Taft Petroleum Club

March 2 - 8, 2012 TAFT INDEPENDENT

March 2 - 8, 2012 • Volume 6 Issue 36www.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]

The Place4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa(661)766-2660

$1.50 Domestic Drafts5pm Until Close

BBQ Pork Spare Ribs, Red Potatoes, Salad & Bread

NO TO GO’s

$10.00 ALL YOU CAN EAT

Saturday, March 10th

Dinner Served at 5pm

Pastas • Sandwiches • Salads • Espresso • Beer • Wine

Over 50 Different Craft & Imported Beers

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

508 Center Street • 661-765-6550We Buy Coins

Broken Jewelry Rings

Necklaces Silverware

Chains Scrap

Dental Gold and More

Saturday & Sunday March 3rd & 4th12 Noon to 4pm

West Side Recreation Center500 Cascade Place, Building A

Lic # 15001312

& SilverCASH 4 GOLDInstant Cash

Two Days Only!!

Celebrating 100 Years

Ales, Pale Ales and India Pale AlesWednesday, March 7th 5:30 to 9pm

BEER TASTING

Amanda Posey Named Taft Union High School Teacher Of The Year

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT March 2 - 8, 2012

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

Candies • Candles • And More!

Passion For Nails

Monday to Friday10am-7pm and

Saturday 9am-6pm

Nail Services:Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic

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

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

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

(661)745-4913 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

Shop Taft

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Ten Percent Firearms

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

J & D Recycling1277 Kern Street

Personal Style

A Hint of Class Name Brand ClothingShoes • Jewelry

Accessories & More

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

Tire & Automotive Service Center

Oil & Filter Special

2495*$Plus Tax

Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

$3.50 Oil Disposal FeeExp. Mar. 31st, 2012

FREETire Rotation

& Brake CheckPlus

We will checkall fluids

& tire pressure

*Most Cars & Light Trucks

Up to 5 Qts.

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

Please call first 763-5451 Thank You

Like Us on Facebook

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

CXWORX CoreClass Starting Soon!!

661-745-4954610 Center Street

Geiger Construction & Plumbing

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

Residential • Commercial

Fast • Friendly • Affordable661-765-4377

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Inside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

Sign up now!

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

Women • Contemporary • Junior • Toddler • Infant • Men

Black GoldCafe and Deli

Hablamos Espanol

15% Off Page Plus & Verizon Phones

$20 Off Samsung Transform Ultra Boost Mobile

Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

WE SHIP!

Lic # B-721903

WE HAVE MOVED!Now located at 210 6th Street

(661)763-4176

Electronics • Prepaid Phones Service • Accessories

508 Center Street • 765-6550

25% Off Generic Brand Cases

Pastas • Sandwiches • SaladsEspresso • Beer • Wine

NEW ARRIVALS!

Now Offering Terra Firma Products

Spring Has SprungPlanting Made Simple With

Succulents!Great Indoors & Out

LA Idol Jeans For Juniors &

Misses!

Infant Footwear • Toddler SandalsSpring & Easter Outfits

New Corky’s Are In!

March Madness Specials

Expires March 31st, 2012


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

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

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

West SideRecreation Report..........5

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

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

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

From The Mayor..............8

Obituaries.........................9

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]

Managing EditorAdvertising

Jessica Skidgel

Layout & DesignJessica Skidgel

Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris,

Nicole Frost

ColumnistsRandy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins,

Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease

Subscriptions\DeliveryTim Webb, Patrick Harget

Member California NewspaperPublishers Association

Printed in California

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGSTuesday March 6th, 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]

Grandma’s Attic At Taft Branch Library Every Saturday Through April 14th

Grandma’s Attic Storytime has resumed at the Taft Branch Library on Saturdays and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through April 14. 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. For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.

Free Children’s Immunization Clinic Thursday, March 15th

San Joaquin Community Hospital will be offering FREE Childhood Immunizations for children against vaccine preventable diseases. The clinic will be in Taft at the Taft City School District on Thursday, March 15th, 820 6th Street, (parking lot), from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Luck Of The Irish St. Patricks Dinner Saturday, March 17th

The Historic Fort is holding their annual St. Patricks Dinner on Saturday, March 17th at The Fort, located at 915 N. 10th Street. Social hour begins at 5pm, dinner served at 6pm. Drawing for the Soroptimist Internation of Taft $500 Shamrock Wreath Raffle will take place. Raffle tickets $1.00 Tickets available at: All In The Sandwich, Jacks Flower Shop, Personal Style, True Value or any Soroptimist member. Winner need not be present to win. Wreath Raffle. Proceeds Benefit Critical Care Transportation and other service projects. For more information contact The Fort at 765-7371.

Optimal Hospice Volunteer Orientation Wednesday, March 21st

Optimal Hospice Care would like to invite you to our springtime new volunteer orientation. Reserve your seat for Wednesday, March 21st from 10am to 2pm in our Bakersfield location. To learn more about how Hospice care enhances the lives of those affected by terminal illness and how volunteers can make a true difference in that effort. You can volunteer as little or as much as you are able. There is no time re-strictions placed on you. Optimal would like to especially encourage caring individu-als from communities such as Delano, Arvin, Shafter, Wasco and Lamont to inquire. Also hairdressers and pet therapy teams are greatly encouraged to contact Optimal Hospice care to see how they can help. Call 661-716-4000 or email [email protected] for more details.

TUHS Hall of Fame Saturday, April 28

The Taft Union High School Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 28 in the Mullen Gym at TUHS. Doors open at 5pm, banquet begins at 6pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased from Sheri Gregory at TUHS, One Wildcat Way, or at the Taft Chamber of Commerce, 400 Kern Street. Five people will be inducted into the Hall of Fame: Curtis Barnes (Class of 1960), Charles Beard (Class of 1957), Les Haney (Class of 1942), De Ann Gaither Sampley (Class of 1972), and William Silcox (Class of 1940). Doors to Main Hall will be open from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for persons who want to view the Hall of Fame Plaques and visit the generational display cases which feature memorabilia from ten decades of the high school’s history.

