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Secret Service Embarrassed by Prostitution Scandal; Tornadoes Threaten South; Titanic Attraction Opens; Study Finds Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Improve Health; Financial Planner Gives advice on Tax Returns; Center Focuses on Autistic Children with Eating Disorders

Aired April 14, 2012 - 14:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: You're in the CNN Newsroom, where the news unfolds live this Saturday, April 14. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

A major scandal with the U.S. Secret Service overshadowing President Obama's appearance at the Summit of the Americas. Roughly a dozen American Secret Service personnel sent to Colombia for the president's trip have been relieved of duty and sent home. Two U.S. government sources tell CNN they are being investigated for misconduct allegedly involving prostitution. CNN's Dan Lothian is traveling with the presidents and joins us live now from Cartagena, Columbia. So Dan, what's the latest on the investigation where it stance?

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, as you pointed out, those two U.S. government sources telling CNN that in fact these Secret Service personnel did bring back several prostitutes to their hotels. Now, it's still a little squishy as to some of the details after they brought them back to their hotel, but at some point according to these sources, there was a dispute over payment, and then the police, the local police got involved.

Now, as you pointed out, about a dozen Secret Service officers are involved in this scandal. We're told it's a mix of undercover agents as well as the uniform officers. They were not part of the president's protective detail but rather were part of the overall security team here in Colombia. Now, we do understand that President Obama has been informed about this investigation along with Secretary Napolitano of Homeland Security, and an investigation, an internal investigation is now underway, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So Dan, this clearly overshadowing the president's visit in Colombia. What is on the agenda for that summit today?

LOTHIAN: That's right. This is not only an embarrassment to the Secret Service, but it's a major distraction for the White House. The president came here to focus on critical issues, not only to the United States but also to the region, focusing on energy, on trade, on the economy. The expansion of the economy has bench quicker since the economic downturn in the Latin American region than it has been in the United States. So the president today meeting with the CEOs at a CEO summit here talking about expanding trade in this region, job creation back at home, and this public-private partnership. That's very much what the White House wants the focus to be, but of course there is this nagging distraction.

WHITFIELD: And then, Dan, there was some other type of security scare in Colombia on the eve of the summit. Explain what happened.

LOTHIAN: That's right. You know, we had explosions happening not only here in Cartagena, but two in Bogota, one near a bus stop, another near a shopping mall. No injuries, only minor damage, and we're told that no one has claimed responsibility. These devices were described by law enforcement sources as kind of homemade devices, so nothing very sophisticated, but no doubt did cause a bit of a stir here because the ones in Cartagena happened a few miles away from where these world leaders are staying.

WHITFIELD: Dan Lothian, thanks so much for that update from Cartagena, Colombia.

Here in the States now, a health warning. The CDC says at least 116 people in 20 states and the nation's capital are infected with a strain of salmonella. They think the outbreak was caused by people eating raw yellow fin tuna. The product is used to make sushi and sashimi available in restaurants and grocery stores.

And Bee Gees star Robin Gibb is in a coma at a London hospital. Gibb also had pneumonia and was recently diagnosed with colon and liver cancer. According to a representative, doctors believe the singer has developed a secondary tumor. His family is keeping vigil at his bedside.

And one of the accused Tulsa shooters says he is not a racist despite being charged at the state level with a hate crime. And 19- year-old Jake England is accused of killing three strangers on April 6th because they were black. On the tape he said England had grown up in a large African-American community in Tulsa and quote, "got along with everybody."

The Los Angeles Dodgers should be under new management by the end of this month. A bankruptcy court approved the baseball team's reorganization fans on Friday. It allows Dodger's owner Frank McCourt to sell the team for $2 billion to Guggenheim Baseball Management, a group that includes former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson.

And we're keeping a close eye on severe storms that could unleash powerful tornadoes across much of the plains states today.

