8FPS: CUSD Art Center

The Chico Unified School District held a special meeting inside the new Art Center on the PVHS campus. I got a special look inside the new performing arts facility. It was HUGE! I was mighty impressed with the beauty of this place. It was really hard to capture the grandeur. It will be such a great site for community productions. With Chico being such a big art venue I hope this will continue to educate and inspire young kids to take a passion in the arts. While there was no photography studio (eh, eh, wink, wink), the possibilities for theatre and performing arts will be great to come into the spotlight. Here are eight shots from the tour.

Mary Lou Lim (center) sits and listens to Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees who held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The group took a tour of the facility at PVHS, which is the first official use as a meeting venue. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The main atrium is toured by Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees and others in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Patrick Bossetti (left) opens one of the lockers inside the hallway of the CUSD Arts Center. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Bob Feaster stands inside a small practice room in the CUSD Art Center. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Just some of the 200 light fixtures hang above Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees who held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Patrick Bossetti (left) talks to Deborah Jorritsma (right), of Chico Community Ballet, about facilities inside the CUSD Arts Center where Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The entrance to the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus is near complete Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The Science of Fun

I had an assignment about kids attending a summer camp at Gateway Science Museum that was sponsored by Tri-Counties Bank. The museum had a ton of activities and hands on gadgets that showed the beauty of science. It was fun. Exactly was kids need to here... "Please touch!" As the kids were cleaning up from lunch I snuck into the room a little early to get a good early look at the room. I may have felt like saying it was so I could scout a good shot out, but the real reason was that I wanted to see the activities before the kids got to them. There were so many great things to play with. I could have spent all day there just learning. It felt great. I wish I had more of these types of assignments. 

Tara Hansen, 8, plays with a Zoetrope at a camp at the Gateway Science Museum on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The kids were able to go to camp because of a sponsorship from Tri-Counties Bank. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Aaron Punzo, 9, plays with an uphill roller as kids play with activities at a camp at the Gateway Science Museum on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Riley Cloyd, 8, plays with colored lights at a color wheel station as kids play with activities at a camp at the Gateway Science Museum on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sunkissed

Summer is definitely here and it is HOT! I headed out yesterday in the heat to try to find a weather photo. While the sun ray and sunflower shot has been mastered by Ty Barbour, I tried my hand at it. It wasn't the greatest shot, but I am sure there will be many more hot days for me to look up toward the sun. (I don't recommend looking at it). 

The sun shines above a sunflower along W. 11th Ave on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Toys for the Big Boys

Every man is a just a large boy. We never grow up and never loose the love to play with gadgets and toys. I stumbled across three men who were flying RC planes around Chico. And I would be lying if I didn't say I wish I could have flown one myself. Unfortunately for one of the pilots, he crashed his plane while flying and broke the nose off the plane. He was definitely heart broken and the fun had finished. I did manage to get a couple nice shots of the men flying their planes.

Scott Martin, Mike Collins, and Dick Roberts (left to right) fly a Blue Angels RC plane off Hicks Ln. on Friday, June 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Mike Collins, and Scott Martin (left to right) check the controls on Collins' Blue Angels RC planes he prepares to fly off Hicks Ln. on Friday, June 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Mike Collins' Blue Angels RC plane suffered a broken nose after it crashed off Hicks Ln. on Friday, June 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Eye on the Pitcher

Chico Outlaws 18 year old female Japanese pitcher, Eri "Knuckleball Princess" Yoshida, was honored as she donated her bat, ball and jersey from her debut performance to the Hall of Fame. It was a historical moment in sports for this young woman to be playing baseball professionally. I was at her first debut, and also came to her third starting pitching game to cover the game. Even though the night holds much of a "media-fest" atmosphere, at the end of the night, I still need a pitcher shot. 

Chico Outlaws 18 year old Japanese female pitcher #3 Eri Yoshida, aka "Knuckleball Princess" pitches against Edmonton Capitals in the top of the second inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hall of Fame Senior Director of Communication and Education Brad Horn (left) presented Chico Outlaws Japanese 18 year old female pitcher Eri Yoshida, aka "Knuckleball Princess" (right) with several gifts from the Hall of Fame while accepting her donations of the baseball bat she used to record a hit and the jersey she wore at her first appearance, during the seventh-inning stretch in their baseball game against the Edmonton Capitals at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

So how do I make a pitcher look different through 5 innings? I use my tools and resources. I change lenses, location, and the look. I rely on my tools through the lenses to get a wide perspective to a close perspective. I rely on where I am located in the stadium to get different viewpoints of her pitching. And lastly, I rely on knowing how my camera operates (like shutter speed) to change the look of an image.

