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.

Windy Weeds

Tuesday's weather was very windy. With having a light day, I was able to focus on a weather photo for wild art. I drove around town trying to find something. You can imagine this gets pretty tedious after doing it for 5 years. You get to see the same things. I saw a photo in a magazine that showed a bush taken with a slow shutter speed to show movement. I decided that I would try to get that same effect to show the windy day. 

I spotted a field north of town that hand a lot of mustard weeds growing. They were bright yellow, and though not a flower, still pretty. I made my aperture as small as it would go at f/22. I was taking a lot of shots, but because it was so bright outside, I couldn't get my shutter speed slow enough to get the motion effect I wanted. I remembered I had a pair of Dollar Tree sunglasses (worth $1) that I could use to block some of the light. I used the sunglasses as a filter to get a slower shutter speed.

This worked and I decided to find my shot. There was a newly built model home that when angled right I could place it atop a field of these mustard weeds. The weeds were moving all around in the wind and the shot created a feeling of a sea of plants.

The wind whips around mustard weeds atop a hill near a home along DeGarmo Dr. near Bamboo Orchard on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I enjoy the times I can take time to be creative. The sunglasses took away a little bit of the sharpness and color accuracy, but I couldn't have slowed down the shutter without it. Who would have thought $1 pair of sunglasses would be such an important part of my photography gear.

Softball Rivals Give No Rest

When Pleasant Valley and Chico High face off in any sport it is always exciting to watch. I covered a softball game earlier this day, and they did not disappoint. PV went up early with a home run by Kiley Mansfield, but Chico answered back right away. What felt like a early lead that would surely put Chico in the wrong mindset didn't deter them one bit. They ended up winning the game. Here are some highlights from the game.

Pleasant Valley High's #12 Morgan Gallaway (left) fields the ball in an attempt to force against Chico High's #2 Madi Pollak (right) who arrives safely at first base in the bottom of the fourth inning during their softball game at Haines Field Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High against Pleasant Valley High's #9 Kiley Mansfield knocks a homerun in the top of the first inning during their softball game at Haines Field Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Pleasant Valley High's #10 Snshea Ray (left) embraces #9 Kiley Mansfield (right) after Mansfield knocked her second homerun against Chico High in the top of the third inning during their softball game at Haines Field Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's #13 Breanda Sloan (left) applies the tag out against Pleasant Valley High's #11 Robyn Kramer (right) who slid late at home plate in the top of the second inning during their softball game at Haines Field Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's #8 Jo Koons (left) attempts to place the tag against Pleasant Valley High's #10 Anshea Ray (right) who slides safely at second base in the top of the fourth inning during their softball game at Haines Field Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Getting a New Welcome

You might remember the Welcome to Chico Sign that I photographed earlier in the month. It was badly damaged over the years from weather and fires. Well, the sign is getting its face lift. Actually it's getting pretty much everything changed. A group of volunteers have come together to break down and reconstruct the sign back to its "welcoming" look updated with new materials. It was quite a sight to see the sign be crushed into pieces, but it will be neat to see it reconstructed. I am sure I will photograph the new sign when it is built on the old steel supports.

Buildrite Dan Thompson (right) uses a lift donated by Alex Dubose of Guy Rents to knock down the Welcome to Chico sign as volunteers work on the demolition before they can restore the Welcome to Chico sign along Hwy99 on Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cleanrite Bob Mackenzie (left) hammers away the stucco on the supports for the Welcome to Chico Sign as volunteers Dino Corbin, Modern Building Steve Seegret, Buildrite Matt Mitchell, Buildrite Dan Thompson also came to help with the demolition work that needs to be to restore the Welcome to Chico sign along Hwy99 with a lift donated by Alex Dubose of Guy Rents on Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fun in the Sun with CSUC Baseball

I feel like I've shot a lot of Butte College baseball. So it was nice to head over to Chico State and shoot a little of them. The game was a decent game. No special plays or anything. But a good overall day. It was a nice day too. Sunny and cool. The best way to watch a baseball game.

Chico State's #27 Ben Manlove slides in to score at home plate against San Francisco State in the bottom of the fifth inning during their baseball game at CSUC Nettleton Stadium on Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #3 Michael Murphy makes the call before he catches a pop fly against San Francisco State's #22 Kevin Dultz (not seen) in the top of the fifth inning during their baseball game at CSUC Nettleton Stadium on Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #17 Travis Kruger fields a ball on a bounce against a hit by San Francisco State's #33 Sean Proni (not seen) in the top of the third inning during their baseball game at CSUC Nettleton Stadium on Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #27 Ben Manlove (right) tags out against San Francisco State's #9 Ben Mielke (left) who was caught in a pickle on the way home in the top of the third inning during their baseball game at CSUC Nettleton Stadium on Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Nature Center's New Facilities

I remember going to the Nature Center in Chico as a kid and looking at all the cool animals they had. I really enjoyed it. I event went to a summer camp once. It is definitely a neat place for kids to learn about nature and Bidwell Park. Today, the Nature Center had a grand opening ceremony for it's new Kristie's Nature Lab and Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall. These are two new facilities that have been in the works for a long time. They are finally open and I hope will get a lot of use. There are some neat thing in there and if you ever get a chance, you should go yourself. Be a kid again and use your sense of adventure and curiosity.

