we have a wirehaired vees visa love. >> happy thanksgiving woolg. fr from. more than 700 cancelled flights. becould see more we could see more delays today. breaking overnight, new unrest in ferguson and beyond. 130 people arrested in los angeles. the protest now spreading to other parts of the world. this as police uncover a disturbing plot to kill the prosecutor in the michael brown case. ready, set, shop!

the holiday rush on early this year with major retailers opening doors today, and if you're looking for bargains, bring your phones. this morning, the hottest new way to find deals and beat the crowds. and up, up, and away. anticipation is building for the macy's thanksgiving day parade, and those iconic balloons. we have your front row seat for all the excitement. today, thursday, november 27th, 2014. announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. good morning, welcome to "today," happy thanksgiving one and all. i'm natalie morales, and di lal, made it back from that drive yesterday. >> yes.

>> matt and al preparing for today's parade. hey, guys. >> hey, happy thanksgiving, everybody. >> who let dylan in the studio? >> i had to show id. >> i was here for her yesterday. >> thank you, thank you. >> meanwhile, it's not bad, mid-30s. al has more on that in a second, but it is raining, sleeting, snowing a little bit. winds are low, great news for the balloons and hosts as well. >> exactly, a beautiful morning, a little sleet, but i think it will clear up. we have new floats, new character balloons, everybody knows how i feel about snoopy, and this is a live rehearsal of honeymoon in vegas, a great show right now. >> tony danza right there. we have 1300 cheerleaders in the parade. >> that's what i estimated, yeah.

i did a head count on the way in. thank you, matt, for confirming. >> thank you, guys, so much. >> let's go uptown to al starting the parade on the upper west side. al, how's it looking? >> natalie texted me, you wanted to know, there's a thousand clowns -- >> exactly. >> they will march in the parade. >> you know how i feel about clowns. >> stretching down central park west, folks lined up and here at 77th, we have the balloons, thomas the tank engine is new, and tom the turkey right there. pretty good. light snow is falling here right now. cloudy skies, but temperatures are in the 30s, no winds, and so the giant balloons will, in fact, fly, guys. that's the good news. yesterday, flying was almost brought to a standstill throughout the northeast in mid atlantic states. a massive problem all throughout the country. airlines were just dealing with it.

we had interstates shurt dot do just a mess. what's the latest going on out there now? steph, have things started to calm down a little bit? >> reporter: yeah, they have. you know what? that weather threw everything out of whack, al. this is a week of travel extremes, wednesday, the heaviest day of the year follow by today, supposed to be the lightest, but that storm has screwed it up. today, it's busier than it normally is on a thanksgiving morning. people just making a last ditch effort to get back for the big meal. winter weather reeked havoc, one of the busiest days of the year. the storm dumping wind, rain, and snow across the northeast causing 700 flight cancellations yesterday and 7,000 flight delays nationwide yesterday. >> delays four and a half hours due to the weather.

>> about 13 hours, they'll get delayed again. >> reporter: a travel nightmare in airports and on the roads. storm snarled traffic on major highways from virginia to pennsylvania and on into new england. >> this is awful. >> reporter: lower gas prices and healthier economy have given a big boost to the thanksgiving travel season. aaa estimates that 46 million americans will travel by air or road this weekend. despite mother nature's refusal to cooperate, some travellers shake off the turkey day travel woes. >> we have to take our time, be cautious, look out for one other. >> it's not the weather. nature's nature. you get mad at that, you set you're ownself up. >> reporter: don't forget to pack your patient. good news and bad news this morning. good news, all the flights are leaving on time. bad news? you're traveling on thanksgiving day. back to you. >> clearing out that backlog

from yesterday. happy thanksgiving. >> all right. now to the ongoing protests over the grand jury's decision in the michael brown case. it was another night of demonstrations across the country. this, as a new report claims federal agents stopped a plot to kill the prosecutor and ferguson police chief. ron allen has more. ron, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, natalie. that report appeared in "the st. louis post dispatch," unable to reach the chief or prosecutor for comment, but we reached tom jackson who confirmed he was warned by federal agents he was the target of two men indicted last week onle from weapons charges. jackson said he was not told details, but believes the threat was credible. overnight, flash points like the streets outside ferguson police headquarters were relatively calm. as chief tom jackson reviewed, he was told of a death threat and takes that seriously

assuring him he said it was under control. that revelation, as the demand for justice for michael brown echoes coast to coast. after a grand jury's decision not to indict officer darren wilson. several hundred demonstrators, most peaceful, out in force late wednesday in los angeles. a major highway blocked in dallas. protesters in the streets of downtown washington, d.c. while back in ferguson along a street of battered and boarded shops, folks like natalie pick up the pieces. >> there was a chair thrown through my window. i just cried. i cried. i was really hurt. >> reporter: things are sweeter now at natalie's cakes and more rushing to fill holiday orders because someone far away saw her story on the news. >> it was so upsetting. i don't want to watch this and be upset. i want to do good and help. >> reporter: this tech savvy writer help her set up a go fund me site online.

last time they checked, the bakery had $200,000, contributions from everywhere. >> i'm grateful to everyone who contributed. i wish i had the arms to go hug everyone. >> overwhelming the support, the love, the prayers, the well wishes, just amazing. >> reporter: obviously, she's a fortunate woman. there are dozens of businesses here, many mom and pop stores still reeling from the damage and destruction here hoping it's come to an end. back to you. >> we all hope. ron, thank you. another police shooting. this one in cleveland. surveillance video released of the deadly shooting after 12-year-old boy as hi parents now speak out. >> reporter: a 12 -year-old boy with a plastic pell let gun in the park prompts a call to police. the caller is in the gazebo,

questioning if the gun is reel. >> it's probably fake, but he's scaring the [ bleep ] out of me. >> this is the picture of the boy shot dead by police saturday. >> radio, shots fired, male down, black male, maybe 20, black revolver. >> reporter: police released an edits version of the surveillance video showing tamir walking, sometimes pointing the gun. >> he keeps pulling a gun out of his pants and pointing it at people. >> reporter: officers were not told the caller suggested the gun was not real, and as officers arrive, they add, rice was ordered three times to show his hands. one and a half to two seconds later, the one year officer fired. >> i have to believe it until i see something different. >> this gun is plastic, but it

certainly looks like the real thing, other than this orange piece on the barrel that identifies it as a toy. the gun he was holding, police say, had the orange part removed. >> you could trick people that was a real gun. >> reporter: the family says it is our belief that that situation could have been avoided, adding, the video shows one thing distinctly, the police officers reacted quickly. protesters in cleveland demand charges be filed making comparisons to the shooting of michael brown in ferguson, missouri. >> what matters to me is it happened in cleveland, and it happened to a child. >> reporter: the two officers are now on administrative leave pending the investigation. for "today," nbc news chicago. >> terrible story. >> absolutely. there was a deadly terrorist attack overseas. >> that's true. a suicide bomber attacked a

