Taft Independent

Independent July 29 - 4, 2011

The Taft

TAFT INDEPENDENT

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

www.Taftindependent.com

July 29 - 4, 2011 • Volume 6 Issue 5

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

Precision Towing Takes It To The Streets Senator Jean Fuller To Speak At Chamber SIt ‘N Sip August 3rd

Miller’s Beauty Supply Changes Ownership After 15 Years

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 Meet Your Local Public Servant- Les Clark

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)

HYPERWHEY PROTEIN

By Nutrabolics

Advanced Protein to Flood Your Muscles and Build Extreme Size

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

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

Personal Style

Introducing our NEW store layout!

Newly expanded Juniors & Contempory Fashions

Personal Style

Tuesday - Thursday 9am-7pm Friday & Saturday 9am-8pm 10% Discount for all City Employees, fire, police and military

661-763-5445

510 Center Street

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 New Store Hours

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

Under New Management!

F i n e

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

Mobile Notary Public Certified Signing Agent

Beauty Supply

acme jewelry co.

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

Greg Anderson

Notary Public Certified Signing Agent

July 29 - 4, 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!

Come stop by, have some coffee and leisurly browse our selection of books!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

July 29 - 4, 2011

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

News Briefs.......................3

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Community Events News Briefs Taft California “Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

Westside Watcher............4

VFW Bingo Every Tuesday Night at 5:30pm

Taft Society.......................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 Westside News.................7

End of Times Gallery Summer Art Classes

Westside News...............11

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.

Negocios Hispanos........11

3rd Annual Derby Acres Tumbleweed Festival Saturday, July 30th

The Taft Independent

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.

Community Voices..........8 Obituary............................9 Classified Ads.................10

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

Email: Publisher@taftindependent.com Website: www.TaftIndependent.com

Third Annual Derby Acres Tumbleweed Festival This Saturday, July 30th The Third Annual Derby Acres Tumbleweed Festival is being held this Saturday, July 30th at the Tumbleweed Cafe beginning at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited for a fun day for the entire family. The event will feature a kids bounce house, raffle prizes, a dunk tank, live music, karaoke, a DJ, watermelon spitting contest, bloody mary contest, games, a horseshoe tournament, a car and motorcycle show, and the popular tumbleweed decorating contest. The Tumbleweed Cafe is located in Derby Acres at 24870 Highway 33. For more information call Della at 661-745-4892.

Senator Jean Fuller Coming To Taft Chamber Sit ‘n Sip Breakfast Wednesday, August 3rd California State Senator, Jean Fuller, of the 18th District will join the Taft Chamber of Commerce for their monthly Sit ‘n Sip breakfast meeting on Wednesday, August 3rd at 9am at O.T.’s Cookhouse, located at 205 N. 10th Street.

There will be a $5 continental breakfast available. Please RSVP to the Taft Chamber of Commerce at 765-2165.

Ladies Night Dinner & Social Wednesday, August 3rd Looking for an excuse to go out and get together with your girlfriends? Join us for Ladies Night Dinner and Social from 6pm to 8pm at Black Gold Cafe and Deli, located at 508 Center Street. Tell your friends!

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.

Back-2-School Connection School Supply Drive Donations Monday, August 8th Donations are needed for the “Back-2-School Connection” Backpacks, school supplies and new or gently used clothing. Donations will be accepted until Monday, August 8th at the following locations: West Side Community Resource Center, 915 N. 10th Street, Suite #20. West Side Urgent Care, 100 E. North Street. First Assembly of God, 314 Asher Ave. West Side Furniture, 617 Center Street. For more information call 765-7281 or 769-8061. Help our children have a successful year!

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!

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: Editor@taftindependent.com.

Chamber of Commerce Mixer At Taft’s Community Garden Tuesday, August 16th

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

Tuesday August 2nd, 2011 – 7:00 p.m.

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

Roll In The Good Times ARC Bunco Saturday, August 13th

SUBSCRIPTIONS. Subscription home or businessdelivery of the Taft Independent is available for $6.50 per month or $78.00 per year. To subscribe to please call 765-6550.

ADVERTISING. Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 765-6550, or email to Advertising@taftindependent.com.

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

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Taft District Chamber of Commerce is bringing back community mixers.

