Good Question?

Independent The Taft

August 12 - 18, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

www.Taftindependent.com

August 12 - 18, 2011 • Volume 6 Issue 7

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

The Place 4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660

Saturday, August 13th $10.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET

BBQ Chicken green salad, watermelon, Corn on the Cob & Bread $1.50 Domestic Drafts 5:00pm to Close

No To Go’s Starts at 5:00pm until gone!

Where Does The Best Band In Kern County Come From?

Live Music By: Cutthroat Reef (Pirate Band) Every Wednesday - Oak BBQ Steak Sandwich 12:00 PM - Close

Saturday, August 27th $10.00 All You Can Eat Buffet Westside Watcher: If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home By Now

The Westside Remembers Don Gillaspie

Good Question?

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

By Jessica G. Miller

Photo c/o Christina Bohannon Photograpy

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

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

Get Ready For Back To School with Next Step!

ITEM OF THE WEEK Pre - Workout Mix

By N’SANE

Come in for our Back To School Membership Specials & Savings! $25/mo

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

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

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

(661)745-4913

Personal Style

Back - To - School Savings!

Newly expanded Juniors & Contempory Fashions

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

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

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

SAN JOAQUIN Automotive Center

510 Center Street Taft, CA

Get Your Car Ready For Summer!

763-5445

EVERYDAY OIL CHANGES GAS ENGINE $35.99 OR LESS

Introducing

Back To School Daze...

August 1st-31st

Storewide Discounts

10% off professional shampoo and hair color lines featuring Paul Mitchell, RedKen, Matrix, Joico, L’oreal, Wella and Itely 20% - 50% off jewelry, hair accessories, feather earrings, feather extensions, handbags, nail polish and picture frames

And much much more!

15% off for licensed stylists

Hours: Tuesday 8am-8pm • Wednesday Closed Thursday 8am-5pm • Friday 8am-8pm Saturday 9am-3pm

J e w e l r y

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

We can save youFine money on •quality Jewelry Candlesjewelry!

• Gifts

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

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

J & D Recycling 1277 Kern Street

Sacred Thread, Broomstick Skirts, Jackets, Blouses AND MUCH MORE

Greg Anderson

Next to the Fox Theater and Black Gold Cafe & Deli

F i n e

New Arrivals!

Personal Style

Mobile Notary Public Certified Signing Agent

Miller’s Beauty Supply

acme jewelry co.

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

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

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

August 12 - 18, 2011

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

SUMMER SPECIAL!

$199.99

Cooling System Flush

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

A/C Service

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

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)

DIESEL ENGINE $71.99 OR LESS

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

Billy Messenger Voted Best Mechanic for 2009 and 2010

531 Center Street • 763-1123

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Brand Clothing Shoes • Jewelry A Hint of Class Name Accessories & More Ben’s Books Step Back Into School

In Style!

New Arrivals of Backpacks & Shoes Inside The Historic Fort 915 N. 10th Street Suite 34 (661)623-1783

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

Come on out and see us every Thursday at the Farmers Market

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

Shop and Save Downtown Taft!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

August 12 - 18, 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

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 Westside News.................7 Community Voices..........8 Obituary............................9 Classified Ads.................10 Westside News...............11 Negocios Hispanos........11

The Taft Independent 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 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 businessdelivery of the Taft Independent is available for $6.50 per month or $78.00 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: Editor@taftindependent.com.

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.

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

End of Times Gallery Summer Art Classes 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.

Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Friday, August 12th Come join us at A Street Park to view the Perseid Meteor Shower on Friday, August 12th at 9:00 pm. This will be a night of close to peak activity, with nearly 100 meteors per hour expected. Bring a blanket and/or chairs and be prepared to stay awake, as the best viewing times are after 10:00 p.m. This event is FREE to all and s’mores will be provided for the kids. Brought to you by Imagination Laboratories, Inc. and West side Recreation & Park District.

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!

Fill the Bus Saturday, August 13th Help support our schools by helping to provide needed supplies for our local children to go to school this season. Come fill the Bus on Saturday, August 13th at King’s Nursery 8am-12pm. Sponsored by the Taft Midway Sunset Lions Club. Please bring pencils, sharpeners, copy and lined paper, punches, construction paper, backpacks, glue sticks, colored tissue paper, air dry clay, scissors, tape, index cards, colored pencils, composition books, dry erase markers, crayons, pencil pouches, post its, headphones, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, socks, sweat pants and jacket. All donations will go to support our local schools by offering needed supplies to classes, teachers, and students.

Back To School Connection Saturday, August 13th Local sponsors of Taft are sponsoring a “Back to School” Connection on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 10am-12pm - 314 Asher Ave. Children attending will receive a free backpack, school supplies, and clothing! Also, free haircuts for kids, face painting, snow cones, and balloons! Dr. Washington will be on hand for $20 sport physicals and $40 Whooping Cough Vaccines! They are also accepting donations of new backpacks, school supplies, and clothing for this event. Please contact the West Side Community Resource Center at 765-7281 or 765-7151 for more information!

Persaid Meteor Shower Showing Friday Night, August 12th At “A” Street Park Imagination Laboratories, Inc. and the Westside Recreation and Park District will be hosting a FREE Meteor Shower Viewing at the “A” Street Park on Friday, August 12th at 9:00 p.m. until as late as you can stay up. The Persaid Meteor Shower is a yearly event in the Northeastern skies where upwards of 100 meteors per hour can be seen at optimal viewing conditions. Along with the meteor shower fun, we are pleased to also have the services of local Astronomy expert David Reynolds from Taft College. David, who has a Masters in Physics from Fresno State, has been teaching the Astronomy course at TC for the past two years. Along with his expertise on the Persaid Meteor Shower, David will also provide the viewers with a guide through the night sky with a special green laser (that you would swear is touching the stars) as well as high-power binoculars and a telescope to view the stars and planets. The best viewing for the meteors should be after 10:00 p.m. Remember to bring a blanket or something to sit on for the most comfortable view of the night sky.

Continued on Page 5

Donate To Fill The Bus This Saturday, August 13th

By Nicole Frost

The Taft Midway Sunset Lions Club is sponsoring a Fill the Bus event on Saturday to collect school supplies for the fall. It will be held at the King’s Nursery from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

There are many schools, teachers and students in Taft that are unable to obtain all of the supplies needed for the upcoming school year so they are asking the community to lend a helping hand.

