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KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Examines a Controversial Los Angeles Ordinance Allowing Home Building on Small Lots

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KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Examines a Controversial Los Angeles Ordinance Allowing Home Building on Small Lots

BURBANK, Calif. - February 5, 2015 -  SOCAL CONNECTED, KCET's Emmy® and Peabody®Award-winning series investigates the unintended consequences of a "small lot" ordinance. Designed to encourage home ownership in Los Angeles, the ordinance allows developers to build single family homes on very small lots. However, this also triggers evictions of low-income tenants and prompts home designs that neighbors find unsightly. Reporter Derrick Shore attends a community meeting, speaks with homeowners and tenants and looks at the long-term impact of this contentious development trend.

The story airs on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 8 p.m.

This week's SOCAL CONNECTED also features:

Much More than an Exercise Class: Three nights a week in an El Monte neighborhood, women do their hair and make-up as if they are going out on the town. Instead, they are headed to an intensive exercise class. Reporter Cara Santa Maria discovers how a Zumba class can do much more than burn calories; it can unite a group of Latinas who are making their bodies, friendships and community stronger.   

Behind the Scenes at Cirque du Soleil: What goes on behind the scenes at the spectacular Cirque du Soleil? Anchor Val Zavala meets the performers as they rehearse; finds out how they became members of this world class circus and visits with the artistic director, as well as the make-up artists and costume designers, whose imaginations create a magical world under the big top.

Their Crowning Glory: A love for the elegance and beauty of hats is still alive on Sunday mornings in African-American churches across Los Angeles. What has kept this unique tradition alive? We go to the West Angeles Church of God in Christ and Leola's Hats in South L.A., the heart of hat fashion.

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

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

SOCAL CONNECTED is anchored by 16-time Emmy®-Award winner, Val Zavala. Contributorsinclude 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 Magazine's "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.orgSOCAL CONNECTED is made possible through the generous support of The Ahmanson Foundation, Chapman University and theMaddocksBrown 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 children's 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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