KCET Honors SoCal Connected’s Val Zavala

Happy Val Zavala Day!

Today is a special day in Los Angeles as we honor long time journalist, producer, news anchor and all around LA icon Val Zavala.

Since 2008 Ms. Zavala has hosted the award winning SoCal Connected on KCET. I’ve long been a fan of the show and its insight to the many unique facets of Southern California. Ms. Zavala has been the face of the show since its inception but is now set to retire.

Ms. Zavala joined KCET in 1987 and has served the station in numerous way including hosting Life & Times, Town Hall Los Angeles and, of course, SoCal Connected. To celebrate her contribution a special episode of the latter, “30 Years With Val Zavala” will air on KCET tonight at 8pm (with an encore presentation tomorrow at 7:30pm).

I look forward to tuning in and celebrating this SoCal icon.

Speaking of icons, next Monday, February 19, KCET will air a Huell Howser marathon celebrating California’s National Parks and Monuments.

Huell Howser’s shows were a staple in my family’s household and I was lucky enough to meet him before his untimely passing in 2013. His work is a significant contribution to California culture and I’m so happy that KCET continues to air his shows. On President’s Day numerous episodes of both California’s Gold and Visiting with Huell Howser will air featuring such diverse locations as the Reagan Ranch, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite Falls and Mt. San Jacinto.

In addition to KCET’s documentary lineup they also air a variety of international dramatic fair including my favorite, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Recently, they premiered the Spanish Drama, Grand Hotel which combines the former with a dose of Downtown Abbey practically guaranteeing drama and intrigue.

I’m certainly curious and expect to be binge watching it in the future.

As always, KCET presents a diverse lineup of shows that both inspire and entertain. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.