Qik Smog & Tune

Independent The Taft

April 13 - 19, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

www.Taftindependent.com

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

April 13 - 19, 2012 • Volume 6 Issue 42

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

The Place 4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660

Saturday, April 14th

$10.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT

Bratwurst & Sourkraut with Red Potatos & Salad Dinner Served at 5pm

$1.50 Domestic Drafts 5pm Until Close NO TO GO’s

Mirror Mirror Movie Review - Now Playing At Taft Fox Theater

Qik Smog & Tune ALSO INSIDE: Upcoming Events Community Voices WSRPD Rec. Report Relay For Life Info Classified Ads And More!

Celebrating 10 Years Of Business On the Westside By Nicole Frost Black Gold The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

Pastas • Sandwiches • Salads • Espresso • Beer • Wine

Cafe and Deli

508 Center Street • 661-765-6550

Tri-Tip SANDWICHES

Beer & Wine Available To Go

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Beers

2

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Shop Taft

Passion For Nails April 23rd-28th High School Prom Special

Preparing America’s Taxes Since 1955

Amanda Esdinosa Angie Rodriguez Megan Hiler 418 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 (661)765-5242 Fax (661)765-5476 hrblock.com

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

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

March Madness Specials

Batteries NEWWatch ARRIVALS

Gel Polish • Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic Metalic Flakes • Rock Star Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

15%

Ultra Boost Mobile Off Page Plus & Verizon Phones

Like Us on Facebook

(661)745-4913

Personal Style New Corky’s Are In!

Send Your Favorite Secretary Flowers at work!

Wednesday, April 25th Is Administrative Professional’s Day

430 Center Street (661)765-2442

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

Edward J. Herrera Insurance Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public We are an Independent Agency With Many Pre-Eminent Insurance Companies To Best Suit Your Needs

Why go to Bakersfield? We’re here!

We Represent You To Give You The Best Service

WE Offer You Low Discounted Rates

BLING JEWELRY Infant & Toddler Footwear

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527 Inside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700 915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

Spring Has Sprung

Planting Made Simple With

Succulents!

Our Friendly Staff

417 1/2 Center Street Taft, Ca 93268 (661)745-4920 Lic. # 0277365 www.edherrerainsurance.com

Ten Percent Firearms

Great Indoors & Out

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Expires March 31st, 2012

FlowerShop

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

Women • Contemporary • Junior • Toddler • Infant • Men

Hablamos Espanol 661-745-4954 610 Center Street

Jacks

Vintage Watches Mechanical Clocks

426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451

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

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

J e w e l r y

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Nail Services:

25% Off Generic Brand Cases

$20 Off Samsung Transform

F i n e

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

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

• Gifts

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

Brand Clothing Shoes • Jewelry A Hint of Class Name Accessories & More Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

acme jewelry co.

10% OFF of any $15 or more service

LA Idol Jeans For Juniors & Misses!

Lic # B-721903

April 13 - 19, 2012

WE HAVE MOVED! Now located at 210 6th Street

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. Apr. 30, 2012

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

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

(661)763-4176

Electronics • Prepaid Phones Service • Accessories

WE SHIP!

April 13 - 19, 2012

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

Community Events News Briefs Taft California “Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

News Briefs......................3

Have a community event that you would like to include?

Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com

Westside Watcher............4 West Side Recreation Report..........5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Community Voices..........8 Westside News..................9 Classified Ads.................10 Westside News...............11

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Alpha House Annual BBQ & Auction Saturday, April 14th Please join the Alpha House as they celebrat 20 years of serving the community of Taft and it’s outlying areas at their annual BBQ and auction Saturday, April 14th.

Dinner is at 5pm, dine in or take out. Adults $10, Children (5-12) $5. Children 5 and under FREE. Auction begins at 6pm at the West Side Recreation and Park District, 500 Cascade Pl. 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.

St. Mary’s Church Bake Sale Sunday, April 15th

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.

Bake Sale Sunday, April 15th from 9am to 12 noon at St. Mary’s Church, located at 110 E. Woodrow St. Great selection of baked goods!

Community Dinner Tuesday, April 17th West Hills Church of the Nazarene, located at 300 Lassen Street, will be having a community dinner at 5:30pm. All welcome!

Annual Rotary Club Peddler’s & Health Fair Saturday, April 21st The annual Rotary Club Peddler’s Fair and Health Fair is coming up on Saturday, April 21st, so now’s the time to reserve space to sell your goods. Booth rental is just $40 for a spot at the events, at Buena Vista High School (located on North 10th Street across from the Historic Fort). Call 661-342-1702 for more information.

21st Annual Cuyama Valley Car Show Saturday, April 21st 21st Annual Eighth Grade Cuyama Valley Car Show Saturday, April 21st at Cuyama Valley High School in Cuyama Valley, CA. Registration starts at 8am, judging starts at 10am. $20 pre-registraion/$25 Day of Event. All money raised will be used for annual 8th grade activities and graduation. For more information contact Russ Barnes at (661)766-2769 or email to rbarnes@sbceo.org. Visit them online at cuyamavalleycarshow.com

Layout & Design Jessica Skidgel Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins, Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

The Kiwanis Club of Taft, along with the Taft District Chamber of Commerce, will host the annual State of the City Luncheon on Thursday, April 19, at noon in the banquet room of OT Cook House.

The roster of speakers has been expanded this year,” stated Kathy Orrin, Executive Director of the Chamber. “In addition to Mayor Randy Miller and Interim City Manager Craig Jones, the Superintendents of the three school districts in town will be updating the audience about the challenges to education this coming budget year.” Mr. Ron Bryant of Taft City School District, Dr. Mark Richardson of Taft Union High School, and Dr. Dick Giese of Taft College will address the luncheon attendees concerning the issues facing California’s educational institutions.

“This is an exciting time in our community. We have many reasons to be positive about the future of Taft. We hope many people will join us at the luncheon this Thursday,” stated Orrin.

Although the program will be conducted during the Kiwanis Club’s regular meeting time, the public is invited to attend. The cost of the luncheon is $12, and reservations may be made by calling the Chamber at 765-2165.

