taft city manager

Independent The Taft

February 24 - 1, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

www.Taftindependent.com

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Publisher@Taftindependent.com

February 24 - 1, 2012 • Volume 6 Issue 35

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

City Manager, Bob Gorson, Resigns ALSO INSIDE: Safely Surrender Awareness Month Taft City Council Update Gas Prices On The Rise Buck’s Steak House Bar Back In Maricopa Bow Wow Bakery Opens Saturday Community Voices Chevron Donates $1.5 Mil To STEM Programs

CASH 4 GOLD Instant Cash Two Days Only!!

& Silver

Saturday & Sunday March 3rd & 4th 12 Noon to 4pm West Side Recreation Center 500 Cascade Place, Building A

We Buy Coins Broken Jewelry Rings Necklaces Silverware Chains Scrap Dental Gold and More

Lic # 15001312

The Fox Theater Is Back!

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

508 Center Street • 661-765-6550

Pastas • Sandwiches • Salads • Espresso • Beer • Wine

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

TRI-TIP SANDWICHES $7.95

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Beers

2

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Shop Taft

Passion For Nails Nail Services:

Sign up now!

Now Offering Terra Firma Products

Open 24 Hours!

506 Center Street

(661) 205-5579

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

F i n e

J e w e l r y

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

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

• Gifts Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Like Us on Facebook Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

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

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

acme jewelry co.

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

Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic Metalic Flakes • Rock Star (we also treat ingrown nails)

CXWORX Core Class Starting Soon!!

February 24 - 1, 2012

(661)745-4913

Personal Style

Women • Contemporary • Junior • Toddler • Infant • Men

NEW ARRIVALS!

Acme Jewelry be closed on Watchwill Batteries Tuesdays when Ray is in LA. Please call first• 661.763.5451 763-5451 426 CENTER STREET

Thank You

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

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

J & D Recycling 1277 Kern Street

Infant Footwear • Toddler Sandals Spring & Easter Outfits

Spring Savings!!

Lic # B-721903

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

Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

Valentine’s Month Offer

$20 Off Samsung Prevail Boost Mobile $10 Off With Purchase of 2 Phones excludes Boost Mobile phones $5 Off Page Plus & Verizon Phones

LA Idol Jeans For Juniors & Misses

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

Pastas • Sandwiches • Salads Espresso • Beer • Wine

offer expires February 29th

Hablamos Espanol 661-745-4954 610 Center Street

508 Center Street • 765-6550 Brand Clothing Shoes • Jewelry A Hint of Class Name Accessories & More

FREE

Tire Rotation & Brake Check Plus We will check all fluids & tire pressure *Most Cars & Light Trucks Up to 5 Qts.

Tire & Automotive Service Center

Oil & Filter Special 95* $

24

Plus Tax

$3.50 Oil Disposal Fee Exp. Feb. 29, 2012

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

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

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

Spring Has Sprung

Planting Made Simple With

Succulents!

Great Indoors & Out

We Can Haul Away Most Large Items Roll Off & Small Bins Available Call Us Today • (661)765-6752 Recycling is OUR Business

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

WE HAVE MOVED! Now located at 210 6th Street

(661)763-4176

Electronics • Prepaid Phones Service • Accessories

WE SHIP!

February 24 - 1, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Westside Watcher............4 Westside News..................5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com Grandma’s Attic At Taft Branch Library Every Saturday Through April 14th Grandma’s Attic Storytime has resumed at the Taft Branch Library on Saturdays and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through April 14. 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. For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.

Community Voices..........8

Movie Night At West Hills Nazarene Church Saturday, February 25th

Classified Ads.................10

Saturday February 25th The West Hills Church of the Nazarene will be hosting a community movie night with the showing of “Courageous.”

We will be having fire pits in the parking lot to keep warm, the movie will start at 6:30 pm.

Westside News...............11

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

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

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

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

TUHS Orientation for 8th Graders Monday, February 27th Taft Union High School will host Orientation Night for eighth graders at 6 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 27, in the Mullen gymnasium. The event will showcase the activities at the school from sports and clubs to electives and academics.

The incoming freshmen and their parents will get an initial exposure to the high school and will be able to schedule counselor appointments so they will have priority to sign up for popular classes and summer school classes. Staff will be on hand to answer questions. The new students will receive free Class of 2016 T-shirts, popcorn and prizes.

Free Children’s Immunization Clinic Thursday, March 15th San Joaquin Community Hospital will be offering FREE Childhood Immunizations for children against vaccine preventable diseases. The clinic will be in Taft at the Taft City School District on Thursday, March 15th, 820 6th Street, (parking lot), from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Luck Of The Irish St. Patricks Dinner Saturday, March 17th The Historic Fort is holding their annual St. Patricks Dinner on Saturday, March 17th at The Fort, located at 915 N. 10th Street. Social hour begins at 5pm, dinner served at 6pm. Drawing for the Soroptimist Internation of Taft $500 Shamrock Wreath Raffle will take place. Raffle tickets $1.00 Tickets available at: All In The Sandwich, Jacks Flower Shop, Personal Style, True Value or any Soroptimist member.

Winner need not be present to win. Wreath Raffle. Proceeds Benefit Critical Care Transportation and other service projects. For more information contact The Fort at 765-7371.

Optimal Hospice Volunteer Orientation Wednesday, March 21st Optimal Hospice Care would like to invite you to our springtime new volunteer orientation. Reserve your seat for Wednesday, March 21st from 10am to 2pm in our Bakersfield location. To learn more about how Hospice care enhances the lives of those affected by terminal illness and how volunteers can make a true difference in that effort. You can volunteer as little or as much as you are able. There is no time restrictions placed on you. Optimal would like to especially encourage caring individuals from communities such as Delano, Arvin, Shafter, Wasco and Lamont to inquire.

