Taft ARC

October 7 - 13, 2011 TAFT INDEPENDENT

October 7 - 13, 2011 • Volume 6 Issue 15www.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]

Best Of Taft 2011 Ballot On Page 5

Meet Your Public Servants, Kim Fields, TUHS Campus Supervisor

508 Center Street • 765-6550

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!Black GoldCafe and Deli

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

Spice Up Your Day! Try Our Seasonal

Pumpkin Spice LatteTry It Hot, Iced or BlendedVisit Us Online

taftindependent.com

The Place4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa(661)766-2660

$1.50 Domestic Drafts5pm Until Close

Pork Ribs, Bratwurst, Sour Kraut, Red Potatoes

and SaladNO TO GO’s

Starts at 5pm Until Gone

OktoberfestSaturday, October 8th

$10.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT

The Taft ArcServing People with Disabilities

Annual BBQ Saturday

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT October 7 - 13, 2011

Fine Jewelry • Gifts 14K Gold • Sterling Silver Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair • Watch Batteries

Candies • Candles • And More!

Passion For Nails

Monday to Friday10am-7pm and

Saturday 9am-6pm

Nail Services:Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic

Metalic Flakes • Rock Star (we also treat ingrown nails)

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

Open 24 Hours! 506 Center Street (661) 205-5579

Get Ready For Back To School with Next Step!

Anderson Business ServicesBookkeeping • Income Tax • Notary

Greg AndersonMobile Notary Public

Certified Signing Agent

Sandy AndersonNotary Public

Certified Signing Agent

Schedule of ServicesAcknowledgments & Jurats

$10 per signatureMortgage Documents

$150 per setMobile Notary Service

$1 per mile

Call For Appointment 765-7665 Sandy 577-6790 • Greg 577-6032

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

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

(661)745-4913

Ben’s BooksThe Largest, Cheapest and Only

Used Book Store in TaftFiction • Non Fiction • Paperback

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

426 Center Street (661)763-5451

Small town, family owned, low overhead.We can save you money on quality jewelry!

Store Hours:Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pmClosed Sunday and Monday

SAN JOAQUINAutomotive Center

$199.99

Billy MessengerVoted Best

Mechanic for2009 and 2010

Cooling System Flush(includes up to 2 gal coolant, flush kit, conditioner)

A/C Service(includes up to 3oz of Freon, 2oz dye)

Overall Vehicle Inspection(visual inspection of all external components)

(tax, haz waste fee included)

EVERYDAY OIL CHANGES

DIESEL ENGINE $71.99 OR LESS

531 Center Street • 763-1123

Back To SchoolSPECIALS!Get Your Car Ready For The New School Year!

GAS ENGINE $35.99 OR LESS

(up tp 7 qts oil, filter, tax, haz waste fee)

(up to 3.75 gal oil, filter, tax, haz waste fee)

WE COME TO YOU!

Shop Taft

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Ten Percent Firearms

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

Recycling is OUR Business

J & D Recycling1277 Kern Street

All Hard Bound books, Cookbooks & VHS Tapes

Only $.25!

HCG Solution$39.99

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

Personal StyleWomen • Contemporary • Junior • Toddler • Infant • Men

Come in for our Back To School Membership Specials

& Savings! $25/mo

ITEM OF THE WEEK

A Hint of Class Name Brand ClothingShoes • Jewelry

Accessories & More

Inside The Historic Fort915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

(661)623-1783

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

Tire & Automotive Service Center

Oil & Filter Special

2995*$Plus Tax

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

$3.50 Oil Disposal FeeExp. Sept. 30, 2011

FREETire Rotation

& Brake CheckPlus

We will checkall fluids

& tire pressure

*Most Cars & Light Trucks

Up to 5 Qts.

Miller’s Direct Beauty Supply Outlet

510 Center Street763-5445

Tuesday - Friday 10am-7pm Saturday 10am-3pm

Always the Best Deals3 for $1 Sidewalk Sale Saturday 10am-4pm

Acme Jewelry will be closed on Tuesdays when Ray is in LA.

Please call first 763-5451Thank You

Visit Our New Website!taftindependent.com

Like Us on Facebook

Come See My Fall Garden & Gifts

Angela

Hair Cut Only $12Color, Cut & Style $47

Highlights Extra $10 up

Special with Angela HannaTRICK or TREAT

Visit the boutique to see our New Arrivals of LA

Jeans and more!


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

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

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

Letters To The Editor....4

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inside

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 Independent are copyrighted by the Taft Independent, and may not reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.

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

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

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

ADVERTISING.Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 765-6550, or email to [email protected]: 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 Skidgel

Layout & DesignJessica Skidgel

Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris,

Nicole Frost

ColumnistsRandy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins,

Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease

Member California NewspaperPublishers Association

Printed in California

Taft California“Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument”

“Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

VFW Bingo Every Tuesday Night at 5:30pm

The VFW will hold Bingo Night every Tuesday at 6:30pm at 600 Hazelton Street in Maricopa. Doors open at 5:30pm, buy in is $5 a pack, food will be served. Come on out, bring a friend and support our vets!

End of Times Gallery Fall Art Classes

The End of Times Gallery, 428 Center Street, is offering the following Fall classes: Tuesdays - Adult drawing class, 1-2:30pmWednesdays - Adult Painting Class (acrylics) 1-2:30pmThursdays - Adult Water Color Class, 1-2:30pmSaturdays - Children’s Art Class, 10-11:30am. Supplies provided for a $3 fee per class.All classes are $12 per session, $40 per month.Please call for supply lists.For more information, please call Jane at 661-765-4790 or 661-623-0494.

Grandma’s Attic Preschool Story Time Every Saturday Through Nov. 19th

The fall session of Grandma’s Attic Storytime has begun at the Taft Branch Li-brary and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through Novem-ber 19. Aimed at 5 to 8 year-olds, Grandma’s Attic offers an old trunk full of sur-prises and stories presented by a different volunteer reader each week. Children who participate will receive a form to return to their teacher for credit in their school reading program. Preschool Storytime, for 3 to 5 year-olds, takes place weekly on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. Parents are always welcome to attend, or may enjoy some library or computer time while their child is occupied.For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.

