July 15, 2011

Independent The Taft

July 15 - 21, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

www.Taftindependent.com

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

July 15 - 21, 2011 • Volume 6 Issue 3

“Serving the West Kern County Communities of Taft, South Taft, Ford City, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and the Cuyama Valley”

Josh Tims To Take Over The Taft Fox Theater

New 40-Unit Taft Family Apartment Complex Approved For Rails to Trails

Harold’s Bike Shop Joins Taft Chamber Of Commerce

Taft City Manager, Bob Gorson with Taft Redevelopment Manager, Paul Gorte At 4th Street & Supply Row

Taft’s Community Garden Continues To Grow And Grow

By Nicole Frost The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

Black Gold Open Monday’s for Lunch and Dinner Cafe and Deli

508 Center Street • 765-6550

Try Our Meatball Sandwich $6.25

Our homemade meatballs and marinara sauce with parmesan cheese and garlic butter all baked to perfection on a soft toasted French roll

2

Shop Taft

New Classes Starting Soon!

Join Today!

ITEM OF THE WEEK

Passion For Nails Nail Services: Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic Metalic Flakes • Rock Star (we also treat ingrown nails)

Try Muscle Marinade’s New Flavor

Cherry Limeade

Open 24 Hours!

506 Center Street

(661) 205-5579

Anderson Business Services Bookkeeping • Income Tax • Notary

WE COME TO YOU!

Schedule of Services

Acknowledgments & Jurats $10 per signature Mortgage Documents $150 per set Mobile Notary Service $1 per mile

Sandy Anderson

Notary Public Certified Signing Agent

TAFT INDEPENDENT

10am-7pm and Saturday 9am-6pm

Personal Style

Introducing our NEW store layout!

Newly expanded Juniors & Contempory Fashions

Personal Style

New Trend

Feather Hair Accessories and Extensions!

661-763-5445

We have them!

510 Center Street • Taft

J & D Recycling 1277 Kern Street

MARKDOWNS Women • Contemporary Junior • Toddler • Infant Men • And More!

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

Automotive Center

EVERYDAY OIL CHANGES GAS ENGINE $35.99 OR LESS

(up tp 7 qts oil, filter, tax, haz waste fee)

DIESEL ENGINE $71.99 OR LESS

(up to 3.75 gal oil, filter, tax, haz waste fee)

SUMMER SPECIAL!

$199.99

Cooling System Flush

(includes up to 2 gal coolant, flush kit, conditioner)

Store Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm Closed Sunday and Monday

426 Center Street

A/C Service

(661)763-5451

Personal Style Get Yourself A New Look!

Color Or Highlights $35 & Up

Cuts $12 & Up W/ Blowdry $18 & Up

With Angela Hanna Specializing in Cuts & Color

Angela

Offer Available July-August

Short Curly Perm $35

With Linda Cole

Specializing in Seniors & Razor Cuts

Linda Offer Available July - August 423 Center Street • 763-3527

Ten Percent Firearms

(includes up to 3oz of Freon, 2oz dye)

Overall Vehicle Inspection (visual inspection of all external components) (tax, haz waste fee included)

Billy Messenger Voted Best Mechanic for 2009 and 2010

531 Center Street • 763-1123

Precision Bodyworks & Towing We take the DENTS out of ACCIDENTS Phone (661)763-4420 FAX (661)763-1389 Cell (661)577-6785

We Can Haul Away Most Large Items Call Us Today • (661)765-6752 Recycling is OUR Business

Watchwill Batteries Acme Jewelry be closed on Tuesdays when Ray is in L.A. Please callSTREET first• 661.763.5451 763-5451 426 CENTER Thank You

Check out our

Miller’s SAN JOAQUIN

Black, Dark Brown, Light Brown, Blonde

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

We can save youFine money on •quality Jewelry Candlesjewelry!

• Gifts

PLUS!

throughout the store!

Get Your Car Ready For Summer!

J e w e l r y

Fine Jewelry • Gifts 14K• Gold • Sterling Silver 14K Gold Sterling Silver Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair • Watch Batteries Black Hills Gold• •And Jewelry Candies • Candles More! Repair

(661)745-4913

Call For Appointment 765-7665 Sandy 577-6790 • Greg 577-6032

Real Hair, Clip-Ins and Wefts 14” and 18”

F i n e

1014 6th Street • Taft In the Save A Lot Shopping Center Monday to Friday

Greg Anderson

Hair Extensions

acme jewelry co.

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

Mobile Notary Public Certified Signing Agent

Beauty Supply Hair Today Gone Tomorrow...

July 15 - 21, 2011

317 Main Street • Taft

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback Hard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion Childrens • Cookbooks and More!

We Will Be Closed July 19th - 23rd For Medical Reasons

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

July 15 - 21, 2011

Inside Community Events.........3

News Briefs.......................3 Westside Watcher............4

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Community Events News Briefs Taft California “Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument” VFW Bingo Every Tuesday Night at 5:30pm

Westside News.................5

The VFW will hold Bingo Night every Tuesday at 6:30pm at 600 Hazelton Street in Maricopa. Doors open at 5:30pm, buy in is $5 a pack, food will be served. Come on out, bring a friend and support our vets!

Westside News.................6

Summer Reading Program Events Taking Place Thursdays at 2pm

Westside News.................7

Special events taking place Thursdays at 2 p.m. in the Taft College Cougar Room include Roaming Reptiles, June 23; Taft Kids and Teens Have Talent 2!, June 30 (Sign-up deadline is Saturday, June 25 at 5 p.m.); Omnipresent Puppet Theater, July 7; The Magic of Christopher Lopez, July 14; and Taft Kids and Teens Have Talent 2! Finals, July 21. Talent show participants will compete for $100 in both Kids and Teens categories. On June 30, the audience will vote for their top 3 favorites in each age group. At the finals on July 21, our judges will choose the winners. The runnersup will each receive $25.00. All of these programs are free, fun and appropriate for all ages. They are jointly sponsored by the Kern County Library and the Taft College Library.

Community Voices..........8 Classified Ads.................10 Westside News...............11 Negocios Hispanos........11

End of Times Gallery Summer Art Classes

The Taft Independent

The End of Times Gallery, 428 Center Street, is offering the following summer classes: DRAWING - Mondays, 1-3 p.m.

CHILDREN’S ART LESSONS - Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m.

WATERCOLOR - Thursdays, 1-3 p.m.

