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CNN Live Saturday

Donald Rumsfeld Visits U.S. Troops in Iraq; U.S. Revealed to be Monitoring Muslim Sites in the U.S. for Radiation; Managing Credit in the Holiday Season Can be Difficult; Female Soldiers AMong the Many Casualties in Iraq;

Aired December 24, 2005 - 16:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

RANDI KAYE: Ahead this hour, growing concerns and anger over government monitoring without warrant. The targets, predominantly Muslim sites around the country.
If you're planning to fry a turkey this weekend, you'll want to hold off until you see this report.

Plus the story of baby Noor, and the U.S. soldiers trying to save her life.

Hello, and welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Randi Kaye, all that and much more after this check of the headlines.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld delivers a personal Christmas greeting to troops in Iraq. Rumsfeld gave a speech and a Christmas Eve dinner with soldiers in Mosul. We'll have much more on his visit in a moment.

Rumsfeld's visit came amid word that an American soldier had been killed in Northern Iraq. The soldier died in a rocket-propelled grenade attack. This brings the number of U.S. troops who have died in Iraq to 2,164.

The countdown to Christmas is on. In Bethlehem, thousands are flocking to the site where worshipers believe Jesus was born. It's the biggest turnout in years due largely to a drop in violence between Palestinians and Israelis.

This time of year evokes painful memories in South Asia. Mourners in Thailand offered prayers for the tens of thousands of people killed in the devastating tsunami that struck one year ago Monday. People who lost loved ones lit incense and wrote messages of support to survivors.

Up first this hour, protecting or prying. There is a new debate brewing over revelations of another U.S. monitoring program. Government officials confirm it checks for suspicious radiation levels outside more than 100 mostly Muslim sites such as Mosques.

The goal, to detect weather they hold radioactive material that could be used to build a dirty bomb. The sources tell CNN that the FBI and the Energy Department's Nuclear Emergency Support team run the program. The FBI refuses to confirm or deny it, but says it is not singling out any one group for investigation. The Energy Department declined to comment.

One government official says most of the testing takes place in Washington. Other locations have included Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit and New York.

"U.S. News & World Report" first broke the story. The magazine's chief investigative correspondent, David Kaplan explains how the program began.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID KAPLAN, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT: In 2002, the federal government, alarmed about the prospects of al Qaeda having a dirty bomb or a genuine nuclear device started a pretty massive program. In Washington, D.C., alone, they had three different vehicles that visited something like 120 different sites every day, and night. Constantly searching, monitoring for radiation levels.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: We're finding out new information about the domestic spying program President Bush acknowledged one week ago. A source familiar with the effort tells CNN the National Security Agency collects huge amounts of information from U.S. phone and Internet companies.

This source and another confirm the NSA analyzes the data to help uncover potential terror plots. One former official familiar with the program says help from private communications companies is key to uncovering terror suspects and threats. The White House is not commenting.

The spying program does not have a negative impact on President Bush's approval rating. It's been essentially flat this month, but it's higher than back in November. The latest Gallup poll finds 43 percent approve of how President Bush is doing his job. 53 percent disapprove. And the poll finds a little more than a third of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the country today, but more than six in 10 are not.

Now to Iraq, where Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld spent Christmas Eve with U.S. troops. He offered praise, a pep talk and plenty of emotion. CNN's Aneesh Raman is in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, wrapping up a three-day trip to Iraq that included one night in Amman, Jordan.

This morning the secretary serving an early Christmas Eve dinner to troops in the northern city of Mosul. He also spoke to the troops there, saying that victory and winning this war is within the grasp of the U.S. troops and that Iraqis stand on the side of freedom.

In a rare moment of public emotion, Donald Rumsfeld speaking about his own impressions of these U.S. troops.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: I've lived a long life, and as I think about it, it's hard to think of anything I've ever done that is as important or as -- gives me as much pleasure as working with each of you, doing what you're doing. You do it so well.

RAMAN: The secretary spent last night in the capital. He met with U.S. troops and dined with Iraq's political leadership as they seek to form a government by early next year, Secretary Rumsfeld also had a briefing on improvised explosive devices, those IEDs remain the biggest killer of U.S. forces in Iraq.

He also spoke with top intelligence officers about how to gather better intel on Iraq's insurgency. The headline of this trip, of course, came yesterday, when Secretary Rumsfeld announced the president's decision to downsize the number of battalions in Iraq going into next year from 17 to 15.