Hosted by a local business, each mixer is geared towards bringing the community together to learn about the business. Events include a business card drawing, 50/50 raffle, snacks, and fun. The next mixer will be held at the Taft Community Garden on Tuesday, August 16th from 5pm to 7pm. Learn about how to rent a garden bed and grow your own fruits and vegetables.

Taft Bike Fest Labor Day Weekend, Friday-Sunday, September 2nd-4th 2 Wheel Production presents The First Annual Taft Bike Fest which will take place this Labor Day Weekend, Friday (12pm-9pm), Saturday (9am-9pm) and Sunday (9am-2pm), September 2nd-4th at the Rails to Trails located at 6th St. and Main St. This three day event will feature concerts, beer garden, multiple vendors, motorcycle bike show and contest, tattoo contest, and motorcycle stunt show. There will be dry tent camping and RV/Trailer parking on site. Vendor space is available for food, crafters, commercial and business vendors. To apply for vendor space stop by the Taft Chamber of Commerce for event form and more information or contact Shannon with the Chamber at shannon.taftchamber@gmail.com or 765-2165. For more information on the Taft Bike Fest email them at taftbikefest@yahoo.com or check them out on Facebook.

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.

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

5th Street Plaza

Over 15 vendors and we are still Growing!

Fruits, Vegetables, Fish, Plants, Herbs, Arts, Crafts and more!

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

4

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Support The Taft Independent by Subscribing for home or business delivery Today!

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 7 am to 4pm.

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

Wine Tasting Food and Pizza Asian ExperienceAsian Lunch and Dinner Call Dinner by Reservation Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

765-6550!

Award Winning Saturday 4 p.m.Wines - 9 p.m.

Live Music Saturday Nights Starting as low 766-2319 as $12 per 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa week!

215 Center Street 763-1815 Always Fresh!

Dine In or We Deliver 765-4143 700 Kern Street

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

Your Restaurant Listed Here!

Call 765-6550!

Starting as low as $12 per week!

Editorial

Westside Watcher Postal Service Takes Next Step in Optimizing Retail Network Announces Post Office Replacement Model WASHINGTON — As more customers choose to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phones and at their favorite shopping destinations, the need for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its nearly 32,000 retail offices — the largest retail network in the country — diminishes. To that end, the U.S. Postal Service announced today that it will be taking the next step in right-sizing its expansive retail network by conducting studies of approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs. As part of this effort, the Postal Service also introduced a retail-replacement option for affected communities around the nation.

“Today, more than 35 percent of the Postal Service’s retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains, self-service kiosks, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.

“Our customer’s habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business.”

For communities currently without a postal retail office and for communities affected by these retail optimization efforts, the Postal Service introduced the Village Post Office as a potential replacement option. Village Post Offices would be operated by local businesses, such as pharmacies, grocery stores and other appropriate retailers, and would offer popular postal products and services such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.

“By working with third-party retailers, we’re creating easier, more convenient access to our products and services when and where our customers want them,” Donahoe said. “The Village Post Office will offer another way for us to meet our customers’ needs.”

With 32,000 postal retail offices and more than 70,000 third-party retailers — Approved Postal Providers — selling postage stamps and providing expanded access to other postal products and services, customers today have about 100,000 locations across the nation where they can do business with the Postal Service.

“The Postal Service of the future will be smaller, leaner and more competitive and it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value,” Donahoe added.

The list of offices being studied and additional information, including video, audio soundbites, b-roll and JPEGs, can be found at http:// about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/expandedaccess/welcome. htm.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

We’re everywhere so you can be anywhere: www.uspseverywhere.com

Taft Petroleum Club Every Friday is Ribeye Steak & Chicken Dinner Night

Industry Night Wednesday, August 3rd

Sponsored by Staples & Associates

The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversarys.

Our hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

Book Today!

450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Tuesday- Friday 3:30pm to Close

July 29 - 4, 2011

The Taft Independent is now offering subscriptions for home and business delivery of the paper.

While still available free at our numerous news stand locations, we are offering home and business delivery subscriptions for the Independent as a convenience to you, and also to help grow our newspapers for additional coverage of Westside news and features.

Your subscription will help our publication achieve “adjudication” by the Kern County Courts, a legal status that will allow our newspaper to print legal notices and other notices required by law. Currently only one newspaper in Taft offers this service, and we have now grown to the point where our newspaper can be adjudicated if we can build a paid subscriber base.