ACRYLIC PAINTING - Thursdays, 6-8 p.m.

All classes are $10 per session, $40 per month.

For more information please call 765.4790.

The End of Times Gallery is taking artists’ work on CONSIGNMENT for $5 per item. The gallery earns a 30% commission on work sold. If you would like to have your work considered for representation, please call for an appointment - 765.4790.

508 Center Street P.O. Box 268 Taft, California 93268 (661) 765-6550 Fax (661) 765-6556

Email: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Website: www.TaftIndependent.com Locally and Independently owned since 2006 The Taft Independent is a locally owned community newspaper published weekly on Fridays for your enjoyment and reading pleasure. We publish 3,500 issues and distribute to over 225 locations in the city of Taft and the neighboring communities of Cuyama Valley, McKittrick, Maricopa, Fellows and Western Kern County, California.

The Independent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies are $1 each. The contents of the Taft Independent are copyrighted by the Taft Independent, and may not reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

Our purpose is to present news and issues of importance to our readers.

Subscriptions. Subscription home or mail delivery of the Taft Independent is available for $8.00 per month or $97.00 per year. To subscribe to please call 765-6550.

LETTERS-TO-THE-EDITOR. Send us your letter to Taft Independent at the above address. Limit it to 300 words and include your name, address, and phone number. Fax: (661) 765-6556. Email your letter to: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com.

ADVERTISING. Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 765-6550.

Classifieds: Call 765-6550 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone order are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Managing Editor Advertising Jessica Skidgel Layout & Design Jessica Skidgel Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins, Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

3rd Annual Derby Acres Tumbleweed Festival Saturday, July 30th The 3rd annual Derby Acres Tumbleweed Festival will take place on Saturday, July 30th at the Tumbleweed Restaurant, 24870 Highway 33, at 10am. Come on out for a great day of family fun with a car and motorcycle show, horseshoe tournament, dunk tank, live music, food, vendors, karaoke, a DJ, watermelon spitting contest, bloody mary contest, tumbleweed decorating contest, bounce house, arts, crafts, raffle, prizes and dancing long into the evening. If you are interested in having a booth or sponsoring this event contact Della at 661-745-4892.or (661)577-7136.

Roll In The Good Times ARC Bunco Saturday, August 13th Roll in the good times at Taft’s ARC Annual Bunco on Saturday, August 13th at 5pm at the ARC, located at 204 Van Buren Street. Cost is $20 per person and includes dinner. Dinner is served at 5pm with Bunco to follow. Pre-sell tickets only, deadline is August 10th. For tickets call 763-1532 ext 1. There will be cash prizes and raffle drawings. Bring your friends!

City of Taft To Participate In Institute For Local Government Beacon Award Recognition Program The City of Taft announced today that it has been accepted to participate in the Institute for Local Government’s new recognition program, the Beacon Award: Local Leadership Toward Solving Climate Change.

The first of its kind in California, the Beacon Award recognizes and celebrates cities and counties that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy, adopt policies and programs to address climate change; and promote sustainability. The program features three award levels that call for increasing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy savings in agency facilities and operations as well as the community as a whole.

“The Institute is delighted to have the City of Taft participate in the Beacon Award program,” said Hal Conklin, chairman of the Institute’s board of directors. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the city’s leadership, following its accomplishments, and sharing its best practices with other cities and counties.”

The Best Practice Areas, which are based upon CCAN’s Best Practices Framework, are: Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Water and Waste Water Systems, Green Building, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Climate-Friendly Purchasing, Renewable Energy and Low-Carbon Fuels, Efficient Transportation, Land Use and Community Design, Open Space and Offsetting Carbon Emissions, Promoting Community and Individual Action.

“Likewise, the City of Taft is honored to participate in the Beacon Award program. The Taft City Council is committed toward completing activities in each of the ten best practice areas and we are especially interested in reducing our operating costs through energy efficiency and conservation programs. We also focus our efforts on waste reduction and recycling activities, renewable energy and land use and community design programs and projects.” – Robert Gorson, City Manager.

To learn more about the Beacon Award: Local Leadership Toward Solving Climate Change, visit www.ca-ilg.org/BeaconAward. The Institute for Local Government is the non-profit research and education affiliate of the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties. Visit www. ca-ilg.org to learn more.

This program is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered

by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday July 19th, 2011 – 7:00 p.m.

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER 209 EAST KERN STREET, TAFT, CA (661) 763-1222

Taft Farmers Market Thursdays 5pm - 8pm Rain or Shine

5th Street Plaza

AGENDA POSTED ON BULLETIN BOARD OUTSIDE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND POSTED AT THE CITY OF TAFT WEB SITE www.cityoftaft.org TELEVISED ON BRIGHT HOUSE CABLE CHANNEL 11: Wednesday 8 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m.

Over 13 vendors and we are still Growing!

For more information please contact the Taft Chamber of Commerce at 765-2165

www.taftindependent.com

4

TAFT INDEPENDENT

July 15 - 21, 2011

Taft’s Community Garden Continues To Grow The Taft

Independent

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar Monday – Friday 6 am to 2 pm Saturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm Dinner Hours Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 9 pm 24870 Highway 33, Derby Acres 768-4655

Asian Experience

Asian Food and Pizza Lunch and Dinner Tuesday - Friday 11 am - 2 pm 4 pm - 9 pm Saturday 4 pm - 9 pm 215 Center Street, Taft 763- 1815

Sagebrush Annie’s Restaurant and Wine Tasting Paik’s Ranch House Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm Where Everybody Meets Dinner by Reservation Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa Open 7 Days (661) 766-2319 Mon. Tues. Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm Sun. Wed. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm Taft Crude Coffee House 765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft Coffee House and Deli Monday – Friday Sagebrush Annie’s 7 am to 4pm.

Restaurant and Wine Tasting Saturday 7 am to 2 pm Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm Sundays 7:30 am to 10 am Dinner by Reservation 1010 6th Street, Taft 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa 763-5156 (661) 766-2319 Black Gold Cafe & Deli Your Busines Listed Pastas - Sandwiches HERE Espresso - Beer - Wine Call 765-6550 Open Monday to Saturday Lunch served 9am-1pm Dinner served 5pm - 8pm Wine Tasting on First Thursdays 508 Center Street 765-6550

Westside Entertainment

Get Your Events in the Westside Entertainment Guide.