Also hairdressers and pet therapy teams are greatly encouraged to contact Optimal Hospice care to see how they can help. Call 661-716-4000 or email rfrankhouser@ optimalcares.com for more details.

TUHS Hall of Fame Saturday, April 28 The Taft Union High School Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 28 in the Mullen Gym at TUHS. Doors open at 5pm, banquet begins at 6pm.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased from Sheri Gregory at TUHS, One Wildcat Way, or at the Taft Chamber of Commerce, 400 Kern Street. Five people will be inducted into the Hall of Fame: Curtis Barnes (Class of 1960), Charles Beard (Class of 1957), Les Haney (Class of 1942), De Ann Gaither Sampley (Class of 1972), and William Silcox (Class of 1940). Doors to Main Hall will be open from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for persons who want to view the Hall of Fame Plaques and visit the generational display cases which feature memorabilia from ten decades of the high school’s history.

Visit Us Online Taftindependent.com

Weekly Gas Price Update And Outlook Average retail gasoline prices in California have risen 16.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.06/g Wednesday, February 22. This compares with the national average that has increased 5.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.53/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices. com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices Wednesday, February 22 were 50.4 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 36.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 18.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 34.0 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“Gasoline prices have perked up a bit in the last week,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “As we continue to move towards warmer weather, gasoline prices will follow, with prices accelerating higher at a faster pace come late March into April, so if motorists think this is bad, they should really hold on to their chairs,” DeHaan said.

FREE Children’s Immunization Clinic San Joaquin Community Hospital will be offering FREE Childhood Immunizations for children against vaccine preventable diseases during the month of March.

San Joaquin Community Hospital will be at the Taft City School District, 820 6th Street, in the parking lot, on Thursday, March 15th from 9:30am to 2:30pm.

Maricopa Tea Room

Mardi Gras Tea Room Weekly Specials. All meals served with salad & drink.

$6.25

Tuesday, February 28th Cajun Jambalaya: A tasty dish from Southern Louisiana that contains shrimp, rice, special vegetables and seasoning. Served with biscuits and tasty cornbread.

Wednesday, February 29th Couchon de-Lait: A stuffed pork tenderloin served with gravy and rice. Made with chopped bell peppers, celery and onions.

Thursday, March 1st: Fried Catfish Friday, March 2nd: Taco Salad

Telephone: 769-8231 Extension 5 323

4

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. Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm Sun. Wed. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm 765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft Sagebrush Annie’s Restaurant and Wine Tasting Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa (661) 766-2319

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

Taft Crude Coffee House Coffee House and Deli Monday – Friday 7 am to 4pm.

Saturday 7 am to 2 pm Sundays 7:30 am to 10 am 1010 6th Street, Taft 763-5156 Black Gold Cafe & Deli Pastas - Sandwiches Espresso - Beer - Wine Open Monday to Saturday Lunch served 9am-1pm Dinner served 5pm - 8pm 508 Center Street 765-6550

Westside Entertainment

Your Restaurant Listed Here!

Call 765-6550!

Asian Food and Pizza $12 per week!

Lunch and Dinner Asian Experience Tuesday - Friday

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Live Music Saturday Nights

NOW OPEN 514 Center Street

Chronicle PG-13 5 pm, 7:30 pm and 9:45 pm Safe House 4:30 pm, 7pm and 9:30 pm This Means War 5:30 pm, 8 pm and 10 pm

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

100 Year Anniversary March 4th Special Industry Night March 7th to celebrate. Limited tickets @ $12 each.

Buy Now! Saint Patrick’s Day & 100 Year Party.

DJ Chewy Live at the Club

Come help celebrate 100 years for the Taft Petroleum Club and Saint Patrick’s Day March 17th with DJ Chewy and some of the best drink specials around. Fun starts at 8pm and DJ Chewy at 9pm to ???

450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Monday- Friday 4:30pm to Close

TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial

Westside Watcher Taft City Manager Resigns for New Challenge, City Council Appoints Craig Jones Interium City Manager At the end of a an otherwise ordinary city council meeting Tuesday night, Taft City Manager Bob Gorson announced after his closed door evaluation by the council, that he was resigning as city manager.

After serving the city for more than 5 years, Gorson says he is moving on. He told a gathering at the Taft Chamber of Commerce meeting the following morning that he is a finalist for a city manager position in Southern California.

When the city council hired Gorson years ago, he was a planner from Anaheim where he had a reputation for good planning and attracting development to the city of Disneyland fame. The council made it clear that Taft needed someone with vision like Gorson who could create and approve a General Plan for Taft and nail down the final purchase of the 46 acre railroad property, and plan for the full buildout and development of the blighted downtown railroad property. Moreover, the council needed someone who could create new economic opportunities like a state recognized enterprise zone that would attract new light manufacturing businesses and hundreds of new jobs, and put in place a plan that would bring Taft a sustainable, and economically better future, with plans for more than 6,000 new housing units.

By all accounts, Gorson has delivered on what the council asked him to do.

Today, Taft has an achieved an enterprise zone designation by the state that promises to bring new business and hundreds of new jobs to our community. The city successfully purchased the 46 acre former railroad property that when built-out will be the envy of other communities by its design, quality of life features and new retail, hotel, residential and commerical develoments that will line the rails to trails park walkway.

Gorson told the Chamber on Tuesday morning that he had mixed feelings about leaving his job, but that he was most proud of having been able to live and work in Taft, of being able to work with the city council, who he credited for having the vision to bring the new developments and opportunities to town.

“The city is on good hands,” Gorson said of the city council. “the council really deserves the credit. I want my legacy to be remembered for my planing effort.”

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

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

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

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

February 24 - 1, 2012 In a few years, when the 60 room Holiday Inn Express (or a similar hotel) is standing at the corner of 6th and Main Streets, when the market rate condominium project is built, when the new commercial buildings on the Rails to Trails and the new parks, Amphitheater and public gazabo, and 5th Street Plaza is completed, we will all look back and say we had an experienced planner in place at the right time that took the council’s vision and made it possible.

