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November 12-18, 2010 • Volume 5 Issue 20 www.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] FREE Weekly e Taft Independent 201 Kern Street • 763-9999 $1.99 Must have coupon Expires 12-31-10 Italian Cheese Bread Special 10 deep dish sticks with melted cheese, baked in garlic butter and topped with parmesan and italian herbs NOW OPEN Open Daily 9am - 8pm Lunch served 11am - 1pm Dinner served 6pm - 8pm Black Gold Coffee House and Deli Featuring Sagebrush Annie’s Award Winning Wines Join us for Monday Night Football Monday, November 15th Philadelphia at Washington All you can eat Spaghetti (Spaghetti & Marinara Sauce Only) $8.95 508 Center Street • 765-6550 Spaghetti with Meatballs & Salad $11.95 Ice Cold 16 oz. Bud Light on Tap $3.50 On Tap Bud Light • Widmer • Fat Tire • Shock Top On 2 Big Screens! Taft City Employees Unhappy About Proposed Pay Cut’s by Kent Miller The Place 4014 Highway 33 Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660 LET US DEEP PIT OR SMOKE YOUR THANKSGIVING TURKEY Place your orders for Homemade Pies for Thanksgiving! On or Before November 22nd $10.00 All-You-Can-Eat Saturday, November 13th Deep Pit Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Stuffing, & Cranberry Sauce Starting at 5:30pm (No to-go’s) $1.50 Domestic Drafts All Night Blackberry, Blueberry, & Pecan - $15 each Apple, Peach, Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, Chocolate Cream, Strawberry Rhubarb, & Pumpkin - $13 each Please place orders by November 16th! 12-15 lb. Turkeys $30.00 We will be closed EVERY Tuesday Closed on anksgiving Order and pick up your pies up at Taſt Crude Coffee House or Black Gold Coffee House and Deli Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Orders To Go Open 7 Days a Week 8am-8pm 2725 Highway 166 Over 20 Years Experience EL RINCONCI TO Mexican Food & Seafood Now Open In Cuyama Valley Buy 1 Meal and get the 2nd Meal Half Off Must present this coupon Clip & Bring This Coupon Taco Special $1 Each Menudo Every Saturday & Sunday Al Pastor Tacos Saturday & Sunday (661)766- 2752 Hoy! Negocios Hispanos Page 11

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November 12-18, 2010 • Volume 5 Issue 20www.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]

201 Kern Street • 763-9999

$1.99Must have couponExpires 12-31-10

Italian Cheese Bread Special

10 deep dish sticks with melted cheese, baked in garlic butter and topped with

parmesan and italian herbs

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, November 15thPhiladelphia at Washington

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

$8.95508 Center Street • 765-6550

Spaghetti with Meatballs & Salad $11.95Ice Cold 16 oz. Bud Light on Tap $3.50

On TapBud Light • Widmer • Fat Tire • Shock TopOn 2 Big Screens!

Taft City Employees Unhappy About Proposed Pay Cut’sby Kent Miller

The Place4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa(661)766-2660

LET US DEEP PIT OR SMOKE YOUR THANKSGIVING TURKEY

Place your orders for Homemade Pies for Thanksgiving!

On or Before November 22nd

$10.00 All-You-Can-EatSaturday, November 13th

Deep Pit Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Stuffing, & Cranberry SauceStarting at 5:30pm (No to-go’s)

$1.50 Domestic Drafts All Night

Blackberry, Blueberry, & Pecan - $15 eachApple, Peach, Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, Chocolate

Cream, Strawberry Rhubarb, & Pumpkin - $13 each

Please place orders by November 16th!12-15 lb. Turkeys

$30.00We will be closed EVERY Tuesday

Closed on Thanksgiving

Order and pick up your pies up at Taft Crude Coffee House or Black Gold Coffee House and Deli

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Orders To GoOpen 7 Days a Week 8am-8pm

2725 Highway 166

Over 20 Years Experience

EL RINCONCITOMexican Food & Seafood

Now Open In Cuyama Valley

Buy 1 Meal and get the2nd Meal Half OffMust present this coupon

Clip & Bring This Coupon

Taco Special$1 Each

MenudoEvery

Saturday & Sunday

Al Pastor TacosSaturday & Sunday

(661)766-2752Hoy!

Negocios HispanosPage 11

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 12-18, 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!

Selection ofVinyl Records & Old Radio

Shows

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

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

(661)745-4913

Your One Stop Shop for the Entire Family

423 & 421 Center Street • 763-3527

FREE Medium Cheese Pizza

“We Toss’em,They’re Awesome”

Infants • Toddlers • Juniors • Women & Men

Voted Best Pizza4 Years in a Row!

Check out our greatHoliday Specials!

Sign Up for 1 Year

Over 6,000Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback

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

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

Today’sWoman

403 Center Street • (661)765-1717

An Extreme Fitness Workout Club for Men & Women who are serious about Fitness!Meeting Afternoons at Today’s Woman

Call Dennis Dabbs 765-1717

Hosting Club Team Extreme90 Day Extreme Fitness Program

Starting NOV. 15thMembership Limited

With the Purchase of any XL Pizza*

765-5311

614 Center Street

* Limit 1 per customer

Beauty Supply • Salon • Boutique

MEMBERSHIP BUDDY PACKAGE SPECIALSign up for 1 year with a friend or family

member and pay $50 a month!That is $25 each a Month!!

Open 7am-4pm for LadiesAfter 4pm Ladies and MenCheck for Weekend Times

(661)763-3030

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

Hair Accessories • Jewelry • Pictures & Prints • Massages

Personal StyleFamily Boutique

Get Your Glitz & Sparkle for the Holiday Season!

Thank you for voting us Best Salon in Taft for 2010!

