Taft christmas 2011

Independent The Taft

December 16 - 22, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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Publisher@Taftindependent.com

December 16 - 22, 2011 • Volume 6 Issue 25

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

Cast Your Vote Now For Citizen Of The Year Details On Page 5

Christmas Time is Here On the Westside

Taft Union High School 2012 Hall Of Fame Inductees

Also Inside:

From The Mayor Community Voices Classified Ads

Taftindependent.com

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TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

December 16 - 22, 2011

Inside Community Events.........3

News Briefs.......................3 Westside Watcher............4 Westside News.................5

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Community Events News Briefs Taft California “Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument” VFW Bingo Every Tuesday Night at 5:30pm The VFW will hold Bingo Night every Tuesday at 6:30pm at 600 Hazelton Street in Maricopa. Doors open at 5:30pm, buy in is $5 a pack, food will be served. Come on out, bring a friend and support our vets!

End of Times Gallery Fall Art Classes

Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Community Voices..........8 Obituary............................9 Classified Ads.................10 Westside News...............11

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

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

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

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

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

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

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

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

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

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Managing Editor Advertising Jessica Skidgel Layout & Design Jessica Skidgel Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins, Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

The End of Times Gallery, 428 Center Street, is offering the following Fall classes: Tuesdays - Adult drawing class, 1-2:30pm Wednesdays - Adult Painting Class (acrylics) 1-2:30pm Thursdays - Adult Water Color Class, 1-2:30pm Saturdays - Children’s Art Class, 10-11:30am. Supplies provided for a $3 fee per class. All classes are $12 per session, $40 per month.

Please call for supply lists. For more information, please call Jane at 661-7654790 or 661-623-0494.

Community Christmas Carolers Sunday December 18th Let’s join our voices. Community Christmas Carolers Sunday, December 18th at 4pm. Meet at Peace Lutheran Church, 26 Emmons Park Drive. Return later for soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate and coffee. For more information call 765-6248.

Heritage Park Book Sale Wednesday, January 4th Heritage Park Senior Community will be having a book sale on Wednesday, January 4th from 12 noon to 6pm inside the Rec. room at Heritage Park, located at 201 8th Street. All different types of books will be for sale ranging from $.25 to $1. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

Taft Tigersharks Winter Swim Training Beginning in January The Taft Tigersharks Swim Club will be starting their winter training program on Monday, January 9, 2012. Swim practices will be at the Taft Union High School swimming pool every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and continue until March 30. Costs for the entire session are $100 for the first family member and $75 for each additional member. The Tigersharks will have the opportunity to sell tickets to the Rotary Club’s Biscuits and Gravy breakfast. Tickets sales will benefit the team and can defray up to half of the cost of winter swim.

Swimmers ages 5-18, who can complete one length of the pool without stopping, are welcome to join winter swim training.

Coaching the Tigersharks will be last summer’s successful coach, Michelle Kroll. Coach Michelle and the new board are working hard to help restore quality age group swimming to Taft.

All interested swimmers and parents can contact the Taft Tigersharks by email (tafttigersharks@yahoo.com) or by phone 661-932-0686.

West Side Senior Care

From The Mayor Hi Everyone, The first time in more years than I can remember, I got a cold. I always get my flu shot every fall, but this time it didn’t help, I got a dozy; so much for bragging to everyone about my record of not getting sick. Ginny and I attended our first concert at the Fox Theater in Bakersfield last week and with it being sold out, I guess I could have picked up a bug or two from there. Then, it has just been darn cold out but gratefully without the fog, at least around Taft. Says something for living in Taft in the foothills above the normal fog line, another advantage those valley dwellers don’t enjoy.

Looking around the Fox in Bakersfield it reminds you so much of our Fox Theater here in Taft and maybe what it could be. Not having a balcony would hurt us getting the bigger entertainment venues because that limits the seating.

There is a committee that is working trying to bring all the interested parties to the table to see what realistically can be done. There has been a lot invested by the current owners, but those investments don’t come to the level of the current market values at this time. Having it sit doesn’t do any good either. Several folks have come forward with ideas to bring life back to the Fox but having a sustainable business plan and backing is equally important. We’ll keep you posted as it plays out but no matter what is done it will be up to everyone who lives on the Westside, that you must make a commitment to support the Fox or it will go by the way of the hospital.

Over the past several months, there has been a former City Councilman who has brought some unwanted publicity for the City of Taft for his actions while driving his automobile. The following is a statement I gave to one of the news organizations in Bakersfield as your Mayor.

“It is quite obvious Mr. Thompson is having some personal. Legal, and medical issues. His continued operation, under these conditions, of his vehicle can only lead to a tragedy and I hope that he seeks some professional help very soon.

It is unfortunate that this continued behavior not only reflects upon himself but the rest of the community that he claims to love. Speaking on behalf of myself, I wish Mr. Thompson no ill will and hope that he resolves his issues so that he once again can join this community and contribute to it as we are energized for the future.”

Mr. Thompson once stated that he just wanted to fade away from his public life so that he could get his personal life back on tract. Even though he has been out of office for a year now, he is going to be now and forever reminded that he was once a former councilman and a Mayor of Taft; even if he wants to he can’t get away from that fact. So, all of us who are elected to office, our responsibilities don’t end at the close of your term of office, it carries with you for a life time.

Your behavior as a public servant is always more accountable and reflective on the organization and the community that you serve than those who just live in the community. His situation makes me more aware of myself and what kind of legacy do I want to leave my wife, my family, and my community. We are all human and we all have certain faults we each deal with individually, but when it comes time, you need to reach out to those that you love and say I need help.

Hopefully they will be there for you and you haven’t used up all your chits along Continued on Page 8

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Full Time Live-In Care

Tuesday December 20th, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.

