Document

December 3-9, 2010 • Volume 5 Issue 23www.Taftindependent.com

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

[email protected]

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1018 West Kern StreetTaft, CA 93268

Bus: 661-763-4300

NOW OPEN

Open Daily 9am - 8pmLunch served 11am - 1pmDinner served 6pm - 8pm

Black GoldCoffee House and Deli Featuring

Sagebrush Annie’s Award Winning

WinesJoin us for

Monday Night

Football

Monday, December 6thNew York Jets at New England

All you can eat Spaghetti (Spaghetti & Marinara Sauce Only)

$8.95508 Center Street • 765-6550

Come in for our Daily Specials!On Tap

Bud Light • Widmer • Fat Tire • Shock TopOn 2 Big Screens!

Wine Tasting Event At Black Gold Coffee House

The Holiday SeasonHas Arrived!

Mr. & Mrs. Claus Come Out To First Thursday

Downtown Taft Prepares for the Holiday Season5th Street Plaza Debut

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT December 3-9, 2010

Passion For Nails

Monday to Friday10am-7pm and

Saturday 9am-6pm

Gift Certificates AvailableNail Services:

Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic Metalic Flakes • Rock Star

(we also treat ingrown nails)

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

426 Center Street (661)763-5451

Fine Jewelry • Candles • Gifts 14K Gold Sterling Silver • Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair Watch Batteries • Candies • Candles • And More!Open 24 Hours!

506 Center Street (661) 205-5579

Special Offer from

Next Step!Join Today!

Shop Taft

Miller’s

661-763-5445 510 Center Street • Taft

Beauty Supply

Call for an appointment Today

Glam Squad on PremisesBarbara Van Pelt • Melissa Thornsberry

Laci Rodart • Christine Dunning Carolyn Easley • Shop Manager - Jessica G. Miller 101 B. Street • Taft

(661)763-9890

El Jacalito Restaurant

Mexican Food & Seafood

Monday - Buy 1 Dinner and get the 2nd FREE*

*On dinner combos 1- 102nd dinner must be of equal or lesser

value From 4pm - Closing.

Wednesday - Kids Eat FREE*

*Kids under 10 years old eat free from Kids Menu with paying Adult

From 4pm - Closing.

Saturday - Noche MexicanaSteak or Chicken Fajitas

$9.95From 4pm - Closing.

All Specials Subject to Change

Specials

Anderson Business ServicesWE COME TO YOU!

Greg AndersonMobile Notary Public

Certified Signing Agent

Sandy AndersonNotary Public

Certified Signing Agent

Schedule of ServicesAcknowledgments and

Jurats$10 per signature

Mortgage Documents $150 per set

Mobile Notary Service $1 per mile

Office: 661-765-7665Greg’s Cell: 661-557-6032

Sandy’s Cell: 661-577-6790

Save yourself a trip to Bakersfield, come in and browse at your leisure!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

1014 6th Street • TaftIn the Save A Lot Shopping Center

(661)745-4913

Sign Up for 1 Year

Ben’s BooksThe Largest, Cheapest and Only

Used Book Store in Taft

And Sign Up Anyone In Your Family for Only $15 a Month!

Sign Up Online! www.taftnextstep.com

Beauty Supply • Salon • Boutique

(661)763-3030

Hair & Skin Care Products • Salon Services Synthetic Hair Wigs & Human Hair Extentions

Hair Accessories • Jewelry • Pictures & Prints • Massages

426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451

acme jewelry co.F i n e J e w e l r y

Fine Jewelry • Candles • Gifts

14K Gold • Sterling Silver

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Watch Batteries

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Interest Free Layaway for Christmas!

We are an Independent Agency WithMany Pre-Eminent Insurance Companies

To Best Suit Your NeedsWe Represent You To Give You The Best Service

Edward J. Herrera Insurance

420 Center StreetTaft, Ca 93268(661)745-4920Lic. # 0277365

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WE Offer You Low Discounted Rates

Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public

Our Friendly Staff

GET YOUR HOLIDAY AD IN

THE TAFT INDEPENDENT

CALL TODAY765-6550

Please RSVP for Dinner at 765-7371 by December 1st, 2010

614 CENTER ST. 765-5311

Voted Best Pizza4 Years in a Row!

“We Toss’em,They’re Awesome”

FREEHoliday

CouponBookletCome in and

pick up your Personal Style

423 & 421 Center Street • 763-3527Your One Stop Shop for the Entire Family

Infants • Toddlers • Juniors • Women & Men

Family BoutiqueStop by and

check out our BIG SAVINGS

& NEW

ARRIVALS

For the person who has everything...How about 5,000 wheat-back cents (pennies)

$250

Over 6,000Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback

Hard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion Childrens • Cookbooks and More!

Lots of New Arrivals!!

December 3-9, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 3

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

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

Westside Watcher............4

Westside News.................5.Westside News.................6

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

Charlie’s Neighborhood..................8

News Briefs.......................8

Westside Horoscopes......9

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

Movie Review.................11

Inside Community Events

The Taft Independent

508 Center StreetP.O. Box 268

Taft, California 93268(661) 765-6550

Fax (661) 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com

Locally and Independently owned since 2006

The Taft Independent is a locally owned community newspaper published weekly on Fridays for your enjoyment and reading pleasure. We publish 3,500 issues and distribute to over 225 locations in the city of Taft and the neighboring communities of Cuyama Valley, McKittrick, Maricopa, Fellows and Western Kern County, California.

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

We welcome contributions and suggestions. Our purpose is to present news and issues of importance to our readers.

Subscriptions. Subscription home or mail deliv-ery of the Taft Independent is available for $8.00 per month or $97.00 per year. To subscribe to please call 765-6550.

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

ADVERTISING.Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representa-tive at (661) 765-6550.Classifieds: Call 765-6550 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone order are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.

Publisher and Editor-in-ChiefMichael J. Long

[email protected]

Managing EditorAdvertising

Jessica Wallis

Layout & DesignIndependent Graphics

Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris,

Jessy McCulloch

ColumnistsRandy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins

Staff PhotographerSara Bravo

Member California NewspaperPublishers Association

Printed in California

News BriefsTaft California

“Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

Painting Class Every Thursday Night til December 23rd

Painting Class beginning November 11th until December 23rd from 6pm to 9pm at The End of Times Gallery located at 428 Center Street. $10 per class. Acrylic paint is the suggested media. Students are responsible for their supplies. Please call for supply list. (Supplies available at Michaels or Aaron Brothers in Bakersfield.) Demonstrations and work time from 6pm to 8:15pm, class criticism from 8:15pm to 9pm. Class limited to 13 students. No class on Thanksgiving, November 25th.

WSRPD 32nd Holiday Craft Show Friday & Saturday, December 3rd & 4th

The West Side Recreation & Park District will be holding their 32nd annual Holiday Craft Show Friday, December 3rd from 5pm -8pm and Saturday, December 4th from 8:30am-3pm at the WSRPD Community Center located at 500 Cascade Place. Lots of homemade items for sale just in time for holiday gifts and decorations! No Admission fee for shoppers! For more information or other inquiries please phone West Side Recreation & Park District at 763-4246.

Taft Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Saturday, December 4th The Taft District Chamber of Commerce wants to remind community members the Taft Christmas parade is this Saturday, December 4th at 6:00 p.m. The Christmas Parade will be held in the traditional route in downtown on Center Street. Over 25 Parade entries will participate in the parade. The parade is free to the public and starts at 6:00 p.m. on the west end of Center Street. The Chamber is also furnishing a 17 foot Christmas tree at the city’s brand new 5th Street Plaza that will be displayed until after Christmas. The public is invited to bring and donate an ornament to be placed on the tree all day Saturday. For more information please contact Martha Rodriguez at the Chamber (661) 765-2165.

