Taft, KC Photography, west oil

July 6 - 12, 2012 TAFT INDEPENDENT

July 6 - 12, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 2www.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]

Councilman Opposes Food Bank Move to Center Street

Amazing SpiderMan: Movie Review Page 11 By Nicole Frost

KC PhotographyTaft’s Place To Get Framed

Proof # Date

1 4/6

Taft Woodworks KitchenandBathRemodeling CustomCabinetryandCounterTops

Over25YearsExperienceinTaft. UnderNewManagement.

6056thStreet,Taft,CA.93268(661)765-5000(661)343-0507

Ta f tWOODWORKS

TW

610 Center Street • 661-745-4954Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

$5.00Con La Compra de unTelefono de $99 o mas

De Descuento$5.00 $10.00

De Descuento De DescuentoCon La Compra de un

Protector Otter BoxCon La Compra Telefono Android

Fecha de Vencimiento 7/31/2012



Karen and Robert Mitchell

McCarthy: Obama Care Burdens Family, Business

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT July 6 - 12 2012

Passion For Nails

Monday to Friday10am-7pm and

Saturday 9am-6pm

Nail Services:Gel Polish • Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic

Metalic Flakes • Rock Star

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

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

(661)745-4913

Shop Taft

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Ten Percent Firearms

Personal Style

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. July 31, 2012

FREETire Rotation

& Brake CheckPlus

We will checkall fluids

& tire pressure

*Most Cars & Light Trucks

Up to 5 Qts.

Like Us on Facebook

Geiger Construction & Plumbing

24 Hours/ 7 Days a WeekSe Habla Espanol 661-301-4660

Residential • Commercial

Fast • Friendly • Affordable661-765-4377

Cement & Asphalt Cutting Women • Contemporary • Junior • Toddler • Infant • Men

WE SHIP!

Lic # B-721903

WE HAVE MOVED!Now located at 210 6th Street

(661)763-4176

Electronics • Prepaid Phones Service • Accessories

A Hint of Class Name Brand ClothingShoes • Jewelry

Accessories & MoreInside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700

915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

Summer Essentials &4th Of July Favorites!

New Summer Arrivals!Now In Stores! WeareanIndependentAgencyWith

ManyPre-EminentInsuranceCompaniesToBestSuitYourNeeds

Why go to Bakersfield? We’re here!We Represent You To Give You The Best Service

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

www.edherrerainsurance.com

WE Offer You Low Discounted Rates

Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public

Our Friendly Staff

Edward J. Herrera Insurance

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

ShoesTopsJewelry

GlitzCorky’s

Hide N Sole

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

Leanin Tree Greeting Cards

$2 for $1.00

610 Center Street • 661-745-4954Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

$5.00Con La Compra de unTelefono de $99 o mas

De Descuento$5.00 $10.00

De Descuento De DescuentoCon La Compra de un

Protector Otter BoxCon La Compra Telefono Android




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]

415 Center Street

Yankee CandlesShoes & Sandals

Sunglasses& More!

New Stock of Sacred Threads!

Jeans

Black GoldCafe and Deli

508 Center Street 765-6556


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

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

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

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

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

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

Liberty Under Fire.........8

Opinion..............................8

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

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

Inside

The Taft Independent

508 Center StreetP.O. Box 268

Taft, California 93268(661) 765-6550

Fax (661) 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com

Locally and Independently owned since 2006

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

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

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

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

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

ADVERTISING.Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 765-6550, or email to [email protected]: Call 765-6550 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone orders are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.

Publisher and Editor-in-ChiefMichael J. Long

[email protected]

Advertising

Contributing Writers June Woods, 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 July 10th, 2012 – 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.

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 it to us at [email protected]

Community Events

Visit Us Onlinetaftindependent.com

July 18th -BrighthouseMixerattheTaftChamberat5:30pm

July 28th-29th -DerbyAcresTumbleweedFestival

August 11th -WestsideCommunityResourceCenterBackpackDrive

August 20th -Schoolstarts

August 30th -TaftCollege90thBirthdayParty12pm-2pm

August 31st -September3rd,TaftBikeFest

September 27th -LastFarmersMarket

September 29th -TaftCollege/TILCasinoNight

Comments Taken on Carrizo Plain National Monument Travel ManagementTheBureauofLandManagement’sBakersfieldFieldOfficeistakingcommentsthroughJuly30onissuesthatshouldbeaddressedinatravelmanagementplanfortheCarrizoPlainNationalMonument.BLMwillreviewthosecommentsanddevelopanEnvironmentalAnalysiswithaproposedactionandanalysisofalternatives,saidJohnaHurl,monumentman-ager.Thepublicwillhave30daystocommentontheproposedaction.Commentscanbemailedto:CarrizoPlainNationalMonument,TravelManage-mentComments,attn:JohnaHurl,3801PegasusDrive,Bakersfield,CA93308oremailedtoBLM_CA_Bakersfield_Public_Comment@blm.govThetravelmanagementplanisanactivity-levelplanstemmingfromtheCarrizoPlainNationalMonumentResourceManagementPlanthatwassignedin2010.Formoreinformation,contactJohnKelley,Carrizooutreachsupport,at(661)391-6088.

Councilman Krier Opposes Food Bank on Center StreetTaftCityCouncilmanOrchelKrierhastoldtheIndependentthatheopposestheproposedmoveoftheLaborersoftheHarvestFoodBanktoCenterStreet.TheTaftCityCouncilwillholdameetingonTuesdayat7p.m.toheararecommendationbytheTaftPlan-ningCommissiontonotallowthefoodbankonCenterStreet.Proponentsofthemovehaveaskedthatthecitycouncilchangeazoningordinancethatprohibitsfoodbanksinthedowntownarea.DowntownbusinessesandtheTaftChamberofCommerceopposedthemovebecauseofitsimpactsontheretailshoppingareaandtheincom-patibilityofthefoodbankwithexistingdowntownbusinesses.KriersaidthefoodbankisincompatiblewithcurrentzoningonCenterStreetwhereretailshops,smallbusinessandprofessionalofficeshavebeenworkingtoturnthedowntowndistrictbackintoathrivingcommercialcenter.“Giventhestateoftheeconomy,andtheexpectationsofbusinessesthathavelocatedandinvestedonCenterStreet,nowisnotthetimetochangethecurrentzoningtoallowafoodbankonCenterStreet,”Kriersaid.Kriersaidthatthecityallowsfoodbanksinindustrialzonedareasofthecity.ThecouncilwillreceivearecommendationfromtheplanningcommissiononTuesday,andthecouncilcanchoosetoacceptorrejectthecommissionsfindingsthatthefoodbankisincompatiblewithcurrentbusinessesonCenterStreet.

Pancake / Waffle Breakfast At Ford City Taft Veterans HallTheMaricopaChamberofCommercewillholdaPancakeWafflebreakfastthetheFordCityVeteransHallonSaturday,July7thfrom7amto11am.TheCostis$6.00perperson.Children5andundereatfreewithapayingadult.AraffleticketforanewflatscreenTVandotherprizeswillbedrawnattheendofthebreakfastforthosewishingtopurchaseticketstheywillbestillavail-ableatthebreakfast.TheyoppingofthemonthisFreshPeach.TheeventissponsoredbytheMaricopaChamberOfCommerce.

The Laborers of the Harvest food bank have asked the city to allow the food bank, currently located in Ford City on Harrison Street to relocate to the 300 block of Center Street in Taft next door to the Candy Cafe. Center Street merchants and the Chamber of Commerce have opposed the move..