Relay For Life Bunco Fundraiser Saturday, April 21st Relay for Life Bunco Fundraiser, Hosted by team All-Stars Saturday, April 21st 2012 5:00pm at the Taft Veterans Hall in Ford City. $20.00 per person to play, food and drinks as well as entry in the door prize raffle are included in this fee!

Additional raffle tickets will be available for some of the many other generously donated raffle items also. Contact Chrissy Rodart to purchase a ticket to play and/or to make a donation at 577-6833.

Taft Union High School Seniors To Receive $200,000 In Scholarships Taft Union High School seniors will receive nearly $200,000 in college scholarships at Honors Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 23.

Private individuals and representatives from businesses and foundations will hand deliver the scholarships to nearly 100 students.

The event will be held in the high school auditorium. It is free and open to the public.

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS

TUHS Hall of Fame Saturday, April 28

Tuesday April 17th, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

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.

Taft Relay For Life Saturday & Sunday, May 19th & 20th Annual Taft Relay for Life is set for Saturday and Sunday, May 19th and 20th at TUHS. To get involved, contact La Nell Howell at 661-330-5606, lhowellrfl@gmail. com or visit online at: relayforlife.org/taftca

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Advertising Jessica Skidgel

State Of The City Luncheon Slated For April 19 at Noon

Save The Date

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

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

Thursday 10 a.m. 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m.

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

There is a lot happening on the Westside and you don’t want to be the last to know. Save the date!

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

19 Wine Tasting at The Fort 20 Al Baldoch Tournament 21 Rotary Peddlers and Health Fair 28 TUHS Hall of Fame Dinner 29 Survivor Social for Relay for Life at the Fort

3 Farmers Market Starts 5 Chamber Cinco de Mayo Celebration and West Kern Oil Museum Bailing Out Days & BBQ 19-20 Fourth Annual Relay for Life 24 Kaiser Permanente mobile office grand opening

1-2 West Kern Oil Museum Yard Sale 9 Chamber Annual Car & Motorcycle Show and Kiwanis Breakfast at the Car Show

4 Westside Christian Ministers Association and Chamber 4th of July Family Picnic 28-29 Tumbleweed Festival

4

TAFT INDEPENDENT

April 13 - 19, 2012 Dear Editor,

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. 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

NOW OPEN

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469 LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft TAFTFOX.COM Week of Friday, April 13, 2012 Through Thursday, April 19, 2012 Lockout (PG-13) Fri: (4:30), 7:00, 9:45 Sat: (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:00, 9:45 Sun: (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:00 Mon - Thu: 4:30, 7:00 The Three Stooges (PG) Fri: (5:00), 7:15, 9:30 Sat: (12:40), (2:50), (5:00), 7:15, 9:30 Sun: (12:40), (2:50), (5:00), 7:15 Mon - Thu: (5:00), 7:15 Mirror Mirror (PG) Fri: (4:45), 7:30, 10:00 Sat: (11:45 AM), (2:15), (4:45), 7:30, 10:00 Sun: (11:45 AM), (2:15), (4:45), 7:30 Mon - Thu: (4:45), 7:30

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

Have Your next event at The Club!

Weddings, Receptions, BBQ’s, Parties, Anniversaries And More!

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

Westside Watcher

Voters Deserve Fair, Impartial Ballot Information

By Senator Jean Fuller California’s initiative process is an important aspect of our system of lawmaking. Over the years, it has brought about some of the most fundamental changes in our state’s governance. We need to do all we can to ensure the integrity of this process and provide voters with information that is accurate and unbiased.

Voters are busy people. There are jobs to work, small businesses to run, meetings to attend, and children’s activities to go to. While there is more information available than ever, voters don’t have the time to wade through all of it before heading to the polls.

For the November elections, there are already five initiatives qualified and 63 initiatives in circulation for signature collection. While not all of them will qualify, it’s possible we could see as many as 20 ballot measures on this fall’s ballot. It can be overwhelming and unfortunately, many voters will never get any farther with their research than the initiative’s official title and summary, the only information about the measure that is included on the actual ballot.

It makes a measure’s title and summary critically influential. Ask any expert and most will tell you that the most important factor in determining whether a ballot initiative will pass, other than the money to run the campaign, is how the title and summary is written.

The state needs to ensure that the title and summary of ballot initiatives are written in a manner that is as clear, concise, and unbiased as possible. The individual “yes” and “no” campaigns should be left to their own to convince the voters one way or another. But as the arbiter of the election, the State needs to be fair and unbiased in the information it presents.

The California Constitution currently gives the job of writing the titles and summaries to the Attorney General, who shall “give a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the measure…” to the voters. Unfortunately, the Attorney General is an elected, partisan official that often takes positions on these same ballot initiatives. It’s an inherent conflict of interest that dates back decades and includes official titles and summaries written by both Democrat and Republican Attorneys General.

This year, I have introduced legislation in the Senate to change this process. SCA 19 and SB 1269 will turn over the job of writing the official ballot titles and summaries to the State’s Legislative Analyst, an office established by the Legislature that has provided unbiased fiscal and policy advice to the Legislature for more than 70 years and is already charged with drafting a fair and balanced analysis of each and every ballot measure.

This legislation will be heard soon in a Senate committee. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. The soundness of our electoral process is compromised when the ballot title and summary is partial or impossible to understand. While initiatives themselves are inherently political, the ballot titles and summaries should not be.

The voters deserve a fair analysis of the issues.

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

Let me tell you about some awesome people and a “community LOVE AFFAIR.” Taft experienced trauma when first the hospital closed, then the two nursing homes and in 2006 Taft Residential doors closed.

The interim administrator found and rented a home on E Street.

Three women with determined hearts moved 6 residents in.

People within the community donated bedding, towels and supplies. Marily Kroh, Linda Istre, and Barbara Rush literally donated their time living on determination and prayers. That first month they were only able to be paid $125 for the full month. Six months later Barbara got married and Dee Dee Brown joined the team.

More than once they worked for $5 an hour.

When the house they were renting went into foreclosure they still persisted, believing this is what they were called to do.

Their love and dedication inspired others to come together to create what is now West Side Senior care.

It can’t be a success if everything stops here. The “community love affair” needs to continue. Volunteers are needed to enhance the resident’s lives. Two empty beds need to be filled. The list continues.

