Friday Night Football Is On!

Another season of football has begun for the high schools in the area. I always love the first couple games because the sun is usually setting for great light. In a matter of weeks it will become black in the sky and cold. I love football, and it looks to be an exciting season. My first game was between Durham High and Gridley High. Durham pretty much dominated the field. Here are a couple shots from the night's game.

Durham High's #9 Nelson Fishback stiff arms against Biggs High's #25 David Diaz (left) during the second quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The sun sets on the field as Durham High prepares against Biggs High before the first quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham High's #22 Chris Craven (left) is congratulated by #9 Nelson FIshback (center) and #4 Adny Sundberg (right) after Craven scored a touchdown against Biggs High during the second quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham High's #17 Isaiah Perez (left) rushes against Biggs High's #17 Michael Torres (right) during the first quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The sun sets on the field as Durham High against Biggs High before the first quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Soaking in a Summer Night

With the sun setting I headed out to One Mile. The night was still warm as temperatures had hit over 100 degrees earlier in the day. There was a golden hue over the pool. I probably missed the golden hour by about 10 minutes. But I snapped a quick shot. It reminds me of a painting. Very simple, but telling of a culture and a place.

Chicoans spend the evening with a cool dip in the Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area on a warm summer evening Wednesday, August 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Prep Football is Warming Up

With temperatures well over 100 degrees, what a better time to go out to some local high schools to see how football practice was going. It was hot, way hot. And no creeks or pools in sight. These kids are worked hard, and they are excited to be out there. I myself, may prefer a air conditioned indoor stadium, but we don't have that luxury. Prep football is always an exciting time of the year. I am sure there will be many more football updates as the nights come.

Thomas Jones runs drills as Las Plumas High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Michael Simon runs drills as Las Plumas High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Matt Soudan (left) runs drills as Oroville High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High School football team takes a water break as they practice at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Gage Cuellar (left) tackles Anthony King (right) as the Oroville High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Look Ma, No Ha...Feet?

I stumbled across a jet skier out with friends on the Afterbay in Oroville the other day. I noticed something a little unusual about how this jet skier was spinning around the water. He had his feet propped up over the handles and was spinning circles in the water. It was a different way of riding, but from the looks of it, he was having fun. It just goes to show you can never plan your day or what you will see.

Joel Rohm, of Yuba City, rides feet first on a jet ski as people find time to play in the Thermalito Afterbay Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Portrait of an Artist

I had the pleasure of meeting local Chico artist Jake Early. He has created a popular printmaking series and just released a new set of prints. I spent some time with him at Chico Paper Company. Early was a good sport about the photo shoot. I even was able to try a non traditional pose using his print as a backdrop for him. I don't know if it was my favorite shot, but it just goes to show the variety of tasks that I have to undertake as a photographer.

Chico artist Jake Early shows off his newest prints for Lundberg Farms at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico artist Jake Early shows off his newest prints for the Highway One series at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico artist Jake Early shows off one of four newest prints for Lundberg Farms at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hands Across the Bridge

The Bidwell Bar Bridge had a community event to draw more public support for the facility. The initial size of the crowds weren't as big as they organizers and myself were hoping for. I still managed to get a couple shots out of it. I was lucky enough to have time to stay and wait for a photo opportunity.

Boy Scouts Troop 130, Michael Wiles, 11, (left) and Tyler Bruce, 11, (right) stretch arms with others who gathered at Bidwell Bar Bridge for "Hands Across the Bridge" event Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. There was a pancake breakfast John and Annie Bidwell will visit, yoga demo, Tollhouse cookies for sale, butterfly release, face painting, horseshoe tossing and more.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People gathered for a yoga demo on the Bidwell Bar Bridge for "Hands Across the Bridge" event Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: What a Wild Night

With Chico State students heading back into town, the south campus area is becoming much more wild. The student population creates much more party activity than in the summer months. With students, new, old, and from out of town, Chico Police are kept busy. I try to make an effort to head out in the late evening, early morning to capture the type of activity that is becoming more and more prevalent.

