. walmart. [ female announcer ] now get baby-smooth perfection with new dream smooth mousse from maybelline new york. some makeups leave skin rough, dry. ours is cream whipped, so it hydrates. skin looks flawless, baby-smooth. new dream smooth only from maybelline.

good morning. i'm scott mcgrew. 7:56. let's check in with mike. >> we had a disabled vehicle reported on the upper deck. when it happens around treasure island, they slow down the metering lights. that may have caused additional back-up. we see it at toll plaza. now about a 25-minute drive from richmond to berkeley. a general slowing down the east shore freeway. oakland, 880 moving nicely past the coliseum. northbound side hasn't slowed much. the southbound side slowing down around the san mateo bridge, getting into milpitas, into the south bay, it continues down through the area without problems. northbound 101, northbound 87 and northbound 85 have showed slowing. the elephants come marching

through about 11:30 a.m. this morning. >> back to school this morning. we have the cloud cover, fog. temperatures below average. we will see sunshine. but temperatures a good five to ten degrees below where we are typically this time of year. we will cool off through the end of the week. 64 today. 80s across the east side of the bay. south end of the bay as well, north end of the bay, mid to upper 70s. just near 80. cast.is the seven-day cooling next week.

[ son ] i'm a good son. dependable. i call my mom every week. i even bought her a computer with my new citi forward card. then one day... have you seen this? she "friended" me. there's a whole album. [ laughs ] [ groans ] and started posting pictures. ♪ and tagging me. publicly. [ male announcer ] you ought to be rewarded for being dependable. the citi forward card gives you extra points for paying your bill on time and staying within your credit limit. [ woman ] nice tights. what's your story? the citi forward card can help you write it.

a teenager is dead after somehow falling off a moving suv. it happened just before midnight on a narrow residential street in danville. witnesses say the 19-year-old tried to hop on a friend's suv, somehow lost his grip and was killed when he hit the pavement. police do not think the driver was drinking or that speed was a factor. and an investigator with the danville police department is going door to door trying to figure out what happened. more local news in a half hour. the "today" show returns in less than a minute.

8:00 now on a monday morning, it's the 16th day of august, 2010. it's a hot, humid day here in midtown manhattan. it could rain at any minute. but we're just in for kind of a warm, humid day. we got a nice treat in store a little later on in our next half hour. i'm not going to say too much about that. meanwhile, i'm matt lauer along with anne curry. meredith is off today. >> it's always great to be with you and we have got a new twist on a story that we have been telling people about for some time. >> if you see the movie

"groundhog day" where the man wakes up over and over. a woman wakes up every day and can only remember things prior and up until 1949. she had an accident, she lost her short-term memory. she can't remember anything from the past 16 years. in fact the things that happen to her today here on this show she will probably forget in the near future. >> but the terrific thing is that her short-term memory loss does not extend to when she got married. so thank goodness she remembers her husband every time she wakes up. >> he's obviously a huge help to her living through this unusual circumstance. we're going to talk to them both in just a couple of minutes. we have a new chapter in this casey anthony story, the young florida mother who's accused of killing her toddler, caylee. coming up, an attorney for her parents george and cindy anthony have been speaking out in a live

interview. and a new survey comes out, this time it's all about fast food, we're talking about the best burgers, the best coffee and the healthiest options. we'll get that information for you. >> meantime, we'll go to natalee more or less, she's in for me at the news desk this morning. the california highway patrol says it has no plans to charge the driver of a pick-up truck that crashed into spectators in an offroad race saturday night. the mojave desert race was held with the bureau of land management's permission. and a closer look at the plane crash that killed senator ted stevens and four others. they also had their first chance to question survivors, including a 13-year-old boy who was released from the hospital over the weekend. the united nations says this will be a critical week for

flood survivors in pakistan who face a new wave of death and disease if aid does not reach them quickly. officials estimate 1,600 people have been killed and 2 million left homeless by flooding that began more than two weeks ago. an autopsy will be performed today on suspected craigslist killer phillip markoff. the former medical student was found dead in his boston jail cell sunday morning in an apparent suicide. prosecutors said he met both victims through online ads on craigslist. the commercial shrimping season opens in the waters off louisiana four months after the gulf oil disaster began. any shrimp reaching the market will be safe to eat. the expendables took over the top spot at the box office over the weekend. sylvester stallone's film took in $35 million according to early estimates.

it is now 8:03. let's go back outside once again to matt and ann. >> al is off today, we have got stephanie abrams from the weather channel filling in. very steamy morning. >> are you ready to trade the beach for the big city? >> for five days. >> beautiful waves that you guys have here. >> oh, yes, i love it. >> aloha to you as well. let's have a look at your forecast across the country, unfortunately here in the nation's capital, there is a thator f severe weather,or we'll also be about 5 to 10 degrees below average. in the northwest, our temperatures will good morning. we continue with below average conditions around the bay area. this is san francisco. you can just make out

embarcadero, barely that fog is about 1800 feet deep. we are sitting with the 50s, mostly around the bay area. getting close to the 50s, highs in the 70s, warmer spots a few degrees warmer than yesterday. in fact as we go through tomorrow, same story. it's not until the end of the week that we cool off a bit more. have a great monday. >> ann over to you. coming up next, a woman who is stuck in a real life "groundhog day" because she can't remember anything from before including her wedding. . oh, how many days are you going to suffer? nasonex is the only prescription that'prov to help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms, including congestion, so you can have more symptom-free days. [ female announcer ] side effects were generally mild d included headache, viral infection, sore throat, nosebleeds and coughing.

it does not come in generic form, so ask your doctor about nasonex. [ female announcer ] and save up to $15 off your refills. go to nasonex.com for details, terms and conditions. [ female announcer ] and save up to $15 off your refills. i can take one airline out... and another home. so with more flight options, i can find the combination that gets me there and back quickest. where you book matters. expedia. vegetables are naturally low in calories. v8 juice gives you 3 of your 5 daily servings. it's a tasty, nutritious way to make this number go up... and help this one go down. v8. what's your number?

mommy. mom, the back to school list is here. looks expensive. graphing calculator, flash drives... that was easy. [ male announcer ] get back to school and back to savings on everything on your list at staples.

we get double miles on every purchase. so we earned an l.a. getaway twice as fast. we get double miles every time we use our card. no matter what we're buying. and since double miles add up quick... romans! get em! [ garth ] ...we can bring the whole gang. [ sheep bleats ] it's hard to beat double miles. whoa -- he's on the list. but we're with him. [ male announcer ] introducing the venture card from capital one with double miles on every purchase every day. go to capitalone.com. [ indistinct shouting ] what's in your wallet?

imagine not being able to remember some of the biggest days in your life, not even your own wedding. we'll talk to a woman who wakes up every morning thinking it's 1994. >> reporter: remember this scene from "pulp fiction"? can you picture crop top in this? for most people it's just a blast from the past. but for 47-year-old michelle phillips, these are some of the last things she can recall. she suffers from amnesia, a condition she developed after being injured in a motor bike and a car crash. it wiped out her short-term memory in 1994 and has made

every day since a little bit like this. >> well, it's groundhog day again. >> reporter: reading a book is almost impossible. >> one time i started it, i get to the middle, i forgot how it started. >> reporter: she has to remind herself every day how to send an e-mail, post it notes and her cell phone diary get her through the day. and without a gps, she would get lost in the neighborhood have she grew up. >> my tummy tickles and i think, oh, my god, where am i going? >> reporter: her home life seems like a replay of the movie 50 first dates. michelle knows her husband ian from before the accident, but has almost no memory of the biggest day in her life. >> i remember the wedding day because we've got the photos. but the evening, i can't remember the evening at all. >> reporter: where did you go? >> i think it was crete.

>> reporter: world events is often a wild guess. >> it's a fan rule. i don't know these names. >> do they look familiar? >> no, they don't. >> reporter: but does it matter if rachel never grows up? >> it's a new, i don't need a job, i don't need my parents. i've got something better. >> reporter: and are some things just better left forgotten? michelle says she would give anything to have her memory back good or bad. >> i'll never be able to say remember whenever again, i'll never be able to enjoy a joke, or join in the conversation. >> reporter: but in the end, it's michelle's determination and eian's patience. >> he's my support, he's my memory man. >> that makes them a memorable pair. >> stephanie gosk, nbc news, england.

>> director of the memory and aging research center at ucla and author of the upcoming book, the naked lady who stood on her head. good morning to all of you. hi, michelle, how are you doing? i was shaking my head when i started to read the research on this last night. because it's hard for us to get our arms around this. how soon after today, after sitting here with me this morning will you forget that you were ever here? >> because this is a special occasion, i don't think i'm going to forget this one, i'll forget when it was, because to me this is so unique and amazing to me. >> so this will register perhaps in a slightly different portion of your brain? >> and it will stay there. >> we have some photographs of you last night in and about town that were taken. when you look at these photos, what do you think?

do you remember them? not really? >> no, not really. >> so when you see this that just happened last night, you draw a blank? >> yes. >> so are there -- this is obviously terribly frustrating and terribly inconvenient, are there times when it's dangerous, michelle? do you forget things that can impact your safety? >> when i was having seizures, yes, it was bad. but now because i try and teach myself a lot of things to keep myself out of danger a lot. >> ian, what is it like to go through a day a typical 24-hour period with these circumstances? >> it's not as bad as what it was before obviously the surgery when she used to be regular seizing. >> so you would rather live with this, obviously, than seizures

that were more dangerous? >> definitely. >> but still on a dangerous basis, as we mentioned in stephanie's piece, she knows you because she knew you well before her accident. but life with her now it's like the clock starts every day. it's a clean slate. >> you get used to it. >> at the beginning for me, it was heart breaking knowing that i was different and i don't want to be different, i wanted to be back into the normal me. and not this shell of a person. i want my career back, i want to be able to say i will go in again, but you can't do it. >> how common is this? >> matt, this is extremely rare and what's striking about michelle's condition is that she can't form new memories, yet she can carry out every day things, she can drive a car, she can have a conversation, but she

will not remember this experience tomorrow the way you and i will remember. >> and it's interesting what defines short versus long-term memory. i mean for michelle, long-term memory could be 24 hours, most of us look at it as a lot further than that? >> we do, we define it differently depending on who we r and the kind of problems she's having is from damage to a memory center in the brain. >> actually during surgery they removed tissue? >> the area of the brain is called the hippo campus, it's just underneath the temples. but it's rare for even head trauma to cause even this kind of problem. >> doctors say to you what, is there any improvement you might experience or do they say this is what you should learn to live with for the rest of your life? >> this is it, it won't get any better. >> we're all told we can do little tricks to improve our memory. will won't work for you even a

small amount? >> i try and do word association from people's names and to remember numbers. i don't remember the number itself. but i try to put it into a telephone and i remember the pattern. >> and that helps you remember? >> and that help mess remember. i'm up to six numbers now. just from the pattern and the numbers that i put in. >> not that it's going to impact your life in any way, do you remember my name. >> sorry, no. >> and i'm not sure you ever knew my name by the way. but it's just bizarre, it's a bizarre thing, it's one of those things that leaves you scratching your head. >> michelle is using her memory aides and her husband is helping her to compensate. so for the average person when they have brain damage or memory problems, they can use memory aides like this or they can use association or visualization to improve their memory ability. >> doctor, thank you very much.

