400 Kern Street

Taft, CA, 93268

Phone: (661) 765-2165

Fax: (661) 765-6639

www.taftchamber.com

TaftChamber@gmail.com

Newsletter November 2014

Our Gold Sponsors

Our Platinum Sponsors

The “Together We Can” Collaborative and West Side Community Resource Center is once again coordinating the annual community Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive for local fami-lies in need. Your support, combined with collaborative efforts of local business and agen-cy partners will ensure that the maximum number of families will enjoy a bountiful holiday food box!

How can you help?

Collect food at your church, business, or agency.

Bring food to the Westside Community Resource Center.

Donate funds to purchase perishable foods such as turkeys & potatoes

When?

Non-perishable food: Donate from now through November 20 (Monday - Friday 9-5)

Perishable foods (Frozen turkeys) Because we do not have a freezer for storage please no-tify us if you intend to donate a turkey/turkeys. They can be dropped off on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Donate funds to buy turkeys – From now-Nov 20 Consider a gift card to go towards pur-chasing a turkey. The Resource Center will buy the turkey for you!

Where? Drop donations off at:

Westside Community Resource Center at The Fort

915 N. 10th St., Suite 20 93268

Or mail donation to:

WSCRC Attention: TWC 915 N. 10th St., Suite 20 Taft, CA 93268

Please make checks payable to: “Together We Can”

Should you choose to collect and distribute food within your own organization, we ask that you please contact the Resource Center with the names of the families you plan to serve so that we can avoid duplication of efforts.

Thank you for making a difference in our community!

October 8, 2014

Susan Wells, Career Education Facilitator

Transition to Independent Living Program, Taft College

Susan Wells began by reminding us of the many changes

to the TIL Program in the recent year or so: Program

Chairman Sandy Popejoy retired, Executive Director/

Founder Jeff Ross retired, and the new TIL facility was

finished and open for business. Susan announces a new

grant from Chevron which provides for three TIL students

to be paired with three traditional students to gain expo-

sure in the petroleum industry. Jen Villareal of Taft’s

Goodwill Store joined Susan at the meeting. The TIL Pro-

gram has teamed with Goodwill, and TIL students are

placed in the Taft Goodwill store to learn retail skills

while being paid.

October 15, 2014

Russell Johnson

Candidate for Kern County Assessor-Recorder

Russell Johnson again visited our Sit n Sip to explain his

reasons for running for office. He fielded questions from

the group. Although Sit n Sip is open to candidates and

we enjoy hearing from them, the Chamber does not en-

dorse candidates for public office.

October 22, 2014

Wind Wolves Preserve

Meagan England, Community Outreach Coordinator and

Naturalist from Wind Wolves Preserve spoke about the

programs, field trips, nature hikes, and tours the Preserve

has available. Most of the events are free to the commu-

nity and require no registration. If you need a spot for a

group retreat, youth outing, family fun day, or just want

to get outdoors, head out 166 East and make a stop at

Wind Wolves. They can schedule a shuttle pick up as

well. They have tent camping in designated areas and

tours of the canyon, animal hikes, black out hikes, geolo-

gy programs, and a conference room complete with ta-

bles, chairs, and a kitchen available for no charge. Stop

by the Chamber for more information about their availa-

ble programs.

October 29, 2014

Holi Allen, Director

Alpha House

Alpha House, a safe ha-

ven for women and chil-

dren who are victims of

domestic violence, is only

one of three such facilities in Kern County—and the only

one that is staffed 24/7. At least, that is, until last month

when they were forced to close their doors to around-the

-clock services and lay off staff. They simply refuse to

spend down their bank account to the point that they

owe their employees for work already performed. Our

City reacted with concern.

Alpha House runs on such a tight budget, giving so much

to the women and children they serve, that we often for-

get that the need keeps going, and Alpha House could

always use help. If you would like to be a regular contrib-

utor, please fill out and return the pledge card to Alpha

House. We must keep this valuable alternative for wom-

en and children available in our community.

Make a pledge to help Alpha House. Any amount is

greatly appreciated.

Wednesday mornings @ 9AM

Taft Chamber, 400 Kern Street

By Dr. Kathy Orrin, Executive Director

As I write this column, we are preparing for our 13th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament and rain is forecasted for the

morning of the event. Avid golfers do not mind the rain, but those who work with us as volunteers may prefer a sun-

ny day. Just note, if it rains on the Chamber Golf Tournament, you can thank the Chamber. Just another service we

provide the community—rain in a time of drought! You are welcome!

Oktoberfest is behind us. According to the Beer Garden attendees, the bands were wonderful. The Band 1916 nev-

er disappoints, and this year was no exception. We were happy to host them. We thank Black Gold Brewing Compa-

ny for their craft beer offerings and the Petroleum Club for their bar. We heard from many members of the communi-

ty through FaceBook regarding the Carnival. The reviews were mixed. Some folks liked the Carnival; others had an

issue with either a Carnival employee or with a procedure. One post loved the carnival one evening and hated it the

next. Which brings up an interesting thought: if folks were charged a mere $5 a month to access FaceBook, would

the quality of the posts go up? (Not my idea, but an idea worth pondering.) You should know that the issues reported

to us and those brought to our attention on FaceBook were passed along to the Carnival owner.

