Local Schools Making Effort To Get Tough On Bullying

Independent The Taft

January 27 - 2, 2012

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January 27 - 2, 2012 • Volume 6 Issue 31

“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, January 29th

Local Schools Making Effort To Get Tough On Bullying

$12.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT Fish Fry, Cole Slaw, Rice Pilaf & Corn Bread Dinner Served at 5pm

NO TO GO’s $1.50 Domestic Drafts 5pm Until Close

Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

Valentine’s Month Offer

$20 Off Samsung Prevail Boost Mobile $10 Off With Purchase of 2 Phones excludes Boost Mobile phones $5 Off Page Plus & Verizon Phones offer expires February 29th

Hablamos Espanol 661-745-4954 610 Center Street

Annual State Of The County Address

By Nicole Frost Homeboy To Harvard Former Taft Football Reception For TC Speaks To Students Player in Super Bowl Presidential Candidates

2

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506 Center Street

Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic Metalic Flakes • Rock Star (we also treat ingrown nails)

(661) 205-5579

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

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

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421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

Pastas • Sandwiches • Salads Espresso • Beer • Wine

offer expires February 29th

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508 Center Street • 765-6550 Brand Clothing Shoes • Jewelry A Hint of Class Name Accessories & More

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

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

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January 27 - 2, 2012

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January 27 - 2, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Westside Watcher............4 Westside News..................5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Community Voices..........8

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Community Events News Briefs Taft California “Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument” Have a community event that you would like to include?

Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com Grandma’s Attic At Taft Branch Library Every Saturday Through April 14th Grandma’s Attic Storytime has resumed at the Taft Branch Library on Saturdays and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through April 14. Aimed at 5 to 8 year-olds, Grandma’s Attic offers an old trunk full of surprises and stories presented by a different volunteer reader each week. Children who participate will receive a form to return to their teacher for credit in their school reading program. Parents are always welcome to attend, or may enjoy some library or computer time while their child is occupied. For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.

West Side Little League Registration Begins Saturday, January 28th

Classified Ads.................10 Westside News...............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.

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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 Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

Registration and Sign Ups for the West Side Little League 2012 season begin next week. All sign ups will be held at Chevron Valley Credit Union.

Saturday January 28th, 10:00am to 6:00pm Tuesday January 31st, 5:00pm to 8:00pm Thursday February 2nd, 5:30pm to 8:00pm Saturday February 4th, 10:00am to 6:00pm Thursday February 9th, 5:30pm to 8:00pm Camera Club Kicks Off New Year Saturday, February 8th One of the oldest and longest running camera clubs in the United States kicks off 2012 with a photo shoot on Saturday, February 4, at West Kern Oil Museum. Past, present and prospective members of Taft Camera Club are invited to gather at the museum at 9:30 a.m. with camera gear in hand. No special expertise is required.

Enthusiasts also may wish to gather at Taft Veterans Hall at 8:00 a.m. for a no-host pancake breakfast before the photo shoot. For more information, please email taftcameraclub@yahoo.com or contact any Taft Camera Club member.

Taft Chamber Installation Dinner Wednesday, February 8th The Taft District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau is having their Annual Installation Dinner on Wednesday, February 8th at the Historic Fort. A social hour starts at 6PM, followed by dinner and an awards ceremony at 7PM. This event introduces the community to the new Board of Directors, hosts a special guest speaker, and presents the Chamber Awards. Everyone is welcome to attend and may purchase tickets at the Taft Chamber. To RSVP for the event, please call the Chamber at 661-765-2165 or stop by their office at 400 Kern Street. Tickets to attend the event are $35 each with event sponsorships available. Contact the Chamber for more information.

Win A Weekend Getaway From Taft ARC. Drawing Tuesday, February 14th Looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift? The Taft ARC is selling tickets for a chance to win a Weekend Getaway In Morro Bay. The weekend getaway includes a one night stay at Ascot Hotel, and a champagne brunch cruise for two with Chablis Cruises for a Saturday of your choice, per availability. This weekend getaway was donated by Dream Maker Bath & Kitchen of Bakersfield by owners Everett & Patty Gray. To purchase tickets for a chance to win a Weekend Getaway please stop by the Taft ARC located at 204 Van Buren St. Tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. The drawing for the weekend getaway will be announced on February, 14th at the Taft ARC, need not be present to win. For more information contact the Taft ARC at 763-1532 ext.

1.

Beer Tasting at Black Gold Thursday, February 16th Black Gold Cafe and Deli, located at 508 Center Street, will be having a beer tasting on Thursday, February 16th from 5:30pm to 8pm. For more information call 7656550 Wine Tasting at Black Gold Thursday, February 23rd Black Gold Cafe and Deli, located at 508 Center Street, will be having a wine tasting on Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30pm to 8pm. For more information call 7656550.

Luck Of The Irish St. Patricks Dinner Saturday, March 17th The Historic Fort is holding their annual St. Patricks Dinner on Saturday, March 17th at The Fort, located at 915 N. 10th Street. Social hour begins at 5pm, dinner served at 6pm. For more information contact The Fort at 765-7371.

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Cash For College Financial Aid Workshop Taft Union High School is hosting Cash for College, a free financial aid workshop where officials will help parents sign up on-line for college aid. The workshop for high school seniors and their parents will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, in the IRC lecture hall.

Staff members from the high school, community college, state college and university systems will be on hand to help parents apply for financial aid for their incoming college freshmen. Bilingual assistance will be available.

The event will be open for two hours but it only takes about one hour to fill out the forms. Additionally, attendees will be entered into a drawing for a $1,-00 scholarship by filling out the exit form, but they must be one of the evening participants.

The event opens the door for federal money and Cal grants and for alumni funds at the college they plan to attend. Parents will be assisted in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form used by virtually all two- and four-year colleges, universities and career school for awarding government aid.

Parents should get on-line beforehand at “www.pin.ed.gov” to obtain a pin number they can bring with them on Jan. 30.

Parents may also get more information at “www.fafsa.ed.gov”.

Parents should bring their most recent income tax information, social security numbers for themselves and their child and W-2 forms. If not a U.S. citizen, they should bring their alien registration cards. If the student and parent are undocumented, school officials will talk with them about AB540 support.

If you have questions, contact Cameron Anderson, the college peer adviser, at canderson@taft.k12.ca.us or 763-2326.

Museum Dinner Speaker Oil well fires are rare these days, but when they do occur they can be potentially catastrophic as evidenced by the gulf platform disaster that led to the largest offshore oil spill in history.

Pat Cargol, vice president of sales and marketing for Wild Well Control, Inc., the Houston-based specialists in controlling well fires, will be the guest speaker at the annual dinner meeting of the West Kern Oil Museum.

The event will be held Feb. 25 at the Community Center.

Cargol will trace the history of the people who molded the well blowout industry. He will compare equipment that was used in the early years with what is in use today to illustrate how the business has changed from just firefighting to a global well control/pressure control specialization.

His company specializes in worldwide firefighting, well control, engineering and training.

Cargol has 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, encompassing both operations and business sales and marketing.

Founded in 1975, Wild Well played a major role in capping and controlling more than 130 wells in Kuwait following the invasion from Iraq. Today, the company responds to more than 50 emergencies a year.

Enter To Win A Valentine’s Giveaway From Acme Jewelry Looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift for your sweetheart? Enter into Acme Jewelry’s “What’s In Your Heart” drawing to win a certificate for up to $150 to build your own “What’s in Your Heart” necklace, key chain, or bracelet. The “What’s In Your Heart” jewelry line features personalized pieces that you can customize and add to year after year with birthstones, initials, charms and much more. One ticket per household, no cost for tickets. Start getting your tickets on Tuesday, January 31st at Acme Jewelry, located at 426 Center Street. Drawing will be held Friday, February 10th. Need not be present to win.

Soroptimist International of Taft $500 Shamrock Wreath Raffle Soroptimist International of Taft is holding their annual $500 Shamrock Wreath Raffle. Proceeds Benefit Critical Care Transportation and other service projects. The drawing for the wreath will be held at the Historic Fort’s St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Saturday, March 17, 2012. Raffle tickets $1.00 Tickets available at: All In The Sandwich, Jacks Flower Shop, Personal Style, True Value or any Soroptimist member. Winner need not be present to win.

4

The Taft

Independent

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial

Westside Watcher

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

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

Wine Tasting and Lunch Saturday 7 am to 2 pm Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm Sundays 7:30 am to 10 am 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa 1010 6th Street, Taft (661) 766-2319 763-5156

Your Restaurant Listed HERE Call 765-6550

Black Gold Cafe & Deli Pastas - Sandwiches Espresso - Beer - Wine Open Monday to Saturday Lunch served 9am-1pm Dinner served 5pm - 8pm 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

Your Restaurant Listed Here!

Call 765-6550!

Starting as low as $12 per week!

Taft Petroleum Club Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm

CDPH Says No Whooping Cough Deaths in California During 2011, First Time in 20 Years Thanks to Statewide Vaccination Efforts California recorded no deaths from pertussis (whooping cough) during 2011, a first since 1991, announced Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the state public health officer.

“Greater awareness of the disease, more rapid diagnosis and treatment, and increased vaccination rates contributed to saving the lives of infants,” said Chapman. “I thank our public health and medical communities for working together and being especially vigilant following the 2010 epidemic.”

In 2010, 9,000 Californians were diagnosed with pertussis and ten infants died from the disease. In response, CDPH partnered with local health departments and health care providers across the state implementing disease control strategies and informational alerts. The state also offered free vaccines to hospitals, allowing convenient vaccination for new parents to prevent transmission of the disease to newborns. Last fall, a new state law required students in 7th -12th grades for the first time to get a Tdap booster shot.

The new school law will apply to all students entering 7th grade in 2012 and beyond.

While whooping cough remained high at more than 3,000 cases in 2011, there have been no deaths since October 13th, 2010. The last time California had 3,000 cases of whooping cough was 2005.

That year, eight infants died. In 1991, there were only 249 reported pertussis cases in California.

Young infants are the most vulnerable to serious whooping cough complications. Of 575 whooping cough cases among infants 3 months of age or younger reported during 2011, 244 (42 percent) were hospitalized. That’s a significant drop since 2010 when 59 percent of infected infants in that age group were hospitalized.

Immunity gained from pertussis vaccine wanes over time, so a booster shot is needed. The new school immunization law is intended to further protect communities by ensuring that adolescents, who may no longer be immune to whooping cough, are vaccinated. CDPH produced public service announcements in English and Spanish and partnered with the California Broadcasters Association to encourage media outlets to air the ads aimed at raising awareness about pertussis and the new California law.

Adults, especially those who live or work with infants, are also strongly encouraged to get a Tdap shot.

To learn more about whooping cough in California, visit www.

CDPH.ca.gov. To learn more about California’s school immunization law, visit www.ShotsforSchool.org.

Paik’s

Have Your Next Event At The Club!

Ranch House Restaurant

The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversary’s Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

Open 7 Days

450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Monday- Friday 4:30pm to Close

January 27 - 2, 2012

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,

Along with the prestigious award presented by the Taft Independent of Citizen of the Year and along with the world class chef of the famous Needs Center Beans, Bill Wickwire, we believe the grass park like area just south of the Needs Center be dedicated and named Billy Bean Park! Home to the Needs Center talk and toot Social Club.

Your friend, The Center Street Phantom

Public Invited To Taft College Reception For Superintendent/ President Final Candidates

The Board of Trustees for the West Kern Community College District has scheduled a reception for the three finalists for the Taft College Superintendent/ President position on Thursday, February 2, 2012, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Three separate classrooms will be utilized for this event, all located in the Technical Arts Building. They include classroom T-12, classroom T-13, and the Art Gallery. Light refreshments will be available outside of the classrooms.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Richard Giese, Interim Superintendent/President or Shelley Klein, Administrative Assistant to the President, at 661.763.7711.

The Place in Ventucopa will be

CLOSED February 1st-29th

Thank You, Vicki & Alix For bookings and questions Please Call (805)714-4503

“Where Everybody Meets” Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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.

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

January 27 - 2, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Homeboy Goes To Harvard, Kicks Off Anti-Bullying Week Motivational speaker Richard Santana brought a personal story of triumph over tragedy to an engaged audience of Taft High students in twin presentations in the school auditorium Monday morning, January 23rd.

Santana, 48, came on stage dressed as a cholo in dark sunglasses, baggy pants and trench coat. In a thick accent, he relived his youth.

His mom died when he was three months and his father didn’t even stick around that long. He was a product of the welfare and juvenile systems, moving from foster home to group home, a piece of paper, a number. He hated that life. Then it seventh grade, it got worse. His uncle got out of the pen and decided to make his nephew over in his image, to make him a man. First he beat him until he couldn’t cry anymore, then he got him drunk on an entire bottle of vodka. Even when the youngster vomited, his uncle made him finish the bottle for risk of being beaten. He moved from drinking to drugs to failing school. “My uncle was teaching me to do drugs,

“Now is the time to prepare yourself for life. I hope to inspire you to stay true to your dreams.”

After 20 years of speaking, he runs into teachers who were once students in his audience. They tell him he did have a positive influence on their young lives.

Santana concluded his speech by saying, “A foolish person learns from their mistakes. A wise person learns from the mistakes of others. You’ve got it in you to be the fool or to be wise. Life is right around the corner. It’s coming. I don’t want you to sabotage your dreams. … Nothing good is ever easy. … Stay in school. Go after your dreams.”

After the assembly, senior Adriana Carrillo said the speaker made an impact. “I know many kids like him today, that have the same mentality that he had in his youth, that don’t think school or getting an education matters. … The main theme of the speech is to be true to yourself and make your dreams and goals a reality. Be who you want to be and not what others want or expect you to be.”

Lincoln Junior High Beats Up On Bullying Through Activities, Contests and Inspiration

By Nicole Frost

Santana that this was how it was supposed to be. … I was born into the gang life. … When I was your age, I was being told the best that could happen to me was I could be killed or I could be locked up.”

Then a white, female teacher saw something in him and began encouraging him. He squeaked through high school with a bare minimum 2.1 grade point average. Then someone mentioned college and a counselor encouraged him. Next thing, he was earning a 4.0 GPA at California State University, Fresno. In an ironic, circle-of-life metamorphosis, “I became something I hated most.

I became a teacher,” then a counselor. He wasn’t done. He went

on to earn a master’s degree in adolescent psychology and human development at Harvard University and founded the Oaklandbased Homeboy goes to Harvard motivational speaking business that includes five other speakers. They speak to schoolchildren about diversity, resilience, gangs, drug awareness, and violence prevention.

As he told his tale of gang boy-turned-educator, Santana removed his outer layer of clothing to reveal brown dress slacks and a shirt and tie.

His transformation complete, the father of four daughters told Taft boys to respect girls and girls to respect themselves. “Don’t have sex. You’re not ready for it. You may have adult bodies but you still are a child in the mind. … It’s OK to be virgins.”

The Harvard graduate told his young charges, “If I can do it, with all I’ve been through, can you imagine what you can do?

This past week was “Anti-Bullying Week” at Lincoln Junior High School and it was full of activities, contests, and words of inspiration.

To start the week off, speaker Richard Santana, also known as Mr. Chocolate, was invited to the school. As a former bully and victim of bullying, Santana was able to reach the kids on a deeper level. During his presentation, all eyes are alert and focused as he told his story and shared his message of strength and integrity.

“He told me not to give in by getting bullied into drugs or alcohol,” said eighth grade student Bethany Houghton.

In addition to having a speaker, the week was also celebrated with different dress-up days that were each themed with an antibullying message. Monday was “Stop Bullying and Put a Cap on Name-calling” day and students wore hats and watches. Tuesday’s theme was “Stomp Out Name-calling” and students represented this by wearing boots. Wednesday was “A Good Person Always Has Another’s Back” day and students wore their clothes backwards. Thursday’s message was “We are All Different and We Should Appreciate Our Differences” and students showed their differences by wearing mismatched clothes. Finally, Friday’s dressup day was “We are All Tied Together in Some Way” and students wore bows, ties, or ribbons to show their spirit.

“Anti-Bullying Week” was first established last year at Lincoln and it was proposed by Chandra Fickle and Marlene Mudge.

“We’re part of the Safe School Ambassador program and I helped Ms. Fickle with this project,” said Mudge.

There were many reasons to start “Anti-Bullying Week,” but one of the main one was the simple fact that bullying is everywhere and it is dangerously destructive on any degree.

“There is always bullying and the media has brought it to the forefront. We’re going to capitalize on the awareness to get the students to learn how to make better choices. We want to show them that you don’t have to do drugs or be a bully to be somebody.

You ARE somebody.”

Other celebrations held during the week included a door-decorating contest, a poetry and essay competition, and a rally at which the winners will be announced. Those results will be reported next week.

Bullying isn’t just an issue at the middle school level; it’s a problem that exists in all stages and situations. Everyone can take a thing or two from the example that is being set by Lincoln.

“Foolish people learn from their own mistakes,” said Santana.

“Wise people learn from others’ mistakes.”

Black Gold Cafe and Deli Pastas • Sandwiches Espresso • Beer • Wine

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

Open Monday-Saturday 9am-2pm 5pm-8pm Sandwiches & Salads

BLTA • Black Gold Club Roast Beef • Ham • Turkey Avocado • Tuna Salad • Egg Salad • Pastrami • Meatball Sandwich • Grilled Cheese Italian Garden Salad • Chef Salad • Polish Dog • Chili Dog • Soup & Salad Pastas Shrimp Scampi • Spaghetti With Meatballs • Raviolis Mozzarella & Baked Chicken Ravioli Spinach & Cheese Raviolis Espresso & Coffee Coffee • Iced Coffee Espresso • Latte • Cappuccino Americano • Vanilla Latte Cafe Mocha • White Mocha Chai Latte • Hot Chocoloate Blended Drinks • Iced Drinks Chocolate Freeze Vanilla Freeze • Iced Tea Fruit Smoothies • Protein Drinks Desserts Cheesecake • Chocolate Pie Key Lime Pie • Pastries

Beer & Wine

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Bottled Beers!

Win this 3 Liter bottle of Double Bastard Ale Enter to win at Black Gold. Drawing @ halftime on Superbowl Sunday.

2 big screen TV’s $3 bud light.

Beer & Wine Available To Go 508 Center Street • Taft DIne In Or Pick Up • 661-765-6550

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Chairman Scrivner Delivers Annual State of County Address A capacity crowd was on hand this evening as Second District Supervisor Zack Scrivner, Chairman of the Kern County Board of Supervisors, delivered the annual State of the County Address.