(WEATHER BREAK)

WHITFIELD: People living in the direct path of these storms are on alert and on edge. In Norman, Oklahoma, people have already suffered damage after the tornado touched down there late yesterday. And that also happens to be the home of the National Weather Center storm prediction center where we also find national correspondent Susan Candiotti. Susan, what are they telling people?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is an epicenter for all the meteorologists all over the company, but especially those who are watching out for warnings of that dramatic activity. Right here is where all the action is. We're supposed to be taking in hush tones because people here, all the meteorologists very busy looking at all the latest weather data. Each person here has their specialty and area of expertise and then they put it all together so they can put out the latest information for all the meteorologists in particular and weather watchers all over the place looking for the highest risk areas.

And they have got this bank of monitors to look at. But this one over here is of special interest. It has all these extra colors on it. You see the yellow. That indicates every place in this region in particular, and across the United States for that matter, where there is some kind of weather warning at this time, any kind of weather warning.

And then you see the circles of the red and the purple Jackie was talking about, where the highest risk areas are. Steve Weiss, one of the meteorologists hard at work here. This could be a very dangerous day into tonight and Sunday morning. How bad could it get?

STEVE WEISS, METEOROLOGIST: There's certainly potential for long track destructive tornadoes to occur this afternoon and tonight over parts of the plains states. We're already seeing thunderstorms parts of Kansas, into Nebraska. We're seeing indications near the border of rotation in the storms. Tornado warnings have been issued for parts of that area. And we anticipate there will be additional storms developing later today into tonight.

CANDIOTTI: If people aren't paying heed to these warnings, what could happen?

WEISS: They certainly have potential to have damage to where they are at, and we really do hope that people will increase their awareness of the threat today. It's a weekend. There can be people who have plans for their weekend. Please be aware of the weather and the threat that we're going to have continuing into opportunity.

CANDIOTTI: Thank you very much.

And you know this is the second time only since 2006 where they have issued this kind of a high-risk warning two days in advance. They've been trying to give people enough warning of what is coming up. And they have so much more improved technology to use nowadays. So it's important, you've said it, Jackie's saying it -- you've got to have a plan. Please pay attention, especially because the worst of it could happen overnight. Pay attention to these warnings. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much. I appreciate that. Susan Candiotti from Norman, Oklahoma.

The images that we've become used to seeing from Liberia are war, poverty and child soldiers. Now there are new glimmers of hope. We'll get a look at the changing face of an African nation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: All right, time now to look at other stories making headlines around the world now. The U.N. Security Council voted this morning to send 30 observers to Syria and it's demanding the government to allow them to monitor the situation without interference. Meanwhile activists say at least 16 people were killed around the country today.

Iran is discussing its program with members of the U.N. Security Council today, and Iran's top negotiator says he is bringing new initiatives the table. The U.N. hopes to convince the country to give up its nuclear program which it believes to be for military purposes.

And a century after the Titanic hit an iceberg a cruise ship will make a special journey to the spot where the iconic ship sank. A memorial service is planned tomorrow at exactly the same the Titanic went down. Passengers are donning costumes and enjoying food from that period as well.

The deep scars of war are starting to heel in Liberia. The tiny African nation is still one of the poorest countries in the world, but there's a new spirit of hope. Our Brenda Bush is from Liberia and she went back to visit and report on the country making a comeback.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRENDA BUSH, PRODUCER: I turned a corner on Monrovia and came up on these kids dancing in the streets. And it struck me, almost 10 years ago children this age were killing and dying in these same streets. I will never forget the horrific images of Liberia's child soldiers, armed, drugged, and deadly. It was difficult to watch my country the place I was born and raised embroiled in one of African's most brutal civil wars.

I was one of the lucky ones because I was able to flee the violence. I've made many trips back through the years, but this time the spirit of Monrovia is different. Liberia is clearly making a comeback, and the family member I'm visiting now is my very American daughter who decided to move to Liberia after college. She says this is one of her favorite places in the city, the sprawling marketplace known as Waterside. Everything can be find here for a bargain, from handmade bags and shoes, to clothes and food. But you've got to love to shop to hang out down here.

Broad Street, which runs through the heart of downtown, is another bustling part of the city. The quickest way to get around is to hop on a motorbike or moped. They're called "pen-pens" in these parts for the constant annoying sounds of their horns.