If you ask city staff, we’re sure that all of them will tell what a pleaseure it was to work with Gorson. He gave them direction and let them do their jobs.

Now, the city council will have to plan and begin the process of searching for and finding a replacement city manager who will have the skill set to imlement the plans that the council and Gorson have put in place.

In the meantime, the council has selected Public Works Manager Craig Jones as interium city manager.

Selecting Jones as interium manager was a brilliant choice. Jones is not a candidate for the new city manager position. Jones is a thoughtful go-to guy that knows how to fix things, as well as an accomplished public works manager.

Jones has been around for a while and has deep knowledge and understanding of the city and is well known and respected by city employees. Craig will still be working for the city long after the new city manwger has been selected. In others words, Jones was selected by the council because he has their trust and confidence. As Jones told us, he is not afraid to ask someone when he does not know the answer, and as we have seen, he can work with just about anyone.

Taft Mayor Randy Miller met Tuesday with Chamber Director Kathy Orrin and a few chamber board members to discuss the changes and challenges at city hall.

Randy reassured the business leaders that the city was on track and the the city and the chamber would continue to have an excellent working relationship.

Randy assured the Chamber that the projects in the works would move ahead as planned and that the vision of the City Council had not changed.

Randy told the group that with the appointment of Craig Jones as Taft’s Interim City Manager, the city would continue the good working relationship between the City of Taft and the Chamber.

Miller told the group that city attorney David Prentice would be in Taft two days per week to aide in the handling of unforeseen issues.

Miller made it clear that the job of the City Council will remain as it was before Gorson’s resignation: “We set policy and give direction—we don’t manage.”

Miller also said that the Council has made every effort to keep the transition in working condition and as seamless as possible for those who work for the City and those who work with the City.

“We have enjoyed our association with Mr. Gorson, and we wish him and his wife Myglo all the best as they embark in this new chapter.”

CYCLE KATZ INC. HAS MOVED TO 320 HARRISON ST. 745-4931

PARTS • SALES • SERVICE Locally owned and operated We work on all makes and models

Grand Opening March 3rd Larger showroom and larger mechanic Area Now offering a customer lounge with coffee and donuts Come check out our new location!!!

WWW.CYCLEKATZ.COM cyclekatz@att.net

February 24 - 1, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Taft City Council Report

By Kent Miller

armed with a rifle. Her actions brought the incident to a safe conclusion without anyone being hurt, said Police Chief Ed Whiting. * Issued a proclamation declaring February as “Safe Surrender Awareness Month in Kern County,” saluting the Safely Surrender

City councilmembers made short work of a small agenda Tuesday night in what proved to be the final hours of Bob Gorson’s more-than five-year tenure as Taft’s city manager.

In a closed session to evaluate the city manager that was held after the conclusion of the regular council meeting, Gorson resigned to take a position with a city elsewhere in California (see related item).

In agenda items, the council approved the annexation of a 125acre parcel along East Cedar Street and a 28-acre site that includes the extension of the Rails-to-Trails system to the southeast. The second parcel would bring the West Kern Oil Museum into the city limits.

Public hearings were held on a negative declaration, general plan amendment and prezoning of the properties to be annexed but no one spoke for or against the matters.

Consent calendar Five items on the consent calendar were approved by one 5-to-0 council vote. The items were: the minutes of the Feb. 7 council meeting, payment of more than $205,000 in bills, approval of the 25 percent allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax funds for October through December 2011 to the Taft Chamber of Com-

Baby Law that was implemented in California on Jan. 1, 2001. * Heard from supporters of a BMX (bicycle motocross) park or of allowing BMX riders to use the community skate park.

About two score of adults and youths who support BMX filled the seats in the council chambers and presented information packets to the council. Representatives of the group made a presentation to the council.

David Layne, Owner of Used To Be Paul’s Bike Shop

Mayor Miller presents the Safe Surrender Awareness Proclamation. merce, the resignation of Grant Administrator Lucile Holt, and a resolution providing additional escrow instructions for the Sunset Rails Project.

The Transient Occupancy Tax raised $18,034.45 during the quarter, with $4,508.61 going to the chamber. Mayor Randy Miller noted that the TOT amount for the period was a substantial jump from prior quarters.

Holt, who has spearheaded efforts to bring millions of dollars in grant funds to the city, will be leaving March 2 to take a similar post in McFarland. Councilmembers saluted Holt for her work for the city.

The additional escrow instructions were a follow-up to the council being informed at its Feb. 7 meeting that the Sunset Rails property had been put into escrow to keep it from being taken by the state.

Other items In other items, the council: * Saluted Taft Police Department dispatcher Tanya Spradlin with a Certificate of Commendation “for her heroic action” when she received a 911 call from a suicidal man

Buck’s Steak House Bar Returns To Maricopa With Grand Opening This Saturday

Buck’s Steak House Bar is back in business in Maricopa at 260 California Ave. Come out Saturday, February 25th for the grand opening at 10am

Buck’s Steak House Bar GRAND OPENING Burritos • Tacos • Tortas • Sopes Nachos • Quesadillas • Enchiladas Available from El Venado Catering “In the Buck’s Steakhouse Parking Lot”

Open Mon-Fri 2pm -11pm Sat & Sun 10am-10pm

Big Screen TV • Sporting Events

Police Chief Ed Whiting

260 California Street • Maricopa • 661-577-7581

Taft College Student Selected As 2011 CCCAA Female Scholar Athlete

Nicole Gummersall Nicole Gummersall, recent graduate of Taft College, has just been notified she is the recipient of the California Community College Athletic Association’s Female Scholar Athlete Award.

This is the highest award presented to student athletes among its 27,000 annual participants. Formal presentation of the award will be made on April 4, 2012, at the Marriot Hotel in San Mateo, CA at the 2012 CCCAA Celebration of Student Athlete’s Luncheon during their annual convention.

