Merry Christmas!

I photographed the dew that melted from frost on a blade of grass yesterday morning. This image reminded me of a Christmas Tree. Thought it was a great way to look at nature's way of saying Merry Christmas!

Muertos Masks

Ava Kuykendall, 3 (left) has her face painted by Natalie Carder (right) as people take part in Days of Dead maskmaking event at the Valene L. Smith Museum of anthropology at Meriam Library, Chico State CSUC campus  Saturday, October 15, 2011 in Chico, Calif.  The free family event is an early celebration of the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos. People could make a skeleton mask, taste traditional foods, and help decorate the altar.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Spring Jamboree!

Amira Herrera, 4, Jaslene Garcia, 4, and Ayianna Herrera 4, walk hand in hand with their eggs in their basket as children ages 5 and younger hunt for easter eggs in the Chico Area Recreation and Park District's annual Spring Jamboree Easter egg hunt at Caper Acres in Bidwell Park’s One-Mile Recreation Area Saturday, April 23, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Jessica Fox, 4, and other children ages 5 and younger hunt for easter eggs in the Chico Area Recreation and Park District's annual Spring Jamboree Easter egg hunt at Caper Acres in Bidwell Park’s One-Mile Recreation Area Saturday, April 23, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Khloe Carrier, 2 1/2 (left) and Syenna Pollard, 3 (right) show their bounty as other children ages 5 and younger hunt for easter eggs in the Chico Area Recreation and Park District's annual Spring Jamboree Easter egg hunt at Caper Acres in Bidwell Park’s One-Mile Recreation Area Saturday, April 23, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Youths in kindergarten and first grade hunt for easter eggs in the Chico Area Recreation and Park District's annual Spring Jamboree Easter egg hunt at Caper Acres in Bidwell Park’s One-Mile Recreation Area Saturday, April 23, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tyler McDonald, 8, and other youngsters in second and third grade hunt for easter eggs in the Chico Area Recreation and Park District's annual Spring Jamboree Easter egg hunt at Caper Acres in Bidwell Park’s One-Mile Recreation Area Saturday, April 23, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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High-Five for the Easter Bunny

Jordan Graves, 2 (left) high fives the easter bunny Mike Griffith (right) as meals are served to the needy during the Easter meal at the Jesus Center Thursday, April 21, 2011 in Chico Calif. The Jesus Center served 103,000 meals in 2010 and already by the middle of April they have served over 30,000 meals.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Celebrating Cesar Chavez Day

Cesar Chavez Day did bring out hard work in volunteering Chico State students who cleaned up parts of the town. But it also brought out its usual crowd of intoxicated youth celebrating not what the day stands for, but the fact they have the day off. The later afternoon saw an increase in activity. Nothing was out of control or unusual.

Chico Police mounted patrol detectives Abigail Madden (left) waves to people partying at W 4th St and Hazel St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People party in front of a house on W 4th St. and Ivy St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People play music and dance in front of a house on W 4th St. and Ivy St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police mounted patrol detectives Jim Parrott (right) keeps an eye on the crowd as detective Abigail Madden (left) detains a suspect who assaulted the horse at W 4th St and Ivy St. in the south campus area during the celebration of Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire engineer Carlos Munoz hoses down a couch frame that was lit of fire as people celebrate Cesar Chavez Day in the south campus area Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police administer a DUI checkpoint along Esplanade and E. Lincoln Ave during Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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St. Patrick Day Brings Out the Characters

Every holiday in Chico is usually filled with characters roaming the streets. Chico loves to have fun and it is most seen in the people that come out to the downtown and south campus area. In past years, the out-of-towners have added a problematic environment to the festivities.

With Chico State placing their Spring Break week off along the same timeframe as St. Patrick Day, it has alleviated the issues with large crowds. This year's "green" day was a "clean" day. Not much activity occurred during the afternoon which is normally filled with issues. While the night brought its fair share of situations, overall the holiday was tame.

But it didn't mean there wasn't plenty of characters roaming the street. I saw the usual pedicabs, questionable clothing options, Irish dancers, and green costumes. What was really great was the range of ages of everyone out. There were older people partying to the younger crowd and even some smart entrepreneurs out selling girl scout cookies.

Butte College student Kristonda Pryor, 27, waits in line at the Madison Bear Garden as people celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities in the south CSUC campus area and Downtown Chico Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

B-Line bus driver Paul Dodd wears a green hat to work as people celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities in the south CSUC campus area and Downtown Chico Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Deryl Northcote (left) buys girls scout cookies from Daisy Girls Scout - Hooke Oak troop Mia Pedersen, 5 (center) alongside her mom Marlo Pedersen (right) as they decided to sell cookies to people that celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities in the south CSUC campus area and Downtown Chico Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The Oliver Academy of Irish Dance group entertain Jaime Ramon, 24 (far right) and the public along Broadway at W 2nd St. as people celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities in the south CSUC campus area and Downtown Chico Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The Oliver Academy of Irish Dance group, Lindsay Chamberlain, Maddie Mikles, Cara Cannon, Nile Reed, Abby Zuppan, Rose Trulin and Shannon Sullivan, (left to right) the public along Broadway at W 2nd St. as people celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities in the south CSUC campus area and Downtown Chico Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities outside of Riley's bar in the south CSUC campus area and Downtown Chico Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Mike Griffith waits with his pedicab to give people rides who celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities outside of Riley's bar in the south CSUC campus area and Downtown Chico Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Taking the Plunge into the New Year

Well 2011 has arrived and it was an eventful day. Hundreds of Chicoans gathered for the annual Polar Bear Swim across the Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area. I was assigned to cover the event. I decided to shoot both video and photos. It was quite challenging being that the swim last no more than 20 seconds. How did I shoot both?