CITYOFTAFTMAINTENANCEWORKER$1,252.79-$1,522.77Bi-Weekly

Underdirectionmaintainsstreets,sidewalks,sewers,watersystems,andotherpublicfacilities.Workincludesbutisnotlimitedtomaintenance

andrepairofpublicfacilities,minorconstructionwork,maintenanceandrepairofsidewalks,patchingandrepairofasphaltsurfacestreets,main-

tenanceofparkfacilities.Abilitytoworksafelyandefficiently.Applica-tionswillbereviewedandthemostqualifiedindividualswillbeinvitedto

participateinthetestingprocess.

Min.Qualifications:HighSchooldiplomaorGED;oneyearofexperi-enceintheconstructionormaintenanceofstreets,sewers,watersystems,andtheoperationofautomotiveequipmentassociatedwithconstruction

andmaintenance.

SpecialRequirements:MustpossessaValidStateofCaliforniaClassBDriver’slicense,orabilitytoobtainone.

AcompleteCityofTaftapplicationmustbereceivedbythePersonnelDe-partmentnolaterthan5:00p.m.,Friday,July13,2012.EOE.Resumeswillnotbeacceptedinlieuofapplicationandpostmarkedapplications

willnotbeaccepted.ApplicationandjobdescriptionmaybeobtainedatCityHall,209EastKernStreet,Taft,CA.www.citoftaft.org

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT July 6 - 12 2012Editorial

Westside Watcher

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside

The Taft

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Independent

Taft Petroleum Club450PetroleumClubRoad-763-3268

OpenMonday-Friday3:30pmtoCloseFriday Night Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm

Asian ExperienceAsianFoodandPizza

LunchandDinnerTuesday-Friday

11am-2pm4pm-9pmSaturday4pm-9pm

215CenterStreet,Taft763-1815

Black Gold Cafe & DeliPastas-Sandwiches

Espresso-Beer-WineCraftBeers

OpenMondaytoFriday6:30amto8pm

Saturday7:30amto8pm

Sunday10amto2pm

508CenterStreet765-6556

Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

Steak,Seafood,WildGame,FullBar

Monday–Friday6amto2pmSaturday–Sunday7am–2pm

DinnerHoursFridayandSaturday6pmto9pm24870Highway33,DerbyAcres

768-4655

Paik’s Ranch HouseWhereEverybodyMeets

Breakfast,LunchandDinnerOpen7Days

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

765-6915200KernSt.Taft

Sagebrush Annie’sRestaurantandWineTasting

WineTastingandLunchSat.&Sun.11:30-5pm

4211Highway33,Ventucopa(661)766-2319

Paik’sRanch House Restaurant

“Where Everybody Meets”

Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Thurs - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wed, Fri. Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

765-6915200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

Letters to the Editor

Larger showroom and larger mechanic AreaNow offering a customer lounge with coffee and donuts

Come check out our new location!!!WWW.CYCLEKATZ.COM [email protected]

320 Harrison st. (661) 745- 4931

CYCLE KATZ INC. HAS MOVED TO

320 HARRISON ST.745-4931

PARTS • SALES • SERVICELocally owned and operated

We work on all makes and models


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

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

Check Out Our WebsiteMaricopaquiltcompany.com

And Facebook Page

CLOSED JULY 4thIndustry Night

July Industry Night will be Wednesday, July 11th due to July 4th being a holiday.

Industry Night for July is sponsored byLDL Services

The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and AnniversariesHall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft

TAFTFOX.COM

CITY OF TAFTMAINTENANCE WORKER$1,252.79-$1,522.77 Bi-Weekly

Underdirectionmaintainsstreets,sidewalks,sewers,watersys-tems,andotherpublicfacilities.Workincludesbutisnotlimitedtomaintenanceandrepairofpublicfacilities,minorconstruction

work,maintenanceandrepairofsidewalks,patchingandrepairofasphaltsurfacestreets,maintenanceofparkfacilities.Abilitytoworksafelyandefficiently.Applicationswillbereviewedand

themostqualifiedindividualswillbeinvitedtoparticipateinthetestingprocess.

Min.Qualifications:HighSchooldiplomaorGED;oneyearofexperienceintheconstructionormaintenanceofstreets,sewers,

watersystems,andtheoperationofautomotiveequipmentassoci-atedwithconstructionandmaintenance.


AcompleteCityofTaftapplicationmustbereceivedbythePer-sonnelDepartmentnolaterthan5:00p.m.,Friday,July13,2012.

EOE.Resumeswillnotbeacceptedinlieuofapplicationandpostmarkedapplicationswillnotbeaccepted.Applicationandjob

descriptionmaybeobtainedatCityHall,209EastKernStreet,Taft,CA.www.citoftaft.org

Week of Friday, July 06, 2012 Through Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Amazing Spider-Man (PG-13) No Passes AllowedFri: (4:00), 7:00, 10:00

Sat: (1:00), (4:00), 7:00, 10:00Sun: (12:40), (3:30), 6:30, 9:30Mon - Thu: (3:30), 6:15, 9:00

Ted (R) No Passes AllowedFri: (4:15), 6:40, 9:00

Sat: (1:20), (4:15), 6:40, 9:00Sun: (1:20), (3:40), 6:00, 8:20Mon - Thu: (3:50), 6:10, 8:20

Brave (PG) No Passes AllowedFri: (4:30), 6:30, 8:30

Sat: (1:40), (4:30), 6:30, 8:30Sun: (1:00), (3:20), (5:30), 7:40Mon - Thu: (3:10), (5:10), 7:10

Acme Jewelry in Los Angeles on Tuesdays, Closed on Tuesdays

DearEditor

SometimesweareinLosAngelesdoingrepairworkandpickingupnewsupplies.OnTuesdaythestoreisclosed.

DuringthetimeAcmehasbeenopen,afteraskinghowcanwehelpyou,morethansix“nottosmart”peoplehavetoldmethisisaholduportheyhavecometorobme,thentheysaytheyarekidding.Iwillnothavemyemployeessubjectedtothis.

Sorryfortheinconvenience,butIwillbeclosedonLosAngelesTuesdays.

RaySmithAcmeJewelry

How Busy Was The Kern County Fire Department on the Fourth of July?AccordingtotheKernCountyFireDepartment,thefollowingincidentsoccuredonthe4thofJuly:

StructureFires:18VegetationFires:44VehicleFires:6HazardousConditions:19MedicalAids:105Rescues:4VehicleAccidents:12Other:50EmergencyResponseTotal:258FireworksTaskforceHotlineCalls:658TotalCalls:942orroughly40callsperhour.FireworksCitationsIssued:54**OnlycountscitationsissuedbytheFireworksTaskforce,thisnumberwillincreasebasedonthenumberofcitationsissuedbystationpersonnel.Formorenewsandinformationvisitwww.kerncountyfire.org

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


Letters to the Editor

by Stephanie House

Checkusoutonline!Needmoreinformationon

programs,classesorfacilities?Visitusontheweb:

www.wsrpd.comwww.facebook.com/wsrpd

www.quickscores.com/wsrpdwww.twitter.com/wreckerwsrpd

[email protected]

West Side Recreation Report

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

[email protected] www.wsrpd.com

COMMUNITY THEATRE AUDITIONSMonday,July23Wednesday,July256:30p.m.CommunityCenterActivityBuildingAllAgesFallproduction–“TheWizardofOz”

HUNTERS SAFETY COURSEAugust6-8,20126:30-9:30p.m.CommunityCenterAuditoriumAllAges$5perpersonfacilityfee(minimumof10paidstudentsrequired)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

SUMMER FUN!Monday–Thursday10:00a.m.–1:00p.m.June11–July19TaftCollegeGymAges6andupFREE!Thisfunprogramkeepskidsbusywithcrafts,games,sportsandotherfunactivities.Youngerchildrenarewelcometoattendwithanadult.Kidsmusthavecompletedayearofkindergartentoattendtheprogramwithoutaparentorguardian.

