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)

Shopping Spree Hits Right Target

I spent some time with a group of volunteers who helps 50 kids pick out their winter clothes in a shopping spree at a Target store, partnered with Salvation Army and Chico Rotary. It was a fun event and a nice change in pace with all the "bad" news. The event gave $100 for each kid to get whatever they wanted. This event really is a bit of a kickoff to the generous holiday season. Hopefully donations and volunteering can make this time hopeful for all.

Ashley Donato, 7 (left) is shown a shirt by Celia O'Connell (right) as volunteers take less fortunate kids on a $100 shopping spree at Target with Salvation Army and Chico Rotary Thursday, October 13, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I was also able to shoot a short video of the program.

See Video

Kids Round Up Ag Learning

Jen Clark (left) helps Keira Maguire, 5 1/2 (right), rope a steer as kids learn about agriculture during the 19th Annual Chico State Ag Day at the CSUC University Farm Friday, April 29, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(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)

Schools Cooperative Cleaning

Vachary Beck, 14 (left) and Sabrina Luu, 14 (right) paint benches at Chico High as high school and middle school students from 11 schools are going out to beautify their campuses in the hopes of “bettering the image of youth in the community,” Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Armando Curiel, 18, spray paints a mural on the wall of Fairview High School as high school and middle school students from 11 schools are going out to beautify their campuses in the hopes of “bettering the image of youth in the community,” Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fiddler's Find Fun in Competition

We have great talent in our community. It is most impressive to see young kids pick up instruments and play great music at such a young age. Oroville hosted the Fiddle and Picking Championships this last week. Photos don't do the competition justice. It is something to hear the music from the young performers. I was able to shoot some video to accompany the story and it really added to the mix.

Patrica Garrett, 8, plays the fiddle in the 45th annual California State Old Time Open Fiddle & Picking Championships at Oroville Municipal Auditorium Saturday , March 19, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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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)

Marionette Madness

I headed to Oroville to cover a story about these two puppet masters putting on a show for kids at the local library. I was given the wrong time and arrived after the show ended and the kids were asking questions. I had to think fast about what to photographed now that the main event had finished. I stuck around for a while as the kids were treated to an up close view of the puppets. Even though I had missed the presentation, I was still able to capture a couple shots that showed the interaction between the puppets and kids.

Kevin Menegus (left) shows Rebecca Sutherland, 5 (right) the swan puppet from the classic storybook tale "The Ugly Duckling" as the Fratello Marionettes gave a "Carnival of the Animals" puppet show to kids and adults at the Butte County Library Wednesday, August 4, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Michael Gilbert, 3 (left) and Joseph Gilbert III, 5 (right) get a close up look at one of the pig puppets in the classic storybook tale "The Three Little Pigs" as the Fratello Marionettes gave a "Carnival of the Animals" puppet show to kids and adults at the Butte County Library Wednesday, August 4, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chicoans Take a Slice of Chico

Who doesn't like watermelon? Okay, maybe there is somebody. Well, then who doesn't like FREE watermelon? Nobody! Downtown Chico was the gathering place for the community to take part in Slice of Chico event. The event passed out ice-cold watermelon completely free. Businesses offered sidewalk sales to promote the downtown area. I think my economics teacher once said nothing is free, but I think the annual event will prove him wrong. It is always easy to head out and snap a couple cute pics of kids diving in mouth first to the sweet watermelon. 

Brad Lund (left) and Brayden Lund, 2 (right) enjoy free watermelon slices at the Slice of Chico Downtown Saturday day, July 17, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Brad Sehreiber (right) grabs a slice of watermelon for Sammy Sehreiber, 3 (left) and himself as people free watermelon slices at the Slice of Chico Downtown Saturday day, July 17, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Zachary Ford, 3, takes a mouthful bite of free watermelon slices at the Slice of Chico Downtown Saturday day, July 17, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Summer in Full Swing!

The hot weather has definitely hit Chico. People of all ages are playing outside and keeping cool by hitting the creeks, rivers, and lakes. We are pretty lucky in Chico to have such a vast array of places to jump in a cool water hole. It's always easy to go out and see what people are up to on such hot days.

Chrucita Jamito, 10 (left) pushes Grover Mosier, 6, (right) on a rope swing into Big Chico Creek a little ways east up the creek of Sycamore Pool near One Mile Recreation Area on Thursday, July 8, 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)

Graduating Champions

    Champion Christian School celebrated their graduates of 2010 at Neighborhood Church. I attended Champion in Jr. High before going to high school at Pleasant Valley High School. It is always neat to see this graduating class. They classmates are all best friends because they know each other so well. There is generally no more than 20-25 students each year, which is the equivalent of about one SMALL class at the high schools. Always a neat group of kids.

 Jeremiah Gawthrop (left) and Karlee Burns (right) lead Champion Christian graduates to their seats during their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Makenzie Zimmer (left) adjusts the decorative cap of Mary Romero (right) as Champion Christian graduates prepare for their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Alysia Ballantyne (left) is embraced by Kate Lapp (right) as Champion Christian graduates prepare for their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Welcome Back Annie's Glen

 Bidwell Park reconnected with an old friend.  The City of Chico held a ribbon cutting for its completion of the Annie Glen bike way under-crossing. Annie's Glen, located near Mangrove Ave and Vallombrosa Ave, has been a part of Bidwell Park for a very long time. It recently was reunited via a bike way that cuts below Mangrove Ave, which created a division in the Lower Park area. Now bicyclists do not have to cut across busy streets to get from one side to the other. It also allows for a safer bike route for children going and coming to local schools. In addition to the tunnel being completed, it was decorated with tiles from students to give it a very nice beautification. 

The east entrance leading Annie's Glen is seen as the City of Chico dedicated its Annie's Glen Bikeway during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Janice Hofmann (left) talks with Todo Best (right) who points out her son's tile as the City of Chico dedicated its Annie's Glen Bikeway during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

   

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)

Tell me what you think? What is your favorite?

Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com