People brave the chilling cold water in Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Wearing a "Happy New Year" headband, Kelly Nokleby laughs with friends after she and other people brave the chilling cold water in Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I just set up 5 different cameras. I had one remote camera on the west end of the pool and a second remote camera on east end. They were both point and shoot cameras shooting video. I also placed a remote camera with a fisheye lens looking over the middle of the pool that was going to shoot a timelapse of the event. I carried the fourth and fifth cameras on me to shoot both video and photos.

It was a hectic scramble. What made it difficult wasn't shooting both the video and photos at the same time, but rather the large crowd that had gathered. Both sides were filled with people who gathered to take the plunge on one end, and to watch on the other.

People leap and dive into the chilling cold water in Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Two remote cameras were placed in the trees for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif. The one on the left was shooting a time-lapse and the one on the right was shooting video.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Next year, I will probably try some different angles to switch things up a bit.

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Two Sides to Every Story... Happy Easter!

This Saturday I was able to photograph two sides to the Easter Story. On one side was the commercial appeal of Easter eggs and bunny ears, on the other the religious values. I started in the morning taking pictures of many kids racing around to get a bright plastic egg. Later in the day I headed to the Jesus Center for a Easter lunch meal for the homeless. Both are aspects of the Easter holiday, but are very different in nature. Which side do you celebrate? Happy Easter!

Cody Wallace, 5, searches out the best eggs during the CARD Spring Jamboree Easter Egg Hunt at the CARD Center Saturday, April 3, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Corey Ward (top left) and Rich Hartman (top right) mingle with Maria Jaime, Brian Jaime, 3, Julian Chavez, 3, Gerardo Chavez, 9, Andrew Jaime, 8, Rosalina Jaime, and Patricia Silva (clockwise from bottom left) who enjoy a warm meal during the Jesus Center Easter Lunch for the homeless Saturday, April 3, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

César Chávez Festivities

Chico's south campus neighborhood which generally comprises of CSUC students and out-of-towners, raised up their sombreros and drew on their mustaches to celebrate César Chávez Day. While the actual holiday bears no resemblance to the drunken mess of youth wandering the streets of downtown Chico, the day still had its moments of excitement. Chico State gave the students the Wednesday off, combined with a furlough for Thursday after and most students not having classes for Friday (or teachers letting them off), with the added Monday being a holiday for Easter, all created an extra Spring Break for some. The activity was higher than St. Patrick's Day. A lot more house parties than crowds at the bars. Activity picked up early in the evening but quickly dispersed as nightfall came. 

Morgan Allen, 19, stands at W. 5th St and Ivy st. waiting for her friends as she celebrates Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police check the area of a reported gunshot along Ivy St. near W. 5th St. as people celebrate Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Alexis Fernandez, 20, wore a big sombrero as she walks near W. 5th St and Ivy st. during Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A party had many people dancing with a dj in the backyard at a residence along W. 5th St near Cherry St. on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police mounted patrol Jim Parrott (right) moves partiers along at party in the backyard at a residence along W. 5th St near Cherry St. on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

I did have one encounter that just comes with the crowds. A young man was so intoxicated he had to be transported to Enloe. I was going to take some images of him being transported with the party he was attending behind him to tell the story of young people endangering themselves with alcohol from parties. While waiting for the paramedics to load him into van, his friends decided to hop the railing at the party and tell me not to take pictures of the scene. When I say hop the railing, I mean stumble and fall over the railing. They were concerned that I would take his pictures.

 Well, they should be. I would take his picture. I am in all legal right to do so. He was drunk on a public sidewalk and I was standing in the public road. There were 3 women who approached me raising their hands to my camera. They were in my face, but not hostile. I wasn't afraid of them getting physical with the incident, but it was really nice that a VIPS officer Terry Smith quickly approached and told them to back off. I don't know what it couldn't have ended up as, but I am glad nothing came of it. I did manage to take a picture of what I was wanting... and I got a bonus of his friend trying to block the camera.

Ah Chico, just another day.

No Luck in Finding the Irish

Chico is known for its high party activities during holidays. This year the luck might have run out. Chico State University in conjunction with Butte College and other academic institutions have decided to change the Spring Break week off to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. The intended thought is to have students head home for the vacation instead of staying and partying in Chico. St. Patrick's Day fell on a Wednesday, and I suspect that because no one wanted to wait for the party to come, they took advantage of their time off to plan trips for the holiday. 

Josh Low, 21, walks across Salem St. at W. 2nd St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kaitlynn "KB" Wolfe, 21 (left) rides her bike with Sarah Peters, 23 (right) as they head towards a house along W. 4th St. near Ivy St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The town had very few students. While it was kinda nice to not have the hassle of drunken youth yelling and fighting, it was a little challenging to find something unique. Most were dressed in the casual green with hardly anyone getting into the Irish spirit to decorate themselves for the day. 

Partiers play beer pong outside a home along W. 4th St. near Ivy St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Partiers walk past mounted patrol units Det. Abigail Madden and Sgt. Scott Ruppel along Ivy St. near W. 4th St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Word on the town is that César Chávez Day is going to be THE day for party plans. That day is in the middle of the week, yet students will not be on vacation for the week, giving them the close proximity to local venues.