♪ the river was deep i didn't falter ♪ >> we're back now with more of "today" on a thursday morning. it's the 30th day of july, 2009. donny and marie out there in las vegas. they are absolute headliners, and icons of the entertainment world. spending some time with a couple of other icons, natalie and amy this morning. who are out on the vegas strip, after an all-nighter, from what we understand. ladies, how you holding up? >> just about, yeah. >> only because we got stuck on a runway yesterday with the bad storms. >> but matt, we should point out las vegas really is a great place to come for entertainment of all kinds. and actually last year, as you know, the economic downturn, vegas really suffered about 17% of their revenues in casinos were down. so, now, actually, is a good time to find deals here in vegas. you can find beautiful hotels, which amy and i did last time we were out here for vegas. i believe it was $118 for the night. we had an incredible suite. we did not have to share.

>> and if you don't like gambling, which is kind of hard to believe, there's so much entertainment here, as well. you've got big shows like the lion sing, cirque du soliel and some top talent like cher. >> and we should mention behind us, too, celebrating 28 years, jubilee at bali's. they don't look a day over 26. they've been doing it for 28 years. >> exactly. it's painful to stand here next to them. >> absolutely. >> let's not forget also the great food that you can find here in vegas, too. amy and i have had the pleasure of sampling some of that, too. it's been a really enjoyable trip. albeit a quick one. >> looks like fun. ladies we'll check with you in just a little while. speaking of food, in my effort to be a fair judge for the rib segment i spilled rib juice all over my leg. but you know what? worth it. it was worth it every drip of it. what do you have coming up? >> we've got more coming up with michael jackson's personal chef.

kai chase, of course, was with him and his family. in fact, she was with him on the day he passed. he's going -- she's going to be here, kai is going to be here to show us the kind of foods, the healthy foods that michael jackson was taking and how you might want to partake in those, as well. >> first let's go inside. ann is standing by at the news desk with a look at this morning's headlines. >> okay, thanks a lot, matt and everybody. good morning. today at the white house, what's being called the beer summit. the president is hosting harvard professor henry gates jr. and the cambridge massachusetts police sergeant who arrested him for what they hope will be a bury the hatchet beer. the president who first said cambridge police acted stupidly hopes the incident can become what he calls a teachable moment. new recommendations are out on who should get the swine flu vaccine first. a government panel says that pregnant women, health care and child care workers, children older than 6 months, and adults of certain chronic conditions should be the first to get the vaccine. about 120 million doses of

vaccine are expected by october. confrontation today at a cemetery in iran. according to iran's state-run media, police used tear gas to break up a memorial rally by around 1,000 government opponents at the grave of neda, a woman killed in post-election unrest. heat warnings remain in effect today across the pacific northwest. seattle hit an all-time record on wednesday with 103 degrees. and in oregon, it was even hotter at 106. thousands of people are still without power this morning in new york, and new jersey, after powerful storms on wednesday. cell phone video captured a funnel cloud in northern new jersey. nbc has learned that a custody deal has been reached in the michael jackson case, his three children will now live with their grandmother katherine jackson and debbie rowe, the biological mother of the two eldest children will get visitation and no custody. and a spectacular scene overnight in the netherlands

when fire scored the prince william, a 17th century trading vessel. the tall ship was a popular tourist attraction. the original sank 350 years ago. it is now four minutes past the hour. let's get a check of the weather from al this morning. >> all right, thanks very much, ann. as we check out what's going on, severe weather going on right now, down through texas. already moved through dallas, heading down towards houston and san antonio. we're looking at strong storms. those storms bringing rainfall amounts anywhere from three to five inches of rain. also in the northeast, that big storm now moving away. we're keeping an eye out for flood watches >> we will be partly cloudy, warm and humid. the temperature ranges 88 to 92. it will feel worse because the moisture.

