taft christmas parade

Independent The Taft

November 30 - 6, 2012

www.Taftindependent.com

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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Publisher@Taftindependent.com

November 30 - 6, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 21

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

Personal Style Wishes You Happy Holidays

Taft Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade Monday, December 3rd

Come Join Us for a Fun Night of Store Wide Savings Friday Cruise Night December 7th 5 p.m. to 10pm 423 Center Street 763-3527 610 Center Street • 661-745-4954 Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

Items of the Week Boost

SPECIAL OFFER FREE PHONE with NEW ACTIVATION

FRIDAY Nov. 30-Saturday to Dec. 1. 2012

FALL SPECIAL 3 IN 1 SERVICE SEE US FOR YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS

Transmission & Cooling Flush Plus Oil Change All 3 Services for $350 plus tax* Offer good 11-30 to 12-31-12 Up to 5 quarts of oil, up to 12 quarts trans. fluid *Most makes and models

SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS

531 Center Street (661)763-1123 MONDAY - FRIDAY Over Different Craft & -Imported Beers 8:00am 5:00pm WE SERVICE MOST50 MAKES AND MODELS *Must ask for discount

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT

November 30 - 6, 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.

acme jewelry co.

F i n e

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!

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

What is in Your Batteries HeartWatch Lockets

Kershaw - Knives 426 CENTER-STREET • 661.763.5451 Spyderco Knives Tactical Flashlights

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

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

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

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

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

Happy Holidays!

Bike Shop

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

Come and Check Out

Our New Holiday Clothing Lines and Gifts Lic # B-721903

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

Remember To

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 Boost

SPECIAL OFFER FREE PHONE

FRIDAY Nov. 30-Saturday to Dec. 1. 2012

with NEW ACTIVATION

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 30 - 6, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Recreation Report..........4 Westside News.................5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Movie Review...................8 Classified Ads.................10 Opinion and Feature....11

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com

Sunday, December 2 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. At the Cuyama Recreation Hall Monday, Dec. 3--Taft Christmas Parade - Center Street Thursday, Dec. 6--Historic 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

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. Dinner starts at 5pm with the show beginning immediately afterwards.

Shop Taft........................12

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

The Taft Independent

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

508 Center Street P.O. Box 268 Taft, California 93268 (661) 765-6550 Fax (661) 765-6556

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

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

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

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

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

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

Money raised from the BBQ will go towards Cuyama Scholarships We will have a variety of venders waiting to help you find that right gift.

There will be plenty of home-made crafts from Bows & Jewelry to Holiday Wood Crafts, Quilts, Floral Arrangements & Wreaths.

There will also be small businesses such as Avon, Tastefully Simple, Discovery Toys, Mary Kay, Scentsy, Swiss Just, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Jewel Kade Jewelry, Thirtyone & Inspiranze Designs Jewelry Plus Much More!

The Cuyama Seniors will also be having a bake sale and a gift wrap table!

Tuesday December 4th, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

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

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

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

Luncheon & Fashion Show 12 p.m.

At the Westside Believers Church

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.

Taft Midway Sunset Lions

Tickets on sale at $25.00 each and can be purchased from:

Adopt a Senior for Christmas

Hint of Class, Old’s Kool, The Fort, Personal Style, or any Soroptimist member

Want To Be Part of the Magic?

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!

Program for Low Income, Homebound and/or Isolated Seniors “Elves” Needed to Provide Gifts!

Go to Participants Listed Below, select an ornament to adopt a senior.

Albertson’s 1044 Kern St., Chevron Valley Credit Union 1092 W. Kern St., Coopers True Value Hardware 407 9th Street, Fastrip 903 Kern Street, Personal Style 403 Center St., Seventh Day Adventist Church 401 Harrison St.

Advertising Contributing Writers June Woods, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

Come on by and do your Christmas shopping with us!

Bring the whole family and enjoy FACEPAINTING for the kids and good BBQ for lunch!

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS

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

Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

Cuyama’s 2nd Annual Community Christmas Craft Faire Sunday Dec. 2nd

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Packages delivered on 12/15

by Midway Sunset Lions and Taft Longhorns It is a Joy you will never forget!

Contact Carol Jackson at cjintaft@gmail.com or (661) 765-5541 for more information

4

TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial

Westside Watcher

The Taft

Independent

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 30, 2012 through Thursday, December 06, 2012 Rise of the Guardians (PG) No Passes Allowed Fri & Sat: (4:15), 6:30, 8:40 Sun: (2:00), (4:15), 6:30 Mon - Thu: (5:30), 7:45 Rise of the Guardians (PG) Sensory-Friendly Showing!

Lights up, sounds down, moving around and talking is OK. Sat: (1:00 PM) The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (PG-13) No Passes Allowed Fri: (4:45), 7:00, 9:20 Sat: (2:30), (4:45), 7:00, 9:20 Sun: (2:30), (4:45), 7:00 Mon - Thu: (5:00), 7:30 Here Comes the Boom (PG) Fri & Sat: 7:45, 9:50 Sun: 6:00, 8:15 Mon - Thu: 7:15 PM Frankenweenie (PG) Fri: (4:00), 6:00 Sat: (2:00), (4:00), 6:00 Sun: (2:00), (4:00) Mon - Thu: (5:30 PM)

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor

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

November 30 - 6, 2012

Developing the Habit of Giving Thanks

By Jane McCabe My late husband was not much of a complainer but when he did complain, I would say to him, “Count your blessings.”

