Taft Bike Fest 2012

Independent The Taft

August 31 - 6, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

FREEWeekly

Publisher@Taftindependent.com

www.Taftindependent.com

August 31 - 6, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 10

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

Taft Fox Theater Movie Listings and Showtimes Inside

2nd Annual Taft Bike Fest

When The Bikes Come to Town

This Weekend: - ParaNorman - The Campaign - The Expendables - Dairy of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards 610 Center Street • 661-745-4954 Internet Cafe Now Open.

First 15 minutes Free.

New Store Hours: Mon. Tues. Thur. Sat. 10am-8pm Wed. 3pm-8pm Sunday 10am-7pm

HAYDENS HOPE THRIFT STORE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

Shoes - 2 for $1.00.

Purses - Buy one get one 1/2 off!

New School Hours Mon. & Tues.

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

We Take Donations!

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

God Bless!

428 Center Street • TAFT

745-4963

MESSENGER AUTOMOTIVE SEE US FOR YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS

Over 36 Years Experience Combined

MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00am - 5:00pm

SENIOR & 531 Center Street MILITARY DISCOUNTS (661)763-1123 Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Beers

WE SERVICE MOST MAKES AND MODELS

*Must ask for discount

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT

August 31 - 6 2012

Shop Taft

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

508 Center Street 765-6556

Passion For Nails Nail Services:

Gel Polish • Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic Metalic Flakes • Rock Star

acme jewelry co.

F i n e

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

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

Like Us on Facebook

Clocks,Watch Knives, Batteries Flash Lights 426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451 “O - My”

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

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

J e w e l r y

Small town, family owned, low overhead.

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

• Gifts

(661)745-4913

426 Center Street

(661)763-5451

Personal Style Used to be Paul’s

Women • Contemporary • Junior • Toddler • Infant • Men

Hot Summer Sales

Bike Shop

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

Check in each week for new savings!

New Arrivals Coming.

Lic # B-721903

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

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

A Hint of Class

Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards 610 Center Street • 661-745-4954 Internet Cafe Now Open.

First 15 minutes Free.

Inside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700 915 N. 10th Street Suite 34 Name Brand Clothing Shoes • Jewelry Accessories & More

Summer Essentials In Stock Yankee Candles Shoes & Sandals Sunglasses & More!

New Store Hours: Mon. Tues. Thur. Sat. 10am-8pm Wed. 3pm-8pm Sunday 10am-7pm

Now located at 210 6th Street

FREE

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

Monday - Friday 11am to 6pm Saturday 10am to 5pm Host a party 415 Center Street Visit us on Facebook sales@bluejeansandbling.com

763-9100

Ten Percent Firearms WE HAVE MOVED!

Hats, Jewelry, Purses & More

Women’s Sizes 0-21 Women’s Plus Sizes Children’s Jeans & Shirts

745-4919

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

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

608 Center St.

*Most Cars & Light Trucks Up to 5 Qts.

Tire & Automotive Service Center

Oil & Filter Special 95* $

39

Plus Tax

$3.50 Oil Disposal Fee Exp. August 31, 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!

August 31 - 6, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Westside Watcher............4 Westside News.................5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Liberty Under Fire.........7 Classified Ads.................10 Shop Taft........................11

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

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

TAFT INDEPENDENT

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

Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com

August 31st - September 3rd, Taft Bike Fest Saturday September 1st Pancake / Waffle / French toast breakfast at the Taft Veterans hall corner of Taylor & Cedar streets Taft. 7 am to 11 am Includes—choices of bacon / sausage plus coffee / juice Topping of the month is fresh peach with whipped cream Too go orders available. Sponsored by Maricopa Chamber of Commerce

September 27th - Last Farmers Market September 29th - Taft College/ TIL Casino Night

Cal Sports Car Club Starts Fall Season at Buttonwillow The California Sports Car Club will start its fall season September 1st and 2nd with a combined National/Regional weekend. There will be a busy schedule of 4 races both Saturday and Sunday at their Buttonwillow Raceway Park located just West of Bakersfield.

Practice and qualifying each morning, racing each afternoon. The track has many amenities, grassy picnic and play areas for families and spectators, three story race control building containing a gift shop, restaurant with indoor seating and viewing area on the second story. Spectators are always welcome. This should be a great spectator event and a very special road racing weekend for the Central Valley.

This will be the last National for those hoping to qualify for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs September 18th through the 23rd and take home a National Championship trophy. The “Runoffs” bring champions from every Region of the SCCA across the country for this once a year event at Road America in Wisconsin.