You may have noticed that the West Side District Hospital, that wonderful, nostalgic edifice at the end of Center

Street, is no more. On Thursday, October 30, bulldozers began the destruction of that great memory of days gone by

in our City. I remember Doc Bitzer telling me he could not take out my appendix until the lady in the next room deliv-

ered both of her twins. His matter-of-fact announcement of the news that I was going to have to just “hang on” for a

few more minutes was curiously calming because he was so straightforward and because I trusted him. Many of us

look at the demolition of the Hospital as a sad, nostalgic event.

The flip side of this event is that it is proof positive that our West Side Health Care District is moving forward. I recent-

ly attended a Board meeting and was struck with the enormity of the task before the Board Members. However, I was

also impressed with the Board’s willingness to put their shoulders to the task. I am convinced we will have a range of

healthcare alternatives available in our community in the future. The delivery of health care in Taft will not look the

same as it did in the past; there likely will not be one building to administer all our medical needs. But we will get

there. The Healthcare District deserves our support and our thanks.

By Shannon Jones, Event Coordinator

As the year winds down, you would think that things are starting to settle down at the Chamber as well. The opposite is

true—Just look at the calendar on page 4! We had another successful Oktoberfest and appreciate all of the community

support. This weekend is the 13th Annual Golf Classic at Buena Vista Golf Course and November 15th will be the “too many

to count” Annual Trout Fishing Derby at Buena Vista Lake Evans. Both of these events are unique in their own way and in-

clude a number of volunteers, sponsors, donors, and participants.

Registration for the Fishing Derby is going on now, only $10 for children and $20 for adults. While you can register at the

gate, you can get a head start by pre-registering and receiving your wristband when you submit your entry forms. When

you get to the lake on Saturday, November 15th, you can just show us your band and drive through the gate when they

open at 6AM.

One last event I want to mention is the 69th Annual Taft Christmas Parade on Monday, December 1, 2014. This parade

serves as the unofficial kick off to the holiday season in Taft. Our service clubs really help make this event special for our

community and we would like to thank them. Anyone can participant in the parade so submit your forms today!

November 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7am, Chamber Golf Tournament, Buena Vista Golf Course

11AM-4PM, Taft Chomp and Stomp

2 3

TC Pre-order Christmas Trees DUE

4

Election Day

6pm, City Council meeting

5

9am, Sit ‘n Sip at Taft Chamber

1:30pm, Taft College Foundation Board Meeting

6

5pm, The Fort Country Hoedown

7

6-10pm, First Friday Car Cruise on Center Street

8

6pm, Truxton Mile Concert on Center Street

9

10

11

VETERANS DAY

12-6pm, Houchin Blood Drive at Taft Chamber

12

9am, Sit ‘n Sip at Taft Chamber

Kern County Energy Summit

13

14 15

6am, Chamber Trout Fishing Derby at Buena Vista Lake

8am-noon, Community Clean Up

16 17 18

6pm, City Council Meeting

19 - 9am, Sit ‘n Sip at Taft Chamber

12pm, All service club luncheon, Fort

4pm, Chamber Board Meting

4pm, Together We Can Meeting

6pm, Planning Commission Mtg

20 21

CHRISTMAS PARADE APPLICATIONS DUE

22

23 24 25 26 27 28

CHAMBER CLOSED

29

30

1

6pm, Taft Christmas Parade

“It’s a Roughneck Christmas”

2

6pm, Taft City Council Meeting

3 - 9am, Sit n Sip

6pm, Planning Commission Meeting

6pm, Petroleum Club Industry Night

4

5-8pm, The Fort Holiday Gift Show

5

6-10pm, First Fri-day Cruising Center

7-9pm, West Hills Church Drive Thru Nativity

6

12pm, West Kern Oil Museum Christmas Tea

7-9pm, West Hills Church Drive Thru Nativity

7 8 9

4-7pm, Taft College Bookstore Open House

10

9am, Sit n Sip, Taft Chamber

11 12 13

10am, Soro-pomist Home Tour

6pm, City of Taft Employee Appreciation Dinner

14 15 16

6pm, Taft City Council Meeting

17

9am, Sit n Sip, Taft Chamber

4pm, Chamber Board Meeting

6pm, TC Founda-tion Christmas Party

18 19 20

National Adoption Awareness Month

We invite you to help us promote the importance of

Adoption during the month of November as we cele-

brate National Adoption Awareness Month in Kern

County.

With nearly 2000 children in out of home care in

Kern County, we have a constant need for foster and

adoptive families willing to commit long term to these

children. When children cannot return home to their

families, relatives, or supporting friends, they do best

when they are able to find permanency through Adop-

tion.

The Month will be kicked off with a proclamation

from the Kern County Board of Supervisors on Tues-

day, November 4th, 2014 at 9:00AM during the Board

of Supervisors morning session held at 1115 Truxtun

Avenue.

Kern County’s 12th Annual National Adoption Day

celebration will be held, Friday, November 21st, 2014,

beginning with a press conference at 12:30 PM. This

event is NOT open to the public, but we will have

families ready to share their stories with you!

Attention all PG&E

Ag & Commercial Customers!

PG&E’s Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP) is here to help put more water on your crops and more money in your pocket. If you’ve repaired your pump or plan to make repairs, you are eligible for a rebate up to half the cost of a qualifying repair. Incentives are available ONLY for retrofit or replace-ment of either or both of the pump bowl and impeller. We re-quire a pre-test, the invoice showing what work you had done, and a post-test so we can measure efficiency gained. Please do not hesitate to contact Maggie Werner, mcwi@pge.com or 661-

529-0165 for more information.

PG&E Commercial Customers: Did you know that PG&E of-fers FREE energy site surveys? Trained account representatives can visit your business to help you better understand how you are using your energy, as well as help you find opportunities to lower your utility bills. In addition to performing the site sur-vey, account representatives will review PG&E rebates/incentives and any third party programs that could benefit your business. Don’t hesitate to contact Maggie Werner at 661-529-

0165 to schedule your free energy site survey today.

Greetings Friends!

I'm leading a bird hike out at Wind Wolves on Sunday November 2nd from 8:00 am-11:00 am. We will go in the pre-serve van and I'll drive us up canyon to stop at a few different spots to search for and observe birds and other wildlife. It will be a grand adventure, bird are so interesting to watch especially when it is cooler and they have a spring in their step!

Some binoculars will be available to use, recommended for ages 5 and up. It's free of course, but donations help us keep preserving and restoring these lands! Please give me a heads up if you will be coming. Call 661-858-1115, text 661-319-4589, or email me to reserve your spot on the shuttle (limited seats). Share this with others!

M

West Side ROP

Quarterly

Newsletter

NEW! Check it Out!

Taft Chamber 69th Annual

Taft Christmas Parade Monday, December 1, 2014

6:00PM Center Street

Gather your group and create your

best float, walking group, musical

talent, or club that fits your interpre-

tation of

“It’s a Roughneck Christmas!”

SAVE THE DATE!

Call for information 765-2165

2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Bob Leikam Domino’s Pizza

1st Vice: Emmanuel Campos

Monarch Fleet Services

2nd Vice President: Ron Sousa Albertsons

Treasurer: Bart Hill United Security Bank

Devinder Bains

Taft Chevrolet—Buick

Tony Cordova Synagro

Les Clark

West Side Recreation and Park District

Bob Hampton Westside Waste Management

Ed Herrera

Edward J Herrera Insurance Agency

Greg Hill Old’s Cool Antiques and More

Sharon Hill

Taft Union High School

Sandy Koenig Westside Community Resource Center

Orchel Krier

Tumbleweed Café

Michael Long The Taft Independent

Dr. Dena Maloney

Taft College

Yvette Mayfield City of Taft

Jordan Miller

Roger Miller Insurance Agency

John Neumann Accelerated Environmental

Dennis Schertz

Asian Experience

Harry Starkey West Kern Water District

John Swearengin

Kern County Sheriff’s Office

Dan Tosti Aera Energy LLC

Adele Ward

Taft City School District

Rodney Wikoff West Hills Church of the Nazarene

400 Kern Street Taft, CA 93268

661-765-2165

www.taftchamber.com

OUR STAFF

Executive Director: Dr. Kathy Orrin kathy.taftchamber@gmail.com

Event Coordinator: Shannon Jones

shannon.taftchamber@gmail.com

TAFT OILDORADO

October 9-18, 2015

Civic Luncheon, Grand Parade, Hot Air Balloons, Music

Festival, Car Show, Gala, Whiskerino, Maid of Petroleum,

Hoosegow & more

Contact Paul Linder for info!

Order a brick Today

Call us at 661-765-2165 to order a

brick for that special oilfield

worker or family member to be

placed at the Taft Oilworkers

Monument.

4x8 Brick: $100,

8x8 Brick: $175 Taft Oilworkers Monument

Welcome to our new and returning members for

September and October!

We look forward to serving the membership and our community through the 2014 year. Your support allows us to grow and act as the business hub for Taft.

If your name or business is missing from this list, that means we have not received your Membership Application and Dues by the time of this publication. Stop by and renew your

Chamber membership today! Contact me for any of these businesses information.

AmeriFirst Financial Inc, NMLS 145368 **

Art’s Corner **

Extreme Wireless **

Friends of Temblor **

LPL Financial **

SCORE—Golden Empire Chapter 563 **

Shar-On Foundation **

T’s Taxi ** ** New member