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

Ask About Our

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

www.edherrerainsurance.com

WE Offer You Low Discounted Rates

Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public

Our Friendly Staff

November 12-18, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 3

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

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

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

Westside Rec. Report................................5.Westside News.................6

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

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

Westside Horoscopes......9

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

Negocios Hispanos........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

“Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

E-Waste Recycling Day Saturday, November 13th

There will be an E-Waste Recycling Day at Taft College on Saturday, November 13th in the parking lot. Please bring in all your E-Waste (computers, tv’s, electronics) for recycling from 8am to 12pm.

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.

Taft Chamber of Commerce Trout Fishing Derby Saturday, November 13th

The Taft Chamber of Commerce will be holding their annual Trout Fishing Derby on Saturday, November 13th from 6am to 2pm at Lake Evans at Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area. Guaranteed $1,000 grand prize for the heaviest fish caught with a chance to win an additional $20,000. Additional prizes for various age groups. 2,000 lbs. of trout will be stocked two days prior to the derby. In person registrations are accepted at The Taft Chamber of Commerce, 400 Kern Street. or Bob’s Bait Bucket, 2131 S. Chester Ave. in Bakersfield. Registration is $20 for adults at $10 for children 14 and under. For more information contact the Taft Chamber of Commerce at 765-2165.

Children’s Book Reading Saturday, November 13th

Please bring your children for a reading of The Remarkable Story of the Very First Flower on Saturday, November 13th at 10am at The End of Times Gallery located at 428 Center Street.

Yule Tea & Bazaar at St. Andrews Saturday, November 20th

The community is invited to join women of St. Andrews Episcopal Church for their annual Yule Tea and Bazaar on Saturday, November 20, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. A donation of $4.00 includes refreshments and door prize. A variety of handcrafted items and baked goods will be available for sale. Also included will be a drawing for a variety of items. St. Andrews is located at the corner of 5th and Woodrow. Call 765-2378 for further information.

Free Thanksgiving Dinner Saturday, November 20th

Free Thanksgiving dinner with the works! Saturday, November 20th from 12pm to 2pm at Taft Church of Christ located at 305 S. 10th St.

Carrisa Plains Women’s Club Holiday Craft & Gift Show Sunday, November 21st

The Carrisa Plains Women’s Club will be having their Holiday craft and gift show Sunday, November 21st from 10am to 4pm at the Carrisa Plains Heritage Associa-tion Community Center located at 10750 Carrisa Hwy 58, Carrisa Plains. Door prizes, raffle, homemade baked goods, handmade crafts, specialty gifts, lunch, dessert booth. Come to visit, come to eat, come to browse, come to buy. For information or booth space call Debbie Twisselman at (805)459-9838, Jani Kasfeldt (805)475-2231 or Gail Traver (805)475-2285 or (805)674-3780.

Sunday Afternoon Poetry Club Reading and Meeting Sunday, November 21st

The Sunday afternoon Poetry Club will meet again on Sunday, November 21st from 2pm to 4:30pm at the End of Times Gallery located at 428 Center Street. Susan Griffith, Taft’s own prize-winning poet, will be the featured poet. All are welcome, those who want to read and those who prefer to just listen, If you care to read, please bring three or four poems. You will have six minutes to read your own work. (The featured poet will read for 15 to 20 minutes.) Refreshments will be served. Suggested donation of $4. If anyone has a Christmas village he or she would like to sell or lend for the gallery window please call Jane at 765-4790.

Christmas At The Historic Fort Thursday, December 2nd

The Historic Fort will be holding their annual Holiday kick off gift show and dinner on Thursday, December 2nd from 5pm to 8pm. RSVP by December 1st for dinner, dinner is $8. Vendor space is limited, please register ASAP at 765-7371

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

“These lights shine in honor of those we love.” Optimal Hospice is holding their annual Light Up a Life Celebration Thursday, December 9th at The Historic Fort at 6pm. Family members and donors are invited to sponsor a light in memory of a friend or loved one, or for someone living whom they wish to honor. For a gift of $10 a 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 the ceremony. All proceeds from this memorial event remain in Kern County and sup-port families at a time when they need it the most. To have your loved one included in the ceremony or to learn more about the program, please contact Ann Smart, Foundation Director at 661-716-8000

SEE US ONLINE VISIT

WWW.TAFTINDEPENDENT.COM

Open 7am-4pm for LadiesAfter 4pm Ladies and MenCheck for Weekend Times

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGSTuesday November 16, 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.

Keep Taft Green Westside Waste Management, Taft College and Neil Agness E-Waste Recy-cling have teamed together to provide a FREE Electronic Waste and Bulk Waste Collection Event for ALL Kern County Residents. This event will be held in the Taft College Main Parking Lot on November 13, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Items accepted at no cost include televisions, computer monitors, CPUs and other computer accessories. Large household items accepted include mattresses, box springs, sofas, tables, chairs, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, water heat-ers, air conditioners, patio furniture, large toys and the like. Also accepted are all other electronic devices that can be plugged into the wall. As it is an E-Waste recycling event please be advised no tires, regular house-hold trash, construction and demolition waste, household hazardous waste such as paint, motor oil, alkaline batteries, pesticides or chemicals will be accepted. Thank you in advance for your support and please help KEEP TAFT GREEN!

Toys for Taft Kick’s Off

Taft Resident Painting Show from January 14th through February 11th

Call for Taft artists to participate in a Taft resident painting show from January 14th through February 11th at the End of Times Gallery located at 428 Center Street. Each participating artist will be given 6 feet of wall space. Work will go up on January 13th. Reception on January 14th. If you are interested in showing your work please call Jane at 765-4790.

The annual Toys for Taft drive is underway and local residents have a chance to donate a toy for a needy child at Christmas. According to Jason Anderson, the toy drive has started and over 20 local Westside businesses have boxes on display where toys can be placed including Joe’s, Restaurant, Pizza Factory, Chilled and Grilled, Black Gold Coffee House and Deli, Cycle Katz and Cooper’s True Value Hardware. Toys will be collected at these and other locations until December 18th. Toys requested can be given for ages toddler to 16 years. You do not need to wrap the toy. For more information, or to get a collection box at you business, please call Jason at 745-4931 or Chilled and Grilled at 765-2000, or the Taft Chamber of Commerce at 765-2166.