Chamber of Commerce Hosts Chevron Public Affairs Chairman Adam Alvidrez and Hears Other Local News

By Jane McCabe According to Chevron Public Affairs Chairman Adam Alvidrez during October, Chevron is donating $1 for every fill-up at a Chevron or Texaco station of $8 or more gallons of gasoline to support public education in Kern County through a Donors Choose program. The Fuel Your Schools program can earn up to $300,000 to fund school programs in Kern County.

Mr. Alvidrez said that it’s important for educators as of September 1st to post the projects they want funded at the DonorsChoose.org website. New educators can request up to $800 and previously funded educators can request up to $2000. Projects can be in the areas of science and reading literacy. Teachers can follow the instructions to establish a user account, set a password, and say why they need whatever it is they are requesting. This idea to obtain funding in this manner came from a Bronx educator, Charles Best.

A Westside Recreation Center representative said that last year Chevron gave the center $70,000 to fund their STOP (Striving to Optimize Participation) program, which allows individuals to request scholarships to participate in various sports.

Rodney Wycoff, minister of the Church of the Nazarene, says that on November 12th, Veterans’ Day, PROJECT RESTORE will fix up people’s homes in Taft. For ten or more families they will fix fences, prune trees and do other small repairs.

On Friday, August 31st, Taft College will celebrate its 90th birthday with a party on the Quad from noon to 2 p.m. Hot dogs, chips and sodas were sold for 90 cents each and 90 inch birthday cake was served.

This weekend, Memorial Day weekend, Taft hosts its annual BIKE FEST. Motorcyclists will display their bikes, food vendors their dishes, musicians their concerts, and a kids’ area will have a bounce house. Last year the fair contributed $5000 to Alpha House.

TUHS Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations 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.

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.

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.

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

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

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.

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.

We look forward to nominations for all categories and from every decade of the 20th Century. Think about your classmates, their lives and their accomplishments, and let us hear from you.

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.

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS

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.

Tuesday September 7th, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

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

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

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

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.

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 31, 2012 through Thursday, September 06, 2012 The Expendables 2 (R) Fri: 6:00, 8:30, 10:30 Sat: (1:20), (3:30), 6:00, 8:30, 10:30 Sun: (1:20), (3:30), 6:00 Mon - Thu: (5:00), 7:00 ParaNorman (PG) Fri: (5:00), 7:00 Sat: (1:15), (3:15), (5:00), 7:00 Sun: (1:15), (3:15), (5:00) Mon - Thu: (5:00), 7:10 The Campaign (R) Fri: 9:00 PM Sat: 7:00, 9:00 Sun: 7:00 PM Mon - Thu: 7:10 PM Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG) Fri: (5:00), 7:00 Sat & Sun: (1:15), (3:15), (5:00) Mon - Thu: (5:10 PM)

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

CLOSED JULY 4th Industry Night

July Industry Night will be Wednesday, July 11th due to July 4th being a holiday.

Industry Night for July is sponsored by LDL Services The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

350 Home Development on Hilliard Street First Good Step Toward Addressing Local Housing Shortage It’s no secret that the westside is experiencing an oil boom.

While much of the rest of California is experiencing high unemployment, Kern County is experiencing the highest job growth rate in the country. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kern County has experienced the largest rate of job growth in the nation - 5.1% growth in the last quarter of 2011.

Much of this job growth can be credited to the oil patch. The westside of Kern County, which sits in the Monterrey Shale oil formation, contains as much as 2/3rds of all the technologically recoverable oil in the lower 48 states. With demand for energy so high, Taft has the oil to fuel an energy hungry nation for many years to come.

Unfortunately, while Taft has experienced lots of job openings in the oil field, most of those hired or those who work here must live in Bakersfield due to the lack of decent housing.

Taft suffers from this loss of potential residents for many reasons including lack of 24 hour health care, inadequate shopping opportunities, and most importantly, the lack of decent housing.

Why is it important to have those people who work here live here?

Increased property and sales taxes for our underfunded community infrastructure like road maintenance and improvements, our local schools, and the potential spending that could occur in local businesses that bring economic growth, prosperity and new retail jobs.

No more than 50 new homes have been built in Taft in the last 10 years, an appallingly low number when you compare that to the thousands of people who drive to work on the westside everyday, but have to live in Bakersfield because they can’t buy or rent a decent home in Taft.

You may have heard that local businessman and home builder Bob Colston is close to securing approval to build up to 350 homes on Hilliard Street. It’s about time.

Bob has spent many years fighting the legal and environmental challenges that have worked to keep him from building these homes. Bob should be recognized for his persistence and thanked for providing the community with these new homes.

New housing is good news for Taft and a promising start towards providing decent housing choices for the thousands of people who work in Taft and the Westside, but have to commute to Bakersfield everyday.

The new homes will provide important property tax revenue to support the maintenance of our roads, schools and other public services that Taft deserves.