Community Events

Taft Union High School Important Dates Taft Union High School students will have a day off on Friday, March 9. That date marks the end of the third quarter of the school year. Teachers will be in school attending in-service meetings to hone their skills. The fourth quarter resumes on Monday, March 12. School will be closed dur-ing spring break April 2-6. State-mandated STAR (Standardized Testing And Reporting) testing for freshmen-juniors will be April 11-12, 16-20 and 23-27. Graduation will be the evening of Wednesday, June 6.

Maricopa Tea RoomCountry Cookin’

Tuesday, March 6th: Beef Stew with CornbreadWednesday, March 7th: Loaded Baked Potato with

salad and rollThursday, March 8th: Chicken Fried Steak,

Mashed Potatoes and rollNO SCHOOL FRIDAY, MARCH 9th

Telephone: 769-8231 Extension 5 323

Pancake and Waffle Breakfast Saturday Come out this Saturday, March 3 for a delightful treat at the Maricopa Cham-ber of Commerce pancake and waffle breakfast. Added bonus this month is french toast and special topping of the month is apple. Brerakfast will be held at the Taft Veteran’s Hall located at Cedar and Taylor Street from 7am to 11am, to go orders available. Cost is $6 per person and children 5 years of age and younger eat free with a paying adult. Stop by and have a good hot breakfast before going to the races.

California High School Exit Exam Boot Camp Taft Union High School is offering a one-day “boot camp” to prepare sopho-mores for the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), which they must pass to earn their high school diploma.The voluntary class will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, and is a preparation course for sophomores about to take the CAHSEE for the first time. Teachers will give instruction in English and math. A free lunch is provided. Parents can call the principal’s office, 763-2336, to inquire if their student has signed up or to sign up their student. Students who sign up will be assigned for both math AND English, not one or the other.This is the third year the course has been offered and more than 100 students participate.Lead English teacher Jackie Peavyhouse said, “Students had the opportunity to review skills and concepts they would need to know for the test. They felt better prepared and knew what to expect.”Math teacher Tom LeClair added, “Investing time prior to the test is a much better investment in time management than taking a remedial class next year!”

GP & MOTOCROSSSaturday, March 10th & Sunday, March 11th

Honolulu Hills Raceway • TAFT$10 Gate Fee - $15 Both Days

Spaghetti Dinner • Raffle Prizes • Free Camping Live Music by X-Statik on Saturday Night

Ron Shipe - Bob BledsoeMemorial Scholarship

Fundraiser

presentsTaft Motorcycle Club

Taft Lions Club Benefit BBQTri-Tip and Chicken Sandwich

Saturday, March 3rd6th and Kern Streets

Noon To 4 p.m.Benefits Taft Lions Eyeglass Program


Editorial

Westside Watcher

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside

The Taft

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Independent

Taft Petroleum Club

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

Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm

Asian ExperienceAsian Food and Pizza

Lunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday

11 am - 2 pm 4 pm - 9 pmSaturday 4 pm - 9 pm

215 Center Street, Taft763- 1815

Taft Crude Coffee HouseCoffee House and Deli

Monday – Friday 7 am to 4pm.

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

1010 6th Street, Taft763-5156

Black Gold Cafe & DeliPastas - Sandwiches

Espresso - Beer - WineOpen Monday to Saturday

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

508 Center Street765-6550

Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar

Monday – Friday 6 am to 2 pmSaturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm

Dinner Hours Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 9 pm24870 Highway 33, Derby Acres

768-4655

Paik’s Ranch HouseWhere Everybody Meets

Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerOpen 7 Days

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

765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft

Sagebrush Annie’sRestaurant and Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm

4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa(661) 766-2319

Asian ExperienceAsian Food and Pizza

Lunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.Saturday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Live Music Saturday Nights

Westside EntertainmentYour Restaurant

Listed Here!Call 765-6550!$12 per week!

Paik’sRanch House Restaurant

“Where Everybody Meets”

Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days

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

765-6915200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

100 Year Anniversary March 4thSpecial Industry Night March 7th to

celebrate. Limited tickets @ $12 each. Buy Now!

Come help celebrate 100 years for the Taft Petroleum Club and Saint Patrick’s Day March 17th with DJ Chewy and some of the best drink

specials around. Fun starts at 8pm and DJ Chewy at 9pm to ???

Chronicle PG-13Fri. 5 pm, 7:30 pm and 9:45 pm

Sat.-Sun. 12:30, 2:45, 5 pm, 7:30 pm and 9:45 pmMon-Thur. 5 and 7pm

Dr. Suess’ The Lorax PGFri. 4:45 pm, 7pm and 9:15 pm

Sat.12:15, 2:30, 4:45 pm, 7pm and 9:15 pmSun. 12:15, 2:30, 4:45 pm, 7pmMon.-Thurs. 4:45pm and 7pm

The Vow PG-1 Fri.5:30 pm, 8 pm and 10:15 pm

Sat. 1, 3:15, 5:30 pm, 8 pm and 10:15 pmSun. 1, 3:15, 5:30 pm, 8 pmMon. - Thurs. 5:30 and 8 pm