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 12-18, 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

-Paranormal Activity 2-Jackass 3D-Secretariat

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 Wines

766-23194211 Highway 33, Ventucopa

Chilled & GrilledEvery Wednesday Night

Bike Night!Drink and Appetizer Specials from 7-9pm.

$1 Drafts!!!

765-2000621 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 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

Karaoke is every other Friday night. Next Karaoke night is Friday,

November 19th at 8pm. We would like to have Karaoke every Friday so come on out and support TMS Karaoke and

have some great food and drinks.

Karaoke Night Friday, November 19th

Dear Editor,

I hope you will allow me this avenue, to thank all of the citizens of Taft that honored me with their vote on Election Day. I have found during the past 8 years, it is not easy to make decisions that can affect the Citizens and operation of this City. Based on the votes I received, it is apparent, I have served the people of this City well. I will continue to vote my conscience and use my vote to improve Taft and make it a better place to live.

I would like to say to those who stepped up and put their names on the ballot, I applaud you. It is not easy to put yourself in the public eye. Many find it is easier to sit back and let others do this work. Your dedication to Taft is to be commended. I look forward to working with Mr. Ron Waldrop, who will be the new face on the Council. Things can only get better from here. Congratula-tions.

Most of you noticed there were no signs, flyers or mudslinging from my campaign headquarters. I take the election and your faith in me seriously. I just hate campaign signs and such and believe my performance should speak for itself and according to the polls, it has.

The Taft Independent Newspaper has been supportive of me and for that I am grateful. Your publication brings a different view of Taft I find refreshing and positive. I look forward to your contin-ued review and journalistic reporting of this fine city.

To my best friend, Rena, who placed her name on my nomination papers first, your support is without a doubt, the most important I received. The first and third Tuesday of the month will continue to be unavailable.

Lastly, allow me to thank Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro-Tem Randy Miller for their continued support, straight forward think-ing and genuine friendship. I have the utmost respect for these two public servants. We know it is never personal and at the end of the day, I can look them both in the eye, shake their hands and know I can rely on them to support Taft and all the good things we have here.

To all of Taft, if I can help in any way, do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at 661-765-5356, emailed at [email protected], or contacted through City Hall.

Respectfully,

Paul Linder

Last night I was reunited with my dog after 21 days of her being lost in the Temblor Mountain Range. Maggie is a four year old Jack Russell Terrier who weighs less than 20 pounds. I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old. In the days preceding Oildorado (Taft’s 100 year celebration) Maggie got out of my yard. She had been nervous because of the gunfire from the “Hoosegow” even though I had tried to keep her inside and calm. After weeks of searching I had just about given up hope of ever seeing her again. Yesterday though, a friend saw her picture on Craigslist and I drove to Simi Valley for a very joyful reunion. My dog was found, nearly starved, by a BLM consultant after 17 days of being lost. She was found near the Painted Rock site on the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Or rather, they say, she found them. Maggie was first seen near Painted Rock on day twelve by a BLM employee who couldn’t catch her. Five days later she scratched on the door of a mobile home at 9:30 pm. The wife of a BLM consultant, who was staying there for a few weeks, took her in and cared for her. Maggie was emaciated and her paws were

sore. Her rescuers cleaned her up and took her to a vet to make sure she wasn’t seriously injured. They contacted people in California Valley and the surrounding areas to see if anyone had lost her. Determined to find her family, they listed her on Petfinder and other lost dog lists. In the meantime, I was

Reunited And It Feels So Good

Continued on Page 7

November 12-18, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 5

JR. HIGH DANCESaturday, November 137:30-10:00 p.m.Community Center Auditorium, 500 Cascade Place, TaftGrades 6-8$3 per personDress is casual and drinks will be sold. Music is provided by Nick’s Mobile DJ. Be sure to bring your school ID card!

GAMES GALOREWednesday, November 172:30-4:00 p.m.Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, TaftGrades K-8FREE!Join us for some fun and games! We will have classic board games plus lots of fun games on the Nintendo Wii.

COOKIE CRAZY!Wednesday, December 13:00-4:30 pmCommunity Center Auditorium, 500 Cascade Place, TaftAges 7-11$6 per person ** pre-registration required by November 30Everyone loves cookies! Come help us make a variety of fun and unusual cookies. Plus, you get the recipes so you can make more at home. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

LETTERS TO SANTAChildren ages 8 and younger can write letters to Santa Claus in care of his helpers at the Recreation District. We will make sure that he gets your letters and writes back. Please write to Santa before December 15. (Groups and schools – please be sure that Santa gets your letters no later than December 3.) Don’t forget to include your address! Send letters to:Santa Clausc/o WSRPDP.O. Box 1406Taft, CA 93268

P.O. Box 612 • Taft,CA 93268

S.T.O.P.Strive To Optimize Participation

Did you know that the District has a youth scholarship program? For more information, or to find out how your child can take advantage of reduced

program fees, give us a callin the District Office at 763-4246.

West Side Recreation Report

WEST SIDE RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT500 Cascade Place, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 763-4246

[email protected] www.wsrpd.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

by Stephanie House

BASEBALL ACADEMYInterested in your child learning the skills that it takes to be a professional baseball player? Chicago White Sox prospect Chase Blackwood is available to teach those fundamentals to local athletes. For more information, please contact the District Office at 763-4246.

PONYTAIL SOFTBALL – EARLY REGISTRATION$40: November 1 – December 24$45: December 27 – February 10$50: after February 10 (dependent on program availability)NO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 10.Sign-up early for Ponytail Softball and save 10%! Early bird registration fee is only $40. The softball program is for girls ages 5-15. Practices begin the week of February 22, 2011 and the season begins April 12, 2011.

