and that was amber lee reporting. and as always, watch the chinese new year parade live with us at ktvu saturday night. our coverage starts at 6:00 saturday evening. and steve says the weather is going to be great. and people come out even when it's raining. >> i think one-year it was raining in the past three years. >> there have been some with umbrellas. >> people come no matter what. so brian, your question you asked me over the top line thing. you're not the only one. 442 is a car. >> remember he said i wish i had a 442. >> i was hoping you didn't mean some sort of weapon. i looked at brian and said what did he say? >> i thought it was a drink. >> when i was a young man and we had an afternoon radio program. at 4:42 we'd say oh, i wish we had a 442. and now i have a suit and tie on the morning program. >> i used to listen to you. >> life has changed a little bit. >> thanks for clarifying. so it's an oldsmobile 442. >> let's take a look at the commute. northbound 680 ating gnash owe -- ignacio. >> it's a three car

amber lee is at city hall tonight where two different proposals have been submitted amber? >> reporter: here at city hall, dozens of people spoke out against tasers during the police commission meeting. everyone agrees that changes are needed but opponents say tasers are not the answer. protesters stood outside city hall, expressing their opposition to tasers with signs and written words on the sidewalk. >> better training. not so much division between the rich and poor. people are desperate out there. people are crazy out there. we need more mental health services. >> reporter: inside city hall, this is the starting point of what will be a conversation in san francisco about what it looks like to reengineer use of force. the police commission spoke about the reforms that are needed and listened to people lined up to oppose tasers. >> fundamentally, if you put any weapon into the hands of a racist, it is going to be used in a racist way. >> reporter: protesters held up >> i'm not asking that the entire department get tasers. i'm asking for about 5%, swat team and specialist

amber lee is at city hall where the protesters packed that meeting tonight. amber? >> reporter: the city council meeting is still going on. public comment is underway right now. there are dozens of speakers and they are only about halfway through. >> bam call now. >> [ cheering ] >> bam call now! >> reporter: activists, state and community leaders gathered in front of oakland city hall opposing a proposal to build a old army base near the bay bridge. they say it would handle materials brought in by train and loaded onto a ship and those materials could include cold -- coal mined in utah. >> smarten up a little bit. have a vision. >> reporter: the health and safety is at stake they say. >> we are against coal because of the dust pollution exacerbating asthma. ailments that the people of oakland largely people of color , largely african-americans have weight much more than people living in other parts of alameda county. >> reporter: while the rally was underway, inside city hall a decision was made during the closed session of the city vote. city council members tell

new at 10, ktvu's amber lee tells us about a change to the way people cross the street there. amber? >> reporter: julie, they plan to make those improvements to this intersection by april. community leaders say those changes are a good first step but a lot more needs to be done. >> oh, my gosh. a little bit scary because t cars are just speeding by and they are not paying attention to pedestrians. >> reporter: the intersection of kearney and clay sees a heavy volume of foot traffic. just steps from there is popular portsmouth square, filled with elderly folks. a 77-year-old was struck and killed in the crosswalk just last summer. >> we can all remember why it is we are here and what it is we're trying to achieve. >> the pedestrian death now a driving force behind the call allows pedestrians to cross diagonally from each corner of the intersection. >> it's absurd to think of her. it hurts. we feel like she should be alive. >> reporter: jean lee's mother was killed at another busy intersection in chinatown. stockton and sacramento in september 2014. lee worked with student leader

amber lee joins us now with late information from the coroner. amber? >> reporter: the san mateo man as larry more of pacifica. it appears moore was trying to save his wife when he drowned. just south of the pacifica pier, the pacific ocean, beautiful and sometimes deceptively calm. >> looks harmless but it is so dangerous. it can pull you out just like that. >> reporter: that's what happened around 2:00. >> it was terrifying. >> reporter: a witness told us a couple was sitting on the beach near the water. >> the waves came and grabbed her. they were holding onto each other. the guy went in after her. >> reporter: the witness says she could see the woman floating on her back. >> she tried to take her all the way out. floating way out there. i could see her head and her feet. trying to relax and not fight it. she, on the other hand trying to fight it -- he actually got taking him back in. >> reporter: witnesses say even a rescuer with the coast guard had trouble.. the surf was too strong. that he was taken up by a helicopter. >> they dropped him into the

amber lee talked to a business there that says there's a lack of urgency at city hall. amber? >> reporter: frank, we're just outside rainbow grocery. just about everywhere you look, you can see tents. now the grocery store's cfo says the city has to do something to keep the area clean and safe. >> it affects everybody equally. nobody can be proud to be part of san francisco where you see this happening. >> reporter: rainbow grocery has been at this location for two decades. half of its 40 years in but in the past year, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of homeless in the area. >> we have a large tent city around us. >> reporter: the store has flyers at every checkout stand asking customers to contact city leaders. >> take a right turn and a return. >> reporter: dennis wagner told me he's already written them asking for short-term and long- term solutions. >> we need portable toilets available for 24 hours accessibility. we need public garbage cans on every block with daily pick up. >> reporter: wagner will read from the statement at a public meeting on thursday.