To subscribe, contact us at 765-6550, or mail a check made payable to the Independent for the period desired to P.O. Box 268, Taft, CA 93268.

Subscriptions are $19.50 for 3 months, $39.00 for 6 months, and $78 per year.

By subscribing you will be supporting our growth of news and feature coverage of the Westside of Kern County.

Subscriptions by mail are an additional $3 per month.

Thank you for supporting your community newspaper, the Taft Independent.

www.taftindependent.com

WANTED

Taft Independent Subscription-Circulation Manager The Taft Indepenent is looking for a part-time individual to solicit subscriptions and make weekly home and business deliveries. CDL and Insurance Required. Experience Preferred.

Incentive Based Compensation.

Call 765-6550

Paik’s

Subscribe for home delivery of the Taft Independent today!

Delivered weekly to your home or business only $6.50 per month!

Ranch House Restaurant

Address________________________________

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

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

Name_________________________________ 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

“Where Everybody Meets” Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Open 7 Days

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

July 29 - 4, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft Society - Farmers Market Mixer The Taft Farmers Market Continues to grow and grow! The Taft District Chamber of Commerce held a community mixer during the Farmers Market on Thursday evening to encourage more citizens to come out and see what Taft has to offer. Produce vendors as well as crafters and other businesses in Taft came to participate and enjoy a special performace from local band LETTERS. The Taft Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm in the 5th Street Plaza. Come on out!

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

July 29 - 4, 2011

Westside News & Business Briefs

Precision Towing Takes It To The Streets

Precision Bodyworks has been serving Taft for the past 11 years and they are the people to call if you’ve been in a collision.

Owner Dave Gill started the business in 1990 and he also had a shop in the 1980s. He is from Taft and attended both Taft High School and Taft College.

His brother, who worked at Darrell’s Body Shop in the 1980s,brought Gill into the automobile business.

“I worked with my brother after school in his shop and, after a while, my brother left and I took this shop,” said Gill. “I’ve worked in this one for over 20 years.”

Gill bought his business’s building January 1 of this year. He also rents to the Midway Laboratories.

OT

Miller’s Beauty Supply Under New Ownership After 15 Years

“I owned a shop before and I decided I needed to be back in it,” explained Gill.

Precision Bodyworks offers 24-hour towing services as well as collision repair for automobiles and trucks.

“We also do spray-on bed liners,” said Gill.

Gill has a more concentrated interest in older vehicles. While I interviewed him in his shop, I was able to see some classic cars being worked on and painted.

Recreationally, Gill likes to golf and participate in sand sports and water sports.

“I like to ride quads around the Pismo dunes,” said Gill. “I like to also work on classic cars on my own time. I have a few projects like a ’69 Corvette and some sand cars.”

You can contact Gill or Precision Bodyworks at dentsout@lightspeed.net. You can also call 661-763-4420 or fax 661-763-1389.

The shop is located at 317 Main St. in Taft.

Cookhouse & Saloon 205 N. 10th St. (661)763-1819

Specializing in Steak & Seafood

Lunch

Dinner

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

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

CLOSED SUNDAY/MONDAY

OT Cookhouse Daily Specials (For the week of 8-2-11 thru 8-6-11)

Tues.

8-2-11 Lunch Tues.

8-2-11 Dinner Wed. 8-3-11 Lunch Wed. 8-3-11 Dinner

Charbroiled Shrimp Salad BBQ Beef Ribs

$9.95

Miller’s Beauty Supply has recently been placed under new ownership. John Mollinet, a wholesale jewelry retailer, took over the shop on July 16.

Miller’s Beauty Supply has been owned and operated by Barbara Van Pelt for the past 15 years.

Mollinet has been in the wholesale business for over 23 years and his wife, Karla, is also involved with wholesale jewelry.

“I started selling jewelry in my college years,” said John. “I chose to run the shop because I wanted to settle down and get a good base going.”

John wants to make beauty products more affordable for the people of Taft so they won’t have to travel to Bakersfield to purchase what they need.

“I want to make it worth it to buy in Taft since gas prices make it harder to be able to go all the way to Bakersfield,” said John.

The shop offers name brand beauty supplies such as Paul Mitchell hair products and O.P.I nail polishes. Miller’s Beauty Supply offers services for hair coloring, cutting, extensions and perms as well as acrylic nails and piercings.

“I do ear and nose piercings and my wife does nails,” said John.