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

Now Open

3 Openings Available • Women & Men Welcome 115 Adkisson Way - (661) 745-4220 State License No. 157202510

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 and Steakhouse

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

Asian Experience

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

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

Restaurant and Wine Tasting Saturday 7 am to 2 pm Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm Sundays 7:30 am to 10 am Dinner by Reservation 1010 6th Street, Taft 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa 763-5156 (661) 766-2319 Black Gold Cafe & Deli Pastas - Sandwiches Espresso - Beer - Wine Your Restaurant Listed Open Monday to Saturday HERE Lunch served 9am-1pm Call 765-6550 Dinner served 5pm - 8pm 508 Center Street 765-6550

Westside Entertainment

Get Your Events in the Westside Entertainment Guide.

Call 765-6550 or fax 765-6556

Your Restaurant Sagebrush Annie’s Listed Here!

Wine Tasting Food and Pizza Asian ExperienceAsian Lunch and Dinner Call Dinner by Reservation Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

765-6550!

Award Winning Saturday 4 p.m.Wines - 9 p.m.

Live Music Saturday Nights Starting as low 766-2319 as $12 per 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa week!

215 Center Street 763-1815

Your Restaurant Listed Here!

Call 765-6550!

Starting as low as $12 per week!

Taft Petroleum Club Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm

District Funds Nearly $3 Million In New Technology Projects Technology Advancement ProGram Stimulates Creativity For Reducing Emissions The Valley Air District’s Governing Board granted $2,947,694 to 11 projects targeted at reducing the Valley’s air quality emissions through new technology. The board also authorized an additional $3 million for an additional round of funding to bring more technology-advancement entrepreneurs in the Valley.

The latest competitive request for proposals to the Technology Advancement Program resulted in submissions ranging from an all-electric agricultural sprayer to a natural gas conversion kit for locomotive engines, an emission-reducing raisin tray burning system to a cleaner composting system. District staff carefully evaluated the proposals for a variety of criteria, including relevance to attainment plans, co-benefits, cost-effectiveness, funding requested and leveraging, and project readiness. Funding was recommended for 11.

“We are encouraged by the response we received to this funding availability,” said Seyed Sadredin, the District’s executive director and air pollution control officer. “This is an important component The TAP program’s primary goal is to advance technology and accelerate deployment of innovative clean-air technologies that can bring about emission reductions as rapidly as practicable.The newly funded projects and amounts are: o $350,000 for Pure Power Technologies’ proposal to demonstrate a non-urea NOx reduction retrofit system for diesel trucks; o $300,000 for California Bioenergy’s proposal to demonstrate advanced two-stage controls to a biogas engine system to achieve near-zero NOx; o $258,000 for U.S. Hybrid Corp.’s proposal to demonstrate a plug-in hybrid wheel loader in a dairy application, and $292,830 for their demonstration of a plug-in hybrid propane/electric work truck; o $75,580 for Energy Conversions Inc.’s proposal to demonstrate a natural gas conversion kit for two-stroke diesel locomotive engines; o $370,534 for Electricore Inc.’s proposal to demonstrate a fully autonomous agricultural sprayer based on a zero-emission, allelectric vehicle platform; o $28,250 for Sun-Maid Growers of California’s proposal to demonstrate an emission-reducing raisin tray burning system; o $300,000 for Thermata’s proposal to demonstrate a concentrating solar steam system to offset boiler fuel consumption and emissions; o $250,000 for Leva Energy Inc.’s proposal to demonstrate a power-generating burner that recovers wasted energy through a Continued on Page 11

Paik’s

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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.

December 16 - 22, 2011

Sequoia Riverlands Trust Teams With State, Federal Agencies To Protect Treasured National Resouce: Food Production After serving one term in the White House, Herbert Hoover decided to farm. He hired experts to find the best agricultural land available. They selected two spots, near Wasco and Pasadena.

The way Keith Gardiner sees it, who’s he to argue with the nation’s 31st president and his team of agronomists?

“Hoover told them to find the best combination of soil, water and climate, and they didn’t let him down,” Gardiner said. “We’re on some of the best ground in the world. If you can’t make it as a farmer here, you can’t make it anywhere.”

Gardiner, Holly King and members of their extended families formed a partnership that two years ago created the first agricultural conservation easement in Kern County, permanently shielding the 472-acre Wasco I farm from development. Today, the partnership and Sequoia Riverlands Trust announced that the adjoining 571-acre Wasco II property likewise has been set aside for agriculture.

President Hoover would be proud.

“I don’t have a lot of history on this particular property – we only bought it four years ago – but my history has been to try to find this kind of land,” Gardiner said. “I’ve been farming for 40 years, and this is exactly what I’ve always wanted. We want to keep it in farming, with no outside pressure for development. There’s no better calling for this kind of land than what we’re doing with it.”

Funding for the creation of the Wasco II easement was provided by the California Department of Conservation’s California Farmland Conservancy Program (CFCP) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

“The state and national significance of this property was recognized so many years ago by President Hoover and his team of experts,” said Scott Spear, Board President of Sequoia Riverlands Trust. “Crop and food needs change over time, but this easement will ensure this property will remain in food production in perpetuity.”

Wasco II is primarily planted in almond orchards that will come into production next year; Wasco I also is in almonds. While the nearest concentrated urban development is approximately 2½ miles to the south in Shafter and five miles northwest in Wasco, the property could have been split into 20-acre “ranchettes” for folks working in Bakersfield but desiring a rural homestead. Numerous estate-size lots, 10 to 20 acres in size, are evident south of Wasco’s sphere of influence boundary and north of Shafter’s sphere boundary.

“It’s hard to overstate just how good this land is for growing things, and it’s ideally situated to help ensure the continuity of agriculture in the area,” said Brian Leahy, chief of the Department of Conservation’s Division of Land Resource Protection, which administers the CFCP. “We congratulate the landowners and the Sequoia Riverlands Trust, on the creation of this conservation easement and encourage other Kern County landowners to explore the easement option for their property.”

Said NRCS California State Conservationist Ed Burton: “We are pleased to work with these farming families to preserve this land for agricultural production and protect it for future generations.”

