KCETs Award-Winning Weekly Series SOCAL CONNECTED Explores the Clash of Values over California Proposed End of Life Option Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Susan C. Mills or Rachel Coulson

310-562-0113; smills@kcet.org

747-201-5707; rcoulson@kcet.org

KCETs Award-Winning Weekly Series SOCAL CONNECTED Explores the Clash of Values over California Proposed End of Life Option Act

BURBANK, Calif. - March 5, 2015 - SOCAL CONNECTED, KCETs Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series delves into the controversy surrounding aid in dying. Should terminally ill Californians have the option to end their own lives, as patients in Oregon and Washington do? Anchor Val Zavala talks with a doctor who lost his 25-year-old daughter to cancer after a long and painful illness. He wouldve liked to have given his daughter the choice of the lethal prescription that Brittany Maynard had when she went to Oregon to lawfully end her life. Opponents say allowing assisted suicide is a violation of the physicians oath, when pain at the end of the life can be managed with proper palliative care. They also fear that financial incentives could lead to abuse. Zavala asks how the law would work and what would be the consequences of this emotionally charged end-of-life issue. Based on stories from KCET.orgs Agenda blog.

The episode airs on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 8 p.m.

This weeks SOCAL CONNECTED also features:

Micro Pollution in Personal Care Products: Its a new kind of plastic that is too small to recycle and too tiny to filter out of waste water. Called microbeads, thousands of them are put into skin cleansers, exfoliates and even toothpaste. They eventually end up in our oceans, consumed by fish and coral and adding to the huge gyres of plastic that are floating in our oceans. Reporter Derrick Shore meets two Culver City environmentalists who are on a crusade to raise public awareness of microbead pollution and persuade manufacturers to stop using them. Based on a story from KCET.orgs Departures.

7-Year-Old Pilot from Compton: At an airport in Compton, a remarkable program is teaching kids to fly before they can drive. Anchor Val Zavala met 7-year-old Lauro Banuelos as he climbed into the cockpit of a Cessna 172. He is one of hundreds of young people who are learning to fly airplanes and helicopters at Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum founded by Tuskegee Airmen, along with ace helicopter pilot Robin Petgrave. Its an inspiring program that is lifting hundreds of Compton kids beyond their circumstances. Based on KCETs Local Heroes.

Neon Captured on Paper: Neon signs of Los Angeles are the inspiration for artist Dave Lefner, whose meticulous linocuts -- carving in linoleum blocks -- produce exquisite prints. His work draws from neon signs on old liquor stores, restaurants and hotels in downtown L.A. Lefners art can only be fully appreciated when the time-consuming perfectionism that he brings to every piece is revealed.

Broadcast Premiere Date: Wednesday, March 11 at 8 p.m.

Repeated: Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m.

SOCAL CONNECTED is anchored by 16-time Emmy -Award winner, Val Zavala. Contributors include science journalist Cara Santa Maria, reporters Derrick Shore, Jennifer Sabih, Conor Knighton, 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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