Grand Opening March 3rdLarger showroom and larger mechanic Area

Now offering a customer lounge with coffee and donuts

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

CYCLE KATZ INC. HAS MOVED TO

320 HARRISON ST.745-4931

PARTS • SALES • SERVICELocally owned and operated

We work on all makes and models

NOW OPEN 514 Center Street

Saint Patrick’s Day & 100 Year Party. DJ Chewy Live at the Club

Fiddlers, Foreign Oil, and Failed Policy By Steve Russell One-fifth of the world’s oil supply travels through the vital Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East. Iran recently threatened to blockade the Strait and choke off crude oil shipments from Middle East suppliers. Punctuated with a 10-day naval exercise, Iran clearly intends to hamper, obfuscate, and pester the West and its Arab allies even if not actually able to sever this vital artery of the world’s economy. An unfortunate clash, a temporary closure or even rising ten-sions ushering in unacceptable risks to international unarmed oil tankers could send global prices skyrocketing. No one with a brain needs to be convinced that America has a dangerous dependence on foreign oil. With an irresponsible Congress spending what we can’t hope to make tomorrow, the United States stands at a crucial and historic moment. Rather than curbing economic and entitlement lusts, and promoting domes-tic, exportable resources, our country seems to be led by fiddlers watching from the rooftops while torches are being set all around. If such fiddling seems hyperbolic, take the Obama administra-tion’s devastating decision to hamper America’s efforts to get off foreign oil. The denial of the Keystone XL - a major new energy secure pipeline linking the Gulf of Mexico to billions of barrels of oil in Alberta sands and Dakotan shale - shows once again that America is being led into a visionless, bankrupt future. The President excused such crippling action while touting grandiose plans to shuttle billions of dollars into misguided projects in wind and solar energy development when such resource could be used to widen our vast capacity of needed oil and gas in our own great nation. The current President seems set on chasing the wind and picking favorites. Think Solyndra. And also think about how you could export wind to China. If the pipeline were not enough, there are also huge oil reserves off of our coasts as well. With just a small fraction of our offshore acreage being leased, American companies suffer burdening restric-tions in the form of federal bans and declining lease offerings. Incredulously, President Obama has pledged billions in offshore drilling elsewhere--most notably, Brazil. If the President were truly opposed to offshore drilling, he would uniformly discourage the practice, rather than pick “winners and losers.” Experiments of this type of national policy in recent decades, with Venezuela, saw our hand bitten by the satiated country as it seized private industry and now uses their American-aided resources to hurt us at any opportunity. Given the current failed national leadership, America has little choice but to become even more reliant on unsecure sources of foreign oil. Middle Eastern oil reliance continues to be a costly and terrible policy. The money we spend there often ends up in the hands of people who only seem to use it to plan our demise. The United States devours 23 million barrels of oil daily, ac-counting for about 25 percent of total global consumption. But our domestic production--through visionless polices and failed leadership--isn’t keeping pace. American production falls by an average of 135,000 barrels annually while demand steadily rises. And that demand must now compete globally with the equally insatiable appetite of China. While President Obama wistfully gambles our national security on foreign oil, he could have tapped into North America’s bounty of natural energy resources. According to a new study from the In-stitute for Energy Research (IER), the total amount of recoverable oil in North America exceeds 1.7 trillion barrels. That’s enough to cover America’s energy needs for the next 250 years. This would create opportunities to export needed energy glob-ally, funneling international currency into national coffers, rather than siphoning them, while giving the innovative American people time and resources to lead the world on new energy solutions. If that were not enough, America is even more abundant in natural gas. IER estimates 4.2 quadrillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas lies below our soil -- that enough to provide the United States with electricity for the next 575 years! Rather than exploit this clean and abundant energy with favor-able government policy, the President would rather use it as a class warfare wedge for political purposes. President Obama’s visionless stance against Keystone XL and domestic drilling is pure politics -- an attempt to appease fringe en-vironmentalist constituents in an election year. Coupled with his newly announced policy of gutting our military while destabilizing our energy, one can clearly see it is time for a change. LTC Steve Russell, US Army, (Ret.), is the author of “We Got Him!” A Memoir of the Hunt and Capture of Saddam Hussein (Simon & Schuster, 2011). He is the founder and chairman of Vets for Victory and serves as the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Com-mittee in the Oklahoma Senate.

The City of Taft, retired police chief Ken Mc-Minn and local businessman Bob Hampton were recognized last night at the KERNCOG awards dinner in Bakersfield. Mayor Randy Miller ac-cepted the Local Government Award for the City of Taft’s sustainability program. McMinn was recognized for a lifetime of achievement, and Hampton was recognized for his clean-up efforts on the Westside. Photos by Jessica Miller.


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

[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

MARK YOUR CALENDAR EASTER EGG HUNTSaturday, March 31, 201210:00 a.m. SHARP‘A’ Street Park, TaftFREE!Ages 2-8 are welcomeBring your camera for photos with Easter Bunny!

MOTHER DAUGHTER LUNCHEONSaturday, April 21, 201211:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Community Center AuditoriumGirls ages 3 and older$30 per couple, $5 each additional daughterRegistration Deadline: April 17

NIGHT BINGOFriday, March 95:45 p.m. – Doors Open6:30 p.m. – Games BeginCommunity Center Auditorium, 500 Cascade Place, TaftAges 18 and older*Minimum $5 buy-in is requiredJoin us for Bingo! We will have monthly specials and complimentary coffee and bottled water. Bring your own snacks along! Upcoming Night Bingo sessions will be held on April 13 and May 11.

DELICIOUS DESSERTSTuesday, March 133:00-4:45 p.m.Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, TaftAges 6-10$6 per person ** pre-registration required by March 12Do you have a sweet tooth? Then this cooking workshop is for you! We will make several yummy treats – cob-bler, cookies and more… Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

GLEE CLUBWhen: Monday EveningsSession: March 5 – April 23Ages 4-12, 4:00-5:00 p.m.Ages 13-18, 5:00-6:00 p.m.Ages 18+, 6:00-7:00 p.m.Where: Community Center Activity BuildingFee: $40 per session (8-weeks) Instructor: Crystal AzbillIn this Show Choir class, we’ll focus on vocal performance and choreography – ranging from songs that are hip to songs that are old. Classes are open to any skill level.

YOGAWho: Ages 14 and olderWhen: Tuesday and Thursday Times: 9:00-9:45 a.m., 7:00-7:45 p.m. or 8:00-8:45 p.m. Where: Community Center Assembly RoomFee: $25 per month (per class) ** register prior to attending classInstructor: Valerie TaylorThis is the perfect class for beginners looking to improve flexibility and enhance general fitness. Class goals are to strengthen muscles and joints, improve circulation and relieve stress through common yoga stretches. Students should bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Class space is limited – registration is REQUIRED prior to attending class.

WALKING FOR SENIORSWhen: Monday – FridayTime: 8:00-10:00 a.m.Season: December 12 – April 6, 2012Where: Recreation Center, Aera GymnasiumFee: $1 daily or $15 monthly During the cooler weather months, we invite you to walk the track in the Recreation Center Gymnasium. There will be prizes for reaching milestones and we will also help you track your miles and progress.

