A waterslider goes under as he ends his ride down the slide at the Glenwood Hot Springs pool recently.

American Idol contestants prepare themselves backstage Saturday afternoon during an American Idol audition at Ashley Furniture Homestore. 120 contestants tried out for a chance to travel to Austin Texas to audition in front of an American Idol producer.

After operating Talley’s Restaurant for 32 years, 76-year-old Jerry Talley has decided to retire from the breakfast and lunch business and will close his eatery located at 623 Main Street in August. He said he’s planning to go to Hawaii for a while “to watch the tide come in and go out.”

Janey Been, 15, of Fruita holds on with all her might to the tail of a calf in the Catch-A-Heifer contest put on the the Mesa County Cattleman’s Association. Four youth had to catch the bovines in an arena and drag them back to the trailer.

Julia Adan waters plants in a plot of the community garden at Fifth Street and Chipeta Avenue beyond a sign that declares those who haven’t rented a space are not allowed on the premises. Persons unknown have been stealing vegetables and food from the garden.

Colton Milholland, 9, watches his New Zealand rabbit during the Rabbit Show at the fair. This is the first year he has participated but plans to do it again.

House District 54 candidate Ray Scott walks along Main Street in Delta conversing with voters Saturday July 17, 2010 during the Deltarado Days parade.

Mesa County Administrator Jon Peacock jokes with a “Will work for food"sign during the Mesa County Employee Recognition Ceremony on the front lawn of the old Mesa County Courthouse, Thursday afternoon.

Matt McCabe of Loma stays on for the eight seconds on a bull named Hog Wild.

Jacob Filutze eyes the ball in a match with Tate Hegstrom in the Boys 16 & under match Thursday at Canyon View Park.

Sgt.John Hahn, center, with the Colorado State Patrol’s Public Affairs Office; speaks to the media in front of the Fruita CSP station about the shooting of a man by a CSP officer last night.

Morgan Walter, 5, second from right,  of Fruita eats her way to the championship of the Watermelon Eating Contest for five and under at the Mesa County Fair as one of her competitors eyes the stack of spent rinds.

Danny Brown owner of Brown Amusements, the carnival at the Mesa County Fair, watches his operation in front of the Ferris Wheel.

Shayna Chism of Grand Junction concentrates as she tries to win a prize at the carnival.

Eight-year-old Julianna Campos taps the ball back over the net during her match against Jack Hall, 9, in their 10 and under mens/womens singles match at the Elliott Tennis Center during the Taco Bell tennis tournament Wednesday.

Children from the Lane, Midgley and Clark families market their lemonade and iced tea stand to passing traffic at the corner of Orchard Avenue and 22nd Street as they try to raise enough money to go swimming at the pool. The kids had been running the stand for 3 hours and had raised $23.50, with $15 left to go. From left to right are Makayla Clark, 7, Izaac Lane, 7, Michael Midgley, 12, Kristian Lane, 10, Nick Clark, 13, Jana Lane, 5, Jazmin Clark, 9, and Savannah Midgley, 10.

A Chihuahua named Gina wasn’t too sure about Opie the donkey, which won the pet costume contest at the Mesa County Fair for the second year in a row. Both animals are from Grand Junction and were shown by Dwain Watson and Chloe Hammond respectively.

Dave Lord from Grand Junction canoeing on Connected Lake in the James M.Robb-Colorado River State Park, Connected Lakes Section on a windless afternoon, the flat water makes for a great reflection of the clouds on the lake.

Brady Menge of Fruita is looking for a good landing spot after being thrown from the bull Shetland at the PBR event at the Mesa County Fair.

John Stewart, with M & R Concessions, sets up a tent for the Froger game at the carnival for the start of the Mesa County Fair. The fair opens at 9am with the 4-H/FFA Goat Show and Pet Costume Contest at 1pm. Centennial Band Concert & Fireworks starting at 7:30pm.

Supporters of medical marijuana demonstrate in front of the old Mesa County Courthouse during the Monday mornings Mesa County Commissions meeting. Commissioners consider whether to hold a place on the ballot for a question asking voters to ban medical marijuana centers in the county.

Alexandra Brower of Grand Junction balancing on a Slackline at Lincoln Park Sunday afternoon.

Kids and young adults get blasted by a pressure washer Thursday July 15, 2010 in downtown Montrose. The water provided relief from the near 100-degree heat.

Young members of the Learn and Serve America crews working on a Grand Mesa Trail share some of their thoughts on using the program and earning a college scholarship.