eian and michelle, thank you for joining us. >> i hope you remember this event a little bit. >> i want to, indeed. a new fight over the evidence in the casey anthony case, we're going to talk to the attorney representing her parents right after this. [ female announcer ] lean cuisine presents... the book of truth. food myth #9. [ woman ] chopping, peeling and sauteing can be kinda relaxing at the end of the day. [ female announcer ] relaxing? for who? for fresh taste without the fuss, try new market creations from lean cuisine. the new garlic chicken is freshly steamed in this revolutionary steam pouch that unlocks the flavors of tender white meat chicken, crisp farm picked veggies and al dente pasta, for a steamed dinner like never before. now that's fresh thinking. new market creations from lean cuisine. keep life delicious. ♪ [ female announcer ] we've got stains, down to a science. new wisk, with our breakthrough stain spectrum technology targets all the major stain groups like proteins, carbohydrates and oils. its enzymes and cleaning agents tackle a full range of stains.

you'll never look at stains the same way again. for a more powerful clean, try new wisk. fight stains with science. they're oven-baked flatbread crisps. ♪ with the tastes of sea salt and olive oil. ♪ or sprinkled with italian herbs. ♪ townhouse flatbread crisps. they're perfect for snack time, party time, any time. ♪ new townhouse flatbread crisps. the everyday cracker with the specially-crafted taste. waking up with morning pain is hard enough, new townhouse flatbread crisps. but it can also drain the energy right out of you. if you wake up tired and in pain, try new bayer am. bayer am works two ways to give you a better start to your day. it combines extra strength bayer aspirin to treat all types of pain

plus an alertness aid to reduce fatigue so you can get off to a running start. don't let morning pain and exhaustion drag you down. fight it with bayer am - the morning pain reliever. helping you buy better. when something's safe? you talk to these guys. they go through every car and truck we make with a big fat red pencil. because they know a family's going to be inside. a teenager. a guy on the way to the job. the engineers of chevrolet. just another reason why we can offer a 5-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. and another reason why a chevy's a chevy. [ children shouting ]mile powertrain warranty.

come on, kiddo, let's go. [ laughs ] hold on a second... come on up here where your brothers sit. [ birds chirping ] wow! did i ever tell you what it was like growing up with four sisters? that sounds fun. yeah...fun for them! [ male announcer ] chevy traverse. a consumers digest best buy. with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. it seats eight comfortably -- not that it always has to.

frlgts there is a new fight over evidence in the casey anthony case. in a moment we'll speak to the attorney for her parents who has an announcement to make. but first here's nbc news's kerry sanders. >> just under the surface, there's infighting montgomery the lawy among the lawyers in the casy anthony case. at first issue, did search teams look near her house in august and then find nothing, but then four months later, remains were found in that same spot. if so, the defense argues how would casey have dumped her daughter's body there when she was under round the clock police surveillance. the search records that might best answer this question belong to texas equisearch, a volunteer organization. casey's defense team says it has not seen equisearch records.

but an attorney was allowed to review all 4,000 pages of documents, making whatever conclusions he wanted and then allowing the state to do the same thing. that attorney was brad conway. casey's parents' lawyer. if he got special treatment and did look at the search records brad conway may have gone from casey's parents' lawyer to witness for the defense. complicating matter, two years ago when caylee was first reported missing, attorney mark nejame represented george and cindy anthony. now nejame represents texas equisear equisearch. meanwhile casey's parents are increasingly upset with casey's defense attorney jose baez. he cut off all jailhouse visits.

that was 22 months ago. >> that's someone that casey picked, that's someone that casey came in contact with and she's satisfied with. i said it from the beginning, if things were different, if there were some other way to get someone else involved in it, i think i could have. >> do you have confidence in him? >> some days i have confidence, some days i question his tactics. >> casey anthony accused of murdering her own daughter, lawyers are now openfully quests each other. >> brad conway is with us exclusively this morning. mr. conway, good morning. you've been on this case for 19 months and you have an announcement this morning, what is it? >> regrettably, ann, i have to withdraw my representation for the anthonys. the reason for that withdrawal is based on the defense motion filed on august 9, last week. in that motion, the defense

alleges that i was given special treatment that mr. nejame forced a waiver on anthonys in return for my view of equisearch documents. >> were you given special treatment? >> absolutely not. i was given the same conditions that everybody else was and that is i was allowed to review the documents, make tabs on the relative files, i was not allowed to copy, photograph, remove or any other way alter the documents. >> are you leaving because you have no choice of this move by casey's defense attorney? or are you leaving because you have had enough. >> i have no choice, i have become a witness to pleadings that have been misstated. as an officer of the court, i can't stand by and knowingly participate in something that is false. they misrepresented my role, they misrepresented my actions, and i can't do nothing about that. >> you represented casey's parents and we heard casey's

father raise questions about her defense attorney, who was chosen by casey based on all reports because of a conversation she had in jail with someone else saying who would be a good lawyer to defend me? this man's name is jose baez. also the reason why the anthonys have not been able to speak to their daughter. this idea that they are not allowed to speak to their daughter, does that make legal sense to you? >> it makes sense in a vacuum, but in a case where everything is public, she can't even buy items from the commissary without the public knowing so what's the harm in the public seeing her family tell her they love her? >> are you questioning whether he is fully skilled to represent casey anthony? >> it really would been proper for me to comment on that, ann. i think that the decisions he's making are done in conjunction

with casey anthony, whether they're good or bad, only she can decide. i have clients to look out for and their interests. >> right good morning. a couple minutes before 8:30, i'm kris sanchez. >> we talk about back to school. we forget college is coming back as well. 280 in both directions around ocean avenue. the off ramp is backed up to college. monterey is the suggested alternate. there's the drive into the city -- actually out of the city. oakland holding up pretty well. the northbound side from time to time, seemed slowing.

downtown, and sinole. >> notice on the map getting places of orange. 60s, coming back into the morning hours. starting to warm up a bit. but that fog is still with us. highs 70s and 80s. got those, 80s for livermore. san jose, into the north and bay. mostly upper 70s, tomor v la similar and we cool off for the remainder of the week. we'll be right back. si

a livermore mother accused

of having sex with two 13-year-old boys today faces court. she face 67 felony counts of sexual assault. she is expected to ender a plea to those charges. she had sex with two boys for well over a year starting when the boys were 13. she was arrested after one of the victims allegedly found a nude photo of her on her son's cell phone. we have more news coming up and the "today" show returns in less than a minute. if you're headed be careful, back to school time.

8:30 now on a monday morning, august 16, 2010. we have a nice crowd of people out on the plaza. we have got a nice little surprise for you coming up in just a second. especially if you are fans of the new york yankees. that's coming up.

meredith is off today and natalee morales joins as well. coming up, we got back to school just around the corner. we all have the children going back to school, sometimes whether they have shown jitters in the past or not, they may actually have jitters this year, whether it's a young man or woman going to school for the first time, or someone going into high school, how parents and kids can deal with first-day jitters. we're going to talk about that. >> let's not call the whole thing off. we're going to be talking about a new survey they do about fast food restaurants and they took a look at which ones have the healthiest options and which ones might actually have the best french fries. we'll get into the details of what they found coming up. the secret of the art of the deal at the outlet mall. we'll show you how to navigate. and one of our favorite

actresses, we have got emma thompson, of course the academy award winning one. and it sound major. you are the producer, the writer as well as the star. are you exhausted? >> there's a lot to make up and it was great fun and the pigs fly in it and they rim and it's a great passion of mine to make movies that everyone enjoys. >> let's talk about the makeup, it's like a two-hour process to turn you into nanny mcphee. what time during the process do you get rid of emma and become nanny mcphee? >> i like the big nose, that's good if you get very hot, it

kind of slides off. such a lot of costume, if i overheat, it's like being a hippo or an elephant. they would like to roll me in mud. >> does this happen every day? >> yes, absolutely. 245's for you, by the way. >> what's amazing about you is that you have such an ability to do so many different kinds of roles. it's really stunning to actually be in your company because i have admired your work over so many different festivals and over so much time. do you ever think back or do you just think ahead? >> i don't like to look back because i always think i could have done that better. i always think what shall i do next. it's great fun and it's good to change up as well.

i would get bored if i had to do the same thing every time. >> you're take some time off? >> i'm going to stop for about eight months next year. and just do life. all the stuff that you have to do. we're all going head off for a bit and have a bit of a break from everything and the school routine and all of that stuff. >> mental cleanse. >> yeah, clean out all the bad stuff. >> i'm sure that will be relaxing for you. >> congratulations. >> it's really great. >>let us get a check of the weather, al is off today, we have got stephanie abrams. >> and to prove that we can all get along here, you're a bostonian, but you're not against the yankees, are you? >> we're all americans.

>> i like that. just put your energy into your own team. i love that let's look at the weather here across the country. it's going to be hot here across the northwest. we're talking about temperatures near 100 degrees in some spots. temperature is 15 to 20 degrees below average, otherwise the good morning to you. none of the heat coming to the bay area live, look at the fog still with us. we have delays at sfo as a result. we're sitting at 53, san francisco downtown, 50s on the map. getting closer to the 60s. delays 54 minutes for some arriving flights. those kids back in school. feels like fog. rather cool this summer. we continue with the cooler conditions today. low 80s and warm are spots. tomorrow and cooler the remainor of the week. ann, over to you. coming up next, using a back

to school dinner to warn your child. advantage topical solution treats dogs...

( barking ) but destroys fleas.

e, yr veri na for advantage, the flea specialist for gentle, but effective, flea control. 8:37 now, this morning we're kicking off a special week long series, helping your family get ready to go back to school. a big issue for a lot of kids is first-day jitters. michelle, good morning, nice to see you. even if your kids have never had first day jitters in the past, doesn't mean they might not experience them this year. >> exactly. that's why the first step is tune in and don't assume that your child isn't going to be jittery because it's natural to be. your real goal as a parent is to try to anticipate what the jitter is so you can come up with simpblt little solutions for it. >> the ones going to school for the first time, what are they going to be nervous about. >> the big thing number one is what's the teacher's name,

number two is where's the bathroom and are you really coming back to pick me up, mom. >> celebratiseparation anxiety for a little one. first you calm yourself, because if you're jittery your kid's going to pick that up. number two, if you actually can prepare now, by teaching them how to just say goodbye, believe it or not. >> so rehearse the goodbye. here's a simple little goodbye just between you and me. for a little one, it really helps if you put a little magic pebble in your pocket. every time you touch it, mommy's thinking about you no matter where you are. and the moment you do say goodbye. say goodbye, i'll be right back, i can't wait to see you. >> should you take a tour of the school with the young student. >> yeah, because that's really an involved parent.