What made this night more wild than others was the close proximity to all the activity. It all centered around 5th and Ivy, a hot spot for crazy parties. Chico Police, Fire and Paramedics were all keep busy tending to fights, stabbings, and drug young people. There was even a commercial structure fire that night. The most unusual story happened at the end of the night when police were called out to the train track after a report of three men who jumped from a moving train injuring themselves... Maybe "wild" night is the wrong description; what a stupid night.

Chico Police arrest a man who was in a fight and had a stab wound, at 5th St and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Young people party at a home at 6th St. and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on them as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire tend to a victim of an assault and robbery, who was knocked in the head and bleeding along Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire and Police attempt to locate a man who was reported to have jumped with two other friedns from a moving train along the train tracks and W. Sacramento Ave, after hopping on the train as it pasted through town. His buddies had injuries and were taken to Enloe. Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tacos de Acapulco stays open late for midnight cravings for the Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police arrest a man who at 5th St and Ivy St. who was harassing women as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire respond to a commercial structure fire at Playtime-4-You lingerie shop at Esplanade and 12th Ave Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police officer James Dimmitt (left) and Sgt. Greg Keeney (right) question a man as they make a stop at a party along 6th St. near Cherry St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sports Is Not All About the Action

The first thing you generally visualize about sports is the action. But as a photojournalist, there are many more stories from the games we see that the activity. Eri Yoshida has been a huge star both locally and nationally. Most people want to come to the game to see her pitch. She definitely has a unique style to her game. But after the first, second, third and even fourth game, her pitching is still the same. There needs to be another story.

The story I see is how Yoshida interacts with the other male members of the team. She laughs and high-fives with them just like one of the guys. She has been well excepted not just with the fans, but also her teammates.

Chico Outlaws' #3 Eri Yoshida (center) laughs with #5 Pascual Del Real (left) against the Na Koa Ikaika Maui before the start of the top of the first inning during their baseball game at Nettelton Stadium on Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

FDIC Takes Over Local Bank

I received a phone call early Friday morning from a source about the FDIC who was going to seize control of Butte Community Bank later that evening. The feds certainly do things in style. They were suppose to approach the bank's main offices and shut its operations down. There had been talk in the banking community that this was going to happen after Butte Community Bank's large loans had taken a drop in value. Butte Community Bank was purchased by Rabobank. It was a very quick and very hush operation. I was lucky enough to be on site at the right time and examiners approached the bank buildings.

Members of the FDIC security approach the Community Valley Bankcorp building off East Lassen Avenue Friday, which is the headquarters for Butte Community Bank. The bank was taken over by the FDIC.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The next day I went to one of the branches to see the changes that have been made. I guess the FDIC do things quick. The plan to take the bank over Friday at closing time and if there is a new buyer, reopen by Monday. Many customers had read our story in the morning paper and were coming to inquire their options. One man I talked to closed his accounts because he didn't want to leave his money with a bank he didn't know.

Michael Bridges walks out of Butte Community Bank after closing his account he had for three years. The new Rabobank, was the former Butte Community Bank off Forest Ave Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif., after FDIC Bank Federal regulators took over Chico-based Butte Community Bank on Friday, because of a strategy to recapitalize the local bank that apparently failed.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

No Excuses

In light of my recent broken equipment, I have still had to do my job. I had a great performing Canon EOS 1D, and a good quality second body Canon 40D. But since both of them have decided to break over the same time period, I have been left with an entry level DLSR, a 10D. But this is no excuse for me to not perform. While I will also give no excuses to not buy new gear, it has never been the gear that have created great photographers. It has always been the images.

Gear merely provides a convenience. Instead of waiting for that perfect timing, just push the shutter for an 8 frame per second sequence that will probably snag what you are looking for. Having the gear doesn't mean you'll get the shot. You still need to work hard. Gear just makes it a little easier.

