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Independent The Taft

December 19 - 25, 2014

The Taft Independent

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

www.Taftindependent.com

December 19 - 25 2014 • Volume 9 Issue 23

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

Qik Smog & Tune

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Local Motorcycle Repair

European and Japanese Street Bikes and All Dirt Bikes Safety Inspection Professional Service Dirt and Street BikeTire Mount and Balance Experienced Mechanics Basic Tune-up to Major Overhaul

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Now Servicing Japanese and European Motorcycles

Mexican and Seafood Taqueria

Taft Christmas Lights

Open 7 Days a Week 7 am to Midnight - 7 Days a Week

Now Serving Breakfast Burritos $4.95

Mondays .99 cent Tacos Tuesdays Chicken Frajitas $7.95 Happy Hour 3pm to 7pm 330 Kern Street Corner of 4th and Kern Street 745-4898

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

Monarch Fleet Services and Automotive

Alignment - Diagnostics - Brakes - Tires and Wheels TIA Certified ASE O P E N S AT U R D AY S 8 A M T O 4 P M

Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

217 Center Street (661) 765-2886

A/C & BRAKE SPECIALS. ALL TIRES ON SALE. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

Financing Available

The Taft Independent

2

Shop Taft

Passion For Nails western shop & PET Wash

December 19 - 25, 2014

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery

Fish - Reptile - Supplies Tack - Feed - Livestock Supplies Western Clothing - Boots - Work Apparell Pet Grooming

Try Our New Pedicure Chairs Men & Seniors &

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

Fred and Cheri Shaw 419 Harrison Street, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

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

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

Geiger Construction & Plumbing

(661)745-4913

Salon and Boutique

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Lots of New Arrivals

Shop Taft for

Lic # B-721903

Best Prices!

A Hint of Class

Holiday Like us on Facebook

Gifts

FREE drop off

and

We buy iphone 4, 4S & 5 1016 6th St. Taft 661-745-4855

Next Step Cardio & Fitness

Coming Soon!

Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

Your Affordable Ad Here!

Call 765-6550

Shop Downtown Taft!

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

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

Packages

in a Pyrenees Bread Bowl

Personal Style

Residential • Commercial

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

Now Serving Splash Cafe Clam Chowder

more.

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

Shop Taft.

LET’S FACE IT Mariah Melton, Esthetician 915 N. 10th Street No. 14 Taft, Ca 93268

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery in Taft

By Appointment Only 661-623-1913 mariahmelton328@gmail.com

Sign-up Now and get your first 20 minutes free.

506 Center Street - (661) 745-4918

SPECIALIZING IN FACIALS, SKIN CARE & WAXING

Grilled Tri-Tip Special Every Thursday $8.95 508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

December 19 - 25, 2014

Events Inside

The Taft Independent

Taft Business of the Week Sandy Creek Estates

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

By Gardener Field

Community Events.........3 Taft Calendar...................3 Westside Recreation......5

Westside News.................7 Liberty Under Fire.........8

The Taft Business of the Week: Sandy Creek Estates, west of Hillard Street. Sandy Creek Estates has several Custom or Semi-Custom options available. Phase one dirt work is almost complete and homes will be started soon. The Developer is long time Taft resident Bob Colston. Visit their website at www.Sandycreekestates. com or call 201-2087.

Classified Ads.................10 Shop Taft........................11 Shop Taft........................12

The Taft Independent

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday January 6th, 2015 – 6:00 p.m.

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

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

Email: Publisher@taftindependent.com Website: www.TaftIndependent.com Locally and Independently owned since 2006

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

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

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

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

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.

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

Thursday 10 a.m. 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m.

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

Contact The Taft Independent Send Bio or Resume to Publisher@taftindependent.com

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

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

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

By Andreas Fault Everyone is getting ready for Christmas this week so there are not lots of Events. Things you can always do in Taft is Shop Taft, skydive at Skydive Taft, visit the West Kern Oil Museum, eat at one of our excellent Restaurants, see a movie at the Fox Theatre, walk Rails to Trails, find a book at Ben’s Books, watch Football at the Oasis, The Bank, or Pizza Factory, ride dirt bikes, and lots of choices at the Rec with the weight room, bowling alley, basketball, volleyball, batting cage, Senior Center, softball or bbq at Franklin Field. These are just a few things you can do in Taft this week.