Some of the needed supplies are pencils, construction paper, backpacks, glue sticks, colored tissue paper, air dry clay, scissors, tape, index cards, colored pencils, composition books, dry erase markers, crayons, pencil pouches, Post-Its, headphones, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, socks, sweat Wendy Berry pants and jackets.

Monetary donations will also be accepted. All donations will go to support out local schools and whatever supplies are still needed after the event will be purchased with the donated money.

“We are going to borrow a bus from the city school district to park in front of King’s Nursery and there will also be people standing on the corners of the intersection to collect donations,” said event organizer Wendy Berry. “Those who don’t have time to go out and buy school supplies will be able to donate money this way.”

In addition to helping the community, donors will also be served fresh watermelon, for $0.50 a slice, during the event.

“The cuts to education are severe and the community needs to pull together for the children so that they can have a better future and a better education,” said Berry.

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday August 16th, 2011 – 7:00 p.m.

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

Taft All Star Band Car Wash & Yard Sale Saturday, August 13th The Taft All Star Band will be hosting a car wash, yard sale, and bake sale on Saturday, August 13. The event will take place at 631 North Street from 7 a.m. to noon. Come support our local youth.

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

Kern County Animal Control Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic Saturday, August 27th Come on out Saturday, August 27th to the Kern County Animal Control low cost rabies vaccination clinic and licensing at Ford City Park located on the corner of Cedar and Taylor Street from 8am-12pm noon.

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 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 (9am2pm), 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.

4

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!

Taft Petroleum Club Friday, August 12th is our last Ribeye Steak and Chicken Dinner until September 9th. Our dinner crew is taking some well deserved time off and we will be back Friday, September 9th.

BAR WILL BE OPEN! Industry Night

September 7th opens at 3:30 dinner at 7:30. Sponsored by Taft Chevrolet Buick 50/50 door prizes and great food!

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

TAFT INDEPENDENT

August 12 - 18, 2011

local and regional services. While the city will not receive property taxes from the project, the city will receive $50,000 in fees and the benefit of new housing that no one else is providing for the foreseeable future.

In fact, only 12 new homes have been built in Taft since 2005, and before that perhaps fewer than 50 since the 1990’s.

For just a moment, consider the proposed privately funded housing projects that were announced with much fanfare over the past several years but never materialized. These housing developEditorial ments probably came to late, just as the recession destroyed the housing market, and on top of the overly restrictive and expensive environmental regulations, and as banks became unwilling to finance such projects due to tight credit and the inability to get If you’re good enough to work here, then you’re good enough to local housing appraisals that would justify loans for single family housing projects. live here.

There are many economic benefits from the new housing And so the Taft City Council gave its unanimous approval for development that are part of the overall Rails to Trails project. The the building of a 50-unit affordable housing development on the annual per person spending in Taft is $15,937, of which $6,345 city’s Rails to Trails property to provide new housing and spur on is leaving the Westside and being spent in Bakersfield and other the redevelopment of the former railroad property. communities. When this new housing is completed, the project The timing could not be better for Westside employees who will provide homes for a total of 120 people. The Rails to Trails are currently forced to live in local substandard housing, or forced redevelopment – the commercial and store front properties – is to live in Bakersfield because of the severe lack of locally available intended to provide uses for people living in and near the downdecent housing. town area. If the city is able to capture 50% of the current leakage Unfortunately, some in our community who people look to for out of town - $3,173 - from these new residents, it will mean a per opinions and comment on the state of our city have let the community down by disparaging this one positive opportunity to bring person expenditure of $12,764 for the project. Thus, this project should generate approximately $1,531,680 worth of retail sales safe, clean, new and affordable housing to Taft. every year for local merchants and businesses. The City’s share will It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Taft has an acute shortage of modern attractive housing available to those who work be approximately $16,000 annually in sales taxes. This project will also generate an estimated 38 new construction jobs for a one year here but are forced to live in Bakersfield, where there are all kinds period, and 8 new secondary jobs that will be permanent. Who of housing options to choose from. could ask for more?

Just ask anyone who has been hired to work here. Their primary Looking back, the only successful complaint is that there is no housing development that has occurred in our available to suit their needs – not to town is related to government-taxpaymention shopping and retail stores er funded projects but which has not and so they are forced to live elseincluded any new housing to accomwhere, taking their spendable incomes modate new employees. These projaway from Taft. ects include the federal prison facility Moreover, housing options are on Cadet Road, the state financed city severely limited for our young people jail, the new rehabilitation constructhat graduate from Taft High School tion project - nearly $100 million or Taft College who are ready move dollars – at Taft College, the new out on their own and start a family.

West Side Recreation Center, and the Where can they turn too to live? Like new Caltrans project on Highway 33 so many others, they are forced, in just north of the city. Little housing many cases, to move out of town and at the time was planned or built to look for suitable housing elsewhere, accommodate the new employees that leaving behind a shrinking community would come to these new work sites. and diminishing our prospects for a Home Sweet Home? Taft Deserves Better Than This Call it poor planning or what you will, Taft has not kept up with sustainable, vibrant and family oriented town.

The debate has started about this new housing that will bring 50 the need for new housing when the demand for it appeared.

The 50-unit project is the beginning of the cure for this shortfall new housing units to the city. Some have argued that it is located in badly needed housing, and should bring about more housing in the wrong place and that instead of apartments, single-family development from the private sector when the increased demand homes ought to be built, or that it will be another ‘heroin heights’ becomes apparent. housing project like the one in Ford City.

Taft should seize this opportunity to build new houses and seek Nonsense. This city is in desperate need of new housing and it is needed now before more of our current and future income earners, out other new opportunities – private and public, single family homes and apartments - to build safe, clean and affordable homes and our next generation leave Taft. for people who live and work in Taft.

A few years ago, the city purchased the nearly vacant 46 acres And let us say something about “dreams” of Taft becoming a of former railroad property to redevelop the land into a multi-use destination city. area that would bring new commercial development, residential Part of our future economic growth has to be tied to tourism living areas, office space and public parks to spur new economic and trade. This is part of an evolving strategy by local business leadgrowth and development in the city. ers and the city to increase bed and sales taxes that would instantly The Rails to Trails development, say city leaders, will serve as a add to the city budget badly needed dollars to pave our streets, alcatalyst for future revenue producing uses on the railroad property leys and local infrastructure. To mock these ideas as a waste of time and the downtown. The 50 apartments will provide new homes is shortsighted at best and is the kind of retarded, short sighted which will help establish future demand for commercial and other thinking that has restricted Taft’s growth. We shouldn’t let past bad ideas stop new goods ideas that promote programs that bring local business opportunities for economic growth and more jobs for local residents.