if the child looks like he would like you there, then do it. because what you really want to do above all else is get the jitters down, let's walk the school, let's find out where the bathroom is and where the cafeteria is and what the secretary's name is. >> slightly older children, the classes get a little harder, there's a little more home work, what are the kids worried about? >> and number one, the bigger the school, how do i get from one class to another. there could be four to six different teachers depending on it. two biggest concerns is my schedule, how the heck am i going to remember it. let's go and get you an agenda, let's paste it off the internet website of your school is a gold mine. because you can actually print those off. and for a middle school kid, how am i going to remember my locker number, or what the number is. >> there are also things when you go from elementary school to

middle school, they were the oldest kids in elementary school and now they younger kids in middle school. >> so many big changes, not only so many teachers, but so many students. they used to use it for adults, give them some kind of a line they can use inside their head. for a little kid, it's go away worry, you can't get to me. for a bigger kid, it's i can handle this and they repeat that over and over again, and it will reduce it. the second thing that helps is teach them to do the first thing, when you get to that school, what's the first thing you can do. i go to the basketball courts because that's what i like to do. go find jim because he's a buddy. >> sometimes kids are going to come home and they're not going to talking to their parents about the fact that they're anxious or experiencing anxiety. >> number one you're going to see changes in sleep, you're

going to watch their foot going up and down. irritability is going to be a top one as well. you're watching for your child's normal signs anyway and a switch from that normal is every kid's going to be jittery. but you're looking for the delay of how long it lasts, does it spill over and last the two weeks. >> we're going now from middle school to high school. clearly academics get harder but it's a lot about the social and fitting in. >> particularly if you're the new kid on the block and you don't know the culture. in that case, that backpack like the rest of the kids or those shoes like the rest of the kids will make a difference, you don't have to go busting your wallet getting them the pricey new gimmick, but you want to help them fit in because that's what's going to help them learn. >> sitting at these desks, i have an incredible urge to look at your paper. >> and look what i'm doing, covering it up. >> like everyone sitting next to

me. tomorrow on back to school today, an exclusive first look at "u.s. news & world report"s latest rankings of the country's top colleges. up next, we rank the best of the best when it comes to fast food. we're going to check out their list, but first this is "today" on nbc.

it's 8:45 and the average american eats at a fast food restaurant about 10 times a month. so which chains are the best of the best? the famous restaurant guide is out with the results of a new survey. tim zagat is the ceo. you do the survey every year. and what is the headline from this year's findings? >> i think the headline is five guys. the chain which has over 500

outlets, but that's small by the standards of most of the chains we're talking about. and it's growing like topsy and it has wonderful burgers and they have the most amazing combinations. they say they have 250,000 combinations, i think they're kidding but it may be true. >> let's see how they did on the survey. you're going to take them topic by topic. by the way you conducted the survey online, i think there were somhiet like 6,000 people. so the most popular of those fast food restaurants, megafast food chains is? >> subway. and given the fact that it has over 30,000 outlets around the world, that's not a surprise. but they really have a combination of things, they're quick, they're convenient, they're reasonably priced and most importantly, they have healthy products. >> they have wheat bread and things like that that you can choose. >> they're really specialized in fresh ingredients and healthy end product. >> in terms of the list for the

top overall chain, which by the way means what, exactly? >> it's a combination of the averages for food, facilities and service. and that means that they are average have the highest overall experience. >> all right. and the winner of that one. >> wendys, people think of wendy's as the burger the area burger, but actually it also does just about everything else right according to winning this award. >> we talked just a few moments ago about healthy options, these are healthier, i'm not sure that people might say they're 100 pe100% healthy, i would think, but healthier than you would think than other fast food restaurants. >> subway, with healthy ingredients and healthy end product. >> the headline is wendys takes a number two position in that one as well? >> right. >> now moving on to the best burger, now we get to go to the top. >> five guys.

>> they beat in and out, wendys, burger king. >> i have never eaten a five guys burger, but boy, people love their burgers and they are growing so fast because people appreciate them. >> moving on to the best french fries this was an overwhelming landslide winner. >> and it's almost expected every year, mcdonald's, mcdonald's, their french fries, our surveyors voted for them overwhelmingly. >> why do you think. >> all i know is that's because thousands of people like their french fries better than anybody else's. i know i personally like their french fries better than anybody else's. but it's 5,600 people . >> in the category of best coffee, perhaps it's not a surprise, but who won for best fast food coffee? >> and starbucks and the starbucks name says great

coffee. >> dunkin' dough doughnuts is also number two. but pete's coffee and tea. >> pete's is excellent coffee chain. it's so far though it's not everywhere and starbucks is. >> in fact, sometimes when you go to dunkin' doughnuts, i think they use the pete's coffee, isn't that true? >> i don't know. >> hopefully i didn't say anything wrong there. and in the last category, the best value meals, basically saying you get the most for your money? who wins there? >> mcdonald's. and if you look at all the other categories that mcdonald's wins, they do it for a very low price. people appreciate it. the dollar menu that they sell speaks for itself. >> all right. okay. so what are you studying next? >> we're doing things about movies, we're doing nightlife, we're doing all kinds of things, we're always doing it. there's never a time when we're

not serving something. >> and that's from tim zagat. coming up next "hardball" catches up with some yankee t first toon nbc.

we want to talk now about some terrific work that these three guys are doing on and off the baseball field. we're joined by new york yankees

alex rodriguez, c.c. sabathia and alex swisher. guys, good morning, nice to see you all. who wants to take a shot at explaining, the second year it's happened. >> we'll go and switch. >> i think the biggest thing that we try to convey to everybody that there's so many inspirational people throughout the country, you don't have to be a professional baseball player or a person that has a wonderful job to be an inspiration to a lot of people. the other thing we really try to say is time, everybody has time to do just a little bit for somebody. and a smile is something we do best. >> it's not about giving your time, it's not about opening your checkbook, but giving your time to help other people and the idea is to hope that other people will be inspired and go out and do things for others. >> we hope that people will go out and see the stories and try

to get out in the community and help as much as they can. >> you had a chance to meet these types of people when you took part in the first one, what was it like? >> everybody thinks about how wonderful it was for them, but weeks and month office the event, we were talking about what it did for us. it would be easy to do the yankee stadium, but the idea is to go out into the community, go into people's backyards, fast food restaurants, and share with our time. it's just great overall. >> one of the other nice things is that this is something that the yankees organization is taking part in top to bottom. there's not just a couple of players out there. >> from steinbrenner all the way to the grounds crew and the staff. any person in this organization, because we know that's what we enjoy the most. >> it is inspirational. can we talk a little bit about baseball? kind of a milestone, a little

milestone? 600 home runs. it took you a while. >> exactly between 599 and 600. >> i thought when i was copping to the "today" show i was going to be stuck at 599. >> how does it feel? >> it's so great, we're right in the middle of a pennant race, that's the last thing we want to think about is someone's milestone. the teammates were patient, the fans in new york were patient, but right now we have a good pennant race. >> the tenant race is tight, there's no question about it. we're here at the end of october calling you guy the two time pennant winners. >> it is called yankee hall ho

week. thank you so much. back with much more ahead, right after these messages and your local news and weather. . . [ female announcer ] jobs leaving.

a budget disaster. california on the brink. jerry brown's plan? you run for office and the assumption is, oh, i know what to do. you don't. i didn't have a plan for california. [ female announcer ] with our state in crisis, we need a governor with a plan. you need a real plan, something i'll acknowledge i did not have. [ female announcer ] jerry brown. no plan then. no plan now. meg whitman. a plan for jobs. log on. learn more. i'm scott, making an up date on the commute. we talked about more cars on the road. that's a return from summer break, so far, things calm down as well. the rest of the year is looking good.

eastbound, that is still slow. very slow. oakland, 80 looks nice right now. past the coliseum. keep in mind tonight, 7:05 there's an oakland a'sgame. right now, more news after this.

a global supply manager in in hot water, accused of accepting kickbacks from makers of iphone. another man from singapore are named in a 23-count federal grand jury indictment, describing a scheme in which divine allegedly got sent confidential information from apple suppliers.

in return, suppliers and manufacturers paid him kick backs and he shared that with ang. more news coming up in a minute. now back to the "today" show. california is about to purchase new text books and teaching materials for millions of kids in thousands of public schools. we are already spending more than $300 million a year on books. but we have a huge opportunity right now to go digital, and the bay area can lead the way. electronic leaders can and must replace most text books. electronic texts can be easily updated, geared to different learning style, and can help

transition non-english speaking students to english struck. we can use the money we buy year after year to keep more teachers teaching. that's what we think. k?thin at you think? wno kt anbc editorials.com. ♪ new york >> we're back with more of "today" on a monday morning. the 16th day of august, 2010. new york state of mind. we have some yankee fans. alex rodriguez out here talking about yankee hope week and sporting the t-shirts. hats, balls, everything like that. let me show you something, last year, the "today" show team took on the ceo team. it was a wonderful victory to the "today" show. unfortunately, the end of last

week, we had a rematch. it didn't turn out so well to us. we lost to the suits which is not a good thing. you never want to do that. so, if we take on a third rematch, we want to know, nick, a-rod, could you pay for our teammates? >> yeah. >> we can't pay anything but we'll have a good time, all right? >> all right. >> go back out. i know the people want to say hi to you. a-rod, nick, thanks for coming. ladies and gentlemen, the new york yankees. what else do we have coming up? also coming up here, we heard all about the warnings of identity theft. 11 million people, it's stunning to think about. 11 million people have their identities stolen last year. this morning, we have simple ways to protect yourself on-line and short. >> that's coming up. first, inside. natalie is standing by at the newsdesk. a check of all of the headlines. good morning again. good morning, everyone. investigators in california are looking for answers in a racing

tragedy over the weekend that left eight people dead. why spectators watching the off road race were so close to the track. mara decampo has more. good morning to you. >> good morning, natalie. the investigation continues today in saturday's deadly accident with officials planning to interview some of the injured victims recovering at local hospitals. this comes as we learn more about those kills in that race crash. they were avid race fans, almost all in their 20s. >> reporter: a makeshift memorial in the desert marks the spot where 24-year-old zachary freeman was tragically killed. freeman was one of thousands gathered on a dry lake bed in the mojave desert for an off-road truck race. in an instant, spectators became victims when an out of control truck slammed into the crowd, standing feet away, killing eight, scattering their bolddyes on the ground. 17 were injured. >> it's not fair. >> freeman's girlfriend of two

years said she would be among the dead if she hasn't stepped away to go to the bathroom. while she was gone, the man she hoped to marry was killed. >> the favorite thing to do was to get out and go to the desert. he wanted to go out and have fun. and it -- it ended up like this? >> the truck was one of more than 80 taking part in the annual race known as the california 200 on saturday evening. photographer david conklin captured the moments leading up to the tragic accident. >> dust everywhere, lots of people starting to run to the scene, people yelling, people screaming. >> the driver, 28-year-old bret michael sloppy wasn't injured but clearly in pain posting on his facebook pain, so incredibly lost and devastated, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends involved. it's self-governed. organizers let crowds stand on the sidelines with no barriers

whatsoever. no protection. >> it's nobody's fault. that's because the spectators have to use common sense, obviously, but so does the drivers. >> everyone gets as close as they can. it's exciting, thrilling. >> a fast-moving thrill that quickly led to tragedy. now, in terms of the investigation, the bureau of land management issues permits for the off-road races. the permit for this particular event states that the organizer is responsible for safety and notes that vehicles should be moving no faster than 15 miles per hour when traveling within 50 feet of crowds, a regulation that clearly was not enforce in this case. natalie? >> loma linda, california. thank you. officials in colombia say a colombian passenger jetliner crashed while landing on the resort island of san andres. 135 people were onboard, there are injuries and one person was killed. >> survivors in pakistan say international aid is not coming

