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CNN Sunday Morning

3 Relief Organization Workers Killed in Afghanistan; Travel Update

Aired November 28, 2004 - 07:00 ET

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

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone from the CNN Center in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is November 28th, 7:00 a.m. here in the east and 4:00 a.m. out west.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thanks for being with us today. Here are stories now in the news.

A deadly attack in Southwest Afghanistan. The Associated Press reports about 30 gunmen, believed to be Taliban guerrillas, stormed the office of an Afghan relief organization and killed three workers. Police officers called to the scene exchanged fire with those attackers. And four of the officers were wounded.

The violence, well it started early in Iraq. About six hours ago, a car bomb exploded as a U.S. military convoy passed on the road to the Baghdad Airport. Two U.S. soldiers were wounded. And one vehicle was damaged.

At least 166 coal miners remain trapped underground about 13 hours after an explosion ripped through a mine in northwestern China. More than 120 miners were rescued after that gas explosion. And rescue workers are trying to reach those still trapped. China's state run news agency reports that 41 miners are hospitalized.

Here in the U.S., it is the busiest day of the year at some airports, but not at one in Reno. A snowstorm and equipment failure there have delayed flights and stranded travelers, not what they want today.

Details just ahead from Rally Caparas of Travelocity.com.

HARRIS: And coming up this hour, hitting the road or boarding a plane to head home this holiday weekend? Well, you just may be facing some big time delays. Rally Caparas is here with the up to the minute conditions on air travel.

And that's saxophone. And that's sound, it is totally distinctive. Jazz musician Najee will ease us into Sunday morning. Smooth jazz all morning from Najee to get you into the right frame of mind for the holidays.

And bring home the bacon. Well not from this pig. See why this little piglet is so special and is hoping his number will be called. But first, the Thanksgiving turkey has been gobbled up. And you have visited with all your long lost relatives. Now you just want to head home, but you might have to cool your jets literally. Getting there is our top story, as we face one of the busiest travel days of the year. You could be looking at major slowdowns. And you can blame it on the snowstorm in Nevada.

Up to 18 inches of snow fell yesterday, causing problems on the highways, as well as at the airport. Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at Reno Tahoe International Airport on Sunday. And that created a backlog. Airport officials say some people won't be able to catch a flight out until Tuesday.

The problem in Reno is causing even bigger problems. Airports across the country. Rally Caparas of Travelocity.com is here to update you on your holiday travel.

Good morning, Rally.

RALLY CAPARAS, TRAVELOCITY.COM: Good morning, Tony. Well, you're exactly right. The Reno airport is going to cause some problems, but not nearly as many if it would have been Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson or the Chicago O'Hare Airport, the two busiest airports in the world.

Take a look at flightexplorer.com behind me. And now we're looking at 1,472 airplanes. But the most prominent figure on that screen is that weather. It's moving through the northeast right now. There's weather -- there are actually strong gusting winds moving in behind it. It looks clear, but there will be some major delays associated with this strong gusting wind that's moving through.

The skies will clear up in Philly and Washington, D.C. over the next couple of hours, but delays will still be a problem there.

There will be delays in other cities also. Let's talk about that. Laguardia and Newark, you're looking at one to two hour arrival delays throughout the entire day. It's low clouds, rain, poor visibility. And then the strong gusting winds will force a single runway operation likely at both airports. That means they'll have to reduce the amount of airplanes that can land at those two locations by about 60 to 70 -- well actually, they'll be able to land 60 or 70 percent of what is normal. That means major delays for the other 30 percent, about 60, possibly 90 minute delays there to start the day.

Excuse me. Philadelphia 60 to 90 minute arrival delays in the morning. You'll see the skies clear up. However, parallel runways in Philly, they'll reduce the arrival capacity there also. Those strong gusting winds will force out less than optimal runway configuration. And like I said, to the tune of 60 to 90 minute arrival delays.

The D.C. metro airports, a similar situation there with 45 to 60 minute arrival delays early. Low clouds, fog, poor visibility. There will be improvement. We should see on time flight schedules before we hit the evening rush period. And believe me, it's going to be a major rush between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the Eastern time zone. Denver's airport, they're going to be in de-icing today. That means departures will have to sit a little bit longer than normal. Expect to be on that airplane about 30 to 45 minutes longer. And your total delay absorbed will be about 45 to 60 minutes. And that's primarily for departures. So the arrivals there, don't let that mislead you. It's actually minute -- 45 to 60 minute departure delays. The freezing temperatures and the departure flight de-icing procedures there.

And then finally, Las Vegas McCarran Airport, they too are suffering from strong gusting winds. Expect 60 minute arrival delays all day there. They have another parallel runway configuration. And they have the blowing dust, which causes visibility problems.

Reno, they're going to operate traffic there today. They do have close to a normal schedule, however, they are plenty of people waiting in line. The damage was already done. Schedules should run close to on time today. We'll keep you updated throughout the entire day and morning, for that matter. I'll be back in about an hour -- Tony?

HARRIS: OK. No, no, no, Rally, you're going to be back at the bottom of the -- of this hour.

CAPARAS: Oh, good.

HARRIS: 7:30.

CAPARAS: Well, I'll see you then.

HARRIS: OK, Rally, thank you.

NGUYEN: Keeping his busy today. Well, let's talk a little bit about money, shall we? Specifically, your retirement money. Aids say the Bush administration will likely turn to short term government borrowing to add personal retirement accounts to Social Security.

But officials say it is not a done deal just yet. Advocates say borrowing will initially add to the federal budget deficit, but it will eventually fall as reforms are phased in.

Now that deficit hit a record $412 billion in the 2004 fiscal year. But the Congressional Budget Office projects $2.3 trillion dollars in accumulated deficits over the next decade.

A top official in Colombia is reporting an assassination order targeting President Bush. Colombia's defense secretary says leaders of a Marxist group ordered their fighters to kill Mr. Bush when he stopped in Cartagena last Monday. Security was tight during the brief visit. No incidents were reported. No physical evidence of a plot was found. And the Secret Service will not comment on that report.

HARRIS: In Ukraine, the action is still in the snowy streets, but it shifts tomorrow to the Supreme Court, which considers opposition charges of the presidential election a week ago was rigged.

Our Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty is covering this story in Kiev. And she joins us live with the latest. Hi, Jill.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony. Well, from not to good news coming out now from the president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma. He appeared on TV. And according to the media reports, he said that the talks that are going on between both sides are not going well. He said that the opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko is not showing good will by not taking his demonstrators away from government buildings.

You know, they have some charging -- but those demonstrators are trying to shut down government buildings.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yushchenko, the opposition candidate, just a few minutes ago was down on Independence Square talking to his supporters. And he urged them to stay in the streets. He said that is the honor of our movement. And that's also the power of our movement, the force of our movement.

Mr. Yushchenko also was saying I'm not the one who's trying to tear this country apart. And some people have said he said it's very worrisome that in the east, some people are talking about breaking away from Ukraine. So he was actually calling for people to unite in one country.

And then Sunday, Tony, another issue that's come up, and that's some debate over the United States and Russia and money here during this campaign. Russian media reporting and charging that the United States has been pumping millions of dollars into the campaign of Viktor Yushchenko. But the United States saying -- an American diplomat saying that that is not the case, that the United States has given $13.6 million, but only for civil society, not going to any one candidate. And also saying that that number pales in comparison to what the Russians are pumping into this -- Tony?

HARRIS: Boy, this is still a very tense situation in Ukraine. Jill Dougherty following it for us from Kiev. Jill, thank you.

NGUYEN: Time now to hit the fast forward button and look ahead to some of the stories we'll be talking about this week. The penalty phase of the Scott Peterson case begins on Tuesday in Redwood City, California. Peterson was convicted November 12th of murdering his wife and unborn son. He could get the death penalty.

Also Tuesday, President Bush heads to the great white north, where a meeting with the Canadian prime minister. This fence mending session will be decidedly low profile. Now the White House turned down an invitation from Mr. Bush to address Canadian parliament, but he will give at least two speeches during that two day trip.