and that's your latest weather. now to more of our exclusive interview with kai chase. the personal develop to michael jackson and his family. she was in his rented home on the day he died. kai, good morning and thanks for being here. >> good morning, al. >> you left in march for three weeks. you came back, and when you returned, what did you notice different about michael jackson's appearance? >> well, i left in may. >> i'm sorry. >> i left in may and came back in june, and i noticed that he, you know, appeared to be not as vibrant as he was when i was there. >> and did you attribute that to anything in particular? >> well, you know, i just -- i figured he wasn't eating or getting the nourishment that i had been giving to him. and it just seemed to me that he was -- was very like just not

with it, you know, kind of slowing down. >> we heard all this were the drugs and the prescriptions and you look at the rehearsal video and you watch this and think, how could a guy do this and perform this way, even in just rehearsal, and have been doing all these other things? do you think about that? >> oh, of course. you know, you know, he's a fabulous entertainer. you know, and he's a dancer. his body uses -- he used his body as a tool. and i just knew, you know, michael jackson, when that switch goes on, that music comes on, he's on. >> right. >> you know. and he needed, you know, food and nourishment, and fresh, organic vegetables. >> do you feel if maybe you had been there during that period of time, at least nutritionally he might have been a little bit better off? >> i think so, absolutely. i really do. >> what was it like? you were there the last day. i'm sure you have played this

over and over and over again in your mind. what was that day like? >> that day was very, very sad. very sad, very devastating. you know, it's just -- it's just, everyone was so happy and excited about this hour, you know. and ready to -- for this to happen. just, it was devastating. >> what was he like the last time you saw him? and when was that? >> i saw him the day before. the day before, i fed he and his children lunch. he had lunch with his children. and he was moving kind of slow. he was moving kind of slow and i figured, you know, he's dancing, he's rehearsing so much, he's tired. >> yeah. >> you know. and he just seemed a little not with it. >> you have very fond memories not only of michael jackson but of his children, as well. you had a relationship with them. >> yeah. >> tell us. there's some lovely things on this tape. tell us about them. >> the children are beautiful. you know, the food, the favorite

foods that i would create with them. the children loved grilled cheese sandwiches. so we would do a veganese mayo and apricots, whole fruits, organic fruits. paris sent me a letter, you know, i'd walk in the kitchen in the morning, these letters posted, kai, thanks for the apric apricots, daddy loves them. daddy's eating apricots, daddy is eating organic. >> what about this box of happiness? >> that was so special to me, this box of happiness. when i came back june 2nd, i walked into the maid's quarters and put on my uniform and there it was sitting. paris had made this for me. and it had just beautiful gifts in there. and just like a welcome. welcome home. >> an ipod? >> mr. jackson gave me an ipod touch. the children told him that i still had a walkman. he said we can't have that here. >> welcome to it the 21st century.

do you hope that you can maintain a presence in the kid's lives? >> oh, i'd love to. those children are adorable. you know, they are very intelligent. they're fun. and i would love to. >> you know, we've got some set up here in the kitchen, because we'd like to talk to you about some of the things that you would prepare for michael jackson. and how we can incorporate, because he did eat healthy, you said. >> yes. >> he liked organics, he liked fresh juices, things like that. >> yes, yes. >> tell us about what you've got right here. >> this is one of the juices that i would prepare for mr. jackson in the morning. and all throughout the day. it is beet juice. >> right. >> which is good for iron, high in antioxidants. so the ingredients that i used were fresh, organic beets, raw, skin on and fresh organic carrots, raw, skin on, celery and red apple. >> when you do things like this and you're expending obviously the kind of energy he would expend on i would see on that

rehearsal video. what else would he exist on. these are great, i'm sure, for a quick burst of energy, and to kind of maintain you. but when you're working that hard, what kind of foods and what kind of calorie intake do you have to have? >> as far as the juice as well? lean protein. lean proteins, organic vegetables, and things of that nature. he loves fish. you know, monk fish on a bed of arugula. you know, those were very good for him as a dancer. you know, he wanted to eat very healthy, so he wouldn't, you know, no cramping. dancers have to eat, you know, like any activity, like sports. >> found an example of the juice. why don't you take a look at the salads here. >> okay, good, okay. >> what is this? this looks very intriguing. >> this is one of the salads that he enjoyed the most, mr. jackson enjoyed the most that i did. this is a seared ahi tuna salad with herbs deprovence on top. and the dried herbs, and sear

them very quickly in a hot pan. in actuality these are some of the things that he, you know, that he loved to eat. >> and in a sense it's kind of a little bit of an aswami. you've got green beans, you've got tomato, you've got almonds, and you've got egg. so there's a decent amount of protein. >> right. >> and while you're putting that on, what do you do for the dressing? >> oh, good you're going to help me. >> yes. >> so we've got anchovies, put the anchovies in first. and the dijon mustard. >> right. >> and shall lotts there and dried basil. you want to add the red wine vinegar so we can emulsify that just a little bit. and then you want to add in your evo. your extra virgin olive oil. and you can emulsify that.