Local government and the business community should be exploring every reasonable avenue to bring economic development to Taft which brings prosperity and growth. Such cynical ankle biting does nothing toward building a positive dialogue or hope for a better future.

“Where Everybody Meets” The Taft City council should be thanked for taking such a positive steps in solving the critical housing need in Taft and for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner leading the community toward a better future.

Westside

Rails to Trails Affordable Housing Is First Step Towards Redevelopment and Economic Growth in Taft

Paik’s

Ranch House Restaurant 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.

You are invited to attend A Chamber of Commerce Mixer Tuesday, August 16th at 5 pm Taft Community Gardens Kern and 9th Streets

August 12 - 18, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Meteor Shower Continued from Page 3

By Jane McCabe

What’s Happening At The Taft Chamber of Commerce

By Jane McCabe

Perseus: Once there was a king named Acrisius; he had a beautiful daughter named Danae. The oracle of Apollo told Acrisius that Danae’s son would one day kill him. Acrisius could not let that happen, so he locked Danae in a bronze tower so that she would never marry or have children.

The tower had no doors, but it had one very small window. Danae was very sad, but one day a bright shower of gold came through the small window. A man appeared; he had a thunderbolt in his hand and Danae knew he was a god, but she didn’t know which. The man said, “Yes, I am a god and I wish to make you my wife. I can make this dark prison a wonderful sunny land with many flowers.”

All happened as he said, the horrible prison became fields almost as wonderful as the Elysian Fields themselves, but one day Acrisius saw light coming out of the small window. He told his men to tear down one of the walls. He walked into the tower and saw Danae with a baby on her lap. Acrisius was furious, he shut Danae and the baby. named Perseus, up in a large chest and cast them out to sea.

Somehow they got safely to the island of Seriphos where Polydectes was king.

Polydectes decided on a plan to get rid of Perseus. Polydectes pretended to be marrying a daughter of a friend of his. Everybody had to bring a present, including Perseus. Polydectes pretended to be furious when Perseus arrived empty-handed, for he was not only very strong and brave but very poor. “That’s what you get for a lazy good-for-nothing.” said Polydectes, after Perseus explained that he had no money. “Bring me the head of the gorgon Medusa!” said Polydectes. “Fine!” said Perseus.

So he went of on his perilous voyage. For days he wandered, searching for the gorgon’s lair.

A tall woman and a young man with winged sandals appeared. The man said, “I am Hermes and this is our sister Athena. Yes, you are a son of Zeus. We have some things that may help you in slaying Medusa.

Here are my winged sandals and the sickle which Cronos used to overpower Uranus and Zeus used against mighty Typhoeus.” “And here is a gifts from me,” said Athena. “Use this shield to reflect the image of Medusa so you won’t be turned to stone.” “You must find the Graeae and get them to tell you how to get to the Nymphs of the North, they will give you the cap of darkness and give you a magic wallet and tell you how to get to the Gorgons’ lair.” Hermes said.

So Perseus went to the cave of the Graeae and they reluctantly told them how to find the Nymphs of the North. He flew off on his winged sandals.

Perseus went farther north until he found an island surrounded by rocks and statues which used to be men.

Perseus raised his shield and saw Medusa and her sisters asleep.He swung the sickle and felt it tearing through sinew and bone. Still looking into the shield, he put Medusa’s head in the magic wallet. Medusa’s sisters woke up and attacked Perseus. He flew quickly away on his winged sandals and was not hurt.

On his way back to Seriphus, he saw what looked like a statue chained to a rock. It was not a statue, but a woman. “My name is Andromeda and I have been punished because my vain mother boasted that I was more beautiful then the Nereids. Poseidon was angered and said that I must be sacrificed to a sea monster,” she said. As she spoke a monster rose from the sea.

Perseus pulled Medusa’s head out of the wallet and the sea monster turned to stone. Perseus cut Andromada’s chains and took her to her father, King Cepheus of Phoenicia. When Perseus asked Andromeda’s hand in marriage Cepheus gladly agreed.

They stopped at Larisa so Perseus could compete in some games, but when he threw a discus it hit an old man in the stands who was Acrisius.

So the prophecy came true and after mourning for a while Perseus and Andromeda left.

When they arrived at Seriphus, the first person they met was Dictys the fisherman who brought Danae and Perseus to shore after they sailed in the trunk. Dictys told Perseus and Andromeda how Polydectes had never really married, but since Danae wouldn’t marry Polydectes, he forced her to be his handmaiden. Perseus was furious.

Perseus stormed to the palace, walked in and said, “Let all who are my friends shield their eyes!” So saying he raised Medusa’s head and Polydectes and his courtiers were changed to statues.

Later Perseus was killed by Dionysus. Perseus and Andromeda were put up in the sky as constellations.

This was taken from an encyclopedia of mythology.

It’s common knowledge among Taft’s business leaders that the Chamber of Commerce meets at 9 a.m. every Wednesday morning at the Chamber at the corner of 4th Street and Kern Street. They come away from these meetings with a good idea of what’s happening in our community. Here are some items from our last meeting on August 10th.

•SCHOOL BACKPACK GIVEAWAY THIS SATURDAY “Kids want to have their school supplies. They have to have a new backpack! That just sets the tone for the new school year,” says Kathy Orrin, Taft Chamber of Commerce Director. “Having a new backpack to start the new school year is so important that parents will buy their kids backpacks instead of shoes.”

Thanks to the West Side COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER Taft kids can have both. The center has been accepting donations and will give away backpacks free August 13th, from 10 to 12 a.m., at 314 Ash Street.

This is not the only service provided by the Resource Center, located at the Fort, 915 N. 10th Street, #10 (765-7281.)

A community based resource and support service for families and their children; they offer a wide variety of services to fit parents’ needs—PG&E payment assistance, legal assistance, food banks, mental health services, transportation, and domestic violence assistance.

They help enroll kids from infants to 18 years in Healthy Families/MediCal insurance. They offer parent education workshops in general parenting, nutrition, court-mandated classes, and financial management.

With funding from the Salvation Army, partner agencies, and grants, they are able to provide utility payment assistance, clothes, prescriptions, food, household items, and emergency services for families in need.

