Taft College 90th Anniversary

Independent The Taft

August 24 - 30, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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August 24 - 30, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 9

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

Casa Tabares Mexican & Seafood Restaurant OPens On Kern Street

New Taft College Parking Lot Opens Just in Time for Fall Classes

Taft College Celebrates 90 Years

Taft College Foundation Director Sheri Horn Bunk, with Class of ‘42 Graduate Harry Wilson and College Mascot Cougie

By Jane McCabe

MESSENGER AUTOMOTIVE SEE US FOR YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS

Over 36 Years Experience Combined

Paranorman: Movie Review by Jane McCabe

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2 TAFT INDEPENDENT

August 24 - 30 2012

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New Selection Watch Batteries of Clocks and 426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451 Knives

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

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

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

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August 24 - 30, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

League Of Women Voters Present Pros and Cons of November Ballot Initiatives

Have a community event that you would like to include?

Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com

Bakersfield, CA – The League of Women Voters of Kern County will host a presentation of the pros and cons of the statewide propositions on Wednesday, September 19 at the Petroleum Club.

Westside Watcher............4 Westside News.................5 Westside News.................6

August 30th - Taft College 90th Birthday Party 12pm-2pm August 30 - Farmer’s Market on Center Street August 31st - September 3rd, Taft Bike Fest

Westside News.................7

September 27th - Last Farmers Market

Liberty Under Fire.........8

September 29th - Taft College/ TIL Casino Night

Currently there are 11 statewide propositions appearing on the November ballot.

Propositions 30 through 40 cover a wide range of subjects including increased income tax, political contributions, auto insurance, death penalty repeal, three strikes law revision and others.

The purpose of the presentation is to make certain Kern County voters are informed before they cast their ballot. The presentation will be arranged by League member Terri Stanton.

The presentation will be held at the Petroleum Club, 5060 California Avenue.

Dinner will begin at 5:45pm and the cost is $25. Those who are interested in attending the program portion only should arrive at 6:45pm. There is no cost.

The community is invited to attend. Please make your reservation by Monday, September 17 by calling the League Line at 661-634-3773 or email Patti Jepsen at patti.jepsen.ak8b@statefarm.com.

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The Taft Independent

TUHS Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations

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

Persons who want to nominate candidates for the Taft Union High School Hall of Fame may do so by filling out the nomination form and sending it, along with supportive materials, to: Sheri Gregory, TUHS Superintendent’s Office, One Wildcat Way, Taft, CA 93268. Details on nomination eligibility can be found at Taft Union High School Facebook page.

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.

Nomination forms are available by contacting: dicksny@bak.rr.com The committee will be pleased to correspond with persons nominating a candidate and answer questions they might have.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE 2013 Class, is NOVEMBER 1, 2012. Nominations must be in the Superintendent’s Office by the close of business that day.

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 look forward to nominations for all categories and from every decade of the 20th Century. Think about your classmates, their lives and their accomplish-

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

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

Roosevelt School Back To School Night

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.

Roosevelt School’s Back to School Night is coming up on Thursday, August 30th at 6:00. Any help you could give with getting word out to the public would be great.

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

There will be a brief gathering in the cafeteria for introductions and general information, followed by individual classroom presentations and then a presentation by students involved in the E3L Student Voice English Learner Network.

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

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

We will also be having our fall Book Fair in the library, and guests will have the opportunity to preview items from our upcoming Mixed Bags PTO fundraiser, join the PTO, and vote for School Site Council and English Learner Advisory Committee members.

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

Thanks for your help!!

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Nancy Hickernell Principal, Roosevelt School (661)763-3113

Contributing Writers June Woods, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California

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

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4 TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial The Taft

Independent

Westside Watcher

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

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

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

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

Black Gold Cafe & Deli Pastas - Sandwiches Espresso - Beer - Wine Craft Beers Open Monday to Friday 6:30am to 8pm Saturday 7:30am to 8pm Sunday 10am to 2pm 508 Center Street 765-6556

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469 LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft TAFTFOX.COM Week of Friday, August 24, 2012 through Thursday, August 30, 2012 ParaNorman (PG) No Passes Allowed Fri: (3:00), (5:00), 7:00, 9:00 Sat: (1:00), (3:00), (5:00), 7:00, 9:00 Sun: (1:00), (3:00), (5:00), 7:00 Mon - Thu: (5:00), 7:00 The Bourne Legacy (PG-13) Fri - Sun: (3:15 PM) Mon - Thu: (5:05 PM) The Campaign (R) Fri: (3:10), (5:10), 7:10, 9:10 Sat: (1:10), (3:10), (5:10), 7:10, 9:10 Sun: (1:10), (3:10), (5:10), 7:10 Mon - Thu: (5:10), 7:10

Taft Petroleum Club 450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Monday- Friday 3:30pm to Close

Friday Night Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm

Club Reopening After Summer Break September 5th Industry Night The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

California Sales Tax Down By 33.5% California has avoided default by temporarily borrowing from state trust funds, but those accounts will soon need their cash back to continue operating. The state quickly began trying to sell $10 billion in municipal bonds to fund the record $28 billion they need to keep the lights on. With tax revenue plummeting and the state already the second lowest rated credit in the country, if the independent credit rating agencies downgrade the state to “junk bond”, California will be short up to $18 billion and default.