Chico Outlaws' Eri Yoshida at bat against Edmonton Capitals in the bottom of the fourth inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' Eri Yoshida pitches against Edmonton Capitals in the top of the fourth inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' Eri Yoshida takes the field against Edmonton Capitals in the top of the fourth inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' Eri Yoshida pitches against Edmonton Capitals in the top of the third inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' Eri Yoshida pitches against Edmonton Capitals in the top of the second inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' Eri Yoshida stretches in the dugout against Edmonton Capitals in the bottom of the first inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hall of Fame Senior Director of Communication and Education Brad Horn (left) presented Chico Outlaws Japanese 18 year old female pitcher Eri Yoshida, aka "Knuckleball Princess" (center) with several gifts from the Hall of Fame while accepting her donations of the baseball bat she used to record a hit and the jersey she wore at her first appearance, during the seventh-inning stretch in their baseball game against the Edmonton Capitals at Nettleton Stadium on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Around the Bases

I am always on the move for the Chico Outlaws baseball games. Shooting sports over and over again, I need to change my location to get a variety of shots. I am always looking for that new angle and working on my timing for action. Here are a couple of shots from an Outlaws game last Wednesday. All these shots were in the same game.

Chico Outlaws' #25 Mike Rose (right) slides in late to home plate against Edmonton Capitals' #20 Josh Tarnow (left) whom places the tag in the bottom of the third inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' #30 Maikel Jova is beaned at bat against Edmonton Capitals in the bottom of the third inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' #13 Alex Prieto (left) scores at home plate against Edmonton Capitals' #20 Josh Tarnow (right) in the bottom of the second inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' #30 Maikel Jova catches a pop fly against Edmonton Capitals' #24 Cliff Brumbaugh (not seen) in the top of the second inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' #10 Mitch Einertson (left) slides safely into second base against Edmonton Capitals' #4 Eric McNamee (right) as #6 Alex Chavez (back) looks on in the bottom of the first inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' #13 Alex Prieto fields the ball to first base for the force out against Edmonton Capitals' #6 Alex Chavez (not seen) in the top of the first inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Insect Invasion

I was sent out to Butte Valley to cover a grasshopper infestation that had probably millions of grasshoppers roaming around the valley floor. Apparently this invasion happens every 8 years or so. I drove along Durham-Pentz Rd. where I immediately was able to find a swarm of grasshoppers hopping around the grasses. It was a little like Moses parting the Red Sea as I walked through the field and hundreds of grasshoppers jumped away from me. There was one report of a woman who was riding her bike to Butte College along Durham-Pentz Rd. who has had to stop because of so many grasshoppers flying across her path. Even with the large amount of insects around, they were very challenging to photograph. The fact they are so small, I have to get really close. When I try to shoot wide, they are hard to see in the image. I did my best. 

An infestation of grasshoppers has appeared in Butte Valley seen here off of Falager Ct. and Durham-Pentz rd on Tuesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A grasshoppers waits in a field in Butte Valley seen here off of Falager Ct. and Durham-Pentz rd on Tuesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

An infestation of grasshoppers has appeared in Butte Valley seen here off of Falager Ct. and Durham-Pentz rd on Tuesday, June 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Lake Levels Rising

It has been a rare sight to see the Lake Oroville water levels be so high. In the last recent years, the water levels have been very low and have sunken to new depths. While this has brought out a new view of the lake bottom, it was a little concerning to see our water source being dried up. A good news for a change has brought lake levels to their near potential capacity. It has been a sight we haven't seen for a couple years and is nice to see again.

Linda Crott fishes from the Oroville Dam in Lake Oroville where water levels are very high after a wet winter on Friday, June 18, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Dust Don't Bother Me

The is no shortage of dirt on the Doryland baseball field at Hooker Oak. While the dust has a tendency to fly in my eyes or damage my camera gear, I don't really mind it. It actually helps in creating neat images. The other week I shot an image of the dust flying out from the hands of a ball player. There is always a lot of dust that is kicked up from the players sliding into the bases. With the right timing and lighting, it really make a shot more unique.