About the Department of Conservation’s California Farmland Conservancy Program: Begun in 1996, the CFCP has provided $77.4 million in funding to permanently shield 52,293 acres of the state’s best and most vulnerable agricultural land from development. Landowners and trusts are encouraged to contact the Division of Land Resource Protection for information about the program and potential funding. For details, visit www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp.

About the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP): The federal FRPP is a voluntary easement program that protects productive agricultural land by providing funds for the purchase of conservation easements to limit conversion of farm and ranch lands to non-agricultural uses. NRCS partners with state, tribal or local governments, and non-governmental organizations to fund the acquisition of conservation easements or other interests in land from landowners. More information is available at www.ca.nrcs. usda.gov.

About Sequoia Riverlands Trust – SRT is a regional, non-profit land trust dedicated to conserving the natural and agricultural Continued on Page 11

December 16 - 22, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs Taft College $14.5 Million TIL Center Groundbreaking

On Friday, December 9th Taft College held the ground breaking ceremony for the new Center for Independent Living.

Left to right: College board member Michael Long, Kal Vaughn, Mayor Randy Miller, college board member, Dawn Cole, Senator Jean Fuller, TIL Leadership Committee MemberClarice Rucker, Taft College President Dick Geise, TIL Program Director Jeff Ross, Dr. Wayne Burtonand Jose Vargas of AP Architects.

Renovations on Sixth Street, The Taft Independent is Seeking Emmons Park Drive Begins Next From Our Readers Nominations Week For the Taft Citizen of the Year Renovation of Sixth Street in Taft – between Ash and Warren streets – will start on Thursday, Dec. 22, with the placing of signs alerting drivers to the work.

Initial concrete work and the installing of stop signs on Sixth at Emmons Park Drive – creating a three-way stop -- is expected to take two weeks, weather permitting, with as much of the work as possible completed during the winter holiday, a spokesperson for Bowman Asphalt Inc. said.

Work on the removal of the top two inches of asphalt and laying of a new layer of asphalt won’t take place until spring break in April, the spokesperson said. Rainfall and cold temperatures – more likely in late December-early January – can impact asphalt work.

Rainfall can also impact concrete work but the cold weather isn’t a major problem with concrete like it would be with asphalt, the spokesperson said.

The asphalt work will take one to two weeks, the Bowman spokesperson said. That would mean that there will be an impact on traffic to and from Taft College, Taft Union High School, Lincoln Junior High School and Roosevelt Intermediate School, especially if the work isn’t completed during the five work days of spring break.

In addition to repaving Sixth Street, Taft College is seeking an estimate from Bowman for the repaving of Emmons Park Drive, said Mike Capela, maintenance supervisor for the college.

If Bowman and the college can agree on a price, that work would be done at the same time as the Sixth Street repaving, Capela said.

As of Thursday evening, he hadn’t heard from Bowman, Capela said.

Work on Emmons Park Drive would further complicate travel to and from the college, as the Ash Street entry to Emmons Park Drive is now closed off while campus construction takes place.

This award isn’t about celebrity or power. It honors actions exemplifying citizenship in its broadest sense by people who have helped their neighborhood or the community in effective, creative ways, while demonstrating integrity and perseverance. It can be a volunteer, teacher business person or whoever you wish to nominate.

The nominee will be considered and selected by our editorial board and selection committee.

To make a nomination, briefly explain who the person is and why he or she should win. E-mail the entry to publisher@taftindependent.com, with “Citizen” in the subject line. Or mail it to Citizen of the Year, The Taft Independent, 508 Center Street, Taft, CA 93268.

The deadline for nominations is Dec. 21st. You can also facebook a suggestion.

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

CDPH Reminds Californians to Stay Safe, Healthy During Severe Cold Weather With weather forecasts calling for nighttime temperatures to drop near freezing in parts of California, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state public health officer, today urged Californians to protect themselves and their families from the hazards of extreme cold.

“Cold temperatures threaten individuals, their pets and their homes,” Chapman said. “Exposure to severe cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and other serious health problems. Those at greatest risk are people who work outside, seniors, infants and people with chronic conditions.”

The warning signs of hypothermia are shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. For infants, the warning signs are bright red, cold skin and very low energy. If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, seek medical attention immediately and get the individual to a warm room or shelter.

Chapman recommends dressing warmly, eating well-balanced meals, and avoiding alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, as they cause the body to lose heat rapidly. Because cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart, he cautioned people with heart disease or high blood pressure to avoid overexerting themselves outside.

Chapman said it is important to plan ahead for possible power outages by keeping several days’ supply of food, water and medicine at home. Bring pets indoors or provide adequate shelter to keep them warm. Use space heaters and fireplaces appropriately to avoid household fires and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Visit CDPH’s Be Prepared California website for additional safety tips and information.

Taft College Golden Grad, Harry Wilson, Turns 90

On Wednesday, December 13th Taft College held a special birthday party for Golden Grad, Harry Wilson as Dodie Mosby looks on . Harry celebrated his 90th birthday and is the oldest living Taft College graduate.

Harry graduated Taft College in 1942.

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

NEEDS Center Christmas Party

Marines Come to Westside for First Toys for Tots Distribution In Taft

OT

& Saloon Specializing in Steak & Seafood 205 N. 10th St. (661)763-1819 Lunch Dinner

Tuesday - Friday Tuesday - Thursday 4p.m. - 9p.m.

11a.m. - 2p.m. Friday & Saturday 4p.m. - 10p.m.

CLOSED SUNDAY/MONDAY

OT Cookhouse Daily Specials (For the week of 12-20-11 thru 12-24-11)

Tues.

12-20-11 Lunch

Meatball Sandwich

$9.95

Tues.

12-20-11 Dinner

BBQ Beef Ribs

$11.95

Wed. 12-21-11 Lunch Wed. 12-21-11 Dinner Thurs.

12-22-11 Lunch

Country Style BBQ $9.95 Pork Sandwich Veal Liver with Bacon $11.95 & Onions Hot Turkey Sandwich $8.95

Thurs.

12-22-11 Dinner

Turkey Dinner

$12.95

Fri. 12-23-11 Lunch

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

$9.95

Fri. 12-23-11 Dinner

$16.95 Small/ $19.95 Large

Prime Rib

Sat. 12-24-11 Dinner

Closed Happy Holidays!

$16.95/ $19.95

CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

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

Maricopa Bike & Toy Drive

December 10th was the bike and toy give away for the kids of Maricopa. For months prior to the event generous people from Maricopa, neighboring towns and travelers bought raffle tickets for a BBQ grill donated by the Shell Foodmart in Maricopa. Over $2500.00 in raffle tickets were sold. A man in Orange, CA won that BBQ. That money as well as donations of cash were used to buy plenty of toys and bikes. Along with generous donations of toys and bikes. In all 40 bikes were given away. Some of the great busness that donated were Paul Peters Cont., I.W.S.S Inc., Downs Euip. and The Harvest Stea House. Some of the people that helped with donations as well as helping with the event were Tom & Ruth Jared, Virgal & Elaine Bell, Gary Mock, Ken & Gay Anderson, Taft Petroleum Club, 2 Wheels Production, Lewis Platt, Gail Huffmon, Belena McCallum and Clyde Dunn.

The Needs Center held their annual Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 13th. The Taft Union High School Key Club helped put on the event with the Needs Center.

Wooden toys were provided by the prison and teddy bears from the Condors teddy bear toss, as well as food baskets from St Mary’s Catholic Church.

Cookhouse

December 16 - 22, 2011

On Sunday, December 11th the Marines Corps made a special appearance in Taft to distribute toys for the first Toys for Tots held in Taft. Thank you to all the volunteers: Jeff Fariss and his EMT class, Mark McAllister with DHS, Vicky Waugh, Carla Sandoval, Sheri Black, Dave Reynolds, Chris Chung-Wee Thanks to all those who donated gifts!

Ken Anderson, Gary Mock, Clyde Dunn, Wayne McDowell.

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

Christmas is Coming

Come in and look at our Unadvertised Specials!

Gift certificates are available They make great stocking stuffers!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

Send Holiday Cheer with Personalized PORTRAITS THIS CHRISTMAS

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Make your sitting Two Weeks before your inteded mail out date.

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Great Seasonal & Holiday Candles

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427 Center Street • Since June 1986

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

December 16 - 22, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Visit Local Businesses, Win Prizes!

The Taft District Chamber of Commerce has created a Taft Tour of Trees Passport for 2011.

Several businesses are setting up Christmas Trees in their stores and are included on our Tour of Trees Passport. Visit any and/or all of the businesses on the card this holiday season, take care of your Christmas shopping needs, admire their decorated trees, and vote for your favorite tree.

Each business will stamp your passport card in order for you to receive credit for visiting their store. For each stamp, you will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win several prizes from local businesses!

Participating businesses in the Taft Tour of Trees Passport include Acme Jewelry, Ben’s Books, Black Gold Café, City of Taft, End of Times Gallery, Hayden’s Hope, H & R Block, Jacks Flower Shop, KC Photography, Miller’s Beauty Supply, Next Step Cardio & Fitness Club, Personal Style, Pizza Factory, Taft Chamber, Taft Manna 4 U, True Value, Tumbleweed Café, West Kern Oil Museum, Westside Furniture, and Westside Recreation. Pick up your passport card at any of these businesses or at the Taft Christmas Parade, December 5. This is a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done locally and enjoy the Christmas trees in Taft.

No purchase necessary. Only one stamp per business per card, limit 2 cards per person. Turn your passport cards into the Taft Chamber (400 Kern Street) by December 20 to win!! Prizes to win include a $30 Gift Certificate to Ben’s Books, 12 Joy Archibald paintings from End of Times, a Pizza Factory XL Pizza Certificate, a ladies watch from Personal Style, a gift from Jacks Flower Shop, and a grand prize of a Westside Furniture La-Z-Boy Recliner.

Winners announced on Wednesday, December 21. Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!

Fuller Announces Kick Off Of 8th Annual Operation Christmas For Our Troops

Senator Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield), is honored to announced the kick-off of the 8th Annual Yellow Ribbon America “Operation Christmas for our Troops” statewide toy drive.

Fuller has joined with other members of the California Legislature and representatives from Yellow Ribbon America to seek the public’s assistance to collect toys for the families of military personnel.

“Those serving our nation at home and abroad sacrifice daily to protect the freedoms that we too often take for granted,” said Fuller. “While our soldiers are called to active duty their families are often left at home and deserve the same level of attention and gratitude that we show the men and women in uniform. During the holiday season, it is my hope that our communities rally around and support the efforts of Yellow Ribbon America and its Operation Christmas for Our Troops.”

This is the eighth consecutive year that members of both sides of the aisle have come together to push a toy and DVD drive to benefit the families of military personnel. In the last seven years, over 500,000 donations have been collected statewide in support of the “Operation Christmas for Our Troops” toy and DVD drive. This is the most successful drive in the nation supporting our troops and their families.

Donations will be accepted at Senator Fuller’s Bakersfield District Office, located at 5701 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 150, through December 23rd.

Those with questions or an interested in participating, are encouraged to contact the District Office at (661) 323-0443.

Merry Christmas From the Taft Independent

It’s Not Too Early...

To get everything on your list 14K • Black Hills • Tungsten Sterling Silver • Jewelry Wax Melters • Candles Reed Diffuser & More

Large selection of gear moving clocks, spyderco knives & kershaw knives.

Free Parking No Fog, Free Gift Wrap

acme jewelry co.

F i n e

J e w e l r y

426 Center Street 763-5451

HAYDENS HOPE

Fine Jewelry • Candles • Gifts

Thrift Store

14K Gold • Sterling Silver

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Half Off All Watch Christmas Stuff Batteries Shirts & Sweaters $.25 Pants $.50 426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451 Dec. 17th - 23rd

Merry Christmas

420 1/2 Center Street Find us on Facebook God Bless!

Together we can help keep our Teens in Taft off the streets.

El Jacalito Restaurant

Mexican Food & Seafood

101 B. Street • Taft

(661)763-9890

Lunch Specials

$8.95 11am-3pm includes drink

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

www.taftindependent.com

8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taxing Christmas: A Satirical Look Ahead

By Katie and Dr. Harold Pease The country is now 15 trillion dollars in debt. Many erroneously believe that the only way to solve this problem is to increase taxes rather than to cut spending. Judging by the extreme laws passed the last few years, more recently the Christmas Tree Tax unsuccessfully advocated by the President this winter, a tax on Christmas could come true. Let’s follow the Ghost of Christmas Future and see what such a bill might look like: Congress recently discovered how unfair Christmas really is, as some get more presents than others. To correct this injustice, a 1,500-page law called the Christmas Equalization Tax is working its way through judiciary committees in both the House and Senate and will be on the floor of both houses very soon.

Under the new law, to begin next year, shoppers buying gifts for loved ones are required to fill out Form 13,207, The Affidavit of Gift Recipients, indicating said recipients by name, social security number, and birth date, and completing a five-page information sheet for each named recipient. Retailers then fill out Form 13,208, The Affidavit of Christmas Gifts, and forward the information to the IRS for national list tabulation.

The total allotment per Christmas per person is 20 gifts. Totals exceeding this number in intervals of 10 will be assessed a gradual value added tax up to 70% of the value of the gifts in excess. Overall value is also taxed up to 100% for any total exceeding $400. This information is submitted on The Affidavit of Excess Christmas Value (Form 13,209). If you have problems following the formulas, so do the lawyers who made them up. However it does help create many jobs for those in that industry, and ensure employment for them for decades to come in their efforts to help us keep the rules straight or in resulting litigation.

The amount collected will be given to the New Organization to Fight Underprivileged Nations (NOFUN). This organization supports those suffering from Christmas Depravation Syndrome, a debilitating mental disorder recently discovered by psychologists to inhibit the development of ambition and drive, drastically reducing self-esteem, self-actualization, and quality of life.

Recipients must fill out a simple 10-page form entitled The Underprivileged Christmas Affidavit (Form 13,210), which allows participants to identify favorite gifts. Unlike the shoppers, benefit recipients would not be limited to 20 gifts. No doubt they have been “gift deprived” long enough and compensation must be made. This is the only way to guarantee fairness and equality for all people across the entire lifespan.

Currently, those applying for benefits from NOFUN do so by contacting their local Human Services Agency. Lawmakers are uncertain whether the program will remain with HSA or be turned over to ACORN, or some other reputable organization already in existence. The more likely option is to create a whole new department to oversee the program. The necessary “monitoring,” which certainly would create much needed employment to help stimulate the economy, would require at least 15,000 new federal employees.

The excess tax is thought to be sufficient for funding the under-gifted, but critics are skeptical about its ability to fund the 15,000 federal agents as well. Some say that unsympathetic shoppers will lower the number of gifts they buy to 20 per person, thus avoiding the excess tax altogether, and leaving the taxpayer to fund the $37 billion for both the “under-gifted” and the federal employees.

Proponents say this “disinformation” comes from incompassionate right-wing extremists, who are simply in the pockets of evil money-mongering capitalists who oppose the individual gift limits. Proponents assure that the cost will be covered by the seventh stimulus package, the 3,500 paged bill now on the desk of your Congressmen and women.

Additional legislation on the table is to tax excessive tree height, Christmas decorations, and turkey size. Levels of happiness could also be taxed as soon as technology is able to measure it. Some even have suggested making the holiday illegal imposing stiff fines on violators instead to raise money. Lawmakers hope to expand the legislation to Hanukkah next year for the same reasons. So many injustices to alleviate, so little time.

Merry Christmas, my liberty loving friends.

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. Katie is his daughter-in-law. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

From The Mayor Continued from Page 3 the way.

This past week of Dec 15th will be my last meeting as your representative on the Southern San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District Board. My term of office is up Jan 1st. It has been a very interesting time serving on the board and I learned a lot. The district has worked very hard with the environmentalists, businesses, the public, and industry to clean up your air.

The District has obtained 80% of our clean air goals but the last 20% is the hardest to obtain because it is mainly due to three issues: mobile air sources, pollution control technology, and even more stringent regulations from the EPA. The Valley Air District has no control over those issues. All those trucks and cars going up and down Hwy 99 and I-5; all the smog coming from the Bay area and even China; the brush and timber fires we have each year; the lack of any newer technology in air pollution control systems; the climatic changes we are seeing; the unwillingness of the EPA to treat the San Joaquin Valley different due to our topography and air inversion conditions: we may never obtain our goals without all of us moving out of the valley. I must compliment the Air District for its professionalism, its dedication, its adherence to making every tax dollar accountable and prudently spent. About two hundred million dollars flow through the district each year and the 15-member board provides very good oversight and sees that the Air District stays on tract. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you on this board.

As we remember family and friends this Christmas season, try to remember those that are less fortunate than we are. Donate what you can to the bell ringers for the Salvation Army; every dime you put in the bucket stays in Taft to help the truly needy. Toys for Taft is an equally good program. Laborers of the Harvest, Mana 4 U, and the NEEDS Center can use your donations of food, money, and gently used clothing year round. Hopefully you can help; it’s tough times for all but Taft is a giving and sharing community. Isn’t that one of the reasons you live here ?? Merry Christmas to all.

