zero dark thirty

Independent The Taft

February 1 - 7, 2013

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TAFT INDEPENDENT

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Publisher@Taftindependent.com

February 1 - 7, 2013 • Volume 7 Issue 29

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

The Place 4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660

All U Can Eat Tri-tip and Chicken Beans, Salad & Bread

Saturday, Feb. 9th $12.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT No To Go’s Starts at 5:00pm until gone!

Try Our Friday Night Fish Fry & Salad Bar

OT

Cookhouse & Saloon Valentine’s Day is just around the corner...

Make your reservations today!!!

661.763.1819

Full Menu & Bar Available Check out a few of our Sweetheart Deals: Petite Filet & Charbroiled Shrimp Heart-Shaped Pasta (Seafood or Chicken)

NEW Lunch Menu NEW Dinner Menu Come in and check out our new items!!!

We are also proud to offer our “Chef ’s Personal Creations & Selections” Five Specials Available Daily Lunch Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner Hours: Tues-Sat 4-9pm Closed: Sunday and Monday www.otcookhouse.com find us on facebook 205 N. 10th Street 661.763.1819

The Hunt for Osama Bin Laden Now Showing at the Taft Fox Theater QIK SMOG & TUNE

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

Gran Venta del 2013

Sabado y Domingo Solamente *Telefonos GRATIS* *Telefonos Android desde $79.99 *Planes de Llamadas Ilimitadas* *desde $30 al mes* *Planes de Internet Ilimitadas desde $35 al mes*

Your Hometown Auto Care Center (661) 763-4445

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT

February 1 - 7, 2013

Shop Taft

Ten Percent Firearms

Passion For Nails Nail Services:

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

acme jewelry co.

F i n e

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

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

• Gifts

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

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair WatchWatch Batteries Batteries Replaced Most $4.00 426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451 Some $8.00

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

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

(661)745-4913

Personal Style

Lic # B-721903

Spring Fashions Arriving Now!

20%...30%...50% OFF 423 Center Street • 763-3527

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

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

Gran Venta del 2013

Sabado y Domingo Solamente *Telefonos GRATIS* *Telefonos Android desde $79.99 *Planes de Llamadas Ilimitadas* *desde $30 al mes* *Planes de Internet Ilimitadas desde $35 al mes*

Gifts for Valentines or Any Occasion

Hats, Jewelry, Purses & More

FREE

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

Women’s Sizes 0-21 Women’s Plus Sizes Children’s Jeans & Shirts Monday - Friday 11am to 6pm Saturday 10am to 5pm Host a party 401 Center Street Visit us on Facebook sales@bluejeansandbling.com

763-9100

608 Center St.

745-4919

Ten Percent Firearms 1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899 Jackson’s Automotive

Blue Jeans & Bling Miss Me • LA Idol Nicole Lee • Grace In LA

(661)763-5451

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

A Hint of Class

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

426 Center Street

Used to be Paul’s Boutique Bike Shop !

E L SA Winter Clearance Going On Now!

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

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

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

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

J e w e l r y

*Most Cars & Light Trucks Up to 5 Qts.

Tire & Automotive Service Center

Oil & Filter Special 95* $

39

Plus Tax

$3.50 Oil Disposal Fee Exp. January 30, 2013

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

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

Smog Test and General Repairs Front End Repairs Transmission Service Brake Service Tune Ups and Fuel Injection Service and Repairs Call Today for an Appointment 763-1055 Corner of 3rd and Center Street 110 3rd Street - Taft, CA. (661) 763-1055

February 1 - 7, 2013

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Recreation Report..........4 Westside News.................5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Movie Review...................8 Classified Ads.................10 Opinion and Feature....11 Shop Taft........................12

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: Publisher@taftindependent.com.

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

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

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

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

Calendar

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

Email us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com

On Thursday, February 7, the Taft Chamber is having our Annual Installation Dinner and Awards ceremony at the West Side Recreation Auditorium. This year’s theme focuses on “Rooftops, Retail, and Renewal - Taft’s Formula for the Future.”

For our centerpieces, we would like to highlight Chamber member businesses.

We are looking for businesses to put together a centerpiece (or basket) that is representative of your business. (For example, Bangs and Tangles has offered to put together a centerpiece and it could contain hair products, scissors, a hair dryer, hair rollers, jewelry, and nail polish). The Chamber will make a sign with your business information so you receive recognition. We do not want to keep any the centerpieces or anything in the baskets, we just want to highlight your business at our annual dinner and thought this would be a fun way to do so.

If you would interested in putting together a centerpiece, please let me know ASAP! I can arrange to pick them up on Wednesday, or Thursday February 6 & 7.

We are still taking reservations for the dinner as well, $40 per person. This evening is sure to be another successful event brought to you by the Taft Chamber.

The community award recipients will be notified next week after the Board determines the winners. Nominations are still being accepted for Business of the Year, Business Man of the Year, Business Woman of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Community Service Award. Call the Chamber with your nominations.

Kern County Schools Receive Funds To Wake up Courage in their Schools & Community State Farm® Youth Advisory Board grants $74,000 [Bakersfield & Kern, CA] January 10, 2013 –Kern County Schools, in partnership with Community Matters a 501C(3) non-profit organization, received a $74,000 grant for the Waking Up Courage Campaign, a bullying prevention service-learning project from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board. Community Matters is the fiscal agent and one of 68 community organizations selected to receive a youth-led service-learning grant across the United States and Canada.

Through the Waking Up Courage Campaign, students in Kern County, California are leading efforts to create safer schools by educating and empowering their peers. The schools that are participating in this program include Lincoln Junior High, Bakersfield High, East Bakersfield High, Golden Valley High, Liberty High and Tehachapi High. Each school selected five students and one adult to be part of Youth Ambassador teams that lead the Waking Up Courage Campaign.

The Waking Up Courage teams are transforming their schools and communities through parent workshops, teacher professional development and a youth forum. As a result, students will stand up and speak up and effectively intervene when they witness bullying, harassment, electronic aggression (cyber bullying) as well as other types of mistreatment. “The grant from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board offers a tremendous service opportunity for young people to make their schools and communities safer,” said Community Matters’ Executive Director Rick Phillips. “Through the Waking Up Courage Campaign they are becoming citizens for life that will remain involved in the betterment of their communities,” states Phillips.

About the Youth Advisory Board: The Youth Advisory Board is a diverse group of 30 youth, ages 17-20, who were chosen through a competitive process to lead and oversee this $5 million/year signature service-learning initiative. The Youth Advisory Board identified the issues, issued competitive grants and will now provide technical assistance, communication and oversight to grantees.

About State Farm®: State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State

News Briefs BLM Speaker to Diuscuss Oil and Gas at at League Luncheon Bakersfield, CA – The League of Women Voters of Kern County is pleased to have Nora Dedios of the Bureau of Land Management as our speaker for our general meeting on Wednesday, February 20.

Ms. Dedios has been with the Bureau for over 20 years. Her primary responsibilities include all the gas and oil lease auctions, lease assignments and transfers.

She also handles geophysical permits including proper bonding filed by the oil and gas industry.

“I’ve met many people from around the country and have learned a lot about the energy world through the lease sales that we have in Bakersfield,” she said.

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, she was raised in Bakersfield, California and still resides in the central valley city with her husband and two sons. Her 21 year career with the Bureau of Land Management began while she was a student at Bakersfield College. She started working at the field office as a clerk typist and later as a legal clerk. She enjoyed it so much she decided to stay.

She holds an associate’s degree from Bakersfield College as well as a paralegal certificate. She is a minerals realty specialist in the Bakersfield Field Office of the BLM. The meeting will be held at the Petroleum Club and will begin at 5:45 p.m. and dinner is $25. The Petroleum Club is located at 5060 California Avenue.

Reservations are required no later than noon on Monday, February 18. Please RSVP by email to Patti Jepsen at patti.jepsen.ak8b@statefarm.com or phone the League Line, 634-3773. As always, members and guests are welcome to attend the program portion only at no charge which begins at 7pm.

The League of Women Voters of Kern County is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.

Grandma’s Attic Resumes at Taft Libraray Grandma’s Attic Storytime resumes at the Taft Branch Library on Saturday, January 19, 2013 and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through April 20.

Aimed at 5 to 8 year-olds, Grandma’s Attic offers an old trunk full of surprises and stories presented by a different volunteer reader each week.

Children who participate will receive a form to return to their teacher for credit in their school reading program. Parents are always welcome to attend, or may enjoy some library or computer time while their child is occupied.

Also starting on Thursday, January 17 at 11:45 a.m. is Preschool Storytime, for 3 to 5 year-olds. Join us for stories and fun for the younger set.

For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.

St. Andrew’s Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 12 St. Andrew’s Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 12, 5:00 - 7:00 pm The community is invited to join the people of St. Andrews Episcopal Church for a traditional pancake supper in observance of Shrove Tuesday. Come for fellowship, pancakes, bacon, juice and coffee! Donation $4.00.

St. Andrews is located at the corner of 5th and Woodrow.

For further information call 765-4994

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday February 5th, 2013 – 6:00 p.m.

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

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.

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TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial

The Taft

Independent

Westside Watcher

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

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

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

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

Assault Rifle not used in Sandy Hook Shooting

Early reports were stating that Adam Lanza had shot the victims at the Sandy Hook Elementary school at close range with multiple hand guns, and possibly a shotgun. It wasn’t reported until later that the police had discovered an AR-15 assault rifle in the trunk of the car. This AR-15 was not used in the shooting, and police did not initially even know about its presence until conducting that Black Gold Cafe & Deli further search. Reportedly he had stolen the rifle from his mother Paik’s Ranch House Pastas - Sandwiches after he killed her at the house. His intentions with the rifle were Where Everybody Meets Espresso - Beer - Wine unclear, although it is certain that he planned to use it at some Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Craft Beers point.

Open 7 Days Open Monday to Friday The City of Taft will be hosting an Ethics Training Class on ThursMon. Tues. Wed., Thur. 6 am-8:30 6:30am to 8pm day, March 14, 2013, 6:00 p.m., in the Taft City Hall Council pm Saturday He had run over and the campus at Sandy Hook Elementary School Chamber.

Ethics Training is required for all elected appointed Sun. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm 7:30am to 8pm shooting theof teachers and students with his hand guns. Most officials every 2 years.

Mr. David Prentice Cota Cole Law Firm 765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft Sunday did suffer from multiple will betothe presenter. Any cityvictims or district wishing to join us forgun the shot wounds. It is clear that 10am 2pm Adam Lanza was trained and proficient with the weapons that he training welcome.

Sagebrush Annie’s 508 Centerare Street used. His skill level and familiarity with the handguns he used may Restaurant and Wine Tasting 765-6556 Wine Tasting and Lunch have March been his for selecting those as the weapons he used.

Please RSVP prior to Wednesday, 6, reasoning 2013, so that Mr. Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm He maymaterials have been saving the AR-15 rifle for a final shoot-out with Prentice will have sufficient training and Certificates of 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa police if occasion arised, but that is not totally clear. We also Completion for everyone attending thethe class.

(661) 766-2319 have heard nothing further to confirm whether or not a 12-gauge shotgun was in fact used along with his handguns. What were recovered from the body of Adam Lanza were a Glock pistol and a Sig Sauer pistol.

Ethics Training Class March 14th

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469 LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft TAFTFOX.COM Week of Friday, February 01, 2013 through Thursday, February 07, 2013

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (R) No Passes Allowed Fri & Sat: (5:00), 7:00 Sun: (3:45), 6:45 Mon - Thu: 7:15 PM Mama (PG-13) No Passes Allowed Fri & Sat: (5:15), 7:15 Sun: (3:45), 6:45 Mon - Thu: 7:15 PM Zero Dark Thirty (R) Fri & Sat: (4:30), 7:30 Sun: (3:30), 6:30 Mon - Thu: 7:00 PM

red at the Westside Recreation a

Popular media and the President of the United States seemed to be fixated on the fact that there was an AR-15 assault rifle found, but ignored the fact that it was not used. Adam Lanza had tried to purchase one on his own weeks before the incident, but he was denied by the firearms dealer where he tried to puchase it. He knew that his mother owned one, as she had spent a lot of time teaching her children how to shoot various weapons as they grew up.

It seems that the reasoning for trying to stigmatize the AR-15 with this tragic incident was to use it as a leveraging point for passing an assault rifle ban in the US. The actions of this ban, and its publicity have been quite controversial amongst gun owners and left-wing lobbyists who struggled to debate the change in legislation. One thing is for certain, and that is that discussion of the ban in late 2012 drove sales of these types of weapons to record highs as shooters scrambled to purchase one before any official ban was put into place. Most gun stores who carried the weapons wuickly sold out around Christmas time.

Another popular shooting was the Aurora Colorado theater shooting, in which the shooter actually did use an AR-15 to carry out his Theater massacre. It seemed like this crazed individual was only concerned with breaking a horrific record, unlike Adam Lanza who may have just been driven suicidal by medical and social conditions.

Now that it is being made clear to the public that an assault rifle like the AR-15 was not used at Sandy Hook Elementary, it probably won’t change any push in the official laws but it might lead readers to question the information that is being fed to them by their media outlets.

February 1 - 7, 2013

The Hunty for Bin Laden: Zero Dark Thirty Comes to Taft Fox Theater Zero Dark Thirty starts playing at the Taft Fox Theater tonight.

The plot: In 2003, Maya, a CIA officer, has spent her entire brief career focusing solely on intelligence related to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11 attacks. She has just been reassigned to work with fellow officer Dan at the U.S. embassy in Pakistan.

During the first months of her assignment, she often accompanies Dan to a black site for his ongoing interrogation of Ammar, a detainee with links to several Saudi terrorists. Dan subjects him to torture and humiliation, including waterboarding, and he and Maya eventually trick Ammar into divulging that an old acquaintance, who is using the alias ‘Abu Ahmed’, is working as a personal courier for bin Laden.

Other detainees corroborate this, with some claiming he delivers messages between bin Laden and Abu Faraj al-Libbi. In mid-2005, Abu Faraj is apprehended by the CIA and local police in Pakistan. Maya interrogates Abu Faraj and has him tortured, but he continues to deny knowing a courier with such a name. Maya interprets this as Abu Faraj trying to conceal the true importance of Abu Ahmed.

Maya evolves from a freshman to a veteran officer, but displaying the zeal and frustrations of a focused ‘single-tasker’; she fixates on finding Abu Ahmed, determined to use him to find bin Laden. Along a span of five years: she survives the 2008 Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing as well as an attack on her life by armed men; Dan, departing on re-assignment, warns Maya about a possible change in politics, alluding the new administration may move to prosecute those officers involved in torture; Maya’s fellow officer and friend Jessica is killed in the 2009 Camp Chapman attack. A Jordanian detainee claims the man previously identified as Abu Ahmed from a photograph is a man he personally buried in 2001; this leads several CIA officers— Maya’s seniors —to conclude the target who could be Abu Ahmed is long dead and they have searched a false trail for nine years. A fellow analyst researching Moroccan intelligence archives comes to Maya and suggests that Abu Ahmed is actually ‘Ibrahim Sayeed’. Maya agrees and contacts Dan, who is now working at the CIA headquarters. Maya theorizes the CIA’s supposed photograph of Abu Ahmed was actually of Ibrahim Sayeed’s brother Habib, who was indeed killed in Afghanistan and bore a striking resemblance to Ibrahim. Dan uses CIA funds to purchase a Lamborghini for a Kuwaiti businessman in exchange for the telephone number of Sayeed’s mother. Calls to the mother are now traced, and one caller’s persistent use of tradecraft to avoid detection leads Maya to conclude the caller is Abu Ahmed. Now, at Maya’s behest, numerous CIA operatives are deployed to search for and identify Abu Ahmed; they locate him in his vehicle and eventually track him to a large suburban compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The compound is put under heavy surveillance for several months, but bin Laden’s presence there cannot be directly proven. Meanwhile, the President’s National Security Advisor tasks the CIA with producing a plan to capture or kill bin Laden if it can be confirmed that he is in the compound. An agency team devises to use two top-secret stealth helicopters (developed at Area 51) secretly to enter Pakistan and insert a U.S. Navy SEAL team to raid the compound. Before briefing U.S. President Obama, the CIA Director (presumed to be Leon Panetta, though never explicitly named) holds a meeting of his top officials, who assess only a 60-80% chance that bin Laden is living in the compound. (Maya, also in attendance, confidently asserts the chances are 100%.)

The raid is approved by President Obama and is executed on May 2, 2011. Although execution is complicated by one of the helicopters crashing and thus rousing the neighborhood, the SEALs ultimately find bin Laden on the compound’s top level and kill him. They bring his body back to a U.S. base in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, where Maya awaits. She views the body and visually confirms it is bin Laden.

Maya is next seen boarding a military C-130 as its only passenger.

The loading ramp closes and the plane prepares for takeoff as Maya, overwhelmed with emotion, begins to cry.

Show times: Fri. and Sat. 4:30 and 7:30. Sun. 3:45 and 6:45. Mon Thurs.7:15.

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

February 1 - 7, 2013

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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.quickscores.com/wsrpd www.twitter.com/wreckerwsrpd steph@wsrpd.com

by Stephanie House

HUNTERS SAFETY COURSE Monday, February 4 through Wednesday, February 6 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium 500 Cascade Place, Taft $5 per person (facility fee) With cooperation from the Taft Sportsmans Club and volunteer instructors Larry Heptinstall and Kenny Beard, materials and instruction for obtaining a California Hunting license are available approximately every three months. Registration begins the first night of class and a minimum of 10 paid students is required or the class will be postponed until May. Upcoming class dates are May 6-8, August 5-7 and October 7-9.

SENIOR VALENTINE DINNER & QUARTER BINGO Thursday, February 14 Dinner – 5:00 p.m., $2.00 Bingo – 6:00 p.m., $3.00 Community Center Auditorium, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Ages 55+ **Please RSVP (763-4246) for dinner by Tuesday, February 12 Join us for a pasta bar dinner (noodles and a variety of sauces) with salad, bread & dessert and/or some fun quarter bingo. If you’re not a bingo player, leave after dinner – if you’re not a pasta eat, join us for bingo after!

