Meet Taft's new treasurer

Independent The Taft

November 16 - 22, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

www.Taftindependent.com

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

November 16 - 22, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 19

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

Shop Taft This Holiday Season

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

Used to be Paul’s Bike Shop

The New 2013 bikes are here! Start your Christmas shopping now with our lawaway plan.

745-4919

Meet Ben Mangum Taft’s New City Treasurer

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

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Custom Cabinetry and Counter Tops

Over 25 Years Experience in Taft.

Under New Management.

605 6th Street, Taft, CA. 93268 (661) 765-5000 (661) 343-0507

T W

Ta f t

WOODWORKS

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT

November 16 - 22, 2012

Shop Taft

Ten Percent Firearms

Passion For Nails Nail Services:

HOLIDAY SPECIAL 10% OFF $20 SERVICE OR MORE. OFFER GOOD UNITL 12- 31-12.

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

F i n e

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

If You Don’t Have The Time WatchClocks, Batteries We Do - Clocks, & More Clocks 426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451 Coffee Mugs $8.00 Candles $4 jn .99

Store Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm Closed Sunday and Monday

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

(661)745-4913

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

J e w e l r y

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

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

• Gifts

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

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

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

acme jewelry co.

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

Personal Style Boutique Used to be Paul’s Women’s and Woman’s Plus Sizes - Junior - Infant Wear

New Arrivals In

Bike Shop

The New 2013 bikes are here! Start your Christmas shopping now with our lawaway plan.

Purses - Joggers - Sweaters Boots - Jewelry and More

and See Our New Infant Lic # B-721903

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

Wear and Bows

Shop Taft

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

A Hint of Class

610 Center Street • 661-745-4954 Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

Items of the Week

Samsung Galaxy ACE Unlock sale $219.95 or Pantech P8000

$119.00

AT&T or H20

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

Christmas Designs In Stock Gifts!

Come and See Us

Blue Jeans & Bling FREE

Tire Rotation & Brake Check Plus We will check all fluids & tire pressure

Women’s Sizes 0-21 Women’s Plus Sizes Children’s Jeans & Shirts Monday - Friday 11am to 6pm Saturday 10am to 5pm Host a party 415 Center Street Visit us on Facebook sales@bluejeansandbling.com

763-9100

745-4919

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

Hats, Jewelry, Purses & More

Miss Me • LA Idol Nicole Lee • Grace In LA

608 Center St.

*Most Cars & Light Trucks Up to 5 Qts.

Tire & Automotive Service Center

Oil & Filter Special 95* $

39

Plus Tax

$3.50 Oil Disposal Fee Exp. October 30, 2012

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

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

It’s FULL COLOR, Affordable and Highly Visible Call 765-6550

November 16 - 22, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Recreation Report..........4 Westside News.................5

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Community Events News and More 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

Annual Trout Derby - November 17.

Taft Sportsman’s Club Pheasant Hunt Nov. 17 and 18 Carrisa Plains Womens Club Holiday Craft and Gift Show. Nov. 18 Monday, Dec. 3--Christmas Parade

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

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

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

Christmas at the Fort Holiday Gift Show Thursday, December 6th 5p.m.

The Historic Fort Christmas Holiday Gift Show and Dinner will be held on Thursday, December 6th at 5 p.m.

The event wil be held from 5 p.m. to 9p.m. Dinner will be served at 7p.m.

For tickets and to RSVP, and more information please call 765-7371.

Soroptimist International of Taft Presents Homes for the Holidays Home Tour, Luncheon & Fashion Show

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com Locally and Independently owned since 2006 The Taft Independent is a locally owned community newspaper published weekly on Fridays for your enjoyment and reading pleasure. We publish 3,500 issues and distribute to over 225 locations in the city of Taft and the neighboring communities of Cuyama Valley, McKittrick, Maricopa, Fellows and Western Kern County, California.

The Independent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies are $1 each. The contents of the Taft Independent are copyrighted by the Taft Independent, and may not reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

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

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

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

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

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

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Advertising Contributing Writers June Woods, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

Saturday, December 8 Home Tour: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Luncheon & Fashion Show 12 p.m.

At the Westside Believers Church Tickets on sale at $25.00 each and can be purchased from: Hint of Class, Old’s Kool, The Fort, Personal Style, or any Soroptimist member Taft College Soroptimists include: Patti Bench, LaNell Howell, Dena Maloney, Carolyn Roberts, & Becky Roth It is a great way to get in the holiday mood, see some beautiful homes and a fabulous new business, have a chance to win beautiful raffle prizes, eat a great lunch, and help raise funds to meet local needs!

Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 Draws Huge Fox Theater Crowd Thursday night was the premier showing of the Twlight Breaking Dawn movie at the Fox Theater and theater owner Kent Coke was pleased to announce that the show nearly sold at for the 10 p.m. showing.

A line of hundreds of people winded down Center Street begining at 6 p.m.

Thursday evening with people waiting to get good seats with pre-sold tickets.

According to Coke, as of 5:50 pm 392 tickets had already been sold for the 10 p.m. showing, with 108 seats left to sell. The large theater can seat more than 500 people.

Chamber Trout Fishing Derby Nov. 17th Registration is underway for the Trout Fishing Derby on Saturday, November 17, 2012. This year’s event features $1,000 grand prize for the heaviest trout caught with a chance to win $20,000.

Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in all age groups. Water at Buena Vista Lake Evans is down giving a better chance to catch some of the trout we will be stocking in the lake!

Only $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 14 Submit your registration today at the Taft Chamber at 400 Kern Street, Taft or Bob’s Bait Bucket, 2131 S. Chester Ave, Bakersfield

Gasoline Prices Still Falling California, November 12- Average retail gasoline prices in California have fallen 9.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.83/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has fallen 3.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.46/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices yesterday were 2.0 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 77.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.

The national average has decreased 32.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 3.1 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“The national average has again decreased in the last week, but the decreases are beginning to slow down,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan.