For, I know no better way to turn a sour and pessimistic attitude to one of joy than to count one’s blessings. Remember Julie Andrews singing this song from The Sound of Music?

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,

door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings—

these are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in a white dresses with blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, silver white winters that melt into springs, these are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites! When the bee stings!

When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.

When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.

I started making my own list of things to be grateful for and it grew and grew! Yours might be different than mine, but here are some of the things on my list. I am thankful for: Life itself, the body I’ve been given, the air I breath, my family, neighbors and friends, teachers who impressed me, schools I enjoyed attending, the food I eat, the soaps and creams I use to clean my body, lubricate my skin and heals my wounds, my bed—my sheets, blankets and quilts—the heater that keeps me warm in the winter and the swamp cooler that cools me in the summer’s heat, my furniture, television, and computer.

My car, the books and magazines I read, my dog who delights me, the many lovely clothes I have to wear (many of which come from my nieces), movies that I enjoy watching, hot water for showers, baths and washing dishes, ice to cool beverages, flowers particularly California poppies, irises, morning glories and daffodils, vegetables and fruits, animals, the grass, the sky, clouds, mountains, rivers, lakes, seas and ocean—the sun and the moon and stars in the night sky, roads, electricity, the Internet, laughter and tears…

The people who love me and have my wellbeing at heart, good health, advances in medicine, my mind, being able to live in a free country, apple strudel, coconut cake, pecan pie, dimples, soccer, tennis, swimming, that the Giants won the world series, escalators, smart phones, and i-pads, government, clocks, hot dogs, sauerkraut, remote controls, rain, ah yes, rain…

Lambs, parkas, sleeping bags, ostriches, monkeys, elephants, tigers, giraffes, mathematics, psychology, silence, prayer, loving kindness, oh, yes, loving kindness, Venetian blinds, gondolas, sea-worthy vessels, microwaves, toaster ovens, coffee and tea, shoes, boots, all things made from leather, Albuterol, my Kindle Fire, dreams, sex, definitely,

On Thursday, November 15th, the 5th grade students at Roosevelt School were treated to a visit from the Mobile Oilfield Learning Unit (MOLU), which is the Offshore Energy Center’s traveling educational exhibit. During the presentations, the students visited mobile learning centers where they had opportunities to learn about and have hands-on experiences with energy and the technologies and sciences involved with the oil and natural gas industry.

This was an amazing experience for our students, one we would not have been able to provide without the generous support of Occidental of Elk Hills, and the help of a number of volunteers from Oxy and Taft College. Specifically, Ray Hatch, Joe McFaddin, Leigh Golling, Victoria Waugh, Billy White and David Reynolds from Taft College, and Gloria Williams, Alisha Chambers, Dawn Champion, Debra Porter, Sherlee Bailey and Gayla Adams from Oxy. An extra big thank you goes out to Occidental’s Susie Geiger who spearheaded the effort and volunteered her time that day as well. I hope the experience was as enjoyable for them as it was for our students.

The support of our community is invaluable to our students and staff, and we feel truly grateful for the opportunity to expose our students to information about the industry from which our great little town has prospered.

Nancy Hickernell Principal, Roosevelt School (661)763-3113

sex, Broadway musicals, the Statue of Liberty…

The Metropolitan Art Museum, the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, my CD of Leon Fleischer playing Brahms Symphony #1, the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, musicians (my favorite kind of people), pencil and pencil sharpeners and erasers, butterflies, babies, Pina Coladas, Ben Gay, fish, water, waves, starfish, calamari, lobster tail, automobiles and airplanes, sewing machines and washing machines…

Oatmeal, olive oil, bananas, horseradish, mustard, jalapenos, beer, wine, Sharpies, turquoise, jade, jasmine, Lester Holt, Jenna Wolf, Willy Nelson, clothes pins, paper clips, toothpicks, marigolds, the ruby throated humming bird that sucks from my feeder, the smell of turkey cooking in the oven, Thanksgiving…

It goes on and on…

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This might be a tall order for folks whose homes were devastated in Hurricane Sandy or for parents, who have just learned their son or daughter was killed in Afghanistan, but the Bible means what it says, FOR, when we cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving no matter the occasion our hearts are eased and we are at peace.

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 30 - 6, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Veterans Honor Flight Comes to Periods of Wet and Windy Weather expected through Week- Taft Chamber Meeting end.

City Council to Install Newly Elected Councilmen and Treasurer, Council to Appoint Mayor

Two storm systems currently poised over the eastern Pacific will bring episodes of rain and gusty winds to much of the central California interior Thursday night through the weekend. The storm system that moved through central California today will exit into the Great Basin with light precipitation lingering mainly over the mountains tonight.

The next storm will bring precipitation into Merced and Mariposa County late Thursday night. Wet weather from this system will stay primarily north of Kern County Friday as the storm moves inland. The heaviest precipitation will fall in the foothills and higher elevations of the Sierra from Fresno County northward where an inch or more of rain is likely. In the San Joaquin Valley... this second storm will bring rain totals ranging from just a few hundredths in Kern County to nearly a half inch in Merced County. Snow levels will remain high through Friday night with snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches above 8000 feet.

