good morning. long lines, longer odds. people all across the country buying tickets for tonight's mega millions drawing. and this morning the jackpot has ballooned to $540 million, an all-time world record. is there a trick to improving your chances? we're going to tell you. controversial request. andrea yates, the texas mother who drowned her five young children in the bathtub, asks for permission to leave a mental hospital to attend church. will it, and should it, be allowed? and they would not let him go. a man protesting his arrest breaks into queen's bohemian rhapsody in the back of a police car. ♪ easy come easy go ♪ ♪ will you let me go

no ♪ ♪ we will not let you go >> and for the record, they didn't. so he kept on singing the entire song. but his next performance will be in court "today," friday, march but his next performance will be in court "today," friday, march 30th, 2012. captions paid for by nbc-universal television and welcome today on this friday morning. i'm ann curry. look who is in for mr. matt. are we sure that's actually coffee in your cup? >> let me explain something. i thought it was in my contract that i had a little pinot, if you can peek in there, that is just iced tea. look at this guy. >> i know. >> i find all drug-happy people make great tv. explains kathie lee and me completely, doesn't it?

there are a lot of things people are talking about out there. that $540 million jackpot. almost half a billion. is that right? >> that's right. >> it's getting people dreaming this morning, isn't it? >> okay. that's exactly right. we don't want to burst anyone's bubble but the odds of picking the winning combination are around 176 million to 1. your chance of getting struck by lightning are 1 in 3,000. but is there a secret, actually, to picking the winning numbers? we found a man who thinks that there is. we're going to talk about his strategy coming up. >> did you get any tickets? >> of course we did. you did, everyone did. >> i did. i got the quick pick. also george zimmerman's brother is speaking out about the trayvon martin case for the first time. coming up, why he says they have proof that his brother was injured in a struggle with the florida teen. >> and also we have some encouraging news this morning for the young woman who was paralyzed at her bachelorette party. two years after that accident, rachelle chapman is making remarkable strides. ear going to catch up with her

and her husband this morning. >> you're right. that's going to be a great one. also a little later the friday whip. what's new, what's hot, what's not. we're going to get you all set up. >> but let's begin this friday morning with the frenzy that's surrounding tonight's mega million jackpot. nbc's stephanie gosk is in new jersey with more on this. hey, stephanie, good morning. >> hey, ann, good morning. mega millions is played in 42 states, including here in new jersey. later on today, the lines are going to snake out the door of this little shop. for just a dollar they are selling a chance at winning $540 million. and although that chance is very, very small, few people could resist the temptation. the bigger the jackpot gets, the more tickets people buy. the more tickets people buy -- >> only takes a dollar and a dream. >> reporter: -- the bigger the jackpot gets. >> i have my ticket here. spread the wealth around. >> reporter: with one day left to go the mega millions is now

$540 million. the biggest lottery prize ever. anywhere. >> mega millions fever is at its critical stages. everywhere you look you're going to see lines. this is a world record lottery. >> reporter: tonight when the numbers are drawn, every ticket has a chance to win. an infinitesimal small chance. one in nearly 176 million. put another way, to guarantee a winner and cover every combination, you'd have to buy 50 different tickets a week for 68,000 years. but hope does spring eternal. >> i think i'll take a cruise around the world, buy a maserati. >> i'm going to give money to everybody. i don't want none of it. i just want a little bit. >> put some in the bank, and quit my job. >> reporter: some believe there are strategies. there's a book on beating the

odds. he has won the lottery seven times and is worth millions. his trick for the mega millions draw -- research the numbers. >> if seven numbers have come up before you don't want to play it again. >> reporter: but before getting too excited we asked some statistics professors. the truth is every set of numbers has the same odds of being drawn each time. >> it's still random. anything could happen. any number could come up again. >> reporter: which leads to more sage advice. >> the more tickets you buy the better your chances are of winning. but don't buy more than you can afford. >> reporter: because the truth is, just like you, i'm going to lose. you don't think my chances are that good, do you? >> you want to be honest? >> reporter: you can be honest with me. >> no, i don't think your chances are very good at all. >> reporter: but at least we'll have plenty of company. there are some tips from lottery officials for the winner. here they are. sign the back of the ticket. get a lawyer, and keep a low profile. so definitely don't update your facebook page.

>> good point. stephanie gosk, thanks so much this morning. it is now 7:05. now here's hoda. >> all right, ann, thank you. now to the trayvon martin case. george zimmerman's brother spoke out for the first time last night, defending his brother's actions in the killing of the unarmed florida teenager. nbc's ron allen is in sanford. >> robber zimmerman had a lot to say about the police surveillance tapes that have added a new, emotional edge to this case. trayvon martin's family insists there's now visual proof that george zimmerman did not act in self-defense that night. but zimmerman's family is pushing back hard, claiming that he was in a battle for his life. this is how george zimmerman appeared on police surveillance tape 34 minutes after he fired the gun that killed trayvon martin. as officers brought him in for questioning. six minutes of tape have now been released from various angles. the martin family's attorney says he sees no evidence of the injuries zimmerman's attorney says zimmerman sustained,

justifying his shooting of martin in self-defense. >> there's no evidence of a broken nose anywhere in that video. and if his head was knocked against concrete over and over again, wouldn't we see blood? >> zimmerman's brother robert appeared publicly for the first time, on cnn thursday night, discussing the video. >> to me his nose looks swollen in that video. >> reporter: he said there's proof of his brother's injuries. >> we're confident the medical records are going to explain all of george's medical history. >> reporter: he said his brother's nose is still broken. and he has severe emotional injuries, and despite what's seen in the video, zimmerman said his brother told him he was injured so badly he was barely conscious, and that martin almost got a hold of his gun. martin's family has insisted the unarmed teenager was trying to get away from zimmerman. >> he killed trayvon martin in cold blood. his vigilante killed trayvon martin in cold blood when he

only had a bag of skittles. he had a 9 millimeter gun and he had to concoct the story. >> reporter: what about trayvon martin? medical examiners have not released a report but the mortician who prepared the teenager's body for burial has this assessment. >> i saw the evidence of the gun shot wound to his chest. i did not see any signs like he's been in a struggle or fist fight. >> reporter: meanwhile, innocent bystanders like david and elaine mclane of sanford have gotten caught up in the national outrage. the mclanes have a son named william george zimmerman. director spike lee has apologized for retweeting the mclane's address as the home of the george zimmerman who killed trayvon martin. some of lee's 250,000 followers have posted hostile mostages. the mclanes have moved out. >> i don't even know if i have enough words. it's past devastating. it's scary. it's really scary. because we're afraid for our lives. >> reporter: lee's apology said the retweet was a mistake.

please leave the maclaines in peace. as another celebrity, comedian roseanne barr has had criticism from her twitter followers after she tweeted the actual address of george zimmerman's parents. at first she said it's important to let people know that no one can hide. she then deleted the message saying ving tanlyism killed trayvon and i don't support that. the zimmerman family remains in hiding. >> all right, ron allen in sanford, florida, thanks so much. >> and we have a lot of other top stories to get to this morning. and on that note chicks rule because we've got savannah guthrie in for natalie this morning. >> it's ladies night at the "today" show. politics, republican presidential candidate mitt romney is hoping another high profile endorsement today helps give him the momentum to clinch his party's nomination. nbc news has learned that house budget committee chairman paul ryan will give romney his endorsement today. on thursday former president george h.w. bush gave romney his

endorsement as well. and in an unusual development for the campaign trail romney acknowledged that he has been in regular communication with his opponent newt gingrich, and that they even meet from time to time. house republicans are weighing a new law that allows terror suspects to be detained indefinitely without a trial. under the law, even u.s. citizens suspected of terrorism could be seized within u.s. borders. the republican majority on the house armed services committee is now working to revive that indefinite detention provision to provide more oversight. the electronic retail giant best buy is slashing 800 million in costs, closing 50 of its big box stores here in the u.s., and cutting 400 corporate jobs. the company plans to open 100 smaller stores nationwide. and when the royal canadian mounted police picked up 29-year-old robert wilkinson on suspicion of drunk driving, he decided the best defense was to rock out. singing queen's "bohemian rhapsody" in its entirety.

♪ ♪ can't do this to me baby you just got to get out just got to get out of here ♪ >> oh, they could do that to him, baby, and he isn't getting out of here any time soon. his criminal case is still pending. it is now 7:11. back to ann, hoda -- i actually watched the whole thing this morning. >> i was so afraid when you said in its entirety. >> it is not a short song. >> savannah, why did you watch the entire thing? >> because i'm reporting the news, hoda. >> oh. >> the stories of the day. >> it's important stuff. >> savannah, thank you so much. meantime our friday girls run continues. we've got maria larosa in for al. you look beautiful this morning. tell us the weather is going to look beautiful. tell us the weather is going to

look beautiful. >> this is what the weather maker is going to be. you're looking at the radar, some showers moving into chicago, but you've got snow on the north side, that's eventually going to push to the east and that's important because if you're in the catskills, the adirondacks, the berkshires accumulating snow through late tonight, and tomorrow. that's a look at weather across the country. here's a look at what you can expect. >> sun's up and a mostly clear sky on this friday morning, the 30th of march, and temperatures are chilly. we're down into the low to mid 30s throughout much of maryland and virginia. and including the nearby suburbs in montgomery, arlington and fairfax and prince george's counties, a few isolated spots near the pennsylvania border may have frost this morning and later today, climbing into the low 60s around the metro area, may hit the mid 60s with increasing clouds. cloudy tonight. >> ann, back to you. >> all right, maria, thank you. a new government report is highlighting a shocking surge in the number of childhood autism

cases in the united states. according to the cdc, 1 in 88 children are now coping with autism and related disorders. that is a 23% increase in 2006, and a 78% higher increase from just a decade ago. we have geraldine dawson the chief science officer for the advocacy group autism speaks and dr. nancy synderman, nbc's chief medical editor. >> good morning. >> first of all, nancy, let me ask you, what is behind this really stunning rise in numbers? >> the big honest answer is we don't know. certainly there are increasing scenes looking at genetics of autism, and to really look at your family tree, you can start to see some elements of it. sometimes other family members. but there's a big environmental curtain hanging out there. and to try to figure what environmental triggers there might be, i think that's where a lot of the research really needs to go. i think we know what doesn't cause it but we really don't know what the triggers might be.

>> we talk about this, the increased possibility that reporting, better reporting is adding to the numbers. is there a way to measure how much of it might actually be an increase? >> well, i think that is, you know, when you ask about the cause, the answer is we don't know. when you ask about why the numbers are growing so much, certainly this whole idea of an autism spectrum, asperger's, autism, and autism-like disorders, they've been lumped together so that's made the numbers bigger. could that be part in the 1 in 54 boys and the 23% increase? absolutely. and it is one warning sign because as we talk about how we changed the categorization of this, in the future there's a push to make the lines cleaner. to separate autism and asperger's from each other and to really make the delineation cleaner. and that's going to be important as geraldine will really, i think, underscore because how we intercede with our kids and how we can make a difference by early intervention, that's going to make the world a difference. >> exactly. so geraldine on that point, what

will the impact of these numbers be, and what is your message to parents who are hearing these numbers this morning? >> well, first of all, it's important to keep in mind that the broadening of the diagnosis only accounts for a portion of the increase that we're seeing. we now have an epidemic of autism in the united states. and it's very important that we now have a national plan that can begin to address what we view now as a public health crisis. and three things are very important. one is we need more research that can help us understand the causes and develop better treatments. secondly, as you were just mentioning, we need better diagnosis earlier. in the cdc report the children were diagnosed between 4 and 6 years of age. and yet we know we can diagnose autism at 18 to 24 months. and access to early intervention is critical. because this makes a huge impact on outcome. and then finally we have a

growing population of adults, and we are not prepared to take care of them. and more importantly, the help them and support them to become productive members of society. so we have a huge crisis and we need a national plan. >> that also includes teaching our parents to know what the early signs are. because the earlier a child gets in the more likely that that child will get the help that he or she needs. there is a list there of some of the early signs that people can take a quick look at, including for example by 12 months, no babbling or pointing or by 16 months a child is not speaking or by 24 months that no two-word -- no meaningful phrases are being uttered. geraldine dawson -- >> ann, those are very critical. because parents are the first line of defense. if your baby isn't making eye contact or pulling away from you or not babbling parents really, talk to your pediatrician, because those warning signs can be the precursor to everything else. >> dr. nancy synderman, geraldine dawson, thank you so much for your very important

work. especially now. it is now 7:16. now here's hoda. >> all right, ann, thank you so much. there is a new wrinkle in the growing controversy over a common ground beef filler dubbed pink slime. we are now seeing how this stuff is made. but would it ease consumer concerns about its safety? nbc's john yang is at a beef processing plant in south sioux city, nebraska. john, good morning to you. >> good morning, hoda. this is one of the plants where they make this product. about 600,000 pounds of it on an average day. it's been around since the 1990s, but only recently has it become controversial. an example of the power of social media. the beef industry calls it lean finely textured beef. critics call it pink slime. it's become a punch line for tv talk show hosts. >> have you heard the story about the pink slime in your meat? >> i'm finely textured. >> you're a jerk and a liar. >> reporter: governors in beef-producing states aren't

laughing. >> this is a safe and reliable product, and this company mass gone out of its way to protect the safety of the consumer. >> let's call this product what it is. and let let pink slime become a term of the past. >> reporter: they're fighting back. showing news cameras how the product is made from what's left over after butchering roasts and steaks. it treated with citric acid or common ammonia solution to kill bacteria. for nearly two decades it's been in ground beef with little notice. about 850 million pounds a year. then on network tv, celebrity chef jamie oliver launched a crusade. >> that's been processed, we're going to give it to you. >> reporter: earlier this month a blogger started a petition drive to get it out of school lunches. >> people are very upset that

this is in 70% of our ground beef, up to 15%, and it's not labeled. >> reporter: the public outcry was heard. now schools can choose not to serve beef with the product and big grocery chains, including krieger, safeway and food lion have stopped selling it. as a result, three processing plants in texas, kansas and iowa have stopped work, idling more than 650 employees. defenders say the product is 100% meat and actually makes ground beef leaner, because the fat's been removed. food experts say it's posed no health threat. >> americans have probably been eating it for a long time. it appears to be safe. >> reporter: here in the heart of beef country, diners have no plans to give it up. >> i prefer to have this meat versus the regular meat with the fat in it. >> reporter: at mcdonald's and other fast food restaurants stopped serving this product earlier this year, even before the latest petition arise, and the beef industry says if consumers continue to reject this product, it could make beef

supplies tight, and that could raise prices. hoda? >> all right, john yang, thanks for that. it is now almost 7:20. here's ann. >> all right, hoda, thanks. tonight's mega millions jackpot may stand at $540 million, but that's nothing compared to what the top hedge fund managers took home in 2011. nbc's senior investigative correspondent lisa myers has a look at the annual rich list. lisa, good morning. >> ann, good morning to you. hedge fund managers are the biggest, most sophisticated players on wall street. experts say that by their standards, last year was only a pretty good year. so a new report out today says the top guy managed to rake in almost $4 billion. that's right. $4 billion. in the year of occupy wall street, when the overall stock market was basically flat, top hedge funds handling investments for the super rich, still found ways to make big money. >> it was a pretty good year for hedge funds. although in the top market but

nothing like some of the years previously. >> reporter: a.r. magazine reports that the top 25 managers combined took home $14.4 billion last year. a staggering amount of money, but less than the previous two years. topping the rich list, ray dalio who earned $3.9 billion. mostly by betting on u.s. treasuries. >> my customers are pension funds, teachers, and i did well when others didn't and i'm going to say that they are very grateful. >> reporter: two years in a row, dalio's firm earned more than google, yahoo! amazon and ebay combined. >> for a billionaire, he is a fairly regular guy. it's not about spending the billions he's made, it's actually about making more money. >> reporter: number two, shareholder activist carl icahn. $2.5 billion. three, jim simons, $2.1 billion. and four, ken griffin, $700 million. griffin has a reputation for

living large. he had his wedding reception at the pal has of versailles, and last year bought this $17 million home at an exclusive resort in hawaii. to go with at least three other homes around the country. griffin donated this art institute in chicago, which bears his name. and at number five, steve cohen, who earned $585 million. also known for conspicuous consumption, cohen has a 35,000 square foot mansion, with a separate garage for his zamboni. owns a piece of the mets, and is say world-class art collector. >> his art collection, i imagine is worth in the billions of dollars. >> reporter: some stars from previous years actually lost money last year. perhaps the biggest loser, john paulson, believed to have personally lost about $3 billion. all of these billionaires either declined comment or did not respond to our calls. now the managers argue that unlike some corporate ceos, they

only do well if their investors do well. dalio has pledged to give away at least half of his wealth to charity. ann? >> all right, lisa myers, thank you so much. coming up, talk about andrea yates. should the texas mother who drowned her five young children in a bathtub be allowed to leave a mental hospital to attend church? we're going to tell you about her new request. but first, this is "today" on nbc.