FRIDAY FUN DAYSWho: Ages 3-5When: Friday Mornings Times: 9:00-10:30 a.m. Where: Recreation Center, Preschool RoomFee: $18 per session or $5 per day Session 1: March 9-30Session 2: April 13 – May 4Session 3: May 11 – June 1Kids are encouraged to join us for some games, crafts and time to socialize and play with others their age. Register for a session or come as a drop-in! Activity minimum: 6 pre-registered kids per session. Drop-in attendees must sign-up the day before class; space is limited.

S.T.O.P. PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS(Strive To Optimize Participation)Did you know that the District has a youth scholarship program? Children in low income, single parent or mul-tiple participant households are eligible! For more information, or to find out how your child can take advantage of reduced program fees, give us a call in the District Office at 763-4246.

TINY TOT P.E.When: Monday – Friday Ages 2-4, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Program operates year-round (new students welcome at any time!)Where: Recreation Center, Aera GymnasiumFee: $3 per child, per day or $25 monthly What a great way for your little one to burn off some energy before nap time! This is an open gym session designed exclusively for little ones. Enjoy this fun-filled parent & me multi-sport/physical activity time with your child by tumbling on mats, shooting baskets, catching footballs, kicking soccer balls, running obstacle courses and other fun activities. A t-shirt is included in the price of monthly memberships.

TINY TOT WHIFFLEBALLWho: Ages 2-3When: Thursday EveningsTime: 5:00-6:00 p.m.Session: March 15 – April 5Where: Recreation Center, Wrecker Field Fee: $25 per playerRegistration deadline: March 8

INSTRUCTIONAL T-BALLWho: Ages 4-6When: Thursday EveningsTime: 6:00-7:00 p.m.Session: March 15 – April 5Where: Recreation Center, Wrecker Field Fee: $25 per playerRegistration deadline: March 8

TAFT COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL CAMPInstructional: Ages 6-10, Monday AfternoonsYouth: Ages 11-14, Wednesday AfternoonsTime: 3:30-4:30 p.m.Session: March 19 – April 25Where: Taft College Gymnasium Fee: $30 per playerRegistration deadline: March 15Participants will learn and practice beginning offensive and defensive volleyball skills. The camp is being by the Taft College Women’s Volleyball team.

YOUTH BASEBALLWho: Ages 13-15 (league age as of June 30)When: Practice begins May 12Where: TUHS Baseball Fields or Franklin Field Fee: $50 per playerRegistration deadline: April 26

DODGEBALL TOURNAMENTWho: Ages 14 and upWhen: Saturday, March 17Time: 9:00 a.m. check-inWhere: Recreation Center, Aera GymnasiumFee: $110 per teamRegistration deadline: March 15The Taft All-Star Relay for Life Team and West Side Recreation are hosting a dodgeball tournament with the goal of raising funds to help find a cure for cancer. A large percentage of proceeds raised will be donated to Relay for Life. The tournament will be double-elimination style, guaranteeing two games per team.

RECREATION CENTERThe District’s new Recreation Center is now open! The Center includes a full-size gymnasium, weight room, 4-lane bowling alley, preschool room, activity room and restrooms/locker room. For more information, including operating hours and programs offered, visit the Recreation Center page on our website (www.wsrpd.com) or give the Center a call at 765-6677.

BOWLING PARTY RENTALSMake your reservation now!Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at the bowling alley in the new Recreation Center. Parties may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday. Rental fees start at $100 for 2-lane rentals. Rental prices include shoes, balls and use of the party room. The Center and bowling alley are slated to open in early September. Call 763-4246 for more information or to make a reservation.

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


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

Cooking Magazines And Many Romance Novels All $.10

The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft

Amanda Posey is one of those teachers who goes above and beyond. Just this school year, she went all the way to Washington DC, with a passel of high school and junior high musicians, after raising $50,000 for the educational and cultural experience.The director of Taft’s award-winning bands has been named Taft Union High School teacher of the year. She will represent Taft High in the Kern County Teacher of the Year competition sponsored by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office. The county winner, announced in Bakersfield on May 1, will compete in the state finals. The state winner will go on to nationals. The national winner will spend a year traveling the United States as an inspirational speaker. “We were impressed. To take a whole bunch of kids to Washing-ton DC and bring them all back alive, you deserve a medal. That’s a big trip, 3,000 miles, with both bands,” praised Bill Wolfe, vice president of the Taft Union High School Teachers Association. Wolfe, TUHS CTA president Claude Bradford and Superinten-dent/Principal Mark Richard-son selected Posey from among teachers nominated by the teaching staff. Wolfe added, “Amanda received the most persuasive nominations. She was the clear choice. She works very hard. The bands are great and the students love her.” Kris Swope, a senior who is in Mrs. Posey’s band and jazz band classes, praised her. “Mrs. Posey is a very dedicated teacher and truly enjoys music. She always says that music is all about wanting to get better at it, and she is always willing to push someone in the right direction so that they want to be the best they can be.”Taft’s bands have blossomed under Posey’s direction. She took top musicians from Taft High and Lincoln Junior High to Washing-ton DC last fall. They played in front of the World War II monu-