MOTHER SON DANCE Saturday, March 2 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Boys ages 4 and up $30 per couple ($10 each additional son) **Minimum ticket sales needed by February 14: 25 couples Don’t miss out on the 3rd Annual Mother Son Dance – this year with a sports theme. Boys ages 4 and older may be accompanied by their mother, guardian or adult relative. The fun evening includes music, photos, snacks and more fun. If minimum ticket sales are not met by Thursday, February 14 the event will be cancelled.

BISCUIT BONANZA Wednesday, February 6 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Ages 6-10 $6 per person ** pre-registration is required by Tuesday, February 5 It’s amazing how many dishes you can make using canned biscuits. In this cooking class we will make an appetizer, main dish and dessert – all using biscuits. Plus, you get the recipes! Space is limited.

KIDS FUN DAY Monday, February 11 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Grades K-6 $8 per person ** pre-registration is required by Friday, February 8 There is no school today, so join us for a fun day of games, movies, crafts, lunch, snacks and more.

Don’t forget to sign-up with a friend! Space is limited.

PLAY & GROW WITH ME ** NEW DAYS & TIMES ** Who: Ages 10-30 months (kids should be walking to participate) When: Tuesday & Thursday Mornings Time: 9:00-9:45 a.m.

Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $25 per month or $5 per day Instructor: Adrienne Cloud This class is designed specifically for interaction between mothers (father, grandparent, guardian or other adult) and their babies in a fun activity-type atmosphere. We play on the mats and have a tunnel, parachute, balls and other fun gadgets. Children should be walking to participate. Classes will be held on a monthly, ongoing basis. Register for a whole month or just pay by the day!

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

VALENTINE COOKIE & CRAFT WORKSHOP Wednesday, February 13 3:00-4:15 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Ages 4+ (younger kids will need a helper) $3 per person Kids of all ages are invited to this workshop where they will get the chance to create and decorate their own special valentine cookie. While cookies are baking, we will make some valentine crafts.

AEROBIC KICKBOXING Who: Ages 14+ When: Monday, Wednesday & Friday Time: 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $25 per month Instructor: Amy Steers This fun fast-paced class will include kicking, punching and the use of hand weights. The objectives are to increase cardiac health, improve muscle tone and learn some self defense. Classes will be held on a monthly basis and new students are welcome as space permits.

YOGA & PILATES Who: Ages 14+ Morning Flow Yoga – Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 5:15-5:45 a.m.

Pilates – Tuesday & Thursday, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Yoga – Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00-8:45 p.m.

Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $25 per month ** register prior to attending class Instructor: Valerie Taylor, R-HYI Pay one low monthly fee and have access to all three classes! Students should bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Class space is limited – registration is REQUIRED prior to attending class.

ZUMBA FITNESS Who: Ages 17 + When: Wednesday Evenings Time: 6:30-7:25 p.m.

Where: Community Center Auditorium Fee: $20 per month Instructor: Chelsea Dickard This fun fitness class focuses on Latin-inspired dance and dance exercise to Latin music: Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Raggaeton, Hip Hop and Mixed Music. Classes operate on an on-going basis. New students are welcome at any time. Fees must be paid prior to attending class.

YOUTH TRACK Who: Ages 6-15 Season begins: March 4 When: Weekday Evenings Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Taft Union High School Track Fee: $45 per person Registration deadline: Thursday, February 28 PONYTAIL LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL Who: Girls Ages 7-15 (league age as of June 30, 2013) Tryouts/Evaluations: February 25-27 Draft: February 28 Practices begin: March 25 Fee: $50 per person Registration deadline: Thursday, February 21 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.

BOWLING PARTY RENTALS Make your reservation now!

Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at West Side Lanes in the 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. Please phone 765-6677 or 7634246 for more information or to make a reservation.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

BINGO Thursday Afternoons Games start at 1:30 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room Ages 21 and older Buy-in varies, $10-15 average Cash pots! Pull-tabs also sold.

EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, March 23, 2013 10:00 a.m. SHARP ‘A’ Street Park, Taft FREE! Ages 2-8 are welcome!

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TAFT INDEPENDENT

February 1 - 7, 2013

Westside News & Business Briefs Project Linus Provides Blankets to TUHS Students

Taft High sophomore Ethan Trejo wears his new Project Linus blanket after receiving it in English class Tuesday. Behind him, a shy Mackenzie Vega hides her face and Maddison Rubadeauis wrapped up in her blanket.

Project Linus, a nonprofit organization based in Bloomington, Ill., provides homemade blankets to children in need. The organization donated the hundreds of blankets to provide one for each Taft High student following the school shooting Jan. 10. Community and school volunteers pitched in to make up the difference so all 900-plus students could receive a blanket. The blankets have been distributed for about a week with the last ones to be passed out on Monday<Jan. 28>.

“Their organization gives people in local communities a means by which they can “Provide Security Through Blankets,” thereby wrapping people in a tangible symbol of community support and caring. It is so touching what they’ve done, in hand-making hundreds of blankets for our students,” said Chelle Koerner, Taft High director of special services.

OT

Cookhouse & Saloon Valentine’s Day is just around the corner...

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661.763.1819

Full Menu & Bar Available Check out a few of our Sweetheart Deals: Petite Filet & Charbroiled Shrimp Heart-Shaped Pasta (Seafood or Chicken)

NEW Lunch Menu NEW Dinner Menu Come in and check out our new items!!!

We are also proud to offer our “Chef ’s Personal Creations & Selections” Five Specials Available Daily

Chevron Assists Taft College, Westside with Economic Development Initiative Taft College has received a $125,000 economic development grant from Chevron to prepare local residents for jobs available in the community, develop the local workforce and drive growth of small business that will benefit both business and job opportunities.

The initiative is part of Chevron’s California Partnership, an initiative to invest in education and economic development in California.

Last year, Chevron made several investments in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs that benefitted 400 teachers and over 20,000 students.

The College proposes to use the funds to create a Workforce Development Workshop Series on education, training, economic development, and workforce development topics related to industry needs (energy and related sectors). Experts and personnel in the Taft College has received a $125,000 Economic Development Grant energy industry will be sought and contracted to teach related from Chevron. Seen here at a media luncheon held on Thursday at workshops.

Chevron in Bakersfield are Val Garcia and Patti Bench of Taft ColThe College will also develop a comprehensive Workforce Devellege (left to right), Taft College Foundation President Bob Hampton, opment Plan to address and meet the growing community, business, Foundation Director Sheri Horn-Bunk, Taft College President Dr. and industry needs. The plan will identify workforce development Dena Maloney, Carla Musser of Chevron, Taft College Board Memand community needs and include recommendations on how to rebers Carolyn Hosking, Billy White, Dawn Cole and Michael Long, spond to those needs. The objective is to ensure that Taft College has Taft College STEM Outreach Director Joe McFaddin and College a plan in partnership with the community and businesses to enhance Board Member Kal Vaughn. the viability of the community, increase the competitiveness of industry, and improve community economic indicators. The college will host an annual West Kern Energy Symposium to showcase energy growth in the region, discuss with industry leaders and experts the challenges, strengths, and opportunities within the energy industry, highlight training and education opportunities in energy, and provide learning opportunities on workforce development in energy.

Taft Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet Feb. 7th The Taft District Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau has announced their annual Chamber Installation and Awards Banquet to be held Thursday, February 7, at the West Side Recreation and Parks District Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, beginning with a social hour at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Kern County Fourth District Supervisor David Couch will speak to the evening’s theme Rooftops, Retail, and Renewal: Taft’s Formula for the Future.

Four newly-elected Directors—Emmanuel Campos (Owner, Monarch Fleet Services), Sandy Koenig (Director, Taft Resource Center), Ron Sousa (Manager of Albertson’s), and Rodney Wikoff (Pastor, West Hills Church of the Nazarene) and three newly-appointed Directors—Greg Hill (Old’s Cool), Verlen Love (Coldwell Banker), and Jordan Miller (Roger Miller Insurance) will be installed.

The culmination of the evening will be the bestowing of the Community Awards for the 2012 year. The following folks were nominated by our members and chosen by our Board of Directors. (Executive Director Dr. Kathy Orrin has also hinted at additional awards to be given during the program this year.)

Business Man of the Year Ray Smith, Acme Jewelers Business Woman of the Year Tina Leikam, Domino’s Pizza Business of the Year Westside Waste Management Volunteer of the Year Michael Long, Laborers \Harvest

Don Maxwell, Oil Museum Community Service Award Bill Black Tickets for the event are available through the Chamber through Monday noon, February 4, and may be reserved by calling 765-2165, 623-1490, or purchasing at the Chamber in person.

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

Lunch Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner Hours: Tues-Sat 4-9pm

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

Closed: Sunday and Monday www.otcookhouse.com find us on facebook 205 N. 10th Street 661.763.1819

Stop By For Some Great Company and Good Books!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

Health Care Foundation and West Side Health Care District to Hold Community Meeting Feb. 28th The West Side Health Care Foundation, a 501c-3 non-profit foundation, was formed in November of 2011. Our goal is to work with the West Side Health Care District to improve our health care services here in Taft and the surrounding communities.

To kick things off, we have scheduled a Community Meeting for Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 6:00 p.rn., at the Historic Fort on io” Street. Hor d’oeuvers will be served beginning at 5:30 p.rn., no reservation is needed.

We will hear from the West Side Health Care District on their plans to improve our health care services on the Westside and how we can all help. We know from past projects that when the West Side community gets together on important projects, good things happen!

We would like to extend an invitation to you to come and hear what exciting things are underway and explore how we can all help the District improve health care on the Westside.

HOOKER’S AUTOMOTIVE Complete Automotive Service

218 HARRISON STREET (661) 765-2437

HAYDENS HOPE THRIFT STORE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

New School Hours Mon. & Tues.

9am - 2pm Closed Wednesday Thur. & Fri. 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 2pm Closed Every 2nd Sat. of the Month

Shirts .25 each Pants .50 each All pictures 1/2 Off

God Bless!

428 Center Street • TAFT

745-4963

February 1 - 7, 2013

TAFT INDEPENDENT

8

Liberty Under Fire Why Would Anyone Need a Military Styled Assault Weapon?

By Dr. Harold Pease

No one needs a military styled assault weapon for personal protection or hunting. Some wonder why we can’t let this part of the 2nd Amendment go?

Many may not remember their basic U.S. History courses and a little review might help us understand why the Second Amendment exists in the first place. Certainly, when enacted, their was no thought of restricting type of firearm, or where, or who could carry. So its placement as the second most valued freedom in the Bill of Rights had nothing to do with personal safety, or even hunting, these were already assumed. It was specifically placed right after freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly to make certain that these freedoms were never taken from us. It was aimed (if I may use this word in this context) squarely at the government.

But certainly we need have no fear of the government today?

To understand it more fully one must remember that the early patriots did not ask the existing British government if they could revolt against them. They argued in The Declaration of Independence, that they were “endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” coming from a much higher source than mere man and that “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government.” God is referenced five times in this document and thus, they believed, He sanctioned their rebellion. They were expected to suffer evils while sufferable, “but when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariable the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

The right of revolution requires the means of revolution and this is why the Second Amendment exists. Normally the ballot box is the only self-correction that is needed but they had no intention of giving up the same right that they exercised to give us freedom in the first place. Nor were they pious enough to assume that their correction would stay in place and that future generations would never need themore serious self-correction as they had.

The wordage of the 2nd Amendment was stronger than any other sentence in the Constitution. “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” They saw this right as being connected with a free country and specifically forbade the federal government any authority with respect to it because historically it was always a government that took away liberty.

TAFT INDEPENDENT

An armed populace had twice proved their value to liberty in the Revolutionary War. Many do not remember why Lexington and Concord were so important. The Americans learned that the British planned to go door to door to confiscate their firearms so they gathered and hid them in these two villages. Now the British night gun raid, and Paul Revere’s desperate midnight ride warning the Americans enroute, make sense. The Battle of Saratoga preventing the conquest of the northeast by General Johnny Burgoyne was stopped, not by the military, but by angry farmers with their own military styled assault rifles. This American victory encouraged other countries, notably France, to come into the war on our side. It is doubtful that we would have won the war without an armed citizenry.

The Founders’ attitude regarding guns—even military issue— was clear. Thomas Jefferson wrote: “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” And George Washington said: “A free people ought not only to be armed,” but also, “they should promote such manufacturies [sic] as tend to remind them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies” (Gun Control, Freemen Report, May 31,1975, p. 1).

Five monumental things frightened many Americans in 2012 alone, beginning with the Presidents signing of the National Defense Authorization Act, which enabled him to kidnap and send to Guantanamo Bay for indefinite detention anyone he identified as a terrorist. This was followed by the “Media Monitoring Initiative” where the federal government gave itself permission to “gather, store, analyze, and disseminate” data on millions of users of social media, primarily Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. In March we saw and heard Joint Chief of Staff Chairman General MartinDempsey and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, each, in testimony given to the Senate Armed Services Committee, inferred that the authority that they depended upon for military purposes came not from Congress, as required in the U.S. Constitution, but from unelected UN or NATO authorities. Also, on March 16, President Barack Obama issued his National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order authorizing the Executive department to take-over, in case of a national emergency, all civil transportation, including the “movement of persons and property by all modes of transportation … within the United States.” In June, frustrated by his inability to get through Congress a law on immigration he favored, and tired of making law the constitutional way, President Barack Obama, openly defied Congress and the Constitution on June 16, 2012, by ordering a like measure to that previously defeated, implemented anyway.

There has been a slogan for many years that runs like this. “I love my country but I fear my government.” Many Americans have come to believe that the real reason that the federal government wants assault weapons banned has less to do with the 16-yearold gunman in Sandy Hook Elementary, and more to do with disarming America so that they cannot resist tyranny. Given the unconstitutional antics noted above perhaps we should hang on to the 2nd Amendment in tact for the time being?

Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events.

He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

February 1 - 7, 2013

Obituary

CAROLYN (CAROL) SUE FRIDERES 1945 – 2013 A memorial service will be held at The Historic Fort in Taft, CA on Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. for Carolyn (Carol) Sue Frideres, 67. Chaplain Craig Amos of Odyssey Hospice will officiate. To help with food, please coordinate with Sherry Coulter of WBF at 661-623-7106. Carol was born in Taft, CA to Mary and Jesse Chitwood on March 15, 1945 and passed away on January 28, 2013. Carol was a homemaker and devoted to her family.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, Golden Girls Days and anything that had to do with her children and grandchildren. Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Jesse Chitwood; brother, Charles Chitwood; and sister, Ruby Smith. Carol is survived by her husband of 48 years, Tom Frideres; daughters and sons-inlaw, Leann and Don Glendening and Denise and Ryan Erickson; grandchildren, Courtney Glendening, Clayton Glendening, Tayler Bish, Jacob Erickson and Dillon Erickson; brothers, Bill and Dennis Chitwood; sister, Betty Lewis; and many nieces and nephews who were all special to her. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers, if preferred, to Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center, 6501 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93309. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Odyssey Hospice and their staff for their support in Carol’s final days. There are no visitation hours scheduled and the arrangements are under the direction of the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home. To express condolences or sign an online registry, please visit www.EricksonAndBrown.com.

February 1 - 7, 2013

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Black Gold

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

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

Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 5:00 pm. www.sagebrushannies.com

Now Celebrating Our 23rd Year

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

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

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

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

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

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171

All your detailing needs!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

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

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

Open 7 Days - 765-6556 508 Center Street • Taft TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 630 North St. 765-5557

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

St. Mary’s Church 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft 661 765-4292 Mass Schedule Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 8:30A.M. English 11:00A.M. Spanish

First Baptist Church

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

Gateway Temple

Community Christian Fellowship

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

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30 For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 427-9722 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and Mary A. McWhorter

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

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

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

Rev. Linda Huggard

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

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765-6550

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

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

Pastor Scott Pearson

Sunday School 9 a.m.

Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service 6 p.m.

Awana Childrens Program Wednesday 6 p.m.

220 North Street - Taft 661 763-3138

Advertise In The Taft Independent

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Licensed Funeral Directors

Call Today!

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

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

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

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

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

Ford City Tuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of Taft Wednesday

• REFRIGERATORS • MATTRESSES • WATER HEATERS • STOVES • WASHERS & DRYERS • SOFAS If Missed… Call Office at 7635135

All green waste must be bagged.

Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

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

10 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Classifieds

Classified Adsare are$3.00 $2.00per perissue line. for Phone, fax, maillines, or drop off Classified Ads up to three $5 per issue ad for to upthe to Taft 5 lines, and $7 per issue for up to 10 lines. Yard your Independent.

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

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

Boxed ads are $5 additional. E-mail us (or bring to our Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 office) a for photo of your home, car, truck motorcycle and lines, $16 12 lines, $20 for 15 lines, $25 for 20orlines. we’ll do the rest.

Photo Ads. Car, truck or house for sale ads are $5 per week, Yard Sale ads are $2 for 3 lines, lines $2 each. or $10 with a photo.

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

Classified ad deadline is Wednesday at 12 p.m. (noon) Classified ads deadline is now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Phone: 765-6550 Phone: 765-6550

For Rent

520 Shattuck

$750 month Paul Joyce 805-218-1686 Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

For Rent

220 Montview

$795 month Paul Joyce 805-218-1686 Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

Preserving for the Future

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

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

Taft Independent210 508 CA 93268 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.

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

YARD SERVICES 702 n.Lincoln. st. moving sale little bit of everything. great stuff! all must go. come and see.

Estate of Dorothy Mott: Oak table & chairs, oak leaded glass china cabinet, bedroom sets - onewith Tempur-pedic mattress, costume jewelry, coffee & end tables, lots of clothing size small & Medium, lots of household. 918 Second St. (corner of 2nd and Bell). 769-8023.

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

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

Info call 716-4000. 3-27.

HELP WANTED Cosmetologist Station Available in well established salon. In business 34 years.

Come by 423 Center St.

applications for mechanics and mechanics helpers.

Apply at 27908 Tank Farm Rd.

CHILD CARE SERVICES WANTED Junk Cars Wanted.

Cash Paid. 805-0552.

FOR SALE Queen bed. $65.7652713.

AUTOMOBILES

Now accepting

Call 661-332-6597 for a current list.

LOST PETS MOBILE HOMES HOMES FOR RENT

$500 Reward. Lost Mini Aussie. Black\grey\white w/tan spot on face. Blue eyes, female. Rexxie.

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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

ROOMS FOR RENT Rooms for rent.

West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.

Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500 Lic # 01525550 For Rent 400 Woodrow St 1 & 2 Bed units available $625/$725 435 B St 2/1 $700 205 W Ash #B 2/1.5 $700 203 W Ash #A 2/1.5 $700 605 4th St 2/1.75 $750 122 Franklin 3/1 $825 514 Grant Terrace 2/1 $900 709 Kern St 3/1 $900 306 Taylor 4/1.75 $900 426 D St 3/1 $1,000 114 Franklin 3/1 $1,000 103 Pierce 3/1.75 $1,000 211 E. Lucard 3/2.75 $1,200 2 houses for rent. 2 and 3 bd. laundryroom.

English 661-321-9636.

Espanol 661 577-7041.

2-7.

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Rite Away Carpet Cleaning Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General Cleaning Owner Operated Visa\Master Card 765-4191 APART. FOR RENT 1bd. 1ba. Upstairs. $475 Mo. plus $475 dep. 155 1/2 North Street. (661) 4779636. 2-8.

Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.765-7674. 420 Finley Dr.

2bd. w/garage $700. mo 429 Rose.

2 Units 319 1/2 San Emido w/utilities. 1 bd $650. abnd 1 bd. plus office $750. plus dep.

765-5000.

License 01914953

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

Center Street Apartments.

1 bed room 1 bath. $99 move in special based on approved credit. No Pets Allowed. Call (805) 3751458 or (661) 765-7678.

Real Estate eBroker Inc. House for rent. 2bd. 1

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Karri Christensen LIC# 01522411 & #01333971 661-332-6597 www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase Can’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you LOCAL DOOR TO DOOR to a loan modification or SALES REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED assist you in your short IN TAFT sale!

Wondering how buying Do you want to have control over your compensation? Are a house works? Set an you interested in making your mark? If you are hard driving, appointment with Karri energetic and want to have unlimited opportunity… to watch a FREE video on the process.

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Secretary/ Accounting Technician II Taft City School District is accepting applications for a Financial Secretary/Accounting Technician II to work under the direction of the Chief Business Official for 8 hours per day/12 months per year with a salary range of $19.47 to $21.47 in six steps. The benefit package provided includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Employment process includes written exam, application screening, interview, DOJ fingerprint clearance, and physical exam with drug screen.

Application and Job Description may be picked up at the District Office, 820 Sixth Street, and must be returned by Monday, February 4 at 4:00 p.m. EOE

Maricopa. Private home, Derby Acres. 2bd. 1 ba. furn. or unfurn. Call for 1/2 acre w/horse corrals. info. 745-4211. 2-26 $700 mo plus dep. 661 HOMES FOR SALE 805-2245. 2-1.

Business Services

February 1 - 7, 2013

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

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

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Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

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If you have: - Great Communication Skills - Reliable Transportation - A Good Driving Record with a valid CA Drivers’ License - Some Sales/Customer Service Experience We would like to talk to you!

Please attend our JOB FAIR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5th 9:00AM-7:00PM TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 400 Kern St. Taft, CA

765-4191 or 549-1068

EOE M/F/V/H

Believe in the power of work! Become a part of Goodwill Industries, North America’s largest non-profit provider of employment for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

We are looking for dedicated people to fill the following positions at our Taft Store: Store Manager Assistant Store Manager Supervisor Retail Clerk Stock Clerk Material Handler For immediate consideration, submit application and/or resume to: GISCC, Attn: Human Resources 4901 Stine Road Bakersfield, CA 93313 Email: HR@GISCC.ORG Fax: (661) 833-2516 EEO or Taft Store 411 Finley Drive Taft, CA 93268

Writers Wanted At the Taft Independent Experience Required.

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Visit Us Online at www.taftindependent.com

Kern Ag Community Continues to Promote Successful Spray Safe Effort

State Route 46 Expressway Widening Projects in Kern County near Completion

BLM Seeks Nominations to Central California Resource Advisory Council

Bakersfield, CA – While pesticide spray drift incidents are dramatically down in Kern County, area farm interests continue to meet and discuss ways to further enhance safety. Farmers, pest control advisors and applicators who have an interest in ensuring pesticide spraying safety are holding their eighth annual SpraySafe event on February 1st, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The SpraySafe program was born in Kern County and created by a group of Kern County farmers to reduce spray drift, enhance worker safety, and protect public health through more effective communications.

All members of Kern County agriculture are encouraged to attend this year’s event to hear presentations from representatives of the Kern County Ag Commissioner, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and more about the importance of SpraySafe and its objective to protect farm workers and the public from pesticide exposure. The meeting will also include circuit presentations on a number of safety issues and is available in Spanish, as well as English.

The SpraySafe program was initiated in Kern County and because of its success, has been implemented in other counties throughout the state The Kern Drift Prevention Coalition, which was formed in 2005, is a cooperative of local farmers, spray applicators and elected officials, who work together to promote spraying safety and education. “SpraySafe is a program that encourages farmers to communicate with each other and to be vigilant to help reduce incidents of spray drift,” said Dale Nicol, Spraysafe Committee member, who noted the annual SpraySafe event is an additional measure to provide continuing education on new and improved practices, technologies and precautions to improve farm safety.

“Kern County has shown that through an industry initiative like SpraySafe improvements can occur voluntarily, therefore reducing the need for formal regulatory actions by DPR,” said MaryAnn Warmerdam, former Director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, which awarded a grant in the amount of $50,000 to assist other counties in adopting SpraySafe.

This year’s SpraySafe event in Kern County is once again being sponsored by members of the local farming community, local farm associations and local enforcement agencies which currently includes; Buttonwillow Land & Cattle Company, Kern County Farm Bureau, California Safety Training Corporation, Sunrise Sprayers, Almendros, Lehr Bros Inc., State Compensation Insurance Fund, Crop Production Services Inc., Grimmway Enterprises Inc. and CFSLP. The event is free of charge to attend and includes lunch. For more information on SpraySafe, or to register to attend the event, please send an email to kcspraysafe@gmail.com or call David Gustafson at (661) 758-6070.

Kern County, CA – The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Kern Council of Governments (COG) announce the completion of the third Segment of the State Route (SR) 46 Expressway Widening Projects, stretching from the San Luis Obispo County Line to just west of Brown Material Road.

All three segments are currently in operation and being well-used by commuters and travelers along this corridor that connects the southern San Joaquin Valley with the Central Coast.

The three widening projects, $103 million worth, expanded nearly 28-miles of the conventional two-lane highway to a fourlane controlled access expressway with a divided median throughout the project limits. Existing intersections with local roads within the project limits were also upgraded to better accommodate commercial-sized transport traffic.

State Route 46 is a major east-west Coast Range crossing that connects State Route 1 along the Central Coast near Cambria and U.S Highway 101 in Paso Robles with State Route 99 at Famoso in the San Joaquin Valley. Built and improved during the 1920s and fully paved by 1930, State Route 46 was originally designated as U.S. Route 466 until 1964, and then became part of the California freeway expressway system.

The benefits of these capacity increasing projects include reduced congestion and travel times along with improved traffic operations and safety along this heavily traveled east/west route.

Two additional projects, Segments 4A (scheduled for Construction in Spring 2016) & 4B, will extend the effort to widen the conventional 2-Lane Highway to a 4-Lane Expressway through Kern County.

Funding for the project included Interregional Improvement Program (IIP), Regional Improvement Program (RIP) and federal funding secured by former Congressman William Thomas.

The Bureau of Land Management in is seeking public nominations for six open positions on its Central California District Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues. The BLM will consider the nominations until March 1.

The Central California RAC advises BLM officials for the Hollister, Mother Lode, Bakersfield and Bishop field offices.

The six RAC positions open in the Central California District are in the following categories: Category One (three positions) – Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation.

Category Two (one position) – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.

Category Three (two positions) – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.

“Each of the RACs lend their unique combination of geographic and resource expertise to inform the BLM’s decisions,” said Acting BLM Director Mike Pool. “The members of our RACs help our field offices by acting as sounding boards in all types of resource management issues. They are a tremendous resource for field managers across the West.”

Nomination forms and additional information about the Central California RAC are available on the web at http://www. blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/rac/ccrac.html Nominations should be to David Christy, BLM Central California District public affairs officer, 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El Dorado Hills, Calif. 95762, call (916) 941-3146, e-mail dchristy@blm.gov The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 28 RACs across the West, where most BLMmanaged land is located. Each RAC consists of 12 to 15 members with an interest in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials, and academics. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decisionmaking. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations; a completed background information nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

Classified Ad Deadline.

Wednesday 2 p.m.

765-6550.

acme jewelry co.

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(661)763-5451

CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Pasta Products SACRAMENTO – Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, today warned consumers with food allergies not to eat certain pasta products due to undeclared allergens.

Yolanda Quality Foods, Inc., of San Gabriel, is voluntarily recalling various Yolanda brand gnocchi, ravioli, tortellini, and tortelloni products because the product labels failed to declare food allergens (wheat and/or milk) in the ingredient statements.

Yolanda Brand Product Unit Size Undeclared Allergen(s) GN12 Classic Gnocchi 12 oz.

Wheat and milk TIC12 Cheese Tortellini 12 oz.

Wheat TIS12 Spinach Tortellini w/Cheese 12 oz.

Wheat TOC12 Cheese Tortelloni 12 oz.

Wheat JCF12 12 Jumbo Florentine Ravioli Classic 12 oz.

Wheat LSM12 Classic Large Square Ravioli Mushroom 10 oz.

Wheat TIS10 Spinach Tortellini w/Cheese 10 lb. bulk case Wheat TIC10 Tortellini w/Five Cheese 10 lb. bulk case Wheat TOC10 Cheese Tortelloni 10 lb. bulk case Wheat TOS10 Spinach Tortelloni w/Cheese 10 lb. bulk case Wheat

CDPH is working with the manufacturer and distributors to identify the specific distribution of the recalled pastas. Consumers with food allergies in possession of the recalled products should discard them in the trash or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat or milk run the risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction, that requires immediate medical attention should they consume these products.

Consumers who have experienced allergic reaction after consuming any of these products should contact their health care provider. Consumers that observe the products being offered for sale are encouraged to report their findings to the CDPH toll‑free complaint line at (800) 495-3232.

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Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

209 Harrison Street • Taft (661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax

February 1 - 7, 2013

Used to be Paul’s BMX

Bike Shop

Bikes Are Here!

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

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

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

Qik Smog & Tune

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

608 Center St.

745-4919

Devon’s Body Shop

(661)763-4445

508 Center Street 765-6556

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

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

western shop & PET Wash January Clearance Full Grooming Salon Jackets 30% Off

Let us wash and Brush out those wooley dogs

Dickies and FR Wrangler

Flannel Shirts 30% Off Dickies Insulated

Nails 12.00 2nd Dog $9.00

Hats - Boots - Jewelry - Purses - Jeans

Birds - nails and Wings $9.00 with beak $14.00

Coveralls $49.00 Overalls $42.00

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

www.shawswesternshop.com

Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3

419 Harrison St. Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant

Located in the Heart of Oil Country On the Petroleum Highway We Cater Your Place or Ours Full Bar Available For Your Special Event

Happy New Years from all of us at the Tumbleweed Cafe 24870 Highway 33 in Derby Acres • (661) 768-4655

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

FULL BAR