And on Wednesday, Tom Brokaw will deliver his final news cast as anchor of NBC's "Nightly News." Brokaw leaves "The Post" after 22 years and as the top rated anchor among the big three networks. NBC's Brian Williams is next in line to assume that anchor chair.

HARRIS: Well, a busy shopping day in a New York City toy store sends people to the hospital? We'll tell you what happened just ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Also...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't say that you could go faster, but I guarantee -- it'll make you look a lot better on the waves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Yes, and it's perfect for the surfer who has everything. We have some holiday gift ideas that will really impress.

HARRIS: And good morning Boston. Sunday weather for Beantown and the rest of the nation is coming up with Rob Marciano in about 10 minutes

NGUYEN: And here is our e-mail question of the morning. Should Iraqi Elections go ahead as planned on January 30th? Tell us what you think. We're at wam@cnn.com. And we'll be reading your replies throughout the program.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: And we begin our look at news across America with prayers, praise, and a poem. "Miss Me, But Let Me Go." That's the title of a poem read yesterday during a funeral for one of the hunters killed in last week's bloody confrontation in the woods of Wisconsin.

Two other slain hunters were also laid to rest in Rice Lake yesterday. In total, six hunters were killed. 36-year old Chy Vang (ph) is accused in that shooting and is waiting formal charges.

In New York City, shoppers at a Times Square Toys R Us say they could not breathe and could barely escape after someone released pepper spray in an elevator. It happened during the height of a busy shopping spree yesterday. At least three people were taken to the hospital. And many others experienced sore eyes. Police are looking at in store surveillance tapes for clues to who may have done it.

And in Boston, check this out, what a sweet bundle of hairy animal joy. Meet Franklin Park Zoo's newest baby gorilla. Aw. The four pound little darling was born four days ago. Zoo officials haven't named it just yet or even know the sex. They have to give the mother Kiki a little time to bond with the baby before going into to look it over.

As for Kiki, well like most new mothers, she is gushing with primate pride.

HARRIS: Sure.

NGUYEN: So how many toys are on your kid's Christmas list this year? Well, find out which ones are the best gets later this hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: Our hero this week is Army Sergeant Barrye Saylor. He joined the military eight years ago, left active duty for three years, then returned to serve in Iraq.

CNN's Casey Wian has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. BARRYE SAYLOR, U.S. ARMY: There's a 90 percent chance you're going to go in a house and it's just going to be a family. And you know, they don't know what you're talking about. But there's always that 10 percent chance that you're going to walk in there, and there he is.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's not Iraq. It's Fort Hood, Texas. Sergeant Barrye Saylor and his squad were among the first troops in when the war broke out. Now they train for the next mission.

SAYLOR: At this point, all we focus on is Iraq. Also right now, we're on homeland security detail, which means in the same respect, we're going to be dealing with the same type of terrorists we dealt with in Iraq, but on our own soil.

WIAN: Saylor's a gunner, a team leader, and an interpreter, learning to speak Arabic during long guard shifts, training Iraqi security forces.

He's also a hero, earning a soldier's medal for his part in saving an Iraqi civilian pinned under a car and a telephone pole.

SAYLOR: I pulled a pole off, used it as a lever to pry the car up. One guy grabbed the guy under the car, pulled him out. And during this, I mean, the flames crept up into the cab. And as soon as we got the guy out, started running the gas tank of gas, one of the fuel lines went up. And the car -- the whole car went up in flames.

WIAN: Saylor's training hard. But unlike the other soldiers, he likely won't go back to Iraq. Though he loves the military, in January, he plans to leave and go back to school.

SAYLOR: I'd like to get into some kind of systems or weapons development for the military. Because from being on the ground, you really get an idea of what we need and what would help us best. So I really think that I could be helpful doing that.

WIAN: Saylor, his wife, Jacqueline, and son, Hayden, plan to return home to Baltimore, where he'll finish his bachelor's degree in math and physics.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we bring you heroes stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: We also have a special treat for you this morning, some smooth jazz. Let's take a look at this. A pioneer of the genre is with us today. His story and his music, that is ahead here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: What do we have here? (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and Christmas crafts, that's what you will find in the Bayside Expo Center in Boston this morning. So if you're in Boston, and you need more chocolate, who doesn't, more gifts, who doesn't, you know where to go. Boston, your weather forecast is coming up in three minutes.

He is known simply as Najee, one of the pioneers of what was labeled in the 1980s as contemporary jazz/smooth jazz. Traditionalists frowned on the genre. The public loved it. And after two platinum and four gold albums, who can argue with the public.

So what is smooth jazz? The definition this morning from one of its pioneers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS (voice-over): This is a jazz classic. Najee, playing the song, "Misty" the John Robertson trio.

In a more traditional jazz setting and Atlanta's Dantes Down the Hatch.

(MUSIC)

And this the music that at one time had the traditionalists up in arms. Contemporary jazz.

NAJEE, JAZZ MUSICIAN: The mid '80s, there was a resurgence. And it started with people like George Howard, myself, Kenny G, Jonathan Butler, you know, to name a few. What I think happened was instrumentalists were playing R&B music with their instruments. And eventually, it began -- they had to come up with a name for it. So they started calling it smooth jazz.

(MUSIC)

HARRIS: The saxophonist says the rift between the old school and new school musicians has died down. And there's no longer a need to defend his work.

NAJEE: I think some of the traditional jazz artists have come to understand that contemporary jazz was really a repression of the time we're in right now.

HARRIS; He points to the most popular jazz artist up there, "Times" as an example. Artists like Miles Davis.

NAJEE: What Miles did back in the '60s, he didn't do in the '80s. You know, even some master like him -- even incorporated pop tunes. Even you know, back in the day when Charley Parker, a great artist, or John Coltrane. You know, they did the songs of their time.

HARRIS: As a teenage musician, Najee's first interest was rhythm and blues. But a teacher pointed him in a different direction.

NAJEE: You know, because for us, if we could play a Kool and the Gang song or play like Macio, that was our dimension. That was our whole world. But our teachers really encouraged us to play jazz, you know, to study a deeper and a deeper sense, learn some of the classics, especially Calico Train and Charley Parker.

HARRIS: The biggest change for the Jamaica Queens New York native came while he was still in high school. The legendary Billy Taylor recruited Najee to study at Harlem's jazz mobile program.

NAJEE: So on Saturdays, we could go for $5 a year. We could go study with these great men. And so it's my first exposure to really learning how to play jazz, how to improvise -- the basics of improvisation and playing big band music.

HARRIS: After high school, Najee attended the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. He later got a job playing for Chaka Khan. That exposure would launch a solo career.

Two platinum CDs, four gold, and one Grammy nomination. In 1999, he played at the White House for fellow saxophonist President Bill Clinton.

Najee has worked with artists like Quincy Jones, Patti Labelle, Lionel Ritchie. And he's toured with friends. So what's next?

NAJEE: I think if I had to choose one person that I would love to work with, it would probably be my first employer, Chaka Khan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: There he is, live. Rob, he's live now. See, this is what we're pulling together for the big show, huh.

NGUYEN: Big time stuff.

ROB MARCIANO, METEOROLOGIST: Every since you showed up, we're pouring all sorts of resources.

HARRIS: We're doing the best we can.

NGUYEN: You're big money, Tony.

HARRIS: We're doing the best we can. Najee warming up, a live performance in the 9:00 hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Wonderful, wonderful.

NGUYEN: He is terrific. Not only is he a smooth jazz expert pioneer, but this man, I met him in the hallway this morning...

HARRIS: Yes.

NGUYEN: ...he is a smooth operator. He just had this calming personality about him.

MARCIANO: Why don't you give us the exchange?

NGUYEN: No, no, I'll tell you. Here is the exchange. How do I get back to the Omni Hotel?

HARRIS: Oh, yes.

MARCIANO: Oh, was that what it was?

NGUYEN: But there was just a smooth sense about it.

HARRIS: It was the way he handled it.

NGUYEN: Exactly.

MARCIANO: The lost puppy direction.

