The Show Must Go On

Independent The Taft

January 6 - 12, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

www.Taftindependent.com

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Publisher@Taftindependent.com

January 6 - 12, 2012 • Volume 6 Issue 28

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

PAL Blood Draw Opens On Center Street

Walters Window Washing Cleans Up Taft

The Show Must Go On

Also Inside: Maricopa City Council Approve The Use Of Kern County Sheriff Department For Community

Taftindependent.com

Taft Fox Theater To Reopen In Late January

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

508 Center Street 765-6550

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

Open Monday-Saturday • 9am-2pm 5pm-8pm

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Bottled Beers!

Available To Go

2

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards Gift Certificates Available Now MP3 Players and IPOD Speakers

Accessories For Your IPHONE & IPOD

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

SAN JOAQUIN Automotive Center

EVERYDAY OIL CHANGES GAS ENGINE $35.99 OR LESS

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

Now authorized dealers Pay your bills here for Boost Mobile Pre Paid Cards prepaid phones Hablamos Espanol 661-745-4954 610 Center Street

Tire & Automotive Service Center

Oil & Filter Special 95* $

29

Plus Tax

$3.50 Oil Disposal Fee Exp. Jan. 31, 2012

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

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

Happy New Year!!

Get Yourself A New Look!!

Store Wide Savings!!

Watch for our weekly specials 421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

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DIESEL ENGINE $71.99 OR LESS

F i n e

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

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

acme jewelry co.

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

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

Open 24 Hours!

506 Center Street

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

January 6 - 12, 2012

$199.99

Cooling System Flush

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

A/C Service

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

Watchwill Batteries Acme Jewelry be closed on Tuesdays when Ray is in LA. Please call first• 661.763.5451 763-5451 426 CENTER STREET Thank You Store Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm Closed Sunday and Monday

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

J & D Recycling 1277 Kern Street

We Can Haul Away Most Large Items Roll Off & Small Bins Available Call Us Today • (661)765-6752 Recycling is OUR Business

Ten Percent Firearms

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

Billy Messenger Voted Best Mechanic for 2009 and 2010

531 Center Street • 763-1123

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Brand Clothing Shoes • Jewelry A Hint of Class Name Accessories & More

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

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

A New Year...

A New YOU!

SERVICES

Come Shop All Your Favorite Brands Here In Taft!

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

January 6 - 12, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Westside Watcher............4 West Side Recreation Report..........5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Community Voices..........8 Obituary............................9 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.

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

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

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 taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

Pancake And Waffle Breakfast Saturday, January 7th The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce is holding their annual Pancake/Waffle breakfast this Saturday, January 7th at the Taft Veterans hall on Cedar Street from 7AM till 11AM. To go orders available. There will be added items this weekend as part of their New Years special, cowboy potatoes and scrambled eggs. Topping of the month is Peach. $ 6.00 per person kids 5 yrs. & under free with paying adult.

Taft Tigersharks Winter Swim Training The Taft Tigersharks Swim Club will be starting their winter training program on Monday, January 9, 2012. Swim practices will be at the Taft Union High School swimming pool every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and continue until March 30. Costs for the entire session are $100 for the first family member and $75 for each additional member. Swimmers aged 5 – 18 that can complete one full lap (25 yards) without stopping are eligible to join the club. Coaching the Tigersharks will be last summer’s successful coach, Michelle Kroll.

Registration for the winter session will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9 at the TUHS pool. Swimmers should bring a swimsuit, towel, goggles and warm clothing for after practice. All interested swimmers and parents can contact the Taft Tigersharks by email (tafttigersharks@yahoo.com) or by phone (Greg Golling 661-301-2125 or Adrienne Cloud 661-932-0686).

Taft College Foundation Announces Outreach Program for Past Graduates On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, the Taft College Foundation hosted a 90th Birthday Celebration for Harry Wilson who, at that time, was thought to be the oldest living alumnus of Taft College. Harry graduated in 1942.

Since that event, with the pictorial coverage in the local newspaper, it has come to our attention that there are other, older graduates/alumni out there within the community. We are so excited that you are coming forward, to share your information with us.

The Foundation, as a staffed department, is still somewhat in its infancy, with the Executive Director position being created and staffed within the last two years. Historically, complete and accurate data is always critical in maintaining contact with past graduates. In addition, membership in the Alumni Association, which would provide such contact, has not always been a priority for alumni. With the recent purchase of a new computerized system, the potential for creating a strong, viable data base for the Taft College Foundation and all its alumni will become a working reality.

We very much want to establish contact with all our graduates, especially since Taft College will be celebrating its’ 90th Anniversary this year. We would love to have an alumni luncheon, and encourage the community to notify us of any older graduates.

Please forward your data, including name, address, telephone number and years of attendance/graduation to: shornbunk@taftcollege.edu.

We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you!

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

West Side Senior Care Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Full Time Live-In Care

Now Open

3 Openings Available • Women & Men Welcome 115 Adkisson Way - (661) 745-4220

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

State License No. 157202510

Taft Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership And Installation Dinner 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 nominate someone for an award and/or to RSVP for the event, please call the Chamber at 661-765-2165 or stop by their office at 400 Kern Street. Award categories are as follows: Business Man of the Year, Business Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and a Community Service Award.

Deadline for award nominations is Friday, January 20. Tickets to attend the event are $35 each with event sponsorships available. Contact the Chamber for more information.