FABULOUS FINGER FOODTuesday,July102:30-4:00p.m.CommunityCenterAssemblyRoom500CascadePlace,TaftAges6-10$6perperson**registrationdeadline–Monday,July9Wewillmakeavarietyofeasyandyummytreats–allofwhichyoucaneatwithyourfingers.Spaceislimitedandpre-registrationisrequired.

SIDEWALK CHALK ARTThursday,July129:00-10:00a.m.CommunityCenterParkingLot500CascadePlace,TaftAges3andupFREE!Allyoungartistsandcreativemindsareinvitedtocomeleavetheirmarkonoursidewalk!

COOKIE WORKSHOPMonday,July162:00-3:15p.m.CommunityCenterAssemblyRoom500CascadePlace,TaftAges4andup$3perpersonComecreateajumbosugarcookie!Whilecookiesarebaking,wewilldrawandcolor.Youngerkidswillneedtobringalonganolderhelper.

PLAYDOUGH FACTORYWednesday,July1810:00-11:00a.m.CommunityCenterAssemblyRoom500CascadePlace,TaftGradesK-6$2perpersonIfyoulovePlay-Doh,thenyou’lllovethisfunworkshopwhereyoucanmakesomeofyourveryowntoplaywithandtotakehome.

SWIM LESSONSSession3:July16-26$20persession–Parent&Child$30persession–Preschool,Levels1-3Allagesareinvitedtolearntoswimorimprovetheirskillsbyparticipatinginoneofourswimlessonclasses.ClassesfollowtheRedCrossLearn-to-SwimprogramandincludePreschool,Parent&ChildandLevels1-3.Eachsessionis2-weekslong,withclassestakingplaceMondaythroughThursday).RegistrationiscurrentlyunderwayintheDistrictOffice.

NATATORIUM POOL PARTIESMakeyourreservationnow!ReservationsarenowbeingacceptedforprivatepartyrentalsattheNatatoriumswimmingpool.PartiesmaytakeplaceonFridayevenings,SaturdayorSundaythroughAugust19.Rentalfeesstartat$165for2-hours.Call763-4246formoreinformation.

RECREATION CENTER: SUMMER MEMBERSHIP SPECIALMonthlyMemberships(neworrenewal)arejust$20throughAugust31Regularpriceis$30–yousave$10!RecreationCenterMembershipscoveruseofthegymnasiumandweightroomfordrop-inactivities.Formoreinformation,contacttheRecreationCenterat765-6677.


Westside News & Business BriefsGet Framed at KC PhotographybyNicoleFrost

KCPhotography,oneTaft’smanyfamily-runbusinesses,iscelebratingits26thanniversarythisyear.OwnersKarenandRobertMitchellrunthebusinessto-getherandhelpeachotherwithalloftheaspectsoftheshop.“I’vealwaysthoughtofmyselfasaphotographer,”saidKaren.“Ijustwantedtobeabletoservepeopleandworkwithphotos.Generally,asaphotographer,you’reinvolvedwithalotofhappytimes.”Theirbusinessismorethanjustaplacetodevelopfilmandtakefamilyportraits.Theytakephotographsforweddings,passports,family,children,highschoolseniorsandotherspecialoccasions.Otherphotographyservicesincludelamination,canvasstretching,photorestorationandretouching.Theyoffercustomframing,in-cludingtable-topframes,needlework,postersandprints,mirrorsandshadowboxes.KCPhotographyisalsoagiftshopwithcandles,greetingcards,bodyandbathproducts,collectables,homedécor,balloonsand

giftwrap.Karenbeganacareerinphotographywhileincollege.AfterreceivingaBachelor’sDegreeinFineArtsfromCSUFresnoin1983,sheworkedatHenley’sPhotographyasalabtechnicianuntil1986.“WhileworkingatHenley’s,IhadaweekoffandItookphotog-raphyclassesinSantaBarbara.Ilearnedmoreaboutretouchingandportraitphotography,”saidKaren.Inadditiontoown-ingKCPhotography,Karenhasbeena

teacheratTaftUnionHighSchoolforthreeyears.“IteachROPRetailandFashion,”saidKaren.“Thestudentslearnaboutthingslikeretail,merchandisingandbasicsewing.Theyrunthestudentstoreanddodifferentprojectsthroughouttheyear.Istillgettomakecoolthingsandinteractwithstudents.”Althoughthey’rebothverybusy,theMitchellslovetheirshopandwhattheydo.“Whatwe’veenjoyedmostispeoplewe’vemetandthesupportwe’vereceived,”saidKaren.“Thestoriesaresomuchfuntohear.Theytieintothepictureswetakeandit’ssuchasmallworld.WegettoseethepeoplewhocomeandgoandthosewhomakeitbacktoTaft.CreatingthingsandmeetingpeopleiswhatwelovetodoandTaftreallyisspecial.”Ifyou’reinterestedingettingsomepicturestakenorpickingupsomegifts,KCPhotographyislocatedat427CenterStreetandtheirphonenumberis661-763-5429.

KC Photography & Framing Fact Sheet

Location:DowntownTaftat427CenterSt.763-5429kcphotography@bak.rr.comkcphotographyandframing.com

OpenedJune17,198626yearsonCenterStreet

Services:portraitservices,printingservices,framing,USAmadeproducts,archiveofTaftphotographichistory,greetingcards,ArchipelagoBotanicalspersonalcareitems.

ThenewestservicetoTaftisthecapacitytomakelargeprintslocally.ThelargestprintsofarhasbeenforStanandWandaCooper’s60thweddinganniversary/familyreunionevent.Thebackdropforthebandwasasunsetdesertscenethatendedup44”x17feetlong.Wedidseveralothersignagepiecesfordirectionstothehouseandparking.

OurfavoriteimageisofElkHillscoveredwithwoodenderrickswhichcanbeseenatBlackGoldCafeandDeli.Thescenehaschangedinthefieldsaroundusbutnowitisstillexcitingtoseeallofthenewworkbeingdone.

Becauseofthein-houseprintingcapacity,moreoftheoldnegativescanbeexploredandshared.Wehavethetown’sphotographichistoryinthearchivesfromWalker’sandSchmidt’sphotostudios.Itissomuchfuntoseethecom-munityofthepastandbringitforwardtonewgenerations.Manystoriesaregeneratedandasenseofcommunityisstrengthenedatthetellingofthetales.ThereissucharichhistoryontheWestSideandwewanttomakeitavailabletothepublic.

Customframingandportraitureisstillofferedwiththeablitytoslimbodies,smoothskin,andcreatetheperfectgroupphoto.Restorationofdamagedimagesisalsogettingmorepopular.Yourimageswillnotleavethepremisesandtheworkisdonehere.

Ifyouwantone-of-a-kindgiftstheycanputanythingonmugs,puzzles,frames,clocks,magnets,andthelike.StopbytoseetheexamplesandgetsomeideasperfectforMom,weddings,birthdays,anniversaries;anyreasonyougive!

Wehaveanicesupplyofhistoricimagesonmugs;fromtheTaftMotorcycleClubofthe1920stotheEquestrianClubofthe1950stakenafterarideouttoBuck’sSteakHouseinMaricopa.WehaveCenterStreetmugsfromthevariousdecadesshowingthecarsparkedsoliddownthestreet.WehaveoilfieldsandpumpingunitsandevenaseriesonCarrizoPlain.