HARRIS: Boy, Najee's play with Chaka Khan, you get to hang out and play with us every weekend.

MARCIANO: I'm very fortunate.

(CROSS TALK)

MARCIANO: No, it's nice to see you guys.

NGUYEN: No comparison.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Well, are you doing any toy shopping these days? We'll tell you what will be a sure hit with your kids.

HARRIS: And this little piglet may see Nascar in its future?

NGUYEN: What? I see, I see.

HARRIS: I don't know. We'll explain ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's incredible. I wonder if he pays a licensing fee for that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, no surprises. It is another busy day for travelers, whether you're flying home yourself or making an airport pick-up. We will have the latest travel conditions.

I want to welcome you back this morning. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. Rally Caparas is standing by with an airport update in a minute. But first, a look at news this morning.

News reports out of China say rescue teams are frantically trying to reach about 166 coal miners trapped underground after a gas explosion. Local officials say it's impossible to know whether they are still alive. Media there is saying 127 other miners were rescued after the blast.

The reverend Jesse Jackson will visit Columbus, Ohio today to talk with community leaders about voting irregularities in the state. Jackson is expected to announce his Rainbow Push organization will join a lawsuit seeking a recount of Ohio's vote, which went to President Bush. Democrat John Kerry conceded a recount won't change the outcome.

Part of the Delaware River near Philadelphia remains closed this morning, after an oil spill. The Coast Guard says a tanker spilled 30,000 gallons of crude oil into the river Friday night. It left a 20 mile slick that's threatening fish and birds. There's no estimate on how long the clean-up with take.

NGUYEN: Tis the season for holiday travel. And today is one of the busiest travel days of the entire year. Travelocity.com's Rally Caparas all the tips for getting out of town and getting back again.

And Rally, last time we spoke with you, there were at least hour delays all over the place?

CAPARAS: Well, Betty, that's the case. And it's going to get worse, especially up in the northeast. Take a look at flightexplorer.com behind me folks and you'll see exactly why. That large green mass up there around New York and Philadelphia, it's going to cause lots of problems.

And then behind it, the clear weather will move in much later this evening. But strong gusting winds -- as a matter of fact, Laguardia is seeing sustained winds of 27 to 32 knots right now. It's gale force there. And it's going to continue that way.

Delays will be major. Boston's Logan Airport, you are delay free and clear at the moment, but as Rob told you a little while ago, rain is on its way, along with 60 to 90 minute arrival delays. The low clouds, the wind, and poor visibility will hassle you for the remainder of the day once it starts.

Laguardia and Newark, you are already in one to two hour arrival delays. Low clouds, rain, poor visibility. The wind will gust -- those parallel runway configurations and the crowded air space can't handle the wind and the volume. Therefore, they'll have to reduce it. That equates to major delays.

Philadelphia, expect 60 to 90 minute delays. The skies will be clear. However, runway configurations problems caused by the wind will create 60 to 90 minute arrival delays.

D.C. metro, you're looking to 45 to 60 minute arrival delays early because of low clouds, fog, poor visibility. But we will see improvement by the p.m. hours for on time schedules thereafter. So good news there.

And then finally out west, Las Vegas McCarran Airport, expect 60 minute arrival and departure delays. The gusting winds will hassle your schedules throughout most of the day also. We'll keep you updated with any new developments. Betty, Tony, I'll see you in a while.

NGUYEN: Need lots of patience today. Rally Caparas with travelocity.com. Thank you, Rally.

CAPARAS: Sure.

HARRIS: Election in Iraq. Political parties want to delay it. Some clerics want to boycott it. And insurgents want to derail it, but top Iraqi officials say the process is still on track.

CNN's Karl Penhaul has more from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "My details are correct, and I'm ready for the election," says the man in the TV ad, telling Iraqis how to register for January 30th elections. Campaign posters are popping up around Baghdad, a reminder this will be the first free vote in more than 50 years. But not everybody has election fever. Adnan Pachachi, a former coalition ally, and ex-president of the Iraqi Government Council wants to postpone the ballot.

ADNAN PACHACHI, FORMER PRESIDENT, IRAQI GOVERNMENT COUNCIL: First of all, it's to ensure the widest participation possible. I said that no part of Iraq, no area of Iraq will be left out from the particular process. And the second one is to give a chance for improvement in the security situation.

PENHAUL: At a meeting Friday, 15 major religious and secular political organizations backed his stance, including the two main Kurdish parties.

(on camera): Any delay could prove tricky. The United Nations Security Council Resolution set the deadline for a vote no later than January 31st, and leaders of Iraq Shiia Muslim majority have been pushing for elections at the earliest opportunity.

(voice-over): At a weekend press conference, government officials seemed determined to proceed as planned.

ABDUL HUSSEIN AL HINDAWI, ELECTORAL COMMISSION: I don't want to get involved in this issue because it's not my field. But up until now, there are discussions going on and the prime minister, he wants to have the election at the same time. He doesn't want to postpone it.

PENHAUL: Violence has spiked in parts of Iraq since the start of November, but the independent Electoral Commission believes the January timetable is still realistic.

"There are some areas in the country with security problems," he says, "but there are 72 days left to the elections and with the continuing effort to improve security, most of the country should be able to take part."

Aside the cause for the postponement, some Sunni Muslim parties and clerics are urging their supporters to boycott the polls together until coalition armies leave Iraq for good. Insurgent gunmen seem to be backing that demand with fire power.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: All right, on Rodeo Drive, sleigh bells made a ring. They bling. We'll show you what the richest of the rich are hunting for on one of the world's swankiest streets.

HARRIS: And good morning Hotlanta. Well, the saints come marching in to the Georgia Dome today to take on the -- I think they're eight in two. The eight and two Falcons. The weather forecast for you and the rest of the nation is coming up later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, good morning and welcome back. Tis the season that is to be shopping. And if that's what you do best, world famous Rodeo Drive offers quite a few suggestions to help you out.

CNN's Miguel Marquez shows us what's hot on the list of holiday bling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome to Beverly Hills...

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's where the high end meets the higher end. And it's part Rodeo Drive with its decadent decorations, crystal chandeliers hanging like street lights. Beverly Hills is retail nirvana.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have to head over there and do some damage over there.

MICHAEL ROBINSON, BEVERLY HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Beverly Hills has a reputation for the bling, bling. So we aren't going to run away from that. We're embracing it.

MARQUEZ: The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce is embracing bling with a top 10 gift list.

ROBINSON: You have to find it only in Beverly Hills.

MARQUEZ: On the list, a $5,000 Ferrari surf board made to order by the Italian sports car manufacturer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't state that you could go faster, but I guarantee it'll make you look a lot better on the waves.

MARQUEZ: On the list, low end, high calories cookies and cream cake filled with an orgy of caramel, marshmallow, chocolate and fudge. On a list high end, a one of a kind reproduction of 100 year old Russian candelabra, 13 feet of bacara crystal for $1.6 million.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a beautiful entry, it would be magnificent.

MARQUEZ: So exclusive it's not on the list and shown only by appointment, a naturally pink diamond, 10.3 million carats for $2 million.

(on camera): If you really want to show your love or just impress somebody a lot, you can always buy them a Ferrari 360 Spider for $245,000.

(voice-over): The 400 horsepower eight cylinder engine is for those who need to get from zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds. You can get one at Beverly Hills Classic Cars of course.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, welcome to Beverly Hills.

MARQUEZ: To help you find the perfect gift or just the right lunch spots is the latest in shopping overdrive, the holiday concierge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I shall refer all of our fabulous shoppers.

MARQUEZ: She does her referring, while rolling down Rodeo Drive on a Segue, which is of course, for sale.

(on camera): For $4500, you can always get a Segue.

ROSEANNE BARR, CELEBRITY: I think this thing that you don't have to move your ass one inch is like awesome.

MARQUEZ: So Roseanne Barr wants a Segue, but she wants something else even more.

BARR: Having people that love you and care about you is the best gift at all. And it doesn't cost a dime.