and still ahead, the new expo that caters to all of your divorce needs. we'll talk to the women behind that. >> and also do you want to walk in the footsteps of katniss and peta?

7:26 is your time now, good morning to you on this friday march 30th, 2012, i'm eun yang. we have a school alert. bishop ireton high school is closed after a small fire in the auditorium. officials say the damage appears to be minor but they've canceled classes today to make sure the building is safe. bishop ireton high school is closed today. here's a check of the forecast with tom. >> we've got sunshine, but what a chill in the air. right now down into the mid 30s throughout most of virginia, maryland, near the district of clo colombia, upper 30s near 40. might get a passing shower tomorrow, otherwise weekend dry.

eun? >> we'll check you my dad was a union electrician. sometimes i'd tag along to a work site, carrying his lunch or tools. it was good, honest work. i went to college with the help of a union scholarship, then started a maryland business, creating jobs by providing financing to small companies wall street ignored. today, congress is ignoring our need for jobs. my dad the electrician taught me, if something's broken,

get in there and try to fix it. i'm john delaney, and i approve this message. good morning, taking the beltway, the outer loop just

past 450 as you're traveling on the outer loop of the beltway, police on the scene, a dump truck lost its load, blocking three of your center lanes and you're jammed

7:30 now on this friday morning. it's the 30th of march, 2012. we have a large crowd visiting the plaza this morning. i'm sure many of them are hoping to hit it big in tonight's mega million drawing for a record $540 million jackpot. who wouldn't be looking forward to that? meantime inside studio 1a i'm ann curry alongside hoda kotb who is in for matt. >> hi. i decided i'm going to take the $19 million annual payments instead of the lump sum. i've been thinking about it. i'll just take it every year. how about that? >> i like it. meantime, we're going to have an exclusive coming up at nbc news exclusive on a very serious

topic. it's about the father of phoebe prince, the massachusetts teenager who took her own life after being bullied in school. he's speaking out in his first interview on united states television. we're going to be hearing from him coming up about that tragedy. >> will be very interesting. also ahead an unusual showcase will make its debut right here in new york city this morning. it's called a divorce expo. it caters to the needs of people who are ending their marriages. the creators say it's not depressing but uplifting and has everything from botox to life coaches to everything. everything is there. sounds interesting. >> life coaches seems like something that could be really helpful. also coming up the hottest movie, everybody knows, at the box office. but now fans of "the hunger games" are flocking to a small town to experience a thrilling sensation of the action seen firsthand. so we're going to take you there coming up this morning. i'm reading the book myself. i saw the movie. i thought it was terrific so i can see why they would want to go there. >> we're going to begin this half hour with a new request there the texas mother who drowned her five children in a bathtub back in 2001.

nbc's kerry sanders has details on this story. kerry, good morning. >> well, good morning, hoda. andrea yates' attorneys say they plan to file a petition in court here next week. the goal, to allow her time away from a state mental facility so she can attend a nearby church. that church is where she wants to go is significant, because she claimed it was god who told her to kill her children in the first place. eleven years ago, andrea yates, the mother of five -- >> we have a new addition -- >> reporter: -- waited for her husband to leave their houston home for work. then she told court psychiatrists she followed through on a plan she'd repeatedly rehearsed in her mind. one by one she began to drown her children in the bathtub. the youngest only 6 months old. the oldest, 7. after they were all dead, andrea yates dialed 911. >> what is your name? >> andrea yates. >> what's the problem?

>> i just need them to come. >> reporter: now, andrea yates' lawyer says he will petition the court to grant a weekly therapeutic pass so she can atend church. >> andrea has a very deep, spiritual side to her, and i am certain that this would be the most appropriate of baby steps, if you will, in to a life as normal as possible some way down the road. >> reporter: in her first trial, a jury found yates guilty. and sentenced her to 40 years in prison. but that decision was overturned on appeal, and yates was found not guilty in her second trial, by reason of insanity. >> if you're sick from a mental illness, you're sick from a mental illness. and going to church isn't going to make it worse or better. you're still going to have it. >> reporter: author suzanne o'malley spent five years covering both of yates' trials for her book, "the unspeakable crime of andrea yates."

she believes the elected judge in texas will feel pressure to grant yates' request. >> it's going to be really a hard sell in texas to not let somebody go to church. and once you've got that and once that works out, then you take the next baby step. >> reporter: while andrea has been undergoing treatment, her ex-husband rusty has remarried, and together they started a new family. with their 4-year-old son. andrea's attorney says his client has changed, too. >> for me to sit here and describe to you the andrea yates that i know now, it is a far cry from the andrea yates that the public knows, who committed these acts in june of 2001. >> reporter: if andrea yates is granted permission to go to church, her lawyer says that church has already been selected, but he will not reveal which church it is.

but, he does say it is a far cry from the fire and brimstone church that she used to attend when her children were drowned. hoda? >> all right, kerry sanders, thanks for that report. and now here's ann. >> all right, hoda, thank you. now to new details in the suicide of a young girl in massachusetts, that helped bring national attention to the issue of bullying. nbc's kate snow is joining us now with the latest on this story. good morning. >> good morning, ann. this is a story we all remember. a tragic story we've been recording on for two years now. phoebe prince was a beautiful young girl from ireland who moved to massachusetts for her freshman year of high school. she was just looking to fit in. instead, she stood out. and that may have cost her everything. in his first sit-down interview on american television, phoebe prince's grieving father jeremy remembers that fateful month, january 2010. >> phoebe was trying on her dress for the school dance. >> reporter: she was looking forward to the big high school dance in south hadley,

massachusetts, where she was living with her mother and younger sister. >> because it's every girl's dream. it's what we've grown up on. being the belle of the ball, wearing a lovely dress. >> reporter: and then he got the call. but not the one he expected. his daughter, phoebe, was dead. her sister had found her hanging in the stairwell of their house. >> she told me that she had tried to undo the knots around phoebe's neck and couldn't. >> reporter: what does it do, as a father, to hear that to you? what races through your mind immediately? >> i think naturally defense mechanisms in the mind let me take it slowly bit by bit and realize the full level of it. >> reporter: and there was so much horror to absorb. especially when he learned phoebe's school had gone ahead with that dance she was so looking forward to. >> incredibly, the school went ahead with that dance a few days

after she died. and phoebe was wearing a lovely dress when they were dancing there that night. but the accessories were the flowers in the coffin with her. >> reporter: even more distressing was what came next. news that phoebe may have been hounded to death by classmates she'd angered. then the local prosecutor shocked the nation when she announced criminal charges in the case. >> the grand jury returned felony indictments against the following individuals -- >> reporter: more than two months after phoebe's death, six students were facing possible jail time, including this girl, sharon shannon velasquez, who told ann curry she and phoebe were arguing over a boy. >> and you said what to her, that you wish you hadn't said. >> a whore, a slut, and that's when we started arguing, and i go, you don't know me, and --

>> reporter: she insists she never bullied phoebe. and others began to question the charges when disturbing details from phoebe's past surfaced. >> this is still a very sad story. it's just not the sad story that we were originally told. >> reporter: in the end, sharon and four of the students pleaded to misdemeanor charges in the ca, no jail time, limited probation. a charge against the sixth student was dropped. now sharon just wishes she could take back everything she said to phoebe. >> that i'm sorry, and i didn't know everything that she was going through, and i would have tried to help. because she didn't deserve any of the things that happened to her. >> reporter: important to remember that this case not only rocked that town, but it shocked the nation, especially when criminal charges were filed again those students. it caused a real debate about where culpability lies. >> and a debate that is still

ongoing. kate snow thank you so much this morning. and you can see more on sunday night on "dateline" at 7:00, 6:00 central time, right here on nbc. and now let's get a check of the weather from maria larosa who is in for al this morning. >> "today's weather" is brought to you by the alzheimer's association. >> it is a cold start here in the northeast. northeast. but here's a look at what you can expect. >> here around washington, we've got the pollen counts still high. in fact about four times higher than they were just a couple of days ago. it's mostly oak tree pollen. temperatures are chilly, right now around the region, only in the 30s, most locations. but most areas are above freezing and we have some sunshine now. but clouding up this afternoon. highs low to mid 60s. small chance of a shower late tonight. a greater chance for a passing shower >> ann, back to you. >> all right, maria, thank you. still ahead, a friday, we'll

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quaker oats. energy. fiber. heart health. super people eat super grains. energy. fiber. heart health. [ growling ] captain, one step at a time.keep going! come on, snowy. look! did you ever see a more beautiful sight? captain! it's just a mirage. - snowy? what is it, boy? - [ barks ] what do you see? [ yipping ] [ woman announcing ] just like snowy, your dog's one of a kind. overactive imagination and all. [ barking ] long live your buddy. long live your dog. [ tintin ] snowy! purina dog chow. the adventures of tintin, on dvd and blu-ray today. back now at 7:43. it is expected to be another big weekend at the box office for "the hunger games," after it raked in more than $150 million last weekend. and it appears its fans are starving for anything tied to this blockbuster. nbc's janet shamlian is live in

north carolina's transylvania county to explain. hey, janet. >> hoda, good morning. you know it didn't take long for the fans who can't get enough of "the hunger games," are flocking to sites where the movie was filmed in search of a little adventure themselves. all of them are here in north carolina. many are idyllic settings like this. a few are off the beaten path. but that has not stopped the search. with its heartracing adventure scene, "the hunger games" is a box office blockbuster. >> i volunteer as tribute. >> reporter: and fans are now in hot pursuit of the post-apocalyptic world. they're finding it, about as far from hollywood as you can get. >> we heard they were filming "the hunger games," in this area, and i come by here a lot going to work. and we just wanted to come up and see it. >> reporter: tiny headley river village is a page from the past and off the beaten path. but tourists are beating a path to it. because the old mill town serves as the movie's district 12.

and home of hero inkatniss everdeen. >> happy hunger games. >> reporter: 83-year-old wade shepherd owns the land and the buildings on it. including this one, transformed for the movie. the property now for sale for $1.4 million has suddenly become a major must-see. >> it's saturday morning, 7:00, they started. at dark they were still here. unreal. >> reporter: but the biggest draw is what no movie set could ever recreate. the water falls and wilderness where the fight to the death games plays out. for the most part they're welcoming the tourists and the millions of dollars they'll inevitably spend. there is concern, however, that some adventure seekers may try to create scenes from the movie right out here in the middle of the forest. du pont state forest which is already seeing a surge. >> so katniss is down by the river looking for peeta. some coming for the newly created hunger games fan tour.

>> yesterday i had three phones going, my cell phone and two office phones going just to handle the calls. >> reporter: straight from fans like sarah green, who snagged a job as an extra and sat in this charlotte theater for hours during the interview scene. did you get tired? >> i did. not as much as i paid my baby-sitter. >> reporter: but they're capitalizing on the crowd, and with "the hunger games" being a trilogy, hoping the cast and crew will return again. >> the odds are ever in our favor in north carolina. >> even if they get the film, the second time, fans may not know about it because the first time they filmed in secret for six months under a code name. what's this? could this be a sponsor gift like katniss receives in the movie with a message that could possibly save my life? okay. ladies, it may save my job. i think this is my cue to toss back to you. hoda. >> that's cute, janet.

>> people who see the movie will understand what that means. i'm reading the book and i've got to say it's fascinating and -- and the movie was fun. >> i enjoyed the movie. i thought the premise at first was disturbing. you're talking about 24 murders, really. >> yeah. >> but when you go deeper into it, you see about a woman's strength and how more than fighting for each other and stuff. it -- >> it's got a woman as a protagonist and she's taking it on. i mean it's time for us to have this. i like that. anyway, a lot more coming up, including -- >> we have a special celebrity edition of a new, what's up, what's in. the hottest gossip, the coolest movie. >> we're going to be in the know. >> right after this.

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[ male announcer ] aarp is bringing the conversation on medicare and social security out from behind closed doors in washington. because you've earned a say. still ahead the young bride who was paralyzed at her bachelorette party. she's going to be along to share some encouraging news about her recovery. >> plus we're going to check out the hottest shoes for spring and a lot more on tonight's record mega millions jackpot. you get your tickets yet?

they've got everybody scooping them up all across the country. $540 million -- probably more by the time the whole thing is over. first your local news and weather.

