March 15 - 21, 2013 TAFT INDEPENDENT
March 15 - 21, 2013 • Volume 7 Issue 35www.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] TaftIndependent
Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Beers531 Center Street
(661)763-1123WE SERVICE MOST MAKES AND MODELS
OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
15% OFF SERVICESIN CELEBRATION OF OUR FIRST
ANNIVERSARY IN BUSINESS
SEE US FOR YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS
MONDAY - FRIDAY8:00am - 5:00pm
SENIOR & MILITARY
DISCOUNTS*Must ask for discount
A Stones Thrown CD Release Party at OT’s Cookhouse Saturday Night
Try Our Friday Fish Fry With Salad BarEvery Friday
Noon Until 7 pm
The Place4014 Highway 33
Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa(661)766-2660
Sunday, March 17thSt. Patrick’s Day
Corn Beef, Cabbageand Corn Bread
Includes our famousGreen Stuff Dessert
Starts at Noon until gone!
$1.50 Draft Green Beer
Taft Colege Friends of the Libraray Honor Connie Redfield
What Does Your Garden Grow?Taft Community Garden Sowing and Growing.
1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899
Ten Percent Firearms
Taft Community Garden Volunteers Lodema and Ray Hatch, and Kathy Johnson
2 TAFT INDEPENDENT March 15 - 21, 2013
Shop Taft
1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899
Ten Percent Firearms
523 Finley Drive • 765-7147 • Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 8am-1pm
Tire & Automotive Service Center
Oil & Filter Special
3995*$Plus Tax
Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase
$3.50 Oil Disposal FeeExp. January 30, 2013
FREETire Rotation
& Brake CheckPlus
We will checkall fluids
& tire pressure
*Most Cars & Light Trucks
Up to 5 Qts.
Passion For Nails
Monday to Friday10am-7pm and
Saturday 9am-6pm
Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome
1014 6th Street • TaftIn the Save A Lot Shopping Center
(661)745-4913
CHECK-IN TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND GET $1 OFF
A Hint of ClassInside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700
915 N. 10th Street Suite 34
REJUV 10 23 Healthy Face and Body Spa
Elaine Arnold, OwnerPedicures, Manicures @ Detoxing
Dee Morgan, EstheticianFacials Waxing and Microdermabrasion
Samantha HagstromMassage Therapist
European and Hot StonePrenatal Massage
510 6th Street, Ste. A - Taft(661) 765-2335
Fine Jewelry • Gifts 14K Gold • Sterling Silver Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair • Watch Batteries
Candles • And More!
426 Center Street (661)763-5451
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
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
Watch Batteries Replaced
Most $4.00Some $8.00
421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527608 Center St.
Used to be Paul’sBike Shop
745-4919
Taft’s Best and Only Bike Shop.
Come on in and seeour Inventory.
1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899
Ten Percent Firearms
Spring Arrivals! Garden, Clothing & Home Decor.
Personal Style
423 Center Street • 763-3527
Geiger Construction & Plumbing
24 Hours/ 7 Days a WeekSe Habla Espanol 661-301-4660
Residential • Commercial
Fast • Friendly • Affordable661-765-4377
Cement & Asphalt Cutting
Lic # B-721903
New Corky’sand Montana
West Flip Flops
Blue Jeans & BlingHats, Jewelry, Purses & More
Miss Me • LA Idol Nicole Lee • Grace In LA
Monday - Friday 11am to 6pmSaturday 10am to 5pm
Women’s Sizes 0-21 Women’s Plus Sizes
Children’s Jeans & Shirts
763-9100Host a partyVisit us on [email protected]
401 Center Street
Boutique
610 Center Street • 661-745-4954Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards
NO CONTRACTS UNLIMITED*DATA,TEXT,TALK
Unlimited plan $50/month1st line$40 / month each additional line
Try Our New Pedicure Chairs
March 15 - 21, 2013 TAFT INDEPENDENT
Community Events.........3
News Briefs......................3
Recreation Report..........4
Westside News.................5
Westside News.................6
Westside News.................7
Movie Review...................8
Classified Ads.................10
Opinion and Feature....11
Shop Taft........................12
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 orders are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.
Publisher and Editor-in-ChiefMichael J. Long
Advertising
Contributing Writers Kent Miller,
Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost
ColumnistsRandy Miller
Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease
Subscriptions\DeliveryTim Webb, Patrick Harget
Member California NewspaperPublishers Association
Printed in California
CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGSTuesday March 19th, 2013 – 6:00 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.
News BriefsTaft California
“Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”
Have a community event that you would like to include? Email us at [email protected]
Visit Us Onlinetaftindependent.com
Bike Shop
Calendar
Grandma’s Attic Resumes at Taft Library Grandma’s Attic Storytime resumes at the Taft Branch Library on Satur-day, January 19, 2013 and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through April 20. Aimed at 5 to 8 year-olds, Grandma’s Attic offers an old trunk full of surprises 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. Parents are always welcome to attend, or may enjoy some library or computer time while their child is occupied. Also starting on Thursday, January 17 at 11:45 a.m. is Preschool Storytime, for 3 to 5 year-olds. Join us for stories and fun for the younger set. For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.