There are many other services needed in the community. Look to these people for inspiration and thanks...THEN...don’t wait for someone else to do it all. See the need, get involved and create your own “love affair happening!”

By the way, I am not and never have been an administrator as some have stated. I have been a consultant, an encourager and at times an agitator. To clarify...Marily Kroh is the licensed administrator, and Dee Dee Brown is the assistant administrator.

Thank You, Kitty Shinn

Thank You The Family of Glenn Dolder Black would like to thank everyone who stopped by, sent a card, said a prayer, sent flowers, cooked wonderful food, and sent donations to the Needs Center or the Salvation Army of Taft. Your acts of kindness and support helped us more than you can know.

Our husband and father truly enjoyed and loved each and every member of this community and would have smiled to see our community pulling together. Dolder spent 90 wonderful years on this earth, blessed by friends and family.

Thank You Again

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 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 320 Harrison st. (661) 745- 4931

ANNOUNCEMENTS SERVICES

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.

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

April 13 - 19, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

West Side Recreation Report Check us out online!

Need more information on programs, classes or facilities?

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

by Stephanie House HOLY HAMBURGER! Tuesday, April 17 3:00-4:45 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Ages 6-10 $6 per person ** registration deadline – Monday, April 16 Aspiring chefs will learn to make (and eat!) a few fun dishes using ground beef. Recipes will be sent home for making more later! Space is limited; pre-registration is required.

ICE CREAM & MOVIE SOCIAL Tuesday, April 24 3:00-4:45 p.m.

Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, Taft Grades K-8 $3 per person Need to get out of the house for a few hours? Bring a friend and join us for an ice cream social. We will make sundaes and watch the movie “The Muppets.”

PROM NIGHT 2012 – THE AFTER PARTY Saturday, April 28 11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Recreation Center, 500 Cascade Place, Building D, Taft High School Prom Attendees ONLY Fees: • $12 per person, $15 at the door • $20 per couple, $25 at the door Registration deadline: Thursday, April 26 (minimum of 20 participants required) Come hang out at The Rec after prom! Activities will include basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, badminton, bowling and a movie room.

HUNTERS SAFETY COURSE Monday, May 7 through Wednesday, May 9 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium 500 Cascade Place, Taft $5 per person (facility fee) With cooperation from the volunteer instructors Ray Mortimer and Larry Heptinstall and the Taft Sportsmans Club, materials and instruction for obtaining a California Hunting license are available approximately every three months. Registration begins the first night of class and a minimum of 10 paid students is required or the class will be postponed until August. Upcoming class dates are August 6-8 and October 1-3.

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!

WALKING FOR SENIORS When: Monday – Friday Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Where: Recreation Center, Aera Gymnasium Fee: $1 daily or $15 monthly (program is ongoing, join us at any time!)

During the cooler weather months, we invite you to walk the track in the Recreation Center Gymnasium. There will be prizes for reaching milestones and we will also help you track your miles and progress.

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

YOGA Who: Ages 14 and older When: Tuesday and Thursday Times: 9:00-9:45 a.m., 7:00-7:45 p.m. or 8:00-8:45 p.m.

Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $25 per month ** register prior to attending class Instructor: Valerie Taylor This is the perfect class for beginners looking to improve flexibility and enhance general fitness. Class goals are to strengthen muscles and joints, improve circulation and relieve stress through common yoga stretches. Students should bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Class space is limited – registration is REQUIRED prior to attending class.

BEACH BODY FIT CAMP Who: Ages 18+ When: May 1-31 Days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Recreation Center, Aera Gymnasium Fees (per person): • $10 – Daily • $50 – Monthly, Recreation Center Members • $60 – Monthly, Non-Members Ready or not… summr is coming! You can dream of a beach body, or you can work for it! Get yourself ready by chiseling and toning your summer body through a high intensity cardio, strength and endurance fitness camp. The camp will be led by Recreation Center trainers.

STAYING FIT AFTER FIFTY When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings Time: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Fee: $20 per month (classes are ongoing, new students welcome at any time!)

Instructor: Lola Knox TINY TOT P.E. When: Monday – Friday Ages 2-4, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Program operates year-round (new students welcome at any time!)

Where: Recreation Center, Aera Gymnasium Fee: $3 per child, per day or $25 monthly What a great way for your little one to burn off some energy before nap time! This is an open gym session designed exclusively for little ones. Enjoy this fun-filled parent & me multi-sport/physical activity time with your child by tumbling on mats, shooting baskets, catching footballs, kicking soccer balls, running obstacle courses and other fun activities.

YOUTH BASEBALL (BABE RUTH) Who: Ages 13-15 (league age as of June 30) When: Practice begins May 12 Where: TUHS Baseball Fields or Franklin Field Fee: $50 per player Registration deadline: Thursday, April 26 BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES Make your reservation now!

Need help planning a birthday party, bridal shower or baby shower? We can help! For one low fee, we will provide a room, plates, napkins, forks, cups, balloons and invitations – all to match your theme or colors. And for a little extra, we can help with activities, too! Package prices start at $110. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call the District Office at 763-4246.

NATATORIUM POOL PARTIES Make your reservation now!

Reservations are now being accepted for private party rentals at the Natatorium swimming pool. Parties may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday between June 1 and August 19. Rental fees start at $165 for 2-hours. Call 763-4246 for more information.

BOWLING PARTY RENTALS Make your reservation now!

Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at the bowling alley in the Recreation Center. Parties may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday. Rental fees start at $100 for 2-lane rentals. Rental prices include shoes, balls and use of the party room. Call the District Office at 763-4246 or the Recreation Center at 765-6677 for more information or to make a reservation.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

MOTHER DAUGHTER LUNCHEON Saturday, July 14 (date change!)

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium Girls ages 3+ $30 per couple, $5 each addt’l daughter *registration deadline – July 3

EAGLE MTN. BUS TRIP Monday, May 7 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bus leaves from Community Center Ages 21 and older $3 per person Call 763-4246 to reserve a spot on the bus!

6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

April 13 - 19, 2012

Alpha House Annual BBQ and Auction Saturday

Recycle Phone Books For Library Books

For almost 20 years, Taft’s Alpha House has been helping the community.

