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Independent The Taft

January 17 - 23, 2014

TAFT INDEPENDENT

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

www.Taftindependent.com

January 17 - 23, 2014 • Volume 8 Issue 26

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

western shop & PET Wash Fish - Reptile - Supplies Tack - Feed - Livestock Supplies Western Clothing - Boots - Work Apparell Pet Grooming Fred and Cheri Shaw 419 Harrison Street, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

Ship Your Packages Here!

Free Package Drop Off

1016 6th St. Taft 661-745-4855

Qik Smog & Tune

This Week in Taft O P E N S AT U R D AY S 8 A M T O 4 P M No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street Now Servicing Japanese and European Motorcycles

Monarch Fleet Services and Automotive

Alignment - Diagnostics - Brakes - Tires and Wheels TIA Certified ASE

Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

217 Center Street (661) 765-2886

END OF THE YEAR TIRE AND SERVICES SPECIALS SEE STORE FOR DEATILS

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT

January 17 - 23, 2014

Shop Taft

Passion For Nails western shop & PET Wash Fish - Reptile - Supplies Tack - Feed - Livestock Supplies Western Clothing - Boots - Work Apparell Pet Grooming Fred and Cheri Shaw 419 Harrison Street, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Lic # B-721903

661-765-4377 Fast • Friendly • Affordable Se Habla Espanol 661-301-4660 24 Hours/ 7 Days a Week

Free Package Drop Off

F i n e

J e w e l r y

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

We can save youFine money on •quality Jewelry Candles jewelry!

• Gifts

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

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Try Our New Pedicure Chairs Men & Seniors &

Diabetics Welcome CHECK-IN TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND GET $1 OFF

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

(661)745-4913

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

Personal Style

Salon and Boutique

Year End Clearence Sale Going on Now!

Shop Downtown Taft!

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

A Hint of Class

Inside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700 915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

Ship Your Packages Here!

acme jewelry co.

Special Occasions, Gifts and More!

Watch Batteries Batteries Changed Most $4 426Some CENTER STREET $8 • 661.763.5451 Store Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm Closed Sunday and Monday

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery in Taft Now Serving Our Original

25 Hill Blonde Ale 64 oz. Beer Growlers To Go! 508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

Ten Percent Firearms 1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

1016 6th St. Taft 661-745-4855

Next Step Cardio & Fitness

506 Center Street - (661) 745-4918

Your

Your

Business

Business

Ad Here!

Ad Here!

765-6550

765-6550

January 17 - 23, 2014

Inside Community Events.........3 Taft Calendar...................3

Events

TAFT INDEPENDENT

By John Swearengin

Taft Business of the Week Taft-A-1 Lube

Westside News.................5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7

Classified Ads.................10 News.................................11 Shop Taft........................12

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

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

By John Swearengin

Save the Date for these Future Events-

The Taft Business of the Week: Taft A-1 Lube at 701 6th Street. Taft A-1 Lube has terrific service, fantastic prices, and will get you back on the road in no time. It is owned and operated by great Taft resident and “Taft High Class of 1994 Graduate” Mike Floyd. Mike loves and supports Taft.

Taft A-1 Lube is one of Taft’s longest running businesses. Stop in and see Mike Monday-Friday from 8-5. Whether you bring in your own vehicle; your company truck, big or small, Mike will lube, oil, and filter them all!

January 24th: Wildcat Girls Basketball Teams at Home vs. Robert F. Kennedy January 31st: Wildcat Boys Basketball Teams at Home vs. Bakersfield Christian High.

February 1st and 2nd: AMA Big Series Race at Honolulu Hills Raceway.

February 1st: Taft College Women’s Basketball at home vs. Reedley at 5pm.

February 5th: Industry Night at the Taft Petroleum Club. Dinner at 7:30.

February 6th: Taft Chamber Installation Dinner and Awards Ceremony “Holleywood Nights: A Red Carpet Affair” at the Fox Theatre. Featuring Guest Speaker Corbin Bernsen. Tickets only $40.00 Taft Tea Party Meeting at the Taft Veterans Hall at 6pm.

February 7th: Cruise Night on center Street. Starts at 6pm.

Wildcat Boys Basketball Teams vs. Chavez High.

February 8th and 9th: The West Side Rec, Taft Longhorns, and Triple Play are hosting an ages 7-13 “Winter Slugfest” Baseball Tournament at Franklin Field. Check out www.taftlonghorns.com or www.westsidesports.org.

February 14th: Wildcat Boys Basketball Teams at Home vs. Shafter High.

February 18th: Wildcat Boys Basketball Teams at Home vs. Robert F. Kennedy High.

February 19th: Taft College Women’s Basketball at Home vs. West Hills at 5pm.

February 22nd: West Kern Oil Museum Annual Dinner Taft College Women’s Basketball at Home vs. Fresno City at 5pm.

Winter Series at Kern County Raceway, Pits open at 9a.m., Races at 12:30p.m. Season tickets on sale now for the regular season.

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: Publisher@taftindependent.com.

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

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

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long Publisher@taftindependent.com Advertising Publisher@taftindependent.com Contributing Writers Wesley Morris, Mimi Collins Joan Raymond Columnists Randy Miller, John Swearengin Dr. Harold Pease Newspaper Delivery Tim Webb

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

Tonight hundreds of people will be camping at Honolulu Hills for the WORCS Races. There is a great comedy show at the Oasis. Buckolies Restaurant and Bar is now open at 621 Center Street. Three good movies are playing at the Fox Theatre. Black Gold has the best hot and cold drinks.

Wildcat Boys Basketball Teams are playing at Home. OT Cook House has Prime Rib and Clam Chowder. Bowling at West Side Bowling Lanes. Sushi at Asian Experience. The Moose Members always have a fun time at the Taft Moose Lodge. Lots to see and do in Taft tonight. The motels are full from the races, IDPA Match, or the Sportsmen’s Club Banquet. Head to one, two, or three of these great places or pick some other great Taft spots and have a wonderful weekend in Taft.

Tonight- Comedy Night at the Oasis at 8:30pm. Only $10.00 for this great show.

Wildcat Boys Basketball Teams at Home vs. Wasco.

“The Nut Job,” a family movie, “Ride Along” and one other great movie will be playing at the Taft Fox Theatre this week. The Fox= Great movies, prices, snack bar, clean, friendly. “The Place to Go!” Saturday- Taft IDPA “Fabulous Ferrous Fracas” January Match at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club at 8am.

Taft Sportsmen’s Club Annual Banquet at OT Cookhouse.

Taft College Women’s Basketball at Home vs. Merced at 5pm.

Saturday and Sunday- WORCS Series Race at Honolulu Hills Raceway.

Camping, Food, Vendors, etc.

Tuesday- Wildcat Girls Basketball Teams vs. Robert F. Kennedy.

Wednesday- Taft College Women’s Basketball at Home vs. College of the Sequoias at 5pm.

Liberty Under Fire.........8

The Taft Independent

Taft Calendar

The Taft Independent is seeking Experienced Writers News and Feature Writers Experience Required.

Contact The Taft Independent Send Bio or Resume to Publisher@taftindependent.com

Visit Us Online www. taftindependent. com

Lots of people from all over will be coming to Taft over the next month for the WORCS Race this weekend and the AMA Race at Honolulu Hills Raceway in 2 weeks. Also for the “Winter Slugfest” at Franklin Field in 3 weeks. Pizza Factory, Artz Deli, and Jacob’s Burger have been very popular during these events in the past. Honolulu Hills Raceway, The Rec and the Longhorns have done a great job bringing them here, now we need to keep them happy with great shopping, food, prices, and service so they come back year after year.

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday January 21st, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

or on Facebook

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

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.

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT

January 17 - 23, 2014

Tips for Finding the Right Westside Watcher School for Your Child Editorial

The Taft

Independent

By Andrew Campanella

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside Tumbleweed Café Asian Experience and Steakhouse Asian Food and Pizza

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

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

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

Black Gold Cafe & Deli Pastas - Sandwiches Espresso - Beer - Wine Craft Beers Open Monday to Friday 6:30am to 8pm Saturday 7:30am to 8pm Sunday 10am to 2pm 508 Center Street 765-6556

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469 LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft TAFTFOX.COM Week of Friday, January 17, 2014 through Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Nut Job (PG) Fri & Sat: 6:00, 7:45 Sun: (4:00), 6:00 Mon - Thu: 6:00 PM Ride Along (PG-13) Fri & Sat: 6:30, 8:45 Sun: (4:30), 6:30 Mon - Thu: 7:00 PM Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (R) Fri & Sat: 6:15, 8:15 Sun: (4:15), 6:15 Mon - Thu: 6:45 PM

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

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

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

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

4 Reasons California’s High Speed Rail is a Terrible Idea Californians might still want to consider a few reasons why high-speed rail might not be the best project ever.

Few things excite California liberals more than organic granola and eco-friendly bicycle rides through UC Berkley, but highspeed rail might be one of them. A longtime dream of state progressives, high-speed rail mixes many of the best values and ideals of the Sixties with technology from the 19th Century. Big government, stimulus spending, and good old-fashioned state control come together through the magic of trains to further the ultimate goal of utopia on Earth.

Though the idea of a three hour commute between San Francisco and Los Angeles is appealing, Californians might still want to consider a few reasons why high-speed rail might not be the best project ever.

The Expense The last few years have been tumultuous for the United States, to say the least. The federal government is running red and the fiscal irresponsibility of local governments across the nation has led to several cities and municipalities filing for bankruptcy just since 2010. There have been four filings in California alone. But if you are afraid that things as trivial as “economic reality” will slow down the government, don’t be, because Governor Jerry Brown and President Obama are here to spend an extra cool $100 Billion on a high-speed train to improve infrastructure and alleviate the troubled economy. That is, if they even start building it before the troubled economy gets less troubled.

The Environment It is strangely cathartic to see how the vast array of government environmental regulations designed to stifle economic activity are now stifling government activity. As the Los Angeles Times’ Ralph Vartabedian reports “Without [the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s] approval, the California High-Speed Rail Authority cannot sink a shovel into the ground, said Samir Sheikh, the district’s director of strategies and incentives.”- The small-government inclined among us must be smirking in selfsatisfaction. I imagine.

The Unsustainability “But wait”, says Nancy Sunshine, “once the trains are up and running, the government will make up for the cost AND make a little bit on the side!”. Sorry Ms. Sunshine, but they won’t. According to Investors.com, government projections for ridership are grossly exaggerated. Another study shows that tickets will be a whole lot more expensive as a result. With projections like these, it is increasingly likely that the taxpayers of California will end up footing the bill for a railroad to nowhere.

The Judge More Powerful than The President Superior Court Judge Michael Kenney took both Governor Brown and the Obama administration to task for not having any sort of real financial plan for the high-speed rail. Judge Kenny’s ruling prevents the State of California from using the collected bond money to fund the project, making the future of high-speed rail in California uncertain. It’s like watching a more bureaucratic version of David and Goliath, but the only real way to visualize this man is like this: The California high-speed rail project is appearing more and more quixotic as time goes on. Hopefully, the inevitable failure of this idea will inspire Nancy Sunshine and her ilk to dial back government spending, however unlikely that may be...

By Americans for Tax Reform

If you’d like to send your child to a different school next year, now’s the time to start the process of researching your options.

As California prepares to commemorate National School Choice Week later this month at 440 events across the state, many parents will begin evaluating the educational opportunities that are available for their children.

Believe it or not, seats in schools are already beginning to fill up for the 2014-2015 school year. Interest in school choice – the process of actively choosing a public, charter, magnet, private, or online school – is high. That means that waiting until the spring or the summer to begin researching schools for your children could restrict your options.

No handbook or tipsheet can truly guide parents through the entire process of selecting a school, because choosing schools is an individual experience that will be unique to every family.

However, parents can start by making a list of the attributes that they hope to find in an ideal school. Ask yourself: what’s most important to you and to the academic, social, and emotional well-being of your child? Is it the academic performance of a school, school safety, the instructional methods, the qualifications of teachers, the school’s educational theme, a school’s shared values, or other factors?

Once you’ve identified what matters most, start looking into the options available to you. In addition to the local public school, you may be eligible to send your child to a school outside of your ZIP code, or in a different school district. Look into nearby charter schools and magnet schools. Don’t leave private and faith based schools off your list! You might be able to find scholarships to cover the costs of tuition. And for some families, online learning and homeschooling work best.

To find the options available to you, look at information from the California department of education, as well as information on statebased education reform or school choice organization websites. For states with charter and magnet schools, there are often state-based associations that provide directories of these types of schools, along with application information. Private schools and scholarship programs can be researched through state chapters of the Council on American Private Education or the National Association of Independent Schools, or through local places of worship (for faith-based schools).

For a directory of most schools in your area, along with parent rankings and some performance metrics, parents can visit this website: greatschools.org.

With your list of requirements and your list of schools in hand, start making appointments to visit the schools. Ask to sit in on classes, and make sure to ask as many questions as possible of teachers, the administration, and support staff. You’ll want to find out what motivates the adults in the building, while also seeing how the students in the classes respond to their teachers. Ask yourself: is this a place where I’d want to send my child for most of his or her weekday waking hours?

Finally, make sure to talk with other parents – and to your own children. Ask parents how the schools’ administrators treat parents, and whether they welcome, or discourage, parental involvement.

And most importantly, ask your children about their perceptions of the schools that you’ve visited. Find out what excites and motivates your child at school, but also ask about their worries, concerns and apprehensions.

Making the decision to change schools certainly isn’t easy. And switching schools isn’t a piece of cake, either. But if you start now, and plan out the journey, you’ll find that the destination – a great school for your child – is well worth the diligence and effort.

Andrew R. Campanella is the president of National School Choice Week. National School Choice Week, which runs from January 26 to February 1, 2014, is America’s largest-ever celebration of educational opportunity. Andrew lives in Miramar Beach, Florida.

Letters to the Editor Editor

I enjoyed Johns article in the Jan 10th Independent about the stores in Taft. I am a lot older then him, and can remember when we seldom had to go to Bakersfield for anything. I think the City Congressman McCarthy has co-sponsored legislation to susCouncil should concentrate more on revitalizing the Downtown pend federal funding to California’s High Speed Rail project. area then building any shops near the walk path. They need to Congressman McCarthy sent the following statement regard- require the owners of the buildings on Center St. to either remodel ing the project: or tear down stores that have not been used in a long time. Even if the building is vacant, it could be fixed to look like it was ready “I’ve fought to protect California taxpayers from this boondoggle which could potentially leave them on the hook for billions for occupancy. I’m sure those on Center st. who have taken care of their building wish the others would do the same. Other older of dollars. I’m proud to stand with my California colleagues to prevent this project from moving forward.” – Congressman Kevin towns have done this, and made the Downtown Area inviting for people to shop in. I love living in a small town,but to see it in such McCarthy disarray, is sad. Just my opinion, but I think a lot of people will agree with me.

Editors note:

Donna Ayers

January 17 - 23, 2014

TAFT INDEPENDENT

West Side Recreation Report Check us out online!

Need more information on programs, classes or facilities?

Visit us on the web: www.wsrpd.com www.facebook.com/wsrpd www.quickscores.com/wsrpd www.twitter.com/wreckerwsrpd steph@wsrpd.com

by Stephanie House

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE Saturday, February 1, 2014 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium 500 Cascade Place, Taft Girls ages 4 and up $30 per couple ($10 each additional daughter) Ticket purchase deadline: January 24 Join us for our 6th Annual Father Daughter Dance – this year with a leopard/ black/red theme. Girls ages 4 and older may be accompanied by their father, guardian or adult relative. The special evening includes DJ music, photographs, sweet treats and more fun surprises. Tickets are limited and not guaranteed to last until the purchase deadline. No tickets will be available the night of the event, so buy yours now – don’t miss out!

BEADS & MORE BEADS Wednesday, January 22 3:00-4:15 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Grades K+ $3 per person Bring your imagination to this fun hour of designing and making a variety of projects using a variety of beads. We will have all of the necessary supplies you’ll need to create necklaces, bracelets and fuse bead iron projects.

ICE CREAM & MOVIE Wednesday, January 29 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Grades K-8 $3 per person Need to get out of the house for a few hours? Bring a friend and join us for an ice cream social. We will make sundaes and watch the movie “Turbo.”

FAMILY PJ STORYTIME Thursday, January 23 6:30-7:00 p.m.

Recreation Center Preschool Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Ages 3-7 FREE! Join us for an evening of family fun. We will have a variety of stories, songs and participation activities for kids and their parents. Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas.

CHEERLEADING Who: Ages 3 – Grade 3 When: Tuesday Afternoons Time: 4:00-4:45 p.m.

Session: January 21 – February 25 Where: TUHS Mirror Room Fee: $25 per session (no shirts or poms in winter session) Instructors: TUHS Cheerleaders and Cheer Advisors

WEST SIDE RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT 500 Cascade Place, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 763-4246 info@wsrpd.com www.wsrpd.com

KARATE Ages 5-12: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Ages 10+: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

When: Tuesday and Thursday Sessions: • January 14 – February 13 • February 18 – March 20 • March 25 – May 1 Where: Community Center Auditorium Fee: $30 per session Instructor: John Dodson TINY TOT KARATE Who: Ages 3-5 (preschool) When: Tuesday Afternoons Time: 4:45-5:15 p.m.

Sessions: • January 14 – February 13 • February 18 – March 20 • March 25 – May 1 Where: Community Center Auditorium Fee: $20 per session Instructor: John Dodson YOUTH TRACK Who: Ages 6-15 Season begins: March 3 When: Weekday Evenings Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Taft Union High School Track Fee: $45 per person Registration deadline: Thursday, February 27 PONYTAIL LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL Who: Girls Ages 7-15 (league age as of June 30, 2014) Tryouts/Evaluations: March 5-6 Draft: March 12 Practices begin: March 24 Fee: $50 per person Registration deadline: Thursday, February 27 OPEN BOWL Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

West Side Lanes, Recreation Center Fees per hour: $10 for the first person, $5 each additional person Shoe rental: included in the hourly rate Fees per game: $3 per adult (15 yrs+) and $2 per child (3-14 yrs) Shoe rental: $2 per person **Hours and availability subject to change to accommodate party reservations and league play.

BOWLING PARTY RENTALS Make your reservation now!

Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at the bowling alley in the new Recreation Center. Parties may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday. Rental fees start at $100 for 2-lane rentals. Rental prices include shoes, balls and use of the party room. Call 763-4246 for more information or to make a reservation.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! BINGO Thursday Afternoons Games start at 1:30 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room Ages 21 and older Buy-in varies, $10-15 average Cash pots! Pull-tabs also sold.

HUNTERS SAFETY COURSE Monday, May 5 – Wednesday, May 7 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium $5 per person **Register the first night of class** (please note: no class in February this year)

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Kern County Grand Jury Seeking Applicants

McCarthy Continues Fight Against Valley Fever

Applications for the Kern County Grand Jury will be accepted from now through April 4, 2014. The Kern County Grand Jury is made up of a group of 19 citizens, randomly selected from a pool of citizens who have made their interest known. Applicants are interviewed and then nominated by the Superior Court Judges of our County. Judges are very interested in obtaining a volunteer pool representative of the ethnic and cultural diversity of all communities in our County. The final selection process will be conducted in open session of court during the month of June.

Once selected, Grand Jurors act as an investigative body to ensure that county and city governments are efficiently operated and that public funds are effectively spent. The Grand Jury also hears evidence of public offences presented by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and, where appropriate, may issue criminal indictments. Applicants must be willing to spend approximately 20 hours a week in performing these tasks.

Candidates for the Grand Jury must be Unites States citizens, at least 18 years of age, have a working knowledge of the English language and have resided in the County for at least one year. Grand Jurors serve for a one year period beginning July 2014.

If Grand Jury service is for you, you may contact Penny Petris-Hall at the Kern County Grand Jury, 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, or telephone (661) 868-4797 to obtain your application for nomination. You may also download an application from the Grand Jury website at www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed language that Congressman Kevin McCarthy requested that would direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to intensify its work on Valley Fever treatment.

“Our community’s fight against Valley Fever continues as we build on the momentum from our symposium last fall,” said McCarthy. “As the NIH and CDC work on the randomized controlled trial that was announced in Bakersfield, the passage of today’s legislation is another positive step toward our goal of effectively treating, preventing and ultimately defeating Valley Fever.”

Building on the momentum of the Valley Fever Symposium last September, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (H.R. 3547) contains language where the NIH will be required to submit a report to Congress with its FY15 budget request “that outlines the recommendations, ongoing NIH and CDC efforts, and coordinated plans to further progress toward an effective Valley Fever treatment and vaccine.” As the NIH and CDC continue to work on the details of the randomized controlled trial (RCT), this language ensures that these agencies outline a full strategy that addresses Valley Fever treatment and vaccine development.

765-6550.

WEST SIDE URGENT CARE

OT

765-1935

to having trouble getting specials to me. So he decided to highlight some of our Cookhouse favorites.

Join us....every Friday for delicious Clam Chowder and Prime Rib!!!!

Lunch Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner Hours: Tues-Sat 4-9pm Closed: Sunday and Monday www.otcookhouse.com find us on facebook 205 N. 10th Street 661.763.1819

Hours Monday to Thursday 10am to 5 pm Friday and Saturday 10am to 3pm

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

MONDAY TO FRIDAY NOON TO 9 P.M. SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS 10:00 A.M. TO 9 P.M.

100 E North St. Taft CA

Let’s Go! Location Photos!

Black Gold Brewing Company Cafe - Deli - Espresso - Craft Beers Shop Downtown Taft!

Gift Certificates $10 and Up

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wishing all a prosperous 2014!!!

The “Friends of The Fort” Annual Dinner Membership Drive and 2014 Elections Installation and Awards Public Invited Thursday, January 30, 2014 Social Hour: 5:00PM Dinner: 6:00PM - $20.00 RSVP by January 27 The Fort Preservation Society 915 N. 10th Street, Suite 2 – 765-7371 “Preserving The Past For the Future”

HOURS

To all of our wonderful OT patrons: From our family to yours...

You Are Cordially Invited To Attend

Used Book Store in Taft

Wednesday 2 p.m.

With the holiday delivery schedule...Kevin is back

Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only

Classified Ad Deadline.

Cookhouse & Saloon

January 17 - 23, 2014

Have Camera, Will Travel. Call today for more details and appointment 763-5429.

Now Serving Our Locally Crafted Tool Pusher IPA 25 Hill Blonde Ale All American Amber Ale

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

508 Center Street -765-6556

Senior Portraits Class of 2014 Fun and Easy

Free clothing change, multiple pose packages, yearbook photo Starting at $99 + Tax. Book now to purchase 16x 20 print for $27.00 with any package. Offer ends August 24th.

427 Center Street • Since June 1986

January 17 - 23, 2014

Dravecky Speaks at TC Dinner, Taft Fire and Ice Cheer Win Competition

By John Swearengin

Last Saturday Night I was lucky enough to attend the Taft College Baseball Triple Play Dinner and Auction featuring Dave Dravecky. First of all, I was very impressed by the huge crowd. It was literally jam packed. There were a lot of Taft people but it seemed most of the people were Taft College Alumni or other great people from out of town.

Pastor Mike Osthimer gave the Invocation. Pastor Mike was on one of the Taft College Football National Championship teams.

Radio personality Scott Cox kept the crowd laughing. Dave Dravecky gave a very inspiring message that should have hit home with everyone. There were several kids in attendance that appeared inspired by his message. Taft Longhorn Logun Clark gave Dave Dravecky a Taft Longhorn hat. Mr. Dravecky wore the hat until the end of the program. How cool is that for all the kids in attendance seeing a man as great as him wearing a Taft Longhorn Hat. The food was good. The TC Softball and Baseball Players did an excellent job waiting tables. The Auction was fun to watch and made lots of money for Taft College. I saw how hard Coach Maiocco, Kanoe Bandy, all the Athletes, and several others worked but it really payed off because it was one of the best events in Taft since Oildorado 2010.

I hope they make this an annual event. I really hope that more people will go watch and support Taft College Baseball and Softball. Lots of people in Taft have never seen how nice

TAFT INDEPENDENT

the Taft College Baseball and Softball Fields are. Taft College has been totally remodeled over the last few years and it looks fantastic. Taft College has had several wonderful events over the last few years like The Petroleum Summit, Ribeye Cookouts, Wine Tasting and Jazz, and Casino Night. These events are great for not only Taft College but for The City of Taft. I heard several people as they were leaving the event say how nice it was.

Taft College had some great local sponsors and donations from Acme Jewelry, Buena Vista Golf Course, Holmes Western, TRC Operating Company, West Side Rec, Taft Rotary, and several others.

With the awesome TC Dinner last weekend, we have an exciting race this weekend and another in two weeks at Honolulu Hills raceway. Also the West Side Rec and the Taft Longhorns is having a Baseball Tournament in February. These events are bringing tons of people to Taft. For anyone that doubts the new Motel and and RV Park, most of these people that wanted to stay in motels will head to Bakersfield to stay in their motels.

We need a nice motel here and the RV Park will be icing on the cake.

Congrats to the West Side Rec’s Fire and Ice Cheer Squad for winning their Competition in Azusa last weekend. They work very hard every week and it is great to see it pay off. The Fire and Ice Squad and their parents are very dedicated and as always make Taft very proud.

The West Side Recreation and Park District, Westside Sports, and Pizza Factory have started giving an “Athlete of the Week” award. Athlete of the Week will be picked from either Lincoln Jr. High, Taft High, Taft College or one of the Rec Sports teams.

Congrats to Joe Aleman for being the first Athlete to receive this great award. Getting Pizza from the best pizza place in Kern County “Pizza Factory” will make every athlete try harder.

I remember several years back when Athlete of the Week was given to a Taft High Student every week. I remember getting the Award after beating Wasco in our Homecoming Game in 1994. Good memories…. All Taft Sports can be followed on Westsidesports.org.

Local Basketball is going strong and baseball, softball, track, and swimming are all starting. If possible please support all our local sports and fundraisers. If you are unable to financially, just come down and cheer them on! Sports keep kids out of trouble, teaches discipline, keeps them healthy, keeps their grades up, builds lifetime friendships, and hopefully will pay or help pay for their College. Thank you Taft College, Taft High, Lincoln Jr

Joe Aleman WSRPD\Pizza Factory Athlete of the Week Joe Aleman is a two sport athlete. He plays basketball and baseball. Currently he is playing basketball on two teams the Lincoln Jr. High 6th grade boys team and on the WSRPD Youth Basketball Division 2 Bulls.

Joe is a point guard who can create his own shot pretty much anywhere on the floor whether it is putting up a three, a floater down the lane, or any other place near the basket.

Joe however was not nominated for his scoring. In his first game for the Bulls this year he put up 9 points in a 35-18 win…but more importantly he dished out more assists than baskets in this game enabling everyone on the team but one to score and went out of his way to make sure they all were involved. It was this unselfish play that stuck out and why he was nominated and was picked as the first ever Pizza Factory Athlete of the Week.

High, West Side Rec, JFL, Taft Little League, Taft Tigersharks, Coaches, Parents, and so many others behind the scenes for all you do for our great future Athletes. Stay Positive Taft!

We would like to thank the following for their overwhelming support of 2013 Taft Christmas for Seniors.

With all your generous hearts we were able to touch the lives of 103 deserving senior citizens with much needed assistance.

Midway Sunset Cogen Samoan Assembly of God Youth Group Fastrip on Kern Cooper’s True Value Eye Kandi Salon Albertsons Rite Aid Pharmacy Zona Fauke Patricia Crabb Michelle Miles Karen DeWitt Bonnie Bogle Berry Petroleum Grimmway Farms Southern Sierra Taft College Phi Theta Kappa Taft College Math & Science Department Taft Longhorn Travel Baseball Team Taft Primary and Jefferson Teachers We would like to extend a special thank you to all the elves that adopted a senior and created for them a perfect Christmas memory.

8

Liberty Under Fire “We were not in recess!!”

By Harold Pease, PH. D

The U.S. Senate did not consider itself in recess on January 4, 2012, when President Barack Obama filled four Senate vacancies. So argued Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell before the United States Supreme Court, who has been adjudicating the possible constitutional violation of the President’s actions the past week.

Article II, Section 2, Clause 3 clearly reads: “The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate….”

The four vacancies were three seats on the National Labor Relations Board and one to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The one that was most offensive was the latter coming right after the Senate blocked action on that nomination but the President in what appeared to be “in your face” appointed him, Richard Cordray, anyway.

The rational for the constitutional clause was simple and housed in Article I, Section 4, Clause 2. Congress was initially required to “assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meetings shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.” The likely reason for December was that for most, the winter month was a relaxed time especially for planters and merchants who might be able to serve. It also tended to limit Congress’s actual meeting time to about three weeks because everyone wanted to be home for Christmas. Then too, those who served for a few weeks could return home the rest of the year to earn their own living. As such, an important appointment might not be filled for months until Congress could reassemble, hence, the wordage allowing the President to fill the vacancy temporarily, which was to expire “at the End of their next Session.”

The national government was never to be the big government. All power not listed in the Constitution was to be left to the states or to the people as noted in Amendment 10. Having Congress meet year-round would have been a foreign idea to the Founders. How could they “really” represent the people if they lived removed from the people in a capital, hundreds, often thousands, of miles away most of the year? Amendment 20 changed this part of the Constitution when the Democratic Party assumed control in 1933 of both the executive and legislative branches of government and wanted a full-time legislature to implement Franklin D. Roosevelt’s many changes; all of which aimed at making all or most power flow to Washington D.C. and away from the city, county and state where it was constitutionally placed. The era of big government mushroomed.

Alexander Hamilton saw the disputed clause in the Constitution for what it was, to provide an alternative method of appointment that would allow “without delay” the filling of vacancies during periods of Senate absence— nothing more—so that the Senate need not be in session continually (The Federalist Papers, ed. Clinton Rossiter, New York: New American Library, 1961, pp. 409-410).

Certainly, the rational for a shared power with the President diminished when Congress started meeting year round and is today in recess only a few days.

Today the minority party fears going into recess because the opposing dominant party will make “objectionable” appointments while they are away. Senator Harry Reid devised gimmicks to keep the Senate in session continually to squelch George W. Bush’s recess appointments.

The Washington Post reported on January 5, 2012, how this was done. “Starting in Nov. 2007 through the end of Bush’s presidency, he ordered the Senate to meet in proforma sessions, or short meetings, over the holidays and traditional summer and spring recesses. No official busi-

TAFT INDEPENDENT

ness was conducted during the brief sessions and the move prevented Bush from making any recess appointments through the end of his presidency.” Now the Republicans do the same thing to the Democrats and they do not like it either. In an attempt to break Republican opposition to his appointments, Obama appointed the four mentioned above anyway and earned the retribution of even the leftleaning Washington Post who said: “President Obama pulled a fast one.”

Still, the Senate maintains that it was not in recess when Obama made his appointments. That is true in the same measure as when Reid said that the Senate was never in recess during Bush II. Such a time, January 4, 2012, was selected by Barack Obama to make the controversial appointments and argue that the Senate was not “really” in session. Technically he was correct and the case may be made that they only pretended to be. Still, this is not the call of the Executive Branch. When the Senate says that it is in session it is—even if it has decided previously not to conduct any business, as it had between December 27, 2011 and January 23, 2012.

Whether ethical or not the fact remains that the Senate, in implementing pro forma gatherings, is showing that it intends to be considered as being in session. The Constitution allows the legislative body to define when it begins and ends and it has done so. To allow the President to do so instead would, in effect, give it a measure of supervision or authority over the legislative body and thus damage the concept of separation of powers so carefully crafted by the Founders.

So, if the Supreme Court supports the Constitution as created, it will announce next June that the President has over extended his authority. If not, it will further weaken the separation of powers philosophy so critical to freedom and the Constitution.

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.

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com email us at Publisher@ taftindependent.com

January 17 - 23, 2014

Obituary

Joann Lee Urioste Joann Lee Urioste was born April 7th 1944 in Taft CA and passed away January 9th 2014 at Mercy Southwest in Bakersfield where she succumbed to complications from COPD. She was preceded in death by her husband Louie Urioste, her father Benjamin Culp and her mother Lavonne Culp.

She is survived by her two son’s Timothy and James Urioste, grandchildren Paige, Brett, Allison, Jessica and Taylor Urioste, Step grandchildren Cheyenne and Ashlyn Riggsby, Her sister Sylvia Carroll and two nieces Noel Carroll and Nici Conroy. Joann was a homemaker and did volunteer work for Taft Primary school and once was awarded volunteer of the year. For several years she owned a second hand store on Center Street called Trash to Treasures, she had a well known passion for bargain hunting. She spent several years caring for her mother Lavonne, the two leaned on each other and were seldom seen apart.

Joann was cremated and memorial services will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday January 18th at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church 703 Fifth st Taft CA

Black Gold Brewing Company Cafe - Deli - Espresso - Craft Beers

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TAFT INDEPENDENT

Black Gold

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Open 7 Days - 765-6556 508 Center Street • Taft TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” 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

St. Mary’s Church 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft 661 765-4292 Mass Schedule Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 8:30A.M. English 11:00A.M. Spanish

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Gateway Temple

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30 For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 427-9722 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and Mary A. McWhorter

New Hope Temple “Connecting Lives” 308 Harrison Street 765-4572 Sunday Morning Worship Service 10 a.m.

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

Taft First Assembly Your Neighborhood Church 314 Asher Ave

Parish Hall Available for Rent

Join us for our Encounter Service Sundays 10:30 am

First Baptist Church

Where on Earth Are We? A sermon series on Prophesy Pastor Trent Meadors

Pastor Scott Pearson

Sunday School 9 a.m.

Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service 6 p.m.

Awana Childrens Program Wednesday 6 p.m.

220 North Street - Taft 661 763-3138

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765-6550

Community Christian Fellowship 631 North Street Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Bible Study 9 a.m.

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

Clergy The Rev. Heather Mueller 703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

Trinity Southern Baptist Church 400 Finley Drive 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

Info call 765-7151

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMS 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 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

10 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Classifieds

Joyce Properties (661) 769-6469

Classified Ads are $3.00 per issue for up to three lines, $5 per issue for upAds to 5are lines, and $7line. per Phone, issue forfax, up mail to 10orlines.

Classified $2.00 per dropYard off Sale ads arethe free. fax, mail or drop off your ad to the your ad to TaftPhone, Independent.

Taft Independent.

Ad your photograph for $5. Ad your company logo for $5.

Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 Boxed are $5 $20 additional. (or bring to our lines, $16ads for 12 lines, for 15 lines,E-mail $25 forus 20 lines. office) a photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll the rest.

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

Classified ads is now Wednesdaysat at 12 2 p.m.

Classified addeadline deadline is Wednesday p.m. (noon) Fax: 765-6556 E-mail: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card.

Taft Independent 508byCenter St., Taft, CA 93268 Payment can be made cash, check, or credit card.