Saturday- OT Cookhouse “Senior Appreciation Luncheon” for all seniors 60 and older. This free Senior meal is from 10:30am-1pm.

You must make your reservation at 763-1819.

Wednesday- “Christmas Eve Service” at the West Hill Church of the Nazarene at 7pm.

Thursday- Merry Christmas! Remember the reason for the season.

God Bless Taft.

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

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

Taft Calendar

3

Visit Us On Facebook

Save the Date for these Future EventsDecember 31st: The Bank Sports Lounge at 431 North Street Grand Opening.

Taft Petroleum Club Annual New Year’s Eve Party with Madewell’s Fireball Express. Advance tickets $5.

January 2nd: 1st Friday Cruise Night from 6-10pm on Center Street.

January 3rd: Taft College Cougars Women’s Basketball at Home at 1pm vs. Victor Valley College.

January 7th: Taft Industry Night at the Taft Petroleum Club. Gun Raffle Winners will be announced after dinner. Dinner tickets have been raised to $15.00 a person.

January 9th: Taft High Wildcats Boys Basketball first Home league game vs. BCHS. Kittens at 4, Bobcats at 5:15, and the WILDCATS at 6:30.pm.

January 13th: Taft High Wildcats Girls Basketball Team first Home league game vs. Arvin. Kittens at 4, Bobcats at 5:15, and the WILDCATS at 6:30pm.

January 16-18th: WORCS Race at Honolulu Raceway.

January 17th: 2nd Annual Taft College Triple Play Dinner and Auction at the Fort. Headline Speaker Ron Coomer. Call the TC Athletic Office at 763-7829 for more info.

Feburary 5th: The Taft Chamber Annual Installation Dinner.

February 26-28th- Winter Showdown at Kern County Raceway.

April 18th: Taft High Hall of Fame Ceremony.

April 24: Al Baldock Memorial “Athletic Golf Classic.”

The Taft Fox Theatre is open 7 nights a week. All seats on Christmas Day are only $5. The Fox recently brought back $5 seats on Tuesdays.

The Fox has slices of Domino’s Pizza for a $1 on Friday and Saturday Nights. They have $1.25 hot dogs every night. The Fox always has a good crowd on the weekends so if you don’t like crowds go during the week. You can find show times on the front of the Fox, on Facebook, in the Taft Independent, www.taftfox.com, or by calling 765-SHOW (7469). The Fox has the best prices, service, snack bar, largest movie theatre, and the best Foxcorn around. Head to the Fox tonight.

OT Cookhouse “Senior Appreciation Gratis Luncheon” It’s that time of year again… OT Cookhouse is geared up to host their 14th Annual “Senior Appreciation Luncheon” on Saturday, December 20, 2014. All seniors (60 years old and over) are welcome to dine in with us at OT Cookhouse and enjoy a FREE meal. Nonsenior family members and friends joining a senior may purchase a lunch for $6.95. Lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Due to the special nature of this event…RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. We respectfully request for all reservations to be made by Thursday, December 18, 2014 to ensure that we are fully prepared for the luncheon. Please call us at OT Cookhouse 661-763-1819 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday to make your reservation.

This luncheon has been held each year possible since December 1994 to demonstrate the appreciation the staff and management of the OT Cookhouse have for the people of Taft. We at the OT Cookhouse look forward to visiting with all of our friends that are available to attend this luncheon. Please join us for this special day where you will surely make memories and enjoy some holiday cheer. Blessings… from OT Cookhouse.