In receiving this award Nicole had to demonstrate high scholastic and academic credentials; active participation in leadership roles, including holding a student body office as well as participating in college and community activities; and participation in at least two (2) seasons of sport at a California community college.

Academically, Nicole graduated with the highest grade point average of her graduating class, a 4.0 GPA. She was on the President’s List for four semesters, was a two time Central Valley Conference Scholar Athlete, and a California Community College Volleyball Coaches Association Scholar Athlete.

During her freshman year, Nicole became active in the Associated Student Body, continually providing active input to the ASB Executive Board regarding campus wide activities. At the end of her freshman year she was elected Taft College’s Associated Student Body President. In this role she chaired committees for campus activities and fund raisers, sat on the West Kern Community College District Board as the student body representative, and conducted the weekly Associated Student Body Executive Board and Committee Meetings. In addition, she was vice president of the Taft College Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (international honor society) and was a member of the Psychology Club.

Athletically, she was a member of the Women’s Volleyball Team for two years and was a member of the Central Valley Conference, receiving an honorable mention.

Finally, Nicole has been an active and strong member of her church, involved in many service projects. Through this work she has helped many people and learned the meaning of service to others.

The entire staff and faculty of Taft College is pleased to recognize and honor this amazing young woman, currently attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, majoring in Elementary Education. Congratulations Nicole!

J.R. Alcantara

Dog Grooming and Training Located in Taft, CA

Grooming • Training Dogs Available for Adoption

(661) 810-5858 www.cantargsd.com

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

The Fox Is Back!

February 24 - 1, 2012

Bow Wow Bakery Opening This Saturday, February 25th

Ticket sales were brisk on Opening Friday night at the Taft Fox Theater. Lines were long and Taftians were anxious to get into the newly reopened theater. Theater operators said that the entire weekend sww great ticket sales and many satisified customers who enjoyed the $1 hot dogs and popcorn. The theater is open 7 days a week.

The Bow Wow Bakery, located at 420 Center Street, will be celebrating their opening day this Saturday, February 25th at 10am.

Pets and their owners are welcome to come sniff out all the great deals. Owner, Dee Dee Sparks, will be debuting the Bow Wow Bakery doggie treat bar and showcasing the many personalized and one of a kind dog accessories. Stop by and bring your pet!

Cycle Katz Relocates To Harrison Street, Grand Opening Saturday The Taft Fox Theater reopend last weekend and by all accounts the first 4 day holiday weekend was a success.

The sidewalk in front of the theater was full of customers anxious to see the The Big Miracle, This Means War, and The Woman in Black.

“We’d like to thank everyone who made it to our opening weekend,” read a statement of the Fox’ facebook page Fox Taft Theater. “If you had an enjoyable time please let your friends know. If you didn’t, let us know.”

This weekend, th etheater will debut two other first run movies, Chronicle and Safe House, both movies that have received great reviews.

Show times for Chronicle are 5pn, 7:30pm and 9:45pm. Showtimes for Safe House are 4:30 pm, 7pm and 9:30 pm. Showtimes for This Means War are 5:30 pm, 8 pm and 10 pm.

Bow Wow Bakery

Opening Day Saturday, February 25th 10am

Pets and their Owners welcome!

Debuting our Doggie Treat Bar

Come Sniff Out Our Pet Accessories Personalized Dog Dishes • Spaw Peticures One of a kind Dog Leashes Open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 1pm Closed Sunday and Monday 420 Center Street (661)979-7264 gagasparks@gmail.com

Cycle Katz has moved from their Kern Street location to 320 Harrison Street. The new location features a larger show room with more inventory, parts, apparel and accessories, a lounge area where customers can wait for services like oil and tire changes complete with snacks and fresh coffee daily. Join Cycle Katz on Saturday, March 3rd for their grand opening from 3pm to 8pm at their new location at 320 Harrison Street. There will be family games, Tri-Tip BBQ, raffle, 50/50 drawing and a performance by XStatic from 6pm to 8pm.

Cycle Katz is locally owned and operated by Donnie and Christine Schwerdetfager. Mechanics are licensed and insured and Harley and Honda certified. Insurance and warranty work accepted. Most parts available the next day if not in stock. From oil changes, tire rotations to customizing and rebuilding, Cycle Katz does it all. For more information give them a call at 745-4931 or visit www.cyclekatz.com

Ben’s Books

The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback Hard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion Childrens • Cookbooks and More!

Cooking Magazines And Many Romance Novels All $.10 810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

February 24 - 1, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Unemployment In The San Joaquin Valley By County

In December, all Counties Posted Lower Unemployment Rates than the Previous Two Years.

In December, Kern County reported the lowest unemployment rate in the San Joaquin Valley, 14.5 percent, followed by Madera County, at 14.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Richard J. Holden, the Bureau’s regional commissioner, noted that Merced County registered the highest jobless rate in the area, 18.7 percent. All eight counties in the San Joaquin Valley posted unemployment rates that were above the U.S. rate of 8.3 percent.

HAYDENS HOPE THRIFT STORE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

During the month of February a Portion of the stores proceeds will be donated to help stop child abuse Shirts & Sweaters $.25

Does not include hoodies or jackets

Pants $.50 Shoes 1/2 OFF

We Take Donations!

Drop Off Or Call For A Pick Up! 745-4963

McCarthy Announces Congressional High School Art Competition

Congressman Kevin McCarthy today invited all high school students in California’s 22nd Congressional District to compete in the 2012 Annual “An Artistic Discovery” Congressional Art Competition.

“The artistic talent and vision demonstrated by our young people continues to inspire me,” said Congressman McCarthy. “This art competition is a great way to foster creative ideas and encourage our young local artists, and I look forward to seeing all the great entries from our district’s high school students.”