With funding from First 5 Kern, they offer activities for children that will help them enter kindergarten healthy, prepared and ready to learn. This includes Ready, Set, Go! Preschool Classes, Summer Bridge Program, Monthly Immunization Clinics, Developmental Assessments and Case Management Services.

Special Projects includes Thanksgiving food baskets, back-toschool clothing drives, kindergarten round-ups, car seat inspection events, holiday toy drives, and safe trick-or-treat on Halloween.

“The West Side Community Resource Center provides comprehensive, integrated education and support services that build and sustain a healthy community by strengthening families and enriching the lives of children.”

The “Together We Can” Collaborative is a group of community agencies, businesses, and citizens all working together to identify needs and seek creative solutions to the issues facing children and families in Taft and surrounding communities so that they can “see beyond their present circumstances.”

“We’ve been in operation for ten years, and a lot of people don’t Continued on Page 11

Open House August 18th For One World, Many Stories Mural Painted at Taft Library

By Jane McCabe

A delightful new mural, One World, Many Stories, has beenpainted on the front outside wall at the Taft Library at 27 Emmons Park Drive. Renae Ginther laid it out and supervised the painting, using graphics designed for the California Library Summer Reading Program by Rafael Lopez.

“It took on a life of it own once started,” says Catherine Edgecomb, Library Supervisor. “There were 15 or 16 kids who worked on it. They did the base work with their versions of the pictures and the adults came, refined them, and did the tedious work that the kids found boring.”

Leigh Golling, Taft Arts Council Director, and her mother, Lynette Bolding, have participated in the mural’s execution. The citizens of Taft are invited to an open house at the Taft Branch of the Kern County Library, to celebrate the completion of the summer reading program’s “One World, Many Stories” mural.

The open house is from 1 until 5 p.m. on Thursday August 18, 2011 at the Taft Branch Library, 27 Emmons Park Drive.

The mural, containing animals and people, is fun and sure to bring a smile to the face to whoever sees it.

The mural was a overseen by the Art’s Council with generous help and donations from Imagination Laboratories, Inc, Cooper’s True Value Hardware, and the Friends of the Taft Library.

Please come see this wonderful piece of public art at the library.

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6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Where Does the Best Band In Kern County Come From?

Good Question?

By Jessica G. Miller

Who is Ryan Coulter, Ethan Morris, Alec Olivieri, Taylor Unruh and Shawn Wynn? Good Question. No, really...they are the five local gentlemen who make up the powerhouse countryrock band that is Good Question. They are the ones who have put a modern spin on the “Bakersfield sound,” and subsequently taken Kern County by storm with their musical prowess. And it all

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began as a senior project for the Oil Academy at Taft Union High School.

It was October 2007 when Unruh began his work on his project: The History of Recording Music. Needing to produce a song to show the process behind recording a song or an album, he got together with his friends, Coulter, Morris and Wynn to do what he called a, “mini documentary.” None of them knew what would truly come from this simple school assignment.

“Once the song was cut to CD, much to our surprise, people liked it enough to ask if we had more songs,” Coulter, the singer and acoustic guitar, said.

“And it just kind of took off from there,” Unruh, who juggles the acoustic and electric guitar, continued. “We just enjoyed playing together.”

After high school, the guys played together off and on, viewing it as merely a hobby to pass the time. With only a two hour set that consisted of cover songs and two original composition, the boys were itching to do something more. Especially after Olivieri joined the band in 2009.

“We wanted to get out of that label,” Morris, the percussionist, said. “We didn’t want to be just a cover band.”

“And it wasn’t country, at first,” Unruh said. ”Except for Ryan’s voice. It’s different than anything I’ve heard. We wanted to find a genre and at the time and we were sort of stepping on the line between progressive rock and country.”

Finally, they found their definitive sound. “Ryan calls it progressive country,” Morris explained. And according to Unruh, it’s that unique genre that separates them from everyone else.

But, because of that choice, they encountered some minor speed bumps along their way to local stardom. “We were against the odds because the bands in Taft and Bakersfield weren’t anything like country,” Morris said. “We couldn’t play with anyone and no one could play with us.”

“There’s really no small venue in Kern County for young country bands,” Coulter explained.

However, after eventually landing a few gigs in Taft, Bakersfield and the Central Coast, they began to build steam and a rabid fan base.

Then KLLY 95.3 began promoting their upcoming Battle of the Fans. “We had a friend, Bailee Danley, who knew about what was going on,” Wynn, who slaps the bass, said. “She approached KLLY about us, they called our manager and we were set to play.”

“We were the only country band,” Unruh noted. “We thought we didn’t have a chance and we just took it as a way to make some friends and connections, to get our foot in the door.”

Things turned out dramatically different than their presumptions. They won the first night, then the second and on the third night...”We weren’t sure what was going to happen,” Wynn said.

“Ethan was really sick and he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to play.”

But they were determined. “We were going to play no matter what. Even if Ethan died!” Unruh joked.

Shortly before they took the stage, Morris’ fever broke and they proceeded to play one great, life changing show.

“It was all or nothing that night,” Unruh continued. “And I have never seen us click like we did that night.”

And so, they won the Battle of the Fans.

“It was because of the fans,” Coulter said. “We feed off the audience and how they react.”

“We give that wine 100% to our fans,” Wynn added. “We really

A Special Thank You Thank you for the kindness i’ve received during my bout with Valley Fever. The food, flowers, cards and prayers have brought me strength. A special thanks to Sharon Niblett and Gayle Lamb for taking me to my doctors appointments.

My love to all, Donna Smith

August 12 - 18, 2011

want to thank all of our fans. Without them...we’re just another band.”

“That night was a huge game changer,” Unruh explained. “After that we thought, there’s something to this...let’s go with it.”

Their win gave them a slot on KLLY for one of their tunes, “So They Say,” as well as an expanded fanbase and county-wide recognition. “We got a ton of Facebook adds, people wanted to set up shows with us....it all manifested within a couple days after we won,” Coulter said. “The magnitude behind it was just...amazing.

We made an impact on Bakersfield that let bands and venues know that we are here. And now we’re at a point where a lot of bands don’t get to be...”

“And hype can only last so long,” Wynn continued.

“So we have to strike while the iron is hot!” Coulter said.

“And keep rolling and playing music,” Unruh finished.

Currently, Good Question is finishing recording their album that has a projected launch date around November and they are planning to start playing shows again in September. For more information like photos and videos, you can find them on Facebook.