Storm number three will arrive Saturday night into Sunday and bring more substantial precipitation to the central California interior including the Kern County desert... with the potential for heavy snow accumulations in the southern Sierra Nevada above 8000 feet. The combined rainfall from these storms could bring minor flooding in areas of poor drainage this weekend with the possibility of mud slides or debris flows in the foothills and higher elevations of the Sierra.

Additionally... a recurrence of gusty winds is expected in the San Joaquin Valley especially north of Fresno County and west of Interstate 5 Thursday night through midday Friday... and again on Sunday. During this time... winds may gust to 40 mph or higher.

The Taft City Council will meet next Tuesday at 7 p.m. and swear-in newly elected Councilmen Dave Noerr , Orchel Krier, and City Treasurer Ben Mangum.

Mangum, a local businessman and retired insurance executive, defeated incumbent treasurer Bill LeBarron. Noerr was reelected to a third 4-year term, while Krier was elected after his appointed two years ago by the council to a vacant seat.

As part of the annual council reorganization, the 5-member body will also select a new mayor, mayor pro-tem, and appoint finance and personnel committee members.

The finance committee is composed of two members of the council and the treasurer, and reviews the financial condition of the city, and creates the annual budget for approval by the full council.

The personnel committee manages and makes recommendations on city staffing and hiring.

City Clerk Louise Hudgens, who was also reelected for a 4-year term, will conduct the swearing in ceremony.

Noerr, (top to bottom) Krier and Mangum

2102 Highest Gas Prices Ever There’s no getting around it. As a nation we’ve never paid more at the pump than we did this year.

The yearly national average is running at $3.63/gallon so far for 2012, and it’s all but guaranteed that 2012 will go down as the year with the highest average ever.

With one month left, yes, it’s mathematically possible that 2012 could close without becoming the most expensive year ever for American consumers at the gas pumps; but that would necessitate an unthinkable calamity.

“We did the math,” says Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, “and the numbers don’t lie. Last year’s average price of gasoline nationwide was $3.51 per gallon. The national average price of gasoline in the U.S. would have to drop to $2.35 per gallon or lower for every day for the remainder of 2012 in order for the 2012 yearly average price to fall below last year’s level.

“There’s no question that the national numbers were elevated by major supply problems in California over the summer and more recently on the East Coast when Hurricane Sandy delivered major flood damage and power outages at northeastern refineries,” said GasBuddy’s Gregg Laskoski, also a GasBuddy analyst. “It reminds us exactly how vulnerable our nation’s fuel infrastructure is and why the U.S. should be looking to increase refining capacity where it is needed most.”

Lili Marsh of the Veterans Honor Flight Organization.

Lili Marsh, a volunteer with Honor Flight Kern County, made a presentation on the veterans program at the Taft Chamber on Wednesday. Honor Flight is part of a national organization that sends WWII veterans, and other veterans, to Washington D.C. to see their war memorial at no cost to the veteran.

The organization is an all volunteer non-profit created to honor veterans of Kern County and surrounding areas, including the Central Coast, Fresno, and as far the San Fernando Valley. We honor all veterans of all wars.

Top priority is given to senior veterans – World War II and Korean War survivors, along with those veterans who may be terminally ill.

In Kern County there are approximately 46,779 veterans, and approximately 8,000 World War II and Korean War Vets.

There is no charge to the veterans for the trip: every veteran accepted by HFKC for this honor have all expenses paid through tax deductible donations. This includes all transportation, meals, and overnight accommodations.

Veterans receive a hero’s send off in Bakersfield, and all the fanfare of a returning hero in D.C. Veterans then spend an entire day on guided and escorted tours of many the Memorials in D.C., including the WWII, Korean, Viet Nam, Navy, Marine, and Air Force memorials as well as the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery.

The window of opportunity is limited . . . with these great warriors passing at an average rate of one thousand a day nationally, within the next 10 years most of our WW II will be gone.

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

For information on how you can help support the groups mission to send veterans on their next mission - Washington D.C. , call 661-544-vets.

Happy Holidays from All of Us At Bangs and Tangles Holiday Open House Featuring Our Jewelry Selections and 3 Holiday Gift Vendors

Buttercup Boutique - Scentsy Home Products Girlz and Galz Shoppe

Friday, December 7th 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Come and see our exciting holiday gift selections

Taft Largest Full Service Salon

Hair - Nails - Color - Massage - Waxing - Hair Products Jewelry and Womens Accessories

Open 6 Days a Week - 404 Center Street 765-2800

6 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs Taft Kicks Off the Holiday Season with Its Annual Christmas Parade on Monday

City Council Suspends Stipends, Approves DUI Checkpoints with Bakersfield PD

By Kent Miller The 2012 General Election, held Nov. 6, wasn’t on the agenda for the Taft City Council meeting on Tuesday.

However, it was a main topic of conversation during the first 40 minute of the 70-minute meeting. After that, the council got down to business and whipped through the short agenda.

Council actions

The theme of this year’s parade, to be held on Monday, December 3rd, is “Miracle on Center Street.” The lineup starts at 5 p.m., and the parade starts marching down Center Street at 6 p.m.

According to Shannon Grove, event coordinator for the Taft Chamber of Commerce, this year’s parade with its floats, auto groups, equestrian groups, marching bands, cheerleaders, walking groups, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, and candy to be thrown the kids will kick off the holiday season.

