Taft Gas Prices

Independent The Taft

October 19 - 25, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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October 19 - 25, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 16

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

Mayor Randy Miller Sounds-Off On Historically High Gasoline Prices Hailey Cook Wins Taft College Bookstore Essay Contest

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2 TAFT INDEPENDENT

October 19 - 25, 2012

Shop Taft

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420 1/2 Center Street Mon . - Friday 9a m to 5pm Antiques Collectables Household Items

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Taft, CA 93268

October 19 - 25, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Westside Watcher............4 Westside News.................5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Movie Review...................8 Classified Ads.................10 Shop Taft........................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.

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Our purpose is to present news and issues of importance to our readers.

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

LETTERS-TO-THE-EDITOR. Send us your letter to Taft Independent at the above address. Limit it to 300 words and include your name, address, and phone number. Fax: (661) 765-6556. Email your letter to: Publisher@taftindependent.com.

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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

Taft Lions Haunted House - October 27 - 31.

Taft High School Haunted House - October 24 - 27.

Annual Trout Derby - November 17. Registration opening soon.

Taft Sportsman’s Club Pheasant Hunt Nov. 17 and 18 Monday, Dec. 3--Christmas Parade Thursday, Dec. 6--Fort Craft Fair Friday, Dec. 7--Tour of Trees Shopping Night and Cruisin’ Center Again Car Cruise Sat., Dec. 8--Soroptimist Home Tour and Luncheon

November is National Novel Writing Month!

Been thinking about writing a novel? Do you swear you’ll get to it “someday?”

Well, stop thinking and write! All through November writers around the world will take part in National Novel Writing Month, when amateurs and professionals alike try to complete a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. Participation is free and open to everyone. There are no judges or entry standards, so seize the opportunity to produce something pressure-free.

Taft College will host a writing session on campus all four Saturdays in November. We’ll meet in Room G9 from 10-4 each day. Bring your laptops or journals, and as many friends as you can find.

For more info visit www.nanowrimo.org or call the TC Library at 661-7637707.

TUHS Band Bash This Saturday

On Saturday, October 20th the Taft High band and Color guard will be hosting the Band Bash at the Taft High Stadium. Marching bands from Garces, Tehachapi and Shafter will be performing along with our own Taft High Band and Color guard. The event is free and starts at 6:00pm. Come out and enjoy the show!!!

Assemblywoman Shannon Grove to Speak on October 24 at the Taft Chamber of Commerce Sit ‘n Sip Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 24, 2012 as Assemblywoman Shannon Grove will be speaking during the Taft Chamber’s weekly Sit ‘n Sip that will be taking place at Jo’s Restaurant at 9:00AM. Assemblywoman Grove will be speaking about many of the issues revolving around the upcoming election on November 6, 2012.

To RSVP for the $10 breakfast, please contact Jessica Miller at the Taft Chamber of Commerce at 661-765-2165 or Jessica.TaftChamber@gmail.com

Maricopa Tea Room Specials

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

Tea Room Specials for the week of Oct 22nd.

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Mon-Thursday Salad Bar Friday-limited menu Special-Roast Beef Wrap w/ fries and salad.

Come & enjoy!

Contributing Writers June Woods, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

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Peace Lutheran Church Hosts Marketplace November 3rd Every year Peace Lutheran Church at 26 Emmons Park across from the library hosts a Marketplace at Peace, and this year the event will be on Saturday, November 3rd, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you have something you want to sell—homemade crafts, art work, gently-used clothes, holiday items, home-baked goods, whatever—you are welcome to rent a table for $10. Please call 765-2488 or 765-6248 to reserve your table now. Items will be for sale both in the yard and inside the parish house.

Lunch will be available—hot dogs, chili, and chicken sticks. Coffee and water are free. The bake sale—cookies, cakes and pies—is inside.

Welcome one and all—you never know what you’ll find at the Marketplace. This is a good place to start your Christmas shopping.

Taft College Athletics Offers Christmas Tree Sales This year Taft College Athletics has teamed up with Alpine Christmas Trees, one of California’s largest Christmas tree retailers, to give you an opportunity to purchase your Christmas tree as part of our 2012 fundraising program.

Alpine has been in business for 35 years. They are committed to providing unparalleled quality and service and will take every step to insure the tree you purchase is personally selected, handled and shipped within hours of being cut.

We invite you to become an important part of the Cougar tradition of pride by helping us raise $15,000, by selling 1,000 trees, to maintain this year’s athletic programs.

When you support Cougar Athletics, you will begin to feel, like us, that these are your athletic programs, your teammates, and your winning ambitions. And you will know that nothing can take away the pride that makes you feel so much a part of Taft College.

Taft College Foundation Third Annual Alumni and Friends Cougar Rib-Eye Cookout Celebrating our 90th Anniversary On Saturday, October 20, 2012, the Taft College Foundation will host its Third Annual (Alumni and Friends) Cougar Rib-Eye Cookout, on the Taft College Campus, in the Quad area. From 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. there will be a Social Hour, with dinner service beginning at approximately 6:00 p.m. and continuing until 8:00 p.m.

The evening will include formal presentation of colors & flag salute, live music by the band “Blackboard Playboys,” from Trout’s of Bakersfield, a couple of surprises, a raffle for all ticket holders to win a $300 gift card, and of course fabulous rib-eye steaks, prepared by our able caterer, Orchel Krier of the Tumbleweed Café & Bar. The dinner menu includes steaks, salad, beans, bread, and ice cream for dessert. Beverages will be available for sale, including beer & wine, as well as sodas.

Water will be complimentary. Once again, we are fortunate to have as our event sponsor TRC Operating Company, Inc. As with last year, a special feature of the evening will be a salute to our local veterans, who will be our special guests for the evening.