“There are 4 hairstylists including the store’s previous owner.”

John wants to expand the store by bringing in more products and expanding the different product lines. The shop will also be going online within the next few weeks.

“Our website should be up and running soon,” said John. “We are just trying to make these products more affordable and bring more to Taft. “

$10.95

Charbroiled Chicken $8.95 Sandwich with Alfredo Sauce

Roast Beef Dinner

$10.95

Thurs.

8-4-11 Lunch

Charbroiled 1/2 Chicken $10.95 with Roasted Veggies

Thurs.

8-4-11 Dinner Fri. 8-5-11 Lunch

Pot Roast with Veggies $10.95

Fri. 8-5-11 Dinner

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

Sat. 8-6-11 Dinner

John Mollinet, the new owner of Miller’s Beauty Supply.

Shrimp & Steak Club

$9.95

Prime Rib

Braised Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes & Sauteed Veggies

$13.95

CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

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

Dave in front of the paint booth inside Precision.

Seniors! It’s Portrait Time!

Now accepting appointments for Senior Portraits Free Clothing Changes Free Unlimited package poses In studio or on location!

Free Extra 24 Wallets *

25 Years of know-how to make you beautiful and the photo session fun and easy!

Now offering “inspired” portraits as unique as you are *offer available only with this coupon CALL NOW limit one coupon per package 763-5429 427 Center Street • Since June 1986

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

Trusted Natural Products Since 1868

Gourmet Spices • Extracts • Remedies Supplements• Personal Care & Plant-Based Home Care

Host a Watkins Party!

Great Watkins Party!

Host a Watkins Party and receive $150 or more in free products.

Its fun and easy!

Call for details

Watkins Independent Distributor #391228

Janet Sandoval • 661-747-0638 www.watkinsonline.com/janetsandoval

July 29 - 4, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Meet Your Local Public Servant Les Clark - Recreational Supervisor and Parks Superintendent For West Side Recreation & Parks District

House recommended the job to me about seven or eight years ago.

I had lunch with Don Konig and I expressed interest to him about working with the Rec. I believed in his vision for the community, and my father was apart of the Rec for so long.”

Clark has been involved with many projects to help the community and attract more attention to sports and recreation in Taft.

“One of the programs I’ve come up with is the STOP program, which stands for Striving To Optimize Participation,” said Clark.

“When I first came to work I heard a lot of people talking about how kids have changed. I didn’t want to believe that so I came up with the STOP program, which gives scholarships to kids who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to play sports.”

Thanks to STOP’s many sponsors and donors, more and more kids can benefit from the scholarships. This program may have changed a child’s life.

“The best memory I have on the job was a little girl that came to the Rec and filled out an application to play a sport,” said Clark.

“She wrote on the application, ‘thank you for helping me because now I don’t have to collect cans to play Track.’ This girl would get up early every morning and collect cans from trashcans in order to play Track at the Rec. If this program changes one kid’s life, which it has, that’ the best moment.”

Clark has many plans for the future, but mainly he wants to continue to open people’s eyes about recreation.

“I want to continue to develop partnerships in the community, but I mostly just want to get the word out to the community that recreation is an industry,” said Clark. “People coming for tournaments and games for all of the different sports teams brings revenue to the town when the buy gas, food or other items. The more recreation you have, the better recreation you have, the more money you have.”

Clark strives to continue to help kids and do what he loves through the WSRPD. “The best thing you can be called is a ‘dad’, but the second best is a ‘coach,’” said Clark. “My job is something with which I can put my handprint on the community and change people’s lives. Go Taft!”

Postal Service Takes Next Step in Optimizing Retail Network Announces Post Office Replacement Model

As more customers choose to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phones and at their favorite shopping destinations, the need for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its nearly 32,000 retail offices — the largest retail network in the country — diminishes. To that end, the U.S. Postal Service announced today that it will be taking the next step in right-sizing its expansive retail network by conducting studies of approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs. As part of this effort, the Postal Service also introduced a retail-replacement option for affected communities around the nation.

“Today, more than 35 percent of the Postal Service’s retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains, self-service kiosks, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. “Our customer’s habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business.”

For communities currently without a postal retail office and for communities affected by these retail optimization efforts, the Postal Service introduced the Village Post Office as a potential replacement option. Village Post Offices would be operated by local businesses, such as pharmacies, grocery stores and other appropriate retailers, and would offer popular postal products and services such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.