british end gi is a vehicle today killing five and injuries 30 others. no diplomats in the car, but several stafferings were in the car. in recent weeks, insurgents intensified the war on multiple security forces as well as u.s. and nato troops. both set to end their combat role in the country at the end of the year. ruth bader ginsburg is in a washington hospital resting up after a heart procedure to relieve a heart artery. >> reporter: the court's oldest justice is recovering in the hospital after doctors placed a stint to relieve blockage in a coronary artery. she was taken to the hospital tuesday night after feeling discomfort in a workout. she's 8 1 on the court since 1993, and because of her age, some liberal academics have been urging her to step down, so president obama can appoint a successor. but she's insisted she's staying, saying last month, with

the changing senate, there's no point in stepping down. >> in life, it's what is the alternative? is there i stay or someone, if anyone could get through, it would not be someone that has my record. >> reporter: since her criticism criticizing men restricting access to contraceptives, she is a cult-like following nicknamed notorious rbg and the law clerks had to explain it to her it was a takeoff from notorious b.i.g. >> she has unbelievable attention in social media and younger people and feels she has a very unique role. >> reporter: she's expected to be out of the hospital this weekend and back at the supreme court monday. pete williams, nbc news washington. sad news from australia where a cricket player died today two days after being

struck in the head by a cricket ball. kelly, good morning. >> reporter: good morning. this is an incredibly popular sport around the world, and just like football or baseball, it has an element of danger. still, no one expects a healthy 25-year-old to die playing the game. he was at bat tuesday when a fast moving pitch hit him behind the year. he dropped. they called for help, rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, but he never regained consciousness. >> this was a freeshish accident. it was an injury to the neck that caused hemorrhage to the brain. the condition is rare. >> reporter: the family and teammates are devastated. the world stunned. >> we should be conscious of the risks that our sports people run to give us the pleasure that they do. >> reporter: harry s styles

tweeted, rip phil hughes, what an incredibly sad day, thinking of him and his family. here's the fourth player kimmed in the game in nearly 200 years, but head injuries are a worry in most sports. in youth soccer, there's talk of helmets. cricket players of all ages wear helmets when they are batting. the ball just happened to hit him below the helmet where he was not protected. >> so sad. all right, thank you, kelly. there's a new border war getting attention overseas in recent days, but this one is like one you've never seen. last may, russian president putin released three rare siberian tigers into the wild. turns out, one crossed into the boarder of china, but a farmer there is paying the price. he says the tiger killed at least 15 of his goats. three others are still missing. the tigers were rescued by russian conservationists in 2012 when they were cub. three released after rehabilitation and hunting training. i guessed they learned to hunt well. >> yes.

>> the russians are compensating the chinese farmer. give him more goats. >> man, not good. >> appreciate it. more on the holiday forecast now from al roker along the parade route, al? >> hey, guys, good morning. light flurries here, no big problem. let's show you what the big story's going to be now. now that winter storm cato as my friends at the weather channel call it moved away, cold air replaced all of that snow here in the northeast, mid at plan tick states, and chicago, a high of 27, the sixth coldest thanksgiving ever. temperatures far south as florida are going to be 10 to 20 degrees below average. but then you move out west, and there's a ridge of high pressure. look at those temperatures. up into the 80s and the 70s. it is going to be anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees above average out west with plenty of sun. that's your local forecast. coming up in the next 30 seconds. ♪ it's a marshmallow world in the winter ♪

♪ when the snow comes to cover the ground ♪ ♪ it's a time for play, it's a whipped cream day ♪ ♪ i wait for it all year round ♪ ♪ in winter it's a marshmallow world. ♪ ♪ >> and that's yo and that'sur your latest

weather. everybody getting ready. oh, man, it is so exciting up here, guys. i cannot wait for the parade to step off at 9:00. back to you. >> you always are like a little kid out there, al. thanks. let's go back to matt and savannah, they are hosting nbc's coverage of the macy's thanksgiving day parade. hey, guys. >> hey, good morning again. >> hey, natalie, we're here with the executive producer of the macy's thanksgiving day parade, amy kuhl. as we get ready, how many times yesterday wherever you were did you look out the window at the weather and think, this could be tomorrow? >> well, i was extraordinarily pleased that it all happened yesterday and not today. and i wasn't looking out any window. i was in it. >> so we know you have one extra thing to be thankful for, pretty good weather for this parade. >> absolutely. >> lots is new in this parade including some interactive elements. >> yes. well, we've got six brand-new balloons, five new floats. actually, this year for the fwirs time we're going to interact with all the celebrities on the floats. nobody gets to see that when they arrive in the morning.

so we're taping that, all the fun interaction between somebody like renee fleming and kiss or any of the jonas brothers, anybody who's up there, they're going to have a good time and we'll show it to everybody on macys.com. >> i love how you name drop. what about sting for the first time ever? >> they're all in the first hour. it's incredible what's going on today. >> and you'll be uptown. you move back and forth and you're going to actually kick things off with a young lady we've talked p a lot during the little league world series. >> yes, i've got the whole team of the dragons with us and mo'ne davis will be right next to me cutting the ribbon. we'll head down from the upper west side straight to macy's 34th street. >> i have to ask you, you're leading this parade, 2.6 something miles. >> yes. >> how many layers of clothing do you have on right now? >> oh, my gosh, five different layers. i'm very warm. i'm not clear i can move, but i'll be okay. >> we'll be watching, of course. >> we've been comparing silk underwear stories this morning. good luck. >> happy thanksgiving. >> try to get that image out of your head, guys.

>> i could have gone all morning without that. thanks so much, matt. >> just to be clear, matt was not kidding. he wears silk underwear. well, we pulled dylan dreyer in from her natural habitat which is lake-effect snow. >> we're talking about what people are thankful for. i am thankful to carson for taking the day off so i could come in from out of the cold. >> sure, you are. >> you know, if you're thankful for something, write it on social media. and we're seeing a trend on facebook. and these are the three words that are showing up a lot. friends, family and health. that's definitely what you like to see. facebook took it a step further and they facebook broke it down by state what people are thankful for. we are seeing anything from yoga to weather. if are you thankful for the internet, celebrate that on thanksgiving day, california, kansas and new hampshire are all thankful for youtube, goggle and net flicks. we are also having a lot of

pictures through our #whyi'mthankful, our first thanksgiving with our super hero, adorable. these folks are thankful for a lovely job with co-workers. i love this one, my husband of 11 years will be home, no more deployments, yay, i am thankful for him for service. #whyimthankful. >> exactly. coming up, former russian spy anna chapman now in her country's military. we will tell you a story behind a strange new video. are you planning to do a little shopping later today? and tomorrow, the app you need to download to make your trip to the mall a whole lot easier. first, on this thanksgiving morning, this is "today" on nbc.

. coming up on trend shopping, the coming up on trending, the cutest video you will see all morning. a little girl's response after she decided to cut her own hair. much more live at the

thanksgiving day parade after your local news.