Call 765-6550 or fax 765-6556

Your Restaurant Chilled & Grilled Listed Here.

Asian Food and Pizza Breakfast served Asian Experience Call Lunch and Dinner Saturday and Sunday Tuesday - Friday 765-6550.

7am-11am 11 a.m.

- 2 p.m. 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday 4 p.m.Sunday - 9 p.m. served Starting as low Brunch Live7am-2pm Music Saturday Nights as $12 per Lunch served daily week!

11am-4pm

Dinner served daily 4pm-9pm 765-2000 215 Center Street 763-1815 621 Center Street Always Fresh!

Sagebrush Annie’s

Dine In or We Deliver 765-4143 700 Kern Street

Mon. - Fri. 10am 2;30pm Taft, CA

Wine Tasting Dinner by Reservation Award Winning Wines

766-2319 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa

Taft Petroleum Club

Every Friday is Ribeye Steak & Pork Chop Dinner Night Taft Petroleum Club with Cycle Katz, Chilled and Grilled and Friends Present

1st Annual Taft Bike Fest Labor Day weekend September 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Taft Rails to Trails Motorcycle vendors from dirt bike to Harley Davidson. Food vendors, motorcycle contest, concerts, motorcycle stunt show, beer garden, burnot contest. More details coming soon Looking for local bands and vendors. Contact the Taft Bike Fest at taftbikefest@gmail.com 450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Monday- Friday 3:30pm to Close

Editorial

Westside Watcher An Amendment To Balance Our Budget More Crucial Than Ever

By Reps. Kevin McCarthy (RCalif.) and Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) With $14 trillion in debt, sustained unemployment over 9 percent and a liberal Washington orthodoxy that demands continuously higher borrowing and spending, America is on the verge of drowning in red ink.

Washington’s inability to control spending creates daunting obstacles to job creation in the short term while threatening America’s very being in the long term.

Although there is never a shortage of new and diverging opinions in Washington, sometimes the best remedy is a simple return to our basic principles.

It’s time for Washington to get serious about a balanced-budget amendment.

From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson to Ben Franklin, balancing the budget united America’s founders. Nearly 200 years later, in the 1980s, President Reagan declared his support for a balanced-budget amendment, stating “only a constitutional amendment will do the job. We’ve tried the carrot, and it failed. With the stick of a balanced-budget amendment, we can stop government’s squandering, overtaxing ways, and save our economy.” Thirteen years later, in 1995, Congress came just one vote shy of passing a constitutional amendment mandating a balanced budget.

Almost 30 years after Reagan’s declaration and 16 years after Congress’s doomed vote, government is still recklessly borrowing, spending and overtaxing. Our national debt is nearly $14.3 trillion — higher than any time in American history, and growing at an alarming rate. Now, Congress has the chance to get it right.

Congress has tried cutting and capping spending before, but the same old Washington playbook invariably plays out. Once out of the news, politics trump principles, and the spending binge continues full steam ahead.

One of the many lessons of the failed “stimulus” is that spending pledges and statutory caps are easily cast aside and overrun as “emergency spending” arises. Don’t be fooled, though — American families know they can’t engage in “emergency spending.” If your credit cards are maxed out, spending more isn’t an option in the real world. The hard truth is that we can no longer afford the tired status quo of Washington policies and politicians that kick the can down the road, choosing self-preservation over America’s future. That’s why

TCI inmates provided a new addition to the Taft Community Gardens this week by building a large shade structure where gardeners can cool off and take a break.

The inmates donated their labor to build the structure according to Ray Hatch, president of the nonprofit garden committee which rents the land from the West Kern Water District.

Taft residents can rent a raised garden bed for a year for $40 and grow just about any vegetable at the garden saving money and eating healthy.

For more information on renting a garden bed, call 770-7202. we need the balanced-budget amendment.

A constitutional mandate would legally bind both the president and Congress to produce annual budgets that spend no more than the government takes in. It would end the explosive annual deficits that have ballooned to record levels. Last year alone, under President Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress, our annual deficit was $1.4 trillion, and we’re paying billions in interest on the borrowing for the failed $800 billion “stimulus” bill from the year before. These figures are unconscionable, and only the legal force of a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget will guarantee a change in our fiscal course.

Our country is at a crossroads.

We already borrow 40 cents on every dollar — much of it from the Chinese — while choosing to “bill later” by sending it to our children and grandchildren.

That’s why every child born today already owes more than $46,000 to our creditors, and that number is only growing.

Choosing to do nothing and continuing Washington’s status quo would have devastating effects in the near and long term. A few weeks ago, the Congressional Budget Office reported that our debt would reach 101 percent of our nation’s gross domestic product and risks a “sudden fiscal crisis” if our debt continues to go unaddressed. Washington’s fiscal mismanagement imperils the prosperity of future generations of Americans. We must not allow this to happen. It is our generation’s responsibility to prevent this nightmare from becoming reality.

We must act now in order to remove obstacles to job creation and restore certainty in our economy and America’s competitive spirit. And we simply need to stop spending money we

don’t have. A balanced-budget amendment would help ensure that we restore our economy, get our fiscal house in order and save the American dream for future generations.

Oasis Restaurant & Night Club

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Please complete and mail with your check to: The Taft Independent, P.O. Box 268, Taft, CA 93268 Please make checks out to Taft Independent

Paik’s

Ranch House Restaurant “Where Everybody Meets” Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Open 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Thurs - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Wed, Fri. Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

July 15 - 21, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Josh Tims To Take Over Taft Fox Theater

Harold’s Bike Shop Joins Taft Chamber of Commerce

The Taft Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 13th for Harold’s Bike Shop, located at 431 Kern Street.

By Jessica G. Miller Hope has returned to the Fox Theater in the form of Josh Tims, a veteran, oil field worker, father and resident of Taft.

“I want to have it open within two to three months. But, not until that A/C is fixed,” he said with a laugh. “It’s going to be a first run theater again with classic movie nights built in, too and local concerts here and there. The theater can really bring in anything from old movies to traveling theater groups, but we’re going to keep it as a first-run theater primarily.”

With the bad taste left in the mouth of the community from Eric Derington’s fly-by-night Hippo Entertainment, Tims is a breath of fresh air. His plans are fresh, legitimate and achievable by the standards of our city. Some of his ideas include using theater management software to purchase tickets online or through iPhone or Android apps, a rewards program much like that of Regal Entertainment and bringing in a debit card system so the theater will no longer act on a cash only basis.