Taft Independent 210 6th St., Taft, CA 93268.

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.

Big Sale. 511 First St. Refrig., tools, toys, Fri. and Sat. and Sun. 7631260.

Yard Sale. 102 James Ave. 7am - 10am. East lift trailer hitch, clths and misc.

Pre-moving sales. Sat. & Sun. 7am - ? As we’ll be selling our home in April, we have to get rid of a few decades of stuff...err, really great, priceless treasurers, so please come and helf us move,611 Sunset Lane.

Supervises the daily operations of a child development center; including the supervision of all center staff either directly or indirectly ensuring compliance of all finding sources.

Must possess a Site Supervisor Permit; by meeting standards established

by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, options 1-5, dated February 1, 1997. AA/ AS degree with major in Early Childhood Development, Education, Human Development or related field. 17.65/HR + benefits. Open until filled. Job Applications and full job descriptions are available from our website www.capk.org and our administrative office located at 5005 Business Park North in Bakersfield, Ca 93309 (661)-336-5236 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Licensed Tax Return Preparer, must be registered with CTEC and have a valid IRS PTIN, current bond. Experience with paper filed and computer filed returns is mandatory. Flexible hours, pay is “pay per return”. Apply via email - Johnny@ mygenestaxservice. com Interviews to begin immediately.

Full time Crane Operator needed!

Must have valid class A CDL and NCCO certification. Must pass drug test and physical. Excellent benefit package and competitive wages: 401K, paid vacation, paid holidays, and medical coverage offered. Apply at 25090 Hwy 33 Fellows Ca 93224 Community Action Partnership of Kern CENTER DIRECTOR Maricopa Head Start

“Part time Class A Driver needed in McKittrick. 10 - 20 hours per week. No experience necessary or perfect for a retired driver wanting to supplement income.

No DOT reporting.

Contact Steven Gentile at (714) 525-8816 or email to steve.gentile@ gfindustries.ne t

SERVICES

CHILD CARE SERVICES FOR SALE Stove and couch. 313 Kern St. 765-2713.

OPERATORWEEKEND DUTY Production Group – Operations Salary Range of $3,569 - $5,424 per Month Plus Benefits

AUTOMOBILES

West Kern Water District is looking for an individual with mechanical skills. This position requires ability to coordinate and maintain the inspection and maintenance of pump station facilities, record readings, perform minor maintenance of facilities and equipment, and maintain records accordingly. This is a Weekend Shift position (Wednesday through Sunday, with Monday and Tuesdays off).

An application and a complete job description can be obtained at the District office, 800 Kern Street, P.O. Box 1105, Taft, California, 93268.

Application and resume must include three (3) work related references, and must be submitted

HOMES FOR SALE

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Lic # 01525550 www.BuySellManage. com FOR RENT 224 B St #B 2/1 $550 203 W Ash #A 2/1.5 $600 203 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $600 205 W Ash #D 2/1.5 $600 205 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $600 200 Philippine 2/1 $650 307 Philippine 1/1 $700 107 Lucard 2/1 $700 501 ½ Jackson 2/1

Westside Real Estate 765-5000 Westside Real Estate 765-5000 1/1 319 1/2 San Emidio #A all utilities Included $550/$550 dep 3/2 27544 Hwy 119 Valley Acres on 3/4 Acre $925/$925 dep 401 1/2 Jackson new floors/paint $850/$850 dep Pick up a list at 322 Kern St. 661-765-5000 Westside Real Estate & Property Management Inc.

APART. FOR RENT Creekside Apartments.

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no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2014. Resume will not be accepted in lieu of District application. The successful applicant will be subject to a background check, preemployment physical and drug screen, and must provide current DMV report. EOE.

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Board of Supervisors Appints Walker Interim Mental Health Director Kern County Supervisors today appointed William Walker, as Interim Director of the Kern County Mental Health Services Department effective January 25. Mr. Walker will replace retiring Mental Health Services Director Dr. James Waterman, who has served in the post since 2009.

Walker has served as Crisis Services Administrator since 1998, when he joined the department. As the primary point of access for adults seeking mental health services in Kern County, Crisis Services provides psychiatric evaluation and stabilization, crisis intervention and case management, chemical addition counseling, and suicide prevention services.

Walker had a key role in collaborating with law enforcement agencies to form a Mobile Evaluation Team to identify and assess individuals in potential crisis situations who need mental health services. He was also instrumental in developing the Psychiatric Evaluation Center, which relieved Kern Medical Center of emergency psychiatric treatment responsibilities.

Walker has oversight of agreements for psychiatric inpatient services and for outpatient services that are authorized for State realignment funding.

“The Board of Supervisors selected Mr. Walker from a strong group of candidates to take over the reins of the department because he has had such a central role in guiding it for many years,” Chairman Leticia Perez said. “Under his leadership, the County will continue to deliver high quality and innovative mental health services as the Board recruits a permanent director.”

Prior to joining the department, Walker served as program director at the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic. Before that, Walker directed intensive psychiatric services at Memorial Hospital, and he also directed psychiatric services and provided counseling at several outpatient and residential clinics in the community.

A licensed marriage and family therapist, Walker developed curriculum for the chemical dependency counselor certification program at California State University, Bakersfield and has taught courses in the program since its inception. He earned a Master’s degree in clinical psychology from California State University, Bakersfield after graduating with honors from Biola University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

Fee Free MLK Day for Visitors to Los Padres National Forest Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that January 20 has been designated as a “Fee Free Day” for visitors to the forest. In all areas of the forest where an Adventure Pass is normally required, the fee will be waived in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. An Adventure Pass is typically required for day use activities and camping at many recreational facilities in the Forest.

This “Fee Free Day” applies to all Adventure Pass areas except the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area on the Santa Barbara Ranger District, where the fee remains in effect. Other fees such as reservation fees and group site fees will also still apply.

Forest visitors who unknowingly validate a daily Adventure Pass on January 20 can have the pass replaced free of charge at most Forest Service offices.