California Governor Jerry Brown is steam-rolling environmentalists and regulators to generate more state tax revenue by expediting approval of pro-business infrastructure.

State Controller John Chaing reported that California’s July sales tax revenue was down 33.5% from the budget approved in late June. Even more ominously, the state’s $9.6 billion cash deficit that was rolled over from the June 30th fiscal year has catapulted to $18 billion last month.

Governor Brown used his line-item veto authority to strike $128.9 million in spending from the $91.3 billion California general fund before signing the state budget. Brown’s cuts surprisingly hit Democrat priorities, such as spending for child care and preschool for low-income children, and closing 30 state parks.

But Republican Senator Tom Berryhill warned Brown: “This budget is a slow-motion train wreck, and you’re driving the bus.” Berryhill criticized Democrats for failing to reign in public pensions, regulatory terrorism and cap state spending that Republicans say are all needed to rescue state government.

But by agreeing to sign the budget before the June 30th end of the fiscal year, Brown spared all the California legislators from losing their paychecks under a voter-approved initiative that blocks their pay if a budget is late.

The governor justified signing the budget based on the twin assumption that the California economy was expanding and the voters would approve his November 2012 tax initiative that would raise $8.5 billion. Many analysts doubted the voters willingness to vote to raise sales tax on themselves, but we were virtually alone in warning California’s shallow economic recovery had peaked and the state was at risk for a double dip recession.

State Controller John Chiang tried to rationalize that even though California revenues were “disappointingly” down $475 million in July: “However, because spending appears to be tracking and the funds that the State depends on for liquidity are performing well, California’s cash outlook remains stable.”

This is sort of like the pilot of a jumbo jet announcing to the passengers that as a safety precaution they may want to cross your arms over your calves and grab your ankles and to brace yourself for possible impact.

Paik’s

Ranch House Restaurant “Where Everybody Meets”

Opinion

August 24 - 30 2012

California Is Not Quite as Bad as Greece, But It Certainly Is Special

By Senator Mimi Walters Governor Jerry Brown recently took offense with Governor Mitt Romney’s comment recently, jokingly comparing California’s economic condition to that of the debt-burdened European countries of Greece, Spain or Italy. In an effort to protect his image and work, Brown immediately put on his rose-colored glasses and went into damage control. “Just silly,” Brown said during a visit to a Frito-Lay facility in Los Angeles.

Romney’s point was that entrepreneurs and businesspeople know that California’s Democratic leadership is simply blind as to how the state government’s behavior is killing jobs and stifling economic growth, just as the governments in the aforementioned European nations have done. California business owners know this reality all too well, and recognize Romney’s statement as not so much ‘silly’ as it is painfully true.

Here are some of the realities faced by California’s small business community: 5. Lowest Credit Rating in the Nation Standard & Poor’s has given California the lowest credit rating in the nation. S&P analysts call the state’s budget operation “dysfunctional” and “deficient” and note that “a lot of times its budget gimmicks don’t work out.” (“S&P: California Can’t Afford to Bungle Budget,” Elizabeth MacDonald, Fox Business, 6/11/2012) 4. High-Speed Spending Spree The Governor and Legislative Democrats just authorized spending to begin on a $70 billion high-speed rail system, even though nobody’s yet agreed on where exactly the tracks will go or who exactly will ride it, or where exactly the remaining $60-plus billion to finish building it will come from. The interest payments alone, which come out of the General Fund, will cost taxpayers $380 million per year. ( Joel Fox, “No on Prop 30 Video Reveals — How Sacramento Politicians Spent Their Summer Vacation,” Fox & Hounds, 8/9/2012) 3. 3rd Highest Unemployment Rate in the Nation California has the third highest unemployment rate in the nation.