Ladies Auxiliary Of Maricopa Food Drive for Kern County Veterans Pantry

Ladies Auxiliary of the Maricopa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11012 will be collecting non perishable food items to help replenish the Kern County Veterans Pantry. We will be collecting food for a month. We have donation boxes at Chev-ron Valley Credit Union, Taft Nails and at our post, 600 Hazelton St. in Mari-copa. The postis open Tuesday nights from 5pm - 9pm. You may call Charlotte Barta at 623-1029, Theresa Mowery at 699-6021 or Nelda Floyd at 333-3425 if you need anyone to pick up your donation. Won’t you please give back to our veterans, they gave a lot for our freedom.

Taft ARC Barbeque Saturday, October 8th

The Taft ARC will be holding a BBQ on Saturday, October 8th from 11am to 2pm at the Taft ARC, located at 204 Van Buren St. $10 a plate and includes tri tip, salad, beans, roll, drink and dessert. Lunch ticket includes a drawing for Harris Ranch Meat Basket. Raffle tickets for other prizes 6 tickets for $5 or $1 each.

TUHS Class of 1971 Reunion Dance Saturday, October 15th

On Saturday, October 15th the TUHS Class of 1971 will be holding a reunion dance at the Petroleum Club. We would like to invite our friends to the dance at 9pm. Tick-ets will be sold at the door for $5. For more information contact Debbie at 765-5654.

Oktoberfect October 21-23

Oktoberfest is comingto Taft, October 21- 23, 2011! There will be food vendors selling german food including brats, sauerkraut, and sausages as well as other local food favorites. A beer garden with several microbreweries and a full bar will be set up along the Rails to Trails stage area with live entertainment all weekend. Located along the Rails to Trails down to 5th Street Plaza, a craft and vendor faire, bounce houses, a large carnival, and games are some of the activities for this weekend event. Kicking off the festival, a carnival opens Thursday, October 20 and runs until Sunday, October 23. You can buy presale booklets of tickets for $15 for 25 tickets. Tickets can be redeemed at the carnival, Thursday-Sunday and are good on all of the rides. One ticket booklet can be redeemed for a wristband on Thursday night for unlimited rides 5:00-10:00pm only. You can purchase tickets at the Taft Chamber of Commerce, Hayden’s Hope, Personal Style, State Farm Julie Franks, Ten Percent Firearms, Westside Furniture and the Westside Recreation. On Saturday, October 22 at 10AM, join us as we Dedicate the Newest Bronze Sculptures to the Taft Oilworker Monument. Sculptor Benjamin Victor will be here to unveil the woman and son figures that are being added to the Monument. There is no charge for the dedication and a luncheon at the Taft Petro-leum Club will follow. Tickets for the luncheon may be purchased at the Taft Cham-ber. For information about the event or to become a vendor for Oktoberfest, stopby 400 Kern Street, Taft, or email [email protected], or call 765-2165.

Taft College Second Annual Cougar Rib-Eye Cookout Thursday, October 20th

News BriefsCommunity Events

Taft Farmers MarketThursdays 5pm - 7pm

5th Street Plaza

For more information please contact the Taft Chamber of Commerce at 765-2165

October 13th is the Last Market of the season!

Fruits, Vegetables, Fish, Plants, Herbs, Arts, Crafts and more!

Best Of Taft 2011 It’s that time of year again, we are so proud to announce our 5th annual Best of Taft readers poll revealing what you, our readers, consider to be the top businesses, organizations, nonprofits and people in your community! But first, you need to fill out this ballot (on page 5). It has to be at least 30 percent filled out to be counted. Make your marks, then drop it off or mail it to us by Friday, October 14th. The Taft Independent will announce the winners on Friday, October 21st. You won’t want to miss it, and we don’t want to miss your input! One ballot per person, please. All submitted ballots must be at least 30 per-cent completed. If mailed, no more than two ballots are allowed per envelope. And if dropped off, no more than two ballots may be delivered by one person. And please, no photocopies. Drop your ballot by our office or mail to 508 Cen-ter Street, Taft, CA 93268.

McCarthy Announces Mobile Office Hours for October On Wednesday, October 12, a Field Representative for Congressman Kevin McCarthy will hold office hours in Taft. “Hearing from members of the community helps me better serve you in Wash-ington, and mobile office hours provide a great opportunity for you to share any concerns and comments directly with my staff ” said Congressman McCarthy. “You can also receive assistance from my office on any number of issues, includ-ing help with federal agencies. I encourage people to come out and participate this month.” Office hours will be held Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Taft College Library located at 29 Emmons Park Drive from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Local Contact: Vince Fong, District Director for Congressman McCarthy(661) 327-3611. Congressman McCarthy’s Website: http://www.kevinmccar-thy.house.gov

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, the Taft College Foundation will host its Second Annual Cougar Rib-Eye Cookout, on the Taft College Campus, in the Quad area. From 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. there will be a Social Hour, with dinner service beginning at approximately 6:00 p.m. and continuing until 8:00 p.m. The evening will include formal presentation of colors & flag salute, live music by the band “Blackboard Playboys,” from Trout’s of Bakersfield, a couple of surprises, a raffle for all ticket holders to win a 37 inch flat screen, and of course fabulous rib-eye steaks, prepared by our able caterer, Orchel Krier of the Tumbleweed Café & Bar. The dinner menu includes steaks, salad, beans, bread, and ice cream for dessert. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for students/children, and may be obtained by calling 661.763.7952.

Marketplace at Peace Saturday, November 5th

Marketplace at Peace Saturday, November 5th 8am-1pm at Peace Lutheran Church. Tables are available to rent to sell your wares- crafts, yard sales, farmers market or whatever. Bake sale and eats are available- chili, hot dogs, chicken on a stick, popcorn and drinks. Call to reserve your table jean at 765-6248

Country Hoedown At the Historic Fort Saturday, November 5th

Enjoy a great evenin’ at the Historic Fort with music, BBQ, dancin’, raffle & silent auction. Saturday, November 5th Happy Hour 5pm, Western BBQ 6pm Country music & dancin’ 7pm featuring Jerry Hall & Trick Shot. Advance tick-ets recommended for $20, tickets at the door, $25, RSVP by October 31.

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT October 7 - 13, 2011Editorial

Westside Watcher

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside

The Taft

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Independent

Taft Petroleum Club

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

Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm

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 7 am to 4pm.

Saturday 7 am to 2 pmSundays 7:30 am to 10 am

1010 6th Street, Taft763-5156

Black Gold Cafe & DeliPastas - Sandwiches

Espresso - Beer - WineOpen Monday to Saturday

Lunch served 9am-1pmDinner served 5pm - 8pm

Wine Tasting on First Thursdays508 Center Street

765-6550

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. 6 am-8:30 pmSun. Wed. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm

765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft

Sagebrush Annie’sRestaurant and Wine Tasting

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

4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa(661) 766-2319

Your Restaurant ListedHERE

Call 765-6550

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

Always Fresh!