Visit Us Onlinetaftindependent.com
or find us onfacebook or
Westside Little League Sign-ups On-lineTaft’s Westside Little League is currently offering sign-up for the new season. To register, go to www.taftwestsidelittleleague.org
IRS Has $92 Million for Californians Who Have Not Filed 2009 Income Tax Return Refunds totaling over $92 million may be waiting for an estimated 100,700 taxpayers in California who did not file a federal income tax return for 2009, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a re-turn for 2009 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 15, 2013.The IRS estimates that half the potential refunds for 2009 are more than $500.Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments. In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2009 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2013. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2009 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2010 and 2011. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS or their state tax agency, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans. By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2009. In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2009, the credit is worth as much as $5,657. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The thresholds for 2009 were:$43,279 ($48,279 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualify-ing children, $40,295 ($45,295 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children, $35,463 ($40,463 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and $13,440 ($18,440 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children. For more information, visit the EITC Home Page. Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2009, 2010 or 2011 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. If these efforts are unsuccessful, taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by filing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS or by calling 800-829-1040.
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
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
New Inventory Spyderco & Kershaw Knives
Tactical LED Flashlights
Hand Made Greeting Cards by Donna
Sterling Silver Knuckle Rings $5.00New Arrival of different Clocks.
426 Center Street (661)763-5451
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
4 TAFT INDEPENDENT March 15 - 21, 2013Editorial
Westside Watcher
Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside
The Taft
Restaurant and Entertainment Guide
Independent
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
Black Gold Cafe & DeliPastas - Sandwiches
Espresso - Beer - WineCraft Beers
Open Monday to Friday6:30am to 8pm
Saturday7:30am to 8pm
Sunday10am to 2pm
508 Center Street765-6556
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. Wed., Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm
Sun. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft
Sagebrush Annie’sRestaurant and Wine Tasting
Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm
4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa(661) 766-2319
514 Center Street • (661)765-7469LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft
TAFTFOX.COM
Week of Friday, March 15, 2013 through Thursday, March 21, 2013
Oz The Great and Powerful (PG) No Passes AllowedFri: (5:00), 7:45
Sat: 7:00 PMSun: (1:00), (3:45), 6:30
Mon - Thu: 7:00 PM
Oz The Great and Powerful (PG) Sensory Friendly Show-ing! Lights up, sound down, talking, moving around is
OK.; No Passes AllowedSat: (3:00 PM)
Snitch (PG-13) Fri & Sat: (5:15), 7:30
Sun: (1:30), (4:15), 6:45Mon - Thu: 7:15 PM
Safe Haven (PG-13) Fri & Sat: (5:30), 8:00
Sun - Thu: (1:15), (4:00), 6:30
Letters to the Editor
Paik’sRanch House Restaurant
“Where Everybody Meets”
Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days
Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fri. Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
765-6915200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.
One of the newest classes that are being offered at the Westside Recreation a
Taft Calendar of EventsThe Fort St. Patrick’s Dinner March 14th
Taft Chamber Cinco De Mayo Celebration May 5th.
Chamber Rails to Trails Car Show is June 8th.
The Taft Fireworks Show on the Rails to Trails July 3rd.
Family Day July 4th.
To post your free calendar dates, please email them with details to [email protected]
March 15 - 21, 2013 TAFT INDEPENDENT
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Letters to the Editor
WEST SIDE RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT500 Cascade Place, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 763-4246
[email protected] www.wsrpd.com
West Side Recreation Report
by Stephanie House
Check us out online!Need more information on
programs, classes or facilities?Visit us on the web:
www.wsrpd.comwww.facebook.com/wsrpd
www.quickscores.com/wsrpdwww.twitter.com/wreckerwsrpd
EASTER EGG HUNTSaturday, March 2310:00 a.m. SHARP!‘A’ Street Park, TaftAges 2-8FREE! Bring a basket and be sure to show up at least 15 minutes early for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Egg Hunt will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Kids will get to “hunt” for candy, plastic eggs, and prizes in different areas, divided by age groups. The Easter Bunny will also be there and the fun will take place rain or shine! BBQ LUNCH & MOVIEMonday, March 2511:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomGrades K-8$3 per personHot dogs! We’ve got hot dogs! Bring your appetite to this fun lunch outing. We will serve barbecued hot dogs, chips, drinks and watch the movie “Rise of the Guardians”.
SIDEWALK CHALK ARTTuesday, March 2610:00 a.m.Community Center Parking LotAll AgesFREE! All young artists and creative minds are invited to leave their mark on our sidewalk. We’ll provide the chalk - you just choose a big spot to decorate as you wish. CANDY BAR BINGOTuesday, March 262:00-3:00 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomGrades K-8FREE! Join us for an hour of Bingo fun where you can win candy prizes. Be sure to bring a friend!
KIDS FUN DAYWednesday, March 2710:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomGrades K-6$8 per person ** registration deadline – March 26Join us for a fun day of games,crafts, lunch, snacks and more! The more the merrier, so be sure to sign-up with a friend! Pre-registration is required.
TIE-DYE T-SHIRTSThursday, March 281:00-2:30 p.m.Community Center Activity BuildingGrades 2-8$5 per person ** registration deadline – March 27Bring a new, 100% cotton t-shirt and you will be able to tie-dye it some cool colors. Kids are encour-aged to wear old clothes to work in. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. BOARD GAMES & LUNCHFriday, March 2911:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomGrades 1-8FREE!Join us for a few hours of nothing but fun and games! Bring a sack lunch along for a short lunch break.