Taft Petroleum Club Celebrates 100 Years

Amanda Posey Named Taft Union High School Teacher Of The Year

It is easy to forget while going through our day filled with cell phones, computers and hybrid cars that Taft has been established for over a century. However, being around for 100 years is something to be celebrated according to the Petroleum Club. In fact, the club will be celebrating their 100th birthday next Wednesday, March 7th beginning at 6pm. “We’re having a special Industries Night to celebrat the 100 anniversary with guest speakers dating back as far as the 1950’s,” said Craig Jones current club member. According to Jones, the club will also celebrate the 100 anniversary on St. Patrick’s Day. “On Saturday night, March 17th we’re also sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Day 100 year anniversary party with DJ Chewy.” The club which was established in 1912 has a lot of history. “We’ve been out here for 100 years and we want to stay another 100,” states Sam Easley, former president of the Petroleum Club. During the past century, the club has provided a place for workers to go after a long day at work, a place where they could relax and enjoy the society of fellow hard workers. The club was originally located on North Street but was relocated to its current location on 450 Petroleum Club Road during the 1920’s. The social club has gone through many changes and improvements through the years. “The board members and club members have rebuilt a lot in the club. We have renovated the bar and banquet room. It’s a really nice place to hang out,” said Jones. He goes on to say, “It’s a place for people to unwind and talk after work.” The Petroleum Club has always enjoyed a strong membership. On Industries Nights, the club can see more than one hundred people. The facilities include the club building, complete with bar, banquet hall, and kitchens with catering capacity, and a shaded outdoor area ideal for large gatherings. The club hosts many class and family reunions, birthday parties and weddings. The gratuities from these events go to the upkeep of the club. Every Friday evening, the club has a fundraiser called ‘Fundraiser Steak Night’ where steak dinners are cooked and served and the proceeds go towards the running of the Petroleum Club. Another event that the club hosts is the Industries Night. This event, held on the first Wednesday of the month, focuses on

J.R. AlcantaraDog Grooming and Training

Grooming • TrainingDogs Available for Adoption

(661) 810-5858www.cantargsd.com

Located in Taft, CA

gathering many different companies and business together in order to meet and have discussions. The club invites businesses to be the Sponsor of the Month. The sponsor provides the dinner for the event, and in return, the club has a large banner with the business’ name hung in the banquet hall as well as places the company’s ad into the local newspapers. One tradition that the club used to have and which members would like to bring back is to gather donations for turkeys during the holidays which the club cooks deep pit style and then donates to families in the community. They would also like to begin raising money for an annual scholarship to be given to a Taft High School senior graduate. But Sam Easley explains that times are hard right now and the club will need to have to wait until their funds improve before promoting that tradition. The Petroleum Club has made many improvements in their facility and sponsored events. However, there is one area that still needs some work. “We don’t have much of our history recorded,” explains Sam, “We have been gathering pictures of the original days of the clubs which we are going to hang in the club to remind us of our history.” He goes on to share that the West Kern Oil Museum has agreed to give the club some copies of pictures of the original club. The Club isn’t going to stop with pictures. “We would love to have any pictures, stories, and newspaper clippings.” The club is inviting the community to come forward with any historical documents such as pictures or newspaper clippings with the club. Should anyone have such documents, they can call the Petroleum Club at (661) 763-3268 or go to the club at 450 Petroleum Club Road. So, if anyone in the community has some stories connected with the Petroleum Club that they would like to share or even if they would just like to go relax after work head on down to the Petroleum Club on Petroleum Club Road.

The Original Taft Petroleum Club located at 630 North Street. Courtesy of West Kern Oil Museum

Continued on Page 11Oildorado BBQ September 22, 1950 at the Taft Petroleum Club located on Petroleum Club Road. Courtesy of the West Kern Oil Museum.

Taft Petroleum Club members and club officers Chris Krejci, Lindsey Gregory, Shelly Brown, Gene Jones, Deann Gregory, Darian McElmurry, Valaria Higgins, Rick Johnson, Paige Smith, Craig Jones, Sam Easley, John Swearengin, Jim Swearengin at the front of the entrance of the club.


Taft residents have a lot to see at two new busi-nesses that just opened on Center Street. Bow Wow Bakery held their Grand Opening on Saturday. The new dog bakery and spaw is a real treat. Dee Dee Sparks

and Shannon Sparks shown out front. And, a second new busi-ness, Blue Jeans and Bling featuring great new womens cloth-ing items, tops, pants and more also opened last Saturday. Seen here inside of Bling are Jennifer Lopez, Tana Hughes, Windi Portenga, Jordyn Yarbrough, Maria Melton.


508 Center Street • TaftDIne In Or Pick Up • 661-765-6550

The Best Beer Selection on Tap in Taft!


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

Shrimp Scampi • Spaghetti With Meatballs • Raviolis

Mozzarella & Baked Chicken Ravioli Spinach & Cheese

Raviolis

BLTA • Black Gold ClubRoast Beef • Ham • Turkey

Avocado • Tuna Salad • Egg Salad • Pastrami • Meatball Sandwich • Grilled Cheese Italian Garden Salad • Chef Salad • Polish Dog • Chili

Dog • Soup & Salad

Coffee • Iced Coffee Espresso • Latte • Cappuccino

Americano • Vanilla Latte Cafe Mocha • White Mocha Chai Latte • Hot Chocoloate Blended Drinks • Iced Drinks

Chocolate Freeze Vanilla Freeze • Iced Tea Fruit Smoothies • Protein

Drinks

Cheesecake • Chocolate Pie Key Lime Pie • Pastries

Pastas • SandwichesEspresso • Beer • Wine

Best IPA SelectionOver 50 Different Craft

& Imported Bottled Beers!

Sandwiches & Salads

Pastas

Espresso & Coffee

Desserts

Beer & Wine Available To Go

HAYDENS HOPE“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

420 1/2 Center Street • TAFT

THRIFT STORE

God Bless!Shirts & Sweaters $.25

Pants $.50

Picture Frames 1/2 OFF

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

Does not include hoodies or jackets

During the month of February a Portion of the stores proceeds will be donated to help stop child abuse

Los Primos Carniceria Meat MarketGRAND OPENING

Good Prices - Good Steaks

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

Spices Tortillas Ceviche

“The Best Carne Asada In Town”524 Finley Drive • In Sunset Plaza • (661)765-2700

Tri Tip Steaks T-Bone

Big Screen TV • Sporting Events

Buck’s Steak House BarGRAND OPENING

260 California Street • Maricopa • 661-577-7581

Burritos • Tacos • Tortas • Sopes Nachos • Quesadillas • Enchiladas

Available from El Venado Catering“In the Buck’s Steakhouse Parking Lot”