“Another thing we’ll be doing is getting rid of the out of control kids,” he declared. “Everyone is welcome, but if you’re causing problems…that is going to end. This is a customer service business, that’s what it’s all about. I’m local everyone should know me, if you have a problem you can come straight to me. That was the problem before, people needed someone to talk to and that person wasn’t there.”

He also plans to make the theater completely digital, so instead of running reels, it will be more like DVDs. In doing this, he can save money on shipping, as well as be able to run six or seven movies on a rotating schedule over two to three weeks. Another money-saving strategy he has in store is installing solar panels atop the building.

While Tims says he does not have the money upfront to support the theater on his own, he has met with Gary Joyce and plans to go from there to find more investors. “I need to find that one person who believes in my business plan and go with that,” he explained.

“I’m trying to do everything local. I want to bring Taft back to the glory days. I have a six year old and a nine month old and like everyone else with their own kids, I want to make sure they have something to do when they grow up.”

It’s a call to arms for the people of Taft to truly save our theater.

Tims is encouraging everyone and anyone to help bring the theater back to life. “We really want to get this going,” he said. “If you have ideas that you think could benefit the theater or if you’d like to become an investor, please contact me.”

Josh can be reached at tims_joshua@yahoo.com

Taft’s Farmers Market Welcomes The Morro Rock Fish Company

By Jessica G. Miller The Taft Farmers Market and Street Faire welcomed a new vendor this week - The Morro Rock Fish Company. These gentlemen bring with them flash frozen meat and fish along with fresh and live seafood.

“I love the Taft Farmers Market,” said Dave Barstow of Morro Rock Fish Company. “Everybody is very receptive to us and there is great variety of produce.”

With their unique array of meat and seafood, Morro Rock Fish Company adds a special flavor to our Market that is akin to Pike Place Market in Seattle. They even accept all kinds of payments, check, cash, Visa, MasterCard and EBT/SNAP vouchers.

Be sure to make your way down to the Farmers Market and Street Faire every Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and try Morro’s delicious oysters and more!

www.taftindependent.com

Personal Style Salon Welcomes New Stylist, Angela Hanna Personal Style Salon and Boutique would like to welcome their newest stylist, Angela Hanna, to their team.

Angela is a new resident of Taft with her husband and 3 kids. Angela recently received her license in cosmotology and upon graduation received awards in recognition for her color technique, Aline hair cuts, and texture and precision cuts which she specializes in.

“That is what I love doing,” said Angela.

Angela really enjoys doing funky, crazy hair cuts and up-dos as well as prom and wedding up-dos. Angela also offers “tattoo cuts” for the guys. A tattoo cut is when designs and patterns are shaved into the hair.

For July and August Angela will be offering a special for color or highlights starting at $35 and up, cuts starting at $12 and up, with a blowdry $18 and up.

Stop by Personal Style to have a chat with Angela and ask her about her flower-do.

A Special Thank You to Debbie at Jacks Flower Shop and George for making our daughter’s special day even more special!

Thank You Again Debbie & George!

From Ray & Donna Smith, Acme Jewelry

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

July 15 - 21, 2011

Westside News & Business Briefs

A New 40-Unit Family Apartment Complex Approved For Rails to Trails

By Nicole Frost

BBQ Beef Ribs

$10.95

Wed. 7-20-11 Lunch

Open Face Roast Beef Melt

$8.95

Wed. 7-20-11 Dinner

Charbroiled 1/2 Chicken $10.95 with Veggies & Potatoes

Thurs.

7-21-11 Lunch

Charbroiled Chicken Sandwich $7.95 with Avocado Spread

Thurs.

7-21-11 Dinner

Braised Beef with Mashed $9.95 Potatoes & Veggies

Fri. 7-22-11 Lunch

California Burger

Fri. 7-22-11 Dinner

Prime Rib

$8.95

$15.95/ $15.95 Small/ $18.95 Large $18.95

Sat. 7-23-11 Dinner

Chicken Fettuccine $10.95 Alfredo CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

205 N. 10th Street . (661)763-1819

PLAZA

Tues.

7-19-11 Dinner

L4(6)

TREET

$8.95

5TH S

Curry Chicken Over Rice

5

(For the week of 7-19-11 thru 7-23-11)

Tues.

7-19-11 Lunch

99.1

OT Cookhouse Daily Specials

th S t.

CLOSED SUNDAY/MONDAY

L1(2)

S. 6

Tuesday - Friday Tuesday - Thursday 4p.m. - 9p.m.

11a.m. - 2p.m. Friday & Saturday 4p.m. - 10p.m.

L9(2)

E

& Saloon Specializing in Steak & Seafood 205 N. 10th St. (661)763-1819 Lunch Dinner

Preliminary S “Sunset Rails” Taft, Califo

ZONE 2L5(1)

BIK

OT

Cookhouse

bedroom units, 19 three-bedroom units and 1 three-bedroom unit for an onsite manager. There will be two bathrooms in each apartment and the site will also have a swimming pool, clubhouse, fenced property and access to the Trail.

The new buildings are expected to be colorful, three-story facilities. They will be built with aluminum siding to correlate with Taft’s existing facades.

“These apartments will not be section 8 housing,” stressed Gorte. “This establishment will have strong onsite management and regular maintenance. They will be directed to people who make between $25,000 and $35,000 per year with no criminal record. The rental complex has to have entitlements in place by August 16 and it will be competitive.

They’ll know the outcome next spring.”

These apartments are just one part of a redevelopment L1(2) project that will span over the 46 acres of land by the Rails Ma in S to Trails.

L2(1) t.

The project includes the L3(1) construction of other facilities Park such as a motel and sit-down restaurant.

“In the future we might build more restaurants, Taft College space and possible ZONE 1 student housing, more hotels, L5(2) a bowling alley, and maybe L8(2) senior housing,” said Gorte.

“The hotel, motel and restauL7(2) rant should break ground the end of this year or very early next year.”

Fr on Bob Gorson, Taft City t S L6(2) t.

Manager, explains that the new buildings will incorporate the principle “reduce, reuse, recycle.”

“We plan to integrate the old with the new,” said Gorson. “If possible, we would like to use at least 50% of recycled materials for the new facilities.”

The apartment complex is scheduled to break ground in approximately 15 months.

S. 10th St.

A new 40-unit family apartment complex will be built on the Rails to Trails in Taft as part of a larger redevelopment project.