You can escape it all at the beach. Tourists are exactly flocking to Liberia, yet, but they are starting to come. Several hotels have opened up and I'm told Liberia has some of the best surfing in the world. Sunday is beach day.

Liberia have a saying that the country is sweeter and I'm hearing more and more of it these days.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is amazing time for Liberia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the place to be right now. I'm just happy to be a part of it.

BUSH: There's no doubt that a long, difficult road lies ahead in this struggling nation by the sea. An entire generation of children was unable to go to school because of the war. So for me the sight of kids with their backpacks heading to school is the promise for this country's future. I know many Liberian children still have a heavy load to bear. But there are no longer child soldiers on these streets, and hopefully one day all the Liberian children will have reason to dance.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: A beautiful look at Liberia, and the lovely lady who brought us that, Brenda Bush, producer, here. And this is home for you, even though the States are home, but your daughter still lives there. We look at these images and we can't help but think of utopia. But all of Liberia isn't this way. These are just pockets you saw of real recovery, real glimmers of hope.

BUSH: I don't want anybody to think utopia when they think Liberia at all, because this is definitely a country just starting in the comeback. Electricity we don't have, running water. Education is a problem. Health care is a problem. All these problems still exist. I wanted to focus on what had changed there because there is change and you see it, you feel it. You hear it when you talk to Liberians who are there, and that's what I wanted to focus on.

WHITFIELD: And all of those things that people recall in terms of the child soldiers, et cetera, it didn't go away overnight, or did it, when Charles Taylor as the president was removed. Is that when we started to see this evolution of change that people were feeling more hopeful about a brighter, better Liberia?

BUSH: You know, it's taken a long time. The war is almost, 10 years of peace almost. Not even -- next year will be 10 years. So it's taken ten years to reach this point. And there's still so much more to do in Liberia. I think that the, because the spirit of the people, the desire to improve and the belief that better days are ahead of us, that's finally come. And I think that's what I was seeing on this trip, because I've been back many, many times and I didn't feel this prior to this.

WHITFIELD: Something happened on this journey.

BUSH: You know, it was as if when I turned that corner and came up on those children, it was like I realized my country had turned a corner at that time, because our children, who were killers, Liberian children, thousands of them were child soldiers. They were the ones killing. They were taught to kill and they were made to kill, and they saw family members.

WHITFIELD: They were made to kill their own family members.

BUSH: Yes. They were there witnessing their parents being killed and they were taken. We have a horrible, horrible history.

And I think when I saw my husband and daughter and I were in the car together, and she sees the Liberia of hope. So when she saw the kids dancing in the street and she's sitting in the car, she's dancing too. And my husband and I, who know the horror of Liberia --

WHITFIELD: You have the reference point.

BUSH: Yes. And we sat there, and I said to him, our children have their child hoods back, and he said yes. This is a good thing.

I was not even doing a story on it. I wasn't even thinking about being a journalist. At that point I was a Liberian, I was a mother. This was a moment for me. So we have the camera man was on the back, I didn't even know he was videotaping.

WHITFIELD: And it's a beautiful story in which to tell and a great view that we rarely get a chance to see. Thanks so much Brenda Bush for bringing it to us.

BUSH: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Have you filed your taxes yet now that you're back home?

BUSH: That's another story.

(LAUGHTER)

WHITFIELD: OK. We've got some help on the other side of this break, some of the last minute advice that you do not want to miss from our Karen Lee right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, for all the procrastinators out there, me included, the government is giving you an extra two days to file your taxes this year. Tax day is this Tuesday -- normally it's April 15th, but this time it's Tuesday April 17. And today in our weekly financial fix we get advice for last-minute tax filers like me.

Karen Lee is the author of "It's just Money, So Why Does it Cause so many Problems?" OK. Money is tight for a lot of people. People are just sometimes nervous about doing their taxes, they don't want to hear they're going to owe. So give us some advice on last minute procrastinators such as myself to make sure you take care of all those deductibles that you didn't think about.

KAREN LEE, FINANCIAL PLANNER: That's what this segment is about. Some of the credits and deductions people do tend to miss. And whether you're procrastinating or not, remember you can file an amended return. So the first one, if you've got children, we've got an education -- the first two are tax credits. Credits are better than deductions. Credits come right off the tax you've calculated you owe. A deduction just help you lower your income to then calculate.