Open Mon-Fri 2pm -11pm Sat & Sun 10am-10pm

Drug Task Force Luncheon Coming March 22 Five service clubs of Taft are joining together to showcase The Impact of Methamphetamine in Kern County: A Preliminary Study, to be presented at a luncheon on Thursday, March 22, 2012, from noon to 1:30 p.m., by Kern County Mental Health Department, the individuals commissioned to do the study. The program will be presented at the Historic Fort. The cost of the catered luncheon will be $12, and reservations may be made at the Chamber of Commerce. This event is a joint effort of the Kiwanis Club of Taft, the Mid-way/Sunset Lions Club, the Taft Lions Club, the Rotary Club of Taft, and Taft Soroptimists. The service clubs are coming together for their weekly (or bi-weekly) meetings on Thursday, March 22, to show their support of this endeavor, and the Chamber is organizing the event. County Supervisor, Ray Watson, who commissioned the study, wants the people of the West Side to know the facts about drug issues in our county—specifically, in the community of Taft. “We know we live in one of the safest communities in Kern County,” stated Dr. Kathy Orrin, Executive Director of the Taft District Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. “That does not mean, however, that we don’t experience the impact of drug abuse in our town.” Orrin is referring to the recent death of three-year old Trinity Hannah, allegedly at the hands of a person under the influence of drugs. The public is encouraged to attend. You need not purchase a lunch to hear the report; there will be seating for those who just want to be informed. If you plan to attend—whether for lunch or just for the reporting portion--please call in a reservation to the Chamber at 765-2165.

New Businesses On Center Street!


Community Voices From The MayorHello Everyone,

Well, here we go again with the price of oil and the cost of gas. As a community, we welcome the price of oil going up because it means that drilling activity is increasing which means many more contractors are working which means employment is up. There are more drilling rigs in our hills than we can remember for a long time. It is interesting to note that Midway-Sunset Crude is selling for $117 a barrel and West Texas Crude is selling for $106 a barrel(as of Feb 28th). I always thought our local

crude was worth less because it was heavier crude and harder to refine, what do I know. It is a long ways from the 1980’s when our local crude was selling for less than $10 a barrel. What all this means is that our oil companies large and small are making money, which is good, but what are they doing with all that excess money. They are spending much of it on more exploration and production costs but they are stockpiling some it which many a politician are looking at to relieve them of that burden. The specter of an excise tax on wellhead production to solve the state’s inadequacy to balance a budget will again raise its ugly head as the cost of crude continues to rise. This tax, as foretold to us by the oil industry, will hurt Kern County very drastically economically as they will rein in their exploration and shut down certain marginal wells. Unemployment will rise and property taxes will decrease, a deadly combination to be sure. With gasoline and diesel prices reaching towards five bucks a gallon, the econ-omy will start to hemorrhage as people will spend less on durable goods and trav-el and will spend more to pay their gasoline bill to keep their jobs. I don’t have all the answers to this problem of course, but there are contributing factors. Ever notice on the gas pump the breakdown of taxes on a gallon. The state tax went up from .18 cents a gallon to .34 cents a gallon a year or so ago. When did you approve that?? When was the last time a new refinery was opened in California ?? I understand we had at least twenty refineries and now we are down to eleven. How many more drivers and vehicles are there now than twenty years ago ?? We have proven reserves of a bazillion barrels of reserves in California, the Dakotas, and Canada, more than enough to last our lifetime and not have to import any from the Middle East. We don’t need their oil. We shouldn’t care about Iran’s oil. We have more cars and trucks on the road than anywhere in the world. Are we just going to abandoned all those vehicles and all drive electric cars ?? It just doesn’t make sense. But as you see, we are governed by folks in big cities that rely on public transportation or they are driven to work. Those politicians tell us to drive less, us ethanol that uses up our corn crops, buy expensive electric no guts cars that aren’t proven yet, give up your RV’s and pickups, and limit your travel until they can come up with an energy plan that will make sense for all of us. They have been working, maybe they haven’t, on an energy plan since the 1970’s which has seen our imports of oil and gas rise up to 60% of our usage. So much for putting Americans to work; so much for us being energy independent. If you aren’t upset as the price of gas is rising daily, you darn well should be. Let your state and federal legislators know by mail, phone or internet that you demand they do something to allow more drilling, production, and refining at home and the heck with putting up with foreign governments that don’t have our interests are heart. The more of that you squawk the more they will listen. Everyone has to be involved in this effort. It is with a sad heart that I found out that Barbara LaBrut passed away this past weekend. I served with Barbara, until she recently resigned, on the Health Care District board of directors for many years. She was a great lady who went the extra mile to live in Taft not just reside here. It is with a happy note, as you know by now, the Fox Theater is back open again. It is clean, their low prices are unheard of, and you need to support the owners by treating you and your family to a night out. I get 20 miles to the gallon in my truck, its 70 miles round trip to Bakersfield, at $4.50 a gallon that’s $15.75 in gas just to see a movie in Bakers-field. We have good restaurants in Taft; so a movie and dinner is going to be much better deal for you at home and much better for the City as your sales tax stays right here. Thanks Fox, we need you, but you need us too. Use it, or lose it. The City of Taft is going through a transition with the resignation of our City Manager and the grants writer. Chief McMinn retired last December. This does not mean there is turmoil down at City Hall, it just means that certain persons made a personal decision. The City is moving forward, nothing has changed. City staff are stepping up, we still are on track, our vision is very clear. We have several projects that are in the works, that will be revealed soon, that will spark the economy for our area. I’m not trying to dangle this in front of you, we’ll let you know. Your City Council will continue to set policy and provide oversight, nothing more. We are not managers and don’t intend to be. We are open to your questions and concerns, let us know your thoughts.