In that time, nearly 1,000 women – some single, many with children, some homeless, most victims of domestic abuse – have passed through the doors at 207 7th St. and onto a better life.

Alpha House relies on grants, donations and an annual fund-raiser for financing.

Its annual Bar-B-Que and Auction will be held Saturday, April 14th, starting at 5 p.m. at the Westside Recreation Hall, 500 Cascade Place, Taft. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, with those under 5 free.

After dinner, there will be an auction. Raffle tickets are $10 and the winners need not be present to win. For information or to donate, call 763-4357.

Westside residents can now recycle their old phone books AND help the Kern County Library buy new books. Books 4 Books is a month-long, county-wide recycling drive during April sponsored by Kern Waste Management and AT&T, which will earn the library ten cents ($.10) per telephone book. Any company’s telephone books can be delivered to the Taft Branch Library or any other Kern County Library branch during the month, as long as they are dry. The money earned from these donations will be used to purchase new materials for all library branches.

The Taft Branch is located at 27 Emmons Park Drive and is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the library at 763-3294.

Taft Chamber Plans Cinco De Mayo Celebration on 5th Street Plaza

TIL Wine & Food Festival

Westside News & Business Briefs

Qik Smog & Tune Celebrate 10 Years On The Westside

By Nicole Frost

Qik Smog and Tune’s 10th anniversary is coming up and owner John Walker continues to keep the business running strong.

Qik Smog and Tune is a family-run business and Walker works with his wife Holly and her father.

“John takes a lot of pride in his work,” said Holly. “He loves to help the community and try to keep prices reasonable for our customers. For the most part, it’s just John, my father and I. Our children also come to help when they’re not in school.”

As of right now, Qik Smog and Tune offers smogs, tune-ups, and general auto repair.

“We are not planning on adding any new services at the moment,” said John. “We just plan on keeping things as they are for right now.”

The Walkers have received a lot of support from the community, even in these hard economic times.

“Running a small business in an oil town is hard with the economy,” John explained. “[The shop] has its advantages and disadvantages but we have a lot of good, loyal customers. I’m a fourth generation mechanic and I’ve done this my whole life; it’s what I was destined to do.”

Qik Smog and Tune is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is located at 500 S. 10th Street in Taft.

The 2nd Annual Taft District Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Celebration is being held on Saturday, May 5 from 11AM to 4PM on 5th Street Plaza. Everyone is invited to attend this event for no charge. Listen to the sounds of Mariachi music, participate in the talent show, sample Mexican beers, margaritas, and food and enjoy the celebration. Local food and craft vendors will have a variety of items for sale and there are still some available spots.

Contact the Chamber at 765-2165 or 400 Kern Street for Vendor booths and Event Sponsorships. Sponsorship benefits include your business name and logo on drink coozie, name on event banner, free vendor booth, name & logo on the flyer, and recognition in the newspaper and at the event.

Find the Taft Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ taft.chamber to stay up to date on all of the activities and events in Taft. This event is sponsored by Harley Pinson, Campos Tire Service, and Next Step Gym.

April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize that we each can play a part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in communities.

On Saturday, April 21st there will be a Stop Child Abuse event at A Street Park from 9am to dusk to raise awareness about child abuse. There will be live music, entertainment for the family, games, prizes, food, raffles and more. For more information contact Sarah at 661-623-0166

Tickets are available for the annual wine and food festival that raises money for Taft College’s Transition to Independent Living (TIL) program.

The event, which features food, wine and microbrew tasting along with silent and live auctions, will be held at the Historic Fort on April 19.

Music by jazz pianist Nat Dove also will be featured.

A student representing the college’s program that trains young adults with mild intellectual disabilities to live on their own will make a presentation.

Advance tickets are $25 per person ($30 at the door).

There are several sponsorship levels as well.

A sponsorship that includes two tickets is $125, sponsorship with four tickets is $250 and a sponsorship for a reserved table of eight is $500.

Wine and microbrew from a variety of makers will be on hand for sampling along with hors d’oeuvres prepared by Taft College chef Geoff Dunham and his staff.

Live and silent auctions and prize drawings will be held.

The live auction will feature two dinner cruises aboard Leonard and Midge Gentieu’s Morro Bay yacht, the Papagallo II. One is a cruise for two and the other a cruise for 20.

The event is co-sponsored by the TIL program’s advisory committee and the Historic Fort.

Planners are seeking donations for the auctions and prize drawings.

Items can include merchandise, gift baskets, gift certificates or cards, wines, home décor, yard accessories, weekend get-a-ways, art work and the like.

To donate items contact Vickie Waugh at Taft College (7637799) or Edith Laurin at the Fort, 915 No. Tenth St, Suite 2 (7657371), by April 16.

You shouldn’t have to strain to hear.. or say “Huh?” We have your hearing needs covered right here in Taft!

Farmers Market Coming May 3rd If you are a shopper, get ready for the season’s first Farmers Market opening celebration on Thursday, May 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. If you are a prospective vendor call the Chamber at (661) 765-2165. We will guide you through the process which will include contacting the Ag Commissioner’s Office in Bakersfield at (661) 868-6300. They will send you paperwork to fill out (not complicated) and arrange to visit your home to certify your garden, orchard, etc. This is not a horrible ordeal! The folks who have been through this process find the visits from the Ag Commissioner’s office to be very friendly and helpful.

333 South 10th Street, Suite 104 * Taft

Thursdays (by appointment only)

For appointment call

322-8444

Unbeatable Prices…Unmatched Service!

April 13 - 19, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

Your Weekly Gas Price Update & Outlook

Average retail gasoline prices in Bakersfield have fallen 1 cent per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.25/g as of Monday, April 9th. This compares with the national average that has increased 1.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.91/g, according to gasoline price website BakersfieldGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Bakersfield during the past week, prices Monday, April 9th were 19.6 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 6.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has increased 16.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 17.2 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“Gasoline prices in the hardest hit areas have finally shown signs of relief, with gasoline prices falling now in Chicago as they have for a few weeks in California,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “We’re beginning to see refinery utilization rise, indicating refineries are coming out of maintenance and boosting production. If we continue to see utilization rise at domestic refineries, we may see an earlier peak than we have in prior years, “ DeHaan said.