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

765-4143700 Kern Street Taft, CA

Westside Entertainment

Sagebrush Annie’s

Wine TastingDinner by Reservation

Award Winning Wines

766-23194211 Highway 33, Ventucopa

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!

Paik’sRanch House Restaurant

“Where Everybody Meets”

Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 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.

765-6915200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

Subscribe for home delivery of the Taft Independent today!

Delivered weekly to your home or business only $6.50 per month!

Name_________________________________Address________________________________Start Date____________End Date__________

Please complete and mail with your check to: The Taft Independent, P.O.

Box 268, Taft, CA 93268Please make checks out to Taft Independent

Your RestaurantListed Here!

Call 765-6550!Starting as low as

$12 per week!

Letters to the Editor

Special guest DJ Larry Disney will be playing some great tunes at 8pm Friday, October 8th

Come on down for a great dinner, great drinks and great people and stay and enjoy some of the

best DJ music at 8pm

Every Monday is football at the club with great drink specials and free food. 3 large screen

TV’s so you don’t miss the action!!

The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversary’s. The hall holds up to 200 people and

the bar can hold 70.

Congrats Cowboy Carson Wranglers jeans...$26.99, cowboy hat...$29.99, western boots...$49.99, the look on a child’s face after winning his first rodeo event...priceless! For the second year in a row, 5 year old, Carson Rodart competed in the Great Kern County Fair Jr Rodeo. This year stepping up to the age group of 5 through 8 year olds. On Saturday, October 1st, Carson participated in 4 events which include, dummy roping , stick horse racing, goat tail untying, and dummy cow milking. Taking 1st place in the dummy cow milking, Carson won his first trophy! Later in the day Carson was “BRIBED”, into gearing up to join in on some muttin bustin! Although he only held on for about 3 second, not long enough to qualify for finals, he did a great job! Mom and dad are so proud of him for taking part in such a thrilling sport! Watch out National Finals Rodeo and PBRA, here comes Cowboy Carson!

By Kent Miller

The city has a whole new set of user and regulatory fees, ap-proved after a public hearing at Tuesday’s meeting of the Taft City Council. Some of the fees were raised, a few lowered and some stayed the same. But none can exceed the estimated cost of providing the ser-vice for which they were levied, according to the resolution passed by the council to revise the fees. The fee structure analysis was developed by the Temecula-based firm of NBS, which examined 210 city service areas in planning, building, public works, police, code enforcement, animal control, administrative, and park and facility rental. “The ... analysis identified significant under-recovery in each of the city’s current building fees,” NBS reported. “The current cost-recovery level for the majority of building fees ranges between 25 percent and 40 percent.” Most of the fees – 152 – were raised, while 15 were decreased, 19 “either increased or decreased depending on individual appli-cant/project characteristics,” 19 remain unchanged and five were added, according to NBS’ report to the council. The city has been operating on a fee structure updated in 2007, which primarily modified planning and zoning, and public works engineering fees, NBS reported. “The cost of service analysis conducted in this study revealed that the majority of fees currently imposed by the city recover less than the city’s full cost of performing the fee-related service or activity,” NBS stated. “There were three primary phases of analysis used throughout this cost of service study: ... cost of service analysis, ... cost of recov-ery evaluation, (and) ... fee establishment.” Highlights of the new fee structure include:* Initial review of site plan, old zero, new $90;* Design review of site plan, old $100, new $210;* Plan review for temporary sign, old $150, new lowered to $45;* Zone variance, homeowner application for an existing dwelling, old $900, new lowered to $150; * CEQA negative declaration, old $500, new billed per hour with a minimum of $3,900.Some fees which could impact the average Taft resident include:* Fingerprinting, old $10, new $29 plus pass-through of outside agency costs;* Concealed weapon carry permit, old $28, new $58 plus outside agency costs;* Accident-related police report, old $11, new decreased to$9;* False-alarm response, old zero, new zero for first three in a calen-dar year, then $50 per response;* License for altered dog, old $5, new $6;* Animal impound, first violation, old $65, new decreased to $37;* Impounded-animal food and care per day, old $5, new $6.

Taft Community Correctional Facility To Close November 14th More than 40 Correctional Officers and Staff to Be Laid-Off By Michael Long, Publisher The Taft Community Correctional Facility will be closed down by November 14th, forcing the city to lay-off more that 40 cor-rectional officers and staff. According to Taft City Manager Bob Gorson, the state funded correctional facility, which houses up to 512 inmates and employs more than 40 correctional officers and staff, will close because a contract between the city and the state to house inmates will expire. “We’re shutting down the facility, pending approval by the city council,” said Gorson. “The facility will be empty by November 30th.” State officials have cited early release parole programs which allow the release of low-security inmates back into communities, as well as several budget cuts that have forced the state to end the contracts. Gorson said that the city council will hear a proposal from staff for severance packages for correctional officers and staff on Octo-ber 18th. More than 40 personnel would be affected Gorson said. Gorson said that the city is in negotiations with several South-ern California Counties to house county inmates and keep the facility open. However, he said that the soonest that the prison might receive new prisoners would be next March. Gorson said that the city would make every effort to rehire the corrections officers if the city reopens the facility.

Taft City Council Update


Letters to the Editor

The Taft IndependentBest of Taft 2011

What’s your favorite Restaurant? Who makes the best pizza?The best Burger? Or, what is your favorite business?

The Independent is seeking your vote for the Best of Taft 2011.Submit your nomination and vote today for the following categories or make up one of your own.

Vote your choice for The Best of Taft 2011 Best Pizza_____________________________________________________

Best Mexican Restaurant ________________________________________

Best Burger ____________________________________________________

Best Coffee ____________________________________________________

Best Breakfast _________________________________________________

Best Restaurant, Period __________________________________________

Best Meal for your Money_________________________________________

Best New Business/Company ______________________________________

Best Salon ____________________________________________________

Best Stylist ____________________________________________________

Best Mechanic or Auto Body Shop _________________________________

Best Health Club/ Gym __________________________________________

Best Teacher/Professor ___________________________________________

Best Sales Clerk ________________________________________________

Best Waitress __________________________________________________

Best Tourist Destination (What brings people to Taft)__________________

Best Property Management Firm/Real Estate Agent ____________________

Best Bank/Credit Union _________________________________________

Best Local Band ________________________________________________

Best Convenience Store __________________________________________

Best Place to Pamper you Pets/Groomer/Grooming_____________________

Best Customer Service/Friendliest Staff ______________________________

Best Person/Place for Home Improvements ___________________________

Best Place to People Watch _______________________________________

Best Non Profit Organization______________________________________

Best Community Event ___________________________________________

Best Elected Figure ______________________________________________

Best Community Volunteer_________________________________________

Best Law Enforcement Professional__________________________________

Create Your Own Category. Best____________________________________

Best of Taft Rules: Submit your nominations to the Taft Independent on this official form. Mail this form to our office located at508 Center Street, Taft, CA 93268 or drop in our door mail slot, or fax the form to 765-6556. Nominations will only be accepted on this form.