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good morning, it's 7:56 right now, i'm aaron gilchrest. we begin with an important note for you, bishop ireton high school in alexandria is closed today, there was a small fire in the auditorium. the damage appears to be minor, but the school is closed today. let's check the friday forecast now. here's tom kierein. >> we are off to quite a chilly start. all around the region now, we are in the 30s. most locations, but most areas above freezing. a few locations northern maryland near the pennsylvania border. quite a chilly start on this friday morning. we also have clouds closing in from the west. those little speckles of green are a few sprinkles showing up in the panhandle of west virginia, western maryland later today. we'll have some sunshine off and on, but cloudy this afternoon. a shower tomorrow, aaron?

good morning, the outer loop of the beltway past route 450, debris in the road blocking two right lanes. police on the scene. big delays, you're 9 miles per hour as you approach route 50. you're jammed at landover rod and the delays are significant. inner loop, an accident blocking

it is friday morning, tgif, the 30th day of march, 2012. here in the plaza, we are warmed by a huge crowd. they are spending some time with us. a part of -- coming up in a little bit, meantime i'm ann curry, alongside hoda hotby, who is in for matt. >> and wine free. >> no wine. >> 10:00 we're starting.

>> meantime we've got a friday whip going on this morning. >> if you're wondering what you're going to do this weekend, the hottest movies or what trends are out there, we're going to let you know everything you need to know for the weekend and that's going to come up. also we're going to talk about, and this is a great, great story. there's a breakthrough for a young, paralyzed bride, who we've done a lot of stories on. you guys remember rachelle. we're going to talk about some advances she's made. if you look at her here in this video she actually learns how to stand up with assistance and take a couple of steps. >> she's so terrific. it's always a joy when she's here with us. >> and her cute husband, too. >> there they are. also we're going to take a look at some of the hottest shoes for spring. so we'll be paying a lot of attention to that. >> can i say thank you? this is ann curry's jacket. i'm wearing it. this is what i learned about ann by putting this jacket on, it doesn't button. and i'm fine with it. i'm fine with my big girl status. >> you can borrow my clothes any time. meantime let's go inside,

savannah is in for natalie this morning. >> good morning, guys. in the news today, mega millions fever is at an all-time high as the jackpot reaches a world record $540 million today. but before you scramble to buy up more tickets one mathematician is warning that the odds are not in our favor. you are about 50 times more likely to get hit by lightning than to win this jackpot. prosecutors in the trayvon martin case say they will try to block the release of any more tapes or documents until their investigation is complete. six minutes of police surveillance tape has been made public after nbc and other news organizations filed a freedom of information request. the video shows george zimmerman arriving at police headquarters shortly after he shot and killed martin, an unarmed teenager. the martin family's attorney says there's no visible evidence of the injuries that zimmerman's attorney said prove his client acted in self-defense. but last night zimmerman's brother said the tape does appear to show a swollen nose. governors from three beef

producing states defended the ground beef filler known as pink slime during a tour of the last plant in the u.s. that's still making the ammonia-treated product. supermarket chains have been dropping the finely textured lean beef because of an online consumer backlash. federal health officials say a sharp increase in the number of autism cases in thedue in pa and better diagnosis. the cdc reported thursday that about 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder. that is a 23% increase from 2006. the report also says autism was five times more common in boys than in girls. and that the biggest jump was among hispanic children. honda is recalling more than a half million sport utility vehicles in the united states to check for faulty wiring that could cause low beam head lights to malfunction. the recall covers cr-v suvs from the years 2002 to 2004. and pilot suvs from 2003.

honda says it has no reports of crashes or injuries related to this recall. let's get the rest of the economic news. we'll head to wall street and cnbc's mary thompson is at the new york stock exchange for us this morning. mary, good morning. >> good morning to you, savannah. following complaints about long hours and low wages, apple supplier foxconn is going to be improving the living and working condition of chinese employees who assemble iphones and ipads. here at home an fda advisory panel recommending additional testing for obesity drugs. they want to make sure they don't cause heart attacks. this could lead to higher costs for drugs treating the roughly 33% of americans who are obese. today is the last trading day of the first quarter on track to be the dow's best quarter since 1998. >> mary thompson on wall street this morning. thank you. now for a look at what's trending today. our quick roundup of what has you talking online. well just days after joining an online scrapbook president obama is catching some good-natured heat. he posted a family recipe for

chili, always a topic of culinary debate. and some users cannot believe the president adds red wine vinegar to his mix. others contend he does not throw in enough spice. bruce springsteen shows he's no germophobe in this youtube video. he waded into the crowd while singing raise your hands. and when bruce sat down a fan handed him a half empty beer, which the boss proceeded to chug down before resuming the song and the rest of the nearly three-hour show. and after we reported this story on thursday, police in maryland released the dash cam video of batman being pulled over because he had a bat symbol for his license plate on that lamborghi lamborghini. >> talking about batman. >> black lamborghini and a guy dressed as batman. >> you can send me robin if you wish. >> guess they don't get that call every day. the caped crusader is a businessman.

he dresses up as batman to visit sick children in area hospitals. it is now 8:06. back to ann and hoda. >> that is unusual. >> i like it. >> unusual. maria larosa is in for al this morning. >> good morning, guys. i have a young lady lady here -a little brave for wearing the hat. i know it's still technically off-season, where are you from? >> i'm from michigan. but i'm a boston fan. >> i said she's probably a very nice person. welcome to new york. let's take a look at one of our pick cities and head to west virginia. huntington, west virginia. wsaz, afternoon thundershowers, up to 76 degrees, we have a storm system ready to come through chicago, eventually producing snow in parts of the northeast and also severe weather today in through parts of the ohio valley. including a tornado risk. so watch that in parts of oklahoma and texas could see some strong thunderstorms, drying out across parts of central and southern california. that's a look at the weather across the country. here's a look at what you can

expect. tom kierein in storm center 4. a chilly start to this friday, we're in the 30s throughout much of the region. later today we'll climb into the low to mid 60s. the view from space showing a lot of cloudiness moving in from the west, a few clouds producing sprinkles in the panhandle of western virginia and western maryland. later today with the clouds increasing, in the low to mid 60s. might have a passing shower after midnight and off and on saturday. sun back on sunday and monday. midweek next week might get showers. >> as the sign says. holler at hoda. >> thanks, maria. all right coming up we're going to tell you what's in, what's up, what the best things are in fashion, music and movies, all coming up, right after this. spring only shows up once a year. what are we going to do about it? here's to more saturdays in the sun, and budgets better spent. here's to black friday prices that turn more shoppers into savers.

to picking up. trading up. mixing it up. to well-earned muddy boots. and a lot more-spring per dollar. more saving. more doing. that's the power of the home depot. black friday is back. now through wednesday save on these top brand project starters, just $8 each. [ chuckles ] isn't easter fun, red? [ grunts ] not from my perspective! ♪

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get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack. use caution when driving or operating machinery. common side effects include nausea, trouble sleeping and unusual dreams. my inspiration for quitting were my sons. they were my little cheering squad. [ laughs ] [ male announcer ] ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. now back with a special hollywood edition of what's new, what's in and what's up. we have three experts ready to give us the scoop on what's hot when it comes to celebrity fashion, gossip and a lot more. >> that's right, hoda. but first up we've got celebrity news. the editor of the journal joining us this morning. lola, good morning. >> good morning. >> first up you want to talk about something she's posted on twitter. >> she's tweeted a photo of her and her fiance. people thought it was her official engagement photo. it's not. she's high on life right now.

she's excited about everything. she's tweeted a photo of her cleavage and said i got swagger with my pregnant self. so tmi, she's sharing it all. i never thought i'd say this, snooki is having a good moment. her career is booming, she's pregnant and she's engaged. so snooki is having a good moment. >> meantime another big name, kristen stewart. i'm still reading "the hunger games." but there's another book that's being made into a movie, and it will be surprised for people to think that kristen stewart would be connected to it. >> 50 shades of grey, the raciest book on shelves right now. it's at the top of all the best-sellers list and when i say it's juicy, it is juicy. it will be hard for them to get an "r" rating for this film as it is right now. kristen stewart expressed interest and they're also batting around robert pattinson's name. you know the two of them are a couple in real life, a couple on twilight. people are saying maybe they'll be a couple for this movie "fifty shades of grey." i'm thinking they should go ryan

gosling and starlet johansson. or maybe even jennifer lawrence. >> okay. so let's talk about hilary duff who is also tweeting. she's just had a baby. >> just had a baby last week. but she's not letting motherhood slow her down at all. she is up and about. she was at a hair salon the other day getting dolled up and ready to go. she's clearly committed to being a yummy mummy. >> all right. okay. and there's also some possibility that this may finally be a new beginning for lindsay lohan? >> she's finally off of official probation. she no longer has to work at the morgue, no longer court-ordered therapy. she's free. she's on unofficial probation for the next two and a half years she has to be on her best behavio behavior. one of the things the judge said was stop night clubbing and focus on your work. if she follows that could be the beginning of a new career. >> lola, thank you so much.

for catching us up on all the information. i'm not sure we really need to know. >> it's fun. >> it is. now here's hoda. >> all right, thank you. what is up in the world of movies and music, the editor of billboard magazine, looking very nice, joe. >> thank you, you too. >> let's get to the movies. the wrath of the titans. this is one of the big 3-d epic movies. >> "wrath of the titans" opens this weekend. two years ago we had "clash of the titans." this one they shot in 3-d. this is for the boys. this is say monster movie. it's the greek myth come to life. and it could make as much as $50 million this weekend. but, the i'm max ticket costs a lot more. so that number gets inflated. >> another movie is "bully" and it's a documentary. >> that's right. >> it's not rated i understand. >> it's not rated. the mpaa -- this is say documentary film chronicling kids who have a tough time in school. it's a real-life story, out of the news.

and it's incredibly moving. because it has the "f" word in it a couple of times it was going to get an "r" rating. they released it without a rating because they want kids to be able to see this movie. but it's a movie parents should take their kids to. >> i heard a kid if you're in school you hear much more stuff. >> they're so worried about kids seeing this movie and kids live this movie. this is language they've heard, these are things that happen to them. >> "the hunger games," i just saw it yesterday. we kind of get why it's such a blockbuster. is it going to be number one? >> oh, god yes. you cannot stop this movie. third biggest opening in movie history. this weekend it will probably take in another $50 million to $70 million. this is the kind of movie that people love so much they're going to go see it a second time. >> got it. let's talk music. nicki minaj has a new album out on tuesday. there's a single that we're going to play called starship. take a listen. ♪ i could do this, okay. talk to us about this song. >> this is her pop side.

she wants the katy perry reryana audience. it's about half hard core rap in the front and gets to the dance stuff further in. the dance stuff is really fun, really silly, really light. >> rascal flatts has another studio album out as well. that's going to be a winner. and that's just for one second, listen. ♪ beautiful. and can i just give my own plug for tuskegee by lionel richie. >> yes. >> that's the best cd ever. >> that is him dueting with country stars you really love. and he's got everybody on there. it's his songs done in a new way. >> love it. all right, joe, thanks so much for coming to see us. all right we're going to head it down to savannah. >> hoda, thanks. finally what's in when it comes to celebrity style. liliana vasquez is a style expert. good morning it's good to see you. >> good morning. >> okay, a lot of stars are pregnant right now. >> yes. massive baby bumps.

so i'm calling this the baby bjorn. yesterday you saw pictures of beyonce sporting the baby bjorn in what looked to be like fur or faux fur. a lot of the mom bloggers are saying it was a baby bjorn covered with a fur infinity scarf. orlando bloom, even celebrity dads. >> and alicia silverstone >> yes. >> both of us are into the next trend florals are everywhere. >> you're wearing it in your shoes. i've got it on my dress. my favorite floor piece for the spring is the glorl blazer here. this one is from rebecca minkoff. updated for spring and floral. this is the budget buy from zara. you can get in for under $100. >> both adorable. >> fanny jo. hottest celebrity designer right now. oprah winfrey is a fan. jane krakowski is a fan, beyonce, kim kardashian. these are kind of her signature pieces. this is say little pricey at

about $500. this is only $48. >> and retro sunglasses. >> rihanna is a huge fan of these. these are from karen walker, start at $180. go up to $280. >> we all love the mad men look. how does this work? celebrity bun maker? >> celebrities are loving the top knot. i'm sporting it right now. this is from conair. it's the bun maker. pull your ponytail through it then you waterfall the hair around it kind of like i have here and you use the pins to secure it and you create this big, giant bouffant. >> and voila. >> liliana is rocking the bun. >> thank you so much. >> coming up next, the young bride who was paralyzed at her bachelorette party. encouraging news on her recovery.

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barrelized in an accident at her bachelorette party. we're going to talk to rachelle chapman and her husband in a moment. but first we caught up with rachelle at project walk, a rehab facility in san diego, dedicated to helping people with spinal cord injuries. this is another milestone for rachelle chapman, standing and walking with the help of specialized machines. >> i feel a big difference. i'm obviously not walking, but i mean my upper body is infinitely stronger. my core is getting stronger, which helps me so much in my daily life. >> reporter: this is rachelle's second visit here. she's already seeing signs of progress. >> it certainly doesn't feel like it used to feel. but it brings it back, makes your mind remember when it felt like to stand up. >> reporter: it's been nearly two years since rachelle's life was changed forever. it happened at her bachelorette party when one of her friends playfully pushed her into a swimming pool. she ended up with a c-6 spinal cord injury, paralyzed from the

collar bone down. since then she's gotten married to her longtime sweetheart. honeymooned in fiji and had her house remodeled to be more wheelchair accessible. but there's still a lot left to accomplish and therapist kimberly davis says rachelle's positive outlook is helping her succeed. >> her laugh is infectious. her attitude is second to none. if she's not able to perform an exercise she never gets frustrated. she only works, what do we need to work on for me to be successful. >> reporter: davis says while being able to walk is again the ultimate goal, it's not the only one. >> you think, okay, you're paralyzed when will you be able to walk again. what about when will you be able to brush your teeth again? when will you be able to get out of the chair on her own and get into bed on her own? >> reporter: and just like a lot of young wives, rachelle says she and chris are hoping to add to their family. her therapist and friend says that's what she's working toward, as well. >> to be able to start a family would be one of my biggest goals for rachelle. not only because i know how important it is for her, but i

believe that she deserves that. and i know that she and chris would be wonderful parents. >> rachelle and chris chapman, good morning to both of you. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> last time we talked to you you were just back from fiji. so you sort of experienced your first year of marriage together. more or less challenging than you thought? >> i mean, we've been together for six years. i kind of have the hang of him. so we're good. >> how about for you? >> it's been wonderful. we had the opportunity to do so many things. we just keep working. >> i've got to tell you the part that struck me the most in that tape was you standing upright, with the help again of assistance, being able to sort of put one foot in front of the other. what did that feel like for you? >> it's so hard to explain. but i mean, it feels amazing. i would have never even had the opportunity to go there without walking with anthony, which is an organization that sent me there. and i mean, to have the opportunity to be able to go to a place like that, and stand, i mean, it's so good for your body.