New Survey Reveals How Much Local Customers Hate to Wait!

(April 2012) To keep local customers happy, retailers might want to focus less on the register and more on the clock. In these busy, hectic times, retailers better hop to it and wait on customers quickly, or customers will hop on out of there - because customers HATE TO WAIT! In a new national survey: • 76% of respondents say a wait any longer than five to ten minutes at a retail business is unreasonable.

• 94% say a reasonable amount of time to wait at a retail business is 5 – 10 minutes or less.

If a retail business makes them wait fifteen minutes or longer: • 63% say it shows bad customer service and a lack of respect for their time.

• 52% say they take their business elsewhere • 48% say they assume the business is not well run and badly managed.

When asked what bothered them the most about a retailer: Most often ranked as the #1 annoyance (in order): • A rude staff • They made me wait • I paid too much In other survey findings: • 87% of respondents say they would use a technology that kept them from waiting in line at a retail stores if it saved them 15 minutes of waiting.

• 2 out of 3 respondents say they would use online check-in or download an app that saved their place in line at a retail business.

The survey also asked respondents for the most annoying time waster in their lives.

Most often ranked as the #1 annoyance (in order): • Getting Placed on Hold • Waiting in Line • Sitting in Traffic

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

Community Dinner Tuesday, April 17th • 5:30pm West Hills Church of the Nazarene 300 Lassen Street For more information call: 763-4196

Full Grooming & Maintenance Creative Grooming Dogs • Cats • Turtles • Ferrets Birds • Lizards and More

Large Breeds Welcome!

Grooming & Styling 661-768-4654

Family Packages Pick Up & Delivery Service

Rachel Dayton Dacoda Gonzalez rachelspetparlor@gmail.com rachelspetparlor.webstarts.com

By Appointment

26851 Henry Road Fellows, CA

661-768-4654

Blue Jeans & Bling Hats, Jewelry, Purses & More

Miss Me • LA Idol Nicole Lee • Grace In LA Women’s Sizes 0-21 Women’s Plus Sizes Children’s Jeans & Shirts Monday - Friday 11am to 6pm Saturday 10am to 5pm Host a party 415 Center Street Visit us on Facebook sales@bluejeansandbling.com

763-9100

Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only

Black Gold Cafe and Deli 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

Used Book Store in Taft

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

ALL Books $.25 April 1st - 30th ONLY

Best IPA Selection

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Bottled Beers!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

HAYDENS HOPE Closed April 20th and 21st See us at the Peddler’s Fair T- Shirts $.10 or 10 for $1 when you buy 10 or more or $3 a bag fill your own!

THRIFT STORE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

Thank you Unity Thrift and community for all the donations!

We Take Donations!

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

Beer & Wine Available To Go

God Bless!

Open Monday-Saturday 9am-2pm 5pm-8pm

745-4963

508 Center Street • Taft DIne In Or Pick Up • 661-765-6550

420 1/2 Center Street • TAFT

8

Community Voices

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Survivor Social on April 29 kicks off Taft Relay for Life Events

Today The President Makes Half As Many Laws As Do Congress, What Does the Constitution Say?

By Dr. Harold Pease The Founding Fathers’ concept of separation of powers has been heavily altered the last fifty years. The Constitution allowed only the Legislative Branch to make federal law (Art. I, Sec. I, Clause I). A law’s review by 536 individuals (435 members of the House, 100 Senators and 1 President) served as a filter for bad law as only one bill in thirty survived the rigid scrutiny of both branches and bore the signature of the President.

In light of the President’s recent Executive Order, National Defense Resources Preparedness, signed March 16, 2012, which should be the focus of considerable media attention, we need to examine the constitutionality of the executive order process that increasingly allows the executive branch to replace Congress as the principal law-making branch. But first a reminder of what this Executive Order does.

By a mere stroke of the pen President Barack Obama renewed and expanded the Bill Clinton, June 3,1994, National Defense Industrial Resources Preparedness, Executive Order 12919, that authorized the executive department’s take-over, in case of a national emergency, of all civil transportation including the “movement of persons and property by all modes of transportation … within the United States.” Other things specifically listed to be under his sole control were: all forms of energy, all farm equipment, all food resources, all food resources facilities, all health resources, and all water resources (Section VIII). National emergency was never adequately defined therefore, presumably, left to the discretion of the President alone as to when such conditions warranted his implementation or removal of the emergency.

Section 102 of the Obama decree broadened the Clinton E.O. to apply “in peacetime and in national emergency” which means that parts of the edict are in effect with his signature alone without any emergency identified. We no longer need to wait for an emergency. Moreover, according to Section 103(b), compliance can be forced upon all needed “subcontractors and suppliers, materials, skilled labor, and professional and technical personnel.” Imagine private contractors being required to serve against their will. Conspicuously omitted was any role for Congress in this “martial law type” edict.

Today, though the E.O. process, the President makes half as many laws (decrees if you prefer) as does the Legislative Branch—about three a week. Some few laws of Congress need a statement of implementation by the president. For example, President Washington was directed by Congress to create Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday. This he did

by Executive Order, which was constitutional. An executive order, if it simply implements a single, recently passed (within weeks), law of Congress is fine. But, when he instead takes multiple pieces of many laws passed by ancient congresses, he effectively creates new law without any review and unconstitutionally usurps the powers of Congress. This has happened through much of the 20th Century.

Even more blatantly unconstitutional is the practice of presidents, beginning with Richard Nixon, of not even attempting to justify their Executive Orders with ancient pieces of authorization, instead, just decreeing something to be law.

These are known as presidential decrees and differ little from monarchical, or dictatorial decrees.

The National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order opens, as all do, with a statement of authority that one must scrutinize to determine if the President is making new law or carrying out a specific, recent, congressional request.

“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S. C. App. 2061 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3. United States Code, and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:” is designed to sound official. If the reader cannot specifically go to the source of authority and read it, then the general statement is but window dressing. Phrases “as President by the Constitution” or, “as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces” establish no specific authority. The Constitution gives no authority for such an edict. One, recently cited, law by Congress specifically requesting the President to do something is definitely needed to make this executive order valid and the best the President was able to do was go back sixty-two years and make up stuff to go with the 1950 law.