Randy Miller Your Proud But Humble Mayor

December 16 - 22, 2011

TUHS Hall of Fame Inductees for 2012 The TUHS Hall of Fame Committee today released the names of those persons chosen to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2012. This concludes a screening process wherein the committee reviewed all nominees offered during the past year, and also those nominated in former years. It is a select group that will be inducted and the committee wishes to thank all those who nominated candidates and joins in celebrating with the friends and family of those who have been selected. The Induction Banquet will be held on April 28 (Saturday) on the high school campus in the large gym.

Curt Barnes (Class of 1960) Curt Barnes was born in Taft and completed his B.A. in painting from the University of California at Berkeley in 1964. He then finished an M.F.A. at Pratt Institute in 1966 and settled in Manhattan. He has exhibited at OK Harris in New York and in other galleries and museums in the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. He has been awarded major grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1993-94, the Sam and Adele Golden Foundation in 2003 and has taught at several American campuses, including Fordham University at Lincoln Center. His work focuses on curved, constructed abstract art which intensify the physicality of painting and its inherent illusionism. He has pieces permanently presented in the Museum of Modern Art (New York).

Charles Beard (Class of 1957) Not long after graduating from high school, Charles Beard purchased the company for which he worked: Vacuum Servicing Company. Forty-three years later, he became President and owner of General Production Service, Inc. His company employs nearly 250 persons, and its work generates a significant payroll for the Taft community. More remarkable even than the jobs he provides, has been Charles Beard’s ability to quietly “make things happen.” One doesn’t need to ask; he sees a public task and responds to it.

He has been a core figure in sustaining the Taft Centennial Celebration, the Oil Worker’s Monument, Little League Baseball, Camp Condor, and Bike Giveaway.

He has been a quiet partner in supporting dozens of other community projects that he recognized as needing a helping hand. He is an accomplished businessman, a community leader and an investor in the future of Taft youth.

Les Haney (Class of 1942) For more than 65 years, when one speaks of fast-pitch softball in Taft, the first name that surfaces is “Les Haney.” At age 12, Les drew a circle on his garage door and began practicing pitches. Three years later he pitched with the Belridge Oilers in the National Championships in Detroit. He earned a citation in Ripley’s “Believe it or Not” by striking out all 27 batters he faced (two foul tips) in 1945. In the summer of 1948, he led the Taft Merchants to the World Softball Championship. Les’ rising fastball was clocked at 115 mph and he used it along with a drop which curved in two directions to overwhelm batters. In one year, pitching for Hanford, he averaged 21 strikeouts for 43 consecutive games. He was selected for All-World Honors multiple times, is a member of the Bob Elias Sports’ Hall of Fame and the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame.

DeAnn Sampley (Class of 1972) Following her graduation from Cal State Northridge, DeAnn Sampley earned her M.A degree in Curriculum Development and began her professional work of bringing American Sign Language into the lives of both instructors and students in need. While teaching at Bakersfield College she developed curriculum recognition for ASL as a foreign language and developed an ASL Lab which served more than 300 students. In 1993, she co-founded Children to Love International (CLI), a Romanian Foundation which addresses the needs of abandoned and abused children in seven different orphanages in Romania. This work addresses in particular those children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and annually brings American graduates in ASL to spend time in Rumania assisting these youngsters in need. She is currently seeking to have the CLI partner with the Rumanian government in efforts to join the European Union and protect its orphans more fully.

William H. Silcox (Class of 1940) William Silcox blended military service during WW II, with pursuit of his engineering degree which he received from UC-Berkeley in 1947. He spent his career with Standard Oil developing high volume lifting technology which would permit oil production by drilling from offshore platforms. In 1967, he was placed in charge of all Standard Oil offshore drilling technology development.

When he began his career, deep water drilling could reach as deep as a human diver could be safely kept below the surface: 250 feet. Bill’s twelve patents, along with his professional leadership in developing tools and technology led directly to undersea drilling being able to reach depths of 2,400 feet. His techniques became essential elements of deep water drilling wherever it might occur. After retirement, Bill continued to consult with companies, eventually being hired as Vice-President for Technology, Wellstream Corporation. For that company he developed a successful high pressure, deep water, flexible pipe, essential to underwater oil flows. His design is now used around the world. In 1986, Bill was elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering.

December 16 - 22, 2011

Obituary

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft Crude

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

JAMES MORTON “JIM” BAIRD 1942 – 2011 A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at OT Cookhouse, 205 N. 10th St., Taft for Taft resident, Jim Baird.

Join us and share some of your favorite memories of “The Old Cowboy.” Jim was born on January 19, 1942 in Visalia, CA and passed away on December 12, 2011 in Taft, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Betty Baird and his daughter, Cindy Crocker.

He grew up in Strathmore and loved the time he spent with his grandfather working on the family cattle ranch.

The knowledge he learned helped to prepare him for FFA and a trip to the Cow Palace. He was a graduate of Strathmore High School, Class of 1960 (the best class ever) and remained friends with many of his classmates. He worked for many years in the oilfields, retiring in 2008 as a gas plant operator for PSN at Elk Hills. He was known as “Uncle Jim” to his younger co-workers. Jim was an avid horseman for most of his life. He loved going to the mountains on horseback and a pack mule. Later in life he traded the horse trailer for an RV and he and Shirley spent their vacations traveling and camping. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Taft; brother, Doug Baird of San Jose; sons and daughters-in-law, Keven and Michelle Baird of Tehachapi, Brent and Kerri Ray of Bakersfield, Greg and Stephanie Ray of Bakersfield; grandchildren, Evan, Matthew, Danika, Terra, Nick, Madison, Kylee, Gillian and Adalynn; great-grandchildren, Mallory and Presley. Special thanks to Paula Casteel and to Mercy Hospice, especially Shelagh, Bertha and Richard for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or to a charity of one’s choice in the name of James Baird. No visitation hours are scheduled and the arrangements are under the direction of the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home. www.EricksonAndBrown.com

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!