There will be 100 complimentary tickets available to veterans and their spouses on a first come first serve basis.

The Rib-Eye Cookout has become a favorite event at Taft College and in the community”, notes Dr. Dena Maloney, Superintendent-President.

“This event will recognize and honor local veterans, who served their county with honor and epitomize the importance of service to others. The Rib-Eye Cookout will also raise funds to support needed programs at Taft College.”

Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for students/children, and may be obtained by calling 661.763.7700.

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial The Taft

Independent

Westside Watcher

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar Monday – Friday 6 am to 2 pm Saturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm Dinner Hours Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 9 pm 24870 Highway 33, Derby Acres 768-4655

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

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

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

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469 LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft TAFTFOX.COM

Week of Friday, October 19, 2012 through Thursday, October 25, 2012 Paranormal Activity 4 (R) No Passes Allowed Fri: (5:15), 7:15, 9:15 Sat: (3:15), (5:15), 7:15, 9:15 Sun: (1:15), (3:15), (5:15), 7:15 Mon - Thu: (5:40), 7:30 Taken 2 (PG-13) Fri: (5:00), 7:00, 9:00 Sat: (3:00), (5:00), 7:00, 9:00 Sun: (1:00), (3:00), (5:00), 7:00 Mon - Thu: (5:30), 7:20 Hotel Transylvania (PG) Fri: (4:45), 6:45, 8:45 Sat & Sun: (2:45), (4:45), 6:45 Mon - Thu: (5:50 PM)

Letters to the Editor The One for the Many

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

October 19 - 25, 2012

White House, Congress failing to live up to responsibilities

By James E. Koutz, National Commander of The American Legion According to dictionary.com a popular definition of sequestration is removal or separation. Although the term sequestration is being bandied about in relation to massive defense cuts that threaten our nation’s military readiness, I prefer the term “divorce,” because that is exactly what our elected leaders are doing with the Constitution that they have sworn to uphold.

While there are many important issues for candidates to address during this campaign season, the bottom line is that our country is facing an economic and readiness disaster if the cuts kick in January 2. It should shock no one that the organization that I lead, The American Legion, strongly opposes any defense cuts. But did you know that even without sequestration, the U.S. military is already being cut by $487 billion over the next decade? Sequestration would bring the total to well over $1 trillion.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has called the prospect, which will occur if Congress and the president can’t find other ways to reduce the deficit, “a crazy doomsday scenario.” The nation’s top soldier, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, was more specific. “The two things that are alarming to us is one, the magnitude, second, the mechanism,” he told Congress last winter when the likelihood of this disaster seemed far more remote.

“It’s coming out of three places and that’s it,” Dempsey said of the looming cuts. “It’s coming out of equipment and modernization, that’s one. It’s coming out of maintenance and it’s coming out of training. And then, we’ve hollowed out the force.”

Now if pundits and polls are to be believed, a “hollowed military force” is not the top issue driving voters this year. It’s the economy. Again, sequestration has a disastrous effect.

So much so that a George Mason University analysis estimates that the trickle-down effect of sequestration would cause the loss of 2.1 million jobs nationwide and add 1.5 percentage points to the current unemployment rate.

Even worse, would be the likelihood that our heroes – the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces of the United States – would be more vulnerable because of fewer resources and training opportunities.

“Sequestration would severely impact our ability to maintain the same level of readiness,” Lieutenant Colonel Matt Morgan, a spokesman for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command recently told Reuters News Service. “If we have fewer platoons then we have less capacity to respond, and commanders would have to look at where they would accept risks.”

And the risk caused by military drawdowns can cost American lives, as we have seen during the failed Iranian hostage rescue attempt of 1980 and Task Force Smith during the Korean War. More recently we have seen deadly violence inflicted against Americans in Libya and other dangerous areas of the world. Yet, defense spending, as a percentage of total federal expenditures, is approaching historic lows not seen since before World War II. Moreover, the U.S. military has been at war for 11 years, causing equipment shortages and the extension of existing equipment to well beyond its useful life span.

The American Legion is strictly nonpartisan. We are made up of 2.4 million wartime U.S. military veterans, and include Democrats, Republicans and independents in our ranks. We are not interested

By Hailey Cook Taft College Bookstore Essay Contest Winner As Bill Clinton once suggested, “I ask you to join in a re-United States. We need to empower our people so they can take more responsibility for their own lives in a world that is ever smaller, where everyone counts.... We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together, or the American Dream will continue to wither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American.” So, what is the importance of volunteerism and social responsibility in America today? Both mentioned above are correct terminology for intentionally improving society without personal gain. Volunteerism gives a person, or a group of people, the will to solve problems, strengthen communities, and improve lives. This can also provide the tools to help connect communities as well as change our own lives for the better through volunteering. Social responsibility, on the other hand, is much the same as volunteerism except it focuses more on anonymous actions that help to benefit and improve society as a whole.

Many people don’t realize how important volunteerism really is. Think of how often our country is faced with difficult decisions.

Should we send money here or over there? Should we cut the budget to this entirely? There never seems to be enough money to be spread thin enough for it to make its way to the small problems in America today. This is when volunteerism steps up to the plate to help work at solving these dilemmas, no matter how small. When a vital community program was understaffed in our own town, I came forward to help.

The Taft College Children’s Center is a program that many use in our community. This program enables working single parent households, parents that work long hours at demanding jobs, parents that are currently looking for a job, and parents from all different types of ethnicback-grounds a safe and affordable place to have their children learn and play while their laboring parents are at work. When I became aware of the program’s preschool teacher’s need for help prepping for her classroom before the school season started, I volunteered to help her lift furniture and set lesson plans for her upcoming classes. Having attended the program as a young child, I had a deep-rooted feeling that I needed to help improve

Continued on Page 8

in scoring political points against the president, Congress or leaders of either of the two major parties.