WHITFIELD: So we'll see this money back.

LEE: So for education there is the American Opportunity Tax Credit up to $2,500 less taxes.

WHITFIELD: Is that college level?

LEE: It has to be first four years of college only and it's phased out -- if it's a married up, $160,000, to $180,000 it's gone, and for singles it's $80,000 and phased out to $90,000.

Second one for education, lifetime learning credit, for undergrad and graduate. It's $2,000 you can get back, phased out at $100,000 matter married. And then the second one is for childcare, kids under 13.

WHITFIELD: Did you not every would be gets that?

LEE: It's an income ceiling. And this one is kind of complicated. So the main thing I wanted to tell you is that for one child up to $3,000 you can get back, two children up to $6,000. It's a percentage of the expense and the phase-out affects that percentage.

So then let's go on to, there's a couple of deductions that I'm starting to worry about people missing because of the way we handle money.

WHITFIELD: Maybe we can see that graphic again.

LEE: Sure.

WHITFIELD: It sure does help.

LEE: Charity and moving expenses. These two are deductions that last one is an actual credit. With charity we tend to write checks to charity. What about if you do service?

WHITFIELD: Volunteerism?

LEE: Not the time, but the distance you travel you can deduct 14 cents a mile. And if you spend money, if you're postage, all of that can be deducted. We're starting to see people automatically deducting from their checking account and using credit cards. So don't just look at your checkbook.

WHITFIELD: We have 20 seconds left.

LEE: We've got to move. Moving expenses, of course you've 'got a new job and it's more than 50 miles away you can deduct all of that.

Let's get to that retirement savers. If you are a low-income earner, $28,000, you can get up to $1,000 back if you have been contributing to the IRA or 401(k). That is in addition to the deduction or the deferral.

WHITFIELD: Those are great avenues to take, that is excellent. Karen Lee, you always have all the best advice. I know you want to remind people, you've got to sign your return.

LEE: You've got to sign them, send them to the right address, make sure they're made out to the United States Internal Revenue Service. This year people are filing their returns and finding out that some people have already filed under their I.D. as a form of identity theft. We'll talk about that next week.

WHITFIELD: I look forward to that. Karen Lee, appreciate that. Happy tax filing day on Tuesday. Get more financial advice by reading Karen's back, "It's just Money, So Why does it Cause so many Problems?" Or reach Karen at KarenandAssociates.com.

Members of the U.S. Secret Service recalled from the president's trip to Colombia after reportedly having contact with prostitutes. A top former FBI official weighs in on the scandal, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. We're learning more details about a scandal involving U.S. Secret Service personnel. Members of the advanced team assigned to President Obama's trip to Colombia had been relieved of duty and sent home. This came after the allegedly had contact with prostitutes in Columbia. Government sources tell CNN about a dozen personnel were involved, none were part of the president's protective detail. But I do want to bring in CNN contributor Tom Fuentes. He is a former FBI assistant director and he is joining us now from San Francisco. Good to see you, Tom.

TOM FUENTES, FORMER FBI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Hi, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So while prosecution is not illegal in part of Columbia, this could break the code of conduct. That is really what is at issue, not necessarily whether those Secret Service broke the law, but they did break the code of conduct allegedly, correct?

FUENTES: That's correct. And the issue here is that the Secret Service more than any other federal law enforcement agency are really regarded as part of the president's direct staff. Whether it's advanced detail or the actual protective detail that are with him every day and night, they are considered direct representatives and part of his staff and the expectation is that their conduct will always be beyond reproach at the highest level.

WHITFIELD: But it is very serious in your view, correct? How serious?

FUENTES: If it was serious enough for them to bring all of them back to the U.S. and send a different team out, or they may have been finished with their duties anyway since they were the advanced team, you know, we're going to have to wait and see what the investigation discloses. I've seen reports that said it was one agent with one prostitute and there was other reporting that it might have been multiple prostitutes with multiple agents. We just don't know that yet.

But the mere fact that someone notified the police in Cartagena and the police notified the embassy, that doesn't mean it's true, yet. It just means it's a serious allegation, that was enough for the Secret Service to take action and we're going to have to await their internal investigation, and I'm sure it's going to be looked at not only by the Secret Service itself but other components of the department of Homeland Security as well as the Ambassador McKinley's staff there in Colombia.

WHITFIELD: So these that were suspended were not members of the president's protective detail, but the advance team. Nonetheless you have to wonder what kind of security issues are glaring now, particularly since the advance team would generally sanitize an area before the president's arrival. Do you worry that that might have been compromised during these alleged engagements?

FUENTES: I actually don't worry about that. I think that the work that they do, and they do it also in conjunction with the local police from Colombia, I think they would have done a very professional job of that. And unless there's evidence that these prostitutes, if they did get taken back to the hotel, were members of some terrorist organization or were, you know, planting bombs in an area that had already been secured, I don't see it as a direct security threat. I don't think that's the issue.

And there are advance teams working all over the world right now, today, looking at the upcoming trips for the next month or two that the president will take. So there's multiple advance teams working at any given moment for the president, for the vice president, depending what's on their schedule of travel. So this is one of the teams. Obviously it was the one that was there immediately preceding his travel there. So they had a key function with that.

But they're not alone. It's down with the police and you have the regular detail come in and they're with the president every day. And, as well, the president is attending the summit of the Americas, a very highly charged, diplomatic event for this hemisphere. So the summit itself will be providing extensive security for that and for all the other leaders from South America and the rest of the Americas who are attending this function.

WHITFIELD: Tom Fuentes formerly of the FBI, thanks for joining us.

FUENTES: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: And of course we understand the White House will have a briefing coming up today.

In the meantime, let's talk about weather. You saw the images right there -- 5.5 million people are now bracing for what could be a violent outbreak of tornadoes. The plains states are the target of a storm that could drop as many as 100 tornadoes. Forecasters warn people need to be especially vigilant after the sun goes down just a few hours from now. This might be a very long evening. Our Jackie Jeras is monitoring the storm and will bring us new developments straight ahead. And do you know what to if a tornado or disaster heads your way? The U.S. government is urging everyone to get a plan in place right now and it's providing some great tools for you and even your children to do so. CNN's Josh Levs is here with more details on that. How do you get started, Josh?

JOSH LEVS, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Hey, there Fred. I'll tell you, today is a really good day is to remember that it is important for every one if you're not in a place to get tornados to have an emergency plan in place. And the government talks about this and there's a great site that talks you through some of the key steps. It's called Ready.gov.

I want to give you all some basics. I want you to know a few of the things, go into an emergency supply kit, have this ready no matter where you live. One of them is water, you want to have in this kit, at least three gallons per person. It's a gallon of water per person per day at least three days, and three days' worth of nonperishable food.

And also that battery powered radio. You want a flashlight with extra batteries, also a first aid kit with all the basics. And you also want to have, a lot of people forget about this one, a whistle in case you need to signal for help. That's just half the list.

But there's also something else that might surprise you. Take I look at the pictures. This is something the government has put out there as they're trying to help people get safe. Now, why would you be looking at pictures of a family of what appear to be lions? The reason is the government has created these comic book characters that are now there to help you as a family get together and make a plan with your children so your kids will be empowered with some basic information about how to handle an emergency if it is to happen.

And so these characters are now there, these little comic strips, talking you through how to prepare as a family. And there's a little place where you write down information, you put it in each kid's pocket. I've linked it all up for you on my Facebook and Twitter. You can check it out. And Fred, I will tell you it's nice to see these proactive steps to try and help families have more and more tools to build those emergency kits.

WHITFIELD: It's clever and cute and oh, so necessary. Hopefully they will go to your sites to find out where they should go next.

Josh, you probably loved this and remember, Larry, Curly, and Moe, they are back, this time on the big screen. Does this classic TV show clans late on the big screen? Our movie critic weighs in next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, whether you're in the mood for horror or slapstick comedy, this weekend there's something for you. Our movie critic is Matt Atchity from RottenTomatoes.com is here to give us his grades on this weekend's new releases. Matt, good to see you joining us Los Angeles, per usual. MATT ATCHITY, ROTTENTOMATOES.COM: You too.