Bakersfield Diamond Divas Roller Derby Saturday, December 4th

Come Naughty! Come Nice! Watch the Divas play Twice! Come on out Saturday, December 4th to watch your Taft girls on the Bakersfield Diamond Divas Roller Derby Team at their last bout of the season at Skateland, 415 Ming Ave. in Bakers-field. Doors open at 5:30pm Roughcuts play at 6pm, Diamonds play at 7pm. Adults are $10 and Children $5. Bring a new unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more and get a free t-shirt while supplies last! Proceeds from the night go to Toys for Tots.

McCarthy Announces Mobile Office Hours Wednesday, December 8th

“Mobile office hours are a great opportunity for residents to speak with a representative from my office, receive answers to their questions, and access constitu-ent services,” said McCarthy. “I strongly encourage residents to utilize these office hours to receive the help and assistance we can provide.” Office hours will be held: Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at Taft College Library – 29 Emmons Park Drive from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Contact Vince Fong, District Director for Congress-man McCarthy at (661) 327-3611 for more information. Congressman McCarthy’s Website: www.kevinmccarthy.house.gov

Optimal Hospice Light Up a Life Celebration Thursday, December 9th

“These lights shine in honor of those we love.” Optimal Hospice is holding theirannual Light Up a Life Celebration Thursday, December 9th at The Historic Fortat 6pm. Family members and donors are invited to sponsor a light in memory of afriend or loved one, or for someone living whom they wish to honor. For a gift of $10a light will be placed on the tree in tribute to their loved one. To further honor them,a hospice ornament will hang on a Tree of Life and their name will be read during theceremony. All proceeds from this memorial event remain in Kern County and sup-portfamilies at a time when they need it the most. To have your loved one includedin the ceremony or to learn more about the program, please contact Ann Smart,Foundation Director at 661-716-8000

Patient Appreciation Day & Toys for Tots Fundraiser Saturday, December 11th

Join Sparks Chiropractic for their annual Patient Appreciation Day and Toys for Tots Fundraiser on Saturday, December 11th from 10am to 2pm at Sparks Chiropractic located at 1107 Kern Street Suite 7 (in the parking lot) There will be free chiropractic adjustments and free consultation exams with the donatioin of a new unwrapped toy. There will be live music, free food and an appearance by the U.S. Marine Corps and pictures with Santa. Please call 765-2225 for more information and to set up your adjustment or consultation appointment.

3rd Annual Chilled and Grilled Toys for Taft Run Saturday, December 18th

The Chilled and Grilled is hosting their 3rd annual Toys for Taft Run Saturday, December 18th. Pre-register $30 per bike or car, $5 for additional rider or passenger. Day of event $35 per bike or car, $10 for additional rider or passenger. Sign ups begin at 7am on the day of the event at Chilled and Grilled, located at 621 Center Street. The ride will start at 9am at Chilled and Grilled and end at the Fifth Street Plaza, between Center and Main Street. There will be a BBQ with hot dogs, chips and soda after the ride with a bounce house for the kids and a special guest...Santa Claus will be there! 50/50 raffle, drawing for prizes $1 or 6 for $5. Poker cards will be handed out, lowest and highest wins, and a shoe boz auction. Food donations are also welcome and remember all donations stay in the Taft area. For more information call Chilled and Grilled at 765-2000.

SEE US ONLINE VISIT

WWW.TAFTINDEPENDENT.COM

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGSTuesday December 9, 2010 – 7:00 p.m.

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER209 EAST KERN STREET, TAFT, CA

(661) 763-1222AGENDA POSTED ON BULLETIN BOARD

OUTSIDE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS ANDPOSTED AT THE CITY OF TAFT WEB SITE

www.cityoftaft.orgTELEVISED ON BRIGHT HOUSE CABLE CHANNEL 11:

Wednesday 8 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. 8 p.m. Friday 10 a.m.

Family Boutique

Feed The Hungry “Feed the Hungry” was the sign on the fireworks booth sponsored by Members of Peace Lutheran Church last July. The effort of their work plus matching funds by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans produced $5,000. On Oc-tober 6th, 2010 they gave $1,000 each to 5 local groups; Salvation Army, Alpha House, Mann 4 U, Laborers of the Harvest and Angel Food Ministries. The heart warming response for their gift was awesome. Thanks to Taft for allowing this to happen.

Taft - A Caring Community Under Christ

Christmas Tea at The Museum The West Kern Oil Museum will host its annual Christmas Tea Saturday, December 4th from 1:30-4 p.m. Volunteers at the community’s depository of local history have decorated Christmas trees throughout the buildings and exhibits, including the historic tent house. Homemade refreshments will be provided in the Buena Vista Room, which is hosting Roger Miller’s exhibit of color photographs of wooden oil derricks. Music will feature Janet Fishburn at the organ in the Buena Vista Room.All exhibits will be open. The Museum, located at the corner of Highway 33 and Wood Street, is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. There is no admission charge. The Museum also is gearing up for its annual dinner, which will be held Feb. 19 at the Community Center.

Shop With A Cop The Taft City Police Department is in need of the community’s support!Help local children experience the joy of giving. On December 19, 2010 Police Officers will be taking less fortunate, local kids on a shopping spree where they will be able to buy gifts for their families, and a little something for themselves. Donations will be accepted at City Hall 209 E. Kern Street through December 16th. If you have questions please call Christy Lowe at 661-763-1350 ext34.

Taft Resident Painting Show for January or February

Call for Taft artists to participate in a Taft resident painting in January or February at the End of Times Gallery located at 428 Center Street.Each participating artist will be given 6 to 8 feet of wall space. Each artist can invite friends and family to the opening where refreshments will be served. The work will be displayed for 1 1/2 months. If you are interested in showing your work pleasecall Jane at 765-4790. Musicians who would like to perform at the gallery please contact Jane also.

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT December 3-9, 2010

Editorial

Westside Watcher

Paik’sRanch House Restaurant“Where Everybody Meets”

Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wed, Fri. 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.Sunday 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

765-6915200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

Asian ExperienceAsian Food and Pizza

Lunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday

11 am - 2 pm 4 pm - 9 pmSaturday 4 pm - 9 pm

215 Center Street, Taft763- 1815

Sagebrush Annie’sRestaurant and Wine Tasting

Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pmDinner by Reservation

4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa(661) 766-2319

Taft Crude Coffee HouseCoffee House and Deli

Monday – Friday 6:30 am to 5pm.

Saturday 7 am to 2 pmSundays 7:30 am to 1 pm

1010 6th Street, Taft763-5156

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside

Asian Experience

215 Center Street 763-1815

Asian Food and PizzaLunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday

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

Live Music Saturday Nights

Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar

Monday – Friday 6 am to 2 pmSaturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm

Dinner Hours Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 9 pm24870 Highway 33, Derby Acres

768-4655

Paik’s Ranch HouseWhere Everybody Meets

Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon. Tues. Thur. Sat. 6 am-9pmSun. Wed. Fri. 6 am - 10pm765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft

El Jacalito Authentic Mexican Dining

We do Catering for any Special Event!Orders to go.

Sunday - Thursday10:30 am - 8:00 pmFriday and Saturday10:30 am - 9:00 pm101 B. Street, Taft

763-9890763-9892 fax

Always Fresh!