quickly enough following the worst flooding there in history. 29 million people were affected by the floods that began two weeks ago. officials in boston are now investigating how the suspected craiglist killer was able to commit suicide in jail. former medical student philip markoff was found dead sunday morning. he was awaiting trial for the murder of a woman he met through an on-line classified ad and the armed robbery of another. new concerns today in the gulf of mexico as the shrimp season gets underway. many louisiana shrimpers are worried about the oil spill and the impact on the shrimp populati population. gas prices are up four cents a gallon in the last three weeks according to the lundberg survey. the average price for regular is $2.77 a gallon. >> hundreds of elvis plans have been gathering to mark the 33rd anniversary of his death. and in california, two fugitives are in custody this morning and wearing stripes to soo --. two zebras escaped the animal

farm and roamed the streets for an hour before being cornered and corralled. one had been hit by a car. both are expected to be okay. good news there. six minutes past the hour. back outside once again to matt and anne. >> thanks, natalie. the t-shirts are being thrown by the yankees players. kind of crazy. >> big hit. no question about it. let's get a check of the weather. al is off today. stephanie abrams is filling in. hi, steph. >> jordan is joining us. he's a boy scout. what is your dream? >> to become an eagle scout. >> good luck with that. a look at the forecast here across the country. show you where it's going to be stormy. that's going on the gulf coast. low pressure will become a depression. regardless of what it does or not. it's raining heavily across the north still has fog, good morning, i'm craig herrera. starting to see the list moments

ago. able to see parts of the golden gate. get it see that as we go through 12:00. we have delays, for summer arriving flights, 54 minute, not uncommon. waiting for somebody to come, it there may be delays. we have a few more tomorrow. after that we have wind coming back in. that will cool us back off into the 70s. have a great monday. this morning on "today's" consumer, how to protect yourself on identity theft. more than 11 million consumers had their identities compromised. here with some simple steps to protect yourself is mandy watts. id theft is such a furious problem. but when most of us think it's identity theft. >> the person becomes you, it's committing lots of fraud in your name.

>> that happens to very few households, according to the department of justice, less than 1% of u.s. households. more common, but still pretty rare, about 4% of households will experience the kind of somebody gets your credit card number and they're making purchases or gets your bank account number and they're out there. when that happens, the good thing is banks usually cover most of those expenses and the people who last did have some out of pocket expenses, it was the minority and it was about $373. >> and we have got some low tech, really common sense precautions. we hear them all the time but it's worth repeating once again. first is never give your social security number out. >> right, especially if somebody contacts you, if they say it's your bank, contact your bank directly. don't give your social security

number out. take it out of your wallet. don't carry it, take the credit cards out that you don't use. >> and never store your financial account information on the obvious place like your cell phone or something. >> the things that you keep, like your tax records, things that you keep for a while, keep under lock and key. shred things like your bank statement after you have reviewed it each month, shred that. >> it's really important to put a freeze on your credit report. what's the benefit of something that? >> if you're concerned about your identity theft, you can put a freeze on it. they're unlikely to give somebody credit in your name. it's a very small fee, $5, $10 depending on where you you live. >> but if you're in line to get a mortgage. >> you can lift it temporarily, and they'll charge you a small fee to do that as well.

>> another thing you say to do is file a fraud alert on your credit reportive you suspect there's something going on there. >> if you see a charge on your credit card that you didn't authorize. contact one of the three credit reporting agencies and it's free and they'll let the others know. >> so it's important to do that. this is a great tip, really to prepare an id theft file. what are some of the things that you should have in that file. >> you suspect you have -- or you are the victim of identity theft, you want to teakeep your entire record of what's going on. any records of breaches of your account, exactly what you have done, who you contacted, when it happened. >> good things to keep in mind. another thing that i think a lot of people get in the mail, those preapproved credit card offers. still to this day. that is a perfect way for somebody to then just get a hold

of your mail and go and get a credit card in your name, right? >> exactly, you can go to opt out prescreen.com and that will stop all those little mailings coming to you in people that you don't do business with. >> i'm going to do that right away, that's free to do. >> it's free too do. so you want to go read your privacy statements and opt out of any information sharing that you k. >> and i think all of us check our bank statements or some more frequently than others, but you say it's something that we should always be checking. >> you should check it daily. sign up for online access to your bank account and your credit card accounts. check it just for the recent transactions so you catch something that you didn't make. >> is id theft on the rise? do we see more activity there? >> it went up last year for the first time in four years. and yes, they usually point to

the recession as the cause. >> and on your computer too, you have to make sure you have the spy ware. >> you want security protection on your i phone and ipod as well. from saving your identity to saving some money, smart advice on how to be a smart shopper when you go to the outlet malls. >> and up next, when will prince william say i do? we'll tell you what the royal bookies are betting on after this. activia is better than ever! hey, you guys. want to try activia's great new taste? today is your tasty lucky day! sure, why not? isn't this the yogurt that, you know... helps regulate your digestive system. ooh, i think i'll pass. no, no, no! trust me.

it is beyond tasty. okay! mmm! wow! i can't believe it, i love it! mmm, this is really good! new best tasting activia ever! taste it, love it, or it's free! ♪ activia you need a space that says "you." [ candice ] horseradish and dijon pulls it all together... [ squeals ] it's his sanctuary. [ male announcer ] new kraft sandwich shop. give your sandwich a makeover. it's called hope. hope? 'cause every time you get a happy meal or a mighty kids meal some of the money goes to ronald mcdonald house charities. happy meals. the simple joy of helping. ♪

happy meals. the simple joy of helping. eating healthy is important, but only vegetables can give you vegetable nutrition. one of these will get you more than half way to your five daily servings. v8. what's your number? field trips to the zoo! more basketballs. soccer balls. and a museum! [ growls ] more basketballs. soccer balls! more books. yeah. like just a ton of books. [ girl ] and books about soft things. soft and slimy. [ female announcer ] now clip double box tops for education. from totino's pizza rolls and party pizzas. and make their school a better place. maybe it's because their department store makeup is so expensive. simply ageless with olay regenerist serum costs less and it won't glob up in lines and wrinkles. you'll look amazing and happy too. simply ageless, from olay and easy breezy beautiful covergirl.

time to face the pollen that used to make me sneeze... my eyes water. but now zyrtec®, the fastest 24-hour allergy relief, comes in a new liquid gel. new zyrtec® liquid gels work fast, so i can love the air®. ♪ pop-tarts®! i'll have a frosted strawberry... as an ice cream sandwich. ♪ chocolate fudge... on a stick please! ( crunch ) with the endless possibilities of kellogg's® pop-tarts, it's sure to be a picture perfect summer. pop-tarts®. made for fun.

so will the world be treated to a royal wedding in 2011. leading bookmakers in britain think it's a sure thing. we have got nbc's martin fletcher at buckingham palace this morning taking a look at all the odds, hey, martin, good morning. >> reporter: yeah, all bets are off here, it's considered so certain that britain will have a royal wedding next year, the bookies are no longer taking bets on what year. but brits do love to gamble to the next question is what month will it be? prince william, the man who will be king and kate middleton, will she be his queen? they have been an item for seven years and like many people, it's been a bit on and off, now they're so on, bookies won't take bets anymore. >> for six months now, every bet has been 2011 will be the year they walk down the aisle. >> and another bet, where will

their honeymoon be? san troe pay in the south of france? 5-2. hang on old chap, hasn't even proposed. and that isn't the only problem. and it now turns out that kate middleton's brother james works for an investment company selling rain forest. and what qualifies the 23-year-old university dropout to be a business development manager there? he ran a company making cakes, observers are worried that he'll trade on the royal family's name. >> the royal family needs to be very careful that they didn't find themselves with another fergie. >> reporter: by the way, which month is the bookies favorite for kate and william to mary next year? june, 4-2, and the least

favorite september, 10-1. so the next question is has anyone told them? >> martin fletcher, you are funny this morning. >> he better get to proposing. >> they have a lot of people to help them pull it off if it happ happens. [ bubbles ] ooh... [ male announcer ] the future of toilet bowl cleaning has never been brighter. ahh... [ male announcer ] thanks to new and improved scrubbing bubbles toilet cleaning gel. just stamp it in your bowl. its formula is flush-activated to prevent build up of lime scale and hard water that cause toilet rings. and it keeps working for up to six weeks. new and improved scrubbing bubbles toilet cleaning gel. the freshest way -- [ bubbles ] ooh... [ male announcer ] -- to keep a toilet clean. ahh... [ female announcer ] sc johnson. a family company. and it starts with healthy skin. discover aveeno daily lotion. the exclusive oat formula is proven to improve... skin's health in one day,

with significant improvement in two weeks. get healthy skin for life, with aveeno daily moisturizing lotion. get healthy skin for life, so we take time to sit down for lunch at olive garden and we enjoy catching up as much as we enjoy the meal... announcer: it's the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks lunch. only at olive garden. featuring four homemade soups. enjoy all you want for just $6.95.

special k protein shakes -- ♪ a truly great-tasting breakfast shake. with 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, it's the creamy, delicious way to satisfy... your hunger to help you lose weight. ♪ so you can kick the tin can habit. try special k protein shakes today. ♪ [ male announcer ] he's sweet, even with 1/3 less sugar than soda. kool-aid delivering more smiles per gallon. even with 1/3 less sugar than soda. why do women like you love activia light? sometimes i have no choice but to eat on the run and to eat whatever happens to be around. heavy greasy food that's hard on my diet

and my digestive system. so i eat activia light every day. activia light, with bifidus regularis, helps regulate your digestive system in two weeks. mmmm. activia light is not light on taste! and with only 70 calories activia light helps make it easier to watch my weight. it helps me feel good and look good too! ♪ activia

the secrets to saving big bucks at america's outlet malls. >> and we want to take a moment to remember a man who passed away on saturday, renowned photographer her man leonard. he had an amazing life photographing the lives of duke ellington, franke sinatra, ella fitzgerald and also dexter gordon. and al roker walked the streets of new orleans after hurricane katrina destroyed his home and the studio, along with thousands of his iconic prints. the negatives of his historic images will served and they will carry on his legacy. as he once put it, that camera

is open says me, and really used it well. he said he couldn't choose between jazz and taking pictures because to him it's all the same thing. >> you love the photographer too. i think as quincy jones put it, it brings out the music, you can almost hear it in the photographs. >> in fact with jazz, you know people who love jazz describe it as sort of being this embracing of freedom, like kind of a -- though there are some rules, there's sort of a no rules attitude towards music. that's how he shot. he once talked to albert einstein and said what's the difference between a musician and a math met tigs, and he said it's the ones who vent. >> it's amazing that still picture can come to life so much. >> yeah, they k. >> and what's really great is seeing some of the pictures that were destroyed as a result of

katrina. they actually increasesed in ter e because of thee t thr re treated wwaate damage. >> we're back with more right after your local news. da, da, d♪ ♪ da, da, da-da-da, da, da-da-da, da, da-da ♪ [ female announcer ] there's a place called hidden valley where kids not only eat their vegetables, they can't get enough. ♪ hidden valley ranch. makes vegetables delectable. discover four more ways to make vegetables delectable with farmhouse originals from hidden valley. discover four more ways to make vegetables delectable why do women like you love activia light? sometimes i have no choice but to eat on the run and to eat whatever happens to be around. heavy greasy food that's hard on my diet and my digestive system. so i eat activia light every day. activia light, with bifidus regularis, helps regulate your digestive system in two weeks. mmmm. activia light is not light on taste! and with only 70 calories

activia light helps make it easier to watch my weight. it helps me feel good and look good too! ♪ activia here, take the card. you go to the shops... i'll meet you at the gate. thanks. please remove all metal objects out of your pockets. with chase freedom you can get a total of 5% cash back. fun money from freedom. that's 5% cash back in quarterly categories and an unlimited 1% cash back everywhere else. and this too. does your card do this? i'm going to need a supervisor over here at gate 4. sign up for this quarter's bonus today. chase what matters. go to chase.com/freedom.