Chico Nuts' #12 Patrick Randolph smacks his hands with the dirt at bat against Burlingame Eukies in the bottom of the first inning during their American Legion baseball game at Doryland on Friday, June 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

South Chico House Fire

When a home located along E. 12th St. near Locust St. caught on fire, we quickly went out to cover it. All of us photographers were out there on scene. The day was fairly quiet until the fire broke out. Flames quickly blasted through the roof as firefighters knocked down the fire. Luckily no one was injured at the time. There has been a lot of residential fires recently. This is a pattern I hope slows down as we head into the county fire season.

Chico Fire Department Capt. Dave Main stands by a venting hole in the roof of a house at 269 E. 12th Street on Thursday. The fire was quickly contained, but most of the home's contents were destroyed. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

At approximately 3:10 p.m., city of Chico firefighters responded to a house fire at 269 E. 12th Street, after receiving a report from the resident that the home was on fire. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Passerby's and neighbors watch the City of Chico firefighters respond to a house fire at 269 E. 12th Street, after receiving a report from the resident that the home was on fire. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A neighbor hoses a nearby structure as City of Chico firefighters responded to a house fire at 269 E. 12th Street, after receiving a report from the resident that the home was on fire. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Resident Samantha Perry and her daughter Penelope Strausbaugh watch as crews battle a fire at their home on Thursday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico fire Capt. Ray Silverman is covered with small debris from a house fire on East 12th Street near Locust Street in Chico on Thurs., June 17. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Summer Sun

At first, the thought of covering a baseball game at 7:45 in the evening seem like a pretty late game that wouldn't give me much to work with. I quickly changed my mind once I saw how the light hit the field. Most games the summer sun is still pretty high. On this late game, the sun was setting giving the perfect summer glow. I only wish the pitcher was left-handed. I couldn't really snap a action shot from my point of view. I did take a nice portrait with light that makes any photographer smile.

Chico Nuts' #3 Will Enos pitches against Petaluma Leghorns in the top of the third inning during their American Legion baseball game on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

It's Gonna Be A Long Fire Season

   With the number of wildfires that have already been cooking up in the county, firefighters will have their crews busy. And I will be kept plenty busy as well. A small vegetation fire broke out along The Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. Wednesday evening. A car had pulled off the road as her car overheated. The car burst into flames igniting the nearby grass. The fire quickly spread as firefighters made their way to the scene.

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighter Anthony Brown, of station 65 out of Bangor, hoses down hot spots as Paradise Fire respond to a wildfire that broke out after a driver's car overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. burning about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A firefighter walks through the thick smoke as they respond to a wildfire that broke out after a driver's car overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. burning about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    It took me a while to get to the scene because of all the traffic that had backed up on the Skyway. The cars were moving, but moving slowly. I didn't get a fast jump on heading out to cover the incident, and thus got caught behind. I eventually made it up, and thankfully was able to pull over near the scene without having to walk very far. 

The driver of the vehicle (left), whom wouldn't give her name talks on her cell phone as firefighters respond to a wildfire started from her car that overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A small piece of bark continues to burn in a small wildfire about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    I immediately ran to a firefighter who was putting out hot spots as firefighters were able to quickly maintain the blaze. I jump on scene so quickly, that I forgot to grab my nomex gear. I snapped a couple shots and went back to my car to put on my gear. Crews were OK with me walking around the perimeter, but I needed my fire gear to get closer. Also the smoke was very thick and it helped to grab a mask to not breathe in the toxic fumes. 

After covering the scene I snapped a self-portrait in my fire gear and a mask that really came in handy with the thick smoke Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighter Chad Porter puts out hot spots in a wildfire that broke out Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire Vina Helitack 205 helicopter drops water as Butte County and Paradise Volunteer Firefighter Erick Sill (bottom) respond to a wildfire that broke out after a driver's car overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. burning about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    I was able to find a variety of shots on this small fire that was contained to just about 2 acres. There was more of a scare than a real threat. Fire crews from Cal Fire-Butte County and Paradise Fire were able to knock down the threat pretty quickly. While walking around the terrain, I managed to find a pretty thick mud puddle where I almost lost my shoe. I'm sure the fire wouldn't have been able to get through the mud as it was very thick.

A took a shot of my foot in a mud puddle next to my footprint about 2-3 inches deep as I covered a small wildfire Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    The fire brought back some memories of the Humboldt Fire that came through the Paradise area in 2008. Though it was no where near size or intensity, the location alone was enough to bring back those memories. It will be interesting how the year pans out for firefighters. I tend to get excited when a fire roars through, I just hope it is a safe fire... if there is such a thing.