This has nothing to do with the recent egg recall, and everything to do with New York City.

It doesn't always function well, but it is always beautiful in its own way. Today, with another tip of the hat to Gawker via Gothamist, we feature Sunnyside, Queens -- home of Ethel Merman -- and the place where the Ramones got their start. Today its starring in a beautiful piece of time-lapse videotape that actually gives us a rare chance to see the world turning.

Prediction: the music, incongruous at first, grows on you.

Sunnyside looks beautiful.

We hope you can join us tonight.

Tonight we report on a highly successful pilot program for children's health in Sonoma County, California called the Pediatric Dental Initiative (PDI) (http://www.pedidental.org/). Dr. Kathryn Foster, a pediatrician long interested in preventive medicine for children, noticed that some of the biggest unmet needs of underprivileged children had to do with a lack of access to adequate dental care. Even though they involve baby teeth, untreated cavities in small children can cause enormous pain, disrupt learning and family life, even lead to infections throughout the body that can become extremely serious.

California, like most states, has a dental care payment plan for poor children. But many dentists say it pays so little and involves so much paperwork that they lose money with every child they see. As a result many underprivileged children get no regular dental care and wind up with such extensive dental problems that they must be treated with general anesthesia. If that is done in a hospital, it is hugely expensive. That's where PDI plays its special role. Funded by public grants and private donations, its only mission is to offer dental care under general anesthesia, mostly to children and occasionally to disabled adults at no charge. Because of its single mission, it is highly efficient and the cost per patient is about half what it would be in a hospital.

PDI gets patients from many sources. Some parents travel hundreds of miles -- some even from neighboring states. But one of the major partnerships involves the WIC (for Women's Infants and Children) program nearby (http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/wic/en/contact.htm). WIC is a nation-wide effort (http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/) run mostly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that supports health and nutritional initiatives. The Santa Rosa office sometimes runs dental clinics from mobile vans that visit or dentists who volunteer their time. In addition to referring the serious cases for the general anesthesia, the office teaches classes in proper nutrition and dental hygiene to help parents learn how to prevent those cavities before they cause such serious problems.

Kudos to our fantastic technical staff, to Richard Engel and his producer Madeleine Haeringer, and to the folks catching it all here in New York, for our coverage last night from Iraq. It was a sight to behold.

A number of you wrote us to thank us for last night's story about the die-hard Yankees fan. Even some of my hardened, world-weary media buddies said it made them cry. A tip of the hat is in order: to Bruce Beck of WNBC-TV, Channel 4 here in New York -- who aired it at 11 the night before -- and, because I watch everything, I saw it and commissioned it for us the next day. If you haven't seen it, please watch it here.

And something else: for fellow space geeks. Allow me 7 minutes of your time. This is one of the most astonishing pieces of videotape I've ever seen, and a tip of the hat goes to Gawker for posting it today. Here it is.

We hope, after all that, you can join us tonight.

Janet Shamlian writes: It was like a cross between a wedding and a funeral, and the theater was full with the range of emotions you'd find at either event. I live in Texas and report to New York, but I couldn't have felt more like a New Orleans native last night as I sat alongside Spike Lee and a couple thousand of his Big Easy pals as he premiered his HBO documentary "If God is Willing and the Creek Don't Rise."

It's a look at the city and its people and the Gulf Coast five years after Hurricane Katrina. It's also installment two, a follow-up to his first documentary just after the storm. Like any visionary, Lee said he thought he had a storybook ending to the film in February, when the Saints clinched the Super Bowl. And then, as he explained to me, came an ah-ha moment. It was April and the filmmaker was watching the video we all saw -- those underwater images of oil gushing into the Gulf. He knew then the story wasn't finished and he'd be going back to document more heartbreak for an already ravaged region.

The film runs next Monday and Tuesday night on HBO, and while there's a lot to be said while watching it from the comfort of a couch, what a trip it was to be in the theater wedged in among those who lived and breathed the struggle. To watch them cheer, laugh, boo and cry as everyone from presidents and politicians to their own neighbors and friends were up there on the big screen. It is a true-life story still unfolding.. we'll offer a preview tonight on Nightly News.