Mon. - Fri. 10am - 2;30pmDine In or We Deliver

765-4143700 Kern Street Taft, CA

Westside Entertainment

FOXTHEATER

All shows before 6 p.m.- $7.00 -

Late ShowChild and Senior $7.00

Adults $9.00www.taftfoxtheaters.com

765-4802514 Center St

NOW SHOWING

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1-Megamind-Tangled

The Taft

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Independent

Taft Petroleum Club

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

Sagebrush Annie’sWine Tasting

Dinner by Reservation

Award Winning Wines766-2319

4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa

Chilled & GrilledBreakfast served

Saturday and Sunday 7am-11am

Brunch served Sunday 7am-2pm

Lunch served daily 11am-4pm

Dinner served daily 4pm-9pm765-2000

621 Center Street

Get Your Events in the Westside Entertainment Guide. Call 765-6550 or fax 765-6556

Your RestaurantListed Here.

Call765-6550.

Starting as low as $12 per

week!

Every Friday is Ribeye Steak & Chicken Dinner Night

Residential • Commerical • Senior DiscountsInterior and Exterior • Specialty Coatings • Floors

Wrought Iron • Power Washing

(661)203-6677CA License # 784342P.O. Box 612 • Taft,CA 93268

FREE ESTIMATES - NO OBLIGATIONS

Letters to the Editor

ADVERTISE in theTaftIndependent

765-6550

The club will be having a very special New Years Eve party

Friday, December 31stWith special guest DJ Chuy

If you didn’t see him on Halloween make sure you don’t miss him this night!!!

What a wonderful celebration it has been! Turning 100 years old doesn’t happen every day and the momument marking it is a beautiful addition to the city of Taft. I especially enjoyed watch-ing people as they walked upon the platform getting close to the statues and marveling at the work of Benjamin Victor. The details in the bronze are so beautiful that almost everyone, adult and kids alike, felt the need to touch them in their exploration. What a terrible oversight that no access ramp was built for those in wheelchairs and walker to have the same experience. How can that be?

Lee France

Next Karaoke Night Friday, December 10th

REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALSTAFT MUNICIPAL WASTE WATER

TREATMENT PLANTIMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

Requests for Proposal are being distributed by the City of Taft (City) to perform a feasibility study and design for the City of Taft Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Projects.

Copies of the Request for Proposal may be obtained free of charge from the City of Taft located at 209 East Kern Street, Taft, California 93268, (661) 763-1222 Ext.34 or at our web site at www.cityoftaft.org .

Interested parties are invited to submit proposals to the City of Taft, 209 East Kern Street, Taft, California 93268. All proposals must be received no later than 2:00 p.m., December 15, 2010.

Please submit questions in writing to Craig Jones Public Works Manager of the City of Taft at 209 E. Kern Street Taft, Ca 93268 or by email at [email protected] .

Open 7 Days a Week

For the Record from Bob Archibald

Dear Editor:

The letter to the editor in the Taft Independent dated November 26th Mr. Martinez said I have or had turned my flag (Our U.S. flag) upside down in protest.

NEVER would I do that to the flag I love so much.The top hasp wore through with the wind’s help and it fell to hang by its bottom hasp.

As soon as it was brought to my attention I took the flag down myself and have put on a new top hasp aand she is flying proud again.

(The old hasp is in the front lobby of the Shell Foodmart in Maricopa)

Thank YouBob Archibald

City Permanently Closes 5th St. to Make Way for New Public Plaza

Well, if you’ve driven past 5th street on your jaunt down Center Street, you’d noticed the stanchions that block the entrance to 5th Street at both ends. The city has finally closed off the downtown block of 5th Street and created the new 5th Street Plaza, an idea that originated in the 70’s and again in the 80’s when city government did a study about how to enhance the declining down-town. And if you haven’t been downtown, you oughta go downtown, especially tomorrow evening when the annual Taft Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. The parade stage will be set up this year on the 500 block of Center Street in front of the old Bank of America (where we have been urging Sherry Smith at the Albertson’s Bank of America to move the bank back downtown at it’s old location). She says its a good idea, but its up to corporate.

20 Foot Tall Live Christmas Tree at 5th Street Plaza

And for you Christmas Tree lovers, the Taft Chamber of Commerce went out and bought a giant live 20 foot tall Christmas tree that will be placed on the 5th Street Plaza (at Center Street) this afternoon where the pubic is invited to come down and place a donated Christmas tree ornament on the tree on Saturday before the parade. Bring the kids and start a new Taft tradition. It’s a new tradition that the city and the Chamber would like to get started - ok the Taft Independent thinks its a good idea anyway - to get a tree every year downtown and have the community come downtown and decorate it. Heck, why not, its a good way to get people to come downtown and visit the local merchants, celebrate and admire our new Chritsmas. Merry Christmas!

December 3-9, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 5

P.O. Box 612 • Taft,CA 93268

Westside News and Business BriefsTaft College Writers to Read at Taft Crude Friday, December 17th, students of Taft College’s creative writing course will present handmade collections of their work and read selections to the public at Taft Crude beginning at 2:30p.m. The young, local authors that comprise Taft College’s creative writing course have developed a diverse and sophisticated body of work, and the reading promises to reinforce the stereotype that literature pairs superbly with coffee. The event is free to the public. Students of the course have spent the fall semester drafting and revising original poems, stories, creative nonfiction, and screen-plays. As the young authors compile and revise their best work for the event, they are also busy sending their work out to be considered for publication by various literary magazines. “We’re lucky to have such a diverse and talented group of students this semester,” says Geoffrey Dyer, the instructor. “We’ve seen modern poetry, moving nonfiction, and outrageously funny narratives spring from the students’ minds this semester. There’s never a day in class that I’m not surprised by their limitless imaginations.” But just how creative are they? Berlyn Reisenauer, a young fiction author, has delighted and shocked her peers all semester with a suspenseful novel in progress. The premise? An aspiring paleontology student awakens on his twentieth birthday to discover that he and his maternal ancestors have a genetic predisposition for devouring human flesh insatiably. Daniel Ayora, an English Major preparing to transfer to CSUB, has kept the class in stitches with his humorous works, but has also been busy working as an editor of Taft College’s new literary publication, A Sharp Piece of Awesome, slated for release in May.Another editor of the new literary magazine, Bethany McWhorter, has challenged her classmates’ definition of poetry with innovative

Saturday, December 11th10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Free Chiropractic Adjustment

&Free Exam

Consultation with X-Rays

Sparks Chiropractic1107 Kern Street Suite 7

(in parking lot)

Live MusicFree Food

Fun

Appearance byUS Marine Corps

&Pictures with

Santa!

Soroptimist House TourFashion Show – Luncheon

Saturday, December 11thHome Tour 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

With donation of a new unwrapped toy

Please cll to make your appointment

Luncheon at the Westside Believers Church

Doors open 11:00 a.m. Luncheon Served at 12:00 noon

$25.00 per personLeah & Rob Cleveland

817 B StreetPamela & Jim Ward300 Church Street

Isabel & Fernando Amorteguy813 Canyon Court

works such as the following piece.DaydreamsOver the misty headlands birds in flight fast as quicksilver upon golden legs. The once blue sky turned grey, its sorrow intermingled with the guilt laden smoke of inhabitants below. A beautiful broken-wing angel dances among a field of frost flowers, as the rain falls like tears. A child plays a flute unaware, the melody a reverie cloaking the gun fire in a country divided. Yet still the plovers mourn unceasing. But there is no one aesthetic that unites these writers’ works—it appears that age and geography alone are commonalities in the class. For instance, Caleb Gonzales, a shy but prolific student, offers refined, minimalist poems to the class.night skymy mind blank like the night skymotionless, breathless...alone in the night skywhere did you go? how did this happen? my head spinninghigh in the sky just trying to get byi want to be someonenot just who they want me to bei want to be medisappear...For a better sample of these writers’ talents, attend their reading. If there is a poet, novelist, essayist, or dramatist dying to be awakened in you, enroll in Taft College’s creative writing course, English 1700, for spring semester. And if that literary genius has already been awakened, by all means, submit your works to the students’ literary publication A Sharp Piece of Awesome, by emailing your poems or stories to [email protected] by December 15th.

