KCETs Award-Winning Weekly Series SOCAL CONNECTED Looks at New Efforts to Prevent Whale and Ship Collisions Off the Souern California Coast

BURBANK, CA - August 14, 2014 - Whales are the biggest creatures in the world. But dozens of Blue, Fin and Humpback whales have been killed by collisions with huge cargo ships traveling between Santa Barbara and Long Beach. SOCAL CONNECTED, KCETs Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series, examines what happens when whales and ships collide. According to marine biologists, the whales usually die, but now new research and measures are being adopted to prevent these gruesome collisions. Anchor Val Zavala updates our story on whale fatalities and whats being done to save these giants in danger.

The story airs on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 8 p.m.

This weeks SOCAL CONNECTED also features:

Micro-loans Come to Los Angeles - The idea started in developing countries; individuals make small loans to an entrepreneur who wants to start a business. A non-profit group saw how well the model worked in needy countries and decided to try it here. Reporter Jennifer London looks at how spending a little bit of money in the right place can make a big difference for enterprising people.

Bottle Tree Ranch - Along a stretch of Route 66 is an unforgettable place created by 67-year-old eccentric, Elmer Long. He has hung thousands of glass bottles on metal trees, creating a whimsical grove of light, color and sound that is open to the public to enjoy and explore. Reporter Nic Cha Kim visits Longs Bottle Tree Ranch to discover the person behind this unique oasis in the desert. This story is based on a piece from KCETs Artbound.

The Final Run - For three generations, the Colby Poster Printing Company spread the word about concerts, rodeos and local festivals one telephone pole at a time. Now this family-run business has made its final poster and shut down the presses. In this story, originally produced for MOCAtv, C.R. Stecyk III pays one last visit to the place thats provided a touch of Day-Glo on the Los Angeles landscape.

Broadcast Premiere Date: Wednesday, August 20 at 8 p.m.

Repeated: Friday, August 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m.

SOCAL CONNECTED is anchored by 16-time Emmy -Award winner, Val Zavala. Contributors include science journalist Cara Santa Maria, reporters Derrick Shore and Jennifer Sabih, documentary filmmaker Nic Cha Kim and writer Nick Hardcastle.

The television broadcast executive producer for SOCAL CONNECTED is Val Zavala; digital executive producer is Zach Behrens; and Linda Burns is senior producer.

ABOUT SOCAL CONNECTED

SOCAL CONNECTED, winner of a Peabody and two duPont Awards, 23 Emmy Awards, 24 Golden Mikes, 48 LA Press Club Awards, two Gracie Awards, and four regional and one national Edward R. Murrow Awards, including Best News Documentary and Los Angeles Magazines Best New Local TV Program of 2009, airs exclusively on KCET. For more information, to view episodes online or to leave comments, please visit www.socalconnected.org. SOCAL CONNECTED is made possible through the generous support of The Ahmanson Foundation, Chapman University and the MaddocksBrown Foundation.

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and childrens programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a service of KCETLink.

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