The Grand Marshal this year is Dr. V. Tangpraphaphorn, a longtime Taft physician. The Taft Chamber of Commerce board choses the grand marshal based on his service to our community.

About 60 businesses and organizations plan to participate in the parade including ten floats. The three marching bands will be from Lincoln Junior High School, the Conley Afterschool Band, and Taft Union High School. Walking groups will include those from the Girl Scouts, the Roosevelt Afterschool Program, Head Start, the Pet Parlor, Paul’s Bike Shop, and others.

Mr. & Mrs. Santa Clause in real life are Mr. Shannon and Mrs. Earlene McMillin. They enjoy their yearly impersonation of the Clauses.

Here is the lineup for this year’s parade: Vanguard V1 – Color Guard Reserve Center V2 – Grand Marshall Dr. Tang V3 – Mayor Randy Miller

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 Ruby 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

In one 5-to-0 vote, the council approved 10 of the 11 items on the consent calendar, the only action items on the agenda. Items approved by the council included: * The second reading of the ordinance amending the city’s business license tax; * Purchase of service pins, at a cost of about $1,000 total, to be given to employees in recognition of years of service and retirement; * Acceptance of nearly $99,000 from the Oilworker Monument Committee for upkeep and maintenance of the monument, with the funds to be placed into a deferred revenue account; * Receiving 3D Imaging Software of the Taft downtown area from Atlas Geospatial, which was funded by a grant; * A memorandum of understanding between the city, the Taft Police Department and the Bakersfield Police Department to conduct driving under the influence drivers license checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, court stings, warrant sweeps and other law enforcement efforts, funded by a Kern AVOID project grant; * Seeking proposals for state- and federally-funded grant administration and suspending Acquisition Partners’ grant administration contract early because the contract didn’t go through a comV4 – Mayor Pro Tem Paul Linder V5 – Councilman Dave Noerr V6 – Councilman Orchel Krier V7 – City Manager, Craig Jones V8 – City Clerk, Louise Hudgens V9 – City Treasurer, Bill LeBarron V10 – Chief of Police, Ed Whiting V11 – David Couch, 4th District Supervisor Elect A Division A1 – Kern County Sheriff A2 – Hall Ambulance A3 – California Highway Patrol A4 – Kern County Fire Department A5 – Taft City School District A6 – Taft Motorcycle Club A7 – Girl Scout Troup #3009 A8 – Taft College ASB & Bookstore A9 – The Pet Parlor A10 – American Cancer Society/Relay for Life B Division B1 – Lincoln Junior High Lions Band & Colorguard B2 – Rotary Club of Taft/Interact Club B3 – Paul’s Bike Shop B4 – Taft Sportmen’s Club B5 – WSRPD Cheer B6 – Fire and Ice Elite Cheer B7 – Taft Seventh-day Adventist Church B8 – Taft FFA B9 – Buttonwillow Chamber of Commerce B10 – Westside Waste Management C Division C1 – Conley after School Band C2 – Taft Hell fighters Motorcycle Ministry C3 – M & S Security C4 – Community Action Partnership - Head start C5 – Lincoln Junior High Cheerleaders

November 30 - 6, 2012

petitive Request for Proposals process. The city is satisfied with Acquisition Partners’ work but had to cancel the contract because while it met city policy it didn’t meet federal/state procurement guidelines, Mayor Randy Miller told the company in a letter.

Acquisition Partners has been invited to participate in the Request for Proposals.

Council stipends One item was pulled from the consent calendar: a resolution to suspend councilmember stipends during the remainder of Fiscal Year 2012-13, which ends June 30.

Each of the five councilmembers receives a stipend of $300 a month, for a total expense to the city of $1,500 a month, or $10,500 for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year, or $18,000 for a complete fiscal year.

Councilmember Orchel Krier asked that the item be removed from the consent calendar vote so it could be discussed.

None of the councilmembers opposed the stipend suspension but they noted that in most cases the money is already donated to a local charity or non-profit. Thus, suspending the stipend would hurt the charity or non-profit, Krier pointed-out.

It was decided by a 5-to-0 vote to suspend the stipends until the end of the fiscal year or until a contract for use of the Taft Community Correctional Facility is executed.

Study session In a study session held before the regular council meeting, representatives of Atlas Geospatial displayed the 3D Imaging Software of downtown for the council and audience.

The company was hired in October 2011 to design the program.

The program can be used for planning purposes. It allows the user to do such things as remove or place structures, create open spaces such as a park, or see how businesses would look with such features as awnings.

C6 – Kern Trail Riders C7 – TUHS Board of Trustees C8 – Calvary Baptist Church C9 – Taft High School ASB C10 – Soroptomist International of Taft D Division D1 – Taft Union High Band D2 – Sears Hometown Store D3 – Moose Lodge D4 – Roosevelt Elementary A.S.E.S Program D5 – Taft College Dental Hygiene D6 – First Southern Baptist Church D7 – H & R Block Bring your family, stake out your spot on Center Street about 5:45 p.m. on Monday, December 3rd, and prepare yourselves to enjoy yourselves at our annual Taft Christmas parade!

Family Portrait Time!

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www.kcphotographyandframing.com

November 30 - 6, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

States Looking to Exchange The Real Reason Mitt Romney Obamacare’s Insurance Exchanges Lost the Election. He Looked too much like Obama.