WefeaturemanyAmericanmadeproducts:McCall’sCandles20yroldcompanywithallcomponentsmadeintheUSA.AnothercandlecompanywesupportisACheerfulGiveroutofElmer,NewJersey.Botharehigh,highqualitycandlesandwithACheerfulGiverapartnershiphasbeenformedbetweenthecompanyandthespecialneedscommunity.Oneofourwindchimecompanies,Kara’sCreations,hasmovedtheirchimecompanybacktotheUSAaftertryingtooutsourcetoChina.Theyarehappytobebackhomewherequalitycontrolonthestainedglassworkwillbeeasierandlesscostlytomaintain.AnotherUSAwindchimecompanyMajestyBellsspecializesinhandtunedchimes.Theyarethemostmelodioustohearandhaveaverygenerous5yearwarranty.JellyBellyisaCaliforniacompanyandAndiRooney,althoughislocatedinNewYork,produceshighqualityenamelvintagesignsfeaturingtheoldadvertizingsignsandHarleyDavidsontoo.TheRoute66signageismadebytheoriginalcompanyusingtheoriginalprocessanddiesaswhenthesignswerefirstmadetodesignatethe“MotherRoad.”

Sunrise,adivisionofHallmarkCards,isaUSAcompanywithmanylinescoveringthewiderangeofgreetingcardneedsandmanyprintedonrecycledpaper.OurcustomerssaywehavethebestcardsinTaft.

ArchipelagoBotanicalspersonalcareitemsareahighqualitylineoflotionsandsoaps.MadeintheUSA,youwilllovethislineincorporatingproteinsfromoatandsoymixedwithdriedmilksolids.Wonderfulontheskinwithalightscentevenmencanwearwithoutfeelingperfumed.

Taft Woodworks KitchenandBathRemodeling CustomCabinetryandCounterTops

Over25YearsExperienceinTaft. UnderNewManagement.

6056thStreet,Taft,CA.93268(661)765-5000(661)343-0507

Ta f tWOODWORKS

TW

Robert Mitchell of KC Photography

Karen Mitchell of KC Photography


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

Shop Our Huge Selection of Half Priced Books!

The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft HAYDENS HOPE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

428 Center Street • TAFT

THRIFT STORE

God Bless!We Take Donations!Drop Off Or Call For A Pick Up!745-4963 745-4963

Store HoursMon., Tues., Thurs

10am - 6pmFriday 10am - 5pm

Saturday 10am - 4pmClosed Wednesday &

Sunday

ALL Shoes, Books & VHS Tapes ONLY $.50

Wilderness & Wild River Photo ContestSantaBarbara,Calif.-LosPadresForestWatchhaskicked-offitsfirsteverWildernessandWildRiverPhotocontestinsup-portoftheongoingLosPadresWildHeritageCampaign.Thephotocontestseekstobringattentiontospecialplaces,diversewildlife,andthoseenjoyingourlocalbackcountryinexistingwildernessareasorareasthatareproposedfornewwildernessintheLosPadresNationalForest.Threecategorieswillbejudged:landscape,wildlife,andimageswithpeople.Inadditiontothe“Judge’sAwardsofExcellence,”presentedbythejudgespanel,therewillalsobeawardsgivenfora“People’sChoice”–determinedbyonlinepopularityvote.Additionally,thejudge’spanelwillawarda“BestinShow”prizeforthebestoverallpictureinanycategory.Submittedimagesmustbefromexistingorproposedwilder-nessareasand/orwildriverswithintheLosPadresNationalForest(visitwww.lospadreswild.orgtoviewtheLosPadresNationalForestwildernessmap).Photoswillbejudgedonoriginality,technicalexcellence,composition,overallimpactandartisticmerit.Thejudges’panelincludes:•JeffJones,ProfessionalPhotographer,LumnosWildernessPhotography

Gas Prices Fall SlightlyCalifornia,July2-AverageretailgasolinepricesinCaliforniahavefallen8.1centspergalloninthepastweek,averaging$3.73/gyes-terday.Thiscompareswiththenationalaveragethathasfallen6.6centspergalloninthelastweekto$3.37/g,accordingtogasolinepricewebsiteCaliforniaGasPrices.com.IncludingthechangeingaspricesinCaliforniaduringthepastweek,pricesyesterdaywere4.0centspergallonlowerthanthesamedayoneyearagoandare48.0centspergallonlowerthanamonthago.Thenationalaveragehasdecreased24.0centspergal-londuringthelastmonthandstands19.8centspergallonlowerthanthisdayoneyearago."OilpricesrosesignificantlylastFriday,reversingadownwardtrend,"saidGasBuddy.comSeniorPetroleumAnalystPatrickDeHaan."Itwasthelargestsingledayjumpinrecentmemory.Insomeareasofthecountry,specificallytheGreatLakes,gasstationmarginsarefastapproachingnegativeterritory,meaningpricehikescanbeexpectedthere.Otherregionsmayseepricesstabilizeorjumphigheraswell.Onethingisforsure-theyellowbrickroadwon'tbeleadingustocheaperpumpsformuchlonger,somethingmanyAmericanswillundoubtedlytietotheupcomingholiday,"DeHaansaid.

Fire Restrictions in Los Padres Take Effect July 3GOLETA,CA…Inresponsetotheincreasingpotentialforawildlandfirestart,LosPadresNationalForestofficialsannouncedthatLevel2firerestrictionswillbeimplementedthroughouttheforestbeginningJuly3,2012.Theserestrictionswillaffecttheuseofcampfires,stoves,smokingmaterialsandinternalcombustionengines,andwillremainineffectuntiltheendoffireseasoninlateautumn.BeginningJuly3,2012,thefollowingrestrictionswillbeineffect:·Noopenfires,campfiresorcharcoalfireswillbepermittedoutsideofdevelopedrecreationsitesordesignatedCampfireUseSites(LISTATTACHED),evenwithavalidCaliforniaCampfirePermit.Lanternsandportablestovesusinggas,jelliedpetroleumorpressurizedliquidfuelwillbepermitted,butonlywithavalidCaliforniaCampfirePermit(availablefree-of-chargeatanyForestServiceoffice).Forestvisitorsmustclearallflammablematerialforfivefeetinalldirectionsfromtheircampstove,haveashovelavailable,andensurethataresponsiblepersonattendsthestoveatalltimesduringuse.·Smokingisprohibited,exceptwithinanenclosedvehicle,building,ordesignatedCampfireUseSite,orwhilestoppedinanareaatleastthreefeetindiameterthatisbarrenorclearedofallflammablematerial.·Internalcombustionenginesmaybeoperatedonlyonroadsordesignatedtrails.Thisrestrictionisineffectyear-round.Pleasemakesureyourengineistuned,operatingproperly,andhasanapprovedsparkarrester.“Themoisturelevelsareatacriticalthreshold.Combinethatwithwarmtemperaturesandhighwindsandwealltheingredientsforfirestarts,”LosPadresForestFireManagementOfficerAn-thonyEscobarsaid.“Themostimportantthingisforforestvisitorstobevigilantwhenconditionsarebone-drylikethis.”ForalistofDevelopedRecreationSitesandCampfireUseSitesinLosPadresNationalForest,orfurtherinformationregardingFire-SafeCamping,visitwww.fs.usda.gov/lpnforcontacttheFor-estServicedistrictofficenearestyou.

•RalphClevenger,ProfessoratBrooksInstituteofPhotog-raphy,ProfessionalPhotographer,RalphClevenger•RussBishop,ProfessionalPhotographer,RussBishopPhotography•TimDavis,PhotoEditorforPatagonia,Inc.•LosPadresForestWatchstaff

TheWilderness&WildRiverPhotoContextgoesthroughSeptember15,2012,andawardwinnerswillbeannouncedonthelospadreswild.orgwebsiteandinForestWatch’sFallnewslet-ter,withthe“BestinShow”categorywinnerbeingfeaturedonthecoverofthenewsletter.Contestprizesincludegiftcertificates,photodevelopment,cameraequipment,andoutdoorgear,fromsomegreatlocalsponsorsincluding:Samy’sCamera,Dexter’sCamera,Lumnos,theBrooksInstitute,ColorServices,Patagonia,RussBishopPhotography,andHooperCameraandImaging.Formoreinformationaboutthephotocontest,pleasevisit:http://www.lospadreswild.org/photocontestorcontactMattSayles,WildPlacesCoordinatorwithLosPadresForestWatch,at805-617-4610ext4.EntriesshouldbeemailedtoMattSay-lesatmatt@LPFW.organdwillbepostedontheLosPadresForestWatchFacebookpage.TheSouthernLosPadresWildHeritageCampaignisacoalitionofbusinesses,organizations,andconcernedcitizensinSantaBarbaraandVenturaCountiesworkingtoprotecttheSouthernLosPadresNationalForestforfuturegenerations.