Randy MillerMayor, City of Taft

Straight Thinking on Iran By Dr. Harold Pease Three of the four remaining Republican presidential candidates and the present occupant of the White House appear to be, or are favorable to, provoking Iran for a response worthy of a preemptive strike. Only Ron Paul, of our options for president, is decidedly against. Forgive me for not believing that the world is flat as did virtually everyone before Columbus and that Iraq had something to do with 9 /11, or that the Iraqis had weapons of mass destruc-tion as President George W. Bush told us. Once again, I feel drawn into another Middle East black hole of lies, no end wars, death of our young men and women, loss of our treasure, and yet another Patriot Act which only limits the liberties of American citizens. History repeats itself,

but why so soon? It seems to hinge on whether Iran is that close to getting a deployable nuclear weapon and if it really matters if it does? In a compelling article by Charles Scaliger, “Is it Nuts to Let Iran Go Nuclear?” recently published in The New American, Scaliger argues that our interests in the Middle East “boil down to oil and Israel.” Oil should not be a major concern to us as we have a plentiful supply on “Alaska’s North Slope and the east and west coasts of the United States.” Presently, and strangely, these resources are made off-limits to drilling by our own government resulting in prices at the pump soaring to $4.29 per gallon, so inept are we in utilizing our natural resources. The price of gasoline per gallon when Barack Obama took office was $1.87. Moreover, we have access to the “Athabasca tar sands of northern Alberta (the world’s second largest oil reserves)” but instead our president vetoes the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would relieve our price pain by bringing crude oil into the United States. Instead, we prefer the “added costs (political and military as well as economic) of continuing to ship in our oil from hostile countries on the other side of the world.” All this brings meaning to the old adage, “We looked and the enemy was us.” The second reason for caring about the Middle East is Israel. But Israel has demonstrated for over 40 years that it is quite capable of defending herself. As a young boy, I remember well when six nations in 1967, each larger than Israel, attacked this tiny nation and she defeated them all in just six days. It was called the Six Day War. I was envious of her strength and valor as the U.S. at the time was mired down in Vietnam, fighting an enemy equal to the population of New York State and geographically the size of Missouri. We lost that war. They met similar odds against Israel with similar results in 1948 and in 1973. Scaliger reminds us that in 1981 the Israeli Air Force destroyed a nuclear reactor in Iraq and in 2007 a nuclear facility in Syria. If Iran attacked Israel, there is little doubt who would win. Israel does not need our on site protection. But what if Iran did get a nuclear weapon as feared? Scaliger reminds us that China had one in 1964 but did not have the delivery system to put it on American soil for thirty years. India took 25 years “to go from its first nuclear test to the actual production of nuclear weapons….” and it took their Pakistani neighbors 26 years. Why the long delay? “Developing nuclear weapons requires mastery of a number of intricate technologies, among them engineering centrifuge cascades….” Scaliger notes, “There is a very big difference between having a nuclear ‘device’ and having nuclear weapons.” Iran is “many years away from creating a deliverable nuclear weapon that could threaten Saudi Arabia or Israel and probably decades away from creating an ICBM or submarine-launched missile that could menace the American mainland.” Don’t forget that all Middle Eastern countries know that a nuke on Israel means nukes on them from us, and we do not need to be present to deliver. Mutual Assure Destruction (MAD) kept the peace during the “Cold War,” it will in the Middle East for the same reason. So why is there all the hype? I cannot answer fully but suggest that we look to who benefits from perpetual war—The Council on Foreign Relations in its bid for world dominance and the industries that make the weapons of war. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first to warn us of the military industrial complex; perhaps it is time to take his warning seriously. 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

Kern County Farm Bureau To Host ‘Farm Day In The City’ In March This will be the Kern County Farm Bureau’s 27th year hosting Farm Day in the City which has become the largest continuous ag-education program hosted by a county Farm Bureau in the state. More than 2,800 Kern County students in 2nd through 4th grades will be viewing over 30 interactive demonstrations given by various local industry representatives. The students will get an understanding of what is grown here in Kern County, how it is grown, and how our farmers protect their crop and our environment. Exhibits Include: Sheepdog demonstrations, Locally grown crop samples and displays, Crop dusting helicopter, Cattle roping demonstrations, Dairy cows and baby goats. Almond shakers, trac-tors, cotton pickers, and much more! Farm Day in the City will be on March 27 & 28 from 9:00am to 1:30pm at Kern County Fair-grounds – Exhibit locations in Building 2 and the Barn Areas.

PUBLIC TRANSIT MEETING

PLACE: Taft City Council Chambers 209 East Kern Street

Taft, CA 93268

DATE: Wednesday, April 4, 2012

TIME: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Persons interested in public transit in the community are invited to voice comments and concerns on possible unmet public transit needs. Anyone unable to attend may submit

written comments, to be sent to the address below. For telephone testimony, please contact Mr. Craig Jones at (661)

763-1222. Electronic mail may be sent to [email protected]. Deadline for written, telephone and electronic testimony is no

later than Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 6:00 p.m.

Craig JonesPublic Works Manager

City of Taft209 East Kern Street

Taft, CA 93268

A light lunch will be provided for attendees.


Mary Ann Canada was born in Healdton, Oklahoma on March 10, 1931. She passed to her eternal reward on Saturday February 25, 2012 at the Heart Hospital in Bakersfield, Califor-nia. She was born to Graley (Bob) and Florence Jane Canada. Two years later her family made to move to Lindsay, California. Mary Ann went from elementary school through High School in Lind-say. She graduated from Lindsay High School in 1949. She attended Southern California Bible College, now Van-guard University in Costa Mesa, Cali-fornia. Mary Ann married Norman Campbell August 2, 1952 in Lindsay, Ca. They moved to Eugene, Oregon after the honeymoon. While living in Eugene, Mary Ann became the director of Eugene’s Christian Kindergarten. Mary Ann and Norm moved to Red-wood City, California in 1954. She went to work for Johnson & Johnson. She became the head of her department in Menlo Park, California. They later moved to Bakersfield, California in 1955. She worked for Mobile Home Corporation, a construction company. In 1958, Mary Ann attended the Presbyterian Language School in San Jose, Costa Rica and became fluent in Spanish. In 1959 they moved to Bogota, Colombia. She became the Assistant Director of the Colombian Bible Institute. While in Bogota, she started numerous Boys & Girls Christian Clubs. In 1963, Norm & Mary Ann moved to Mar Del Plata, Argentina. She also lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She taught classes on the Gospels at the River Platte Institute, in Buenos Aires. Today, some of her former students pastor churches of five, ten, and twenty thousand members. She served on the national Women’s Ministries board. Mary Ann served as the secretary for the Interna-tional Correspondence Institute for Argentina. In 1975, Norm and Mary Ann moved to El Centro, California to pastor at First Assembly, in 1979 at Tulare, California at Bethel Assembly of God and Taft, California in 1983 to pastor at First Assembly of God. During her time in Taft, Mary Anne worked for Judy Miller Bookkeeping. In 1988, they returned to Latin America and lived in Quito, Ecuador for 8years from 1988-1996. She traveled through out Latin America where she helped to influence the lives of couples, wives and children. She then returned to her beloved Bakersfield in 1996, where they attend First Assembly of God. She is survived by: her husband, of fifty-nine years, Norman Charles Campbell of Bakersfield, California. Three sons and one daughter: Dan & Janell of Laguna Hills, California; Jeff & Kathleen of Hacienda Heights, California; Kathryn & Eric Cooper of Taft, California; John & Rina of Fresno, California. Eight Grand-children: Andrew, Scott, Jared, Elizabeth, Michael, Faith, Rex, and Noelle. Three Great Grandchildren: Hannah, Luke, & Soraya. Two Sisters: Eve Lee Mainord & Dolores Moneymaker of Porterville. Four Nephews: Jerry Mainord, Michael Moneymaker, David Moneymaker, and Tom Moneymaker.Schedule of services: Graveside Service - Greenlawn Southwest, 2739 Panama Ln., Bakersfield, Friday, March 2, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Viewing at 1:30-2:30 p.m.Memorial Service - First Assembly of God, 4901 California Ave., Bakersfield, Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. In Lieu of flowers - Please donate to the Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O.Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200: For Andrew Campbell