Did you know that it can cost a locally employed person living in Bakersfield as much as $5,000 or more per year in gasoline and automobile expenses to drive back and forth to work, not to mention having to deal with the traffic congestion on highway 119 and travel time.

The benefit of housing for our community and the economy is significant.

As the number of people who live and work on the westside grows, more businesses that offer more services will locate in Taft and provide local residents with more shopping opportunities, which is good for business.

New housing, along with the reopening of the city’s closed correctional facility and the possibility of a new hotel opening on the Rails to Trails should make us all optimistic about the future of our local economy and the prospects for business as our local economy recovers and grows to the prosperity that Taft once enjoyed.

August 31 - 6 2012

BLM Announces Availability of Proposed Bakersfield Resource Management Plan The Bureau of Land Management today released the Proposed Bakersfield Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The document is now available for download. The protest period will begin with the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, which is expected on August 31, and will last for 30 days.

The Proposed RMP has been prepared to provide broadscale direction for the management of approximately 404,000 acres of public lands and 1.2 million acres of mineral estate in Central California administered by the Bakersfield Field Office.

The Proposed RMP/Final EIS evaluates a range of management options for public lands and federal mineral estate in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kings, Tulare, Madera, eastern Fresno and western Kern counties. The RMP will replace the 1997 Caliente RMP and the 1984 Hollister RMP and is needed to provide updated management direction regarding recreation, transportation and access, renewable and traditional energy development, mineral resources, land use authorizations, livestock grazing, biological resources, special designations and other resource uses on these public lands.

The Proposed RMP/Final EIS analyzes the anticipated impacts of the Proposed Plan and four other alternatives; it also contains a summary of the comments received during the public review period for the Draft RMP/Draft EIS and responses to the comments.

“We developed the proposed plan through coordination with our communities and stakeholders,” Bakersfield Field Manager Tim Smith said. “I believe it represents the best combination of management decisions to both sustain the valuable resources the BLM is entrusted to manage and meet the needs of our community of stakeholders for the next 20 years.”

Copies of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS are available upon request from the Field Manager, Bakersfield Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308; BLM California State Office at 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W 1834, Sacramento, CA 95825; or via the internet at http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield.

BLM planning regulations provide for a formal protest of planning decisions contained in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS by those meeting certain criteria. Protests must be filed within 30 days of today, the date the notice of availability of the final document published in the Federal Register, as outlined in 43 Code of Federal Regulations Section 1610.5-2.

Upon resolution of all planning decision protests, the BLM will issue an Approved Bakersfield RMP and Record of Decision. Once the RMP is approved, the Bakersfield Field Office will begin its implementation.

For further information, please contact Sue Porter, RMP team leader, at the address above or at (661) 391-6022.

Paik’s

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

Open 7 Days

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

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

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

August 31 - 6, 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

BOOK CLUB Who: Ages 18+ When: 2nd Tuesday of the Month, First Meeting: October 9 Duration: October 2012 – May 2013 Times: 9:30-11:00 a.m. or 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Where: Community Center Fee: $15 per person ** register by October 1 Our goal is to have 8-16 members I each group. Members will purchase their own books and/or e-books (any format is fine). Books were chosen with the help of the online book club resource LitLovers. Meetings will consist of socializing, snacks and book discussion. Facility use and drinks will be provided; the group will take turns with snacks. Books will include Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn), Summer Rental (Mary Kay Andrews), The Red House (Mark Haddon), The Postmistress (Sarah Blake), I’d Know You Anywhere (Laura Lippman), The Next Best Thing ( Jennifer Weiner), Fathermucker (Greg Olear) and Night Road (Kristin Hannah). For more information, or to register over the phone, please contact the District Office at 763-4246.

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

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

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

Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $25 per month ** register prior to attending class Instructor: Valerie Taylor, R-HYI 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.

GYMNASTICS Who: Grades K and older When: Monday Evenings Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Sessions: September 10 – October 15 and October 22 – November 26 Where: Community Center Auditorium Fee: $40 per session ($30 for each additional sibling) Instructor: Suzanne Hale DANCE CLASSES Who: Ages 3+ When: Mondays or Wednesdays Season: classes begin the week of September 10 Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $25 per month Instructor: Vicky Waugh Participants will learn the basics of tap, jazz and hip-hop. Classes take place one day per week either on Monday or Wednesday. A full class listing is available in the District Office or on our website. Class enrollment is limited.

CHEERLEADING When: Tuesday Evenings Ages 3-5, 4:30-5:00 p.m.

Grades K-1, 5:15-5:45 p.m.