6 TAFT INDEPENDENT December 3-9, 2010

Westside News and Business Briefs

CookhouseOT

& SaloonSpecializing in Steak & Seafood

Lunch DinnerTuesday - Friday11a.m. - 2p.m.

Tuesday - Thursday 4p.m. - 9p.m.Friday & Saturday 4p.m. - 10p.m.

CLOSEDSUNDAY/MONDAY

205 N. 10th St.(661)763-1819

OT Cookhouse Daily Specials (For the week of 12-7-10 thru 12-11-10)

Tues.12-7-10Lunch

Tues.12-7-10Dinner

Wed.12-8-10Lunch

Wed.12-8-10Dinner

Thurs.12-9-10Lunch

Thurs.12-9-10Dinner

Fri.12-10-10Dinner

Fri.12-10-10

Lunch

Sat.12-11-10Dinner

Pork Chops

BBQ Beef Ribs

Pickled Tongue Sandwich

Prime Rib$15.95 Small/ $18.95 Large

Charbroiled Shrimp Sandwich

Chicken Alfredo Sandwich

CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

Beef Stroganoff

$8.95

$9.95

$8.95

$8.95

$9.95

205 N. 10th Street . (661)763-1819

$15.95/ $18.95

Beef Tips with Noodles

$9.95

BBQ Pork Ribs$13.95 Half/ $15.95 Full

$13.95/ $15.95

$9.95

Gary Goss & Tracy Streeter

661-428-4557Licensed Insured

“G” ST.’sMECHANICAL BULL

Competitions • Parties • WeddingsBirthdays • Special Events

Just For Fun

Maricopa Toy DriveBring in a new

unwrapped toy to the Maricopa Foodmart in

Maricopa and receive a

FREE hot dog and 20 oz fountain soda

Oriental Foot Spa

661.745.4891201 Kern Street • Taft

10am-10pm 7 Days a Week

Soothing Your Mind! Healing Your Body!Traditional Chinese Foot & Body Massage

$25 Grand Opening Special!

1 Hour Foot MassageIncludes Neck, Shoulder, Arm

and Hand MassageBuy 10, Get One FREE!

MassageSpecial

$5Present this ad and

receive!Full Body Massage

Ad must be present.

City of Taft Receives GrantsBy Kent Miller

$1.7 million for infrastructure at the city’s industrial park.$300,000 for facades at low-income businesses.$800,000 for the city’s first-time homebuyer program.$584,000 for new buses.$650,000 for operation of the Taft Area Transit system.Those are just some of the successes recorded by Lucille Holt, Taft’s grant administrator, in the four years that she has been on the job.“Lucille has been very prolific,” said Mayor Dave Noerr. “She is very aggressive (in seeking grants), very successful.“She believes in what she is doing and her enthusiasm shows through her success rate. She is very busy and very proactive, does a very good job, is a real asset to the community.”A successful grants administrator helps find money that is needed in the community, Noerr said. The grants usually require a match-ing amount of 5 percent or 10 percent, so the city’s money goes 10 or 20 times as far, he said.“She is the best,” said City Manager Bob Gorson. “I wish I could take credit for hiring her. But it was Teresa Binkley and Denise Hoffman.”“We have a very close working relationship.”Gorson started with the city a little over four years ago. Holt will mark her fourth anniversary as a Taft employee on Monday.“She has brought in over $7 million since I have been here,” the city manager said. “And there is over $14 million in the pipeline now (in grants the city has applied for).”

Administrative costs“Some of the funding is available for administrative costs, so she pays her own way,” Noerr said. “It is highly competitive. In addi-tion to being successful, she is self-supporting. “And she does a good job administering the grants.”The mayor said that often times people don’t thoroughly under-stand grants.“You are spending your own (tax) money: the first-time homebuy-ers program, business programs, planning and research,” he said.“What we are trying to do is competing head-to-head with other communities to entice businesses to come to the area.”The grants create jobs and the people who get the jobs then spend money on retail, which creates other jobs and tax revenue for the city, Noerr said.

Record of successHolt researches grants and works with the Fresno office of Pas-santino Andersen, which puts the grant applications together and writes the particulars, she said. She proofreads the applications and makes sure they are ready to go. The company will also inform Holt of any grants it knows about that are available.The city used to contract with another grant-writer, but that com-pany wasn’t able to keep up with the pace Holt set, so they were replaced this year.Some of her successes are:* $1.98 million in various Kern Council of Governments grants.

* $300,00 for business facades. “I have the setup conditions,” Holt said. “We are getting ready to have a meeting to go over the requirements for grants to lower income businesses. We are getting ready to release that package.”* $1.7 million just in from the federal Economic Development Administration for infrastructure work at the industrial park.* $584,000 in 2009 for buses.* $650,000 this year for operating expenses for the buses.* $300,000 for loans for any businesses in the city.Some of the applications in the pipeline are:* $3.7 million through Proposition 84 for the Union Pacific Rail-road Park. “They said no in the first round,” she said. “We always felt we would get it in the spring time, in the second round.”* $8.7 million in Tiger II federal stimulus money from the U.S. Department of Transportation and California Department of Transportation. They haven’t received any information yet on the Tiger II grant, Holt said. The money would go to complete the 5-mile circle in Taft for the Rails to Trails, which includes a separate-of-grade at Highway 33, and to extend the bike trail toward Buena Vista Recreation Area, City Manager Gorson said.* $800,000 home application grant. “We will know in early De-cember if we will get it,” Holt said. “It is the first-time homebuyer program.”* $91,000 from Calfire Urban Forestry to replace trees within the city on streets and in parks.

A volunteerHolt used to work in commercial real estate, managing shopping centers, then retired after injuring her back. She and her family have lived in Taft since 1989.“My kids graduated from school here,” Hold said. “We love it.”In 2000, she started as a volunteer at the Needs Center in Taft, working her way up to director.“That was where I got my grants experience,” Holt said, first while a volunteer at the center and then as director.In 2006, the city was looking for a grant administrator and Coun-cilmember Craig Noble, who had know her for about 20 years from when both had booths in an antique store, suggested that she apply for the position, she said.“I spoke with Craig Noble and he said the city needs a grant ad-ministrator,” Holt said. “He said ‘go down and talk to them.’ They had a job search out for it.“I enjoy my job, I really do,” she said. “So much of what I do I can see. I can see the buses running around town, handicap ramps, sidewalks.“I was criticized a few years ago on a blog about the city becoming like a welfare recipient with its hand out. I responded: ‘If I did not go out there with my hand out asking for our taxes back, I was not doing my job.’“I have gone from a person who hated to ask for anything to one who has no problem saying look at Taft, this is why we need the grant.“We have been very fortunate that we have gotten a lot of grants. We are very aggressive in seeking grants.”