Even though it has dipped slightly from the 11.9 percent peak last June to the current rate of 10.7 percent, California’s unemployment rate remains 23 percent higher than the national average of 8.2 percent. (California Employment Development Department, “California’s unemployment rate decreases to 10.7 percent,” 6/20/2012) 2. Taxes, Taxes, Taxes (and Fees) The people of California will face a myriad of tax measures on this November’s ballot, including a soda tax, a sales tax, an income tax and several dozen fee increases. (Editorial, “California Voters Face A Very Taxing Ballot Election Day,” Riverside Press Enterprise, 8/8/2012) 1. The Wall of Debt - Pension Liability Legislative Democrats are stalling on making any reforms to taxpayer-financed retirement plans for public employees – reforms proposed by a Democratic governor, no less. The bipartisan Little Hoover Commission found that the top 10 public employee pension systems in California faced a combined $240 billion shortfall as of 2010. “California will pay about $3.7 billion for state employees’ pensions in its next fiscal year, more than it now pays but less than the state set aside for retirement-related expenses in the prior fiscal year....” ( Jim Christie, “State Employee Pensions To Cost California $3.7 Billion,” Reuters, 5/16/2012) Comparing California to Greece is far from “silly.” Our selfimposed problems have California on the road to economic ruin.

That is a very serious truth.

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August 24 - 30, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft Bike Fest

Labor Day Weekend on the Rails to Trails Friday August 31 - Monday September 3rd Taft, California Sponsored by Randy’s Trucking Motorcycle Stunt Show Tattoo and Pin-Ip Girl Contest Motorcycle Show - Bike Games Food Vendors Beer Garden Live Concerts Friday Last Chance Band - Jukeboxx - The Aviators Saturday 1916 - Black Water Soul - ZEDD Sunday Stiff Cats - Last Chance Band Campaing at the Rails To Trails Will be available - RV’s, Trailers and Tents - No Hook Ups Vendor Space Available (661) 765-2165 Look for us on Facebook & Look For Updates

Maricopa Shell

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TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs Black Gold Cafe and Deli Pastas • Sandwiches Espresso • Beer • Wine

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!

Monday - Friday 6:30am - 8pm Saturday 7:30am - 8pm Sunday 10am - 2pm

Live Musical Entertainment and Beer Tasting “Fruit Flavored Beers” Friday, August 31st 6 p.m.

Beer Tasting $10 per person Featuring

Wells Banana Bread Beer Youngs Double Chocolate Stout Dog Fish Head Aprihop Dogfish Head Festina Peach

Taft College Celebrates 90 Years

By June Woods

Taft College will be celebrating its 90th anniversary on Aug. 30 from noon to 2 p.m.

“We have several events in the works,” said Sheri HornBunk, Taft College Foundation executive director. “The first will be a birthday party on the quad for community, alumni, friends, staff, faculty and students.”

The birthday bash in the quad will feature a 90 inch by 90 inch birthday cake as well as 90 cent hotdogs, 90 cent chips and 90 cent sodas, and a raffle for $50 gas cards. “There is going to be music, too,” Horn-Bunk said. “College songs and birthday songs, but also some pop music.”

At 12:30 there will be a presentation featuring many Taftians who support the college, and some familiar faces from outside the community.

“Local politicians—Ray Watson, Shannon Grove and Jean Fuller—will be presenting resolutions,” Horn-Bunk said, “and someone from Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s office will present the college with a flag that was flown over the Whitehouse.”

Taft College has been a boon to people on the Westside and the wider Kern County area. “I’ve been doing a lot of reading on the history of the college,” said Dr. Dena Maloney, Taft College’s new superintendent/president. “It’s so exciting. I’m really proud of the college. If those community leaders that started the college back in 1922 were to step onto the campus today, they would be very proud. It has really all been possible because of their vision.”

Taft College Foundation is also initiating a drive on this occasion to build a fund to serve faculty and students. The fund-raising campaign is “Give $90 for Our 90th Birthday to Raise 90K.”“We are asking for $90 from employees and

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August 24 - 30 2012

Taft College has just completed repaving and expanding the school’s parking lot with the addition of a new traffic circle that serves as the entrance to the college. Classes begin on Monday, August 27th.

alumni,” Horn-Bunk said. She said grants from the fund will go toward helping student clubs or faculty who wants to improve teaching skills.

Horn-Bunk is confident the foundation will be able to raise the funds because the college enjoys a lot of support in the community, especially from its approximately 40,000 alumni who have watched the school grow and thrive.

Alumnus Harry Wilson, who was born the year before Taft College was established, attended when classes were being held at the high school. “I graduated in 1942,” Wilson said.

“There were less than 100 students then. It was very small. It was wartime.” He said that he knows of only two other alumni from those days that are still around.

Even in those early days, the education received at Taft College was high quality. “I studied business and then went into the service,” Wilson said. “After they tested me, the captain called me in and told me that my IQ was 154 and they wanted me to train to be an officer. I turned him down because I didn’t think I had what it took to be an officer.”

Taft College Foundation Director Sheri Horn Bunk stands with Class of ‘42 graduate Harry Wilson and Cougie the Cougar the schools mascot presented by Lani Kaiwi who is a student athlete on the women’s volleyball team and currently works at the Cougar Corner Bookstore.

Ensuring more success stories and supporting a strong student body is part of the reason the foundation is working to build a fund. “We really don’t have a fund that addresses these issues,” Horn-Bunk said. But, Taft College is still discussing what other uses can be made of the money to improve student success. “We have talked about having an emergency grant for students who fall on destitute times and need funding for food or basic necessities,” she said.