By Sally C. Pipes The next act in the Obamacare saga is about to begin -- and it’s going to be tragic. December 14 marks the deadline for states to reveal their plans for constructing insurance exchanges in line with the healthcare law’s dictates.

Many are opting out -- leaving the federal government to set up exchanges for them. Others simply aren’t ready to establish their own.

And so these central components of Obamacare will soon stand as the latest examples of the president’s failure to make health insurance more accessible or affordable.

Obamacare’s insurance exchanges were intended to be statebased marketplaces where individuals and small businesses could choose from an array of coverage options. In theory, this structure would encourage states to exper ment -- and to tailor their offerings to the unique needs of their populations.

But in reality, the exchanges are burdened with so many rules that experimentation and competition have been stifled. Given the cost of setting up an exchange -- and of complying with all the federal regulations -- it’s no surprise that many states are refusing to participate.

According to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, just 13 states and the District of Columbia have formally declared their intention to set up exchanges. Eight have said that they will not do so.

Many states planning to build exchanges will not be ready for enrollment by October 2013, when Obamacare requires them to be.

The reasons are manifold. For one, states are struggling with the design and implementation of the complex technology systems needed to run exchanges -- especially in less than a year. California, the first state to move forward with an exchange, didn’t even lock down a vendor to do its IT work until May 2012.

States are also facing difficulty meeting Obamacare’s regulatory deadlines. Most have had trouble figuring out, for example, which “essential health benefits” must be included in insurance plans sold through their exchanges. The federal government did not decide until late 2011 that states would have to take on this responsibility.

As a result, only 20 states met this year’s September 30 deadline for submitting their vision of essential benefits to federal regulators.

And even if states are able to come up with essential benefits rules, they may be unable to attract any insurers onto their exchanges. Many insurance firms have stated that they may not be able to economically sell health plans through the exchanges if the required essential benefits are too generous.

President Obama need only look out his window to see how the insurance exchange drama is playing out. In the District of Columbia, small businesses are openly revolting over the city council’s ]requirement that all employers with fewer than 50 workers purchase their health plans through the District’s government-run exchange. The city has effectively eliminated the private smallgroup insurance market.

D.C. businesses see the folly in forcing a one-size-fits-all solution on their employees. The government-certified plans will have to cover all sorts of additional healthcare services that beneficiaries may not want -- and will therefore cost more.

And then there’s the issue of money. Nobody knows for sure how much the exchanges will cost.

Several states have received federal grants to construct their exchanges. But once that money runs out, states will be on their own.

Minnesota, for instance, projects that it will have to come up with as much as $40 million in 2015 to run its exchange.

The Supreme Court’s decision this summer to allow states to opt

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428 Center Street • TAFT

745-4963

By Dr. Harold Pease In driving to and from Utah late July and spending a couple of weeks in what are known as “Mormon” communities, I expected to find Nevada and Utah littered with pro-Romney signs and didn’t. In fact, I was hard pressed to find any bumper stickers or yard signs favoring either major presidential candidate. There were Ron Paul signs, however. As a political scientist I have studied elections for many years so this omission was glaring. Why the lack of enthusiasm?

America, a right of center country, had no candidate right of center—hence no “real” choice. Except for the “handout” vote, that increased substantially during the Barack Obama Administration and of course went to him, the people were not that excited about either major candidate.

They looked too much alike. The third and final debate on foreign policy mostly showed Mitt Romney as a white Barack Obama. For Romney the whole evening was, “I would have done the same thing, only better.” Both supported tougher sanctions against Iran. Both supported drone warfare in foreign lands without the permission of the invaded country and without even a hint of a trial to prove the quilt of the accused, even if American.

Both believe that the President can start a war without a declaration of war by Congress as required in the Constitution and both believe that they can charge the expense of such to our children without approval of the House as is also constitutionally required. Finally, both drew their advisors from the same Wall Street special interest group, the Council on Foreign Relations.

On Civil Rights both supported the Patriot Reauthorization Act, Obama arguing that civil right violations were far more serious under President George W. Bush, because of his executive orders and he mentioned violations with respect to Guantanamo Bay, warrant-less wire taping, and the suspension of habeas corpus, which candidate Obama promised to reverse “by a stroke of a pen,” when elected. Four years later he still has not done so.

But how much solace can we have from a President Romney on civil rights when he was asked if he was in favor of wiretapping mosques? His answer frightened civil libertarians and constitutionalists. He suggested not only wiretapping the mosques but also Islamic schools and play grounds if needed as well. “We (the government) need to know what is going on… Track them, follow them, and make sure that in every way we can we know what they are doing and where they are doing it. And if it means that we have to go into a mosque to wiretap, or a church, that’s exactly where we are going to go. And I hear from time to time people who say, now wait a second. We have civil liberties that we have to worry about.” Obviously, the violation of civil liberties was not a problem for the last two presidents, nor would it be for a President Romney. Romney, of course, would have no problem if his church or temple were wiretapped by the government.

On this same subject President Barack Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act just last New Years Eve that the left and right both believe gutted major sections of the Bill of Rights. A U.S. citizen deemed to be a terrorist, without

witnesses, testimony, or defense, could now find himself kidnapped

by his own government and shipped out of the country to Guantanamo Bay and held indefinitely without any protection from the Bill of Rights; all this on the say so of the military and president alone.