Ta f tWOODWORKS


Liberty Under Fire

Each office is independently owned and operated

Buying or Selling a home?

Hometown Realty4800 Easton Drive Suite FBakersfield, CA 93309Cell (661)747-8595Fax (661)[email protected]

Carolyn AndersonREALTOR

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Andy’s Septic Tank & SewerUNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

(661)765-5000 or (661)343-0507

Judicial Legislation or Activism At Its Best ByDr.HaroldPeaseWithrespecttotheSupremeCourt’srulingonNationalHealthCare,JusticeAnthonyM.Kennedysaidthatthecourtmajority“regardsitsstatutoryinterpre-tationasmodest.Itisnot.”Then,noticeablydisturbedbytheruling,added.“Itamountstoavastjudicialoverreaching.Itcreatesadebilitated,inoperableversionofhealthcareregulationthatCongressdidnotenactandthepublicdoesnotexpect.”Hecalledit“judiciallegislation”andaccusedChiefJusticeJohnRobertsoftryingto“forceonthenationanewact.”JudicialactivismiswhenalawofCongressisinterpretedbytheSupremeCourtinsuchawayastogiveitnewmeaning.GeorgeWashingtonwarnedusinhisFarewellAddressoftheinclinationofgovernmenttodoso.“Lettherebenochange

byusurpation;forthoughthis,inoneinstance,maybetheinstrumentofgood,itisthecustomaryweaponbywhichfreegovernmentsaredestroyed.”Usurpation,inhisdaymeanttwistingthingsaroundtoextractmean-ingthatwasinitiallynotthere.SowhatdidJusticeRobertstwistorlegislatethatchangedtheNationalAffordableHealthcareAct(Obam-acare)aspassedbyCongress?Atthetopofthelist,hisrewritecalleditataxwhenCongressneverpasseditasataxandthepoliticalpartypassingit,andtheirPresident,BarackObama,emphaticallyresistedanydescrip-tionofitassuch.RichLowry,apoliticalcommentator,saiditbest.“ObamacareaspassedbyCongresshadamandatetobuyhealthinsuranceandapenaltyforfailingtocomply.ObamacareaspassedbytheSupremeCourthasanoptionaltaxforthosewithouthealthinsurance.ObamacareaspassedbyCongressrequiredstatestoparticipateinamassiveexpansionofMedicaid,orlosealltheirfederalMedicaidfunds.ObamacareaspassedbytheSupremeCourtmakesstateparticipationintheMedicaidexpansionoptional.”Inshort,“ObamacareaspassedbyCongressdidn’tpassconstitutionalmuster.ObamacareaspassedbytheSupremeCourtdidn’tpassCongress”(TheUmpireBlinks,byRichLowry,TheCorner,NationalRe-viewOnline,June29,2012).JudicialLegislationorActivismisnotnew.ThedesirefortheCourtto“legislate”throughdecisionsexpresseditselfmorefullythelastsixtyyearsasitattemptedto“right”perceivedwrongsinsteadofsendingthefaultedlegislationbacktothelegislativebranchforcorrectionbythepeoples’representatives.Byalteringlegislativelawithasmovedintostateprerogativessuchasabortion,education,stateresidencyrequirements,andimposedfederalstandardsofprocedureonlocalpolicetonamebutafew.Inbroadeningitspowerbase,farbeyondConstitutionalrestraints,ithasalmostdestroyedtheideaoftwoco-equalgovernments,onefederaltheotherstate,knownasfederalism.IntheNationalAffordableHealthcareActtheSupremeCourthaseffectivelyretrainedfurtherencroach-ment(mutilation)oftheCommerceClausebutopenedwidetheinterpretivedoorthatthefederalgovernmentcancontrolanythingittaxes.So,doesthismeanthatifthefederalgovernmentwishestocontrolfreespeech,press,assembly,religion,guns,oranyotheractivity,itfirstsimplyleviesataxonthatactivity?Apparentlyjudi-ciallegislationcreatesa“need”foradditionaljudiciallegislation.Godhelpus!!WemustreturntoourfoundationtheU.S.Constitutionaswritten,withoutallthejudicialorexecutiveal-terationsthatgobeyondthisdocument.AccordingtoArticleISectionI,“AlllegislativePowershereingrantedshallbevestedinaCongressoftheUnitedStates,whichshallconsistofaSenateandHouseofRepresenta-tives.”Thereisnoauthorityforeitherofthetwootherbranchesofgovernmenttomakelaw—anylaw;andlawmadebyCongressisspecificallylistedinArticleI,Section8where18clausesareidentified.So,evenCongresscannotmakeanylawtheylike.Theissueofhealthisnotnotedandistherefore,asperAmendment10,entirelyastateissue.TheSupremeCourtmajorityrulingignoredthislong-termclarityandinsteadchosetoviolatethedocumenttheyarechargedwithupholding. Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

Obama Care Burdens Family and Business

CongressmanKevinMcCarthy

Asyoumayalreadyknow,lastweektheSupremeCourthandeddownitsdecisiontoupholdObamacare’sindividualmandateonthegroundsthatitfunctionsasatax-directlycontradictingthepromisesmadebythePresident,hisAdministra-tionofficials,andtheDemocraticcongressional

majorityatthattimetotheAmericanpeoplethattheObamacaremandateisnotatax.WhileIrespecttheSupremeCourt’sdecision,Ivehementlydisagreewithitscoreruling.Attheendoftheday,ObamacareisbadpolicythatburdensAmericanfamiliesandbusinesseswithmoretaxesandplacesbureaucraciesbetweenpatientsandtheirdoctors.Fromthemomentofitsintroduction,theAmericanpeoplehaveexpressedconcernsabouttheimpactsitwouldhaveonoureconomy,thecostandqualityofhealthcare,andthenationaldebt.ThenonpartisanCongressionalBudgetOfficepredictsObamacarewillreducethenation’slaborsupplyby800,000workers,andeconomistspredictanevenmorestaggeringnationwidelossofupto2millionjobs.Inaddition,arecentChamberofCommercesurveyindicatedthat74percentofsmallbusinessessaythelawmakesitmoredifficultforthemtohirenewworkers.Butmostimportantly,whenIholdtele-townhalls,talkwithfamiliesandindividualsinourcommunitiesormeetwithlocalsmallbusi-nessowners,Icontinuetohearthattheyremainopposedtothegovernmenttakeoverofhealthcare.ThesearethereasonswhyoneofthefirstvotesIcastthisCongresswasforthefullrepealofObamacare;sincethen,theHousehasvotedtwenty-nineadditionaltimestodefund,dismantleorrepealit.TheCourt’srulingmakesonethingclear–itisuptoCongresstoacttorepealtheimpendinghealthcaretaxincreasesonAmericanfamilies.ThatiswhymyRepublicancolleaguesintheHouseandIwillmoveforwardtofullyrepealObamaCareinordertopreventfurtherharmtooureconomy,jobcreationandthecostandqualityofcare.Morethantwoyearsafteritspassage,healthcarecostshavegoneupandmillionsofAmericansareatriskoflosingtheircurrentcoverage.Thislawcontains$813billionofnewtaxesandweighsinatatotalcostofalmost$2trillion–andtheimpactofpendingtaxhikesonhardworkingfami-liesandsmallbusinessesinCaliforniaandacrossthecountry,massivenewdebt-fueledspendingandtheproliferationofburdensomeregulationsisaddingtotheuncertaintythatisalreadyholdingbackeconomicgrowthandjobcreation.Thedebateisnotoverandwewillnotrest.HouseRepublicanswillvotetorepealthelawinitsentiretyforanothertime.Weneedtomakereformstoourhealthcaresystemthatwillactuallylowercosts,protectAmericaninnovationandprovidecertaintytoAmericanfamiliesandsmallbusinessowners–wecannotachievethisunlesswehavefullrepeal.PleasebeassuredthatasyourRep-resentativeinCongress,Iwillcontinuetofighttoimplementreformsthroughanopenprocessthatwillmakehealthcaremoreaffordable,preservethedoctor-patientrelationship,andkeepunaccountablegovernmentbureaucratsfromrationingcareforallAmericans.IlookforwardtoworkingwithmycolleaguesintheHousetoachievethisgoal.CongressmanKevinMcCarthy

