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KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Looks at the Restoration of Downtown L.A.'s Historic Theaters and the Impact of Continued Gentrification on Local Small Businesses

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 KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Looks at the Restoration of Downtown L.A.'s Historic Theaters and the Impact of Continued Gentrification on Local Small Businesses

BURBANK, Calif. - February 12, 2015 - SOCAL CONNECTED, KCET's Emmy® and Peabody®Award-winning series explores downtown L.A.'s Broadway Theater District. Multi-million dollar restorations of beautiful Art Deco theaters are returning the district to its former glory. However, the revival adds momentum to the area's gentrification, and hurts long-standing family businesses by forcing them out of their retail spaces. Reporter Nick Hardcastle talks with a historian, theater owners and small business owners for their perspectives on the "Broadway comeback." Based on a story from KCET'sArtbound.

The story airs on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 8 p.m.

This week's SOCAL CONNECTED also features:

The Wild Donkeys of the Inland Empire - Grazing on the open land of Moreno Valley are hundreds of wild donkeys. No one knows exactly how they got there, but they do know that several have been killed by passing cars. Reporter Derrick Shore visits a rescue group called DonkeyLand, whose job is made harder when humans befriend the wild donkeys. Based on a story from KCET's Redefine.

The Tiny House Trend - Southern Californians may love their sprawling ranch homes, but there is a counter-trend that is appealing to a growing number of homeowners - tiny houses. Anchor Val Zavala looks at the appeal of living in about 800 square feet, and visits a well-designed tiny house that looks and feels spacious. 

"Nowhere Places" Captured on Canvas - The masterful talents of painter Marc Trujillo are applied to gas stations, Costco aisles and fast food restaurants. He renders commercial scenes with realistic precision that rivals the Dutch masters. Why do these "nowhere places" inspire and fascinate Trujillo?From KCET's Artbound.

Broadcast Premiere Date: Wednesday, February 18 at 8 p.m.

Repeated: Friday, February 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 22 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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