Back To School Sports Physicals and DPT Immunizations

By Nicole Frost If you are planning to play sports at Taft High or if you are in grades 7-12 this year, there are some things you need to take care of before school starts. Luckily, both sports physicals and the DPT immunization are available locally and affordably.

Students in grades 7-12 are required to get the DPT vaccination before they can go to school in the fall. This vaccine is administered via injection and its purpose is to protect against whooping cough. Adults are recommended to get the immunization if they haven’t gotten it in eight years.

The Westside Urgent Care will be offering a Booster Clinic on Tuesday, August 16th from 8:30am-11:30am at the Urgent Care.

The cost for West SIde Junior Football League and high school physicals are $20. College physicals are $35.

Vaccines are offered at the Westside Urgent Care for $40, but they are also available through insurance.

The Urgent Care only carries the DPT vaccine and vaccines for basic cold and flu infections. For all other necessary vaccines, contact your family pediatrician.

For additional information, call the Urgent Care at 765-1935.

Taft College Women’s Soccer Team Yard & Bake Sale The Taft College Women’s Soccer Team held a yard sale and bake sale on Friday, August 12th to help raise money for the upcoming seaseon!

If you would like to support them call 763-7887.

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August 12 - 18, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

The Westside Remembers Don Gillaspie

Photos Top to Bottom: 1. Don filming the students at Roosevelt for Channel 11. 2. Don with Karen Mitchell when the Petroleum Highway sign went up. 3. Don filming “The Project” that premiered on July 30th. 4. Don at the West Kern Oil Museum, following his program at the Friends of Taft College Library’s Annual Luncheon.

Don’s program was “The Evolution of Taft College.”

Outpouring of Praise Honors Life of Don Gillaspie

By Jane McCabe

If a man can be defined by how he touches the lives around him, then Don Gillaspie touched the lives of many people in Taft and improved them.

Many of those who attended the memorial service for Don, who died at the age of 71 on August 7th, shared that the tall, impeccably groomed Don Giallaspie was a dreamer, an enabler (in the good sense,) a mentor, a kind, gentle, and contented spirit, a friendly person who loved life, especially life in Taft, where he lived for most of his life.

He was a letter carrier, a postal clerk. Once he had fallen in love with video, he formed his own video production company and could be seen all over town video-taping church services, concerts, plays, city council meetings and the like, all of which were then shown on Channel 11.

Commentating on how irreplaceable Don is, one community member shared, “I want to get more involved. We all need to think about getting more involved, but it will take ten to twenty people to replace Don. Step up to the plate for Don.” For the past 20 to 30 years Don catalogued and taped Taft Events, “so that we can remember who we are and where we are going.”

Members of the Community Share Their Memories Uncle Don is sweet, kind, caring and thoughtful man who put others before himself. I grew up spending either Christmas or Thanksgiving with him. As a child, I grew up coming to Taft and our family would all gather at an old house he renovated on Lucard St. called “The Mickey Mouse house.” This house had the most magical murals of Disney scenes painted on the walls. It had a movie theater that he showed old Disney movies on reel to reel and a banquet room where we shared our meals as a family. This room also had huge organs and pianos that all of us kids would play. Uncle Don encouraged us to make up skits for all of the family to enjoy .He always made each and everyone one of us feel special. After my Grandma passed away and we grew up, our families started going our separate ways but Uncle Don would come to my house for the holidays. I always looked forward to the day he would show up with a great big hug. As a teenager, he encouraged me to listen to my heart and do what was right. He never judged me for my choices but would encourage me to move past certain things and always loved me unconditionally. When he would come to Pleasanton, he and I would go to church together.

I enjoyed singing and worshiping the Lord with him. He loved the music and I know he looked forward to our time, just he and I, at church on Christmas Eve. My kids will remember Uncle Don for the same reasons I do. They loved his smile and his Mickey and Donald duck voices. They loved playing games with him and hearing about his travels and his TV shows with the kids at Roosevelt. He was humble, soft spoken and always listened. Everyone who knew him can’t help but smile when they think of how Jesus love shines through everything he did. I know God smiled on all he did. While writing, this verse kept coming to my head…1 Corinthians 13-4 replacing the word “love” with “DON is.” Don is patient and kind; Don does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. He does not insist on its own way; He is not irritable or resentful; He does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things .Don’s Love never ends .

He will forever ,be etched in our hearts and minds.

Consider, putting someone else before your self and don’t look for what’s in return, consider donating your time to someone in need, make someone feel special, try to love unconditionally and forgive w/o an apology ,smile, sing ,and take trips .Most of all spend time with your family. Don’t wait for a funeral to make it happen.

His Legacy of Love will live on forever in my heart and my life, - Carrie Lovett

Don has inspired me in many ways but what I will remember most is his walk with Jesus. Many people talk a good talk but Don was an good example of how a Christian should live. He was always encouraging in a truthful way and I have never, ever heard him put anyone down. I can remember 20 years back him encouraging me when I was teaching a kids Sunday School class. I can’t count the times he told me to hang in there... and I was always glad I did. I remember the Micky Mouse house and his many hopes and dreams for our community. He truely loved our little town. He will be greatly missed. I will see ya later Don! - Jean Amaral I was never a student of his (wish I could have been) but I do know that he was a wonderful man. I remember seeing him all around town takeing photos and filming every event. He was always at the high school working on something. I was heart broke to hear that he passed away and I do plan on making his service Friday. - Caty Waugh Don was an awesome man who I love very much and I will truly miss. He had many talents and many this community was able to enjoy and will miss now that Don is gone!! When I was a little girl I remember the Mickey Mouse House and that Don would talk like Donald Duck to all the kids!! He loved kids very much and had a heart of Gold. I will miss Don a lot and his glowing smile.

Until we meet again in that Great Place in the Sky Heaven!!

Love, - Christine It is hard to put into word how much Don will be missed or how special he was to all of us. Don impressed me in so many ways but the most is how he cared for the kids in our community. He felt it was important to make them feel important. Don thank you for that. We will miss you, - Wayne and Kathie Bethel This is so sad. Whenever I went to the Post Office as a little girl, he would stamp the day’s date on the top of my hand and say that it was my “first date.” I saw him not that long ago, and was able to tell him how special that memory is to me and introduce him to my daughter. He was such a special man who will be missed by many! - April Conder Hanawalt Our community will deeply miss Don and his kindness shown to all. He helped in so many ways. We will personally miss him too. He was just always there for all the special events. We will miss his smiling face. - Becky Long.