good morning, i'm kris sanchez and we're watching a little bit of crowding. >> right. we talked about a couple of events going on. now the parade of elephants ushering in. the circus coming downtown. lady gaga is performs. there could be prouds performs for both of those. keep that in mind. traffic already forming through that area. we have an issue in woodside, alexander at woodside, sounds like fire crews are handling a situation that might affect woodside. we do see slowing on 280 sound

bound direction. no incidents reported. clear view of the bridge, clear flow. there's clouds there. >> take a look too. we have drops sometimes you need within shield wipers going from the mist and drizzle. only in the 50s right now. a couple places just outside are now getting closer to 60. we have 70s and 80s in the forecast today. fog off the coast for a couple hours. we'll get a couple mid 60s there. as we go through tomorrow. more wind comes in from the afternoon. after that we coo the for the 70s for the remainder of the week.

you are a caltrans rider. you should see that caltrans will hold meetings to get public comment which could include getting all weekend trains,

ending service increases fares each way. those meetings will take place at caltrain stations in san francisco, san jose and gilroy thursday. today could be the beginning of the end of a well-known local supermarket change. it will close the doors on meridian and foxworthy avenues. it's not done yet but the company is working with a consulting firm that specializes in helping troubled today chains. stores hurt pw's business. there's only seven remaining open. first one opened in 1943. we will have more local news. "today" show will return in less than a minute.

what is this, get it? >> we get it. we get it. >> you probably like to know if your teen is running around school like animal house. it's the first look at the college ranking books. that was filmed on the university of oregon campus and i actually was attending the school at the time and my husband in fact played a little bit role in that movie. he fell off one of the floats, remember.

anyway, i missed the zit part. so you're going to help us get farther. >> we're going to outlet shopping, a lot of people think when you go to an outlet center or mall that you're going to get a good deal. we're going to show you whether that's true or not. in some cases retailers can take vac of that mindset. but we'll show you how a little planning can accept you stay within your budget. >> and this morning we're going to be talking about something else we love. we're talking about barbecue, whether you like your ribs dry or wet. we have government both. and we're going to see some mouth watering recipes for pork ribs with a dry sauce and a wet sauce. >> it depends on the cut of the beef. a check of the weather for us, stephanie abrams is in for al. >> let's talk about where you can barbecue outside, and unfortunately here in the northeast, there is a threat for severe weather, but it's going to be hot outside and hot over the grill.

wait until it cools down tomorrow. as we head into tomorrow coming up next, the money saving secrets to getting the best deals at the outlet malls. but first, these messages. al con that can take so much out of you. i feel like i have to wind myself up just to get out of bed. then...well, i have to keep winding myself up to deal with the sadness, the loss of interest,

the trouble concentrating, the lack of energy. [ male announcer ] if depression is taking so much out of you, ask your doctor about pristiq®. pristiq is a prescription medicine proven to treat depression. pristiq is thought to work by affecting the levels of two chemicals in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. tell your doctor right away if your depression worsens or you have unusual changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts of suicide. antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens and young adults. pristiq is not approved for children under 18. do not take pristiq with maois. taking pristiq with nsaid pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. tell your doctor about all your medications, including those for migraine, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition. pristiq may cause or worsen high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or glaucoma. tell your doctor if you have heart disease or before you reduce or stop taking pristiq. side effects may include nausea, dizziness and sweating. for me, pristiq is a key in helping to treat my depression. ask your doctor about pristiq.

for me, pristiq is a key in helping to treat my depression. mmmmmm. mmmmmm. wow! you have got to be kidding me. 80 calories? light & fit has 80 calories versus 100 in the other leading brand. light & fit. irresistible taste. fewer calories. i love light & fit. vegetables are naturally low in calories. v8 juice gives you 3 of your 5 daily servings. it's a tasty, nutritious way to make this number go up... and help this one go down. v8. what's your number? thanks. i got the idea from general mills big g cereals. they put a white check on the top of every box to let people know that their cereals have healthy whole grain, and they're the right choice... (announcer) general mills makes getting whole grain an easy choice. just look for the white check. aveeno hair shines in real life. new aveeno nourish plus shine with active naturals wheat smooths damaged cuticles for 75% more shine in one use. real shine, for real life. yours.

[ female announcer ] new aveeno nourish plus shine. yours. mmmmmm. mmmmmm. wow! you have got to be kidding me. 80 calories? light & fit has 80 calories versus 100 in the other leading brand. light & fit. irresistible taste. fewer calories. i love light & fit.

everyone loves a bargain and outlet stores can be a gold mine of low prices but how do you know when you're really getting a good deal. we hit the mall to get some money saving tips and to learn the smart way to navigate those sprawling outlet centers. >> reporter: i'm standing in the center of woodburies commons outlet center. every major brand is represented here. before we start shopping, there are a few strategies to keep in mind. do your research, get a map of the outlet center and create a route of all the stores you want to hit.

and get an even greater deal at the 120 stores here, go online for coupons and discount books. outlets get really busy. try to come during the week when outlets first open or at the end of the day. this particular outlet center stays open until 9:00. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> so when you shop at an outlet, i think a lot of people go with the mind set that they're going to save a lot of money, but you really do have to strategy just, as we saw. >> you're more than likely going to save a lot of money, but you're going to spend a lot of money too. >> are they last season's styles that are marked down? >> it's usually overstock or misbuys. maybe they thought that texas would have a winter, they sent a bunch of coats down there that they're not going to need in 110 degrees. >> exactly. >> some things are returned after the season was over.

it's a mixed bag. it's always good to dig through all the racks. >> you went with a big breakfast before you did the stores. you went shopping at the woodbury commons outlet. you ended up with some pretty good deals. let's start off with an outfit from neiman marcus. >> we always represent starting at the major brands. you can see she's wearing a total on trend skirt. huge for fall. it's a neutral, but it's a pattern, so it's a little bit more interesting. we have paired it with this jewel tone top. >> looks great and the little sequ sequins. >> sequins are never going to die. this one's a little unexpected and cool so it's not a huge piece. she can wear it with jeans, she can wear it with t-shirts. >> you paid for this whole

ensemble, which is fantastic. $2 $206.50 which if you total the retail price and we did, it would have been $741 and she's completely on trend. okay the next outlet store, gregs was like your workday look. let's bring out our next model, sheryl. >> it's really great to be wearing expensive, but it's totally worth it, particularly when we're talking about blazers. go to a store like theory, they have reliably great vests. every woman needs one. it totally polishes any look. and then military colors are another big trend. army green, khaki and they're

actually surprisingly easy to wear, you can mix them with brown or black. >> and for sheryl's outfit, you paid $178 and the original retail price would have been $660. so there again, a savings of 73%. so, yeah, we like the dings, the three dings for you. sheryl, you look great. >> thank you, good job. okay next outlet store is the gap outlet. do they make things specifically for the outlet store versus the regular store? >> you're going to see a mix. but you're also going to find jeans that you would otherwise find at the store, they're all on trend. gray jeans, we love that look. they're skinny, but they're flattering, and it's a great way, if you go monochromatic, and you can add a lot of layers and still feel coordinated. >> and i like how you added color with the shoes. and skinny jeans are terrifying

for a lot of women, but the layers are long and lean. >> you can just stock up on kids stuff because that's never going to go out of style or off trend. >> okay, nicole and by the way, that outfit is $74.40 which normally would have been $160 so a savings of 55%. you can get the coupons at the information center and you print out a little coupon, you take it, exchange it for a booklet, you're going to get even better savings. >> let's bring the ladies out one more time and get a better look at their outfits. nice job, nice outlet shopping. thank you, well done. coming up next, the secrets for mouth watering pork ribs right after this. ink fast, go slow ♪ ♪ now i know

♪ freedom is all that i need [ female announcer ] ladies, raise your spoons. now there's nothing left standing between you and a satisfying breakfast. introducing special k low-fat granola. with 50% less fat than the leading granola and 5 grams of fiber per serving, it's a satisfying way to help you manage your weight. special k low-fat granola -- a taste of freedom. ♪ oh, love me ♪ oh oh oh ♪ just love me ♪ oh oh oh ♪ just hold me ♪ oh oh oh ♪ just kiss me ♪ oh oh oh ♪ just want me ♪ l-o-v-e ♪ love, love, love, love ♪ ♪ ♪ l-o-v- ♪ ♪ ♪ love, love, love, love time to face the pollen that used to make me sneeze...

my eyes water. but now zyrtec®, the fastest 24-hour allergy relief, comes in a new liquid gel. new zyrtec® liquid gels work fast, so i can love the air®. it's called hope. hope? 'cause every time you get a happy meal or a mighty kids meal some of the money goes to ronald mcdonald house charities. happy meals. the simple joy of helping. ♪ [ male announcer ] what if clean sheet day became clean sheet week? new ultra downy april fresh has scent pearls that give you a whole week of freshness with just one wash. ♪

and ultra downy april fresh lets you climb in to more freshness for 7 days than this other fabric softener after 2 days. so why settle? get more. feel more. activia has delicious news for dessert lovers. so why settle?

often, the best part of a meal is the dessert. but sometimes after a busy day and a heavy greasy dinner... my system needs some tlc. now there is something new. introducing activia dessert. rich, silky, smooth yogurt with desserty flavors like strawberry cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, and peach cobbler. and because it's activia, it helps regulate my digestive system. mmm. works for me. ♪ activia new activia dessert. this morning on "today's" kitchen, memphis skil pork ribs, you may like your ribs wet or dry. >> we like them from memphis.