When asked, in one of the Presidential debates, whether he would have signed the Act, Romney answered, “Yes, I would have. And I do believe that it is appropriate,” this to the loud accompaniment of boo’s from the audience which understood that in this country that is never to happen.

A close examination of virtually every issue reveals the Obama / Romney likeness in statements made by each the last five years. Both extolled the virtues of Timothy Geithner as Secretary of the Treasury; and both favored retaining Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Both favored extending the payroll tax cut, the line item veto, and each planned to create new government funded jobs rebuilding Americas roads and bridges, a power never delegated by the Constitution to the federal government.

Energy independence was a major goal of both, each extolling the virtues of wind, solar, and coal at one time or another.

Both listed Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup as major funders. Both favored TARP and stimulus programs.

Even on national health care there were far more similarities than differences. The biggest common denominator was their love of big government.

The Tea Party Patriots did what they could to make Americas’ core values: fiscal responsibility, limited constitutional government, and the free market fit for a Mitt Romney, but it was like putting a square peg in a round hole and Barack Obama, who has demonstrated over and over again that these values are not shared by him, remains in office.

They chose a Tory, bypassing their own patriots Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, or even Ron Paul, and have undermined the movement by doing so.

Most pundits of the election argue that the Republican Party, to survive, needs to get on board and look more like the Democratic Party. I disagree.

The Republican Party already looks too much like the opposing party and instead needs to distinguish itself more from it. It cost them the election by having done too much of that already.

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.

Classified Ad Deadline.

Wednesday 2 p.m.

765-6550. out of Obamacare’s prescribed Medicaid expansion makes things even more complicated.

Several states have said that they won’t increase Medicaid enrollment. Residents who thought they’d sign up for Medicaid may instead turn to the exchanges. But coverage delivered through the new marketplaces will end up costing the federal government 50 percent more than it would have through Medicaid.

So the exchanges could grow far more expensive than initially thought -- and quickly.

It’s safe to say that a federal mandate flouted by half the states doesn’t enjoy widespread support. That’s exactly the case with Obamacare’s health insurance exchanges -- and it’s indicative of the broader failure of the president’s healthcare law.

Sally C. Pipes is president, CEO and Taube Fellow in Health Care Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. Her latest book is The Pipes Plan: The Top Ten Ways to Dismantle and Replace Obamacare (Regnery 2012).

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

Obituary

Obituary

November 30 - 6, 2012

Obituary

TERESA MARGARET HULL EVANS April 4, 1927 – November 21, 2012

RICKEY DEWAYNE WOODS February 18, 1947 – November 22, 2012 NayDean Kathryn Laney NayDean Kathryn Laney, age 91 of Joplin, passed away Monday, November 19, 2012 at her home.

Born May 19, 1921 in Peoria, Okla., she was the daughter of the late Arthur Dallas Morton and Nettie Mae Pliler Morton and moved to Joplin in 2005. She was a homemaker and lifetime member of the New Hope Temple Pentecostal Church of God in Taft, California.

She was preceded in death by husband, Olen Ray Stewart and Bordon Matt Wylie. She married Charles A. Laney on May 19, 1962 in Nevada. He preceded her in death on July 12, 1983. A son, Fred Stewart, and six siblings also preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children, Shirley Thompson and husband Jim of Joplin, Stephen Stewart and wife Marie of Tulsa, Okla., Sharon Stewart of Joplin, Mo., Larry Laney and wife Debra of Carrollton, Tex., Anita Laney of Barstow, Cal.; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Osborne Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Parker Mortuary. Rev. Bob Simon will officiate.

A memorial service will be held at New Hope A Place To Connect located at 308 Harrison Street, Taft, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. for longtime Taft resident, Rickey Dewayne Woods, 65. Pastor Violet Curlee will officiate at the service. Rickey was born on February 18, 1947 in California and passed away on November 22, 2012 in Bakersfield. Rickey enjoyed fishing, hunting, and barbequeing. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

He attended Trinity Life Chapel in Bakersfield. Rickey worked in the mining industry for 45 years and he served his country during Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Rickey was preceded in death by his father, Bayless Woods; mother, Doris Woods; mother-in-law, Eva Lara; son, Mickey Woods; and by his brother, Ronnie Woods. His survivors include his wife, Dora Woods; daughter, Sherri Sims and her husband, Neal; grandchildren, John and Amy Sims, Cortney Coleman and her husband, Charlie, Whitney and Natalie Woods; great-grandchildren, Brody Gullo and Kamrynn Coleman; brother, Roger Woods; sister, Linda Pilkington and her husband, Steve; father-in-law, Jesse Lara; brothersin-law and their wives, Jesse and Kim Lara and Randy and Renee Lara; sister-in-law, Bernice Hernandez and her husband, Art; and by several nephews and nieces. In Rickey’s own words, “I have died a rich man.” A special thank you to all his family and friends. No visitation hours are scheduled.