“By working with third-party retailers, we’re creating easier, more convenient access to our products and services when and where our customers want them,” Donahoe said. “The Village Post Office will offer another way for us to meet our customers’ needs.”

With 32,000 postal retail offices and more than 70,000 thirdparty retailers — Approved Postal Providers — selling postage stamps and providing expanded access to other postal products and services, customers today have about 100,000 locations across the nation where they can do business with the Postal Service.

“The Postal Service of the future will be smaller, leaner and more competitive and it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value,” Donahoe added.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

We’re everywhere so you can be anywhere: www.uspseverywhere.com.

Les Clark Have you ever wondered who ran the sports teams and parks in

the West Side Recreation and Park District? Well if you or your children are involved with the WSRPD, you probably know Les Clark.

Clark is Taft’s Recreation Supervisor and Superintendent of Parks. He is the person who schedules leagues, organizes coaches, umpires and players, works with other agencies to partner with the WSRPD to offset costs (team sponsorship, community involvement, etc.), and he has even had the opportunity to give some of Taft High’s graduates their first job.

“That is one of the most rewarding parts,” said Clark. “By providing them with their first job, I can teach them life and work skills and I can help them think up new ideas to better the community.”

Clark is a father to three sons Logun, Cash, and Easton. He is also married to Michelle Clark, who is his beautiful wife of nine years. Les enjoys all sports and recreational activities, but his favorite pastime can be found right at home.

Les Clark, second from left, with officials from Aera Energy while “I love to be with my family and spend time with my boys,” said Clark. “Playing in the front yard, golfing and just anything that has they presented the District with a check for $100,000 in April of this year. Pictured Above: Aera Ponytail softball team, Derik Casparis to do with sports and recreation is what I like to do.”

(WSRPD), Les Clark III (WSRPD), Susan Hersberger (Aera Energy), Clark grew up in Taft and went through the local city schools: Don Koenig (WSRPD), Erika McKamie (Aera Energy) and Ray WatJefferson Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Lincoln Junior son (Kern County District Supervisor).

High, and Taft Union High Schools. During high school he was involved in both football and baseball.

Name Brand Clothing After graduating from Taft High, Clark spent one Shoes • Jewelry semester at Taft College before transferring to Cal LuAccessories & More theran University to play football and baseball. His ath- Step Back Into School letic career continued as he went to West Hills College in Coalinga and then to Fresno State University to play FREE football. After getting injured, Clark was offered a job at New Arrivals of Backpacks & Shoes Tire Rotation the local prison in Taft as the recreation supervisor.

He obtained his Bachelors Degree from National & Brake Check University and he is currently working towards a Masters Plus Inside The Historic Fort of Science from Kaplan College in Management with an We will check 915 N. 10th Street Suite 34 emphasis in Project Management. He is only 8 months all fluids away from obtaining this degree.

(661)623-1783 & tire pressure Clark got involved with the WSRPD many years ago and has remained involved throughout his whole life. He has worked there full-time for four years and his interest *Most Cars & Light in the WSRPD started with his father, who worked with Trucks them for over 20 years.

Up to 5 Qts. “My dad loved it so much and the Rec is an amazing center piece in the community,” said Clark. “Stephanie

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8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

A View From Center Street

July 29 - 4, 2011

The Art of Sounding Informed When You Are Not

Regarding Teddy…

By Dr Harold Pease

Those of you who frequent Center Street may have seen an older lady pushing her shopping cart and walking with her dog, a russetcolored, long-haired dachshund, to the End of Times Gallery. Well, that lady is me, the dog was Teddy, and I own the gallery. If you came into the gallery he may have barked a little and sniffed at your feet but he was utterly harmless.

I use the past tense because a couple of weeks ago I lost my little pal—he was killed and now has been buried—wrapped in a green cloth, and laid in a box— up on a hill to the south of town.

Sorrow chastens the human soul. It makes it realize just how human we are. It reminds us how fragile life is. If we truly realized this we would be more kind to one another. There’s hardly a person who hasn’t lost a pet or two, who doesn’t know the grief that brings, the emptiness, the desolation…

Sometimes I think our animal friends are smarter than we are. If we get mad at them, they wait a little while, then come and lick our hand, as if to say, is it okay to be friends again? We humans hold our grudges for years.