Measure Me Mommie At 2012 Pre Golden Globes Boom Boom Room Measure Me Mommie, makers of a unique jewelry keepsake designed to track the healthy growth and milestones of a pregnancy, have recently received an exclusive invitation to showcase their line at the 2012 Pre-Golden Globes Boom Boom Room celebrity event in Beverly Hills, CA on January 13th & 14th. Hosted by TV personality and fashion guru Jayneoni Moore, this gifting suite event welcomes A-list celebrity parents to connect with the hottest must-have items for expectant moms, babies and kids.

Celebrities from past Boom Boom Room Actress Lindsay Price trying on Measure Me events include Tori Mommie from a Boom Boom Room event in 2011.

Spelling, Jessica Alba, Photo c/o Zimbio Halle Berry, Sarah Drew, Ana Ortiz, Chris Noth, Tiffany Amber Thiessen, Jewel, Scott Baio, and Tim Allen to mention a few. The event is also covered by press and media outlets such as People Magazine, US Weekly and InStyle as well as featured on TV’s Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight. Based in Taft, CA (http://www. measurememommie.com) is an emerging company that designs a unique tracking system that combines jewelry and measuring to capture healthy growth and milestones throughout a pregnancy.

Measure Me Mommie is a one-of a-kind brand. This up-and-coming company was launched in 2009 by local jewelry designer, Cindy Patterson, who wanted to help expectant women celebrate the healthy growth and special milestones during their pregnancies. The Waistlet, Charms and Memory Page allow them to have a permanent record of how much their bodies changed during the first stages of their baby's life plus reminds them of the first time the baby kicked, they heard a heartbeat and found out the gender. It's designed to be a keepsake that can be worn as a piece of jewelry and then later displayed in a shadow box or added to your baby's scrapbook.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Cindy Patterson at (661) 333-3355 or cindypatterson@measurememommie.co

4

TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial

The Taft

Independent

Westside Watcher

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

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

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

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

Have Your Next Event At The Club!

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

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

Taft Fox Theater To Reopen In Late January

If work on the Taft Fox Theater is any indication of good news, the historic theater will be reopening soon.

Workmen, plumbers, and projectionists have been inside the theater this past week making repairs and getting the theater ready to reopen, possibly by the end of January according to a former theater owner.

According to a Facebook posting by former operator Kent Coke, who plans to lease the theater, the building and equipment is getting a work over while various government agencies make inspections.

The water has been turned back on and the electricity is working again as well.

“There are a lot of people working on getting the building ready for the required inspections before the theater can reopen,” Coke wrote on a Facebook posting today.

“The owners of the building and some local businesses have been great about getting this work done.”

According to Coke, the theater projection and sound systems are being replaced or reinstalled.

A former operator of the theater tried to remove the projection and sound equipment, but was stopped by the building owners.

Coke also wrote that the main theater has been completed.

“The picture looks great and the sound system is state of the art Dolby Digital, which sounds fantastic,” Coke wrote.

Coke plans to open all 3 theater screens.

“Theater #2 and #3 also have Dolby Digital sound and new projection consoles to provide excellent picture and sound.”

Coke wrote that he planned to let the media know soon when the theater was planning to reopen.

Paik’s

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

January 6 - 12, 2012 Theater admission prices will be $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and children. Matinee admission (before 6 p.m.) would be $5.00 “There is still a lot of work to do and a lot of permits, licenses, and other items to be taken care of,’” Coke said. “Tentative reopening is late January.”

Danny Antrim of Taft posted on the Taft Independent Facebook page, “This is good news! Now let’s hope the town supports it!”

Thank You From The NEEDS Center The NEEDS Center wishes to take this opportunity to thank our very supportive donors who helped make the lives of some very special children in this community just a little bit brighter this Christmas Season. The annual NEEDS Children’s Christmas Party was held on Dec 13th at the NEEDS Center on Main Street for 45 children and their parents. We wish to acknowledge the following people and organizations for their generous donations of time, gifts, and money: TUHS Key Club for their sponsorship; Rotary Club of Taft, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Taft Correctional Institution, Dollar Tree Store, and Acme Jewelry for their kind gifts; Clint Lykens for his refurbished children bicycles; several local Bunco Clubs for their support and Mike Taylor for his cash donation. We have a very sympathic network of family and friends who help year round but were very generous this Christmas. We wish to thank our NEEDS Center board of directors and our all volunteer unpaid staff that give their time all year long to support families who need a helping hand.

The NEEDS Center is a non-profit 501(3)c organization meeting the nutritional needs of the Westside community for the past 32 years. We accept donations of food, clothing, and monetary contributions all year round. The Center is open from 9:00 am to noon on Mondays and Fridays for emergency food assistance, a hot meal, and clothing and when funds are available utility and rental assistance. Again thanks to the Westside community for being so caring.

Bill Wickwire Executive Director

Dear Secret Santa, Thank you so much for the lovely gifts you left at my house. It couldn’t have been a better time in my life! God Bless you and yours.

Barbara LaBrut

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January 6 - 12, 2012

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 steph@wsrpd.com

by Stephanie House FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE Saturday, February 4, 2012 7:00-9:30 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium 500 Cascade Place, Taft Girls ages 4 and up $30 per couple ($10 each additional daughter) Don’t miss out on the 4th Annual Father Daughter Dance. Girls ages 4 and older may be accompanied by their father, guardian or adult relative. The special evening includes music, photographs, snacks and more fun surprises. Tickets are limited and must be purchased by February 2. No tickets will be available the night of the event, so buy yours now!

COED SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL WINTER LEAGUE Season: January 17 – February 21, 2012 Fee: $350 per team Registration deadline: Thursday, January 12 Packets are available in the District Office or Recreation Center. Payment and completed paperwork must be submitted to the District Office no later than January 12.

MENS SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL WINTER LEAGUE Season: January 19 – February 23, 2012 Fee: $350 per team Registration deadline: Thursday, January 12 Packets are available in the District Office or Recreation Center. Payment and completed paperwork must be submitted to the District Office no later than January 12.

TINY TOT & INSTRUCTIONAL P.E. When: Monday – Friday Ages 2-3, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Ages 4-6, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Program operates year-round (new students welcome at any time!)

Where: Recreation Center Gymnasium Fee: $3 per child, per day or $25 monthly What a great way for your little one to burn off some energy before nap time! This is an open gym session designed exclusively for little ones. Enjoy this fun-filled parent & me multi-sport/physical activity time with your child by tumbling on mats, shooting baskets, catching footballs, kicking soccer balls, running obstacle courses and other fun activities. A t-shirt is included in the price of monthly memberships.

TINY TOT KICKBALL Who: Ages 2-4 When: Thursday Evenings Time: TBA Session: January 26 – February 16, 2012 Place: Recreation Center Gymnasium Fee: $25 per person Registration deadline: January 19

BEADS & MORE BEADS Tuesday, January 17 3:00-4:15 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Grades K-6 $2 per person Bring your imagination to this fun hour of designing and making a variety of bead specialties. We will have PONYTAIL SOFTBALL $45: December 27 – February 23 all the supplies you’ll need to create necklaces, bracelets, and fuse bead iron projects. $50: after February 23 (dependent on program availability) NO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 23.

GYMNASTICS Ponytail Softball is for girls ages 7-15. Practices begin the week of March 12, 2012 and the season begins April Who: Grades K and older 14, 2012.

When: Monday Evenings Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

YOUTH TRACK Session: January 23 – March 5 Who: Ages 6-15 Where: Community Center Auditorium Season: begins in March Fee: $40 per session ($30 for each additional family member) Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Instructor: Suzanne Hale Where: Taft Union High School Track Fee: $45 per person CHEERLEADING Registration deadline: February 23 Grades K-1 This program is designed to train boys and girls, ages 6-15, in all areas of track and field. Participants are eligible Thursday Evenings to enter the District Track Meet, and may also qualify to advance to other meets. Practices will take place during 4:30-5:00 p.m. the week.

Grades 2-3 S.T.O.P. PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS Thursday Evenings (Strive To Optimize Participation) 5:15-6:00 p.m.

Did you know that the District has a youth scholarship program? Children in low income, single parent or mulWhen: January 26 – March 1 tiple participant households are eligible! For more information, or to find out how your child can take advantage Where: Community Center Auditorium of reduced program fees, give us a call in the District Office at 763-4246.

Fee: $25 per person *shirts are available at an additional cost Instructor: Nicole Cleveland RECREATION CENTER The District’s new Recreation Center is now open! The Center includes a full-size gymnasium, weight room, YOGA 4-lane bowling alley, preschool room, activity room and restrooms/locker room.

Who: Ages 14 and older For more information, including operating hours and programs offered, visit the Recreation Center page on our When: Tuesday and Thursday Evenings website (www.wsrpd.com) or give the Center a call at 765-6677.

Time: 7:00-7:45 p.m.

Where: Community Center Assembly Room BOWLING PARTY RENTALS Fee: $25 per month Make your reservation now!

Instructor: Valerie Taylor Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at the bowling alley in the new Recreation Center. Parties This is the perfect class for beginners looking to improve flexibility and enhance general fitness. Class may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday. Rental fees start at $100 for 2-lane rentals. Rental prices goals are to strengthen muscles and joints, improve circulation and relieve stress through common yoga include shoes, balls and use of the party room. The Center and bowling alley are slated to open in early Septemstretches. Students should bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. ber. Call 763-4246 for more information or to make a reservation.

WALKING FOR SENIORS When: Monday – Friday Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Season: December 12 – April 6, 2012 Where: Recreation Center Gymnasium Fee: $1 daily or $15 monthly During the cooler weather months, we invite you to walk the track in the Recreation Center Gymnasium.

There will be prizes for reaching milestones and we will also help you track your miles and progress.

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

PARTY PACKAGES Make your reservation now!

Need help planning a birthday party, bridal shower or baby shower? We can help! For one low fee, we will provide a room, plates, napkins, forks, cups, balloons and invitations – all to match your theme or colors. And for a little extra, we can help with activities, too! Package prices start at $130. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call the District Office at 763-4246.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP Saturday, January 14 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room Ages 15 and older $5 per person. Bring your own supplies!

HUNTERS SAFETY COURSE Monday, Feb 6 – Wednesday, Feb 8 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium $5 per person. Register the first night of class. (next class: May 7-9, 2012)

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Maricopa City Council Approves Use Of Kern County Sheriff Department For Community

By Nicole Frost

a police officer could cost up to $75,000, which would be a substantial expense for the city, considering the city’s current debt of almost $400,000.