together that looks good. >> well, i spent a little time in the kitchen. >> i know you did. i know that. >> sometimes a little too much time. >> and then you put that on top of the sal 5d with these here. >> very nice. >> so this is one of his favorites. this was one of the things he ate when he would go to rehearsal. >> you're hoping to hopefully maybe cook for katherine jackson and the kids? >> yeah. i was -- they asked me, you know, they asked me if i'd come and assist with the children. mr. jackson encouraged me very much to write a cookbook. write a cookbook. we were going to maybe put it out after the tour. >> if you do do it, will you come back? >> i will. >> kai chase. thank you very much. >> all righty, thank you. >> and a little bit wild, she's a little bit country, he's a little bit rock 'n' roll. together probably the most famous brother and sister act. we are going to hear from donny and marie. up next, natalie sits down, the one, the only miss divine miss

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"today takes a vacation" is brought to you by expedia.com. back here in las vegas, and one of the most-sees, of course, is headliner bette midler, the divine miss m. with her show "the showgirl must go on." she's been hard at work at caesar's palace at the colosseum since february wowing audiences with her trademark hits, feathers and over-the-top production numbers. and i caught up with bette midler when she was back in new york. ♪ for over 40 years, bette midler

has been one of the reigning queens of show biz, wowing audiences with her hit songs, memorable movie roles, and knockout stage shows. why las vegas? >> they made me an offer i couldn't refuse. and i actually also wanted to get off the road. i'd been on the road for years. i was getting a little nervous about the amount of gasoline that i was, you know, using, and contributing to global warming. i thought oh, well i'll just sit in las vegas. i always had an inner showgirl. crazy dream that i would be in pink feathers one day, too. >> so how do you stay in shape? >> i run like a fiend, and i dance. i try to dance as much as i possibly can, cause dancing brings you a lot of joy. and part of it is not getting depressed. you know, not letting oh, my god, i've got 200 shows to go. >> the minute you arrive at the airport in las vegas and you see that beautiful billboard with those legs, i mean, you are all legs. >> thank you. >> it's fantastic. >> thank you.

small trunk but a lot of legs. >> how do you keep your energy up? to be able to put on 100 performances in a year? >> i take a lot of vitamins, i do a lot of exercise. and i have to say the exercise is absolutely key. i take cod liver oil every single day, with apple cider vinegar. >> nutrition tips from bette midler? >> i have to do it. >> and do you draw a lot of your energy, though, from the minute you step on that stage, you see that crowd out there, that audience? >> it really is kind of joyous this little bit of exchange that we have. i can see where -- how they're feeling, and gauge how it's going, and whether i should go faster or slower, or be louder or faster or funnier and all that. so you know, we do have an exchange. >> what is next for you? >> i used to say i'm not retiring and you can't make me. i don't think i mean that anymore. it's starting to look good. >> and the showgirl must go on is on a brief break right now. but bette midler will be back on august 18th for more top entertainment here. meanwhile, still to come this morning, more with donny and

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we've got more now from natalie and amy on vacation on day four of "today takes a vacation" in las vegas. hey, you guys, what's going on? >> hey, ann. after stiletto spy school we can make a martini. but we really want to respect the art of making a martini. we have ken here with the pure night club to help us make the perfect peanut butter and jelly martini? >> we've got one of those. but i saw you guys doing the bond thing earlier, so i figured we'd start with a vespa martini. it's made with gin, vodka -- >> gin and vodka? this could be dangerous. >> we're going to start with our mayor oscar goodman's favorite gin. >> okay. >> how much do you put in? >> it's three parts gin. >> okay. >> one part vodka.