Except for the few executive orders which require a statement of implementation by the president, all other types of executive orders are unconstitutional and must stop. If they do not, the inevitable will happen—Congress will nullify itself and dictatorial decrees will be the standard.

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 articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

1 Hour Massage $60 30 Min. Massage $40 1 Hour Foot Massage $40 10am - 10pm • 7 Days A Week

$5.00 OFF Any Service With This Ad 661-378-5851

1117 Kern Street #2

April 13 - 19, 2012

Taft Relay for Life, supporting The American Cancer Society is scheduled for May 19-20, 2012 at the TUHS Football Field. Teams are formed and raising money, purple ribbons are hung all around town, and survivors are getting ready to walk their lap. This life-changing event helps communities all over the world celebrate, remember, and fight back – Celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, Remember loved ones lost, and Fight back against the disease.

Survivors, Caregivers, Teams, and Supporters and the community are encouraged to come out for a 24 hour walk at the track at Taft Union High School. There are games, activities, food, fun, and lots of laughs. Registration for the Taft Relay for Life is available online at www.relayforlife.org/taftca. An amazing Luminaria ceremony to Remember those we have lost to cancer, Honor those still fighting, and Celebrate the Survivors is a must see event, which begins at dusk on May 19.

Prior to the large Relay for Life event, there are small fundraisers and events being held all over time. Everyone should participate in at least one of these events that teams have worked hard to put together to raise money for a great cause.

One great event is the Survivor Social. On Sunday April 29, 2012 from 1:00pm3:00pm, there is a special social event honoring all cancer survivors. This event, held at the Historic Fort, features a light lunch, chance for all survivors to get together, and if they choose, share their own tales of heroism with one another.

Barbara Duggins, a Hero for Hope, will be the guest speaker. Survivors will receive their purple shirts and can sign up for the Relay for Life Survivor Lap if they have not already done so. To register as a survivor and/or RSVP for the Survivor Social, please call Jessica or Shannon at the Taft Chamber at 765-2165.

For more information about the Relay for Life event, please call Lanelle at 3305606.

Postal Service Business Plan to Profitability Requires Comprehensive Approach The Postal Service has a comprehensive business plan that provides a clear path toward financial stability. To return to profitability, the Postal Service must continue to take actions that reduce costs and grow the business. The plan requires the reduction of annual costs by $22.5 billion by 2016. This cost reduction is necessary given projected declines in First-Class Mail volume, which has already dropped by 25 percent since 2006. However, the Postal Service can achieve only a portion of these reductions under current business model constraints; legislative changes are needed to achieve the full cost reductions and to provide the Postal Service with the flexibility needed to adjust more quickly to our customers’ changing mailing and shipping needs.

The Postal Service continues to work with Congress to seek comprehensive legislation to reform and improve the Postal Service business model. To return to long-term financial stability and to avoid burdening the American taxpayer, the Postal Service requires an urgent legislative remedy this fiscal year. In the absence of legislative reform that quickly enables meaningful operational changes and cost reductions, the Postal Service could incur annual losses as great as $21.3 billion by 2016, and accumulate a total debt of $92 billion by 2016. The Postal Service will continue to lose $25 million per day until it is allowed to fully enact its proposed changes.

The Postal Service does not receive tax dollars for operating expenses; it relies entirely on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

24 Hour Emergency Sewer & Drain Service 24 Hour Plumbing Repair Service Residential Commercial WASCO 758-3508

TAFT 344-2780 Adam Dayton

SHAFTER 745-5351

Lee Downing, Owner • Lic. #674961

Advertise With The Taft Independent!

Call Today!

765-6550

April 13 - 19, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft High Band Booster To Host “An Evening of Jazz” TUHS Band Boosters will be hosting “An Evening of Jazz.” The event will feature live jazz music from the Taft High Jazz Band along with dinner and dancing. Dinner and dessert will be served by students of the Taft High Concert Band.

Proceeds from this event will be used to provide graduating seniors with college scholarships.

The event will be held on Friday, May 4 at the Taft Masonic Lodge, 521 North Street. Doors to the event will open at 5:30pm and dinner will be served at 6pm. The evening’s festivities are expected to last until 8pm. A limited number of tickets will be available. Individual tickets are available for a $25 donation. Reserved tables for six people are also available for a $150 donation. A special Gold Package is also being offered for a $250 donation. This package includes a reserved table for six and the opportunity for an individual from your table to conduct the jazz band for one song.

The event is open to the public. Band alumni members are encouraged to attend. No alcoholic beverages will be served at the event. Tickets are available at the Taft Chamber of Commerce or from Amanda Posey at TUHS. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Robin Norton at (661)619-5771, Jane White at (661)623-1299, or Amanda Posey at (661)763-2351.

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

Licensed Funeral Directors

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

District Opens Locomotive Repower Application Period $2 million For Cleaner Engines The Valley Air District is seeking applications to repower line-haul, medium horsepower or switch locomotives with $2 million of available funding.

“The District’s grants program is continually expanding to address industries that need funding assistance in order to reduce emissions and improve our air quality,” said Samir Sheikh, the District’s grant program director. “Railroads are one of those segments.”

Funds are provided through the Diesel Emission Reduction Act from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A typical older locomotive emits about seven tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per year. A new locomotive with the cleanest technology available can reduce those emissions by 91 percent. In the Valley air basin, which is chronically affected by ozone and particulate pollution, sources such as locomotives can have a significant impact on air quality.

To be eligible for funding, a railroad must operate individual switch locomotives, MHP locomotives or intrastate line haul locomotives at least 50 percent of the time within the District’s boundaries.

The Request For Applications opens on April 10 and closes on May 25. Projects will be ranked and all applicants will be notified of their status. Unfunded applications will be kept active and may be funded as more funds become available.

For more information or to apply, contact the District’s Grants program at 559-230-6000 or visit http://www.valleyair.org/Grant_Programs/GrantPrograms.htm For more information about the Air District, call a regional office in Fresno (559-230-6000), Modesto (559-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-392-5500).