The foundation plans to give two $2,500 gifts per year.

Employees who would like to help with the fund may opt to have monthly payroll deductions of $7.50 for staff and $10 for faculty.

The college is also hoping that students at the school’s 90th birthday party will support a ride share program. Of the college’s 3,200 students, only 25 percent are from Taft. At a ride share booth at the party students from outside Taft can sign up for commuting services to help save money on gas.

The Taft College Foundation is planning more celebrations in October. On the 19th the community is invited to the school’s open house to learn about programs and projects it is involved in, and the following day at 3:30 p.m. there will be a ribbon cutting for the Al Baldock Cougar Sports Center.

“Right after the ribbon cutting,” Horn-Bunk said, “everyone is invited to the quad for the third annual Taft College Foundation Cougar Rib-Eye Cookout.”

Orchel Krier from the Tumbleweed Café is cooking the rib-eye, and there will also be beer and wine on sale. The entertainment will be by The Blackboard Playboys from Trouts.

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

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August 24 - 30, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Westside News & Business Briefs

City Council Seeks Sewer Upgrades, Rails to Trails Extention on Hillard Street

By Kent Miller

Taft City Councilmembers made short work of three brief agendas Tuesday evening, meeting as the council/successor agency to the Taft Redevelopment Agency, Taft Public Improvement Corporation, and Taft Public Financing Authority.

The meeting trio lasted less than one hour, with the Corporation and Authority agendas each having only two items: approval of minutes from each agencies’ 2011 annual meeting and receiving and filing the comparative analysis of changes in fund balances for each.

The council agenda was longer, but only slightly.

However, the most important news of the night wasn’t on the agenda. It was a Council Statements report by Mayor Randy Miller that the contract between Taft and Los Angeles County to house some of Los Angeles Sheriff ’s Department prisoners at the Taft California Correctional Facility will be on the agenda for that county’s supervisors meeting of Sept. 4.

The Taft facility will probably be opening in October, Miller noted.

Plant upgrades Following a public hearing at which no one spoke, the council approved an application for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service Funding for the Taft/Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade project.

“City staff has been working on this for a couple of years,” Miller said. “The plant is in need of an upgrade.”

Councilmember Dave Noerr noted that the staff has spent a lot of time and effort researching the project.

“The initial idea was very costly,” Noerr said. “Still (the staff ) took another look and found a lesser-financial-impact solution.”

The Rural Utilities Service Funding program offers financial assistance for construction of public utility facilities – including wastewater treatment projects – which benefit rural communities, City Manager Craig Jones noted in his information to the council.

The matter was approved by a 4-to-0 vote, with Councilmember Paul Lander absent.

Trails work Bowman Asphalt Inc. was awarded a $252,252 contract for the Rails to Trails Phase 2 project.

Phase 2 will extend Trails from Hillard Street to 100 feet west of Sandy Creek.

The work includes: site demolition, grading and removal of excess materials; asphalt; sidewalks; trail benches with concrete slab, waste receptacles and bike racks; water fountains, irrigation system and water lines; stripings, markings and signage; 40 trees and 38 shrubs; and exclusionary fencing.

Code enforcement More than $4,300 in expenditures for code enforcement abatements/clean-up at two locations was approved.

The property owners for 510 3rd St. and 509 Center St. were contacted by city staff and didn’t respond, so the city will fund $2,442 in clean-up costs for the 3rd Street work and $1,862 for the Center Street work.

The property owners are liable for the costs.

HAYDENS HOPE THRIFT STORE

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Taft High hosts Back-to-School Night Tuesday, Aug. 28

Taft Union High School officials are inviting parents and community members to join them for a free hot dog barbecue as partners in educating students at Back-to-School Night on Tuesday<Aug. 2>.

The event begins with dinner in the quad from 6 to 6:25 p.m. The band will perform during dinner.

At 6:20 p.m., Superintendent Mark Richardson will welcome parents, introduce school board members and give an overview of the evening’s events during a five-minute orientation. “We want to emphasize that parents are our partners in education and give them a chance to see what their children are doing at school. They will get to see the positive accomplishments of their children,” Superintendent Richardson explained. The format is designed to make the school more open to parents so they feel comfortable.

“We want parents and guardians to be involved in their child’s education. Without their help, the education of the child cannot happen to the fullest extent.”

Parents will have access to the library from 5:30 to 7:30 and may sign up for a MyCats account. A Verification Pass Code or VPC code was mailed home. The account allows parents to check their child’s grades.

From 6:30 to 8:10, the evening will follow the traditional format where parents follow their child’s class schedule from Period 1 through 7. Each class visitation with teachers will last 10 minutes. Passing periods are five minutes each. Period 1 will be from 6:30 to 6:40; Period 2 from 6:45 to 6:55; Period 3 from 7 to 7:10; Period 4 from 7:15 to 7:25; Period 5 from 7:30 to 7:40; Period 6 from 7:45 to 7:55; and Period 7 from 8 to 8:10.

Teachers will provide a course overview including expectations, goals and objectives, textbook and materials, and grading and homework policy. Parents with specific questions about students are asked to contact the Guidance Center in the main administration building to make an appointment. Counselors will be available in the Guidance Center.

In another clean-up project, the discovery of asbestos in a structure found to be built of concrete and with a full underground oil waste tank on property at 108 7th St. has boosted the cost by $9,300.

The original clean-up cost approved in June with NSM Inc. of Wasco was $10,500.

And once NSM removes the concrete floor over the oil waste tank to determine how big it is and if the contents are hazardous, there could be an additional increase in the clean-up cost beyond the $19,800 approved Tuesday, a company spokesperson told the city.

Earlier start An item will be put on the council’s Sept. 4 agenda that the starting time for the twice monthly meetings be moved to 6 p.m. from the present 7 p.m., at the request of city staff.

A change in starting time requires a public hearing and a change in city ordinance.

Taft Gets a New Mexican Restaurant Casa Tabares

Tacos and Mariscos Casa Tabares Opens on Kern Street.

A new Mexican and seafood restaurant opened on Kern Street last Saturday. Owner Andres Tavares, Agustin Tabares and Antonio Tabares along with Eva and Luis Jimenez stand in front of the new restaurant located at the corner of 4th and Kern Streets in the former Jacobs.

Gasoline Up This Week

Average retail gasoline prices in California have risen 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.10/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.70/g, according to gasoline price website CaliforniaGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in California during the past week, prices yesterday were 39.9 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 35.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 21.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 11.8 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“The national average has finally begun to cool off after rising nearly every day since the start of July,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “As the West Coast and Great Lakes see refining issues in the rear view mirror, as well as the end of the summer driving season approaching, we may see a new downward pattern develop which could see average prices fallingespecially after mid-September, a pattern that could dominate the gas pump until the holiday season,” DeHaan said.

It’s A Lovely Day In The Neighboorhood... ...unless you live in South Taft next to this house (and many others like it), and you depend on Kern County Code compliance to ensure that your neighborhood is a clean and healthy living area where you can raise your kids and know that your property taxes are working hard for you.

Yes, welcome to west Kern County where you can always count on code enforcement to let you down when it comes to the quality of living conditions of your neighborhood. Structures like this one dot the landscape where the neighbors have no voice and they have given up on contacting the county to help with extreme eyesores like this one.

We’ll ask once again, what does it take and for how long does it take for code enforcement to fix properties like this?

Next Week’s Photo: Pickers Partadise

8 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Liberty Under Fire The Powerful Special Interest Group that Nobody Writes about except “Kooks.”

Dr. Harold Pease I was a young man when I received my Ph. D, but I well remember the rigor and the attention to documentation that went along with it. I was trained to believe nothing that was not well documented. In fact, the training (perhaps conditioning) included avoiding anything that seemed unreasonable or conspiratorial. As a result I was not always as open minded as I should have been. The Warren Commission Report on the John F. Kennedy assassination was the only document that I shared with my students on the subject. I am still prone to be this way; after all, there are “kooks” out there and I do not have the time or resources to investigate every alternative explanation.

In graduate school days I had heard of the Bilderbergers with the accompanying accusations that they were a group of the world’s high finance and political power players that were plotting a world government. No one else took these charges seriously so neither did I. After all I was a scholar, whatever that was!

Year after year, since the first Bilderberg meeting in the Netherlands in 1954, they attracted the elite of Western Europe and the United States; the names included many of the most trusted and prominent on either continent. People who normally attracted lots of press coverage, sometimes meeting in the United States right under our nose, and the establishment press consistently ignored them. Certainly no one would actually be plotting the merger of world nations into one, which would, if successful, necessitate the end of our republic as we know it I reasoned, but no coverage at all from the big presses!!

Moreover, the reports from a variety of lesser-known presses and authors, were consistent with one another for over fifty years complete with photos of participants arriving, armed guards to prevent uninvited attendees, discarded printed materials from their secret meetings, and even guest lists. It was the same every year complete with the arrest of “kooks” taking pictures of guests arriving at these posh and secluded get away places. Foreign presses usually had better coverage. Something very important was going down and the great networks and news magazines were always somewhere else, as though these events never happened.

I now include the Bilderbergers as an international special interest group when I cover special interest groups in political science.

The documentation warrants it. When I overcame my programing and my “kook phobia,” at least on the idea that since we have been steadily moving in the direction of globalization (the current vogue word for world government), it is very likely that there are proponents of it intentionally leading us toward it. They see world government as the only solution to giving us peace and prosperity. I well remember the failed promises of communism, whose conspiratorial proponents gave us the same “pipe dream.”

If you are experiencing “kook phobia,” everything I have written about the Bilderbergers, and much more, is found on Wikipedia the internet encyclopedia, complete with 47 references. Both the left and the right are showing some awareness of the power of this semi-secret organization. My favorite, on the left, is that of former Cuban president Fidel Castro, of all people, who “describes ‘sinister cliques and the Bilderberg lobbyists’ manipulating the public ‘to install a world government that knows no borders and is not accountable to anyone but its own self ’.” Well-done Fidel!

Another source is the official Bilderberg Website. They too, admit “there remains a clear need to further develop an understanding in which these concerns [previously identified as foreign affairs and international economy] can be accommodated.” Solutions are always more governance at the international level or bluntly, world government.

This years conference was held May 31-June 3 in the posh Westfield’s Marriott Washington Dulles Hotel in Chantilly, Virginia some thirty miles outside Washington D.C. This time the Washington Post had a small article and the Washington Times had two notations of the activity, one front page, otherwise the establishment press again ignored it.

Notable attendees of the 100 coming from the U. S. included the usual faces of Henry Kissinger and Bill Gates. Democrats had favorite son Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and lead proponent of the Law of the Sea Treaty advocating giving the UN 70% of the surface of the earth, a long-time favored Bilderberg goal. They also had White House National Security Advisor Thomas E. Donilon.

Republicans had in attendance past presidential hopeful and former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. of Indiana, and Vin Weber, a two-time Bilderberg presenter and presently advisor to Mitt Romney.

There are still “kooks” out there and I still do not have time or resources to investigate every alternative explanation for why globalism is growing so fast but this “kook” explanation has earned its right to be brought to the table and considered seriously. Let us begin with editors and column readers.

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.

Seniors! It’s Portrait Time!

August 24 - 30 2012

Movie Review Paranorman

By Jane McCabe The definition of paranormal is “beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation,” so, of course Paranorman is a play on this definition —it’s an animated movie about Norman, a child who possesses extra normal psychic ability in that he can see and talk with the ghosts who inhabit his home town of Blithe Hollow.

The reason given for their existence is the commonly held one: that they are souls whose unfinished business has prevented them from moving beyond—to wherever the dead who are not so troubled go.

Norman is considered to be a freak by his classmates. His family is aggravated by his habit of talking with his late grandmother.

Norman makes a friend with Neil Downe, (please note the play on words) an eccentric fat boy who is bullied himself and finds Norman’s earnest admission as a medium an intriguing part of their bond.

Though I had my usual complaint that the movie was too long and dragged towards a resolution I liked it because my sense of propriety was not violated and its evolution made sense to me.

Blithe Hollow is haunted because of a witch’s curse. A group of zombie ghosts inhabit the paranormal atmosphere. The well-being of the community is in jeopardy. During rehearsal of a school play commemorating her execution of 300 years ago, Norman has a harrowing vision of the town’s past and her being pursued by the town’s citizenry…

At heart Paranorman is a morality tale. People tend to ostracize those who are different. The evil they do is rooted in their fear of the unknown: 300 years ago the town folk feared a young girl, who, like Norman, possesses extra normal sensory ability, and so they murdered her. It’s her restless spirit seeking revenge that now disturbs the town’s tranquility. Those who perpetuated this crime are the zombie ghosts who haunt Blithe Hollow.

The mantel falls on Norman to change things… There’s a huge storm.

Norman finds the witch’s grave, and is confronted by the vengeful spirit of Agatha. She tries to drive him away, but he resolutely holds his ground, telling her that he understands how she feels as an outcast. Norman endures her assault and convinces her that despite her grievance, vengeance accomplishes nothing but the infliction more pain. He persuades her to stop.

As the girl, Aggie, calms down and finds a measure of peace, knowing that one person in the town understands her, the storm dissipates. She and the zombies all peacefully fade away. Day breaks, the town cleans up and regards Norman as its hero—while the media tries to explain the disturbance as merely a powerful storm.

Paranorman is an animated adventure horror film produced by Laika. Given the integrity with which this animated film was made, we should look for other productions by this company.

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

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CALL NOW 763-5429

427 Center Street • Since June 1986

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

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.

August 24 - 30, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Black Gold

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

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

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

Licensed Funeral Directors

501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111

Now Celebrating Our 23rd Year

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

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

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

FABRIC • NOTIONS • GIFTS

Open 7 Days - 765-6556 508 Center Street • Taft

Check Out Our Website Maricopaquiltcompany.com And Facebook Page

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

WED.-FRI. 10:00-5:30 SAT. 10:00-2:00

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

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

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

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

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

Mass Schedule

Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 8:30A.M. English 11:00A.M. Spanish

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

Call for Appointment Today!

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

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 Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

Advertise With The Taft

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Gateway Temple

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

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

All your detailing needs!

FD756 FDR50 FDR595 FDR618

Independent

Call Today!

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

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

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

Ford City Tuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of Taft Wednesday

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

All green waste must be bagged.

Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

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

10 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Classifieds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Phone: 765-6550 Phone: 765-6550

For Rent

426 Shattuck

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

Preserving for the Future

August 24 - 30 2012

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

Get It Rented!

Fax:765-6556 765-6556 Fax:

Ken Shugarts

Air Conditioning & Heating

Plumbing • Septic • Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507 30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

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

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

Taft Independent210 508 CA 93268

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.

306 Eastern inside of house. Lots of stuff. Sat. YARD SALE 527 D St. Sun. 8/26 7am gently used clothing, baby stuff, misc

ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 9:00am—3:00pm.

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

SERVICES OFFERED

Computer Repair. Daniel Loza. 661-293-0961.

Hablo espanol. 6-24.

HELP WANTED CITY OF TAFT ACCOUNT CLERK I/II Level I $1,111.29 $1,350.79 Bi-weekly Level II $1,224.95 $1,488.94 Bi-weekly This position performs a variety of accounting, clerical, bookkeeping and administrative work in accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general administration work depending on area of assignment.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Account Clerk I Graduation from a high school or GED; and Two (2) years support work experience, maintaining financial and statistical reports.

College or Business School course work in accounting or bookkeeping may substitute for the required experience on a year for year basis.

Account Clerk II-Two (2) years of experience performing duties equivalent to an Account Clerk I. Application and job description may be obtained: at City Hall, 209 East Kern Street, Taft, CA or at www. cityoftaft.org. Final Filing Date: 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of application. E.O.E.

Crane Operator/ Pumping Unit Mechanic.

Qualified candidates must be NCCCO certified with 2-3 years oilfield experience, Class A commercial license is required.

Candidates will be required to successfully complete a preemployment physical and drug screen.

Southern Sierra offers a competitive salary and benefit package.

Applications may be picked up at our business office or

resumes may be faxed or emailed to: Southern Sierra General Engineering, Inc. P O Box 1113 857 Oleander Road Taft, CA 93268 661-765-6182 Office 661-765-6155 Fax www.southernsierrainc. com hr@southernsierrainc. com Front desk help. Next Step Cardio on Center Street. Part-time. 2055579.

Free Lance Writer. Taft Independent seeks free lance writer. Writing Exp. Req. Feature, news, interviews. 7656550.

CHILD CARE SERVICES

Wanted

WANTED

For Sale FOR SALE

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.

MOBILE HOMES HOMES FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.

Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500 Lic # 01525550

FOR RENT 205 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $700 218 Shattuck 3/1 $800 535 B Street 3/1 $850 108 E. Calvin 3/1 $950 224 B St 3/1 $900 116 Franklin 3/1 $900 127 Franklin 3/1 $1,000 500 Welch 3/2.5 $1,200 108 Brandon 3/1.75 $1,500

_

EXECUTIVE HOME FOR RENT 813 Philippine St.

AUTOMOBILES FOUND ITEMS FOUND PETS LOST PETS

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 HOMES FOR SALE

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

By Appointment Karri Christensen LIC# 01522411 & #01333971 661-332-6597 www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

3-Car Garage 3-Carport 3-Bedroom, 2 bath, Fireplace Covered Patio With Hot Tube Available Oct. 1st Call: 763-3517 Super clean. 1 bd. patially furn house.

Stove, refrig. wash and dryer. Pest control and gardener provided. No pets. $800 mo plus. sec. dep. 765-4786.

Between. 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. 9-7 3bed, 1 1/2 bath. Newly remodeled, great neighborhhood. $985 plus $1,000 dep. 763-1086.

116 Pierce St. 1bd. 1 Ba. $550 mo plus dep.

661 343-0507.

116 1/2 Pierce. 1 bd. 1 ba. $430 mo. plus dep.

661 343-0507.

310 Kern St. 3 bd. 1 ba. $850 plus dep. 661 343-0507.

APART. FOR RENT

Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr. Imperial Gardens. 1 bd. $525. 2bd $625. plus dep. Pool, Stove and dishwasher. 661 7654299. 9-14.

Personals PERSONALS

Your Classified Ad Here! Over 3,500 Issues Per Week of the Taft Independent st affordable classified ad in town.

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

Taft Independent Call

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LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

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www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Ads

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ROGER MILLER INSURANCE

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Yates’ Detailing

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600 Center Street Taft, California

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All your detailing needs!

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Call for Appointment Today!

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

August 24 - 30, 2012

Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

TAFT INDEPENDENT

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

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

Used to be Paul’s Bike Shop

BMX

Bikes Are Here!

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

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

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

Qik Smog & Tune

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

745-4919

608 Center St.

Devon’s Body Shop

(661)763-4445

508 Center Street 765-6556

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

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

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

western shop & PET Wash

Full Grooming Salon

HAVE YOUR DOG FLEA DIPPED or MEDICATED BATH AND CONDITIONER FOR ONLY

• Small Dog $11.00

• Medium Dog $15.00

• Large Dog $20.00 NEW LADIES PURSES & WALLETS WESTERN CHARM LAYERED JEWELRY SETS MONTANA SILVER

Customer can provide medicated shampoo or add $4.00 for our Zymox itch relief therapy shampoo.

Service does not include nails, blow drying, brushing or clipping. Shaw’s recommends using a follow up flea treatment spot-on after dip.

www.shawswesternshop.com

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

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

The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant

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

Open 7 Days a Week

FULL BAR

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

12 TAFT INDEPENDENT

August 24 - 30 2012

The Truth About Back Pain Don’t Even Think Of Taking Another Pain Pill Until You Read This

Do You Have Any of the Following Conditions?

• • • • •

Lower Back Pain Muscle spasm or strains Bulging lumbar discs Numbness or soreness in your legs Shooting hip or thigh pain

Back pain is NOT “just a part of life” and something you have to live with.

Chiropractic has been around for over a hundred years, and has been used to help everyone from tiny babies to the elderly.

Having back and leg pain can bring life to a standstill.

You might not be able to play golf, work, or even sit in the car for a 30-minute drive. It’s almost impossible for anyone around you to understand how you feel. You can’t remember the last time you even had a restful night’s sleep.

Even top sports stars and entertainers… like Tiger Woods, Emmitt Smith, Tony Robbins, Joe Montana, Lance Armstrong, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson receive chiropractic care. These professional athletes have the money to hire any kind of doctor they want, yet they choose to have a chiropractor on their team.

Here’s what some of the top medical researchers had to say about chiropractic…

“Manipulation [chiropractic adjustments], with or without exercise, improved symptoms more than medical care did after both 3 and 12 months.”– British Medical Journal “Chiropractor’s manipulation of the spine was more

Our Patients Say It Best…

Is back pain keeping you from enjoying what you love to do?

You’ve got too many dreams left undone to let back pain slow you down. Too many special moments waiting to be experienced.

Life is too short to let pain slow you down.

Pain is your body’s warning sign telling you something is wrong. Sure, you can numb the pain if you take enough Vicodin, Soma or some other pain pill.

But if you mask the pain, it can prevent your back from healing – maybe even damage it further.

Not to mention many of the pain medications available are quite addicting and can have devastating side effects.

Could This Be The Solution To Your Back Pain?

My name is Dr. Keith Sparks, owner of Sparks Chiropractic. Over the past 15 years since we’ve opened the doors, I’ve seen thousands of people with back pain leave the office pain free. Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I strongly believe...

At the age of 23 I had back surgery to fix my sciatic nerve in my back. I went through a lot of pain and money and it did not fix my problem. I heard about Dr. Sparks, but I thought if surgery didn’t work then this wouldn’t. I decided to give it a try, after six weeks of care, I felt so good, I seldom ever have any pain.

-Christine M. helpful than any of the following: traction, massage, biofeedback, acupuncture, injection of steroids into the spine and back corsets, and ultrasound.” -- Stanley Bigos, MD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery This means in just a matter of weeks you could be back on the golf course, enjoying your love life, or traveling again.

Have A Professional Evaluation of Your Back For Only $29 I’m running a very special offer where you can find out how much this amazing treatment can help your back pain. Available To The First 25 Callers.

What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my new patient evaluation for only $29.

Just call 661-765-2225 and here’s what you’ll get…..

Medicare and federal restrictions apply

An in-depth consultation about your health and wellbeing where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your case. A complete neuromuscular examination, full set of specialized

Find peace and comfort in knowing your back is healed without drugs or surgery.

x-rays (if necessary), and a thorough analysis of your

exam and x-ray findings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free.

You’ll get to see everything first hand and find out if this amazing treatment will be your back pain solution, like it has been for so many other patients.

The normal price for this type of evaluation including x-rays is $250, so you’re saving a considerable amount by taking me up on this offer.

Chiropractic very well could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule.

Our office is called Sparks Chiropractic and you can find us at 1107 Kern St. #7 (next to Chicken of Oz).

Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Back Pain And Sciatica Evaluation. Available To The First 25 Callers.

I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more joyful life.

Sincerely, Keith L. Sparks, D.C. P.S. How many years can your body handle taking pills?

Taking pain medications (even if they’re over-thecounter pills) is no way to live. Pills don’t “fix” anything, they just numb the pain.

Finding the problem and fixing it has got to be your top priority!

I may be able to help you live a normal, pain-free life again. Call today 661-765-2225.