INSTRUCTIONAL BASKETBALLInstructional I: Ages 3-5, $25 per childInstructional II: Ages 6-8, $35 per childPractice: Begins the week of January 10, 2011Games: Saturdays beginning January 22, 2011Place: Taft Union High SchoolRegistration deadline: January 6Instructional I is a 5-week program that covers the basic fundamentals of basketball. Participants will have one practice during the week and will play games on Saturdays in between the Jr. NBA games. Instructional II is a 6-week program that will have practices during the week and play games on Saturdays.

HORSESHOE TOURNAMENTSaturday, November 209:00 a.m.Taft Moose Lodge PitsAges 16 and older$30 per team or $15 per person – blind draw/doubles formatRegister in the District Office no later than November 18.

CENTRAL VALLEY DISC GOLF TOURNAMENTSaturday, December 4Check-in: 8:00 a.m.Franklin Field Recreation ComplexAges 8 and olderFees: $40 – pro, $35 – amateur Register in the District Office before December 2. This tournament will consist of 2 rounds of 18-holes each. All skill levels are encouraged to participate!

BINGOThursday AfternoonsGames start at 1:30 p.m.Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, TaftAges 18 and olderThe District holds Bingo games every week for adults. Average buy-in is $15 per person. Cash pots are awarded and we also sell pull-tabs. Stop by and check it out!

BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGESMake your reservation now!Need help planning a birthday party, bridal shower or baby shower? We can help! For one low fee, we will provide a room, plates, napkins, forks, cups, balloons and invitations – all to match your theme or colors. And for a little extra, we can help with activities, too! Package prices start at $130. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call the District Office at 763-4246.

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOWFriday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, 2010The District’s 32nd Annual Holiday Craft Show will be held at the Community Center this Decem-ber. Vendor registration is underway now in the District Office, 500 Cascade Place in Taft. The fee is $40 per space. For more information, please contact Stephanie at 763-4246 or [email protected].

SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOPSaturday, November 1310:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Community Center Activity BuildingAges 15 and older$5 per personBring your own supplies!

EAGLE MTN. BUS TRIPMonday, December 67:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Bus leaves from Community Center$3 per person ** Ages 21 and olderCall 763-4246 to reserve a spot on the bus!

6 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 12-18, 2010

Westside News and Business Briefs

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By Kent Miller Hard economic times have forced the City of Taft and unions representing its police, correctional officers and service employees into a stalemate that has the workers unhappy.

Today, representatives of the employees speak out. In next week’s issue, representatives of the city will tell their side of the story.

Cut in take-home pay

There have been no job cuts among the city workers of Service Employees International Union, Local #521, said Marlene Valdez, SEIU representative for 44 city employees. But Taft, through the city council, has proposed what would amount to a decrease in take-home pay for employees, Valdez said.“We started the official (contract negotiation) process this sum-mer,” she said. “They are not willing to hear any proposal we have. It is their way or the highway. “The employees want to keep what they have worked for and negotiated for over the years – maintaining what they have until times get better. “They want the council to negotiate with them in good faith. The council proposal is the same as it was at the beginning. The unions have modified their proposals.” Their gross pay is staying the same but under the city’s proposal their net pay is shrinking, said Carolyn Bryant Golleher, Inter-national Brotherhood of Correctional Officers shop steward at Taft Community Correctional Facility. She represents about 45 correctional officers. They have been told that the city is taking steps to see that no employees are laid off, Golleher said.

“We just want to maintain what we have,” she said. “We can’t keep absorbing what we have. We see the city has to make savings and cut costs, but not at the expenses of employees’ incomes. “They refuse to negotiate in any way. We have talked to them about keeping things we have and holding off on taking ... steps (that would reduce workers’ net pay). It is something they are imposing, not negotiating. “We have tried on many occasions to meet with the city manager ... to find other avenues the city can take to save money in other areas. We have suggested other ways for them to come up with other moneys. But they were not receptive to that idea. They say it will be their way.” There has been no change in the city council’s ideas, Golleher said.“I don’t know what the city has in mind,” said Mike Dicesare of the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, which represents about 15 members of the Taft Police Department, from sergeants on down. “I don’t know because they haven’t negotiated with us. There are no proposals or counter-proposals. “They said they want to freeze merit raises, put a cap on medical (insurance) payments by the city. We met with the city three or four times privately (just COPS). After (the union) making con-cessions, the city still hasn’t responded back to us.”CalPERS payments Prior to the mid-1990s, the city and the employee each paid 7 percent of the employee’s gross pay amount to the California Public Employees Retirement System. In about 1994, SEIU-represented employees and the city reached an agreement that the city would pay the full 14 percent to CalPERS in exchange for the employee not receiving an annual cost of living allowance, Valdez said. During the last 16 years, there have been some step and merit pay increases, but no COLA changes despite whatever increases there may have been in the annual cost of living index, she said. Now, starting Jan. 1, 2011, the city wants employees to start paying 7 percent to CalPERS, reducing the city’s contribution by 7 percent, Valdez said. This would mean that for a city employee making $30,000 a year, the city and the worker would each pay $2,100 into CalPERS, lowering the employee’s take-home pay by $2,100.“The problem is the employees have given up raises in exchange for the city making the PERS payments,” Valdez said. “Now they want to take it away.” The correctional officers are seeking a good benefits package, Golleher said. They don’t want to see their income shrink, she said. “We will go along with a wage freeze if the net (pay) stays the same,” Golleher said. “We won’t ask for a pay raise but we want to maintain what we currently have. “We just want to keep our current benefits intact that we have negotiated for over the last 20 years.” He has no information on any proposed change in CalPERS payments for COPS members, Dicesare said. His union started representing the Taft officers about seven years ago, at which time the city was paying both employer and employee contributions to CalPERS, he said. As with the other two unions, COPS wants the status quo. “We have made some concessions (but) nothing on retirement has been presented to the union,” Dicesare said. “The police of-ficers are very much interested in working with the city ... What helps the city, helps the officers, helps the community. We under-stand the economic environment we are all working under and we want to work with the city and community to get through this.”But whatever happens “will not have an impact on public safety,” he said. “The community can rest-assured we will still go out and do our job. We can not strike. And even if we could, we wouldn’t.”