>> we have the hot chef patrick and jena. they are the owners of neily's barbecue. their secret from down home, a southern family cookbook, here they r. >> i see you got yourself ready to go. >> i am ready. they call me the doctor. >> dr. neely what do you have in store for us? >> we brought a treat from memphis for you guys. >> we're going to break it all the way down to the beginning to the end. so for labor day you can follow these simple steps and have this great barbecue. >> these are pork ribs, we love to cook a spare rib method. ann, do you mind helping me, sugar? i have got gloves on for a reason, hon, but i need you to help with the dry rub. typically the spice fairy

besides you she handles that. >> i need my wings for that. >> you've got paprika, add your sugar. and then you've got onion powder. >> that's it, three simple ingreed yents. >> what we're going to do, every time we do ribs, we want to sprinkle our dry rub on them, but we can do this the night before. i'm just trimming these trips so we can make it nice and smooth. i'm trimming just a little bit of jena's skirt. >> taking that membrane off would let this dry rub really get in there. >> also make it extremely moist. so i want your hands to get nasty so we'll take a nice amount of this. based on the fact that it's been so hot this summer. what geina and i do, and what we're going to do for labor day,

we're going to cook these the night before, we have step by step, how to cook it in indirect heat, whether it's charcoal, hickory, apple treats. that's where the rub comes from. you want to rub it in. i'll take this rib and i'm going to the fridge and let it set for about four hours. >> people go that's the man that rubs the meat. >> i love to rub the meat. >> okay, okay, okay. >> now we're going get started with the barbecue sauce. we're going to go ahead and add in the ketchup. >> this is a family recipe? >> this is a family recipe, this is like the real secret to making those ribs dance in your mouth. we put the ketchup in. >> is that just water you're boiling? >> yes, and if you can add in the brown sugar, not a lot of people add in the brown sugar.

and some lemon juice. worcestershire sauce. >> add that brown stuff. >> and this is the corn syrup? >> can you use like molasses if you didn't want to use corn syrup? >> you can. >> or honey. >> and then you've got some spices and they are? >> brown rub, and salt and pepper. >> that cooks for about an hour or two. it's all in the book. then what you can do the next day, i have already cooked the ribs, you've got them on your stove top grill, and after that's cooked, you just want to slide on down. the really keep to memphis ribs is wet versus dry. >> i love wet. >> i love dry. >> so at the end, the only thing we have to do is just come with

a little barbecue sauce and if you're doing it dry, gina's going sprinkle that rub. we want to show you something that goes great. and you want to take a little bite, baby. >> no, i'll take a big bite. >> let's move to the back because we have got some great side items that go great with barbecue in memphis in the south. these go right in. we have got the five bean salad, which is a nice, refreshing salad. >> now, we have got two dry salads and two wets. >> i saw raw right about now. >> for your holidays, barbecue, or backyard barbecue, very simple, we have seen broken it down to how you can do some of it the night before. and in our fabulous book, y'all, is a step by step, the charcoal,

everything gina and i are in the kitchen, rubbing away, we also have some fantastic stories about -- >> we get it. >> thank you so much. >> we're going to invite hoda and kathy lee in in just a minute. [ male announcer ] when meg whitman arrived at ebay, they had 30 people and an idea.

meg's job was to make it happen. it took leadership. focus. and the ability to bring people together. meg whitman delivered. named one of america's best ceo's by harvard business review, she grew ebay 15,000 strong and made small business dreams come true. now meg has a plan to create jobs. fix sacramento. and deliver results. meg whitman. for a new california.

hoda and kathy lee are here on a very special day. happy birthday. >> it makes me feel better to know that madonna's 52 today. wishing her a happy one too. >> it's leslie ann warren's birthday. >> and frank's getting a big kiss tonight? >> i think something's going on at the brand-new meadowlands

theater, he says stadium, i call it intermission, he calls it halftime. so that will be cute. >> you got to know, we came all this way because it was your birthday, darling. and we brought you some delicious ribs. >> wet or dry? >> i want the wet ones. >> whooo! >> you guys have a busy half hour coming up. >> busy hour. >> t.i. is joining our program today. >> that sound nice. >> and i gather there will probably be some alcohol involved. >> and some birthday cake. >> how do you get the invite? >> you can stay with us, we're coming up in about five minutes. >> thank you for all of that, kathy lee's birthday right after local news and weather.

friday on "today," daughtry, right here on the plaza, the toyota summer concert series, music's best live. be there. only on "today" on nbc.

sweet n' sour filled twizzlers. the twist you can't resist. good morning. a couple of minutes before 10:00, i'm kris sanchez. we're headed off to the golden gate bridge.

golden gate bridge has a little fog. we'll show you the bay bridge, there was an issue. there was a motorcycle accident at treasure island. we had a fear of a slowdown, sounds like the accident is actually clear. let me show you the map. we doesn't have a whole lot of slowing. moving through the lower clouds and fog, lower deck coming out of san francisco, slow for the bay bridge and san mateo bridge, might get traffic, there's a big problem. heading over to 101 takes you past san francisco airport and across the golden gate bridge. there you go, nice. there you go, craig. >> good morning to you, we also have delays at sfo. 54 minutes for arriving flights. cloud cover and haze. right over to the peninsula. and cloud cover. mid 80s for highs today. here's your forecast similar to what we are doing today and

tomorrow. as we go through the remainder of the week we'll cool off a bit more back to the 70s. thank you very much. new this morning. a vallejo man is dead. and police think it's murder. someone found him in a parked truck. now police have a suspect. that's what we're looking at here. police say he is armed and dangerous. they are asking for your help if you know anything, or, if you have seen his girlfriend, 22-year-old jessica gonzalez. if you know anything, call vallejo police. and just a few days, day marriages could start again. judge ruled same-sex marriages can resume. unless the supreme court steps in to stop them. proponents have asked the ninth circuit court to halt gay marriages. so far, the court has not responded. we have more local news coming up for you in the half hour and "today" show returns in just about 1.

see you in a bit. onvite si

ivc-l ervision from nbc news, in the "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. hey, everybody. we're glad you're joining us today. it's august 16th. it's madonna's birthday. steve carrell, leslie ann warren. >> there's somebody else. >> frank gifford. >> it is frank gifford's birthday today. >> yes. edie is -- >> she's only two years younger. >> i'm not allowed to say a date

and age. if you're good at math. i'm going to trade him in for four 20-year-olds. no, i'm not. >> we should point out that it is your birts dhday. >> we're not talking about that. >> so many people wanted to wish you a happy birts day, so let's look at some of your birthday wishes. >> i just want to say from the bottom of my heart, kathie lee gifford, happy birthday. you spent two of them with me already, two. >> kathie lee, happy birth. for your birthday present i promise i won't give cody any more advice. >> i looked at characteristics for leo. key strengths, their competent, ambitious and generous and loyal and encouraging. >> don't worry, next year, we'll have you on a smucker's jar.

>> unfortunately leo's weaknesses are domineering, mellow dramatic, stubborn and vain. >> what you would she love more than anything in the whole world? how about herself singing. listen. >> kathie lee we did the hoda birthday wish. i have to be honest with you, i just pound half this box of wine. now i have to do one for you today. i am trashed right now. >> i wish them a happy birthday. >> kathie lee, happy birthday. i regard you as my mommy, so this is kind of a special day for me, too. my mommy's birthday. goit you a bottle of top shelf quick fire wine. cheers. >> kathie lee, happy birthday. i thought it was really that you said hoda's age matches her iq. i'm kidding. >> happy birth.

i love you. >> happy birthday. love you. >> thank you everybody. very sweet. it could have been a roast. it could have been -- >> we don't do that. >> i would have deserved that. >> al wanted that smucker's jar so badly, we had to go ahead. >> oh, my god. it just feels like we've been celebrating frank's birthday since lass thursday when a lot of family came in. we went to nantucket, so we have a few pictures. there's beautiful restaurants in nantucket. there we are. we're at the galley. that's jeff and his wife karen and two daughters and frank's daughter vicky and his granddaughters and our son jeff. kyle is in there. there's cody and c somewhere. we were at the galley restaurant. it was beautiful. where are we there? that's last night out on our deck. >> you were celebrating. >> it went on and on and on.

then we were at -- where was that? >> is that your cake? >> that's our cake. that's little isabella and julia. it's one of those things that it's enough already. it's one of those, but it's not over because now today is the day and you got to. >> we're doing a little lunch thing, and you have an evening planned, too, don't you? >> we're going to the meadowlands stadium, the meadowlands stadium. they're waiting for naming rights on that thing. somebody is going to cost 25 duly doll million a year for the privilege of calling the stadium. >> do you have to thing k of a name. >> he's back on monday night football. how do you feel about that? >> how do i feel about what? >> how do you feel about your birthday for one thing? >> when you turn 60, it hurts. >> looks so good. >> to look like you look, honey, and feel like you feel, when you

feel really good, is great, right? >> i don't know. everyone keeps telling me like that like i should look some other way. >> we go to old dinners -- >> a lot of things still hurt. >> look next to you. that keeps you young. you have a 20-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter and you got a 24-year-old wife. what the heck else do you want in life? >> you're totally set. >> i do have it all. >> how do you feel about being on monday night football? >> that's a lot of fun. that's fun working with the opening and the guys. they do a great job. at least they know what's happening on the field, and sometimes we wondered about that with howard and don. we knew howard didn't have a clue. >> don didn't know -- >> don knew we were playing the game. >> exactly. the ratings are way up. >> because it's frank. who wouldn't watch frank? i'd watch him do anything. it is your birthday and we know how you love your lyinguine and

clams. we have your favorite dish. >> i do love these. thank you so much. >> yes, they are. >> happy birthday. >> this is a charming restaurant on greenich avenue and it's the first restaurant we took cody and cass to as kids. they learned how to dine properly and be respectful there. thank you so much. >> my pleasure. happy birthday. >> can we put the recipe on the website for everybody else? >> sure. >> look at you, birthday girl. woir spo we're spoiling her. >> you know what i could get? they're coming up out with 3d porn. >> hong kong is starting it out. they say it will be a huge business. picture it, the whole thing. >> i don't see to see body parts that big doing certain things that shouldn't be seen except

for in the privacy of your own home. >> you know it will be april hu -- a huge, huge success? >> they're racing to get the first movie done. it's like putting a man on the moon, you know. >> this is a gold mine. >> you going to watch it? >> never. no! that is horrifying. no. i don't do that. oh, my gosh. that's going to be a huge industry. how is it? >> this is absolutely delicious. >> it's so great. >> how was your weekend? she's still celebrating her birthday. >> my mom got me destressed by the way. she can pick them. i've had five birthday cakes since my birthday started. it's never, ever going to end. ever. >> this is my favorite thing. should we talk about that. isn't that good? >> delicious. so good. this book is not out yet, not until tuesday, but i got a bootleg copy. if you like "the secret," you

will love "secret: the power." it's the other one. you get love out and you get love back. >> it's the same book recycled. >> everyone will get it on tuesday, but i got it. i've been dog earring the pages. i don't know why. >> what is it there that we haven't heard before. >> don't be so skeptical. you're putting negative out and you're becoming negative. >> i'm old and cranky and been around the block on occasion. >> if you're happy, you can eliminate bad feelings by changing how you feel about yourself. >> oh, thank you. how profound. i wish i thought of that. >> you know you're going to read it. >> nosh, i'm not. you're drinking the kool-aid. >> super giant has the best brownies ever. >> look how many were missing because hoda -- >> i was eating like i was going

to the electric chair last night. there were some left. it's so moist and delicious and inexpensive, you will taste it and be in heaven. i can't believe we didn't put it on a plate. look at it. >> being the wonderful human being i am, even though it's my birthday, i thought of you. i was in nantucket at dare ling shop called crush. beautiful little salesgirl named ashley dunlap, and i said i want to get something for hoda. this is this is codalee for hoda lee. it's beauty elixir spray. on a hot, steamy day lift up your hair in the back. it won't do anything weird to your hair. it will make you feel like you've been to a spa and refresh you for hours. >> i like it. my hair is frizing. >> it's $46 and sarah -- there. that's for you, precious. you can put that on while you're reading your book. how about you, sweetie?