Teddy stole my heart the instant I met him, and he brought me a great deal of joy. If I said “bad dog” he would hide under the bed, but after a while he would stick his nose out, as if to say, “Is it okay if I come out now, Mom?” You may be wondering how Teddy died—it was pretty awful. On our morning walk he was attacked by a much larger dog. I was helpless to protect him. My screams were heard by a man who rushed to my aid. Roaring like an angry lion he appeared out of nowhere, threw something at the dogs (there were two of them), and drove them away. This man is one of Taft’s homeless people. Sometimes heroes are concealed in the clothes of the homeless.

The damage done to Teddy’s stomach was so great that the vet was unable to save him, but I still consider the man who tried to help a hero.

I don’t like the electronic gadgetry of ours times and yet e-mail provides a means of quickly getting in touch with friends and relatives. When I e-mailed them about Teddy’s death the out-pouring was touching.

A friend in China said a tear had dropping onto her keyboard as she wrote.

A Japanese friend, a woman with whom I went to college, said she believes our pets choose us, not the other way around. Several friends had witnessed similar happenings, that of large dogs attacking smaller. (Watching a PBS animal special on of the wolves of Yellowstone Park, I saw that they will prey on coyotes and foxes.) One friend said she wanted to drop everything, come and comfort me.

Many friends urge me to get another dog as soon as I’m able. My niece sent the link to a pet site, called Petloss.com.

The offending dogs were promptly removed from their owner; they may be euthanized. I take no pleasure in this. I asked their owner to please pay my vet bill, and he has agreed to do so. It’s simply not true that bad dogs have bad owners—our pets may be domesticated but they still have wild instincts.

I have a friend in Brooklyn named Annie. She loves all animals and grieves for a long time when one of her pets dies. Annie has a pet psychic for a friend, a woman whom she relied on when a cat of hers died. When she learned about Teddy, she called her. The lady told her to tell me that Teddy is happy and that I now have a dog for a guardian angel!

When faced with kind of loss the urge to believe this kind of thing is strong.

Maybe it’s true because the next day I received the drawing above from another friend.

(I resisted writing this column because ultimately grief is a private thing. I’ve written it because maybe it might help another who is grieving for a lost pet.).

Time and time again I have overheard discussion or arguments where participants polarize. The one who knows the most attempts to stay on focus providing ever more points to show his case.

The less informed cannot stay focused, as he has run out of specifics. He resorts to one of five techniques: spraying, changing the focus of the topic, repeating over and over again the few points he does have, making the argument personal, and name calling. Sometimes he uses a mixture. Let

us examine each.

Spraying is the term used for those who, in essence, travel around the world in three minutes or less bringing up everything related or not. The informed seek clarity or relevance on the first point only to notice that his opponent, the ill informed and lacking depth, has switched to yet another aspect. The ill-informed stays in control of the argument only because the more informed cannot keep up. Like a shotgun blast the intent is to blow the better informed over with a mass of non-specific, semi-related data so he drops the discussion. The less informed wins only because he is left standing.

Sprayers also gain additional power by increasing their volume as well. Their thought processes do not allow them to realize the extent of their ignorance.

Focus changers also run out of counter arguments or choose not to deal with the logical next step and turn instead to changing the focus of the argument. Instead of dealing with the legitimate issues raised by the Tea Party Movement the need for both major parties to provide us candidates who endorse fiscal responsibility, limited Constitutional government, and free market economics they call them racist or mobsters. The argument now moves to defending against racism. The establishment media initially relied on this technique to undermine the Tea Party Movement but it failed because the movement was a microcosm of the population itself and one might find his, normally non-activist, mother leading the charge.

Repeaters, yet another technique for the less informed, likewise run out of counter arguments and try to win by constantly restating their initial two or three points. Normally, like sprayers, they also raise their voice on each restatement.

They too have no depth but it does not matter to them.

The art of sounding informed when not includes personalizing the argument. I once published a column that dealt with a plan to cut the bureaucracy by laying off 10% of their work force per year but allowing them, for ten years, to continue receiving their former pay, reduced by 10% each year, until they received nothing and sought new productive employment.

A colleague, rather than debate the idea, fired off a negative memo suggesting that I be first to go. In doing so the debate was now personalized with the new issue now being my value to the institution.

Name-callers seek to destroy your credibility by linking you, or what you advocate, to something unpopular, sometimes called labeling. This allows them to write you, or your issue, off without having to think or deal with your evidence. The favorite label is liberal or conservative. It gets worse. The mere word “McCarthyism”, the suggestion that there might be a single communist in the government, Hollywood or the media, was used for decades to destroy proponents of such or any real investigation into the evidence. Those who question the need to have our troops in 31 countries of the earth are called “isolationists.” Those who even dare question Barack Obama’s Birth Certificate are degraded by the term “birthers.” Even Congress was “cowed” into silence. Those who still question global warming as being man made are called “flat-earthers.”

Those advocating that we get back to the Constitution as designed are called “strict constructionists” as though this were a venereal disease of some kind. You get the picture. How many of these things are true. I do not know as the opponents won by silencing proponents. Who comes up with these labels? The opponents did, of course? And who uses them the most? The least informed.

So what should the most informed do? First, make certain that they are the most informed and that they too are not using any of these techniques to further an argument that may not be totally correct. Second, let it be. The majority is normally ill informed. Relate where you can and move on to other friends. Someone else will have to reach them and perhaps that won’t happen either. In America we do not shoot you for disagreement or ignorance. At least not yet!!!!

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.

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July 29 - 4, 2011

Obituary

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft Crude

Coffee House

Fred Lee Herkimer November 23, 1924 - July 20, 2011

The Trusted Name Since 1939 Jennifer, Charlie, and Angie Dedicated • Professional • Experienced All Are Licensed Funeral Directors

By Jessica G. Miller On Wednesday, July 20 after 86 wonderful years of life, Fred Lee Herkimer passed away. He was a man of many hats: husband, father, singer, oilworker, grandfather, brother and friend.

Born on November 23 in 1924 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Fred and Edna Hermike. After attending high school in Bristol, Oklahoma, he and his mother, father and sisters Geraldine (later Tiessler) and Margie (later Ezell), moved to California where he graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic and eventually joined the Navy.

After serving in World War II as Bosun’s Mate, he moved to Taft where he spend the next 64 years of his life.

“He had a great fondness for Taft,” Margie said. “He loved it there and loved the people.”

Before establishing his own business and meeting the love of his life, Patty, Fred worked in the oil industry for several companies including the Texas Oil Company. “When Fred came to Taft in 1946, he was a young, single guy who was very popular with everyone. Especially with the girls,” Margie explained.

When he wasn’t working, he was busy practicing his favorite past time, music.

Fred fronted a variety of bands around the time Merle Haggard, Billy Mize and Buck Owens were just beginning their respective careers in Country Western music. He played all around Taft, Bakersfield and in Cuyama. Although he never wanted to make a career of it, “He just loved having as a hobby,” Margie said.

Fred was an active member in the community with his wife, Patty. Together, they were involved with the Assembly Dance Club and always arrived in style to each dance. He even served as the auctioneer for many of the Galas put on each year by the Chamber of Commerce. “He made that..A LOT of fun,” Patty said.

Not only well liked in the Assembly, Fred was also a man well known and loved around town. He was a member of the Elks for for 58 years, along with being a Moose. He was a kind gentleman, always willing to lend a helping hand or tell great stories and jokes.

Having worked for years in the downhole oil pump business, Fred decided in 1980 to open his own shop, Herko Pumping Service. Known for their quality service and even tremendous customer service, “He loved to have barbecues for his customers,” Patty said.

In 1998, Patty and Fred bought a vacation home in Oceano, where they spent time together and took their grandchildren with them during Spring Breaks.

After selling Herko Pumping Service in 2001 and spending one last year in Taft, Patty and Fred moved to Oceano permanently.

Of their marriage, Patty said, “It was the best times of life. We had a good marriage, we always got along and we had fun. He was my everything.”

Predecesed by his parents, his sister Geraldine Tiessler, his brother in law Easy Ezell, and his son Fred Herkimer III. Fred is survived by his wife, Patricia Herkimer, children Craig Gretlein, Tom and Carla Auch, and Curt Gretlein of Bakersfield, Casey and Claudia Gretlein of Nipomo; grandchildren Christian and Amanda Gretlein, Carson and Jennifer Gretlein, Craig and Cathleen Gretlein and Casey Auch of Bakersfield, Carly Auch of Sacramento, Claire and Caleb Gretlein of Nipomo, Fred and Siegrid Holt of Denmark and 4 great grandchildren. And of course, his sister Margie Ezell. “We always had a great relationship,” she said. “There were only two times in my life we had a quarrel. We were always so close. He was my best buddy, my hero and my protecto. We loved each other very much.”