Retirement changed

In addition to the proposed change in CalPERS payments, there is a proposed change in retirement for new hires, Valdez said. Retirement at 2 percent of the highest annual wage for each year of employment would not start until the worker is 60, as opposed to 55 now, she said. Now, for example, if an employee is with the city for 25 years, they would receive 50 percent of the highest annual wage in retire-ment at age 55. But under the council proposal, the employee would have to be

60 to receive retirement.A second area in which an employee could have more deducted from a paycheck without any raise in gross pay is medical insur-ance, Valdez said. Now, the city and employee each pay a portion of the medical insurance costs. Under its new proposal, the city wants to cap its medical insurance payments, she said. That means that after the ever-rising cost for insurance coverage reaches a certain amount, the employee would pay any future increases, rather than the city and employees sharing increased costs, Valdez said. “It’s basically a pay cut,” Golleher said. “With the medical cap (by the city) our insurance premiums will go up.” This would come at the same time as merit and step wage increases are frozen for one year. “The problem is the employees have given up raises in exchange for the city making the PERS payments, Valdez said. “Now they want to take it away. “Basically they want the employees to take a pay cut with the PERS payments and the cap on (city payments) on medical insur-ance.”

Negotiations

The city and representatives of the unions are scheduled to meet Monday. They will “basically discuss cost-saving measures,” Valdez said. Her union does have another avenue it could choose to travel, she said. With implementation of the employee payment of the 7 per-cent CalPERS payment on Jan. 1, SEIU could file a charge with the Public Employees Relations Board, Valdez said. The board would investigate and determine if the city can implement the changes it proposes or what actions can be taken, she said. Meanwhile, COPS is opposed to “roundtable meetings” with all three unions, Dicesare said. “Different unions have different issues,” he said. “It is difficult to negotiate with public safety. “( Joint) meetings just don’t work. COPS wants an individual meeting with the city. Our needs are just so much different. Other unions have different needs. “With a roundtable you don’t have the time or opportunity to present your proposal and what to do when it comes in conflict with other unions’ proposals. The city chooses to do that type of collective bargaining.” The city’s attorney is violating the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, code 3500, Dicesare said. “The act requires the meeting of city and police organization to confer in good faith, an exchange of proposals,” he said. “There has been a hodgepodge of meetings. It doesn’t allow for a freeway of presenting proposals. With 30 people in a room it is hard to get ideas, proposals, counter-proposals across. “The union will send a letter to the city and city attorney on violation of Meyers-Milias-Brown. We can’t make the Monday negotiations. We will request our own meeting date.”

Meyers-Milias-Brown Act

The Meyers-Milias-Brown Act requires that a public agency “shall meet and confer in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with representatives of such recognized employee organizations ... and shall consider fully such presentations as are made by the employee organization on behalf of its members prior to arriving at a determination of policy or course of action.” “‘Meet and confer in good faith’ means that a public agency ... and representatives of recognized employee organizations, shall have the mutual obligation personally to meet and confer prompt-ly upon request by either party and continue for a reasonable period of time in order to exchange freely information, opinions, and proposals, and to endeavor to reach agreement on matters within the scope of representation prior to the adoption by the public agency of its final budget for the ensuing year.”

City Employees Facing Proposed Cuts

November 12-18, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 7

Westside News and Business BriefsTaft College President William H. Duncan IV recognized as Administrator of the Year by CAPED On October 25, 2010, the California Association of Post Secondary Educators of the Disabled (CAPED) awarded the prestigious Administrator of the Year Award to Taft College President William H. Duncan IV. CAPED was founded in 1974 for the promotion of professional development for the advancement of post secondary educational opportunities for students with disabilities. In addition to his statewide efforts, President Duncan is also the co-founder of CCCAID (Community College Consortium on Autism and Intellectual Disabilities), a national organization comprised of 45 community college presidents and other educa-tional professionals whose mission is to provide higher educa-tion opportunities for this emerging population. In addition, he led a national legislative effort to include model demonstra-tion programs in the Higher Education Opportunity Act. As a result, over $55 million in federal grants to 27 colleges have been appropriated for these programs including Taft College. Finally, President Duncan has been instrumental in obtaining funding for a new Transition to Independent Living Program facility, which will be a $15 million state of the art residential facility on the Taft College campus, which will include 25,000 square feet of classroom space, demonstration centers and 32 residential units. In April of 1975, CAPED was formally incorporated by the State of California as the first non-profit, professional organiza-tion of post secondary educators of students with disabilities in the nation. Since that time, they have continuously responded to a multitude of diverse interests and needs across all segments of post secondary education in the state through the establish-ment of CAPED Interest Groups, special committees and task forces, as well as evolving into fund-development and asset management.

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Rear Operator Control Panel

Jason AndersonDonnie Schwerdetfager

Happy 91st Birthday!Grace Stramler

1940’s Wedding Party Photo... Have You Seen Us

Ben’s Book Store owner, Ben Mangum came across this old photo one day as he was going through some books that were donated to his store. The photo was inside the pages of one of the books. The photo has no date or names of the people that are in it. Ben has approached many unofficial historians here in town to see if anyone knows who

this wedding party is. Ben was able to identify the best man as John Myers. Ben was able to contact John Myers who now lives in Whittier, however John had no memory of this wedding. We are turning to the community and asking if you know who these folks are.“This is a beautiful photo and I would love to return it to the members of this wedding party or their families,” said Ben.If you have any idea who the members of this wedding party are please stop by Ben’s Books at 810 Center Street to help identify.