WHITFIELD: Let's begin with the cabin in the woods.

ATCHITY: This one is tough to talk about without giving too much away. On its surface it's about five college kids who go to a cabin in the woods for a relaxing weekend, and bad things start to happen.

WHITFIELD: Let's look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm thinking this thing doesn't take credit cards.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The sign says closed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're looking for --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can get you there. Getting back, that's your concern.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Oh, no, Matt. You will not find me in the theater. If you do, you will leave deaf because I'm a screamer.

ATCHITY: I loved this movie. It's hard to talk about it without giving too much away. This is one of the best movies I've seen all year. I absolutely loved this movie. It starts out with a cliched story, these kids going into the woods getting picked off one by one, but it's so much more than that.

WHITFIELD: And they stay.

ATCHITY: And they address that.

In this movie we've got a script written by Drew Godard and Josh Wheden, who worked on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" together. They write a very, very smart script that really play on the idea of the cliches you see in a horror movie. I don't want to say anything else. But if you're considering seeing this movie, don't watch the trailer, don't read any reviews, just go and see it. You're going to be really happy you did.

WHITFIELD: And listen to your grade, because you give it a winning grade.

ATCHITY: I gave it an "A." It's one of the best things I've seen all year.

WHITFIELD: That's amazing. Let's go on to something funny, comical, more my speed. Larry, Curly and Moe, "The Three Stooges." We all know what it's about, how does it translate on the big screen?

ATCHITY: It translates pretty well. They set it up as three short films, all kind of telling one long story. So it is very similar, at least in pacing, to the classic three stooges shorts.

WHITFIELD: I think we have time for a 15-second clip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Getting second on lobster.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got lobster upset your stomach.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I dipped it in pesto bismal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come here. Look, it's Santa claws.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did I tell you about puns?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So matt, sometimes over the top silly can, you know, hit a nerve, too. Did they hit the mark right on this one?

ATCHITY: They did. I think they did. I really, I enjoyed this film. You know, it's uneven. The jokes get pretty silly at times. You know, I would say that the three stooges are an acquired taste. Not everyone cares for them. But you can watch an old short from the '30s and 40s, and it would fit well with this. The cast is good. You've got Shaun Hayes from Will and Grace playing Larry, who is fantastic in this. And if you are a three stooges fan you will like this a lot.

WHITFIELD: If not then go to the whole "Cabin in the Woods" thing. You gave it a C.

ATCHITY: I think it's a decent movie.

WHITFIELD: OK, good.

ATCHITY: Good to see you, too.

WHITFIELD: If you want to check out any of the other reviews, you want to go to RottenTomatoes.com.

ATCHITY: Millions of New Yorkers pass by a bit of Titanic history and probably don't even know it. A look at what was meant to be the Titanic's final destination, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Thousands across the world are marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. If the Titanic missed that iceberg, it just may have sailed through the north Atlantic and docked at New York's west side piers. CNN's Richard Roth takes a look at what could have been.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The morning fog on New York's Hudson rivers just stirs the imagination even more. A century ago, the Titanic would have sailed up New York Harbor, concluding her maiden trans-Atlantic voyage.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's awaiting on a ship that never came.

ROTH: Titanic would have turned into this dock amid celebration.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Titanic was supposed to dock at Pier 59 a hundred years ago.

ROTH: Now Pier 59 is a golf driving range.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just a tragic loss. It was a long time ago.

ROTH: There was a ship that did arrive 100 years ago, the Carpathia which set out days earlier and received Titanic's distress calls. And 705 passengers and crewmen were rescued from the sea. P.H. Nargeolet, who has dived on the wreck of the Titanic 30 times, describes the atmosphere.

P.H. NARGEOLET, TITANIC EXPERT: It was windy, it was horrible. And there were 10,000 people waiting for the survivor.

ROTH: Carpathia bypassed its own dock and approached Pier 59.

DANA THAYER, MARKETING DIRECTOR, CHELSEA PIERS: The significance of Pier 50 is this is where the Carpathia landed with the lifeboats from the Titanic. It was here the Titanic was supposed to head to.

