As the sun set Friday in Jamestown, a television camera operator wrapped up a long day of capturing the Buffalo City for a national audience.
Zahira Collazo, director of photography for "Today in America," spent her day traveling around town and visited 60 different locations. Her last shot was of children playing on the playground at Frontier Village.
"It's my first time here, it's beautiful," she said. "It's a very nice area, peaceful and friendly people too."
Collazo, from Miami, has been in every state expect Alaska. She said she was impressed with what Jamestown has to offer.
"I was amazed when the mayor was explaining to me that 16,000 people lived here," she said. "The hotels, the brand new hospital here -- that's incredible for a small town."
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Close to 50 people lined the streets at Frontier Village as Collazo filmed a Wild West Shootout, performed by Jamestown's Wild West Players.
"It's going to be a snapshot, but it's going to represent the quality of life in Jamestown," said Nina Sneider, executive director of the Buffalo City Tourism Foundation, referring to the 5-minute segment.
It should take between four and six weeks for the "Today in America" segment to be produced. When completed, it will air nationally on CNN Headline News and Fox Business more than 15 times. NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw will narrate the piece.
"Actually tourism will use it as a tool when we do trade shows and presentations," Sneider said.
The cost for segment was close to $19,000, but the city of Jamestown will own the rights to the finished product.
Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen showed Collazo around Jamestown, including the high school, Jamestown College, DuraTech Industries, Goodrich, the Interstate 94 Business Park, McElroy Park, Jack Brown Stadium and downtown businesses, to name a few places.
Andersen also was interviewed along with City Councilman Charlie Kourajian and Jamestown Public School Board President Greg Allen.
"I basically talked about the quality of life in Jamestown and why I chose to move back here and relocate my family here," Andersen said.
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Allen said he discussed the mission statement of Jamestown Public Schools as well as employment opportunities and the business climate.
Arnie and Dianne Strand brought their granddaughters, Mallorie, 5, and Anna, 2, out to Frontier Village for a chance at getting the children on TV.
Anna was a little startled when the fake gunfight started, but she eventually calmed down for Collazo's camera.
"We thought it would be nice to bring our grandkids out here," Dianne said. "We think it's a great place."
Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at (701) 952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com