Domino’s Pizza Presents Guiness Certificate to Taft Chamber of Commerce

putting flyers up around Taft and contacting local dog shelters and rescue organizations, sure that Maggie was somewhere in Taft. I couldn’t imagine that she had gone far. I thought she had been found by someone who decided to keep her. When she got out, she must have run, terrified, into the fields. With every gunshot she probably ran further and further until she was lost. The terrain between here and the Painted Rock is 20 miles as a crow flies. It contains the rugged Temblor Range which runs in northwest-southeasterly direction along the borders of Kern and San Luis Obispo Counties and is one of the California Coast Ranges. The peaks within the Temblor Range average about 3500 ft above sea level. Taft has been designated as a gateway community to the Car-rizo Plain National Monument which is a flat plain about 12 miles wide on the other side of the Temblor Range. A few years ago I took a tour of Painted Rock which included a 45 minute walk to access it. I saw a lot of wildlife and heard a rattlesnake in one of the caves of Painted Rock. It’s the habitat of predatory animals such as coyotes, hawks, mountain lions, tarantulas and more. Maggie must have spent at least ten days crossing the mountain range before coming to the Carisso Plain, just trying to find home. It’s terrifying to think of her out there, alone. When my friend showed me the Craigslist ad, I couldn’t believe I was seeing Maggie’s picture! I emailed the couple who had cared for her. They had fallen in love with my courageous

little dog. They were determined to find her true family so when they called me they insisted I email them a picture of her. I told them her name was Maggie. They had tried to find out her name and went through a list of dog names. When they came to the name, Mattie, she came alive so that’s what they called her. The family had already returned to their home in Simi Valley so off I went with my friend, who found her on Craigslist. I confessed that I was a little nervous that Maggie would prefer to stay with her “new” family after her dramatic rescue. I shouldn’t have worried because as soon as I went in the house and called her name, she jumped in my arms and wouldn’t quit lick-ing my face. She would hardly leave my side until we left. Joe and Terry Simon, the couple who rescued her, are wonderful people. He is a consultant for the Bureau of Land Management and was hired by the BLM to do the study on the Painted Rock. I will always be grateful that they were there. They took extraordinary measures to reunite Maggie with her family. It was a celebration in their home, which was filled with their extended family members. They refused to take any kind of reward or recompense for their expenses. I’m very grateful to have my little dog home again after she went on her own incredible journey.

Kathy JohnsonNovember 5, 2010

Reunited, Continued from Page 4

Bob Leikam, owner of Taft’s Domino’s Pizza presents Taft Chamber Director Fred Schell with a certificate of most pizza’s made from the Guiness World Book of Records.During Oildorado, the local domino’s beat the world record for most pizza’s made in a

24 hour period. The certificate will hang in the Taft Chamber officelocated at 400 E. Kern Street.

Advertise with the Taft Independent

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8 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 12-18, 2010

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

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Taft CrudeCoffee House

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Immaculate Conception Parish

Mass Saturday 7pmSunday 9am

Everyone WelcomeDeacon Ricardo Barragan

Weddings - BaptismsQuinceañeras

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

St. Andrew’sEpiscopal Church

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West Side Memorial ServicesPorteous Family

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

FE# 1220661-763-1594

$1,985.00Includes American made Steel Casket

Choice of 7 colorsMemorial Book and Folders + Graveside Service

Community VoicesThe Mayflower Compact Also Happened in November

In November we think of Thanksgiving Day and how fast Christmas is coming. But something else, besides elections and Veterans Day, happened in November historically very important to us—The Mayflower Compact was signed Novem-ber 11, 1620. The pilgrims realized that some kind of governing document was needed, as human nature is prone to disunity and differences that could be disruptive of peace. Governor William Bradford described the circumstances under which the agreement came about: “This day, before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unity and concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement, that we should combine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governors as we should by common consent agree to make and choose, and set our hands to this that follows, word for word…” In other words, they agreed to remain one body and to abide by common consent in deciding what is best for their community- even “word for word.” A democracy, if you will. That was a giant step for the time and a prelude for what would follow. The idea that the peoples’ vote even mattered was revolutionary. The Mayflower Compact follows: “In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc., having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid: and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the 11 of November in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domine 1620.” It is also instructive that God had a special binding place in the unity and in the three sentences that make up the Mayflower Compact appears four times. The promise to “solemnly and mutually … covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body“ with promise of “due submission and obedience” was treated as if made in the presence of God. It is said that this “covenant with God” made the document so lasting as it in affect incorporated the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes as the instruments of judging appropriate human behavior. This inner strength would be necessary for their survival. The actual landing of the Pilgrims occurred December 21 and work began on building houses two days before Christmas in the harsh New England winter. Women, children and the infirm remained on the Mayflower for another two weeks. Scurvy and lack of adequate shelter took 45 of the 102 emigrants the first winter. Of the 18 adult women 13 died the first winter, another the following May leaving only four of these alive for the 1st Thanksgiving the following Fall. Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

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

www.nlctaft.org or [email protected]

By Dr. Harold Pease

November 12-18, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 9

Westside Horoscopesby Jessy McCulloch

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WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUPFord CityTuesday