Atticus Mikles, 8 (left), Hannah Mikles, 14 (center) and Madeline Mikles, 12 (right) look at a topography map of Upper Bidwell Park in the Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall as the Chico Creek Nature Center new Kristie's Nature Lab and Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall held it's Grand Opening ceremony Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hannah Mikles, 14 (left) and Madeline Mikles, 12 (right) look through a microscope in the Kristie's Nature Lab as the Chico Creek Nature Center new Kristie's Nature Lab and Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall held it's Grand Opening ceremony Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kids and adults enjoy the activities in the Kristie's Nature Lab as the Chico Creek Nature Center new Kristie's Nature Lab and Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall held it's Grand Opening ceremony Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Drew Debord, 4, takes a look at bugs as they enjoy the activities in the Kristie's Nature Lab as the Chico Creek Nature Center new Kristie's Nature Lab and Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall held it's Grand Opening ceremony Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Butte Dives and Drives For the Win

Butte College's baseball game against College of the Redwoods was a high scoring game. I unfortunately missed a lot of the contact. Still must be a little rusty. I did happen to snap a diving catch. I don't get many of these, and I don't get them so close. I had a 300mm f/4 lens with a 2X extender on it, effectively giving me a 600mm f/8. I was standing on the first base line when a pop fly was hit to right field. The fields leaped and dove for the catch. I had two frames, one before and one after the catch. I wished I could have had one in the middle. It just goes to show that even if your camera can shoot 8 frames a second, you'll still miss it. Good thing news becomes old quick.

Butte College's # 25 Austin Prott makes a diving catch for the out against College of the Redwoods' #9 Ejoshua Reyes (not seen) in the bottom of the third inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Friday, March 26, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's #12 Patrick Randolph watches from the dugout against College of the Redwoods in the bottom of the fourth inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Friday, March 26, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's #9 Anthony Ferro (left) congratulates #12 Patrick Randolph (right) with a 3-run triple against College of the Redwoods in the bottom of the fourth inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Friday, March 26, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Flowers Face Dark Clouds

After spending some time in Paradise for a girl's soccer game, I decided to pull into the parking lot at Lookout Point. The spring weather had disappeared and left a gloomy day overhead. Some flowers were still bright and in full bloom. I decided to lie on the ground and snap a couple shots. I could see the rainfall in the distant foothills too.

A batch of flowers continue to shine even though threatened by a dark cloud looming overhead at Lookout Point Thursday, March 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Rain falls over the Valley as seen from Lookout Point Thursday, March 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Man Assaulted at 9th St. and Cedar St.

I was pulling into the office to edit the assignments when I heard activity over the scanner to police responding to an assault at 9th St. and Cedar St. I arrived on scene to find a man covered in blood after he was hit in the head from a bar or stick by an assailant that fled the scene. Firefighters and paramedics tended to the victim as other units searched the area. Police stopped a suspect, but they ended up being released after witnesses were unable to identify them as part of the incident. A little bit of excitement in the night. Not much details were available at the time. I took some pictures of the victim, but not knowing the cause of the incident I would rather use a shot of police investigating rather that exploiting the victim who was injured.

Chico Police officers Tony Ferreira (left) and Kevin Bartine (right) investigate the scene where a victim of an assault at 9th St. and Cedar St. who was beaten in the head by a suspect who fled the scene shortly after 7:00pm Thursday, March 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. Witnesses were reported to have seen the male suspect with a possible bar or stick as a weapon and ran south towards Dayton Rd. after the attack. Officers were unable to apprehend the suspect at this time. There was no theft involved. The victim sustained head injuries. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Paradise Girls Soccer

Just some quick shots of the Paradise High girl's soccer team that lost to Foothill High Thursday.

Paradise High's #69 Maddie Stringer (left) kicks against Foothill's #14 Jean Mutch (right) in the first half of their girls soccer game on Thursday, March 25, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Paradise High's #7 Krystal Shingler throws in against Foothill in the first half of their girls soccer game on Thursday, March 25, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Paradise High's #69 Maddie Stringer (right) defends against Foothill High's #4 Jennifer Vestal (left) in the first half of their girls soccer game on Thursday, March 25, 2010 in Paradise, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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McManus Mural Made by Many

A very colorful story as I went out to cover two groups of art students create a mural on the buildings of McManus Elementary School Wednesday. The students were from Pleasant Valley High School and Chico State art majors. They worked together to paint a very bright and colorful mural with a puzzle and animal theme. It looked really nice and is one of the largest murals in town. I love images that have so much color in them. The sun was overhead positioned as a backlight to the subjects leaving not the best conditions for images, but the colors still really came out. 