>> okay. >> or whatever tastes good? >> and a half -- >> or whatever tastes good. >> and this is roulet blanc. it's kind of like -- >> instead of vermouth. >> okay. >> and then, as you know -- >> and we don't need. >> james bond the martinis shaken, not stirred. >> but you're shaking it. >> we're going to shake it, not stirred. >> i think charo would agree that's the best way to make a martini. >> charo definitely. >> where we at? there we go. okay. >> wow. >> okay. >> are we drinking it like that? >> oh, no. >> i was going to say. >> absolutely not. >> oh, just like has. >> we're going to purr it into a martini glass. >> oh, okay. there you go. >> it's pretty much all liquor. >> oh, you can drink it -- >> olive or no olive? >> no, no, not an olive. he actually made it famous with

a lemon twist. >> oh, a lemon twist. >> a little wedge of lemon twist. and rub it around the glass. >> we're running out of time. you want to find out about this famous peanut butter and jelly. >> want to try that. >> is it really peanut butter and jelly? >> oh, that's impressive. >> that looks fantastic. >> it's much better at this time of day. >> i know. all right. >> and we have some pictures, by the way, that we want to show. if you ever saw the movie, you know how it ends, with their time in vegas. it explains everything. we have some shots of our time in vegas about a month ago. take a look. >> that's really good. >> oh, my gosh, that is good. >> wow. >> fantastic. >> great job by the way. thank you to caesar's colosseum, we'll be right back, right after this. ♪ mmm... hot fudge sundae. ♪ ooh! frosted blueberry?!?

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versus 100 in the other leading brand. and a taste you'll find... [sluuurrrrpppp!] irresistible. now try new watermelon and cantaloupe flavors. >> live, local, latebreaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. new indictments have been handed to baltimore mayor sheila dixon. she faces three counts of theft, three counts of misappropriation, and one caught -- one count of misconduct in office. two new indictments were obtained after her former

boyfriend, ronald lipscomb, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. a complaint has been filed against baltimore's public schools, saying that they are not meeting the needs of blind students. the national federation of the blind filed a complaint yesterday. the students are a allegedly not sufficiently instructed on a braille skills and do not have access to printed material. a spokesman for the department of education says they are investigating the complaint. >> hope you are doing well. we will be hazy, hot, and humid today. winds are generally westerly. not a great chance -- no mechanism for showers and storms today, not on the magnitude we saw yesterday. we still have the tropical air mass coming in from the west, southwest, which in here. the more intense fronts will come through later today. 89 the high.

87 as we begin the weekend. >> we will have another update at 9:55.

♪ the faces i can read you know that i need somebody ♪ >> listening to the quartet known as the kings of leon. they're going to bring us their brand of grammy winning rock 'n' roll to the plaza tomorrow here on "today." so if you're around, come on down. they are mighty cool. and we're going to expect a huge crowd. i know my family's all talking about coming down. and speaking of music. >> that's right. amy and natalie are rounding out the "today takes a vacation" trip. they're surrounded by some of the most a-team acts in vegas. you've got donny and marie and charo. >> what are you like when you're awake? >> charo's saying. >> buenos dias, everybody. >> buenos noechous the way i'm feeling right now. >> welcome to the "today" show. >> have you been to bed yet? i haven't. >> no.

>> she was gambling. >> what's your favorite place to go on vacation? >> mississippi. >> what about you, donny and marie? your favorite place -- >> behave. behave. >> where do you go? >> oh, we're -- >> we're on. >> oh. >> there you go. >> now you know how tired he is. >> we can't get a word in edgewise with her. and the way she is with the english language, it's got to be a sharp edge, let me tell you. >> and squeeze me. >> squeeze me? >> you know what i did? i went to play roulette, and i asked the dealer, and i win. >> you won? what are you like when you're on caffeine? >> if you give me caffeine you've got to go -- >> that would be horrible. >> don't even think about it. >> red bull and charo. >> we've got more with charo and donny and marie.

>> a lot more with charo. >> all right, natalie and amy. >> okay. we'll catch up with them in just a few moments. >> when charo isn't on camera, she has a british accent. also coming up we've got a new group -- thank you. all new on thursday for an all-new al's kid's club for kids. we all know how important reading is especially in the summer. this morning we're going to talk about a book that takes us back to the stone age and meet its author. >> okay, cool. but first, we're going to meet two dynamic women who star in a reality show on the cable network humanitarian owes. the show is called the chicos project and for the fourth season yasmin and denise are traveling around the country giving viewers a peek into the lives of their lives. two charismatic latinas through their hilarious adventures. good morning. >> good morning. >> how are you? >> we're fantastic. >> it feels so great to be here.