Today, as U.S. combat forces prepare their final pullout from Iraq, I'm thinking about my late colleague and friend David Bloom. Two days before the war started, just before David zoomed out over the burm from Kuwait into Iraq, I chose to go visit him at his encampment with the Third Infantry Division. While still a great distance away, we spotted the golf ball atop the so-called "Bloommobile", the 4x4 outfitted as a portable satellite transmission vehicle. I saw my friends on his camera crew, and formed some friendships within the Third Infantry that go on until this day, so many deployments later. I went back to Kuwait City where I anchored the coverage of the start of the war. While I wouldn't get to Baghdad until days later, I never saw David again. Like all of our viewers, I marveled at his work. Like all of his friends and colleagues, I miss him today and every day.

We omitted Wellesley last night from the U.S. News college rankings. Importantly, they tied for 4th and we all failed to spot it, and thus failed to mention them on the air. We will correct the record tonight. Apologies from me, as I'm ultimately responsible.

We hope you can join us on the broadcast tonight.

Ron Allen writes: The response from colleagues around the building to our story about the Veteran's Bedside Network, and from the principals involved in the project has been overwhelmingly positive, and deeply appreciated. We're just beginning to hear from viewers and we're anxious to hear what you think.

It took a huge act of patience to get the story done, something I and dare I say most correspondents, don't usually have in huge reserves. The story first came to attention many months ago. But because of scheduling conflicts, privacy concerns, and what you might also call "dignity concerns," by the Veteran's administration, it took a while to get it done. Fortunately, we were able to convince everyone involved that our intentions were to do the story right. So we took our time. It wasn't something just thrown together.

Having "the time," is not always the case in this this "gotta get it done now," 24 hour news cycle business. And, I think it makes the entire project more rewarding. Patience does often pay off. My grandmother and my Mother would be amazed to hear of my latest revelation.

It's a story about "artistic therapy," team building and helping to rehabilitate America's wounded warriors. It's a long running act that dates to the 1940's. As soon as I saw the volunteers Pam Title and Stephanie Lee set up an old fashioned record player, and slap on the VBN's theme music from way back when, I knew the story would be something special.

"Wake up, listen here.....," the lyrics still dance in my head. The compassion of the volunteers is moving. And mostly, the dedication of the injured and recovering vets, and their desire to transcend the day to day, and to look to a better tomorrow will perhaps make your day a bit brighter!

For more information on the program, click here

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The initial report, apparently released only through People.com late yesterday, was cryptic. Michael Douglas has announced he's embarking on a 2-month course of chemotherapy and radiation following the discovery of "a tumor" in his throat. By this morning, it was all over the web and the papers.

Around here, Michael Douglas is more than "just" an Academy Award-winning actor. He's our announcer. Every night, his voice is my cue for when to begin. Its an awfully classy way to introduce Nightly News each night -- and as I've said here before, he did it for the asking. I was honored to be invited to be part of a recent tribute to him here in New York recently -- and while I have no independent knowledge of the challenge he faces, and while I will communicate with him privately, I want to publicly wish him a speedy recovery. My money's on Michael. He is truly a nice man. He's a special guy around here, as he is in households across America.

We hope you can join us tonight. I'm the guy who comes on after you hear Michael Douglas.

As many of you know, I lost my father nine days ago. He was 93. I cannot say enough about the people in our audience, the people I work with, and my own family. I felt protected and cared for and looked-after—what a tremendous outpouring of concern and kindness. I want to publicly thank everyone for everything they did—those kinds of gestures take on great meaning during time of great need and sadness.

Because of an overseas assignment, which was followed by the loss of my father, I've been off the air for nine workdays, the longest period I can remember. My thanks to Lester Holt and Ann Curry for filling in for me.

For now, starting again today, I'm back at work and back here with all of you. My thanks again. We hope you can join us for the broadcast this evening.

Kate Snow writes: OK here’s one for you. Is it a “pod” of porpoises? A “school”? My 7 year old son would know. Andy, one of our writers, just cheated and wrote “some” porpoises for the Nightly News Now web broadcast.

It may be August but this is no sleepy Sunday. You’re forgiven if you’ve spent the past 48 hours doing something fun (and yes, we are a little jealous), but you’ll want to tune in tonight to catch up.