MARQUEZ: Happy holidays and have a great time.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Beverly Hills, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Thanks, Miguel. Had a little fun with that. Got to drive the car.

HARRIS: That was crazy, wasn't it?

NGUYEN: I was a little nervous about that. Don't scratch it, Miguel. HARRIS: He's nervous every second.

NGUYEN: Now were you taking notes, though?

HARRIS: Why would I do that?

NGUYEN: Because I know your wife is watching.

HARRIS: Oh, oh, you're talking about the bling.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: Yes, yes, costume bling if...

NGUYEN: That is so wrong.

HARRIS: Do they have any of that on Rodeo Drive?

NGUYEN: You're going to be in so much trouble.

HARRIS: All right, forget about that list at Rodeo. If it were Rodeo Drive, I may be able to afford a couple of those things.

We've got a list that will make your kids and your budgets happy. We'll play what's the top toys of the year next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: And later, what does a big NASCAR star have in common with this hog farm star? Think about it. Hmm, we'll reveal the answer a little later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: He is the sax man, Najee. Well, he's also the clarinet man and the flute man. Najee playing for us all morning long to get you into the right frame of mind for the holidays. We'll meet him and hear from him in the 9:00 hour.

Checking our stories this Sunday morning, stranded on one of the busiest travel days of the year, a snowstorm keeps thousands of passengers stuck at Reno Tahoe Airport in Nevada. Flights are booked solid today and tomorrow. So some passengers from Saturday might not be able to get a seat on a flight until Tuesday.

In northwest China, rescuers try to reach dozens of miners this morning. More than 160 of them are trapped at a coal mine hours after a gas explosion.

And in Washington, President Bush has a plan for your retirement money, but how will he fund it? Aids say the government will likely have to borrow money in order to add personal retirement accounts to Social Security.

And just ahead, it's your turn to speak out. Should Iraqi elections go ahead as planned on January 30th? Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think. We're at wam@cnn.com. NGUYEN: Tony, you've been there. And they are off. Clawing through clothes tags, looking for sales signs, armed with cash or credit and ready to spend. With the holiday shopping rush already on, bargain hunters are on the prowl.

Some of the biggest must haves are electronic items, hint, hint, Tony, like DVD players and digital cameras. But then again, so are alien racers and the little touch leap pad. Well, at least for kids.

But if you don't have much time or energy to spend looking for gifts for the kiddos, we're here to help you narrow that search.

Joining us now is Katrina Hayday Wester, CEO and founder of "Grandparents" magazine. She joins us live this morning from New York.

Good morning to you.

KATRINA HAYDAY WESTER, "GRANDPARENTS" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Betty. How are you?

NGUYEN: I am doing fabulous. Let's get right to it, though. If you had to pick an all time favorite this season, what would that be?

WESTER: I would pick the V Smile.

NGUYEN: OK.

WESTER: It's a high tech, but very educational toy that kids that are testing it this year seem to absolutely love.

NGUYEN: What's so great about it?

WESTER: Well, it takes the fun of Playstation, but it adds the educational elements to it. There are, you know, characters that they recognize, like the Lion King. And children cannot break the joysticks very easily because they're large. They have large buttons. It's really well designed. And it's just a great gift for a grandparent or a parent to give their grandchild this year.

NGUYEN: And when you look through these lists of toys because there are so many out there to buy, and every season there are those hot items, what do you think about in buying a toy for children out there? What are the things that you really need to keep in mind when you're buying that toy?

WESTER: Well, I look for educational and you know, keep it simple. Oftentimes, you know, you'll get a toy that requires a lot of assembly. And for younger children, you really just want to take something out of the box and let them play with it, you know, quickly.

There are a lot of toys that require assembly that are great for older children because that's, you know, part of the fun of the toy, something like a big ball tower by Connect, which is a great building toy. But you know, you want to keep it simple. You might always want to look for craft projects, something that has staying power, where it's a gift. And then it's a gift that keeps on giving because they've created this.

NGUYEN: In progress.

The gift that keeps on giving. OK, let's run through some lists of your best picks, because people like lists. It helps them organize things in their minds as they head out to the stores.

Your best toddler toy, what is that?

WESTER: It is the Busy Park Playground by -- it's Parents -- the division of "Parents" magazine. And it's basically a large block. It has tic tac toe on it. It has eye hand coordination parts to it. It's just a fabulous toy. And it retails for about $49.99.

NGUYEN: All right, best game?

WESTER: The best game is Balloon Lagoon by Cranium. It is a fabulous toy that's a carnival like setting, that has children spelling, jumping frogs into a pond, and fishing for letters. It's a really great game.

NGUYEN: Educational, has spelling in there. OK, and for the little girls out there, the best doll?

WESTER: Cabbage Patch Kids are back.

NGUYEN: I used to have one of those. We all remember the Cabbage Patch Kids.

WESTER: Yes, exactly. Big in the '80s. Well, they're back again.

NGUYEN: All right, and quickly, we got to get this in though. Best in electronic gift?

WESTER: I had it down. There's a tie. It's really V Smile, which is a fabulous at home electronic toy that we talked about. And then the Leapster, which is a great travel toy. Excellent -- you know, excellent for travel. It's excellent, you know, educational value. It just -- it's just a great handheld game.

NGUYEN: All right. Katrina Heyday Wester, founder of "Grandparents" Magazine. Thank you for you tips today.

WESTER: Thank you. And all the toys can be found at grandparentsmagazine.net.

NGUYEN: But of course, thank you.

WESTER: Thank you.

NGUYEN: You NASCAR fans out there? Well, get ready to go hog wild.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Somebody wants to buy it, then I'll sell it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Any takers? Check it out. Well, after the break, we'll show you a pig that's really earned its racing stripes. Recognize that number?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ended up fifth in the chase for the Nextel Cup. Maybe the NASCAR superstar needed a pig for good luck. There's one waiting for him in West Virginia.

Randy Yohe of CNN affiliate WSAZ brings home the bacon, so to speak.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDY YOHE, WSAZ CORRESPONDENT: So are you a big NASCAR fan?

DANA SHOLE: No.

YOHE: No?

(voice-over): But when Dana Shole's black and white hampshire piglet that is daughter named Ally grew into a 150 pound pig with a well defined number eight on its side, Dana thought of NASCAR's popular number eight car, driven by racing superstar Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

SHOLE: I just wanted to find out Dale Earnhardt's address and stuff. I was going to send a picture to him just for -- just by sending it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It has number eight. And it has two of his colors.

YOHE: Oh, and it has his colors, too, huh?

That's right, pig number eight is black and white. Dale Jr.'s number eight race car is black, white and red.

I think Dale might want that.

SHOLE: He might want it. He might want to put it in a zoo or something.

YOHE: I took some photos of pig number eight to NASCAR store Dixie Thunder, where they say number eight merchandise outsells all other numbers combined. And the response? They went hog wild.

You asked if it was born that way? Yes. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's incredible. I wonder if he pays a licensing fee for that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want it.

YOHE: You want that pig?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's got an eight on it. It's got to be good luck. I'm a Jr. fan, so...

YOHE: You want it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm partial. Do I want the pig? I don't think my wife would let me. I really got nowhere to keep it, but I could try.

SHOLE: Somebody wants to buy it, then I'll sell it.

YOHE: Otherwise?

SHOLE: Otherwise I'm going to slaughter it when it gets old enough.

YOHE: Well, number eight is a prime pork hampshire hog.

SHOLE: The bacon or stuff's leaner on them.

YOHE: If that time comes, let's hope number eight can move as fast as number eight.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Well, that was Randy Yohe of WSAZ in Huntington, West Virginia.

NGUYEN: He says he's going to turn it into bacon. Somebody better find that thing quick.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: All right, Rob, we got to quickly get to our e-mail question of the day. Should Iraq elections go ahead as planned on January 30th?

HARRIS: And our first e-mail is from Ryan. "Absolutely. Anything less would simply be a victory for the terrorists. There is nothing more that would make the terrorists happier than to see the elections pushed back."