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

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

Taft Crude

Coffee House

www.sagebrushannies.com

Now Celebrating Our 23rd Year

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

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30

New Hope Temple Ice Blended Mocha Fat Free and Sugar Free Available in Most Flavors Open 7 Days - 763-5156 1010 6th Street • Taft

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

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

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Rev. Linda Huggard

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

NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Services 10am 1000 6th St.

630 North St.

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday

765-5557

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

Weekly Classes Mon - Thurs Please call 765-7472 for info 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 Pastor Cindy Brettschneider Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 11 AM Adult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PM Wednesday Night Service 6:00 PM Praise Team meets on Thursday at 6:00 PM

St. Mary’s Church 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft 661 765-4292

Mass Schedule

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

Community Christian Fellowship

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

For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 427-9722 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and Mary A. McWhorter

Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 9:00A.M. English 11:00A.M. Spanish

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

Gateway Temple

Altar Society Bake Sale

Sunday, April 15th 9am to 12 Noon

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

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

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

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

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

Ford City Tuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of Taft Wednesday

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

All green waste must be bagged.

Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

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

10

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Classifieds

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

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

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

Boxed ads are $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

Preserving for the Future

661-577-7136

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

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

Taft Independent210 508 CA 93268

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

Wednesday.

Business Services COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services Yard Sale 306 Eastern St. inside Sat. & Sun. Misc items.

Relay For Life Yard Sale Saturday Only! 300 Hillard Street, 7am-3pm You name it, we have it!

Huge Yard Sale Sat. 5 Victor St. off of Ash. 8am-? Furniture, clothes, toys, household items and more.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

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

COOLER SERVICES Cooler Service: Motors, pumps, pads, cleaning, installations. New & Old Scott 661-900-0917.

CLEANING SERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES Need a switch, a plug, a fan installed? Call Paul at 661-717-9361. Nonlicensed.

Employment HELP WANTED

Short order cook and bartender.

Tumbleweed cafe.

Must have experience.

809-4634.

TC Student wanted

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Wanted

WANTED

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

AUTOMOBILES

APART. FOR RENT 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

1993 GMC 4 WD Good work truck Newer trans, runs good $4,500 340-4354

Can’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you to a loan modification or assist you in your short sale!

Pets & Livestock

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

FOUND PETS LOST PETS Lost in Ford City 3 yr old Australian Shepherd Mix, tri-color, short hair, brown eye brows and legs, tail curls into a circle over his back.

Answers to Butch, 7631417 or 623-7000 or 623-3114.

Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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

CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057

302 Jefferson 2/1 $850 410 Buchanan 3/1 $900 606 Pierce 3/1.75 2 garages! $1,100 127 Lexington 3/1+pool! $1,200 302 E San Emidio 3/1.75+ pool! $1,300 402 Pierce St. 3bd/1ba 1 car garage + shop $889 mo. + dep. 661343-0507

CHILD CARE SERVICES

FOR SALE

YARD 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.

for part time waitress.

Experience required.

765-6550.

For Sale Computer Repair Graphic Arts Web Design Virus Removal 661-623-5188

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

With

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.

Get It Rented!

West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.

Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT 224 B St#C Studio $475

Plumbing • Septic • Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists 30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

West Side Real Estate And Property Management

Taft Independent

OPENING SOON

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Complete Remodel B.V.M.H.P. #115 New custom kitchen bath cabinets & hutch

By Taft Woodworks, granite on all surfaces new carpet, tile floors drywall, paint New black appliances 2 in. blinds crown molding 340-4354 763-1970

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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.

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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

April 13 - 19, 2012

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Westside News & Business Briefs

Obesity is Now a Problem for Unborn Babies

Author Lampoons Western Medicine, Examines Foreign Longevity Obesity isn’t just an American problem; in Britain, doctors have begun administering the diabetes drug metformin to the unborn babies of morbidly obese mothers-to-be to reduce the fetuses’ weight.

The reason: dangerously overweight pregnant women create excessive amounts of insulin, which results in “sumo babies” weighing 11 pounds or more. These extra-large newborns have twice the chance of becoming obese adults, and their numbers have risen by 50 percent in the past four years. Obese pregnant women are at a higher risk of dying while pregnant, and their babies are more likely to be stillborn.

“I don’t know how many more signs we need in Western society before we really get serious about our health,” says Gordon Filepas, author of Lean And Healthy To 100 (www.adviceformychildren.com), a guide for achieving optimal health based on studying cultures where long lives are the norm.

“Are we really treating unborn babies for obesity?”

In his research, Filepas found many common practices and characteristics in especially healthy cultures. They include: • Calories: It’s not necessary to count calories; people in healthy cultures don’t! Once you give your body what it needs, you’ll naturally consume fewer calories. This puts significantly less stress on the digestive system and reduces the potential of ingesting toxins.

• Heavy on nutrients: Human beings evolved as hunters and gatherers who took every opportunity for caloric intake. In the process, a wide spectrum of nutrients became the norm, and that is what bodies still crave today.

• Focus on whole and unprocessed foods, fats, and oils: Examples include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and grains. Meat, which is usually the main dish in Western culture, is often treated as a side dish in the cultures Filepas studied.

• Limited toxins: This includes few, if any, pollutants from processed food, water and other beverages, medicine and air.

• A sense of purpose: Individuals from these cultures feel like they are making a difference beyond earning money, and tend to work long days, six days a week.

• Innate exercise: Virtually no additional form of exercise is needed beyond their daily activity.

• Alcohol: Every culture has alcohol. Healthy populations drink regularly, but in moderation.

And, they take a greater sense of responsibility for their health.

• Traditional cooking methods: This means lowtech methods, absent of microwaves.

Finding a lifestyle that naturally promotes excellent health became an obsession for Filepas after the deaths of his father and brother in a three-month time span. He wanted to ensure he and his wife and three sons would be together for years to come.

“I tell my friends, family and anyone who will listen: Whatever you hear about health in America, do the exact opposite and you’ll be much healthier than the average American,” he says. “Americans are bombarded with confusion and misinformation about health; it’s a life-ordeath situation.”

The Legacy of Snow White Reviewed By Jane McCabe

Two new films on Snow White have recently been made— Mirror Mirror and Snow White & the Huntsman. Mirror Mirror is currently playing at the Fox Theater. It’s great fun for kids and adults alike.