Grades 2-3, 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Session: September 18 – November 6 Where: Community Center Assembly Room Fee: $30 per person *poms and shirts are available at an additional cost Instructor: Nicole Cleveland COMPETITION CHEERLEADING Who: Grades K-8 (in the 2012/2013 school year) Monday, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Where: Community Center Auditorium Term 2: September 5 – October 29 Fee: $100 per person (20% discount for additional siblings)

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

Coaches: Nicole Cleveland and Heather Foss Would you like to be a part of the Fire & Ice Elite Competition Cheerleading Squad? This competition program will operate year-round. There are no try-outs; all children registered will participate. Squad(s) will compete according to skill level. Cheerleaders must be enrolled for Term 2 (final registration date – September 7) to be a part of the squad. For a packet with complete program, give us a call or email a request to steph@wsrpd.com.

TENNIS CLASSES Who: Ages 9-14 When: Monday and Wednesday, beginning September 5 Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: TUHS Tennis Courts Fee: $30 per month Instructor: Doug Taylor Students will be introduced to the rules and fundamentals of tennis. Classes will include drills, game play and athletic fitness activities. No previous experience or knowledge is needed; all skill levels are welcome.

Racquets will be available for use at the first practice; parents can speak with the coach prior to purchasing a racquet. Class enrollment is limited. Classes will operate on a monthly basis.

GLEE CLUB Who: Ages 4-14 When: Monday Afternoons Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Session: September 17 – November 5 Where: Community Center Activity Building Fee: $40 per session Registration deadline: Thursday, September 13 Instructor: Crystal Mitchell Azbill In this Show Choir class, we’ll focus on vocal performance and choreography. This session’s “theme” will be Hip-Hop! Classes are open to any skill level.

TINY TOT KARATE Who: Ages 3-5 (preschool) When: Tuesday Afternoons Time: 4:45-5:15 p.m.

Sessions: September 11 – October 9 and October 16 – November 13 Where: Community Center Auditorium Fee: $25 per session Instructor: John Dodson TINY TOT PUNT, PASS, KICK & CATCH Who: Ages 2-4 When: Saturday Mornings Time: 9:00, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.

Session: October 27 – November 17 Place: ‘A’ Street Park or Wrecker Field Registration deadline: Thursday, October 11 Fee: $25 per person Kids will discover the joys of football without the contact. This program teaches the basics of the game, teamwork and fun. No games are played in Tiny Tot sports.

YOUTH/INSTRUCTIONAL FLAG FOOTBALL Instructional: Ages 4-6 Youth: Ages 7-10 Practices: 1 day during the week Games: Saturdays Session: October 15 – November 17 Place: ‘A’ Street Park or Wrecker Field Registration deadline: Thursday, October 4 Fee: $40 per person This program provides young players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in non-contact, continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork.

S.T.O.P. PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS (Strive To Optimize Participation) Did you know that the District has a youth scholarship program? Children in low income, single parent or multiple participant households are eligible! For more information, or to find out how your child can take advantage of reduced program fees, give us a call in the District Office at 763-4246.

BOWLING PARTY RENTALS Make your reservation now!

Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at the bowling alley in the new Recreation Center.

Parties may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday. Rental fees start at $100 for 2-lane rentals.

Rental prices include shoes, balls and use of the party room. Call 763-4246 for more information or to make a reservation.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

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

JR. HIGH DANCE Friday, September 21, 2012 7:30-10:00 p.m.

Community Center Auditorium Grades 6-8 $5 per person Music and lights by DJ Brandon/Amazing Sounds

6 TAFT INDEPENDENT

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 Wailua Passion Fruit Wheat Indian Wells Orange Blossom Ale Music by Keith Jones Erin Jackson-Johns Jason Crawford Ryan Jackson

Best IPA Selection

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Bottled Beers!

Beer & Wine Available To Go Monday - Friday 6:30am - 8pm Saturday 7:30am - 8pm Sunday 10am - 2pm 508 Center Street • Taft DIne In Or Pick Up • 661-765-6556

Taft Bike Fest This Labor Day Weekend on Rails to Trails

By June Woods This year’s second annual Bikefest will get underway Friday with events scheduled through Labor Day. Bikefest sponsor 2 Wheel Productions uses the fourday event to raise funds for Alpha House, a safe haven for women and children threatened by domestic violence.

Money raised this year will be in memory of Trinity Hannah, a 3-year-old Taft girl whose death in January is alleged to have resulted from domestic violence.

Other local sponsors of the event include Nestle Purina, Chilled & Grilled, Maricopa Shell, Smith & Son Tire and J.E. Burke Construction.

“It’s definitely going to be a much bigger event overall this year,” said Shannon Jones, event coordinator. The success of last year’s Bikefest helped build a lot of anticipation for the 2012 event.