Opinion

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE209 Harrison Street • Taft

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

Diagnostic SpecialistsService & Repairs • Smog RepairsAir Conditioning • Tune Up • Front

End$15.00 OFF with mention of this ad*

*1996 Vehicle or newer



TAFT UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

PastorCindyBrettschneiderSundayMorningWorship10:00AM

AdultBibleStudyandSundaySchool11AM

AdultBibleStudyMonday6:00PMWednesdayNightService6:00PM

PraiseTeammeetsonThursdayat6:00PM

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.

NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Gateway Temple CommunityChristian

Fellowship631 North Street

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

St. Andrew’sEpiscopal

ChurchSunday Service - 10 a.m.

Rev. Linda Huggard703 5th Street - Taft

(661) 765-2378

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMSTaft-AcaringcommunityunderChrist

Wewelcomeyoutoworshipwithusatpeacelutheranchurch,26EmmonsParkDrive(acrossfromtheCollege).Worshipservicebeginsat10:00a.m.

Communionwillbeoffered1stand3rdSundays

SundaySchoolforallagesat9:00a.m.

ThePregnancycrisiscenterisnowopenandavailableforsupportandassistance.Forinformation,call763-4791

Ifyouhaveaprayerrequestpleasecall(661)765-2488.Leaveamessageifthepastororsecretaryisnotavailable

SundayServices10am10006thSt.

WeeklyClassesMon-ThursPleasecall765-7472forinfo

For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday

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

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

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

For a ride:CallDorineHorn427-9722PastorsCharle(Tommy)and

MaryA.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 Mocha

Fat Free andSugar Free

Available in Most Flavors

Open 7 Days - 765-6556508 Center Street • Taft

St. Mary’s Church 110EWoodrowStreet•Taft

661765-4292

YouthGroupCarWash&FoodSaleSunday

July15,2012ontheparishgroundsEveryoneiswelcome

Mass Schedule Tuesday-Friday8:00A.M.Sunday9:00A.M.English

11:00A.M.Spanish

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

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

Check Out Our WebsiteMaricopaquiltcompany.com

And Facebook Page

Advertise

With

The Taft

Independent

Call Today!Visit 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 INSURANCEadivisionofDiBuduo&DeFendisInsuranceGroup

License#0707137•(661)765-7131531KernStreet-P.O.Box985

(661)765-4798FAXTaft,CA93268•(661)203-6694Cell

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


TAFT CITY SCHOOL DIST.

Taft City School District is accepting

applications for Substitute Instructional Aides, ASES Activity Leaders, Healthcare

Specialists, Food Service and Crossing

Guards. Employment process includes written

exam, application screening, interview,

DOJ fingerprint clearance, and physical exam with drug screen. A written exam for these positions will be given on Wednesday, July

18. Application and Job Description may be

picked up at the District Office, 820 Sixth Street, and must be returned by Tuesday, July 17 at 4:00

p.m. EOE

Cooks, prep. cook. Only serious apply. 661 805-9597.

Newspaper Graphic design and Layout. Exp. with Indesign, Adobe, related software. Part-time. Taft Independent 765-6550.

Short order cook and bartender. Tumbleweed cafe. Must have experience. 809-4634.

TC Student wanted for part time waitress. Experience required. 765-6556.

Experienced writer wanted. 765-6550

CHILD CARESERVICES

WantedWANTED

Old Appliances, In ANY Condition. Car Batteries & Motorparts. Cash Paid $1 - $20 Call David 661-335-2370 or 661-654-1014. We will pick up!

For Sale

FOR SALE

AUTOMOBILESFOUND ITEMS

FOUND PETS

LOST PETS

Real EstatePROPERTY

MANAGEMENTTaft Property Management

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

areas.CRIME FREE

HOUSING Brokers Licence

01417057661-577-7136

BUSINESSFOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALEReal Estate eBroker Inc.

By AppointmentKarri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 &

#01333971661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.comReal Estate Sales &

Purchase

Can’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 or drop by the

office.

MOBILE HOMES

HOMES FOR RENT

West ValleyReal Estate

(661) 763-1500.Lic # 01525550

FOR RENT420 ½ San Emidio 2/1

$600302 Jefferson 2/1 $850514 Grant Terrace 2/1

$900306 Taylor 3/2 $900

535 B Street 3/1 $900404 Fillmore 3/1.75

$900108 E Calvin 3/1 $950

116 Franklin 3/1 $1,000500 Welch 3/2.5 $1,200

302 E San Emidio

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

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

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

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

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

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

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

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

Yard Sale ads are $2 for 3 lines, additional lines $2 each.

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

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

E-mail: [email protected]

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

Business ServicesRite Away Carpet CleaningCarpet&UpholsteryCleaning\GeneralCleaningOwnerOperatedVisa\MasterCard765-4191

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.

910 Arroyo Way. Sat. 7am to 12. No early birds. 3 family yard sale.

Yard Sale. 400 Polk St. Clothes, tools, specialty items. Sat. and Sun. 9 am to ?

Alley entrance. 423 Church St. Sat. July 7th 6am to 12. Teenage girls, womens, boys clothes and household items.

142 Kern St. in the alley. Lot’s of stuff. 7am to ?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 and open to the public. Info call 716-4000.

Alzheimer’s Disease Association Of Kern County is offering Respite Care here in Taft. Call-Cathy Perkins at 760-379-0848 for RESPITE CARE info. Respite Care is available every Thursday At the First Baptist Church located at 220 North St. from 9:00am—3:00pm.

Are you a widow? Do you wonder what on earth am I here for? Widows meet twice

Preserving for the Future

Real Estate eBroker Inc.By Appointment

Karri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597www.BuyTaft.com

Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Ken ShugartsAir Conditioning & Heating

a month on Tuesday 10 a.m. at the Buena Vista Mobile Home Club House. If interested, call June Selby 763-4845.

BusinessServices

COMPUTER SERVICES

YARDSERVICES

COOLERSERVICES

Cooler Service: Motors,pumps, pads, cleaning,installations. New & OldScott 661-900-0917.

BUSINESSSERVICES

EmploymentHELP WANTED

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Welding Skills a PlusTransmission & Distribu-tion Group - Operations

If you are looking for a career, come and

check out what we have in store for you! West Kern Water District is

looking for a motivated individual to join our team in the construc-tion and maintenance of water lines. Welding skills are a plus. Apply immediately at 800 Kern Street, P.O. Box 1105,

Taft, CA 93268.

Deadline for submitting application is Monday, July 9, 2012. Resume will not be accepted in lieu of District applica-tion. The successful

applicant will be subject to a pre-employment

physical and drug screen. E.O.E.