CSUC studio art major, Zack Stephens, 20, pains the puzzle outline as he works on a mural with a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Eli Stafford, 6, a kindergartener at McManus Elementary School (right) gives his input to the paint job on the mural that a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The yellow paint awaits to be used for a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students mural at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

PVHS student Pierce Hutler, 17, paint a section of a mural that a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CSUC studio art major, Lydia Thompson, 19, works on painting near the outline of a horse as a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on a mural at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Studio Art Major, Vanessa Lang, 23, paints yellow onto the wall that a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Fiddler's Fun

Oroville also hosted it's California Old Time Fiddlers State Fiddle/Picking Contest at the Municipal Building Saturday. The event was entertaining and enjoyable. There are a lot of contestants from all over. I even photographed one from Dallas, TX. I have no musical talent at all and am quite impressed to see so many youth be able to fiddle circles around everyone. VeryCharlie Daniels.

Ella Campbell, 9, of Coarsegold, CA (left), watches Shannon Hall, 10 of Clovis, CA (right) practice before the CA Old Time Fiddlers State Fiddle/Picking Contest at the Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Ella Campbell, 9, of Coarsegold, CA practices before the CA Old Time Fiddlers State Fiddle/Picking Contest at the Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Eric Anderson (left) accompanies Jack Kinney, 13, of Fresno (right) as he competes in the Junior Category of the CA Old Time Fiddlers State Fiddle/Picking Contest at the Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kalee Rast, of Dallas TX, competes the the Junior Competition in the CA Old Time Fiddlers State Fiddle/Picking Contest at the Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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NorCal Gymnastics Championships

     Most people would never believe that a Northern California Gymnastics State Championship could come out of Oroville, Calif., but it sure does. This is one of those lesser known events to the general public. Oroville hosted nearly 250 gymnasts from through the North State to try to compete for a chance to move on to a regional and national championship. This event is quite huge and very special to it's kind. If you ever get a chance to head down to Oroville, I would highly suggest checking out the Oroville Gymnastics Sports Academy. The facility offers a full venue, in which they are able to host such an event. 

     Everybody loves gymnastics in the Olympics and we have one of the largest competitions in our community. I wish I could devote more time to photographing the sport. There are so many regulations that I have to work with because of the high scale competition. Maybe someday I can get proper clearance to get floor coverage, instead of being up in the balcony. Although the balcony does offer a great vantage point. 

Gabrielle Kambur, 16, of Nevado Gymastics, rotates on the vault as gymnists compete in the NorCal Womens State Gymnastics Championships at Oroville Gymnastics Sports Academy Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Rachel Duhe, of Technique Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova, spins on the bars as gymnists compete in the NorCal Womens State Gymnastics Championships at Oroville Gymnastics Sports Academy Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Gabrielle Kambur, 16, of Nevado Gymastics, rotates on the vault as gymnists compete in the NorCal Womens State Gymnastics Championships at Oroville Gymnastics Sports Academy Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Marissa Tipton, of Technique Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova, spins on the bars as gymnists compete in the NorCal Womens State Gymnastics Championships at Oroville Gymnastics Sports Academy Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Dorian Maffei, 16, of Nevado Gymastics, does her routine on the floor as gymnists compete in the NorCal Womens State Gymnastics Championships at Oroville Gymnastics Sports Academy Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Butte Baseball Was A Breeze

It was not only the weather that was cooperating with me covering the Butte College vs Feather River College baseball game. The game itself lead to a little bit of excitement. There was a slight overcast that gave nice bright yet soft light and a small breeze to keep me cool. I know I'll have plenty of hot sunshine to ruin my days, but I will definitely soak up the beautiful days that I can. As far as the game went, it went pretty smooth as well. Nothing outstanding beyond a couple good hits for Butte to put up some runs. I'm still a second behind as I get back into the game, but have been pretty happy with the recent results; so here they are.

Butte College's #8 Taylor Johnson (right) fields the ball to first base in an attempt for the force out against Feather River College's #10 Thomas McCarthy (not seen) in the top of the fourth inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's #2 Justin Souza-Grenier (right) holds up at second base with a 2-run double against Feather River College's #4 Kyle Stone (left) in the bottom of the third inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's #1 Brandon Evans (left) slides in late at second base against Feather River College's #6 Casey Yocom (right) in the bottom of the second inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's #13 Adam Brubaker fist bumps the first base coach after hitting a single against Feather River College in the bottom of the second inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's #12 Patrick Randolph fields the ball to first base for the force out against Feather River College's #4 Kyle Stone (not seen) in the top of the second inning during their baseball game at Butte's Cowan field on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Butte Valley, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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