>> i have stationery and this is the cutest from the plaid pig.com. it's so girly and cute. i loved it. >> that's a nice gift, too. it's not that expensive. >> it's about $16. it's something you buy for someone. i want to remind people to send in pictures that make you say what, too. >> thank you. thank you, everybody, for all the nice wishes. up next we have two letters for you. .> t t >> make he'll tell you what they stand for. >> we'll learn it all right after this. did you know o-gurt is specially made

to freeze and thaw by lunch time? so kids can have their favorite yogurt in their lunch box go-gurt. freeze it. thaw it. eat it up.

time to face the pollen that used to make me sneeze... my eyes water. but now zyrtec®, the fastest 24-hour allergy relief, comes in a new liquid gel. new zyrtec® liquid gels work fast, so i can love the air®. [ female announcer ] maybelline redefines plum. [ woman ] the color of elegance. [ female announcer ] color sensational from maybelline new york. pure pigments for richer, crisper color. honey nectar for our most luscious feel. color sensational. [ woman ] maybe it's maybelline. so, you want me to be super amazing right from the faucet, but you think home filters can be a pain in the tucus. well check this out... boo-yah! shazam! h2...o! hydrolicious! look what i can do! magic bananas! adios contaminos! introducing the first faucet filter that installs with just one click and removes 99% of lead and microbial cysts. check it out at purwater.com. ♪

he made his motion picture debut in 2006 in "atl" and starred opposite denzel washington in "american gangster." >> now t.i. is back on the big screen in "takers" about a notorious but super handsome bang robbers who pulled off the ultimate heist. how are you? >> you are a good-looking bunch. we were watching the movie.

>> you're just saying that. >> nice teeth. >> gorgeous. >> you're making me blush. >> i thought "ocean 11" when i heard the concept. >> it's a heist and a group of guys pulling off a heist. the story line is a lot edgier, and it has so many different dynamics. there's so many stories within the stories, and the characters, i believe these characters you get a little bit more back story and information about their personal life more son th than "ocean 11." all you knew they were involved in the same heist. we're younger and better-looking. >> ding. >> so you are one of the producers on this? >> i was fortunate enough to be brought in as a producer, and i was also fortunate enough to be

bombarded with a laundry list of a producer. >> then you have to look good and show up and say your lines. >> that was the hard part, the looking good was so hard. >> you've done a couple of films. you're a rapper turned actor. how have you taken to acting? are you bitten bit bug? >> i love it. absolutely. it's a different challenge, and i just love the ability to surprise people, you know. people think that they have already pegged you as what they believe. >> labeled you. >> and assumed you are. >> sure, sure. >> so you step outside of that and can perform on so many other levels, that's rewarding. >> you're just out of prison. you were out after a ten-month stay? >> yeah, aeeight and some chang. >> it ain't change when you're in there? >> no. i was counting. >> you're out, and tonight i guess is sort of a big day for you, a big concert tonight.

>> this is my first show back. this is my first show back, and i was fortunate enough to align myself with axe with the axe series one night music. >> it's a secret. >> how can people find out without reading the book. >> the power of a secret book. >> they have to go on your tweet, twitter. >> they should find axe on facebook, and you can catch me on twitter and facebook as well. i give hints and clues. >> you've been out of the spotlight for ten months, obviously. do you wonder if people will show up in force? >> really, i was out of the physical sense of the spotlight, but i still had visibility in the marketplace and songs and videos. but, i mean, i think this is my first show back and it's going to be special. i'm just, you know, looking forward to getting throughout and performing. >> you're a wiser man for your

experience. i know. i was reading that. zool absolute >> absolutely. you can't go through that without learning something. >> we wish you all the best. >> on the movie, i'll make sure you ged front row seats. >> hoda will be there. >> it's august 27th. it's on a friday. >> thank you. >> "takers" is on theaters on august 27th. we find mohetr/dather/daugh duo she turns from a don't into a do right after this. is is it! [ all ] 10...9...8... a new school year has so much potential! any resolutions? my resolution is the same as always; keep her full and focused with my fiber. [ all ] 3...2...1... happy school year! [ female announcer ] this school year, make a resolution to give your kid kellogg's frosted mini-wheats cereal. an excellent source of fiber from 100% whole grain. that helps keep them full so they can focus on the day ahead. keeps 'em full... keeps 'em focused.

with shout color catcher, now you don't have to. now i can wash my husband's work shirt, my red dress, and... my daughter's favorite tee... all in one load. shout color catcher absorbs the colors that run. the proof is on the sheet. shout color catcher... visit shoutoffers.com for special offers. when allergies make them itch, don't wait for your pills to kick in. choose alaway, from the eye health experts at bausch & lomb. it works in minutes and up to 12 hours. bausch & lomb alaway. because it's not just your allergies, it's your eyes. because it's not just your allergies, ♪ [ instrumental: uphey, max. [ announcer ] your dog's one of a kind. and now, you have the power... [ giggling ] to help significantly extend his healthy years. a groundbreaking 14-year study by purina... proves that puppy chow, then dog chow nutrition,

fed properly over a lifetime, can help extend his lovable antics... up to 1.8 healthy years. [ barks ] long live your buddy. oh, max! long live your dog. purina puppy chow and purina dog chow.

time for the don'ts and doos and our target is new york city's flat iron district. >> every neighborhood has a style, to suzy schwartz hit the streets in search of the good and bad on a heat, steamy summer day. >> we're here in new york city's flat iron district, the best place for shopping. we're looking for glamour dos and don'ts.

let's take a look. this is a look that looks cute, but it could go terribly wrong. it's worn by the wrong girl, like me r for instance. this is a case of very bad btl. i'm going to tell her to tuck it in. >> your underwear is coming out. >> thank you. >> if you're pulling it down, it means it's totally too tight. you see this happening? this happening all the time when you have a larger bust. it slips open. ix if i can that for you. double-sided tape. tada. the red and the blue and white striped socks and the ping is clashing. i do like the double t-shirt thing, but pull your hands down. when you have a bust and you tuck it in, it makes your waist look a little shorter. if you pull this out, it would make your waist look for

proporti proportionate. they're too big on the waste. when you're bigger on the bottom and have a teeny waist, find a short you can belt, but that is a little bit wider on the leg because when it's wider on the leg, it makes your thighs look smaller. this is patrice, who is going to be my makeover. i'll tell you what's wrong. you're warg the cross body bag that i love, but i see the detail of the bra underneath. the bra clearly doesn't fit. these shorts are not flattering. how old are your sneakers? >> they're outdaylighteted. >> they date you. >> she's here to review. patrice looked average, like a lot of ladies do out there, right? >> she did. she was with her mom shopping, and i couldn't deny the mom. i had to makeover the mom as well. >> people with t-shirts and shorts, there's not much to do. >> is that her shirt orphany wrap. >> the daughter is wearing a

white shirt. it's too tight. the white sneakers. she looks old and outdated and she's so young. the woman wearing the stone washed crop jeans, i hate those jeans. >> they're not flattering on anybody. >> sometimes you don't think you need to invest in a white t-shirt, you think it's a white t-shirt. you think it's a good idea? >> you have to understand what looks best on your body and the right proportions for your body. we went to the j crew store, and they have personal shoppers. if i'm not there to help you, somebody at j. crew dresses you. >> let's bring out patrice and barbara. we saw the before picture. here they come. oh, so much better. >> the mother daughter matching ballet flats. doesn't it look so much better? >> okay. >> as you see, patrice, what i decided to do, was put her in a smaller waistband, and then kind of flounss over her belly.

she lost 35 pounds. she was dressing in the same way. i think jewelry on the weekends -- >> let's see the difference. >> it makes such a big difference. >> it looks cool. >> would you wear this to knock around the city? >> would you feel comfortable? >> yes. >> barbara was wearing something. you saw the stone washed jeans disaster, but i looked the color top she was wear, the teal. we kept the teal and put a little striped t-shirt. if you don't have that t-shirt, you need to get it. of course, the j. crew jewelry. it's amazing. >> perfect. >> we're going to miss you. >> you can keep looking at this august 24th glamour dos and don'ts. >> we wish you the best. >> nau so much. [ female announcer ] to do well, kids need to eat well.

and eating well means getting enough whole grain and calcium. general mills big g is the only leading line of kid cereals with at least 8 grams of whole grain and a good source of calcium. help your kids get more of what they need, with general mills kid cereals.

good morning. a couple minutes before 10:30. i am kris sanchez. it is back to school time so we've seen whacky times today. >> over the next month or so. we'll continue to adjust. golden gate bridge moving smoothly. in the afternoons, this approach, that project continuing to evolve. watch that getting out of the city. smooth driving. we have low clouds hanging out. keep that in mind. visibility might be an issue along the coast. bay bridge, now no problems. back-ups again start at noon. as we head into the city.

and strict lane flows typical across the upper deck. and oakland, we did see a heavier volume. now not so much, tonight there's a game as well. >> you need to bundle up yet again. temperatures continue to be below average. typically 73, numbers 5 to 10 degrees cooler than average. not only east bay, south bay along the peninsula. you have a lot of drizzle in the early morning hours and more through the early morning. tomorrow remains similar to what we're doing today. look at wind comes ba, cool wind, back into the 70s. we're back after this break.

today, pixar has a box office record. "toy story 3" is the highest grossing film of all time. it grossed $1 million by after two months. about 40,000 people made it to san francisco's music and arts festival over the weekend. it was a considerably smaller crowd over the last two years. that's because this year's event lacked a big game headliner. tom petty, dave matthews band and black eyed he peas. and important traffic stop. watch out for elephants, ringling brothers is getting ready to march the elephants

down the streets and into the doors of the pavilion. the circus' first show is day after tomorrow. thanks for joining us tomorrow, the "today" show joins us next. 'l l be we'll be back with you tomorrow morning. have a great day. we're back on this fun day with today's buzz, and you know what that means. all the gossip that's fit to talk about. >> bonnie fuller is the editor in chief of hollywoodlife.com. >> good to see you, ladies. >> she's making headlines. >> she's three years old? >> she's four. katie holmes has revealed since the age of 1 1/2 suri had been picking her own clothes. >> the high heels? >> she lets her pick her outfits. >> she selects her outfits and has a lot of them. she has 50 pairs of shoes. >> there have been reports out there that suri's wardrobe may

add up to $3 million. >> how can they possibly know? >> by counting. >> an $800 purse. >> people like that give an awful lot of stuff given to them so suri cruise is seen with it. every 4-year-old needs a berkin don't they. >> looking like dora the explorer and cinderella whether you were a little girl? >> none of that for suri. apparently she designs her own clothes. >> how does she design? she tells her mom what to cut? >> katie says su ri says i like the cut of that leave. >> katie says she was like as well when she was younger. i like to tell other people how to raise their kids, but so far she seems like a sweet child. if a child calls all the shots

is setting yourself up for trouble. >> she could be an early prodgy. >> levi and bristol are back in the news again. they won't go away. >> he won't go away. >> what's the latest? >> they've got their -- they've got a custody arrangement and bristol has full custody. levi has to get there saturday 9:00 to 4:00 to see his baby, but he's out partying and trying to become the mayor of wasilla. >> that's totally for a reality series, right? >> the current mayor has great advice for him. he said finish high school and keep your clothes on. voters like that. >> yeah, yeah. >> i agree. >> i doubt wasilla likes to be made the laughingstock of the nation as well. >> they have an arrangement? >> they can't talk about families or something? >> they're not allowed to say anything negative about each other's families in front of little baby trip. i'd say that's a good idea based

on everything they've said. >> maybe they should stop talking to the press about each other as well. >> i went and saw "salt" and a lot of women were thereto for "eat pray love." they said they couldn't stand the movie, and it got all thumbs down from the women that saw it before. it did well in the box office. >> it did, 24 million. >> not what it was expected to do, right? >> it was better. everyone was worried julia couldn't open again, because she didn't do well with the last film. >> which got nice reviews from the dricritics. >> "expandiblendable"expendable. >> it was a huge book. >> 24 million is a pretty big box office. i think that was the success for a chick flick. even if the reviews weren't great, the big success may be for the businesses and locals shown in the movie.