Snow White is a fairy tale known in many countries in Europe, the best known version being the German one collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812: Once upon a time as a queen sits sewing at her window, she pricks her finger on her needle and three drops of blood fall on the snow that had fallen on her ebony window frame. As she looks at the blood on the snow, she says to herself, “Oh, how I wish that I had a daughter that had skin white as snow, lips red as blood, and hair black as ebony.” Soon after that, the queen gives birth to a baby girl who has skin white as snow, lips red as blood, and hair black as ebony. They name her Princess Snow White. As soon as the child is born, the queen dies.

Soon after, the king takes a new wife, who is beautiful but also very vain.

Inmate Walks Away From Taft Correctional Institution’s Minimal Security Satellite Camp On April 7, 2012, at 9:15 PM, while conducting the official count, staff at the Taft Correctional Institution discovered one inmate was missing from the Institution’s Satellite Camp facility. The Satellite Camp is a minimum-security facility that houses approximately 550 federal inmates. There is no security fence around the facility, which is common for a minimumsecurity facility within the federal prison system. Minimum security is the lowest security level in the federal prison system.

Taft Correctional Institution immediately contacted all appropriate law enforcement agencies including the Taft Police Department, Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff ’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and United States Marshals Service.

Juan Guadalupe Quezada Cornejo, Register Number 59448-112, was sentenced on November 17, 2011, in the Central District of California, to 66 months in federal custody for Conspiracy to Possess With Intent To Distribute and To Distribute Marijuana. He arrived at the Taft Correctional Institution Satellite Camp on December 8, 2011, and his projected release date was June 6, 2015.

Juan Guadalupe Quezada Cornejo, a 30-year-old white male of Hispanic origin, was born in Ventura, California on May 11, 1981. He is 6’0” tall, and weighs approximately 285 lbs. He has black hair, brown eyes, “Cornejo” tattooed on his chest and a 1” scar on the left side of his neck. He has used the following alias: Jose Guadalupe Cornejo, Jose Cornejo-Quezada, Jose Quezada, and has a nickname of Junior. His home address is listed as 7314 Richheld St. #6, Paramount, California, 90723.

If anyone suspects they have seen these individuals or obtains information as to their location, please contact the Taft Correctional Institution at 661-763-2510, or any law enforcement agency.

The new queen possesses a magical mirror, an animate object that answers any question, to whom she often asks: “Magic mirror on the wall / Who is the fairest of them all?” to which the mirror replies “You, my queen, are fairest of all.” But when Snow White reaches the age of seven, she becomes as beautiful as the day, and when the queen asks her mirror, it responds: “Queen, you are full fair, ‘tis true, but Snow White is fairer than you.”

The queen becomes jealous, and orders a huntsman to take Snow White into the woods and kill her. She demands that the huntsman, as proof of the killing, return with her lungs and her liver. The huntsman takes Snow White into the forest, but after raising his knife to stab her, he is unable to do so as he has fallen in love with her. So, he lets her go, telling her to flee and hide from the Queen. He then brings the Queen the lungs and the liver of a boar, which are prepared and eaten by the Queen. And so the story evolves…

The theme of Snow White is the inevitability of age destroying one’s beauty as young women who are more beautiful arise. Tragedy ensues when a woman cannot accept this.

In 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was made into an animated film, produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures. It was the first full-length animated feature in motion picture history, the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full color, the first to be produced by Walt Disney Productions, and the first in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.

The film was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” in 1989. It was one of two animated films to rank in the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest American films of all time in 1997 (the other being Disney’s Fantasia), ranking number 49. It reached number 34 in the list’s 2007 revision, this time being the only traditionally-animated film on the list. The AFI named the film as the greatest American animated film of all time in 1998.

Mirror Mirror opens with Queen Clementianna ( Julia Roberts) narrating the tale which she says is actually her story not Snow White’s. Snow White’s mother died after giving birth to her. Her father, the King (Sean Bean), then raised Snow White so that she could rule the kingdom one day.

Feeling that she needed a mother, the king married again. His new wife is Clementianna, the most beautiful woman in the land.

One day, the king leaves to fight a great evil that has invaded the land, leaving Snow White his favorite dagger. He rides off into the forest and never comes back. Clementianna rules in his place. Jealous and threatened

by Snow White and the people’s devotion to her, the queen decides Snow White must do what snow does best…fall, and so the tale evolves…

In this film the dwarfs (“Little People” as my sister reminds me) are delightful. They are played by actual dwarfs.

All visual effects are unusual, even by modern fantasy film standards.

There was a reason for this which wasn’t clear until the film ended with the marriage of Snow White to Prince Alcott. I found it strange that her wedding gown was decorated with a huge orange bow and she sang, “I Believe in Love”, Bollywood style!

Then it made sense: The film was directed by an Indian director, Tarsem Singh! It was filmed in Montreal! Many of those who participated in making it were Indian expatriates, hence the Bollywood influence. I think this adds to the film’s freshness and originality.

Snow White and the Huntsman is an upcoming action fantasy directed

by Rupert Sanders and written by Evan Daugherty. The film is currently in post-production and is slated for release on June 1, 2012 in the United States.

Its premise is that in a kingdom ruled by tyranny, the vain and selfish Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) learns that her stepdaughter, Snow White (Kristen Stewart), is destined to surpass her not only as the “Fairest One of All” but also as the kingdom’s future ruler. But then the Queen learns from her Magic Mirror (Christopher Obi) that the only way to remain in power is to consume Snow White’s heart and achieve immortality.

Meanwhile, Snow White escapes into the Dark Forest and Ravenna recruits the Huntsman Eric (Chris Hemsworth) to kill Snow White. Eric, however, takes pity on the young princess and teaches Snow White the art of war.

Now, with the aid of eight dwarves and Prince William (Sam Claflin), Snow White begins a rebellion to bring down her stepmother once and for all…

I suspect that neither the makers of Mirror Mirror nor of Snow White & the Huntsmen knew there was another crew making a movie based on the same fairy tale. But, both sensed that the time had come for a remaking of the Grimm tale.

12

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

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

western shop & PET Wash

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Ready For That Long Hair To Come Off? CALL US!

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

The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant

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

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

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations