News Pix: It's the Year of the Horse, Trapping Berkeley Squirrels and Curling

Thousands turned out to ring in the Year of the Horse at the Chinese New Year Parade in downtown San Francisco on Feb. 15, despite the threat of rain. Spectators packed the parade route, stretching from Market Street to Chinatown, to see dozens of colorful floats, marching bands, dragon dancers, lions and other creatures (including San Francisco politicians), in one of the city's most colorful annual events. (Mark Andrew Boyer/KQED)

The highlight of the celebration was the 268-foot-long Golden Dragon, which brought up the rear of the parade. (Mark Andrew Boyer / KQED)

As the Olympics continue in Sochi, new curling enthusiasts flock to the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club to learn the basics of the sport. The club holds extra clinics during the Winter Olympics to capitalize on the surge of interest. "It's a real easy sport to get started, and be decent," said curling member Brian Davidson. "It's a real hard sport to get good at." (Nina Thorsen/KQED)

In Berkeley, squirrels are in the crossfire. In an attempt to make sure no toxins leak out of the old landfill under Cesar Chavez Park and leach into San Francisco Bay, Berkeley is hiring a pest control company to trap and kill hundreds of squirrels and gophers that make their home there. (Bill Williams/Berkeleyside)

Part artist, part housing activist, Gregory Kloehn works on his newest tiny house, which is made mostly from former beds. Kloehn splits his time between New York City and Oakland, building tiny houses for homeless people. (Mark Andrew Boyer/KQED)