Licensed Funeral Directors

501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111 Fat Free and Sugar Free Available in Most Flavors Open 7 Days - 763-5156 1010 6th Street • Taft

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

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

YOUR CHURCH AD HERE! CALL TODAY! 765-6550

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller

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

FD756 FDR50 FDR595 FDR618

Ice Blended Mocha

Advertise With The Taft Independent Call Today!

765-6550

Gateway Temple

Community Christian Fellowship

604 Main Street • P.O. Box 578 Maricopa, CA 93252 • (661)769-9599

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30 For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 487-2416 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and Mary A. McWhorter

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

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

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

Rev. Linda Huggard

703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Services 10am UTURN Youth Service Sunday 6pm 1000 6th St. Weekly Classes Mon - Thurs Please call 765-7472 for info For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday

Pastors Shannon N. and Shannon L. Kelley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available Angel Food Program Tues. 9am - 12pm Thurs. 3pm - 6pm

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

Ford City Tuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of Taft Wednesday

• REFRIGERATORS • MATTRESSES • WATER HEATERS • STOVES • WASHERS & DRYERS • SOFAS If Missed…

Call Office at 763-5135

All green waste must be bagged.

Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED Construction/Demolition Waste/Used Oil/ Hazardous Waste/Tires Westside Waste Management Co., Inc.

10

TAFT INDEPENDENT For Rent

Classifieds

220 Montview 3 bed 1 bath.

Fenced yard. Granite counter tops $795.

Paul Joyce 805-218-1686 Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

Classified Ads areare $3.00 per issue for upPhone, to threefax, lines, $5 per Classified Ads $2.00 per line. mail or issue off for up to 5 andTaft $7 per issue for up to 10 lines. Yard drop your adlines, to the Independent.

Sale ads are free. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the

Taft your Independent.

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

Boxed ads are $3 additional. E-mail us (or bring to Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 our office) a photo of$20 your car,$25 truck lines, $16 for 12 lines, forhome, 15 lines, for or 20 motorcycle lines. and we’ll do the rest.

Photo Ads. Car, truck or house for sale ads are $5 per week, Yard are $2Email for 3us lines, additional or $10Sale withads a photo. (or bring to our lines office)$2a each. photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Classified ads deadline is now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Phone: 765-6550

Preserving for the Future

Fax: 765-6556 765-6556 Fax: E-mail:Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Payment can byby cash, check, or credit card. card.

Payment canbebemade made cash, check, or credit Taft Independent 6thCenter St., Taft, CATaft, 93268.

Taft Independent210 508 St., 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.

Antique pottery, kitchen items, Christmas, clothes. 601 Lucard St. Sat. Dec. 17 8am to 2 pm

Heritage Park Book Sale Wednesday, January 4th 12 noon - 6pm 201 8th St. In Rec Room Books from $.25 to $1.

COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services

Computer Repair Graphic Arts Web Design Virus Removal 661-623-5188 YARD SERVICES CLEANING SERVICES Office cleaning, years of experience. Call Kathi 661-703-8186

Employment HELP WANTED

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

Business Services

immediately at 800 Kern Street, P.O. Box 1105, Taft, CA 93268.

Deadline for submitting application is Wednesday, December 21, 2011. Resume will not be accepted in lieu of District application.

The successful applicant will be subject to a pre-employment drug screen, physical and thorough background check. E.O.E. Kitchen Manager Buena Vista Golf Course now hiring managewment postion at Buena Vista Grill.

Applications available at the Golf Course.

Interviews start 12/26/11. Position starts Jan. 1. Call (661) 5494653 Allan or (661) 3191871 Chad.

INSTRUCTION

Meter Reader ($2,943 - $4,623 per month) If you are looking for a career, come and check out what we have in store for you! West Kern Water District is seeking an energetic individual to join our team who has the ability to work independently and read water meters with a high degree of accuracy. Apply

Pickers Buy & Sell 428 Center Street Hours 1-5pm Tues-Fri

AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock FOUND PETS LOST PETS

Real Estate 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

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Learn English/Spanish the easy way, WITH A PRIVATE TUTOR. Reasonable rates, Call Luz at 800-8681.

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

For Sale FOR SALE

Pickers Buy & Sell 428 Center Street

20% Off Holiday Discount Collectables • Tools • Jewelry • Knick Knacks Open Tuesday - Thursday 1pm - 5pm Must bring coupon. ex: 12/31/11 One coupon per customer per sale.

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

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

Classified ad deadline is Wednesday at 12 p.m. (noon) Phone: 765-6550

December 16 - 22, 2011

FOR SALE Established local Taft business. Taft Crude Coffee House and Deli.

Excellent location, near Taft College. In business for 6 years. $25,000 OBO. Room to expand product offerings. Good family business. Call 661-623-4296.

HOMES FOR SALE Real Estate eBroker Inc. 325 Kern Street Karri Christensen LIC# 01522411 & #01333971 661-332-6597 www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase Commercial: 330 California (old post office) Maricopa 616 Poso,(restaurant & dry good w/ beer & wine license)Maricopa Residential 417 Tyler $60K 3bed/ 2 bath 415 Buchanan St $35,500 cash only

Can’t make payments call me!!

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

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

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

Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT 205 W Ash C 2/1.5 $600 601 4th 2/1 $650 435 B St 2/1 $700 302 Calvin 1/1 $850 528 D St 2/1 $850 602 Elkhorn 3/1.75 $850 404 Fillmore 3/1.75 $1,000 FOR SALE Why rent when you can buy for almost half the cost?!

Complete list of homes for Sale and Rent available!

523 Naylor St. 3 bd/2ba $1,050 mo + dep.

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

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

3bd/2ba newer home lrg lot, emaculent cond. 2 car garage, AC $1,200 mo + dep 661-577-2158 2 bd 1ba, indoor laundry, fenced frt/back yards $600 mo + $600 dep. Maricopa 805-3250256 Huge 3bd 2ba, perimeter fence, lots of storage & fruit trees. $900 mo + $900 dep.

Maricopa 805-325-0256

APART. FOR RENT MCKITTRICK. 3/2 Apt. Newly furn.$650 mo.

Taft Property Mgt. 661 745-4892. Brokers Licence 01417057 Imperial Gardens 424 Woodrow Street 2bd $625 mo. 1bd $550 mo. Stove fridge, dishwasher, pool, private car port. 661293-0830 or 661-7654299.

2bd/1ba $750 mo + dep.

Recently remodeled.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE Michael Long, Publisher The Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF MICHAEL LONG TO HAVE THE STANDING OF THE TAFT INDEPENDENT AS A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION ASCERTAINED AND ESTABLISHED.

Ken Shugarts

Air Conditioning & Heating

Plumbing • Septic • Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507 30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

Real Estate eBroker Inc. 325 Kern Street

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

CASE NO: S-1500CV-274771 NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR ORDER DECLARING STATUS OF NEWSPAPER AS ONE OF GENERAL CIRCULATION (GOV. CODE 6021) Notice is hereby given that, on January 18, 2012, at 8:30am, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in Department 14 of this court, located at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, petitioner intends to apply for an order declaring the newspaper known as The Taft Independent to be a newspaper of general circulation for Taft, California.

DATED: SEPTEMBER 23-2011 Petitioner Michael Long, Publisher The Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 _________________ Michael Long, Publisher That Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STET OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF MICHAEL LONG TO HAVE THE STANDING OF THE TAFT INDEPENDENT AS A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION ASCERTAINED AND ESTABLISHED. CASE NO: S-1500CV-274771 PETITION TO ASCERTAIN AND ESTABLISH STANDING

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

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

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

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

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

WHEREFORE, petitioner prays for judgment ascertaining and establishing the

Taft Independent as a newspaper of general circulation, as defined in Section 6008 of the Government Code, for the City of Taft, County of Kern, California.

Dated this September 23, 2011 Petitioner Michael Long, Publisher The Taft Independent 508 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 I, Michael Long, am the petitioner in the aboveentitled proceeding. I have read the foregoing petition and know the contents thereof. The same is true of my own knowledge, except as to those matters which are therein alleged on information and belief, and as to those matters, I believe it to be true.

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

September 23, 2011, Taft, California.

Signed Michael Long

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

G and F Footwear

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

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

December 16 - 22, 2011

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Weekly Gas Price Update Average retail gasoline prices in California have fallen 4.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.57/g as of Monday, December 12th. This compares with the national average that has fallen 0.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.28/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices Monday, December 12th were 33.8 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 24.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 15.0 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 32.2 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“Gasoline prices remain in limbo across parts of the U.S. while oil prices continue to swing in different directions as traders digest changes in market sentiment,” according to GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan.

“The national average remains subdued close to levels that we saw last week, but prices may soon move slightly higher as they follow a rising trend in wholesale gasoline prices,” DeHaan added.

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

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

Now Celebrating Our 22nd Year

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

Food Production Continued from Page 4

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.

legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley. SRT holds conservation easements on 25 properties, totaling 3,664 more acres of protected land, all of them working farms and ranches. SRT also has collaborated with agencies, other non-profit conservation organizations, and landowners to protect additional acres often owning them during the transition to new ownership. To date, SRT has protected more than 11,343 acres. SRT owns and manages six nature preserves that protect 4,069 acres of remnant landscapes, woodland communities and wildlife habitat, all grazed by cattle. For more information, visit http://www. sequoiariverlands.org/index.html.

Chevron’s SPIRIT Awards Provides $182,500 to 37 Community Organizations, 4 In Taft Chevron announced on Thursday the 37 nonprofit organizations that received $182,500 in funding at this year’s Chevron Community SPIRIT Award. The recipients, including Taft’s Alpha House, Manna 4 U, West Kern Oil Museum, and Westside Community Resource Center, address basic human needs, education and economic development in Kern County.

Each group received between $2,500 and $5,000.

The Chevron Community SPIRIT Awards program is part of Chevron’s California Partnership, an initiative to invest in education and economic development in its home state.

Technology Projects Continued from Page 4 microturbine; o $242,500 for the City of Manteca’s proposal to demonstrate a serial hybrid hydraulic refuse truck; o $230,000 for the Association of Compost Producer’s proposal to demonstrate a positively aerated static compost pile system; o $350,000 for PG&E Fleet Engineering’s proposal to demonstrate an extended range electric drive Class 6 bucket truck with electric worksite operation capacity.

“Not only are these new projects innovations that will help clean up the Valley, but they are also vital to supporting the Valley’s technology development community and economic vitality,” Sadredin said.

A new request for proposals will be released by the District in 2012 For more information about the Technology Advancement Program or to subscribe to a free mailing list for notification of program developments, visit http://www.valleyair.org/Grant_Programs/TAP/tap_idx.htm.

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 SUPPLY Just In Time For Shaw’s Pet Wash Christmas!

Christmas Special

Gift Ideas for that Special Someone Breyer Horses and Ornaments Montana Silver Jewelry Western Gifts Leather Wallets & Belts Great sales throughout the store!

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

www.shawswesternshop.com

With Dog or Cat Full Groom

Receive 20% Off

Any new collar, sweater or jacket for your pet!

Thru December we will do a flea dip or shampoo Only $11.00 small dog $15.00 med dog $20.00 large dog $30.00 giant dog

This does not include shampoos, drying, brushing, or nails. It is always best to follow up with a flea spot on to prevent reinfestation.

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

Open 7 Days a Week

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

12

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Used to be Paul’s

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

Devon’s Body Shop

Bike Shop

2012 Bikes are Arriving NOW!

745-4919 Qik Smog & Tune

608 Center St.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

December 16 - 22, 2011

(661)763-4445

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Certified C.A.P. Station General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Precision Bodyworks & Towing

We take the DENTS out of ACCIDENTS

Phone (661)763-4420 FAX (661)763-1389 Cell (661)577-6785

317 Main Street • Taft