These apartments will be two and three bedrooms respectively.

This project was approved by the City Council on July 5.

“A couple of years ago the city bought some land adjacent to Downtown and we’ve been working with a developer to redevelop that cite,” said Redevelopment Manager Paul Gorte. “The 40-unit family housing development will be located at the corner of 4th Street and Supply Row.” The new facility will be for families and there will be 20 two-

L8(2) L7(2)

Preliminary Site Plan “Sunset Rails” Project Taft, California

L6(2)

July 15 - 21, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Local Band, Good Question, Wins KELLY 95.3 Battle Of The Fans Contest Local band, Good Question, Wins KELLY 95.3 Battle of the Fans Contest.

Bakersfield radio station Kelly 95.3 held their Battle of the Fans contest for all unsigned local bands and artists. Every Wednesday night from June 1st through 22nd bands played at Riley’s Tavern, 3 bands played per night performing a 30 minute set and one winner was chosen each night, voted on by the fans. The winners from the Wednesday night shows then moved on to the semi-finals which took place on June 29th. The top two bands from the semi-finals performed on July 6th for the Grand Prize with Good Question taking home the win.

As the Grand Prize winners, Good Question will receive time at Rocksteady Studios, a premier luxury practice studio and get a song into rotation on Kelly 95.3.

Good Question is a 5 piece Country/Rock band with members; Ryan Coulter- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar Taylor Unruh- Guitar, Back up vocals Alec Olivieri- Guitar, Piano, Back up vocals Shawn Wynn- Bass, Back up vocals Ethan Morris- Drums, Percussion

The Place 4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660

Summer Bunco Thursday, July 21st Bunco starts at 7:00pm

ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 Lot No. Bldg SF Lot No. Bldg SF Lot No. Bldg SF Lot No. Bldg SF Lot 1 30,200 SF Lot 1 14,852 SF Lot 1 22,500 SF Lot 1 17,992 SF Lot 2 7,000 SF Lot 2 10,000 SF Lot 2 7,426 SF Lot 2 7,426 SF Lot 3 7,000 SF Lot 3 1,800 SF Lot 3 7,426 SF Lot 3 17,992 SF Lot 4 33,370 SF Lot 4 24,428 SF Lot 4 33,250 SF Lot 4 11,928 SF Lot 5 92,496 SF Lot 5 8,709 SF Lot 5 53,808 SF Lot 5 7,426 SF Lot 6 87,314 SF Lot 6 92,386 SF Lot 6 20,948 SF Lot 6 27,700 SF Lot 7 63,394 SF Lot 7 29,702 SF Lot 7 84,000 SF Lot 7 23,617 SF Lot 8 106,950 SF Lot 8 59,946 SF Lot 8 20,000 SF Lot 8 5,625 SF Lot 9 7,426 SF Lot 9 53,795 SF Lot 9 55,712 SF Subtotal 427,724 SF Subtotal 249,249 SF Subtotal 303,153 SF Subtotal 175,418 SF L # : Denotes lot number Total 1,155,544 SF ( # ) : Denotes number of stories ZONE 1

Site Plan ” Project ornia EX

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Saturday, July 23rd $12.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT Fish Fry

rice pilaf, coleslaw, corn bread

No To Go’s Starts at 5:00pm until gone! $1.50 Domestic Drafts 5:00pm to Close

Subscribe for home delivery of the Taft Independent today!

Delivered weekly to your home or business only $.75 per week!

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Vendors are invited to come sell at 6pm Call to reserve table (661)766-2660

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Please complete and mail with your check to: The Taft Independent, P.O. Box 268, Taft, CA 93268

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8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

July 15 - 21, 2011

Arts Council of Taft Mural Started At Taft Branch Kern County Library

Shredding the U. S. Constitution

By Dr. Harold Pease Has it really come to this? Time magazine, one of our most respected magazines, seriously posing the question, “Does It Still Matter?” over the backdrop of the U. S. Constitution partially shredded as their cover page for their 10th Annual History and Fourth of July Issue. The second page of the ten-page article, authored by Richard Stengel, has the U. S. Constitution completely shredded vertically. This event signals a disrespect and ignorance of this document that I have not seen in my over 25 years teaching it.

The article’s overriding fallacy begins with the first sentence and continues throughout, “Here are a few things the framers did not know about: World War II, DNA, sexting, airplanes, the atom, television, Medicare, collateralized debt obligations, the germ theory of disease, miniskirts …” etc.

In short, “How can it be relevant, without great alteration for our day?” Certainly the piece is a masterful explanation of the Constitution as a “living Constitution.” Among other things it criticizes the “Tea Party and its almost fanatical focus on the founding document.”

The truth is that the Constitution has nothing to do with these things nor did it have for the new things of the 1800’s, nor will it have for a new list the following century after the one we are now in. None of these things matter because this document is based upon human nature and natural law which do not change from century to century. Man is still power hungry whether he rides a horse, drives a car, or flies an airplane. Stengel does not seem to understand this.

When confronted with this “horse vs. airplane” nonsense, I ask my students in every Constitution class, “What in the Preamble to the Constitution, which is a statement of the needs of man to which government attempts to address, is no longer relevant? Outdated if you will?” Year after year the answer is the same. Nothing! “Were these the same needs of those 600 years ago and will they be the same for those 200 years from now?” Yes!!! “What would you add?” Again, nothing!

Then, the basic needs of man do not change and the Preamble must be the most complete summation of those needs ever recorded. It is based upon a long history of human nature that the well-read Founders understood.

After the Preamble the Constitution then divides power between two entities, the Central Government and the States with those of the Federal Government specifically listed in Art. I, Sec. 8, and those to the states, everything else, as noted in Amendment 10. Why? Because the Founders knew from human nature, that all governments have the natural tendency to collect power to themselves (which is what is happening today) and if successful individual liberty is always suffocated.

This will still be so 200 years from now as it was centuries ago in Athens and Rome. Either the people harness the government or the government harnesses the people.

The Constitution then divides what power is left to the federal level between its three branches: legislative (which makes all the law), executive (which executes the law), and Judicial (which judges the law when contested). All three kept separate for the purpose of keeping the Federal government from consolidating into one and thus enlarging its jurisdiction over us. Our right to less jurisdiction used to be called freedom. Stengel surely knows this simple truth but seems not to know why. All governments like to grow their power and will inevitable do so unless restrained.