December 3-9, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 7

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Ladies Night OutBy Jessica G. Miller

Wednesday, December 1, the Black Gold Coffee House and Deli hosted its very first Ladies Only Dinner and Social. The entire restau-rant, located on the 500 block of Center Street, was filled wall to wall with not only ladies out with their girlfriends, mothers or sisters, but also a few men who decided to join the festivities. As such, it wasn’t so much a Ladies Night as just a nice week night out with friends and family and a nice way to escape the dropping temperatures to find warmth in a delicious variety of pastas and fine wine. “It was unexpectedly busy, considering only nine people RSVP’ed on Facebook,” said real estate agent, Lisa Brown, who enjoyed the chicken and mozzarella ravioli and a peppermint mocha with her mother-in-law, Janey Brown. The event was brought to life by the team effort of Debbie Turner, Sharon McElmurry and Betty Newlee. “We want something nice for our town,” Newlee said. “We want somewhere nice to go.” Mc Elmurry echoed these sentiments. “We want the town to support local businesses,” she said. “The food is excellent and the atmosphere is great here.” Turner added, “It’s wonderful. People will come out for more than just a drink here. It’s not just that, though. It’s the atmo-sphere, the food and the camaraderie.” The female and male patrons certainly appreciated the welcoming environment they found on Wednesday night. “I didn’t know it was ladies night,” said Bryan Sellman. “We just came in to get a beer and spaghetti and meat balls. But, it’s nice here. It’s a good change in the right direction for Taft. It’s a good addition to our town and much a needed one.” With the Petroleum Club’s Industries Night falling on the same night, one anonymous male source jokingly suggested the Ladies Only Night at the coffee house could become the, “Industries Night Widow’s Night.” With hope the Ladies Night Dinner and Social and the Black Gold Coffee House and Deli will stick around for a long time. “It’s a place where you can come and feel like you’re going out,” said Ginny Miller.

Thursday night found downtown Taft the place to be. With the Black Gold Coffee House and Deli’s first wine tasting and the Fifth Street Plaza’s monthly First Thursday art and culture event hosted by the Arts Council of Taft, downtown was not short of things to do. Outside the coffee house, Paul Martinez and his cousin Ed were preparing the night’s meal, Tapas. With the traditional culinary fare of small portions of a variety of dishes like sirloin sliders, bacon wrapped stuffed dates, boar sausage, grilled veg-etables, and more. Martinez, who has been in the culinary industry for 25 years, was brought in by former TUHS superintendent and featured vintner, Curt Dubost. “He called me about a month ago and asked if I would be interested in cooking for the event and I said that I would love to,” he explained. “I’m excited to be a part of something exciting for Taft and to help bring a bit of culture, too.” The food was diverse and each dish proved to be as delectable and unique as the next. “We paired the food with the wine,” Martinez said. “It’s flavorful but it’s also complimented by the wine.” Whether it was the season, the wine, the food or simply having a nice place to go, the patrons who filled the small restaurant were sociable, very friendly and in good spirits. “It’s fabulous,” said Chamber of Commerce president, Jan Ashley. “It’s that shot in the arm that Taft needs.” And that seemed to be the general consensus of the event. Heather Popejoy-Dodson, another satisfied taster said, “I’m thrilled that they’re bringing this to Taft. I appreciate the culture it brings to our city.” The man behind the wine, Dr. Curt Dubost was also very pleased with the incredible turn out. “I love that this can happen in Taft. I love seeing people out on a Thursday night,” he said. “I hope that people will want to stay in Taft and spend their time here.” Dubost also hopes that events like his wine tasting will continue to happen in Taft. Just up the street from the wine tasting at the Fifth Street Plaza, the Arts Council brought even more culture to the streets of Taft. The sounds of the TUHS jazz band and choir carried down the block as people from the community came out to view paintings from various artists. “Hopefully Oildorado showed that you can do a variety of activities at the same time,” said head of the Arts Council, Leigh Golling. She hopes that over time, First Thursday will garner more recognition and attention as one of the places to go on the first Thursday of each month. “We want to have an art event for each time and when the weather gets better, we’d like to have a space and opportunity where kids can do their own art,” she explained. For next year, Golling and others like TUHS band director, Amanda Posey, hope to have a Christmas tree lighting, “like a mini Rockefeller Center,” Golling said, with the band, the com-munity bringing their own ornaments to adorn the tree with and more. As for this year, the Chamber of Commerce will be providing a 17 foot Christmas tree to be set up on Friday in the Fifth Street Plaza, just in time for the annual Christmas parade on Saturday.

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First Thursday DowntownBy Jessica G. Miller

8 TAFT INDEPENDENT December 3-9, 2010

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Obituary

McCarthy Names Peter Roskam as Chief Deputy WhipMajority Whip-designate Kevin McCarthy named Rep. Peter Roskam (IL06) to serve as the Chief Deputy Whip for the 112th Congress.

McCarthy issued the following statement regarding the appointment:

“My good friend Peter Roskam is a bold leader whose fresh ideas will continue to help energize the Republican Party as we move forward in the Majority. I look forward to working with him to fulfill our Conference’s Pledge to America. Together, we will use our common-sense conservative principles to advance job-creating policies, cut spending, and reform Wash-ington. As Jobs Policy Director of the America Speaking Out project, Peter helped develop a positive agenda for robust economic growth and quality job creation. As a member of the Whip Team, I know that his insight and experience will greatly enhance our Majority Whip Operation.”

The Chief Deputy Whip responsibilities include working with Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy to unify the party, build-ing broad support for policy initiatives, educating Members of Congress and answering questions on policy.

Regarding the appointment, Roskam stated:

“I look forward to working with Majority Whip McCarthy as we advance a positive agenda for renewed innovation, invest-ment and growth. For too long under the control of both parties, Washington has borrowed and spent too much money, jeopardizing our nation’s prosperity and our children’s future.

“The American economy faces serious challenges and we must all work together to end the uncertainty coming out of Washington so that we can once again unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit and get our economy and our country back on the right track.”

Travels with Charlie and MaggyI am so fortunate to have an exclusive interview with Taft’s new celebrity, Maggy.Maggy, (4) has been featured in the news recently for her heartwarming reunion with her lady person after being “missing” for nearly 3 weeks.She’s been in lots of papers, and on TV! She even made it onto Craig’s List!Maggy graciously agreed to an exclusive interview for this paper because, “ I’m a local girl, Charlie, and so far you are the only one who wants to interview me, not my lady person. Besides, I’m a big fan of yours.”Well!A few days ago we set up a meeting through the teledog system and I went to call. Maggy’s lady person is, understandably, keeping a pretty close eye on her so she’s not able to get out of the yard just now.After our sniff and wag introduction Maggy made me most welcome. She even offered a rawhide chewed only on one end. Now that is graciousness.C: Maggy, I’d like to wel-come you back and thank you for agreeing to talk to me. I know our readers are so excited to hear about your adventures. M: Charlie, thank you for the opportunity to talk about my jour- ney. I am so glad to be home. I missed my lady person and my toys and the feeling of being safe in my den with my pack. I have come back a changed dog. I have a new appre-ciation for my good fortune in life. Before I was scared off I took all that I have, we have, for granted. We live so well and have so much when we have people like ours. This was all I had known. I didn’t realize how hard life can be for other animals, and I didn’t realize what I was capable of until I had to make my own way.C: Are you glad you had the adventure you did?M: Now that I’m happily home and my lady person isn’t worried or sad any more I can say I’m glad for much of it. I wouldn’t want to cause her such worry ever again. I did have a lot of fun, and I grew as a dog in ways I never imagined. I’m grateful for that. C: So how did this all come about?M: loud bangs. I blame those horrible loud bangs for all of this. I know humans get excited about some things and inexpli-cably, they must make loud bangs to show their excitement. I guess its a human equivalent to barking. II heard loud bangs that just wouldn’t stop. for awhile I was able to keep myself calm but as they went on and on something took over me and I ran. I didn’t even realize I was running until I stopped. It was quiet. My heart calmed down and I put my head down and just panted. When I lifted up my head I didn’t recognize anything.I don’t recall feeling worried, I recall catching a whiff of something. Well, I am a Jack Russell you know so I followed the scent and found something pretty interesting. That scent led to another and so on until I was off of my own trail.I didn’t start to get concerned until I found I was thirsty. I sniffed around for water and it took me a long time to find any. By then I was feeling a little worn. I ate some grass for moisture when I could find it. Finally i caught the scent and I found a water bottle almost half full. I guess some hiker had dropped it. i was mighty glad.At that point I knew I’d better be working my way back home. I was afraid the bangs would still be going, I was unhappy about that, but dinner time wasn’t far off and I was much calmer now.C: When did you discover you were lost? How did you feel?M: When I couldn’t find my original trail. I could retrace my most recent steps to the water, I found a few places where I ate grass. Beyond that the wind that had come up blew the scent away. I was mad at myself for not marking more. I mean every puppy worth a lick knows to mark often. I just didn’t do it. So I wandered in a wider and wider circle. Finally I was too tired to go on. I found a group of small boulders that were putting off a good amount of heat so I curled up, tucked my