The 14th annual State of the County event, presented by the Kern County Board of Trade and sponsored by Rio Tinto Minerals, was held at Bakersfield’s Marriott Hotel at the Convention Center before a capacity crowd more than 400 political and economic leaders gathered from across the county. Dave Hook, Interim Executive Director of the Board of Trade, served as master of ceremonies.

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

Come in and look at our Unadvertised Specials!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

Find the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift She Can Keep in Her Heart

What is in Your Heart Personalized Jewelry

Great Prices Personalize Your Own Keep Adding to Your Piece

Charms • Birthstones • Initials Available at

acme jewelry co.

F i n e

J e w e l r y

426 Center Street

OT Cookhouse

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

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

CLOSED 11a.m. - 2p.m.

Friday & Saturday 4p.m. - 10p.m. SUNDAY/MONDAY

OT Cookhouse Daily Specials (For the week of 1-31-12 thru 2-4-12)

OTC Charbroiled Cheesesteak

$10.95

BBQ Beef Ribs

$11.95

Wed. 2-1-12 Lunch

Shrimp Pasta

$9.95

Wed. 2-1-12 Dinner

Veal Liver with Bacon & Onions Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich BBQ Pork Ribs

Tues.

1-31-12 Lunch Tues.

1-31-12 Dinner

Thurs.

2-2-12 Lunch Thurs.

2-2-12 Dinner

$11.95 $8.95

$14.95/ $14.95 1/2 Rack/$16.95 Full $16.95

Fri. 2-3-12 Lunch

Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich

$8.95

Fri. 2-3-12 Dinner

$16.95 Small/ $19.95 Large

Prime Rib

$16.95/ $19.95

Sat. 2-4-12 Dinner

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

$10.95

Jacks

(661)763-5451

Fine Jewelry • Candles • Gifts 14K Gold • Sterling Silver

FlowerShop Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair Watch Batteries

426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451

Order Early For Valentine’s Day!

Free box of chocolates with all orders placed before February 7th

(with order of $20 or more)

430 Center Street (661)765-2442

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

Pastas • Sandwiches • Salads Espresso • Beer • Wine

CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

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

508 Center Street • 765-6550

January 27 - 2, 2012

Six Former CCCAA Student Athletes to Compete In Super Bowl XLVI The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) is proud to announce six former California Community College student-athletes competing in Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and New England Patriots. On the Patriots roster is wide receiver Dante Scarnecchia, Taft College Julian Edelman (College of San Mateo), cornerback Sterling Moore (Laney College), wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (Santa Monica College) and Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach, Dante Scarnecchia (Taft College).

On the Giants side is defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (College of the Canyons) and defensive end Dave Tollefson (Los Medanos College).

These players and coaches may not all be household names but they have all had impacts on getting their teams to the position they’re in, with the most recent big play coming from the Patriot’s Sterling Moore. Moore made the “Immaculate Deflection” as it’s being called, when he stripped a potential game-winning pass from the hands of Baltimore’s Lee Evans with 22 seconds remaining, saving the victory and sending New England to the Super Bowl.

This Super Bowl will be a rematch of four years ago between New England and New York but the matchup is new to four of these six participants as they have been added onto their respective rosters since that game. Tollefson and Scarnecchia are the exceptions.

Tollefson has been with the Giants for five years now and Scarnecchia with the Patriots for a franchise record 28 years. This still remains each player’s most important game of their career and they will each play big roles in the outcome.

Dante Scarnecchia is the New England Patriot’s Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach. He is a 42-year coaching veteran and owns the longest coaching tenure in Patriots history, now in his 28th season on the New England sideline. Bill Belichick named him the Patriots assistant head coach in 2000. Scarnecchia played offensive guard for Taft College back in 1966-67 before transferring to California Western University.

The CCCAA would like to congratulate each of these players for their success to this point in their careers. Each of these former student-athletes mentioned came to a California Community College for one reason or another and took advantage of that opportunity. They have each grown from their experiences and are now playing on the biggest stage in football, the Super Bowl.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SERVICES Taft Independent www.taftindependent.com Publisher@taftindependent.com

January 27 - 2, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Pesticide Spray Drift Incidents Down In Kern County

While pesticide spray drift incidents are dramatically down in Kern County, area farm interests continue to meet and discuss ways to further enhance safety. Farmers, pest control advisors and applicators who have an interest in ensuring pesticide spraying safety are holding their seventh annual SpraySafe event on Feb. 3, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kern County Fairgrounds.

The SpraySafe program was born in Kern County and created by a group of Kern County farmers to reduce spray drift, enhance worker safety and protect public health through more effective communications.

All members of Kern County agriculture are encouraged to attend this year’s event to hear presentations from representatives of the Kern County Ag Commissioner, HAZMAT unit from Kern County Fire Dept., California Department of Pesticide Regulation and more about the importance of SpraySafe and its objective to protect farm workers and the public from pesticide exposure.

The meeting will also include circuit presentations on a number of safety issues and is available in Spanish as well as English.

The SpraySafe program was initiated in Kern County and because of its success, has been implemented in other counties throughout the state. The Kern Drift Prevention Coalition, which was formed in 2005, is a cooperative of local farmers, spray applicators and elected officials, who work together to promote spraying safety and education. “SpraySafe is a program that encourages farmers to communicate with each other and to be vigilant to help reduce incidents of spray drift,” said Dale Nicol, Spraysafe Committee member, who noted the annual SpraySafe event is an additional measure to provide continuing education on new and improved practices, technologies and precautions to improve farm safety.

“SpraySafe has most definitely been a factor in the improved record of Kern County agriculture. Since this program was implemented there has been more focus on safety and the result Continued on Page 11

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8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

The Tea Party Patriot Movement and Newt Gingrich

By Dr. Harold Pease With Tea Party Patriot Presidential Candidates Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry out of the race and the Patriots running from Mitt Romney, can Newt Gingrich appeal to them? Despite his initial support for the movement, even speaking at a Tea Party rally in New York in 2009, where he threatened to fire big-spending legislators if they did not straighten up, his baggage says “never!!”

The core values of the Tea Party Patriot Movement are fiscal responsibility, limited Constitutional government and the free market. So how has Newt fared on Tea Party priorities? His past shows clearly a preference for bigger government in all problem solutions as has his predecessors’ both Republican and Democrat. Virtually all Gingrich solutions to the following problem areas are national—never county or state: education, welfare, homeland security, law enforcement, and energy. Of course, despite the rhetoric to fire big-spenders, each of the above must be funded. His vote to create the federal Department of Education is a case in point. Most in the profession of teaching are unable to identify anything for which the thousands of bureaucrats therein employed have accomplished. Most see it as wasteful spending and thus fiscally irresponsible. Nor has he recommended its abolition were he president.

Gingrich’s preference for international solutions over national ones is the same. He has consistently favored empowering “super governments” (those over our own) such as the UN, NAFTA and GATT and thus passed large portions of our national sovereignty to them. Of course, sovereignty transfers come with costly financial assistance obligations that most Tea Party Patriots see as not being fiscally responsible. Mr. Gingrich has consistently voted for foreign aid and supported federally funded loans to foreign governments through the Export-Import Bank. Moreover, Gingrich does these transfers with full knowledge of the loss of sovereignty to his own country. With respect to GATT he said, “We need to be honest about the fact that we are transferring from the United States at a practical level significant authority to a new organization…. This is not just another trade agreement…. It is a very big transfer of power” (“Newt Gingrich: The Establishment’s Conservative,” 27 Nov. 2009, New American). His 22-year-long membership in the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an organization promoting sovereignty transfers from all nations to the United Nations, makes him out of step with most Tea Party supporters who see such as unconstitutional.

With respect to the second Tea Party Patriot core value of limited Constitutional government, Gingrich has to be rated with George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Most of what he has voted for in over twenty years in power, especially in an interventionist foreign policy, is no different and outside the U.S. Constitution. He may talk about limited government, but his vote is almost always for more government. He endorses federal involvement and spending in areas such as energy, education, labor, science, and the environment—all outside the U.S. Constitution. In a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Affairs in July 1995, he saw the U. S. Constitution as an obstruction in our interventionist foreign policy.

He said, “The American challenge in leading the world is compounded by our Constitution. Under our [constitutional system]—either we’re going to have to rethink our Constitution, or we’re going to have to rethink our process of decisionmaking.” Of course it is an obstruction to our meddling in the affairs of other lands. For one thing the Constitution requires Congressional approval, even a declaration, before we go to war!!!

Finally, the third Tea Party core value, the free market. Gingrich’s support of bailouts demonstrates his belief that some entities are too big to fail. In the free market no business is “propped up” or “saved” by the taxpayer. Business failure results from inefficiency which opens the door for those who are more efficient. Moreover, Gingrich’s support of GATT, which brought this nation’s economic interests under the scrutiny and supervision of the World Trade Organization, severely damaged the free market.

Unfortunately, though one of the nation’s greatest debaters—thus the words sound right—Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich cannot make a valid case for having been in harmony with Tea Party Patriot core values and should not expect their support. If Patriots give it anyway they will be disappointed.

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

Weekly Gas Price Update Average retail gasoline prices in California have risen 1.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.70/g Monday, January 23rd. This compares with the national average that has increased 0.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.34/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices Monday, January 23rd were 36.2 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 16.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 11.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 25.3 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“We saw oil prices fall gently late last week as tensions with Iran seemingly have cooled somewhat,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “I’m certainly hopeful that the recent easing in tensions between Iran and the West continues in coming months, but there are certainly no guarantees and few expectations of such.

Having said that, I expect gasoline Meeting your painting needs for over 20 years prices to move very little in the next week, and in some areas of the U.S. No job too big, no job too small gasoline prices may fall this week,” I DO IT ALL DeHaan said.

PERFECT PAINTING

Interior • Exterior • Wall Paper Removal And much more Just Ask! Call Paul the Painter 293-0172 or 765-4759 Or Dave 293-0164

January 27 - 2, 2012

The Iron Lady - Movie Review Reviewed by Jane M McCabe

“My policies are based not on some economics theory, but on things I and millions like me were brought up with: an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay; live within your means; put by a nest egg for a rainy day; pay your bills on time; support the police.” –from the quotes of Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher was a person who wanted to make a difference. She was a lady whose moral principles were so firmly embedded in her character that she knew exactly where she stood on every issue. This made her the formidable politician that she was. When other waffled and wobbled, Margaret held firm, unwavering in the knowledge that she was right and this was the course that must be followed. As a result of this clarity of purpose she was one of the best prime ministers Great Britain ever had.

Margaret Hilda Thatcher (née Roberts) was born October 13th, 1925, and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. The first female British prime minister and the longest-serving of the 20th century, Thatcher’s strict conservative policies, hard line against trade unions and tough rhetoric in opposition to the Soviet Union earned her the nickname the “Iron Lady.”

The daughter of a grocer, she was awarded a scholarship to Oxford, but it was her father rather than her professors who influenced her the most, who established within her the principles of self-reliance and determination. As much, she disdained socialism and programs of entitlement, things she felt only increased dependency on the state. She insisted the worth and dignity of a man rested on his ability to provide for himself and his family.

After entering 10 Downing Street, Thatcher was determined to reverse what she perceived as a precipitous national decline. Her political philosophy and economic policies emphasized deregulation, particularly of the financial sector, flexible labor markets, the sale or closure of state-owned companies, and the withdrawal of subsidies to others. In her first few years in office, Thatcher’s popularity waned amid recession and high unemployment, until economic recovery and the 1982 Falklands War brought a resurgence of support resulting in her re-election in 1983.

On 1 November 1990 Geoffrey Howe, the last remaining member of Thatcher’s original 1979 cabinet, resigned from his position as Deputy Prime Minister over her refusal to agree to a timetable for Britain to join the European single currency. Shortly afterwards Ms. Thatcher herself stepped down.

Not yet having seen the movie I was disappointed when the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress went this year to Meryl Streep rather than to Viola Davis, whose role as Aibileen in The Help I hoped would win her the award. But, after seeing Streep’s performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady I felt she justly deserved the award.

For Ms Streep has the power to disappear into the role she is playing. It was somewhat of a shock when her face first appeared on the screen—you would swear it was the face of Mrs. Thatcher.

When the movie opens Mrs. Thatcher’s dear and eccentric husband Denis has died and she is old, doddering, and suffering from Alzheimer’s. Instead of issuing commands, she now spends her days rattling about her aparment, talking to her deceased husband, recalling things in the past with more clarity than the present.