Community

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

For Rent 426 Shattuck

2 bed 1 bath Cottage $550

Paul Joyce 805-218-1686

Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

OPENING SOONRealEstateServicesandPropertyManagement

Listings–Sales-PropertyManagementLocalServiceYouCanDependOn

322KernStreetTaft,CA93268(661) 765-5000

West Side Real Estate And Property ManagementAdvertise

With

The

Taft

Independent

Call

Today!

765-6550

Classified

Ads

Starting At

$2 Per

Line!

3/1.75 Pool $1,300__________________

Studio Apt. for rent. Utili-ties Incl. $550. mo. $500 dep. 661 623-4792.

707 Filmore 3bd/1ba $750 mo. + dep. 661-343-0507

116 Pierce St. 1bd/1ba house $560 mo. + dep. 661-343-0507

501 Klipstein Maricopa. 2bd/1ba fenced yard, den. $650 mo. + $900 dep. Application call 805-929-3185.

2bd/1ba unfurnishedhouse in Valley Acres, pest control andgarbage paid. $650 mo+ $250 dep. 661-765-2704 evenings.

APART. FOR RENT

Room for Rent. $350 per month $300 deposit. Contact [email protected] or 661-577-4060.

2bd/1ba apt. in quiet newer duplex, fenced private treed yard, central AC & heating. Nice quiet rental. $675 mo. + dep. Renter pays utilities. 623-4296.

1 and 2 bedroom triplex. granite counter top, oak cabinets, newly remodeled $650 & $800 mo. + dep. Call 805-550-0565.

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

Imperial Gardens 424 Woodrow Street 2bd $625 mo. 1bd $550 mo. Stove fridge, dishwasher, pool, private car port. 661-623-3699 or 661-765-4299.

Creekside Apartments. 1 BD and 2 BD. Pool,

Get It Rented!

CITYOFTAFTMAINTENANCEWORKER$1,252.79-$1,522.77Bi-Weekly

Underdirectionmaintainsstreets,sidewalks,sewers,watersystems,andotherpublicfacilities.Workincludesbutisnotlimitedtomaintenance

andrepairofpublicfacilities,minorconstructionwork,maintenanceandrepairofsidewalks,patchingandrepairofasphaltsurfacestreets,main-

tenanceofparkfacilities.Abilitytoworksafelyandefficiently.Applica-tionswillbereviewedandthemostqualifiedindividualswillbeinvitedto

participateinthetestingprocess.

Min.Qualifications:HighSchooldiplomaorGED;oneyearofexperi-enceintheconstructionormaintenanceofstreets,sewers,watersystems,andtheoperationofautomotiveequipmentassociatedwithconstruction

andmaintenance.


AcompleteCityofTaftapplicationmustbereceivedbythePersonnelDe-partmentnolaterthan5:00p.m.,Friday,July13,2012.EOE.Resumeswillnotbeacceptedinlieuofapplicationandpostmarkedapplications

willnotbeaccepted.ApplicationandjobdescriptionmaybeobtainedatCityHall,209EastKernStreet,Taft,CA.www.citoftaft.org

AC & Appl. 661.765-7674. 420 Finley Dr.

PersonalsPERSONALS


Westside News & Business Briefs

Visit Us Onlinetaftindependent.

California’s Greek TragedyNo one should write off the Golden State. But it will take massive reforms to reverse its economic decline.

ByMICHAELJ.BOSKINandJOHNF.COGAN

Longaharbingerofnationaltrendsandanincubatorofinnova-tion,cash-strappedCaliforniaeagerlyawaitsatemporaryrevenuesurgefromFacebookIPOstockoptionsandcapitalgains.Meanwhile,Stocktonmaysoonbe-comethestate’slargestcitytogobust.CallittheagonyandecstasyofcontemporaryCalifornia.California’srisingstandardsoflivingandoutstandingpublicschoolsanduniversitiesonceattractedmillionsseekingupwardeconomicmobility.ButthensomethingwentradicallywrongasCalifornialegislaturesandgovernorsbuiltawelfarestateonhightaxrates,liberalentitlementbenefits,andexcessiveregulation.Theresults,thoughpredictable,arenonethelessstriking.Fromthemid-1980sto2005,California’spopulationgrewby10million,whileMedicaidrecipientssoaredbysevenmillion;taxfilerspay-ingincometaxesrosebyjust150,000;andtheprisonpopulationswelledby115,000.California’seconomy,whichusedtooutperformtherestofthecountry,nowsubstantiallyunderperforms.Theunemploymentrate,at10.9%,ishigherthaneveryotherstateexceptNevadaandRhodeIsland.With12%ofAmerica’spopulation,Californiahasonethirdofthenation’swelfarerecipients.Partlyduetogenerousunionwagesandbenefits,inflexibleworkrulesandlobbyingformorespending,manystateprogramsandinstitutionsspendtoomuchandachievetoolittle.Forexample,annualspendingoneachCaliforniaprisoninmateisequaltoanentiremiddle-incomefamily’safter-taxincome.ManyofCalifor-nia’sK-12publicschoolsrankpoorlyonstandardizedtests.Theunfundedpensionandretireehealth-careliabilitiesofworkersinthestate-runCalperssystem,whichincludesteachersanduniver-sitypersonnel,totalsaround$250billion.Meanwhile,thestatelurchesfromfiscaltragedytofiscalfarce,runningdeficitsingoodtimesaswellasbad.Thegeneralfund’sspendingexceededitstaxrevenuesinnineofthelast10years(theonlyexceptionsbeing2005attheheightofthehousingbubble),abettedbycreativeaccountingandtemporaryIOUs.Now,thebilliscomingdue.Afterrunninga$5billiondeficitlastyearandanotherlikelydeficitthisyear,Gov.JerryBrown’sbudgetincreasesspendingnextyearby$7billionandfinancesthehigherspendingwithincomeandsales-taxhikes.Specifically,he’sproposingaNovemberballotinitiativeraisingthestate’stopin-cometaxrateto12.3%,makingitthenation’shighest,andraisingthebasicstatesalestaxrate,alreadythenation’shighest,to7.75%from7.25%.WhileMr.Browndeservescreditforsomeearlierspendingcutstoreducealargeinheritedbudgetshortfall,thebudgetfailstoaddresslong-runstructuralproblems,countingonacyclicaleconomicrecoveryandstockbubbleforabailoutuntilthenextself-inflictedcrisis.Moreover,he’sthusfarfailedtoembraceaboldreformagendatosavemoney,improveservices,andrestoreconfi-denceamongthestate’sbeleagueredtaxpayersandbondholders.Theballotinitiative’s$31billion,multiyear“temporary”taxincreaseislargerthanthe“temporary”hikeitreplacesanditsincome-taxhikeisretroactivetoJan.1,2012.Worse,itdoublesdownonexcessiverelianceonhigh-incometaxpayers,especiallytheirstockoptionsandcapitalgains,whicharetaxedasordinaryincome.Duringeconomicgoodtimes,it’snotunusualforthestatetocollectone-halfofallincome-taxrevenuefromthetop1%.Thisextremeprogressivityleadstoboom-bustcyclesofrapidlyrisingrevenuefollowedbycompletecollapse.Notsurprisingly,the

revenueisallspentontheupswing,forcingdisruptive“emergency”cutbacksonthewaydown.Thestate’sprogressivetax-and-spendexperimentisbroken,threateningbasicservices,fromcourtsandparkstoeducationandhealthcareforitsmostvulnerablecitizens.Mr.Brown’staxinitia-tiveonlyexposesthestatetoanevermoredangerousroller-coasterride.NowondermanySiliconValleyCEOssaytheywon’texpandinCaliforniabecauseofhightaxesandburdensomeregulation.Andnowondernetmigrationhasrecentlyreversed,withhundredsofthousandsofworkersandtheirfamiliesleavingthestateinsearchofbetteropportunities.Californiastillranksfirstintechnology,agricultureandenter-tainmentamongthe50states.Butitisnearthebottominbusinessandtaxclimateandstatebondratings.It’sacomplexpicture,butatitscoreisthehigh-taxwelfarestaterunamok.ManyAmericansfearthefederalfiscaltrainwreckwillturnusintoGreece.But,barringmajorchange,theyneedlooknofurtherthanCaliforniatoseewhatthisfutureportends.Relyingonever-highertaxestofundpaymentstoanoutsizedpopulationofbenefitre-cipientsisarecipeforexportingprosperity.ThatisoneCaliforniatrendthatotherstatesemulateattheirperil.NooneshouldwriteoffCalifornia.Itstillhasgreatstrengths.Anditcanturnsomeofitsshort-termchallenges,suchasthepressuresfromethnicandlinguisticdiversity(thestateisnow37%Hispanicand13%Asian),intolong-termstrengthsintheglobaleconomy.Butthepoliticalclassmustfaceuptotherealitythatserviceswillhavetobefarmorecarefullytargeted;thetaxsystemoverhauledwithlowerratesonabroaderbaseofeconomicactivityandpeople(almosthalfofallCalifornianspaynostateincometax);andinefficientstateprogramsreformedtospendlessandproducefarbetteroutcomes.Mr.Brownisamanofideas,havingrunforpresidentin1992onaboldflat-taxagenda.Insteadofstillmoreantigrowthtaxhikes,heshouldbreakthegriponthestatelegislatureofhisparty’sspecialinterests—publicemployeeunions,triallawyers,teacherunionsandextremeenvironmentalists.ACaliforniarenaissance—buildingonthebestreformsinbudgetingandtaxes,educationandwelfare,crimepreventionandpensionsbysuchleadersasRudyGiuliani,JebBush,ChrisChristieandAndrewCuomo—isstillpossible.Whatitrequiresisagovernorwiththevision,determinationandpoliticalwilltoseeitthrough.

Amazing Spider-Man Movie ReviewbyJaneMcCabe

TheAmazingSpider-Man,starringAndrewGarfieldasPeterParker(Spider-man)andEmmaStoneasGwenStacy,hisgirlfriend,isagood,entertainingfilm,butitisentirelytoolong(2hours,15minutes),whichiskindofhardtounderstandasthereisplentyofredundan-ciesthatcouldhavebeencut.Thisthe4thSpider-ManfilminrecentyearsbutthefirstinwhichAndrewGarfieldhasstarred,replacingTobyMaguire,whoat37yearsisprobablyconsiderednowtoooldforthepart.Peterisalikeable,lankyhighschoolkidwithtousledbrownhairandusuallyanon-aggressivedemeanor.HismotherandfatheraredeadandhelivesinQueenswithhisUncleBen(MartinSheen)andAuntMay(SallyField.)WhenPeterfindsafilehiddeninhisfather’sbriefcase,contain-ingaformula,hetakestheformulatohisfather’scolleague,theone-armedDr.CurtConnors(RhysIfans.)Researchisbeingdoneonanimalswhichiftheylosealimbcanregeneratethemissingpart,andtheformulaisthemissinglinkwhichwillallowhumanbeingsthesameprerogative.AfterPetersuffersaspiderbiteonthebackofhisneckhediscovershehassuper-humanpowers—theabilitytoclimbverti-calsurfacesandtoestablishlineswiththestrengthofsteelwhichallowhimtovaultnimblyoverbuildingsandthroughthecanyonsofNewYorkCity.MeanwhileDr.ConnorsdecidestoinjecthimselfwiththeserummadefromtheformulaPetergavehimwiththehopeofregeneratinghismissingarm…however,theresultisthatheturnshimselfintoagiantlizard!thatraiseshavoconthecityandcausesPetertofeelthathemuststopthemayhemheiscausing…Soundfamiliar?ThisisthestuffoftheSpider-Mancomicpub-lishedbyMarvelComicinthe1950’supdatedwithaninfusionofmoderntechnology.Inthestrugglebetweenthetwo,bothseemtobeinvincible—noamountsofgunshot,stabwounds,orstrangulationseemtosufficetocausetheirdestruction.It’salittleexasperating,really!Eventhoughitspremiseisabithackneyed,hadthisfilmbeenproperlyeditedandfifteentotwentyminutescutfromit,itwouldhaveseemedlesstedious.Youcanonlywatchfireworksforacer-tainlengthoftimewithoutgettingbored.

Opinion: We the PeoplebySenatorMimiWalters

ThelandmarkhealthcarerulingissuedbytheU.S.SupremeCourtlastmonthsentshockwavesofemotionechoingthroughoutthecountry,causingsometocelebrateandotherstoquestionthestateofournation.InhisopinionChiefJusticeJohnRobertspronounced,“MembersofthisCourtarevestedwiththeauthoritytointerpretthelaw;wepossessneithertheexpertisenortheprerogativetomakepolicyjudgments.ThosedecisionsareentrustedtoourNation’selectedleaders,whocanbethrownoutofofficeifthepeopledisagreewiththem.Itisnotourjobtoprotectthepeoplefromtheconsequencesoftheirpoliticalchoices.”Whetheryouagreeordisagreewiththeruling,acoreprincipleofourRepublicwasreinforcedinChiefJusticeRoberts’decision:Itisthepeople,notthecourtsorpoliticians,whoultimatelydecidewhichdirectionthiscountrymoves.California’shistoryisaperfectexampleofthistimelessAmericantruth.Attheturnofthetwentiethcentury,theinterestsoftheSouthernPacificRailroadCompanydominatedCaliforniapolitics.Itcontrolled85%ofthestate’srailroadsystemanduseditspositionofpowertoinfluencetheLegislature,theCourts,avoidregulationandmaintainitsmonopolyoverthetransportationindustry.Inresponse,areformmovementwaslaunchedinCaliforniatofightagainstpoliticalcorruptionandreturnthegovernmenttothepeople.In1909,CaliforniavotersexpressedtheirdisapprovaloftheLegislaturebyelectingacollectionofreform-mindedprogressivecandidatestopublicoffice.ThesenewlyelectedleaderswouldgoontocreatetheDirectPrimarySystem,whichallowedthepeopletoselecteachparty’snomineesratherthanleavingituptocompromisedpartybosses.Thischangerepre-sentedCalifornia’sfirststeptowardashiftinpoliticalpower.Inthe1910gubernatorialrace,ProgressiveRepublicancandi-

dateHiramW.JohnsonchallengedanddefeatedtheSouthernPacificRailroadpoliticalmachinewithasimplemessage:ThegovernmentmustbereturnedtothepeopleofCalifornia.ThisdeclarationrangtrueintheheartsandmindsofvotersandtheyrespondedbyelectinghimastheGoldenState’snewgovernor.Duringhisfirstyearinoffice,GovernorHiramJohnsonandtheLegislaturesuccessfullypassedanumberofprogres-sivereformsincludingnearlytwo-dozenamendmentstothestateconstitution.Mostnotably,threenewconventionswereestablishedthatgreatlyenhancedthepeople’scontrolovertheirgovernment.Thefirstwastheinitiative,whichgavevotersthepowertoenactnewlawsthroughdirectdemocracy.Second,thereferendumallowedcitizenstooverturnunfavorablelawswithamajorityvote.Finally,therecallprovidedvoterswiththeabilitytoforceanewelectiontoremoveanelectedofficialfromofficebeforehisorhertermwascompleted.These,aswellasotherreformscurtailedtheinfluenceofspecialinterestsandrevivedthenotionthatthepeoplewereinchargeoftheirgovernment.AsweannuallycelebrateIndependenceDayonthe4thofJuly,letusalwaysrememberthatnomatterwhathappens,“WethePeople”alwayshavetheabilitytochangeAmericaandCali-forniabyelectingleaderswhowillmoveourcountryforward.


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