DEADLINE to file your form is Friday, October 14th, 2011 WINNERS will be announced on Friday, October 21st, 2011.


early 1960’s the program moved to its current location at 204 Van Buren Street. Our focus is to develop and increase the independent living skills of our clients. We provide a wide array of services. Some of these services include: reading, writing, learning our phone numbers and ad-dresses, budgeting, grocery shopping, cleaning house (yuck), and cook-ing (yum). ARC has a transporta-tion program that provides services to and from our day program and medical appointments. Training is provided during our day program, which runs Monday through Friday 8-2, and to individuals living in their own homes. Our community has always been very supportive and generous to those we serve and of our fundraising efforts. As is the case for a majority of non-profit organizations fund-raising is a necessity. We will be hosting our annual Octoberfest barbecue this Saturday, October 8th. The event is held at the ARC 204 Van Buren Street from 11-2pm. Tickets are $10 each and include a chance to win a meat basket. We are also selling raffle tickets, 6 for $5. We have nu-merous raffle prizes donated by a variety of generous vendors from our community and 4 tickets to the UCLA vs Colorado football

Westside News & 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 10-11-11 thru 10-15-11)

Tues.10-11-11

Lunch

Tues.10-11-11Dinner

Wed.10-12-11

Lunch

Wed.10-12-11Dinner

Thurs.10-13-11

Lunch

Thurs.10-13-11Dinner

Fri.10-14-11Dinner

Fri.10-14-11

Lunch

Sat.10-15-11Dinner

Chicken Philly

Prime Rib$15.95 Small/ $18.95 Large

BBQ Beef Ribs

CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

$8.95

$12.95

$9.95

$8.95

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

$15.95/ $18.95

Hot Beef Sandwich

$10.95

Pot Roast with Veggies $10.95

Roast New York

Charbroiled Chicken Burger

$8.95Hot Turkey Sandwich

BBQ Pork Ribs$13.95 Half/ $15.95 Full

$13.95/ $15.95

“He bleeds blue and gold,” commented junior Julia Laguna about one of Taft High’s friendliest and most spirited employees. Kim Fields, Taft High’s Campus Supervisor, has been “bleeding blue and gold” for the last 11 years. “I started out in gardening,” said Fields. “I’ve been Campus Supervisor for ten years.” Fields was born and raised in Taft and he gradu-ated from Taft High in 1983. Originally aspiring to be a mortician, Fields is happy to have found his current occupation. “I have the job of a lifetime,” said Fields. “I’m happy and I want to be the best supervisor ever!” I asked a few kids around campus what they thought of Fields, and they all gave me similar answers. “He inspires me to be nice to other people,” said senior Daisy Guitron. Fields has been married to Gina, who is also a Taft High employee, for 25 years and they have two children together. “She was the only girl I ever dated,” said Fields. Although he doesn’t have one specific day that he thinks is the most memorable, Fields lives to see kids change their path from good to bad. “It makes me want to show up tomorrow,” said Fields. Whether he’s supervising a dance, chaperoning a field-trip, helping a new student find his classes, or just patrolling the campus with a smile, Fields loves what he does almost as much as the students love him. “I have a job that was designed for me,” said Fields “I can honestly say that I work to provide a safe environment at school for the greatest kids in the world!”

Meet Your Westside Public Servants, Kim Fields, TUHS Campus SupervisorBy Nicole Frost

West Side Urgent Care

NOWACCEPTING

KERN FAMILY HEALTH CARE

FOR OUR CONVENIENCE:No phone calls or authorization

required to be seen at the Urgent Care!!!We are open:

Monday - Friday 12pm-9pmSaturday and Sunday 10am-9pm

Holidays 10am-9pm

ARC-Taft is a non-profit agency providing services to adults with developmental disabilities. ARC has been providing services to these special citizens of the Westside since 1952. The program was started by a group of parents with special needs children. At that time there were no services on the Westside for their children and they did not consider placing them in an institution an op-tion. These pioneers, with a strong support group of friends and family members, founded the Westside Training Center in the building that is next door to the Girl Scouts of America. In the

The Arc, Serving People With Disabilities

Kim Fields

MaryAnn Hagstrom awarding a trophy to Sharon Wright for selling the most BBQ tickets to the Taft ARC BBQ, Sharon has sold the most tickets for the last five years.

Continued on Page 11

100 E. North Street • (661)765-1935


Westside News & Business BriefsThe Place

4014 Highway 33Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa

(661)766-2660

$1.50 Domestic Drafts5pm Until Close

Pork Ribs, Bratwurst, Sour Kraut, Red Potatoes

and SaladNO TO GO’s

Starts at 5pm Until Gone

OktoberfestSaturday, October 8th

$10.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT

Houchin Blood Bank October Donor of the Month, Randy Miller You would expect the Mayor of Taft, California to be a tremendous booster for his community, but Randy Miller also likes to promote the impor-tance of blood donation. Randy has more than 7 gallons to his credit, and likes to give “double reds” on the Trima machine at the blood bank in Bakersfield. He finds the less frequent ap-pointments netting the same units to help others fits his busy schedule. Randy likes to tell people: “Someway, somehow, somewhere, people you know will need blood. It just takes a little of your time to see that it is available when needed”. The meaning of this hit home with him personally when his mother recently needed blood to save her life. Randy retired as a Social Services Supervisor with the Kern County Department of Human Services after 15 years then worked as the Executive Director of the Taft Chamber of Com-merce until December 2009. He has served as Mayor of Taft since 2010. He and his wife of 37 years, Ginny, have two children, Andrew 23, and Melissa 26. They enjoy RV camping, and Randy recently completed a 500 mile loop of the Central Coast on his Gold Wing motorcycle with a buddy. The Mayor is justifiably proud that Taft does its part to con-tribute to Kern County’s blood supply. Taft Community drives provided 290 units in 2010. We appreciate Randy’s commitment to the Trima program and his ongoing efforts to convince others to save lives through blood donation.