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News & Business BriefsNew Permit System to Visit Painted Rock Beginning Nov. 10, the Bureau of Land Management will require permits to visit the pictograph site at Painted Rock on the Carrizo Plain National Monument. “Painted Rock is widely considered to be among the finest examples of Native American pictograph painting in the world. Although the original painted panels have been damaged, largely due to turn of the century souvenir collectors who purposely removed sections of paint, a significant amount of the paintings are intact. Painted Rock continues to hold important spiritual values for contemporary Native American people who often visit the site for ceremonies and religious observances,” said Tamara Whitley, archaeologist in the BLM Bakersfield Field Office. The BLM manages Painted Rock for public visitation and educa-tion while balancing Native American values and concerns. The permit application process allows the BLM to educate the public about appropriate visitation of the site monitor impacts through the visitor tracking system. Permits will be available online at recreation.gov, by phone at the numbers listed below and, if space is available, at the Goodwin Education Center on the Carrizo Plain National Monument when open. Permits booked through recreation.gov will be charged a $1.50 processing fee for each permit. From March 1 to July 15, Painted Rock will be open for guided tours only. Reservations for guided tours, which also visit the Soda Lake Overlook and wildflower viewing sites, can also be made online at recreation.gov, by phone at the numbers listed below or, at the Goodwin Education Center. Larger group tours must be booked through the Goodwin Edu-cation Center by calling (805) 475-2131. The Goodwin Educa-tion Center is open December through May, Thursdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Painted Rock Important Dates December through May- Goodwin Education Center open Guided tours offered by the Goodwin Education Center staff mid March thru May. Painted Rock is closed March 1 to July 15; guided tour access only. July 16 to end of February- Permit required for unguided public access to Painted Rock. Recreation.gov phone numbers Painted Rock tour and permit ticket reservations (toll free) 1-877-444-6777 International reservations 518-885-3639 TDD 1-877-833-6777 Customer Service (toll free) 1-888-448-1474

(661)745-4919

Bike ShopUsed to be Paul’s

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Bike Layaway Now Available for Christmas

Aries (March 21-April 19): As great as you are at waiting for things to happen, you’d be even better at taking the necessary action to get what you want – what you’ve always wanted.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Though the changes you want to make aren’t easily accomplished, you can make them happen and bring oth-ers to your side because, frankly, you’re right.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Other people are giving you difficulties at this point, but try to maintain your patience because misunderstand-ing is at the root of the problems.

Cancer ( June 21-July 22): After this week, your money situation will improve. Your job is to be conservative, frugal even, to keep it that way.

Leo ( July 23-August 22): You should be winning any arguments you take part in now, so it’s a good time to go after any money or favors that are owed to you – with charm of course.

Virgo (August 23-September 22): Call it luck, fate, karma, whatever you name it is on your side this week, so you should have success in whatever you choose to do.

Libra (September 23-October 23): Take a “friend’s” comments with a grain (or even a half grain) of salt, because they are trying to make you believe something that isn’t true.

Scorpio (October 24-November 22): What should be a relaxing time at work is shaping up to be just as stressful as ever for you. Hang in there, because the breakneck pace won’t last long.

Sagittarius (November 23-December 21): Compassion is not a weakness; it’s a strength which you have in spades. Just make sure you act with empathy and not naïveté – a crucial distinction.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19): As irresistible as gossip can be, indulging in it as often as you do doesn’t exactly inspire trust in your friends and family, so keep the proverbial lid on it.

Aquarius ( January 20-February 19): “Easy money” is usually easy because it’s illegal, unethical, or both. The easiest path isn’t always the least risky, so really think before you act.

Pisces (February 20-March 20): In your current situation, money is like grains of sand in your hand. The tighter you close your fist, the more slips through your fingers.

If your birthday is this week: You have the necessary tools to get ahead at work without losing your integrity. You’re not phony, but you know when to reveal your hand and when to keep some cards to yourself. You’re not heartless, but you are thick skinned. There are big differences between these, and you’re operating on the right side.

10 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 12-18, 2010

3432.

Tools, music gear for sale, call for apt. 765-4346.

Quail,Chukar,Ducks,and Chickens for sale $2.00-$10.00 763-9323.

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

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

Lost tri-color mix older female dog lost on 10/24 Buena Vista and Olive. 765-4714

MOTORCYCLES

AUTOMOBILES

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Taft Property Management

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

areas.CRIME FREE

HOUSING Brokers Licence

01417057661-577-7136

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 Christensen

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. $775 mo. $800 dep. 765-4016.

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

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597www.BuyTaft.com

Real Estate Sales & Purchase

601 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. $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!___________________

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 free, up to 3 lines.

Classified ad deadline is Thursday at 2 p.m.

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 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.

NEEDS CENTER Yard Sale Saturday, November 13th 8am-12pm 518 Main St.

Yard Sale. 201 8th St. inside clubhouse at Heritage Park. Sat. 7 am. - Noon.

Moving sale: 207 E. Warren St. A little bit of everything, 1/2 cord of firewood $50,sectional $200, Saturday, November 13, 2010. 7:00 am Yard Sale 46 Second St. Fellows. Sat. 8 a.m. to noon.

Back yard sale 604 Terrace Dr. Sat., Nov. 13 8am-2pm. Little bit of everything.

Pete’s Patio Sale Sat., Nov. 13th 7am-noon 600 Keene Lane alley off Hillard. Christmas items, Dept. 56, computer items, collectables, rollaway bed, glass, misc.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grief Support Group, offered as a community service by Optimal Hospice Care. Meetings held 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. 1:30p.m. to 3:00 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

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

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.

COMPUTER SERVICES

Taft PC Services

We fix computers, laptops, PDAs and cell

phones. TaftPCServices.com. 623-5188.

HELP WANTED

I need an energetic person to help out with a small roofing job. 765-7972-msg

DAYCARECHILDCARE

EOEBUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Taft WoodworksTurn key cabinet shop

Equip.& 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

Begringer Vampire Amp.Used, in cery good cond. 3 knobs missing. works xlnt. 661 623-

3bd/ 2ba 1 acre, horse property. Dustin Acres $1,000 mo. + dep. 304-6231

Maricopa $950.00 OAC 3bd 2bath garage 661-808-4771

301 Dst. 2 bed 2 bath 900.00 plus 500.00 deposit 661-979-7264

2BD/2BA in Maricopa, W/G paid, NO PETS, $500/$500 dep. Contact 577-7380

Taft Heights 3bd/3bath + formal dining room, living room and den. This home has plenty of room for a large family with approx. 2400 square feet. $1200 mo. + deposit. Call for details 619-9085.

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

Open House?House for Sale?

House For Rent?Place Your

Classified Adin the

Taft Independentfor $2 per line

(20 characters per line)Box your ad for $3

and\orAd a photo orcompany logo

for $5 moreYour Ad appears onOur Website FREE!