Which means some 7,000 U.S. troops will not be coming to Iraq in early 2006. Half staying in the U.S., half of them in Kuwait. It also brings to below 138,000 the number of U.S. troops by early next year, that number had been the baseline of troops throughout 2005.

The secretary said any further reduction in U.S. troops would be dependent on the situation on the ground, that being the success of Iraq's security forces to take over more control of the country and also how quickly and effectively Iraq's government forms early next year.

Aneesh Raman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: President Bush is also offering praise and holiday greetings to U.S. troops around the world. This morning he called nine members of the armed forces serving in Iraq in other hot spots. A White House spokesman says Mr. Bush wanted them to know he was thinking of them and their families. The president is spending Christmas at Camp David.

Ahead this hour, it is Christmas eve. Are your gifts bought, wrapped under and the tree? In case you did panic shopping and spent too much money, we'll bring you tips to get out of the holiday debt. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAYE: Holiday spending in December can lead to some hefty credit card bills in January. Credit consultant Clyde Anderson says it doesn't have to be that way. He's the author of the book "What Had Happened Was" and he has some tips to get your holiday debt under control. Boy, am I glad to see you, and I know I'm not alone on that one.

CLYDE ANDERSON, AUTHOR, CREDIT CONSULTANT: Good to be here.

KAYE: Good to have you here. So is this the time of year when most of us spend the most money?

ANDERSON: This is. This is when most Americans spend the most money. A survey from the Federated National Retail Association said that average American spends about $700 during this season alone on gifts, shopping.

KAYE: Wow! And is this impulse buying or is this planned spending?

ANDERSON: A lot of it impulse, a lot of people wait until the last minute. And I think that's one of the things that hurts lot of people is waiting for the last minute to buy gifts.

KAYE: What is your advice to people who do wait until the last minute and take part in this impulse shopping?

ANDERSON: You really have to plan throughout the year. You really have to know that, you know, Christmas comes the same time every year so, you know, take the time throughout the year to plan this out, know how much you're going to spend and allot for that in your budget. And, you know, don't wait. It's better to do it ahead of time.

KAYE: What about the sales during the year? Do you think it's a good idea to take part in the sales during the year, or do you think that the holiday sales are going to be that much bigger, so should we wait until this time of year?

ANDERSON: I really don't think they are. You know, there are sales throughout year, merchants want to sell their merchandise throughout the year. So they are. If you just really watch and pay attention, you will find other sales throughout the year, and a lot of times, you may save even more money if you buy in advance than waiting for the last minute.

KAYE: So you should buy then?

ANDERSON: I think so.

KAYE: All right. I'll tell you a little secret though. I bought once that way, one year, and I forgot where I hid all the gifts. So I had to go out and buy again, so that's my bit of advice for you today. If you buy early, remember write a note down ...

ANDERSON: Right, exactly.

KAYE: ... tell yourself where you put the gifts. OK, so say we're in debt, how do we get rid of it? You have a plan for us?

ANDERSON: Got to have a plan. You know, if you did stray a little bit from that budget, you know, and you used the credit cards to get into debt, you got to know that some money has to go towards the debts and you got to plan to save it, put it away, trim the fat off a little bit and know that can you put additional money towards that debt to get it off. Pay the smaller things off first and then build up to the bigger things, get some momentum going.

KAYE: Let's get some specifics on how to get out debt. Have an exit plan for sure?

ANDERSON: Yes, exactly.

KAYE: What do you mean by that?

ANDERSON: You got to know a strategy to say, OK, this is how much money I have, in debt. This is how -- or the timeframe that I'm going to knock it off, whether it's two months, three months or four months. Two to three months is the best, but go ahead and start it off. Put money away, you know, and you got to sacrifice somewhere.

KAYE: And buy necessities only.

ANDERSON: Necessities only. Necessities to me are shelter, transportation, food and clothing. Necessary clothing.

KAYE: And have a payment plan and also pay off debts just one at a time, which is really good advice. Don't worry about the whole thing. It's a little alarming.

ANDERSON: It's too much. Yes, it's too much to worry about. Take the small steps first. You know, small steps will build off, and as you do that, you will build momentum to get to those bigger things.

KAYE: All right. Clyde Anderson, boy, we need to talk to you this time of year. Thanks so much.

ANDERSON: Good to be here. Thank you.

KAYE: Appreciate having you here.

ANDERSON: Appreciate it.

KAYE: Shopper have just a few hours left to get their gifts. Many are flocking to the stores this Christmas Eve. Charles Molineaux with CNN affiliate WAGA is keeping an eye on the mall shoppers in Atlanta. And Charles, I guess nobody has plowed you down looking for the best sale?

It's gotten pretty close occasionally, Randi. The people have been going in and out, the cars have been going in and out, although here at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, they have actually got valet parking out front. Pretty nice for people who want to go to that and actually fork out some bucks on top of everything else they're spending on the Christmas shopping.

Let's check out some of these brave souls. We have actually got the Bakers here, Christopher and Elizabeth. How has it been?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, it's been very pleasant today. It's been crowded but not jammed. We've gotten a lot done. MOLINEAUX: What did you get?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got some baby clothes for our baby, which his mother will certainly appreciate, and some shoes and some other gifts for other family members.

MOLINEAUX: How did you end up here at last minute? It's Christmas Eve.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, we're actually staying at the Ritz across the street, so we're from out of town, and we love shopping here and we decided to come here and shop and be here today and bring our newborn, and we've had a wonderful time.

MOLINEAUX: How were the crowds?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The crowds weren't as bad as I was expecting. I was expecting it to be a lot more just, jam-packed. And it wasn't like that at all. It was very free-flowing, and we were able to move about, and security was everywhere, and so we felt very comfortable being out today.

MOLINEAUX: How were the prices?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The prices were good. If you look at our bags, we've actually got a few things from Macy's, and they had really good prices out there. Some of the other stores didn't prices I was expecting, but I'm sure they'll come down Monday afterwards.

MOLINEAUX: Thank you very much Christopher and Elizabeth and Braden (ph), appreciate it. I actually checked in with one gift giving expert, the Santa Claus here at Lenox Square Mall, who says that for little kids, Barbie, Dora. For the bigger ones, PlayStation, lots of iPods and, of course, the Microsoft Xbox, which -- well, all right, virtually everybody is sold out of them. Live in Lennox Square mall in Atlanta, I'm Charles Molineaux -- Randi.

KAYE: Charles, did you do your shopping today too? I have to ask. Did you wait till the last minute?

MOLINEAUX: Oh, long ago done. I figured I'd be here working, so days ago, avoided the last minute rush. And, actually, one thing that is a lot of fun, of course, is strolling around in the mall on Christmas Eve when you are already finished.

KAYE: Oh, yes. Very nice. OK, Charles Molineaux, thanks so much.

Still to come this hour, you may be one of the thousands planning to fry a turkey this holiday. But beware. It could be a dangerous move. Ahead, we'll tell you how to safely fry that bird.

Plus 'tis the season for Christmas lights. We visit one neighborhood that will be lit up tonight to help Santa find his way. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Talk about burning the holiday turkey. Among the many, many ways to overdo a bird, there is probably none more dramatic than using a fryer incorrectly. There goes dinner. And that's not all. Greg Hunter reported this story for "PAULA ZAHN NOW."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GREG HUNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At an apartment complex in Tucson, Arizona, Christmas Eve, 2002, ended with this fire investigators say was caused by a turkey fryer.

K.D. PREBLE, HOMEOWNER: My dad and two sisters ran out the door, and I had to jump out my bedroom window.

HUNTER: Incidents of fires or burns have happened at least 112 times in the last seven years, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, attributed to people around the country improperly using

One industry group estimates there are 10 million propane fryers in use today. People who cook with them say they work fast and the turkey's delicious, most of the time.

Thanksgiving Day, 2003, at the Moon home in Aloha, Oregon, described by a couple of terrified neighbors.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's a house on fire.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know. Sarala, up 170th.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's -- the flames are 20 feet high. There's black smoke in the air. It's a whole back side. It started on the deck.

HUNTER: Doctor Stephen Moon says he had been cooking the family feast with a turkey fryer.

STEPHEN MOON, FIRE VICTIM: I thought, well, if something happens I've got a fire extinguisher. That will take care of it. And it was like spitting into the wind. It was nothing compared to this fire that was going on.

HUNTER: The fire raged on. And eventually the fire department had to come put it out, but not before it caused more than $100,000 in damages.

Underwriters Laboratories in North Brook, Illinois, a world recognized product testing organization says frying a turkey can be hazardous. Spokesman John Drengenberg says that's why U.L. will not put its seal of approval on any turkey fryer.

JOHN DRENGENBERG, UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES: There have been safety improvements on turkey fryers, but it's still not at that point where U.L. will authorize the use of its mark.

HUNTER (on camera): It's not safe?

DRENGENBERG: Because we don't believe it is safe enough for people to use.

HUNTER (voice-over): U.L. has been testing turkey fryers for the past three years. In this company video they show how easily fires can get out of control when typical consumer mistakes are made, like dropping a partially frozen bird into a pot of overheated oil.

The industry says over the last few years they've corrected many problems. In 2002, the Canadian Standards Association, a U.L. consumer testing competitor, began certifying some turkey fryers as safe. The stands are sturdier and the tanks are better marked so consumers won't overfill.

Manufacturers have also decreased the intensity of the flame, so the oil won't overheat as quickly. And fryers come with pages of explicit cautions. One booklet contains at least 15 specific warnings on the dangers of frying a turkey.

Industry group The Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association suggested we talk to a Don and John McLemore, who own Masterbuilt, one of the biggest makers of turkey fryers.

JOHN MCLEMORE, CO-OWNER, MASTERBUILT: If you don't drive your car attentive and like you should, automobiles can be dangerous. So turkey frying is the same way. If you use it, follow the instructions and do what we say in our instructions, it's a perfectly safe product to use.

HUNTER: Simple instructions like making sure the fryer is outside, away from all buildings, on level ground, and is watched at all times.

(on camera) The industry has warnings on their products. Isn't it consumer's fault that they don't listen to the warnings?

DRENGENBERG: Well, the industry has added a lot of warnings to these turkey fryers. But the fact is the construction has to be improved to the level of safety that U.L. would demand for such a product.

HUNTER (voice-over): U.L. says it wants a device that will automatically limit the temperature of the oil in a gas turkey fryer, because it's not practical to expect consumers to watch a turkey fryer every minute, especially around the holidays.

The McLemore brothers point out they already make an electric fryer with a control to keep the oil at the correct temperature, but it will take time to develop one for their gas fryer that's safe.

DON MCLEMORE, CO-OWNER, MASTERBUILT: It's got to be done right. Can't be done overnight and thrown in the marketplace. That could be a worse mistake than not having one at all. HUNTER: Until a thermostat is developed, overheating oil is Underwriters Laboratories' main concern. U.L. set up a demonstration for CNN.

HUNTER (on camera): One thing you need to be careful of when using a turkey fryer is something called the oil flashpoint. That's where if you leave this unattended too long and the oil gets too hot, it can ignite without even touching a flame. Watch.

HUNTER (voice-over): As you can see, even putting the lid on doesn't stop the fire. And within seconds, flames are leaping four feet over the fryer. Within 2 1/2 minutes, the demonstration wall catches fire. This shows how quickly one of these fires can get out of control.

And when U.L.'s firefighters take the lid off to extinguish the fire, watch what happens. They spray foam on the fire, but even in this controlled situation, it's not easy to put out.

To see how to works in the real world we went to this house, waiting demolition, near Chicago. With the help of Frankfurt, Illinois, firefighters we set up a turkey fryer with the kind of mistakes assistant chief Larry Rouck (ph) he sees all the time.

HUNTER (on camera): This looks like a dangerous setup. By the back door, you got the leaves around there. It might be a little bit above the "full" line. Is that how some people would treat this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Yes.

HUNTER: Not surprising?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not surprising at all.

HUNTER: Homeowners make mistake when using a turkey fryer. For example, this one is way too close to the house. It's too full of oil and too hot. On top of that, we're going to put a semi frozen bird right into the fryer to show you what can happen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Target!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Target!

HUNTER (voice-over): We had firefighters standing by to make sure this didn't get out of control, because as Dr. Stephen Moon will tell you, turkey fryer fires can get out of control in a hurry.

HUNTER (on camera): Would you fry one here at your house again?

MOON: Not at my house, no.

HUNTER: For those who will, follow the instructions carefully, or risk a holiday dinner tragedy.

Greg Hunter, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: And there's this on what can you do to fry a turkey safely. Always use turkey fryers outdoors well away from buildings, cars and trees, never in your garage. Do not overfill the fryer with oil. And never leave the fryer unattended. Watch it all the time and use a good thermometer to make sure the oil doesn't get too hot.

What a year it's been for President Bush. Ahead, a look back on the highs and lows of his presidency in 2005.

And later, an incredible story of hope for one Iraqi family. How U.S. troops want to give Baby Noor the gift of life this holiday season.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Here's what's going on on Christmas Eve. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld spreads holiday cheer in Iraq. Rumsfeld today brightened a mess hall in Mosul. In a speech to U.S. troops, he said the United States will prevail in the mission to rebuild Iraq.