“There are 11 incorporated cities in Kern County,” said Ziegler.

“Tehachapi has the smallest police department with 9 sworn-in officers and Delano has the largest with 43 sworn-in officers. The median salary for one officer would be $46,000-$47,000.”

The council unanimously agreed to approve the use of Kern County police in Maricopa as well as appropriating $100,000 to the Kern County Sheriff ’s Office.

As previously mentioned, the city owes almost $400,000 in total to various parties.

“There is no money in investments, and no money in reserves,” explained Ziegler. “New strategies must be adopted. One possible solution is bankruptcy, [but] recovery is doable. It is in the city and community’s best interest to stay incorporated.”

Ziegler wasn’t the only person to recommend recovery.

“100% of people [in Maricopa] do not want the city to be disincorporated,” said Mayor Gary Mock.

The council also discussed a franchise agreement between the city of Maricopa and Westside Waste Management Inc. for refuse disposal service. This would include the use of automated disposal

The Maricopa City Council held a special meeting Eric Ziegler yesterday to address several issues such as the city’s finances and current law enforcement situation.

The meeting began with the usual call to order, flag salute and silent invocation. After discussing the payment of bills, the council discussed the use of Kern County police in lieu of a Maricopa Police Department.

City Manager Eric Ziegler was the first to speak on the subject.

“I have long believed that a city should provide its own law enforcement services,” said Ziegler. “[However], the city of Maricopa can’t sustain a full-time police department, period.”

Ziegler presented an outline of the city’s account balances and debts before making the above statement. The annual salary for

OT

Cookhouse Specializing in Steak & Seafood

Lunch

Dinner

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

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 1-10-12 thru 1-14-12)

Tues.

1-10-12 Lunch Tues.

1-10-12 Dinner Wed. 1-11-12 Lunch Wed. 1-11-12 Dinner Thurs.

1-12-12 Lunch

Steak Macaroni & Cheese

$9.95

BBQ Beef Ribs

$11.95

Roast Beef

$9.95

Veal Liver with Bacon $11.95 & Onions $8.95 Jalapeno Burger BBQ Pork Ribs

$14.95/

Fri. 1-13-12 Lunch

English Style Fish & Chips

$9.95

Fri. 1-13-12 Dinner

$16.95 Small/ $19.95 Large

Prime Rib

$16.95/ $19.95

Seafood Pasta

$15.95

Thurs.

1-12-12 Dinner

Sat. 1-14-12 Dinner

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

CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

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

Bob Hampton equipment and bulky waste disposal.

“We will volunteer to haul old containers to make room for the new automated containers,” said Bob Hampton, Westside Waste Management Inc. owner.

Mayor Pro Tem Virgil Bell made a motion to approve the Westside Waste Management Inc. contract and this was approved by all five council members.

One of the last items on the agenda was the assignment of the AT&T mobility cell site lease to AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners for 25 years. This would generate an amount of $195,150.

The two companies that showed interest in the site lease were AP Wireless and Unison. Both companies spoke on behalf of their companies, but the original decision to approve AP Wireless stayed in affect. The transaction will be executed by Mayor Mock and the City Clerk Bullard.

January 6 - 12, 2012

PAL Blood Draw Opens On Center Street

A new blood draw-station was recently opened in Taft on Center Street on January 3. Physician Automated Lab Inc. (PAL) is now available to handle blood testing, urine sampling and more without having to drive all the way to Bakersfield.

PAL is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is operated by phlebotomist William Preciado, who has been working in phlebotomy for about 4 years.

“This draw-station was opened to better serve the community,” explained Preciado. “The closest one would be on Panama Lane in Bakersfield.”

There are 22 PAL locations in Kern County, with the headquarters in Bakersfield, and they have been in business for 44 years.

With a doctor’s referral, anyone can go to PAL for blood work and testing. With insurance, the testing is free and no copay is taken from PAL. After the procedure, the samples are sent to the patients physician or doctor.

“Since I’m the only one here, only one person can be helped at a time,” said Preciado. “But the procedure is really quick.”

Taft’s PAL is open to the public and available for your convenience.

Christmas Cards Bring Support To Local Teenager

By Nicole Frost While most of us were thinking about gifts, food, music, and football this Christmas season, a young lady in Taft had only one holiday wish: to receive as many Christmas cards as possible.

Casie Mobley, 19, is not just any teenager. She has been battling arteriovenous malformation for 14 years. AVM is a rare blood disease that affects the blood vessels by causing the blood to pass from arteries to veins without going through the capillary system. This, in Mobley’s case, causes damage to vital organs.

Mobley is a Taft native but she lived in Washington for the past two years. After feeling that her symptoms had worsened, Mobley decided to return home.

After hearing Mobley’s request, step father Ronnie Curtis came up with a way to make her Christmas wish come true.

“We were sitting talking about her birthday and we thought it would be neat to get Casie a bunch of cards,” Curtis explained. “We did it for Christmas and The Largest, Cheapest and Only Casie said that each one would be a prayer. She’s gotten about 180 each day.

Used Book Store in Taft She’s even kept receiving them after Christmas! Even cards over the internet.”

Mobley has received cards from Iraq, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback England. Country singer Alan Jackson and the Angels baseball team even parHard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion ticipated in Mobley’s campaign.

Childrens • Cookbooks and More!

In total, Mobley has received over 700 cards since December 20 and she is still receiving cards even though Christmas has passed.

“I just wanted to thank everybody for the support and the prayers,” said Mobley.

If you would like to share a thought or a prayer, send a card to Casie Mobley 810 Center Street • (661)805-9813 at 321 Shattuck Ave. in Taft.

Ben’s Books

Come in and look at our Unadvertised Specials!

January 6 - 12, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Walters Window Washing Cleaning Up Westside Windows

HAYDENS HOPE Thrift Store

Shirts & Sweaters $.25 Pants $.50 Does not include hoodies or jackets.

We now accept credit cards!

420 1/2 Center Street God Bless!

Find us on Facebook Together we can help keep our Teens in Taft off the streets.

El Jacalito Restaurant Mexican Food & Seafood

101 B. Street • Taft

(661)763-9890

Lunch Specials

Walters Window Washing has made a clean streak in Taft.

Owner and operator Walter Mejia, originally from Buttonwillow, started his window washing company two years ago while living in Texas. Walter and his wife, Suly, moved to Taft in late 2011 as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Izabella, and wanted to be closer to family.

Walter is available for residential and commercial services as well as window paint removal, janitorial services for offices, and other odds and ends that most people don’t like to do.

Walter is licensed and a member of the Taft Chamber of Commerce. Contact Walter at (661) 623-6677.

$8.95 11am-3pm includes drink

Lunch specials served daily from 11am to 3pm and includes drink

The Place 4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660

Saturday, January 14th

$10.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ Pork Spare Ribs, Green Salad, Beans & Bread Starts at 5pm

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

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

January 6 - 12, 2012

The Unelectable Presidential Candidate?

By Dr. Harold Pease The day before the Iowa primary the Des Moines Register reported that 41% of Iowans still remained undecided with respect to their choice for president which strongly indicates that no one has yet “touched” a majority of the Republican Party—far from it! Nor did Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum together, each with 25% of the vote, with 99% reporting, capture even a simple majority. Third place went to Ron Paul with 21%, who was short only 4,000 votes from taking first place. So, it appears the Republicans are not enthused by anyone. This aside let us look at the race from another perspective, what I call the negative index. Who was the most negatively targeted presidential candidate, but still had good numbers, perhaps the “real” winner?

To the question, “Who is least likely to win the Republican Party nomination and defeat President Barack Obama? The answer was, and is, always Congressman Ron Paul. “Ron Paul is OK but he is not electable.” Who said so! Virtually every radio or television commentator or pundit from MSNBC to Fox News has so said. The chorus included virtually every columnist and major newspaper in the country as well. Probably no presidential candidate in our history has had more organized opposition. Whether you like Ron Paul or not the fact remains that despite the intensity of this opposition, over one in five Iowans voted for him. Moreover, a vast majority of the funding from Super Pacs was targeted against Paul and Newt Gingrich. Newt tumbled to fourth place and Paul to third but one wonders what might have happened if Romney or Santorum had received similar negative—even hostile—coverage.

As a presidential candidate four years ago Paul was treated dismissively, ignored or undermined. Such is still so, supporters maintain, but his ranks increased and showed themselves to be exceptionally loyal none-the-less and less tolerant of this treatment. Still victories, like coming in second to Michele Bachmann by less than a hundred votes in the Iowa Straw Vote several months ago, were ignored by the establishment press. More recently others noticed that he received only 90 seconds out of an hour and a half debate several weeks ago and began to ask why. Such slights were subtle but numerous. Prior to the Caucus it was indeed difficult to find any favorable commentary by any major news source outside Judge Napolitano’s Freedom Watch on the Fox Business Channel.

Recently when polls showed the possibility of a Ron Paul victory in Iowa fellow candidates and political pundits collectively intensified their negative treatment, all accused him of being out of step with Republican foreign policy. One commentator went so far as to say that if Paul won the Iowa Caucus, the Caucus should not be treated as seriously in the future. Newt Gingrich took time to call Ron Paul “a dangerous man” in a speech attempting to explain his poor showing of only 13% in the Caucus, seven percentage points under that of Paul.

Why the almost universal opposition? Perhaps in part it comes from the Council on Foreign Relations, the most influential special interest group in the United States. It’s magazine Foreign Affairs, advertised as “the most influential periodical in print,” is considered direction for its over 2100 members and thousands more readers. What suggestions are published in this publication become U.S. foreign policy. The April 2011 edition housed an article “The Tea Party and American Foreign Policy: What Populism Means for Globalism” an article essentially defining The Tea Party movement as dangerous and a threat to world governance. In that article it acknowledged having to deal with the movement but concluded that, at the time it had two arms, one represented by Sara Palin, the other by Ron Paul. Of the two they felt that the “Palinites” could be molded properly in foreign policy, which they dominate regardless of which party comes to power, but under the “Paulites” they would have no voice thus he had to be resisted at all costs. In other words, they could not control Ron Paul. With a majority of the key media players being CFR members and falling in line, opposition to Presidential Candidate Paul is more understandable.

Whether one loves or hates Paul, probably no presidential candidate in our history has had more long term organized opposition than he and with such still able to garner 21% of the Iowa vote with nobody receiving more than 4 percentage points higher than he. Given the negative index it is amazing that he is still a viable candidate (probably anyone else would have be crushed into nonexistence) and perhaps with such opposition factored in, the actual winner of the Iowa Caucus.

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.

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

Check Out Our Website Maricopaquiltcompany.com And Facebook Page 370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171 All your detailing needs!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

Call for Appointment Today!

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

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

Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 4:30 pm. www.sagebrushannies.com

Now Celebrating Our 22nd Year

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

Subscription Form Subscribe for home delivery of the Taft Independent today!

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

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

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

January 6 - 12, 2012

Obituary

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft Crude

Coffee House The Only Mortuary On The West Side Where All Arrangements And Funerals Are Personally Directed By

RONALD VAL FLETCHER SIMS May 3, 1939- November 24, 2011 BASIN, WY-Ronald Val Fletcher Sims, age 72, of Basin, Wyoming passed away at his home in Basin, Wyoming on Thursday, November 24, 2011.

Ron was born May 3, 1939 at Grenville, New Mexico to join John William Sims and Christene Clason Sims. Christene later married John Cullen Fletcher, who adopted Ron in 1944. He received schooling in Greybull, Wyoming and Bakersfield, California.

Ron met and married the love of his life, Barbara Lee Morris on September 14, 1956 at Basin, Wyoming. To this union were born 6 children: Naomi Jo, Nancy Jane, Natalie Jill, Neal John, Nelson Jay, and Nicole Janine. Ron and Barbara raised their family in California. In 2000, the couple moved back to Basin, Wyoming.

Ron loved anything with four wheels, and you could find him underneath a car working on it at any time of the day or night. He was a mechanic, a school bus driver and trainer, and truck driver during his work years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He played golf in his later years.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara of Basin Wyoming; his children, Naomi Jo Dotson, Nancy Jane Wheeler, Natalie Jill Reese, Neal John Sims, and Nicole Janine Kendrick, all of California and Nelson Jay Sims of Basin. Wyoming; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; his sisters and brothers, Valerie, Courtney, Curtis, Jan, and Keith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Per Ron’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and his cremains have been taken back to California and buried near his mother.

Atwood Family Funeral Directors, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.

Licensed Funeral Directors

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

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller

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

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

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 Subscription Form

Subscribe for home delivery of the Taft Independent today!

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

Name_________________________________ Address________________________________ Start Date____________End Date__________

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

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 UTURN Youth Service Sunday 6pm 1000 6th St. Weekly Classes Mon - Thurs Please call 765-7472 for info For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday

Pastors Shannon N. and Shannon L. 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

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

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

Wednesday.

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

AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock FOUND PETS LOST PETS

Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Yard Sale Saturday 1/7/12 503 Van Buren St. 8am-3pm. Washer/ dryer, bunk bed, king size head board, frame, twin captain bed, crafts, toys, 87 Ford Ranger and more.

Moving Sale 708 Vista Via. Saturday 7am-1pm.

Lots of household items and home decor!

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 earth am I here for?

Widows meet twice a month on Tuesday

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

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

Employment HELP WANTED

FOR SALE

Wanted

WANTED

Work Wanted. Need light to med. housework done? Am ready to and willing and able. Call 765-6610. Ask for Kathy Walters.

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

For Sale FOR SALE Pickers Buy & Sell 428 Center Street Hours 1-5pm Tues-Fri

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 Commercial: 330 California (old post office) Maricopa 616 Poso,(restaurant & dry good w/ beer & wine license)Maricopa Residential 417 Tyler $60K 3bed/

Business Services Rite Away Carpet Cleaning Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General Cleaning Owner Operated Visa\Master Card 765-4191 CASE NO: S-1500CV-274771

Preserving for the Future

Fax:765-6556 765-6556 Fax: E-mail: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

January 6 - 12, 2012

2 bath 415 Buchanan St $35,500 cash only Can’t make payments call me!!

Wondering how buying a house works? Set an appointment with Karri to watch a FREE video on the process.

Call 661-332-6597 for a current list or drop by the office.

MOBILE HOMES 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 $1,050 mo + dep.

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

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

APART. FOR RENT 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. 661.765-

7674. 420 Finley Dr. 2bd/1ba $750 mo + dep.

Recently remodeled.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE Michael Long, Publisher The Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF MICHAEL LONG TO HAVE THE STANDING OF THE TAFT INDEPENDENT AS A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION ASCERTAINED AND ESTABLISHED. CASE NO: S-1500CV-274771 NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR ORDER DECLARING STATUS OF NEWSPAPER AS ONE OF GENERAL CIRCULATION (GOV. CODE 6021) Notice is hereby given that, on January 18, 2012, at 8:30am, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in Department 14 of this court, located at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, petitioner intends to apply for an order declaring the newspaper known as The Taft Independent to be a newspaper of general circulation for Taft, California.

DATED: SEPTEMBER 23-2011 Petitioner Michael Long, Publisher The Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 _________________ Michael Long, Publisher That Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STET OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF MICHAEL LONG TO HAVE THE STANDING OF THE TAFT INDEPENDENT AS A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION ASCERTAINED AND ESTABLISHED.

PETITION TO ASCERTAIN AND ESTABLISH STANDING AS NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION (GOV. CODE 6008, 6020) Petitioner, Michael Long, alleges: 1. Petitioner is the publisher of the newspaper known as The Taft Independent, hereafter referred to as “the newspaper.”

2. The newspaper is a newspaper of general circulation published for the dissemination of local news and intelligence of a general character in Taft, California. The business address of the newspaper is 508 Center Street, Taft, California.

3. The newspaper has a bona fide subscription list of paying subscribers, numbering 536, and a substantial distribution to paying subscribers, numbering 346, within the City of Taft, California.

4. For more than three years preceding the filing of this petition, the newspaper has been established under the name of The Taft Independent, and has been so established and published, that is, issued and sold or distributed regularly every Friday in Taft, Californai.

5. During each year of the three-year period preceding the filing of this petition, the newspaper has maintained a minimum coverage of local news and intelligence of a general character of not less than twentyfive percent of its total inches; it has had only one principal office of publication, located in Taft, California.

WHEREFORE, petitioner prays for judgment ascertaining and establishing the Taft Independent as a newspaper of general circulation, as defined in Section 6008 of the Government Code, for the City of Taft, County of Kern, California.

Dated this September 23, 2011 Petitioner

Ken Shugarts

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

Real Estate eBroker Inc. 325 Kern Street

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

September 23, 2011, Taft, California.

Signed Michael Long

Passion For Nails 1014 6th Street

Mon. to Fri. 10am-7pm Sat. 9am-6pm (661)745-4913

Miller’s

Beauty Supply

Beauty Supply Salon Boutique 510 Center Street (661)763-5445

Get It Rented!

Michael Long, Publisher The Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 I, Michael Long, am the petitioner in the aboveentitled proceeding. I have read the foregoing petition and know the contents thereof. The same is true of my own knowledge, except as to those matters which are therein alleged on information and belief, and as to those matters, I believe it to be true.

Advertise With The Taft Independent Call Today!

765-6550

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

Place Your Ad for $2 Per Line!

Call Today (661)765-6550

G and F Footwear

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

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

January 6 - 12, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

California 2011 Gas Price Update

How To Report Street Light Outages

The U.S. average price of gasoline as of Tuesday, January 3rd, $3.26/g, has declined significantly in recent months but still remains 21.3 cents per gallon higher than the U.S. average price recorded last year at this time.

“As 2011 has come to a close, that’s cause for concern,” says Gregg Laskoski, Senior Petroleum Analyst for GasBuddy.com. “Why? For the past seven years, the average price movement from the beginning of the year to the peak price posted during the year has been $0.93 cents per gallon, and as high as $1.31/gallon.”

“Last year was actually a good snapshot of what we’ve seen for the past seven years. 2010 ended with the national average at $3.05 and we saw the annual spring 2011 climb push the national average 91 cents higher to its peak level as early as May 11 when it reached $3.96 per gallon,” Laskoski said. California average “start price” to peak retail gasoline prices:

A link has been provided to PG&E where local citizens can report street light outages, we at the City of Taft encourage the use of this reporting mechanism as the quickest way to return lights to service. Customers may also contact City of Taft Public Works Department for help with Street Lights at 661-763-1222. www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/contact/streetlight/

2007: Start Price: $2.60/g on 1/1/2007 Peak Price: $3.46/g on 5/7/2007 Difference: 86.2 cents per gallon 2008: Start Price: $3.27/g on 1/1/2008 Peak Price: $4.58/g on 6/18/2008 Difference: 131.4 cents per gallon 2009: Start Price: $1.86/g on 1/1/2009 Peak Price: $3.14/g on 9/13/2009 Difference: 128.4 cents per gallon 2010: Start Price: $2.96/g on 1/1/2010 Peak Price: $3.30/g on 12/31/2010 Difference: 33.2 cents per gallon 2011: Start Price: $3.30/g on 1/1/2011 Peak Price: $4.26/g on 5/4/2011 Difference: 95.9 cents per gallon “In three of the last seven years, the spread between the yearly starting price and the peak exceeded $1 per gallon and only once in the past seven years was the spread below .82 cents per gallon. And, while we typically anticipate “peak” prices to occur in the midst of the summer driving season, sometimes the peak can even come after summer has concluded, as was the case nationally during 2006 and 2009. While past performance is no indication of future prices,if the national average doesn’t move closer toward or under $3 per gallon by the year’s end, we could be paying over $4/gal next spring,” said Patrick DeHaan, another Petroleum Analyst with GasBuddy.

Appointments Announced to BLM Central California Resource Advisory Council Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has made one new appointment and two re-appointments to the Bureau of Land Management’s Central California District Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues.

Mary Gorden, Lemon Cove, was re-appointed representing archaeological and historical interests. Reb Monaco, Hollister, who previously served on the RAC as an elected official, was re-appointed to represent dispersed recreation. Blair Knox, Sacramento, was appointed to represent energy and mineral development. The appointments are for three years.

The Central California RAC advises BLM officials for the Hollister, Mother Lode, Bakersfield and Bishop field offices.

The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands.

Positions that will come vacant in 2012 are: · Category Two (one open position) – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations. · Category Three (two open positions) – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.

A call for nominations will be issued in early 2012. For more information, contact David Christy, Central California District public affairs officer, at (916) 941-3146 or email dchristy@blm.gov

Healthcare-Associated Infections Detailed in New Reports The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today released six reports with data collected from California’s hospitals on certain types of healthcare-associated infections.

“These reports provide the most detailed picture yet of healthcare-associated infections in California’s hospitals,” CDPH Director, Dr. Ron Chapman said. “The information in these reports is intended to increase awareness and lead to appropriate changes that will decrease the number of these infections.”