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>> announcer: you're watching "today in the bay." >> good morning and happen thanksgiving. it is 7:26 right now. i'm kris sanchez. happening right now even before the turkey hits the table, eager shops are are standing in lines at stores around the bay area and in some cases the doors already opened as black friday shopping specials start one day early. kmart opened at 6 a.m. this morning and will roo main open for 42 hours straight. employees tell us they're under orders to work this holiday or risk losing their jb some stores are resisting, saying employees

deserve to spend the day with their families. this is the first time the san francisco niners have hosted a thanksgiving day game. traffic is expected to be heavy on 101. >> and people in need are converging this morning at glide memorial church. the church expects it will serve 5,000 thanksgiving meals. >> and christina has it evening and we have a lot of rain we desperately need so a lot to be thankful for. a warm day coming your way. we'll be at 76 in the south bay today. tomorrow for your black friday

shoppers, temperatures dropping but staying nice and drive, at least until tomorrow fight. that's 69 degrees for your plaque friday, 63 out at union square. let me give south saturday look like a washout, back to you. >> we have more local

♪ i decided to marry you ♪ i decided to marry you ♪ i decided that life goes on for ♪ >> back now at 7:30 on this thanksgiving thursday morning. it's if 27th of november, 2014. rehearsals are under way now for the thanksgiving day parade. thousands of performers are getting ready to take part in the 88th edition. it is one of the great days of the year here in new york city. >> it sure is. that's "a gentleman's guide for murder" they're rehearse shopping. matt and savannah are watching them from their spot in herald square. hey, guys. >> reporter: hey, guys, what a great day for a parade. by the way, this is the 88th

macy's thanksgiving day parade. matt has told me about the other 87 he has covered. i love hearing your memories. >> reporter: this is, it's like number 16 for me, the first for savannah since she had her own little butterball, after i put a special feel to it, i will tell you, the best thing about do shopping the parade as a host, we actually broadcast up here to my left, in a great little booth. since i have had kids old enough to come down here, a lot of times they will come down, stand beneath that booth to watch their faces as they're watching the parade is magic. it really is. >> it's wonderful. there are so many people who are already lined up to see this. it's something that's so special. i never can get over how many people watch this on thanksgiving day. it's over 50 million. they're at least listen shopping as they make their turkey and try not to burn the stuff >> exactly right. by the way, a lot of new things in the parade like those

balloons, like chloe, she gave birth to tamron hall. >> no one even knows this, chloe didn't even use the epidural. >> and it's a girl. >> there is something completely wrong about that. chloe is here with the floats, the marching bands and the cheerleaders. all the volunteers, by the way, that make this a special event. >> tamron thanks us from the airport. >> she came out perfect. so there you go. >> she's a beautiful girl! >> oh my goodness. >> all right, matt, savannah, we will check back in with you guys in our next half hour. >> see you in a bit. first, let's look at what is making headlines, travelers are dealing with heavy snow and rain. here in the east, overall, 700 flights were delayed. hundreds of accidents were reported on slippery highways and roads. overnight, a new wave of protests nationwide over a grand

jury's decision not to indict the police officer who shot and killed michael brown. officials say things were peaceful for the most part. 130 demonstrators were arrested in los angeles. an experimental ebola vaccine is showing promise in early stage clinical trials. according to researchers it's designed to boost immune protection and it's done just that in the first 20 volunteers to test it. coming up, are you racing to get thanksgiving dinner on the table? well, fear not. we've called in the a-team this morning, martha stewart and giada stewart to answer all your questions. >> i love them working together. like the wonder twin powers. >> yes, i was going to say, whatever they make, we can take home. >> look what i did. >> we'll talk to them in just a few minutes. but let's begin this half hour with anna chapman, the russian spy caught living here in the united states, you might remember. she is starring in a new video as a pitch woman for vladmir putin's military.

nbc's andrea mitchell has the story. >> reporter: she's been called the female james bond the russian under cover agent who made the most of her assets. now, a moscow reality tv star promoting one of vladmir putin's elite tank divisions in a propaganda video glorifying russia's compaign against ukraine in trademark provocative fashion. on the video, chapman says, can you imagine 2,000 real men on one training ground? but now all of their attention is not on me. her day in the life of a tank unit that her do shopping it all, in uniform, climbing on tanks, firing on the shooting range. the only concession to fashion unlike women soldiers in russia, chapman says she argued and won the right to wear makeup. it's been four years since

chapman was busted for spying in new york, becoming a tabloid sensation and blowing her cover as a real estate agent. >> i am anna chapman, i went into this business to help someone. >> reporter: she and her pop lor moles are said to inspire the fx americans, russian spice trained to blends in, in america. >> i am a kgb officer, after all these years i would go to jail, i would die, i would lose everything before i betray my country. >> reporter: chapman would appear to be the perfect pitch woman for vladmir putin who is known to have the eye for the ladies, especially a star gymnast and former olympics champion who also hosted a tv talk show. >> yes. >> reporter: but what is the bigger purpose of chapman's military exercise? pure propaganda as russia swallows up crimea and threatens ukraine. >> it's a video designed to say

the russian military is back. we are back. we are great like the world war ii days and the soviet days. >> reporter: a female 007 who has yet to come in from the cold. >> let's get a check of the weather with al. >> "today"'s weather is brought to you by walmart, save money, live better. >> it's about 37 degrees right now. we got a few flurries out here, joining me right now, megan traynor. who just exploded onto the scene, with "all about the base." your hips are moving. you have a lot to be thankful for this year. >> this is incredible. it's my first time. it's great. i'm on it now. it's crazy. >> that's right. so what are you doing? you are on a float? >> i'm on the goldilocks. yeah, it's adorable. i walked by it.

it's so cute. i'm doing my new single "my lips are moving." >> reporter: by the way, so after you finish the parade, you are flying to nantucket. that's where you will spend thanksgiving with your family in. >> i get to see my family. i'm so excited. hi, grandma, hi mom, hi. >> today it's all about the turkey, not about the baste. >> all about the turkey. >> thanks, for having me. >> reporter: let's check your weather, no problems here in the east. you head out west, man, what a mess. you should be thankful you are not going to seattle. a lot of heavy rain there. >> look at that. >> reporter: all day, 50s and heavy rain. the good news is, it's going to get down into northern and central california where they really need it. so every little bit helps. but they do have flash flood watches in effect. look at that all the rain, we are talking one to three inches of rain, some areas picking up 8 inches of rain and mountain snow, that's at least good news for the skiers. the rest of the country,

mid-atlantic states seeing snow. >> that's good. >> that's good. we smile. >> that's what's going on around the country. . megan trainer, check out her and that parade on nbc bay area. we have really great day coming your way. 74 for the south bay today, 72 on the opinions la. moon while upper 630s for san francisco and the east shore. we do have rain on the way but it's going to hold out for most of us until tomorrow county. all of us get wetton on saturday. egan traynor surrounded by clowns. yes, that's another thing to be thankful for. >> all right, al, thanks, so much. coming up next, the high-tech help you will need to plot and plan the black friday shopping spree.

coming up on trending, #notimpressed. the first daughter's priceless reactions to tear dad's turkey pardon jokes with a few eye rolls. first these messages. pay attention because winning black friday actually starts thursday at 6pm with the 1-hour guarantee. get top gifts at low prices guaranteed in time for christmas. plus, hundreds more items at black friday prices. then at 8pm even more items unlock at crazy low prices. and it's still thursday! then on friday, between 6am-12pm, get 30% off select items from top brands and departments. black friday on friday!? crazy! so get to walmart thursday. and just never leave. black friday starts thursday at 6pm. plan yours at walmart.com