The Taft Independent

4

Editorial

Westside Watcher

The Taft

Independent

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide Your Guide To The

Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside Tumbleweed Café Asian Experience and Steakhouse Asian Food and Pizza

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

Paik’s Ranch House Where Everybody Meets Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Open 7 Days Mon. Tues. Wed., Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm Sun. 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, December 19, 2014 through Thursday, December 25, 2014 Unbroken (PG-13) Christmas Special - All Seats $5 Thu: 7:30 PM Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG) Fri & Sat: 7:00, 9:00 Sun: (3:15), 6:15 Mon - Wed: 7:00 PM Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG) Christmas Special - All Seats $5 Thu: 7:15 PM The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (PG-13) Fri & Sat: 6:30, 9:15 Sun: 3:00, 6:00 Mon - Wed: 6:40 PM The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (PG-13) Christmas Special - All Seats $5 Thu: 7:00 PM Exodus: Gods and Kings (PG-13) Fri & Sat: 6:45, 9:30 Sun: (3:30), 6:30 Mon - Wed: 6:30 PM

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

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

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

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

Don’t Kick Santa Across The Yard, move on, give and celebrate Christmas

By Glenn Mollette This Christmas give somebody the gift of mercy and forgiveness. Actually be broad with your giving and generous. We all need a lot of both. For such a joyful holiday of cheer, giving and yuletide merriment there are certainly a lot of stressed out sourpuss faces and agitated people. If you haven’t seen any of these you probably haven’t been to the mall or busy shopping districts. People get tense over decorating, shopping, spending, and fitting into their schedules all the jolly dinners, gatherings and religious services. You may have watched Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. He becomes over the top stressed out when his Christmas lights don’t work and literally kicks, stomps and curses a blue streak across his yard. It’s a funny scene. Mostly because in some way we’ve all been there a time or two.

We go crazy at Christmas. Everything is totally and abnormally different from the rest of the year. We spend money, eat, cook, travel and over schedule more than any other time of the year. By the time December 26 rolls around we’re sick of Christmas. We start making a list of New Year’s resolutions that include never doing some of the stuff ever again that we did at Christmas! By the time the next Christmas rolls around we do it all over again and often worse than the year before. We promise and swear we are going to do things differently but as long as we are able we do it over and again.

Most of us enjoy giving if we can. We enjoy giving to the people we love. Christmas trees, decorating, eating and gatherings are all a part of the season. However, we become frustrated when we lose sight of the big picture.

The big picture includes looking around and beyond our Christmas pain. Millions of people would simply be thrilled to have the problems that some of us have. Many people are in the nursing home and will never go to the mall again. Some have a terminal disease and this may be their last Christmas. Others, would simply love to have a house to decorate or someone to buy a gift for.

Celebrate Christmas this year. Give away some special gifts. Give gifts that money can’t buy or time cannot fade.

Give love, give forgiveness and give some mercy. Extend these generously to yourself. If you can’t give them to yourself it’s impossible to give them to others. The little baby that Christmas celebrates became a man and taught people that we should love God and love others as we love ourselves. Herein is part of the rub. Too often people stop loving themselves. Life becomes imperfect, we fail, get hurt or mad and we kick Santa or the reindeer across the yard. Unfortunately we stop there. We go into Ebenezer Scrooge bah humbug mode. We don’t get our groove back and miss out on some of Christmas’ most wonderful characteristics- mercy and forgiveness. The Christmas story is about a child who came to show us the way. He showed us how to love, forgive and be merciful. Some of the people in your life probably need it more than you know. Give generously and start with yourself.

December 19 - 25, 2014

Missile Defense Can’t Wait

By Stephen Blank Russia shows no sign that it is willing to de-escalate tensions with the West. Troops remain in Ukraine and continue to violate the cease-fire there, even as the Kremlin launches multiple military probes into the Baltic littoral states. Virtually every day, the United States and its allies are forced to scramble military assets in response to Russian incursions.

This state of affairs requires a broader US strategy. America’s response cannot be confined to Europe. It must also incorporate investments in deterrent technology that keep our citizens safe, specifically missile defense.

Domestic constraints abound, to be sure. The pressure on the Pentagon’s finances has never been greater. Budgetary concerns are now driving a debate about whether to continue production of the exo-atmospheric kill vehicle (EKV), an essential component of modern missile defense. Some argue that the EKV program should be shelved and a new interceptor built from scratch.

That proposal is both fiscally imprudent and strategically dangerous. Because missile threats from Russia, as well as China and rogue state actors such as Iran and North Korea, already exist, the United States simply cannot afford to remain undefended for the years that would be needed to erect a new system.

Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis was fond of noting that, when formulating military strategy, “the enemy gets a vote.” When it comes to missile defense, this is sage advice; numerous nations already pose a threat to the United States, and they certainly won’t wait for American officials to navigate our long and costly procurement cycle.