Businesses in the downtown area also expect to benefit from the Bikefest. “I’ve talked to business owners,” said Jones, “and a lot of them are changing their hours for the event. I know Chilled & Grilled plans to be open 24-hours a day.”

There will be camping at Rails to Trails that will benefit restaurants and other businesses that have planned to stay open longer.

Music is a big part of the Labor Day weekend event with several bands performing throughout the weekend. Shows are planned at 6:30, 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 and 9 p.m. on Sunday. Performances will be on a stage set up on Sixth and Main streets.

The bands scheduled are diverse enough to suit a range of tastes. On Friday, The Last Chance Band will play country music, Jukeboxx will bring its rock ’n roll and Aviators will play alternative and classic rock. On Saturday, 1916 will play Celtic rock; Black Water Soul will play some Southern rock and heavy metal, then the Zedd Band will pay tribute to Led Zeppelin with rock and pop. Swift Cats will play rock on Sunday and then The Last Chance Band will return to play some more of its country music from 9 to midnight.

As exciting as the music is this year, the bikes are the real attraction. Organizers expect a lot more bikers will be arriving to show off their bikes and to compete in some of contests. Those who like high-adrenalin shows and contests will find excitement at the full track near the bandstand at Sixth and Main streets.

“We expect a lot more bikes,” Jones said. “They will be set up on the Rails to Trails this year.” The bike show and contest will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

A popular event last year, and sure to bring a lot spectators this year, is the street bike stunt show.

“Supply Row will be closed off for that,” Jones said. “The stunt guys are doing their stuff on Saturday and Sunday.” (See Schedule of Events) To enter into contests and raffles, attendees may visit 2 Wheel Production’s booth and either be able to register there or be directed to the booth where registration is being offered.

Atomic Kitten is sponsoring the Pin-Up Girl contest. Registration will be held at that salon’s booth. The winner of the contest will be featured in a photo shoot for next year’s Bikefest.

Copper Rose is sponsoring the tattoo contest. Winners will be named in four categories: Best Color, Best Black and Gray, Best Male and Best Female. There are entry fees for both contests.

Other events include 50/50 drawings, egg game, a Bloody Mary contest (at Chilled & Grilled), a Banana Bite Biker Game, flat

August 31 - 6 2012

Taft Bike Fest Schedule of Events Friday, August 31

10:00am – Beer Garden Open; Vendor Setup Noon – 8:00pm – Kid Zone Open Noon – DJ Music; Vendors Open 6:00pm – 50/50 Drawing (Main Stage)

6:30pm – 8:00pm – Last Chance Band in Concert (Main Stage) 8:00pm – Burn Outs (Stunt Area) 8:30pm – 9:30pm – Jukeboxx in Concert (Main Stage) 9:30pm – Burn Outs (Stunt Area) 10:00pm – Midnight – The Aviators in Concert (Main Stage)

Saturday, September 1 9:30am – Flat Track Sign ups/Practice 10:00am – Beer Garden Open; Vendors Open; DJ Music 10:00am – 8:00pm – Kid Zone Open Noon – Pin Up Girl Contest (Main Stage) 11:00am – Street Bike Stunts (Stunt Area) Bike Show & Contest 10:00am – Staging; 2:00pm – Judging 1:00pm – Flat Track Races 4:00pm – Raffle and 50/50 Drawing (Main Stage) 5:30pm – Street Bike Stunts (Stunt Area) 6:30pm – 7:30pm – 1916 in Concert (Main Stage) 7:30pm – Bike Contest Winners; Burn Outs (Main Stage) 8:00pm – 9:30pm – Black Water Soul in Concert (Main Stage) 9:30pm – Burn Outs (Main Stage) 10:00pm – Midnight – ZEDD in Concert (Led Zepplin Tribute Band) (Main Stage)

Sunday, September 2 9:00am – Bloody Mary Contest (Chilled and Grilled) Located at 621 Center Street (one block down from event) 10:00am – Beer Garden Open; Vendors Open; DJ Music 10:00am – 8:00pm – Kid Zone Open 1:00pm – Banana Bite Biker Game (Stunt Area) 2:30pm – Street Bike Stunts (Stunt Area) 4:00pm – Slow Drags 5:30pm – Street Bike Stunts (Stunt Area) 6:00pm – 50/50 Drawing (Main Stage) 6:30pm – Tattoo Contest (Main Stage) 7:30pm – Egg Game (Stunt Area) 7:30pm – 8:30pm – Stiff Cats in Concert (Main Stage) 9:00pm – Midnight – Last Chance Band in Concert (Main Stage)

Monday, September 3, 2012 10:00am – Beer Garden Open; Vendors Open; DJ Music 1:00pm – Ride (Non-sponsored – Meet at corner of 5th and Main)

track races and Burn Outs. The Beer Garden will open each day at 10 a.m. and the Kid Zone will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday through Sunday.

To find out more about the organization benefited by the event, stop by the Alpha House booth. Representatives from the nonprofit will have literature and information about their services.

They will also accept donations during Bikefest, or let the public know how else they may help those affected by domestic violence.

August 31 - 6, 2012

Community Voices

"Obama Gives Himself Control of all Communication Systems in the U.S."

By Dr. Harold Pease President Barack Obama will assume control of U.S. communications should he feel that national security and/or emergency preparedness issues are present as per his executive order of July 6, 2012. There was no consultation with Congress whose constitutional right is to make all law (Art. I, Sec. I). Although not defined, control of all communication presumably meant everything including the Internet as per Section 5 of the Order, although not specifically named. All such was placed under the authority of the White House. (See WhiteHouse.gov July 6, 2012).

Congress had wrestled with the “need” for Internet and cyberspace control for several years even attempting to control the Internet in 2009, but the bills they had originated met with such enormous opposition by the people that the subject was moved to the back burner. The People clearly did not want government having what they termed a “kill switch” on the Internet even during time of national security. Enter the President and his executive order entitled, “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Telecommunications Functions.”

The Order sounds innocent enough, everybody wants “national security” and “emergency preparedness” but neither phrase is defined. Left undefined it remains the discretion of the office of president alone, whether republican or democrat, to decide what it means. After all, what isn’t “national security?”

Taking the power from Congress to influence private communications industries is constitutionally questionable as is the Executive Order itself. It began with the usual statement of authority. “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America.”

Presidential authority would be found in Article II, Sections 2 and 3, or in an amendment to the Constitution enacted thereafter. In this case there is none.

At this point a president should cite the recently passed law of Congress that legitimizes and authorizes the order. The copy from The White House, Office of the Press Secretary identifies none. Some suggest that this executive order is an extension of the Ronald Reagan’s Executive Order 12472 of 1984, which cites

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the Communications Act of 1934, as amended …, the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended…, the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended …, the Disaster Relief Act of 1974…, Section 5 of Reorganization Plan No.1 of 1977…, and Section 203 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978….” If justification is not recent, or are simply pieces of ancient laws glued together, a president risks being accused of making new law, a function of Congress alone. Only the first five citations come from Congress and these were all over 34 years old. No recent Congress has approved a thing.

Again there was no authority cited. The argument that presidents before Obama made up law as well, does not make the practice constitutional.

Of course, the “Federal Government must have the ability to communicate at all times and under all circumstances to carry out its most critical and time sensitive missions.” But it has always had such. When has it not? Congress, not the president, should discern the need for, and limit to, the power to “takeover” the secular private communications industry and even they cannot do so without an amendment to the Constitution authorizing such. It is not their property.

No rational was given as to why a free people would need extensive governmental control over communications. Such was not needed in World War I, nor when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in World War II, nor was it even suggested during the Cold War, when some citizens were building bomb shelters in their basements. We are told that we spend more money on our military than all the other countries of the world combined.

Control of all communication is not one of the President’s listed constitutional powers. Where is the threat that justifies this overreach?

This self-empowering order left control of all communications to the discretion of the President alone (whether an Obama or a Romney as executive orders just move to the next president) as to when such conditions warranted his implementation of it.

Nor were circumstances noted when such would end allowing the return of control or confiscated property and free communication permitted once again. Nor was there any noted role for our elected Congress. It is being neutered by executive orders.

There was no debate and apparently no resistance. Nor was there any role noted for local civil authority—the first responders.

In light of the National Defense Authorization Act that allows the military to arrest U.S. citizens on U.S. soil and ship them to, and detained indefinitely in, Guantanamo Bay Prison without right of a judge, trial, or Bill of Rights protection, signed into law by the president last New Years Eve, this is especially serious. Add his National Defense Resource Preparedness Executive Order of March 16, 2012, which allows the Executive Branch of government to confiscate all food, water, fuel and etc. if they define a situation, or location, as a national emergency— again by the office of president alone. Tell us why we should now trust the office of president (again whether an Obama or a Romney), with control of all communication as well?

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.

Movie Review

The Campaign

by Jane McCabe With the nation involved in the struggle of our two national parties vying for control of the country and an election looming in two months’ time, a movie by the name of The Campaign could be more than coincidental. The Campaign, the movie, is a comedy starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as two Southerners vying for a seat in Congress to represent their small district. Democratic Congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) of North Carolina’s 14th District is running for his fifth term unopposed. His campaign is damaged when his image as a law-abiding Christian husband is shattered by the revelation of an affair with one of his supporters and when he accidentally leaves a sexually explicit voice message on a local family’s phone.

Corrupt businessmen, brothers Glen ( John Lithgow) and Wade Motch (Dan Aykroyd), use this opportunity to convince Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), tourism director for the town of Hammond and son of one of their associates, Raymond Huggins (Brian Cox), to run against Cam on the Republican ticket, as part of a plan to profit from illegal dealings with Chinese companies.

An “in-sourcing” plot is afoot to sell the 14th district to Chinese companies that wants to build a large series of factories in Hammond and will import their own workers who will work for 50 cents an hour.

At first Marty seems like a nice though seemingly dim-witted fellow devoted to his family and hardworking ideals, but at the plot evolves it looks as though he has been sadly under-estimated

by Cam, who sought to belittle him, and by his own father, who is flummoxed when Marty stands up to him and tells him NO, he will not be a pawn in this deal to sell out Hammond. (There’s more substance in this film than first meets the eye.)

Much of the action of this movie is nonsensical in the manner of American comedies of our times, but one cannot help but cheer when Marty’s fortitude results in Cam admitting that he has used his congressional seat to his own advantage, forfeiting his win, and Marty thereby becoming the new congressman. The movie flirts with some of the issues which have resulted in the loss of American jobs but falls short in making a political statement.

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American Pickers Paradise in South Taft Here’s our South Taft home of the week ready for the filming of an espisode of the History Channel’s American Pickers. We published a photo of this home nearly 4 years ago for the benefit of Kern County Code Enforcement, but they declined our invitation to participate in our own epsisode of Westside Pickers. Seems Kern County Code Enforcement prefers the A&E Channel’s Horders to our show. We’re hoping that the Kern County Grand Jury gets a good look at this one and gets serious about helping people who have to live by this residence and watch the slow decay of their property values and once nice neighborhood.

Next Week’s Photo: House Hunters

8 TAFT INDEPENDENT

From the Mayor New Homes Being Built in Taft!

Hi Everyone, Wouldn’t it be neat to see a new housing tract going up in town ?? Well, it is closer to reality than you think. The open land on the west side of Hillard is being very carefully looked at for a new tract of over 200 hundred homes of various styles and sizes.

There is an investor group, from the Bakersfield area, that has a lot of experience in developing quality tracts in California who are interested in Taft. They are working with our own developer Bob Colston to get past the environmental issues and to actually come up with plot maps.

There was a preliminary meeting with interested City officials, Chamber members, and other organizations to throw out ideas, concerns, and suggestions that would fit for our area and demographics. They would naturally build in phases to see how market conditions, the economy, bank lending tendencies, and interest rates would entice buyers to invest. The homes would be anywhere from first time homebuyer modest homes to possible gated area with 3,000 sq ft homes. There is a tremendous amount of highway traffic every morning coming from the Bakersfield area to work on the Westside. Many commute only because we don’t have the available housing stock for them to buy and locate here.

The Council and city staff truly believe that if we build, they will come. We have many folks right here in Taft that are waiting to move up and that will make their homes available, the domino effect that we are looking for. We have to see how all this plays out, but it is encouraging that we are in the sights of home developers once again, just like what is going on in Arvin, Shafter, and other cities in Kern County. More roofs will attract other investors to start up new business, which will help our tax base, which will help improve streets, which will make us all happier. Look for work to begin on the Rails to Trails extension from Hillard to Sandy Creek to the west, to begin very soon. The new tracts will be developed around that part of the Trail.

Many happenings coming up. As you read this, Bike fest II will be in full swing. We welcome everyone to join us this weekend to have fun, see some very quality bikes, and we want you to spend some of your money around town. While this will be a very modest attempt at being like the annual Sturgis rally in South Dakota, we do have many things to offer our motorcycle enthusiasts (bikers) who will be coming from all over.

We have good local riding, many attractions to visit, great local restaurants and shopping, and many vendors and many bikes to look at. While Harleys will be the predominant bike on the streets, I have heard that the organizers are also encouraging other motorcycle types to come on by. I’ll be riding my 2005 Honda Goldwing, that I’m proud of, which I ride as much and as far as I can. We are looking at cooler weather than last year, so we hope that it adds to your enjoyment. We appreciate all the hard work that the organizers have put into this event to showcase Taft and promote riding. Be safe my fellow bikers, don’t be stupid. If you break the law, they are not suspended this weekend, you will pay the consequences.

Sometimes I like to make some observations in my column and I don’t intend to offend anyone but what is it about cowboy hats. They are a very distinctive head gear for sure and they are needed to protect you from the sun’s rays, but when wearing a cowboy hat does that mean you never take it off even indoors, like at church, funerals, and other official type functions. If you see me out and about, I am usually in shorts and a ball cap, but I don’t wear them at the before mentioned functions. Is there a rule that if you wear a cowboy hat that you never have to remove it ?? Is there some special rule of etiquette that I’m not aware of ?? Maybe there is a special glue that holds it on.

Also, when the National Anthem is played, most do take them off, but I notice that women never remove their hats cowboy or not. Again, another special rule I’m not aware of ?? Just bugs me sometimes when I’m at a dinner function, there is always someone that wears his hat, standing out like a sore thumb, and usually blocking the view of others of the speaker.

Geese.

I want to give recognition to the recent passing of a very nice man that will certainly missed by me, Fay Rutledge, 84. Fay for many years was the plant manager of the Jonny Cat Kitty Litter facility out on Petroleum Club Road. I had some business and personal dealings with him over the years and he was one of the most honorable men I have ever known. When we’d see each other, we would always reminisce about family, the good ole days, and Taft. Always a happy attitude, always a laugh and a smile. Rest in peace my friend, you were one of a kind.

Politics will be in the news until November, we can only hope that it will be honorable, thoughtful, and insightful. We always need choices; we can only hope that all candidates run on their records, and that they remember who is paying their salary. My hope is that they all understand that we cannot continue to spend more than what comes in. Live with what we have and make it work. We on the Council are always mindful of that and I have found a saying for all of us to think about; “Don’t look back, we’re not heading that way”.

Peace be with you this Labor day and enjoy the bounty and the fruits of your labor with your family and friends. If you travel, slow down, you’ll still get there in time.

See you around town, Randy Miller, Mayor, City of Taft

Seniors! There’s Still Time!

August 31 - 6 2012

Kern County Names New Animal Control Director Jen Woodard, chief of the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic in Los Angeles, has been appointed as Kern County Animal Control Director effective October 1 following a nationwide search.

Woodard managed the start-up and rapid expansion of the “no-kill” facility, which saved more than 400 dogs and cats from euthanasia and performed more than 800 spay/neuter surgeries from January through June 2012.

Woodard supervised a staff that more than tripled from 11 to 36 employees during that time. As Best Friends programs manager during the two years prior to 2012, Woodard formed critical ties with animal welfare groups that resulted in a five-year public-private partnership that enabled the Best Friends Animal Society to begin operating the adoption center and clinic in an unused City of Los Angeles Animal Services facility.

Woodard launched the Rancho Cucamonga Department of Animal Care in 2006, and she supervised the Harford County, Maryland Humane Society animal shelter from 2003 to 2006.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Zack Scrivner said Woodard’s ability to enlist broad community support while swiftly organizing and managing full-scale animal adoption and clinic operations will be key assets.

“We are very pleased to welcome Jen Woodard to Kern County,” Scrivner said. “Ms. Woodard has an outstanding record of achieving the same goals that our Board wants to attain: saving animals and educating people. We know she will bring our animal control program to the next level.”

Woodard expanded the Best Friends mobile adoption program to five events per weekend, and an April 2012 Super Adoption Event placed more than 500 dogs and cats from nearly 50 shelters and rescue centers in Los Angeles area homes. In Rancho Cucamonga, Woodard increased the rate of animals saved from 72% in 2007 to more than 80% in 2009.

Woodard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Cornell University, a Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology from State University of New York at Syracuse, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.

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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 31 - 6, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Black Gold

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

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

Licensed Funeral Directors

501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111

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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

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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.

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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

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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 31 - 6 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: 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.

0961. Hablo espanol.

6-24.

HELP WANTED

CHILD CARE SERVICES

Wanted

WANTED

For Sale FOR SALE YARD SALE: 527 D St. SAT 9-1-12 @ 7AM junior girls clothes, mens pants and sandals, baby stuff.

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-

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

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

_

3bed, 1 1/2 bath. Newly remodeled, great neighborhhood. $985 plus $1,000 dep. 763-1086.

8-31.

2 Bed, possibly 3rd, 1 bath. Updated, fenced yard. $750. mo. Dep. $800. 763-1086. 9-28.

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.

707 Fillmore. 2bd with office. $725. 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.

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Over 3,500 Issues Per Week of the Taft Independent st affordable classified ad in town.

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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.

Ken Shugarts

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Ads Starting At $2 Per Line!

Advertise With The Taft Independent Call Today!

765-6550 Classified Ads Starting At $2 Per Line!

Yard Sales and

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE

Classified

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

Ads!

a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Call

License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell

Today!

E-Mail: Richrmia@bak.rr.com

765-6550

Yates’ Detailing

Cheap.

Classified Ads

Your Hometown Insurance Store

600 Center Street Taft, California

Starting At

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

$2 Per

All your detailing needs!

Line!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

Call for Appointment Today!

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

August 31 - 6, 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-Up 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 Camping 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

12 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

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

August 31 - 6 2012

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