Taft College Foundation Presents Second Annual Cougar Rib-Eye Cookout On Thursday, October 20, 2011, the Taft College Foundation will host its Second Annual Cougar Rib-Eye Cookout, on the Taft College Campus, in the Quad area. From 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. there will be a Social Hour, with dinner service beginning at approximately 6:00 p.m. and continuing until 8:00 p.m. The evening will include formal presentation of colors & flag salute, live music by the band “Blackboard Playboys,” from Trout’s of Bakersfield, a couple of surprises, a raffle for all ticket holders to win a 37 inch flat screen, and of course fabulous rib-eye steaks, prepared by our able caterer, Orchel Krier of the Tumbleweed Café & Bar. The dinner menu includes steaks, salad, beans, bread, and ice cream for dessert. Beverages will be available for sale, including beer & wine, as well as sodas. Water will be complimentary. Once again we are fortunate to have as our event sponsor TRC Operating Company, Inc. As with a last year, a special feature of the evening will be a salute to our local veterans, who will be our special guests for the evening. There will be 150 tickets available to veterans and their spouses on a first come first serve basis. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for students/children, and may be obtained by calling 661.763.7952. In addition, you may purchase tickets at the Taft College Student Services Cashier, Administration Office, 29 Emmons Park Drive, Taft, CA. This year, with the renovation of the IT Building, the parking lot configuration in front of the Student Services/Administration Building was changed. There are now four (4) twenty (20) minute loading zone spaces, to expedite a quick entry and exit for ticket purchase and pick-up. The public is cordially invited to attend!

Randy and Ginny Miller


Community Voices From The MayorMuzzling Ministers and the Constitution

By Dr. Harold Pease

Freedom Sunday, held Oct. 2, is now over. This was the Sunday when 539 ministers throughout the United States defied the IRS and federal government and did at least three things in common in their Sunday sermons. They identified where the candidates stood on the issues, what the Bible says on these issues, and where a follower of Jesus Christ should stand. Their followers, of course, are left to make their own decisions, but the clergy is no longer silent. The following day they mailed a recorded copy of their sermon to the IRS; all the evidence that is needed to deny their 501C3 tax exemption status.

Standing by to defend three first amendment rights, that of freedom of speech, religion, and even assembly, is a group of 2500 attorneys united under the Alliance Defense Fund should the federal

government wish to enforce the previously constitutionally uncontested Lyndon Baines Johnson Amendment initiated in 1954. Thirty-three pastors successfully did this in the year 2008, 84 in 2009, and 100 in 2010 with no retribution. In fact, no church’s tax exemption status has been taken away for having done so in the 57 years the amendment has been in place. Proponents encourage other ministers to follow their Pulpit Freedom Movement by going to www.speakupmovement.org or by phoning 1-800-telladf. Consider the over-the-pulpit political statements made by Martin Luther King, Jr., Jessie Jackson or even Jeremiah Wright. The ministers argue that the Johnson Amendment which resulted in the tax exemption legislation known as 501C3, wherein tax exempt organizations cannot endorse or oppose candidates, was actually designed to deal with two business-men in Texas who had used tax exempt money to oppose the future President Johnson, and that the legislation was never intended to be used on churches. Whether that is so or not, the IRS viewed it so and constantly threatens to apply it. The effect has been to “silence and chill the pastors.” At election time pastors frequently receive a letter reminding them that they can lose their 501C3 status should they make political statements as a pastor. The movement demands a return to pre-1954 when there was no government censorship on the pulpits of America at all, whether left or right on the political spectrum—true separation of church and state. Both persuasions should have pulpit freedom. Is this activity constitutional? Absolutely!! It is an American tradition. Many of the Founding Fathers were clergymen and used their pulpits before and after the American Revolution to foster a better understanding of liberty. The Constitu-tion only denies the requirement of a religious test “as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States.” The First Amendment also specifically denies Congress from making any “law respecting an establishment of religion.” Any attempt to muzzle the clergy is unconstitutional. The urgency of the ministers picking up their traditional role as a conscience of the culture is critical for the saving of the culture. Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church in Beltville, Maryland said it best. “In the next decade or so what America will be for the next few hundred years, I believe, will be decided.” Speaking directly to his clergy colleagues he continued, “Would you want to be someone who stood by and did nothing and had no voice in changing America for good, that lives through years of regret that you did nothing when you could have spoken out? Or, will you be someone, no matter how small your congregation is, or how large your congregation is, that will take up the challenge to follow Christ and endure momentary discomfort in trying to figure out how to articulate the message? That is a little price to pay for the benefit that we can bring to the entire culture.” No pastor should fear the IRS. Clergy, it is your constitutional right and responsibility to speak boldly and clearly on any subject that you think important. If not you, who? If not now, when? Your government has muzzled you with fear and intimidation. Remember parishioners came to you for guidance. A good Shepherd will give it to them. Clergy who were unable to participate October 2, are invited to do so on another Sunday. Again, who will speak if the church is silent? After all, it’s about your liberty, please pass this along. 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.

Hi Everyone,

Fall is starting to arrive at our footsteps. A few early thunderstorms may have a given us a portent of what may lie ahead in the coming months. Thunderstorms are a little scary as the lightning strikes seem to come frightening close and have caused a number of fires in the local mountains that has cost us precious manpower, dollars, and resources not to mention a hit on our air quality. The cooling rainstorm we just experienced cleans the air, knocks the dust off, and gives us spectacu-lar views of our local mountains. Plus, that soaking rain trickles down into our aquifers to replenish our precious water resources. This storm seemed