So, when I was force to use a camera that didn't have all the bells and whistles, I still had to work for that shot. I was able to shoot a baseball game and get a decent shot out of it.

Chico Outlaws' #12 Anthony Manuel (right) fields the ball to first base for the force out against the Na Koa Ikaika Maui's #8 Phil Alves (not seen) as #5 Paul Nishimura (let) attempt to advance to third base in the top of the third inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium Thursday, August 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

New Dorm Makes Me Want to Back to School

Chico State students were welcomed back to town with the addition to a new dorm on the campus. It was Sutter Hall and I was treated to a look inside to the new facility.

It was nice. Real nice. The dorm offers spacious hallways and a huge dining facility that is close to being open. The dorms sure didn't look anything like the new Sutter Hall. What really made the new living facility nice is the open common area between the new and old dorm. There was a large open area that offered a common ground for students in Whitney Hall to meet with students from the Sutter Hall. It was quite a sight. I wish they had the new dorm when I went to school. It makes me want to go back.

The new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility provides a very modern architecture on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State University Housing and Food Services Dr. David Stephen talks about the new dining facility that is soon to be open in CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State students walk out from the main entrance to Sutter Hall Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A rock column structure sits on the center of the dorm buildings allowing for more seating area between the new Sutter Hall and the old Whitney Hall.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Davin Buszek, 19, of Danville, (left) and Taylor Carrington, 19, of Granite Bay (right) play Xbox in Buszek's room in the new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Residential Advisor Shannon Smith works on projects for new students in her room in the new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The rebuilt Rec Center is seen adjacent to Sutter Hall as Chico State students walk up the stair to their new dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Police Chase, Suspect Flees

A parolee was chased around north Chico until he drove into an orchard and abandoned his vehicle. The suspect was spotted as fled as cops tried to pull him over. He was driving at excessive speeds and headed out in the county. He led officers across a levee and then abandoned his vehicle in an orchard as he continued on foot. He also abandoned a female passenger.

I headed out to try and see if I could get a image of the chase. It was a very exciting event. Chico Police had created a pretty huge perimeter around the suspect as the chase was going on. I couldn't see exactly were the suspect's vehicle was located. Being that the vehicle had been abandoned on private property on an orchard, I couldn't just walk through everything. I also didn't want to get in the way for police to suspect me as the parolee.

Chico Police officer Darrin Deel (left) stands on lookout as a police vehicle drives along the levee searching for Duane Fields, 43, of Chico, wanted on two felony warrants whom fled from police and eluded capture this afternoon after detectives tried to pull him over near the intersection of East and Nord avenues about 2:30 p.m Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sheriff helicopter H1 searches an orchard in North Chico Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The police eventually called off the search for the suspect when they were unable to find him the the orchards. Called off? He got away? Not necessarily. Because the police know who he was, they weren't too concerned with him now that he wasn't driving at excessive speeds anymore. He was a local guy that they will be able to pick up easily. It makes you wonder why try to escape and add more charges to your current crimes.

Chico Police search an orchard for Duane Fields, 43, of Chico, wanted on two felony warrants whom fled from police and eluded capture this afternoon after detectives tried to pull him over near the intersection of East and Nord avenues about 2:30 p.m Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)
Chico Police search the abandoned vehicle of Duane Fields, 43, who led police on a chase through north Chico.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Berry Festival is Feastful

The annual Berry Festival in Berry Creek occurred last week. I headed up to a small community in the foothills that come out in the masses for a special homemade berry goodness. The Berry Festival is a celebration for the community. It is such a neat event, I decided to try my hand at making a video to show the culture of the festival. There is just an ambiance from the area that can't necessarily be captured by a still photograph. The sounds along with the sights make this festival special.