High school students from portions of Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles counties who reside in the 22nd Congressional District can submit artwork on a wide variety of subjects and mediums. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 27, 2012.

Entries will be accepted at McCarthy’s Bakersfield or Atascadero offices. The winning entry will be displayed in a corridor leading to the United States Capitol for one year.

The artwork must be an original concept, two dimensional and no larger than 28” x 28” (the measurement should allow for framing) and 4” in depth. Paintings (oil, watercolor, acrylic, etc.), computer generated art, photography, drawings, collages and prints (lithographs, silk screens, monotypes, woodcuts and intaglio methods) are acceptable.

The winner of the overall competition will receive roundtrip airline tickets to travel to the exhibit opening in Washington, D.C. in June.

In addition to the overall winner of the competition, awards will be given to those who place first, second and third in the following three categories: photography, computer generated art, and artwork of all other mediums.

All artwork will be exhibited to the public at Metro Galleries from Tuesday, May 8th through Friday, May 11th, concluding with the awards reception on Friday, May 11th at Metro Galleries, 1604 19th Street in Bakersfield from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM. For further information, please contact Congressman McCarthy’s office at (661) 327-3611 (Bakersfield) or (805) 461-1034 (Atascadero) or any high school art department in the 22nd Congressional District.

www.taftindependent.com

God Bless!

Pastas • Sandwiches Espresso • Beer • Wine

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

Open Monday-Saturday 9am-2pm 5pm-8pm Sandwiches & Salads

BLTA • Black Gold Club Roast Beef • Ham • Turkey Avocado • Tuna Salad • Egg Salad • Pastrami • Meatball Sandwich • Grilled Cheese Italian Garden Salad • Chef Salad • Polish Dog • Chili Dog • Soup & Salad Pastas Shrimp Scampi • Spaghetti With Meatballs • Raviolis Mozzarella & Baked Chicken Ravioli Spinach & Cheese Raviolis Espresso & Coffee Coffee • Iced Coffee Espresso • Latte • Cappuccino Americano • Vanilla Latte Cafe Mocha • White Mocha Chai Latte • Hot Chocoloate Blended Drinks • Iced Drinks Chocolate Freeze Vanilla Freeze • Iced Tea Fruit Smoothies • Protein Drinks Desserts Cheesecake • Chocolate Pie Key Lime Pie • Pastries

420 1/2 Center Street • TAFT

745-4963

Las Primos Carniceria Meat Market

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Good Prices - Good Steaks Tri Tip Steaks T-Bone

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Spices Tortillas Ceviche

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524 Finley Drive • In Sunset Plaza • (661)765-2700

Beer & Wine

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Bottled Beers!

Beer & Wine Available To Go

Open Monday-Saturday 9am-2pm 5pm-8pm 508 Center Street • Taft DIne In Or Pick Up • 661-765-6550

8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Saving Medicare?

Taft Fox Theater Reopens With Three New Movies

By Dr. Harold Pease Both parties have succumbed to the temptation of getting elected by promising ever more goodies from the public coffers, irrespective of constitutional limits, and to the point that they have irresponsibly enslaved our children with 15.25 trillion dollar indebtedness.

Everything is talked about in the presidential debates except this. We will just pretend it away.

Why? Because both parties know that the cuts that have to be made to save the terminal cancer patient have to be drastic and advocating such to a population drunk with the idea that they are entitled to such is political suicide. Congress appears to be, or is, inept in solving this and other debt related problems.

Predicting a Super Committee failure Freedom Works, a Tea Party affiliate, selected 12 of their own members and through the Internet invited 150,000 members to make suggestions on what should be done. Boldly they opened the unfunded liabilities door, Pandora’s box, the door neither party dares to open as potentially it could destroy career politicians and political parties.

What follows are their recommendations with respect to Medicare and Medicaid. Almost everyone knows that Medicare, 13% of the federal budget, growing at about 7% each year, is unsustainable. Formerly the favored method of controlling expenditures in this area was to limit reimbursement rates to healthcare providers rather than focus on fraud and the use of the free market to limit costs.

The Tea Party Debt Commission saw the Medicare program as outdated, inefficient, and corrupt and recommended six major changes that if followed would save, they predicted, $676,000,000 the first year and $2,030,843,000,000 in 10 years. These changes are first “let individuals opt out of Medicare under Senator Jim DeMint’s “Retirement Freedom Act.” Second, let all new Medicare beneficiaries after 2013; enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) introduced by Senator Rand Paul as the “Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act.” Third, Reduce Medicare subsidies to actual cost of hospitals’ graduate medical education. Fourth, Maintain Medicare’s physician payment rates at the 2011 level. Fifth, convert the open-ended Medicaid program into a capped block grant to the states. And six, call on all states to reform their medical malpractice and product liability systems—tort reform.

Opting into the same Medicare program the members of Congress use, the second Tea Party change recommended, is much better for participants because it “relies on competing private insurers to provide benefits, and as a result has very little of the fraud and waste problems that plague todays’ outdated and poorly designed Medicare system.” One wonders why they can make for themselves such a good system and leave us one with “somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of Medicare’s $450 billion annual budget being attributable to waste, fraud, and abuse….”

Converting Medicaid to block grants to states, Tea Party Debt Commission recommendation number five, is critical in stopping Medicare’s open ended liability. They argue that the program “has exploded into a semi-middle class entitlement that is bankrupting the states while providing low-quality care to poor families.” This “would give states the incentives and flexibility to focus scarce resources on those who truly need help.” It would also incentivize removing fraud.

Their answer to excessive medical malpractice awards that drive up medical costs for everyone was recommendation number six, state tort reform. They especially endorsed the “loser pays rule” so successful in the states that have it. Here those unsuccessful in winning frivolous lawsuits are punished thus discouraging such by others, especially lawyers, looking to benefit off the taxpayer. I once knew a woman who busied herself with multiple simultaneous frivolous lawsuits as a source of income because those suede would prefer to pay her, because it was less expensive, than to defend themselves.