>> you talk about baby steps. what sorts of changes have you seen in terms of improvement for you and how you get your mobility and how you get around things like that? >> oh, gosh. i mean, i'm pushing up ramps so much better. just my upper body is a lot better. i don't look weak, i look strong and i'm able to sit up better and do things on my own a lot more. >> and driving a car. i mean -- >> yes. >> that was surprising. i said wow, this girl is behind the wheel. tell us about how that came about. >> well, it is scary at first because you have to drive with your hands, not with your feet. but i mean, i was right out on the road, and i'm excited to drive my new van that i got. i'm so excited. >> how is she at driving? >> i'm a little nervous. i'm a little nervous. but i think it's wonderful. this is a big step towards independence. i've gotten very protective of her, obviously, since the accident but i think it's really exciting. it will be great. >> you don't waste a second, rachelle. i can point out. you're always busy. you're talking about writing a

book. i love the working title. >> with a possible title, i like the idea of calling it hot, sexy and rolling on 24s. it's not just the story of my life, it's my, you know, my injury and us but also a story about you can be sexy and you can pretty in a wheelchair. you can have confidence, you know. we're just normal people, and no matter what -- no matter who you are or what situation you're in you can have confidence. >> one of the other things you're doing, you have a children's book basically to show kids, we only have a couple of seconds, but it helps children understand spinal cord injuries and it's called "new opportunities." we want to thank both of you for coming. we're so happy that you're feeling better. >> thank you.

good morning, it's 8:26 now on this friday, march 30th. we have some school information to pass along to you. bishop ireton high school in alexandria is closed today. there was a small fire in the auditorium. the school says the damage appears to be minor, but they've canceled classes to make sure the building is safe. let's go to storm 4 meteorologist tom kierein with a look at the forecast. >> good morning, quite a chilly start to this friday morning. we're still in the upper 30s to near 40. now as we're just approaching 8:30, and it ought to make it into the 50s by noon time. over the last few hours, those little specks are green are sprinkles trying to reach the ground north and west of washington. elsewhere, sunshine east of us, but increasing clouds throughout the day.

highs in the 60s and showers okay, people, let's get started. pete, did you forget yours? me pete, me use pen! (laughter) sorry i'm late, i was in the 16th century looking for pete's pen. (laughter) guys, guys. take it easy, ok? pete's mom is videochatting me, and she wants her pen back! ok, alright, well. i just got one. so... yeah, you've got a little...

yep, i can feel the wet patch. don't look at it. when it's on your mind, it's on ebay. good morning, the beltway in prince george's county is a mess right now. first the outer loop of the beltway as you make your way past 450, debris in the road

blocking two right lanes, you're jammed, 9 miles per hour. police are on the scene. delays start all the way at pennsylvania avenue. now the inner loop accident still blocks the left lane at 50. aaron? >> thank you, back with more in labored breathing ] [ coughing continues ] [ gasping ] [ elevator bell dings, coughing continues ] [ female announcer ] washington can't ignore the facts. more air pollution means more childhood asthma attacks. [ coughing continues ] log on to fightingforair.org and tell washington: don't weaken clean air protections.

it's 8:30 now on a friday morning. the 30th day of march, 2012. everyone is getting a jump-start on their weekend plans at our little corner here in rockefeller plaza. we're excited to have everyone here. a lot of them part of our whirlwind spring break. i'm ann curry along side hoda kotb and savannah guthrie. and also natalie, as well.

coming up in this half hour we want to mention that -- natalie and al have the morning off. natalie is on is aassignment. we'll be talking about the keys to a better marriage. we've got some experts telling us about some interesting results of a "today."com survey of men and women on everything from communication to intimacy and we're going to talk about how to deal with those issues so that people can have better relationships. >> remember that meltdown that the jetblue pilot had. you wonder what impact it's going to have on the company itself or what impact, let's say, charles barkley dressing up in drag will have an dishwashers. it's all about brand name. once again, donny deutsch. is going to take us through all these different -- >> okay. >> and then just ahead, what is hot in shoes this season. flats, wedges, it's flowers, it's leopard print. we will get all the latest on what you should be wearing this spring. >> but first a check of the

weather from maria larosa who is in for al this morning. hey, maria. >> good morning, guys. it's a little chilly here in the northeast. spring break i'm guessing? >> yes. >> and you're from san diego. >> san diego state university. >> how's it been there so far>> >> how has it been so far? >> a lot of fun. >> welcome to new york. let's get to you to the weekend. we could potentially see snow from the catskills to the berkshires in the northeast. maybe a little rain as well. showers and thunderstorms continue across the southeast. but once again, record highs through the central and northern plains, that continues even on into sunday. and of course we're still keeping an eye on the pacific northwest. rain and mountain snow. that's a look at the weather across the country, here's a look at what you can expect. >> tom kierein in storm center 4. we've had temperatures in the 30s to near 40 over the last few hours. and they'll hold steady for another hour or so in the 40s. then climb to the 50s by noon. clouds closing in from the west producing a few sprinkles out of the mountains. later today, highs reaching low to mid 60s.

a lot of clouds around. cloudy this friday night. might get a passing shower after midnight through perhaps mid day on saturday. highs tomorrow near 70. a lot of clouds around. then on sunday, sun returns, as well as on monday, highs near 70 both days, might get show >> you can get a look at your local forecast any time at the weather channel and weather.com. let's check in with willard. >> the beautiful sunshine state. that's why they call it that. how nice to have the sun beating down on your head. smucker's is alive and well and we have birthday buddies for you this morning. sam norton, new rochelle, new york. 100 years old today. my kind of guy. two scoops of butter pecan ice cream every night before he goes to bed. and every morning before i get up, i have two scoops. i love that. we have frances cardillo from oakdale, pennsylvania. always very excited to go shopping and hit the slots at

the casino. that's good. i like that one. i'm not a big gambler but i like it. proctor green, monroe, louisiana, is 101 years old today. loves to recite poetry, and is a very caring person with a very caring heart. nice thing to say about somebody. albert and elizabeth newton of east providence, rhode island. they've been married 75 years. they say they've always been able to look out for each other. isn't that a nice sentiment? how many people can say they've been married 75 years? how many people have been married 35 years? marry altman of hancock, michigan is 105. and she absolutely is proud of her world war ii service, and she was a nurse for many, many years. that's good news, too. appreciate that. and, frank sechlt mola of williamstown, new jersey.

is 107 years old. and he is a very talented musician and can play many songs on the ukulele. yes, sir. wish i could play it. now back to new york city. >> all right, willard, thank you so much. coming up next. but first this is "today" on nbc.

sfoet love and marriage love and marriage ♪ that's they go together like a horse and carriage ♪ >> don't we wish. back at 8:37. this morning on "today's" marriage council, avoiding pitfalls between managing children, running household and career, many couples find little time to work on the seeds of their marriage. here to help us is a clinical psychologist and the author of the self-centered marriage. good morning to both of you. >> good morning.

>> so our staff at today.com conducted a survey, not a scientific study but it's interesting to take a look at the findings and they have a graphic to show us, when an issue arises in your marriage, how do you communicate? 60% of women said they address the problem head-on and get the issues into the open. 31% said they drop sult hints and 8% say they ignore it and hope it goes away. if you look at how men responded. just 44% said they address the problem head-on. in fact, 36% said that they ignore it, and hope the problem goes away and 20% said they drop subtle hints. judith, this -- try to explain this discrepancy. >> one person said it's a relationship tinder in the marriage. what they're not saying is does addressing your problem head-on mean i complain to you about what's wrong with you and i tell you how you better shape up? because although that's a kind of communication, it's not what we're looking for to build a

relationship. >> mm-hmm. it -- >> let me tell you what you need to do. >> got the finger pointing. >> because i tell you, we can't do that, right? you don't even like the word communication. you say this creates -- >> certainly people don't have a communication problem. we're always communicate iing. my wife sighs. i say what. nothing. you just wrote a novel with that sigh. you're communicating something. what we're really talking about is connections. and so like you said, pointing -- did you see your reaction when you pointed. >> and we verbally point a lot. so the point for us is how can i raise my concerns, my issues, and build the connection between us? >> well, what's the answer to that? because i think what we're hearing is a very different response to the same thing. >> there's one answer to this. i need to learn to represent myself without expecting or needing a particular response from you. so look, i'm not sure how you're going to respond to this. i want you to respond a certain

way but i don't need that. but i am going to let you know how i feel. how your behavior affects me. >> let me see if i can translate that a little bit. i want to say to you, i was disappointed last night. >> right. >> when you didn't do mary's homework and i don't want to hear back from you defensively, i always do her homework, i did it last night. i want to know from you, i see i let you down. that's a nondefensive communication. >> no, it's not because you're telling him exactly what you want him to say, judith. you're telling him i want you to say this. that's not fair. >> i'm telling how. i'm telling how. >> how do you think she should have asked that question? >> i'm not sure how you're going to respond to this but i do need to let you know this. i'm not going to go any longer in our marriage holding back things that are really true to me and how i feel. because at the very least i want you to know me. all right? >> but what she wants is she wants you to help mary with her homework. >> no, not quite. what i want, i think what you'd like to hear back if i got it right, what you'd like to hear back is, you disappointed i

didn't help mary with her homework let me at least think that over. i can say why it's disappointing. that's all. >> but wanting a particular response is from needing one. like with sex, if i approach her in a very vulnerable state and say i've been thinking about you all day, and i want you. now, that doesn't guarantee she's going to say yes. >> it definitely increases the odds. >> it increases the odds. >> you said it in a very great way. men take note, that's the way to say it. >> that will be a little voyeuristic for everybody. >> i think that might have been. >> in terms of intimacy, there are differences, it does seem, between how men and women approach it and what they define as intimacy. sometimes i think you were talking about this earlier, that there's a sliding scale of intimacy. that women have one definition versus the men. >> i think men tend to be shall we say goal oriented when it comes to intimacy.

and a man who approaches a woman the way hal just suggested, which is, i've been thinking about you all day, it started with my brain, that man has a lot better opportunity, that's intimacy as the big umbrella. >> but he does it with a kiss. >> i appreciate that. but it starts with a fabulous kiss. >> this is to be continued. we're not solving the problems. but certainly got that conversation started. judith and hal, thank you so much. great kmpgss. i hope mary gets help with her homework. coming up next from a bald barbie to charles barkley in drag. donny deutsch breaks down the newest ad campaigns that have people talking. first, this is "today" on nbc. my dad was a union electrician.

sometimes i'd tag along to a work site, carrying his lunch or tools. it was good, honest work. i went to college with the help of a union scholarship, then started a maryland business, creating jobs by providing financing to small companies wall street ignored. today, congress is ignoring our need for jobs. my dad the electrician taught me, if something's broken, get in there and try to fix it. i'm john delaney, and i approve this message. back now at 8:44 with behind the brand with our friend donny deutsch. which ads and promotional

campaigns are making the grade? which ones need some improvement. donny deutsch is the chairman of the advertising giant deutscheincorporated. >> i'm confused. i thought we were answering relationship questions. >> no, that's going to be later. you're always right. let's talk jetblue. a lot of press when the jetblue pilot went a little bit crazy and jetblue had to quickly jump in and see how they would trouble-shoot. how do you think they handled it? >> from the ceo point of view, he got out in front of it, said i've known this pilot for years, didn't throw him under the bus. he didn't do that, though. jetblew had the flight attendant that went off the rails. the average consumer is smart, they know anything can happen to any airline. but this one airline with their personnel kind of going off the rails, i think it's going to give people enough of a pause to go whoa, if there are two airlines going to the same place, i don't need these headaches. one more person comes unhinged on jetblue that's going to

affect them. i give an "a" to the pilot to the ceo who got out in front of it. but they get an incomplete. this is not over for them. >> do you think they're going to have to make it really clear they screen very well -- >> they all have the same thing. but once again, once okay, twice, three times. think about yourself as a consumer. if you're looking at the flight schedules, you go oh, i don't need it. i'd be a little concerned. >> next up let's talk skittles. skittles obviously has become really kind of a symbol in the whole trayvon martin case. a symbol of racial injustice. you see people holding up the bags of skittles in their hands and it clearly means something. now let's take frite skittles' point of view. how do you look at this? >> you put your head down and you wait for it to go away. the worst thing that they could do is some people go oh, they should get involved and donate to charity and become -- you don't want to do it for two reasons. number one you keep getting associated with this horrific incident. number two, you could look exploitive. this happens to brands but i promise you they will do nothing. just let it pass.

>> let me ask you this, let's pretend a story comes up tomorrow that says skittles profits have gone up 10% because of this trayvon martin case. what thud shea do? >> the same thing. put your head down, let it pass. what does that say -- what are you going to do with that, start marketing to potential killers? what are you going to do, there's nothing to do with it. >> does it look like you're banking on this kind of thing and should you take that 10% and say we're going to give all the profits we got? >> even then i think that looks exploitive. that's going to pass. in a situation like this where you're a brand and there's something so terrible associated with you, you don't touch it, you wait for it. >> grade, what do you give them? >> as far as what they've done i've got to give them a "b plus." we'll see what happens. >> weight watchers, this one we're going to differ on. charles barkley is dressed in drag, and this is his way of selling weight watchers. i think to men. is that the goal? >> well, i couldn't be objective. this is a brilliant campaign. obviously any man on a weight

loss program, it seems a little feminine. of course a guy is on weight watchers. you take an oaf of a guy who you want to have say beer with, he's walking into it and saying hey, i'm not afraid to do what is traditionally a woman's thing, lose like a man. they will get a spike in sales. >> i know he'll get a lot of buzz. honestly, do you think a joe blow guy who is thinking about dropping weight looks at that ad and says hey -- >> you give people permission to act. for a man, i necessarily wouldn't want to do it. barkley's doing it and taking it to the next level. personally i was worked up so i can't be objective. i'm a deeply troubled man. which is why i come on television, it's more therapeutic, i air things out. >> this is your own personal therapy session. lastly, iconic brand barbie. there was a big facebook campaign that asked that there be a bald barbie so that you could kind of give selections to

patients of cancer. barbie ended up making a bald barbie and giving it away at hospitals. >> fantastic. obviously you've got a sick child. nothing worse in the world. all of a sudden that little sick child that's going through treatment can say, wow, i'm normal. there's barbies like me. they got a little slack that a didn't put them in the stores. they did the right thing. it's called direct marketing, target marketing, right where they could be used. you go mattel. >> donny, thanks. up next the must-have shoes for the spring. but first, this is "today" on nbc.

♪ >> this morning on "today's style," the hottest shoe trends. we already know that neon is in when it comes to your wardrobe, so of course you need the right shoes to complete the look. and kathy post is the lifestyle editor for gilt.com. she joins us this morning looking quite fine. >> very nice. very nice. >> it is a crazy time for shoes. >> yes, yes. we are seeing so many amazing styles. everything we've seen on the runway and in the stars we're going to see in shoes. >> flats are in. flats are back. >> better than ever. women's feet out there are rejoicing. but the great news is you don't have to be -- to be comfy you don't have to be frumpy.

we've got some amazing styles. plus we've got patterns. major pattern in flats. starting with this little cute one. we've seen lots of leopard. here's a leopard applique. this is from urban outfitters just $34. and the great geometrics. this is tommy hilfiger just $59 from piperlime. and news flash, big trend alert, it's all about the loafer this season for a flat. >> really? >> these are by g.h. bass and co. >> i love these little things you can put on your shoes. >> you just snap them on, snap them off. >> oh, my gosh, they're cute. >> it's 11 shoes in one. >> i'd wear them on my ears. >> the problem with flats for me, i have a big foot like a size 9 1/2 or 10 and flats seem to make your feet look huge. >> well, this wonderful trend may be great for you. here you can see there's this

pointy shoe. so we're seeing a flat that is not so elongating and super comfortable. these are from made well. >> wouldn't you think the shorter front would be less elongating? >> it is funny. it's all about the eye. it draws your eye to the leg when you have a pointy flat. >> okay. let's move on because i've got to talk about these. >> the sandals. sort of think about the '70s. we're seeing a wonderful block heel. a stacked heel coming back. so much easier to walk on. and sort of a return to the single sole meaning no platform. so a four-inch heel is going to feel like a four-inch heel. these two great examples are from dara, under $100. if you can't give up your platforms these are also fantastic. >> those are great. >> we love the t-strap. these are from target, $24. but we're seeing a more futuristic t-strap. from boutique nine and zara. easy to wear. >> you know what never goes out,

espadrilles. >> i know. and don't we love them. these down here, every color of the rainbow, love them. they are actually made by a family business what's been making them since the 1800s in a small town in spain. espadrillestore.com. and they're only $25. >> look how cute. >> those are adorable. and they're inexpensive. >> and then if you want something a little sexier we've got an espadrille wedge from target. love the patent leather, $29. a grosgrain wrap up the leg from gap. and fantastic nude so that's very flattering. and then you've also got bold patterns in espadrilles. and these are from gee yeah. >> and the final trend, the best shoe to walk in on the planet, wedges. >> don't you love a wedge? we've got, you know, two trends. color blocking first. these from steve madden are a tone-on-tone. and they give you an extra several inches. >> mm-hmm. >> who doesn't like that. and then these --

>> okay. this is a family show. >> oh, goodness. and these are from jessica simpson love these. and these wild shoes are by jeffrey campbell. little fashionistas running all over town in these. >> is that an easy heel to walk in? >> believe it or not it is. this looks like wood but it's actually rubber so it's quite comfortable. and jeffrey campbell. >> i love the cork. >> work is fantastic. it's actually naturally water proof so great for the rain. and it's neutral, looks great with everything. these are nautical stripes to a full-on cork shoe. >> you know a lot about corks, don't you? >> the wine jokes have stopped, okay? >> thank you for having me. >> all right. still just ahead the frenzy surrounding tonight's $550 million mega millions drawing. >> all of that is after your local news. grab that ticket.

and we have breaking news at 8:56. a tractor-trailer has lost its load of gravel on the outer loop and the road closed. let's go do danella sealock with more. >> good morning, if you are making your way on the outer loop of the beltway, this is right past route 450, annapolis road where all your lanes are blocked. significant delays, this is what it looks like as you approach

50. further back at landover road, cars are sitting there. your delays start right about pennsylvania avenue. the crews are working to clear the gravel right now. we have a dump truck on the road trying to work. aaron, back to you. >> danella, thank you. we'll look at the forecast right after this.

good morning, cloudy and chilly, still just right around 40 degrees here at mid morning. temperature reagan national is at 46. and we'll climb into the 50s by noon time. over the last now hours, we've had a few sprinkles out of the mountains advancing east. might have a few reaching the ground in fairfax county. it won't last long. later today, in the low to mid 60s. greater chance of showers late tonight and on saturday.

9:00 on this friday morning, the 30th day of march, 2012. it is a bright but chilly day out here in the heart of rockefeller plaza. we're so happy that all of these nice people and their children have stuck around to say hi to us and all of you this morning. meantime, i'm ann curry alongside hoda kotb, and also we've got you, mr. willie geist. >> adding some male to the program. >> we've got a lot to talk about this morning including the $540

million mega jackpot. a lot of people are all excited about this all across the country. just think one of you could wake up half a million dollars -- be half a million dollars richer tomorrow. do you feel lucky? we're going to take a look at the odds. >> and if you are waiting in line, getting in tired or running around and you're tired, or you wake up this morning and you're exhausted, fatigue. we're going to try to figure out, try to get to the bottom of why we're exhausted. we think we know why, lack of sleep. and then try to give you some solutions. >> are you ladies pampered? >> i love to. >> huh-uh. >> not a camper. >> in the parking lot of the holiday inn. >> today we've got camping for people who don't like camping. we're going to give you a list of some of the best places in this country from back to nature escapes, tree house, a mountainside mexican resort. give you a little outdoorsy feel but with that touch of luxury. >> looks like fun. >> let's go inside and get a check of this morning's top

stories from savannah who is in for natalie this morning. >> tonight's world record $540 million jackpot has turned the mega millions lottery into a national obsession. nbc's stephanie gosk is in new jersey this morning. good morning to you. >> good morning, savannah. it's been a steady stream in this shop today. new jersey is one of 42 states that plays the mega millions. the owner here says the real rush is going to come later on today. for just a dollar, everyone gets a chance to win $540 million. those chances are very, very small. but it's a temptation that very few can resist. the bigger the jackpot gets, the more tickets people buy. the more tickets people buy -- >> only takes a dollar and a dream. >> reporter: -- the bigger the jackpot gets. >> i have my ticket here. have tickets someplace else. spreading them around. spread the wealth around. >> reporter: with one day left to go the mega millions is now $540 million. the biggest lottery prize ever. anywhere.

>> mega millions fever is at its critical stages. everywhere you look you're going to see lines. this is a world record lottery. >> reporter: tonight when the numbers are drawn, every ticket has a chance to win. an infinitesimal small chance. one in nearly 176 million. put another way, to guarantee a winner and cover every combination, you'd have to buy 50 different tickets a week for 68,000 years. but hope does spring eternal. >> i think i'll take a cruise around the world, buy a maserati. >> i'm going to give money to everybody. i don't want none of it. i just want a little bit. >> put some in the bank, and quit my job. >> reporter: some believe there are strategies. there's a book on beating the odds.

he has won the lottery seven times and is worth millions. his trick for the mega millions draw -- research the numbers. >> if seven numbers have come up before you don't want to play it again. >> reporter: but before getting too excited we asked some statistics professors. the truth is every set of numbers has the same odds of being drawn each time. >> it's still random. anything could happen. any number could come up again. >> reporter: which leads to more sage advice. >> the more tickets you buy the better your chances are of winning. but don't buy more than you can afford. >> reporter: because the truth is, just like you, i'm going to lose. you don't think my chances are that good, do you? >> you want to be honest? >> reporter: you can be honest with me. >> no, i don't think your chances are very good at all. >> reporter: but at least we'll have plenty of company. lottery officials have some tips for the winner. sign the back of the ticket. get a lawyer. and whatever you do, don't update your facebook page. savannah? >> yeah, go into hiding basically is what you're saying. stephanie gosk in new jersey this morning. thank you. politics now.

republican presidential candidate mitt romney is hoping another high-profile endorsement today gives him some momentum to clinch his party's nomination. house budget committee chairman paul ryan gives romney his endorsement today. on thursday former president george h.w. bush gave romney his endorsement as well. and in something of an unusual development for a campaign, romney acknowledged that he has been in regular communication with his opponent newt gingrich and that the two even meet from time to time. filmmaker spike lee has reached an undisclosed settlement with an elderly florida couple after lee helped spread a post on twitter mistakenly listing the couple's address as the home of george zimmerman, the man who shot unarmed teen trayvon martin. outraged protesters swarmed the address and the couple's lawyer said they had to flee their home out of fears for their safety after lee's retweet. he has now apologized for that error. federal health officials say a sharp increase in the number of autism cases in the u.s. is due in part to wider screening and better diagnosis. the cdc reported thursday that

about 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder. that is a 23% increase from 2006. the report also said autism was five times more common in boys than in girls. and that the biggest jump has been among hispanic children. actress lindsay lohan is free from court-supervised probation for the first time in nearly five years. on thursday, lohan appeared before a los angeles judge, who ended her formal probation for a 2007 dui case. lohan is still on unsupervised probation for a shoplifting case last year. and finally, meet prince harry. the other prince harry. this week-old pygmy hippo is getting the royal treatment you'd expect his british namesake to get. he was born at a wildlife sanctuary in south africa, where his mother rejected him, so the 11-pound baby is now being hand reared. as you can see in this picture just like the prince, harry is not afraid to flirt with a pretty girl, either.

now back to maria with a check of the weather. >> "today's weather" is brought to you by the alzheimer's association. >> a great crowd out here on the plaza. where are you from? >> kentucky. >> all right. welcome to new york. have a great day. let's head a little bit further let's head further west, where we're dealing with massive storms here. we've got the wind component, the area shaded in brown. we have the flooding and of course, the mountain snow where we're looking at from the cascades maybe an additional half a foot of snow. all the moisture slamming the pacific northwest. we're in for it even through the weekend. other areas to note. we have some hefty thunderstorms moving through chicago right now that will eventually be a severe weather producer in the ohio valley this afternoon and into the evening. also through parts of oklahoma and texas. scattered showers and thunderstorms across the southeast. that that's a look at the weather across the country, here's a look at what you can expect. >> good morning around the metro

area, mostly cloudy now and we have temperatures climbing into the 40s throughout much of the region. later today, low to mid 60s, a lot of clouds around. and then this evening after midnight, might get a passing shower, off and on showers are possible on saturday, highs reaching near 70. on sunday, some clouds in the morning, but then getting sunny and highs upper 60s and sunny on monday. as we get into the midweek next week, could get some showers on wednesday. savannah, back you to. >> maria, thank you. this morning on "today's health," fighting fatigue. if you're always on the go, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, finding ways to slow down and boost your energy may be easier than you think. an internist and contributor to women's health magazine, terry, good morning. i'm already tired because i just ran upstairs here. in particular, it really feels like women feel fatigued all the time and a lot of us just kind of take it for granted.

we think it's the new normal. >> i know. women don't know how to say no. we overcommit and then we're exhausted because we can't get anything done. we're spread too thin. and there's a guilt factor so we go to bed thinking i didn't get everything done today, i have to sacrifice sleep to get it done. we have stay at home moms who are marathon momries. we've got career women who are also taking care of children. there's a lot of women walking around exhausted. they may think they're pms'ing but they're overotional, irritable and moody because they're tired. >> and didn't the cdc come out and say it was almost an epidemic of insufficient sleep? >> yes. we are supposed to get seven to nine hours per night. and on average people are getting six to seven. it's just not enough. >> six to seven hours. that sounds pretty good to me. your first clue is drink enough water. >> yes. so one of the first signs of dehydration is not thirst. it's fatigue. >> hmm. >> a lot of people don't know that. and when you are dehydrated you

can get some fogginess of your thoughts, more difficulty focusing and when you're at work you may not think to be drinking water. when you're working out you may think of it. but when you're busy shuttling around kids and at your desk, grab a glass of water or two and see if that helps. >> i've never heard that. your next one is disconnect from technology. >> mm-hmm. what we do at night, whether we're on our computers, cell phones, we're texting, e-mailing, if you're using these devices before bedtime, first off they'll stimulate your brain activity so it's harder to shut your mind down when you're going to bed and they emit a blue artificial light. and this suppresses our melatonin production. and that will interfere with our sleep cycle. then when you're going to sleep, turn it off. there is no need to get a phone call or a text in the middle of the night disrupting your sleep. >> okay. did you hear that bosses? read the fine print on medications. >> yes. fatigue is a common side effect of several common medications. right now it's allergy season,

we're taking antihistamines. that can cause fatigue. antidepressants which are commonly prescribed. beta blockers which are used for high blood pressure. these often cause fatigue. so if you're noticing after you've started a medication that you're more tired, ask your doctor about it and perhaps switch your medication. >> another idea you had, mix up your workout. why do you say that? >> this is for certain types of workouts. in general exercise will reduce fatigue because it lowers your stress levels. however, if you are a prolonged k exerciser, if you're running regularly more than 30 minutes a day, this can be stressful on the body and raise your cortisol levels, and that can in the long term cause fatigue. women's health, we recommend to get the most bang for your buck in a short period of time is interval training. to do intense bursts of activity, alternating with weight training. >> all right. and our last one is pay attention to your iron level. >> yes. >> how do you know? >> that's a tricky one.

first, iron deficiency can cause anemia and that can cause you to feel very tired. we need 18 milligrams a day of iron and we lose it, in particular, when you menstruate. so if you're feeling tired and you're a woman in your menstruating age ask your doctor to get your iron levels checked. >> good ideas. feel better already. thank you so much. >> thank you. >> have a good weekend. coming up next you don't have to pitch a tent to sleep under the stars. we're going to show you luxury get aways to get back to nature. and the must-have spring staples all under 50 bucks. eat good fats. avoid bad. don't go over 2000... 1200 calories a day. carbs are bad. carbs are good. the story keeps changing. so i'm not listening... to anyone but myself. i know better nutrition when i see it: great grains. great grains cereal starts whole and stays whole. see the seam? more processed flakes look nothing like natural grains. you can't argue with nutrition you can see. great grains. search great grains and see for yourself.

for multi grain flakes that are an excellent source of fiber try great grains banana nut crunch and cranberry almond crunch. you know who you are. you can part a crowd, without saying a word. you have yet to master the quiet sneeze. you stash tissues like a squirrel stashes nuts. well, muddlers, muddle no more. try zyrtec®. it gives you powerful allergy relief. and zyrtec® is different than claritin® because zyrtec® starts working at hour 1 on the first day you take it. claritin® doesn't start working until hour 3. zyrtec®. love the air. since before i could walk. [ sigh ] if only mom knew about kraft homestyle macaroni & cheese.

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as effectively as what's sold by skin professionals for a whole lot less. olay pro x advanced cleansing system. quaker oats. in every way, a super grain. ♪ super for the fiber that helps fill us up. super for the energy it gives to get us going. super for the oats that are so good for our hearts. ♪ super for how it makes us... super. quaker oats. energy. fiber. heart health. super people eat super grains. this morning on "today's travel," back to nature. if you love the idea of being outdoors, but you don't exactly want to rough it, there are a growing number of hotels and resorts that provide a nature experience with a bit of luxury. travel and leisure magazine's

milla has hunted down everything from luxury cabins to tree houses. good morning. >> good morning. >> first things first you taught me a new vocabulary word, glamping. what is that? >> that is when you want to heed the call of the wild but you still want creature comforts. those two things can coexist. if you want to go where where you want to get off the grid, make sure you're still getting a little bit of campering. >> it's not boy scout camping. let's start with san juan island lake dale resort. >> this is a gorgeous property because you are in the san juan islands which is amazing already. beautiful. you can get a ferry there from seattle. this is one of the prettiest parts of the pacific northwest. what i love about this is that you have many alternates. you can stay at the lodge. you can stay in an air stream trailer and you can stay in one of their comfortable canvas tent cabins. you're going to have a bed. so sleeping in a sleeping bag and a tent, they also have a

canvas cottage which is more of a luxurious aspect. and they have electricity in that one. >> and the price is right. starts at $149 a night. >> very reasonable. and lots of activities. from may through the summer you can go whale watching in this area. >> if you want to get touch with a kid in you, sleep in a tree house you can do that in wisconsin. >> did you have a tree house growing up? >> i didn't have one. >> if you didn't for $200, you can go to wanda weega which is a 90 minute drive from chicago. the 1920s, it's an old place, actually on the website for this place they say if you're looking for a four star resort, please don't come here. this is not the kind of place we are. it's all about luxury camping again. and so you stay in this three floor tree house overlooking the beautiful lake. this is so popular it actually is booked out all the time. they've got sheepskin pillows and throws and pendleton blankets. i highly recommend it for

someone who's got a little bit of a kid in them. >> that's cool. and a big wedding spot, so you say reserve early. >> and $200 a night. >> let's go to one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth, baja, mexico. >> this just won a design award from travel and leisure because they've done a clever thing with sustainable design while making it look beautiful. they look like little boxes on this incredible hillside. they look very spartan on the outside but are actually quite beautiful on the inside and luxurious. everyone gets a fireplace to sit and be cozy. and what i love about the fact these cabins are, there are only 20 of them. so you're going to be one of maybe 40 people on the property at any time. it's an up and coming wine and food destination in mexico. >> such little cabins. can you fit a full-size adult in one of those. >> even your height could fit. they look smaller in the photos. >> they're very cool.

el cosmito. >> tepees. so this is a place, liz lambert who is a hotelier has done an amazing job, and she went to marfa in west texas and created sort of a commune for hippies slash hipsters. very affordable prices. you stay in safari tents. they have plugs for your iphone, et cetera, because every hipster needs to stay plugged in. they have a hammock grove where you can actually hang out and lie in hammocks and commune with nature instead of your iphone. >> those are vintage restored trailers. >> they are have trailers, as well. >> this of all the places you're showing us. >> $65 a night. >> next up another tree house. the tree house lodge in costa rica. >> this is more of a robinson crews sew fantasy.

if you're looking for a getaway, the tree house lodge in costa rica is absolutely beautiful. the main lodge, that one actually has a suspension bridge that leads you from your room to your bathroom. to middle of the night you have to be a tiny bit careful to make a trip to the bathroom. but super charming and some the most beautiful rain forest around you. they have 50 kinds of palms, exotic birds and howler monkeys on the property. >> this is right on the beach. >> ten acres of beach. >> i know you're especially excited about this one. the orca island cabins in alaska, right on a place that i like to call humpy cove. >> the reason they call it humpy cove is because not only is it a romantic get away but this is where the humpy salmon seem to migrate. >> spawn.

>> whatever they do. and they -- summer is an ideal time to go to alaska. it's amazing for wildlife viewing and this is a great place to do it. you stay in a yert. and it's solar powered. and you're not harming nature which is fantastic. and again, a great place to do whale watching, kayaking, fishing is great for those humpy salmon. >> and it is a private island. this is say real get away. >> this is an absolute get away. if you really want to get away from it all. >> thanks, great suggestions there. appreciate it. still to come the foods that will make you slim, calm and sexy watt feeling deprived. it sizzles, ready for anything. its smooth taste spreads across your bread's delicate surface. while melting into those creamy mashed potatoes... bringing a rich, warm tenderness to your peas.

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that's puristics, the power of pure. breaking news at 9:26, a tractor-trailer accident causing huge delays at the outer loop at 450. let's go straight to danella sealock with more. >> it lost its load. right now crews are working to clear. right now your two right lanes are blocked. traffic is flowing on the left. chopper 4 is live right now. it is a mess. take a look at landover road. you're just sitting here. delays can be felt as far back as pennsylvania avenue. even at branch avenue and aaron, going to keep watching it for you all morning long. back to you. back to you.

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good morning, radar is scanning the sky, picking up a few sprinkles far northwest of washington, a few southeast. and we get a lot of clouds around now. and temperatures are still chilly. we're in the 40s, now 46 at reagan national. then later today. climbing into the low to mid 60s this afternoon. a lot of clouds around. cloudy tonight, we'll be in the 50s through the evening. tomorrow, a morning or midday

shower. cloudy saturday, highs upper 60s to near 70. sunday into monday, highs 60s to near 70. tuesday, increasing clouds, might get some rain developing on wednesday. aaron? >> thank you, tom, coming

through my attempts to get pregnant through ivf we found out i have early stages of breast cancer. and it's been a shock. >> it has been six months since julia juliana ransick announced she has breast cancer. she's been public about her treatment and positive outfight. she and her husband bill are going to be here for an update monday on "today." we look forward to hearing how she's doing. >> meantime, very different note. you've all heard of bridal expos? >> sure. >> what about a divorce expo. sounds like a downer. but it's a unique event being

held her in new york city this weekend to help people pick up the pieces after their marriage fails. and we will have a sneak peek. >> okay. we're all looking forward to that. that's a new one. and how would you like to be slim, calm and sexy? we've got a diet that promises all that. plus more. and you can eat. and then on trend, on a budget. the five must-have style staples for spring, each under 50 bucks. >> first let's get a check on the weekend with lester holt and jenna wolfe for a preview of what's coming up on "weekend today." >> i'm good. coming up this weekend we'll have the latest in the trayvon martin case. tens thousands of people are expected to attend two separate rallies this weekend. we'll take a look at the case as more pieces of the puzzle continue to come to light. then two lifelong friends head out on a shipping trip and only one makes it home. the dwra matic events that unfolded during the three days they were stranded in the gulf of mexico. >> and it's almost prom time. high schools are tracking down on inappropriate prom dresses.

administrators are showing students what's acceptable and what's not. we'll take a look at both. plus she claims to see people in the afterlife. and then chat them up. she's a long island medium and she tells us how she juggles having a family and a very unusual career. all that and more this weekend on "today." >> all right. >> chats them up? instead of rest in peace. >> i know. >> leave me alone. >> lester and jenna, thanks so much. all right let's get a check of the weather from maria larosa. >> speaking of the weekend. wee we're working until the weekend. let's get you prepared weatherwise. >> we start with saturday where we still have some cool rain showers in the northeast and some mountain snow as well. maybe a couple of inches for places like albany, into the berkshires, scattered showers and thunderstorms in the southeast. but the pacific northwest, still the hot spot with the weather. wind, rain and mountain snow will continue from saturday, even into sunday. and yes again through the

midsection, up through the central northern plains, record highs are possible. that's a look at the weather across the country. here's a look at what you can expect. >> good morning, right now, we have mostly cloudy sky over washington. the radar is scanning the sky, we see little blips of color, there may be sprinkles trying to reach the ground far southeast washington and northwest. those are heading to the east. and later today, highs reaching the low to mid 60s and overnight tonight, cloudy. we might get a shower after midnight, perhaps off and on near saturday with highs near saturday. and sun returns for sunday, clouds in the morning, sun in the afternoon. mostly sunny monday, tuesday >> back to you guys. >> all right, maria, thank you very much. coming up next a one of a kind event to help people trying to start over after divorce. ♪ [ female announcer ] introducing new nature valley protein bars. 100% natural ingredients like roasted peanuts... ♪

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it's a sobering and all-too familiar statistic. half of all marriages end in divorce. so where do you turn when your marriage is ending? >> "today" national correspondent amy robach talked exclusively to the organizers of a pretty unique event that takes place here in new york city. >> that's right. good morning guys. couples who are getting married can find help in magazines, bridal expos, the list goes on and on. but what about when your marriage fails? well, two women are hoping their venture will make it easier to start over. in spring, just as certain flowers will bloom, weddings abound. and like any good event planner, francine and her daughter nicole are going over every last detail. >> these are the roundtables. >> just love it. >> but instead of making a couple's dream wedding come true, they're hoping to help men and women pick up the pieces when that dream falls apart.

in the rare form of a divorce expo, called start over smart. >> we see so many bridal expos. but we've never seen a divorce expo. why do you think that is? >> because divorce, we seem to talk about it, but when you're facing it yourself, you are facing it alone. >> half of all marriages in this country end in divorce. and this mother/daughter team describes themselves as experts on the topic. francine, who is married, is a family therapist. nicole, a divorce mediator, is also a newly divorced single mom. you're divorced. what was the process like for you. >> it was very difficult. very overwhelming. very isolating. but i've gotten the other side and i've put in the expo everything i wish i had and that i hope that other people can take advantage of. >> surprisingly, they say, it was one of the most romantic cities in the world that inspired them to bring a divorce expo to new york city.

>> we flew to paris, went to the expo, fell in love with the idea. >> i'm assuming you'd never seen anything like this before? >> never. >> a lot of people say divorce expo is going to be depressing or sad. it's not. it's quite the opposite. it's very empowering and uplifting. >> like a bridal expo, services of all kinds will be showcased. but there will be no bands or florists here. >> they're going to get access to close to 100 professionals that deal with divorce. >> you might imagine that there would be therapists, attorneys, mediators there. but what you might not think about would be hair stylists, plastic surgeons. >> we've got all this information, it's very important to clear up and demystify divorce. we have the other side, which is how to put your makeup on in and how to feel sexual. how to start dating. >> randi lambert, mother of two, is planning to attend the expo before she ends her 14-year marriage. >> i want to make sure i know

everything, since this is going to be finalized in a month, that i won't have to look back and say, should i, could i? >> "today's" jean chatzky will be a keynote speaker at the expo. >> a lot of financial decisions to make. having been through it myself, if there's anything i could do to help people, i wanted to do that. >> nicole and francine say they are not proponents of divorce but are also not ashamed to call themselves divorce entrepreneurs with a message. >> i think it's time that people not look at divorce as a bad word. but as a transition in people's lives. they couldn't work to the. they couldn't live together. and this is a new chapter. >> now the two-day expo takes place this weekend with tickets costing anywhere from $125 to $200. but it is going to be a community there and i think that's so important when you're going through this process. >> and the organizers are not celebrating divorce, they're trying to make people going through it -- zblan easier transition. >> when you say that piece, it's

amazing we didn't see it before. up next, the five style staples for spring. twinkle twinkle little pie you squashed my willpower like a fly. you looked so innocent and so sweet. convinced my lips that we should meet. you were a relentless flirt. oh no we had indecent dessert. twinkle twinkle hope appears. a stevia leaf erased my fears. it made my willpower a super hero. as for calories, it has zero. twinkle twinkle truvia® star natural sweetness, i love just what you are. truvia. honestly sweet. (belhi.ings) good morning. big news.

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this may be the best in the world. oikos greek yogurt possibly the best yogurt in the world. this morning on "today's style," spring staples from under $50. from brights to polka dots and lace, there's definite must-haves this season. rachel is contributing editor from life and style magazine. we can do this? >> absolutely. there are five staples you need, and everything that you'll see today is under $50, the shoes, the bags, the clothes. it's unbelievable.

>> that sounds right to us. let's bring out karen. she's rocking the bright trends. >> yes. now in burberry is going through trenches. theirs is about $1500. this from target, $49. now this is for april showers and rain, doesn't mean drab and dreary. have fun, show the bright. you can throw this on with stuff you already have in your closet. every girl has a pair of jeans that they can throw on. >> look at the cute shoes. >> adorable rocket dog. i love the tote from the gap. you've got your umbrella already set. >> her little rainbow for when the rain goes away. >> thank you so much, heather. our next polka dots, we're seeing those everywhere. we've got michelle with a really cute dress on. >> this is such a girly, fresh, feminine style. it's a very big trend with the celebrities in hollywood. cameron diaz, kate winslet, all over the pages of life and style. this dss is $24 from forever 21. and what's great about it is the

shirt style dress, very figure flattering for most women. cinches at the waist, gives you an a-line bottom, and it's just really girlie and fresh. >> the navy polka dot. >> and the thing to really think about for this you is want the oversized dots. instead of little, we're going big. >> you hadn't mentioned that i probably would have gone for the little dots. >> great wedges, a whole fun look. >> all right, michelle. thank you so much. you look great. our next trend is the tropical print. now we know the floral print is big. this is say little different? >> floral, you know, every spring we see the floral trend. think less garden party, more tropical island. you're sitting in the caribbean drinking an umbrella drink. that's what you want to focus on. these shorts are $39. they're super cute. you know, it really lengthens the leg. brings out a different color. >> the wedges makes the real shorts like those on carly, the

wedges make it look classy. >> absolutely. it's just like a really fresh, spring buy with the shorts. we're going to see it a lot in pants. but i feel like most women get overwhelmed. with all-over prints, and stella mccartney. the pants i think is more wearable for women. >> the accessories, love that necklace picking up the colors. >> also from express. bring out all the jewel tones. >> carly, thank you so much. the peplum, this is kind of retro, isn't it? >> also very retro. now in terms of the biggest story for spring in terms of shape, this is it. it's the peplum. has a little flare on it. instead of a full dress this is something you could pair with great pablts, with skirts, with jeans. it's really versatile. this is from new york and company. $39. i love sort of like the 1960s kind of vibe, the fedora. i love neon. that is a great thing to pair with the peplum. again, although everything $50

it brings together all the colors and it's super fun. the great thing about the peplum, if you have a little tummy it gives you a little extra coverage. >> and wear something kind of fitted on the bottom. >> yes. the skirt, pencil. pants slim fit. >> alana, thank you so much. our final trend, colorful lace, heather is going to give a look. >> this is a big red carpet trend. a lot of ladies in very glam dresses and colorful lace. this is much more wearable. you can do this day to night. i love the skirt, h&m, it's $14. unbelievable. they're using sustainable fabrics and organic cottons. pair it with a beautiful, flesh blouse. >> you did the creams and not a solid. >> this is cute. you can go from the board room to the bar. you can really have a lot of versatility with this. throw on some great accessories. you can pop the blue color. >> let's bring all our models out one last time, go over to the trench, the polka dots, the

colorful lace, the tropical prints, and the peplum. thanks, ladies. you're all set. >> gorgeous. thank you so much. >> coming up next, if you want to be slim, calm and sexy, and who doesn't, we've got the diet for you. first, this is "today" on nbc.

this morning on eat smart "today," foods to make you feel slim, calm and sexy. eating the foods at the right time can help you calm your cravings and help you lose weight without feeling deprived. >> carrie glassman say registered dietitian and author of the new book "slim, calm, sexy diet." congratulations on the new book. >> thank you so much. >> you've undertaken the tags k of revolutionizing how we think about food. >> exactly. the slim, calm, sexy diet is about eating empowered.

you will lose weight in the first six weeks of the plan but you're going to lose it permanently because you're going to learn how to strip away the stress that leads to emotional overeating and hormonal disturbances. >> certain foods have personality characteristics. let's start with the slim foods. you've got artichokes. >> artichokes are a slimming food because they're loaded with fiber and they're only 60 calories so they make a great appetizer because they help fill you up before the meal. and if you're intimidated by that artichoke you can buy canned artichokes, and make it into a little dip. >> what about the dip? because you want to dip your artichoke in something. >> you can do a little bit of yogurt or make a dip with olive oil and rosemary. >> that loox good. you've got pears as well. >> pears. it's not just about an apple a day. pears are amazing because they're high in pectin. it's a type of fiber known to help promote weight loss. one of my favorite recipes is the pear nut butter sandwich. >> tomatoes. >> tomatoes are an ultimate

slipping food base they're high in fiber and water volume like so many of the other slimming foods and a great way we know that fiber and water will help fill you up without adding calories. a great way also to have it is in a tomato soup. soup in general before a meal will help fill you up so you don't overeat at the meal. >> i didn't know food could make me calm. >> foods can make you calm. for two reasons, one because of your relationship with them. you feel in control eating them. whether they satisfy a salty craving or a sweet craving or because of the way your body responds to a nutrient in them. for example acompare gus loaded with folate which is a common b vitamin. >> oysters. i thought that was going to be in the sexy segment. >> the zinc in oysters actually can help decrease anxiety. >> and we're talking about walnuts over here. you can throw them on a salad or just eat them as is. >> walnuts are high in omega-3s with many of us know are good for mood but they help control

the stress hormone cortisol. if you don't like the taste of them, you can toast them, and throw them in a salad. >> something a lot of nutritionists like walnuts as their favorite nut. why is that? >> because of those omega-3s, which they're the highest of the nuts in the omega-3s are good for mood, even good for burning fat. >> savannah wanted to start the secondment at this end. >> i thought the book should be called sexy, calm, slim. >> the reason we end with sexy because if you're slim and you're calm, you certainly feel sexier. >> okay. >> willie was saying that earlier. >> when you lose weight you increase your libido and certain foods increase your sex drive. >> steak is sexy? >> because of the zinc in it. zinc can increase libido. >> pears. dare i ask why these are sexy? >> peaches aren't yet but they're going to be. peaches are for all those men out there because they're high in vitamin c and increases fertility. >> and watermelon for the

ladies. >> because of the compound citruline, and it increases vascular health. >> so are you trying to get these foods on any given dye day or hit a few per week? >> all of these foods are just samples of the slim, calm and sexy foods that are in the book. and they're incorporated into really at least one of them at every meal. and there's three meals and three snacks a day. lots of food. >> slim, calm and sexy >> have a good weekend. >> "the hunger games," plus finding the perfect theme. kathie and hoda lee -- that's a new one. i'm so glad it's friday. never in my lifetime did i think i could walk 60 miles in 3 days.

60 miles in 3 days is-- is huge. if my mom can fight and beat breast cancer, i can walk 60 miles. you just put one foot in front of the other, and you know that you're walking for such a great cause that you just keep going. (man) that you have all these people coming together for one common goal. (woman) the goal is to bring an end to breast cancer. (woman) there's no doubt in my mind that komen's funding helped saved my life. the 3-day is my opportunity to help save others' lives. (woman) i'll never stop walking, not till we find a cure. with 3 days and 60 miles, you're making a bold statement. you're saying breast cancer is not going to win. (woman) and it has to end, but it starts with us. it is the most rewarding experience i have ever had in my entire life. we can do this. you can do this. we can all do this together. (man) register today for the... because everyone deserves a lifetime.

9:57, breaking news, right now students at annandale high school in fairfax county are slowly being escorted into their building. apparently police investigated a suspicious package early this morning. and the students were not allowed inside the school. right now, we are told they were kept a safe distance at a safe location not far from the school building for the last few hours. again, they are now being allowed back inside the school. we're also seeing some problems on the roads this morning. danella, what you got?

>> right now chopper 4 is live over i-66 at nutley. a car fire. fire department is on the scene. and two of your right lanes are blocked right now. now, over to the beltway, still seeing the right lane blocked by debris in the roadway. look at this, this is the 202, your delays start all the way back at branch avenue and you're slow to route 450. now over to tom with a look at the weather. tom? >> a lot of clouds around. we're climbing into low 50s now, later today in the 60s. might have an isolated sprinkle throughout the day. a greater chance late tonight and on saturday sunny, sunday. and on saturday sunny, sunday. >> tune in monday morning at

captions paid for by nbc-universal television it's try-day, friday. it's march 30th and it is the last show of the month this year. can you believe it? >> it's flying. >> that's a quarter of the year already, hoda woman, because there's 12 months and that means three. >> you're like a mathematician or something. >> i know. don't ask me anything else. so we always tell you about these lists and surveys. >> this one we actually totally agree with. >> we do. this is right on.

it's by day.com. they listed the top ten people that you would like to have a beer with before you die. >> yeah. >> and these are the people who they put on their list. former president bill clinton. >> who's more fun than he is? >> don rickles. >> i'm sorry, but he's one of the funniest people god ever made. >> joan rivers. >> and she's the other one. >> and who else? >> us. do we count at one or two? >> i think we're one. >> who are the other ones? >> well, they're all old clearly by that list. >> well so am i! >> i want to know what the age bracket was of the people who were polled. come on! don rickles, joan rivers and us. >> the writer believes -- he says you know we're fun with wine but he think we would be fun with a beer in the backyard, too. >> cold. that's cold and delicious. >> may i suggest this as a crab feast with maryland crabs. we're with you, baby. i'd love to know the other people that they have on the list though. >> and if they're all "old." you got to think they might be.

this is another fun subject. vasectomies. yeah! who doesn't love a good vasectomy. >> here's something crazy. there are actually doctors out there who have commercials out who are encouraging men to have vasectomies now during the ncaa final four tournament because no one will bug you when you're on the couch watching the games. >> resting up. >> you're not going to have to take the trash out. in fact, vasectomies increase during the ncaa basketball tournament according to this by 50%. >> you know why though? because the doctors throw in a free pizza if you do it right then. >> they do. >> what's better than that? a little snip, a little pizza, little basketball. yes! >> recovery takes a day or so and no one -- stop doing that! we actually have the commercial. >> guilt free? schedule your vas tektmy with your roll gi associates in time for the college basketball tournament. then camp out on the couch for

uninterrupted basketball and we'll even throw in a free pizza for the tournament. you know you've been thinking about a vasectomy anyway. now is the time to get it done. call your roll gi associates of cape cod right now or schedule your consultation online at uacc.cc and enjoy the games. >> you know how smart those people are? they just had a free commercial on national television. >> that's not a spoof, by the way. that's the real thing. the pizza comes with the vasectomy during the ncaa tournament. >> genius marketing, hoda. you got to make a little noise in today's world to cut through all the you-know-what. >> what was that? >> a snip. >> oh! that was the snip, bobbie thomas. we love the sound effects. >> come on, there are children watching. you know why? because they're trying to be part of our "voice" competition. >> this is the last day. this is the final day to put in your entries. if your kids are between ages 8 and 16 and they can sing, go ahead and submit them.

again, this is all acapella. >> you know how everybody thinks their children are beautiful? most people think their children are talented. >> first one. ♪ ♪ one of these days these boots are going to walk all over you ♪ >> all right. >> okay. nice. >> that's an old song. it seems to be a theme today. >> old. okay. we're ready. ♪ at last my love has come along ♪ ♪ yes my lonely days are over >> you know what? these kids are like from 8 to 16? >> 8 to 16.

that was beautiful. >> yeah. >> keep in mind, they don't have acoustics, they're just singing into a flip phone. >> god bless them they learned how to do it. because a lot of people are trying to put their kids in there and can't figure it out. it's too late. some things in life don't work out the way you want them to and i'm sorry. >> you know what? i've gotten so many tweets how do you upload it? we don't know. just go to klgandhoda.com and figure it out. >> get over it. all right? it's the last day. and if it's the last day of the 33rd year of your life it is a sad day because apparently that's the best year of your life. >> they did another one of those surveys an they grilled a whole bunch of people and they all decided that 33 was the happiest time in their lives. >> what about 66? you get to be 33 twice. i'm doing math today. that's all i can do. >> i don't remember where i was on my 30s. in florida or new orleans or something. i enjoyed that time but i'm really enjoying now. like i really -- i really like

life right now. >> hoda, you are a poster child for the 40s, i think. >> you do? >> yeah. that's a good thing. no, you've been through a lot in your life. you're on top of the world. you got love, you got a great career. you're having the time of your life. the other thing is you had a real scare in your life. you now appreciate life. >> yeah. and you sort of know who you are more than before. there's a point where you're always apologizing for everything. you're always sorry for making people uncomfortable and you're sorry for this and you become less sorry the older you get. you just sort of do your thing and come what may. >> you hit 40 and you're just really sorry. it goes in cycles. then you get up to your 50s and you're sorry you wasted your 30s and your 40s. trust me. >> you didn't waste yours. >> but so many others who just -- >> here's the thing. think about a movie that brought

you to tears. you know if you pull that one out -- >> guaranteed every time. >> there's a study out of ohio state university that says when you watch tragedies it actually makes you feel happier. researchers said -- >> is it because you're so happy it happened to them and not to you? >> well, i guess because it reminds you of your own close relationships when you're watching these films that it conjures up good memories as opposed. >> all right, let's see if it works. >> are we starting with yours or mine? >> surprise us. >> yours is -- this is kathie lee's saddest movie. >> not the saddest. one of them. ♪ i am his forever more ♪ oh my man i love him so he'll never know ♪ ♪ all my life is just a spare but i don't care ♪ >> "funny girl."

>> but she left nicky. they're not together. but let's go to "entyentl" -- p can you hear me? >> this is called "beaches." ♪ did you know that you're my hero ♪ ♪ and everything i would like to be ♪ >>. tuts puts me right there. >> it makes me laugh. >> come on! she's laughing and that's cruel. >> out of context. these are funny. >> wait, this will get you. "terms of endearment." >>

♪ ♪ >> yeah. a parent watching their child pass away. >> that is the saddest movie. i need food. when i watch sad things, i need to eat something. >> why are you drinking something? >> because there's nothing to eat. >> there's a frickin' strawberry. >> by the way, to get you out of your funk -- >> i'm surprised you'll even touch this with a ten-foot pole. >> this will get you out of your funk. you know those chia pet commercials? that's mean. how could you forget this? >> there's a new pet.

the chia pet. pottery that grows. it's fun and easy. soak the chia, water your seeds, and watch it grow and now grow a whole collection of fun -- >> the seeds that make that chia pet that create that are apparently full of fiber and they grind them up and put them in drinks now. chia seeds. >> but what if your hair goes like -- something just flooi flew out of your nose, hoda. that was not attractive. >> this is the worst segment ever. >> i didn't know that they had that. >> you know what? yeah. okay. great. great. >> but don't feel bad because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it's high in fiber, those things -- antioxidants and proteinies. they swell to 12 times their time in your stomach so you're

bloated and your hair looks like -- but other than that! >> i don't like this show. >> ooh. >> they're crunchy. you have to chew them. >> i don't want to chew them. where else does it grow like that? >> okay. stop. by the way, we have a good friend on our show. there is a great new book out. every time she writes a book, it is a best seller. >> this one is so close to our heart because it is based on the love story of her parents which is just -- it made me cry just reading about it. yep, yep, yep. now what he today is? kathie lee's friday funny. that's the only laugh i should get is the canned stuff the a the top. this is from our facebook fan, barb carlson. got a chia stuck. an elderly man, you don't care because you only care about yourself but an elderly man is stopped by the police around 1:00 a.m. and is asked where he is going at that time of night.

the man replies i am going to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body. the officer then asks, really? who is giving that lecture at this time of night? the man replies -- my wife. it must shall the chia! >> that was good. you know what else it's time for? bobbie's buzz. >> look at you. newly engaged. >> that is made a change in your life to have it out there and stuff? >> it has. i'm just such a sensitive person. thank you so much, everybody on my facebook page and his family was so touched by all of your messages. >> we're planning your wedding. you don't even know yet. >> well, everybody else can decide. so i have some really special finds today, these are feel-good fashion finds to shift your mind and shape. first comes straightforward. a bra that helps your posture.

every inch your shoulders go past your nose that it adds ten pounds to your spine and body. they have bras for ladies, t-shirts for the guys, and it really helps your back. >> i wonder if it cost tons more for the ladies than the men. everything's so unfair that way. >> two more things. one, the blog advanced style which features women generally above 70 to about 100, this book, everybody please go to amazon.com. ruth who's 100. we have pictures of women on the street every day ladies who show you that you can age with fantastic style. i'm so excited. >> that's very cool. >> an awesome book. and i was having dinner with anya, the editor in chief stylist.com. she was saying, i get so tired of hearing women say i look like crap today, i look fat. so in the office they have a body image tip jar. so every time somebody says something bad they have to put a tip in the jar to sort of --

instead of a swear jar, this. but the idea that we've now moved on further is that you can get in on this. if you go and put a positive comment on their website at stylist.com, they will donate $1 -- they'll match $1 for every comment, then donate it to girlsaid.com. you can pass the positivity forward and i love this. >> you love that. that's close to your heart. you're newly engaged heart. thank you, bobbie. coming up next, the appetite for the highly anticipated film kwp t"the hung games" is ravenous. >> acclaimed actor and all-around good guy, stanley tucci right after this. ase. she needs help from me. and her medication. the exelon patch -- it releases medication continuously for twenty-four hours. she uses one exelon patch daily for the treatment of mild to moderate alzheimer's symptoms. [ female announcer ] it cannot change the course of the disease. hospitalization and rarely death have been reported in patients who wore more than one patch at a time.

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the incredibly talented actor stanley tucci has appeared on broadway, television and in more than 50 films. >> now he plays the host in charge of conducting interviews with those kids heading into the "hunger games." take a look. >> tell me. >> well, there is this one girl that i've had a crush on forever. >> well. i'll tell you what, peter. you go out there and you win this thing, and when you get

home, she'll have to go out with you. right, folks? >> the teeth, the blue hair -- >> how many hours of makeup were you under, stanley tucci. >> it took a while. >> i understand you had not read the books at the time. but then you read the one book. >> right. i read the one book, yes. i was in london making a film and gary offered me the role. >> he's the director. >> he's the director. sorry, gary ross. gary ross. and my fiance who's a literary agent said -- i said, you know, i got offered this thing, "the hunger" -- didn't even finish the sentence. she said do it. >> it's just had a phenomenal first week opening. >> it is incredible. >> i think it's interesting, too, that it appeals to people our age and these young kids and it really runs the gamut, doesn't it? >> yeah. >> tell us about it. i know kath loved it. i have yet to see it. tell us about it.