From here it bounces to different parts of her life—her romance with Denis, her first forays into political office, her rise to Prime Minister and various happening during her tenure. MT had all the makings of a dictator as she was unable to countenance opinions at variance to her own. (If she had a precedent, it would have been Queen Elizabeth I herself.)

Whereas she achieved a splendid victory in Great Britain’s war against Argentina over control of Falkland Islands and she almost single-handedly rescued Britain from economic disaster, her intolerance at times made her insufferable.

One of the most memorable scenes of the movie is near its end when at a cabinet meeting she so berates and humiliates Geoffrey Howe over misspellings in an outline that he has prepared for her that he proffers his resignation.

The dialogue in this film is exquisite. There’s no way I can remember a rather long speech she makes about how character is formed in people, but I can remember her daughter saying crisply to her, “Mark (Margaret’s son) is in North Africa, Daddy’s dead, and you’re no longer Prime Minister.”

Relatively plot-less and a tad too long, The Iron Lady is nevertheless a magnificent piece of cinematography.

January 27 - 2, 2012

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

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501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111 Ice Blended Mocha Fat Free and Sugar Free Available in Most Flavors Open 7 Days - 763-5156 1010 6th Street • Taft

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

Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 5:00 pm.

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ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton 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

ANNOUNCEMENTS SERVICES Taft Independent www.taftindependent.com Publisher@taftindependent.com

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

YOUR CHURCH AD HERE! CALL TODAY! 765-6550 Advertise With The Taft Independent!

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765-6550

FD756 FDR50 FDR595 FDR618

Gateway Temple

Community Christian Fellowship

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

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30 For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 487-2416 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.

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

Rev. Linda Huggard

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

NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Services 10am 1000 6th St. Weekly Classes Mon - Thurs Please call 765-7472 for info For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday

Pastors Shannon N. and Shannon L. Kelley

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

www.nlctaft.org or nlctaft@bak.rr.com

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 Angel Food Program Tues. 9am - 12pm Thurs. 3pm - 6pm

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

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 7635135

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

TAFT INDEPENDENT For Rent

Classifieds

Classified Adsare are$3.00 $2.00per perissue line. for Phone, fax, maillines, or drop off Classified Ads up to three $5 per issue ad for to upthe to Taft 5 lines, and $7 per issue for up to 10 lines. Yard your 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 $5.

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

Photo Ads. Car, truck or house for sale ads are $5 per week, Yard Sale ads are $2 for 3 lines, lines $2 each. or $10 with a photo.

Email us (oradditional bring to our office) a 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 Phone: 765-6550

426 Shattuck

2 bed 1 bath Cottage $550

411 Shattuck

2 bed 1 bath $600 Paul Joyce 805-218-1686 Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

Preserving for the Future

Fax:765-6556 765-6556 Fax:

Payment can made by cash, check, or card. credit card.

Payment can bebe made by cash, check, or credit Taft Independent 6thCenter St., Taft,St., CA Taft, 93268.

Taft Independent210 508 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.

earth am I here for?

Widows meet twice a month on Tuesday 10 a.m. at the Buena Vista Mobile Home Club House. If interested, call June Selby 763-4845.

Business Services COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services

ANNOUNCEMENTS Grief Support Group, offered as a community service by Optimal Hospice Care. Meetings held Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. At Chevron Valley Credit Union, Community Room, 1092 W. Kern St., Taft. Enter by outside entrance – Albertson’s Shopping Center. Free and open to the public. Info call 716-4000.

Alzheimer’s Disease Association Of Kern County is offering Respite Care here in Taft. Call-Cathy Perkins at 760-3790848 for RESPITE CARE info. Respite Care is available every Thursday At the First Baptist Church located at 220 North St. from 9:00am—3:00pm.

For problems with Alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous. 765-4016 or 763-3856.

Are you a widow? Do you wonder what on

Wanted

WANTED

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

FOR SALE

Saturday 306 Eastern, inside. Furniture & Misc.

Garage Sale Saturday 8am-noon 230 Phillippine St. Lots of baby clothes and gear, electric reclining chair, adult clothes, small birdcages, PA speakers

Childhood Ed. Please call (661) 768-4614 or 623-0209. Ask for Brandalyn.

For Sale

Pickers Buy & Sell Buys & Sells Furniture 747-9345

Computer Repair Graphic Arts Web Design Virus Removal 661-623-5188 YARD SERVICES CLEANING SERVICES

Employment HELP WANTED

Midway Laboratory Taft Location Is seeking professional for immediate position as Technician I, we will train, full time position, benefits available, EOE. Candidate must have a valid CA driver’s license and pass a drug screen, salary is DOE. Please submit resume to midwaylab@verizon.net, fax: 661-765-6920 or come in and complete an application onsite at 315 Main Street.

CHILD CARE SERVICES

Pickers Buy & Sell 428 Center Street Hours 1-5pm Tues-Fri Oak Entertainment Center, fits 72” TV. $600 OBO 619-1057.

AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock FOUND PETS LOST PETS

Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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

CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057 661-577-7136

BUSINESS FOR SALE

TUTORING AND CHILD CARE SERVICES Tutoring in multiple subjects, excluding algebra. Chld care also avail. Degree in Early

Business Services Rite Away Carpet Cleaning Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General Cleaning Owner Operated Visa\Master Card 765-4191

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E-mail: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

Community

January 27 - 2, 2012

FOR SALE

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

Excellent location, near Taft College. In business for 6 years. $20,000 OBO. 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 Can’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you to a loan modification or assist you in your short sale!

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.

OPEN HOUSE Sunday Feb 5th 1-4pm B.V.M.H.P. #115 Remodeled 3bed/2ba.

New custom kitchen & baths By Taft Woodworks.

Granite on all surfaces.

New carpet, tile floors, drywall, fixtures, new paint inside & out.

Too much to list.

If you want a quality home at an affordable price.

Info at 340-4354

MOBILE HOMES HOMES FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.

Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT 205 W Ash C 2/1.5 $600 601 4th 2/1 $650 435 B St 2/1 $700 302 Calvin 1/1 $850 528 D St 2/1 $850 602 Elkhorn 3/1.75 $850 404 Fillmore 3/1.75 $1,000 FOR SALE Why rent when you can buy for almost half the cost?!

Complete list of homes for Sale and Rent available!

523 Naylor St. 3 bd/2ba

$900 mo + dep.

408 Jackson St. 3bd/1ba $880 mo + dep.

1bd 1 ba. house. 707 Fillmore 3 bd/1ba $780 mo. + dep. (661)3430507.

27993 Hwy 119 2bd/1ba 1 acre house property. $780 mo + dep.

(661)343-0507 Maricopa 501 Klipstein Rd. 2 bd/ 1 ba. Den, fenced yard, laundry room. $650 mo + $950 dep.

Lg 2bd/1ba, Huge garage. $800 mo. + $1,000 dep. 417 6th Ave 765-4333.

APART. FOR RENT Studio Apt. $450 mo + $450 dep. Water included. Recently remodeled. 661-4966064.

Studio Apt. $550. mo.

Dep. $400. all util. includ. Avail. 1-1-12 623-4792.

2bd Apt. $550 mo. (805) 415-5293.

MCKITTRICK. 3/2 Apt. Newly furn.$650 mo.

Taft Property Mgt. 661 745-4892. Brokers Licence 01417057 Imperial Gardens 424 Woodrow Street 2bd $625 mo. 1bd $550 mo. Stove fridge, dishwasher, pool, private car port. 661623-3699 or 661-7654299.

Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr. 2bd/1ba $750 mo + dep.

Recently remodeled.

Fenced front and back yards. 661-589-2720.

Get It Rented!

Place Your Ad for $2 Per Line!

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Air Conditioning & Heating

Plumbing • Septic • 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

West Side Real Estate And Property Management

The Taft

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322 Kern Street Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-5000

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765-6550 Classified

Karri Christensen

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www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Ads Starting At $2 Per Line!

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton 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!

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Call for Appointment Today!

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

January 27 - 2, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Poll Shows Support for Governor’s November Ballot Tax Plan, Opposition to School ‘Trigger Cuts’

Strong majorities of Californians favor Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed tax initiative and oppose the automatic cuts that public schools will face if voters fail to approve the measure in November.

These are among the key findings of a statewide survey released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.

The initiative would temporarily increase the state sales tax and the personal income taxes of wealthy Californians, with the new revenue going to K–12 education. When read a summary, 72 percent of adults and 68 percent of likely voters favor the proposal. (The survey was taken before the attorney general released the measure’s official title and summary language.) Eighty-five percent of Democrats and 65 percent of independents favor the tax increase. Republicans are slightly more likely to favor (53%) than oppose it (46%). If the initiative fails, Brown says there will be automatic cuts to public schools. Seventy-nine percent of adults and 75 percent of likely voters oppose these trigger cuts, as do strong majorities of Democrats (83%), Republicans (67%), and independents (67%).

The tax initiative and trigger cuts are part of the governor’s 2012-13 budget proposal designed to close a multibillion-dollar deficit. His plan also includes spending cuts in welfare, child care, Medi-Cal, and other social service programs.

Californians give these cuts negative reviews: 58 percent of adults oppose them and 39 percent are in favor. Likely voters are more closely divided (51% oppose, 44% favor).

When read a brief summary of Brown’s budget proposal that includes these elements—tax increases with increased funding for schools and cuts in social services—half of adults (50%) are in favor and 43 percent are opposed. Likely voters are split (48% favor, 46% oppose).

Californians hold these views at a time when most (62% adults, 60% likely voters) say their local government services have been affected a lot by recent state budget cuts. Most (55% adults, 59% likely voters) say that K–12 public education is the area of state spending they most want to protect from budget cuts. Far fewer adults choose one of the three other main areas of state spending: higher education (19%), health and human services (17%), and prisons and corrections (6%).

But while 40 percent of adults and likely voters prefer closing the state’s budget gap with a mix of spending cuts and tax increases—the approach Brown has proposed—similar proportions (35% adults, 41% likely voters) prefer closing it mainly through spending cuts. Indeed, Californians are far from happy with the way the state spends their money. Most (59% adults, 55% likely voters) believe state government could cut spending and still provide the same level of services. Most (59% adults, 62% likely voters) also favor strictly limiting the amount of money that state spending could increase each year.

“There remains a strong belief that the state government could spend less and provide the same services even as Californians notice local service reductions from state spending cuts and show early support for a tax increase,” says Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO.

When asked if they would pay higher taxes to maintain funding levels for the state’s four largest areas of spending, Californians are most willing to do so for K–12 public education (72%, adults, 62% likely voters), followed by health and human services (57% adults, 49% likely votes) and higher education (57% adults, 46% likely voters).

Just 13 percent of adults and 12 percent of likely voters would pay higher taxes to maintain fund-

say they pay less than they should. Opinions among likely voters are similar.

Asked a fundamental question about the size of government, 51 percent of Californians would prefer to pay higher taxes and have a state government that provides more services, while 41 percent would prefer to pay lower taxes and have a state government that provides fewer services.

Likely voters are more evenly split: 45 percent

ing for prisons and corrections.

The PPIC survey asked separate questions about specific taxes that could be increased to help reduce the budget deficit, including two that are part of the governor’s tax initiative: income taxes on the wealthy and the state sales tax. Californians strongly favor (74% adults, 68% likely voters) raising the top rate of state income tax paid by the wealthiest residents. Most Democrats (85%) and independents (71%) favor this idea, while Republicans are slightly more likely to be opposed (52% oppose, 46% favor).

But large majorities of Californians (69% adults, 64% likely voters) oppose raising the state sales tax. Majorities across parties are against this idea, although Democrats (54%) are less likely to oppose it than independents (71%) or Republicans (74%).

“The challenge the governor faces with his tax initiative is that one generally popular tax increase—raising personal income taxes on the wealthy—is paired with one generally unpopular one—raising the state sales tax,” Baldassare notes.

Among other potential tax increases that have been discussed, most residents (68% adults, 61% likely voters) favor raising the taxes on California corporations—a record-high level of support since PPIC first asked the question in May 2005.

Most Californians (60% adults and likely voters) also favor the so-called split roll property tax, which would lift Proposition 13 limits on commercial property tax increases and instead tax this property at current market values. But most (54% adults and likely voters) oppose the idea of extending the state sales tax to services that are not currently taxed.

At a time when a number of proposals to raise taxes are being discussed, how do Californians feel about the fairness of the state and local tax system? Most adults say it is fair (7% very fair, 50% moderately fair), as do likely voters (4% very fair, 49% moderately fair). Fewer (41% adults, 45% likely voters) say it is not too fair or not at all fair. Across income groups, majorities view the system as fair (57% under $40,000, 58% $40,000 to $80,000, 55% $80,000 or more). While most view the system as fair, 46 percent of adults say they pay more than they should, 47 percent say they pay about the right amount, and 6 percent

want higher taxes and more services and 48 percent want lower taxes and fewer services. Since PPIC first asked this question in February 2003, neither response has generated overwhelming preference.

When Brown took office in January 2011, he had a job approval rating of 41 percent among adults and 47 percent among likely voters.

Today, 46 percent of adults approve of his job performance—a new high—while 31 percent disapprove. The percentage of adults who are unsure of his job performance—23 percent—is the lowest since he took office. Among likely voters, Brown’s job approval rating is 44 percent, with 38 percent disapproving and 17 percent unsure.

The legislature’s approval rating remains far lower—at 28 percent among adults and 17 percent among likely voters. Californians view their own representatives in the assembly and state senate more positively: 36 percent of adults and 32 percent of likely voters approve of these lawmakers’ job performance.

Last January, most Californians (58%) said they thought the governor and legislature would be able to work together and accomplish a lot in the year to come. Today, there is less optimism: 44 percent say the governor and legislature will be able to work together and 47 percent say they will not.

In contrast, Californians are more pessimistic when asked this question about federal elected officials: 35 percent think President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress will be able to work together and accomplish a lot in the next year and 62 percent do not.

As this election year begins, Obama has the approval of 54 percent of Californians, while 42 percent disapprove and 4 percent are unsure.

Likely voters are split (49% approve, 49% disapprove, 2% unsure). His job approval among Californians has declined from 70 percent in February 2009, just after he took office. It is now the same as President George W. Bush’s in January 2004 (54%), when he faced re-election.

A large majority of Democrats (81%) approve of Obama’s job performance and a large majority of Republicans (83%) disapprove. Independents are divided (44% approve, 48% disapprove). Nationally, adults are more evenly split on Obama’s job

performance (47% approve, 45% disapprove), according to a recent CBS News/New York Times poll.

Just a quarter of Californians (25%) approve of the U.S. Congress, whose job approval rating sank to a record-low 20 percent in December 2011. Likely voters are even less likely (14%) to approve of Congress.

Californians are more positive about their own representatives in Congress. Forty-six percent of adults (47% likely voters) approve of their representative in the U.S. House. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein—who faces re-election this year—has an approval rating of 47 percent among adults and likely voters. Senator Barbara Boxer’s approval rating is 46 percent among adults and 45 percent among likely voters.

In the PPIC survey, conducted before the South Carolina primary, Mitt Romney leads (37%) among California’s Republican likely voters, followed by Newt Gingrich (18%), Rick Santorum (15%), and Ron Paul (11%), with 17 percent undecided. To report the preferences of all Republican likely voters, the survey allocated the supporters of Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry to their second-choice candidates.

Just over half of likely voters (53%) are satisfied with their choices of candidates, and 42 percent are not. Among Democrats, 67 percent are satisfied. Half of Republicans (52%) and independents (51%) are not.

Most Californians favor an idea Brown introduced in his budget plan a year ago: shifting tax dollars and fees and the responsibility for operating some programs from the state to local governments. Half are confident (38% somewhat, 12% very) that their local governments can handle the shift of some lower-risk inmates from state prisons to county jails, a change that began last October.

Sixteen percent of adults say they know a lot about how state and local governments spend and raise money, and 38 percent say they know some. But among those who say they have a lot or some knowledge, only 18 percent are aware that K–12 education is the largest area of spending.

Pesticide Continued From Page 7 is a marked reduction in drift incidents,” said Kern County Ag Commissioner Ruben Arroyo who noted that since 2006, when SpraySafe was first launched in Kern County, there have been only two spray drift incidents involving human exposure. “However, we all must remain vigilant to ensure incidents are kept to the absolute minimum,” he said.

“Kern County has shown that through an industry initiative like SpraySafe improvements can occur voluntarily, therefore reducing the need for formal regulatory actions by DPR,” said Mary-Ann Warmerdam, former director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, which awarded a grant in the amount of $50,000 to assist other counties in adopting SpraySafe.

This year’s SpraySafe event in Kern County is once again being sponsored by members of the local farming community, local farm associations and local enforcement agencies which currently includes; Buttonwillow Land & Cattle Company, Kern County Farm Bureau, California Safety Training Corporation, Bolthouse Farms, Sunrise Sprayers, Almendros, Lehr Bros Inc., State Compensation Insurance Fund, Crop Production Services Inc., Grimmway Enterprises Inc. and CFSLP The event is free of charge to attend and includes lunch. For more information on SpraySafe, or to register to attend the event, please send an email to spraysafe2010@gmail.com or call David Gustafson at (661) 758-6070.

12

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

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

TAFT INDEPENDENT

January 27 - 2, 2012

Used to be Paul’s

Devon’s Body Shop

Bike Shop

NEW ARRIVALS!!

Diagnostic Specialists Service & Repairs • Smog Repairs Air Conditioning • Tune Up • Front End Brakes • Fuel Injection $15.00 OFF with mention of this ad* *1996 Vehicle or newer

745-4919 Qik Smog & Tune

608 Center St.

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

508 Center Street 765-6550

(661)763-4445

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Precision Bodyworks & Towing We take the DENTS out of ACCIDENTS

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 Wash

Wrangler & Dickies Work Jackets 20% Off

Collars, Leashes, Dog & Cat Beds, Flea & Tick Products Up To 30% Off Selected Items

Chicks Are Coming!

February 1st

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

Pet Specializing Supplies in flea treatments,

Store Wide Savings

February 22nd

Americauna Pullets Red-Sex Link Barred Rock Rhode Island Red

www.shawswesternshop.com

medicated baths and soar foot care Dirty Dog For dog wash we use top medical, highest quality, medicated Specibraualry shampoo treatment!

January & Fe

ZYMOX

Now for sale in the shop!

For Itchy, Irritated skin due to allergies and infections

Saturday Appointments Available!

Nails clipped and filed $12 Each additional dog or cat $9

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 Your 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