Kyson Kay, 5, of Spanish Fork, takes a hit from a sheep as he competes in the mutton-busting event during the first night of the Fiesta Days Rodeo held Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
July was event-full. (Get it? Full of events?)
Disregarding the awful pun, July provided me with a happy helping of rodeos, concerts, a fireworks display and other general news events. Being July in America, there was plenty of Americana to be photographed - especially considering this is Utah. Utahans really, really love America (I'm not saying that's a bad thing, just stating a personal observation.)
Amid the typical American fanfare of July, I had some special opportunities this month. The Los Angeles Times hired me to photograph a story about a ballot measure Utah voters will consider to legalize medical marijuana in November. The story centered around Brain Stoll, a West Jordan resident who uses opioids to treat back and neck pain resulting from a severe accident in college that fractured his back and neck. However, Stoll felt marijuana gave him better relief and less side effects than prescription pills, but he had to end using marijuana a few years ago to remain in good standing with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to marry his then soon-to-be wife in a temple. The story also tackled the church's relationship with the drug, usage of which is allowed by the church in states where medical use is legalized. The story can be seen here: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-utah-mormons-marijuana-20180729-story.html.
For my Monday Close-Up month, I focused on life-long metalworker Jim Smeltzer and the organization for which he builds miniature, rideable locomotives and railcars, the Utah Live Steamers Railroad Club. More from that story can be seen here: provodh.com/5y2l7.
Finally, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some vacation time with my entire immediate family at Seaside, Florida. My family hasn't been able to get together (besides funerals and graduations) in roughly the past four years, so it was wonderful to spend some true quality time with my siblings, their significant others and my parents while working on my sun tan. The vacation also gave me perspective on my life in Utah. I haven't been able to spend much time outside of Utah, and doing so made me appreciate things about the Beehive State that I hadn't thought of as much. I look forward to continue work at the Daily Herald, and enjoying all the wonderful things Utah does have to offer.
Attendees watch the fireworks show during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Jim Smeltzer welds a miniature ladder which will eventually attach to the back of the caboose in his workshop Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at his home in Highland. Smeltzer is a life-long metalworker who helps build miniature trains to ride for the Utah Live Steamers Railroad Club. See more from this Monday Close-Up here: provodh.com/5y2l7.
Fans cheer as Pentatonix takes the stage Thursday, July 12, 2018, at USANA Amphitheatre in West Valley City.
The National Parks fiddler Megan Taylor Parks performs with the band during the first show of the season for the Rooftop Concert Series held Friday, July 6, 2018, in downtown Provo.
Members of the The National Parks perform among the audience during the first show of the season for the Rooftop Concert Series held Friday, July 6, 2018, in downtown Provo.
Harper Poulsen, 5, of Saratoga Springs, is helped across newly-installed playground equipment by her grandmother, Susette Fisher, of Orem, on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at Bonneville Park in Orem.
Tyler Pearson, of Louisville, Mississippi, competes in the steer-wrestling event during the first night of the Fiesta Days Rodeo held Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
Mac Dodson, of Pleasant Grove, helps ready Big Betsy, a giant American flag, to be unfurled with the help of members of the community and Follow the Flag on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove.
A police officer walks around the scene as authorities finish investigating suspicious packages reported at the Provo FrontRunner station Saturday, July 7, 2018. Authorities reported the scene safe and the station open for operations shortly before 5 p.m.
Jason Christensen, state chair, motions to approve the meeting minutes during the Independent American Party State Convention held Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Provo City Center.
Mark Tenney and his family, all of Herriman, talk with Cash Allred, of the startup Neighbor, seated on couch, before the first show of the season for the Rooftop Concert Series held Friday, July 6, 2018, in downtown Provo.
Joe Stevenson, of West Jordan, rappels down the Workfront building during Utah Youth Village's Over the Edge fundraising event Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Lehi.
Brian Stoll poses for a portrait at his home as he holds a vial of Tramadol, which he takes to treat his severe back pain, Sunday, July 15, 2018, in West Jordan. Stoll had previously used marijuana to treat his pain to better effect, according to Stoll, but he had to stop using pot to remain in good standing with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and so that he could get married to his then soon-to-be wife, Rachael, in the temple. (This photo was shot for a story about medical marijuana in Utah for the L.A. Times - see more from the story here: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-utah-mormons-marijuana-20180729-story.html)
A portion of Geneva Rock's mining operation stands behind homes Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in the Traverse Mountain area of Lehi. Community members have complained of the airborne dust coming from the mining operation being bothersome.
Yvonne Baraketse, of Provo, helps Sofie Snyder, 9, of Mapleton, with a dance move as they and other members of Ngoma y'Africa wait to perform during the Colonial Heritage Festival held Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at Scera Park in Orem.
Collins May, 4, of Syracuse, plays on an inflatable raft while others recreate at Tibble Fork Reservoir on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in American Fork Canyon.
Wyatt Johnson hugs family-friend Jenny Bjarnson, both of Payson, after Johnson's hand got stuck as he competed in the bareback-riding event, which resulted in him precariously dangling by one arm from his horse for a short time during the first night of the Fiesta Days Rodeo held Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
An LDS missionary passes by the Salt Lake Temple on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. (This photo was shot for a story about medical marijuana in Utah for the L.A. Times - see more from the story here: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-utah-mormons-marijuana-20180729-story.html)