amber lee is there tonight after speaking with businesses, fans about their experience. amber? >> reporter: super bowl city is certainly attracting a lot of attention, a lot of people, security is tight. very tight. there was a live concert tonight featuring local talent. singer-songwriter matt nathanson is based in san francisco. he says he is one of two local artists set to perform on the stage. the headliner for this nights concert said he's not a big football fan but a big fan of san francisco. his adopted city. >> i joke that the super bowl is like san francisco is throwing a big dinner party and the world is coming. i feel like i'm at the front door. >> reporter: at the hotel, its proximity to super bowl city is a big attraction. the gm tells me a special $10,000 package for three nights and two tickets to saturday's rolling stone a handful of rooms starting at $1200 are still available. >> we have had a lot of early arrivals and a lot of -- and they're all dressed up for the event, going right over here to super bowl city. so we are excited to make them have a fabulous d

ktvu's amber lee is live in the city to tell us about a big change this year behind the scenes. camera? >> reporter: we're at pier 54 where the floats are being built. the last-minute push is on. for the first time in the parade's 29 year history, a woman is in charge of all this. power drills, the opening of a symphony of float making. >> it should be thicker and thicker. >> reporter: under the direction and watchful eye of stephanie monson. >> i have a perfectionist personality. when i see things that could be fixed, i'm naturally inclined to tweak it. >> reporter: the 36-year-old is taking the helm for the first time. in charge of making 20 floats. the first woman to do so. >> really enjoy designing that one. it's very whimsical and playful. a little bit more modern and contemporary. >> reporter: bringing a new twist to the artwork. >> i'm a modern woman. there's a modern sensibility. >> with a degree in fine arts, she now builds floats year-round for the major parade in san francisco including pride. >> my degree was in general fine arts. i studied sculpture and used with wh

amber lee in our newsroom, thank you. >>> tracking that sunshine out there, it has been really nice. it continues that way tomorrow. no rain coming immediately, we have something towards the end of the week that could bring us a few sprinkles. wet to our area, but not significant rain would like to see. highs tomorrow will be right there. tomorrow is a lot like today, a little more sunshine tomorrow, it might be just a bit warmer. live camera shot outside, bay bridge, beautiful night. weather systems in the pacific, all heading to the north. right now, where is el nio? it's not raining. el nio is taking the form of a giant surf along hawaii's north shore right now. very large waves, pounding the north shore. days. so even though we're not seeing the rain, all that's going north and east of us. we're seeing the giant surf. so connections and indications that el nio has not gone away. it's just not hitting us. and it's not going to anytime soon in terms of significant rain. we've got a couple weeks of weak storms at best. the forecast for tomorrow, just like today, as we head into with

. >> amber lee spoke with the family of one of those sailors who says their legacies are being forgotten. vietnam was an unpopular war. and protest raged across the country. >> it was a very painful time in our country. that pain hasn't stopped. >> reporter: for -- for larry riley and his uncle, that pain is still palpable as they step back in time pouring over old photos and newspaper clippings. june 3, 1969, a day they will never forget. two family members were serving on the uss frankie evans. lawrence senior and his 20-year- old son lawrence, jr., an australian ship struck the destroyer slicing it in half. the father survived, the son lost at sea with other men. he left behind a young wife and a 14-month-old son named after him. >> i never had my dad. grandfather. that's painful. >> reporter: adding to their pain is that the names of the 74 sailors were never included on the vietnam war memorial in washington dc. providing gunfire support to u.s. marines on the ground in vietnam but had traveled outside the official war zone to rearm and train. >> what i consider a very proud and lon

amber lee is at city hall where the protesters packed that meeting tonight. amber? >> reporter: the city council meeting is still going on. public comment is underway right now. there are dozens of speakers and they are only about halfway through. >> bam call now. >> [ cheering ] >> bam call now! >> reporter: activists, state and community leaders gathered in front of oakland city hall opposing a proposal to build a new shipping terminal on the old army base near the bay bridge. they say it would handle materials brought in by train and loaded onto a ship and those materials could include cold -- coal mined in utah. >> smarten up a little bit. have a vision. >> reporter: the health and safety is at stake they say. >> we are against coal because of the dust pollution exacerbating asthma. ailments that the people of oakland largely people of color , largely african-americans have weight much more than people living in other parts of alameda county. >> reporter: while the rally was underway, inside city hall a decision was made during the closed session of the city cou