ART IS FUN!Wednesday, March 203:00-4:00 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomAges 4+$3 per personDrop by for an hour of painting, drawing, coloring and more! Kids are invited to come create their own masterpieces using crayons, markers, paint, paper, glue and more. Younger kids will need a helper.
TAFT COLLEGE SOFTBALL CAMPWho: Ages 6-15When: March 27-29 (Wednesday – Friday)Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (lunch provided, 12:00-1:00 p.m.)Where: Taft College Softball Field Fee: $40 per player (includes t-shirt and lunch)Registration deadline: Thursday, March 21
YOUTH BASEBALLWho: Ages 12-15 (league age as of June 30, 2013)Tryouts & Draft: Saturday, May 11Practices Begin: May 20Session: March 15 – April 5Fee: $50 per playerRegistration deadline: Thursday, April 25
CARD MAKING WORKSHOPS Who: Ages 55+When: Friday, March 22 and Friday, April 26Time: 9:00 a.m.Where: Senior Rec Room (Community Center Activity Building)Fee: $1 per personWe will provide paper, envelopes, markers, rubber stamps, ink, scissors, glue, stickers and all kinds of fun materials that you can use to make cards for any occasion – birthday, anniversary, get well, sympa-thy and holidays. Please sign-up in the Senior Rec Room or give us a call at 763-4246.
CHEAP & EASY BINGOWho: Ages 55+When: Monday, March 25 and Monday, April 22Time: 12:30 p.m.Where: Community Center AuditoriumFee: $3 per personJoin us the 4th Monday of the month for some cheap and easy bingo! For one low price, we will play 12 games of straight bingos on hard cards. All money collected will be paid out; the more money we bring in, the bigger the pots! We need a minimum of 10 players each week; please sign-up in the Senior Rec Room or give us a call at 763-4246.
GAMES & DESSERT NIGHTWho: Ages 55+When: Friday, April 5Time: 6:00 p.m.Where: Community Center AuditoriumFee: FREE!Want to get out of the house for a while? Come play some games (cards, board games, Wii bowling) and have a little dessert. Please sign-up in the Senior Rec Room or give us a call at 763-4246.
SUMMER LIFEGUARDS NEEDED! We are in search of some lifeguards to work part-time this summer at the Natatorium Swimming Pool. Applications are available in the District Office, 500 Cascade Place in Taft. Lifeguard candidates must be at least 16 years of age (as of June 1) and successfully pass a Lifeguard Training Course. Application deadline is Thursday, March 21. For more information, please contact Stephanie at 763-4246 or [email protected]
BINGOThursday AfternoonsGames start at 1:30 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomAges 21 and olderBuy-in varies, $10-15 averageCash pots! Pull-tabs also sold.
HUNTERS SAFETY COURSEMay 6-8, 20136:30-9:30 p.m.Community Center AuditoriumSign-up the first night of class!$5 per personInstructors: Larry Heptinstall and Ken Beard
6 TAFT INDEPENDENT March 15 - 21, 2013
Westside News & Business Briefs
Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback Hard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion
Childrens • Cookbooks and More!
810 Center Street • (661)805-9813
Ben’s Books
Taft’s OnlyUsed Books Store.
Stop in and Visit Today!
The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft
OTCookhouse & Saloon
NEW Lunch Menu NEW Dinner Menu
Come in and check out our new items!!!
We are also proud to offer our“Chef ’s Personal Creations & Selections”
Five Specials Available Daily
Join Us for OurTraditional
St. Patrick’s Day DinnerCorned Beef and Cabbage
Saturday March 16th
Lunch Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-2pmDinner Hours: Tues-Sat 4-9pm
Closed: Sunday and Mondaywww.otcookhouse.com
find us on facebook205 N. 10th Street 661.763.1819
One of Taft’s best kept secrets is its community garden located on 9th Street across from True Value Hardware. The community garden is a place for the people of Taft to grow plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables. To rent a bed costs $40 a year and the plots are four feet wide, 12 feet long, and one foot deep. Water, soil and even seeds are provided at no cost. The garden is operated by a volunteer board of directors that meet monthly. If you are just interested in growing plants and produce for yourself or your family, you can still save $100-$200 a year, accord-ing to garden board member Ray Hatch. “I picked a pot’s worth of green beans for dinner and saved about four dollars,” said Hatch. “That’s how much it would have cost at Albertson’s and that was just from a small section of my plot.” On Saturday, April 27th the garden will celebrate Spring with “Spring into Gardening” at the Community Garden from 9am to 11am. A tree planting is planned on Friday, April 26th with the city of Taft in recognition of Arbor Day. Several booths with garden related subjects will be on display. The special day is aimed at families and individuals who love to garden or want to learn or be introduced to gardening. There will be many community tables featuring different partners and sup-porters of the garden. Some of the tables featured will be Taft High AG students and a tasting table with some fruits and vegetable right from the garden. A special coloring contest will be featured for elementary school children along with planting demonstrations. Finally, pumpkins
The Taft Community Garden is supporterd by donations from many community organizations as seen here on a poster located at the garden. The West Kern Water District leases the land to the garden committee for $1 per year.