While there is plenty of blame to go around as to who caused the current deficit crisis, it is certain that it is not the soldier or the veteran that created this mess. And it should not be our men and women in uniform who must pay the price.

On October 1, Defense Secretary Panetta spoke to a group of military and veterans organizations that included The American Legion. “We must be able to deal with every threat out there,” he told us. We couldn’t agree more. And that threat includes budgetary shenanigans that can seriously jeopardize our national security.

We call on all Americans to put our elected leaders on notice: Fix it now.

James E. Koutz of Boonville, Ind., is national commander of The American Legion, www.legion.org, the nation’s largest organization of wartime veterans with 2.4 million members.

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

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

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

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

October 19 - 25, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Taft Chamber Announces Christmas Parade Plans

The Taft District Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau has announced the theme for this year’s Christmas Parade, scheduled for Monday evening, December 3, 2012, beginning at 6 p.m., on Center Street. The Downtown Business Committee, with the blessing of the Chamber Board of Directors, has chosen the theme, “Miracle on Center Street” for this year’s parade.

“We already have experienced miracles on Center Street this year, with the opening of several new businesses in a time where economics were uncertain at best,” stated Kathy Orrin, Executive Director of the Chamber. “This theme is a testimony to the positive energy expected for this upcoming holiday season.”

The parade will stage on Main Street, as it did last year under the direction of the Taft Lions and the Midway Sunset Lions Clubs. Taft Rotary will be in charge outfitting the Vanguard Division—the dignitaries who are a necessary part of every Christmas parade. The Soroptimists will judge the parade entries, and the Kiwanis Club will provide the award certificates and plaques. “We cannot present a Christmas parade without the cooperation and help of our local service clubs. They have been so generous in their time and monetary support of the parade,” stated Orrin.

Applications for entries into the parade are available at the Chamber, or you can call 765-2165 and an application/entry form will be emailed or mailed to you or your organization. This year the Chamber is asking a $10 donation with each entry fee. The money collected in donations for the parade will be put into the Fourth of July Fireworks Show fund.

The awards for the Christmas Parade entries in each category will be given at the Announcing and Judging Stand, Center Street and Fifth Street Plaza, immediately following the parade.

Taft College Reception for “Alumni Exhibit: Jim Campbell and Larry Jason The Taft College Art Gallery is proud to present the works of two Taft College Alumni: Jim Campbell and Larry Jason. Both attended Taft College in the 1960s, and went on to universities while continuing to reside in. As young adults both were submerged in the sights, sounds, and color of the popular culture of the 1970s. That era had a lingering impact on their individual bodies of work.

Campbell graduated in 1970 and recently retired from teaching in Fresno. He has been actively showing his work in that area for the last several years. His works in this first alumni exhibition are some of his recent work. His work is characterized by precisely painted geometric forms and bold colors and are reminiscent of the work of Ellsworth Kelly all very appealing to the eye.

Jason graduated a few years earlier and has recently been exhibiting his work in the Bakersfield area. Cultural icons such and Caesar Chavez and local landmarks are frequent subjects for Jason’s serigraphs. Also included in this exhibit are a few works reminiscent of Jim Dine in the focus on the colors and textures of fashion.

Viewers will be pleased with the warm, bold colors and images used by these two artists.

Vote

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve “Bed and Bugle” Overnight Camp Oct. 27 - 28

Hailey Cook Wins Taft College Essay Contest

The Tule Elk Reserve invites you to come and spend the night camping among the elk at the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve on Saturday, October 27th.

For the first time, California State Parks is opening the Tule Elk SNR to camping and night time programs.

Guided tours of the reserve - at sunset and sunrise - campfire program, stargazing, a puppet show and many more activites are planned.

Cost is $8 per person including the campaing fee. Children 12 and under are free. Limited space is available. Please RSVP to bmoffat@parks.ca.gov or call (661) 764-6881.

Check-in starts at 12 pm Saturdat, and check-out is on Sunday.

Pacific Coast Road Racing Championships October 27th and 28th Buttonwillow, CA –October 15, 2012 – Last year Cal Club dreamed of bringing all racers together in a year end championship with the Pacific Coast Road Racing Championships™. This is no longer a dream with the second running of the open sanction PCRRC™ presented by the partnership of Buttonwillow Raceway Park and the California Sports Car Club. The scope of the event is amazing, i.e. sports cars, open wheel cars, Porsches, BMWs, Vintage cars, NASCAR cars, an exciting way to end the year.

The partnership team has carefully balanced the class lineup into select trophy classes. This effort will set the stage for parity.

There are at least two trophy classes in each of seven race groups.

Practice and qualifying will take place on Saturday, October 27th with a big party that evening, and then racing all day Sunday, October 28th. Bring the family and enjoy a safe, fun filled Halloween Party.

TUHS Band Fund Raiser Friday, November 26th The Taft Union High School band and color guard will hold its Second Annual Turkey Bingo fundraiser Friday, Nov. 16, at the Taft Veteran’s Hall, 218 Taylor St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the games start at 6. The band will have snacks for sale.

By Jane McCabe To have an essay contest to commemorate National Student Day (October 9th) at Taft College was the idea of Cougar Bookstore manager, Bill Norris.

The topic was “Volunteerism and Social Responsibility in America Today.” Nine students submitted essays. They were judged on content and grammar by Kamala Carlson, chairman of the English Department, and Jessica Grimes, English professor.

Hailey Cook won first place, Travis Morrow second and Luis Celiz third.

For her winning essay Hailey received a Kindle Fire. Travis and Luis each received lap-top computer bags, headphones, and other accessories. These prizes were contributed by businesses that do business with the bookstore.

Tickets cost $10 and are available from any band booster member.

Proceeds provide scholarships for high school band students.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call Robin Norton, 619-5771.

Family Fun Sun-Fri 11 a.m. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

661-746-3714

Orchel

Krier

Taft City Council Experienced Leadership

“I’ll work to make Taft a better and safer place to live, Businessman work and raise a family.

Community Supporter Please vote Krier for Taft City Council” Paid for by Orchel Krier for Taft City Council

jack-o-lantern 19040 S. Shafter Ave. SHAFTER, Ca.

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Mayor Randy Miller Sounds Off On Historically High Gasoline Prices

by Randy Miller

Enjoying those gas prices at the pump lately?

How on earth can they go up .40 in one day? It’s not like there is a shortage and we are having to wait in lines and/ or going to get gas on odd or even days depending on the last number of your license plate number like back in the 70’s. I don’t pretend to have all the answers but I do have a few observations.

In the last twenty years or so we have closed about ten refineries in California. How many people and how many more vehicles have we added to California in those twenty years?

Once we have a reported fire, maintenance, or an accident in the refineries that are left, supply goes down and demand remains the same, but the price soars through the roof. If you live in San Francisco or some of the other coastal cities, maybe it doesn’t matter to you because you have adequate public transportation and if you work and you have a car you can’t afford to park your car near your work anyway.

It is one thing to live there but to tell us to drive less is ridiculous.

My point being many of the decision makers in Sacramento and in Washington come from those areas and they are making energy policies that effects the cost of your getting around to work, to the store, vacations, and visiting relatives. They don’t look at a vehicle like you and I do. They think they are unnecessary because we’ll have a bullet train to get us back and forth to where we want to go.

Politicians, if you think about it, either get chauffeured around, drive a government

October 19 - 25, 2012

vehicle, or they get their mileage reimbursed if they use their own vehicle. I don’t know what the mileage rate is but I think it is close to .75 per mile, duh, due to the high cost of fuel. When you don’t suffer at the pump like the rest of us do, then your head isn’t thinking about what the $4.55 cost of a gallon of gas is doing. We have no energy policy, again, we have no energy policy by the Feds or this state.

Where are the policy planners, the Dept of Energy, the other regulatory agencies in this crisis ?? It is a crisis isn’t it; it sure feels like it ?? Where are the emergency meetings or hearings to address this issue ?? Who is fighting for me and you to help us bring the price down and the supplies up. Ask yourselves, what has our governor and our president done to help you and I ?? Wind turbines and solar power is not going to get us to work in my life time. There a quebillion cars on the road and who is going to give theirs up any time soon ?? We have more oil and natural gas in the ground in the United States that we don’t need to import any from anywhere else except for Canada.

However, if we continue to have “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY’S) and the environmental folks not allow us to build more refineries and pipelines, then you and I will continue to suffer at the pump as they gleefully clap their hands. It is like hospitals, when was the last time you ever heard of either one being built lately ??

With no guarantees, who wants to get in the refinery business; besides how do they make a profit on $1.50 a gallon gas with the astounding cost of fees, regulations, time constraints, and requirements to build one ??

I know one thing, the State of California is making a bundle on $4.50 a gallon of gas because you and I are paying .725% on that gallon in sales tax. Higher prices, higher taxable revenue. Our politicians in Sacramento are not in any hurry to slow down that money pot. They say to you if you don’t like the price of gas, drive less or not at all.

Now there is an energy policy. Vote the rascals out. I know car ownership is a privilege and not a right, but dang it, it feels like a right to me. We still live in America. I don’t care what other countries do; we have plenty of laws, rules, procedures, ordinances, and regulations governing driving our vehicles use, we just want to do it affordably. Right now that is not an option.

Besides firing off angry emails and phone calls to our elected officials on the above, I do want to remind you to do one thing: VOTE. I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, the point is that your vote does count. If you want status quo or if you want change, it is a matter of doing what your veterans have laid on the line for you, the right guaranteed by the Constitution to vote for whom ever you want.

We need folks who can work together, who don’t have agendas, who understand the basic principle of money in has to be more than money going out. There are no policies set in place that are helping the average citizen. You have career politicians and career government workers whose main job it is to protect their jobs. More regulations, job security; more giveaways, job security; spending your tax dollars foolishly, job security.

Get out of your box and study the people you’re voting for, study the propositions as the effects will be with us for a long time. Get involved, speak up when you can, let your elected officials know how you feel. As one, I need to know. I can say that my fellow councilmen and I are doing the best we can; it is hard work, and there are many complicated issues to understand; we appreciate the trust you have given us.

Family Portrait Time!

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October 19 - 25, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

City Council \Developer Discuss Immigrant TUHS Haunted House “Green Card” Sale Financing for Spring 2013 Hotel Opens October 24th at Construction on Rails to Trails, Well Fargo Train IOOF Hall Station’s Future

Taft Union High School will sponsor a Hal-

By Kent Miller The Sunset Rails portion of the city of Taft’s Rails to Trails was the most discussed item at Tuesday’s council meeting, due to a current study session and an old building.

In a study session held before the regular council meeting, developer Geary Coats gave an update on seven aspects of the Sunset Rails area, along the former railroad property between 1st and 10th streets and Front and Main streets. * Financing has been secured and construction is expected to start by the end of the year on the Dollar General store on the east side of 10th Street between Front Street and Supply Row, Coats said. * A letter of interest and proposals have been submitted for a fast-food restaurant at the northeast corner of 10th Street and Supply Row. * Financing is the biggest concern with the hotel and sit-down restaurant planned for the southwest corner of Main and 6th streets and it will come from an unusual source. The jewel of Sunset Rails, separate companies will work together for the hotel and restaurant, Coats said. Initial financing with “EB-5” money – the money collected from the sale of “green cards” -- is available for the projects, he said. Escrow has opened on the hotel site with ground-breaking seen for the spring of 2013, he said.

The Immigrant Investor Program, also known as “EB-5,” was created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Under a pilot immigration program first enacted in 1992 and regularly re-authorized since, certain EB-5 visas also are set aside for investors in Regional Centers designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services based on proposals for promoting economic growth. * A multi-tenant building is proposed for the northwest corner of 6th Street and Supply Row. The building would be commercial on the first floor, offices on the second floor and apartments on the third and fourth floors. Taft College has expressed interest in the apartments, Coats said. * A small used car sales facility at the southeast of 4th and Main streets is being looked at. It is a borderline item for Sunset Rails, he said. But it would provide sales tax income for the city. The person proposing the car lot, David Gil, has submitted a letter of interest and has promised to clean-up the area, Coats said. * An apartment complex at the northeast corner of 4th Street and Supply Row is the second jewel of Sunset Rails. * A large solar energy site east of 2nd Street on both sides of Supply Row is another addition. The project would lead to the cleaning-up of the area, with the possibility of the land under the solar facility being used for such purposes as a mini-storage, he said.

Express office The owners of the remaining portion of the former Wells Fargo Railroad Express Office and Depot, which was built in 1910, spoke to the council.

Robert and Karen Mitchell discussed the future of the office, on Rails to Trails at Second Street.

The city owns the land under the building which the Mitchells purchased.

The city would like the structure to stay where it is and to become part of Sunset Rails while the Mitchells and Westside & Sunset Railroad Historical Society have considered moving the structure to the West Kern Oil Museum.

Currently, the city is charging rent on the land. Moving the structure would cost in excess of $10,000, according to the Mitchells.

The item will come back to the council at a later day to determine its future, which could include possible waiver of the rent if the structure is donated to the Oil Museum and moved within a year; or possibly leaving it in Sunset Rails as a centerpiece of the area.

Council actions In actions taken Tuesday, the council: * Approved the costs of abatement of nuisances at 610 5th St., $1,381.75; 522 Kern St., $2,024.81; and 528 Center St., $374.86;

HAYDENS HOPE THRIFT STORE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

New School Hours Mon. & Tues.

9am - 2pm Closed Wednesday Thur. & Fri. 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 2pm Closed Every 2nd Sat. of the Month

T-Shirts .25 cents Pants .50 cents

God Bless!

428 Center Street • TAFT

745-4963

loween Haunted House at the Center Street IOOF Hall starting Wednesday, October 24th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The IOOF is located at 504 Center Street.

The haunted house will be open October 24th, Thursday October 25th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday October 26th from 7 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday, October 27th from 7 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $5 per person.

Turkey Fest ’12 1st annual 9u & 10u baseball tournament in Taft Join the West side Parkls and Recreation district at beautiful Franklin Field complex in Taft for the Longhorn Turkey Fest. Dry camping will be available.

Games will start on Saturday and continue until Sunday. Championships for each division to be played on Sunday afternoon. Every team is guaranteed to play a minimum of 3 games.

Trophies will be presented to winning teams in each division. Time limit for the games: 2 hours or 7 innings. Pony rules for each age division apply. We are expecting six-9 (u) teams and eight-10 (u) teams. Raffle prizes. For more information conatct Taft Longhorn/WSRPD Les Clark at 661-7634246 or 661-805-5315 or Email: les@wsrpd.com. * Approved the 25 percent allocation of the transient occupancy tax for the April-June quarter of 2012 to Taft Chamber of Commerce. The TOT brought in $13,483.45 during the quarter, with $3,370.86 going to the chamber; * Approved the second reading of an ordinance changing the start time of council meetings from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. effective in January and adopting Rosenberg’s Rules of Order to govern conduct of council meetings; * Approved expenditures for clean-up of properties at 716 North St., $4,229; and 123 North St., $5,649; * Updated the city’s contract with Enfinity CentralVal 6 for solar energy at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft

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Shop Our Huge Selection of Half Priced Books!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

8

Liberty Under Fire

America’s Clandestine War in Africa

By Dr. Harold Pease A year ago last October, I wrote of President Barack Obama’s clandestine operation in central Africa called Operation Lightning Thunder, with 100 U.S. military advisers, allegedly to help capture the allusive child abuser Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army.

Congress was informed of the engagement by letter October 14, 2011, but reportedly troops were already on site two days before, so the letter was decidedly not for permission as required by the Constitution.

I wrote then that our involvement would escalate but I had no idea that it was to include all 54 African nations.

Of course, nothing more was said of Kony who was never found, making it now appear that he was but an excuse for our penetration of the continent with forces from Afghanistan as we wind down our involvement there. Known now is that a stronger US military presence was envisioned since 2007 when George W. Bush established “about a dozen air bases” on the continent.

The Washington Post in, “US expanding secret intel operations in Africa,” reported last June, “The U.S. military is expanding its secret intelligence operations across Africa, establishing a network of small air bases to spy on terrorists hideouts from the fringes of the Sahara to jungle terrain along the equator, according to documents and people involved in the project.” Right now they use small private planes equipped “with hidden sensors that can record full motion video, track infrared heat patterns, and vacuum up radio and cellphone signals, the planes refuel on isolated airstrips … extending their effective flight range by thousands of miles.” The operations have intensified in recent months under Obama, the paper revealed, and include commando units who “train foreign security forces and perform aid missions, but they also include teams dedicated to tracking and killing suspected terrorists.”