Russia is just one such nation. There are many others. North Korea continues to process nuclear material for a long-range weapon. Iran’s relations with the US remain unstable, and the Islamic Republic is closer than ever to nuclear capability.

The chaos wrought by the Syrian civil war could open a power vacuum in the Middle East, making it even easier for terrorist groups to get their hands on dangerous missiles. Meanwhile, China continues building its defense capabilities.

Investing in improving existing systems -- the EKV prominent among them -- is the most effective way to meet these threats.

The science behind the current approach is sound. The EKV catches a ride with a rocket into space, then has the job of targeting and destroying an incoming enemy missile. This technology was originally introduced by the Bush administration in response to the threat posed by North Korea.

At the time, the EKV was little more than a complex prototype.

However, it has evolved considerably since, and a series of successful tests have demonstrated that ongoing design upgrades are making the EKV more accurate.

This year, the Missile Defense Agency will decide whether to spend an additional $300 to $400 million on near-term improvements to the EKV or to pledge more than $1 billion for a competition to build a new one. Some critics are already claiming that continuing investment in the EKV would be tantamount to throwing good money after bad.

But that thinking doesn’t fit the evidence. The technology behind the EKV has steadily improved in recent years. And the military can bring insights from other successful missile programs -- such as the highly effective SM-3 interceptor -- to further expedite EKV refinements.

What’s more, spending $1 billion on a brand-new interceptor is fiscally irresponsible. The Pentagon should be looking for ways to trim budgets, not inflate them.

Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are all building up their military capabilities. Some of their leaders are dead-set on attacking the United States. We must answer this threat by keeping our missile defenses progressing, thereby sending a clear signal that America is prepared to protect itself and its allies. Defense officials must ignore the calls to start from scratch.

Stephen Blank is a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council.

The Taft Independent

December 19 - 25, 2014

West Side Recreation Report Check us out online!

Need more information on programs, classes or facilities?

Visit us on the web: www.wsrpd.com www.facebook.com/wsrpd www.westsidesports.org www.quickscores.com/wsrpd www.twitter.com/wsrpd steph@wsrpd.com

by Stephanie House

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE Saturday, February 7, 2015 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium 500 Cascade Place, Taft Girls ages 4+ $30 per couple ($10 each additional daughter) Ticket purchase deadline: Thursday, January 29 Join us for our 7th Annual Father Daughter Dance – this year with a “Camo & Couture” theme. Girls ages 4 and older may be accompanied by their father, guardian or adult relative. The special evening includes DJ music, photographs, sweet treats and more fun surprises. Tickets are limited and not guaranteed to last until the purchase deadline. No tickets will be available the night of the event, so buy yours now – don’t miss out!

GYMNASTICS Who: Grades K+ When: Monday Evenings Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Session: January 5 – February 9 Where: Community Center Auditorium Fee: $40 per session ($30 for each additional sibling) Instructor: Suzanne Hale INSTRUCTIONAL BASKETBALL Who: Ages 4-6 Practices: Weeknights Games: Saturdays Practices Begin: January 19 Games Begin: January 31 Place: Aera Gymnasium, Recreation Center Registration deadline: Thursday, January 8, 2015 Fee: $35 per person TINY TOT BASKETBALL Who: Ages 2-4 When: Thursday or Thursday Time: 5:30 p.m.

Session: January 20 – February 26, 2015 Place: Aera Gymnasium, Recreation Center Registration deadline: Thursday, January 8, 2015 Fee: $25 per person This program is designed to introduce boys and girls to the basics of basketball through physical play, balancing, coordination and movement based activities. No games are played in Tiny Tot sports.

S.T.O.P. PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS (Strive To Optimize Participation) Did you know that the District has a youth scholarship program? Children in low income, single parent or multiple participant households are eligible! For more information, or to find out how your child can take advantage of reduced program fees, give us a call in the District Office at 763-4246.

WEST SIDE RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT 500 Cascade Place, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 763-4246 info@wsrpd.com www.wsrpd.com

5

GYM KID CARE – HOLIDAY HOURS Who: Ages 3+ When: • Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23 8:00-10:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:30 p.m.

• CLOSED: December 24-25 • Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30 8:00-10:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 31 8:00-10:00 a.m.

• CLOSED: January 1 Where: Recreation Center Preschool Room Fee(s): * $2 per child/per visit, members * $3 per child/per visit, non-members * $15 per month (1-2 children living in same household, $10 each additional child) Let us watch your kids while you work out or enjoy other Rec Center activities!

Children must be 3 years of age. Children may stay in Kid Care for a maximum of 90 minutes daily. Parents must stay onsite (in the Rec Center) while their children are in Kid Care.

WEST SIDE LANES DECEMBER BOWLING SPECIALS Monday, December 22 – PARENT CHILD NIGHT - $1 games or an hour of bowling for $10. $2 shoe rental (per person).

Monday, December 29 – 120 DAY – Bowl a game with a score of 120 or higher and receive a free game. No limit!

For more information, please contact West Side Lanes at 765-6677.

OPEN BOWL Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

West Side Lanes, Recreation Center Fees: * Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and all day Sunday: $2 per game/per person, $2 shoe rental OR $15 hourly per lane, $2 per person shoe rental * Monday-Friday, 4:00 p.m. to close and all day Saturday: $15 hourly per lane, $2 per person shoe rental **Hours and availability subject to change to accommodate party reservations and league play.

BOWLING PARTY RENTALS Make your reservation now!

Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at the bowling alley in the new Recreation Center. Parties may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday. Rental fees start at $100 for 2-lane rentals. Rental prices include shoes, balls and use of the party room. Call 763-4246 for more information or to make a reservation.

WSRPD DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 24 – JANUARY 2 FOR THE HOLIDAYS The West Side Recreation & Park District main office will be closed December 24 through January 2 for the holidays. Please keep this in mind when planning your registrations, reservations and other District related business. Program registration and payments can be made at the Recreation Center (765-6677) while the main office is closed. We will see you when we return to normal operating hours on Monday, January 5, 2015. Happy Holidays!

Taft Christmas Lights, The Best of Taft

The Taft Independent

December 19 - 25, 2014

Taft City School District Superintendent Resigns

By Bill Taft There are some amazing lights around Taft this year. It would be nice to see some more but the ones that are up look great. The Hill looks very nice as you drive into town up Lincoln Street. A list of the best lights was recently put together and here they are- This year’s # 1 Lights go to the Allen’s on East San Emidio. Runner Up goes to the Frozen house on Rainier. The Best Neighborhood goes to Quail Court. The Best Decorated Business goes to Old’s School. Best Extreme Lights go to the West Kern Oil Museum for the amazing lights on the Derrick.

Some houses you will not want to miss around town are the Neumann’s on Terrance Drive, the Brannon’s on A Street, the Scott’s on Quail Court, the 500 Block of Church Street, several homes in the Airport Edition, and a new house that looks impressive this year is the Berry’s on Terrance Drive. Center Street looks great every year and thank you to the businesses that made it look even better.

It probably is too late to put lights up this year but start planning for them next year. It would be nice to see lights up in the Albertsons Shopping Center, the West Kern Junction and all the businesses on Center Street next year. Lights by the Whites on the Hill will be back next year. If you’re watching the Albert’s Amazing Light Show be kind, turn off your lights and don’t pull up in front of others.

Congrats to Les Clark Jr., Gerald Dragoo, and Nicholas Kaufman who will be the newest Members of the Taft High Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Ceremony will be April 18th at Taft High.

City workers are currently extending the 5th Street Plaza to Main Street. It will have grass and a stage. It will be complete in early 2015. Eventually they hope to have it connect to Rails to Trails, next to Napa Auto Parts.

The Soroptimist Home Tour, Fashion Show, and Luncheon was a huge success last Saturday. It sold out and everyone had a great day. Afterwards everyone headed down too Historic Downtown Taft. Most of the

Jerry Livingston J.D. Jerry.Taft.Independent@gmail.com The Taft City School District Board of Trustees met today in closed session to discuss the status of suspended Superintendent Ron Bryant, when they emerged from closed session Board President Les Clark announced that the Board had accepted Ron Bryant’s resignation effective January 31, 2015. Clark said that “Julie Graves will continue in the capacity of Acting Superintendent while the District considers next steps.”

The Board left for its January meeting any discussion of a permanent replacement for Bryant.

Although the Board suspended Bryant last week without pay, he will be paid through his resignation date in January. The District’s full statement follows.

“The Board of Trustees took action today to accept the resignation of Superintendent Ron Bryant, effective January 31, 2015. We will Continue to move forward to ensure continued educational progress for our students.

Julie Graves will continue in the capacity of Acting Superintendent while the District considers next steps.”

businesses were open but a few were not. The shops that were closed missed out because there were hundreds of people downtown shopping, you do not see that in Taft every day.

Crime has gone up recently, not just in Taft but everywhere. Lock your cars, roll your windows all the way up, leave your exterior lights on or get motion lights, do not leave valuables in your car , and keep an eye out for your neighbors. Tell your neighbors that you trust when you leave the house and never post when you’re leaving or when you are on vacation on Facebook.

Christmas is next Thursday so there is not much time to get your Christmas Shopping done. Rather your shopping for big or small gifts you can find all your gifts here in Taft. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I pray 2015 brings better oil prices, more respect for Law Enforcement, Taft to keep moving forward, more local medical services, and for everyone to have a happy, successful, and healthy year.

Taft Community Survey WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The City of Taft along with the Kern Council of Governments is conducting a Transportation Development Plan focused on improving public transit. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded project aims to increase ridership and improve service. In order to design service improvements that are most beneficial to the Taft community, surveys are being distributed to Taft’s residents and community stakeholders including; community service centers, businesses, faith-based organizations, and education institutions. By getting direct input from the community and bridging the barriers of communication through interactive campaigns, Taft can garner feedback on the transportation needs of the community. To complete a survey, please visit: www.tafttransitsurvey.com

Ben’s Books

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

The Largest, Cheapest and Only Hours Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 5 pm Friday and Saturday 10am to 3pm

WEST SIDE URGENT CARE

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

McCalls Candles and Melts

765-1935 HOURS

Monday thru Friday 8:00am –9:00pm Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 9:00pm

The perfect holiday scents for use now or gift giving! Works well with Scentsy warmers too Have Camera, Will Travel. Call today for more details and appointment 763-5429.

100 E North St. Taft CA

427 Center Street • Since June 1986

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

Proof #

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Date

4/6

December 19 - 25, 2014

The Taft Independent

7

City Council Gets Organized, Makes Committee Assignments

Places Liens on Deliquent Commercial Refuse and Sewer Accounts Jerry Livingston J.D. Jerry.Taft.Independent@gmail.com The Taft City Council, in its final meeting of the year, finalized a number of items that have been working through the system.

Public Hearings The Council held three public hearings, two that completed the adoption of changes to ordinances begun at Planning Commission hearings earlier this year. Third hearing is the result of Council’s adoption of new regulations addressing delinquencies in commercial sewer and refuse accounts.

The most controversial item of the day was the Council’s action to adopt resolutions applying liens to commercial property’s where business have delinquent accounts. At the time of the agenda’s posting the City was owed over $18,000 in unpaid fees.

During the hearing, Jack Leonard, one of the property owners affected by the proposed resolution raised concerns regarding a lack of notice to property owners. Councilman Noerr acknowledged the concerns raised by Leonard stating that “we are aware that this change in the City’s collection procedures had put a burden on affected property owners” but indicated that the City needed to make these changes to be better managers of the taxpayer’s money. He recommended the City pull the business license at the second billing notice. Given the bi-monthly billing cycle this would mean the business would be three months in arrears with a fourth month due at that time.

City manager Craig Jones recommended that the Council delay recording of the liens for thirty days to allow property owners bring the accounts current.

Councilman Bryant recommended that all future business license applications require landlord information so the City can notify property owners an opportunity to address the delinquencies before a lien is necessary.

In the first of the two ordinance amendments, the Council adopted changes to the Municipal Code relating to fireworks stands. The changes align the City’s ordinance and the County Fire Departments regulations to better regulate the safety of fireworks stands. Also adjusted was an earlier date for the annual lottery. This adjustment to the second meeting in April will allow the lottery winners to receive application approval from the City and meet the County Fire Department’s May 15th application deadline.