Did the Founders not believe in change? Of course they did! But enlarging federal power beyond the list in Art. I, Sec. 8, required three-fourths of the states to consent to have a new power moved to the federal level. This was change one could believe in and total transparency because it would be written. Often those of both major parties like to forget how change is authorized in the Constitution just making it anyway, counting on the ignorance of the masses or party loyalty to sustain them. Time magazine, Stengel, and other “living Constitution” advocates appear to like governments increasing jurisdiction in everything and offer no counter to the natural flow of power away from the people and lower levels of government.

In time they will remove all protection from big government and indeed destroy the Constitution as created, ironically in the name of the Constitution they pretend to value.

This Constitution is the clearest ever written and can handle, quite nicely, any new problem, including the four referenced

by Stengel. What we need are people in power who know how it works and will follow it precisely as intended—even “fanatically,” as with the Tea Parties. It follows the premise to never elevate to a higher level that which can be resolved at a lesser level. So why is that important, because it maximizes the individual’s influence over his/her government. It assumes that he, in fact, does know what is best for him.

But some want an evolving document, one that “rolls with the times,” one that is one thing today and quite another tomorrow. We Tea Party Patriots say, “No thanks.” “The original one was designed to limit people, like you, from getting power and destroying our liberty.”

Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

Taft College Announces Closure of Emmons Park Drive Beginning August 1st Beginning Monday, August 1, 2011, Emmons Park Drive will be closed from its intersection at Ash Street, the Sandy Creek Bridge, to the parking lot entry for the Student Services/Administration Building.

This portion of Emmons Park Drive currently boarders the north side of the parking lot located across the street from the Student Services/Administration Building and Library. The parking lot area will be accessible from 6th Street.

Closure will be permanent, as the College embarks on a massive construction project to build a new, state of the art complex for its Transition to Independent Living Program.

This complex, which will contain dorm living facilities, office and classroom space, as well as a recreation center, will be the first of its kind in the country, integrating classroom and living spaces in a training complex for students with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the project will be held fall of 2011.

The public is invited to attend.

For more information, please contact Sheri Horn-Bunk, Executive Director, Taft College Foundation, at 661.763.7936 or shornbunk@taftcollege.edu.

The Kern County Library and the Arts Council of Taft are sponsoring “One World, Many Stories,” a summer mural project at the Taft Branch of the library.

Titled “One World, Many Stories,” it is a summer mural project at the Taft Branch of the library.

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity for our local artists to contribute in a personal way,” Ginther said.

“Our community is multi-cultural and we want this project to represent all of the residents. This is a chance for the community to appreciate its diversity.”

“The children of Taft have a great opportunity to create public art during the summer reading program at the Taft Branch,” said Leigh Golling, ACT executive director and chief executive officer of Imagination Laboratories.

Branch Librarian Cathy Edgecomb and the Friends of the Library hope that the mural will be something that the children can be proud of, Golling said.

“This could be a great catalyst for other public art in the community of Taft,” she said. “The children of the community have the chance to start a trend that can beautify the town.

July 15 - 21, 2011

Oasis Restaurant and Night Club Hosts First Open Mic Night To Great Crowd

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft Crude

Coffee House

By Jessica G. Miller

The Trusted Name Since 1939

Saturday, July 9 the Oasis hosted its first Open Mic Night. With more than a handful of performers reading poetry and performing acoustically as well a hearty crowd, the night turned out to be a wonderful success.

While there are no concrete dates set for more Open Mic Nights at the Oasis , keep an eye out on Facebook and the Independent for more details for future dates which, like the first night, will be open to anyone who would like to perform in any avenue.

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY FABRIC • NOTIONS • GIFTS WED.-FRI. 10:00-5:30 SAT. 10:00-2:00

Closed for Vacation July 11th- July 19th See you on the 20th!

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

Double Gold Medal Winner and Best Cabernet Sauvignon of Show at the San Francisco International Wine Competition

Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 4:30 pm.

Now Celebrating Our 22nd Year

www.sagebrushannies.com

8 miles south of HWY 166 on HWY 33 in Ventucopa, Cuyama Valley, 4211 HWY 33. (661) 766-2319

www.taftindependent.com

Jennifer, Charlie, and Angie Dedicated • Professional • Experienced All Are Licensed Funeral Directors

Ice Blended Mocha

Community Christian Fellowship

Fat Free and Sugar Free Available in Most Flavors

Lighthouse Foursquare Church 210 Harrison Street 763-1518

Open 7 Days - 763-5156 1010 6th Street • Taft

Sunday Service 10 AM Pastors Mark and Kathy Fitzsimmons For More Information on Service Times Go To

631 North Street Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Gateway Temple

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Home Of The Good News Bears Hugs On Wheels Food In The Park Code Blue Youth

WWW.TAFTLIGHTHOUSE.ORG

YOUR CHURCH AD HERE! CALL TODAY! 765-6550 NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Services 10am UTURN Youth Service Sunday 6pm 1000 6th St. Weekly Classes Mon - Thurs Please call 765-7472 for info

For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday Pastors Floyd and Carol Jordan www.nlctaft.org or nlctaft@bak.rr.com

604 Main Street • P.O. Box 578 Maricopa, CA 93252 • (661)769-9599

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 487-2416 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and Mary A. McWhorter

703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

New Hope Temple Trinity Southern Baptist Church

“Connecting Lives” 308 Harrison Street 765-4572

400 Finley Drive

Sunday Morning Worship Service 10 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship Service 6 p.m Bible Classes All Ages Wednesday 7 p.m.

We invite you to join us each week as we worship

Sunday Bible Study 9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 am Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 6:00 pm

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMS

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Taft- A caring community under Christ We welcome you to worship with us at peace lutheran church, 26 Emmons Park Drive (across from the College). Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.

Communion will be offered 1st and 3rd Sundays

Subscribe for home delivery of the Taft Independent today!

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Name_________________________________ Address________________________________ Start Date____________End Date__________

Please complete and mail with your check to: The Taft Independent, P.O. Box 268, Taft, CA 93268 Please make checks out to Taft Independent

Rev. Linda Huggard

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

The Pregnancy crisis center is now open and available for support and assistance.

For information, call 763-4791 If you have a prayer request please call (661)765-2488.