thank you so much for having us. >> tell us about your show. tell us about what kind of adventures? >> what can we tell you? >> what can we not tell you? >> well we start. it's a reality tv show like you said. we star ourselves. what you see is what you get. it's just two chicas, very different, the rocker, the more controversial one of the two, if you will. you know, the more hip-hop, and so we go around, this season we're on our fourth season. >> basically we just have adventure. >> exactly. >> we get to the road. we went to austin, houston, chicago. >> did you go clowning? >> not yet. we went to clown school. this season is different for us from our other seasons because basically everywhere we stop, we talk to like, you know, all the youth about their concerns, opinions. in washington, d.c. we were able to share that with some of the very high up in the hispanic caucus and basically hopefully, she can take it to someone even more influential.

>> because there's a message here. you yourselves would have loved when you why younger to have seen people like you on tv. and that's the dilemma here. so you see this as a response not just girls having fun but a message you want to leave. >> exactly. >> take what munos offers which is a uniquely experience for american latinos for us. latinos who immigrated to this country. >> we've got that spice. >> muy caliente. >> thanks so much. >> we just want to mention to please catch, we're on munos in english. >> august 4th, 3:45. >> tune in >> >> the girls literally, the chicas will be clowning around on the new episode of "the >> we are going to surge to 91 degrees on a partly cloudy skies. very monday, as we have been all

week long. ocean city, 88 degrees. that's your latest weather. and chicas are digging on your shoes. >> will i'm digging on their shoes, too. >> wow. >> and these are okay. anyway, coming up next, back to vegas and donny and marie, live, right after this. >> are we on? >> you're on now. and check for leaks. if it's not there, we dig up the leech fields 'til we find the problem. average repair cost: six thousand dollars. monthly maintenance with rid-x? about 6 dollars. (announcer) rid-x uses 100% natural bacteria and enzymes to break down waste, even paper. use rid-x monthly to help keep your septic system operating efficiently between pumpings.

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>> you saw that big bill board, donny and marie. you're here until 2012. >> we thought it was 2012. >> can you believe that? >> i've never had a job that long. >> this has become home for you. >> you told meredith, this was just last week, that you would dump marie here for susan boyle. >> hey, i'd dump marie for anybody, let me tell you right now. oh, i'm kidding! i'm kidding! hey, cut me some slack. it was a joke. >> what's your reaction to that? >> he's nothing without me. >> there you go. >> you know what, though, you can't escape her. from your hotel room -- >> it's funny you should bring that up. i can't get any sleep. i stay in the hotel. problem is my room is so bright, i'm right behind marie's teeth. >> you're funny. you're funny. >> but you've got that big smile. >> now you know who is the comedy in this family. >> right. don't let her lie. >> that is your whole show. >> you two, you come to vegas, you see the shows and all the kind of shows that, you know,

we're kind of -- we were brought up here 29 years ago is the last time we performed here together, and the show room right there, and so -- >> it's great. >> lots of spontaneity. we do everything from opera to rock. >> a little bit of rock 'n' roll. >> now there's an interesting line. i've never heard that before, natalie. you are intelligence. there is a line. >> we're here talking about vacations. do you have any favorite memories of vacations ooze a family growing up? you guys are a huge family. >> i was just in fiji a week and a half ago with my son. >> one of five sons. >> one of five sons, that's right. >> he does a lot of vacations with his kids. i didn't sign a prenup, so i go camping. >> that is -- >> we stay in camps. >> vacation to me is just to go home. >> we're here like almost every single month of the year now. this is the only place you can see donny and marie. >> to answer your question, we really didn't do vacations. we worked. so our vacations were really

going home. >> donny and marie. you guys have been so much fun. >> thank you so much. >> nice to see you. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> we'll be here a long time. >> all right. >> we'll send it back to ann and al. >> tomorrow on "today" is brought to you by palm pre. taking a hand, it's a beautiful thing. >> okay, thanks a lot, guys. and we know that we've got one more treat in store for us today. first take a look at what's happening tomorrow here on "today." >> that's right. after watching our excellent adventures all week from the mountains to the beach to the ranch, of course vegas, we're going to show you how you can plan your own great getaway. >> we've also got -- making somebody else for a day. also live concert from the kings of leon all coming up tomorrow here on "today." >> but up next, al's book club for kids goes back to the stone age. wilma! right after these messages. i feel like i have to wind myself up

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and this morning on "al's book club for kids," "chronicles of ancient darkness: wolf brother" by michelle paver. this popular series takes us back 6,000 years when a young boy and a wolf cub must save themselves and the world. michelle paver is here, along with our new book club kids, ian goldstein, treasure melvin and tatiana perry. good to see you, everybody. nice to see all of you. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> did you guys have a good time reading the book? >> yes. >> all right. well we're going to get to let you ask michelle some questions. i just want to talk to her for just a second. how did you come up with this idea of going back in time? >> actually, it goes back to when i was about 10, al, and i was incredibly keen on the stone age. i think i loved the idea of living in the forest and gathering food, and using a bow and arrow and i tried to live like that in my bed and skinned a rabbit.

>> you skinned a rabbit? >> i did. >> i bet he put up a fuss? >> no. and i also loved wolves. i was incredibly keen on wolves. and i wanted a wolf of my own. i pestered my parents. >> they wouldn't give you one? >> sadly not. they gave me a spaniel, instead. but he kind of became a wolf in my imagination. so i think that's where it comes from. you know, and now, i'm getting to write these stories and i'm finally getting what i want to as a 10-year-old, to have adventures in the forest with a wolf. >> what kind of research did you have to do for this? >> right from the start i wanted to make it real. i wanted each of the readers to feel that they're having the adventure in the forest. so i thought i'd go there. i rode 300 miles through the forest in northern finland. i slept on reindeer skins, a bit like this one. i ate all sort of stone age food and got to meet wolves. >> you got to meet them? >> i did. i became friends with some wolves at a wolf preserve.

because i wanted to make him a real wolf and part of the story is told from his point of view. >> you brought back some interesting souvenirs from your travels. some of the kids are holding them. tell us about them. >> ian over here is holding an actual stone age ax head. it would have been mounted on a handle. and this would have been one of torak's trusted friends. he would use it for chopping down trees, for chopping down firewood. >> and tatiana, that's not a skin condition, she's wearing some interesting gloves. >> these are some reindeer hide mittens i got from northern canada. and they just the sort of things that torak wears when it gets really wold in "wolf brother" doors the end of the book. >> and treasure is holding -- >> a piece of antler which i picked up in greenland. and torak uses that in "wolf brother" when he falls down a

country vast and has to use it to get out. >> i would like to ask michelle paver that in the first part of her book, when thorak says he has to prepare for his death journey and he uses a bow and three arrows. why would he use a bow and three arrows when he knows he's going to die in his condition? >> well, this is a good question. basically, i try to invent the beliefs of torak's time, which is a stone age, using beliefs of tradition 58 hunter/gatherers today. and a lot of them believe that when they die they go on a journey to somewhere else and they need things like arrows so that they can shoot and hunt, just as they would in real life. >> oh, okay. >> all right. >> danielle? >> what inspired you to write chronicles of ancient darkness? >> i think it was mainly that i wanted to have a wolf as a friend. and since i live in wimbledon in south london which is a bit tricky to have a wolf.

i thought i better do it in my imagination. and now i get to have amazing adventures because torak and his best friend, wren, who is a girl, who is the best shot in the forest with a bow and arrow, i'm also her. i get to have these great as ventures and go on research trips. >> treasure, what's your question for miss paver? >> what made you want to become an author? and why? >> yeah, you know, i've always wanted to write. i wrote my first story when i was 5. wasn't very good. the spelling was terrible. but my mother kept it, actually, rather embarrassingly, so i've always liked writing stories. i think because you can make up worlds. and just escape into them and it's really fun. so that's why i write. >> tatiana, i know your hands are warm right now, but what's your question? >> what made you come up with the character of torak? >> how you come up with characters is a very strange thing. part of torak is me. he's a loner.

but i kind of made him a bit of an improved version of me, because i have no sense of direction. at all. but torak is pretty good. he can move around through the forest, never gets lost. he's great at tracking. he can track animals, from little signs and things in the forest. >> i want to get danielle's question in really quick. what's your question? >> i feel like i -- >> you already asked your question, huh? >> i left out ian. i'm sorry. >> what made you decide to have torak develop a friendship with a wolf instead of a human? >> yes, well i think i've always loved wolves. partly because when i was a very small child my parents had a great big german shepherd dog, who looked after me. so my memory was always very good of a wolf-like dog. so it just seemed natural. and also, watches are really clever, and it's a very good friend to have when you're having adventure. >> that's what i've always felt. michelle, thank you so much. kids, thank you very much.

terrific. again the book is called "chronicles of ancient darkness: wolf brother." now, time to reveal our next book. it's -- "savvy" by ingrid law. about a family of extraordinary skills. next month we salk about "savvy." meanwhile, changing gears, charo, live from vegas. that's a switch. but first, this is "today" on nbc. (employee 1) subject: urgent!! bob!! i need the baker file stat!! reply!! still making changes. circle back later!! what's with the yelling? oh, our internet slows down during peak hours so sending e-mails and large files just takes forever. so, we just yell. ben!!! thanks for the flowers!!! i thought you hated me!!! lol!!! semi-colon! right parenthesis! winky emoticon! (announcer) switch to verizon and get a dedicated high speed internet connection from our office to your small business

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so many people to thank here in las vegas. but let's start with the showgirls. with jubilee. you have a big birthday today. >> that's right. 28 years today. >> congratulations. you guys look amazing. clearly we're not cut out for that. >> charo also looks amazing. you've been so much fun all

morning long. >> thank you very much. >> you can see her show at the riviera now through december. be sure to come out and see charo. >> thank you. >> thank you so much.. >> live, local, latebreaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. a new study from the government accountability office finds that hundreds of tractor-trailer and bus companies ordered to shut down because of federal safety violations have stayed on the roads under different names, including some here in maryland. the associated press reports that the study found offenders in maryland zero thousand dollars in delinquent fines and have scores of violations from operating without the proper license to failing to test drivers for illegal drugs and hockey hall. the names of those companies have not been released. the study came after a chartered bus skidded off the road in

texas, killing 17 people. dog owners and baltimore city park goers will meet this evening to discuss possible off- leash hours. the meeting with the department of recreation and parks will focus primarily at patterson park. it starts at 7:00 p.m. at the general will the middle school. prospective off leash hours are between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. three other parks are under consideration. it also brings first-class entertainment, with picture quality pc world calls "razor sharp," america's top-rated internet and crystal clear phone, all for just $79.99 a month for the first six months. you can also get channel variety cable can't match. plus, additional packages are available with over 115 hd channels and over 15,000 titles on demand per month. what else does fios bring that cable doesn't? how about easy-to-use on screen widgets that offer instant updates on local traffic, news, weather and more.

call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v today to order fios tv, internet and phone for just $79.99 a month for the first six months. that's like getting all three amazing fios services for the price of two. and now get even faster internet speeds. plus, ask about our free wifi at thousands of hotspots nationwide. to get amazing tv, our fastest internet ever, and phone at this incredible low price, call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v today.

>> now let's look at the forecast with sandra shaw. >> we will see a hot high today, between 88 and 92 degrees. incredibly humid, as we have in all week. the difference between today and yesterday, a little more sunshine, absent any major -- any major traffic -- any major triggering mechanism for showers and storms. 68 to 73. tomorrow, partly sunny in the morning. increased chance of scattered showers and storms with a front in the afternoon. >> we will see you back here for 11 news at noon. with the full flavor of aft mayo with olive oil.

with half the fat and calories of hellmann's real mayo, kraft mayo with olive oil is the new standard in mayo. it also brings first-class entertainment, with picture quality pc world calls "razor sharp," america's top-rated internet and crystal clear phone, all for just $79.99 a month for the first six months. you can also get channel variety cable can't match. plus, additional packages are available with over 115 hd channels and over 15,000 titles on demand per month. what else does fios bring that cable doesn't? how about easy-to-use on screen widgets that offer instant updates on local traffic, news, weather and more. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v today to order fios tv, internet and phone for just $79.99 a month for the first six months. that's like getting all three amazing fios services for the price of two. and now get even faster internet speeds. plus, ask about our free wifi at thousands of hotspots nationwide. to get amazing tv, our fastest internet ever,

and phone at this incredible low price, call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v today. an updated all-time favorite: juicy steak layered with zesty chipotle sauce, melted cheese, piled high with only... the toppings you love on freshly baked bread. only at subway. subway. eat fresh. announcer: it's "live with regis & kelly." today, two time academy award nominee aim aim. and from the new film "funny people,"