Continued on Page 11

December 3-9, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 9

TAFT UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

Pastor Cindy BrettschneiderSunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 11 AMAdult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PMWednesday Night Service 6:00 PM

Praise Team meets on Thursday at 6:00 PM

Trinity Southern Baptist Church

400 Finley DriveWe invite you to join us

each week as we worship

Sunday Bible Study 9:45 amSunday Morning Worship 11:00 amSunday Evening Worship 6:00 pm

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 6:00 pm

First Congregational Church of MaricopaSunday 10 a.m.

Bible StudyThursday Nights 7 p.m.

395 California Street, Pastor Maricopa, CA 93252Bill LeBarron (661) 619-5372

Lighthouse Foursquare Church210 Harrison Street 763-1518

Home Of The Good News BearsHugs On WheelsFood In The ParkCode Blue Youth

Sunday Service 10 AMPastors Mark and Kathy Fitzsimmons

For More Information on Service Times Go ToWWW.TAFTLIGHTHOUSE.ORG

New Hope Temple“Connecting Lives”

308 Harrison Street765-4572

Sunday Morning WorshipService 10 a.m.

Sunday Evening WorshipService 6 p.m

Bible Classes All AgesWednesday 7 p.m.

Jennifer, Charlie, and Angie Dedicated • Professional • Experienced

All Are Licensed Funeral Directors

The Trusted Name Since 1939

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Immaculate Conception Parish

Mass Saturday 7pmSunday 9am

Everyone WelcomeDeacon Ricardo Barragan

Weddings - BaptismsQuinceañeras

4595 Highway 166 - New Cuyama(661) 766-2741

CommunityChristian

Fellowship631 North Street

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’sEpiscopal Church

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.Rev. Linda Huggard

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Peace Lutheran Church- LCMSTaft- A caring community under Christ

We welcome you to worship with us at peace lutheran church, 26 Emmons Park Drive (across from the College). Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.

Communion will be offered 1st and 3rd Sundays

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

The Pregnancy crisis center is now open and available for support and assistance. For information, call 763-4791

If you have a prayer request please call (661)765-2488. Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

Angel Food Program Tues. 9am - 12pm Thurs. 3pm - 6pm

Westside Horoscopesby Jessy McCulloch

Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 4:30 pm.

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

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Now Celebrating Our 20th Year

Sunday Services 10amUTURN Youth Service

Sunday 6pm1000 6th St.

Weekly Classes Mon - ThursPlease call 765-7472 for info

For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on SundayPastors Floyd and Carol Jordan

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Aries (March 21-April 19): You’d be surprised to find out how far a little socializing can go. In some cases (like this one), it will help much more than just yourself.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Whether you mean well isn’t entirely clear, but what is clear is that you’re not doing anywhere near as much good as you think you are. Give it a rest.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Take this show of support from loved ones in the spirit with which is was offered – freely and with no strings attached.

Cancer ( June 21-July 22): It’s not easy to keep your opinion to yourself, but right now it’s very important that you do so. Trumpeting your emotions will only create more problems for yourself.

Leo ( July 23-August 22): If you don’t want a “friend” taking over so many areas of your life, then it’s up to you and only you to say something. Speak up and make it stop.

Virgo (August 23-September 22): If you’re really interested in making things work with a significant other, then I’m afraid you’ll have to take action to prove it. Words won’t cut it.

Libra (September 23-October 22): Someone you’re not terribly fond of may at-tempt to give you gifts or do you favors. It’s your call as to whether they should be accepted or not.

Scorpio (October 23-November 22): It’s getting increasingly more difficult to not choose sides in a family battle. But you really need to keep it up because it’s the only way you can win.

Sagittarius (November 23-December 21): You do what you need to in order to get through a personal crisis. But don’t be surprised if it has far-reaching and permanent repercussions.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19): It’s really high time that you took more responsibility for your own actions. A good start on this path would be attempting to see others’ points of view.

Aquarius ( January 20-February 19): Keep your temper in check because letting it fly at this time will hurt no one but yourself. Trust me, it’s not worth it in this case.

Pisces (February 20-March 20): Work is going to be anything but easy in the next few weeks. You need to buckle down and ride this out, because the rewards on the other side will be great.

If your birthday is this week: If you take nothing away from this latest experience it should be a true appreciation for how good you have it. No matter how bad things seem, they can always be worse – and there’s always someone else who indeed has it worse. You’re extremely lucky, so don’t take anything for granted.

10 TAFT INDEPENDENT December 3-9, 2010

-DAYCARECHILDCARE

EOEBUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Taft WoodworksTurn key cabinet shopEquip.& invent.- low

rentOwner may carry paper

Doug 340-4354

week as of 1-29-10 CARPET AND FLOORING

CARPET/HARD FLOORING REPAIR

No job too small. Call Jeff 623-5421 or

765-4676.

WANTEDJunk Cars! Cash Paid (661) 805-0552

FOR SALE

Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings. Great Savings-Fast Response. Build-to-Suit. Many Sizes AvailableImprint Construction Inc. 805-710-6509805-878-0220

48in. glass topped breakfast set w/4 rolling chairs $60.00 ph 765-4558 before 9pm.

Behringer Vampire Amp.Used, in very good cond. works xlnt. 661 623-3432.

Two old Victor and Diebold floor Safes. 3 1/3 foot fall and 4 foot tall - heavy safes. Combinaton type. 765-6550.

Goats for sale $125. Two nannies and 1 Billy. 765-7972 msg

FOUND PETS

Found female dog near Phillippine and 5th Ave. Brown with a black face, very friendly, no collar. Call 765-2860.

PETS

LOST PETS

$600 mo Plus $600 dep. Renter pays all utilities. Ref. and Credit check. 623-4296.

Single Wide Mobile Home. 1981 Skyline 12’ x 64’. $12,000 obo. 763-4977 or 765-5541.

Home for sale by owner. Negotiable. 2 bd/1ba garage and large yard, etc. at 103 Polk St. Contact 661-903-1594 or 661-763-3075

Mobile Home For Sale in the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park, 2 bdrm, 2 bath double wide. Needs some work $16,000. Inquire at the office or call 763-5751 or 342-6038.