8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

From The Mayor Hi Everyone, As a Navy Veteran of the Viet Nam era, I am deeply sadden along with a very sorrowful nation, at the loss of 22 Navy Seal Team members this past weekend. I was assigned to a Navy special boat unit that provided boats, support, and cover for Seal team operations in the Delta area of Viet Nam. The one thing that I know about Seal Team members is that they love what they do; they are the most trained special operators in the world; and no task is too difficult for them to undertake. I have all the admiration in the world for what they do on a daily basis to protect your rights, your lives, and your freedoms as an American citizen. They put their lives on the line every day and are willing to fight and die for you, if that it is what it takes, but not to die in this way. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to all the Navy family members affected by this tragedy. Please take a moment to pray for all our military members who go willingly in harm’s way. Be there for them when you see them; thank them for their service; remember them always. GO NAVY. How insane has this country become ?? I promised not to get too political in my column, but as your Mayor, I believe my fellow City councilmen and I have long realized that the City cannot spend more than we take in. It is as simple as revenues minus expenses. We can’t print money; we don’t want to borrow more than we can afford to pay back; we try to keep a sustainable reserve for the proverbial rainy day. Why can’t your state and national leaders learn to do the very things we are doing ?? Every elected official has put off the inevitable, where we as a nation, are on the verge of bankrupting our future for our children. I have often used the phrase” they are so right, they are wrong”. It doesn’t matter what party you belong to, those elected officials are all wrong, especially if they have been there for more than four years. Now is the time for them to step up and do what is right for America, not for their party, nor for their re-election hopes. I hoping I’m doing OK. Times are tough for all of us. We depend upon so many people to just do their jobs. Just try to make life a little easier for the rest of us. How many times have you run into people who work either in the public or private sector that seem to worry far more about keeping their job than doing their job ?? When workers worry about their job that is when you are apt to get less customer service. In the public sector, it seems that if government workers lay more rules and regulations on us, that will somehow justify them keeping their job because they now have to oversee those new regulations. How many bills went through our state legislature the past couple of years that actually helped business; that actually helped create private sector jobs; that actually helped our economy? Probably next to none. Don’t legislators live in cities, counties, and special districts ?? We elect them to represent all of us, not special interests or party affiliations. Who keeps electing these bozo’s and why ?? The state is broke if they haven’t noticed. It’s all their fault. We are just hoping that it doesn’t fall down too hard on the City of Taft.

There has been some concern about the City entering into an agreement to build workforce housing. This is not Section 8 housing; not low income housing; not rent subsidized housing, but housing for the workforce who want and can afford to live in clean, modern, and reasonable accommodations. The city is in support of housing for all our city residents. If builders want to come to Taft and build condominiums and single-family dwellings, we will welcome them with open arms.

If no one has noticed, there are very few communities throughout the United States building any kind of housing. It has something to do with the economy. All of our residents have a right to affordable housing and it is our job to provide it. We have had several council meetings, planning commission meetings, studies, public hearings, and not one person came forward to complain about this housing plan. To editorialize after it is all said and done is back seat driving in the worst way.

These new housing units are part of a master plan and you are more than welcome to come down to City Hall and review what we have envisioned. Taft is energized for the future; please join us as we move forward.

You probably know by now that I pretty much detest the former name of our City. I have chosen this year not to partake in the 9th annual namesake golf tournament as my own protest. As your Mayor, I just can’t bring myself to do it. It is a very good cause for two reasons: it brings TUHS classmates back together every year for fun and reminiscing and it raises funds for the TUHS golf teams. I will make a personal donation to the TUHS golf teams and I will keep in touch with many of my former classmates by way of personal contact, the internet, social networks, and sadly funerals. I wish the organizers of this annual event all the success but I hope that they will consider a name change in the future so that we don’t have to continue to beat ourselves up.

Taft is becoming a ‘destination city’. We have a lot to offer, folks. Look around and see. If you think it is a waste of our time to promote Taft in this way let me know. I’m proud to live here, you should be too. Keeping a positive outlook is good for all of us. We have nothing to be ashamed of, but plenty to brag about. I’m going to do my part, how about you ??

Randy Miller Your Proud but Humble Mayor

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August 12 - 18, 2011

Tea Party Patriots Win Debt Deal

By Dr. Harold Pease I do not usually write on themes getting extensive attention in the media but the establishment press has overlooked a big story in the debt limit debate. Every one has covered who lost: the President, Congress and both major political parties but almost no one identified the Tea Party Patriot movement as the clear victor.

Remember the over 2400 separate and spontaneous gatherings of Tea Party Patriots in 2009, geographically spread throughout the nation and proportionately held April 15, July 4, and Sept. 11, with about 800 such gatherings held each date. These gatherings, with no national leadership or direction, led mostly by moms with homemade signs, was perhaps the showing of greater anger against the federal government than in any single year in our history—certainly in my life time. Remember as well the two Tea Party assemblages of over a million in Washington D. C. during that same year crying out “President Obama!! Can you hear us now?” “CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?? Yes, the establishment media had trouble covering these stories then too, but they still happened.

The Tea Party movement resulted in the election of a few candidates committed to Constitutional limited government, the free market and fiscal responsibility—the Tea Party’s core values and actually those of the U.S. Constitution as well. Values perceived by them as having been largely abandoned by the leadership of both major political parties.

All this is conceded but how does this translate to a win for the Tea Party Patriots on the Debt Limit Deal? True to the Constitution and their election promises these patriots bucked the weak-kneed Republican Party in the House of Representatives and the spend-happy Democrats in the Senate and forced both to talk about the following previously ignored concepts. What is the proper role of government? How do we get a Balanced Budget Amendment to curb our addiction to debt? Are raising taxes always the only answer? And given government’s addiction to growth, will they ever have enough?

The promise to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment, to not raise taxes, and to actually cut future spending, are each a part of the finished agreement because of the insistence of the Tea Party members of Congress. As a group only the Tea Party saw the looming financial problems ahead if we did not seriously live within our means and scale back our debt. NOW!! With our debt credit down grade and near stock market crash of this week can anyone seriously question Tea Party philosophy now? Still, there are voices in the land aimed to discredit them.

Republicans have shown themselves to have no fire in their bellies and have thus caved-in to the run-away spending plans of their adversaries every time.