apparently there's a restaurant in bali where they say eat, pray, leave because so many are going there. >> it's supposed to be lushy lit and the cinematography is very gorgeous. >> what bothered me is everybody is so negative about a chick flick. come on, "twilight" and "eclipse" were huge. >> cody said it was hard to feel sympathy for a woman who should be grateful, she is very selfish. people are kind of sick of it. >> i think cody is right. >> i think you'll get a big box office, because everybody liked the book. it doesn't mean you'll love it. you're going to the movie to see it. >> this is her fourth biggest opening, so that does say something about her career. >> so there was a wedding this weekend, hillary duff tied the knot. >> yes. >> a lot of hockey players in the news these days. he is adorable. >> he swept hillary off her

feet. apparently it was a beautiful ceremony, only 100 guests, very quiet. she wore a long, gorgeous, lacey vera wang. we've had all lot of romantic weddings. >> it was a former michael douglas home. >> they're a beautiful couple together. you know what? i'm sure you'd join hoda and me in wishing them all the very best. >> absolutely. >> stay happy, and don't get divorced. we're sick of it. >> thanks, guys. thank you so much. >> happy birthday, girl. >> yeah. thank you. i don't want you guys saying what you think. thanks so much. up next, how changing the way you sit and stand -- suck it up -- can change your life right after this. e? field trips to the zoo! more basketballs. soccer balls. and a museum! [ growls ] more basketballs. soccer balls!

more books. yeah. like just a ton of books. [ girl ] and books about soft things. soft and slimy. [ female announcer ] now clip double box tops for education. from totino's pizza rolls and party pizzas. and make their school a better place. ♪ and i feel like... [ female announcer ] kellogg's® wants to make kids happy one tummy at a time. because 9 out of 10 kids don't get the fiber they need, that's why froot loops® and apple jacks® have 3 grams of fiber in every yummy bowl. they're the cereals your kids love and the fiber their tummies love... which makes for a whole lotta happy. froot loops® and apple jacks, an oh-so-good source of fiber. kellogg's® makes fiber fun.

why go one more round ? you don't need a rematch, but a rethink. with lunesta. lunesta is thought to interact with gaba receptors associated with sleep. lunesta helps you get the restful sleep you need. lunesta has some risk of dependency. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving or engaging in other activities while asleep without remembering it the next day have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions such as tongue or throat swelling

occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness, and morning drowsiness. stop fighting with your sleep. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. get lunesta for a co-pay as low as zero dollars at lunesta.com discover a restful lunesta night. introducing total plus omega-3 honey almond flax cereal. all the nutrition of total, plus 10% daily value omega-3 ala, and a delicious honey almond crunch. new total plus omega-3. would you like that to hurt now, or later? uh, what? sir, do you want heartburn pain now or later? [ male announcer ] these medicines make you choose. pepcid® complete doesn't. it's fast acting and long lasting. pepcid® complete works now and works later.

how many times when you were a child did you hear your parents say, sit up straight? >> from your parents, right? yes, yes, it looks better but it good for your health. julie is here to show you perfect posture positions. as you go tlhrough your day. hello, julie. >> i find myself slouching by the day's end. you feel weighted down and you feel it in your back and neck. >> it's so bad for you. if i can demonstrate. so often we sit and hunch over our computers for hours. here's what you want to aim for. you want to have your chair at the height where your feet can

be flat on the floor, 90 degree angle in the knees and hips and elbows, and your wrists straight. >> you need the right chair at work. >> you can put some -- here's what we do. we hunch over. you want your monitor so you look slightly down. keep your neck straight and none of the hunching. laptops are tough, because there's so low. you hunch over. this kills you. if you're not traveling, raise them up on a box or something. >> smart. the other thing that gets people is talking on the cell phone. when you do it you automatically kink your neck a little bit. >> here's what most people do. your elbow gets tight, but then you crunch down. so you're krurcrunching all the nerves and muscles on one side. straighten up and try to switch hands. there's no reason why you can't switch. anytime you favor one side, you're causing problems.

try to switch and keep your neck straight. >> okay. >> you bet. >> we always carry too much stuff. >> heavy bags. >> this is one we all do. >> the giant one. >> here's the thing. women carry gigantic bags. the handbags are so big in fashion right now. >> you feel like you should fill it. >> carrying a heavyweight on one side is so bad for you, and women do it all the time. >> the backpack is the best. >> the backpack is a good solution. >> hold da has a bowling ball in here. >> for a lot of people switching for the handle bag and carrying two and balancing yourself out, walk the shoulders back and carry two bags. >> walk with purpose. >> the one-side thing is tough. >> what's too heavy. feel mine. >> holy cow. >> no more than 10% of your body weight, which would be 10 pounds for you. >> when i was in sixth grade.

>> you need to lighten up and care some of your stuff in a tote bag. >> and try to balance yourself. >> the most important thing week do all day long is how you carry yourself, how you walk. >> the old-fashioned trick of holding a book on your head -- >> we happen to have some. >> it teams you center yourself, to center your spine, not to favor one side or the other. it's fun to practice. >> does it work? try it. >> look at the book that just so happens to be here. >> there are available at barnes & noble. >> okay. i'll start, and then you guys can -- >> let's do both. eyes forward, shoulders back relaxed, neutral spine. once you practice this, you should be able to do anything. you should practice your dance moves, walk. let's see who can walk the farthest. >> okay. >> should we do a conga line?

>> yes. >> walk like a model. >> i feel like -- i'm not going to say. >> careful. >> oh. >> nice try. >> i don't know anybody that walks like that. >> did your mom ever tell you to do that? >> yes. >> julie, thanks so much. we appreciate it. >> thank you so much. our etiquette team is in town, and they're all about the rules of birthday parties. co nvenientie >> imagine that. right after this. you know when i tickle your belly...

and you have that moment of... "oh, yeah!" well... this... is mine. sprinkled with cinnamon, sparkling with taste. cinnamon toast crunch. enjoy the cinnsation. women: no! announcer: it's the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks lunch. only at olive garden. featuring four homemade soups. enjoy all you want for just $6.95. now...what about tomorrow? how about soup, salad, and breadsticks again? great idea! i love it! when allergies make them itch, don't wait for your pills to kick in. choose alaway, from the eye health experts at bausch & lomb. it works in minutes and up to 12 hours. bausch & lomb alaway. because it's not just your allergies, it's your eyes.

with covergirl lashblast length. the elasta-nylon formula flexes without flaking, so women prefer it 4 to 1. and lashes look up to 80% longer. get lashblast length from easy, breezy, beautiful covergirl. how'd you do that? do what? you made it taste like chocolate. it has 35% of your daily value of fiber. tasty fiber, that's a good one! ok, umm...read her mind. [ male announcer ] fiber one chewy bars.

why does it say box tops for education on your soup? oh, it's a program that raises money for schools. that's great, but this is a can. yes it is. you can't have a box top on a can. yes we can. but a can isn't a box. we know. i don't think you do. [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. to earn cash for your kid's schools? with boxtops for education and safeway's 10% back to schools program as much as 50 cents per item goes to their schools when you buy products like these. look for the school bus tags at your local safeway.

our etiquette duo is back, and in honor of kathie lee's birthday today, we thought it would be fitting to look at awkward situation. philip writes the column for the sunday sometime section of the new york tim"new york times" an cole is an etiquette expert and president of harriet cole media. >> stop it. >> welcome back, kids. >> happy birthday.

>> thank you very much. it's awkward for me right now, because it seems too much. >> you're enjoying the attention. >> you're a shy violet. we've all known it. >> shrinking thing. >> here's question one. the older sister of a childhood friend has been become a part of my social circle through marriage. she's lovely. i received an violate tags to a lavish 40th birthday party in her honor. trouble is i'm 44 and she's older than me. her mutual friends ask when i turn 40. i don't want to cause trouble. imt not sure how much new math i can keep track of. must i rewrite history because she has rewritten hers. >> you know something? it turns out there's a fountain of youth. it's called getting a new husband and lying about your age. >> you can check on google. >> i'm a little suspicious where you go to the airport and give your driver's license for anything that the new husband wouldn't know. but let's assume he doesn't know, and i say, this is a harmless lie and she should just stay the heck out of it.

>> what does that mean? >> you can tell the truth about your age. tell the truth about your age all you want. >> if she says i'm 24, i don't know about her. >> we grew up together. >> she could simply say what her birthday is and leave out when she's turning whatever age. i have to tell you something. on that special birthday for me, it sent out an invitation, and someone called me immediately to say, a man, you cannot say how old you are because people will know how old i am. he was irate. i'm ten years older than you, and they're going to know. excuse me? it's my birthday. >> this isn't april pers person to spend time with. >> what do you think of me? >> he needs to get over it. >> here's another one that's weird. about ten years ago my step mother-in-law gave my husband a nude portrait of me she painted i started when i sent a book. i had a photo in the book taken

by my ex-boyfriend. it wasn't vulgar. i was standing at the top of a water fall. imagine my surprise when she gave me husband this huge painting in front of my father-in-law. where in one's home does one hang a naked portrait of one's self. >> right over the bed, baby. >> what do you do? come on. >> paint a glitter bikini over it. i don't know. it's a whacky world and people give you whacky gifts. you smile and say thaw ank you shove it in a closet. >> i think that mother-in-law is trying to instigate something bad, and i think it's a call for the wife in the portrait to have a private meeting with her and say, why? why did you do this? >> common ground. can we agree that she should just hang onto the painting? >> no. >> burn the painting. >> in ten years she's going to be so happy to look back and see how great she looked, right?

>> no, no. >> look at it longingly. >> something is wrong about that. i think that the issue with the mother-in-law. >> people do those pictures. >> you do it. >> question number three. >> that's a good one. >> last year i somehow managed to regift an ugly set of crystal wineglasses straight back to my sister-in-law who gave them it to me for my birlt day. things have frost ever since thchl year i'd like to her something really special for her birthday to make up for it. should i acknowledge the regifted wineglasses or pretend it never happened? >> clearly, i've heard that nude paintings are really popular. maybe she should do that. >> honestly, i think that the issue is she didn't think about the woman. when you hate something, you don't regift something you hate. for regifting for everything -- sometimes you get things that

you don't want or you have a duplicate of -- >> you just apologize and clear the air. >> if she didn't apologize already, i think that -- >> if she didn't apologize already, she would think of a great gift that this woman would like to have and give her that. >> let it go. >> i say deny it and let it go. >> don't bring up the past. >> unfortunately our show is over. we're going to be back with more of "today" on nbc. >> happy birthday, darling!

all right. it's time for something special. we have the whole gifford family. >> the party that will not end. >> it will not ever, ever. >> thank you for putting 16 candles on. 80 and 67 is what -- how many candles should we have on there? >> a lot. >> it's against the fire code.

>> happy birthday. >> i adore you. >> i adore you, too. >> happy birthday. >> we can't sing. we'd love to sing, but we're not allowed. >> come on over, everybody. thank you for your sweetness to us. >> come on. we can't drink all this by ourselves. >> yes, we could. >> tomorrow rob reiner and easing the first day of school jitters. thank you, everybody. >> come here. >> watch monday night football and see frank gifford. anything else? that's it. anything else? that's it. >> happy birthday to you! -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com