Ernie Chapa (left), Sharon Gill (center) and Jim Willis (right) prepare a slice of berry pie for a berry pie sundae for people who wanted to purchase fresh berry pies at the Berry Festival at the Berry Creek Grange Saturday, August 14, 2010 in Berry Creek, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sharon Gill pours berry sauce of a berry pie sundae for people who wanted to purchase fresh berry pies at the Berry Festival at the Berry Creek Grange Saturday, August 14, 2010 in Berry Creek, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People were able to pre-order a berry pie, which proved to be smart, being that the festival ran out of pies in about an hour.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Denise Wakefield sets up dolls for sale as people were served fresh berry pies at the Berry Festival at the Berry Creek Grange Saturday, August 14, 2010 in Berry Creek, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseid Meteor Shower is seen annually in August. It is the result of the Earth's orbit running into the path of the dust from the comet Swift-Tuttle. Hundreds of shooting stars fall from the sky to create a great visual meteor shower. While people can see few shooting stars in a typical night. The Perseid Meteor shower offers one of the best and most frequent viewings for people. While you can see hundreds of shooting stars, photographing them it not as easy.

The Perseid Meteor shower lit up at night along Hwy 32 Thursday, August 12, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The same location is seen the day after the Perseid Meteor shower lit up at night along Hwy 32 Thursday, August 12, 2010 in Chico, Calif.(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I headed above the city lights and set out my camera. I was alone. After about 10 minutes, I lost interest. It was neat, but really quite boring by myself. This is one of the drawbacks about being a passionate photographer. You generally go out because you are excited to photograph something. It usually is in harsh conditions that other people don't want to join because they don't have the same passion to sit out in the dark and cold for 4 hours without any t.v. or reading light. Technology has improved, so I was able to play a scrabble-like game on my cell phone, which past the time quite quickly. Two hundred and fifteen images later... I had one image with a shooting star. I probably had more, I just couldn't seen them with the settings I was using.

Stars shine above Chico looking south of Upper Bidwell park at night along Hwy 32 Thursday, August 12, 2010 in Chico, Calif.(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The same location looking south of Upper Bidwell park is seen the day after the Perseid Meteor shower lit up at night along Hwy 32 Thursday, August 12, 2010 in Chico, Calif.(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

You have to be very lucky. Getting your settings right helps, but even then you're not guaranteed a bright streak across the camera. I had set my camera to ISO 400 and the exposures to 30 second intervals while leaving the aperture wide open at f/2.8. I would have like to push the ISO sensitivity higher, but I was using an older camera (because my others are broken) for the time being. If I would have pushed it higher, the images would have been too noisy. It was a little dark, but all I needed was one.

I went back the next day to see the same spots that I had taken the pictures from. It was a neat afterthought to what I would consider a successful night.

School Starts

The Chico Unified School District has begun teaching its students. I can't believe it is already school time. It seems the summer has not been long at all. I know that we had a great long springtime. It was nice. And while summer heat gets blazing hot in Chico, this summer didn't under long week 100+ temperatures many times. It was quite enjoyable. But school is starting and that means the colleges are starting soon too. I headed out to snag a couple shots of the kids' first day of school.

Ms. Lori Chergosky (right) helps Gracy Morgan, 7 (left), on a nametag art craft in her 2nd grade class as kids start the first day of school for Chico Unified School District at Marigold Elementary Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Unified School District starts for kids, as Ms. Melinda Loy, (right) holds up boy and girl characters to her 1st and 2nd grade combination class at Marigold Elementary Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Unified School District starts for Pleasant Valley High students who walk past the new Art Cetner at PVHS Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Unified School District starts for Pleasant Valley High students in Mr. Dan Holmes (left) beginning and intermediate guitar class, whom checked out their new lockers in the new Art Center at PVHS Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Unified School District starts for Pleasant Valley High students in Mr. Dan Holmes (right) beginning and intermediate guitar class, whom met in the new Art Center at PVHS Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)