ROTH: She should know, the marketing director of the Chelsea Piers Sports Complex, whose own husband lost family members on the Titanic.

Many of New York City's great historic piers are now gone, rotting hulks or used for real estate, little trace here of the Titanic and where it would have arrived 100 years ago. There is a piece of history that hundreds go by every day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can still see the names on the left side and the white star.

ROTH: The companies that owned the Carpathia and the Titanic. The Carpathia ultimately arrived here, the decks full of survivors who reached New York City, but not the way they expected.

Richard Roth, CNN New York.

WHITFIELD: And coming up some news about alcohol mixing with some women.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: A study by researchers at Harvard found that healthy women who moderate amounts of alcohol during middle age had a 20 percent chance of being in better health than seniors compared to those who didn't drink. But consuming alcohol also comes with health risks.

The study looked at almost 14,000 women in the mid to late 50s to see how their health fared if they drank up to one drink a day. That's defined as no more than four ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer or a mixed drink with one shot of liquor. The participants were considered healthy if at age 70 they were free from chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease or mentally sharp, in OK physical, shape, and had no mental health issues.

Previous research has shown that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol in middle age may lower the risk of heart disease in both men and women because it can raise levels of good cholesterol, or HDL. But experts say women who drink two or more drinks a day increase their risk for breast cancer. Heavy drinking has also been tide to other cancers, liver disease, increases in blood pressure, and damage to the heart. If you don't drink, researchers say, there's no need to start.

With this week's health for her, I'm Elizabeth Cohen.

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WHITFIELD: All right, it's something most of us take for granted, munching on an apple or grabbing a sandwich. But for some families of autistic children, mealtime can be traumatic. Randy Kaye has the story of one family and the help they've received.

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RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Like many seven-year-olds, Kaylee West doesn't eat vegetables. But she's also never had cookies, a grilled cheese sandwich, or any solid foods.

JENNIFER WEST, KAYLEE'S MOTHER: It was a total nightmare.

KAYE: That's because up until now Kaylee has refused to eat.

WEST: We had a seven-year-old drinking out of a bottle still on formula. So for her health and well-being we needed to find something more substantial.

KAYE: Like pureed food. It's a struggle that Kaylee's mother, Jennifer West, knows all too well. And so do a growing number of parents in the U.S. According to the newest figures from the CDC, one every 88 children has autism. A shocking majority have what are known as autism related eating disorders.

DR. DAVID JAQUESS, THE MARCUS AUTISM CENTER: The research is 49 percent to 80 percent of children who have some restriction or difficulties who are not eating enough to get nutrition.

KAYE: Dr. David Jaquess is the director of the pediatrics eating disorders program at the March Autism Center in Atlanta.

JAQUESS: Children have severe tantrums, maybe throwing food or running away from the table or getting emotionally upset and crying.

WEST: Like most kids with autism, she is considered nonverbal, so therefore she has problems communicating. She will just knock it out of your hands.

KAYE: Even for those patients who do eat, their extreme pickiness endangers their health.

JAQUESS: Another example might be a particular child who ohm eats a particular brand of store bought food, say chicken nuggets, because they have a particular feel in their mouth or something about their experience of it that makes it more comfortable for them.

KAYE: The Marcus center's feeding program may sound simple to a healthy person, but it's very rig with us to a child with autism.

JAQUESS: Children are here all day, Monday through Friday for about seven weeks working hard and intensely and we try to balance that out with the kind of reinforcers that are going to motivate children to do what for them is difficult work.

KAYE: There is still work to be done.

WEST: We went from a kid that would slap you instead of letting you put food in her mouth to she is actually lunging at the spoon now in order to get the food. So we have made big strides and this is just the beginning of the fourth week.

KAYE: Long strides towards a healthier life for Kaylee and some peace of mind for Jennifer.

Randi Kaye, CNN, Atlanta.

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WHITFIELD: And stay tuned. Our "Gaming and Gadgets" segment, this time with Maria Armstrong on price increases for digital books in the CNN Newsroom.