Sometimes, as under the Bush Stimulus, they have shown themselves as leading the charge for debt enslavement. In short, modern Tea Party Patriots gave the Republican Party enough fire so that they did not cut and run so easily.

Did the Tea Party get what they wanted? No! Definitely not!! Were that the case they would have had an actual Balanced Budget Amendment, actual spending cuts, and our credit rating would not have been down graded. Reducing the rate of increase is not the same as reducing spending. The deal did nothing to stop the growth of our debt and resulting bondage of our children. In fact, it did just the opposite. Still, opponents were forced to listen and give some attention to the Tea Party Patriots—a huge victory especially given their small size and governments nature to spend without restraint. We just need more of them in Congress. Returning to the Constitution is the only answer and they are the only ones saying it.

Hopefully, more Americans will see the Tea Party Patriot movement and our defense of the Constitution as the same thing. Until now they have been a somewhat lone voice in the wilderness as far as Congress was concerned but with this victory should merit our greater confidence lending to greater support resulting in even bigger victories to come.

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 Trusted Natural Products perspective for Since 1868 over 25 years at Gourmet Spices • Extracts • Remedies Taft College. To Supplements • Personal Care read more of his & Plant-Based Home Care weekly articles, please visit www.

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August 12 - 18, 2011

Obituary

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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DARRELL FAUKE 1922 - 2011

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Graveside funeral services were held in the West Side District Cemetery on Wednesday, August 10 2011, at 10:00 A.M. for longtime Taft resident, Darrell Fauke, 89.

Mr. Fauke was born on March 4, 1922 in Belleville, Illinois and passed away in Bakersfield on August 4, 2011. He and his family moved to Taft when Darrell was seven years old. He attended Taft schools and graduated from Taft Union High School in 1940. In September of 1942 he joined the U.S. Army and served during World War II and was discharged as a 1st Sergeant in February of 1946.

In March of 1951 he was called from inactive duty and joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict until he was discharged in January of 1953 as a Master Sergeant. Mr. Fauke was a longtime faithful and active member of the Fellows American Legion, Post #63. He proudly served the American Legion and the residents of Taft for many years as part of the Color Guard that presented the Colors at every home football game and led every Christmas and Oildorado parade. For 52 years he coordinated the Memorial Day ceremonies at the West Side District Cemetery. Mr. Fauke also served the Legion as the presenter of the American Legion’s Boys State Scholarship at all the area schools for many years. In his spare time he loved to fish and hunt. He was also a member of the Taft Elks Lodge, #1526 B.P.O.E. Mr. Fauke was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Stella Fauke and his first wife, Irene Elizabeth Fauke.

His survivors include his wife, Zona Fauke of Taft; his two sons and their wives, Steven and Susan Lynch of Taft and Dennis and Linda Fauke of Bakersfield; his grandchildren, Daniel Lynch, Ashley Lynch, Aaron Fauke and his wife, Dawni and Shannon Fauke; and his great granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Fauke. The family has suggested that donations in Mr. Fauke’s memory may be made to the West Kern Oil Museum or a charity of your choice. The funeral arrangements and services were under the direction of the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home. wwwEricksonAndBrown.com

BERNIDENE SMITH 1929 - 2011

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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

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

See our new Website! www.taftindependent.com

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

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

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMS

Bernidene Smith was born to Robert and Eunice Irby in Madera on June 17, 1929 and passed away in Bakersfield on August 8, 2011. She moved from Madera to Buttonwillow 49 years ago and had made Taft her home for the last 40 years. Mrs. Smith had worked as a cosmetologist for the last 30 years and was working at her daughter’s shop, Personal Style. She was better known to her ladies as “Bernie” and she loved her patrons. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. Her survivors include her husband, Smitty Smith; her children and their spouses, Gary and Lenore Rowe and Vickie and Sam Gregory all of Taft; her 6 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren “Remember me full of life with much laughter and sparkles.” There are no formal funeral services planned at this time and the arrangements are under the direction of the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home. www.EricksonAndBrown.com

Community Christian Fellowship

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.

Business Services COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services

individual to solicit subscriptions and make weekly home and business deliveries.

CDL and Insurance Required. Experience Preferred.

Incentive Based Compensation.

Call 765-6550

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

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

Lots of baby stuff and misc. Friday 12 Sunday 14. Come any time 316 S. 8th street in Taft.

Yard Sale. 723 A Street.

6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Yard Sale, three families 324 E. Woodrow 8/12 and 8/13 8am-?

Children’s clothes, household items, misc.

Our family is moving to Missouri and must sell a lot of our belongings for moving expenses, 65 GL Plexi Glass tank, self clean stove, washer. dryer. bunkbeds, fridge, ets. 526 San Emidio Aug 11th-15th.

303 Adams Street. Lots of misc. Saturday and Sunday 7am-3pm.

Saturday 7am to 12 noon. 409 Sierra Street Household items, misc.

314 F Street Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm 2 Family, tons of good stuff.

Personals WHEREABOUTS Danny Daniels If anyone knows his whereabouts please tell him it is very urgent for him to contact Betty Lopez at 805-350-0392 or 406-889-3755 or Vicky Valencia at 805245-8130.

Computer Repair Virus Removal Web Design Graphics 661-623-5188

Employment HELP WANTED Truck Driver/Pumping Unit Mechanic - Taft, CA Southern Sierra General Engineering, Inc. has an immediate need for a Truck Driver/Pumping Unit Mechanic for the Kern County area.

Qualified candidates must have 2-3 years oilfield experience, high School Diploma or GED. A clean driving record and class A is required for this position. Employment candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment physical and drug screen.

Southern Sierra offers a competitive salary and benefit package.

Applications may be picked up at our office or resumes may be faxed or emailed to our business office at: Southern Sierra General Engineering, Inc. P O Box 1113 Taft, CA 93268 661-765-6182 Office 661-765-6155 Fax hr@southernsierrainc.com www.southernsierrainc.com

Taft Independent Subscription-Circulation Manager The Taft Indepenent is looking for a part-time

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, Collectables.

MOTORCYCLES AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock FOUND PETS PETS Shihtzu puppies 2M/1F reg. vet checked 12 wks $150 ea. 661-763-3222 or 747-0638

LIVESTOCK LOST PETS

Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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 2bd. 1 ba. $9,000. on leased land. New carpet and paint. Negotiable.

623-6718.

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 2 bd/2ba double wide in park. $20,000 599-5037.