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available Angel Food Program Tues. 9am - 12pm Thurs. 3pm - 6pm

Pastor Cindy Brettschneider Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 11 AM Adult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PM Wednesday Night Service 6:00 PM Praise Team meets on Thursday at 6:00 PM

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

Advertise With The Taft Independent Call Today 765-6550

Ford City Tuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of Taft Wednesday

• REFRIGERATORS • MATTRESSES • WATER HEATERS • STOVES • WASHERS & DRYERS • SOFAS If Missed…

Call Office at 763-5135

All green waste must be bagged.

Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED Construction/Demolition Waste/Used Oil/ Hazardous Waste/Tires Westside Waste Management Co., Inc.

10

Classifieds

Classified Ads areare $3.00 per issue for upPhone, to threefax, lines, $5 per Classified Ads $2.00 per line. mail or issue off for up to 5 andTaft $7 per issue for up to 10 lines. Yard drop your adlines, to the Independent.

Sale ads are free. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the Taft your Independent.

Ad photograph for $5. Ad your company logo for

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Affordable Rents We’ve Got em!

$5.

Boxed ads are $3 additional. E-mail us (or bring to Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 our office) a photo of$20 your car,$25 truck lines, $16 for 12 lines, forhome, 15 lines, for or 20 motorcycle lines. and we’ll do the rest.

Photo Ads. Car, truck or house for sale ads are $5 per week, Yard are $2Email for 3us lines, additional or $10Sale withads a photo. (or bring to our lines office)$2a each. photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Classified ad deadline is Wednesday at 12 p.m. (noon) Classified ads deadline is now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Phone: 765-6550

Preserving for the Future

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556 765-6556 Fax: E-mail:Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Payment can byby cash, check, or credit card. card.

Payment canbebemade made cash, check, or credit Taft Independent 6thCenter St., Taft, CATaft, 93268.

Taft Independent210 508 St., CA 93268

Community YARD SALES Advertise your yard sale ad. 3 lines for $2, additional lines after that $2 each. Fax your ad to 765-6556 or call and leave message at 765-6550 by 12 p.m.

Wednesday.

ALTERATIONS

FOUND PETS

HOUSE CLEANING

PETS

COMPUTER SERVICES

LIVESTOCK

Taft P.C. Services

LOST PETS

Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

712 Polk St. Saturday 7am-? Stamps, scrap book supplies, toddler and plus size clothing, misc and more.

312 Eastern Ave. Saturday 7am-?Inside house.

Kids’ clothes and misc.

217 East Calvin St. Saturday 8am-? Something for everybody.

107 7th Street Saturday 7am-? Variety of items, books, records, household items.

207 Van Buren Saturday, July 16th 7am-12pm 203 Adams Street Saturday 6am-? Little bit of everything.

SEEKING INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS COUNSELING & SUPPORT

Business Services

COOLER SERVICES

Cooler Service: Motors, pumps, pads, cleaning, installations. New & Old Scott 661-900-0917.

Computer Repairs 661-623-5188

Employment HELP WANTED

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Wanted

Taft Property Management 1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms now available in good areas.

CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057 661-577-7136

PROPERTY FOR RENT BUSINESS FOR SALE

WANTED Junk Cars! Cash Paid (661) 805-0552 Old Appliances, In ANY Condition. Car Batteries & Motorparts. Cash Paid $1 - $20 Call David 661293-0359 or 661-7656497. We will pick up!

For Sale FOR SALE Pickers Buy & Sell 428 Center Street. Tools, Furniture, Household Misc.

MOTORCYCLES AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock

FOR SALE Established local Taft business. Taft Crude Coffee House and Deli.

Excellent location, near Taft College. In business for 6 years. $25,000.

Room to expand product offerings. Good family business. Call 661-623-4296.

HOMES FOR SALE Real Estate eBroker Inc. 325 Kern Street Karri Christensen LIC# 01522411 & #01333971 661-332-6597 www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase 114 Franklin $40K (Contingent) 417 Tyler 3bd 2bath $60K 106 Lee St 3bed 2 bath $129,500

9057 Ellis Street 4bed 2 bath 10 acres $140K Commercial Building $169K Restaurant/ Dry Goods Store $195K 160Acres in Maricopa $295K Wondering how buying a house works? Set an appointment with Karri to watch a FREE video on the process.

Call 661-332-6597 for a current list or drop by the office. ____________________ 4 Homes in Taft 1 House in Maricopa. $26,000 to $85,000. Serious Inquiries only. $9,500 down. Owner carry. 661-343-0507.

MOBILE HOMES Double wide $20,000.

661-599-5037.

HOMES FOR RENT 3 bd rm 1 ba. home on 902 Williams Way. Huge backyard and newer detached 2 car garage.

Original garage has been converted to large 4th bedroom or office. $1,250 mo plus $1,250 deposit. Ref. Req. Credit check. No smoking only. 623-4296 West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.

Lic # 01525550 www.

BuySellManage.com.

FOR RENT 507 Tyler 3/2 512 D St 3/2 223 Eastern 3/2 410 Buchanan 3/1 119 1/2 Madison 1/1 502 Lucard 1/1 FOR SALE Why rent when you can buy for almost half the cost?!

Contact us for details and a complete list of homes for Sale!

Newly renovated 1 bd/ upstairs apt. kitchen appliance, w&d, pest control & gardener furnished, utilities paid, no pets. Call 765-4786.

3bd/1 Lg ba. 522 F St. $750 + $800 dep. 7654016.

2bd/1ba indoor laundry, fenced yard with storage taking applications for

July 15 - 21, 2011

Business Services

Ken Shugarts

Air Conditioning & Heating

Cleaning Services My Fair Ladies Cleaning Services Comm. and Residential Serving the Westside 661.477.3455 Lic. No. 007657 Rite Away Carpet Cleaning Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General Cleaning Owner Operated Visa\Master Card 765-4191

Plumbing • Septic • Roto-Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507 30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

8/1 move in. $700 mo. + dep. Call 203-3496 707 Fillmore 3 bd/1ba $750 mo. + dep.

707 1/2 1bd/1ba $420 mo. + dep. 661-3430507.

APART. FOR RENT Room/Studio $350mo + dep. 661-577-4549 alintaft@yahoo.com Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr. Courtyard Terrace Apts. 1 and 2 bdrm’s Pool,lndry rm.,1210 4th St. Apt. 1. Sec. 8 OK. (661) 763-1333.

Well-Being BEAUTY PERSONAL TRAINER

Personals SEEKING

Advertise with the Taft Independent In our Classified Section!

Place your Ad today!

765-6550 Only $2 per line.

Visit the NEW WEBSITE!! taftindependent.com

Find what you are looking for with the Taft Independent.

Place your Ad today!

765-6550 Only $2 per line.

Get a

Real Estate eBroker Inc. 325 Kern Street

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Lot for a Little

Marketing is important to your business. The Taft Independent has marketing opportunities for every budget, large or small. By advertising in the Taft Independent, you will reach over 7,500 potential customers every week. To make a small budget go a long way, call us today at 765-6550

ADS STARTING AT

$

10

PER WEEK

508 Center Street or email taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller

License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell E-Mail: Richrmia@bak.rr.com Your Hometown Insurance Store

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171

All your detailing needs!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

Call for Appointment Today!

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July 15 - 21, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs Weekly Gas Price Update

CITY OF TAFT PRINCIPAL PLANNER $5,643 - $6,870/MONTH

Average retail gasoline prices in California have risen 0.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.76/g as of Monday, July 11th. This compares with the national average that has increased 6.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.63/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices. com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices Monday, July 11th were 66.8 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 18.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 9.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 91.7 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

PRINCIPAL PLANNER –The City of Taft is looking for a qualified individual to perform the variety of duties necessary to provide advance planning services to the community.

Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning, public administration, or closely related field; Four (4) years experience in municipal planning; or Any equivalent combination of education and experience, additional education substituting on a year for year basis for the required experience.

Special Requirements: Must have a valid State of California Driver’s License, or ability to obtain one.

Final filing date: City of Taft application and complete job description can be picked up at City Hall, 209 East Kern Street, Taft CA 93268. Applications must be received by the Personnel Department no later than Friday, July 22, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of application.

Postmarked applications will not be accepted. EOE.

Servicios The Cell Fone Store Móviles y Accesorios y alimentos y más 510 Finley Drive 661-765-2500

G and F Footwear

Athletic and Tennis Shoes Vans - Nike - Levis Adio and More!

T-Shirts and Pants 405 Finley Street In the Pilot Plaza Phone 340-8609

Rosy’s Closet

Hombres y Mujeres Ropa y Zapatos 401 Center Street Mar. - Sáb. 10am-8pm Dom. 11am-8pm Cerrado los Lunes

Su anuncio aquí!

Las bajas tasas!

Llame hoy mismo!

765-6550

RELOCATION SPECIALISTS Lost Your Home?

Need To Move Into A Rental?

Haven’t Rented in a Long Time?

Do You Know Your Rights?

Do You Know The Questions to Ask? We are here to make your transition easier

25 Years Experience

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420 Center Street Taft, Ca 93268 (661)745-4920 Lic. # 0277365 www.edherrerainsurance.com

Negocios Hispanos Negocios de venta

Taft Property Management & Sales

Local Quality Homes Quality Neighborhoods

Please Call OUR Expert Relocation Advisor Anytime.

Set Up an Appointment to see our Housing Inventory.

577-7136 or 745-4892 CA Brokers Licence 01417057

Hooker’s Automotive

Sponsored by Edward J. Herrera Insurance

Mercado de Agricutores de Taft

Complete Automotive Service

Cada Jueves 5:00pm - 8:00pm Quinta Calle Plaza (5a Calle entre Main y Calle Center)

Open Monday - Friday 7:30am-5pm 218 Harrison Street P.O. Box 726

Edward J. Herrera Insurance

Vienen a comprar los productos!! Comprar Fresco y Local!!

Frutas, verduras, hierbas, productos horneados, mermeladas, joyas, ropa de cama, artesanias y mucho mas Interesado en convertirse en un productor, proveedor o artista (musicos, cantantes, comedios) Ponganse en contacto con Shannon en 661-765-2165 o shannontaftchamber@gmail.com

James Hooker 765-2437

Auto - Casa - Salud - Negocio - Notary Public Somos una Agencia Independiente Con Varias Aseguradoras Prominentes Para Darle El Mejor Servicio

Lo Representamos A Usted Para Darle Un Excelente Servicio Como Usted Se Lo Merece

Le Ofrecemos Los Mejores Precios Nuestro Personal Amable

420 Center Street Taft, Ca 93268 (661)745-4920 Lic. # 0277365 www.edherrerainsurance.com

12

July 15 - 21, 2011

Devon’s Body Shop

Used to be Paul’s

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

Bike Shop

209 Harrison Street • Taft (661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax

We Have Moved!

Ask about $500.00 Free Smog Repair

Come see us at 608 Center Street

Restrictions Apply

$39.75 * for Smog Check ‘96 or Newer plus certificate

TAFT INDEPENDENT

745-4919

* must present ad at time of service

MOTORCYCLE CUSTOMIZING SERVICE AND REPAIR

(661)745-4931

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Qik Smog & Tune

MORTIMER

FIREARM TRAINING

CCW Classes & BSIS Classes

(661)763-4445

Ray Mortimer, Instructor 661-747-6965

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Jason Anderson Donnie Schwerdetfager

518 KERN STREET WWW.CYCLEKATZ.COM

Certified C.A.P. Station General Automotive Repairs

Pre-register at Ten Percent Firearms 661-765-6899

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Larry Heptinstall, 661-342-4033 (CCW) Jay Thomas 661-809-1772 (BSIS)

Randy’s Trucking Cart-Away Concrete Mix Trailer • Hydraulic Rotation and Tilt for Mixing and Dumping • Mixes Concrete While Traveling • • Large Internal Blades • • Rear Operator Control Panel •

western shop & PET SUPPLY

Shaw’s Pet Wash

For Those Pests

Pest Control & Treatment

For the Cats

Body Shave • Wash • Flea Dip body shave, wash and flea dip all included for

Gopher • Squirrel • Ant

$69

Baits • Poisons • Traps

Fly Repelents

Nails clipped and filed $12

For your Pet and Premises

Sprays • Powders • Lures • Traps

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

Squirrel & Cat Traps - For Sale & Rent

Each additional dog or cat $9

www.shawswesternshop.com

Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3

419 Harrison St. Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant Located in the Heart of Oil Country On the Petroleum Highway

We Cater Your Place or Ours Full Bar Available For You Special Event

Open 7 Days a Week

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Full Bar - Catering - RV Parking Available

24870 Highway 33 in Derby Acres • (661) 768-4655

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

3rd Annual Tumbleweed Festival

Saturday, July 30th