In a recent article, “US widens covert war in N. Africa,”

TAFT INDEPENDENT

AP reported that an expanded U. S. role is anticipated and that Delta Force units eventually “will form the backbone of a military task force responsible for combating al-Qaida and other terrorist groups across the region with an arsenal that includes drones.” Col. Tim Nye, Special Operations Command spokesman “would not discuss the missions and or locations of its counterterrorist forces’ except to say that special operations troops are in 75 countries daily conducting missions.” Yes 75!!

Some of us remember when the Soviets invited Cuban mercenaries to “Sovietize” the African continent in the mid 1970’s to help offset Cuban debt to the USSR. More than 25,000 Cuban troops were in Angola in 1975 and “advisors” were in neighboring countries as well. The world was not favorably impressed with this blatant communist overreach of military power. Nor is it today as we seek to enlarge our colonial control over Africa on the pretense that we are only defending America.

Global Research was even more explicit. In an article “America’s Shadow Wars in Africa” it went into greater detail. Although Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, with “more than 2,000 U.S. personnel stationed there” is the “Pentagon’s showpiece African base,” there are many “nodes” of U.S. military presence elsewhere: three in Kenya, two in Uganda, two in Central African Republic, one in South Sudan, and one in Ethiopia. “Outposts of all sorts are sprouting continent-wide, connected by a sprawling shadow logistics network. Most American bases in Africa are still small and austere, but growing ever larger and more permanent in appearance,” they wrote. Add to this the extensive counterterrorism training provided by the United States in Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Lesotho, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. With respect to the size of U.S. forces on the continent at any one given time, they added, “On an average basis, there are approximately 5,000 U.S. Military and DoD personnel working across the continent.”

With respect to just why we need a military presence in every country in Africa, AFRICOM Commander General Carter Ham said, “The absolute imperative for the United States military [is] to protect America, Americans, and American interests … [to] protect us from threats that may emerge from the African continent.” If this is our logical base for the conquest of Africa, why would it not also be for all the continents? Perhaps it is, and then certainly we would have our New World Order. Unfortunately our presence creates perpetual enemies, which creates perpetual war.

Someone benefits from this and it is not you or I. 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.

October 19 - 25, 2012 One for the Many, Continued from Page 4

the program in any way possible even though the work she had assigned to me was the bare minimum. By my small act of volunteering, I believe that I helped all of those children in getting a better education, and in this I also believe that I helped the community.

Community is a major stronghold in the hearts of the townsfolk. Volunteerism brings a community together in a way that can’t be brought about in any other.

Volunteering helps strengthen communities by giving them a reason to work together. In many ways people goabout their lives without really knowing their neighbors. Through volunteerism we begin to work with one another, and thus begin to open our eyes to the people and possibilities around us. Community projects that can’t be funded by the city or state fall upon the shoulders of the citizens in that community. Projects like kid-safe playgrounds, picking up trash on highways, and even young adults in high school working the snack bar for their sports trips are all ways that communities volunteer.

Social responsibility also strengthens communities, using a very similar method.

Though volunteerism and social responsibility are very similar in the ways that they help the community, social responsibility is a commonly overlooked action that many in America aren’t aware of. Because someone being socially responsible can oftentimes be anonymous, those who benefit from someone else’s actions don’t normally notice a difference in everyday life. Socially responsible people don’t have to set out on their day with the intention of being socially responsible. It is when they are faced with a dilemma which can be harmful to them or the next person to come around the block that they decide to be socially responsible. Some people even choose these responsible actions without realizing it!

Some people are unintentionally careless about the little things that can slip their minds such as closing the gate behind them on their way to work, removing hazardous objects lying in the road, or picking up a fallen cup that had been carelessly tossed at a wastebasket. What would happen if there wasn’t a socially responsible person in the community to come across your open gate and close it for you? Maybe your dog would get loose. How about those sharp or large objects in the road? It’s dark out, and since the first person to come across that large rock in the middle of the lane swerved around it without a second thought as to how it would affect the next person to happen upon it, you now have a nice dent in your bumper. Not only does social responsibility strengthen the community, it also helps improve the lives of the community by decreasing thefts and accidents.

Being influenced by socially responsible people and people who spend a hefty portion of their lives volunteering, I find myself more eager to help in my own little ways. There are a number of reasons that volunteerism and social responsibility are important in America today.

With these tools, people find that we can come together as not only individuals but as a community. Citizens can solve problems when they can’t be solved by the city or state because of funding issues. Volunteerism and social responsibility also give a people a feeling of fulfillment.

There are so many benefits to being socially responsible as well as being involved in volunteerism that the possibilities are endless. So, next time you dodge that rock in your lane, think about the next person to come across it and be responsible!

October 19 - 25, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Black Gold

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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. www.sagebrushannies.com

Licensed Funeral Directors

501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111

Now Celebrating Our 23rd Year

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MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

Ice Blended Mocha Fat Free and Sugar Free Available in Most Flavors

FABRIC • NOTIONS • GIFTS

Open 7 Days - 765-6556 508 Center Street • Taft

Check Out Our Website Maricopaquiltcompany.com And Facebook Page

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

WED.-FRI. 10:00-5:30 SAT. 10:00-2:00

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

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!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

Call for Appointment Today!

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

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

Pastor Cindy Brettschneider Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 11 AM Adult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PM Wednesday Night Service 6:00 PM Praise Team meets on Thursday at 6:00 PM

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

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 427-9722 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and Mary A. McWhorter

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

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

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

Sunday Oct 7, 2012 BBQ Chicken, Rice, and Bean Lunch we will be serving 9:30am to 2pm $10.00 per plate we will have to-go boxes.

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

Advertise

The Pregnancy crisis center is now open and available for support and assistance.

For information, call 763-4791

In The Taft Independent

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

FD756 FDR50 FDR595 FDR618

Call Today!

765-6550

Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

If you have a prayer request please call (661)765-2488.

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

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

Classifieds

For Rent

426 Shattuck

2 bed 1 bath Cottage $550 Paul Joyce 805-218-1686 Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

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 $5 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

Preserving for the Future

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

Get It Rented!

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

Baptist Church located at 220 North St. from 9:00am—3:00pm.

YARD SERVICES COOLER SERVICES HELP WANTED CHILD CARE SERVICES

BVMH Park Sp. 116.

Front Entrance. Sat. 10-20. 8am - ?

YARD SALE. 10-20.

507 McKinley St. 7:30 a.m.

405 Alice St. Maricopa.

Lot’s of new stuff, come and see. New Kirby Vacuum. Fri. Sat. Sun. 322 E.San Emidio St. Sat 10/20/12 7-10am Couches, sectional, recliner, coffee table, Halloween costumes, Christmas decor & trees. Toddler boy, men and womens clothes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS New AA meeting just started in Taft at the Chevron Valley Credit Union Community Room. 7:30 am every Saturday morning. We read a topic from As Bill Sees It. 9-19.

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

Child Care Provider.

Affordable rates and reasonable hours.

Michele (661) 2930998.10-12

WANTED Wanted old Toyota Land Cruisers, or land cruiser parts. Any condition.

Andy 661-665-9603.

Junk Cars Wanted.

Cash Paid. 805-0552.

FOR SALE Hot Point Washing Machine. $125, 7698526.

AUTOMOBILES

1994 4x4 Toyota Pickup w/Mickey Thompson wheels. Very nice. $4,000 obo. 661 204-8307.

1995 Sierra 27ft. 5th Wheel with hitch. $6,000 obo. 765-1715 or leave message. 10-19.

PETS Free kittens to good home. Shaws Western Shop. 419 Harrison St.

FOUND PETS LOST PETS 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

COMMERCIAL FOR RENT

3 Spaces avail. 500sq. ft, 750sq.ft & 1,000 sq.ft.

Corner of 10th St. and B Street. Rents staring at $400 per month, plus dep. Avail. Now. (661) 864-9254.

HOMES FOR SALE

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

By Appointment 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.

MOBILE HOMES Mobile home for sale.

3bd 2 ba. Very nice. $27,000. 123 N. 10th St. Sp. 56. 204-8307.

carpet and vinyl, new paint and cooler.$575. mo. plus $850 sec. dep.

805 689-4122. 10-19.

Unfurnished house for rent. 2 bd. 1 ba. $700/ mo+ $700 deposit. fenced yard. 765-2819.

House for rent. 3bd 1 ba. newly remodeled, large garage, covered patio, 401 So. 6th St. Ready approx. Oct. 1st. $850 mo. $850 dep.

Call 763-3043. 9-28.

Upstair 1 bd Apt. with small computer room.

All utilities paid. Kitchen range, refrig, wash and dryer, furnished. No pets. $750 plus sec. dep. 765-4786. 10-12.

1 bd. Apt. all util paid.

Kitch range, refrig., wash and dryer, furnished. No pets. $650.

Classified Ad Deadline.

Wednesday 2 p.m.

765-6550.

West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.

Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500 Lic # 01525550

400 Woodrow #7 1/1 $625 205 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $700 307 Philippine 1/1 $750 605 4th St 2/1.75 $750 218 Shattuck 3/1 $800 324 Calvin 2/1 $850 224 B St 3/1 $825 528 D St 2/1 $850 306 Taylor 4/1.75 $900 315 Philippine 4/1 $1,100 3 bd/2 ba, W/D included, Central H&A/C, $1,250 & $1,000 dep., nice area 123 E. San Emidio St. 818-355-8633 or 661745-4171 Lg. 2bd 1 ba. house in Taft. fenced yd. Garage. $795 mo. plus $650 sec. dep. 661-972-7807. 9-19 For Rent. 112 Lucard 1/1 House. private yard, new

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

plus dep. 765-4786.

10-12.

2 bdrm 1 & 1/2 ba. RV Parking, corrals available for your horse, quit rural area near Ventucopa (35 miles west of Taft) $800 mo plus dep.

(805) 647-1952 or (805) 642-9574. 9-28.

3bd. 2 ba. 2 living rooms, fireplace. 1 acre propep. Dunstin Acres.

Contact Cody (661) 770-7020.

2 Bed, possibly 3rd, 1 bath. Updated, fenced yard. $750. mo. Dep. $800. 763-1086. 9-28.

We Publish 3,500 Taft Independents Per Week.

No One Matches Our Readership

310 Kern St. 3 bd. 1 ba. $820 plus dep. 661 343-0507.

APART. FOR RENT Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr.

Numbers.

Classified Ads Starting At

Center Street Apartments. 1 bed room 1 bath. $99 move in special. 765-7678.

$2 Per

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

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

By Appointment

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Call Today!

765-6550

YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING! Plans for the public land in the Temblor Mountain Range will be discussed at a public meeting to be held in the City of Taft, details below: Date:

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Time:

5:30 to 7:30 pm

Location:

The Petroleum Club, 450 Petroleum Club Rd, Taft, CA

The City of Taft is hosting an outreach meeting, with a presentation from the Bureau of Land Management, to provide information to the public and to solicit comments, concerns, and other input from interested persons regarding the future of public lands in the Temblor Mountain Range.

Your participation will greatly assist in planning this valuable new recreational area. Please join us! Light refreshments will be provided. Direct questions to Mike Waiczis, Taft Planning Director at 661-763-1222, ext. 24 or mwaiczis@cityoftaft.org.

Published October 19, 2012

Real Estate Services and Property Management Listings – Sales - Property Management Local Service You Can Depend On

Line!

PUBLIC MEETING TEMBLOR RECREATION AREA

HOMES FOR RENT

October 19 - 25, 2012

The Taft Independent Is seeking a serious writer with experince in feature and\or news writing. Part-time. Ability to interview and write stories for the paper required. Call 7656550, or email your resume to Publisher@taftindependent. com.

Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

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

Used to be Paul’s Bike Shop

BMX

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

Qik Smog & Tune

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

745-4919

608 Center St.

Devon’s Body Shop

(661)763-4445

508 Center Street 765-6556

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

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

Flame Resistant Work Jeans & Shirts Wrangler FR Denium Jackets

Dickies (661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

Water Repellant Lined Vests & Jackets

Full Grooming Salon

HAVE YOUR DOG FLEA DIPPED or MEDICATED BATH AND CONDITIONER FOR ONLY

• Small Dog $11.00

• Medium Dog $15.00

• Large Dog $20.00

Customer can provide medicated shampoo or add $4.00 for our Zymox itch relief therapy shampoo.

Service does not include nails, blow drying, brushing or clipping. Shaw’s recommends using a follow up flea treatment spot-on after dip.

www.shawswesternshop.com

Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3

419 Harrison St. Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant

Located in the Heart of Oil Country On the Petroleum Highway We Cater Your Place or Ours Full Bar Available For Your Special Event

Open 7 Days a Week

FULL BAR

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

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

12 TAFT INDEPENDENT

October 19 - 25, 2012

The Truth About Back Pain Don’t Even Think Of Taking Another Pain Pill Until You Read This

Do You Have Any of the Following Conditions?

• • • • •

Lower Back Pain Muscle spasm or strains Bulging lumbar discs Numbness or soreness in your legs Shooting hip or thigh pain

Back pain is NOT “just a part of life” and something you have to live with.

Chiropractic has been around for over a hundred years, and has been used to help everyone from tiny babies to the elderly.

Having back and leg pain can bring life to a standstill.

You might not be able to play golf, work, or even sit in the car for a 30-minute drive. It’s almost impossible for anyone around you to understand how you feel. You can’t remember the last time you even had a restful night’s sleep.

Even top sports stars and entertainers… like Tiger Woods, Emmitt Smith, Tony Robbins, Joe Montana, Lance Armstrong, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson receive chiropractic care. These professional athletes have the money to hire any kind of doctor they want, yet they choose to have a chiropractor on their team.

Here’s what some of the top medical researchers had to say about chiropractic…

“Manipulation [chiropractic adjustments], with or without exercise, improved symptoms more than medical care did after both 3 and 12 months.”– British Medical Journal “Chiropractor’s manipulation of the spine was more

Our Patients Say It Best…

Is back pain keeping you from enjoying what you love to do?

You’ve got too many dreams left undone to let back pain slow you down. Too many special moments waiting to be experienced.

Life is too short to let pain slow you down.

Pain is your body’s warning sign telling you something is wrong. Sure, you can numb the pain if you take enough Vicodin, Soma or some other pain pill.

But if you mask the pain, it can prevent your back from healing – maybe even damage it further.

Not to mention many of the pain medications available are quite addicting and can have devastating side effects.

Could This Be The Solution To Your Back Pain?

My name is Dr. Keith Sparks, owner of Sparks Chiropractic. Over the past 15 years since we’ve opened the doors, I’ve seen thousands of people with back pain leave the office pain free. Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I strongly believe...

At the age of 23 I had back surgery to fix my sciatic nerve in my back. I went through a lot of pain and money and it did not fix my problem. I heard about Dr. Sparks, but I thought if surgery didn’t work then this wouldn’t. I decided to give it a try, after six weeks of care, I felt so good, I seldom ever have any pain.

-Christine M. helpful than any of the following: traction, massage, biofeedback, acupuncture, injection of steroids into the spine and back corsets, and ultrasound.” -- Stanley Bigos, MD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery This means in just a matter of weeks you could be back on the golf course, enjoying your love life, or traveling again.

Have A Professional Evaluation of Your Back For Only $29 I’m running a very special offer where you can find out how much this amazing treatment can help your back pain. Available To The First 25 Callers.

What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my new patient evaluation for only $29.

Just call 661-765-2225 and here’s what you’ll get…..

Medicare and federal restrictions apply

An in-depth consultation about your health and wellbeing where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your case. A complete neuromuscular examination, full set of specialized

Find peace and comfort in knowing your back is healed without drugs or surgery.

x-rays (if necessary), and a thorough analysis of your

exam and x-ray findings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free.

You’ll get to see everything first hand and find out if this amazing treatment will be your back pain solution, like it has been for so many other patients.

The normal price for this type of evaluation including x-rays is $250, so you’re saving a considerable amount by taking me up on this offer.

Chiropractic very well could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule.

Our office is called Sparks Chiropractic and you can find us at 1107 Kern St. #7 (next to Chicken of Oz).

Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Back Pain And Sciatica Evaluation. Available To The First 25 Callers.

I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more joyful life.

Sincerely, Dr. Keith Sparks, D.C. P.S. How many years can your body handle taking pills?

Taking pain medications (even if they’re over-thecounter pills) is no way to live. Pills don’t “fix” anything, they just numb the pain.

Finding the problem and fixing it has got to be your top priority!

I may be able to help you live a normal, pain-free life again. Call today 661-765-2225.