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!

3/1 house downtown on a fenced double lot.

Large LR, good sized kitchen, lndry hookups, $690/m, $1,000 sec.dep. 1/1 cottage, fully fenced, covered parking; $490/m, $800 sec.dep. Mark King 805689-4122 Super clean 1 bed room house with kitchen appliances, plus washer dryer hook ups. Water, garbage, pest control and gardener furnished.

No pets. $800 plus $600 deposit. Call 765-4786 between 7a.m and 7 p.m.

707 Filmore 3 bd/1ba $750 mo. + dep. 707 1/2 1 bd/1ba $420 mo. + dep. 661-343-0507.

APART. FOR RENT Room/Studio $350mo + dep. 661-577-4549 alintaft@yahoo.com Newly redecorated 2bd upstairs Apt. Kitchen appliances and washer

August 12 - 18, 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

dryer furnished. All util. paid No. pets. $700 mo. plus $500 deposit. Call 765-4786 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

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.

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.

August 12 - 18, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs Chamber of Commerce Continued from Page 5 even know we’re here,” says Pam Brown, resource worker. “We’re there five days a week to help families in need. This is an amazing thing for a small town like Taft.”

“The kind of help needed to help people become parents trickles down to the kids and helps them be successful in school,” Mrs. Orrin adds.

“If it weren’t for the resource center, we wouldn’t be here,” says Mr. Bob Jordan, director of Manna 4 U, the agency that helps feed and cloth Taft’s homeless population.

DPT booster shots are required for all school children. The resource center assists kids getting this shot. For more information, call them at 765.7281.

•COMMUNITY GARDEN TO HOST NEXT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MIXER ON AUGUST 16TH, (next Tuesday) at 5 p.m.

•FILL THE BUS AT KING’S NURSERY THIS SATURDAY A bus will be parked at King’s Nursery, at 9th Street & Kern, ready for people who would like to stuff it with school supplies for Taft’s kids.

•CENTER STREET SIDEWALK SALE SET FOR SEPTEMBER 10TH •ON 9/11 A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE TAFT HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile In Taft

The West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District would like to warn Taft residents of the presence of West Nile Virus in the area. Adult mosquito samples taken from Taft and the Buena Vista Lake area have tested positive for the virus. The infected adult mospquitoes were collected from District traps on August 3,2011. Infected mosquitoes from Taft were collected from Garratt St., while specimens from the Buena Vista Lake area were collected from agricultural land near the east side of the park.

Residents are urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes by limiting outdoor activities after dark. If you must go out at night, be sure to apply a mosquito repellant such as those products that contain DEET or other repellants. Home owners can help prevent mosquitoes by checking their yards for any standing water that may breed mosquitoes. Neglected pools, buckets, barrels, or even flower pots can hold enough water to be used by mosquitoes to rear their young. It is especially important if residents are aware of abandoned houses with pools to report the address to the District office (763-3510).

Most people that contract West Nile Virus never notice symptoms. Only about 10% of the victims ever have flu-like symptoms and only about 1% of those require treatment. The aged, very young and those people with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to the disease.

If you have any questions about the disease or how you can help prevent mosquitoes, feel free to contact the District office at 763-3510 or stop by the office at 7004 Gas Company Rr, Taft.

California Weekly Gas Price Update & Outlook Average retail gasoline prices in California have fallen 2.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.77/g as of Monday, August 8th . This compares with the national average that has fallen 3.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.66/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices Monday, August 8th were 63.4 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 2.0 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 4.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 88.6 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“We’re watching an incredible decline in the price of crude oil and gasoline futures that will most certainly have an impact in the upcoming week at the pump. While motorists won’t see large drops all at once, I most certainly expect declines in the days ahead,” says Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst. “Oil prices have shed nearly $15 per barrel in just a week- a dramatic decline brought on by various concerns, but mainly a weak manufacturing report and concern surrounding a possible downgrade of U.S. credit ratings,” DeHaan adds.

Negocios Hispanos Negocios de venta

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

Sponsored by Edward J. Herrera Insurance

Mercado de Agricutores de Taft Cada Jueves 5:00pm - 8:00pm

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

New Summer Hours!

Wed-Fri 10am-5:30pm Sat 10am-2pm 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. www.sagebrushannies.com

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

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

Tire & Automotive Service Center

FREE

Tire Rotation & Brake Check Plus We will check all fluids & tire pressure *Most Cars & Light Trucks Up to 5 Qts.

Oil & Filter Special 95* $

29

Plus Tax

$3.50 Oil Disposal Fee Exp. Sept. 30, 2011

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

523 Finley Drive • 765-7147 • Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 8am-1pm

Edward J. Herrera Insurance

Quinta Calle Plaza (5a Calle entre Main y Calle Center)

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

Now Celebrating Our 22nd Year

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

See our new Website! www.taftindependent.com

12

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Devon’s Body Shop

Used to be Paul’s

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

209 Harrison Street • Taft (661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax Ask about $500.00 Free Smog Repair Restrictions Apply

$39.75 *

Bike Shop

We Have Moved!

Come see us at 608 Center Street

745-4919

* must present ad at time of service

Edward J. Herrera Insurance Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Qik Smog & Tune

Precision Bodyworks & Towing

We take the DENTS out of ACCIDENTS

(661)763-4445

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

August 12 - 18, 2011

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

Phone (661)763-4420

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

FAX (661)763-1389

Certified C.A.P. Station General Automotive Repairs

Cell (661)577-6785

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

317 Main Street • Taft

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 Now Carrying Wrangler FR Shaw’s Pet Wash Self Wash 1st Dog at reg.

Work Pants & Shirts August price & 2nd dog at 1/2 price!

99 99 Special Small dog up to 30lbs $14.00 $56. & $65.

t Augusal Speci

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

Wrangler Cowboy Cut Jeans 13 MWZ

$29.

99 *

Dogs 30 lbs & over $17.00

Includes: Shampoo, conditioner, brushes, nail clippers, dryers, and an air conditioned room.

Kennels are available for additional dogs

Originally $31.99 *limited to stock on hand

Nails clipped and filed $12

www.shawswesternshop.com

Each additional dog or cat $9

Saturday, August 27th Dog Rabbies Clinic Ford City Park • 8am-12pm

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 Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Full Bar - Catering - RV Parking Available Event 24870 Highway 33 in Derby Acres • (661) 768-4655

Open 7 Days a Week

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations