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Independent The Taft

February 13 - 19. 2015

The Taft Independent

www.Taftindependent.com

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Publisher@Taftindependent.com

Feburary 13 - 19 2015 • Volume 9 Issue 31

“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

Like us on Facebook FREE drop off Packages We buy iphone 4, 4S & 5

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

1016 6th St. Taft 661-745-4855

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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

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Shop Taft

Passion For Nails western shop & PET Wash Fish - Reptile - Supplies Tack - Feed - Livestock Supplies Western Clothing - Boots - Work Apparell Pet Grooming Fred and Cheri Shaw 419 Harrison Street, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Lic # B-721903

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

Try Our New Pedicure Chairs Men & Seniors &

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

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

(661)745-4913

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

Packages We buy iphone 4, 4S & 5

Salon and Boutique Lot’s of New Arivals!

Bling, Jeans, Capri’s, Tops and Western Boots.

Think Oildorado.

Shop Downtown Taft!

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

A Hint of Class is in

Coming Soon!

Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

in a Pyrenees Bread Bowl 508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

Your Affordable Ad Here Call 765-6550

Ten Percent Firearms

the Air!

1016 6th St. Taft 661-745-4855

Next Step Cardio & Fitness

Now Serving Splash Cafe Clam Chowder

Personal Style

Love FREE drop off

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery

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

Like us on Facebook

February 13 - 19, 2015

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

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

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

February 13 - 19. 2015

Events Inside

The Taft Independent

Taft Calendar

Taft Business of the Week Old’s Cool

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

By Gardener Field

Community Events.........3 Taft Calendar...................3 Westside Recreation......5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Liberty Under Fire.........8 Classified Ads.................10

The Taft Business of the Week: Old’s Cool at 515 Center Street.

Old’s Cool has antiques, neon signs, paintings, home décor, and a little bit of everything else. You can find that special gift for your Valentine. It is owned and operated by great Taft residents Greg and Renee Hill. If Old’s Cool does not have it they can get it or make it. Old’s Cool makes Historic Center Street even better. Come in today and check them out, they are open Tuesday-Saturday.

Shop Taft........................11 Shop Taft........................12

The Taft Independent

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday February 17th, 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 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.

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

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Advertising Publisher@taftindependent.com Contributing Writers Stephanie House, Jerry Livingston Wesley Morris, Mimi Collins Joan Raymond, Andreas Fault

3

By Andreas Fault On Thursday February 26th is Taft Fort’s Annual Dinner and Auction.

Social hour is at 5, Dinner at 6pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for kids 10 and under, or bring a dessert for one free dinner. R.S.V.P. at the Fort or call them at 765-7371.

Most of the stores in town will be open from 10am-2pm or longer Saturday for last minute Valentine’s Day Shopping. Make your Dinner Reservations now for Valentine’s Day. Friday- Taft High Boys Basketball vs. Wasco. “Jam the Gym,” bring a can of food. Last regular home game of the season, so support your Wildcats and Jam the Gym! Maricopa Alumni Basketball vs. Students at the Maricopa Gym at 5pm.

Boys game to follow.

St. Andrews Episcopal Church at 703 5th Street is having a Spaghetti Dinner from 6-8pm for $5.00.

Saturday- Taft College Baseball at home vs. Cerro Coso College at 2pm.

Tuesday- Taft High Girls Basketball vs. Shafter. F/S starts at 4pm.

Wednesday- Taft High Girls Basketball vs. RFK. Last regular home game of the season.

Taft College Girls Basketball vs. Fresno city at 6pm.

Save the Date for these Future EventsFebruary 21st: Taft Sport Shooters “Steel Challenge Night Match” at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club, registration at 5pm. Check out, “Taft Sport Shooters” on Facebook.

Donkey Basketball at the Taft High Boys Gym at 5pm. Students vs. Staff.

The FFA will be selling their great Tri-Tip Sandwiches.

Taft College Girls Basketball, last home game of the regular season at 6pm.

West Kern Oil Museum Annual Dinner and Membership Drive. Social hour at 6, dinner at 6:30pm. Tickets will Not be sold at the door, R.S.V.P.

by February 16th.

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

March 4th: Taft Industry Night at the Taft Petroleum Club, dinner at 7:30pm.

March 6th: 1st Friday Cruise Night on Center Street from 6-10pm. Hot Rods, shopping, and food.

March 14th: Safety Day at Skydive Taft.

March 21st: Little League Parade and Opening Ceremony.

Taft Sport Shooters “Steel Match” at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club, registration at 8am.

“IDPA Classifier Shooting Match” at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club at 2pm.

Have your IDPA Card.

April 10th-12th: Maricopa Gusher Days. Craft and Food Vendors, Music, BBQ, Raffle, etc.

April 18th: Taft Soroptimist Garden Tour. Contact Pam Ward at A Hint of Class for info.

“Tournament of Champions” Shooting Match at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club at 6am.

Taft High Hall of Fame Ceremony.

February 21st: Taft College Girls Basketball vs. Merced College at 6pm.

Last regular season game.

April 24: Al Baldock Memorial “Athletic Golf Classic.” Tickets and sponsorships are now available.

May 2nd: “Full Moon Night Jumps” at Skydive Taft starting at 7pm.

May 16th: Taft Relay for Life at the Taft High Track.

May 30th: Taft Chamber’s Rails to Trails Car Show and BBQ Competition.

June 13th: Taft Chamber Golf Tournament at BV Golf Course.

July 3rd: Taft Chamber’s Fireworks Show.

Oildorado is October 9th-18th, that is just about 8 months away. The Oildorado President is Paul Linder. There is talk of bringing several different things to Taft for Oildorado like the B-25 Airplane groups. To bring the B-25’s and several other things they need sponsors, lots of them.

All the Sponsor information is on their site at www.taftoildoradodays. com. The Westside Ministers Association is also fundraising for the Oildorado Kickoff Concert with Sidewalk Prophets. They are fundraising this Friday afternoon and Saturday selling Valentine’s Baskets in front of the Taft Chamber. Stay up to date with them at www.wcmataft.org.

Maricopa Tea Room Specials Tuesday:Fried Chicken With mashed potatoes Wednesday: Chicken and Rice casserole with Veggies Thursday: Baked Potato soup with salad and roll Friday: Lemon Olive Chicken with couscous **all specials are $6.00

The Taft Independent

4

Editorial 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, February 13, 2015 through Thursday, February 19, 2015 Kingsman: The Secret Service (R) Fri & Sat: 6:45, 9:15 Sun: (3:45), 6:30 Mon - Thu: 6:30 PM Jupiter Ascending (PG-13) Fri & Sat: 6:15, 8:45 Sun: (3:30), 6:15 Mon - Thu: 6:15 PM The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (PG) Fri & Sat: 6:30, 8:30 Sun: (3:15), 6:00 Mon - Thu: 6:00 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.

Westside

February 13 - 19, 2015

2nd Annual Weekend of Love Adoption Event At Kern County Animal Services!

Happy St. Valentines Day Love is in the air as it is Valentine’s Day. Now who wouldn’t be familiar with this great day meant for sharing love gestures? Couples desperately wait for 14th February to express their feelings to their partners. The story is about a young Roman priest named Saint Valentinus who secretly performed matrimonial ceremonies of the soldiers belonging to Claudius II. The Emperor had forbidden his soldiers to get married fearing that they might not be able to concentrate on fighting wars. Saint Valentinus was hanged on 14th February 270 A.D. and since then the day is celebrated every year. While he was imprisoned he sent his last love note to the jailor’s daughter with an ending sign, “From your valentine”. Now that sounds familiar!

Here are some facts that you can share with your partner on Valentines Day. 1. In medieval times girls ate bizarre foods as they believed that this would enable them to meet their future spouse in their dreams on this day. In middle ages, names of young men and women were drawn from a bowl and were declared each other’s valentines. These names were then pinned to their sleeves for everyone to witness for one week. That’s how the famous expression, “to wear your heart on your sleeve” originated.

2. Valentine’s Day has been claimed to be, “Number 1 holiday for florists”. This one particular day brings in business of worth $14.7 billion that is similar to the GDP of Iceland.

3. Each year 189million flowers are sold in U.S. on Valentine’s Day out of which approximately 110 million are red. So from where do all those flowers come? 60% of American roses are produced in California but on Valentine’s Day 90% flowers are imported from Columbia and Ecuador.

4. People who buy flowers on this day are 73 % men and only 27 % women. Out of this minimal number of 27% there are 15% of women who buy flowers only for themselves in U.S. A number of women also buy flowers for their mothers and daughters on Valentine’s Day. 5. In late 1800s the first box of chocolate was introduces by Richard Cadbury exclusively for Valentine’s Day. Each year more than 35 million heart shaped chocolate boxes are sold particularly for this day out of which chocolate worth $1billion are purchased in the U.S. alone.

6. The average number of wedding proposals taking place on Valentine’s Day is 220,000 and it is 10% of the total marriage proposals taking place in a year. This means if you were in Scottsdale, Arizona everyone would be making a proposal.

7. Interesting for those who have pets, well 9 million people that is 3% of the pet owners prefer celebrating Valentine’s Day with their pets and get them gifts. The reason is that most pet owners consider animals to be more grateful and loyal than humans.

8. In Bangkok a bunch of dozen roses are sold at the rate of $487 and for one Rose $45 is charged. In Hong Kong it is for $205, in Singapore $148, in London, UK $96, in Africa $90 and in U.S. $ 75 would be charged for a bunch. So all of those who consider Roses to be cheap should think again because they are certainly not on Valentine’s Day. 9. Each color of rose sent on Valentine’s day have some meaning e.g. red rose means love and respect, pink says, “I am having sweet thoughts about you” and white rose stands for purity and states, “I am worthy of you”. Also the number of roses also counts for instance, 1 stands for love at first sight, 12 is to say, “I love you”, 108 recommended for marriage proposals and 999 means “we’ll always be together.”

10. Approximately 8 billion candy hearts are manufactured each year for Valentine’s Day; this means there are enough candies to be stretched 20 times from Italy to Arizona back and forth.

Are you looking for that special furry someone to share your life with? Then make plans to head over to Kern County Animal Services this Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th between 10 am and 4 pm to meet the love of your life!

All three Kern County Animal Services shelters in Bakersfield, Mojave and Lake Isabella will be hosting a special Valentine’s Day Adoption Event.

“We have some wonderful pets waiting for forever homes and we encourage anyone that has been thinking about adopting a pet to take advantage of our 2nd Annual Will You Be Mine? adoption promotion,” stated Nick Cullen, Interim Director for Kern County Animal Services.

During this weekend event, all pet adoption fees for dogs and cats have been reduced. Dog adoption fees which are normally $75 and $85 have been reduced to just $20. Cat adoption fees which are normally $40 and $50 have been reduced to just $10. All fees include spay/neuter surgery, first set of vaccinations, microchip, Rabies vaccination, a dog license for qualifying dogs and, a one year dog license for residents living in unincorporated areas of Kern County.

The weekend of love event hopes to encourage the adoption of the many wonderful dogs and cats waiting for a second chance at a new home. “These animals would love to be your valentine and they promise to love you forever,” Cullen added.

“Valentine’s Day is typically a day to share your love with another and what better way to do that than by rescuing a shelter pet in need.”

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The Taft Independent

February 13 - 19. 2015

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 FOX THEATER MINIMUM DAY MATINEE Wednesday, February 18 – Ant Bully Showtime – 2:00 p.m.

Taft Fox Theater, 514 Center Street, Taft All ages – 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult $5 per person (one parent/guardian admitted FREE!) – includes mini popcorn **CASH ONLY ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION AT THE THEATRE.** FAMILY PJ STORYTIME Thursday, February 26 6:30-7:00 p.m.

Recreation Center Preschool Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Ages 3-7 FREE! Join us for an evening of family fun. We will have a variety of stories, songs and participation activities for kids and their parents. Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas.

YOUTH TRACK Who: Ages 6-15 Season begins: March 2 When: Weekday Evenings Time: TBA Where: Taft Union High School Track Fee: $45 per person Registration deadline: Thursday, February 26 PONYTAIL SOFTBALL Division 1: Ages 7-9 Division 2: Ages 10-12 Division 3: Ages 13-15 (**league age as of April 30, 2015) Tryouts/Evaluations: March 4-5 Draft: March 11 Practices begin: March 23 Fee: $50 per person Registration deadline: Thursday, February 26 WESTSIDE LITTLE LEAGUE (WSLL) BASEBALL T-Ball: Ages 4-6, $40 per player Pitching Machine: Ages 7-8, $60 per player Minors: Ages 8-10, $60 per player Majors: Ages 11-12, $60 per player 50/70: Ages 11-13, $75 per player (**league age as of December 31, 2014) Registration deadline: February 14 The West Side Recreation & Park District is assisting Westside Little League with registration for the upcoming baseball season. Paperwork is available and registration is taking place in the District Office (763-4246) or the Recreation Center (765-6677). More information is available online at www. taftwestsidelittleleague.org.

GYM KID CARE Who: Ages 3+ When: Monday – Thursday Time: 4:00-8:00 p.m.

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.

ZUMBA FITNESS Who: Ages 15+ When: Tuesday and Thursday Evenings (starting March 3) Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m. or 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $30 per month Instructor: Sara Bravo 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 (as space allows). Fees must be paid prior to attending class.

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INTERMEDIATE SEWING Who: Ages 16+ When: Tuesday Evenings Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Session: March 3 – April 7, 2015 Where: Community Center Activity Building Registration deadline: Thursday, February 26 Fee: $75 per person Instructor: Debbie Potaczala All students must have basic sewing knowledge and skills (this class is above the beginner level). Class will focus on elastic placement, button holes, top stitching, zipper placement, hemming, pattern reading and project construction. Students need to provide their own sewing machine, scissors, pins and other basic sewing supplies.

SENIOR REC ROOM Who: Ages 55+ Where: Community Center Activity Building, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Hours: * Monday-Thursday, 8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. * Friday, 8:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. * Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (1st and 3rd week of the month) The Senior Rec Room is located in the Community Center Activity Building and includes televisions with cable programming, computers with internet access and basic Microsoft programs, comfortable furniture, games, magazines and books. The Rec Room is a great place to socialize and spend time with others.

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

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Ages 18 and older The District holds Bingo games every week for adults. Average buy-in is $15 per person. Cash pots are awarded and we also sell pull-tabs. Stop by and check it out!

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.

The Taft Independent

6

Taft City Schools District Appoints New Superintendent Jerry Livingston J.D. Jerry.Taft.Independent@gmail.com The Taft City School District Board of Trustees appointed Interim Superintendent Julie Graves to the Superintendent’s post permanently at its regular board meeting Tuesday, February 11th. Graves has been serving as Acting Superintendent since August of last year.

In a prepared statement Graves said she was “honored to accept this appointment and look forward to working with the TCSD staff to ensure all students from Transitional Kindergarten through eight grade advance academically and participate in educational opportunities provided by the district as we proceed with implementation of California Common Core State Standards in the district.”

The appointment is widely seen as providing a calming influence for a district that has been rocked by the numerous DUI arrests of former Superintendent Ron Bryant. The Board accepted Bryant’s registration last December.

Taft Police Department Looking for Volunteers Jerry Livingston J.D. Jerry.Taft.Independent@gmail.com

The city of Taft Police Department is looking for volunteers. The Department is establishing a Citizens Volunteer Program to help balance its resources. According to the Department one of the ways to balance the manpower and financial burdens of a small department is through the establishment of volunteer program.

The Police Department is looking for persons who are motivated to serve the community, can honor the need for confidentiality, exhibits patience and is willing to be called upon in and emergency situation.

The program will select and train volunteers recruited from the community to help ease policing burdens on the department by “performing such tasks as vacation house checks, conduct business and residential security surveys, provide traffic control for special events, assist in programs initiated by the Taft Police Department such as Neighborhood Watch activities, Crime Prevention and Child Identification Programs as well as other duties that may be assigned by the Chief of Police.”

The volunteers will not take enforcement action, carry any weapons, or make custodial arrests. They will be expected to report their observation of any criminal or suspicious activity.

To qualify for the program a volunteer must be a reside in the Taft area, be at least 19 years of age, have no arrest records, successfully complete a Citizen Academy and Pass a background check.

McCalls Candles and Melts

Kern’s best junior high and middle school musicians, vocalists ready for annual Honor Music Festival

427 Center Street • Since June 1986

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

Proof #

1

Date

4/6

The Kern County Sheriff ’s Office Search and Rescue Unit Introduces Newest Member “Sadie.”

Approximately 400 of the best junior high and middle school musicians and vocalists from dozens of schools will perform in the 68th annual Kern County Honor Music Festival on Sat., Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Rabobank Theater. The event is free to the public. Students had to prove themselves in demanding auditions and maintain perfect attendance in three weeks of intense rehearsals.

A guest conductor will lead each of the three sections.

The guest band conductor will be Anthony Mazzaferro, conductor of the Orange County Wind Symphony. Michael DiGiacinto, music director of orchestra and opera theater at San José State University, will lead the orchestra. Patrick Burzlaff, choir director at Centennial High School and co-director of the Celebration Choir at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bakersfield, will lead the choir.

Each of the three sections will perform a variety of music selections individually, before ending the concert with a collective rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood.

Honor Music Festival is presented by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office and Kern County Music Educators Association, in cooperation with the PanamaBuena Vista Union School District.

Call Christine Goedhart-Humphrey, KCSOS student eventscoordinator, at (661) 636-4330, for more information.

FFA Hosts Annual Donkey Basketball The Taft High Union High School Future Farmers of America will host its annual donkey basketball game at Mullen Gym at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.

The fundraiser features students vs. staff and alumni playing basketball while riding donkeys.

The hilarious game is played with five-member teams.

Players must be atop a donkey to shoot or pass the ball. They may get off the donkey, but must lead it by the reins, for rebounds and loose balls. The humor comes when the humans try to get on the donkeys too fast and fall off and when the donkeys have their own ideas on what they want to do.

Adult admission costs $6 in advance with tickets available at the TUHS business office or from any FFA member.

Advanced tickets will cost $5 for junior high and high school students; $4 for elementary schoolchildren. Tickets purchased at the door will cost $1 more. Children under 6 will be admitted free.

The FFA will also be selling barbecued tri-tip sandwiches.

For more information, call the FFA at 763-2300, ext. 481.

Vendors Needed for Maricopa Gusher Days Vendors and Others for the event.

April 10, 11 and 12th.

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.

February 13 - 19, 2015

Contact Maricopa Chamber at 769-8361 or 364-9232.

The Kern County Sheriff ’s Office Search and Rescue Unit was established approximately 50 years ago and now consists of 10 specialized teams throughout Kern County. There are approximately 250 active search and rescue team members who are highly trained professionals who have been deployed on thousands of search and rescue missions. All search and rescue members are trained in ground searches, tracking, evidence searches, first aid, disaster operations and land navigation.

The Bakersfield Search and Rescue Team currently have several certified working dog teams. “Sadie” is the newest addition to the team. “Sadie” is a 14 week old, purebred Australian Shepherd. “Sadie’s” owner and handler, Tammie Sullivan, has been a Kern County Search and Rescue member for approximately 8 years. “Sadie” will be the third search and rescue dog Sullivan has trained in search and rescue work. Sullivan anticipates “Sadie” will be a certified Search and Rescue dog after training over the next 18 months.

Despite the name, the Australian Shepherd originated in the western U.S., not Australia, around the time of the Gold Rush in the 1840s. Originally bred to herd livestock, the dog remains a working dog breed at heart. The “Aussie”, as he’s nicknamed, is happiest when he has a job to do. He can be a wonderful family companion if his intelligence and energy are channeled into dog sports or activities.

This agile, medium-size dog with the docked or naturally bobbed tail is a top contender in all levels of obedience, agility, flyball, and herding tests. He’s also successful in such canine careers as guide dog, hearing dog, assistance dog, police dog, and search and rescue work.

“Sadie” was purchased from a breeder in Paso Robles, California. She is a 14 week old female who is expected to weigh 40-65 pounds at maturity. All of the Kern County Sheriff ’s Office Search and Rescue dogs are vaccinated, chipped and spayed.

The Search and Rescue Unit will be introducing “Sadie” to the media tomorrow, February 12th, at 10:00 am at Sheriff ’s Office Headquarters, 1350 Norris Rd. in Bakersfield. Media representatives interested in attending tomorrow’s meet and greet with “Sadie” can meet at the Sheriff ’s Office Memorial in the front grass area at Headquarters. If you have any questions, please contact Public Information Officer Ray Pruitt at 661-303-4592 or by email at pruittr@kernsheriff.com

The Taft Independent

February 13 - 19. 2015

Miller Time Hi Everyone, Is summer here already ?? I thought we were in the last part of winter, but it hasn’t been as cold as years past. It is sure strange for sure. Back east they are getting hammered with storm after storm and we can barely eek out a few drops of rain that makes are vehicles all spotty and grimy. There is green in them thar hills but as you know, as it heats up, the grass will have all the moisture sucked out of it once again and those hills will turn brown. While what we see is a lot of grass there is a good portion of weeds mixed in. Those pesky weeds are staring to sprout up everywhere that we don’t really want them to; up and down our alleys; on a lot of un-manicured and ill attended properties all around town; along the highways; just about everywhere. Who is going to remove all those weeds you wonder ?? Someone else is what most of us think, we pay our taxes don’t we ?? Get those weed crews out after those rascals you say; except there are no weed crews that are going to go onto private property, and frankly the city doesn’t have ‘weed crews’. What we have is a stretched thin Public Works Department that will get to them as they float up the priority chart. What can you do is get the ole weed whacker or hoe out on your own property and attack them now while they are fresh and green for when you decide to go after them when they are dry, the dust and mess will be hard to handle. Do your part to make Taft clean and beautiful.

The summer type weather not only brings out the weeds, guess what else comes out ?? Dirt bikes and four wheelers !! I like motorcycles and had a few dirt bikes in my past. I currently own a Goldwing touring bike so I’m not antimotorcycle, I’m just anti-knucklehead. Some bikers seem to think that we all enjoy the high pitch wine of their engines as the speed down our alleys to head out into the fields to do their riding. Besides throwing up dust and disturbing the peace they are heading out to ride on private property that is conveniently forgotten about by most of these riders.

Being careless and stupid, they also target the Rails to Trails pathway all the way out to the end from Hillard Street. It is an easy tempting target. Lots of us enjoy the serenity and peacefulness of walking out there to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings (well beautiful to me) hoping to catch a sunset. But as we walk along, we notice that motorcyclists are crisscrossing the trail, throwing rocks and dirt onto the asphalt and leaving a few burnouts on the trail. Someday, one idiot will run into a tree. Heaven forbid if we try to put any

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grass or low bushes along the trail, how nice a target those will be. Now to be sure most of the dirt bikers care about their riding and try to avoid being careless and destroying property but the 10%’ers are not. They are tearing up your hard earned tax dollars for none other than a vicarious thrill and giving all motorcycle riders a bad rap. I have asked for the Taft PD to take a look at the situation and hopefully we can catch a few. If we do catch them, the council will ask that those caught be prosecuted for any all damage on the trail. Moms and dads don’t just let your kids go off on their bikes without a stern lecture on the rights and responsibilities of riding because ultimately you are responsible for their actions. For you adults, you have been warned. For you walking along the trail, call the PD when you see a motorcycle on or crossing the trail, it is your responsibility. Sorry, but this just really bugs me.

As I warned you in my last column, the thieves and burglars are out and about. They are targeting the downtown area currently, breaking into locked buildings that unfortunately may or may not have alarms. Some of the buildings are being stripped for their cooper wiring and plumbing, so whoever is doing this is staying on the premises doing their dirty deeds. If you see someone walking down the street and they look suspicious carrying a box or something out of the ordinary, call it in. Our police can’t be everywhere; they also depend on your eyes and ears. Hopefully they can check it out to be sure one way or another. Just recently some folks were caught stripping wire on their own property; when the deputy investigated he also found drugs for sale. Now he was just driving by and happened to catch these guys. Suspicious activity is suspicious activity, call it in.

While things seem a little down lately, there’s good news all around us. See the new drive in a 10th and Center Street; cement poured all around the building and a new drive through. Wow !! Look what transformation the Black Gold is going through to bring our own brewery to Taft. The motel is getting ready for stucco. The Bank Sports Bar is doing well. Oildorado is not far away and the board has secured the old Chevy dealership building as the headquarters for the store and gatherings. The City and County are starting to do a major maintenance project on the wastewater treatment plant, which is for sure a health and safety issue. The Grand Jury came out and gave the City of Taft high marks.

All good news..

Let us not let a few jerks bring us down. Lock your cars and your homes. Be diligent, but be safe.

Randy Miller Your Proud Mayor

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Athelete of the Week February 13th, 2015

JD Hall Taft Longhorns Defending their home turf this past weekend, the 12-Under Longhorns came up big with a first place finish in a tough division filled with 10 talented teams. Leading the charge for the Longhorns was lefty, JD Hall. As a pitcher, he went 2-0 thanks to a great knuckleball that kept hitters off balance all weekend.

Hall also excelled at the plate by playing aggressively and stealing nearly every time he had the chance. In addition to his great performance this weekend, JD is also leading by example in the classroom with a GPA over 3.0, and perfect attendance, not to mention his stellar play at first base.

Congratulations JD and keep up the good work!