3,000 Visits per WeekThe Taft Independentis a FREE publication3,300 printed issues

available at150 locations

Your Best ClassifiedValue on the Westside

Call 765-6550or email

[email protected]

Kern Cardiology Medical Groupof Bakersfield has opened an office

In Taft!

For the convenience of their patients

New Patients are Welcome!Call (661)327-0807 for Appointments

Dr. (Sam) Sarabjit Singh &

Dr. Hiroki Ito

Internal Medicine • Cardiology Needs

333 S. 10 St #103, TAFT, CA 93268

Negocios Hispanos

November 12-18, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 11

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY LOYAL SUPPORTERS

I thank all of you (constituents, employees and retirees) who have supported my work as a Director of the Board at the West Kern Water District over these many years.

Please continue your support of the Board, District Management and employees in the years ahead. Going forward the District will face many obstacles at the lopcal, state and national level. There will be a tight supply of water throughout California for the foreseeable future. This is especially true at West Kern.

In addition, power costs to furnish water to your meter will continue to increase as politicians in Sacramento and Washington DC push for more expensive sources of energy while raising taxes and increasing regulatory burdens on traditional sources of energy (fossil fuels).

Yours truly,

Stephen Steinhoffer

Somos una Agencia Independiente Con Varias Aseguradoras Prominentes Para Darle El Mejor Servicio

Lo Representamos A Usted Para Darle Un Excelente Servicio Como Usted Se Lo Merece

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

www.edherrerainsurance.com

Le Ofrecemos Los Mejores Precios

Auto - Casa - Salud - Negocio - Notary Public

NuestroPersonalAmable

Edward J. Herrera Insurance

Rosy’s ClosetHombres y Mujeres

Ropa y Zapatos401 Center Street

Mar. - Sáb. 10am-8pmDom. 11am-8pm

Cerrado los Lunes

The Cell Fone StoreMóviles y Accesorios y

alimentos y más510 Finley Drive661-765-2500

Negocios Hispanos Servicios

Negocios de venta

Sponsored by Edward J. Herrera Insurance

La Familia Nutrition715 Center Street

661-763-5357

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, jardineria, y cualquier tipo de reparaciones.

Correo Electrónico: [email protected], fax 765-6556, teléfono 765-6550.

La Comision De Los Derechos Humanos del Condado de Kern van a tener junta este Lunes Noviembre 15 a las 5:30 PM en los Oficinas Del Condado de Kern 1115 Truxtun Avenida, Bakersfield, Ca. Piso 3

La Comision investiga casos de discriminacion y abusos de agencia de policia. La Comision Del Los Derechos Humanos se enfoca en educar la communidad para saber conocer crimens de odio y como solucionerlos.

Estamos relacionados con El Consul de Mexico, Reyna Torres Mendivil, Consul y con El Departamento De Justicia Federal.Este Lunes Noviembe 15 en la junta de la Comision De Los Derechos Humanos se va discursear lo que esta pasando en la Ciudad de Maricopa. An vido muchas paradas de autos por el aspecto que los que van en el auto son mexicanos que trabajon el los fields, nos an informado. Que muchos pierdan sus autos cuendo se los quitan. El Consul de Mexico estan interesados en saber de los personas que un perdido su autos, llamen al 559-233-4241 pra hablar con Sandra Patricia Mendoza Duran, Consul de Protecion. Personas interesados en la junta este lunes estan invitados personas queriendo participar, Llamen 661-868-3480.

M-Eduardo J. Herrera

Annuncio

Su anuncio

aquí!

Su anuncio aquí!

Las bajas tasas!

Llame hoy mismo!

765-6550

12 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 12-18, 2010

765-6550508 Center Street

Dinner (Served from 5pm - 8pm)Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ravioli DishesOn TapBud Light • Widmer • Fat Tire • Shock Top

NOW OPEN

Open Daily 9am - 1pm& 5pm - 8pm

Black GoldCoffee House and Deli

Lunch (Served from 11am - 1pm)Deli Sandwiches

Turkey • Roast Beef • Ham • Tri-Tip • MeatballXL Beef & Polish Hot Dogs

FeaturingSagebrush Annie’s

Award Winning Wines

Join us for Monday Night Football

State Farm believes that change begins with you. Join the thousands of State Farm agents and associates who volunteer everyday to help build stronger communities. Together we give something back.

P047044 11/04statefarm.com®

State Farm Insurance Companies • Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois

Do we have a

VOLUNTEER?

Kathy Herm, AgentInsurance Lic. #: 07498711018 West Kern StreetTaft, CA 93268Bus: 661-763-4300

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE209 Harrison Street • Taft

(661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax

$39.75*

for Smog Check ‘96 or Newer plus

certificate

Ask about $500.00 Free Smog Repair

Restrictions Apply

* must present ad at time of service

1/2 offDiagnostics

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

western shop & PET SUPPLYWinter Accessories for your Aquariums and Terreriums

DON’T FORGET TO KEEP YOURREPTILES & AQUATIC PETS WARM

THIS WINTER!

Exo Terra Heat Rocks and Mats Aquarium Heaters and

Heat Cables

The Tumbleweed Bar and RestaurantOpen 7 Days a Week

Breakfast - Lunch - DinnerFull Bar - Restaurant - Catering - RV Parking Available

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

Located in the Heart of Oil Country On the Petroleum HighwayDaily Lunch

SpecialsAmerican and Mexican FoodExotic Cusine

We CaterYour Place or OursFull Bar AvailableFor You Special

Event

No Appointment Needed For Smog Check!

661-763-4445 500 S. 10th Street

Free Retest with our repairs!

QIKSmog & Tune

Certified C. A. P. Station

We Certify Test - Only Vehicals

General Automotive

Repairs

WW

W.T

AFT

IND

EPEN

DEN

T.C

OM

Ask About our Daily Specials!