121 Woodlawn 3bd/1ba. Extra large backyard.Price negotiable. 765-6019

HOMES FOR RENTWest ValleyReal Estate

(661) 763-1500.Lic # 01525550 www.BuySellManage.com.

FOR RENT315 7th St. 1/1603 Fillmore St. 2/1504 Lucard St. 3/1704 Phillippine St. 2/1127 Franklin St. 3/1Other Rental Properties Available!

FOR SALEWhy rent when you can buy for almost half the cost?!218 Suzanne 4/1.75 completely remodeled!400 Buchanan 3/1.75 well cared for!Contact us for details and a complete list of homes for Sale!___________________

2bd 1ba. Maricopa. $600 mo. $600 Dep. 1/2 off 1st mo. rent. 769-9597 lv. message.

3bd 1 ba. Dn Rm, ldry rm, Garage, $795 mo. + dep. 623-5188.

4 bd. 1 ba. 902 Williams Way. large fenced back yard. $1000 mo. plus deposit. 623-4296

Large 2 bed, 1 ba. 415 Kern St. Zoned commercial. Det. garage. fenced yrd on alley. great location. $795. mo. plus dep. 623-4296.

3 Bd. 1 ba. Taft Hts. 522 F St. $700 mo. $800 dep. 765-4016.

Missing since Oct. Older female Doxin mix, brown w/ purple collar & male chihuahua mix white and tan w/ blue collar. please call 858-4634.

MOTORCYCLES

AUTOMOBILES

FOR SALE BY BID 1967, 1975, AND 1980 CHEVY TRUCKS. CONTACT TCSD 763-1521 FOR MORE INFO

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Taft Property Management

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PROPERTY FOR RENT

230 center streetbusiness office space for rent 4000 sq. foot. retail or restaurant 661-343-0507

PROPERTY FOR SALE

BUILDING on 4 lots 3,485 sq ft $348,500 Can carry paper 620 6thSt 623-0532

HOMES FOR SALEReal Estate eBroker Inc.

325 Kern StreetKarri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 &

#01333971661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.comReal Estate Sales &

Purchase601 E Street (private showings) 3bd/1.75 bath plus guest house Den/ Formal Dining/fireplace/etc.

609 B Street 43K Duplex 1bed/ studio. Wow rent one & live in the other!

Tanning & Salon for sale 30K. Extend lease or move. OWNER MAY CARRY____________________

Special Place. 2 bd. 1 ba. Condo style apartment. Hidden from street. Quiet with private fenced yard.

ClassifiedsClassified Ads are $3.00 per issue for up to three lines, $5 per issue for up to 5 lines, and $7 per issue for up to 10 lines. Yard Sale ads are free. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the Taft Independent.

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

Photo Ads. Car, truck or house for sale ads are $5 per week, or $10 with a photo. Email us (or bring to our office) a photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Classified ads deadline is now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

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Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Taft Independent 210 6th St., Taft, CA 93268.

ClassifiedsClassified Ads are $2.00 per line. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the Taft Independent.

Ad your photograph for $5. Ad your company logo for $5. Boxed ads are $3 additional. E-mail us (or bring to our office) a photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Yard Sale ads are free, up to 3 lines.

Classified ad deadline is Thursday at 2 p.m.

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Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Taft Independent 508 Center St., Taft, CA 93268

Business ServicesCleaning Services

My Fair LadiesCleaning ServicesComm. and ResidentialServing the Westside661.477.3455Lic. No. 007657

Rite Away Carpet CleaningCarpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General CleaningOwner OperatedVisa\Master Card 765-4191

YARD SALESAdvertise your FREE yard sale ad. Up to 3 lines free. Fax your ad to 765-6556 or call and leave message at 765-6550 by 2 p.m. Thursday.

Yard Sale Saturday 7am-noon 430 Lucard St. Clothes, rims, pool table, misc.

Estate Sale. Mon. & Tues. Dec. 6&7. 9am-1pm. Tools only. Woodworking, mechanic, contractor and yard tools. Huge variety. in Maricopa 1/4 mile east of stop sign on hwy 166 on left.747-9345

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grief Support Group, offered as a community service by Optimal Hospice Care. Meetings held 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. At Chevron Valley Credit Union, Community Room, 1092 W. Kern St., Taft. Enter by outside entrance – Albertson’s Shopping Center. And 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at First Baptist Church. 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 220 N. First St. 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 760-379-0848 for RESPITE CARE info. Respite Care is available every Thursday At the First Baptist Church located at 220 North St. from 9:00am—3:00pm.

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

Affordable Rents

We’ve Got em!

Preserving for the Future

Real Estate eBroker Inc.325 Kern Street

Karri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597www.BuyTaft.com

Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Taft Construction,Air Conditioning and

Heating

We Do All Phases of Construction

Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists

Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507

30 Plus Years in ConstructionLicense No. 927634

COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services

We fix computers, laptops, PDAs and cell

phones. TaftPCServices.com. 623-5188.

HELP WANTED

Caregiver Looking for Work

I have 7 + yrs exp working w/ the elderly.

Experienced in Alzheimers, dementia,

mentally disabled patients from ages 21 to 94. And basic need for elderly care. Certified

in passing medications, cpr, and first aid. If

interested please call Amanda at 745-4330.

Mechanic/Welder. New Cuyama farm is seek-ing a highly motivated individual that is willing to work in a fast paced agricultural environment to maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machin-ery, equipment and vehicles, such as trac-tors, harvesters, pumps, tilling equipment, trucks and other mechanized, electrically powered or motor driven equipment. Must also be able to weld metal componentstogether to fabricate or repair products accord-ing to layouts, blueprints or work orders, using brazing and variety of arc and gas welding equipment. Must possess knowledge of farming equipment, exp. in fleet service, must be computer literate, (Spanish/English) & a valid CA driver’s license required. Email resume & salary history to [email protected] or fax to (623) 853-9069.

SERVICES

Need your dog groomed? Call Peggy 765-6789.

325 Lierly 800/mo plus desposit, 2+1 + den, dining room, lg. liv. rm. breakfast room, call Eddie 818-585-9796

210 Naylor St. 3 bd. 1 ba. Remodeled house. $700 mo. plus dep. 909-239-8337.or 661-717-9056.

$100 move in. 108 Center Street. 1 bd., 1 ba. apt. (661) 846-6403. Equal Housing Opportunity.

FOR LEASE 2 bedroom 1 bath house in Taft heights washer and gas dryer hook ups $700 a month contact Rick at either (661)765-2328 or (661)342-5877 section 8 ok available now.

2bd, 1ba, condo 533 Front St. W&D hookups + yard. $850 mo + dep. 661-577-7020

3bd 2 bath in Maricopa. 2 Car Garage $850 661-645-1641 www.405california.INFO

118 Lincoln 2 bedromm, 1 bath, washer, dryer, carport 650Rent+500Security deposit+ 150 Cleaning deposit. 661-589-9130 661-332-5416

Negocios Hispanos

Yates’ Detailing600 Center Street

Taft, California(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171

All your detailing needs!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting. Call for Appointment Today!

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

APART. FOR RENTCreekside Apartments. 1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.765-7674. 420 Finley Dr.

Courtyard Terrace Apts. 1 and 2 bdrm’sPool,lndry rm.,1210 4th St. Apt. 1. Sec. 8 OK. (661) 763-1333.

Imperial Gardens. 2bd. rm. avail. $625 mo. Comes w/stove, dishwasher and refrig. Pool and manager on site. Water, sewer and trash incl. 661-300-1616 or 559-783-6575

ROOM FOR RENT

Room for rent for Senior Citizen includes room & board + 24 hr care. 765-4368

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TaftIndependentCall Today765-6550

December 3-9, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 11

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Al periodico Taft Independent nos complace introducir una nueva seccion de informacion para la comunidad hispana. Esta incluira listas de negocios, eventos de la comunidad, eventos para recaudar fondos para obras beneficas, reuniones, anuncios de cumpleanos, venta de yarda y listas clasificadas tal como: Casas de renta y venta. Autos en venta, cuidado de ninos, anuncios de “SE VENDE” y “SE SOLICITA AYUDA”. Tambien servicios como limpieza de casas, jar-dineria, y cualquier tipo de reparaciones. Correo Electrónico: [email protected], fax 765-6556, teléfono 765-6550.Su

anuncio aquí!

Su anuncio aquí!

Las bajas tasas!

Llame hoy mismo!

765-6550

News BriefsGetting Ready for the Most Wonderful Time of Year- U.S. Postal Service Delivers the Holidays Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor gloom of night will keep the Postal Service from doing what it does best — delivering the holidays. Between now and Christmas Eve, the Postal Service will deliver 15.8 billion cards, letters and packages across the country and around the world. “The holiday season isn’t just the busiest time of the year for the Postal Service — it’s our best time of year,” said Steve Forte, senior vice president, Operations. “We’re the holiday mailing and shipping experts.” The Postal Service expects to deliver nearly 3 billion cards and letters over the holidays and there are more than 3 billion holiday stamps available to handle the volume. This year, a snowman and the words “Happy Holidays” will appear in the upper right-hand corner of greeting cards and letters mailed during the month of December.

During this holiday season, the Postal Service also expects:

* 97 million customers to visit a Post Office * 30 million pounds of mail to be delivered to overseas military installations, including Iraq and war zones in Afghanistan * 4.7 million shipping labels to be printed using Click-N-Ship

The busiest mailing day is set for Monday, Dec. 20. More than 800 million cards, letters and packag-es are expected to be mailed on that day alone, compared to 559 million on a typical day. Wednesday, Dec. 22, will be the busiest delivery day. Staff at the National Operations Center work 24/7 to help navigate mail movement around the world. “We’ve been delivering the holidays for the past 235 years, and we’re proud to deliver excellent service to our customers, especially during this busy time of year,” added Forte. More than 47 million customers will skip the trip to the Post Office this holiday season and take ad-vantage of the Postal Service’s convenient online shipping at usps.com. Customers can print shipping labels, pay for postage and request free package pickup while staying warm and comfortable in their homes or offices. The Postal Service will deliver free shipping supplies, including the popular Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, and also pick up packages for free when customers ship online using the Postal Service’s website. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. Visit the Postal Service’s holiday press room at usps.com/holidaynewsroom.

nose under my tail and dropped off.I woke when I heard coyotes but I was too tired to care about them too. I fell back to sleep and woke at dawn.C: I bet you were hungry.M: Yes I was and that is when this inner dog took over. when I woke I stretched and lay still for a mo-ment. I saw a flash out of the corner of my eye and before I had time to think, “gopher” I had caught one. I used to be picky about which kibble I would eat. Let me say now that I am no longer so finicky.C: So, how was it? i always wanted to try one, but my people... well..M: Not bad. actually once you work out not eating the fur it was great. Lots of things I ate on my ad-venture were quite good. I know it’s looked down on in some packs, but I developed quite a fondness for grasshoppers. It’s the crunch I think. Finding water was the hardest part. Food was more available if you were fast, thankfully I am, and openminded, as I learned to be.C: Are these some of the changes you saw in yourself ?M: Yes, and I willingness to trust my instincts. To not override them with too much thought. I say that yet one of my best adventures came about because I disregarded my instincts. My instincts said run. I stayed put and I think that is one of the reasons I’m here today.C: Tell me about that please.M: I had been on my own for several days. I was still wanting to go home but that was less of a drive than that to survive. I hoped by surviving long enough I could eventually find my way back. I travelled and hunted early morning and at twilight. Mid day I would nap, nighttime I would dig a den or find a warm spot and sleep.Early one morning I was chewing on some damp grass and suddenly, not five feet away was a coyote. He was just as surprised to see me as I him I think.My first thought was, “RUN!” but I didn’t. I kept chewing while keeping an eye on this wild creature. Oddly neither of us smelled the other. It was a very still morning.While I chewed I realized he was: young, male, startled, curious, and not hungry. I turned and trotted a little way away and he followed me. I move off a bit more and here he was right behind me. I’d move, he’d follow. I think his curiosity was piqued. At some point I looked back and he was gone. I cant say I didn’t think about it, but I was more con-cerned with breakfast than a nosy pup. I found something, rabbit I think, and had just started to dine when my pup showed up again. He was not alone.He had brought his sister. I was sure they were going to take my rabbit but they didn’t. i was hungry so I ate and when I’d finished I picked up the leftovers and dropped them near the kids. For a long minute they just stared at me with their golden eyes. Then the sister grabbed the rabbit and trotted off with her brother right behind. I didn’t see them again for a few days, then one morning,just as I was waking up I caught a whiff. It was still fairly dark but i could make out their shapes a few feet away. They were carrying something that smelled really good, if a bit ripe.They dropped what ever unidentifiable meat near me and retreated several feet. I couldn’t turn down this offer so I dined appreciatively on as much as I could and nudged the rest back to them.By now both of them were laying down, heads on paws. As I approached they sat up and watched. I was but a few inches away when I heard an unmistakable sound. The thumping of tail hitting ground. The male was wagging his tail! Without intending to I wagged back. In an instant we were friends. His sister was a little more cautious, but only a little. We were all wagging and sniffing and on the verge of a good romp. Which, with barely a signal, ensued. I played with all the abandon of fear released. Jumping, spinning, mock growling, chasing, jumping even higher. We laughed and rolled. I think that was the most exuberant fun I ever had.I didn’t know how lonely I had been. C: Did you ever feel you were in any danger?M: no, not after that. There is something about playing together that bonds us. C: I know what you mean. I didn’t feel completely in my pack until Bob played with me. After that as much as he would growl or snap I knew we were “packed in” and I felt safe. M: My coyote pups kept my spirits up. They helped me to survive. I taught them some useful dog things too. I was the recipient of many gifts from them and I miss them. When I finally found my way to those wonderful people, Joe and Terry I knew I had to say goodbye to my friends. That was hard. We parted about a day before I found Terry. I knew she was there, I was ready to go home but I needed a day to say goodbye to the kids, and to my wild self. I’m still thinking, and feeling about my journey. Charlie, I’d like to tell you some more stories after I’ve settled in some more, if you’d like.C: I’d love it if you would, I know my readers would love it too. May i ask how you are feeling?M: I feel really good. Energetic, happy, grateful.C: Great! Wanna play?

Charlie Continued from Page 8

12 TAFT INDEPENDENT December 3-9, 2010

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We have Leanin Tree Christmas Cards!!

Monday: Tuna Sandwich on toasted sourdough

bread, chips and drink $7.50Spinach and Cheese Ravioli with red

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Tuesday: Roast Beef Sandwich on wheat or white

bread, chips and drink $7.95Artichoke ravioli with choice of red or

pesto sauce $9.25

Wednesday: California Turkey and Avocado

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Dickies Work Coats Starting at $44Wolverine Insulated Work Boots $158