amber lee is at city hall tonight where two different proposals have been submitted and both found a position tonight. amber? >> reporter: here at city hall, dozens of people spoke out against tasers during the police commission meeting. everyone agrees that changes are needed but opponents say tasers are not the answer. protesters stood outside city hall, expressing their opposition to tasers with signs and written words on the sidewalk. >> better training. not so much division between the rich and poor. people are desperate out there. people are crazy out there. we need more mental health services. >> reporter: inside city hall, this is the starting point of what will be a conversation in san francisco about what it looks like to reengineer use of force. the police commission spoke about the reforms that are needed and listened to people lined up to oppose tasers. >> fundamentally, if you put any weapon into the hands of a racist, it is going to be used in a racist way. >> reporter: protesters held up banners in protest of tasers. >> i'm not asking that the entire department get tas

new at 10, ktvu's amber lee tells us about a change to the way people cross the street there. amber? >> reporter: julie, they plan to make those improvements to this intersection by april. community leaders say those changes are a good first step but a lot more needs to be done. >> oh, my gosh. a little bit scary because the cars are just speeding by and they are not paying attention to pedestrians. >> reporter: the intersection of kearney and clay sees a heavy volume of foot traffic. just steps from there is popular portsmouth square, filled with elderly folks. a 77-year-old was struck and killed in the crosswalk just last summer. >> we can all remember why it is we are here and what it is we're trying to achieve. >> the pedestrian death now a driving force behind the call for a diagonal scramble which allows pedestrians to cross diagonally from each corner of the intersection. >> it's absurd to think of her. it hurts. we feel like she should be alive. >> reporter: jean lee's mother was killed at another busy intersection in chinatown. stockton and sacramento in september 2014

ktvu's amber lee is live in the city to tell us about a big change this year behind the scenes.camera? >> reporter: we're at pier 54 where the floats are being built. the last-minute push is on. for the first time in the parade's 29 year history, a woman is in charge of all this. the sounds of a staple gun and power drills, the opening of a symphony of float making. >> it should be thicker and thicker. >> reporter: under the direction and watchful eye of stephanie monson. >> i have a perfectionist personality. when i see things that could be fixed, i'm naturally inclined to tweak it. >> reporter: the 36-year-old is taking the helm for the first time. in charge of making 20 floats. the first woman to do so. >> really enjoy designing that one. it's very whimsical and playful. a little bit more modern and contemporary. >> reporter: bringing a new twist to the artwork. >> i'm a modern woman. there's a modern sensibility. >> with a degree in fine arts, she now builds floats year-round for the major parade in san francisco including pride. >> my degree was in general fine arts. i stud

amber lee talked to a business there that says there's a lack of urgency at city hall. amber? >> reporter: frank, we're just outside rainbow grocery. just about everywhere you look, you can see tents. now the grocery store's cfo says the city has to do something to keep the area clean and safe. >> it affects everybody equally. nobody can be proud to be part of san francisco where you see this happening. >> reporter: rainbow grocery has been at this location for two decades. half of its 40 years in business. but in the past year, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of homeless in the area. >> we have a large tent city around us. >> reporter: the store has flyers at every checkout stand asking customers to contact city leaders. >> take a right turn and a return. >> reporter: dennis wagner told me he's already written them asking for short-term and long- term solutions. >> we need portable toilets available for 24 hours accessibility. we need public garbage cans on every block with daily pick up. >> reporter: wagner will read from the statement at a public meeting on

amber lee is there tonight after speaking with businesses, fans about their experience. amber? reporter: super bowl city is certainly attracting a lot of attention, a lot of people, security is tight. very tight. there was a live concert tonight featuring local talent. singer-songwriter matt nathanson is based in san francisco. he says he is one of two local artists set to perform on the stage. the headliner for this nights concert said he's not a big football fan but a big fan of san francisco. his adopted city. >> i joke that the super bowl is like san francisco is throwing a big dinner party and the world is coming. i feel like i'm at the front door. >> reporter: at the hotel, its proximity to super bowl city is a big attraction. the gm tells me a special $10,000 package for three nights and two tickets to saturday's rolling stone magazine party has sold out but a handful of rooms starting at $1200 are still available. >> we have had a lot of early arrivals and a lot of -- and they're all dressed up for the event, going right over here to super bowl city. so we are excited t

. >> amber lee spoke with the family of one of those sailors who says their legacies are being forgottenurbulent 60s. vietnam was an unpopular war. and protest raged across the country. >> it was a very painful time in our country. that pain hasn't stopped. >> reporter: for -- for larry riley and his uncle, that pain is still palpable as they step back in time pouring over old photos and newspaper clippings. june 3, 1969, a day they will never forget. two family members were serving on the uss frankie evans. lawrence senior and his 20-year- old son lawrence, jr., an australian ship struck the destroyer slicing it in half. the father survived, the son lost at sea with other men. he left behind a young wife and a 14-month-old son named after him. >> i never had my dad. my son will never have his grandfather. that's painful. >> reporter: adding to their pain is that the names of the 74 sailors were never included on the vietnam war memorial in washington dc. the evans had seen combat providing gunfire support to u.s. marines on the ground in vietnam but had traveled outside the official war

. >> the site would be called amber lee village. the controversy centers on two issues. there are concerns of higher traffic in the area. look for updates tonight at 11:00. >>> tonight apple asked a federal judge to throw out the federal order to unlock the iphone. the fbi is not backing down. today the director made his case to congress. investigators want to get into farook's phone look for other apple is refusing saying it will open a dangerous precedent of the government violating your privacy. >> part of me thinks that is great. then i step back and say law enforcement really does save people's lives. >> some in congress back a new law requiring called back doors into senator phone security. apple is reportedly working on a new opinion right system that could never be unlocked. >>> jackson is a junior at hillside high school. listen to this, he had his left leg amputated above his knee just before his 1st birthday. >> jackson is just like any other athlete for the most part. >> jackson was an athlete in search of a sport. baseball, basketball, soccer, even horse bac

amber lee in our newsroom, thank you. >>> tracking that sunshine out there, it has been really nice.nues that way tomorrow. no rain coming immediately, we have something towards the end of the week that could bring us a few sprinkles. it will bring a little bit of wet to our area, but not significant rain would like to see. highs tomorrow will be right there. tomorrow is a lot like today, a little more sunshine tomorrow, it might be just a bit warmer. live camera shot outside, bay bridge, beautiful night. weather systems in the pacific, all heading to the north. right now, where is el niÑo? it's not raining. el niÑo is taking the form of a giant surf along hawaii's north shore right now. very large waves, pounding the north shore. those will be here in a couple days. so even though we're not seeing the rain, all that's going north and east of us. we're seeing the giant surf. so connections and indications that el niÑo has not gone away. it's just not hitting us. and it's not going to anytime soon in terms of significant rain. we've got a couple weeks of weak storms at best. the forec

amber lee joins us now with late information from the coroner. amber? >> reporter: the san mateo county coroner identified the man as larry more of pacifica. it appears moore was trying to save his wife when he drowned. just south of the pacifica pier, the pacific ocean, beautiful and sometimes deceptively calm. >> looks harmless but it is so dangerous. it can pull you out just like that. >> reporter: that's what happened around 2:00. >> it was terrifying. >> reporter: a witness told us a couple was sitting on the beach near the water. >> the waves came and grabbed her. they were holding onto each other. the guy went in after her. >> reporter: the witness says she could see the woman floating on her back. >> she tried to take her all the way out. floating way out there. i could see her head and her feet. trying to relax and not fight it. she, on the other hand trying to fight it -- he actually got close to getting out, about three times, but the waves were taking him back in. >> reporter: witnesses say even a rescuer with the coast guard had trouble.. t

. >> ktvu's amber lee with a big change behind the scenes. rich the sounds of a staple gun. chorus of a symphony of float making. >> it should be thicker. >> reporter: under the direction and watchful eye of stephanie mufson. >> i have a perfectionist personality. i like to make things better and better. when i see things that could be fixed, i like this tweak it are i the 36-year-old is taking the helm for the first time in charge of making 20 floats for the chinese new year parade. the first woman to do so. >> enjoy designing that one. it's been fun to watch it come to life. it's very whimsical and playful and a little bit more modern and contemporary. >> reporter: bringing a new twist to the design and artwork. >> i am a modern woman and there is a modern kind of sensibility. >> reporter: with the degree in fine arts, mufson, a contreras native, builds floats year around for all the major parades in san francisco, including pride. >> my degree was in general fine arts. i studied painting and woodworking and fibers. >> reporter: fighting stereotypes. >> i get comments abou

. >> amber lee has more on why the week is being blacked out. >> it's just jaw dropping. >> reporter: the giant waves. >> it's massive. >> reporter: up to 50 feet and light winds set the stage for the what would have been the perfect day to hold the maverick contest. >> conditions were probably in the top 10 that you have ever seen at maverick's. it was that good. >> reporter: he started the contest in 1998. the last time conditions were good enough to hold it were two years ago. the window for the competition this year started november 1st and goes to march 31st. on this day, a surfer's paradise. >> perfect, the day of days. >> but there's a blackout period from last sunday through this sunday because law enforcement is providing security for the super bowl and related events. >> the resources are stretched so thin because of all the security involved with putting on an event like the super bowl. but we have the super bowl of surfing going on in half moon bay. >> reporter: clark says law enforcement is needed to keep the maverick's safe for the public. >> we wait all year so it's not

amber lee, thank you. >>> coming up in 15 minutes we will have a special chinese new year edition of bay area people. tell begin at 10:30. we will see you out at the parade tomorrow. it begins at 6:00 right here on ktvue. british tourists is fighting for his life tonight after being stabbed and robbed on the streets of san francisco. it happened at 8:30. the police say the 44-year-old man ands his niece were walking just a block away. the authorities say a muscular man, wearing a hoody, and a woman with dreadlocks confronted them and demanded their money. >> some kind of a brief struggle during the robbery. a stabbing that the suspect stabbed the victim in the head. we believe to be be a knife or a sharp object. >> the attackers ran off with the man's cash, credit cards and a scarf. they plan to exam it looking for dna. there was a lot of fresh powder in the sierra this morning. along with it, the danger of an avalanche. 25-30 inches of fresh snow accumulated quickly on the hard pack of snow already there. setting up prime avalanche conditions. there were three avalanches yesterday m

i think amber lee had to close out. you want me to go get them? yeah, right. i'll never see you again. you wait here. i'll go get them. fine. have another drink while you're at it. next stop is the pole vault, and they have a strict "no prudes" policy. and get us some wine. hey there, cowboy. you got a light? [music playing] whatever you want, boys come and get it... my friends are probably looking for me. i can't help it. you're so beautiful. uh...houston, i think we have a problem. [sighs] must've had too much to drink. of course you did. [sighs] hey. get off of me. hey. come on, just give me a damn second. uh...no. no. it's not working. we're through. [gasps] i'll say when we're through. aah! the theory of variation. time to prove who did the reading. susan. you're quoting the text. give me an example. french. uh, spoken worldwide, but the same phrase in paris might have a completely different inference in montreal. that's right. this theory looks at the cultural stages a particular language undergoes in order to understand its evolution. who can tell me th

amber lee, thank you. >>> coming up in 15 minutes we will have a special chinese new year edition of bay area people. tell begin at 10:30. we will see you out at the parade tomorrow. it begins at 6:00 right here on ktvue. british tourists is fighting for his life tonight after being stabbed and robbed on the streets of san francisco. it happened at 8:30. the police say the 44-year-old man ands his niece were walking just a block away. the authorities say a muscular man, wearing a hoody, and a woman with dreadlocks confronted them and demanded >> some kind of a brief struggle during the robbery. a stabbing that the suspect stabbed the victim in the head. we believe to be be a knife or a sharp object. >> the attackers ran off with the man's cash, credit cards and a scarf. for dna. there was a lot of fresh powder in the sierra this morning. along with it, the danger of an avalanche. 25-30 inches of fresh snow accumulated quickly on the hard pack of snow already there. setting up prime avalanche conditions. there were three avalanches yesterday morning near alpine meadows, no one was hur

amber lee is in the news room will with what is called a gorilla protest. >> reporter: the man behind the protest is a san francisco documentary filmmaker. he says super bowl week provides the perfect stage to bring attention to what he describes as a crisis confronts many people. conviction of tenants in the city. >> it does not hurt anything. they are very big, very visual. they are eye catching. >> it is a silent pro test. >> moving billboard you don't have to worry about. not graffiti. >> reporter: this documentary disrupt not people's lives but their thoughts. he and a small crew, with the help of a vehicle and a projector put their message about what they call immoral evictions on the sides of buildings. >> we leave them up for 10-15 minutes a building and move on. >> reporter: he started projecting his message on wednesday with a play on words. this is not a game. he says they are playing with people's lives. >> we were just hoping on get people to ask questions. >> he says he seen friend after friend get evicted. legal but often immoral. >> it got to be alarming in the last ye

. >> amber lee tells us their goal was to create a place where kids can be safe, also learn how to protect themselves. >> reporter: guardianship is a nonprofit open to all children ages 10 and up located at 19th and western in oakland. students need to learn martial arts is free. >> we wanted to create a place where everyone no matter their financial situation could do for martial arts. >> reporter: the classes are given in this 1800 square foot space. when ben kovacs isn't working at twitter, he spends time here, coaching, mentoring children and teens through boxing and brazilian jujitsu. >> i'm passionate and i know it's going to change lives. >> i want to hear that focus. do it again. >> reporter: the one-two punch means combining his passion with a desire to help improve the city he calls home. >> a huge group of people that can't afford to do it. >> one of those kids is 11-year- old john powell. from a single-parent home. kovacs has been a big brother to the sixth-grader for two years. >> i feel really close. wouldn't normally share with other people. >> reporter: john says kovacs and

amber lee is here now to show us a sign of this world-famous neighborhood that tourists don't see -- a side they don't see. >> reporter: i found elderly people and immigrant families living in single room residential hotels. the space is cramped and even though it isn't much, they call it home, but now like the rest of the city, there's pressure to raise rents. >> [ music ] fills the senses. its architecture and culture bring into focus a world that is foreign too many americans. >> chinatown is the only one that's got a pretty -- a pagoda building. we have more than just a gate. >> it offers a familiarity and essential services to immigrants. the backbone of the community. often, the only affordable housing they can find are single room occupancy hotels or sros. but there are changes in chinatown because of the city's housing crisis. a clash that is reminiscent of another san francisco neighborhood. >> chinatown is similar to what we're seeing in the mission. the rents are going up, and we see individuals occupying a residential hotel that was not -- >> reporter: elderly people and

amber lee live now in half moon bay tells us why this week was blacked out. amber? >> reporter: julie, mavericks founder jeff clark also owns the surf shop. he tells me today's conditions were ideal for what he called the super bowl of surfing. >> it's jaw-dropping. >> reporter: the giant waves. light winds set the stage for what would have been a perfect day to hold the mavericks contest. >> conditions out there today were in the top 10 that you have ever seen at mavericks. it was that good. >> reporter: clark started the contest in 1988, the last time conditions were good enough to hold mavericks was two years the window for the completion this year started november 1 and goes through march 31. on this day, a surfers paradise. >> i -- it was perfect. the day of days it seemed like. >> reporter: but there's a blackout period from last sunday through this sunday. because local law enforcement is providing security for the super bowl and related events. >> their resources are stretched so thin because of all the security involved with putting on an event like the sup

. >> as amber lee tells us, she met the ladies in brentwood and joins us now live to tell us more about their program. amber? >> reporter: the two women have been collecting and giving away dresses to girls in ed for the past five years. they say what they are providing is more than a dress. added donated storefront in a strip mall in brentwood, two women who found -- who founded east bay dress bank are helping girls create memories. >> anywhere from $6-$900. that's a paycheck for some people. >> reporter: dresses in all colors and sizes, new or gently used, donated by formalwear stores and individuals who want to help teens experience a rite of passage. she looks amazing it feels amazing. that's all that matters. >> all for girls who wouldn't otherwise be able to go to their prom or senior ball. >> i didn't think i was going >> reporter: tatyana cruise -- cruz has four siblings and so her parents couldn't spend a lot of money. she says east bay dress bank made possible by providing the stress. >> it was really exciting that i was going to be able to go. >> reporter: group already has 1

amber lee is in the news room will with what is called a gorilla protest. >> reporter: the man behind the protest is a san francisco documentary filmmaker. he says super bowl week provides the perfect stage to bring attention to what he describes as a crisis confronts many people. conviction of tenants in the city. >> it does not hurt anything. they are very big, very visual. they are eye catching. >> it is a silent pro test. >> moving billboard you don't have to worry about. not graffiti. >> reporter: this documentary filmmaker says he seeks to disrupt not people's lives but their thoughts. he and a small crew, with the help of a vehicle and a projector put their message about what they call immoral evictions on the sides of buildings. >> we leave them up for 10-15 minutes a building and move on. >> reporter: he started projecting his message on wednesday with a play on words. this is not a game. he says they are playing with people's lives. >> we were just hoping on get people to ask questions. >> he says he seen friend after friend get evicted. legal but often immoral. >> it got to

. >> once again that was amber lee reporting. fees come from adult classes. he hopes to expand to other locations. >>> senator dianne feinstein received an award, the 201 ansel adams award. she has been a part of a dozen unique bills that protect more than 8 million acres of land. >>> californiaans are falling short of the mandated water savings target from the governor. officials say conservation totaled only 17% in january. that is far below the 25% cut that governor brown mandated last june because of the drought. this it was fourth month in a row that the 25% goal wasn't met. the state water resources board says it is hoping for a miracle march in terms of rainfall, especially since february has been so dry and warm. >>> one of the most prestigious surf contests is going on in the world in hawaii. it is the quick silver in memory of eddie ical. some of the world's best surfers taking part on oahu. for awhile organizers weren't sure if conditions would be good enough. the waves must meet certain requirements. conditions have only been met nine times in the

amber lee, live in san francisco, thank you. >>> the feed the hungry from a tiny soup kitchen. tonight at 10:45, why two nuns say they are facing eviction if >>> a big decision over a plan by valero's benicia refinery to receive shipments by train, the city of tenisha is poised to clear the way for the train cars to start rolling. the issue is so he did, four nights have been set aside for review and comment, four and against the plan, debora villalon listened in on this first night and safety was the key issue. deborah? >> reporter: the chambers are packed but three hours in, the public is still waiting to talk. planning commissioners have the floor and they are still asking questions. staff recommends yes on oil trains but opponents hope to halt them. next to the union pacific tracks, this would manufacturer deals with trains every day. >> we have situations where our employees can't get in and out because there's a train across the tracks. >> reporter: what worries him now is not convenience but safety. >> it's been on the radar for at least three or four years. >> reporter:

amber lee shows us the difference this will make in many young lives. >> here we go.s have happy out? >> yes. >> one, two, one, two. >> reporter: there is a new sound coming out of richmond high. >> i love my school so much. >> reporter: these students are members of the school's first marching band in 30 years. >> when i play my instrument, it feels like my soul is speaking actually, it just feels amazing. >> what i like most about being in the band is being a part of something, a part of something big. >> reporter: something big and bold. old instruments with broken parts were replaced last week with 42 new instruments. the band teacher says it was made possible by an anonymous donation of $60,000. >> i was just like, wow. and like, i was just shocked. >> reporter: students say the new instruments sound better and band helps them find solace from the streets of richmond where gunfire has claimed many lives, including some of their peers. >> i think that music can change anything. i think it can bring a whole community together and bring out a whole new mindset for o

amber lee live now in half moon bay tells us why this week was blacked out. amber? >> reporter: julie, mavericks founder jeff clark also owns the surf shop. he tells me today's conditions were ideal for what he called the super bowl of surfing. >> it's jaw-dropping. >> reporter: the giant waves. up to 50 feet. light winds set the stage for what would have been a perfect day to hold the mavericks contest. >> conditions out there today were in the top 10 that you have ever seen at mavericks. it was that good. >> reporter: clark started the contest in 1988, the last time conditions were good enough to hold mavericks was two years ago. the window for the completion this year started november 1 and goes through march 31. on this day, a surfers paradise. >> i -- it was perfect. the day of days it seemed like. >> reporter: but there's a blackout period from last sunday through this sunday. because local law enforcement is providing security for the super bowl and related events. >> their resources are stretched so thin because of all the security involved with putting on a

. >> amber lee tells us their goal was to create a place where kids can be safe, also learn how to protectthemselves. >> reporter: guardianship is a nonprofit open to all children ages 10 and up located at 19th and western in oakland. the lessons and everything the students need to learn martial arts is free. >> we wanted to create a place where everyone no matter their financial situation could do for martial arts. >> reporter: the classes are given in this 1800 square foot space. when ben kovacs isn't working at twitter, he spends time here, coaching, mentoring children and teens through boxing and brazilian jujitsu. >> i'm passionate and i know it's going to change lives. >> i want to hear that focus. do it again. >> reporter: the one-two punch means combining his passion with a desire to help improve the city he calls home. >> a huge group of people that can't afford to do it. >> one of those kids is 11-year- old john powell. from a single-parent home. kovacs has been a big brother to the sixth-grader for two years. >> i feel really close. i share with him things that i wouldn't normal

. >> amber lee was 21 years old, a wfer and mother two of baby boys. she fought all the way to her death. now her killer, michael king, is fighting for his life. he abducted her and murdered her in 2008. he was found guilty and sentenced to death. after the u.s. supreme court ruled the florida death penalty process is unconstitutional. her family and others are concerned about what might happen. >> i don't think he deserves all of these rights. but that's not the way the system works. i think about what denise went through and what he did to her. you know, it's... it's really tough. but i understand there is a system in place and we just have to respect that and hopefully, it works. >> lee's family is convinced that king's sentence will stand. the jury's decision was unanimous. but they are concerned the case will be -- drawn out for sometime. >> if you hear a loud, blasting noise tomorrow, do not be macdill air force base is broadcasting test messages over the loud speakers, tomorrow afternoon. again, it is just a test. >> coming up, a luxury liner co

. >> as amber lee tells us, she met the ladies in brentwood and joins us now live to tell us more aboutr? >> reporter: the two women have been collecting and giving away dresses to girls in need for the past five years. they say what they are providing is more than a dress. added donated storefront in a strip mall in brentwood, two women who found -- who founded east bay dress bank are helping girls create memories. >> anywhere from $6-$900. that's a paycheck for some people. >> reporter: dresses in all colors and sizes, new or gently used, donated by formalwear stores and individuals who want to help teens experience a rite of passage. she looks amazing it feels amazing. that's all that matters. >> all for girls who wouldn't otherwise be able to go to their prom or senior ball. >> i didn't think i was going to able to afford the dress. >> reporter: tatyana cruise -- cruz has four siblings and so her parents couldn't spend a lot of money. she says east bay dress bank made possible by providing the stress. >> it was really exciting that i was going to be able to go. >> reporter: group al