NGUYEN: Gean from Toronto says "the answer is NO given the current state of Iraq and pockets of resistance." And of course, we invite you to keep sending those responses in to wam@cnn.com.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

Aired November 28, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone from the CNN Center in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is November 28th, 7:00 a.m. here in the east and 4:00 a.m. out west.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thanks for being with us today. Here are stories now in the news.

A deadly attack in Southwest Afghanistan. The Associated Press reports about 30 gunmen, believed to be Taliban guerrillas, stormed the office of an Afghan relief organization and killed three workers. Police officers called to the scene exchanged fire with those attackers. And four of the officers were wounded.

The violence, well it started early in Iraq. About six hours ago, a car bomb exploded as a U.S. military convoy passed on the road to the Baghdad Airport. Two U.S. soldiers were wounded. And one vehicle was damaged.

At least 166 coal miners remain trapped underground about 13 hours after an explosion ripped through a mine in northwestern China. More than 120 miners were rescued after that gas explosion. And rescue workers are trying to reach those still trapped. China's state run news agency reports that 41 miners are hospitalized.

Here in the U.S., it is the busiest day of the year at some airports, but not at one in Reno. A snowstorm and equipment failure there have delayed flights and stranded travelers, not what they want today.

Details just ahead from Rally Caparas of Travelocity.com.

HARRIS: And coming up this hour, hitting the road or boarding a plane to head home this holiday weekend? Well, you just may be facing some big time delays. Rally Caparas is here with the up to the minute conditions on air travel.

And that's saxophone. And that's sound, it is totally distinctive. Jazz musician Najee will ease us into Sunday morning. Smooth jazz all morning from Najee to get you into the right frame of mind for the holidays.

And bring home the bacon. Well not from this pig. See why this little piglet is so special and is hoping his number will be called. But first, the Thanksgiving turkey has been gobbled up. And you have visited with all your long lost relatives. Now you just want to head home, but you might have to cool your jets literally. Getting there is our top story, as we face one of the busiest travel days of the year. You could be looking at major slowdowns. And you can blame it on the snowstorm in Nevada.

Up to 18 inches of snow fell yesterday, causing problems on the highways, as well as at the airport. Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at Reno Tahoe International Airport on Sunday. And that created a backlog. Airport officials say some people won't be able to catch a flight out until Tuesday.

The problem in Reno is causing even bigger problems. Airports across the country. Rally Caparas of Travelocity.com is here to update you on your holiday travel.

Good morning, Rally.

RALLY CAPARAS, TRAVELOCITY.COM: Good morning, Tony. Well, you're exactly right. The Reno airport is going to cause some problems, but not nearly as many if it would have been Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson or the Chicago O'Hare Airport, the two busiest airports in the world.

Take a look at flightexplorer.com behind me. And now we're looking at 1,472 airplanes. But the most prominent figure on that screen is that weather. It's moving through the northeast right now. There's weather -- there are actually strong gusting winds moving in behind it. It looks clear, but there will be some major delays associated with this strong gusting wind that's moving through.

The skies will clear up in Philly and Washington, D.C. over the next couple of hours, but delays will still be a problem there.

There will be delays in other cities also. Let's talk about that. Laguardia and Newark, you're looking at one to two hour arrival delays throughout the entire day. It's low clouds, rain, poor visibility. And then the strong gusting winds will force a single runway operation likely at both airports. That means they'll have to reduce the amount of airplanes that can land at those two locations by about 60 to 70 -- well actually, they'll be able to land 60 or 70 percent of what is normal. That means major delays for the other 30 percent, about 60, possibly 90 minute delays there to start the day.

Excuse me. Philadelphia 60 to 90 minute arrival delays in the morning. You'll see the skies clear up. However, parallel runways in Philly, they'll reduce the arrival capacity there also. Those strong gusting winds will force out less than optimal runway configuration. And like I said, to the tune of 60 to 90 minute arrival delays.

The D.C. metro airports, a similar situation there with 45 to 60 minute arrival delays early. Low clouds, fog, poor visibility. There will be improvement. We should see on time flight schedules before we hit the evening rush period. And believe me, it's going to be a major rush between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the Eastern time zone. Denver's airport, they're going to be in de-icing today. That means departures will have to sit a little bit longer than normal. Expect to be on that airplane about 30 to 45 minutes longer. And your total delay absorbed will be about 45 to 60 minutes. And that's primarily for departures. So the arrivals there, don't let that mislead you. It's actually minute -- 45 to 60 minute departure delays. The freezing temperatures and the departure flight de-icing procedures there.

And then finally, Las Vegas McCarran Airport, they too are suffering from strong gusting winds. Expect 60 minute arrival delays all day there. They have another parallel runway configuration. And they have the blowing dust, which causes visibility problems.

Reno, they're going to operate traffic there today. They do have close to a normal schedule, however, they are plenty of people waiting in line. The damage was already done. Schedules should run close to on time today. We'll keep you updated throughout the entire day and morning, for that matter. I'll be back in about an hour -- Tony?

HARRIS: OK. No, no, no, Rally, you're going to be back at the bottom of the -- of this hour.

CAPARAS: Oh, good.

HARRIS: 7:30.

CAPARAS: Well, I'll see you then.

HARRIS: OK, Rally, thank you.

NGUYEN: Keeping his busy today. Well, let's talk a little bit about money, shall we? Specifically, your retirement money. Aids say the Bush administration will likely turn to short term government borrowing to add personal retirement accounts to Social Security.

But officials say it is not a done deal just yet. Advocates say borrowing will initially add to the federal budget deficit, but it will eventually fall as reforms are phased in.

Now that deficit hit a record $412 billion in the 2004 fiscal year. But the Congressional Budget Office projects $2.3 trillion dollars in accumulated deficits over the next decade.

A top official in Colombia is reporting an assassination order targeting President Bush. Colombia's defense secretary says leaders of a Marxist group ordered their fighters to kill Mr. Bush when he stopped in Cartagena last Monday. Security was tight during the brief visit. No incidents were reported. No physical evidence of a plot was found. And the Secret Service will not comment on that report.

HARRIS: In Ukraine, the action is still in the snowy streets, but it shifts tomorrow to the Supreme Court, which considers opposition charges of the presidential election a week ago was rigged.

Our Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty is covering this story in Kiev. And she joins us live with the latest. Hi, Jill.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony. Well, from not to good news coming out now from the president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma. He appeared on TV. And according to the media reports, he said that the talks that are going on between both sides are not going well. He said that the opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko is not showing good will by not taking his demonstrators away from government buildings.

You know, they have some charging -- but those demonstrators are trying to shut down government buildings.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yushchenko, the opposition candidate, just a few minutes ago was down on Independence Square talking to his supporters. And he urged them to stay in the streets. He said that is the honor of our movement. And that's also the power of our movement, the force of our movement.

Mr. Yushchenko also was saying I'm not the one who's trying to tear this country apart. And some people have said he said it's very worrisome that in the east, some people are talking about breaking away from Ukraine. So he was actually calling for people to unite in one country.

And then Sunday, Tony, another issue that's come up, and that's some debate over the United States and Russia and money here during this campaign. Russian media reporting and charging that the United States has been pumping millions of dollars into the campaign of Viktor Yushchenko. But the United States saying -- an American diplomat saying that that is not the case, that the United States has given $13.6 million, but only for civil society, not going to any one candidate. And also saying that that number pales in comparison to what the Russians are pumping into this -- Tony?

HARRIS: Boy, this is still a very tense situation in Ukraine. Jill Dougherty following it for us from Kiev. Jill, thank you.

NGUYEN: Time now to hit the fast forward button and look ahead to some of the stories we'll be talking about this week. The penalty phase of the Scott Peterson case begins on Tuesday in Redwood City, California. Peterson was convicted November 12th of murdering his wife and unborn son. He could get the death penalty.

Also Tuesday, President Bush heads to the great white north, where a meeting with the Canadian prime minister. This fence mending session will be decidedly low profile. Now the White House turned down an invitation from Mr. Bush to address Canadian parliament, but he will give at least two speeches during that two day trip.

And on Wednesday, Tom Brokaw will deliver his final news cast as anchor of NBC's "Nightly News." Brokaw leaves "The Post" after 22 years and as the top rated anchor among the big three networks. NBC's Brian Williams is next in line to assume that anchor chair.

HARRIS: Well, a busy shopping day in a New York City toy store sends people to the hospital? We'll tell you what happened just ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Also...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't say that you could go faster, but I guarantee -- it'll make you look a lot better on the waves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Yes, and it's perfect for the surfer who has everything. We have some holiday gift ideas that will really impress.

HARRIS: And good morning Boston. Sunday weather for Beantown and the rest of the nation is coming up with Rob Marciano in about 10 minutes

NGUYEN: And here is our e-mail question of the morning. Should Iraqi Elections go ahead as planned on January 30th? Tell us what you think. We're at wam@cnn.com. And we'll be reading your replies throughout the program.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: And we begin our look at news across America with prayers, praise, and a poem. "Miss Me, But Let Me Go." That's the title of a poem read yesterday during a funeral for one of the hunters killed in last week's bloody confrontation in the woods of Wisconsin.

Two other slain hunters were also laid to rest in Rice Lake yesterday. In total, six hunters were killed. 36-year old Chy Vang (ph) is accused in that shooting and is waiting formal charges.

In New York City, shoppers at a Times Square Toys R Us say they could not breathe and could barely escape after someone released pepper spray in an elevator. It happened during the height of a busy shopping spree yesterday. At least three people were taken to the hospital. And many others experienced sore eyes. Police are looking at in store surveillance tapes for clues to who may have done it.

And in Boston, check this out, what a sweet bundle of hairy animal joy. Meet Franklin Park Zoo's newest baby gorilla. Aw. The four pound little darling was born four days ago. Zoo officials haven't named it just yet or even know the sex. They have to give the mother Kiki a little time to bond with the baby before going into to look it over.

As for Kiki, well like most new mothers, she is gushing with primate pride.

HARRIS: Sure.

NGUYEN: So how many toys are on your kid's Christmas list this year? Well, find out which ones are the best gets later this hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: Our hero this week is Army Sergeant Barrye Saylor. He joined the military eight years ago, left active duty for three years, then returned to serve in Iraq.

CNN's Casey Wian has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. BARRYE SAYLOR, U.S. ARMY: There's a 90 percent chance you're going to go in a house and it's just going to be a family. And you know, they don't know what you're talking about. But there's always that 10 percent chance that you're going to walk in there, and there he is.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's not Iraq. It's Fort Hood, Texas. Sergeant Barrye Saylor and his squad were among the first troops in when the war broke out. Now they train for the next mission.

SAYLOR: At this point, all we focus on is Iraq. Also right now, we're on homeland security detail, which means in the same respect, we're going to be dealing with the same type of terrorists we dealt with in Iraq, but on our own soil.

WIAN: Saylor's a gunner, a team leader, and an interpreter, learning to speak Arabic during long guard shifts, training Iraqi security forces.

He's also a hero, earning a soldier's medal for his part in saving an Iraqi civilian pinned under a car and a telephone pole.

SAYLOR: I pulled a pole off, used it as a lever to pry the car up. One guy grabbed the guy under the car, pulled him out. And during this, I mean, the flames crept up into the cab. And as soon as we got the guy out, started running the gas tank of gas, one of the fuel lines went up. And the car -- the whole car went up in flames.

WIAN: Saylor's training hard. But unlike the other soldiers, he likely won't go back to Iraq. Though he loves the military, in January, he plans to leave and go back to school.

SAYLOR: I'd like to get into some kind of systems or weapons development for the military. Because from being on the ground, you really get an idea of what we need and what would help us best. So I really think that I could be helpful doing that.

WIAN: Saylor, his wife, Jacqueline, and son, Hayden, plan to return home to Baltimore, where he'll finish his bachelor's degree in math and physics.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we bring you heroes stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: We also have a special treat for you this morning, some smooth jazz. Let's take a look at this. A pioneer of the genre is with us today. His story and his music, that is ahead here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: What do we have here? (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and Christmas crafts, that's what you will find in the Bayside Expo Center in Boston this morning. So if you're in Boston, and you need more chocolate, who doesn't, more gifts, who doesn't, you know where to go. Boston, your weather forecast is coming up in three minutes.

He is known simply as Najee, one of the pioneers of what was labeled in the 1980s as contemporary jazz/smooth jazz. Traditionalists frowned on the genre. The public loved it. And after two platinum and four gold albums, who can argue with the public.

So what is smooth jazz? The definition this morning from one of its pioneers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS (voice-over): This is a jazz classic. Najee, playing the song, "Misty" the John Robertson trio.

In a more traditional jazz setting and Atlanta's Dantes Down the Hatch.

(MUSIC)

And this the music that at one time had the traditionalists up in arms. Contemporary jazz.

NAJEE, JAZZ MUSICIAN: The mid '80s, there was a resurgence. And it started with people like George Howard, myself, Kenny G, Jonathan Butler, you know, to name a few. What I think happened was instrumentalists were playing R&B music with their instruments. And eventually, it began -- they had to come up with a name for it. So they started calling it smooth jazz.

(MUSIC)

HARRIS: The saxophonist says the rift between the old school and new school musicians has died down. And there's no longer a need to defend his work.

NAJEE: I think some of the traditional jazz artists have come to understand that contemporary jazz was really a repression of the time we're in right now.

HARRIS; He points to the most popular jazz artist up there, "Times" as an example. Artists like Miles Davis.

NAJEE: What Miles did back in the '60s, he didn't do in the '80s. You know, even some master like him -- even incorporated pop tunes. Even you know, back in the day when Charley Parker, a great artist, or John Coltrane. You know, they did the songs of their time.

HARRIS: As a teenage musician, Najee's first interest was rhythm and blues. But a teacher pointed him in a different direction.

NAJEE: You know, because for us, if we could play a Kool and the Gang song or play like Macio, that was our dimension. That was our whole world. But our teachers really encouraged us to play jazz, you know, to study a deeper and a deeper sense, learn some of the classics, especially Calico Train and Charley Parker.

HARRIS: The biggest change for the Jamaica Queens New York native came while he was still in high school. The legendary Billy Taylor recruited Najee to study at Harlem's jazz mobile program.

NAJEE: So on Saturdays, we could go for $5 a year. We could go study with these great men. And so it's my first exposure to really learning how to play jazz, how to improvise -- the basics of improvisation and playing big band music.

HARRIS: After high school, Najee attended the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. He later got a job playing for Chaka Khan. That exposure would launch a solo career.

Two platinum CDs, four gold, and one Grammy nomination. In 1999, he played at the White House for fellow saxophonist President Bill Clinton.

Najee has worked with artists like Quincy Jones, Patti Labelle, Lionel Ritchie. And he's toured with friends. So what's next?

NAJEE: I think if I had to choose one person that I would love to work with, it would probably be my first employer, Chaka Khan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: There he is, live. Rob, he's live now. See, this is what we're pulling together for the big show, huh.

NGUYEN: Big time stuff.

ROB MARCIANO, METEOROLOGIST: Every since you showed up, we're pouring all sorts of resources.

HARRIS: We're doing the best we can.

NGUYEN: You're big money, Tony.

HARRIS: We're doing the best we can. Najee warming up, a live performance in the 9:00 hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Wonderful, wonderful.

NGUYEN: He is terrific. Not only is he a smooth jazz expert pioneer, but this man, I met him in the hallway this morning...

HARRIS: Yes.

NGUYEN: ...he is a smooth operator. He just had this calming personality about him.

MARCIANO: Why don't you give us the exchange?

NGUYEN: No, no, I'll tell you. Here is the exchange. How do I get back to the Omni Hotel?

HARRIS: Oh, yes.

MARCIANO: Oh, was that what it was?

NGUYEN: But there was just a smooth sense about it.

HARRIS: It was the way he handled it.

NGUYEN: Exactly.

MARCIANO: The lost puppy direction.

HARRIS: Boy, Najee's play with Chaka Khan, you get to hang out and play with us every weekend.

MARCIANO: I'm very fortunate.

(CROSS TALK)

MARCIANO: No, it's nice to see you guys.

NGUYEN: No comparison.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Well, are you doing any toy shopping these days? We'll tell you what will be a sure hit with your kids.

HARRIS: And this little piglet may see Nascar in its future?

NGUYEN: What? I see, I see.

HARRIS: I don't know. We'll explain ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's incredible. I wonder if he pays a licensing fee for that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, no surprises. It is another busy day for travelers, whether you're flying home yourself or making an airport pick-up. We will have the latest travel conditions.

I want to welcome you back this morning. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. Rally Caparas is standing by with an airport update in a minute. But first, a look at news this morning.

News reports out of China say rescue teams are frantically trying to reach about 166 coal miners trapped underground after a gas explosion. Local officials say it's impossible to know whether they are still alive. Media there is saying 127 other miners were rescued after the blast.

The reverend Jesse Jackson will visit Columbus, Ohio today to talk with community leaders about voting irregularities in the state. Jackson is expected to announce his Rainbow Push organization will join a lawsuit seeking a recount of Ohio's vote, which went to President Bush. Democrat John Kerry conceded a recount won't change the outcome.

Part of the Delaware River near Philadelphia remains closed this morning, after an oil spill. The Coast Guard says a tanker spilled 30,000 gallons of crude oil into the river Friday night. It left a 20 mile slick that's threatening fish and birds. There's no estimate on how long the clean-up with take.

NGUYEN: Tis the season for holiday travel. And today is one of the busiest travel days of the entire year. Travelocity.com's Rally Caparas all the tips for getting out of town and getting back again.

And Rally, last time we spoke with you, there were at least hour delays all over the place?

CAPARAS: Well, Betty, that's the case. And it's going to get worse, especially up in the northeast. Take a look at flightexplorer.com behind me folks and you'll see exactly why. That large green mass up there around New York and Philadelphia, it's going to cause lots of problems.

And then behind it, the clear weather will move in much later this evening. But strong gusting winds -- as a matter of fact, Laguardia is seeing sustained winds of 27 to 32 knots right now. It's gale force there. And it's going to continue that way.

Delays will be major. Boston's Logan Airport, you are delay free and clear at the moment, but as Rob told you a little while ago, rain is on its way, along with 60 to 90 minute arrival delays. The low clouds, the wind, and poor visibility will hassle you for the remainder of the day once it starts.

Laguardia and Newark, you are already in one to two hour arrival delays. Low clouds, rain, poor visibility. The wind will gust -- those parallel runway configurations and the crowded air space can't handle the wind and the volume. Therefore, they'll have to reduce it. That equates to major delays.

Philadelphia, expect 60 to 90 minute delays. The skies will be clear. However, runway configurations problems caused by the wind will create 60 to 90 minute arrival delays.

D.C. metro, you're looking to 45 to 60 minute arrival delays early because of low clouds, fog, poor visibility. But we will see improvement by the p.m. hours for on time schedules thereafter. So good news there.

And then finally out west, Las Vegas McCarran Airport, expect 60 minute arrival and departure delays. The gusting winds will hassle your schedules throughout most of the day also. We'll keep you updated with any new developments. Betty, Tony, I'll see you in a while.

NGUYEN: Need lots of patience today. Rally Caparas with travelocity.com. Thank you, Rally.

CAPARAS: Sure.

HARRIS: Election in Iraq. Political parties want to delay it. Some clerics want to boycott it. And insurgents want to derail it, but top Iraqi officials say the process is still on track.

CNN's Karl Penhaul has more from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "My details are correct, and I'm ready for the election," says the man in the TV ad, telling Iraqis how to register for January 30th elections. Campaign posters are popping up around Baghdad, a reminder this will be the first free vote in more than 50 years. But not everybody has election fever. Adnan Pachachi, a former coalition ally, and ex-president of the Iraqi Government Council wants to postpone the ballot.

ADNAN PACHACHI, FORMER PRESIDENT, IRAQI GOVERNMENT COUNCIL: First of all, it's to ensure the widest participation possible. I said that no part of Iraq, no area of Iraq will be left out from the particular process. And the second one is to give a chance for improvement in the security situation.

PENHAUL: At a meeting Friday, 15 major religious and secular political organizations backed his stance, including the two main Kurdish parties.

(on camera): Any delay could prove tricky. The United Nations Security Council Resolution set the deadline for a vote no later than January 31st, and leaders of Iraq Shiia Muslim majority have been pushing for elections at the earliest opportunity.

(voice-over): At a weekend press conference, government officials seemed determined to proceed as planned.

ABDUL HUSSEIN AL HINDAWI, ELECTORAL COMMISSION: I don't want to get involved in this issue because it's not my field. But up until now, there are discussions going on and the prime minister, he wants to have the election at the same time. He doesn't want to postpone it.

PENHAUL: Violence has spiked in parts of Iraq since the start of November, but the independent Electoral Commission believes the January timetable is still realistic.

"There are some areas in the country with security problems," he says, "but there are 72 days left to the elections and with the continuing effort to improve security, most of the country should be able to take part."

Aside the cause for the postponement, some Sunni Muslim parties and clerics are urging their supporters to boycott the polls together until coalition armies leave Iraq for good. Insurgent gunmen seem to be backing that demand with fire power.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: All right, on Rodeo Drive, sleigh bells made a ring. They bling. We'll show you what the richest of the rich are hunting for on one of the world's swankiest streets.

HARRIS: And good morning Hotlanta. Well, the saints come marching in to the Georgia Dome today to take on the -- I think they're eight in two. The eight and two Falcons. The weather forecast for you and the rest of the nation is coming up later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, good morning and welcome back. Tis the season that is to be shopping. And if that's what you do best, world famous Rodeo Drive offers quite a few suggestions to help you out.

CNN's Miguel Marquez shows us what's hot on the list of holiday bling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome to Beverly Hills...

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's where the high end meets the higher end. And it's part Rodeo Drive with its decadent decorations, crystal chandeliers hanging like street lights. Beverly Hills is retail nirvana.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have to head over there and do some damage over there.

MICHAEL ROBINSON, BEVERLY HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Beverly Hills has a reputation for the bling, bling. So we aren't going to run away from that. We're embracing it.

MARQUEZ: The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce is embracing bling with a top 10 gift list.

ROBINSON: You have to find it only in Beverly Hills.

MARQUEZ: On the list, a $5,000 Ferrari surf board made to order by the Italian sports car manufacturer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't state that you could go faster, but I guarantee it'll make you look a lot better on the waves.

MARQUEZ: On the list, low end, high calories cookies and cream cake filled with an orgy of caramel, marshmallow, chocolate and fudge. On a list high end, a one of a kind reproduction of 100 year old Russian candelabra, 13 feet of bacara crystal for $1.6 million.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a beautiful entry, it would be magnificent.

MARQUEZ: So exclusive it's not on the list and shown only by appointment, a naturally pink diamond, 10.3 million carats for $2 million.

(on camera): If you really want to show your love or just impress somebody a lot, you can always buy them a Ferrari 360 Spider for $245,000.

(voice-over): The 400 horsepower eight cylinder engine is for those who need to get from zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds. You can get one at Beverly Hills Classic Cars of course.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, welcome to Beverly Hills.

MARQUEZ: To help you find the perfect gift or just the right lunch spots is the latest in shopping overdrive, the holiday concierge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I shall refer all of our fabulous shoppers.

MARQUEZ: She does her referring, while rolling down Rodeo Drive on a Segue, which is of course, for sale.

(on camera): For $4500, you can always get a Segue.

ROSEANNE BARR, CELEBRITY: I think this thing that you don't have to move your ass one inch is like awesome.

MARQUEZ: So Roseanne Barr wants a Segue, but she wants something else even more.

BARR: Having people that love you and care about you is the best gift at all. And it doesn't cost a dime.

MARQUEZ: Happy holidays and have a great time.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Beverly Hills, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Thanks, Miguel. Had a little fun with that. Got to drive the car.

HARRIS: That was crazy, wasn't it?

NGUYEN: I was a little nervous about that. Don't scratch it, Miguel. HARRIS: He's nervous every second.

NGUYEN: Now were you taking notes, though?

HARRIS: Why would I do that?

NGUYEN: Because I know your wife is watching.

HARRIS: Oh, oh, you're talking about the bling.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: Yes, yes, costume bling if...

NGUYEN: That is so wrong.

HARRIS: Do they have any of that on Rodeo Drive?

NGUYEN: You're going to be in so much trouble.

HARRIS: All right, forget about that list at Rodeo. If it were Rodeo Drive, I may be able to afford a couple of those things.

We've got a list that will make your kids and your budgets happy. We'll play what's the top toys of the year next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: And later, what does a big NASCAR star have in common with this hog farm star? Think about it. Hmm, we'll reveal the answer a little later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: He is the sax man, Najee. Well, he's also the clarinet man and the flute man. Najee playing for us all morning long to get you into the right frame of mind for the holidays. We'll meet him and hear from him in the 9:00 hour.

Checking our stories this Sunday morning, stranded on one of the busiest travel days of the year, a snowstorm keeps thousands of passengers stuck at Reno Tahoe Airport in Nevada. Flights are booked solid today and tomorrow. So some passengers from Saturday might not be able to get a seat on a flight until Tuesday.

In northwest China, rescuers try to reach dozens of miners this morning. More than 160 of them are trapped at a coal mine hours after a gas explosion.

And in Washington, President Bush has a plan for your retirement money, but how will he fund it? Aids say the government will likely have to borrow money in order to add personal retirement accounts to Social Security.

And just ahead, it's your turn to speak out. Should Iraqi elections go ahead as planned on January 30th? Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think. We're at wam@cnn.com. NGUYEN: Tony, you've been there. And they are off. Clawing through clothes tags, looking for sales signs, armed with cash or credit and ready to spend. With the holiday shopping rush already on, bargain hunters are on the prowl.

Some of the biggest must haves are electronic items, hint, hint, Tony, like DVD players and digital cameras. But then again, so are alien racers and the little touch leap pad. Well, at least for kids.

But if you don't have much time or energy to spend looking for gifts for the kiddos, we're here to help you narrow that search.

Joining us now is Katrina Hayday Wester, CEO and founder of "Grandparents" magazine. She joins us live this morning from New York.

Good morning to you.

KATRINA HAYDAY WESTER, "GRANDPARENTS" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Betty. How are you?

NGUYEN: I am doing fabulous. Let's get right to it, though. If you had to pick an all time favorite this season, what would that be?

WESTER: I would pick the V Smile.

NGUYEN: OK.

WESTER: It's a high tech, but very educational toy that kids that are testing it this year seem to absolutely love.

NGUYEN: What's so great about it?

WESTER: Well, it takes the fun of Playstation, but it adds the educational elements to it. There are, you know, characters that they recognize, like the Lion King. And children cannot break the joysticks very easily because they're large. They have large buttons. It's really well designed. And it's just a great gift for a grandparent or a parent to give their grandchild this year.

NGUYEN: And when you look through these lists of toys because there are so many out there to buy, and every season there are those hot items, what do you think about in buying a toy for children out there? What are the things that you really need to keep in mind when you're buying that toy?

WESTER: Well, I look for educational and you know, keep it simple. Oftentimes, you know, you'll get a toy that requires a lot of assembly. And for younger children, you really just want to take something out of the box and let them play with it, you know, quickly.

There are a lot of toys that require assembly that are great for older children because that's, you know, part of the fun of the toy, something like a big ball tower by Connect, which is a great building toy. But you know, you want to keep it simple. You might always want to look for craft projects, something that has staying power, where it's a gift. And then it's a gift that keeps on giving because they've created this.

NGUYEN: In progress.

The gift that keeps on giving. OK, let's run through some lists of your best picks, because people like lists. It helps them organize things in their minds as they head out to the stores.

Your best toddler toy, what is that?

WESTER: It is the Busy Park Playground by -- it's Parents -- the division of "Parents" magazine. And it's basically a large block. It has tic tac toe on it. It has eye hand coordination parts to it. It's just a fabulous toy. And it retails for about $49.99.

NGUYEN: All right, best game?

WESTER: The best game is Balloon Lagoon by Cranium. It is a fabulous toy that's a carnival like setting, that has children spelling, jumping frogs into a pond, and fishing for letters. It's a really great game.

NGUYEN: Educational, has spelling in there. OK, and for the little girls out there, the best doll?

WESTER: Cabbage Patch Kids are back.

NGUYEN: I used to have one of those. We all remember the Cabbage Patch Kids.

WESTER: Yes, exactly. Big in the '80s. Well, they're back again.

NGUYEN: All right, and quickly, we got to get this in though. Best in electronic gift?

WESTER: I had it down. There's a tie. It's really V Smile, which is a fabulous at home electronic toy that we talked about. And then the Leapster, which is a great travel toy. Excellent -- you know, excellent for travel. It's excellent, you know, educational value. It just -- it's just a great handheld game.

NGUYEN: All right. Katrina Heyday Wester, founder of "Grandparents" Magazine. Thank you for you tips today.

WESTER: Thank you. And all the toys can be found at grandparentsmagazine.net.

NGUYEN: But of course, thank you.

WESTER: Thank you.

NGUYEN: You NASCAR fans out there? Well, get ready to go hog wild.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Somebody wants to buy it, then I'll sell it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Any takers? Check it out. Well, after the break, we'll show you a pig that's really earned its racing stripes. Recognize that number?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ended up fifth in the chase for the Nextel Cup. Maybe the NASCAR superstar needed a pig for good luck. There's one waiting for him in West Virginia.

Randy Yohe of CNN affiliate WSAZ brings home the bacon, so to speak.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDY YOHE, WSAZ CORRESPONDENT: So are you a big NASCAR fan?

DANA SHOLE: No.

YOHE: No?

(voice-over): But when Dana Shole's black and white hampshire piglet that is daughter named Ally grew into a 150 pound pig with a well defined number eight on its side, Dana thought of NASCAR's popular number eight car, driven by racing superstar Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

SHOLE: I just wanted to find out Dale Earnhardt's address and stuff. I was going to send a picture to him just for -- just by sending it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It has number eight. And it has two of his colors.

YOHE: Oh, and it has his colors, too, huh?

That's right, pig number eight is black and white. Dale Jr.'s number eight race car is black, white and red.

I think Dale might want that.

SHOLE: He might want it. He might want to put it in a zoo or something.

YOHE: I took some photos of pig number eight to NASCAR store Dixie Thunder, where they say number eight merchandise outsells all other numbers combined. And the response? They went hog wild.

You asked if it was born that way? Yes. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's incredible. I wonder if he pays a licensing fee for that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want it.

YOHE: You want that pig?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's got an eight on it. It's got to be good luck. I'm a Jr. fan, so...

YOHE: You want it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm partial. Do I want the pig? I don't think my wife would let me. I really got nowhere to keep it, but I could try.

SHOLE: Somebody wants to buy it, then I'll sell it.

YOHE: Otherwise?

SHOLE: Otherwise I'm going to slaughter it when it gets old enough.

YOHE: Well, number eight is a prime pork hampshire hog.

SHOLE: The bacon or stuff's leaner on them.

YOHE: If that time comes, let's hope number eight can move as fast as number eight.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Well, that was Randy Yohe of WSAZ in Huntington, West Virginia.

NGUYEN: He says he's going to turn it into bacon. Somebody better find that thing quick.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: All right, Rob, we got to quickly get to our e-mail question of the day. Should Iraq elections go ahead as planned on January 30th?

HARRIS: And our first e-mail is from Ryan. "Absolutely. Anything less would simply be a victory for the terrorists. There is nothing more that would make the terrorists happier than to see the elections pushed back."

NGUYEN: Gean from Toronto says "the answer is NO given the current state of Iraq and pockets of resistance." And of course, we invite you to keep sending those responses in to wam@cnn.com.

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