“It is appropriate to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., by waiving the Adventure Pass on what would have been his 85th birthday this year,” said Los Padres Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez. “This is a great opportunity to spend time on the Forest and enjoy the natural wonders of our public lands.”

For more information on current conditions and recreation opportunities, call the office nearest you.

Shannon Grove “Parental Notification, Child and Teen Safety, Stop Predators Act” Rejected On Party Line Vote Measure would require a physician to notify a minor’s parent or guardian before performing an abortion

SACRAMENTO – The “Parental Notification, Child and Teen Safety, Stop Predators Act,” a proposal authored by Assemblywoman Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) to prohibit a physician from performing an abortion on a minor without first notifying that minor’s parent or guardian, was rejected today in the Assembly Health Committee with no Democrats voting in support of the measure.

“It defies common sense that state law requires a minor to have parental permission to get a tattoo, visit a tanning salon, travel for fieldtrips or sporting events, purchase violent video games, even just receive aspirin in school, but abortions can be secretly performed on an underage girl without her parents’ or guardians’ knowledge,” stated Grove in her presentation of the bill. “We’re all in agreement that minors don’t have the emotional or physical maturity to make many important decisions on their own. If parents have knowledge of their daughter’s abortion, they can help with any serious emotional or physical complications that may result, or protect their daughters from future sexual exploitation and pregnancies.”

Grove emphasized that the measure is to protect minors from the risks of secret abortions and prevent sexual predators from using abortions to conceal their exploitation of minor girls.

“Every day, young girls are taken for abortions by older men who want to keep it secret from parents and law enforcement. Young girls are trafficked from the streets of major California cities, even Bakersfield,” said Grove. “As public servants, we have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us from those who would do them harm.”

“Vulnerable, voiceless and exploited - this is the life of a child victim of sex trafficking,” said Danielle Jones of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, testifying in support of the bill. “ACA 5 will provide an opportunity to intersect a trafficking victim and restore her life. It will require an adult to be notified who can empower her with accurate information to make a meaningful choice.”

Nearly 40 states currently have some version of a parental notification requirement. According to a 2009 study by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), 68% of Californians favor a state law that would require parents to be notified before a child under 18 could receive an abortion.

Numerous organizations and individuals expressed their support for the bill in committee, including the California Catholic Conference, California ProLife Council, Capitol Resource Institute, Coalition for Women and Children, Concerned Women for America, Crusade for Life, Life Legal Defense Foundation, Life Priority Network, Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, University of Southern California Students for Life, and the Bakersfield Valley Baptist Church.

BLM Solicits Public Comment to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement on Oil and Gas Leasing and Development The Bureau of Land Management is conducting a scoping process to solicit public comments on how oil and gas resources on federal mineral estate should be managed in the BLM’s Hollister Field Office and whether the BLM should include areas of California beyond the Hollister Field Office in this process.

The public scoping process is the first step in preparing an Environmental Impact Statement.

Public open houses will be: Jan. 29: San Juan Oaks Golf Course, 3285 Union Road, Hollister.

Feb. 4: Doubletree Hotel, 2001 Point W Way, Sacramento.

Feb. 11: Cesar Chavez Library, 615 Williams Road, Salinas.

Feb. 12: Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant, 24505 W. Dorris Ave, Coalinga.

The purpose of this planning process is to analyze the effects of alternative oil and gas management approaches on lands with federal mineral estate within the BLM’s Hollister Field Office. The need for the plan amendment is to incorporate new information about well stimulation technologies, natural resource conditions, and socioeconomic trends to update the reasonably foreseeable development scenario and the Hollister Field Office Resource Management Plan. The decision to be made is to establish additional lease stipulations, conditions of approval, or best management practices to guide safe and responsible oil and gas development.

Depending on the results of this scoping process, the BLM may also use this process to consider amending RMPs for other field offices in California with oil and gas leasing and development (Bakersfield, Palm Springs-South Coast, Mother Lode, and Ukiah Field Offices).

Early public involvement is crucial to identify various issues that should be addressed in the EIS. The scoping period provides the public with an opportunity to learn about the EIS, to help identify issues and concerns to be addressed in the EIS, and to provide input used in developing alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS. Submit written comments to the Bureau of Land Management, California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Oil and Gas Leasing and Development Comments, Attn: Sara Acridge, Project Manager, Sacramento, CA 95825, or via email at BLM_CA_OGEIS@blm.gov.

For more information contact Sara Acridge at (916) 9784557. Information also is available on the BLM website at www.blm.gov/ca/eis-og.

G&S CARPET CO “No Job To Small” Immediate Installation!

Hours: T-F 9-5 Sat. 10-3 Closed Sun./Mon. Eve By Appt.

Carpet Vinyl Hardwood Laminate Ceramic Tile 661-398-3044

7000 District Blvd Bakersfield

Contractor’s Lic. #352844

12 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

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

Diagnostic Specialists Service & Repairs • Smog Repairs Air Conditioning • Tune Up • Front End Brakes • Fuel Injection

(661)765-5000 or (661)343-0507

$15.00 OFF with mention of this ad* *1996 Vehicle or newer

Qik Smog & Tune

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery in Taft

January 17 - 23, 2014

Used to be Paul’s Bike KHS Mountain Bikes and 2014 BMX Bikes Are Here!

608 Center St.

745-4919

Devon’s Body Shop

(661)763-4445

Now Serving Our Original

25 Hill Blonde Ale

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Debuting Our

Tool Pusher IPA

Now Servicing Japanese and European Motorcycles

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

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 •

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Would you like to REDUCE OR ELIMINATE your STATE INCOME TAX LIABILITY? If you own a business in the Taft area you may be eligible for tax credits up to $37,440 per qualified employee.

There are many advantages and cost savings for businesses in the Taft Enterprise Zone.

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

Call today for more information: 661763-1222, Ext. 12

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 Your Special Event

Shop

Come and Join Us at The Tumbleweed The Tumbleweed Cafe Reservations Recommended for Dinner

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

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

FULL BAR