To convey condolences or sign an online registry, please visit www.EricksonAndBrown.com

Teresa Margaret was born on April 4, 1927 to Mercy and Charles Hull of El Paso, Texas and passed away on November 21, 2012 in Bakersfield. She was raised in El Paso and was a graduate of Loretto Academy. She went to nursing school but put her career on hold when she married Mr. Paul Evans. Paul and Teresa met when Teresa’s sister, Martha, married Paul’s brother, Oscar. Paul and Teresa were blessed to have celebrated 64 years of marriage on July 3, 2012. Teresa Margaret loved life and all that was in it. She gave all to the Lord, her family and the Church. She was a long time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Altar Society there. She also taught catechism for many years. Teresa Margaret never met a stranger and was a shining example to all; a real angel on earth. She did work some as an LVN after her children were grown and she enjoyed sewing, crocheting and especially loved her grandchildren. Grandma always had time for a hot fudge sundae at McDonald’s. Teresa Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Martha and her beloved husband, Paul. She is survived by her children, Carol Ann Newkirk and husband, Andy of Taft, Michael Paul Evans of Chillicothe, Texas and Charles Franklin Evans and wife, Jennifer of Bakersfield; her grandchildren and their spouses, Walter and Caycee Windes, Andrea and Zak Crabb, Dawna and Matt Melton, Daniel Newkirk and fiancee, Stephanie Carlton, Justin Evans and fiancee Stephanie Jackson, Brittany Evans, Jamie Evans, Daylen Evans, Marlana Evans and Anthony Cullip; her great-grandchildren, Kyle Crabb, Kimber Crabb, Hunter Melton, Walter Windes, Kenlee Melton and Elsa Windes. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home Chapel with the Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, November 30, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Taft.

Msgr. Ron Swett was the celebrant. Burial followed in the West Side District Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Teresa Margaret Evans to the American Diabetes Association. To sign an online registry, please visit www.EricksonAndBrown.com.

OPEN THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING MON-FRI 10AM - 6PM SAT-SUN 9AM - 7PM

November 30 - 6, 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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111 FD756 FDR50 FDR595 FDR618

Gateway Temple

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

Advertise In

Independent Call Today!

765-6550

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

The Taft

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Licensed Funeral Directors

For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday

Pastors Shannon N. and Shannon L. Kelley

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

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

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

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMS Taft- A caring community under Christ We welcome you to worship with us at peace lutheran church, 26 Emmons Park Drive (across from the College). Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.

Communion will be offered 1st and 3rd Sundays Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

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

For information, call 763-4791 If you have a prayer request please call (661)765-2488.

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

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

November 30 - 6, 2012

Business Services

426 Shattuck

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

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

Get It Rented!

Preserving for the Future

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.

LVN,RN,MA P/T or Per Diem For West Side Urgent Care.

Qualifications: experience required IV/phlebotomy/ injections CPR & bilingual a plus.

Must be able to work days, nights & weekends.

Please send resume PO Box 81673, Bksfld, Ca 93380 Help Wanted (Part time)

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

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

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

YARD SERVICES Tree Trimming Service.

661-900-0917. 12-

COOLER SERVICES

HELP WANTED

Taft City School District is accepting applications for Substitute Custodians, Food Service and Bus Drivers. Employment process includes written exam, application screening, interview, DOJ fingerprint clearance, and physical exam with drug screen.

A written exam for these positions will be given on Monday, December 17th. Application and Job Descriptions may be picked up at the District Office, 820 Sixth Street, and must be returned

by Friday, December 14th at 4:00 p.m. EOE 12-14.

Midway Elementary School is hiring a Special Education Resource Aide. Must have an A.A. and experience although not required is a plus.

Job will be part time approximately 22-25 hours per week. You may get an application at: Midway Elementary School, 259 F Street, Fellows, CA. New, local, vibrant restaurant seeking high-quality staff.

Fiorina’s Italian is finally opening!

We are looking to hire experienced kitchen and dining room staff to fill all positions.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate positive customer service skills, common sense, and a desire to be part of a team.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to pick up and complete

applications in person at 101 B St in Taft on Thursday Nov 29 or Fri Nov 30 between 9am and 1pm.

Be punctual. Be prepared. Be professional. 11-30

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.

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 WANTED Reloading equipment and supplies. Also lathe and milling machine.

661- 205-8706.

Junk Cars Wanted.

Cash Paid. 805-0552.

FOR SALE AUTOMOBILES PETS FOUND PETS LOST PETS

LOST DOG. BLACK LAB. BUDDY. Reward.

Missing since 10-15.

333-1740 or 763-4937.

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

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

CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057 661-577-7136

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

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

ROOMS FOR RENT Rooms for rent.

Furnished and unfurnished. For more info. 745-4211. 12-7.

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.

2 Five acre parcels for sale

$100 REWARD. Pebbles lost on 11-17.

Tina tan Chihauhua last seen by Taft High School. Please contact Trish 745-4307 or 6233948.

Ken Shugarts

in Maricopa. 1 lot has trees and animal pens, with water hook-up - $100,000.

1 lot has water hook up. $75,000. 661-972-7807.

Bill or Laurie. 11-30.

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

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

224 B St #A 2/1 $500 205 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $600 400 Woodrow #7 1/1 $625 501 ½ Jackson 2/1 $700 307 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

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

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

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

By Appointment

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Nice house on one acre in Dustin Acres. $1300 mo. $1000 dep. 661201-0032. 12-7.

28155 McClaren in Dustin Acres. 2 Plus Bedrooms, 2bath on one acre. $1,300 mo. $1000 dep. 661-589-2448.

Estate Realty. 11-30.

House for rent. 2bd, 1 ba. Very nice. $800 mo. plus dep. 203 Lucard.

765-4644 or 363-3005.

APART. FOR RENT 1bd. 1ba. Upstairs. $475 Mo. plus $475 dep. 155 1/2 North Street. (661) 477-9636. 11-30 Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.765-7674.

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

Jackson’s Automotive Smog Test and General Repairs Front End Repairs Transmission Service Brake Service Tune Ups and Fuel Injection Service and Repairs

Lost Mini Aussie. Black\ grey\white w/tan spot on face. Blue eyes, female.

Rexxie. REWARD. 661765-5862.

Call Today for an Appointment 763-1055 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

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

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745-4919

608 Center St.

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(661)763-4445

508 Center Street 765-6556

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• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

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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 Storewide Sale Through December Wrangler and Dickie Jeans Starting at $10.00

Full Grooming Salon Special Christmas Touch

For every good dog!

Color: nails or hair coat bow, bandana or dazzle hair extention

All Women Apparel 20-50% Off Including Jewelery and Purses

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

Mens and Womens Dress Boots on Sale Now

Regular grooming includes: wash and dry and shedding grooming cut (when needed) nails clipped and filed teeth checked

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 30 - 6, 2012

If you’re over the age of 30 and suffer from neck pain, tingling in the arms, or headaches, this could be the most eye-opening article you’ll ever read.

Why Haven’t People With Neck Pain Been Told These Facts?

It can affect your sleep, your marriage and your job.

Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your neck hurts and the pain just won’t go away!

My name is Dr. Keith Sparks, owner of Sparks Chiropractic. Over the past fifteen years since we’ve opened the doors, we’ve seen hundreds of people with neck pain, arm problems and headaches leave the office pain free.

Because patients tell me too often…“I only wished I had found you sooner”, I’m running a special two week Neck Pain Evaluation for those suffering with neck problems.

Feel the Improvement – and Say “Yes” to Life Again With my “Neck Pain Evaluation” we’ll be able find the problem and then correct it. Think of how you’ll feel in just a few short weeks.

See and feel your life change for the better. Start your body on the way to pain-free, normal living. Feel tight joints rest, relax, free up. Feel muscles tied in knots become more supple. Feel strength in your muscles increase.

As you begin to see motion returning to your joints, you’re preventing and reducing chances of disability and a crippling future.

You’re able to live life like a normal person again, without neck pain -- able to play with your kids, enjoy time with friends, and not have to worry that your pain will hit you at just the wrong time.

“Will This Really Work For Me?” Chiropractic has been around for over a hundred years, and has been used to help everyone from tiny babies to the elderly. Even top sports star and entertainers… like Tiger Woods, Emmitt Smith, Tony Robbins, Joe Montana, Lance Armstrong, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson.

These professional athletes have the money to hire any kind of doctors they want, yet they choose to have a chiropractor on their team.

A recent scientific study showed chiropractic adjustments outperformed massage treatments in reducing pain. The study concluded that patients with chronic neck pain showed “clinically important improvements from a course of spinal manipulation… The current evidence does not support a similar level of benefit from massage.”

– J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2007 In another study comparing acupuncture, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and spinal manipulation found…

“After a median intervention period of 30 days, spinal manipulation was the only intervention that achieved statistically significant improvements.”

- J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999

In addition to that, here’s what some of the top medical researchers had to say …

Chiropractor’s manipulation of the spine was “more helpful than any of the following: traction, massage, biofeedback, acupuncture, injection of steroids into the spine and back corsets, and ultrasound.” – Stanley Bigos, MD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery The 9 Most Dangerous Words A Person With Neck Pain Can Say The big myth about health problems is “maybe it will just go away on its own.”

A 1998 study in the British Medical Journal proved this myth false, showing that most back pain sufferers who do nothing will have pain 12 months later.

Here’s What Our Patients Say...

Before I was treated I had excruciating neck & shoulder pain and severe migraines. After just a few weeks my pain lessened unit it was gone. I can’t express what a difference this has made in my life.

I had a bad whiplash & nothing that was done for me helped my severe pain until I went to a chiropractor. I would say it’s been a miracle!

That’s no way to live.

The Single Most Important Solution To Your Neck Pain For 10 days only, $19 will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $250 for!

What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my new patient evaluation. Just call before December 21st and here’s what you’ll get…

IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE READ THIS The following conditions can be caused by a problem in your neck…

• Carpal tunnel syndrome • Numbness and tingling in the arms

and hands • Cervical disc bulging and herniations • Weakness in the arms/hands • Neck Pain • Headaches • Tension in the shoulders • Shoulder and arm pain • An in-depth consultation about your neck problems where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your case.

• A complete neuromuscular examination.

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

• A full set of specialized x-rays to determine if a spinal problem is contributing to your pain or symptoms… (NOTE: These would normally cost you at least $100).

• A special report complimenting your recommendations that reveals the foods you should and should not eat, the best way to sleep and how to reduce stress.

Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. Our office is called Sparks Chiropractic and we are located at 1107 Kern St. #7 (next to Chicken of Oz) Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Neck Pain Evaluation before December 21st, 2012.

The appointment will not take long at all and you won’t be sitting in the waiting room for long – no more than 15 minutes Sincerely, Keith L. Sparks, D.C. P.S. How many years can your body handle taking one pill after another?

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR $19.00 NECK PAIN EVALUATION ($250 Value) Available Until December 21st

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

661-765-2225