In a second ordinance adoption the Council adopted changes to its Sign Ordinance. The Planning Commission worked on developing amendments to the ordinance earlier in the year. Along with some clean-up changes to the ordinance the Commission recommended “easing the limits on temporary signs, allowing small A-frame signs to be exempt from the ordinance, and ensuring the proper maintenance of permanent and temporary signs.

The council adopted both ordinance amendments without objection or change.

Council Appointments and Committee Assignments The Council also voted to advertise two open appointments, with newly elected Councilwoman Hill resigning from her position on the Planning Commission and Bill Mc Pherson resigning from the West Side Recreation Board leaving vacancies to be filled. The Council directed Yvette Mayfield, the City Clerk, to advertise the openings.

In its final action of the night the Council reorganized its committee assignments appointing two members and an alternate too five standing committees and one member to a sixth as well as appointing members to regional and state wide organizations. A list of the new appointments follows: Airport Committee: Noerr and Krier with Bryant serving as an alternate.

Finance Committee: Noerr, Miller and Bryant as alternate.

Personnel/Administrative Committee: Krier, Hill and Bryant as alternate.

Public Works Committee: Miller, Hill and Bryant as alternate.

Safety Committee: Krier, Bryant and Noerr as alternate.

Traffic Committee: Hill.

League of California Cities Legislative Delegate Program: Miller.

Kern Council of Governments: Krier, Miller as alternate.

City Selection Committee: Miller.

Anniversary of Laying of Saint Andrews Church Cornerstone Recognized The Council session started off with the recognition of the 80th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for Saint Andrews Episcopal Church. Although its first services were held in the fall of 1922 the foundation cornerstone for the current church was not laid until 1934 when it was placed at its current sight on the corner of 5th and Woodrow on St Andrew’s Day, November 30th of that year. The first services were held in the completed church on June 9, 1935.

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8

Liberty Under Fire

Merry CHRIST-mas

By Harold Pease, Ph. D Those wishing to destroy or remove Christ from Christmas prefer “Winter Break” or “Happy Holidays;” the same is true of “Easter Break” to “Spring Break.” This language reduces the connection to Christ, the reason for both. Proponents argue that this terminology is advanced so as not to offend non-believers who sometimes choose to be offended but it offends those of us who are believers. The songs of the birth of Christ blanket the earth resulting in more love, more giving, more kindness, more caring and sharing, more thought for others, indeed more everything that is good.

Why would anyone wish to remove this influence?

Non-believers might say that society could have all this without Christ. Really!!— As evidenced by the other remaining eleven months??? I do not think so!! Christmas has an unexplained magic to it unlike any other time of the year.

I first noticed the unusual effects of Christ at Christmas as an eleven-year-old boy milking my neighbor’s cow while he was away. The experience was repeated on the following days also. It was a mostly opened shed, very cold at six a.m. in the morning with icy patches of unmelted snow still on the ground. The sky was lit with a thousand stars demonstrating the immensity of space and of the enormous domain of God. I was happy for no identifiable reason. This was the key—happy for no identifiable reason. And songs of the birth, especially “Silent Night,” played in my mind as I squeezed out the milk of the cow into an open bucket below. I felt all the virtues identified above seemingly all at once and I knew that this season and this little baby was much more than just special. He had to be God. I felt so warmed.

Others feel this warmth too as it is so plentifully spread over the earth as though by angels spreading angel dust.

Santa is a nice guy, mostly for children, but made-up. Christ is not. Non-believers have to notice this unexplained special feeling or choose to deny it. Also easily noticed is that this special warm feeling is pretty much gone by New Years Day. It is okay not to know as I know. I am long passed just believing. I respect the holidays and sacred days of others but I do demand my own. Of all the founders of other religions and faiths, some of which may have been impressive, none was born in a lowlier place—in a manger where cows fed—because of the impoverishment of his parents. None was introduced into the world by a heavenly choir sung to lowly shepherds who got to be the first invitees to the birth

The Taft Independent of a king, possibly the only time that happened in history.

None could read the unexpressed thoughts of others. None of them fed thousands with a few fish or loaves of bread. No other founder walked on water. None of them replaced a severed ear, fallen to the ground, simply by returning it to the head of his enemy. None of them healed the sick, made the lame walk, the deaf hear, and gave sight to the blind.

Indeed He was the gift to the downtrodden, infirmed, and sinners. None could forgive sin itself. None restored life to someone who had been dead for days. None but Christ raised himself from the dead. None of them!!! None were said to be perfect. He wronged no one. None, while in the greatest moment of his excruciating pain, from one of the most savvier types of torture then know, forgave his afflicters “for they knew not what they did.” All these manifestations were shown with multiple, sometimes thousands, of witnesses. No one but God does these things.

The Wise men from afar knew of his birth in the “writings” of the stairs and came to visit bringing incense, frankincense and myrrh, gifts of great value. The American Indian legends speak of his birth and cite stories of a white God coming to them with new plants and foods and the same healing powers as expressed in the Old World. The Aztecs called him Quetzalcoatl, the Mayans Kukulcan and in Peru, Viracocha, in Brazil, Sume, in Columbia, Bochica.

Time stopped and thereafter was counted as AD and BC for most of the world. Identify another who had this kind of influence over the world.

Christ left having given us the most profound political problem solving formula now known. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Such would end most, if not all, problems between humans and between governments. He commanded to first love God and then others as ourselves. For non-believers, who may contest Christ’s Godhood, can you dispute this wisdom?

Again, why take this special feeling and moment from Christians, or belittle it, or choose to offend me by expressing all this as simply “Winter Break” or “Happy Holidays.”

Yes, offend me!! And most assuredly, please understand why I might retort, to someone giving me this greeting, to bring home my point, Merry CHRIST-mas. Yes, it is all about Christ, so be offended if you choose to be or be warmed with the unexplained magic of the season with the rest of us!!

Why would we not want to keep Christ in Christmas?

Merry CHRIS-mas to my loyal readers.

Dr. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

December 19 - 25, 2014

Obituary

Norman Charles Campbell Norman Charles Campbell, 84 years of age, went to meet his Savior on Friday December 12, 2014 in Bakersfield, CA. He was born to Daniel Norman and Edith Campbell in Oakland, CA on October 3, 1930. He graduated Southern California Bible College in 1952 and married Mary Ann Canada. They pastored multiple churches in California and Oregon, notably Bakersfield First Assembly of God and Taft First Assembly of God. He and Mary Ann had hearts for missionary work and served as missionaries to the people of Central and South America for nearly 30 years. Together they planted churches, opened Bible schools and much more. Later in life Norman traveled to churches throughout the southwest promoting missions. He was known for the phrase, “Every church needs an annual missions convention.”

Norman was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann Campbell. He is survived by his children Daniel and Janell Campbell, Jeffrey and Kathleen Campbell, Eric and Kathryn Cooper, John Campbell, and his 8 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday December 20, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Bakersfield First Assembly of God, 4901 California Ave. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to world missions C/O Bakersfield First Assembly of God.

The Taft Independent

December 19 - 25, 2014

9

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

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

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

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

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The Taft Independent

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ANNOUNCEMENTS HELP WANTED Business Analyst/ Accounting Westside Community Health Care District, Taft has an opening for flexible person with accounting, business and research skills to begin business of Health care general functions flexablity and should include AA/BA in Health field or business admin.

Salary 36-43k plus benefits.

Contact: Jan@ mathisgroup.net West Side Recreation & Park District has an opening for a part-time office position. 18-24 hours per week. $10.33 per hour. Customer service and computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft programs, are required.

Application available at the District Office, 500 Cascade Place, Taft or online at www.wsrpd. com. All applicants must complete a District application form.

Applications close at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 and may be submitted in person or via email at steph@wsrpd.com.

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HELP WANTED VACANCY: Guidance Assistant Taft Union High School is accepting applications for the position of Guidance Assistant.

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Applications, Job Descriptions and Salary Schedule are available at the TUHS Business Office, 701 Wildcat Way, between 7:00 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. M-F. Applications will be accepted the week of Dec 16 – 24 from 7:00 a.m. to Please note that the Business Office will be closed Dec 25th – Jan 2nd.

Applications must be received in the Business Office no later than 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7th. Applicants submitting an application must test to be eligible for employment. Test will be administered in the TUHS IRC Lecture Hall on Thursday, January 8th, at 7:00 p.m.

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