He will be greatly missed by all of those whose lives he touched.

Fred’s services, handled by Erickson and Brown Funeral Directors, will be held Saturday, July 30, 2011 at the Westside Cemetery at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Kern Oil Museum.

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

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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 Shannon N. and Shannon L. Kelly 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

Rev. Linda Huggard

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Taft P.C. Services

PETS 3 sweet female guinea pigs, 2 yrs old, needs good home, comes with cage and roller ball 661343-4972.

LIVESTOCK

Computer Repairs 661-623-5188 132 Lexington. Lots of baby stuff and misc.

6:45 am-? July 30 Moving Sale 305 Chevron Place, behind the Fort. Sat 7am-noon.

Yard Sale August 4th, 5th, 6th 7am-3pm. 123 N. 10th Street Space #115. Household appliances, 7 piece oak bdrm set, couch, love seat, china hutch, dining room table, chairs misc.

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

HANDYMAN SERVICES Handyman: Coolers, Landscaping, Homes.

Call 765-2947 or 6231529

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Employment Real Estate HELP WANTED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Wanted 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!

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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

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

Washer, dryer, fridge, stove. 661-293-0530

MOTORCYCLES AUTOMOBILES ‘00 Pontiac van runs well $1,500 obo 8521242.

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

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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. ____________________

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.

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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!

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

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\kitchen, indry hookup, doundble lot, $790/m.

1/1 cotage. privayte fenced yard. covered parking for 4 cars. $495/m Call Mark KIng 805 689-4122.

APART. FOR RENT Room/Studio $350mo + dep. 661-577-4549 alintaft@yahoo.com MCKITTRICK. 3/2 Apt. Newly furn.$650 mo.

Taft Property Mgt. 661 745-4892. Brokers Licence 01417057 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

July 29 - 4, 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

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Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

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July 29 - 4, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Weekly Gasoline Price Update

Average retail gasoline prices in California have risen 2.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.81/g as of Monday, July 25th. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.69/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices. com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices Monday, July 25th were 69.2 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 1.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has increased 9.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 94.4 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

Purple Ribbon Month- Keeping Kids Safe in and around Motor Vehicles

The Department of Human Services, with support from First 5 Kern, the Kern County Network for Children “Kern Cares” coalition and our local public safety & community partners, are once again launching “Purple Ribbon Month” in memory of Kaitlyn Marie Russell. These events hope to raise public awareness about “Kaitlyn’s Law”, passed in 2001, that makes it a citable offense for parents to leave children under the age of 6 unattended in a motor vehicle without the supervision of someone at least 12 years of age. The Law was named for 6 month old Kaitlyn Marie Russell, who died on August 15th, 2000, after being left in a hot van by a caregiver. Investigators estimate that the temperature inside the van reached 130 degrees before Kaitlyn was found. “4 R Kids Sake” was founded by Kaitlyn’s mother, Tammy and Grandmother Laura Petersen.

August is Purple Ribbon Month in memory of Kaitlyn and all the children who have lost their lives to preventable injuries in and around cars, and in order to educate and increase public awareness about all of the dangers of leaving children unattended in or around motor vehicles.

This month and throughout the year, we encourage all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Kern County a better place for families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and communities.

Information is also available on the web at KernCares.org.

For more information contact Heidi Carter-Escudero, Outreach & Communications Coordinator for the Department of Human Services at (661) 633-7104

Taft Property Management & Sales

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765-6550

Negocios Hispanos Negocios de venta

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

Sponsored by Edward J. Herrera Insurance

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

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

Edward J. Herrera Insurance Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public We are an Independent Agency With Many Pre-Eminent Insurance Companies To Best Suit Your Needs

We Represent You To Give You The Best Service

WE Offer You Low Discounted Rates Our Friendly Staff

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

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

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 29 - 4, 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

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Qik Smog & Tune

ANNOUNCEMENTS SERVICES

MORTIMER

FIREARM TRAINING

CCW Classes & BSIS Classes

(661)763-4445

Ray Mortimer, Instructor 661-747-6965

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Taft Independent www.taftindependent.com Publisher@taftindependent.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