Bottom line we can keep Medicare, even making it more efficient and sustaining, with six changes. It is not too late but we need to realize our danger and move quickly to do so. Will Congress explore these changes with intent to make them?

Not unless you ask them to do so.

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 Is Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month For most people, the birth of a child is a happy occasion celebrated with family and friends. But for some women, childbirth becomes a crisis and the decisions made following an infant’s birth can be a matter of life or death for the child.

The Safely Surrendered Baby Law responds to the increasing number of newborn infant deaths due to abandonment in unsafe locations. First created in January 2001, the Safely Surrendered Baby Law was signed permanently into state law in January 2006. The law’s intent is to save lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked. The law exists so that these infants will not be harmed because the mother abandons them, or fails to provide them with

care, sometimes leaving them to die.

This year, the Safely Surrendered Baby Coalition has put on a series of events through out Kern County to bring attention to this important law. On Tuesday night, February 21, 2012, the Cities of Taft and Tehachapi will both proclaim February as Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month at their council meetings. Taft and Tehachapi join the Kern County Board of Supervisors and the cities of Arvin, Bakersfield, Delano, and Ridgecrest in making this proclamation. Representatives from the coalition will be on hand to receive these proclamations, distribute materials to community members, and answer any questions about the Safely Surrendered Baby law.

To date, 26 babies have been safely surrendered in Kern County since we began tracking those babies in 2006.

Four babies were safely surrendered in 2011. There has been one infant safely surrendered this year.

Since the law was put into place, the task of educating our Kern County residents about this law has fallen to a coalition of dedicated individuals

A View From Center Street

February 24 - 1, 2012

representing a long list of departments, non-profits, hospitals, and stakeholders. We hope that you can assist us with delivering this important message to the people of Kern County, all with the hope that no baby will be abandoned in our Community.

We hope that you can assist us this year in our efforts to educate our community about this important option for a woman and her baby in a crisis situation.

Don’t abandon your baby. Safely surrender your baby into the hands of any Kern County Fire or Emergency room personnel. It’s safe, legal, and no one has to know.

For more information or special arrangements, please contact Heidi Carter-Escudero at 661-633-7104 or by cell at 661-378-5441.

The Woman in Black reviewed

By Jane McCabe

When I was a kid, growing up in Billings, Montana, we went to the Fox Theater to see movies. Did most towns of a certain size in the United States then all have Fox theaters? There is a Fox Theater in Bakersfield and a Fox Theater in Taft, both masterpieces of cinematic architecture and treasures that our communities should seek to preserve.

It’s sad when they become no longer commercially viable, fall into the arrears, and are forced to close. The question is how to prevent this from happening.

Taft’s Fox Theater is a microcosm of many businesses in Taft. Without sufficient patronage from town residents, they can’t make it and are forced to close.

The statistics aren’t good. On Center Street alone in recent months Rosie’s Closet at the corner of 4th and Center closed, and Pickers Buy & Sell at 428 Center Street is closing. If Pickers closes and no vendor wants to share the space with the End of Times Gallery, then it too closes. The San Joaquin Motors is changing hands. The nursery at Kern Street and 9th Street is also closing. Jack’s Flowers at Center & Fifth Street is for sale, as is the Crude Coffee Shop on 6th Street.

A few businesses, like Personal Style Salon, Westside Furniture, Acme Jewelry, Used-to-Be Paul’s Bike Shop, and Ed Herrera’s Insurance are strong, but the failure stories outnumber the success stories, as witnessed by three out of four store fronts on Center Street standing empty.

The fortunes of Taft’s own Fox Theater have been variable. Just recently, last Friday night, it reopened and is now showing three new films—The Big Miracle, This Means War, and The Woman in Black.

Quite a number of people greeted its reopening. Chanel 23 News was on hand to interview those gathered. I waited to see the Saturday afternoon matinee of The Woman in Black. By then only a few people were in attendance.

If half of the people in Taft made a commitment to go to the Fox Theater once a month, that would generate enough revenue to keep the theater open!

The Black Gold Deli is just next door where theater-goers can enjoy a large assortment of beers, wines, and sandwiches before or after the show.

Not knowing anything about it, I chose The Woman in Black because I like its name. It is a British-made horror film. As such, it was neither as gory nor as sensationalized as it would have been had it been made in the United States.

Its star is Daniel Radcliff, the same young man who starred in the Harry Potter movies, but in this movie instead of zooming around in the skies fighting off the forces of evil, he is dressed in a business suit from the 1920’s or thereabout and is a young lawyer, a widower, who has been assigned to travel to a remote village to exam the papers of a recently deceased owner of an estate perched across the bog on a tiny islet. Of course, the house is haunted, and the villagers are terrified because many of their children have met with untimely, early deaths. It falls on the shoulders of Arthur, the character played by Daniel, to solve these mysteries.

This is not a very good movie. I felt relatively unmoved by it but continued watching more out of curiosity than real interest. Apparently, Great Britain retains a number of wonderful old houses and palaces that are tourist attractions and make wonderful sets for movies for television, like Downton Abbey, which is currently enjoying considerable popularity in the United States.

The house used for The Woman in Black is such a house. All of its scenes were filmed in a spooky, dim light. One of the bedrooms had been painted a rather strong blue. I enjoyed the scene in which a number of wind-up toys were set in motion.

Well, Arthur ascertains that the ghost (the woman in black) that’s causing all this turmoil is that of the lady of the house and the mother of a young boy who died and whose body was lost in the bog. She has lured village children to their deaths in retribution for her loss. We don’t know how he determined where the body was, but he has a man from the village who has befriended him drive him into the bog, and tying a thick rope around his waist, he submerges himself into now oily bog until he resurfaces holding onto the lad’s body. They bury the body next to that of her mother.