The collecting and reporting of data on healthcare-associated infections (HAI) enables hospitals to identify areas for improvement, healthcare purchasers to determine the value of care, and patients to make more informed choices.

“Changes that are made to improve quality of care as a result of these data will potentially save hundreds of lives in California each year,” Dr. Chapman continued.

The reports provide data from California’s hospitals for the following types of infections: Central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI); Clostridium difficile infections (CDI); Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bloodstream infections; Surgical site infections (SSI).

A fifth report examines hospital use of practices to prevent specific infections, known as central-line insertion practices (CLIP), and a final report provides rates of influenza vaccination among hospital workers.

Highlights from the reports include: Central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)—Half of all hospitals providing critical care to infants reported none of the infections in those patient care locations. This year’s report is the first in California to provide CLABSI rates for specific patient care locations within hospitals.

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI)—Long-term acute care hospitals have infection rates that are more than twice those of general acute care hospitals, most likely because patients stay longer in long-term care facilities.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycinresistant Enterococcus (VRE)—Forty-nine percent of the hospitals reported no MRSA and 59 percent reported no VRE. These infections occur primarily in severely ill patients. Rates of MRSA and VRE were significantly higher in major teaching and long-term acute care hospitals, where more severely ill patients receive care, than in pediatric hospitals and community hospitals.

Central-line insertion practices (CLIP)—In 93 percent of the instances in which these infection prevention practices were required, hospital staff did so.

California hospitals are now required to report Surgical Site Infection data electronically through the federal National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), effective April 1, 2011. A smaller report using NHSN data, covering April through June, 2011, was included in those released today.

Data on healthcare worker vaccination practices, which was released in December 2011, show that the influenza vaccination rate for hospital employees was 64.3 percent in 2010-11, a slight increase from the rate of 62.6 percent in 2009-10.

In all of the reports but one—healthcare worker vaccination—hospitals used the NHSN reporting system for the first time. In addition, the report on CLIP was the first of its kind.

The series of reports are mandated by SB 1058 (Chapter 296, Statues of 2008). Hospital compliance with providing data for the reports for 201011 ranged from 91 percent to 98 percent. To promote compliance, CDPH conducts a quality assurance process that ensures that hospitals are aware of missing or unreported data, provides assistance in correcting deficiencies and offers educational opportunities and individual onsite consultation to assist hospitals in reporting compliance.

Hospitals are actively engaged in efforts to prevent HAI. One of the best examples, Dr. Chapman said, is the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative, an effort to protect the health of newborns. Substantial numbers of hospitals reported no CLABSIs in their neonatal critical care units, which may be a reflection of this prevention initiative.

“These important and helpful reports continue the dialogue about the differences in infection rates in hospitals and how to reduce those rates,” Dr. Chapman added. “Consumers can ask their healthcare providers about healthcare-associated infections and measures to prevent them.”

The California Department of Housing and Community Development Announces $6.6 Million in Federal Funds for California Federal Emergency Shelter Grants Friday the Department of Housing and Community Development (Department) announced awards totaling $6.6 million to support homeless assistance programs throughout the State.

“These awards will enable communities to provide shelters and vital homeless assistance services to adults, children, and families in California,” said Acting Director, Cathy E. Creswell.

A complete list of Federal Emergency Shelter Grant (FESG) program awards are listed on the attached document. Awards were made to 62 nonprofit programs and local governments in California, including the following: • Transition House has offered homeless families emergency shelter services at its Santa Barbara shelter since 1984. Targeting homeless families with children, the average client demographics consist of 60% children and 40% adults. Over 60% of the families are single-parent households. The 70-bed shelter provides free supportive services that help move families toward economic selfsufficiency.

• Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego has provided housing and basic support services to homeless persons since 1919 and operates two emergency shelters – Our Lady of Guadalupe Shelter for Men and House of Hope, both of which are in Imperial County.

• Ocean Park Community Center in Santa Monica addresses the needs of chronically homeless men and women, most of who struggle with mental illness, substance addiction, and other disabling medical conditions. The program operates a 70 bed emergency shelter where their clients can stay for up to 6 months.

• The Lazuras Project, Inc. is a transitional housing scattered site model with support services located in the city of Roseville, California. Four sites with 23 beds will assist homeless individuals.

In 2009, the organization was a partner agency to the Kids First Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) administered by HCD. The 2011 FESG grantees will use these funds for a variety of activities, including emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and shelters for victims of domestic violence.

The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), authorized by Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, allocates Emergency Shelter Grants program funds nationwide to units of local government and states.

In August 2011, HUD awarded $6.6 million to the Department. HCD released a Notice of Funding Availability which resulted in the receipt of 98 applications from nonprofit organizations and units of local government. The Department will distribute homeless assistance funds to 62 of the highest-ranked applicants who participated in the highly competitive application process.

HCD provides leadership, policies, and programs to preserve and expand safe and affordable housing opportunities and promote strong communities for all Californians. The Department also supports increasing the supply of housing, especially affordable housing and works to improve the state’s housing conditions and the health and safety of its residents. HCD is California’s lead housing department, and is part of the state Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

A listing of the awarded jurisdictions and the scope of their projects is on the attached pages.

For further information, please contact: cparent@hcd.ca.gov

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