“Wholesale gasoline prices rose strongly on Friday which could send prices higher in states with among the lowest prices in the United States. The fuel tightness has also continued in NYC- for those in Sandy’s wake, fuel availability remains difficult, and is the reason GasBuddy has implemented an emergency fuel availability service,” DeHaan said. The Hurricane Sandy fuel availability site can be found by navigating to http://www.gasbuddy.com/sandy/.

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday November 20th, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

Maricopa Tea Room Specials

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

Due to school activities, the Maricopa Tea Room will be closed the week of November 12th.

Thank you for all your support! and enjoy!!!

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

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

Thursday 10 a.m. 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m.

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial The Taft

Independent

Westside Watcher

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

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

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

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, November 16, 2012 through Thursday, November 22, 2012 Rise of the Guardians (PG) Starts Wednesday!; No Passes Allowed Wed & Thu: (1:00), (3:30), (5:45), 8:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (PG-13) No Passes Allowed Fri: (3:30), (5:50), 8:10, 10:30 Sat: (1:00), (3:30), (5:50), 8:10, 10:30 Sun: (1:00), (3:30), (5:50), 8:10 Mon & Tue: (5:00), 7:30 Wed & Thu: (1:30), (4:00), 6:15, 8:30 Skyfall (PG-13) No Passes Allowed Fri: (4:00), 6:45, 9:30 Sat: (1:15), (4:00), 6:45, 9:30 Sun: (1:15), (4:00), 6:45 Mon & Tue: (4:15), 7:00 Wed & Thu: (1:15), (4:15), 7:00 Wreck-It Ralph (PG) Fri: (4:15), 6:30, 8:45 Sat & Sun: (1:15), (4:15), 6:30, 8:45 Mon & Tue: (5:15), 7:40

TAFT PETROLEUM CLUB 450 Petroleum Club Road – 763-3268

Come out for the Club’s Monthly Steak/Chicken Dinner On

Friday, November 30, 2012

with Good Food & lots of Drink Specials from 6:00p.m. until Close The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries.

We do bar and food catering to fit your event!

Monday – Thursday the Club has hourly rates in bar area for Business Meetings, Baby Showers, Scentsy Parties etc.

Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

Call Deanne to book your special event 661-431-9707

November 16 - 22, 2012

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor:

U.S. headed for a new Depression The Budget Control Act of 2011 requires the president and Congress to come up with a nine-year, $1.2 trillion deficitreduction plan by Jan. 1, or annual defense and non-entitlement programs will be cut automatically by $109 billion.

Simultaneously, the George W. Bush tax cuts — a 2 percentagepoint payroll-tax reduction, extended unemployment benefits and other assorted programs — will expire. Without new legislation, taxes will be increased and spending cut by more than $600 billion. A sudden and massive drop in private and government spending surely would tank the economy and send the unemployment rate into the teens.

All confidence would be lost in Washington’s ability to manage its finances, bondholders would abandon U.S. Treasury-issued bonds, the Federal Reserve would be compelled to print money to finance the government and avert default, and U.S. businesses would flee to more promising and better-managed venues in Asia.

A second Great Depression would grip the nation.

To avert calamity, President Obama and House Republicans likely will compromise to raise taxes on high-income Americans by $100 billion to $150 billion, curb spending an equal amount and renew the Bush tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000.

This will hardly be enough to right the nation’s shaky finances, yet slicing the budget deficit by as little as $200 billion or $300 billion still would throw the economy, barely growing at 2 percent, into a tailspin.

Simply put, Americans and their economy have become addicted to huge federal deficits.

During Mr. Bush’s first four years, the trade deficit doubled and ultimately pierced $800 billion, owing to lost competitiveness with China and rising oil prices. A recession should have resulted from this lost demand for U.S.-made goods and services.

Instead, Beijing and oil exporters stepped up purchases of mortgage-backed bonds and other U.S. securities. Aided by creative lending by our nation’s banks, Americans spent more than they earned and sustained the boom into 2007. When borrowers ultimately defaulted, the bubble burst, and the nation was thrust into financial chaos.

A huge trade gap continues, but the federal government is doing the borrowing and spending to keep the economy going.

The annual budget gap has averaged $1.3 trillion over the past four years — up from $161 billion in 2007, the year before the financial collapse. Spending is up $1 trillion — outlays for Social Security, Medicare and other entitlements have increased by more than both the entire 2013 budget for the Department of Defense and appropriations for other civilian outlays.

By 2020, runaway entitlement spending will require completely shutting down the military or crippling domestic spending programs and imposing massive new taxes on the middle class.

With Americans living longer, the solution is to raise the Social Security retirement age to 70 and pattern U.S. health care after other national systems that better contain costs. For example, the Germans and the Dutch spend one-third less on health care by more aggressively regulating prices, rationing care and spending much less on lawsuits.

Democrats would have to disappoint organized labor to push up the retirement age and disappoint tort lawyers to limit malpractice and class-action suits. Neither Mr. Obama nor congressional Republicans are inclined toward a mature discussion about prices and rationing in health care.

Mr. Obama and House Republicans indicate no interest in confronting Chinese mercantilism to accomplish more balanced trade with the Middle Kingdom. The president refuses to recognize that a bounty of natural gas, solar panels and windmills is not enough to accomplish energy independence. More drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in Alaska is needed, too.

Yet, without better trade and energy policies to boost growth, significantly cutting the budget deficit will instigate another recession. Absent radical reforms in entitlement spending, Washington is headed for financial collapse by the end of the decade.

Peter Morici is an economist and professor at the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

I have an acquaintance who is employed by the Taft City School Distirct who told me some things that as a tax payer made me a little hot under the collar. Things such as: - This year administrators received a 7.5% pay raise. Readers, are you aware there are some teachers who have gone at least seven years without a raise on the salary schedule?

- Administrators are given a clothinh allowance?

- At my friend’s school it was stated there was no money in the budget for something as simple as printing projects.

- School board members don’t have term limits and receive better medical insurance thank teachers. Remind you of another governing body?

I’d like to asdk someone who knows who grangted the 7.5% pay raise. Also, I’d like to know who oversees how our bond money is spent. And will the latest bond receive better oversight than the first one> Cindy Reid Dear Editor, With the passing of Veteran’s Day, the Kiwanis Club of Taft would like to thank those who are supporting our Flag Project. Many people have noticed the American Flag, flying in front of over 45 local businesses, on four selected days throughout the year, including Veterans Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day and The 4th of July. The Patriotism these local businesses show is a great example of the support and honor, we as Americans, are free to display.