With more than 30 raised bed boxes, boxes rent for $40 each. Only one box is available now due to increasing demand. The gerden com-mittee plans to build more rassed garden boxes when funding becomes available. The boxes are built by the Taft High School ROP program.
seeds will be given out to children to grow their creations over the summer and enter a pumpkin growing contest in the fall with many different categories to choose from. The High School Ag class will have plants on sale. Garden board member Susan Wells from the Taft College TIL program is the event planner. “The TIL Program has been involved with Taft Community Garden since the beginning,” Wells said. “The biggest benefit the students receive from participating with the garden is performing a service for the community. Students receive many benefits while attending Taft College/TIL Program such as a good education, work experience and ultimately learning to live as an independent adult.” TIL students currently have two of their own boxes. If you are interested in renting a box, making a donation or get-ting involved in the garden, call Kathy Johnson at 770-7202.
Taft Community Garden Growing on the CommunitySpring Into Gardening Event Saturday, April 27th
Volunteers (above) maintain the garden throughout the week. The brick walkway show here was built by Taft Correctional Institute inmates. Below, the garden is located at the corner of 9th and Kern Streets across from True Value Hardware. The garden is a non-profit community organzation funded by donations and box rentals.
March 15 - 21, 2013 TAFT INDEPENDENT
Local businesswoman Connie Redfield was recognized by the Friends of Taft College Library (FOTCL) as their 2012 Honored Friend. A recognition tea was held Tuesday afternoon, March 12, in the TC Banquet Room. Connie has long offered her support to the college library’s Friends group as the former owner of All in the Sandwich and a member of FOTCL. An avid reader and supporter of libraries, Connie was one of the first people to join the new Friends group and to help relocate the college library and integrate its programs into the community. College Librarian and FOTCL President Dave Berry is pictured presenting Connie with the award plaque. Additionally, her name has been added to the Taft College Library Wall of Honor. Connie is also pictured with members of the FOTCL Board of Directors: (standing) Tyrone Maddox, Dr.
Taft College Friends of the Library Honor Connie Redfield
Taft College Library Director Dave Berry with Connie Redfield. Standing: (left to right) Tyrone Maddox, Loretta Lipscomb, Dave Layne, Connie Redfield, Dave Berry, Esther Livingston. Seated: (left to right) Mimi Collins, Bonnie Beatty.
Loretta Garcia Lipscomb, Dr. David Layne, (Connie), Dave Berry, Esther Livingston; (seated) Dr. Mimi Collins, Bonnie Beatty. Friends of TC Library is a group of volunteers from the campus and the community who support the library by offering public programs and supporting library services. The next FOTCL program will be The Cat in the Hat, by the popular performer Duffy Hudson. This program will be co-hosted by the Westside Friends of the Library and will be offered free to the public on Thursday evening, April 11th. Friends of Taft College Library meets monthly on second Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m., in the library. For more information: [email protected]
8 TAFT INDEPENDENT March 15 - 21, 2013
Liberty Under Fire
Available at Albertson’s
Jackson’s Automotive
Now Doing Smog Tests!
Front End RepairsTransmission Service
Brake Service Tune Ups and Fuel Injection Service
and Repairs
Call Today for an Appointment763-1055
Corner of 3rd and Center Street110 3rd Street - Taft, CA. (661) 763-1055
“Stand with Rand,” the Patrick Henry of our Day. By Dr. Harold Pease The approval rating presently for Congress, according to the Washington Post, is 14 percent and few Americans be-lieve them capable of providing the leadership that is so des-perately needed in our time. Few, if any, command universal respect and there are no Patrick Henry’s, serious advocates of freedom even if they do not get reelected. The last time the parties worked together was during the Bill Clinton tenure and the last time a majority of Americans had any real hope for the future was during the Ronald Reagan Administration when he ended the “Cold War.” That may have changed for many on March 6, 2013, when one man stood, initially mostly alone with but a few Tea Party friends, on the Senate floor arguing for 13 hours far into the evening, even against his own party, for what he believed to be right. Most of my students have no idea what a Senate Filibuster is, as it has never occurred in their lifetime, but it allows a Senator to speak on a topic for as long as he can stand and speak. He may entertain questions from colleagues but he must never yield the floor. He may not leave the Senate Chambers, even for a restroom break, or sit down. Such passion for liberty has never, in my lifetime, brought both ends of the political spectrum together and reminded us of our shared core values. Civil libertarians and Tea Party supporters buzzed their approval on social media. The American Civil Liberties Union referred to the event as historic and courageous. As the night wore on more people watched C-SPAN at one time then reportedly ever before. America had a new hero and the phrase “Stand With Rand” gained popularity in a single evening. Not from the establish-ment press which largely ignored the new “Patrick Henry” of our day, and the significance of this moment, but decidedly without it. Rand Paul, son of presidential contender Ron Paul, inten-tionally held up the confirmation of John Brennan as the new CIA Director because he had been elusive on the subject of drone use to kill Americans on U.S. soil, merely thought to have terrorist connection. This had happened in Yemen to a 16-year-old American boy Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, and Paul wanted assurance that it would not happen here. Failing to
get it from the nominee he next asked for it from the Obama Administration. Certainly they would agree that such would be uncon-stitutional and a violation of the 5th Amendment’s due process provision to do so. Brennan’s stalling on the question amplified the need for such a statement which was even more amplified when the President seemed to be stalling also. The filibuster should have ended within the first hour. The world waited for an answer. That clarification finally arrived from Eric Holder the next day, but why was it not easily forthcom-ing? Fear of the U.S. government is stronger today than at any time since the American Revolution and it does not help hearing that the Department of Homeland Security is buying up enormous quantities of ammunition to use somewhere and on someone: presumably on Americans because DHS has no function outside the country. As kind as they have been to illegal immigrants, even letting 2,000 incarcerated inmates go in early March, because of impending cuts due to the hardship anticipated from the Sequester, it is unlikely that they plan the ammo for them. Nobody seems to know. Since the word “terrorism” is not adequately defined or limited, (the best the government has given us is “Al-Qaeda-like” organizations) both ends fear a revolving definition. Vice President Joe Biden has already called the Tea Party terrorists, and Occupy Wall Street folks have already had clashes with law enforcement. If the federal government is anticipating a clash with her own citizens, it would be a short step in logic to assume drone strikes could be used on U.S. citizens on U.S. soil as well. The assurance sought for by Paul should have been sup-ported by everyone giving an oath to support the Consti-tution as such a course, by the federal government, would effectively end the Fifth Amendment of the Bill of Rights. What makes Rand Paul especially credible is that everyone who knows him attests that he would have done the same thing, and made the same case, in a George W. Bush Admin-istration. What was just as revealing with respect to the Rand Paul filibuster was who was not there defending our right not to be shot down by a drone in our own country. Only 15 Sena-tors participated with Paul leaving 84 others to explain to their constituent’s why they had not defended the Constitu-tion as their oath demanded. They were: Senators Ted Cruz (Texas), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Mike Lee (Utah), Pat Toomey (Penn.), John Thune (S.D.), John Barrasso (Wy.), Tim Scott (S.C.), John Cornyn (Texas), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (Ky.) Saxby Chambliss (Ga.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.). Sadly, the
following morning both Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Senator John McCain of Arizona took to the same Senate floor and castigated Paul for his stand. For me this was a moment of truth separating those who are real patriots from those who once were. Senator McCain was a co-author of the infamous National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Barack Obama New Years Eve 2011, which authorized the President, through his mili-tary, to kidnap any U.S. citizen thought to be associated with a terrorist organization and ship them to Guantanamo Bay for indefinite detention. Such action would strip Americans involved of their 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments to the Bill of Rights. Rand Paul voted against that law too. No wonder he stood for 13 hours in defense of our liberty and the Constitution. If there is any hope in our saving our Republic it will come from those who stood for our core values this day. Will you “Stand With Rand” too?
March 15 - 21, 2013 TAFT INDEPENDENT
TAFT UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH
630 North St. 765-5557
“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”Pastor Cindy Brettschneider
Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AMAdult 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 Drive
We 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.
Gateway Temple CommunityChristian
Fellowship631 North Street
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.
St. Andrew’sEpiscopal
ChurchSunday Service - 10 a.m.
Rev. Linda Huggard703 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
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 427-9722Pastors Charle (Tommy) and
Mary A. McWhorter
604 Main Street • P.O. Box 578Maricopa, CA 93252 • (661)769-9599
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
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.
Black GoldCafe & Deli
Ice Blended MochaFat Free andSugar Free
Available in Most Flavors
Open 7 Days - 765-6556508 Center Street • Taft
St. Mary’s Church 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft
661 765-4292
Mass Schedule Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 8:30A.M. English
11:00A.M. Spanish
WED.-FRI. 10:00-5:30 SAT. 10:00-2:00 FABRIC • NOTIONS • GIFTS
MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY
370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580
Check Out Our WebsiteMaricopaquiltcompany.com
And Facebook Page
Advertise
In
The Taft
Independent
Call Today!
765-6550Visit Us Online
taftindependent.com
Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 5:00 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 23rd Year
ROGER MILLER INSURANCEa division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group
License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985
(661) 765-4798 FAXTaft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell
E-Mail: [email protected] Hometown Insurance Store
Rich Miller • Jordan MillerKathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton
600 Center StreetTaft, 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.
Yates’ Detailing
First Baptist Church
Pastor Scott Pearson
Sunday School 9 a.m.Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m.
Evening Service 6 p.m.
Awana Childrens ProgramWednesday 6 p.m.
220 North Street - Taft661 763-3138
Your Church
Ad Here!765-6550
Available at Albertson’s
10 TAFT INDEPENDENT March 15 - 21, 2013
Aussie. Black\grey\white w/tan spot on face. Blue eyes, female. Rexxie. REWARD. 661-765-5862 or 623-0758.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Taft Property Management
1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms now available in good
areas.CRIME FREE
HOUSING Brokers Licence
01417057661-577-7136
ROOMS FOR RENT
HOMES FOR SALEReal Estate eBroker Inc.
By AppointmentKarri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 &
#01333971661-332-6597
www.BuyTaft.comReal Estate Sales &
PurchaseCan’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you to a loan modification or assist you in your short
sale!Wondering how buying a house works? Set an appointment with Karri to watch a FREE video
on the process.
Call 661-332-6597 for a current list
MOBILE HOMESFSBO. Large 3 bedroom 2 bath mobile beautifully remodeled. Owner will carry. Own your own home for $800 month. Swimming pool. rec. room and more. Call 661-544-8238. 3-15.
HOMES FOR RENTWest ValleyReal Estate
(661) 763-1500.Lic # 01525550
FOR RENT
West ValleyReal Estate
(661) 763-1500Lic # 01525550
FOR RENT(661) 763-1500Lic # 01525550
FOR RENTFOR RENT
119 ½ Madison 1/1 $500
203 W Ash 2/1.5 $600205 W Ash 2/1.5 $600
202 Philippine 1/1 $650522 Center 1/1 $450
3/1 $700400 Woodrow 2/1 $725
104 North 2/1 $725561 Front 2/1 $725302 Calvin 1/1 $850709 Kern St 3/1 $900512 D St 3/1.75 $900
507 Tyler 3/1.75 $1,000
Looking to buy a house in Taft. Have
$20,000 cash. Call 805 651-9720.
Homes for Rent2bed. 1 ba.
411 Shattuck. $600.3bd. 1ba $750. 520 Shattuck.
3bd. 1 1/2 ba. $800.118 Crystal.
3bd. 1 ba. $800.220 Mont View
Call Paul Joyce (805) 218-1686
Joyce Properties(661) 765-6300
3 bd. 2 ba. Lg. fenced yard, RV Parking, shed, $975 mo. $975 deposit. 441 Hazelton, Maricopa.
Call 763-3943 or 623-2404.
2 Bd Home for Rent, Available Now, located at 520 Olive Ave., Taft,
CAGood Family Home,
Big Back Yard, Washer Dryer Hookups, $650
per month,
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 $5 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 ServicesRite 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. 426 Eastern Ave
212 E. San Emdio St. Fri. 9am, Sat. 7 a.m.
Family Yard Sale. Lucky 7 Store Parking kot. South Taft. Everything!
413 Hazelton Ave. Maricopa. Sat. 16th 7 am to Noon. Tools, golf clubs, refreig., trailer, camper shell. and more.
SAT. 3/16/13 501 A ST. PRE MOVING SALE. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. 7AM TO 11
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New AA meeting just started in Taft at the Chevron Valley Credit Union Community Room. 7:30 am every Saturday morning. We read a topic from As Bill Sees It. 9-19.Grief Support Group, offered as a community service by Optimal Hospice Care. Meetings held Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. At Chevron Valley Credit Union, Community Room, 1092 W. Kern St., Taft. Enter by outside entrance – Albertson’s Shopping Center. Free
Real Estate eBroker Inc.By Appointment
Karri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 & #01333971
661-332-6597www.BuyTaft.com
Real Estate Sales & Purchase
Ken ShugartsAir Conditioning & Heating
and open to the public. Info call 716-4000. 3-27.
Alzheimer’s Disease Association Of Kern County is offering Respite Care here in Taft. Call-Cathy Perkins at 760-379-0848 for RESPITE CARE info. Respite Care is available every Thursday At the First Baptist Church located at 220 North St. from 9:00am—3:00pm.
HELP WANTED
SERVICESCooler Services. Swap Cooler services and repair. Pumps, motors, etc. (661) 900-0917. 4-1.
CHILD CARESERVICES
WANTED
Junk Cars Wanted. Cash Paid. 805-0552.
FOR SALEKenmore electric dryer. $60. obo 765-2406.
AUTOMOBILESPETS
LOST PETS
$500 Reward. Lost Mini
30 Plus Years in ConstructionLicense No. 927634
We Do All Phases of ConstructionKitchen and Bathroom Specialists
Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507
Plumbing • Septic • RooterFraming • Electrical • Concrete
Real Estate Services and Property ManagementListings – Sales - Property Management
Local Service You Can Depend On
322 Kern Street Taft, CA 93268(661) 765-5000
Visit Us Online atwww.taftindependent.com
plus $400 deposit. Hablo Espanol, 805
746 5410
Unfurnished house. 2 bd. 1 ba. garage. $750 mo. Available April. Call 805-423-0470. 3-16.
Large newer Taft Home. Near TUHS, 4br, office,
2 bath, patios, 3 car garage & RV space, big yard, fenced. 626 San
Emidio. Call 623-3923 or 412-8558. 2-16.
405 San Emidio. 1/1 Duplex. New flooring. Private fenced yard.
wash dryer, hook ups. Water trash Incl.$485.
Avail now.616 Lucard Str. 3/1 large
liv. rm. private yrd. Lrg liv. rm., large kit. larg
laundry rm. $875. avail 4-1-13. (805) 689-4122.
3-29. Mark King.
$700 Mo. Renter pays utilities 3 bd 1 ba. Pet’s
ok. Call 745-3211.
Westside Real Estate765-5000
2bd. w/garage $675. mo 429 Rose.
2 units at 319 1/2 San Emidio utilities included 1 bd $550 and 1 bd +
office $650 + dep. 522 San Emidio 3 bd 1bth has basement &
new floors $800 + dep.402 Pierce 3 bd 1 bth w/
garage $875 + dep.155 1/2 North St. B. w/
garage $450. 765-5000
License 01914953
APART. FOR RENTCreekside Apartments. 1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.765-7674. 420 Finley Dr.
765-4191 or 549-1068
Be Seen!
Classified Ads
in the
Taft
Independent
$2 per line
Box your ad
for $5 more
call
765-6550
Writers Wanted
At the Taft Independent
Experience Required.
Please call 765-6550.
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B License 442018
Preserving for the Future
For Rent 520 Shattuck
$750 monthPaul Joyce
805-218-1686 Joyce Properties
661-765-6300
For Rent 220 Montview
$795 monthPaul Joyce
805-218-1686 Joyce Properties
661-765-6300
Center Street Apartments. 1 bed room 1 bath. $99 move in special based on approved credit. No Pets Allowed. Call (805) 375-1458 or (661) 765-7678.
Imperial Gardens. 2 bedrooms with balcony. 1 bedoom. 424 Woodrow. 900-7681.
Large 1 bd. 1 ba. Upstairs Apt. Stove, Refir. no pets. $495. mo. plus $500 sec. dep. 661-428-3252. 3.8.
AdvertiseWith TheTaft
IndependentCall
Today!765-6550
BID REQUESTNotice is hereby given that sealed bids will be accepted by the Board of Trustees of The West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District for the following equipment.SOLD “AS IS”
Available for inspection at West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District yard, 7004 Gas Company Road, from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Minimum acceptable Biod for each vehicle will be stated. All bids must be in the District office by 3:00 p.m., Thursday, March 21, 2013. All bids will be opened at 7:00 p.m., March 21, 2013 at the regular scheduled Board of Trustees meeting at the District office. The District reserves the right to reject all bids.
Signed: Board of Trustees, West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District 7004 Gas Company Road Taft, CA 93268
2004 Ford Ranger XLID#FTYR10U94PA87069V-6 Engine, AutoP/S, P/B, Air & Cruise101,177 milesMaintenance records availableMinimum Bid: $3,800
2003 Chevy S-10ID#1GCCS14X938195428V-6 Engine, AutoP/S, P/B, Air and Cruise75,500Maintenace records availableMinimum Bid: $5,500
Classified Ad Deadline.Wednesday 2 p.m.
765-6550.
California Becoming a Feudal SocietyBy Conn Carroll
For most of its history, California has occupied a special place in the mind of most Americans. From the height of the Gold Rush through the 1980s, California’s warm weather and booming econ-omy drew enterprising, educated and talented immigrants from across the country. California was the melting pot of America’s melting pot, leading all states in the number of residents who were born in other U.S. states. As I wrote in The Washington Examiner’s “California in Crisis” series last week, (Taft Independent Issues March 1st and 8th, 2013) that California is dead and gone. According to a 2012 University of Southern California study on state demographics, you have to go back to the early 1990s to find a time when more Americans were moving to California than leaving it for other states. Thanks to high housing prices and a weak job market, Cali-fornia is now a net exporter of U.S. citizens to other states. As a result of this shift, native Californians became a majority of the state’s population only in the last decade. Their numbers will continue to rise. And since foreign immigration is also expected to level off, the report predicts growth will occur “almost all among native Californians, many but not all of whom are the children of immigrants.” Unfortunately for California, this local-born population is not increasing fast enough to replace the disappearing immigration. The number of Californians under age 18 will virtually halt over the next 20 years, while population growth among those 65 and older will quadruple. The current ratio of one senior for every five working-age residents will become a 3-to-10 ratio by 2020, and 4-to-10 by 2030. If California’s new native-born population was particularly wealthy or well-educated, this demographic imbalance might not be such a big problem. But it is not. And this will severely strain California’s generous welfare state. Even before the Great Recession, California already suffered from some of the highest levels of income inequality in the nation. And according to recent Public Policy Institute of California study, the recent downturn only exacerbated the problem. “Com-pared to the rest of the country, California experienced larger declines in income at the bottom of the distribution and smaller declines at the top -- leading to the largest gap between upper and lower incomes in at least 30 years,” PPIC reported. Worse, a 2012 California Budget Project study found that what little job recovery has occurred in the state has been confined to the low-skill sector. The employment rate for prime-working-age Californians with a bachelor’s degree or higher has been flat since the recovery began, whereas those with just a high school diploma and those without one have both seen job gains. To the extent that the California labor market is recovering, it is a McJobs recovery. Of course, the Googles, Facebooks and Apples of California are all still swimming in profits and growth. If you do happen to have a job already among the highest fifth of California income earners, your weekly wages are up 1 percent since 2006. But every other income group has experienced sharp earnings losses. California is rapidly becoming a near-feudal society. On one side is an older, educated, landed, wealthy elite that lives on California’s beautiful coasts. Then there is a much larger, younger, less-educated, indebted mass living inland, many of them working farm jobs at subsistence wages. The good news is that both of these groups seem content sup-porting a Democratic Party whose policies (which I outlined in the series last week) reinforce these trends. And if any of the current Californians don’t like what the new California has become, they are free to leave. The bad news is that millions of middle-class families already have, and the trend is likely to continue. This article first appeared in the Washington Examiner on Macrh 2, 2013.
HAYDENS HOPE“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”
428 Center Street • TAFT
THRIFT STORE
God Bless!
745-4963
New School HoursMon. & Tues.9am - 2pm
Closed WednesdayThur. & Fri. 9am - 5pmSaturday 10am - 2pmClosed Every 2nd Sat.
of the Month
All Dishes1/2 Off!
HOOKER’S AUTOMOTIVEComplete Automotive Service
218 HARRISON STREET (661) 765-2437Closed Feb. 9th thru the 11th.
USC Fracking Study Predicts 14% Boost in California EconomyBy Michael Long, Publisher
A study conducted by the University of South-ern California revealed that using fracking as a method oil and gas extraction in the Mon-terey Shale Formation could increase the state’s economy by as much as 14 percent. The study, funded in part by the Western States Petroleum Asso-ciation, was conducted independently by a USC research team of econo-mists and engineers. Taft and most of Kern County is located in the Monerey Shale oil field which stretches from the southern San Joaquin Valley to Central California covering approximately 1,750 square miles. The area could make California the top producer of oil in the country. The shale area is predicted to contain more that 15 billion bar-rels of technologically recoverable oil, or 2/3rds of all the known recoverable oil in the lower 48 states. The oil booming Bakken Shale located in North Dakota is estimated to hold nearly 4 billion barrels. The study said that drilling in the Monterey Shale Formation could ad up to 2.8 million new jobs, and $24.6 billion in local and state taxes. “Based on the experience of other states, not only would state unemployment fall, but significant migration of properly skilled workers into California would occur,” the study read. “More job gains can be captured by Californians with appropriate education and training.” Fracking refers to the procedure of creating fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks to force them further open. The larger fissures allow more oil and gas to flow out of the formation and into the wellbore, from where it can be extracted. Fracking has resulted in many oil and gas wells attaining eco-nomic viability, due to the level of extraction that can be reached. The study concluded that fracking would: 1. Create more jobs. Developing oil from the Monterey Shale could add from 512,000 to 2.8 million new jobs in California, depending upon the year. 2. Stimulate economic growth. Total economic activity in the state, as measured by the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), could increase by 2.6% to 14.3% on a per-person basis. 3. Increase personal income. On a statewide basis, aggregate personal income could grow by an average of from 2.1% to 10.0%. 4. Boost government revenue. Tax revenue collected by Cali-fornia state and local governments could grow by $4.5 billion to $24.6 billion. “As the experience in other states demonstrates, development of shale-oil reserves has resulted in significant increases in employ-ment, incomes, and government tax revenues. The current study suggests that, through the prudent and carefully regulated develop-ment of the Monterey Shale, the state of California could poten-tially achieve proportionately large increases in the production of crude oil, leading to similarly large economic gains. The study is intended to expand to expand the base of information that will lead to improved policy decisions for the people and businesses of California.”
Gas Prices Beginning to FallCHICAGO (March 14) – What do New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Miami gas price averages all have in common? In each respective market today’s average is lower than its price point from one year ago, with Chicago an impressive 29 cents lower than a year ago. Overall, the national average had fallen for 12 straight days before rising on February 11. The national average now stands at $3.67 per gallon, its lowest level since its peak, to date, at $3.79 per gallon on February 27. What’s going on? “Right now motorists may be pleasantly surprised with the direction gasoline prices are taking and it’s due largely to timing; the more costly summer-blend gasoline is not yet available in most markets and there’s also a bit of a ‘fire sale’ – consumers get some relief from refinery efforts to unload their remaining ‘winter-blend’ gasoline inventory,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum ana-lyst, GasBuddy. “But, these are not the days of wine and roses…” . “We still believe that another upward trend in retail gasoline prices is a strong possibility, coinciding with the full implementa-tion of summer blend gasoline and it will arrive in April,” he added. “Interestingly enough, while three states (HI, CA, AK) still see prices over $4 per gallon, 45 states now have lower prices to-day than a year ago, and Illinois has the greatest year-over-year discount with its average price down by 22 cents per gallon,” said Gregg Laskoski, another senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. “Colorado is one of just five states seeing a higher average today than last year.”
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
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
New Inventory Spyderco & Kershaw Knives
Tactical LED Flashlights
Hand Made Greeting Cards by Donna
Sterling Silver Knuckle Rings $5.00New Arrival of different Clocks.
426 Center Street (661)763-5451
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
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
12 TAFT INDEPENDENT March 15 - 21, 2013
The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant
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 Highway
Come and Join Us at The Tumbleweed The Tumbleweed Cafe
Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3419 Harrison St. Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987
(661)763-4445No Appointment Needed for
Smog Check!
General Automotive Repairs
• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street
Qik Smog & Tune
Devon’s Body Shop
408 Main Street • (661)765-4337
western shop & PET Wash
HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE209 Harrison Street • Taft
(661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax
Diagnostic SpecialistsService & Repairs • Smog Repairs
Air Conditioning • Tune Up • Front EndBrakes • Fuel Injection
$15.00 OFF with mention of this ad**1996 Vehicle or newer
Black GoldCafe and Deli
508 Center Street 765-6556
We CaterYour Place or Ours Full Bar
AvailableFor Your Special
Event
FULLBAR
Used to be Paul’sBike Shop
608 Center St. 745-4919
BMXBikes
Are Here!
Full Grooming Salon
www.shawswesternshop.com
Andy’s Septic Tank & SewerUNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
(661)765-5000 or (661)343-0507
Randy’s Trucking
(661) 763-4773 1050 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 •
Chicks are here!Barred Rock
Rhode Island Red$3.99 each - pullets
3/13 Sikies and SebrightsSilver Laced Wyanodottes
We Love Cats!Grooming and Washing(Include Wash, Cut and Nails)
Dog Nail Trim 12.00 2nd Pet $9.00
Birds - nails and Wings $9.00 with beak $14.00
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