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[ music playing ] >> a little rehearsal outside macy's in herald square. that side show the ladies there singing a little tune from the show. okay, today all about the parade, the food, maybe a little football in your future. with some retailers open shopping their door, it also means shopping. >> reporter: this is about to look like this, for some, it's too much. >> most of the time i'm annoyed. >> i prefer to do everything online. >> reporter: but this year, to compete with online shopping,

malls are going digital. >> i like to think of it as a personal concierge. >> reporter: to help shoppers get through the holiday madness. >> we're trying to make the whole shopping experience as painless as possible. >> reporter: at tyson's in virginia. >> turn by turn directions plotted on the map. >> reporter: shoppers can use the mall's new app to map out a walk from store to store. >> there it is, this is the map. it's tell shopping me to what do, so let's go. >> reporter: a regular shopper here, alexandria says she still gets lost. >> it helps me if i'm meeting a friends, i'm fear pottery barn, if i'm across the mall and i have no where, where they are, it will take me two seconds to figure it out. >> reporter: a little factor in this mall is as big as 62 football fields. >> you know what i'm saying? you need it. >> reporter: looking for certain gift, the app is tied into a command center where every question is instantly answered by text.

i would like to buy vale a christmas gift. she is three months old, any suggestions? >> i would recommend checking out nordstroms or pottery barn kids, they have perfect baby gifts. >> reporter: i have the perfect gift for vale, oh, no peek the app can help you schedule a time the visit santa. looking for a bargain? if you download the app. >> this box right here. >> reporter: these little boxes hidden in the mall pinpoint your location, so when you pass by your phone pengs, possibly with a discount offer. but you don't feel an invasion of your privacy, they knew you were dropping by that store right at this moment? >> i like it. some people may not like it. that's just me, i do. >> reporter: if you hate lugging bags around the mall with the app, your items can be delivered if you live nearby. >> for a small fee, they will be delivered on your schedule. >> reporter: cost? >> $5. >> reporter: for everything? >> for everything.

>> reporter: malls using smart phones making it a little easier this holiday season. nbc news, mcclain, virginia. >> if they can park the car for you, too. >> spot times. >> that would be great. >> take shopping to a whole new level. >> absolutely, your sit-down with santa yeah. coming up next, martha and giada are taking over the orange room an answer shopping your last turkey question. final survival guide for all those calories you will consume, two things that you ought to do this morning. but first, these messages. ♪ it's all about the base groupies ♪ diamonds lots of gold ♪ .

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that thanksgiving feast. you can relax. dylan is in the orange room with a couple ladies who know their way around the kitchen. >> i think we have the team here, answer shopping your questions as you send them in. let get to a couple of them. michelle wants to know, do you recommend stuff shopping the turkey? >> i always stuff the turkeys. i love stuffing in a turkey. if you have vegetarians at your house, put the stuff shopping in a pumpkin and roast it that way. >> i do. i never stuff my turkey. i find it makes it dry. i like my stuffing on the side. i stuff my turkey with oranges herbs, lemons, whatever i grow in the garden, aeromatics. >> i stuff mine with oranges. >> citrus is great. >> sure. >> i have another great question, do you have to use a rack to cook the turkey? you don't have to use a rack, can you put big thick slice of bread in the pan, put the turkey on the bread.

that bread is so delicious. it has a lot of flavor, onions, carrots, parsnips, make your own rack. >> now i'm officially starving, you guys will be here a little longer? >> i think for like an hour-and-a-half. >> i'm here as long as martha will have me. keep the questions coming. guys, anything. you want to know? >> i know they will help us with gravy coming up. that is always a problem if my house. >> a lot more with martha and giada i don't meaning up, including the crazy cranberries and lots more. plus a thanks to the people who saved her son's life. >> we will go back to al and savannah live at the macy's thanksgiving day parade. if you have high blood sugar, ask your doctor about farxiga. it's a different kind of medicine that works by removing some sugar from your body.

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♪ it is 8:00 on "today." coming up the ultimate thank you. >> i want to find them and thank them. >> meet one young mother and the thanksgiving mission a decade in the making. >> getting the gang back together. we'll take you inside the making of the brand new peanuts movie. and talking turkey with martha. the new dynamic duo in the kitchen with last-minute tha thanksgiving tips. today, thursday, november 27,

2014. ♪ >> happy thanksgiving to our friends in minnesota! >> happy thanksgiving to illinois! >> happy thanksgiving to our family in maine. >> happy thanksgiving to our family and friends in virginia! ♪ >> hello and welcome back on this beautiful thanksgiving morning! it's in the 30s out here but we have a fun and warm crowd. a lot of people getting red did toy head to the macy's thanksgiving day parade. >> it's part of the tradition. >> yeah. let's do a little pregaming at our plaza and they walk to the parade. and that's where matt and savannah are. >> good morning. we've come up to the perch here

above the finish line. we get a great view of the action. including right now sting and the cast of the last ship. are rehearsing just about 30 yards to our right here. sting is taking a part in the conversation starting in december for about five weeks. >> that's right. we have a lot of gratefeat show that kick off the show this morning. pet pan live we're going see a number from that musical as well. we're looking forward to it. >> it's starting to fill up in the bleachers on the side of macy's. there's going to be 3.5 million people lining the parade route. 2 1/2 miles up-and-down the west side of manhattan. so it s starting to get excitin. we're going get going in awhile. >> if you want to tweet use #macy's parade. i got your text and you're wrong, willie. these are real flowers and fresh. they're not fake.

>> and willie, stop texting! >> come on! >> i've been doing a lot of texting this morning, apparently. thank you. coming up martha and giana will be back with more cooking advice. martha's simple advice for smooth, creamy gravy. >> good morning. millions of americans are on the move this thanksgiving day. but travel has been tough for those dealing with bad weather in the east coast. nbc stefanie is at new york's la guardia with the latest. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. good news for people who have to travel today. that is flights are taking off on time. they're taking off on time here and other airports along the east coast. this is supposed to be the lightest travel day of the year. it's not exactly that. yesterday was just such a mess. that nor'easter that blew through wreaked havoc on travel. there were 700 or so flights cancelled. thousands of flights delayed. people who took to the roads had a tough time as well.

clogging roads because of the bad weather. aaa saying there were more people on the roads because gas prices have fallen and the economy has gotten better. so those people found some frustrations. if they're on the road today, they're in good shape. things are great here in la guardia. i ran into nbc's lester holt. back to you. >> he has a lot of planning to do. i think he's going california. thank you. -- chicago then california. tensions remain high in ferguson, missouri today. there were fewer protesters on the streets last night following a grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the shooting death of michael brown. the post dispatch reports two men indicted last week on federal challenges allegedly planned to bomb the city's landmark gateway arch. they' in cleveland the parents say video released wednesday proves the rookie police officer was

wrong to open fire so fast. an offer shot rice no more than two seconds after the patrol car drove up to a city park last saturday after they received a 9-1-1 call about someone with a gun. rice was holding a non-lethal p pellet gun. the close encounter with drones is soaring. pilots alerted the allegation to 193 incidents so far this year. many of the close calls happened during take off and landing at some of the nation's busiest airports. chicago police are looking into the latest case of smash and grab. it happened early yesterday morning. moments after the break in as many as 20 people swarmed the store. they cleared the shelves of high end jeans and jackets. a few minutes later they made the get away leaving the van behind. police did not put a price tag on the tollen goods. it's not only people gobbling couple ho day dinner

today. these lee murs in chicago are chowing down on a festive meal. the turkey was only an intimidation. the table manners, i hear were pretty good, too. let's get another check on the weather with al along the parade route. good morning to you, my friend. >> good morning! we are joined by the fabulous manziel who has had a wonderful time on broadway now. you have just released a brand new holiday album. "holiday wishes." it is wonderful. >> thank you very much. >> yeah. you even have a duet with michael buble. a kid-friendly version of "baby it's cold outside." yes. >> yes. it was very fun. >> you group on long island. is this the first time you've -- you're going to be in the parade? >> it's not. i've been in a couple of broadway shows. we get to perform over by macy's.

when i was a kid. one time my dad was a pj salesman he worked in one of the buildings. we looked out high up from the window. that was as close as we got. kind of full circle. >> what are you thankful for? >> oh, my gosh. for my son. my little boy, walker, he's 5 years old. i'm thankful because he gives mae lot of perspective and keeps me in the moment. i'm thankful for this great year. >> with frozen and let it go. >> yes. beautiful. it is. congratulations. >> thank you. >> you deserve it. >> thank you very much! >> you have so much to be thankful for. >> happy thanksgiving! >> let's check out what is going onned in your weather system for today. we have parade going. sponge bob! we love him! cloudy skies, few flurries, temperatures in the 30s. windchill maybe upper 20s. light winds 10 miles per hour. the rest of the country icy along the atlanta states. light snow across the great

lakes. heavy rain and snow out in the pacific northwest. some of the rainmaking the way into central california tomorrow. as you're shopping beautiful weather on the east coast friday. great lakes snow, more rain and snow in the pacific northwest. southern states looking spectacular. temperatures a little on the co good morning to you. taking a live look at the san francisco bay. what a pretty start to your thanksgiving. temperatures in the 70s for today. 66, though, for the east shore. 65 in san francisco, but we'll be at 72 in the north bay. the south bay 74. peninsula 70 and tri-valley really nice day for you, 73 degrees coming your way. now we've got some rain on the way and quite a bit of it, but it's going to hold off until tomorrow night for most of the bay area, but saturday looks like a washout, break late sunday, into monday, then tuesday we get heavy down pours all across the board. that's your latest weather. we're getting excited here.

they brought thomas the tank engine. he's out in line getting ready! you have snoopy all ready to go! and the dairy of a wimpy kid behind it. it's so exciting! >> it's a balloon pal loo za. we have a lot of great fans on the plaza including a young lady who saw al and matt at universal studios and one direction last week. >> yes. >> you want to say hi? >> yes. i only saw matt but i saw al from -- >> let's tell the truth. we said who did you come to see? al, matt, who else? >> she said me before you. >> it's okay. happy birthday! thank you for coming out. trending it was in my eyes. apparently one girl's adorable explanation for taking since or sos to her own hair. it would not be thanksgiving

without gravy and cranberry sauce. we show you the right way to prepare the holiday favorites. >> i'm mix the gravy with the cranberry. >> more of the stars, floats, balloons you'll see in less than an hour at the 88th macy's thanksgiving day parade. but first these messages. get top gifts at low prices guaranteed in time for christmas. plus, hundreds more items at black friday prices. then at 8pm even more items unlock at crazy low prices. and it's still thursday! then on friday, between 6am-12pm, get 30% off select items from top brands and departments. black friday on friday!? crazy! so get to walmart thursday. and just never leave. black friday starts thursday at 6pm. plan yours at walmart.com we have a serious hairball issue. we clean it up, turn around, and there it is again. it's scary. little bit in my eye. [ michelle ] underneath the kitchen table,

underneath my work desk, we've got enough to knit a sweater. [ doorbell rings ] zach, what is that? the swiffer sweeper. the swiffer dusters. it's some sort of magic cloth that sucks in all the dog hair. it's quick and easy. pretty amazing that it picked it all up. i would totally take on another dog. [ kevin ] really? ♪ [ kevin ] really? ♪hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem♪ ♪to say, throw care away. ♪from everywhere, filling the air♪ chex party mix. easy fifteen-minute homemade recipes you just pop in a microwave. like chocolate caramel drizzles. happier holidays. chex party mix. new dove body wash with at one breakthrough formula. just one shower gives you softer smoother skin. my skin is really silky smooth. new dove body wash. softer, smoother skin after just one shower.

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nice clothes? not on her list. what these kids want, your kids have... their health. at st. jude children's research hospital, we're fighting for kids who aren't as lucky as yours. the discoveries at st. jude can help save children close to you. our treatments are used in hospitals all across america. thanks to our research, st. jude has the world's best survival rates for the toughest childhood cancers. and no family ever pays st. jude for anything. our discoveries today could save a child you know, tomorrow. so if you have healthy children, give thanks. give thanks. da las gracias. give thanks. give thanks for the healthy kids in your life. and give to those who are not. go to st. jude dot org or shop wherever you see the st. jude logo.

♪ back at 8:13. it's time for what is trending today. >> let's get you started. your thanksgiving survival guide. today on average the adult will consume about 3,000 calories. 229 grams of fat in just one meal. how can you avoid that thanksgiving slump? here are three things you need to know. first, you should eat breakfast. it seems counter intuitive. skipping meals slows down the metabolism. >> next you, you want to eat slowly. apparently it takes 1 20 minute for our brains to acknowledge fullness. finally, stay hydrated. we often confuse hunger with thirst. drink plenty of water before the

day. wine does not count. >> i don't want to do that. >> i'm planning on -- >> i can't eat. >> you know what i mean? just one day. >> don't go back for seconds. >> ha! >> happy thanksgiving. i like it because it's good. i want more. i'm full but i'm still eating. >> i want more, i'm full, but i can't stop. >> go for it, one day. sooner or later, it happens to every parent, that time when your kids no longer think your jokes aren't any funny. >> what? >> for the president, that time is now. he is pardoning the turkey the audience delighted in his turkey jokes. most of the audience, i should say, his daughters sasha and malia, not so impressed. >> today i am taking an action fully within my legal authority to spare the lives of two turkeys, mack and cheese from a

terrible and delicious fate. come on, girls. you want to pet them? >> no. >> head lean for this story the obama girls could not be more bored with their dad. >> aww. >> isn't this every parent, every teenager. >> right now, it's happening. i have an 11-year-old, so. >> you don't want to fake it. you don't care, you are over it. >> we're not funny or cool. i'm over it. as you know, matt, savannah and al have been giving us a preview of macy's thanksgiving day parade all morning long. here is what the parade used to look like in some of its earlier years. this is the first photo back in 1924, captain nemo i guess before that and back then, they used to release the balloons into the skyline at the end of the parade. i know.

>> we doan won't do that again. >> that sounds awesome. >> the a. p. releasing these photos, by the way, showing all the action over the last couple of years, for the first parade, apparently 10,000 people showed. now they're expecting 3 million. >> they don't have as to worry about flhts. >> a great tradition. i have the great story i think the video of the morning. >> of the day. >> a toddler in the u.k., a two-year-old, decided to cut her own bangs, they call them fringe as you will hear. her dad confront of thes her about it. little tulula is not sorry she did it. >> why did you cut your hair in. >> i cut my fringe, they were being in my eyes. >> right. so you kit off yourself. you didn't see this happening? so you didn't stop it?

>> i love it. this is the video of the day, now she has that mullet going on. >> it's a good explanation. hair in your eyes is the worst. did you ever do that? >> no, all my barbie dolls had speaked hair. >> i think a lot of us did that, you cut the bangs too short. you didn't do that? >> i didn't do my own, cutting the bangs, i know. >> it's never straight. >> oh, i also love the sister, too, did you see anything in. >> no, no. >> probably watched it, too. i love it. >> that is what's trending today. now to a special story that show what is today is all about the mom who spent the past 84 tracking down an thanking the medical workers who saved her baby boy after a horrific car crash. nbc's tom costello has their story. >> reporter: if life is measured in joyful moments. >> happy birthday, eli.

we have to show this red hair. >> reporter: the day eli was born was pure magic for kelly and a.j. >> that is just amazing. >> i can't wait to see a.j. be the best dad in the world. he will be that. >> reporter: three month later, their life changed. a.j. killed instantly, kelly barely hurt, air lifted with eli, who suffered a traumatic brain injury. doctors warned if he lived, he may never walk or talk. >> i want to find the team of heroes that saved my son's life and thank them. >> reporter: ten years later, kelly has been on a mission. >> hi, i'm kelly. and you are susie? >> yeah. >> to r. >> reporter: to thank each nurse, each flight crew member at arnold palmer hospital for children. >> you were the first doctor that believed in us an believed in me and that there was a solution to get better.

you were just such an important part of saving his life. >> reporter: once more, she's been documenting all of it on camera, for what she calls the thank you project. >> you don't think about it on a daily basis, you know. >> i never have been thanked. so. >> reporter: a singer/songwriter, kelly wanted to do much more than thank her heroes. >> it would be such a privilege if you would come to our party so we can honor you. >> reporter: so on a warm night in orlando, they all came together to celebrate each other and eli. >> but also wanting to tell them the rest of the story, that eli is alive. he's walking, he's talking, and he's showing tons of emotion an he's a joy. >> reporter: kelly has since remarried and the new husband adopted eli, who still suffers from the effects of the accident. but in many ways, he is a form normal ten-year-old. >> this message is for everyone

to know you can go through a tragedy and come out okay. >> it's a privilege to have you all in my life. >> reporter: finally, it was time for kelly to show her thank you documentary for the people who made it. for the critical care manager, it was over we-- overwhelming. >> you realize, this is what i needed to do. >> this is where you need to be? >> kelly says a.j. would be so proud. >> we don't choose tragedy. we can choose how to respond to tragedy. i did not want to let that tragedy rob eli and i of life. a life saved and lived. for "today" tom costello, nbc news, orlando. >> what an incredible story. hardly a dry eye. >> if you never stayed at the hospital, the nurses are priceless, the women and men

overnight. >> they don't get paid enough. >> a thank you project. there you go. over to you. our countdown to thanksgiving, officially at zero. "today" is here, martha stewart and giada are cooking up a feast. great to see you. >> hi. >> i say the coolest thing youwatch walk in, martha and giada, endoor kitchen, it's incredible. >> i am about to learn from you. let start with the gravy. water your approach? >> the turkey is out of the pan. the nice little drinkings are in the bottom. we have already powered off alternate or butter. >> that dark part is the good part of the gravy. those are the juices. so if you can use a separator like this, watch. this goes right in. deglaze the pan with white wine. >> martha, do you cool that to put it in there faster? >> you don't have to be, the gadget is so handy. i love this little gadget.

so then you bring that to a boil. >> okay. >> and keep straip scraping. you want to do that, you want to scrape? while i add a little bit more wine. i am raising the temperature and wine is important. i think it makes a really good gravy. >> a good one, right? >> make a slurry, either flour or cornstarch in cold stock or cold water. use a bottle, a jar, my mother used a mustard jar. that was her slurry, so this will prevent lumps, because you have dissolved the starch, the thing that will thicken the gravy. if you want gluten free, use cornstarch. >> you sake it up. >> you add this, this will thicken that beautiful gravy. >> martha if by chance you walk away or something happens you watch the football game and you get lumps, can you possibly, i know you look at me, can you put it in the blender? >> a australianer. >> what if you don't have a

strainer, they have blenders, can you just stick it in the blendish? i do. >> you can, i don't know if it will work. >> it works. >> then you dirty a blender. >> just saying, if you don't want lumps in the gravy. >> then you add a little noise turkey stock. when you start you use the gibblets, all in with a lot of vegetable, onions, garlic, carrots, celery in a pot full of water and make a stock. >> are you not happy? >> i do it, she talks. >> i am not telling you to do anything. >> no, no. >> you are cool. >> see, thank you, mar that, i appreciate that. >> he is col, done you think it's a little easier with a whisk? >> no, i don't care, you can use a whisk, a spoon. >> it smells great. >> season with salt and pepper. it will get a little thicker while it cooks. let it cook down a little bit. then put it in the gravy boat. giada, what are you making?.

>> my version of an italian mustada. a little cinnamon, ginger, anise, apple cider vinegar and sugar to sweeten it and i take all the dried cranberries, fill them in here, you let it cook down 15 to 20 minutes. you end up with something like this which i love serving with turkey with chicken with just about anything, it's good, right? >> mustard seed. >> mustard seed. you can use any fruit you like. >> i love that. >> take it home. >> i'm taking it home. i have no fly home. i'm taking it home. >> she is flying home, doing thanksgiving on the west coast. >> how many people will coming to your house? >> not that many, i think it's six, six or eight. >> how many are you having? >> 32. >> we have seven, five more people. >> oh my god, martha does always win. >> the restaurant is great? >> it's great. we are having our first

thanksgiving today. so i'm really excited. >> ladies, thank you, you will be back preparing favorite side dishes. now we go to al along the parade route. hey, al. >> reporter: hey, guys, how are you do you're watching today in the bay. >> good morning to you and happy thanksgiving. i'm kris sanchez. in less than an hour or so one of the bay area's largest thanksgiving dinners kicks off in san francisco. between 9:00 and 1:00 this afternoon, glide memorial church will serve some 5,000 thanksgiving meals, including all the fixings. 49ers fans meanwhile have a big night on tap, going to flock for a thanksgiving day matchup against the seattle seahawks. it's the first time the niners have hosted a turkey day game. you can watch it here on nbc bay area. kickoff is at 5:30. before the turkey hits the

table, eager shoppers were in line all around the bay area. in some cases, the doors opened early this morning. today, not black friday. k-mart opened at 6:00 this morning, will remain open for 42 straight hours. employees tell us they are under orders to work on the holiday or risk losing their jobs. some stores are resisting the urge to open today, though, saying employees deserve to spend the day with their families. we have more local news coming up in just a half hour. right now, here's more of the "today" show.

[ music playing ] >> it's 8:30 now on this thanksgiving morning, the final preparations under way now for the thanksgiving parade, we are t-minus 38 for the 88th edition of the macy's parade in the plaza, people going to see the parade.

people come here first. >> that's right. >> that's exactly right. we will take that. >> by the way, that was a little rehearsal of peter pan, which one week from today you whether see it live here on nbc. >> i'm excited about that. coming up, martha and giada have covered the turkey, they move on to another star at the thanksgiving table. the side dishes. we all love those. >> how about smokey candied carrots. >> first a final check in with al. al. >> hey, guy, thanks so much. boy, you did that first on the "today" show. >> it's an amazing year. thank you for letting me kick et all off on the "today" show. it was a good time.

>> you performed before with your brothers, this will be the first time performing together. >> i have been doing it ten years almost, which is hard to believe. it's like starting over, getting to be back at the parade seven years later on my own, it feels really good. >> reporter: after the parade, how are you celebrating thanksgiving? >> i'm going to head up to rhode island, actually, go spend some time with my family who flew in and hang out. eat way too much food. >> reporter: there you go. you did put on 15 pounds of muscle. you are solid, my friend, hanging out with park wahlberg. >> i will cheat a bit today and have too much turkey and other things. it will be good. >> reporter: you are performing on the sea world international, happy thanksgiving, my friend. all right, let's check your weather, see what we got for you as you get ready for your weekend, maybe traveling back, for today, we are looking for an icy mix in the northern plains, wet weather, lake effect snow

making its way with that clipper in the great lakes, for tomorrow, we expect to see more snow around the great lakes. the rain is going to make its way into central california tomorrow into the pacific northwest. that's good fuse, they needed. cool, but sunny, on into florida. 71 in miami tomorrow. that's chilly, yeah, not as cold as toronto when hey, we'll be in the 70s right here in the bay area today, al. happy thanksgiving, everybody. i want to show you this beautiful shot from healdsburg, some high clouds out there, no fog to report. temperatures are going to be really comfortable into this afternoon. we're talking about the mid 70s in the south bay. 74 degrees here, 72 for the peninsula, and right around 72 degrees in the north bay, where showers start up as of tomorrow evening. most of us will hold off on that rain until saturday, and then we get into this rainy pattern that continues well into next week. hope you have a fantastic day.

>> reporter: all right. >> that just about does it for me. get ready. guy, happy thanksgiving, one of the things i am thankful for, working with uday in, day out. i love you. >> enjoy the parade, we'll see you along the route in a few now highlighting the remarkable work of st. jude children's research hospital. today jenna bush hager is here with another wonderful story. jenna, good morning and happy thanksgiving. >> happy thanksgiving. just a couple of months ago, the young patients at st. jude were surprised by a very special person. the first lady of the united states, michelle obama. >> we are so excited. our first lady, mrs. michelle obama! >> reporter: the halls of st. jude are often filled with surprises. >> smile. >> reporter: but on this day, the kids got to share their hopes and dreams with someone very special.

>> this is my number one goal, get done with this, be good at school. >> we should hire him. do you want an internship at the white house? >> i'll take it. >> reporter: she was hoping to raise the spirits of these brave fighters and raise awareness about the groundbreaking medical work at st. jude children's research hospital. >> one, two, three! >> i think it's really good to be able to highlight the great work that's going on here. >> reporter: st. jude treats some of the toughest cases including 8-year-old devin. devin received national attention after the hard-hitting question he courageously asked the first lady. >> does the white house have a secret stash? >> a secret stash of what? well, if i told you, then it wouldn't be a secret. that's highly classified information. >> reporter: last christmas, devin was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. >> that was one of the most

devastating days of my life, of our lives. >> neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor. because he's older, his chances for cure are much less than a younger patient. >> okay. really big! >> reporter: he's part of a pilot study at st. jude that is hoping to boost current survival rates from 50%. and last year he had made his mark with the nurses and doctors here. he is lovingly referred to as the king. why do they call you the king of st. jude? >> because i rule this place. >> reporter: because you rule this place. you met the first lady. it seems like she took an instant liking to you. you think she did? >> yeah. it was one of the best days of my life. >> reporter: it was one of the best days of your life? >> yes. >> reporter: and the answer to that very important question, well, truth be told it's so classified, devin wouldn't even tell me. she whispered an answer in your ear. what did she say? >> i can't tell you. >> reporter: after the cameras

are rolling, will you tell me? >> yes. >> reporter: it seems the king of st. jude left an impression on the first lady of the united states. and mrs. obama is not the only first lady to visit the hospital. nancy reagan, hillary clinton and my grandmother, barbara bush, have also visited st. lewd. >> jenna, thank you so much. what a wonderful kid. marlowe thomas is the national outreach director. good to see you again this morning. >> thank you. >> this is an important story. this is a very difficult disease with a tough cure rate, but you all are doing a pilot study on kids like devin. >> that's what st. jude does. this only has a 50% survival rate, it's a very tough cancer, solid tumor and the most common solid tumor in kids. we're doing a pilot study. we're testing whether we can put chemotherapy with immunotherapy and we've created an antibody right there on our campus. we have our own manufacturing system which nobody else can do. and if we can get this all to work together, we can make a headway into neuroblastoma. and it's already proven tore less toxic to children, less

painful, and we're very excited about it. nobody's ever try it had before. and this is what st. jude does and we hope to get it to a place where we can start sharing it with the rest of the world. >> meanwhile, we just got exciting news that the first lady of the united states has invited all those kids we just saw in the piece to visit her at the white house coming up. >> isn't that great? >> so cool. >> nobody ever pays at st. jude which is very important that people know, children come there from all over the country, all over the world. they don't pay for travel or food or housing or treatment or anything. it's not a charity hospital. rich and poor come. the most important thing is that we'ring do studies that nobody else is doing so we can find out how we cure some of these really difficult diseases. >> it's another great story from a remarkable place. marlowe thomas, thank you. happy thanksgiving. good to see you. >> thank you. just ahead, we'll head back up to the kitchen for martha and giada's sides to go with that turkey today. and next meet the voices behind the famous characters in the new "peanuts" movie so many people are excited about. but first, this is "today" on

nbc. about. first, this is "today" on nbc.

. >> back now at 8:40. snoopy set to make his appearance at the macy's thanksgiving day parade. he is getting ready to bring charles schultz characters to the big screen. his son craig is a writer and producer on the peanuts movie, good morning to both of you. i'm so excited. i love peanuts. so 'generations of us have grown up with peanuts. why now for a new movie? >> why now? the reason we are doing it now is a couple reason, no. 1 is a tribute to my dad. people for generations have loved peanuts. the second reasons is to our fan base, they have been so loyal all these years, we have the die hard fans. we also want to bring on the new fans that haven't grown up with

peanuts like we all did. we are anxious to show them with a new feel. lastly, because of technology, we waited quite a few years to do this the last was in 1980. we had a lot of people come to us. now is the time. you can see the characters, how beautiful they are, the animation is spectacular. >> by the way, we mentioned, we will see the kids behind the voices in just a minute. we will seep them hiding back there a little longer. you said it was a dream come true as a producer. you said the equivalent of your "star wars." how much was about peanut and the gang? >> my entire child walls formed by it. i was an only child every night i had to have a peanuts paperbacks to put me to sleep, not because i was bored. it was so reassuring from it. i feel half my vocabulary came from charles schultz. >> craig, what do you think your dad would think of this? i know your own son is working

on it as well, it's a family affair. >> it's a cool thing. we call the movie the peanuts movie by schultz, the reason is it's my dad, myself, my son brian and we have a great grandson micah who will be a voice of one of the characters. so four generations, with our partners that put this together. >> i love the animation. all right. kids, are you ready? >> here we go. >> we want to introduce you to the kids with the iconic characters. all right. this is the peanuts gang. let's start with you, noah, you are playing charlie brown. >> yes. >> hundreds of kids tried out. give me a line. >> good grief. >> perfect. you nailed it! are you a huge peanuts fan? >> yeah, i love peanuts. >> it's great. hadley, you are playing lucy, she is a little bossy? >> yes. >> are you bossy?

>> i'm not bossy, but she's persistent and she stands up for what she believes in, i think i am like her in those ways. >>ou sound just like her, you are persistent and strong is there thank you. >> alex, you are playing linus. he always brings his security blanket. did you have something you used to carry around with you as well? >> no, but i am like linus in other ways, they tell me i think of the bigger picture and charlie brown is picked on. >> you cheer them up. good for you. this is some of the great kids, all the kids over here, take a look around again. you guys, i can't wait. i got another year to wait for this movie. november, 2015. >> when it comes out, it will be huge. >> thank you so much. fantastic. "the peanuts movie" as you mentioned will be in theaters not until next november 3rd, next year. coming up next, top dog, one of

the most incredible purple heart recipientings ever. first this is "today" on nbc. .

welcome back to "today" on this great thanksgiving morning. a thank you to the men and women serving overseaings, also the animals that work alongside them. jenna has a story of a special purple heart recipient. >> yes, i met this amazing dog, luka has been on over 400 missions in iraq and yank. she's true hero. are you glad she is a part of your family? >> i am very glad she is a part of my family.

>> reporter: like most kids, claire and michael willingham love their dog is there scratch her belly! scratch it! >> reporter: but luka, a german shepard mix is not just a part of the family. she's responsible for keeping them together. >> she puts our lives if her hands. it's amazing to see how resilient whether she was able to pull through, whether the heat conditions, mortar attacks or iuds. >> reporter: luka used her impeccable smell to keep her trainer and fellow marines safe. >> ied forces, if you take a dog team, it's a good countermeasure, as long as he is trained, it's tough to beat. >> reporter: when staff sergeant willingham was reassigned, he took the job of finding a new owner seriously. without hesitation, he asked marine rodriguez.

did you feel how much responsible knowing how much chris loved this dog when he handed her over to his care? >> when he assigned me luka, i knew the expectations and i was responsible for the dopg. >> reporter: that responsibility was tested four months into their deployment in afghanistan. >> i saw a cloud of dust, an open explosion. >> her front left leg was badly hurt. >> i ran in, put a tourniquet on to stop the bleeding. i picked her up. we went to a monita tree line to get cover. >> reporter: treated like any injured soldier, she was medevac'ed to safety. her devoted handleer by her side. >> you saved luka's life. >> she saved mine many times. >> her leg had to be amputated. with a heavy heart, he shared the news with willingham. >> i sensed he let me down.

>> that wasn't the case at all. his 26 actions the training he received, he runs up, he saved luka's life. >> reporter: after a final homecoming mission, the three were reyou noticed. their story of loyalty and love is now the subject of a book called can the top dog." the author was moved by the connections she witnessed. >> there is no bond like the bond of a dog and handleer, actually. i think i love my dog so deeply and so much, and other people have that bond with their dog, but their bond, they say you can't get that magic. >> reporter: luka is now enjoying her well deserved retirement with the willingham family in southern california. whenever she gets the chance, she is thrilled to see the man who came to her rescue. >> luka, aww, good girl. she is a legend of a dog to me. >> she is a hero. she saved a lot of lives. >> reporter: a true hero to the men and women she protected and

to the children that welcome them home. are you proud of her? >> yes. yeah. >> good girl. >> so as you can see, luka has plenty of love to give. she still says in juan's room when she comes to visit. she serves as an ambassador for military working docs. she is a great comfort obviously to those who have sacrificed so much to our country. she is a really cute dog. i had a lot of fun with her. >> i love stories like that. thank you for bringing it to us. happy thanksgiving to you, my darling. >> we love you. >> "top dog" is out now. you can read an excerpt at today.com. we are back with more from martha and giada as you prepare. first this is "today" on

. >> we are wrapping up our thanksgiving piece with martha and giada. the turkey the cranberry sauce, now it's great for side dishes. you are combining mashed potatos and sweet potatos? >> a layer of well flavored buttery, i put a lot of cream cheese in my mashed potatos. a layer of that on top. then bake it. top it with five leeks. they have a little bit of flour

and a pinch of cayenne. don't get your fingers in there. >> it's really hot. >> a good tip. safflower oil. it will be delicious. giada, that salad is amazing. >> i am eating the chips, they're so good. >> trikalre salad, three different colors, you don't want to wait to the last minute to reheat everything or have everything in the oven or on the stove. >> you can do it now, set aside. >> make a dressing. i would wait to dress it at the last minute. okay. >> that's the holiday colors. >> it's room festive and fun. what kind of dressing? >> kale, endive,ry dridiculae. cream keyes, i'm sure martha

would use maybe cream cheedz or something else. >> i like italian. i love it. >> salt, pep per, blue cheese, you mix it together and toss it. i like to do a little. >> walnuts, bleu keys. figs, sweetness and stickiness. >> what about the pro scuitto. i make this at the restaurant like this, a smaller portion. it's very popular. >> it looks beautiful, let's go up front, see what the creations are. >> it looks beautiful. okay. oh my gosh, this is amazing! >> wow! >> is this ready for me to take, railro ready to go. >> giada wants a leg. >> on the plane when i go home, i'm taking her leg. >> fantastic, look how that

turned out? >> that is gorgeous. >> both sides of the broccoli the brussels and the cauliflower. >> there are plates over here, help yourself. >> few want to get started on those 3,000 camry, you might as well get started now. >> thank you for spending thanksgiving with us, trouble shooting as always. >> always fun. >> you're watching today in the bay. >> good morning to you and happy thanksgiving. i'm kris sanchez. happening right now, even before the turkey hits the table, shoppers are standing in line at stores all around the bay area. in some cases, stores have already been open for about two hours, as black friday shopping starts a day early. k-mart opened its doors at 6:00

this morning and will stay open for 42 hours straight. employees tell us they are under orders to work the holiday or risk losing their jobs. some stores, though, resisting the urge to open, saying employees deserve to spend the day with families. in just a few minutes, glide memorial church will start serving thanksgiving dinner and we hope you have a great thanksgiving, as well.

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