Valley-Centric Cable Show Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

With the New Year happily upon us, the local-access TV show Looking Up: A View From The Valley” celebrates its one-year anniversary this month.

The regionally-based, weekly series — shown Wednesdays at 7:30 PM on Comcast Channel 10 and viewable online at www.lookingupvalley.com – continues to take a positive, apolitical and unique look at the Lower Naugatuck Valley of Connecticut.

The show’s inaugural 2012 season explored a myriad of topics that provided valuable insight.

Wellness segments featured gastroenterologist Dr. Harold Schwartz of Griffin Hospital’s Health Initiative for Men and panelists from Seymour Pink’s Breast Cancer Awareness group. Other episodes spotlighted the Valley United Way and Community Foundation; Derby Public Schools, Public Library and Historical Society; Shelton Plumb and Huntington Branch Libraries; as well as the Naugatuck Economic Development Commission. The Ansonia/Derby/Shelton Memorial Day Service was also touchingly presented this past year.

I am extremely grateful and thrilled with the caliber of guests we’ve had on the show so far,” said producer and long-time Valley resident, Marc Weissman. Outside of the Valley, the program has already been seen across the US, in Canada and even abroad in countries such as Poland, Italy, Portugal and the UK. WhiIe I was confident there was a niche for this type of show, the fact that we’ve connected with the community-at-large and spanned the globe has far exceeded expectations for sure,” Weissman added. My hunch is that transplanted Valleyites have a strong desire to stay connected with this area, and that says a lot about the Valley’s impact on them.“

Another innovative aspect to the show is the use of public service announcements.

Sometimes, a quick one-minute spot that highlights an activity is more effective for an organization than a half-hour segment,” Weissman noted. A PSA can readily promote a specific effort in a concise, beneficial and timely manner.”

So with one year under its belt, what does the future hold for Looking Up: A View From The Valley?” Weissman promises that the region’s youth will be more frequently showcased. This will be done via features on the VITAHLS anti-obesity campaign, TEAMs Early Education programs, the Center Stage and Nine Mile Players theater groups, the Valley YMCA as well as Shelton’s nationally-recognized robotics club, among other kid-friendly topics.

As we all know, children embody both the present and future of our society, so what better way to promote their achievements than through a highly-visible medium, “ Weissman stated.

A greater focus on Valley residents’ personal experiences will also be prioritized. I think we’ve done a very good job informing the public about ongoing philanthropy here. In the coming year, we will include Valleyites who’ve affected the community on a more personal and emotional level. Why? Because that’s what makes this part of Connecticut so special: the people.”

Have a suggestion for Looking Up: A View From The Valley?” Interested in appearing on or helping to produce the show? Please contact Marc Weissman at (203) 231‑7852 or email lookingupvalley@gmail.com

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