The President is still taking heat for his comments this weekend about the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York. He’s back at the White House after a whirlwind one-night trip to the Gulf. This morning he and Michelle and Sasha went out for a boat ride and a porpoise just happened to swim right by. (Can the White House advance team be that good?)

Out west, there was a horrible wreck at an off-road car race in the Mojave Desert. With no barricades to separate the vehicles from the spectators, a truck plowed right into the crowd. We’re just now hearing from some of the families of the victims.

I just spoke by phone with Richard Engel over in Iraq, who is embedded with the very last U.S. combat troops getting ready to leave there. He’ll be with us on TV later to tell us how they’re feeling as they pack up.

I’m in tonight again for Lester Holt but Lester will be with us for an up-close look at violence in Chicago that I highly recommend. His main character is a guy named “Shotgun” who’s saving lives every night.

I’ll stop there. We’ll see you for the broadcast tonight. And be sure to welcome Brian back tomorrow.

Ann Curry writes: In for Brian one last night, and I want to say it has been a real honor standing in for him and speaking to you every night.

Reading your feedback about the events of our day here and on Twitter, I'm reminded again that it's the animated discourse about what is happening in our world that is the juice of our democracy. And I'm happy to note this same passionate discourse is very much alive in our daily Nightly News meetings.

Today, for the second time this week, a potential story elicited a frank discussion about race and whether we can yet as a country really talk about it. Of course, you may know today's story stems from the bewildering number of times the radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger used a racist word to make a point, and all the fallout that came afterwards.

Our debate largely focused on whether this is enough of a news story to put in our broadcast, as controversial comments have come to be expected from Ms. Schlessinger.

If we do decide to report the story, I know it will be stronger in part because of the honest concerns and issues raised in our discussion. Lucky for us, our “rim” (as this team is sometimes called) is remarkably diverse, making us stronger and smarter in all our debates, and not just those about race.

Talking honestly and most of all respectfully—especially about emotional subjects, and with those with whom we disagree—has become a lost art, I think. At the same time, that it was not lost among the Nightly team is one reason I think the broadcast is able to be real in what it presents to you each night.

As for tonight, lots to get to, including new rules you will probably like about your debit cards, rising floodwaters in the Midwest, and stunning images comparing Baghdad as the war began to what it looks like today.

Happy Friday.

And I warmly thank you, again.

Ann Curry writes: In for Brian again tonight, as the Nightly team is grappling with news breaking late in the day on top of some strong stories, including a federal judge's ruling late today on gay marriages in California, and what the ruling means; an exclusive interview with General David Petraeus, his first since taking over responsibilities for the war in Afghanistan; some seriously wild weather in parts of the country; a compelling story about how police caught a suspect accused in stabbings in several states; tonight's meteor shower; and, just in time for football season, some news about protecting against head injuries.

But I'm guessing the story you might enjoy seeing the most is the one that goes behind the scenes and tells us more about that 10-year-old singing wonder named Jackie Evancho. Where did someone so small get such a big voice?

Ann Curry writes: In for Brian again tonight, as significant developments are emerging about the economy. Not only did markets plunge on news that the Federal Reserve's confidence in the recovery has dimmed, but in a sign of our times, thousands of people hoping to just get on a waiting list for public housing assistance flooded a shopping plaza near Atlanta today. Officials say many were unemployed and homeless families. NBC's Ron Mott is on the scene, and will give us perspective tonight.

Here is one bit of perspective now: Our Nightly researchers have found that homelessness is up 30 percent since 2009.

Today the president used the word "brutal" to describe the recession -- it seems might many Americans agree with him, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Chuck Todd will have the poll's findings on what a majority of you are thinking about where the economy is going, and also what you’re feeling about political parties and the Tea Party movement.

On a more uplifting note, and I really do mean uplifting, you will hear about a 10-year-old who out-Susan Boyles Susan Boyle. During the Nightly News meeting this afternoon, jaws actually dropped.

And our report about Johnny Carson's entire archive of “Tonight Show” episodes going online will be on the broadcast tonight. We’re looking forward to seeing part of a rare interview with Johnny, which we're including in the report.

And on a personal note: I really want to thank you for your kind comments about Brian in recent days. It's so lovely to be reminded that you have him in your thoughts, as we do here.

editor's note: Brian remembers his father Gordon L. Williams, who passed away over the weekend.

Gordon L. Williams was born in Framingham, Massachusetts in 1917. He earned a B. S. in physics at Bates College in Maine, where he also met his wife, Dorothy. As a four-year work-studies student, he along with classmate Edmund Muskie, was assigned to clean the campus Chapel. After 3 years of night-school he was awarded an MBA from New York University.

He entered the Army in World War II, and for a time worked with the legendary Helen Keller to help rehabilitate soldiers blinded in battle. He left the Army after four years, having achieved the rank of Captain. He entered the retail and marketing business as a trainee with the W. T. Grant Company. He was later the manager of the John Wanamaker department store in Center City Philadelphia, and as his career progressed he was named Director of Marketing for Corning Glass. He retired in 1982 as Vice President of the National Retail Merchants Association in New York.

He endured the death of his wife of over 50 years -- and the deaths of two of his children. He survived cancer, a heart attack (at age 50), two broken hips and countless pacemakers and replacement batteries... all the while maintaining a consistently sunny and optimistic view of life. He was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

He was a great father, a great provider and a great man. Brian and his surviving brother Richard will lovingly remember their Dad as a hardy New Englander -- born during the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson and seared by the Depression -- who went to work each day, a passenger on the Jersey Shore Line, to support his family for over 50 years. He died of complications from a stroke. He was 93 years old. The family is planning a private service.

I remember sitting on the sofa in Studio 1A during a break in the TODAY show when up flashed on our monitor live pictures of American Marines converging on a statue of Saddam Hussein in downtown Baghdad. That was April 2003, just three weeks after the American led invasion of Iraq was launched. None of us at the time knew exactly what the end of the American combat mission there was going to look like, but that scene certainly had all the marks of the beginning of the end. Fast forward more than 7 years and once again it looks like the end. This time however, there are no symbolic moments of triumph but instead rather mundane scenes of American combat units discarding materials in scrap heaps and packing their gear now that Iraqi forces have officially assumed all combat operations in the country. That critical milestone was reached yesterday with little fanfare, ironically overshadowed by a surge of weekend bombings. Despite the violence and lack of a fully formed government, the drawdown of American forces is indeed underway and the Obama administration has delivered on its pledge to end U.S. combat operations there by the end of this month. Tonight Richard Engel, who was in Baghdad from the opening "shock and awe" attack, through the bloodiest days of the insurgency, is back tonight to show us how the U.S. withdrawal is playing out.

Also today the group behind the medical team murdered by the Taliban in remote northwest Afghanistan is rejecting the group’s claim that its members were preaching Christianity. We'll follow up that story on our newscast tonight.

And what's the story with Tiger Woods? Could anyone have guessed his performance on the golf course would suffer so badly 8 months after his infidelity scandal? A round of new questions about his future has begun after he scored the worst score of his professional career at a tournament this weekend. We'll take a closer look at his decline.

I hope you can join us tonight for NBC Nightly News.

The news today that six American civilians were the latest casualties of violence in Afghanistan reminds us once again the line between fighters and non-combatants there is thin at best.

The six were members of a ten person Christian medical team that had spent two weeks in a remote village in northern Afghanistan treating civilians. The Taliban, however says the group was spying and trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. All ten were shot to death. NBC's chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel was familiar with the group's travel plans and had spoken to one of its members, physician and amateur film maker Dr. Karen Woo, before they left on their ill-fated journey to Nuristan province. Woo and her team mates also blogged about the group's mission, noting "the expedition will require a lot of physical and mental resolve and will not be without risk." Richard, who has spent an enormous amount of time reporting from Afghanistan is currently on assignment in Iraq and will join us from there tonight to tell us more about his conversations with Woo and the latest on what happened to the group.

I also want to alert you to a delightful little story we're airing tonight about a back yard nature reality drama that has being playing out on the internet and bringing in as many viewers as any TV reality show. Here's a hint; after it's over you may say to yourself "who?"

I hope you will join me this evening for NBC Nightly News.