SAN DIEGO — The Zevely Zone is celebrating its '10 Year Anniversary' at CBS 8. My special will air throughout the holiday season on CBS 8 and CW San Diego. The show takes a look back at the past decade of storytelling. As we celebrate 10 years in the Zevely Zone, we reflect upon 10 years of sharing the very best of our community and shining a light on the good.
The first thing I want to do is thank you for supporting stories that have helped thousands of people. This 10-year anniversary snuck up on me. When you're having fun, times flies and sometimes in the Zevely Zone so do we. In the past year, we took you parasailing. When you soar high over the ocean, it's hard to have a worry in the world. We also took you out for an unforgettable day of whale watching. Magical moments like these next to the biggest creatures on earth remind us how small we are along with many of the worries we carry with us from day to day.
Most of all, we hope you smile when you watch the Zevely Zone. Whether we're roller skating at the Hotel Del Coronado, driving a train, interviewing an 80-year-old Elvis impersonator or watching the band Switchfoot surprise a family in their backyard, we want you to forget about any problems you may have for two or three minutes and be reminded that there is so much to live for in this life.
I get inspired every day by the people I meet in the Zevely Zone. For example, I met the 'Lunch Lady of the Year' Chhovy Chhit. She taught me not all heroes wear capes. In the past ten years, by my best guestimate, we've produced more than 2,300 Zevely Zone segments. People often ask us how we come up with all of these stories. The most simple answer is YOU.
I receive up to a hundred messages a day from our viewers. They call, text, email, and message me on Instagram and Facebook. I read your ideas, set up a story, we shoot the interview, and then log and write that story. Photojournalist Scott Hall then puts it all together in an editing session that can take him anywhere from four to eight hours. Suddenly I'm throwing Tesla lightning bolts, soaring through the air on a flying trapeze, disco-dancing with miniature horses, and being chased by fire-breathing dragons.
I've said it many times, this is my dream job because I get to have so much fun. Without question, the very best part of my job is watching the community come together, but we don't always hit the bullseye. We've dug deep into our video archives for my most embarrassing bloopers and mishaps. We laugh a lot in the Zone and mostly at me. I try my best to nail every line on the first take but often fall short.
Along with getting tongue tied, I like to try new things in the Zevely Zone, like the day I got tossed in a lake and surfed behind a boat. Sometimes I have to be a quick study for example the time I danced with a boy band. There was also that day when I was asked to hit a golf ball straight down the fairway, how hard could that be?
I've learned in the Zevely Zone, there are so many different types of jobs in this world. I recently met a professional Instagrammer by the name of Cait Conquers. Millions of people click on her adventures to see what types of clothing she'll be upcycling next. Another job, I never knew existed was professional cheese carving, until I met the Cheese Lady in Coronado.
I want to share another way this segment has changed my life. I've been astonished by how many selfless people in our community volunteer their time. These special people who ask for nothing in return have inspired me to volunteer for Elderhelp, a non-profit that helps seniors live independently longer. Another non-profit I give my time to is Doors of Change, which helps young adults beat homelessness and many of you supported the cause by attending the Concert of Hope with KC and the Sunshine Band. I also host the Miles for Melanoma 5K. In 2019, I took you along with me when I battled my own bout with melanoma. I learned firsthand that you just never know when you might need help in this world.
The Zevely Zone TenYear Anniversary Special also showcases how much we love our animals. We'll share a tribute to how much we love supporting animals in need. Sometimes in the Zevely Zone, our segment goes to the dogs, cats, alpacas, otters, camels and yes, even the baby raccoons. In every corner of this county special people are pouring their hearts and souls into animals.
We always appreciate you hanging out in the Zevely Zone. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for caring so much and trusting me to share your stories in the Zevely Zone. It continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life.
If you have a story idea that I should look into, please email me at jzevely@cbs8.com and I will look into it!