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Independent The Taft

November 13 - 19, 2015

The Taft Independent

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November 13 - 19 2015 • Volume 9 Issue 20

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

The Place 4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660

(661) 766-2660 Vicki will be Making Thanksgiving Homemade Pies!

Place Orders by Nov. 23.

Will deliver to Taft ($1.00 per pie) Oilfield Monument 4:00 Wednesday 25th

Qik Smog & Tune No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Safety Inspection Professional Service Dirt and Street BikeTire Mount and Balance Experienced Mechanics Basic Tune-up to Major Overhaul • 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Proudly Servicing The Taft Area For Over Ten Years

See Our Ad On Page Two (661) 345-7350

Bitter Creek Wildlife National Refuge

by Rhonda Martin

N o w S e l l i n g Te c h I n s p e c t e d a n d S m o g g e d Q u a l i t y Us e d C a r s

Tickets Available at the Oildorado Store

Monarch Fleet Services and Automotive Open Monday - Friday 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm

217 Center Street (661) 765-2886 www.monarchfsa.com

Financing Available - Buy Here-Pay Here Available

The Taft Independent

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November 13 - 19, 2015

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

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Taft, CA 93268 Try Our New Pedicure Chairs Men & Seniors &

2 Barbers Faster n-out Kameron Rice Monte Klein

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

Hours: M-F 8:00 am - 5:00pm Sat. 8:00 am - 3:00pm (661) 763-3160 Senior Discounts

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

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

(661)745-4913

Personal Style

Salon and Boutique

Fall is in the Air. Check out Our New Fall Fashions.

Lic # B-721903

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

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery in Taft

Pub Burger and French Fries Every Day $7.50 508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

Wildcats Barbershop 203 Harrison Street

Armstrong Locksmithing New Local Locksmith Commercial - Residential - Automotive & More Professional Key Duplication & Code Generation

Monday - Friday 10am-5pm Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

Bring This Ad for a Free House Key

Shop Downtown Taft!

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

A Hint of Class Bakery

Fresh Pies Baked Daily Cakes and More Now Serving Frozen Yogurt

(661) 348-7884 LOC. # 6214

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

420 Center Street 623-1783

BRC Painting

Mobile Sandblasting and Printing Inc.

“Proud to Serve” Industrial - Farming - Trucking - Oil Extending and Restoring The Life of Your Investment

Merced Moreno - Licensed Bonded (661) 345-7350 P.O. Box 755, Buttonwillow, CA 93206

Adam Dayton Lic. No. 983535 (661) 809-3919

Billy Ray Cox

Contractors License 988395 (661) 623-4082 Billyrcox1@hotmail.com 900 E. Ash Street, Taft, CA 93268

November 13 - 19, 2015

Events Inside

The Taft Independent

Taft Business of the Week Wood Street Market

Shop Taft..........................2

By Gardener Field

Calendar...........................3

Westside News................6

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

The Taft Business of the Week: Wood Street Market at 801 Wood Street. Wood Street Market is Taft’s newest and cleanest store. It is a full market, plus Butcher Shop. They offer several different Meat Packages. It is locally owned and operated.

Order your Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years meats.

Come in to Wood Street Market or call 745-4965 today for all your grocery needs.

Classified Ads.................10

Shop Taft........................11

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

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS

Email: Publisher@taftindependent.com

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

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 – 6:00 p.m.

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com Locally and Independently owned since 2006

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.

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

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

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Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long Publisher@taftindependent.com Advertising Publisher@taftindependent.com Contributing Writers Stephanie House, Jerry Livingston Wesley Morris Andreas Fault, William R. Taft Columnists Randy Miller Dr. Harold Pease Newspaper Delivery Tim Webb

By Andeas Fault The Taft High Wildcats host Kerman High under the Friday Night Lights at 7pm for the 1st Round of Playoffs. Come down to Martin Memorial Stadium and cheer on our WILDCATS! Cat Scratch Fever.

Saturday- Taft Moose Lodge Christian Simpson Fundraiser Pool Tournament. Register from 3-3:45pm. Starts at 4, only $10.

Help Christian’s Fight against cancer.

TUHS Boys Basketball Tip Off Dinner/Fundraiser in the TUHS Cafeteria from 5:30-8pm. Tickets are $20. Raffle Tickets $1 each. Tickets are on sale now.

Monday- Taft Tea Party Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 6pm at the Taft Veterans Hall.

Westside Watcher..........4

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.

Taft Calendar

3

AGENDA POSTED ON BULLETIN BOARD OUTSIDE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND POSTED AT THE CITY OF TAFT WEB SITE www.cityoftaft.org TELEVISED ON BRIGHT HOUSE CABLE CHANNEL 11: Wednesday 8 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m.

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

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Call 765-6550 Call 765-6550 Today!

Save the Date for these Future EventsNovember 20th and 21st: West Side Rec Holiday Gift Show at the Rec, 500 Cascade Place.

November 21st: Taft Sport Shooters Night Steel Challenge at 5pm at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club.

Honolulu Hills Open Practice, gates open at 7am, practice 8-2. $25 per rider, spectators free.

November 28th: 4th Saturday Car Show at Sno White. Every 4th Saturday Park and Show your Hot Rod from 6pm-?

November 30th: Taft High Boys Basketball vs. Mira Monte at home.

December 2nd: Taft Industry Night at the Taft Petroleum Club.

Doors open at 4:30, Dinner at 7:30.

December 3rd: Taft Fort Dinner and Holiday Gift Show.

December 4th: 1st Friday Christmas Cruise Night on Center Street. Starts at 6pm.

December 7th: Taft Christmas Parade on Center Street.

December 10th: Optimal Hospice foundation light up a life at the Fort. 6p.m.

December 12th: Taft Soroptimist Christmas Home Tour.

Christian Simpson Fundraiser Coed Softball Tournament at Franklin Field, starting at 7am. $240 per team. Call Kory Mays at 877-7297 for info. Help Christian’s Fight against cancer.

West Hills Church of the Nazarene “Drive Thru Nativity Scene,” at 300 Lassen Street.

May 21st-22nd: Taft Relay for Life at the Taft High Track.

Taft Chamber Trout Derby at Buena Vista Lake on November 21st, from 6am-2pm. Adults $20, kids 13-under are $10. $1,000 heaviest trout caught, $100 heaviest non-trout, plus adult and kid categories. Register at the Taft Chamber or call them at 765-2165.

Christmas at The Historic Fort Holiday Gift Show and Dinner is Thursday, December 3rd from 5-8pm. Dinner is only $8- includes a sandwich, salad, dessert, and coffee or tea. R.S.V.P. @ at The Fort or call 765-7371 for Dinner. The Fort looks even more beautiful during Christmas.

The Taft Independent

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Editorial

Westside Watcher

The Taft

Independent

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide Your Guide To The

Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

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

Paik’s Ranch House Where Everybody Meets Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Open 7 Days Mon. Tues. Wed., Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm Sun. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm 765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft

Black Gold Brewing Co. American and Asian Food Burgers Pasta Thai Food Espresso - Beer - Wine Craft Beers Open Monday to Friday 7am to Close Saturday 7:30am to Close Sunday 10am to 12pm 508 Center Street 765-6556

Sagebrush Annie’s Restaurant and Wine Tasting Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa (661) 766-2319

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

Week of Friday, November 13, 2015 through Thursday, November 19, 2015 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (PG-13) Premiere Showing! All Seats $9 On Sale NOW! Thu: 7:00 PM The Peanuts Movie (G) Fri & Sat: 6:15, 8:10 Sun: 3:30, 6:00 Mon - Thu: 6:15 PM Spectre (PG-13) Fri & Sat: 6:20, 9:15 Sun: 3:00, 6:15 Mon - Wed: 6:30 PM

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs & Fri. 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

November 13 - 19, 2015

Why American Exceptionalism Matters

By Nile Gardiner

Prior to the release of Spectre, the number one film in America for four of the past five weeks was The Martian, Ridley Scott’s visually stunning adaptation of the bestselling book by Andy Weir.

Set in the near future, the film tells the gripping tale of how an American astronaut, named Mark Watney, survives several hunBy William R. Taft dred days on Mars after his crew leave him for dead. What is most interesting about the film is its tremendous optimism, and its beLast Saturday was the lief in how American ingenuity, scientific brilliance and a genuine can-do spirit can save a life while lifting an entire nation. Above Christian Simpson Fundraiser all this is a motion picture that celebrates American exceptionalat Wood Street Market. Chrisism, projected through the lens of a gifted British director who tian is a Senior at Taft High has made the United States his home. Expect a strong showing at and was recently diagnosed the Oscars next February, in the wake of the success of Alfonso with cancer. Carlos and Maggie Chavira of Flaco’s Tacos Gravity in 2014, another recent science fiction hit with heard about Christian battling cancer and decided to have Cuaron’s an optimistic theme. a fundraiser for him. Wood Street Market volunteered Americans clearly want to cheer the hopeful message of a film their parking lot and much more. The word quickly spread. like The Martian, and close to $200 million in box office receipts Wes Morris started a event page on Social Media and confirms this. Yet there is a striking contrast between the idealeverything starting coming together. ism of Scott’s movie and the relentless negativity of the current It started at 11am and there was a line for the amazpolitical polls. According to the RealClear Politics survey, a mere 27 percent of Americans believe the United States is moving in the ing tacos or pulled pork all day. They also sold Christian “right direction.” In contrast over 63 percent believe their country T-Shirts for $15. The T-Shirts are still available at True Value. Several volunteers worked from 2 hour shifts to all is on the “wrong track.” Faith in the US Congress is now so low that 78 percent of Americans disapprove of the job it is doing. As day long to make this event a huge success. After it was for the President of the United States, his approval rating stands at over they raised over $10,000. Christian’s great family, 45 percent.

Taft Cares

friends, and most of Taft bought Tacos that day. Taft actually can’t take all the credit, there were lots of great ex-Taftians that came over to support the Simpsons. Thank you to everyone involved but now it is time to pray, please keep Christian in your Prayers.

Special thanks to- God, MTC, Wood Street Market, Ryan Dixon from Home Depot, Randy’s Trucking, Jerry Melton Construction, Jerry Lopez family, Emberson family, Arley Hill family, MTC Warden Frank Luna, Adam Taylor, Fast Trip at 10th and Kern Street, Eric Cooper and True Value, Ron Sousa, Albertsons, Rients family, Frito Lay, Sean and Tiffany Yaws and family, Michelle Gerry, John Swearengin, Austin Snedden, Chet and Courtney Goff, Mo and Trish Qushee, Cindy and Hassan Qushee, API Plumbing, Susie Crownover, Taft Soroptimist Club, several local churches, John Neumann, Rocky and Cathy Sullivan, Andrea Gonzales, Wes Morris, Bailey Vega, Tory Parkinson, Corey Gonzales Flores, Stacy Hoffman, Chrissy Huddy, Jeff Ginn, Mike Grey from Michael Angelo’s Pizza in Bakersfield, and several others helped out and made donations, there were so many that helped, I’m sorry if I forgot anyone. Thank you to everyone that came by for lunch, dinner, or both. Save the date for Taft Relay for Life on May 20th and 21st.

A Pool Tournament to benefit Christian will be this Saturday at the Taft Moose Lodge. Sign up from 3-3:45pm, starts at 4, only $10 to enter. The Christian Simpson Coed Softball Tournament is December 12th at Franklin Field starting at 7am. There will be a raffle, food, and drinks.

Contact Kory Mays at 877-7297 for more info.

You see Taft stepping up to the plate all the time. Last year Wes Morris, Joe Little, Jeremiah Morris, and the Taft Sport Shooters donated their proceeds from a shooting match to Chris Goin, the son of Jim and Lori Walsh, who was battling cancer and won. Chris is now doing great.

You always see Taft people stepping up whenever it is needed.

Several of the above businesses step up when they can to help out. They can’t help out if we don’t help them. Please support these businesses when you can.

The Taft High Wildcats open the 1st round of playoffs at Martin Memorial Stadium this Friday at 7pm, vs.

Kerman High. The Cats lost a tough game to Bakersfield Christian last Friday.

Taft lost one of it’s nicest men last Sunday night, Keith Howard. Keith fought a long battle with cancer. Keith had a heart of gold and was a friend to anyone that knew him.

He is now pain free in Heaven watching over us. Keith may not of been born in Taft but he was a Taftian, he loved riding quads, side by sides, our Oil Fields, family, friends, and God. Please add Christian Simpson to your nightly prayers, also please pray for Donnie Schwerdetfager who is also fighting cancer. Taft is what you make of it, thank you for making Taft great. Hope everyone has a Blessed Weekend.

Survey after survey shows that the American people are disillusioned with their elected officials, believe their country is in decline, and fear that their nation’s best days are behind them.

There is also a growing lack of confidence in American leadership abroad, a sense that the world’s superpower is losing its position as the most powerful nation on earth, while its adversaries and competitors are gaining ground at America’s expense. Talk of decline is now everywhere in America, from television talk shows to the wave of presidential debates.

You have to go back to the days of Richard Nixon to find the same levels of public disenchantment with America’s ruling class.

To millions of ordinary voters, Washington appears more and more like an imperial Rome, with an out of touch political elite seemingly oblivious to the decay that is setting in around them, contemptuous of public opinion while continuing to rule with an air of indifference.

At the heart of US decline has been the rise of big government at home combined with a growing isolationism and lack of direction abroad. The United States increasingly resembles the world’s biggest symbol of decline, the European Union. Like the EU as a whole, America is increasingly submerged under mountains of public debt (expected to rise to a staggering $20 trillion by the time President Obama leaves office), drowning under rising taxes and ever increasing government regulation, and facing huge unfunded entitlement liabilities. On both sides of the Atlantic, economic freedom is increasingly being challenged. In the most recent Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom, the United States ranks just 12th in the world, with an economy that is classified as “mostly free.”

Economic decline at home has been matched by growing weakness on the world stage. Much like Europe’s continental big powers, the United States has adopted an approach that the White House itself has dubbed “leading from behind.” The end result has been clear for all to see: a Russian “reset” that has been pushed aside by the Kremlin as though it were a rag doll, a Middle East in flames with the rise of ISIS and the complete lack of a strategy in Syria, a nuclear deal with Tehran that practically guarantees Iran becomes a nuclear weapons power in 10 to 15 years (and prob

(Con’t on next page)

November 13 - 19, 2015

The Taft Independent

5

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge October 2015 Tour

by Rhonda Martin ­

The Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, a California Condor refuge, hosted an open house for “Friends of California Condors Wild and Free” on Saturday October 24, 2015.

Bitter Creek is a US Fish and Game Wildlife Refuge located off of Hudson Ranch Road only 21 miles from Taft. The Friends of the California Condors Wild and Free is a 501 (c)3 organization with a mission to enhance public awareness of the endangered California Condors and to ensure the condors are protected and free. There were only 20 spaces open for this Fall tour and I and my friend Paul Aguirre were fortunate to be included in the group.

Everyone met at the intersection of Highway 166 and Hudson Ranch Road for the 10:00 am debriefing. Our naturalist guides included Ken Convery, Deputy Project Leader for the Hopper Mountain Condor Refuge and the Bitter Creek Refuge, and naturalist volunteers, Martin Fletcher and Vince Gerwe, with Friends of the Condors. After the debriefing, we caravanned over to the 13,000 acre refuge and drove into the refuge headquarters. We then paired off with our guides, loaded up in their 4 wheel vehicles, and took off on the refuges’ rugged backcountry roads. Our first objective was to drive to the main GPS lookout point on the East side of the refuge. We were told that all of the birds on the refuge are geo­ tagged so the rangers can closely monitor the birds’ location and activities. We hiked up a steep grassy hillside to an open vista point overlooking the mountains to the South. This place gives one a wide­open view of the main portion of the refuge where the condors are frequently seen soaring over the majestic hills and valleys With binoculars, scopes, and cameras in hand, we perused the land looking for the largest North American birds with the 9 and half foot wingspan. From our vantage point, we could see in the distance the holding pen for the young condors who were being readied for release. There were 14 in the pen this morning with a few other adults hanging around nearby for company. While keeping our eyes open for any birds in flight, the naturalists told us the Condors usually only take flight in mid­afternoon when the air is warmer. With just enough effort to raise themselves into the air, these large birds catch the warm thermals, relax their wings, then soar effortlessly higher and higher for miles at a time. Some condors have been known to fly up to 500 miles in one day, yet they have an instinctive internal sense of direction and will always find their way back home. Vince and Gerry gave us a lot of information about the history of the captive breeding program. In 1967, the California Condors were placed on the Endangered Species Act because their population was in severe decline. In 1982, there were only 23 condors left in the wild and they were in jeopardy of going extinct. In 1987, a desperate act was taken to capture all the remaining birds and begin a captive breeding program. The goal of the recovery program was to focus their efforts on captive breeding, and to establish new condor populations in wild uninhabited areas. Finally, in 1992, the US Fish and Wildlife Service began re­introducing the captive bred condors back into the wild. Now, there are five areas of wild California Condor habitat. There are approximately 120 free birds in Southern and Central California, 70 in Arizona and Utah, and 30 in Baja Mexico. Breeding pairs are kept at The San Diego Wild Animal Park, The Los Angeles Zoo, The Oregon Zoo, the Santa Barbara Zoo, and the Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico. In total, there are approximately (Con’t from page 4, American Exceptionalism)

ably far sooner), a weakened NATO and frayed alliances with close allies such as Israel, and a diminished American military that has faced a series of devastating cuts. To describe the Obama administration’s foreign and defence policy as disastrous would be an understatement. The next US president will have to begin the process of cleaning up a mess that may take decades to clear.

To reverse decline, the United States will need to rediscover the spirt of American exceptionalism that has made it the most powerful nation on earth. This involves a return to market-based policies that roll back the frontiers of the State and reduce dependency on government while empowering entrepreneurialism and creative energy. The solution is not to grow government but to restrain it, unleashing the power of economic freedom. Instead of mimicking the path taken by the European Union, the United States has to rediscover the principles and ideals that have made this nation for centuries a bastion of individual liberty.

Economic renewal must be matched by a willingness to lead internationally, with a clear-cut strategy to confront America’s adversaries, repair damaged alliances in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, and powerfully project military might where needed. As we have witnessed in the last few years, the world is a far more dangerous place in the absence of US leadership. From Moscow

420 California Condors alive today. Unfortunately, at the hilltop we did not see any of the condors in flight, so at noon we left to go back to the headquarters for lunch. While eating, I looked to the East and noticed two condors soaring in the distance. Out came everyone’s binoculars and scopes and we suddenly forgot about eating. We spotted them!! Page 1 of 2 After lunch, we headed out again to the South so we could get a little better view of the holding pen and a different vantage point of the refuge. We were instructed not to get too close because the birds are skittish. With a telephoto lens, we could see the juveniles perched on posts inside the pen. With still not much luck in seeing a soaring condor flying by, a young intern with the US Fish and Game, came along with her GPS gear. She said she was tracking bird #77 who had just been released into the wild a few days before. She was concerned that it had not taken to flight. She scurried down into the canyon to check on it.

After visiting the refuge, I came away with increased knowledge of the efforts that are being taken to preserve and protect the California Condor. It appears to be a long uphill battle to keep them alive because of two main problems. The first is “micro­trash”. Micro­trash is basically small bits of metal or plastic trash. For some reason, the condor parents pick up these bits of trash and feed it to their babies who then die.

The second problem is that because these birds eat carrion, they often ingest lead from hunter’s bullets. This also causes death to the birds. Fortunately, a law, (AB­711) was passed in California in 2008 that states that lead based ammunition must be replaced with non­lead ammunition.

Now, any animal in California being hunted for wild game is supposed to be taken with non­lead ammunition.

The problem still exists because un­ licensed hunters are either unaware of the law or choose to ignore it.

Much work is to be done to save the California Condors from extinction, but thanks to the US Fish and Game Wildlife Service and Friends of the Condors Wild and Free, and a handful of Zoos, progress is being made to keep the birds living free. For anyone seeking more information about Friends of the California Condors Wild and Free, here is the web site. www.friendsofcondors.org.

Rhonda Martin is an Instrumental Music Teacher with Rosedale Union School District in Bakersfield, California. She is also a fine art landscape photographer and a member of the Bakersfield Art Association Her web site is: www.Rhondamartinlensart.smugmug.com to Tehran, our enemies have become increasingly emboldened. America’s foes should fear US power, while its allies should feel confident that the world’s superpower will stand with them when they are threatened.

For all its imperfections, America remains the world’s indispensable nation. President Obama is wrong – American exceptionalism is not the same as Greek exceptionalism, or that of any other country. As Margaret Thatcher noted in her final book, Statecraft: “America is more than a nation or a state or a superpower; it is an idea – and one which has transformed and continues to transform us all. America is unique – in its power, its wealth, its outlook in the world.”

The world needs a self-confident America that is once again willing to lead and believes in itself. After several years of decline the United States must reclaim its sense of optimism, and reassert itself as a truly exceptional nation. 35 years ago, an American president with an unfailing faith in his country’s greatness showed how it could be done. Only time will tell if America finds another Reagan. But the fact that America has bounced back before shows that this nation, founded upon the principles of liberty and self-determination, has an extraordinary capacity for regeneration and renewal. America’s enemies are betting on US decline. It’s time for the American people to prove them wrong.

6

Liberty Under Fire The Best Place to Study Gun Issues is Chicago

By Harold Pease, Ph. D Every scientist looks for the best place to study his targeted phenomenon—tornadoes in the Mid-West, hurricanes in the Caribbean, ice thinning in the Artic or thickening in the Antarctic. For gun issues this would be Chicago because it is the murder capitol of the United States and the handgun is the favored killing instrument and apparently readily available. Easy conclusion, more guns more crime or killing.

Right?

The Windy City was the only city in the United States to exceed 500 homicides in 2012, more killed here than were our forces in Afghanistan the same year. Over the Independence Day holiday 82 persons were shot. According to the most recent issue of, America’s Ist Freedom, the number shot so far this year, as of early September, was 2,000, of which 326 died. Chicago is a war zone. Police chief Superintendent Garry McCarthy boasted, “We seize more guns than any city in the country, every single year.” Fewer guns, less crime, right. So why the continual rise in crime and murder at the same time more guns are seized? It must be those nasty gun shows.

A recent study published in the journal Preventive Medicine

by Philip J. Cook, Susan T. Parker and Harold A. Pollack, revealed otherwise. In anonymous, face-to-face interviews 100 felons were asked where they had obtained their guns; a question never asked by proponents of more gun laws. Asking criminals this question should precede designing legislation to disarm potential victims one would think. The study revealed that, “Few got their guns from Internet sources, gun shows or licensed stores.” Most got them, instead, from “family, fellow gang members or associates.” Few stole them and “they seldom bought guns on the used market,” so

The Taft Independent Police Chief Garry McCarthy basically disarmed the victims of crime and murder leaving his lawful population unable to defend itself. The interviews revealed also that most of the weapons were handguns, very few possessed, so-called, “assault weapons.”

A second reason to study guns in Chicago might be that this city is also the home of the most anti-gun president in our history. When Barack Obama ran for the Illinois State Senate in 1996, he was asked if he supported legislation to “ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.” He answered. “Yes.” As a U.S. Senator, Obama once said, “While a complete ban on handguns is not politically practicable, I believe reasonable restrictions on the sale and possession of handguns are necessary to protect the public safety” (“Obama Ramping Up the Rhetoric on Gun Control,” The New American, Oct. 5, 2015).

Obviously his anti-gun philosophy has been in place in the Chicago area, with a measure of his influence, for many years. That his philosophy has clearly failed, where it had the greatest power to succeed, is now indisputable.

Evidence of this conclusion is seen in the body count on Chicago streets every day.

One of the greatest ironies with respect to the President’s safety is, if fewer guns mean less crime and violence, then why do all the agents around the president carry handguns?

He knows that his protection is more secure with more guns. Then why would this not also be true for his law-abiding constituents? Rumor has it that San Francisco County issues only two conceal carry weapon permits and that one of these is for Senator Diane Feinstein, one of the most vocal Senators opposed to the people having the same need for protection as she. If so, what hypocrisy!

If the president had been more observant of his own city he might have noticed the real problem besetting Chicago— the lack of enforcement of existing gun laws. Americas 1st Freedom magazine, previously cited, disclosed that the county of Cook , which includes Chicago, had between January 2006 and August 2013, “more than 13,000 cases that included gun violation thrown out of court or dismissed.” In fact, “from illegal firearm possession to illegal sale of a firearm to a felon, more felony cases involving guns were thrown out of court there than any other kind of case.”

This is supported on the federal level as well. According to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearing house, “out of 90 federal judicial districts in the United

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765-1935 HOURS

Monday thru Friday 8:00am –9:00pm Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 9:00pm 100 E North St. Taft CA

November 13 - 19, 2015 States, Chicago in recent years has ranked near the bottom in terms of gun prosecutions. In 2014, it ranked 82nd out of 90 districts.” But leniency everywhere is typical of the Obama administration. In 2011, “federal gun prosecutions dropped by roughly 40 percent.” Clearly, Chicago is not enforcing its gun laws already in existence. “Only about 1 percent of the guns seized by Chicago police led to federal prosecutions.” Moreover, those prosecuted rarely get more than one year of a possible three-year sentence. Without a will to enforce existing law there exists no valid logic in creating more.

Perhaps the real solution to Chicago’s war zone status is more guns in the hands of its lawful citizens as the U.S. Constitution allows, not less. The Second Amendment remains some of the strongest and clearest language on the subject. “The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This language has never been altered by another amendment and thus remains the law of the land whether the government of Chicago and its lead citizen, the president, understands this or not.

Dr. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and 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 30 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

Black Gold Brewing Company Brewery Restaurant Grill

Wild Caught Cod Beer Battered Fish and Chips $10.95 508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

November 13 - 19, 2015

The Taft Independent

Josh Rolin Switches to Teaching TC Students Poetry Welding Competition at Black Gold Saturday, November 15th at 4pm As ThanksgivStudents in the Literary Magazine Club have partnered with Black Gold and the Cougar Corner Bookstore to host a spoken-word poetry competition on Saturday, November 14, at 5:00pm.

The competition is open to anyone. Professor Bill Devine, published poet Mark Fisher, and student editor Clarissa Alderete will judge the contest. First prize will be publication of the winning poem in The Taft Independent.

Other prizes will include a gift card to the Cougar Corner Bookstore and copies of A Sharp Piece of Awesome.

Anyone may compete in the contest. Those wishing to read a poem should arrive by 4:45pm to sign-in.

Black Gold is located at 508 Center St in Taft.

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Mexican and Seafood Taqueria Open 7 Days a Week 7 am to Midnight - 7 Days a Week

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ing approaches, Josh Rolin is thankful that he made the move from the welding in the field to teaching welding to high school students. The position opened up after the school year had already started, and even though he took a pay cut, Rolin decided he would take the job because his daughter, sophomore Cora Wood, was in the class. “The welding teacher quit and they told me they needed a welding teacher,” he said.

It wasn’t easy at first for the 32-year-old journeyman welder. “At first, it was a complete culture shock. I’m used to dealing with men, not children. (When you tell men to do something,) men do it. (With) children you have to stay on them, give them a lot of attention. (But) it’s getting easier.”

He went into the oil fields after graduating from Stockdale High School. He was certified as a welder in 2005.

He never went to college. “Welding I know, teaching I don’t,” he admitted. But he is learning how to teach as he teaches his students how to weld. He is working with a temporary teaching credential based on his job experience.

Once hired, he worked full-time and more. Besides teaching five welding classes, part of his job is working as co-adviser to the Future Farmers of America. That meant picking up nine students at 5 a.m. for 10 days to take them to the Kern County Fair to show their animals, and getting home at 10 p.m. “It was a lot of manual work. I enjoyed doing it,” he recalled. Next, it was off to Louisville, KY, to supervise students at the 88th annual national FFA convention the last four days of October.

“I like it here (at Taft High). I wasn’t desperate for this job (but) teaching is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I used to teach my helpers how to weld. (Now) there’s actually a retirement, a pension, (with teaching).”

Rolin and his wife of eight years, Shiela, have six children, including Carlie, a senior at Taft High.

Photo by Jim Carnal

7

Athelete of the Week November 13th, 2015

Dylan Self “This preseason for the TUHS Boys Basketball program one person has stood out over everyone. Dylan participated in about 99% of the preseason work outs and Varsity Summer League as a freshman. This included running bleachers in Martin Memorial Stadium, running countless sprints/laps at the Lee Patterson Track Facility, hitting the heavy ropes, weights. It didn’t matter if it was blazing hot or pouring rain he was out putting in the extra work. Now that the regular practices have started after finishing up his 2 hour practice with the FR/SO team he spends the next 45 minutes finishing up with the JV/V squad still finishing near the top with conditioning drills at the end of practice. His pre-season hard work is not going unnoticed and we are looking forward to his work ethic rubbing off on other up and coming TUHS basketball players over the next four years.”

Shar-On’s Up Cycle Discovery Center is offering classes!

Kids Art class at St Andrews tomorrow (2nd Monday of Month) 4-6pm class is free includes snacks, but if you can donate to assist with supplies it would be greatly appreciated everyone. Pass it on to all.

Rollerblading class for Kids: Every Wednesday 6:30-7:30 at Skate Park. Free Adult Rollerblading: Every Wednesday at 10am at Skate Park. Free Adult art class is (4th Monday of month) November 23rd, 6-8pm cost is $10 per person to cover materials. Pass it on and invite all to come join the fun!

Shari offers private Self-Discovery Sessions for those interested. 1st session Free. Call for appointment 661-375-7733.

A Course In Miracles: Every Thursday 11-12:30 at 610 Kern Street, Taft, CA Free Meditation 101: Monday-Thursday, (30 min) 9:30-10am at 610 Kern Street, Taft, CA Free Bible Study every Wednesday, 5:30 at St Andrews Church. Free Want to offer a class? Call Shari at 661-375-7733 for info.

330 Kern Street Corner of 4th and Kern Street 745-4898

Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft Hours Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 5 pm Friday and Saturday 10am to 3pm

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

Open Monday - Sunday - 7am to 9pm Special - Chicken Frajitas - Buy One Get 2nd 50% Off Tuesdays: Kids Eat Free - Martes: Ninos Gratis Sabado y Domingo - Menudo y Birria 129 Kern Street, Taft (661) 765-1934

8

WITCHES WALK A JONAS KIRK MYSTERY

By DICK SNYDER Conclusion: Devlin wanted to grab me and shake some sense into my mouth. Instead, he looked at me for almost 10 full seconds then he caved, “Tonight then…behind Jorge’s.”

Now that I had a badge on my side, I returned to my cabin and continued to rummage the internet, finding and digesting what I thought we needed. Devlin showed at 11 pm, having traded his tan raincoat for a dark, navy blue woolen sweater and a stocking cap. He had also replaced his shoes with dark black sneakers, and blackened his face a bit with charcoal under his eyes and along the bridge of his nose and chin. He looked ready for combat and while I too wore dark clothing, my costume just didn’t compare with the action-ready fabric draping his considerable body. No matter. He was here.

I prepared him for what we were going to see.

“This is Halloween, Devlin, and while the kiddies are all now safely tucked into bed, their bellies full of candy, the sweet scent of emotional ritual is about to play out 100 yards away.”

“You’re sure of this?”

“I’m not moonstruck.”

“Is that good…or bad on a night like this?”

“It’s good. Let’s go…quietly,” and away we walked into the night.

Ahead, headdresses edged by the firelight rode atop silhouettes and the coven, staffs held firmly in hand, swayed in its ritual passage, occasionally stepping two or three steps to the left, then back to the right. Words, not fully formed, drifted across the grasses letting us both know that witchery was about its business, and at the perfect time: near midnight on Halloween. The coven made its pact with itself before the clock tick-tocked them all into the haven of All-Souls Day. “Facebook tells me that are three names to remember tonight, Devlin: High Priestess Venus, Night Fire Angel and All-Hallow Eve. One is dead, one is a murderer and one is the power of the coven. There is no conspiracy here but still, they are all three connected.”

“Dammit, Jonas, who do I arrest?”

“Listen for a moment, Devlin…just listen.”

The tone from the coven began to rise, then all voices fell away except that of High Priestess Venus, and she began to

The Taft Independent chant what I had come to recognize as the poetic ritualistic story of Drawing Down the Moon.

Goddess of the Moon, you are universal and constant. In the dark of night, You shine down upon us and bathe us in Your light and love. I ask You, O Divine One, to honor me by joining with me, and allowing me to feel Your presence within my heart.

“What the hell is she talking about,” Devlin whispered, “What is all this crap about light, presents and love. Is this kind of like Christmas?”

“No, Devlin. She speaks of the unifying sense of love that becomes a presence, a part of their souls, not a toy to open.

She is urging her coven to open their hearts to this intimate sharing, to draw the light of the moon into their lives and thus be connected to one another.”

“This is crap.”

“No Lieutenant. This is prelude to a murder...listen.”

The call of the High Priestess continued for another three minutes…then silence.

Seconds passed, then slowly from the bodies of first one, then another, the witches began to moan, to sway, to move as though in a trance. Before his disbelieving eyes, Devlin saw them fall to the ground, twitch a bit, then slowly release their passion with sighs and gentle murmuring to themselves.

Devlin felt nothing, grumbled to himself, then whispered to Kirk, “Who do I arrest?”

I touched Devlin on the shoulder, whispered. “See the High Priestess Venus. She has been in an power conflict with two members of the coven.”

“And…?”

“After posting powerful curses and evil chants to both on Facebook, Night Fire Angel, decided to end it two nights ago. It was she who lured All-Hallow Eve to the vicinity of the bike trail/walking path, and impaled her. She likely has similar plans tonight for High Priestess Venus. Time to act.

Devlin moved as though lanced in the ass by a member of the coven. “HALT, HALT, all of you!” he shouted, “Stay where you are in the name of the law!”

Most did, but one figure moved into the darkness, disappearing even as Devlin hollered again for her halt. He stopped, looked carefully around the coven as it slowly regained its senses, rising from the grasses and finally taking note of our presence. A few minutes more and High Priestess heard Devlin explain a murder.

“I shall atone for this in the ways of the coven,” she told him.

“No,” Devlin said, “Arrest and trial, that’s how its done.”

High Priestess Venus did not answer. Instead, she began to chant: Divine Goddess, Goddess Devine, Find evil in an instant’s time, Cast it deep into darkest sky, Starve its soul ‘til its body dies.

November 13 - 19, 2015 I was impressed.

“Powerful stuff, eh Devlin?”

“Earthly justice will have its way,” he retorted.

“Not tonight.”

The gang at Ole’s Doughnut ‘Ole heard the final tale.

“Yah, they found her in the entry to the St. Mark’s Church, doncha know,” Ole reported. “She was dead, yah.

No injuries. But there she lay…image of a lightning bolt marked her forehead. But no matter, she was gone.”

I asked Devlin later in the day what he thought about all of that, and he couldn’t explain it in mortal terms.

“Without trial,” he uttered, “there can be no justice.”

“Well,” I said, “It’s All-Souls Day, right?”

“Yep.” “Maybe she managed one last chance to repent, or maybe High Priestess Venus sent a spiritual order that caught up with her.

Devlin just looked at me, shook his head, turned to Ole and ordered his regular breakfast: four eggs scrambled, hash brown, four slices of bacon and three pancakes soaked in butter and syrup. Nothing spiritual about that meal.

Copyright 2015 by Dick Snyder. Released to Taft Independent for one printing on November 13, 2015.

9

The Taft Independent

November 13 - 19, 2015

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Gateway Temple

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 630 North St. 765-5557

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

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 4279722 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and

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.

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(661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell License No. 0E02096 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.

First Baptist Church Pastor Scott Pearson

Sunday School 9 a.m.

Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service 6 p.m.

Awana Childrens Program Wednesday 6 p.m.

220 North Street - Taft 661 763-3138

Childcare Available During Services Info call 765-7151

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

Morning Worship 10:30

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Bible Study Wednesday 6 p.m.

Sunday Service - 10 a.m. www.standrewstaft.org The Rev. Heather Mueller 703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

Trinity Southern Baptist Church 400 Finley Drive We invite you to join us each week as we worship

Sunday Bible Study 9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 am Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 6:00 pm

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

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Community Christian Fellowship

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10

The Taft Independent

Classifieds

Deadline for submission is Wednesdays at Noon.

Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 lines, $16 for 12 lines, $20 for 15 lines, $25 for 20 lines.

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

Boxed adsCar, aretruck $5 or additional.

E-mail us $5 (orper bring Photo Ads. house for sale ads are week,toor our $10 office) a photo ofus your home, car,office) truckaor motorcycle and with a photo.

Email (or bring to our photo of your home, we’ll do the rest. car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Yard Saleads ads are $3 isfor 3 lines, additional lines $2 each.

Classified deadline now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Classified ad deadline is Thursdays at 9 a..m.

Phone: 765-6550 Phone: 765-6550 Fax: 765-6556

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

Payment can bebe made by cash, check, or credit Taft Independent210 508 CA 93268 Taft Independent 6thCenter St., Taft,St., CA Taft, 93268.

306 Eastern - in the house. 8 am Thanksgiving stuff. Nov. 14.

3 Family Yard Sale. Sat. and Sun. 441 Mary.

Maricopa.

Moving Sale. Furniture and misc. 101 Clark St. Maricopa. All must go, make offer. Free merchandise. Sat. 6am - ?

We do estate sales. Let us make the job easy.

Renee (760) 535-8721 or (661) 378-5366. Old’s Cool Antiques & More.

HELP WANTED LVN needed for busy Urgent Care Please send resume to WSHCD@bak.rr.com or mail to 119 Adkission Way, Taft

NOW HIRING!!!

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Compost Crew Leader, Security Duncan family farms is grower of both Organic and conventional produce. It is

Maricopa High School Boys Basketball Coach needed Prior coaching experience preferred Positions are seasonal approximately November 30, 2015, February 11, 2016 Salary for season $2122.

Those interested, contact the Maricopa Unified District Office to apply or for additional information 769-8231 ext 204 EOE Employer

SERVICES

AUTOS FOR SALE

01942324 110 Loma Vista 3/2 with garage, Complete Remodel incl. Roof, A/C & ducting, windows, stucco, all new interior, kitchen & baths w/granite & tile, 1292 sf, $162,900 112 Loma Vista, 3/1 with pool & garage, newer roof, A/C unit & windows, large yard, all new flooring throughout! 1085 sf, $149,770 406 S. 10th St, 3/2 with office & 2 car garage, Complete Remodel incl. electrical, plumbing, A/C & ducting, windows, stucco, all new interior, kitchen & baths w/granite & tile, 1520 sf, $175,400 1019 Buena Vista St, 2/1.75, manufactured home on huge lot, extended living room, enclosed porch, mature trees, $35,900 Pick up a list of all homes For Sale at 322 Kern St or call 661-765-5000

HOMES FOR RENT

1976 Harley Davidson Sportster XLCH 1000cc Fair condition.

Registered till Sept 2016. Clear title. $ 2000 Call Dan @ (858) 775-0890.

OPEN HOUSE HOMES FOR SALE Americana Real Estate 322 Kern St. 661-7655000 Lic # 00447658 &

NIce apartment for rent. 2bd 1 bath.

Central AC\heat.

Carport. $600 month. $600 dep. Ref. req.

Very private, quite.

Fenced yard, fence small kitchen patio.

WD. 407 Lucard #B. Alley entrance. Call Michael (661) 7656550. or text 661623-4296.

2 bedroom 1 bath house with yard 1 year lease Rent $700 Deposit $800

House for Sale

Preserving for the Future

Rentals Real Estate

Visit Us On

2 bed. 1 Bath plus bonus room. Garage, patio, $850. mo. $850 dep. 401 So. 6th Street. Call 661-8054849.

Americana Real Estate 322 Kern St. 661-7655000 Lic # 00447658 & 01942324 601 Lucard, 3/2, tile kitchen/baths, lots of cabinets, tall ceilings, $895 mo + Dep Pick up a list of all homes For Rent at 322 Kern St or call 661-765-5000

MOVE IN SPECIAL! FIRST MONTH FREE. Based on approved credit. No Application Free. Pet’s OK. 108 Center Street Apartments. 1 bed room 1 bath.starts at $500 per month. Plus Sec. Dep. Call (661) 846-6403 or (661) 7657678.

ROOM FOR RENT PETS

APART. FOR RENT NIce clean comfortable apartment for rent.

All appliances incl.

2bd 1 bath. Central AC\heat. Carport. $600 month. $600 dep. Ref. req. Very private, quite.

Fenced yard, fence small kitchen patio.

W\D. 407 Lucard #B Alley entrance. Call Michael (661) 7656550. or text 661623-4296.

Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507 30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

mo. $500 dep. Call for appt. 805-550-0565.

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West Side Health Care District BOARD VACANCY District Board member, Teri Jordam announced at the Octobet 29, 20156 meeting that she would be resigning from her position effective immediately.

Board Member Teri Jordan has served on the Board since 2004, where she has served as Board Vice President, a member of the personnel and community and outreach committees. Mrs. Jordan has added a great deal of insight to the District with her medical knowledge as well as her love for the community. She will be missed, and the Board of Directrs wish her well on her new adventure in South Dakota.

In accordance with the District bylaws, Article III, section 4 of the West Side Health Care District the procedure will be followed for the appointment of a new board member to fill the vacancy left by Teri Jordan by November 19, 2015.

Please refer to the District Office at 119 Adkisson Way, Taft, CA for more information regarding the appointment process and timeline.

Applications for appointment are due at he District Office by 3PM, Monday, November 16th, 2015.

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

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All your detailing needs!

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Large Family Room, 2 car garage, fenced backyard. $199,000. Call (661) 201-2087.

Specializing in Owner Rentals and Home Maintenance - Call 293-0192 for Quick Service Specializing In Cooler Service and Repair!

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a company That has grown and continues to grow and expand, There’s opportunity for advancement and growth.

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Joyce Properties (661) 769-6469

Classified Ads are $3.00 per issue for up to three lines, $5 per issue for Classified $2.00 per off up to 5 lines,Ads andare $7 per issue forline. up toPhone, 10 lines.fax, Yardmail Sale or adsdrop are free. your adfax, tomail the or Taft Independent.

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YARD SALES

November 13 - 19, 2015

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

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

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

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

Carpet Vinyl Hardwood Laminate Ceramic Tile 661-398-3044

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November 13 - 19, 2015

The Taft Independent

Sandy Creek Estates

New Homes for Sale in Taft THE PORTER

Randy’s Trucking

1550 SQ. FT. 3-BEDROOM 2 BATH GRANITE COUNTERS IN KITCHEN AND BATHS STAINLESS STEEL

Cart-Away Concrete Mix Trailer • Hydraulic Rotation and Tilt for Mixing and Dumping • Mixes Concrete While Traveling • • Large Internal Blades • • Rear Operator Control Panel •

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FRONT YARD ALL INCLUSIVE $325,000

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The Taft Independent

Qik Smog & Tune

(661)763-4445

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery in Taft

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Now Servicing Japanese and European Motorcycles

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Pub Burger and French Fries Every Day $7.95

November 13 - 19, 2015

Used to be Paul’s Bike Shop

We sell and service Mountain Bikes, BMX, Skateboards and Scooters.

Just added: Roller Derby Skates and Accessories 608 Center St.

745-4919

Classified Ads. $2 Per Line.

Yard Sale Ads $3.00 Best Ad Deal in Taft