to be a little early as we don’t normally experience rain until November. The wet-ter and colder it gets, it brings the dreaded Tule Fog that much sooner. Be careful out the there when you are driving in the wet, cold fog as you need to slow down to save your life and maybe mine. Hope you have noticed all the drilling activity going on especially in the Ho-nolulu Hills area. I don’t know all the specifics of what is happening, all I know that when you see a drilling mast up in the air you put a number of contractors to work: grading, rat hole diggers, gravel packers, mud suppliers, electricians, service rigs, cementers, drill bit suppliers, diesel suppliers, vacuum trucks, and on and on. To outsiders and the uniformed those towers of light in the night sky doesn’t look like much but those drilling rigs are stirring the economy in the right direction. We all know that the oil companies make money at $50 to $70 per barrel of oil but when they are making a 100 bucks a barrel it is time to spend some of that excess and that is exactly what they are doing. The $100 price has been sustained for quite some time so it is nice to see new projects going up like the one by OXY on Midway Road. All we can hope for in the City of Taft, is that those contractors and oil company folks are using local people; that they are spending money at our local gas stations, suppliers, and restaurants; and that this is not a fluke but a sustained effort to get more of our oil out of the ground to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Hopefully, the Department of Oil and Gas will come to their senses and start working with the industry that they regulate as they have in the past rather than trying to stifle new production and throw up road blocks to a vital driver of California’s economy. Black Gold !! Bring it on.The City of Taft is working on our Veterans Park Monument area and I think you will be truly impressed when you see the final product. City maintenance crews are painstaking taking their time to make us even more proud and patriotic as we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom that we all enjoy in this great nation of ours. I have been assured that we will be ready to go on Veterans Day this coming November 11th. We’ll keep you informed as to the details as they become available. Just mark your calendar now to join us. The Taft ALL Star Band, made up of Lincoln Jr. High and TUHS band members, has finally reached their fundraising goal of $53,000; so they are on their way to Washington DC on Nov 6th. where they will be catching up with their luggage and band equipment courtesy of a Wal-Mart truck heading that way a week earlier. They were very proud and thankful to report all the funds they raised came from the Westside. The kids worked very hard on this project and were awed by the generosity of so many people. The Taft community does support its own; they have now learned a valuable lesson about being part of a caring community. Hopefully, they will play it forward in their lives. Good luck and make us all proud while you are in our nation’s capital. As I get older, I realize that there are fewer of my love ones around me. As the baby boomers are getting older (I was born in 45), we are losing more and more of our relatives. My grandparents and all my aunts and uncles are gone now as is my father. All the adults I knew as a kid growing up in Taft are no longer here. My mom is now the matriarch on the two sides of our family. The realization is setting in that I am quickly rising to the top of the family tree or the bottom, depends on your prospective. I am now that adult I looked up to. It doesn’t seem like I am and sometimes I probably don’t act like it, but to all my second cousins I and my other first cousins we are it. We all are those old folks. Although I am not fretting about my age, this realization just seems strange at this stage of my life. Probably what I am hinting at is seek out those aunts, uncles, and grand-parents because they may not be around when you get around to wanting to sit down and talk to them. Their past is your history and it makes you who you are today. There is a saying from my high school year book I like to pass on to people it goes like this : “All the great men are dead now and I’m not feeling well myself.” I’d appreciate hearing from you. Sometimes I wonder if you enjoy my meander-ings or not. If you have an idea or thought or a suggestions for my little column, let me know. I am grateful for the opportunity to reach out to you. I love Taft, hopefully you do too. If someone asks you where Taft is, do what I do, tell them “We are located 7 miles north of Maricopa”. Let’em figure that out.

Randy MillerYour Proud but Humble Mayor

Taft College Awarded $10 Million In Grants From The United States Department Of Education On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, Taft College will hold a Press Conference to celebrate the awarding of two grants from the United States Department of Education; $870,000 per year in an Individual Development Grant and $1.2 Million per year in a Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant for five years. These grant monies are part of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Articulation program authorized under sec-tion 371 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) to assist Hispanic Serving Institutions to develop and carry out activities to improve and expand their capacity to serve Hispanic and other low-income students. Taft College, located in the western Kern County part of the San Joaquin Valley of central California, is a two-year public Hispanic serving community college with a critical and difficult mission to attract and increase the number of Hispanics choosing STEM majors while providing increased support to ensure successful outcomes, retention and degree completion. Taft College is the only institution of higher education in a 45-mile radius and the only avenue to education for students in an expansive service area, which is undergoing dramatic demographic and economic change and, which by most measures, is severely underserved educationally. Engineers are critically needed and through this project, Taft College and its partners, CSU Bakersfield and the Univer-sity of La Verne, will combine expertise and resources to address the critical need for well-trained Science Technology En-gineering and Math specialists locally and regionally to service the energy/oil and agricultural industries that are becoming increasingly dependent upon technology and require technology literate employees. The official program will begin at 10:30 a.m. with light refreshments immediately following. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Visit Us Online Taftindependent.com


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 AM

Adult 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

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.

NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Gateway Temple 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

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

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

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 Sunday

Pastors Shannon N. and Shannon L. Kelley www.nlctaft.org or [email protected]

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45Sunday Evening Worship 5:00

Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30

For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 487-2416Pastors Charle (Tommy) and

Mary A. McWhorter

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

YOUR CHURCH

AD HERE! CALL

TODAY! 765-6550

Subscribe for home delivery of the Taft Independent today!

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The Only Mortuary On The West Side Where All Arrangements And

Funerals Are Personally Directed ByLicensed Funeral Directors

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

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

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

Check Out Our Website!maricopaquiltcompany.com

And Facebook Page!

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUPFord CityTuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of TaftWednesday

• REFRIGERATORS • MATTRESSES • WATER HEATERS • STOVES • WASHERS & DRYERS • SOFAS

All green waste must be bagged. Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTEDConstruction/Demolition Waste/Used Oil/

Hazardous Waste/Tires

If Missed… Call Office at

763-5135

Westside Waste Management Co., Inc.

Taft CrudeCoffee House

Ice Blended Mocha

Fat Free andSugar Free

Available in Most Flavors

Open 7 Days - 763-51561010 6th Street • Taft

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

www.sagebrushannies.com

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

Now Celebrating Our 22nd Year

Marketingisimportanttoyourbusiness.TheTaftIndependenthasmarketingopportunitiesforeverybudget,

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ROGER MILLER INSURANCEadivisionofDiBuduo&DeFendisInsuranceGroup

Rich MillerLicense#0707137•(661)765-7131

531KernStreet-P.O.Box985(661)765-4798FAX

Taft,CA93268•(661)203-6694Cell

E-Mail:[email protected] Hometown Insurance Store


weekly home and business deliveries. CDL and Insurance

Required. Experience Preferred.

Incentive Based Com-pensation.

Call 765-6550

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

If interested in vendor space at 428 Center Street please call Jane 765-9470.

Welding truck for rent,like new, Ford diesel w/cat diesel welder 745-4177

WantedWANTED

Junk Cars! Cash Paid (661) 805-0552

Old Appliances, In ANY Condition. Car Batteries & Motorparts. Cash Paid $1 - $20 Call David 661-293-0359 or 661-765-6497. We will pick up!

