monster storm. the northeast bracing this morning for one of the strongest blizzards in years. more than 2 feet of snow expected to bury some cities. the big questions now, when will it come and how long will it last? the president under pressure agrees to tn over classified memos to some members of congress detailing how and when american born al qaeda leaders may be killed by the government. will the controversy threaten the president's nominee for cia director when he faces lawmakers today. and skin is out. the fashion warning sent to some of the biggest names in music ahead of sunday's grammy award. but will the stars cover up

today, thursday, february 7th, 2013. and good morning, everyone. welcome to "today" on thursday morning. i'm savannah guthrie. >> i'm matt lauer. we're starting to get a much clearer picture this morning of exactly where that powerful nor'easter is headed and just how much snow we're going to be seeing. >> a lot of people bracing themselves. it's expected to start tomorrow morning and could make travel an absolute nightmare. some airlines are already waiving penalties for customers who have flights booked to the northeast in the coming days and want to make changes. al has been monitoring all these different models and we're going to get to him in a moment. >> when you look at that satellite image, it's the two systems that come together that will create the problem.

also ahead a controversy raging over a fraternity party labeled racist by some students. we're going to let you decide and ask the question, should the fraternity that threw it be kicked off campus. >> we're all guilty of this called cyber loafing. you go online and look up things that aren't needed. what some companies are prepared to do about it. >> cyber clacking policies. first al is keeping an eye on this very powerful storm as it bears down on the northeast. al, what can you tell us? >> we're looking at a classic nor'easter, as it comes across the northern part of the system, we have winter weather advisories, storm warnings, winter storm watches and blizzard watches for parts of new england. heres what's going on. we have these two systems. plus we're going to be looking at stormy seas, gale warnings

and hurricane wind watches, wind 75 miles an hour. that will cause coastal flooding. two systems. here we government one to the south, a lot of activity. severe weather through the southeast. a lot of cold air drawn from this system, this clipper coming across. energy is transferred to the system offshore and continues to push off. these lines of isobars, lines of pressure, that's why they are packed so tight. that's where the strong winds are going to be and the heaviest snow is going to be. here is what we're expecting. anywhere from about 6 to 9 inches from michigan all the way into new york state and central new jersey. right along the line, new york city and long island, 9 to 12 inches. but look at this, manchester, portland, boston, providence, just to the east of hartford, we're talking about 24 plus inches of snow. this is going to be a monster storm, over 10 million people affected by this. where does it fall? look at some of the top five boston snowfalls, february 6th through 7th, 1978, 27.1 inches,

it's gunning for that. we'll have more on this in a little bit. savannah. >> al, thank you. this morning lawmakers are getting nuances about why the obama administration believes it is okay to use drones to kill expected terrorists including americans. it's an issue that will be key at today's confirmation hearing for the president's pick for cia. michael isikoff is calling this story for us. michael, good morning. >> savannah, good morning. drone strikes, the obama administration's weapon of choice against terrorists are coming under scrutiny. after a disclosure justice department document obtained by nbc news this week that justifies the targeted killing of americans suspected of being top al qaeda leaders. for the first time today the white house is sharing the classified memo that lays out the legal basis for such strikes with members of the house and senate intelligence committees. the move comes at a crucial time as john brenan, president obama's nominee to be cia

director, faces his confirmation hearing today on capitol hill. in the war over drone strikes, a major reversal from the white house. after years of ironclad secrecy, president obama directed the justice department to share with members of the house and senate intelligence committees a classified memo laying out the legal grounds for drone strikes targeting u.s. citizens who are suspected operational leaders of al qaeda. the shift follows mounting demands to see the memos from members of congress. >> they should produce this legal document. i don't think they should hold back anymore. >> i'm going to pull out all the stops to get the actual legal analysis, because without it, in effect, the administration is practicing secret law. >> the move comes two days after nbc news reported on this confidential 16-page justice department white paper that summarized the legal arguments for targeting u.s. citizens who are suspected al qaeda leaders,

such as american born anwar al. the white house called such targeted kling a lawful act of self-defense and concluded they did not require the target was plotting a specific attack in the immediate future. the contents of the memo drew sharp criticism from some legal scholars. >> it really looks like a subjective judgment by the american official who will make the call. >> civil liberties advocates say the white house move is not enough. >> it's a memo that really ought to be released to the public, not just members of congress. if the add manage is doing to be claiming authority to kill american citizens, it has an obligation to explain that claim and defend that claim to the public. >> the drone debate will be front and center when white house counter-terrorism adviser john brenan faces confirmation hearing to be new cia director. brennan has been architect and

one of its biggest defenders. >> it's this surgical precision, thebility with laser-like focus to eliminate the cancerous tumor called an al qaeda terrorist. >> brennan will be facing other questions during the hearing including what he knew about enhanced interrogation, such as waterboarding when he served with the cia during the bush administration. another thing to come up, his acknowledgement he's been questioned by federal prosecutors investigating national security leaks under president obama. brennan told the senate intelligence committee in a written statement he's been told by his lawyer he's only a witness in those probes. savannah. >> michael isikoff, thank you, a member of the intelligence committee, has pressed the white house on its drone policy. senator, thank you for being with us. >> good morning. >> first question, are you satisfied after saying the president was practicing secret law and stonewalling, are you

satisfied these memos are released to some members of congress? >> this is an encouraging first step. especially because it comes at a time when the lines have blurred between the military and the intelligence field and it's going to be so important to do robust congressional oversight to protect our civil liberty, also i'm going to make sure it leads to an expanded public right to know. >> let me ask you about the nomination of brennan to be cia director. you hinted you would pull out all the stops. does that mean you intend to block the nomination? >> first of all, i never announce my position until we actually had a confirmation hearing. i do believe what was done yesterday is a step in the right direction but there is so much more to do. there is still substantial questions, for example, about what kind of evidence is appropriate in these kinds of operations, whether the individual can be captured. there are issues with respect to the geographic location of one

of these operations. there is substantial additional work that needs to be done. it's really all about checks and balances. they have been out of whack in the past and that's what we've got to change. >> very quickly, to tie that up, are you still open to the possibility of blocking brennan's nomination? >> i'm committed to making sure we get all the facts. the president called last night, early this morning. i'm going to be going in to read the opinion. we'll go from there. >> let's take this beyond the theoretical. anwar al al awlaki, a senior operational leader of al qaeda. in your mind, is he an imthen threat, was he an imminent threat, or did he deserve more constitutional protections before the u.s. took him out. >> first of all, the rule, savannah, with respect to talking about the details here are very restrictive. you really can't get into individuals. you can't get into countries. you can't get into which agency

does what. i'm committed to making sure we strike a better balance of protecting american security and our liberties and our values, and i also think we ought can be looking at ways, in terms of the details about drones, to get more of that information declassified in a way that protects american security. >> finally, as you well know, 83% of americans approve of these drone strokes, two-thirds, from a poll taken a year ago, approve on american citizens in some cases. it basically suggests americans trust the government to make these decisions and carry it out correctly. is that trust misplaced, in your view? >> i believe the founding fathers thought the president should have significant power in the national security arena, but there has to be checks and balances. you can't just skirt those checks and balances if you think it's inconvenient. >> senator ron wyden, good to have your perspective. >> natalie, good morning to you.

>> good morning, everyone. a megamerger taking shape this morning as american airlines confirms plans. if airlines agree and merge, the new company will pull american out of bankruptcy protection. new images broadcast overnight by iran's state tv alleging aerial views were extracted from a cia drone captured back in 2011. the video shows kandahar, afghanistan. tehran claims its engineers have learned to create a similar drone of their own, thanks to the wreckage. a potentially vaccine strain of whopping cough has arrived in the u.s. they are investigating a string of cases from a germ previously spotted overseas in japan, france and finland. a new study suggests this strain may be the reason more people have been getting sick with whooping cough, a disease particularly dangerous for children. it is time to button up. cbs is cracking down on the

breasts, butts and other exposed body parts that become a red carpet staple at the grammys. in a memo to nominee and apprehenders, the network outlined what's unacceptable for broadcast, including, quote, thong-type costumes, visible exposure and beare curves. last night on the tonight show, jay leno decided to recreate the magic of the commerce with the supermodel, more than happy to oblige. >> i'm thinking, any chance we could recreate the ad? >> sure. pucker up.

>> looks like leno didn't get the steamy moment he was hoping for. >> don't judge. >> oh, my gosh. >> it took him a long time to realize. >> i give jay lots of points for that one. >> by the way, speaking of points, natalie, congratulations on wednesday. tell viewers natalie took part in the empire state building run to benefit multiple myeloma research foundation. she scaled 1,576 steps to the 86th floor observation deck in 17:05. >> i was actually coughing all night. >> that's really cool. you could have taken the elevator. >> i tried. they wouldn't let me. >> very impressive. >> impressive. apparently we were slackers last night. while natalie was doing that, savior was walking the runway at the heart truth red dress fashion show for the american

heart disease. >> i took 30 steps on a flat surface. >> 17:05 to make it down the runway. the dress is beautiful. >> it's a great cause. i know natalie has done it in the past. >> didn't have any wardrobe malfunctions like i did. >> congratulations to both of you. >> thank you very much. not red dress weather coming up. >> might be red >> down to the south we have a lot of red on the map for severe weather. this is the moisture and energy that will combine and make its way up to the northeast. look at all the heavy showers and thunderstorms. risk of strong storms from mobile to savannah all the way down to gainesville. afl amounts from 3 to 6 inches of rain from north koreans up to raleigh. we will get to your local

forecast but first this message. >> good morning. cold and cloudy this thursday morning. the 7th of february starting off in the 20s. just about the entire area, including west virginia, virginia, maryland. reagan national at 33. cloud cover with us throughout the day. maybe a bit of mix of snow and sleet late tonight and maybe around mid might and couple of hours of that and melting on roadways. all rain elsewhere. off and on rain during the day friday with highs in the 40s. windy, colder >> that's your latest weather. matt. >> a controversy raging at a

prestigious university. was a fraternity party at duke racist. michelle kosinski on the campus in durham, north carolina. good morning. >> reporter: that's right. this is all over a fraternity party, many felt had an offensive, even racist theme from the invites on. it led to a student demonstration here and the suspension of the fraternity. these are the invites sent out by kappa sigma to a party called asia prime with misspelling marking english and kim jong-il. >> i was hurt and angry. >> the result furious students at duke university. >> when you wrote hero duke, you were not just mocking an accent, you were mocking an immigrant's struggle to make it in this nation. >> reporter: wore word of the

party went viral and students complained. they sent out an e-mail changing the name of the party but it went on as planned february 1st. this week angry students posted flyers in protest showing photos of people in asian attire. protesters captioned if you're not outraged you're not paying attention. here a student wears a sumo costume with hashtag. >> made a mockery, reducing our way of life into a crude joke. >> reporter: one tweet, of all the things worth protesting, this is not one of them. another posted, i'm asian and i think the theme is hilarious. duke's vice president of student affairs says he takes it seriously but has no plans for formal disciplinary action. >> at the moment we're not aware of violations. acting boorish and foolish is not a violation. >> no comment. >> reporter: no one at the fraternity was talking. but in the school paper frat president apologized saying, quote, the duke community in

which we exist is one we see too often as divided. while our attentions have brought attention to and widened that divide, it is our sincere intention to work to contribute to a united duke. there was a meeting on campus and kappa sigma apologized to asian students. but the national fraternity has suspended it pending an investigation of this. this is a fraternity just allowed on campus this year after dissolving about 11 years ago over allegations of alcohol violation. matt. >> all right, michelle kosinski down in north carolina this morning. michelle, thank you very much. savannah. >> all right, matt, thanks. governor chris christie and his weight back in the light this morning after he lashed out at a former white house doctor who made critical comments about his size. mara schiavocampo has the latest on this. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. talk of governor christie's weight isn't new. this week he even joked about it during a late night appearance

but the governor didn't find anything funny about a former white house doctor about his health. >> he should shut up. >> reporter: that's governor christie's blunt response to comments from bill clinton's former doctor, a retired navy admir admiral. >> i find it fascinating that a doctor in arizona, who has never met me, never examined me, never reviewed my medical history or records, knows nothing about my family history could make a diagnosis from 2400 miles away. she must be a genius. >> she spoke about christie's weight on cnn. >> i'm a republican so i like chris christie a lot. i want him to run. i just want him to lose weight. >> people who have a medical license, have the privilege of having a medical license, should in my view conduct themselves more responsibly than that. >> my position is more than a democrat or republican. i worry about this man dying in office. >> my 12-year-old son comes to me last night and says, dad, are

you going to die? come on, this is irresponsible stuff. >> reporter: christie acknowledged he has a weight problem. a year and a half ago he was hospitalized from an asthma attack. >> my doctor warned me my luck is going to run out soon. it's something i'm conscious of. >> after years of david leno poking fun at his weight, christie and on the late show to show he, too, can get in on the joke. >> how is your cholesterol. >> dave, my cholesterol is normal, believe it or not. >> that's pretty good. what about your blood sugar? >> blood sugar, also normal. >> reporter: for dr. mariano, there's nothing normal about christie's health. on monday she replied to christie's complaints and say, it doesn't take a physician to look at him and know he's overweight. a comment christie has heard

before and takes in stride. >> i'm basically the healthiest fat guy you've ever seen in your life. >> in past interviews christie said he has been dieting 30 years and a major struggle in his life. he doesn't think it will interfere with his ability to hold any office, including president. >> mara schiavocampo, thank you so much. >> he has come out time stand time again and said, would i be healthier if i could lose weight, absolutely. would i be at less risk for heart disease and diabetes, absolutely. he really took offense to that line about dying in office in front of his kids. >> his kids heard it. >> crossed the line. >> to a doctor that hasn't examined him to make the assessment in a few years he could probably die, went too far. >> scary to hear. >> coming up, is it time for companies to crack down on personal internet use at the office? >> no. >> wait until you hear how much time people like savannah are wasting on a daily basis. >> wasting. i think wasting is a strong

term. maybe watching videos like this one, this 2-year-old's amazing trick shot. we're going to see what he can do live right here in the studio. >> you can do it. >> check it out but first this is "today" on nbc. we gotta sell the car. where would we even start? get the car.

hi howard. get in. hi, good to see you. start with an actual written offer when selling your car, no strings attached. carmax. start here. i never knew he liked me. we'd have to keep it quiet. or we could just tell h.r. happy valentine's day. it would never work. try the new brownie batter donut.

get any six donuts for $3.99. america runs on dunkin'. still ahead, karl rove with a blistering attack ad against ashley judd. >> the story after your local news. this day calls you.

to fight chronic osteoarthritis pain. to fight chronic low back pain. to take action. to take the next step. today, you will know you did something for your pain. cymbalta can help. cymbalta is a pain reliever fda-approved to manage chronic musculoskeletal pain. one non-narcotic pill a day, every day, can help reduce this pain. tell your doctor right away if your mood worsens, you have unusual changes in mood or behavior or thoughts of suicide. anti-depressants can increase these in children, teens, and young adults. cymbalta is not for children under 18. people taking maois, linezolid or thioridazine or with uncontrolled glaucoma should not take cymbalta. taking it with nsaid pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. severe liver problems, some fatal, were reported. signs include abdominal pain and yellowing skin or eyes. tell your doctor about all your medicines, including those for migraine and while on cymbalta, call right away if you have high fever, confusion and stiff muscles or serious allergic skin reactions like blisters, peeling rash, hives, or mouth sores to address possible life-threatening conditions.

talk about your alcohol use, liver disease and before you reduce or stop cymbalta. dizziness or fainting may occur upon standing. take the next step. talk to your doctor. cymbalta can help. good morning. i'm aaron gilchrist. our headlines, police are working to learn why a man was walking on a busy road before getting hit and killed by a car overnight. officers identified the victim as 39-year-old zubarry brown. police say the driver stayed on the scene there in bowie. two people need another place to stay after a fire destroyed their silver spring owe home overnight. the house was engulfed in flame when they got there. the two people inside escaped without being hurt. much of the top floor was gutted. month word on what sparked that fire. this morning, somebody in

the richmond area is $217 million richer. powerball confirmed to news4 late last night the winning ticket was bought in that area. for security reasons they will not release the exact location but expect to make the announcement later this morning. a look at weather and traffic for you right

cloudy and cold now. 20s around the region. just around 40 today. lot of cloudiness and maybe a little bit after snow and sleet mix by late tonight and after midnight melting on roadways. all rain elsewhere. off and on rain during the day friday. windy and older provide night it is a rain stops. changing to maybe a pew scattered flurries into midday saturday. multivehicle accident 395 northbound at edsall. cussing big delays on i-95. a look at the accident you can see here. just the left lanes, single file

getting by three-vehicle crash. cars are getting ready to be towed out of the way. more jammed. 30 minutes from the upper part of river bridge to the beltway. >> thank you, danella. another update in 25 minutes.

that is 2-year-old titus ashby. yes, i said two. he just turned two. he sure knows how to sink a basket. it's netted him nearly 2 million hits online. he is now in our studio. this morning he'll take a few shots for us live. this kid has a future. he can stay out of foul trouble. this kid is going to go places, no doubt about it. 7:30 thursday morning, february 7, 2013. i'm matt lauer alongside savannah guthrie. >> that's a regulation size hoop over there. a regulation for toddler. >> 7, 8 feet.

>> i was impressed. anyway, speaking of young kids and sports, coming up a question a lot of parents have to deal with, how far should you push your kids or allow them to go with athletic activities. two sisters, 10 and 12, rising stars in endurance running. are they too young to race miles on end against people sometimes two or three times their age? we'll have that question. justin bieber's mom gets ready to host "saturday night live," which will be fun for us on nbc. >> first put down that smartphone or computer for a second. forget surfing the net. we're spending more than half our time at work on the computer doing things that have nothing to do with our jobs. nbc's kristin dahlgren in los angeles with details. good morning to you. >> sorry, savannah, watching a video of my niece getting her first ski lesson, only to prove

my point. some call it cyber lovering, slacking, what others call it, just another day at the office. >> solitaire? >> yeah. >> come on, admit it, you're not all business at work. >> i better do something, check facebook and check twitter. >> i think it's just the norm. >> researchers agree, a new study in the journal of computers in human behavior found between 60 and 0% of people's time on the internet at work has nothing to do with work. >> you've got to see this. it's a video of a baby panda sneezing. >> you may go to look at your e-mail and it's pretty easy to click over and maybe check your facebook site and what some of your friends are doing and maybe look at the news online. pretty soon it's not five minutes, it's an hour or two hours. >> the study suggests the only way to change that behavior is

to consistently enforce no cyber slacking policies. but that can be a fine line. >> if the atmosphere feels like big brother, then employee moral goes down. >> at this shoe company near los angeles, workers are encouraged to be on social media in the office. >> you can't separate the employees using facebook personally and then the business stuff we do and marketing we engage in on facebook and twitter. >> the lines have gotten blurred. >> we work on our vacations, checking out our e-mails but we also do a lot of our personal life types of activities while we're at work. >> some psychologists say occasional cyber distractions can actually limit boredom and increase productivity. who doesn't love a little youtube to lighten the mood. don't worry, based on the stats, your boss may be cyber are loafing, too. >> my bosses doing the same

thing i am. i'll find him on facebook and say, get back to work. he'll go, ha, you, too. >> the study found nine out of ten of us admit to some type of cyber loafing. my research around here, that last guy, number ten, he's lying. >> i was going to say 100%. kristin dahlgren, especially you, all the online shopping you do. >> i was thinking about it while the story was on, i probably spend 10 minutes a day. seriously at work. i do a little more at home but at work, 10 minutes a day. >> at work, three hours a day. just kidding. >> let's get a check of the weather from al. >> okay. hold on a s.e.ec. hold on. i'm sorry. let's take a look at what we're talking about today. we've got a lot of cold air to talk about up around the plains england, teens, 20s, single digits. you get down into southern florida, southern texas, temperatures are in the 80s. and as we look ahead, show what

you we are looking at today. lot of wet weather to the south. morning florida into southern georgia. wet weather along the pacific northwest coast. snow showers coming across the great lakes as that clipper makes its way. clouds here in the northeast. and, of course, we are going to be looking at a major winter storm developing late tonight on into tomorrow. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the angry birds. >> good morning. it is cloudy and cold around the entire region. temperatures are generally in the 20s. reagan national now at just past 7:30, 33 degrees. light wind now which will shift into the southeast later today as we climb to maybe the low 40s briefly by mid afternoon. late tonight, perhaps around mid might and after that until 2:00, 3:00 in the morning, little bit of wet snow and sleet. then all rain. changing through much of the region. during the day on provide, >> with this big winter storm coming, it's going to affect air travel and all sorts of problems. check out the weather channel on

cable or weather.com online. matt. >> al, thanks very much. if you want to get into politics, you need to have pretty thick skin. actress ashley judd is learning that the hard way this morning. nbc capitol hill correspondent kelly o'donnell is explaining that. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, matt. ashley judd has a starring role republicans are promoting. they are trying to retool their brand. the big money super pack led by former president bush senior adviser karl rove is going hollywood. not far from the glamor of the red carpet, ashley judd. >> be a part of maintaining change and progress for our beloved country. >> has been auditioning for a new role, candidate. >> i will go wherever the president wants me to go. >> consider that a welcome gift to big time politics. >> someone from out of state who understands us hillbillies.

>> courtesy of karl rove ad team super pac. >> there are a lot of democrats in kentucky that are really pumping air into the ashley judd trial balloon for the u.s. senate run. this is kind of a fun way to prick the balloon and show people she might not be the candidate she's cracked up to be. >> using judd's own words and her current home address. >> someone who will never forget where she came from. >> it just clicked, tennessee is home. it just clicked -- >> kentucky. >> -- is home. >> judd was center stage at tennessee for the democratic convention. >> we are here to cast our lots with barack obama. >> but if she runs in her childhood home, the red state of kentucky. >> i am very proud to be a kentuckyan, judd would play opposite a well-known leading man, senate top republican mitch mcconnell. >> we'll worry about the election in 2014.

>> ashley judd responded with thanks to senator mcconnell, karl rove and their negative allies for all the attention as she considers her future political plans. republicans say after they lost a number of key senate races, the attack on judd is also aimed at reviving the confidence of gop donors. >> it is a big message to their donors that they are in this game still, that they are going to be a force, and that they are going to play rough. >> and ashley judd says she has not made up her mind if she will get into that race or any other campaign for political office. and this strategy from american crossroads will also target various candidates who are republicans, whether they are tea party, mainstream and so forth looking for some of those old clips and sound bites to make sure they really unearth all of that well in advance of campaigns to try to get, they say, the best candidate possible. matt. >> kelly o'donnell on capitol hill this morning. kelly, thank you very much.

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youngsters who are making a name for themselves in a sport you may not expect. nbc's kate snow here with their story. >> good morning, savannah. if you have a kid good at running, might be on their school's cross-country, a kids triathlon. this story is about two young girls who are way beyond that. they are running races meant to challenge adults. in a sea of runners at the championship in hawaii, there are two you wouldn't expect, little girls from texas, kaytlynn welsch is 12, her sister heather is 10. it will take an enormous amount of endurance and grit to withstand these 12 miles but the welsch sisters are up to the challenge. they are two of the fastest and youngest endurance runners in the country. so fast, they usually outrun the grownups. >> do you like racing against grownups.

>> sometimes but when they say the bad words, we'll be like -- >> when you pass them? >> yes. >> do you get mad when people pass you. >> we don't say cuss words. >> their dad is their coach. >> at the start they are still up there fighting with each other or doing something silly. then it's time to start the race and they are all serious. >> you look good. don't let the pace guy fool you. you've got to run what you've got to run. >> do you have to try hard. >> it comes really natural to me. >> you get out there, just relaxes. sometimes it's really hard. >> they have each finished more than 100 races in the last two years, often back-to-back on saturdays and sundays. >> every since they were little bitty, i thought, golly, there's something special about these kids. >> rodney and their mom entered them in the first kids triathlon when heather was six and kaytlynn eight. soon they were entering adult races.

last year at age 11 kaytlynn ran her first marathon. is this running healthy for young girls. they see dan o'neal, a specialist in sports medicine. >> they are in great condition without any stiff joints, swelling, any evidence of any harm. >> there's no conclusive medical data on what happens to kids who run this much. the doctor does have some concerns. >> the one thing i worry about the most with the distances they are running, will they achieve their full skeletal growth. >> in hawaii, the course was a lot tougher than the girls imagined. as upsetting as it may be to see, it's not uncommon for heather to cry when she's racing. >> some people who watch the races when they see you crying, they get worried. >> yeah, they think my dad is pushing me and making me to run. i'm like, no, i'm fine, just crying. >> is your dad pushing you? >> he pushes me to get better, but he doesn't like make me run. >> you run because you want to run? >> yeah. >> you sound like you're being

kind of tough on them sometimes with words. >> yeah, i am. same thing with homework. do your best. >> the welsch sisters are both striving to do their best in hopes of fulfilling the same big dream. >> be on the big team would be a really big accomplishment for me and i would love that. >> i'm just trying to keep my speed up. one day i think i'll go to the olympics. >> your sister go to the olympics. >> i'll try to beat her. >> so the olympic games in 2020 maybe. but they are so serious about that dream they won't even accept prize money because they are maintaining their amateur status. it's a long road, of course, savannah, to the olympics. their parents are clearly hoping all this running at a young age will help them get to where they want to go. there are a lot of prodigies, kids who burn out who never make it that far. we'll have to see. >> incredible girls when you think about the mental discipline and physical discipline. they are fast, too. >> they are very fast. they outran me in seconds.

>> kate snow, thank you. can you see more on kate's story "rock center with brian williams," 10:00, 9:00 central right here on nbc. coming up a 7-year-old whose simple message is making a big difference in the lives of soldiers but first these messages. [ theresa ] certain things in my diet could be causing acid erosion. foods like lemons and tomatoes. when the enamel of your teeth erodes...it's not coming back. my dentist suggested that i use pronamel. by using pronamel twice a day... i feel more confident about my smile.

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>> reporter: 7-year-old john murray, jr., simple outreach started as he and his mom in grid were reading random messages on the walls of their local army medical center. >> we were playing a game saying every word we saw. >> reporter: john spotted some special posters with an unfamiliar word on them. >> i asked mom what's that. she started walking first. >> my first thought was, let's keep on walking through the waiting room like i didn't hear it. >> finally she bent down and said that word is suicide, and it's when someone takes their own life. >> reporter: his mother's explanation prompted john, jr., to dedicate his own message to troubled u.s. soldiers and veterans using post it notes. he simply wrote, "ask for help."

>> when they don't have any broken arms or legs and no blood, you can't see the sadness inside them. >> but they still need help. >> they do. >> so what should they do? >> ask for help. >> the 7-year-old could not have put it better. >> aler from john's mother reads the army surgeon general who then highlighted john's post it notes on the army's website. the lieutenant called the story beautiful and a lesson for all of us, a lesson that resonated with john's father, sergeant john murray sr. >> i don't think i've ever thought of it in those simple terms. sometimes we overanalyze. >> they say john's message needs only a postscript to civilians, talk about it. >> there's other people that care about you and want you to ask for help. >> reporter: help that can come from the smallest of sources as most simple of words. >> what do you hope happens to your message? >> it becomes true.

>> for today, nbc news, huntsville, alabama. >> amazing little boy. coming up, when courage is in fashion. the breast cancer patient putting a beautiful face on a brutal disease. >> after your local news. ♪ ♪ ♪ [ female announcer ] nothing gets you going quite like the power of quaker. today is going to be epic. quaker up. tell me i'm beautiful. tell me we'll grow old together. in sickness and in health. tell me that i'm still the one. that you need me. that i'm your super hero! tell me you'll never let me go.

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7:56 is your time now on this thursday, february 7, 2013. good morning. i'm eun yang. today the man convicted of killing chandra levy will appear in a d.c. courtroom. the judge ordered him to return from bam but it is not clear why. it could be related to recent closed-door hearings about the credibility after key

. good morning. all over the region, cloudy, 20s. few scattered flurries, southern fauquier, culpeper. those are passing to the east. south of the metro area. and cloudy the rest of the day. highs in the low 40s. might get a bit of a wintry mix late tonight and rain likely tomorrow. how is traffic? >> checking on an accident in the district, if you are traveling east capitol street, closed right now between 1st street and 3rd street because of a crash there. also seeing closures along 2nd street. this is between a street and independence avenue. please use caution. 395 northbound, earlier accident at edsall, it is

8:00 now on this thursday morning, the 7th day of february, 2013. boy, did we feel it, the temperature is dropping here in new york city, tidings of things to come. 31 degrees out on our plaza this morning. snow is on the way. how much snow and when? al will have his forecast in a minute. >> i will. >> savannah guthrie and matt lauer and the aforementioned weather man al roker. >> a big weekend for snl, in the building just across the street from us this weekend. that guy there, justin bieber, will be hosting snl and will be the musical guest. that brings the family to town.

this morning pattie mallette, justin's mom is in our studio. lots to talk to her about. we'll do that in a couple minutes. >> we are also going to meet a much younger star, 2-year-old titus, who became an internet sensation sinking all these baskets. he is live in our studio. matt says he can dunk on him. look at this kid. he's amazing. we'll see how good coming up live in just a minute. >> before we get to that, natalie is over at the news desk with today's headlines. >> i'm so impressed by titus. thanks savannah, matt, al. more than 10 million americans are bracing for this massive storm that's threatening to pummel the northeast and dump 2 feet of snow on parts of new england. forecasters say wind gusts reaching 75 miles an hour could also cause coastal flooding. blizzard watches are being posted and airlines are preparing for significant travel disruption. white house

counter-terrorism chief john brennan facing tough questions about u.s. drone strike policy. at a senate confirmation hearing to head the cia. on wednesday president obama ordered the justice department to provide congress with classified documents on the legal justification for using drones to target american terror suspects overseas. the fbi says no additional explosives were found in the underground bunker where gunman jimmy lee dikes held a 5-year-old alabama schoolboy hostage for six days. the child, known as ethan, seen her in photos taken before his ordeal. two pipe bombs were safely removed after the police raid monday that rescued the boy and killed dikes. the u.s. anti-doping agency has granted to lance armstrong an extra two weeks to decide if he'll speak with investigators under oath about his use of performance enhancing drugs. meantime a dallas company is suing armstrong to recover $12 million it paid him in bonuses for winning the tour de france

seven times. now for a look at what's trending today, a quick roundup has you talking online. the dog whose human-like face became an internet sensation is now up for adoption. take a look at these pictures of tonic. it melted hearts online after the poodle shih tzu mix was rescued and sent to an animal welfare group in indiana. david beckham's new body wear ad has him dashing through los angeles wearing little more than tattoos. it has had more than a million youtube views in one day. a little controversy here. some twitter users think a beckham look alike, body double, may have been spotted in some scenes. a woman in tel aviv has to fight back after her car was towed after being parked in a handicapped spot. the trouble is it wasn't a handicapped when she parked

there. she showed city workers painting the markers around her car before towing it and slapping her with fines. the video vindicated her after she posted it on her facebook page. city officials are now apologizing and waiving their fines. can you believe that? 8:04, back outside to al with a check of the weather. >> that is amazing. smart lady. went to the videotape. you guys got a dance going? >> yes. >> where? >> next weekend, penn state dance marathon supporting pediatric state, marathon. supporting pediatric cancer. >> let's see what we have for you. big storm system getting itself to the. we have been telling you about it. snow advisories, we've got freezing rain advisories back through the great lakes. in the northeast, winter storm watches and blizzard watches. wind gusts up to 75 miles per hour. with coastal flood watches as well from new york up into bar harbor. looking at that time two systems coming together. they will merge. transfer energy off the coast.

and then we have a lot of snow and a lot of wind and that's why we have blizzard watch necessary effect. snowfall amounts, take a look. we are talking about anywhere from 6 to 9 inches of snow from buffalo, new york, just to the north of new york city. but the big numbers from providence, boston, manchester, portland, two feet or more and it won't be out of the question for some areas to pick up three feet of snow out of this system. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. we are feeling the effects of that. just with clouds rolling in right now. maybe a pew scattered flurries throughout the day today and later tonight. maybe a little bit of snow and sleet mixing in maybe late evening before mid might and until about 2:00 in the morning. it is going to be melting on roadways. elsewhere just rain. tomorrow, more rain likely for the whole region. and ending by friday evening, maybe as a period of snow showers and some flurries with strong, gusty winds friday night into saturday. cold saturday. bit warmer

>> and that's your latest weather. >> thanks. coming up, justin bieber's mom, we'll chat with her live. then we'll shoot some hoops with titus, the 2-year-old basketball phenom. later, jenna bush-hager with the real cia agent behind the movie "argo." but first these messages. focus, not their short-term agenda. [ woman ] if you have the nerve to believe that cookie cutters should be for cookies, not your investment strategy. if you believe in the sheer brilliance of a simple explanation. [ male announcer ] join the nearly 7 million investors who think like you do: face time and think time make a difference. join us. [ male announcer ] at edward jones, it's how we make sense of investing.

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there has been a lot of talk in recent years about adhd and drugs that help people cope. this morning a heartbreaking story about a family in virginia who lost their son after his struggles with a pill prescribed for that disorder. they thought their son was on a path to success. >> he planned on doing some great things. >> richard fee was an athlete with a full scholarship to college, college class president and an honors graduate trying to get into medical school. >> he was your normal, every day kid, active. good grades in school. it just all came easy to him. >> but when he moved back home after college in 2009, his family discovered he was taking medication for adhd.

>> when he told me, i said, you don't have adhd. why are you taking it? he said, well, it helps me study. >> these medications do enhance your ability to focus, be attentive, have a little bit more energy, be able to sustain your attention and study for a longer period of time and that's something a lot of kids desire. >> after low scores on the medical college admission test, his parents said he began taking much higher doses of adderall then prescribed and having mood swings. they barely recognized their son. he was suffering from dilutions and paranoia. >> it was tough to watch, watch him go through that. >> so the the fees complained to the doctors who prescribed the drugs. >> it was having drastic effects. we went to these doctors to get it stopped. they wouldn't listen to us. >> the fees grew scared of their own son, locking their bedroom door at night. in late 2011, richard fee hanged himself in his bedroom closet.

>> i believe the doctors share in the responsibility. >> "new york times" reporter allen schwartz first reported the story. >> it wasn't the medication that did the harm here. it was the people in charge of the medication. >> two of the psychiatrists who prescribed adderall to richard fee would not talk on camera. the doctor who works at this virginia beach clinic who said, i am saddened, not as much as they are, by the death. he was a wonderful young man. he told "new york times," he was pitching me very well. i was asking him very specific questions and he was very good at telling me the answers in a very specific way. and quote, i do feel partially responsible for what happened to this kid. >> richard's family joins us now. his parents rick and kathy and his younger sister. dr. nancy snyderman, nbc's chief medical editor.

my condolences on your loss. when richard came home in 2009 and you learned he had been taking medication for adhd, did you know how long he had been taking it? >> we didn't know. he like many kids got adderall from fellow kids in college. >> was it years, two years he had been taking it? did you ever figure that out? >> he started getting prescriptions in 2008. >> at least a year. >> at least a year. >> just to be clear, he had never, ever been diagnosed with adhd? had there been problems in school earlier? teachers, administrators saying he had some kind of learning problem? >> he never showed any signs. from the research i had done, when it shows up in adults, there's usually signs through early childhood. no signs through elementary school, middle school. >> you tell the story he really started to have problems when he started taking higher doses. you confronted the doctors.

something you said in that spot, they would not listen to you. you're concerned parents, concerned for the safety and healthy of your son and you couldn't get information? >> we couldn't get any information from the doctor prescribing. he basically wouldn't speak to us on any level. not as a doctor speaking to a parent or a human being. >> privacy reasons? >> he stated he had talked to a previous family and he got sued. he was worried about himself. >> this is hipaa. >> this is downside of patient privacy where doctors have to have some common sense, when they see a child in crisis -- even though we're talking about a young adult, still a child, abusing prescription drugs, underlying psychiatric problems and it's time to loop the family. >> from the company who makes adderall, here is a statement. a schedule 2 controlled substance, the package soeshs risks with incorrect dosage,

abuse and recommends doctors properly monitor patients. this is not recommended for patients with a history of drug abuse. adderall is one of many prescription drugs subject to abuse. do you have any doubt your son was addicted physically and emotionally to this drug? >> i have no doubt at all, absolutely none. it's a very dangerous drug. it changed him from the person that he was to what he became. we just could not get any help from the doctors, as much as we pleaded with them and told them what was going on. >> rare, extreme? are we looking at one case that is not representative of the total? >> yes. but one kid dead is too many. so we have to remember that when properly diagnosed, that means with testing, locate a child's history, and the lowest dose necessary, it can be a great drug. but 50, 60, 70, 80 milligrams, a child exhausting a month's supply in 14 days, those are huge warning signs and psychosis and paranoia that comes with it,

it's a real crash and burn scenario. >> one doctor charles parker talking about prescribing the drug said he was pitching me very well. i was asking him specific questions. he was very good at telling me answers in a very specific way, making it sound like your son knew exactly what he was doing in trying to continue his use, because he was addicted. >> correct. that's correct. at the same time before we saw dr. parker, he was seeing a therapist. i actually sat down and talked to her and told her the issues and what was going on. you know, she was trying to work with us. but still the next month richard went back and they increased the dosage of the adderall. that's what we don't understand. >> the helplessness you felt as a family, as parents, i want you to bring you in at the end. you're a student. >> yes. >> is this something you hear a lot about at school? clearly your family has a cautionary tale. is this something you hear and see about?

>> everyone is joking, exams come up and they say i need an adderall to stay up all night. i hear it in the library. >> it's a reminder, the face of drug addiction is white suburban kids that can get their hands on medication. it doesn't mean you have to be down and out. >> properly used. >> properly used fine. when you gain the system, these kids know what to say to doctors. when you can buy something for $5 or $10 bucks from your roommate, we're in a crisis. >> in case there are other richards out there, i think it's great you're coming forward sharing this story, and i know how painful it is. we appreciate it. we'll be right back after this. the capital one cash rewards card gives you 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 50% annual bonus. and everyone likes 50% more... [ midwestern/chicago accent ] cheddar! yeah! 50 percent more [yodeling] yodel-ay-ee-oo. 50% more flash.

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back at 8:20, justin bieber just reached a major career milestone. he's now the youngest artist to have five chart topping albums in a weekend. he's appearing on "saturday night live" as host and musical guest. one person sure to be watching is justin's mom pattie mallette. good to see you. we want to talk about justin. this is an exciting weekend. one of the reasons you're here, you wanted to talk about your involvement in a movie called crescendo. >> yeah. >> this tells the story of beethoven's mother who while she

was pregnant attempted to have an abortion and even attempted suicide while pregnant with beethoven. you were part of this movie, even one of the producers, it's pro-life/anti-abortion purpose. you feel like people are getting the wrong message about what you are trying to say by your participation? >> yeah. i don't feel that it is a pro-life message. people are going to get from it what they want to. it's a true story. it's a historical piece. the reason why i wanted to get involved with this film was because, you know, i lived in a pregnancy home my whole pregnancy with justin. this is going to be used as a tool to raise money for pregnancy centers. so regardless of your stance, pro-life, or whatever it is, i just think that anybody would want to help girls in need if they need a place to stay. >> do you feel misled at all by producers of the film? if the film has this message and

its goal is to -- is an anti-abortion message, are you okay with that? i guess i'm confused about what your position is. >> it's not anti- -- to my knowledge, it's not an anti-abortion message, anti-abortion film. it's just the story of beethoven's mom. she tried to have an abortion, she tried to commit suicide and was unsuccessful. that's just the plot and line of it. >> you wrote in your book a lot about how hard it was to be -- to have an unplanned pregnancy. >> yes. >> how the pregnancy center helped you when you were pregnant. >> it helped me so much. for me, i'm not trying to make a political stance. the media says all kinds of stuff about where i stand and what i'm saying. like justin, i'm not trying to get involved in that stuff. so i'm here just to help the girls find a place to stay when they are pregnant and, you know, it really helped me. it saved my life. >> justin is doing snl this weekend. we were talking about it before. he's been the miss cal guest

before. this is the first time he's host and musical guest. is he nervous? are you nervous? >> yes. i think we're both nervous. he's been working all week and practicing and helping write skits. he's excited. >> how is he doing? he's 18 years old now. one of the things you wrote about in your book is how hard it was in a way to let him be part of this music industry because you've seen all the horror stories and you have all those worries. how is it being a mom now as he's getting older and able to make his own decisions? >> it's tough letting go and letting our kids make the mistakes they need to make. i just have to trust that he's made good decisions in the past and hopefully he's learned from some of my mistakes. >> real quickly, of course, everybody watches his personal life. we know about his relationship with selena. i don't know if moms get a vote, but are you hoping they keep it going? >> you know, i just try and support whatever he's wanting, and i think she's a sweetheart.

whatever they decide is great. >> we'll be watching this weekend. pattie mallette, it's great to catch up with you. thanks for being here. >> thank you. >> a reminder, you can see justin bieber on snl 11:30, 10:30 central time on snl. cuteness alert, may be basketball's next biggest thing. >> incredible shots. this video was posted on youtube sunday. already 2 million hits. >> titus is here with his parents kristin and joseph and his siblings. good to see you guys. >> the whole family. >> titus just turned two the end of january. when did he start doing this? when did you notice this? >> a little after he started walking. >> he started shooting baskets. >> when he was little he started snuggling with me and watching nba on the computer. >> i was talking to you in the greenroom and he was like, can i

do more, more? he wants to do it all the time of he says more hoop. so he's been enjoying himself this morning. >> your other kids, did they do similar things when they were titus's age. >> i don't know if any of them were so interested in basketball like that. >> you say he has a video, doesn't like to miss. you have a pretty good percentage. that was tough. >> that looks hard. >> he starts on the little one, goes to the middle one. he's been thinking some on the bigger basket as well. >> and trick shots, too, by the way. >> we got him to do the trampoline shot on the break. >> do you work with him all the time? >> i home school the kids and he is little. so he doesn't really have assignments. so he just runs off to the hoop. >> on the head. >> the rebound shot. >> the next trick shot video, off the brother's head. >> did you play basketball. >> as a hobby, pick up basketball now and then.

>> you want to hand him the ball? we hear that might be the secret. >> all right. >> savannah. >> i want to mention on the side i' good morning. it is 8:26 this thursday, february 7. i'm eric gilchrist. we could have wintry weather headed our way. tom is here with the forecast. >> good morning. cloudy and cold. temperatures are still below freezing. most of the reasonable only, upper 20s to 30 degrees. and storm team 4 radar showing a few scattered flurries. trying to move across northern virginia and into montgomery county. some of them trying to reach the ground. cloudy the rest of the day. high around 40. might get a wintry mix late tonight and little snow and sleet around mid might for an hour or two. melting on roadways. elsewhere rain. more rain off and on for the whole region on friday. and ending friday afternoon. perhaps some flurries and some passing snow showers friday

night into saturday with gusty winds. >> thank you, tom. i.

good morning. tracking an accident. virginia along civil brook road,

lorton road. at one point the intersection was shut down. big delays. sluggish, jammed-up parkway. to get to the beltway it is slow. 38 minutes.

it's 8:30 now on a thursday morning, 7th day of february, 2013. as we say hi to nice diehards here on the plaza, the wind starts to pick up here in the northeast. this is much the calm before the storm. this is supposed to be actually a pretty nice day day. then the snow comes in tomorrow. i'm matt lauer along with

savannah guthrie, natalie morales and al roker. >> we saw the movie "argo." coming up, jenna bush-hager sits down with the agent who was the inspiration for the real story. finding out about the back story. women battling breast cancer, changing the way women diagnosed with the disease with a fashion shoot, showing true courage, all about the disease. >> she's got a fascinating story, took beautiful pictures but took pictures that really show what breast cancer is all about. we'll hear her message coming up. >> savannah and i are scheduled to be in chicago tomorrow, having a little fun in the windy city. we are scheduled to be there, that's our plan. but we are keeping a close eye on this big storm headed to the east coast. part of this storm came through the upper midwest and great lakes area. >> they have some rough weather in chicago and upper midwest right now. that clipper moves through and

then -- i think you guys are going to be okay. >> okay, al. >> chicago, great town to be in. >> that's tomorrow on "today." meanwhile, mr. roker, how >> mr. roker, how about the check of the aforementioned weather? >> we have a lot of heavy weather down to the south. that's the moisture part of this system. up to the north, you can see over iowa, low pressure, that's bringing snow and ice. that's the cold part. that's going to combine off the coast tomorrow. now, we also have today wet weather along the pacific west coast. snow in the rockies. tomorrow rain beginning. by late afternoon, icy conditions. here in the new york area, and snow starting to spread to the north. gale force winds and as you move into new england, sunny and mild. gulf coast on into texas. and the southwest as well. rain making its way into southern california's coastline also. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning. i'm storm team 4 meteorologist tom kierein. cloudy and cold. around 30 degrees.

most of the region. storm team 4 radar showing a few scattered flur's across northern virginia and into parts of maryland. now right now, later today maybe a pew more flurries. but a little brighter chance, maybe of some snow and sleet late commit maybe around mid might briefly melting on roadways. elsewhere rain. more rain off and on for the whole region on friday. could end, though, with some snow showers and gusty >> that's your latest weather. don't forget, get that weather especially with the storm coming in. any time day or night, weather.com online. any time you need a smucker's jar, go to willard. willie. >> smucker's jam, biscuit, nothing like a winter treat. happy birthday to smucker's, we love our treat and we love you. ethel mogil, 100-year-old today from omaha, nebraska. she has a motto, have faith in tomorrow and god will take care

of today. lester haley from lake stevens, in the great state of washington. he's 101 today. proud world war ii veteran. he plays a saxophone, makes bill clinton jealous he's so good. happy birthday to you. rena ayers is 108. st. augustine in florida. she loves to bake things. bakes cakes and cookies and good things. very active in the civil rights marches years ago. how about that. and ervan and pearline frisk, linden, california. 75 years they have been married. they love telling stories. they laugh and have fun. they are friends. can't beat that. rochester, new york, that's a great town, edward statt, he's would not of their favorite sons, 100 years old today. secret to longevity, eat health

yrgs and grow your own veges. helen, take a look at helen, lubeley from st. louis momo. 100-year-old. love st. louis. meet me in st. louis. start add famous bakery, as a matter of fact, lubeley's bakery. sells all sorts of good things. now back to new york. they have got some good bakeries in new york, too, bagels. >> willard, thank you very much. coming up, the story of inspiration for any woman dealing with breast cancer or for anyone who knows someone who is. we'll have that story for you. first this is "today" on nbc.

nope, no. sorry, love to but can't. i'm sorry, she's very busy. enjoy the rich taste of dunkin' mocha lattes and coffees. now in dark chocolate. indulge in one today. america runs on dunkin'. inspiring people all around the world. the suspect, jill conley, a

kentucky woman battling cancer who is out to prove that women with breast cancer can still feel beautiful and sexy. jill is with us now along with her husband and photographer. good morning. i'm going to say at the outset, i don't know if we can do justice to your story in four minutes. let's tree. at the age of 31, six months after you were married to bart you found out you had breast cancer. you've had chemo, radiation, double mastectomy. how are you feeling now? >> today i feel awesome. i have good days and bad days. right now i'm feeling great. >> started with photographs that actually a girlfriend of yours took. what was the purpose of the photograph? >> when i went to seattle, i wanted her to take pictures of me, because i wanted before breast cancer, to turn them in. they don't ever show what breast cancer looks like. they talk about it but don't show it.

i wanted her to take pictures of my breasts, so people can see what cancer looks like. i just wanted people to feel -- know that when you're going through it, before, after, that you can still be beautiful and sexy. that was my whole point of it. >> let's be clear, these photographs are very raw and they are very real. that was kind of your purpose. >> that was my purpose. >> bart, what did you think about this project? >> i mean, just amazing. before i found out that she had cancer, i had never seen it. i know so many men, even women haven't seen it. to me it's just shows how much courage she has but shows everybody how it's okay to be sick and be beautiful like that. i just think it's amazing. >> something really wonderful happened. your friend got in touch with a very renowned portrait photographer. sue, you were giving these photos to critique them as a professor but obviously they touched you. what did you decide to do? >> i was actually teaching a

photography class live on a world broadcast and live in seattle. she contacted me, jill's friend, and asked me to critique them. she writes on the e-mail that jill wanted to tell her story. i have quite an audience. so i thought, if i could just tell her story to my audience, maybe someone could write it and tell the story. then i met jill on skype and i just thought, i have to photograph her. >> you did more than that. you said, i'm flying you to paris for this fabulous shoot. we've been showing some of these pictures. jill, what did that mean to you, to get to have this fairy tale? >> it was a dream come true. i told her in paris for five days i felt like cinderella. i didn't feel like a cancer patient, the way that her and the rest of the girls made me feel was unbelievable. >> part of the photographs, also this documentary that was filmed, this 15 minutes. you can find it online. it's incredibly moving.

once again, jill, you decided to bare all. >> yeah. >> was this a courageous thing to do? >> no. i don't know, i wasn't. you know what, this is what god had a plan for me, and this is what i have. accept it and embrace it and be proud of it and rock it. so that's what i did, and that's what i'm still doing, so i wasn't. >> you're a woman on a mission. that is for sure. what do you hope comes of this. you've had so many views of this video and these pictures. it's had this worldwide resonance. what do you want to happen? >> i just want women and men all around the world just to feel confident with their body even if they don't have cancer. i just want to get the message out to women that if you're diagnosed tomorrow, already were diagnosed just to feel confident and beautiful and accept your body and embrace it. >> i know you have a challenge

for victoria secret, the runway show. >> victoria secret if you're out there, call me. i would love to be able to, not me but any woman wear the million dollar bra and maybe victoria secret have a line for women going through cancer. right now it's very selective. >> these photographs are so beautiful. i think what's really beautiful is you. bart, the love story we see in this documentary is amazing. we wish the best of luck to you. thank you for being here. >> thank you. thank you so much. >> really a pleasure. coming up, we'll talk to jenna bush-hager who tracks down the real cia agent behind the hit movie "argo." first this is "today" on nbc.

. >> we're back at 8:44 with oscar

leader "argo." recently traveled to maryland in search of the cia agent who spearheaded the daring rescue of americans in iran. >> good morning. kevin costa hark inside and robert and a few other names we'll probably never know but his real name is tony mendez, a legend in the cia known as the master of disguise. >> what's your middle name? what's your middle name? shoot him. he's an american spy. >> it's a story that could have been left out of our history books. >> a better idea than this? >> this the best bad idea we have by far. >> that idea was "argo," conceived and implemented by top ranking cia agent tony mendez. he convinced iran that "argo" was a science fiction film and led americans to safety. >> this american hero did this mission to save six lives and did it with this most outrageous

cover story. his ingenuity and inventiveness struck me. >> mendez served as cia's chief of disguise, an artist in charge of creating cover stories to rescue people from dangerous situations. and iran in 1980 was as dangerous as it comes. >> nervous? >> we call it the gut check. when it starts groaning, listen to it, check it out, about 90% and you go. >> this artist's canvas was the world stage of espionage. it was a high-stakes career that took shape seren dip tusly. >> you answered an ad. >> an artist with the u.s. navy. being an artist i answered and ended up in a motel room on the outskirts of denver in an interview with this kind of shady guy who put a bottle of jim beam up on the table and

said, son, this is not the navy. so that was the beginning. >> three decades later, the veil of secrecy is lifted. mendez tells his story for the first time with a new book and film. >> this year in hollywood has been a big year for the cia. >> yes. >> do you feel like they get the essence of what the cia does right? >> mostly movies about the cia, they have the cia guy a deranged assassin. what we're hoping is we're going to start a new trend and make the cia guys loveable. i'm the first loveable spy. >> this retired spy now lives in the blue ridge mountains of maryland trading the art of deception for a different kind of art. he now paints full time. his wife is a photographer, a spy, too. >> i was at cia for 27 years. i worked in the office of technical service where tony

worked. if you needed very special photography cameras concealed in all kinds of things -- >> like what? >> buttons, writing pens, key fobs, perfume atomizers. lipsticks. we were the gadget people. we supported operations around the world. >> i've heard one of your favorite things is when people thank you for your service? >> it's what you do, keep the world safe. people recognize that. that's a good thing. >> no one is thanking you for your service when you work at cia. they don't even know you work at cia. so after the fact to have someone walk up, it is, it brings tears to my eye. >> today mendez's service to his country is front and center. we now know he served in the cold war, faced down enemies at the berlin wall. his story no longer secret. >> never got credit for anything he did, nobody ever knew about

it. one of the things i really wanted to do with this movie is hold him up and say this is an american hero. >> now the film "argo" is trying to make history, too, at the oscars. >> are you hoping "argo" wins? >> are you kidding me? >> that's a yes. >> yeah. >> we'll have our fingers crossed. >> yeah. we'll blow up their car if it doesn't happen. >> i thought you said the cia guys are loveable. >> they are. >> but you don't want to get them on your bad side. >> that's right. >> needless to say iran didn't like the film too much. not only is it banned there, they are coming up with their own version of the movie. mendez says he's going to be sure to watch it, that you always have to keep up with the enemy. he's going to watch it and he wants to see who will play him. >> he has this dry sense of humor. jenna, appreciate. much more on nbc "today."

we're back now, 8:51 with radio show host, sports columnist and best selling author out with his 18th young adult novel called "game changers playmakers." tells the story of a middle school sports star who learns the value of good sportsmanship, which is always a good lesson. mike, always nice to have you here. talk about the book.

twoont ask you about lindsey vaughn. bad skiing accident in austria. torn acl, broken tibia, she says she'll be back to the olympics. can it happen and is there too much pressure to make the comeback? >> the pressure will be sl self-imposed. you now look at what adrian peterson did in the national football league. not everybody is him. the template has been established for how soon. >> you say self-he endorsed, don't huge endorsements that rely on olympic style place pressure on her? >> i think they do. we're going to find out how important one more olympics is to her. because when ryou're in that gy and doing all the stuff she has to do, i don't think you're thinking about dollar signs at the end, you're thinking about gold medals. >> let's talk about the book. you like writing about pressure on young athletes. here comes ben mccain again.

what's going on with him? >> ben has just come out of the football season, thrown a doug flutie pass. >> a hero. >> this is what he would have been like at 11. all of a sudden he gets knocked down big time in basketball. a kid moves in that's a little bigger, a little louder. all of a sudden ben has to ask himself why do i play? because he gets obsessed with beating this kid. >> what's the lesson here? what are you trying to communicate to your young readers, especially those who are athletes? >> not every book can end with somebody throwing the game winning pass. that was a big thing for me. so ben's team is not going to win the championship in this book. he's got to ask himself -- >> you just blew the ending. >> no. because there's a game at the end that feels like a championship. he's going to ask himself why i play. it's about teamwork, it's about friendship and it's about love of the game. he rediscovers that by the end of this book. >> it's funny, because as a parent of two boys and a girl and one boy who is 11 and goes

from baseball to basketball, basketball to baseball, it made me ask the question, how much do we let our kids play. is it good to let them go from one to the next to the next. or would it be good as some parents do, no, you pick one, then take time off. >> matt, every team i coached for my children i'd gather children around, see those adults in the stands, every one of them would change places with you today and be 11 and have one more saturday afternoon to play with and against their friends. and if there's one thing that comes through in my books, i don't feel that these kids think it's a job. in this book it comes to be a job for ben and then he rediscovers his own love of the game. >> i'm not saying it's a job but when you look at an 11-year-old kid that's got three practices a week and then the game and those practices are held during times he could be doing homework, it's a big chunk of time we ask our kids and these kids ask to take on. >> yes. i agree.

it's funny. in my books i never make it more than two practices. i don't break the two practice rule. i think sports, the sports in my books, the lessons that come out of that, the one thing we talked about in another book, it teaches kids how to get back up after they are knocked down. there's a thing that happens that makes people cheer. if somebody had told me when i started writing these books, i was at a middle school yesterday, 500 middle schoolers stood up and cheered talking about books yesterday. something about these books is connecting with them. >> as some books from my childhood as well. glad you keep writing them. 8:55. natalie making a recipe close to your lart after local news.

8:56 is your time now on this thursday, february 7, 2013. good morning. i'm eun yang. big weather changes on the way. let's check in with storm 4 team meteorologist tom kierein. >> feels like a cold february day. lot of cloudiness around and temperatures are still below freezing much of the region.

reagan national, a little above freezing. pew scattered flurries across northern virginia and out into west virginia. trying to reach the ground. greater chance of maybe a mix of some sleet and snow late tonight briefly. melting on roadways. rain elsewhere. rainy on friday. maybe some flurries and snow showers friday night into saturday with gusty winds. >> tom, thank you. danella

good morning. still seeing delays on the beltway traveling the outer loop at new hampshire avenue. just sluggish now. no accidents. your travel speeds to get to i-270, the drive will take you 26 minutes. heading over to 395 slow at the pentagon. delays continue to the 14th

it is thursday morning, february 7th, 2013. we're getting ready in the northeast for what could be some major snow over the next few days, the calm before the storm. we're inside, toasty in studio 1a. i'm willie geist along with al and natalie, jenna bush-hager. good to see you. how are you feeling mama snfr good. >> you look amazing. >> my standard answer as i get bigger by the day. i'm annoyed at myself for even saying it. >> how far along are you now? >> i'm seven months. >> you're barely showing. i predict a boy. i'm just saying. >> 50-50.

she's not having a puppy. >> it may come out -- i keep having dreams it's going to come out a cat. >> wow. >> wow. >> hair ball. >> this is a cat and i can take care of that, a litter box. >> parenting 101. >> your mom on line one. >> how do you predict a boy? >> everybody has the old wives tale. they say with girls your face shape changes, nose grows bigger, other things, more junk in the trunk. you're like a little basketball belly. i don't know if it's true about that. >> everybody said that about debra. i was the one saying she was a girl, everybody else said a boy and it was a girl. >> we'll be happy with healthy baby. my husband hopes a boy but i'll be happy with either. >> healthy baby is all you care

about. >> people come up and say what do you want, boy or girl. i don't know. >> coin toss. >> exactly. we'll see more of this coming up this hour, natalie morales, bolting up the stairs, 17 minutes, 86 floors in 17 minutes. how are you feeling this morning? >> i really did lose my lungs in the race. my legs don't hurt this morning. my lungs are still on fire. it's a 1,000 foot vertical climb. it's probably one of the hardest things i've done. >> natalie, you're amazing. >> iconic new york experience. i loved it. every minute for a great cause and we'll talk about that. >> we'll talk about that. part three, take one, grammys cover-up. grammys broadcast by cbs. you might remember janet jackson burned them on the wardrobe malfunction. they have had some let's say almost nudity over the years at the grammys. a memo has now gone out. this is an example.

this was pink a few years ago. >> that was an incredible act. >> she had to wear that on that thing. >> rihanna with the deep plunge. all the stars do that these days. >> if i was like rihanna, i'd do that. >> katy perry, not sure what that is. >> what are they complaining about? >> the memo goes out. this is from cbs to acts and representatives. among other things be sure buttocks andal fem breasts are adequately covered. >> in other words, guys can have things hanging out. >> nobody wants to see a man. >> thong-type problems are problematic, bare sides or undercurvature of the breast problematic. >> curvature. >> avoid sheer see-through clothing. the network also advising artists to avoid lapel pins for any cause, aids or breast cancer. >> can you wear a flag? >> come on. >> i think the american cause -- >> do you think --

>> it's like waving a red cape in front of a ball. >> you mean lady gaga is not going to show up in an egg. come on. that's the fun stuff. everybody loves that. >> it's the grammys. >> that's a ratings draw. they had huge ratings last year, like 39 million or so viewers last year. i think it was more than the super bowl last year because it was after whitney houston's death. >> let's put them in a sack. >> turtlenecks. >> rock stars view themselves as people who fight the power. you think by putting this memo out they will go twice as hard. >> i wonder if that was by design. >> look at you. take two, ob-gyn facebook getting negative reaction from a lot of people. this is a doctor in st. louis sparking a little outrage after posting on her facebook wall this message about a patient. quote, i think we've got it right here. so i have a patient who has chosen to either no show or be late, sometimes hours, for all of her prenatal visits,

ultrasounds, nsts. she is now three hours late for her induction. may i show up late for her delivery? that's from the doctor. doesn't ever name the patient. >> right. she's been reprimanded, of course. >> she didn't mean to post it publicly. it was supposed to be a private posting and somehow it got out there publicly. >> that's the danger with social media. we've seen those before that didn't mean to post it. have you to have some privacy, i think. >> i have a much bigger issue. you're almost there, honey. who i showing up three hours late to give birth? >> come on. >> i would show up three months early. at that point you're like, please, please, take the baby. >> obviously this is somebody who was very frustrated with a patient. obviously tongue in cheek. i don't know if it was that horrible. >> didn't name the patient. confirmed this this physician's

comments did not represent a breach of privacy laws, they were not inappropriate. reprimanded not hired. >> all i know i have an appointment and i'll be 20 minutes early. >> i was always so excited to go. every month it was like the great visit. it was fun. >> in keeping with our partial nudity theme in take one, back to it in tape three. bare it like beckham. not a super bowl ad but maybe better, depending who you are. david beckham with a new add out for h & m. you can see what he's doing here. got his bathrobe caught in the door saying good-bye to his family and tries to catch up to it in a neighborhood in los angeles in nothing but his scivvies. >> it's a good ad. >> he's selling himself. >> it's interesting because conspiracy theorists out there this morning saying maybe he had a body double. >> does he need a body double? >> no way.

>> i'm physically my own body double. >> no, you're not. >> we're all waiting to find out his next move, where he goes. paris, leaving galaxy. >> he picks the right teams, doesn't he? l.a., paris. >> lucky man. >> he'll go out on top in style. >> jenna bush-hager thank you. >> i've learned my lesson. >> that's right. everyone gets you a bag of kitty litter. >> in the news this morning as we've been talking about it all morning long people in the northeast bracing for a blizzard that could dump 2 feet of snow, maybe more in some areas. blizzard watches for parts of rhode island, long island, parts of massachusetts. forecasters say two storms will merge and become a significant nor'easter. al is going to give us more details on this coming up shortly. cia director nominee john brennan faces tough questions at his confirmation hearing. big topic is certain to be drone

strikes and the administration's rational for targeting americans suspected of being operational leaders of al qaeda overseas. hours before the hearing the white house is giving some members of congress a classified justice department memo detailing the legal grounds for those drone strikes. today house democrats are expected to unveil their own proposals on gun control. according to the associated press, the plan calls for banning assault weapons, requiring background checks for all gun sales and barring ammunition magazines that carry more than 10 rounds. proposals come two months after the shootings at sandy hook elementary school. the pentagon is cutting back the number of aircraft carriers in and around the persian gulf from two to one because of budget cuts. the move is expected to save several hundred million dollars. there have been two carriers in the region, though, for the last two years. researchers say there's a new strain of whooping cough out there that may be resistant to

the vaccine used for decades. last year was the worst year for whooping cough in the u.s. in more than 50 years. health officials think this new strain may be the reason why. the new germ was first found in france, japan and finland. now it's been found here in the u.s. . and one day after the u.s. postal service announced the end of saturday home mail delivery, in belgium the postal service there is adding something, chocolate flavored stamps. they are especially made to taste and smell like chocolate, definitely worth a second lick. no calories either, i don't think. a massachusetts man hoping his 14-year-old daughter will spend more time hitting the textbooks by staying away from facebook. he drew up a contract and agreed to pay his daughter $200 if she quits facebook until the end of the school year. she changed her log in.

he said the whole thing was rachel's idea and he's proud of her. i don't know. $200. >> she should have held out for more. >> a bundle, e-mail, facebook, twitter. >> a lot of people worried about whether or not they are going to get where they are going today and tomorrow. >> they should be. a potentially dangerous storm. let's show what you we have. natalie mentioned, we have snow advisories, blizzard watches, winter storm watches, winter storm warnings from the great lakes into new england. and the northeast. from today until tomorrow. plus dangerous winds and coastal flood watches from new york up to bar harbor. we are looking for two storms, two pieces of energy combining off the coast and creating one massive nor'easter which will bring moisture from the south, cold air from the north and winds of up to 75 miles per hour gusts and these are the snowfall amounts we are talking about. anywhere from 2069 inches of snow from buffalo to new york. but along the new england coast,

we are looking at 24 inches plus from providence up to portland. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> right now, we have a few scattered flurries showing up on storm team 4 radar. i'm storm team meteorologist tom kierein. those are passing west to east across northern virginia right now. out of west virginia. later today just cloudy. highs up around 40. we are just near freezing now. then a mix possible late tonight and maybe a little snow and sleet late tonight. changing to rain. all over the region. then rainy through the day on friday. highs in the 40s. and then friday night into saturday could get passing snow and that's your latest weather. >> all right, al. thanks a lot. busy morning for natalie. she's running up the empire state building, now she's going to share a recipe from her past in today's melting pot when we come back. into a new era. garnier invents olia... our first ammonia-free permanent haircolor, powered by oil. a major technological breakthrough.

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this morning we're kicking off a new series, "today's" melting pot where we share great dishes with family memories that have significance for us. we want to urge you to create your own. i'm kicking off telling about one of my favorite dishes, empanada. for my family empanada has been a tradition from my grandmother making empanada's in puerto rico to my own mother's version as they have been passed on and passed on. what's great, they are an appetizer. at the same time it's filling. it can almost be a stand alone meal. the kids love them. that's a selling point. wherever you go, south america,

latin america, caribbean, every country has a version of the empanada, whether it's more sweet and savory, more of a corn casing on the outside. you can usually tell where you are based on the empanada. latin families were known for big family gatherings. any holiday meal, generally the centerpiece of that meal are empanadas. to me cooking and sharing family recipes is about history. my kids always see me cooking. when they grow up they will think of the smells and memories. i think it's something i'm always conscious of. >> and for our cooking lesson today we brought in the true expert cookbook author and host, daisy martinez. good to have you here with my favorite recipe. you have your own special memory of empanada.

>> everyone does, what mommy does, abuela. >> you say you like it, the pie on the fly. >> it's like little frozen things. you can put anything in it, anything. something as humble and cheddar cheese, nothing you can't put in an empanada. >> chicken empanada. you start prosecute sofrito. >> aromatic, onions and garlic. >> buy that in the grocery, goya section. >> or make your own. >> i've seen it ready made. >> shredded chicken, left over chicken. i saute sofrito in garlic oil. pretty red seeds you steam in olive oil gently. what is this? >> spanish olives. it's nice.

you have like a sweet and savory take as well on empanadas like you do. i put raisins, you put these, which is really cool. they come frozen. >> a slice, dies, cumin, clove, a nice spice. cook that down. ends up with -- >> the filling. >> make a little shell. sure. some make them from scratch. but you really can buy them ready made. >> i'd rather cheat on this than on the sofrito, because you're able to control the flavor more. you want to wet the rim, right? >> yeah. >> we can either crimp it like you did yours with a fork or make a pretty flute. >> all ingredients are becoming

more readily available, with the spanish population. >> i was in portland, maine. i went to the supermarket, they had seven different kinds. it was unbelievable. >> this is a great appetizer, as i said. >> a snack. >> you can do the fork method. you fry yours. i like to bake. >> you have the option. >> those look delicious. they cook very quickly, which is great. a golden brown. >> you know what, i used to like to make empanadas for the kids when they got home from school, with a little juice. >> healthy snack. >> put veges in there. clean out the refrigerator and make empanadas. >> you can freeze them, too. >> just like this. >> you put them on a sheet tray or in baggies, wrapped in wax paper, absolutely delicious. >> right before a big event, pop

them in the oven. you're good to go. i have to dig in here. you have this great salad. >> arugula, green apple. >> amazing. >> aren't they beautiful. >> i'm going to do that. i'm stealing your recipe. >> i'm sharing it with you. >> by the way, you can do meat, anything. >> vegetarian, cheese, potatoes, whatever you like. >> fantastic. thanks for kicking off our series for us. >> thank you for having me, natalie. >> coming up, his and hers valentines gifts right after >> coming up, his and hers valentines gifts right after 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

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loving those empanadas. >> you eat those before you run up the empire state building. >> extra energy, great carbo loading. >> ran up 86 floors. >> we'll tell you why i did it coming up after your local news. nature's true celebrities aren't always the most obvious. it's more than being glamorous,

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good morning. it is 9:26 this thursday, february 7. i'm aaron gilchrist. big winter storm on the way. what will we get? tom is here with the forecast. >> it will be sort of developing over us but really intensifying sxhorth east of the metro area. right now around the region, we are just getting a little bit above freezing. around the metro area. elsewhere, still just in the upper 20s and low 30s. later today, we might have a few scattered flurries. like we are getting now, showing up on storm team 4 radar across parts of northern virginia, west virginia. those are heading off to the east. could get a little bit of a mix tonight of some snow and sleet late tonight and then maybe freezing rain, too. pre-dawn friday, changing to all rain.

rainy the rest of the day. maybe ending with wind and snow showers provide might into

good morning. caution in the district. if you are traveling along westbound main avenue, 7th street in southwest the right

lane is blocked by an uncovered manhole. be aware of that. stick to the left. 14th street bridge, heading to the district, still slow this morning. you are delayed, about 22 minutes to get from the beltway to the almost tastes like one of jack's cereals. fiber one. uh, forgot jack's cereal. [ jack ] what's for breakfast? um... try the number one! yeah, this is pretty good. [ male announcer ] over a third of a day's fiber. fiber one. ♪ shimmy, shimmy chocolate.

♪ shimmy, shimmy chocolate. ♪ we, we chocolate cross over. ♪ yeah, we chocolate cross over. ♪ [ male announcer ] introducing fiber one 80 calorie chocolate cereal. ♪ chocolate. hey, that go daddy super bowl commercial you did was great. it was my favorite. >> that's, jay. that's sweet. >> any chance we could we create the ad? >> sure. pucker up. >> oh, jay. >> he went there. >> open the eyes. >> the mouth was open. >> oh, my gosh. >> give props for dave. >> i'll give him shots. >> that guy, jesse, is on fire.

>> open mouth kiss for jay. i'm willie geist with al roker. you're going to be on fallon. >> are you google to try any of that on fallon. >> no. maybe with quest love. >> anything up his sleeve? >> i'm sure he does, knowing jimmy. >> you'll find out when you get there. coming up, our resident slacker natalie went out for a little jog last night, up more than 1500 stairs to the top of the empire state building. she did it in 17 minutes. >> next year you guys are so doing this with me. >> we have a thing that night. >> if we can take the elevator. >> and you did it for a good cause. >> i did. we're going to tell you about multiple myeloma research foundation, what it's all for in a little bit. one week from today, just a reminder, valentine's day. this year why not treat yourself and sweetie with a gift for two. i like this idea. >> like half the price.

>> giving yourself your own present. >> we like that. we're going to go house hunting across the country with bosch ra corcoran who has got beautiful homes for $500,000 or less. first, everyone is looking for a way to save a few bucks and we want to help you. tomorrow the third hour of "today" will be dedicated to ways of keeping as much money in your wallet as possible. show you apps to shop smarter and good budget dinner options. >> in what ways are you careful with your money. tweet us your best advice at #mysavingtip. >> al, everyone is al, the for >> #blizzardofthecentury. >> it is going to be a big one. >> low pressure getting itself together over the gulf. another clipper coming across the great lakes. lot of wet weather in the

southeast. we have rain in the mid mississippi river valley. snow in the great lakes. rain along the pacific northwest coast. tomorrow that system gets itself together, developing snow, and northeast and new england. rain along the mid atlantic coast. sunny but cold. pacific northwest. snow in the central and northern rockies. sunny and mild for the texas gulf coast through the gulf coast and on into florida. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning, cloudy temperatures now low and mid 30s. and storm teem 4 radar showing a pew sprinkles. few flurries aloft. love of it not reaching the ground. don't have reports of any not reaching the ground. later today maybe a mix late tonight. maybe of some snow, sleet, maybe a little freezing rain around midnight. and pre-dawn into friday. lot of rain around the region during day tomorrow. and then on saturday, from late friday night into saturday morning, some that's your latest weather. now mr. romance. >> all right, al. thanks.

this morning on "today" celebrates valentine's day his and her gifts, something nice for the one you love. why not treat yourself while you're at it. lifestyle editor for gilt.com. >> let's point out at the beginning of the segment, you're a happily married woman, i'm a happily married man but we're going to do his and hers gifts. >> we are for sure. >> matching iphone covers. >> have you ever seen a more romantic iphone cover? >> i haven't seen a lot of romantic ones. >> if you put the two halves together, you have a perfect union. this really works with what you've got going on here, with your outfit. hi, honey, please buy me a great valentine's day gift. >> there would be times you would put the phones together. isn't that sweet? >> isn't that adorable. >> now, this one is a little more like an s&m thing. >> this is more macho.

still, you can totally pull this off. this is from etsy, studs revolution. starting at just $38. >> here is where things start to get complicated. these are chap sticks. explain them to me. >> they are called kiss sticks. >> you've got cream. i've got peaches. if we were both to put them on, do this. and if we were to actually kiss right now, guess what we'd have? >> what? >> peaches and cream. >> no, al, that's not going to happening on "today" this morning. there's some kind of chemical reaction that takes place when you make out. >> yes. there's a chemical reaction and it becomes a completely different flavor. it's pretty exciting. >> wow, people have to decide that one for themselves. this one, you're a little territorial if you're branding your food at all. >> there's no cuter way to say that steak is mine than with

your own his and her branding set. these are from man cave. this is manly. >> do a lot of people do this, branding food? >> sure. from toast to steak to really anything at all. >> cool. still the peaches and cream, thinking about that. >> isn't that beautiful? >> what have we got here? >> after valentine's dinner we have to talk about drinks. great his and her glass sets. mr. and mrs. just to remind everyone you're together all the time. these are from furbish. if you're bonnie and clyde, flasks. >> say you like beer, i like boxed wine. >> do you like boxed wine? >> i do. >> i like that. >> here everybody is happy. a lip and moustache glass set. >> none of this stuff is terribly expensive.

>> not at all. no need to break the bank. forget about matching pajamas. >> i will. >> it's all about the his and her boxer shorts for valentine's day. these are from zeke and cha cha. you and your valentine could be wearing sushi boxers. >> nothing sexier. >> indeed. or lovebird boxers. i think these would be great. >> these more popular with women wearing boxers. >> these are popular with couples in general. i think these are a really great way to have a lot of fun. >> here we go, more pillows. >> just what i need on the bed, more pillows. >> al loves the pillow. >> if your valentine has the i and half the heart and the other valentine has the other half of the hurt and u. i heart you. a constant reminder of your love. >> what's this guy doing on this

one? >> he's climbing towards the valentine. these start at just $29. these are from personalized presents. >> okay. love sweet starts. >> sweets for your sweet. >> these i have not seen. >> you want to go big or go home when it comes to candy. you can always do a tiny little chocolate set but that's not going to get you far. you want a big old giant sweet tart. >> that closes the deal. >> doesn't it. >> you don't need the peaches and cream anymore. >> come on in here. >> come on. >> nothing on you two. >> you have peaches, i've got cream. >> this is where we go to commercial. >> do we agree this is bar refaeli situation. peaches and cream. >> i know what i'm doing. >> i think fallon is going to

have some fun. that was cute. >> delicious. >> good stuff. >> thank you. >> coming up next, natalie conquers the empire state building right after this. [ female announcer ] there are lots of different ways to say get well to your loved ones. ♪ this came for you, mommy. [ female announcer ] but it takes the touch of kleenex® brand, america's softest tissue, to turn a gesture into a complete gift of care. [ barks ] send your own free kleenex® care pack... full of soothing essentials at kleenex.com. kleenex®. america's softest tissue. you know how painful heartburn can be. for fast, long lasting relief, use doctor recommended gaviscon®. only gaviscon® forms a protective barrier that helps block stomach acid from splashing up- relieving the pain quickly. try fast, long lasting gaviscon®.

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she can't always move the way she wants. now you can. with stayfree ultra thins. flexible layers move with your body while thermocontrol wicks moisture away. keep moving. stayfree. between peaches and cream is the great natalie morales, who had a great rin her life.

you've run a lot of great races, triathlons, marathons. >> this is one of the best i've done, running up an iconic building with amazing company. i conquered the empire state building run up step by step. it towers over manhattan at 1,450 feet tall. >> whoa, what was i thinking? 1,576 steps, but here i go to the top of the world. every step is for a good cause, to raise money for the multiple myeloma research foundation. >> going to be fun. >> sally, the multiple myeloma patient and she's running up with me. >> i did it last year. wow, it was tough. i said i would never, ever do it again, and here i am. >> we'll run this together, all right? >> before we started the 86-story climb, i needed a few tips. >> a few steps at a time. >> a few steps at a time. generally you're going to use

your hands. i see you've got something going on but use your upper body when you can and pace yourself. >> meet you at the top. >> go. >> hardest thing i've ever done. >> that's what i'm talking about, willie and al, next year, you guys up here. doesn't get better than this. >> amazing. >> thank you.

it was amazing. it's really hard to do, but it's nothing compared to what people are dealing with multiple myeloma, a rare type of blood cancer. it is fatal. anything i can do to help raise awareness for a great cause. the team was fantastic. my thanks to them for letting me tag along and giving me a spot. >> you said your legs -- >> my lungs are still burning. all night i was coughing. it really is the hardest lung workout ever. it's a legworkout but it's the lung workout. >> oh, my gosh. wow. >> willie. >> i got you some ben gay. this is for me. >> you guys should sit next to each other. go ahead. i don't want to get in the middle. >> thank you. >> gratz. well done. >> that was funny. >> congratulations, natalie. up next, homes across the

country. an open house tour after this. [ female announcer ] switch to swiffer sweeper, and you'll dump your old broom. but don't worry, he'll find someone else. ♪ who's that lady? ♪ who's that lady? ♪ sexy lady ♪ who's that lady? [ female announcer ] swiffer sweeper's electrostatic dry cloths attract and lock dirt, dust, and hair on contact to clean 50% more than a broom. it's a difference you can feel. swiffer gives cleaning a whole new meaning. and now swiffer wet and dry refills are available with the fresh scent of gain. there's two things you should know. and now swiffer wet and dry refills one... they're free. two... it's called "ez," but it's not as easy as you think. if there's a refund out there, i'm gonna catch it and bring it back to ya. tell me i'm beautiful. tell me we'll grow old together. in sickness and in health. tell me that i'm still the one.

that you need me. that i'm your super hero! tell me you'll never let me go. tell me you miss me. that's all i need. [ female announcer ] for everything they need to hear this valentine's day, there's a hallmark card. ♪ shimmy, shimmy chocolate. ♪ shimmy, shimmy chocolate. ♪ we, we chocolate cross over. ♪ yeah, we chocolate cross over. ♪ [ male announcer ] introducing fiber one 80 calorie chocolate cereal. ♪ chocolate. 80 calorie chocolate cereal. go olive garden's three course italian dinner, just $12.95. choose one of five new entrees like parmesan potato crusted chicken. plus soup or salad and finish with dessert. 3 courses, just $12.95! go olive garden! a lipstain with wet shine! lipcolor... l'oreal creates caresse wet shine stain: the light weight formula delivers lasting color plus shine with 30% water.

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for under $500,000. today real estate expert and our brick house, barbara corcoran has a nice mix of beautiful homes. >> crazy mix. >> let's start in the northeast, pennsylvania, elkins park. this one you say has great curb appeal. >> great curb appeal, like a stately updated colonial. to my eye looks like a mini white house, 12 miles from philadelphia. the best time to shoot a house is in the spring. this is a perfect example of it. you've got to plan ahead and take the shots in the spring when you're planning on selling. this is a great room, wood floors, fireplace, furnishings are sadly a bit dated but that's easy to fix, move your own in. picture window, stone walls, the owner loves salmon. the blue and white kitchen, white cabinets and tile top center island and large square master bedroom is 16 by 16, plenty of space here with extra

wide baseboards and lots of closet space. >>et's go a little contemporary, reno nevada. this one little ranch style home cost $469,000. >> quiet community known for ponds and walking trails. people love living here. beautiful curb appeal from the front. the living room is beautiful, windows, exposed beams on the ceiling, fireplace, it really pops there. great example how to sell a room if you want to sell a house. >> dramatic. >> kitchen has expensive cherry wood cabinets, windows over the sink. i could sit all day. >> that doesn't look real. >> almost like a tv set or fish bowl. it is real and those views come with the house. master bedroom has wood floors and unusual trio angled windows. you don't see that. kind of weird but works. fully finished basement, doesn't look like a basement, has five windows in a row and plenty of

light and plenty of space, just a spare room. >> one of my favorite places, missoula, montana. >> one of the few guys that can say that word. everybody mispronounces it including me. this is a log cabbon, almost like you're serving it up. that's the terrace area, beautifully landscaped, only three miles from the base of the ski area. it comes with 25 spectacular acres and includes large timbered gazebo out by the fire pit there. people love that in this part of the country. they like buying it. they never use it. there it is. the home is constructed of oversized logs. i haven't seen this in a decade. >> you like it. >> i love it. look how beautiful that is. i love it. picture perfect. 15 foot cathedral ceilings. what a home. pretty windows look out on miles of woodland. usual in this part of the country, usual run-of-the-mill deer, elk, black bear, mountain lions. who wouldn't want to sleep in

that bedroom. >> barbara corcoran, good to see you. >> more on "today" but first this is "today" on nbc.

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coming up tomorrow we have a big show, a full hour about saving money for you, how to do everything cheaper in 2013, from shopping to cooking. up next, instant makeovers with kathie lee and hoda. >> speaking of hoda,

9:57 is your time on this thursday, february 7, 2013. good morning. i'm eun yang. let's go straight to meteorologist tom kierein for a look at your forecast. >> lot of cloudiness around the metro area. clouds will be with us into the afternoon. and temperatures are just now getting above freezing, much of the metro area into the mid 30s. we are bogey to continue to hold steady in the mid 30s another couple of hours. storm team 4 radar showing a few

flurries trying to reach the ground. don't have any reports of them reaching the ground yet. they are suspended for now. maybe get a few pluries and sleet later tonight and pre-dawn on friday. then all rain the rest of the day on friday. and maybe ending as snow showers, gusty winds friday night into saturday. how's traffic? >> still checking on the situation in southwest. traveling westbound, 7th street. stick to your left lane. right lane has a manhole. >> looking for a unique way to celebrate the chinese new year. co

. from nbc news this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> hey, hey, everybody, it is thirsty thursday. it's february 7th. >> we're back. >> we're back on the sauce. >> today it's pear-cranberry sparklers. a little pear nectar and cranberry juice and prosecco. >> we will be in california tomorrow. >> we are going to be doing an

interview that we need your help with. friday night at 5:30 pacific time out at santa monica place, okay -- you all know where that is. >> i don't. >> we'll be doing an interview with blake that's going to air next week. >> blake shelton. >> enough said. >> come at 5:30. we're going to be rolling -- they have to come at 5:30. >> saturday -- look at the screen and memorize it. saturday, 10:00 a.m., 12:00, and 2:00. we're doing three shows. sunday, 10:00 and noon, and then there's more to come, and it's first come first serve so there will be a lot of push and shoving to get a seat. >> fist-to-cuffs will break out. >> 12th and 13th. >> 10:00, 12:00, and 2:00. >> don't -- >> i can't see that far, hoda. >> and then wednesday 10:00 and 1:00. get on the train. >> right on the train. >> i don't know. we're getting out of here right

on time. >> oh, my gosh. >> i don't like it when they call things franken-storms. everything depends on how those two converge together. we all remember what we went through with sandy, and many of us are still going through it with different things. i mean, you weren't affected at all in the city with the apartment. >> not in the city, but you saw what happened to everybody else. this storm, it's -- in terms of where you live, they keep sort of changing how -- what the snow amounts are going to be like. apparently boston and a lot of the northeast up there is going to really get socked. we could get a lot of snow or we could get a few inches. it depends on what happens with the track. >> we'll be sure to tune in on the news and see how much everybody got. >> from the sun. >> you know, the grammys are there while we're there. did we plan this? >> we didn't plan it that way, but there will be a lot of happening. it's hard to even get tickets on a plane -- >> the hotels are -- >> yeah. we did it, and we're going to be there. >> here's the deal with the grammys. there is apparently a memo that came out at cbs, and they don't

want to see any side boob. >> no side boob, no butt crack, no -- >> we have to read this. it's crazy. >> please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of your buttocks. >> i love that word. >> and buttock crack. it says here. bare thighs or under curvature of the breasts. can you believe someone is writing that? is also problematic. >> problematic. >> please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples. please be sure the genital region -- >> somebody got excited. >> please be sure -- listen. look at this one. >> with some guys it's so easy. you just say the word. >> please be sure the genital region. >> what region? the general region. >> look. there so no visible puffy bare skin exposure. >> what does that even mean? >> what puffy are they talking

about? cbs says it shouldn't have been written down in a memo form. >> some people need it spelled out for them, and guess what, they're going to ignore it. >> you're talking to the music business. >> this is from "the daily news". it's called "crackdown." these are all the outfits people have worn. >> toni braxton -- >> she's our guest this morning. there she is in the top corner. anyway, that's interesting. >> it's not just that. they're also saying, you know, language or any -- language we know because the fcc goes after you big-time. this is the hard part. they're rock stars. they sing this way every other word is nasty, vulgar, something like that, and they talk that way, and then all of a sudden they're supposed to come on television and forget all the -- their natural rhythms and just say i want to thank my mother and god. it isn't going to happen. pink looked amaze whenning she did that. >> that was great. >> that was artistry. >> that didn't feel like exposure. >> that was amazing.

>> i think telling rock stars how to dress is not a great idea because now it's teeing it up for what will definitely be people showing more. >> that's what people do. they say don't show it, and then they show it. i thought toni looked great. >> i never looked that good one minute in my entire life. >> me either. >> how does that stay up, though? >> they have ways. they have ways. lots of tape. >> tape and stuff. front page of "the daily news." >> i know a lot of our audience is going to say we told you we don't want to hear about it anymore, but we are in the news, people. >> this is alleged from "the daily news." it says she's living back at home broke and back at home with mom. her mom did say i saw in an interview where she was -- she wanted lindsay to move back home with her because she thought -- >> she could keep an eye on her more? >> there would be less -- >> influence by some of the -- >> yeah. anyway, she's back in long island, according to this newspaper, and living in her teenage bedroom where she lived when she was younger. >> what do you think about what we're --

>> if it was just lindsay that needed help, but it's that whole family that needs help. if they can get it together and get help together, because it's truly a dysfunctional family. i don't think they don't love each other. i think they do love one another. they don't have the skills to cope. >> all of it seems to be playing out in public because i think dina was interviewed by a couple of people and there were pictures of her out and about. >> quit giving interviews and go get healthy. until you have some answers. once you share them with people, then they -- that will help them through their tough times as well, but otherwise it just seems like this neverending train wreck. >> you are watching it in slow motion, which is the worst thing. you see it coming. >> the other story that seems to be big and it's a story about rihanna. there are all kinds of pictures that rihanna is back with chris brown, and she's going to court with him. this is where he -- he is in court recently for not showing up and allegedly doing what he was required to do by court order, which was his community service, picking up trash in different places, and they're saying they have all kinds of evidence that he wasn't where he

was supposed to be at the time he was supposed to be doing the community service. everybody talks about this article, hoda, about why some women could continue to go back to the bad boy, but, you know, there are bad girls by nature too. i don't mean they're bad like god doesn't love them kind of bad, but bad behavior. >> i think rihanna has made a choice, and it angers people that you go back to the guy that's hit you and they've seen the pictures. she says she doesn't care what people think. it's her decision. here's her quote. "i decided it was more important for me to be happy. i wasn't going to let anybody's opinion get in the way of that, even if it is a mistake, it's my mistake." >> they're all going to be saying that at the grammys. it wasn't my fault i didn't realize that my left what was showing. yeah, yeah. it's my mistake. >> now, they don't all sing live at the grammys? >> oh, yeah. oh, boy. remember the mille vanille thing? >> that was big. >> especially now in light of

all that's happening. i'm excited that we're out there when the grammys are going to be there. >> are you going to the party? >> the clive davis party. >> it's the greatest party. it's so much fun. we're doing three shows saturday and two sound, and we're in sonta monica. >> i was just reading in usa today, and it said the toughest ticket to get is the clive davis party. maybe we'll go. >> then i'm going. >> so this go daddy thing that we've been showing you with the slurping and licking. >> can't do that at the grammys. >> no, no. >> no kiss and no slurping. >> no tonguing. it's taken on -- again, you remember the go daddy one. it's taken on a whole other dimension. oh, are we going to watch the -- >> anyway -- >> oh. >> can't hear it. >> it is a little slurpy. like going to 7-eleven. >> now leno had some fun with it. let's watch this. >> hey, bar, that go daddy super

bowl commercial you did was great. it's one of my favorites. >> thanks, jay. that's so sweet. >> i'm thinking, any chance we could recreate the ad? >> sure. pucker up. >> oh. oh, oh, oh. i thought he wasn't going to open his mouth, but he did. ah. >> he was probably wondering i had no idea she had such facial hair. >> do you know just before i walked on the set here, willy and al. >> on the lips? >> on the -- ♪ let's get it on >> oh, no. no, no, no. do it. oh. ♪ >> we don't judge. >> we don't. >> we don't judge. >> okay.

so how about this little kid that was so cute. the little kid shooting baskets. >> adorable. >> also in the studio while we were wandering the halls there was this little boy who apparently -- >> prodigy. ever since he could hold a basketball, any kind of ball, he was throwing it in the air and hitting hoops. he loves it. so this is one of those youtube sensations, and you say -- his parents posted it, and you think, wow, that's really cool, and six -- what? is that really six feet? seven foot. oh, indeed. >> unbelievable. >> oh, my gosh. >> look how high he has to throw that. >> wow. and then he came to the studio, and usually those things work -- >> those things can be edited. >> yes. we don't believe everything we see. >> we're cynical because we're in news. >> this kid came here, and he was hitting the shots. >> remember i told you, hoda, that when tiger woods was a little teeny tike, he came on the show with me and regis, and we had a putting green set up. every single one of them. >> you're kidding. how old was he? >> i think he had to be 5 years

old or something. >> that's amazing. >> you think, oh, it's just -- goes on to be tiger woods. >> are you ready to take us to california? this is a song that's going to launch us on our plane ride. you're going to love this one. it will put you in the mood for california. we want everybody to be california dreaming. >> it's the mama's and the papa's. >> i don't think so. >> is it the beach boys? >> nice try. get back in this century. ♪ i know a place where the grass is really greener ♪ >> is this katie perry? >> yes. ♪ warm, wet, and wild there must be something in the water ♪ >> ready? ♪ gin and juice >> that's why you like it. ♪ underneath the palm trees >> come on. let's hit the chorus. ready? >> i have been ready for about 30 seconds. >> not this ready. now you're really ready. go. ♪ you can travel the world

nothing comes close to the golden coast ♪ >> that's kathie lee's coast. >> i do love it out there. love it. california girl. ♪ california girls, we're unforgettable ♪ ♪ daysy dukes bikinis on top ♪ >> yep. that's why cody loves it. ♪ melt your pop sickle >> that's it. >> that is the real song. >> not a great one, but really it's a song. >> all right. okay or not okay? the question is is it okay to lip-synch? here's what we have to say about that. ♪ >> some organizations insist on it for technical reasons like the anthem at the super bowl, and you actually have no choice if you want to do it, you have to lip-synch it. >> not okay. i would rather have it maybe imperfect but real as owe opposed to lip-sync hed and

flawless. >> you would say no to the nfl if they wouldn't let you do it the way you wanted to do it? you would say, no, i will not. >> i have my integrity. >> yes. you wouldn't sing for nothing? >> this is a really cool lady. an 81-year-old woman. she hangs out at an airport in texas. look what she does. she just hugs the troops who come many one after the next. >> ah. >> she's giving out an estimated -- >> thank you for being here. >> 530,000 hugs. >> that makes me cry. it really does. >> she says she'll continue as long as god gives her the strength to do it, and as long as they'll let her come out here and do it. >> look at her. lining up. lining up for it. >> oh, how sweet. >> you know what's sad is there aren't more people welcoming them home? their families and friends i'm sure at that point, but i'm so glad everyone has a story today. it's also an honor as our service men and women. >> great. >> yeah.

she's a six-time grammy award winning singer and annan actress. the very lovely toni braxton is here, and we'll be talking with her about the grammys. >> they have been plucked off the plaza and swept into hair and make-up. we're ready to reveal their new looks after this. [ female announcer ] how do you define your moment? the blissful pause just before that rich sweetness touches your lips. the delightful discovery, the mid-sweetening realization that you have the house all to yourself. well, almost. the sweet reward, making a delicious choice that's also a smart choice. splenda no-calorie sweetener. with the original sugar-like taste you love and trust. splenda makes the moment yours. that nasty odor coming from your washer. say farewell to the smell with tide washing machine cleaner. it goes straight to the source of the stink to lift odor-causing residues off your washer's drum. tide washing machine cleaner.

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and no artificial flavors, so you can be sure there's no single thing better for your grilled cheese. ♪ life is amazing ♪ with the love that i've found ♪ ♪ ♪ unbreak my heart >> with more than 60 million albums sold worldwide and six grammys toni braxton has always been a leading lady in the world of music. now she's landed her first starring role in a lifetime movie zoosh it is called "twist of fate." toni plays a single mom, nina, rooted in the church who meets a mysterious man and discovers they share a mutual love for singing. take a look. ♪ with every moment ♪ god has a passion ♪ he is sending my way at this

moment ♪ ♪ he believes in me ♪ i believe in you >> he looks like -- >> ah. >> they're singing live. it's not lip-synching. so good to see you. >> that's beautiful what we were just listening to. >> it's reminiscent a little of the music from -- >> this is a mysterious man you meet, you fall for. >> not initially. my character, her name is nina, and she's very -- she's a schoolteacher. i went to college to be a teacher. i'm a preacher's kid and lived next door to the church. >> she's buttoned up. >> very angry at love and life. they meet and find each other, but not initially, as i said before. he loses his wife and his kids, tragically. he is jewish and a a christian, and a gospel singer in the church, and we need mete and fall in love. >> can't stop love. >> this is true. >> how do the families react?

>> well, his parents don't know. once go black, you don't go back. >> now, do you enjoy the acting? obviously we know you as a singer, but you seem to fit so well in this role. >> i think it was very natural. >> thank you for that. i think it was the character i was representing. i have to commend lifetime for doing a script like this because it was risky. there was a scene they wanted us to make out in church. i said, guys, i can't make out in church. it's a multi-purpose room. it doesn't matter. >> they changed it and said, you're right, let's change it. it was a very brave movie zoosh it's another person acting in this as well. >> your son has a role in this. >> diesel. what a cool name for a kid. >> i love that. oh, my gosh. >> diesel is a student in my classroom, and he comes and asks me a few questions. he is excited about that. >> in real life your son has been diagnosed with autism. >> uh-huh. >> he was offered the leading role, and you thought it might

be too much for him. >> as a mom and school had just started. he would have to have tutors and too much responsibility. baby steps. >> you have become an advocate for autism. >> yes, very early diagnosis has changed the situation where w my son. he is now high functioning. very lucky. >> we showed off one of your dresses from back in the day. you were showing it all. >> that was b.c., before children. >> let's just live here for just a minute. >> what do you think about cbs saying we don't want to see as much skin exposed? >> i don't understand. it's rock 'n' roll, and we are always pushing the envelope. you don't want us to look so trashy? >> do you know how much this costs? >> i'm a little disappointed, but they'll be clever. >> you think they'll obey the laws? >> no, no. >> they're rebels and renegades and -- they're not going to obey. >> someone will have a dress

with butt crack on it. this is not my butt crack, but -- >> they'll fuzz out everything. they don't want you thinking butt crack. not even thinking. >> that's no fun. >> nothing allowed. >> toni, best of luck with this movie. >> yes. >> "twist of fate" premiers this saturday on lifetime. >> two ladies get the surprise of their lives with our ambush makeovers. first, these messages. ♪ this girl is on fire here you go little man. [ humming ] [ babbling ]

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>> getting new makeup and new clothes. >> the big reveal. our ambush makeovers. >> everyone has a smile and comfort. for military families all around the country. >> first, your local news. shine stain: a lipstain and so much more l'oreal's innovative formula delivers lasting color like a lipstain with 30% water it's the wet look for my lips. beautifully lasting, shiny, lightweight it's all my lips could want in 12 fresh shades l'oreal's new caresse wet shine stain you're worth it you don't decide when vegetables reach the peak of perfection. the vegetables do. at green giant, we pick vegetables only when they're perfect. then freeze them fast so they're are as nutritious as fresh. [ green giant ] ho ho ho. ♪ green giant

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>> welcome back to "today" on this thirsty thursday. welcome to the plaza ambush makeovers for two lucky ladies. >> they were given a complete head to toe makeover and working their magic is today contributor and stylist to the stars. >> here we go. ♪ luis lacari la, la, la, la, la ♪ >> let us know if you are sick of it, would you, those of you at home? >> they let us know every day. >> style contributing editor and author jill martin. >> hey, kids. >> hats and gloves outside. >> freezing cold. cold. most of the audience was very young people. today we did pick one younger lady, and then the older woman

we really -- jill really did ambush. i have to give her the credit. she just grabbed her off the street. she was walking to work, and she goes, you. >> jill, how rude, but how great. >> excellent. we can't wait. >> joanne archer is our first lucky lady. she's 53 years old from long island, new york. she never wears makeup. she doesn't even own any, she says. joanne walks by our plaza every day on her way to work, but decided to delay work. jill ambushed her. for a few hours and get pampered. >> good for her. >> joanne is going to be late to work because we yank ded you off the streets. what do you think? >> i'm in. yeah, i'm for it. why not? i would never do it on my own. >> have you always looked like this? have you ever had a different look? >> i've had the same for 30 plus years maybe. oh. >> yeah. ready for a change? >> yeah. >> what is, cliff, your husband employing to say? >> he will think i went crazy.

what did you agree to? >> surprise! >> guess who is here? cliff is here with his blindfold on. so is her co-worker, shelly. okay, guys. please keep on your blindfolds until i give you the green light. here is joanne archer before. all right, joanne, let's see the new you. >> come on out. >> right there. don't move a muscle. all right, gee. take off the blindfolds. >> wait. let's just wait here for a minute. >> all right. joanne, are you ready to see yourself? >> yes. >> you look amazing. >> turn around. >> oh, my gosh. >> yep. >> do you want your glasses on? can you see? i can't see without mine. >> i think you look so chic. >> oh, my god. >> she loves what she's looking

at. >> look right here. don't move. don't move. look right there. stand right there. >> tell us about the hair. >> her haircut was just a little too solid. it almost looked wig-like, so carson cut into it and gave it movement and this great shape. >> i love the haircut. awesome. >> she also -- i suspect -- put color over color over color, and it became progressively darker and darker. what i did is she's a great brunette. it had to be more -- a softer shade that had nuances of color. >> we have to talk to cliff. he is crying, and so is shelly. >> what do you think? >> i can't imagine what it's going to be like tomorrow morning getting her out of the house. >> it's going to take a while, isn't it? >> that dress is perfect, jill. >> it's gorgeous. >> a little dressy for work today, but we thought tsh. >> this guy is hot to trot. >> obviously, if you look at the sleeve, look how beautiful. >> very pretty. >> the detail from london times. >> big round of applause for

joanne. joanne, you join them over there. >> all right. jackie lathum is 20 years old. she's our second lady from yardley, pennsylvania. she is not into fashion at all and is always in sweat pants. classic college attire. her mom doesn't even know that she is in new york today. >> oh, trouble. >> oh, dear. supporting a cause. we think she will find out soon enough if she is watching our show. let's listen to her story. >> well, matt, i know your friend jackie really deserves this. >> yeah, absolutely. so we're here for the penn state dance marathon which is a fundraising awareness campaign for pediatric cancer, and basically she's an entertainment -- she works so hard at her job, and she's great at it, so we really want her to have this. >> such supportive friends. what do you think of all this? >> i can't believe it. i'm used to wearing a hoody and jeans and converses every day. to have a makeover would be really nice. >> you are going to be glam. >> i can't wait. >> oh, hope her mom forgives

her. she's here with her frenz. >> i see them. matt, cat, and jess. be. >> all right. >> take them off sfwloosh you look beautiful. turn around and take a look at yourself. >> oh, my gosh. >> amazing. >> all right. >> all right. >> young, beautiful girl. what to do, minimal changes. just to brighten her up. i made her hair clof just a little bit lighter. notice it's darker at the roots and lighter at the end. by being darker at the roots, you'll grow a great shape around her face, and then we used a base before she put on the makeup. >> gorgeous skin. >> it makes the skin look even more gorgeous.

>> luminous. >> look at these -- >> they're busting. >> so beautiful. >> homecoming queen. >> tell us about the outfit, please. >> even though i'm a wolverine, we did get along. i wanted to give her stuff she could wear. it's a great jacket. it's a great leather jacket from andrew marks and a great statement necklace with jeans or when you go on the ought night. it's age appropriate. she's 20 years old. >> i love it. let's bring joanna -- come on out. >> a great job. >> making a difference in the lives of other military families. a military mom has a great everybody has a story. >> coming up after this. nice job. ♪ ♪ ladies, i gotta go to work.

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i love that it's gentle enough to use twice a day, morning and night. ♪ you've really got this "mom thing" down. ♪ ♪ everyone has a moment that changes their life ♪ >> today we meet our newest everyone has a story contest winner. vicky wrote in to tell bus the nonprofit she started, which was inspired by her son who was in the military serving overseas. >> first, let's listen to her story before we meet her. ♪ >> i never thought i would be a marine mom. i thank goodness that there are brave young men and women that areotology fight for our country. i didn't think it would be mine. but you can't change your story, so i supported my son's decision to enlist. on a previous deployment he had

asked me to send some gifts to his girlfriend, so when he was deployed to iraq, i thought it would be good to try and do the same for his squad of 12. 12 gifts for the 12 days of christmas. as i shared with others what i was doing, they got excited and said they would sponsor someone. as a marine mom, i didn't know another military mom until i started full circle home. now lisa miller, an army mom, and i spend most of our time playing santa at christmas or sending mother's day gifts in may. we've wrapped gifts with the first and second ladies of the united states. today we've sent out 6,500 of these boxes. we know that if we don't do it, it won't happen. your son might get to a computer to skype with you, or if the connection is broken, how you just hold your breath. no news is not good news, and almost home is still in danger.

there were so many reasons that i couldn't do this, but i only needed one good reason why i could. that was those who serve our country and all that they're willing to give up. >> oh. >> now you know why we picked this story. it's a beautiful letter. vicky is here with her son, gill. we're so grateful you're home safe and sound, and her friend and business partner lisa. it's just a beautiful story. we wanted to do it now to tell your story so people who want to get involved for mother's day coming up because you can imagine the loneliness of these -- of our service people over there. >> you can't even imagine what it must have felt like when your son first said to you i'm enlisting. what did that feel like back then? >> well, i wanted to hear his reasons, and we talked to the recruiter, and then we tried to talk him out of it. >> when he said i'm going anyway? >> i said all right. we're all in. >> what was the main reason that -- >> i have been asked that question quite a bit, and

there's really no one answer. it's patriotism, something that i really felt that i needed to do, and it's just -- i would have regretted it if i didn't do it. >> you did three tours? >> yes. >> lisa, you said you always knew your son -- >> i think i knew from a very young age and tried like vicky to change his mind, send him to college. that didn't work really well. >> yeah. >> then there was no stopping him, and we were proud for it. >> once you started this wonderful organization, did you ever in your wildest dreams think it would be -- how many? 6,500 now? >> it's a lot of wrapping. >> are you -- do you need the support -- financial support? how can people help? >> well, we work out of rochester, and, yet, very few relatively few number of boxes stay in rochester, so they're across -- we're across the country, and so we do need financial support. we absolutely do. whether it's $5 or -- >> gill, your girlfriend when

she first got the box, she must have been thrilled, but there's even more to be thrilled about in that department, isn't there? >> yes. she's now my wife. >> oh, stop. >> we're married. >> your son too. >> oh, my gosh. >> well, everybody sees this segment. >> coming up, we have a special performance by a broadway star. >> jil leman is going to sing for us a song that david and i wrote especially for you guys. okay? >> nice. ♪

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it was 3 days of pure joy. ♪ and it's beautiful we're back with our everyone has a story honorees. >> we want to share a song david friedman and i wrote just for you all. it's -- i like it.

anyway, please welcome broadway performer jamie leman singing "almost home." ♪ ♪ home is a word that congers up emotion images of comfort and feelings of devotion ♪ ♪ but home sometimes is very far away and you wonder at times if you'll ever see the day when someone you love comes home to stay ♪ ♪ don't you pray i never dreamed that my little boy would grow up and go off to war ♪ ♪ i tried to stop him cried many a tear but you told me his country was worth dying for ♪

♪ and i never dreamed my days would be spent loenz waiting for that phone to ring ♪ ♪ and then if it did, i just hold my breath out of fear that the bad news that phone call could bring ♪ ♪ and so i pray he is almost home, but almost home is not good enough ♪ ♪ god, he is almost here but he is still not close enough ♪ ♪ god, i know he is doing what he feels he has to do ♪ ♪ god, if i can have him home, please keep him close to you ♪ ♪ now i never dreamed that i

would spend my days helping to make dreams come true ♪ ♪ but i do it for him and the others like him who sacrifice so much for me and for you ♪ ♪ and still i pray ♪ god, he is almost home but almost home is not good enough ♪ ♪ god, he is almost here but he is still not close enough ♪ ♪ god, i know he is doing what he feels he has to do ♪ ♪ but, god, if i can't have him home, please keep him close to you ♪ ♪ and heaven forbid someday i get the news that he is not

coming home, dear god, give me the strength to say you take him to your home where someday i'll be with him ♪ ♪ but until then i'm almost home ♪ ♪ >> that's gorgeous. >> beautiful. >> beautiful job. >> we'll be right back with much more -- if i can get my act together. >> this is "today" on nbc. ♪

we're honoring a very

special everyone haze story group today. jeannie leman just performed "almost home" so beautifully. we were all in tears for vicky, her son, gill, and lisa miller. also with us david friedman, composure. good job, buddy. david wilde, who is taking hollywood by storm. >> what do you think of your song? >> we were all sitting here crying. it was just beautiful. it was the way we feel. >> it was poignant. >> he'll be home shortly, but -- >> definitely written for a military mom in mind. >> we have something to help your organization. we were moved by your story, so we're going to give a contribution. $2,000 to full circle home. >> we really want to encourage everyone else to. if you feel like there's no way you know to hank our military and boys and girls who are literally many of them still boys and girls and the families and everything they're going through, please consider their

charity. especially with mother's day coming up. thank you so much, again. thank you. >> let us know, gill. >> coming up tomorrow we're going to have someone from the hit show "white collar." >> and we're getting ready for valentine's day with romantic escapes. >> skills every woman should have. >> lessons in self-defense. >> jane is with us. we have a busy day. >> have an awesome thirsty thursday. we'll see you for dry day friday.