amber lee is here now to show us a sign of this world-famous neighborhood that tourists don't see -- a side they don't see. >> reporter: i found elderly people and immigrant families living in single room residential hotels. the space is cramped and even though it isn't much, they call it home, but now like the rest of the city, there's pressure to raise rents. >> [ music ] >> reporter: san francisco's chinatown has an ambience that fills the senses. its architecture and culture bring into focus a world that is foreign too many americans. >> chinatown is the only one that's got a pretty -- a pagoda building. we have more than just a gate. >> it offers a familiarity and essential services to immigrants. the backbone of the community. often, the only affordable housing they can find are single room occupancy hotels or sros. but there are changes in chinatown because of the city's housing crisis. a clash that is reminiscent of another san francisco neighborhood. >> chinatown is similar to what we're seeing in the mission. the rents are going up, and we see individuals occupying a reside

amber lee, live in san francisco, thank you. >>> the feed the hungry from a tiny soup kitchen.tonight at 10:45, why two nuns say they are facing eviction if they can't pay a huge rent hikes. >>> a big decision to make after -- about oil. why many people believe they are being railroaded despite safety concerns. could be you've got the wrong bed. enter sleep number... she likes the bed soft. he's more hardcore. you can both adjust the bed for the best sleep of your life. only at a sleep number store. right now save 50% on the ultimate limited edition bed. know better sleep with sleep number. >>> new at 10:00, a position over a plan by valero's benicia refinery to receive shipments by train, the city of tenisha is poised to clear the way for the train cars to start rolling. the issue is so he did, four nights have been set aside for review and comment, four and against the plan, debora villalon listened in on this first night and safety was the key issue. deborah? >> reporter: the chambers are packed but three hours in, the public is still waiting to talk. planning commissioners

reporter amber lee on why climate change could be a factor. >> where's th rain? >> reporter: the calendar says winter, it feels more like the dog days of summer. people are outside playing tennis and barbecuing. >> it's hot. it's february. waiting for the rain. >> reporter: as we all patiently wait for these storms, a climatologist who coined the term godzilla el nino says we may not be in the clear yet. >> often these el ninos come on in late winter or early spring. so march and april could be the real deal and the real show. >> reporter: he also says climate change has a lot to do with the impact of el nino. >> we are flying satellites to better measure and better understand the el nino. >> reporter: so for all of those who got a new roof and cleaned your gutters in anticipation of heavy rain, he says you did the right thing because the rain may still be coming. he also says he does feel the pressure but he is confident. >> everybody greets me the same: where's the rain? all right? but i'm tough. i can take it, you know? because i know that march and april have

. >> it's been a busy few months for everyone getting ready for the parade >> amber lee has more on the finishing touches. >> reporter: each float told out by hand from the warehouse. the vibrant creations spring with a veneer to protect them from the elements. >> very excited. i'm very happy with how every float came out. i'm proud of my team. we did some good work at this year. >> reporter: more work in the morning these little brought out to the starting point of the parade and lined up in its proper order. at union square setting up the center for key give you a live broadcast installation and testing on the eve of the parade rehearsals hours before the main event. >> it's different every year is still very exciting with lots of firecrackers and bands and floats and kids marching. it's family-friendly and a lot of fun. >> reporter: at the hilton hotel , it's the coronation ball and banquet for miss chinatown usa 2016. the winner is 1 to 3-year-old stephanie wong of millbrae. ucla graduate works for oracle and is also an accomplished dancer. >> it's an incredible honor is something i

amber alexander at the science center. ad lib wx quick the author of the pulitzer prize had died. harper lee died at age 89. lee submitted her manuscript for "to kill a mockingbird" back in 1957 and was asked to rewrite it. in july of 1960 the novel was published and defined racial troubles of the deep south. the following year, lee won the pulitzer prize. it's sequel "go set a watchman" was released last year. the famously reclusive lee never married or had any children. for three decades justice antonin scalia served inside the halls of the supreme court... today his remains lie in repose as the nation pays its respect to one of the most influential, and at-times controversial, supreme court justices. pete williams has more from outside the supreme court... in repose the rest of the day in the great hall of the supreme court building. his casket arrived here earlier today, carried inside by supreme court police officers, as nearly 100 of justice scalia's former law clerks stood on the marble steps -- acting as honorary pallbearers. president and mrs. obama will be here later today to pay their respects, a

amber.... before turning the gun on himself. fraaken has been recovering in the hospital ever since. yesterday he was released and counts >>> this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb. live, from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >>> hello, everybody! guess what? >> thirsty thursday. february 25th. >> i just read the other day, i had no idea this is a leap year. >> it's a leap year! >> we'll have to have another day of february! >> 29 days. how about people's whose birthdays are on the 29th? >> i know, i wonder if they celebrate on the 28th. not the 1st of march. >> i would wait. how about gwen stefani. that song about blake shelton. like everything else is. "make me like you". yeah! >> i like it. >> wait a minute. i-hoda day. stop that! that was good. >> all right. we do have a good show. >> yeah, yeah.