For SaleFOR SALE

Pickers Buy & Sell 428 Center Street. Tools, Furniture, Household, Collectables.

Sofa Brown microfiber high back, like new $300. Ab-Lounge Sport $50 203-0277

1 chair-recliner, 10” table saw, router & table 30 gal air tank. Engine stand, oxygen & actylene, gauges w/ tanks & cart. Elect motors misc power tools 765-2444.

MOTORCYCLES

AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock

room, 2 baths, pool, lg garage, spa, spacious kitchen. $135,000.

MOBILE HOMES

HOMES FOR RENT

West ValleyReal Estate

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

FOR RENT200 1/2 Van Buren 1/1 $500601 4th 2/1 $650709 Kern 3/1 $900340 F St 3/1 + 1/1 $1,200516 Grant Terrace 4/2 $1,350

FOR SALEWhy rent when you can buy for almost half the cost?!Complete list of homes for Sale and Rent avail-able!

523 Naylor St. 3 bd/2ba $1,100 mo + dep.408 Jackson St. 3bd/1ba $950 mo + dep.707 1/2 Filmore 1bd/1ba $430 mo + dep. (661)343-0507.

3bd/2ba 719 Fresno St. in Maricopa $500 mo call (760)912- 7888

2bd/1ba indoor W&D hookups, fenced yard. $550 mo + dep. (805)325-0256.

Prime Location 3bd/2ba 2 car garage $1,300 mo + $1,000 dep. 613 Sunset Ln. 763-4696 or 623-1533

TWO HOUSES AVAILABLE NOW. 1/1 cottage with fully fenced yard and covered, off-street parking. $490/m. 3/1 remodeled house downtown on double lot, lrg LR, lndry. $690/m. Mark King 805-689-4122.

5 bed, 2 bath house205 E St. $1000/mo + $1300 security depositcall 661-979-3113

APART. FOR RENT

MCKITTRICK. 3/2 Apt. Newly furn.$650 mo. Taft Property Mgt. 661 745-4892. Brokers Licence 01417057

Creekside Apartments.

FOUND PETS

PETS

LIVESTOCK

LOST PETS

Real EstatePROPERTY

MANAGEMENTTaft Property Management

1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms now available in good

areas.CRIME FREE

HOUSING Brokers Licence

01417057661-577-7136

BUSINESSFOR SALE

FOR SALE

Established local Taft business. Taft Crude Coffee House and Deli. Excellent location, near Taft College. In business for 6 years. $25,000. Room to ex-pand product offerings. Good family business. Call 661-623-4296.

HOMES FOR SALEReal Estate eBroker Inc.

325 Kern StreetKarri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 &

#01333971661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.comReal Estate Sales &

Purchase

114 Franklin $40K (Contingent)106 Lee St 3bed 2 bath $129,500

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

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

106 E. Warren. 2 bed-

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.

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

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 $2 for 3 lines, additional lines $2 each.

Classified ad deadline is Wednesday at 12 p.m. (noon)

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

E-mail: [email protected]

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 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.

Yard Sale. Sat. Oct 8th. 8am - ? 717 Polk St. Halloween and Xmas items, much more.

Sat 602 Grant Terrace 8am. Oak ent. center, drum set, battery operated Jeep, 2 TV’s, school clothes.

201 8th St. Heritage Park Club House Sat 7am-12pm. Lots of stuff.

1210 Williams Way, multi family. Furn., crib/youth bed, formals, suits, misc. Sat. 7am-1pm

427 1/2 A. Street. Saturday & Sunday.Floor buffer, organ,household items, barstools.

Couches, recliners, mattresses, end tables, baby stuff, misc. Saturday and Sunday 7am-12pm. 427 B St.

Yard sale Saturday 10/15 8am-12pm. 212 Jackson St. TV, furniture, musical instruments.

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

Ken ShugartsAir Conditioning & Heating

BusinessServices

COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services

Back to School PC Tuneup

Special For $27661-623-5188

EmploymentHELP WANTED

CITY OF TAFTPART-TIME TRANSIT

OPERATOR$13.20/hour

Under general supervision operates a transit vehicle up

to and including a 20 passenger bus. The system is a Dial-A-

Ride and Fixed Route service. Candidate must be dependable

and able to work varied shifts including split-shifts and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications - High School diploma

or GED certificate. Must possess a State

of California Class B Driver’s License

with Passenger Endorsement and will be required to obtain

a General Public Paratransit Vehicle (GPPV) operator

certificate. Application Process: Application and job description may be

obtained at City Hall, 209 East Kern Street, Taft, or www.cityoftaft.org. Final Filing Date:

5:00 p.m., Friday, October 14, 2011.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of

application. Postmarked applications will not be

accepted. EOE.

The Taft Indepenent is looking for a part-time

individual to solicit subscriptions and make

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.

Community

30 Plus Years in ConstructionLicense No. 927634

We Do All Phases of ConstructionKitchen and Bathroom Specialists

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Get It Rented!!

Place Your Ad for $2 Per Line! Call Today

(661)765-6550

Marketingisimportanttoyourbusiness.TheTaftIndependenthasmarketingopportunitiesforeverybudget,

largeorsmall.ByadvertisingintheTaftIndependent,youwillreachover7,500potential

customerseveryweek.Tomakeasmallbudgetgoalongway,callustodayat765-6550

Get a Lot for a Little

ADS STARTING AT 10$ PER [email protected]

Taft IndependentSubscription-Circulation Manager

The Taft Indepenent is looking for a part-time individual to solicit subscriptions and make weekly home and business deliveries. CDL and Insurance Required. Experience

Preferred. Incentive Based Compensation. Call 765-6550

WANTED

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.699-9823. 420 Finley Dr.

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

New 1 bd/1ba carpet, oak cabinet, granite, tile, appliances. W&D hookups. Small yard, no pets. $650 mo + dep.New Large 1 bd/1ba Patio & Off street parking. W&D hookups, appliances included. $725 mo + dep.2 bd/1ba New flooring, cabinets, counters, ceiling fan, appliance. W&D hookups $800 mo + dep. (805)550-0565 or (909)851-4228.


The Cell Fone StoreMóviles y Accesorios y

alimentos y más510 Finley Drive661-765-2500

Negocios de venta

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Edward J. Herrera Insurance

Por que se van a Bakersfield?Aqui estamos.

First Two California Fatalities From West Nile Virus in 2011 A 37-year-old man and an 86-year-old man, both from Kern County, are the first reported fatalities from West Nile virus (WNV) this year, Dr. Ron Chapman, direc-tor of the California Department of Public Health, announced today “These unfortunate deaths remind us of the potential danger from mosquito bites and West Nile virus,” Chapman said. To date in 2011, 88 human cases of WNV from 18 California counties have been reported. Last year 111 cases and six fatalities were reported. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – will develop serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Individuals 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop serious symptoms. Studies also show that those with diabetes and/or hyper-tension are at greatest risk for serious illness. Chapman said that the most effective way for individuals to prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus is to remember the “Four D’s”: 1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older. 2. DRESS – Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure to mosquito bites. 3. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes that carry WNV bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear repellent at this time. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes. 4. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. If you have a pond, use mosquito fish (available from your local mosquito and vector control agency) or com-mercially available products to eliminate mosquito larvae. California’s West Nile virus website includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds and dead tree squirrels on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

Rosy’s ClosetHombres y Mujeres

Ropa y Zapatos401 Center Street

Mar. - Sáb. 10am-8pmDom. 11am-8pm

Cerrado los Lunes

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

Seniors! It’s Portrait Time!

CALL NOW 763-5429

*offer only available with this coupon limit one coupon per package

427 Center Street • Since June 1986

Proof # Date

1 4/6

Now offering “inspired” portraits, as unique as you are.

Free Clothing Changes, Unlimited package poses & 24 Extra Wallets

Annual Taft Chamber Golf Classic A Success

Saturday, October 1, we had 160 players competing for the top spot in the 4 man scrambles Taft Chamber 10th annual golf tournament at Buena Vista Golf Course. Jason Johnson, Scott Anderson, Mike Yates, and Chris Skeels took home 1st place, winning $1,600 with a gross score of 54, 18 under par. The top 9 teams placed and won prize money as well as men and women’s long drive, pitching contest, and putting contest. Putting contest winner Ron Kilmer made the 10’ putt in the 4th round of semi-finals to win $200 and his 50’ putt for the $10,000 prize was a little short. Hector Aguilar won the pitching contest at 12¾” from the hole. The event was a great success, even if we were eating dinner in the dark! Next year, we hope you will participate in the tournament again and know we will be starting it a little earlier! Thank you so much to all of our sponsors (Tumbleweed Café, State Farm: Kathy Herm, Oildale Tire Taft, Asian Experience, United Security Bank, Direct Safety Solutions, Taft College, Taft Midway Driller, Pizza Factory, Domino’s Pizza, Rotary Club, S&S Printing, Taft Independent, Fernando Amorteguy, Colston Construction, Accelerated Environmental Services, TRC, A+ The Employment Company, Volvo Rents, Huddleston Crane, General Production Services, TCI, Precision Bodyworks, Artz’s Liquor, Dave’s Glass Shop, Erickson & Brown, State Farm: Julie Franks, Baker Hughes, Conoco Philips, Syangro and Clariant Oil Services), to all of the volunteers (Zack Orrin, Carl Caldwell, Janet Miller, Carey Carpenter, Adele Ward, Tanner Leikam, the crew at A+ The Employment Company), to our Board Members, Orchel Krier, Bob Leikam, Michael Long, John Neumann, Dennis Schertz, to Chief of Police Ken McMinn, and of course our Event Coordinator, Shannon Jones, without all of their tremendous contributions and dedication, this tournament would not have been able to get off the ground.

game in November. We will be serving tri-tip, salad, beans, rice, a roll, dessert, and a drink. The salsa is made from tomatoes we grew in our garden and the dessert will be a peach cobbler from our trees. You might have sampled some of our produce at the Chamber’s Farmer’s Market on Thursday evenings this summer. Our garden also provides a beautiful setting for senior, wed-ding, or family portraits, for which donations are gladly accepted. This year we began renting our facilities. We have packages available for small and large groups. And we are willing to do our best to accommodate your needs. The money raised through our fundraisers goes toward field trips and activities planned for our clients. ARC clients are citizens of Taft and enjoy attending and participating in numerous com-munity events We are avid Taft High supporters of their sporting events and cultural programs and enjoy a tasty lunch now and then at the Maricopa Tea Room. We would like to thank our community friends for the support and look forward to seeing you and your appetite this Saturday at our barbecue.

The Arc continued from Page 6

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2011! Ballot On Page 5


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The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant

24870 Highway 33 in Derby Acres • (661) 768-4655Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

(661)763-4445No Appointment Needed for

Smog Check!Certified C.A.P. Station

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

We CaterYour Place or Ours Full Bar

AvailableFor You Special

Event

Located in the Heart of Oil Country On the Petroleum Highway

Randy’s Trucking

(661) 763-47731050 Wood Street

Cart-Away Concrete Mix Trailer • Hydraulic Rotation and Tilt for Mixing and Dumping

• Mixes Concrete While Traveling • • Large Internal Blades •

• Rear Operator Control Panel •

Used to be Paul’sBike Shop

Qik Smog & Tune

Devon’s Body Shop

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3419 Harrison St. Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

western shop & PET SUPPLY

Each additional dog or cat $9

$24.

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Full Bar - Catering - RV Parking Available

Open 7 Days a Week

Shaw’s Pet WashFall

Special

Farmer’s Meat Based Dog Food

www.shawswesternshop.com

Precision Bodyworks & Towing

We take the DENTS out of ACCIDENTS

317 Main Street • Taft

Phone (661)763-4420

FAX (661)763-1389

Cell (661)577-6785

We are an Independent Agency WithMany Pre-Eminent Insurance Companies

To Best Suit Your NeedsWhy go to Bakersfield? We’re here!

We Represent You To Give You The Best Service

417 1/2 Center StreetTaft, Ca 93268(661)745-4920Lic. # 0277365

www.edherrerainsurance.com

WE Offer You Low Discounted Rates

Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public

Our Friendly Staff

Edward J. Herrera Insurance

Click on over to our website to see exactly what’s in stock and available to order.

608 Center St.

2012 Bikes are Arriving NOW!

745-4919

September & October

Specializing in flea treatments, medicated baths and soar foot care

Saturday Appointments Available!Sept. 24th, Oct. 1st, Oct. 15th,

Oct. 22nd & Oct. 29th

The WorksOur full groom includes soothing naturalshampoos and conditioners, blueberry

vanilla facial, nails, ear cleaning, perfume spritz and your choice of nail color or hair color accent.

Nails clipped and filed $12

Meat 1st40 lbs

HARRISON STREETAUTOMOTIVE

Taft ARC

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