Also an Iraq, a kidnapping victim being shown today on video tape. In the tape released by militants, the man identifies himself as the Jordanian driver of Jordan's ambassador to Baghdad. The militants are demanding that Jordan sever diplomatic ties with Iraq.

More than a million U.S. troops have rotated through Iraq. Of that number, 115,000 have been women. They serve in all branches of the military. They fight, and they die.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE (voice over): This was the scene six months ago. June 23rd in Fallujah. A seven ton truck in a ball of fire, lives inside incinerated before anyone knew what was happening.

ERIN LIBERTY, U.S. MARINE CORPS: It was just the loudest, hottest, brightest colored boom that I've ever seen and heard. I remember thinking, wow, we just got hit, you know, with a suicide bomb.

KAYE: A suicide bomber rammed his car into a Marine convoy's cargo truck, killing two female marines and one female U.S. Navy Reservist. The deadliest day for women in the U.S. military since World War II

LIBERTY: My hands were burned severely, blistering. My skin coming off my pinkis and ring fingers.

KAYE: Lance Corporal Erin Liberty remembers the explosion violently lifting the truck in the air. Her seat mate, 43-year-old Regina Clark was on fire.

LIBERTY: I look over to my left, and I see her, and she bounced down on the bench really hard and she just bounced up and she just tumbled into the flames. I looked over, all I could see was orange fire and flames and then she was gone.

KAYE: Clark was later identified only by her dog tags. The women were returning to Camp Fallujah from guarding checkpoints and inspecting Muslim women for weapons. Male Marines were escorting the women's truck.

SGT. CAROZIO BASS, CONVOY ATTACK VICTIM: We heard a big boom and a large amount of smoke about maybe 200 yards up.

KAYE: That's Sergeant Carozio Bass running toward the burning convoy to help.

BASS: You could see a blaze of fire. It almost like something out of a movie. It was huge flames. Most of the female marines were covered in smoke, blood. Some of them were still burning.

They had holes in their trousers. Most of them were wondering what their faces look like, you know, and my heart went out to them, I didn't know what to say to them at time, other than they would be okay.

KAYE: Then in the midst of the rescue, sniper fire. By the time it was over, 21-year-old Holly Charette of Cranston, Rhode Island, 43-year-old Regina Clark from Centralia, Washington, and 20-year-old Ramona Valdez of the Bronx, New York, were all dead, along with three male marines.

RET. BRIG GEN. WILMA VAUGHT, WOMEN'S MEMORIAL FOUNDATION: I think women, the same as men, have to understand the same thing, that is that in that environment, they're going to be in harm's way.

KAYE: There are more than 15,000 female U.S. troops now serving in Iraq. Since March, 2003, 45 have died, 31 by hostile fire. The Marines prohibit women from participating in direct ground combat. But in a war where the front lines are blurred, that's nearly impossible.

Holly Charette delivered the mail to soldiers in Iraq. She had dreamed of working for the post office. Ramona Valdez dreamed of moving her family out of the Bronx, and Regina Clark, she was three months shy of retirement.

CAREY CLARK, REGINA CLARK'S SON: I relied on her as much as she relied on me.

KAYE: All Carey Clark has now is this dog. His mom had used her own money to ship the stray back from Iraq. He had prayed she wouldn't be far behind.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: As we reported another American soldier has died in Iraq. The military says the soldier died today of wounds suffered in a rocket propelled grenade attack. The soldier was assigned to the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, and the attack occurred during a patrol in Northern Iraq.

Carol Lin is here with a preview of what is to come on your show coming up tonight.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: That was some pretty grim reporting there. But we do have heart warming stories out of the war zone. You've heard about this baby with spina bifida in Iraq. U.S. soldiers are making sure she is going to get the medical care that she needs.

Baby Noor is coming to the United States. And doctors have volunteered to help treat her. We're going to have that heartwarming story.

Also at 6:00, remember the tsunami. So many people died. So many of them children, but now that their is a baby boom happening in Banda Aceh. Families who are believing that there can be hope again and another life are having children.

KAYE: Encouraging them to have kids.

LIN: You bet. And all the day's news in the next couple of hours.

KAYE: We will catch it then.

Still to come this hour, we check on jolly old St. Nick. It's a busy night for the big guy in red. We find out where he's been and where he's headed next. Stay tuned.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm Sergeant Anthony Robbins here in Tarqdad (ph), Afghanistan. I'd like to wish a happy holidays to my wife Katherine (ph) in Austin, Texas. I love you, babe, see you soon.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My name is Lance Corporal Rodriguez in Camp Fallujah Iraq, CLB8. I'd like to say hi to my family in Fort Worth, Texas. I love you and I miss you, god bless.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My name is Sergeant Richard Ruel (ph). I'm in Taji, Iraq. I'd like to say happy holidays to my wife, Erica, Pauline, Eric, Cameron, and my new baby, Sierra. Happy holidays.

byline: Kareen Wynter, Kyra Phillips, Carol Lin,

KAYE: If you thought winter wonderlands only existed at the North Pole. Take a look at this. A Los Angeles community is keeping with a time honored tradition in creating its own festival of lights. CNN's Kareen Wynter takes us there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Holiday magic comes to life. From elaborate light displays to decked out Santas, take your pick. This winter wonderland draws thousands of curious spectators each year.

SAMANTHA PIOCH, SPECTATOR: Park the car and just take a walk with the guys, it's something I want them to remember and hopefully do with their kid, too.

WYNTER: Bumper to bumper traffic on every block, you won't believe where it's all taking place. Right on the streets of a suburban neighborhood.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN:: Easily over 90 percent. There's very few that don't do it.

WYNTER: A 20-year-old tradition that began with one family's festive idea to decorate their home for the holidays. Decades later, home owners like the Granstroms (ph) say their Christmas creation is one of many on display

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN In the beginning, we put too many together, you blow a fuse.

WYNTER: The tradition is even mentioned on the purchase agreement when residents buy homes here.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN There's not that many places like that where people can walk and, I think, feel safe. You hear everybody singing.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN (singing) :All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names...

WYNTER: Oh, the Christmas carols. Santa's little helpers are hard at work. Cookies and candies, anyone?

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN They're dividing the money. I don't know if they're doing it for it, but I'm going to put it to charity.

WYNTER: You can also grab a hot cup of cocoa while taking in the view. Many eye catching fixtures took months to create, like this mesmerizing merry-go-round. It costs more than $2,000, fully equipped with the motor.

ANNIE ENGLERT, RESIDENT: What you get out of it far outweighs the money that you pay.

WYNTER: The Englerts say their electric bill has also doubled, but you won't hear any complaints.

ENGLERT: Just to contribute to the awe and just the magic of the holiday is just too much fun. It's great.

WYNTER: Quite a treat for visitors, but residents also have a sense of pride, knowing generations have shared in these famous South Bay fixtures.

Kareen Wynter, CNN, Torrance, Califronia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Over the next few hours, eager children around the world will be on the lookout for Santa Claus.

Santa sightings are coming in, like this one on the Potomac River today. St. Nick was seen water skiing with his helpers. He's pretty good. He may be working off a bit of nervous energy before the big night.

In Florida, sunbathers had an unexpected visitor Friday. It seems Santa Claus was making early rounds, spreading the holiday cheer on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. The jolly fat man donned sunglasses and he and his elves gave candy canes, treats and an occasional kiss.

In Pennsylvania, a former dairy farmer turned Santa uses alternate sleigh. A 1946 Jeep painted red and decked out for the holidays. Along with his internal horse power, there are six reindeer and Rudolph, of course, leads the pack. We know with Santa's magic, he can travel in anything.

You've probably heard a number of stories over the years how Santa Claus came to be. Our Kyra Phillips looks at the origins of Santa in this "CNN Fact Check."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Most historians trace Santa Claus's roots back to St. Nicholas. He was a 4th century Catholic bishop in the area that is today known as Turkey.

St. Nick was famous for his generous gifts to the poor and later became the patron saint of children. Santa Claus also owes some his traits to the British Father Christmas, dating back to at least the 1600s. He certainly got a white beard and he looks pretty jolly, but he's wearing green.

Most historians say it was the Dutch who first brought the tradition to America. They call him Sinterklaas (ph), based on the figure of St. Nicholas. He leaves gifts in children's shoes on December 5, the night before the saint's birthday.

Believe it or not. It wasn't until the late 19th century when Santa Claus started appearing as we know him today. A plump, jolly old elf, in a red suit, visiting on Christmas Eve.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: And finally, the news a lot of folks are waiting to hear, U.S. government tracking systems are picking up a signal that appears to be of that a sleigh being pulled by flying reindeer and flown by a jolly old elf. You can watch for yourself at Noradsanta.org. There he is on the radar. There is so much more ahead on CNN. Carol Lin is up next with more CNN LIVE SATURDAY after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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