You would think the ghost might be appeased by this valiant effort on Arthur’s part, but no. While at the train station where he is to journey back to London with his own son, the boy strays onto to the track of an oncoming train. Arthur jumps onto the track to save him…

Now we see Arthur holding his son. The boy sees the figure of a lady on the track. “Who’s that woman?” he asks his father. Arthur looks too. Ahead of them is a lady in white. “That’s your mother,” he says.

February 24 - 1, 2012

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

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

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ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

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

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171 All your detailing needs!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

Call for Appointment Today!

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

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

YOUR CHURCH AD HERE! CALL TODAY! 765-6550 Advertise

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

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.

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

Rev. Linda Huggard

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

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

Pastors Shannon N. and Shannon L. Kelley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FD756 FDR50 FDR595 FDR618

With The Taft Independent!

Call Today!

765-6550

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 $3 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

426 Shattuck

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

Payment can made by cash, check, or card. credit card.

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

Taft Independent210 508 CA 93268

Community YARD SALES Advertise your yard sale ad. 3 lines for $2, additional lines after that $2 each. Fax your ad to 765-6556 or call and leave message at 765-6550 by 12 p.m.

Wednesday.

9:00am—3:00pm.

For problems with Alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous. 765-4016 or 763-3856.

Are you a widow? Do you wonder what on earth am I here for?

Widows meet twice a month on Tuesday 10 a.m. at the Buena Vista Mobile Home Club House. If interested, call June Selby 763-4845.

Business Services Moving Sale Saturday 25th 7am-? In alley. 331 Pine Dr. Something for everyone!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services

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

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

TC Student wanted for part time waitress.

Experience required.

765-6550.

CHILD CARE SERVICES

Red, male pomeranian, wearing red harness, lost near Urgent Care 2/4, named Chaser. $100 reward. 661-8895922.

Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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

CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057 661-577-7136

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Wanted

VENDOR SPACE AVAILABLE AT 428 CENTER STREET. SHARE SPACE - RENT VERY REASONABLE. CALL JANE: 765-4790 STORAGE SPACE SOUGHT - I need approximately a space 20’ X 20’ in which to store art gallery material, preferrably a space into which I can walk if I need to remove items. Call Jane 7654790.

Food Service and Crossing Guards.

Employment process includes written exam, application screening, interview, DOJ fingerprint clearance, and physical exam with drug screen. A written exam for these positions will be given on Thursday, February 23. Application and Job Description may be picked up at the District Office, 820 Sixth Street, and must be returned by Wednesday, February 22 at 4:00 p.m. EOE

WANTED

Computer Repair Graphic Arts Web Design Virus Removal 661-623-5188 YARD SERVICES CLEANING SERVICES SERVICES OFFERED Piano Lessons. All ages accepted, beginers, intermediates. 565-8322

Employment HELP WANTED

Help Wanted. Part-Time Sales Associate. Radio Shack. Apply in Person.

210 6th St. Taft City School District is accepting applications for three ASES Activity Leaders, Substitute Instructional Aides, Healthcare Specialists,

Old Appliances, In ANY Condition. Car Batteries & Motorparts. Cash Paid $1 - $20 Call David 661293-0359 or 661-7656497. We will pick up!

For Sale FOR SALE Pickers Buy & Sell Going Out of Business Up to 50% Off 428 Center Street Oak Entertainment Center, fits up to 72” TV. $600 OBO 619-1057.

Antique roll top desk needs some work. $400 obo. Call Nancy 7654515.

AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock FOUND PETS LOST PETS

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

Excellent location, near Taft College. In business for 6 years. $20,000 OBO. Room to expand product offerings. Good family business. Call 661-623-4296.

HOMES FOR SALE

Real Estate eBroker Inc. 325 Kern Street Karri Christensen LIC# 01522411 & #01333971 661-332-6597 www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase Can’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you to a loan modification or assist you in your short sale!

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

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

Air Conditioning & Heating

Plumbing • Septic • Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete

With

30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

MOBILE HOMES

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HOMES FOR RENT

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Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT 224 B St #C Studio $475. 418 San Emidio 1/1 $500. 420 ½ San Emidio 2/1 $575. 302 Calvin 1/1 $850 404 Fillmore 3/1.75 $1,000

Independent Call Today!

765-6550

Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507

OPENING SOON

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

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

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

Open House. Saturday, Feb. 25th. 10 am to 1 pm. Newer 3bd. 1ba. $62,000. Owner will carry. Down payment required. 414 Poso, Maricopa. 805 5883596.

Classified

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

2bd/1ba newly remodeled house, lg fenced yard & lg garage. $650 mo + $650 dep.

References required 763-5233.

Ads Starting At

www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Lg. 2 bd.rm house.

Garage, storage shed, chicken pen, lot’s of trees, fenced yard. $850 mo. $500. dep.

763-4593.

Junk Cars! Cash Paid (661) 805-0552

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

Ken Shugarts

Advertise

Preserving for the Future

Black & white cat lost in Taft Heights. Smudge on nose, small reward.

765-2960

Business Services

We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists

Fax:765-6556 765-6556 Fax: E-mail: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

February 24 - 1, 2012

2 Houses in Maricopa.

Both 2\1 $550 mo. pl. dep. $550. 321-9636 or 577-7041 habla espanol.

Lg 2bd/1ba, Huge garage. $800 mo. + $1,000 dep. 417 6th Ave 765-4000.

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

Taft Property Mgt. 661 745-4892. Brokers Licence 01417057 Imperial Gardens 424 Woodrow Street 2bd $625 mo. 1bd $550 mo. Stove fridge, dishwasher, pool, private car port. 661623-3699 or 661-7654299.

Creekside Apartments.

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

325 Kern Street

Karri Christensen 661-332-6597

$2 Per Line!