These businesses in turn help Kiwanis provide support to children of our community through scholarships and other local community services.

It is our goal to see flags in front of every business wishing to participate in this project and anyone interested can contact me, or any Kiwanis Member. We will arrange for the installation and provide the flag and pole for just $50 per year. We THANK the following supporters: 7-11, Acme Almost Anything, All In The Sandwich, Artz Westside Chevron, Asian Experience, Black Gold Coffee Shop, Black/ Hall Construction, Chamber of Commerce, Chilled & Grilled, Clint Deckert Consulting, Cooper’s True Value, Dave’s Glass Shop, Excellent Fire Protection, Fastrip on Kern, Hall Ambulance, Westside Health Care District District, J & L Locksmithing, Jack Leonard CPA, Jackson’s Automotive, James Simonson OD, Jo’s Restaurant, Jug N Rose, M & S Security, Midway Driller, Paik’s Ranch House, Passion For Nails, Personal Style Saloon, Pizza Factory, Precision Body Works, Red Ingram, Roger Miller Insurance, S & S Printing, Snow Well Service, Inc, State Farm Insurance Kathy Herm, Sterlying Bryan DDS, Taft Chevrolet, Taft Plumbing, Trahan’s Real Estate, TRS & Equipment, Vibul Tangpraphaphorn M.D, Waldrop’s Auto Parts, Westside Furniture.

Sharon Hill, Kiwanis President Paul Linder, Flag Project Chairperson 661-765-5356

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.

November 16 - 22, 2012

Banruptcy Forces Closure of KFC- Taco Bell, Popeyes Chicken on The Way

Saturday night was the last time Taft fast food lovers could enjoy Kentucky Fried Chicken or a Taco Bell Burrito Supreme at the popular Kern Street drive-in.

The Taft restaurant was closed after a drawn out bankruptcy action involving 28 KFC franchises in Minnesota and California that were purchased by the Popeyes restaurant chain as part of the court settlement.

According to an unnamed employee at the Taft store, the store was closed for business on Saturday night, and an 8 year lease signed by the new owners.

Up to 30 employees were affected by the closure.

There was no word when a Popeyes would be opened at the now closed site, but the employee said it was unlikely that with a new 8 year lease the store would remain vacant.

Congressman Kevin McCarthy Re-Elected as House Majority Whip Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy was re-elected by his House colleagues to serve as the House Majority Whip in the 113th Congress. This position is the 3rd most powerful position in the House of Representatives whose responsibility is to educate members of Congress and ensure passage of legislation voted on the House floor. As Majority Whip, Congressman McCarthy has a critical role in directing strategy and developing policy. He is the first California Republican to hold this position in Congress.

“I am honored that my Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives have chosen me to serve as the House Majority Whip. Our nation faces many challenges, and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the commonsense ideas that come from our constituents from Central Valley to the Indian Wells Valley to the Antelope Valley will always be heard in Washington.

Our nation’s principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom will continue to guide the actions of this Congress.”

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Assemblywoman Shannon Grove Kern County Supervisors Apcalls Cap-and-Trade Auction a point Auditor-Controller-Clerk “Job Killer” for Kern County Businesses SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Shannon Grove called the state’s first cap-and-trade auction which took place yesterday a punitive action against job creators that will drive out local industries.

“The California Air Resources Board and the democrats in the legislature call businesses the ‘polluter class,’” said Assemblywoman Shannon Grove. “These businesses are going to take their jobs across state lines, adding to the ever growing ‘unemployed class’ in California.”

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) launched the state’s cap-and-trade market yesterday by holding its first auction of greenhouse gas pollution credits. California business owners must purchase these credits or pursue measures to cut their greenhouse gas emissions in order to comply with AB 32, the state’s 2006 “anti-global warming” law that placed an emissions limit on individual companies. Businesses are required to buy credits from other companies for each ton over the limit that they discharge annually. The monies raised by this auction will be allocated by the state legislature to fund programs purportedly intended to reduce “global warming.” These requirements will particularly burden the energy, agriculture and manufacturing industries prominent in Kern County.

“I’d hoped saner minds would rule, but instead they’re moving forward with this scheme,” said Grove. “That’s what this is – under the guise of cleaner air, the state legislature is bleeding California businesses of even more money, because the government knows industry can’t meet the impossible standards set by AB 32. The ‘choice’ given to business is either satisfy the severe AB 32 standards by reducing production, or pay up to the government, which is the politicians’ real goal here.”

California is the only jurisdiction in the country with policies as stringent as those associated with AB 32. The non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office reported this summer that cap and trade isn’t even needed to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the state, and that it will greatly increase production costs for businesses forced to comply with the regulations.

The California Chamber of Commerce filed an eleventhhour lawsuit this week to invalidate the auction, arguing that the California Air Resources Board exceeded its authority in establishing the revenue raising program. While yesterday’s auction still took place, future auctions will be halted if the Chamber is granted an injunction.

Kern County Supervisors have appointed Mary Bedard as Auditor-Controller-County Clerk. Bedard will fill the remaining two years of the term of Ann Barnett, who is retiring on January 7, 2013 from the elected office. (State law enables the Board of Supervisors to fill a vacant elected county office by appointing a qualified individual.)

Bedard is the Chief of the Special Accounting Division within the Auditor-Controller-County Clerk’s office. Her staff processes the payroll for more than 9,000 County, special district, and court employees, and the division also apportions property taxes among Kern County’s cities, special districts, and school districts.

In addition, the division reviews and approves more than 100,000 expenditures by the County and districts that total $1 billion annually.

Bedard began her County of Kern career as an accountant in the Public Works Department from 1981 to 1991.

Bedard was an adjunct instructor of accounting at Bakersfield College in 1992 and from 1996 to 1997, when she joined the Fire Department as an accountant. Bedard became the Library business manager in 2003.

Before coming to Kern County, Bedard was an accounting instructor at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. As a Peace Corps volunteer, Bedard established accounting systems and trained staff for the Western Samoa Treasury Department from 1978 to 1980.

She was a staff auditor for the accounting firm of Urbach, Kahn & Werlin in Albany, New York after earning a master’s degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Albany.

Bedard holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

Kern County Animal Control Offers Pet Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Holiday The holiday season will soon be upon us and residents all over Kern County will be cozying up to a roaring fire, lighting scented candles, baking homemade goodies to welcome the holidays, and of course traveling to spend time with friends and family. Kern County Animal Control wants to offer some safety tips to keep pets safe and happy during this time of year.

Fireplaces • Be sure that screens and glass doors are closed when not in use to prevent curious pets from wandering inside. Properly extinguish all flames when you leave your home.

• If your fireplace does not have a glass or screen enclosure, try to block the entrance until you can put one in place. Check with your local fire department to determine what is best for your residence.

• Have chimneys and fireplaces cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure that all equipment is in good working condition and all safety standards are met to prevent outside animals from entering.

Candles • Never leave an open flame unattended with any pet. Curious pets can knock over a candle with their tail or feet when jumping or running.

• Flameless candles provide a safe alternative for an open flame.

Cooking • Remove stove knobs or protect them with covers when you are away from home. Pets have been known to ignite stovetops and start fires.

• Never feed your pet raw turkey as it could contain salmonella bacteria.

• Sage is great for adding flavor to our stuffing, but it can cause stomach problems for your pets.

• Giving your pets raw bread dough is another bad idea as it can lead to vomiting, severe ab-

dominal pain/bloating and even become a life-threatening emergency requiring surgery.

• Give your pet a special treat with a rawhide strip or chew bone or drizzle a bit of gravy or chicken broth over their normal dinner while you enjoy your special dinner.

Travel • Check with your airline ahead of time for requirements, including working with your vet for a health certification within 10 days of your flight.

• Meet with your vet to determine any health concerns for upcoming travel, including any vaccination requirements.

• Work with your pet to get them used to traveling in a carrier before the big day.

Identification • Now is the time to ensure that your pet has updated collar/tag information as well as updated microchip information.

• Keep two sets of collars, ID tags and leashes available just in case.

• Stop by Kern County Animal Control during regular business hours for a FREE microchip for your dog or cat.

“This time of year should be filled with good food, family and fun,” said Jen Woodard, Kern County Animal Control Director. “Families are faced with enough worries during the holiday season; one thing that should not be on anyone’s mind is whether or not their pet is safe.

As a reminder, Kern County Animal Control will be offering FREE microchips onsite at all three shelters for dogs and cats, so pet parents are encouraged to take advantage of this great program before they travel this holiday season.

For more information, please call 661-321-3000.

6 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Meet Taft’s New City Treasurer— November is National Adoption Awareness Month! 10th Annual Ben Mangum National Adoption Day Planned

By Jane McCabe

Bookstore owner Ben Mangum has never before run for public office (or for any other office for that matter,) but judging from the campaign he ran in our recent election and won for Taft City Treasurer, more experienced politicians could take a few points from him: Mr. Mangum conducted a door-to-campaign in which he went to 692 homes in Taft, where 467 people answered their doors. To those 467 people he introduced himself as a candidate for city treasurer, gave them a flyer (a model of campaign publicity) AND a book. To those who did not answer their doors, he left a book into which his campaign flyer was inserted.

Don’t forget that Ben owns Ben’s Books at 810 Center Street, a business he has operated for the past eight years. He acknowledges that people love being given something, and so it pleased them to receive a book (only a few told him that they don’t read books.)

The tactic was to impress his name on their minds so that when they went to the poll to vote, they would say to themselves, oh, yeah, that’s the guy who gave me a book.

As the result of this and other techniques gaged to impress his name on them—various posters and ads—Ben won 60% of the vote, handily unseating incumbent, Bill LeBarron. Therefore, he is our next city treasurer.

acme jewelry co.

F i n e

J e w e l r y

Acme Jewelry Fine Jewelry • Candles • Gifts New Arivals 14K Gold • Sterling Silver

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Emerald and Rudy Watch Batteries sets with diamonds set CENTERWhite STREET • 661.763.5451 in beautiful42614K Gold Diamond rings, pendants and earrings set in both white and yellow gold.

Store Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm Closed Sunday and Monday

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

Please join us in celebrating November as National Adoption Awareness Month here in Kern County! Today, October 30th, the Kern County Board of Supervisors will proclaim November as Adoption Awareness Month, as we kick off our month long effort to raise awareness about adoption, and the steps needed for adopting children that are waiting for loving families right now in Kern County.

Kern County’s 10th Annual National Adoption Day celebration will be held Friday, November 16th, 2012, beginning with a press conference at 12:30 PM. We expect 45 adoptions will be finalized on this day at Juvenile courts, with more private adoptions being completed through the Downtown Municipal courts.

For this special celebration, the media is invited into the Courtroom at the Juvenile Justice Center for a press conference will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. at the Juvenile Justice Center, 2100 College Avenue. Please allow time to check through security.

Several families completing adoptions have agreed to be available to speak with the Media following the press conference and their adoption ceremony. One family is completing adoptions on three siblings being adopted together, including a little girl with special needs.

They will also be adding a teenage daughter through adoption – bringing their total to 4 children being adopted on Adoption Day! The National Adoption Day celebration continues outside the courtroom on the lawn of the Juvenile Justice Center, as all of the families completing adoptions will enjoy a lunch and activities for the children. We ask that you respect the privacy of these families, and only photograph those families who have been identified to speak with the media.

We will do all we can to assist you so that your reporters and photographers are able to get what they need for complete coverage of this very important event.

Please help us celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month here in Kern County!

November 16 - 22, 2012

Kern County Nut Festival Planned for June 2013 Applications for non-profit and for-profit organizations to participate in the first-annual Kern County Nut Festival are now being accepted.

The nut festival, scheduled June 14thand 15th, 2013 at the Kern County Museum, will be a culinary celebration featuring Kern’s top nuts – almonds, pistachios and walnuts. Local businesses and groups are invited to participate by selling a food product or merchandise, hosting an exhibition or managing a “nutty’ activity.

Businesses and groups involved can earn revenue from participation in the festival. Festival organizers estimate there will be at least 6,000 attendees to the Nut Festival.

“We see this as a way to focus on the culinary appeal of nuts and we believe there are local chefs and cooks from the for-profit and non-profit sectors who will come up with some amazing dishes, just as they do at other big festivals in the state like the Gilroy Garlic Festival,” said Beth Pandol, co-chair of the Kern County Nut Festival. “Or, these groups and businesses can operate a fun game or activity, sell a product or just be an exhibitor.”

Applications, rules, and other information are on the Kern County Museum’s website at www.kcmuseum.org. Click on the button titled “Kern County Nut Festival.” Once in the site, the applications are available under the “Participation” button.

There are several ways local groups and businesses can participate. These are: - Sell a food product that includes almonds, pistachios or walnuts or a by-product of these nuts such as almond oil or walnut butter. (No peanuts allowed). Festival organizers are placing strong emphasis on unique foods that will become signature dishes for the event.

- Create or run a “nutty” adult or kid activity. The festival has some suggestions for these activities or groups may create their own. Some ideas include a nut toss, nutty arts and crafts booth and nut cracking contest.

- Sell merchandise. Emphasis will be on “nutty” items or items with a nut theme but other items such as jewelry, arts, crafts and decorative items will also be allowed.

- Host an exhibit or booth that provides information about your group. Informational exhibits should correlate to the nut theme of the festival.

Kern County Nut Festival non-profit participants need not have 501(c)3 designation to take part, but each group must be a legitimate non-profit group such as a church or youth group, service organization, athletic group, etc.

There is no charge to be a food vendor, but vendors are responsible for their own equipment and for compliance with all health and safety regulations. The Kern County Nut Festival will provide the electrical hookups. Table rentals are $10 each.

“No matter what the item, emphasis will be on the product quality whether it is food or merchandise. Since this is the Kern County Nut Festival the more items vendors use that enhance almonds, walnuts, and pistachios or related products the better your chance of being selected as a participant in the festival,” said Pandol.

Ben has never run for any office whatsoever but he recognizes the value of name recognition—impressing on the voters’ mind one’s name, one’s image, and perhaps what he pledges if elected.

The flyer that he handed voters starts with, “I’m Ben Mangum and I want serve as city Treasurer.” Then it lists his qualifications--40 years as the owner of an insurance business in which he managed peoples’ financial security to ensure their well-being.

Ben recognizes the need for qualified people especially in this time of fiscal and economic uncertainty. He cites his experience as an insurance broker and financial consultant in San Fernando Valley, as an auditor for Bank of America, as a 40-year member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as the recipient of the Executive of the Year award. He pledges “to protect our tax dollars, to ensure they are not wasted and every dollar is spent wisely.”

His wife Jennifer told him to “go for it.”

While he was out knocking on the doors, she mannaged the store. Both of them are pleased with his win, and he looks forward to helping the city with its present weighty financial considerations.

Ben found campaigning at once a challenge Holiday portrait time, family reunions, and interesting. The position he won, “has to Christmas cards, gift items, events do with money, and I like money,” he says immodestly. He’s pleased that he won. “But then * s t o p b y fo r d e t a i l s a n d a p p o i n t m e n t s I didn’t go into this to lose,” he says.

Now offering “inspired” portraits, as unique as you are.

Presumably, Ben will not waste our tax dolProfessional retouching. Smoothing skin to bring out the “perfect” you. lars, and we will profit from entrusting to him this important position. We are fortunate to CALL NOW 763-5429 have as worthy an individual as Ben Mangum 427 Center Street • Since June 1986 as our city treasurer. We welcome him to the www.kcphotographyandframing.com position.

Family Portrait Time!

November 16 - 22, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs U.S. Postal Service Forecasts Record Holiday Shipping Surge Postmaster General Predicts Nearly 20 Percent Jump in Shipping Volume

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — ’Tis the season, and for the 237th year the U.S. Postal Service is ready for The Best Holiday Ever! with 365 million packages expected to be delivered this holiday season — a 20 percent increase over 2011.

The Postal Service projects the record-breaking increase in its competitive package business due to consumers’ growing fondness for shopping online. In total, nearly 18 billion cards, letters and packages will be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. “This is one of the most exciting and busiest times of the year for the Postal Service, whether you’re sending a holiday card to Kentucky or military care package to Afghanistan, our employees do what it takes to process and deliver every single one,” said Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General and chief executive officer.

Today, Donahoe and Nagisa Manabe, chief marketing officer and executive vice president, announced the mailing and shipping forecasts for the 2012 holiday season during the holiday rush kick-off event in Washington D.C. The busiest mailing day for holiday cards/packages is Monday, Dec. 17, when more than 655 million pieces of mail are expected to be processed — compared to 538 on an average day. The busiest delivery day for letters will be Wednesday, Dec. 19 and the busiest day for packages will be Thursday, Dec. 20.

To help gear up for the holiday rush and record increase in package volume, postal staff at the National Operations Center report on Dec. 4 for around the clock duty to help navigate mail movement around the world — including 30 million pounds of military mail to be delivered to men and women serving the nation overseas.

Beat the Rush — Mail Early To help customers beat the rush and know the all-important mailing and shipping deadlines, Donahoe stressed that mailing early is key and advised customers to take note of the following dates: MAIL-BY-DATES Nov. 14 APO/FPO Parcel Post Military Deadline Dec. 3 Priority Mail International Dec. 10 Priority Mail Military Dec. 11 Express Mail International Dec. 14 Parcel Post Dec. 17 Global Express Guaranteed Dec. 20 First-Class Mail Dec. 21 Priority Mail Dec. 22 Express Mail

taftindependent.com

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

Simple Tips for Holiday Mailing and Shipping Given the busy season ahead, here are a few simple tips sure to help customers avoid those holiday hassles and keep the season merry.

Confirm addresses. Print addresses clearly and in all CAPS and be sure to include all address elements — apartment numbers, suite numbers and directional information for streets. For example: 123 S Main St. or 12456 Elm St. N. Include both “to” and “from” information on packages — and only on one side. Never guess a ZIP Code. Visit usps.com to find all ZIP codes.

Choose the Right Box. Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside. Do not reuse mailing boxes — they weaken in the shipping process. Customers can purchase ReadyPost boxes at a local Post Office or at the Postal Store on usps.com. Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes, envelopes and tubes are free.

Pack Delicately. Cushion contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Plain air-popped popcorn also is good for cushioning — it’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack contents tightly to avoid shifting during transit.

Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressuresensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape. Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, duct tape or cellophane tape.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

By Appointment

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Council Plans December Meeting The Bureau of Land Management’s Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Council will meet Dec. 1, at the Carrisa Plains Elementary School to discuss management planning for the monument.

The school is located approximately two miles northwest of Soda Lake Road on Highway 58. The public meeting will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a public comment period from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be available for $8 or you may bring a sack lunch.

“At this meeting, monument staff will present the proposed Travel Management Plan for the monument,” said Johna Hurl, monument manager.

The ten-member council advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, on a variety of public land issues associated with public land management in the Carrizo Plain National Monument in Central California. The public may present written or verbal comments. Depending on the number of persons wishing to comment and the time available, the time allotted for individual oral comments may be limited. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations should contact the BLM as indicated below.

Council members are: Dale Kuhnle, Santa Margarita; Ellen Cypher, PhD, Bakersfield; Michael Khus-Zarate, Fresno; Raymond Watson, Bakersfield; Jim Patterson, Atascadero; Carl Twisselman, McKittrick; Raymond Hatch, Taft; Alice Bond-Miller, San Franciso; Craig Deutsche, PhD, Los Angeles.

For more information, contact Johna Hurl at the BLM Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308, telephone (661) 391-6093, e-mail jhurl@blm.gov or go to website http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/rac.html

Used to be Paul’s Bike Shop

Classified Ad Deadline.

Wednesday 2 p.m.

765-6550.

The New 2013 bikes are here! Start your Christmas shopping now with our lawaway plan.

745-4919 Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft

Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback Hard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion Childrens • Cookbooks and More!

New Shipment of Childrens Books Just Arrived for Christmas!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

8

TAFT INDEPENDENT

FromtheMayor

Liberty Under Fire

Gas Prices and Politics

Thanks Plymouth and Jamestown for Placing us on the Road to Prosperity

By Randy Miller Hi Everyone, If you remember my last column, I went on a rant about the high gasoline prices and there seemed to be nobody in our elected ranks seeming to be doing anything about it. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the higher prices but I gave you some of my thoughts on what was going on. Lo and behold less than a week later, the price went down .40 cents and has dropped nearly .80 cents as of today. I think I’ll take a good portion of the credit as there doesn’t seem to be anyone else taking the credit. Power of the pen, you know. Sorry for all the seems. The folks at the two stations out on Hwy 119 haven’t gotten the memo that the price offered at the refinery is much cheaper now. They are stuck on $4.79 a gallon and can’t seem to get off it. The sister Mobil station 11 miles down the road in Pumpkin Center was $1.02 cheaper than the station at I-5 as of today Nov. 14. That only tells me that they are overly gouging the motoring public and are catching the unwary drivers off the freeway who’d do better to drive the short half mile to the Shell Station at $4.09 a gallon at Enos Lane.

I have never stopped at either station since they have opened and don’t plan to any time soon because their gas prices were ridiculous from the day they both opened. I would suggest you do the same. They could do a much better business and catch the 119 drivers if they’d be reasonable like the Shell Station which has lots of vehicles in and out of their place every time I go by. There are concerns that SB32 (Cap & Trade) will cause gas to go up over $5,00, we’ll see.

There was a story out a week or so ago about Senator Harry Reid who was in a motorcade on a highway in Nevada and an unknown auto ran into his SUV and held up traffic for awhile.

He wasn’t hurt as it was a minor accident. There were two SUV’s and a couple of police cars. It didn’t say where he was going but it appeared to be his normal mode of travel. He is the majority leader of the Senate. Gets me thinking, how much are we paying for security for our elected officials ?? I was in Washington two years ago and walking by the Capital. There were two lines of cars: a limo, two black SUV’s, two police cars and another car. Looking around there were uniformed people on the upper floors of the Capital building, a helicopter buzzing around, and cops on the corners with machine guns at the ready. As we walked by one of the uniformed officers, I asked what was going on. “Biden” was the answer. Our Vice President had come to the capital to do some politicking that day. WOW !! That’s a lot of people at the ready. Imagine that happening every time he moves around.

Does Harry Reid and his entourage fly commercial or do we have special military planes flying him around ?? And who else in our Senate and House have Secret Service protection and special transportation provided to them ?? Remember when Nancy Pelosi was leader of the House and she wanted a military Boeing 757 to fly her back and forth to San Francisco because the smaller jets couldn’t make it all the way ?? What about all the Cabinet members; they have their own armed security forces and limos to get them around. Can you imagine the cost involved with the President, especially this election year ?? How many folks were involved with his city hopping and what does it all cost ?? Three military jets (Air Force One, 2 – C17 cargo planes), three helicopters, 2 giant RV buses, the “limo” and assorted security vehicles, plus all the local police vehicles, plus the security team that goes to the locations before the President arrives anywhere, plus, plus, plus. And when his team stays overnight, do they all stay at the local Best Western ?? I think not.

When you are in Washington, it seems like an armed camp.

There are several different police forces seemingly at every corner especially as you near the Capital and the Senate and House buildings and over by the President’s digs. All the buildings have vehicle barriers of some sort or another and all have armed security at all the entrances with metal detectors. It was really disappointing to me to see all this and to think that we live in the freest

By Dr. Harold Pease This Thanksgiving Day we think of the Pilgrims, abundant foods, and giving thanks. Few remember the starving times when the first year after landing about half died, largely of famine. Harvests were not bountiful in 1620, 1621 and 1622.

Plymouth was beset by laziness and thievery. William Bradford, the governor of the colony, in his History of Plymouth Plantation reported that “much was stolen both by night and day” to alleviate the prevailing condition of hunger. The mythical “feast” of the first Thanksgiving did fill their bellies briefly, he reported, and they were grateful, but abundance was anything but common. Why did this happen? Because they had fallen victim to the socialistic philosophy of “share the wealth.”

This dis-incentivizes the productive element of society.

Then suddenly, as though night changed to day, the crop of 1623 was bounteous, and those thereafter as well, and it had nothing to do with the weather. Bradford wrote, “Instead of famine now God gave them plenty and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.” He concluded later, “any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.”

One variable alone made the difference and ended the threeyear famine. They abandoned the notion of government (or corporation) owning the means of production and distribution in favor of the individual having property and being responsible to take care of himself. Before no one benefited by working because he received the same compensation as those who did not. After the change everyone kept the benefits of his labor.

Those who chose not to work basically chose also to be poor and the government (corporation) no longer confiscated from those who produced to give to those who did not. No government food stamps here. nation in the world, and we have all this armed security to contend with.

You just don’t expect to see automatic weapons out in public.

The point I’m getting at is anyone adding up all the cost of all this security including Homeland Security, Border Patrol, Customs, etc, etc.

There doesn’t seem to be anyone questioning the cost because everyone involved is justifying their jobs and how it is needed to protect us from ourselves. Just how far do we go before we can’t afford it anymore ??

You can’t have an open checkbook without regard to the cost. The City of Taft does not have such an open checkbook and we are now dealing with worse case scenarios because of budget constraints. It is a simple matter of money in and money out. Right now because of the loss of the CCF income, more money is going out. We are looking at what we can do to survive as a City and still provide services. You can help by helping us: pick up the trash you see, hoe your weeds, report sprinkler leaks, call the PD when you seek punks vandalizing your City property.

Help us as we on the Council struggle through this tough economic time. Our City staff is sucking it up and doing their jobs the best they can, coming up with money saving ideas and doing more for less. Help be a part of the solution, don’t just reside here, live here. By the way, I haven’t asked for Mayoral security yet.

November 16 - 22, 2012 Ironically all this could have been avoided had Plymouth consulted history and communicated with their neighboring colony, some distance south of them, who had previously been down the same trail. Jamestown too was first a socialist society where each produced according to his ability and received according to his need which, of course, was affected by the supply.

One cannot divide what does not exist. Our textbooks tell us that only one of twelve survived the first two years for precisely the same reason, again, largely because of their starving time.

The problem, as noted by Tom Bethel in his work The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity through the Ages, was identified by an unnamed participant as “want of providence, industrie and government, and not the barenness and defect of the Countrie.”

Captain John Smith is credited with having saved the floundering colony by his “no workie, no eatie” government program (once again the Virginia Company was the government) and was hated for it. Addicted to the promise of getting something for nothing, even if it is always less than promised, the receiving part of the population will always oppose their not getting their “fair share.” Sound familiar? Captain Smith was eventually carted off to England in chains as fast as the parasitic population could do so. Once again, why? Philip A. Bruce in his Economic History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century, p.

121 called it agricultural socialism. “The settlers did not have even a modified interest in the soil…. Everything produced by them went into the store, in which they had no proprietorship.”

When settlers finally were allowed to own their own property, and keep what they produced, things changed over night.

Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote of incoming prosperity, beginning in 1614, after ownership of land was allowed.

“When our people were fed out of the common store, and labored jointly together, glad was he [who] could slip from his labor, or slumber over his tasks he cared not how, nay, the most honest among them would hardly take so much true pains in a week, as now for themselves they will do in a day, neither cared they for the increase, presuming that however the harvest prospered, the general store must maintain them, so that we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty as now three or four do provide for themselves.”

This Thanksgiving let us be grateful for the prosperity that we have even in hard times such as today. Jamestown and Plymouth set us upon a course that recognized that prosperity requires incentive to flourish and that the profit motive stimulates industry. We are so grateful that having recognized the poison of “the share the wealth” philosophy, they purged it from their midst and proceeded to make America the most prosperous country on earth. Others, through the ages, maintained that understanding. Will we be so smart? Let us share this message at the table as we feast upon turkey and pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving Day so that our children will know how prosperity is produced.

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.

November 16 - 22, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Black Gold

Cafe & Deli The Only Mortuary On The West Side Where All Arrangements And Funerals Are Personally Directed By

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

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

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

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

For Rent

426 Shattuck

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

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

Get It Rented!

Preserving for the Future

November 16 - 22, 2012

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

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.

316 Buchanan St. Sat. 7-12. Many baby items & misc.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Free Ice Packs. Taft Veterinary Hospital. 627 Harrision St. 661 7631581.

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

YARD SERVICES COOLER SERVICES HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING MACHINIST.

Candidates will be

required to successfully complete a preemployment physical and drug screen.

Southern Sierra offers a competitive salary and benefit package.

Applications may be picked up at our business office or resumes may be faxed or emailed to: Southern Sierra General Engineering, Inc. P O Box 1113 857 Oleander Road Taft, CA 93268 661-765-6182 Office 661-765-6155 Fax www.southernsierrainc. com hr@southernsierrainc. com HELP WANTED TAFT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ACCEPTIING APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSTITUTE EMPLOYEES to work in Custodial, Food Service, Clerical, Instr. Asst., and other classifications as needed.

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

Andy 661-665-9603.

Junk Cars Wanted.

Cash Paid. 805-0552.

FOR SALE 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 Schnausers, Mini - AKC, Vet checked, declawed & taileds docked, $600 female, $500 males.

661 765-2889. 11-16

FOUND PETS LOST PETS

Substitute Pay range is $13.50 p/hr. Substitute positions are paid hourly. NO hours are guranteed. E.O.E. Employment process includes: Application and Resume, Written Exam, Interview, Background Clearance, DOJ Clearance, Physical, and Drug Screen.

Applications, Job Descriptions and Salary Schedule are available at the TUHS Business Office, 1 Wildcat Way, between 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. M-F. Please note that the District Office will be closed November 22 and 23.

Applications must be received in the Business Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27. Test will be given in the TUHS IRC Lecture Hall on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m.

CHILD CARE SERVICES

Child Care Provider.

Affordable rates and reasonable hours.

Michele (661) 2930998.10-12

WANTED

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.

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

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

307 Philippine 1/1 $700 605 4th St 2/1.75 $750 116 Franklin 3/1 $900 306 Taylor 4/1.75 $900 600 D St 4/1.75 $1,200 3bd 2 ba $950 + $50 dep.

204-8307.

3 + 2 with 2 car garage in maricopa, ca 850.00 per month + last month security + cleaning

Classified

2bd, 1 ba, $700 mo. plus dep. Large fenced yard, Please call (661) 6230453. 11-12

Starting At

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

Ads $2 Per Line!

310 Kern St. 3 bd. 1 ba. $800 plus dep. 661 343-0507.

Call us for our

APART. FOR RENT

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

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

Today!

765-6550

1bd. 1ba. Upstairs. $475 Mo. plus $475 dep. 155 1/2 North Street. (661) 477-9636. 11-16

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

Call

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

Contact Cody (661) 770-7020.

Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, 224 B St #A 2/1 $500 205 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $600 AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr. 400 Woodrow #7 1/1 $625 501 ½ Jackson 2/1 $700

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

By Appointment

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

discount longterm Classified Ad Rates 765-6550

Jackson’s Automotive LOST DOG. BLACK LAB. BUDDY. Reward.

Missing since 10-15.

333-1740 or 763-4937.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Smog Test and General Repairs

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

CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057 661-577-7136

Front End Repairs Transmission Service Brake Service Tune Ups and Fuel Injection Service and Repairs

COMMERCIAL FOR RENT

Call Today for an Appointment 763-1055

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.

Corner of 3rd and Center Street 110 3rd Street - Taft, CA. (661) 763-1055

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

Bikes Are Here!

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

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

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

Qik Smog & Tune

Black Gold 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 New Styles Women’s Jeans, Tops & Roper Boots

Full Grooming Salon Sale 25 to 50% Off

Warm and Cozy Dog Beds

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

New Shipment Men’s Short & Long Sleeve Shirts

Up To 5 Ft. Round 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

November 16 - 22, 2012

If you’re suffering from nerve problems in the arms and legs, you must read about a clinical study that showed...

Numbness, tingling, and pain are an extremely annoying problem.

It may come and go...interrupts your sleep...and even makes your arm or legs feel weak at times. Maybe you’ve even been to other doctors and they claim all the tests indicate you should feel fine.

Could This Be Your Solution?

More Pills Are NotDon’t Thelet Solution numbness,

tingling and pain hold you

It’s time for you to find out if chiropractic will be your neuropathy solution. $19 will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $250 for!

What does this offer include? Everything.

Take a look at what you will receive: • An in-depth consultation about your health and well-being where I will listen… really listen…to the details of your case.

• A complete neuromuscular examination.

A common treatmentback for many fromnerve enjoying life. problems is the ‘take some pills and wait and see’ method. While this may be necessary for temporary relief of severe symptoms, using them long term is no way to live. Some of the more common drugs given include pain pills, anti• A full set of specialized x-rays to determine if a spinal problem is contributing to your pain or sympseizure mediations, and anti-depressants toms… (NOTE: These cost $150).

-- all of which have serious side effects.

The Likely Cause Of Your ProbSincerely, lem

• A thorough analysis of your exam and x-ray findings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free.

• I’ll answer your most probing questions about nerve problems and how chiropractic can help.

Keith L. Sparks, D.C. My name is Dr. Keith Sparks, owner of Sparks Chiropractic. Our practice has P.S. Remember, call to reserve an appointment at this been helping people with neuropathy and significant discount. Why suffer for years in misery? nerve problems for over 15 years.Often neuropathy is caused by a degenerating That’s no way to live, not when there could be an easy spine pressing on the nerve roots. This solution to your problem. can happen in any of the vertebral joints from the neck all the way down to the tail P.P.S. Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but bone.The good news is that chiropracphysically feeling held back from life because your arms or tic treatments have proven effective in legs hurt – and the pain just won’t go helping to remove the pressure on the away! nerves. By using gentle techniques, I’m able to release the pressure that has built Take me up on my offer and call today 661-765-2225. up on the nerve. This allows the nerve to Here’s What Our Patients Say... heal and the symptoms to go away.For This was my first visit to a chiropractor; I am now pain free and have taken back the example, numerous studies have proven walker I had to rent. I have full mobility and the improvement to my neuropathy in chiropractic’s effectiveness in helping nerve conditions. my hand and feet has been amazing.

Patients showed an 85.5% resolution of the nerve symptoms after only 9 chiropractic treatments.

- Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2008.

With chiropractic care, patients had “significant improvement in perceived comfort and function, nerve conduction and finger sensation overall.”

– JMPT 1998 “Significant increase in grip strength and normalization of motor and sensory latencies were noted. Orthopedic tests were negative. Symptoms dissipated.”

– JMPT 1994

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR $19.00 NERVE PAIN EVALUATION ($250 Value) Available To The First 25 Callers

Sparks Chiropractic 1107 Kern Street, #7 Taft, CA 93268

661-765-2225

Medicare restrictions apply

Don’t let numbness, tingling and pain hold you back from enjoying life.

You can get everything I’ve listed here for only $19. The normal price for this type of evaluation including x-rays is $150, so you’re saving a condiderable amount by taking me up on this offer. Call 661-765-2225 now. The first 25 callers can get everything I’ve listed here for only $19. 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. Call 661-765-2225. We can get you scheduled for your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening. Our office is located at 1107 Kern Street, #7 (next to Chicken of Oz). When you call, tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Nerve Evaluation so she can get you on the schedule and make sure you receive proper credit for this special offer.

Sincerely, Keith L. Sparks, D.C. P.S. Remember, call to reserve an appointment at this significant discount. Why suffer for years in misery? That’s no way to live, not when there could be an easy solution to your problem.

P.P.S. Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your arms or legs hurt – and the pain just won’t go away!

Take me up on my offer and call today 661-765-2225.