Happiness Is Picking Up and Reading a Free Taft Independent taftindependent.com WEST SIDE URGENT CARE

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8

Liberty Under Fire Praise the Presidents but oppose their messages

By Harold Pease, Ph. D Presidents’ Day, combining birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for a national holiday, was designed to honor the contributions of both but, though we heap praise upon each, we ignore their messages. Washington’s primary message for posterity can be found in his famous Farewell Address just prior to his leaving office.

In strong terms he asked that we avoid debt. He said: “As a very important source of strength and security cherish public credit… use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasion of expense… [Use the] time of peace, to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.” Today our national debt sits at over $18 trillion—the highest in our history—eight trillion of which coming under President Barack Obama alone. We are spending our way into slavery for our children and/or financial collapse (See USDebtClock.org).

Washington pleaded with the nation to keep religion and morality strong. He said: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports…. Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” The founding Fathers never supported the notion of separation of religion and government—only the separation of an organization of religion from government. What would Washington say of the immorality that prevails today?

But the warning about foreign aid was especially good. He basically told us gift giving in foreign affairs is a good way to be universally hated. He said it placed us “in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favors, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more.”

Today there is hardly a nation in the world that does not have its hand out and when, after once giving, the amount is reduce or terminated we are hated all the more for it.

The Taft Independent Washington worried about posterity not holding their elected officials strictly to the limits imposed by the Constitution. He knew many would seek to undermine that document by twisting it to give power they could not acquire without the distortion. Sound familiar? He said: “But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.” Today much of what the federal government does is not even mentioned in the Constitution.

But freedom fighters are not likely to be popular, he said: “Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious; while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.” One need not look far for the tools and dupes; they seem to be everywhere in high office and in both parties.

Lincoln was for the free market and decidedly against socialism—just opposite of President Obama. On the ownership of property Abraham Lincoln’s feelings were especially strong, he said, “Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprises” (The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, pp. 259-260). To him there was no need to take by force the wealth of those who produce and give it to those less productive. The “share the wealth” philosophy and “envy politics” so articulated by Obama would have been foreign ideology to the Civil War president.

Lincoln’s answer to the poor, from which he sprang himself, “Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently to build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence….” Unfortunately, many in our society have forgotten the “labor diligently” part of his phrase and have come to expect the government to provide, from the industry of others, their every need. On that score Lincoln also had words. “You toil and work and earn bread, and I will eat it.”

He viewed this principle as a form of tyranny to those who work. Today 47.5 % of the adult population pays no federal income tax; many actually receive benefits for which they have paid nothing.

Watching others acquire wealth was, in fact, a sign of a healthy economy for Lincoln. “I take it that it is best for all to leave each man free to acquire property as fast as he can.

February 13 - 19, 2015 Some will get wealthy. I don’t believe in a law to prevent a man from getting rich; it would do more harm than good.”

Nor would he have supported the hundreds of laws that we have today that disincentivise a man trying to acquire wealth.

Perhaps teachers and parents would be wise to remind those under their charge of the wisdom of the ages as expressed by these two favorite presidents. There is a reason that we have the day off and that these birthdays were made a holiday.

But with all the fun that follows we must not forget their messages.

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.

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February 13 - 19. 2015

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First Baptist Church Pastor Scott Pearson

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“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.

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Childcare Available During Services Info call 765-7151

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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

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Sunday Service - 10 a.m. www.standrewstaft.org The Rev. Heather Mueller 703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

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.

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.

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The Taft Independent

Classifieds

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Classified Ads are $3.00 per issue for up to three lines, $5 per issue for Classified $2.00 per off up to 5 lines,Ads andare $7 per issue forline. up toPhone, 10 lines.fax, Yardmail Sale or adsdrop are free. your adfax, tomail the or Taft Independent.

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Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 lines, $16 for 12 lines, $20 for 15 lines, $25 for 20 lines.

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Classified deadline now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Classified ad deadline is Thursdays at 9 a..m.

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Applicants submitting an application must test to be eligible for employment. Test will be administered in the TUHS IRC Lecture Hall on Wednesday, February 11th, at 7:00 p.m.

Help Wanted Taft City School District is accepting applications for one Bus Driver position: 4 hours per day, 12 months, Employment process includes written exam, application screening, interview, DOJ fingerprint clearance, and physical exam with drug screen. A written exam for this position will be given on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 @10:00 a.m.

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February 13 - 19, 2015

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February 13 - 19. 2015

The Taft Independent

Black Gold Brewing Company

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The Taft Independent

Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

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February 13 - 19, 2015

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