FOR SALE Large wooden shade structure for your back yard. Includes mist water system. $500 obo. Professionally built. Come and get it - bring your flat bed truck and wrench. 6234296.

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

February 24 - 1, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

2012 Water Year Off to a Dismal Start, Forces Recovery of Water Banked in 2011

Decrease in Allocation Announced for State Water Project

Chevron To Invest More Than $1.5 Million In STEM Education In Kern County

This year’s dry weather conditions are causing concern for local water managers as surface water supplies are facing additional reductions. Kern County’s innovative groundwater banking operations are once again being called on to help offset these shortages. Fortunately, 2011 was the biggest recharge year for the local banking projects with 698,000 acre-feet (af ), which surpassed the 2005 recharge of 687,000 af. Recharge is the process of allowing the water on the surface of the ground to percolate through the soil to the water stored below ground that enable water managers to take advantage of the higher flows of surface water from State, federal and local water supplies.

“The Agency’s Cross Valley Canal (CVC) played a big role in capturing this water since it serves as a switching yard for water operations in California,” said Kern County Water Agency (Agency) Board of Directors President Terry Rogers. “The CVC had a record-breaking year of transporting 527,000 af in 2011, which surpassed the previous amount of 402,000 af delivered in 2005.”

The CVC was constructed in 1975 to move State Water Project (SWP) water from the California Aqueduct (Aqueduct) to urban Bakersfield and spans a total of 21.5 miles. Years ago, the Agency recognized the need to expand the CVC to maximize water management flexibility for regular and high flow water supplies. The CVC Expansion Project began in 2005 and increased CVC capacity by approximately 54 percent, allowing 1,422 cubic feet per second maximum flow. The CVC expansion was accomplished through the construction of new facilities and improvements to existing ones, including:

This year water users in Kern County will be receiving less water than they expected from the State Water Project (SWP). Today, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that the SWP water allocation has been reduced from 60 to 50 percent of total possible water deliveries due to dry water supply conditions. This means that Kern County will be receiving 100,000 acre-feet (af ) less than the 600,000 af that had been previously scheduled for delivery. The SWP provides water to more than 25 million residents throughout California and more than 750,000 acres of agricultural land.

“Fortunately, local groundwater banking projects had their biggest year of recharge in 2011, which will help offset a portion of the reduced SWP water supplies,” said Kern County Water Agency (Agency) Board of Directors President Terry Rogers. “However the Agency is still contractually obligated to make full payment for its entire SWP allocation of water. Farmers will still have to pay their full costs while finding a way to buy other water to keep their crops alive.”

The 50 percent allocation will yield about 500,000 af of SWP water for Kern County. Even if conditions improve, federal rules intended to protect Chinook salmon and Delta smelt will continue to limit the capacity for both the SWP and the Central Valley Project, and more water will have to be pumped out of groundwater banking projects to meet local farming needs.

This reduced allocation underscores the need for a comprehensive solution to the state’s water crisis. The Agency is part of a diverse coalition of California water agencies that has invested more than $140 million to develop the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. The Agency’s goal is to help ensure that Kern County’s economy can continue to sustain thousands of local jobs as well as provide a reliable and affordable water supply for the tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the metropolitan Bakersfield area.

“We are working to achieve a cost-effective statewide solution that balances agricultural, residential, business and environmental needs while also ensuring a sufficient, reliable and consistent water supply for generations to come. Today’s announcement only reinforces our resolve,” Rogers concluded.

STEM Investment to Help Students Become Scientists and Engineers

o Raising of the canal levee and concrete liner by two feet over approximately 17 miles of canal and construction of six new pumping plants along the CVC. o New turnouts to recharge facilities along the Kern River Alluvial Fan and a pump station from the CVC to the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District Intake Canal. o A new turnout (Greater Bakersfield Turnout No. 2) from the Aqueduct (to be completed in 2012).

Unfortunately, the record recharge and the CVC’s efficiency do not completely offset the current and past three prior years of poor hydrology and regulatory restrictions in SWP exports through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta).

“The export reductions had devastating effects on much of the San Joaquin Valley economy and did very little to improve conditions for fish in the Delta,” added Rogers. “Kern County survived because of our community’s willingness years ago and recently to invest in local water management infrastructure, which allows us to capture water, either locally or from the State and federal water projects, to use during periods when there are fewer supplies available.”

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In recognition of National Engineers Week, Chevron will announce its $1.5 million commitment to local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs. Benefitting hundreds of teachers and thousands of students in Kern County, the STEM programs will benefit students from kindergarten through college to increase the number of students pursuing STEM-related careers.

Chevron’s commitment to Kern County results from its California Partnership, an initiative to invest in education and economic development in its home state. For more information, visit: http:// www.chevron.com/countries/usa/chevronincalifornia/partneringwithcalifornia/.

Taft College received $100,000 for STEM/Workforce Development Initiative which will support the Young Innovators Club, K-16 Collaboration, and Support of Energy Technology Training Program. Lincoln Junior High School also received $25,000 for Project Lead the Way’s Gateway to Technology Program which will support engineering curriculum for middle school students.

Caltrans Launches New Thruway Bus Service to Popular Desert Destinations Caltrans announced the expansion of its Amtrak California Pacific Surfliner® service to the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley via Amtrak Thruway Bus. This new, dedicated bus service connects the Fullerton train station and several prime destinations, including Riverside, Cabazon, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Indio.

“Caltrans has now connected its Pacific Surfliner train passengers with a convenient way to travel to popular desert entertainment, shopping and recreation destinations,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “We encourage people to consider this alternative when traveling to the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley.”

Thruway Bus service is provided exclusively to train passengers as an extension of Amtrak California’s rail service seven days a week.

For travel information and to book your next trip, visit AmtrakCalifornia.com, or call 1-800-USA-RAIL. About Amtrak California - The State of California

ANNOUNCEMENTS SERVICES

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

12

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