>> it is a really great movie and a very good adaptation. sometimes you read a book and wish they hadn't actually made the movie. >> a lot of people who loved the book said it is so true to it. >> it is true to it. he really took his time in setting up these characters really well which often doesn't happen. we think that that's sort of not important. we want to get to the action. but gary really takes his time and it is so compelling. >> the action doesn't matter if you don't care about the characters and you care about them right off the bat. it looks like it is a modern story because the protagonist young woman that comes from what looks like appalachia or something like that. but then you realize how far into the future does it take place? >> i don't even know -- 20 some years into the future. >> so fashion has changed. >> fashion has changed. but the devil's still wearing prada. some things don't change. >> tell us about your look. that blue wig, the teeth -- did you have anything to do with putting that look together? >> yes. well, he's very well described in the book and in the script. but i wanted to go a little bit

farther so i wanted him to be very tan. i had teeth made -- i was in england so we had everything made there, had teeth made, two upper, lower teeth. we only used the upper. i had noses made, too, because i wanted him to look like he'd had excessive amounts of plastic surgery but the noses didn't quite work. >> so that's your schnoz up there. >> yes. >> thaels quite t's quite impre. >> but it took time. it took about seven hours to put all the pieces together on the first day. then after that, it was about an hour and a half. >> you've walked so many red carpets for so many films. this one looked different from all the rest. watching that crazy mob scene that's been following you guys around. >> yeah. that was weird to have -- to see people like that. people so excited about it. then people just bursting into tears. i'd never seen that before. >> you know what i'm heartened by with that reaction? there is so much callousness in our world today and we don't

appreciate life that we have and this movie really celebrates life and for young people especially reading these books about sacrificial love that's the complete opposite of so much of the garbage we get from our culture. so i'm thrilled -- because i'm a parent. i want my kids to see movies like this. >> i think it is a really important movie. i think that the main character played beautifully by jennifer lawrence, she's just incredible. she has such a true moral compass, this character, and she is so compelling. you want to watch her. you want to see what choices she's going to make. >> i don't think that the violence is gratuitous. you have to understand the violence to understand why the violence is such a bad thing. >> the violence is actually not gratuitous. it's absolutely appropriate. >> we wish you luck even though you don't need it with the movie. but good luck with your life, the engagement. >> your juicy personal life. not just brad pitt has one, it's also stanley tucci.

thank you. you're awesome in this films and everything he does. it's out! living the dream of find being the perfect pair of jeans. you know that's important. first these messages. >> i know, i'm not over that yet. new true-to-life fragrans fill the air? your home welcomes you with warmth. cuddles you with closeness. and assureyou there's no place you'd rather be. introducing a new line of fragrance mists from glade. light layers of fresh cotton. whispers of italian mandarin. note-by-note these fragrances fill the air, inviting life in. artfully designed. true-to-life scents. new glade expressions. sc johnson, a family company. that's been wrapped in a flaky crust stuffed with a gooey center toasted up all golden brown then given a delicious design? a toaster strudel. pillsbury toaster strudel. so delicious...so fun. pillsbury toaster strudel.

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we're back on this try-day friday with "today's style" and denim trends for any body type. you see the current styles in the stores and think can i wear that? >> step out of your comfort zone to find the perfect pair for your figure. lindsey huggins is "self" magazine's senior fashion market editor. >> great to see you. >> this is the problem we all have over the years, finding right pair of jeans for your body. >> and when you find them, it is like better than gold. >> it is the best thing ever when you find something that fits your body, buy them in every single shade available -- blue, white, gray, black. every single shade. >> then stay the same size so you can always wear them.

>> but if they stretch, you've got a little leeway. >> we'll begin with some models here. start off with plus size. our model leah is wearing a flaired jean. >> this is a huge trend for spring. what i love about the flair is that it is a new modified take on a bell bottom. that's not really for everyone. this really balances out her proportion. i love that it's in a clean, dark wash. really elongating her legs and slimming her thighs. we decided to make it look sophisticated with this tweed jacket in a nice pastel tone. >> touch of chanel. >> don't you love the belt? i mean it is a great shade of neon. matching her heels. she's ready to go. it is fun, playful. those are levi curve i.d. >> i bought a pair of levis recently. they're my favorite jeans. they fit great.

if you're petite -- i don't know anyone who is -- francine is. >> francine looks great in that soul design jeans. she's embracing the floral trend. we're going to see this everywhere for spring. what's great about this is that she's petite. look for florals that are large. we want to make her appear larger than life. really giving her depth and dimension. >> so if you're not petite you should not be wearing florals -- >> no, i would actually go for something that's a little bit more dainty. there is a little bit out there for everyone. >> okay. i love that jacket, too. >> it is a mix of tough and tender. it is a zara cargo jacket. she has the florals which are very playful and girly mix is it up with kind of a menswear inspired jacket. >> that looks great. thank you. >> heading to the curvy woman department. >> now we're talking. >> ashley's here. >> how hot does she look? she's in dl 1961 cropped jeans. what i love about these, ladies get ready -- extra lycra, four-way stretch.

hello! they're amazing. 148 dollars. they hug all of your curves. it's got a contour waistband, you don't have to worry about bending over. >> i love the sparkle on top. >> a little metallic going on there. again, a zara blouse. >> she knows! >> date night. hello! >> thanks. how about if you are long and lean like jennifer. she's got those colored jeans. >> look at these red jeans. bright colored jeans are everywhere. if you want to look for something that has a 32-inch inseam or longer, this way they don't look like they're too short. urban outfitter jeans, $58. a steal. all colors of the rainbow. for those who want to branch out into something that's a little more neon, pastel, you can do that or be like jennifer and stick with a primary. >> seeing this long shirt underneath the cropped jacket.

love that. thank you. >> those are terrific! >> happy spring! next, don't put all your eggs in one basket. we've got ideas for your egg basket. after this. [ other merv ] welcome back to the cleaning games. let's get a recap, merv. [ merv ] thanks, other merv. mr. clean magic eraser extra power was three times faster on permanent marker. elsewhere against dirt, it was a sweep, with scuffed sports equipment... had it coming. grungy phones... oh! super dirty! and grimy car rims... wow! that really works! ...all taking losses. it looks like mr. clean has won everything. the cleaning games are finished? and so are we. okay, but i just took a mortgage out on the cabinet. [ male announcer ] clean more, work less, with the mr. clean magic eraser extra power.

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now on "today celebrates

easter," filling up your little yellow basket, this year don't settle for bulk candy or plastic easter eggs. >> no! chef and cookbook author kathleen delman's found some great mail order deals. we did this last year at christmas and it ended up really successful. >> thanks to you and everybody at nbc you guys saved and created jobs. these are all little engine that could companies in the heart of america and they need your support. you stood up. >> we are staerting off with hostess gifts. >> this is an arts and crafts tile, handmade, a wonderful crew. they've never offered anything like this before. this is tree tri three trivets holiday table. for your beach babies we have two baskets and a beach blanket. this is a company of moms creating for kids, machine washable, machine dryable.

if you have children you need to know about mimi the sardine. this is very inexpensive. it is half off and free shipping in time for the holidays. $59 for the whole package. >> fantastic. >> let's get to this -- food. >> this is butt thtebuttergirlb. she's from boston. when foodies and chefs don't want you to know they made it themselves -- >> is there a stick of but thor in this? >> no, no. >> it's worth it. >> there's four sticks. >> oh, my god. okay. >> for the vegans and for people who are on the healthier side but believe me, i'm all about that -- this is an l.a. baker. her name is christina ross. she's famous for her cooking clagss. offering brownies and roll-ups for kids. she also, if you love are a fan of cooking classes, if you go to

appetites.com, you can get her free video cookbook. and they're giving away an ipad. so lots of great things. >> hoda's really into this peanut butter. >> what's going on here. >> this is zingermanscandy.com. they bring the flavor back into candy bars. old-fashioned handmade candy bars which you really don't get anymore. these are bunny tails, marshmallows, candy bars. also free shipping in time for the holidays. all of these companies in time for easter have extra deals on their side. >> they do? let me just try one of these. does this have peanut butter? >> oh, my gosh. >> what's this one? >> that's original zan bar. beeluxe.com has an amazing offering right now. a candle and a tin, a large

candle, soaps, chap sticks, wonderful deal. $32, free shipping in time for the holidays. >> that's beautiful. >> then the ladies who are some of the best to drink a glass of beer with, from kid rock. he has two companies he created, badass beer made in detroit. all of the proceeds go to benefit charities in detroit, across the country and michigan. again these are employing u.s. workers. they've got this beer kit. then this is a really cool one-handed bottle opener created by an architect. it's from a '30s design. >> you can open up another beer while you're already holding the one you got. >> thank you, kid rock. you made the world a better place! >> what is at the very end? >> at the very end, a baby's first easter. this is from babybaskets.com, carousel designs. two men and a baby, two west point grads creating products for their own kids. >> that's awesome. thank you so much. happy easter to you. up next -- the secret to great looking skin no matter what your age. right after this. >> i'm going back for another

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and now on "today's beauty," it is skin care through the ages. >> from preventative care in your 20s to battling wrinkles, what should we be doing to help our skin as we age. >> dr. downey is a board certified dermatologist. go that's what she says. good to see you, sweetie. >> great to be back. >> we could do this segment a thousand times and people always want the cure-all when it comes to wrinkles. >> the bottom line is in your 20s you need to be preventing long-term issues, you need to be dealing with your acne break-outs and you need to be developing a treatment plan. >> you know what girls in their 20s are doing today? they're getting botox before they get a wrinkle. >> which -- well, there's

something to be said about that. starting here, this is cetaphil. a derma control product formulated to be used with prescription products. spf 30, an oil-absorbing product that deshines your face. has uv filters in it. uva, uvb, doesn't block your pores, won't break you out. there is a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. >> i used cetaphil on my daughter when she was little because she had really bad eczema. it all cleared up. >> this is a newt gutrogena foa face wash. they do great things. start using an eye cream in your 20s. the burt's bee product is also awesome. i want to squirt a little of this on you. >> take us to our 30s.

>> take me back to my 30s. >> here what we're trying to do is we're trying to move forward and realize that we have to rectify some of our problems from the past. we're trying to correct some of our issues. that's smoking, tanning, with sun damage. you start noticing the first signs of early sun damage with rosacea in our 30s. if you start noticing a little redness and pimp pales in the center of your face. prescription products. if you're treating your emerging issues in your 30s. with prescription products doc can treat it. you can look at the extra strength peel pads. i recommend them in between the stronger peels that i do in the office. these are safe to be done at home. the peter thomas roth products work very, very well. these are great for the middle of the day. >> i love those things. >> blot control pads. >> it will be nasty. >> it doesn't take off your makeup --

>> but it is still controlling the shine. it's gross just like you'd want it to be. >> nasty! >> what you're doing is treating your emerging issues. >> 40s. >> boosting your skin care regimen here. on to the boost section. i'm in my 40s. >> you need a little more help in your 40s. >> sadly. what you're doing is decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. this roc retinol product helps build collagen. the philosophy product is a clarifying lotion. the aveeno has soy. cetaphil is back again. this one shall work. this is an spf of 50. it is broad spectrum protection, doesn't block your pores, won't break you out. kathie lee, i think i gave you too much. we need to worry about staying with a standard regimen. >> this is the table everyone cares about. >> for those of us approaching 60 -- >> so here we want to deal with

just preserving what we have. we need to hydrate our faces. the 50s and beyond are all about hydration, preserving what we have and maybe a little bit of other things. >> can you spell fractixel? >> the olay is a great stand-by. this is a wonderful product. works very, very well. the neutrogena age defying is wonderful. >> the same cast of characters keep showing up. the good, solid companies with great products. >> then exercise, eating right, watching what you eat, decreasing your sugary food intake. >> what does sugar do to your skin? is. >> it's call. i'm going to pitch it to your producer soon so we can do an episode on it. . it's bad for your skin. it ages your skin. >> imagine that. so sad. up next -- romance is in the air. best-selling author and one of our favorite people in the

world, adriana trigiani is

it's a real-life beautiful love story about passion and perseverance and a must-read for anybody who loves a good romance book, called "the shoemaker's wife," from the italian alps to new york city's little italy. >> it is written by our very, very dear friend and best-selling author. two soulmates falling in love and trying to live the american dream at the turn of the century. >> it's been a little while because this is a very thick book. >> you just have the most fertile imagination. >> you really do. >> you know what? this i had a timeline. i had my grandparents's a's true story, their love story. and then this incredible period which is the turn of the last

century until 1947. so i had two world wars and all the delicious stuff at the metropolitan opera. i mean that's where -- look at this cover. it tells you really everything about the book. the industrial revolution. >> everything was changing then. >> it was completely changing. like we feel now? they felt then. so there's lessons in it. >> in the specter of war was right where they lived. >> that's right. >> it's drawn obviously from your grandparents. how much of it is truex actually to your story? >> it is shocking how much of it is true but i got to do a what-if. i really miss my grandmother so when i'm sitting there working, this is my way of being close to her. my mother has all my records my grandmother used to play. you know because of the muse sick, kathie lee, at the turn of the century caruso was the first guy to do records. other opera stars thought it was beneath them to record their records but this guy was such a man of the people. i felt like i really wanted to

write that voice. and my grandmother was crazy about him! so i made her his seamstress. so that gets you into the metropolitan opera. so you have these immigrants that built these costumes. you know? we never talk about that. we would think about her. but the artistry of every seam and stitch and the blood, sweat and tears that went into it, the tailors -- the shoemakers. i really wanted to do an ode to craftsmanship, tell an immigrant tale, on homage to my grandparents but a real page-turner. it takes you through two generations. >> i'm waiting for a trip so i can go on a long flight and really get into it. >> people want something romantic because there's so much stuff out there hard-edged and doesn't open your heart up. and you hit it every time, adriana, with your books. it is like a best seller after best seller. >> but she has such an amazing heart. you go for -- i can't see you writing something that's going to make a lot of money that has no heart to it. >> i do listen to the readers.

they wanted a bigger story from me. so when they said epic, i thought, well, i have an epic. >> like a "gone with the wind." >> that's what i wanted to do. it took me 20 years to do this. >> while you were doing the other projects. >> yeah, you write things down and you carry it around with you. i was doing all of that stuff and i just felt like now was the moment people really are hungry to get lost in a world and see themselves maybe or their grandparents in a world of -- and a time of sweechi isweeping. history, the opera. >> we love you. >> we want a movie. >> yes! we love you. >> love you. next monday actress june fer love hewitt. and the latest hollywood buzz. have an awesome weekend, everybody. bye-bye. ♪

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