TAFT UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

Pastor Cindy BrettschneiderSunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 11 AM

Adult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PMWednesday Night Service 6:00 PM

Praise Team meets on Thursday at 6:00 PM

Trinity Southern Baptist Church 400 Finley 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- 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 Services 10am1000 6th St.

Weekly Classes Mon - ThursPlease call 765-7472 for info

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

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

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

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

For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 427-9722Pastors Charle (Tommy) and

Mary A. McWhorter

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

ObituaryThe 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.

Taft CrudeCoffee House

Ice Blended Mocha

Fat Free andSugar Free

Available in Most Flavors

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

Advertise

With The Taft

Independent!

Call Today!

765-6550

Mary Ann Campbell

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

St. Mary’s Church 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft

661 765-4292

Mass Schedule Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 9:00A.M. English

11:00A.M. Spanish

Lenten Liturgy Schedule Mass

Wedensday 5:30 P.M. Confession

Wednesday & Friday 5:00pm -5:20pm

Stations of the Cross Friday of Lent

5:30pm


CHILD CARESERVICES

WantedWANTED

Junk Cars! Cash Paid (661) 805-0552

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

For SaleFOR SALE

Oak Entertainment Center, fits up to 72” TV. $600 OBO 619-1057.

Antique roll top desk needs some work. $400 obo. Call Nancy 765-4515.

AUTOMOBILES

Pets & Livestock

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

dep. $550. 321-9636 or 577-7041 habla espanol.

APART. FOR RENT

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

FOR SALE

Established local Taft business. Taft Crude Coffee House and Deli. Excellent location, near Taft College. In business for 6 years. $20,000 OBO. Room to expand product offerings. Good family business. Call 661-623-4296.

HOMES FOR SALEReal Estate eBroker Inc.

325 Kern StreetKarri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 &

#01333971661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.comReal Estate Sales &

Purchase

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 RENT224 B St #C Studio $475. 418 San Emidio 1/1 $500. 420 ½ San Emidio 2/1 $575. 302 Calvin 1/1 $850404 Fillmore 3/1.75 $1,000

Maricopa. 2bd 1 ba. Fenced yard, Laundry room, no garage, $650 mo. $900 deposit. (805) 929-3185.

2bd/1ba newly remodeled house, lg fenced yard & lg garage. $650 mo + $650 dep. References required 763-5233.

Lg. 2 bd.rm house. Garage, storage shed, chicken pen, lot’s of trees, fenced yard. $850 mo. $500. dep. 763-4593.

2 Houses in Maricopa. Both 2\1 $550 mo. pl.

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 & 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. 301 Jameson Lane. Sat. and Sun. 8 to 5. Hugh multi-family sale. Everything imaginable.

Giant yard sale. 402 A Street. Sat. Sun. Mar. 3 & 4. 8 am to 3 pm. Lot’s of everything.

Yard Sale. 430 Lucard. Sat. Masr. 3rd. Clothes and misc. items, and furn. Everything cheap! 8 am - Noon. No early birds.

Sat. Yard Sale. 612 N. Lincoln. Tools, s. ray bike, clothes, & misc. 9-4.

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

Preserving for the Future

Real Estate eBroker Inc.325 Kern Street

Karri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597www.BuyTaft.com

Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Ken ShugartsAir Conditioning & Heating

9:00am—3:00pm.

For problems with Alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous. 765-4016 or 763-3856.

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

Taft PC Services

Computer RepairGraphic ArtsWeb Design

Virus Removal661-623-5188

YARD SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

SERVICES OFFERED

Piano Lessons. All ages accepted, beginers, intermediates. 565-8322

EmploymentHELP WANTED

Help Wanted. Part-Time Sales Associate. Radio Shack. Apply in Person.

210 6th St.

TC Student wanted for part time waitress. Experience required. 765-6550.

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

Passion For Nails

(661)745-4913

Mon. to Fri.10am-7pm

Sat. 9am-6pm

1014 6th Street

For Rent 426 Shattuck

2 bed 1 bath Cottage $550

Paul Joyce 805-218-1686

Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

Place Your Ad for $2 Per Line! Call Today

(661)765-6550

Get It Rented!

OPENING SOONReal Estate Services and Property Management

Listings – Sales - Property ManagementLocal Service You Can Depend On

322 Kern Street Taft, CA 93268(661) 765-5000

West Side Real Estate And Property Management

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

Advertise

With

The

Taft

Independent

Call

Today!

765-6550

Classified

Ads

Starting At

$2 Per

Line!

FOR SALE

Large wooden shade structure for your back yard. Includes mist water system. $500 obo. Profes-sionally built. Come and get it - bring your flat bed truck and wrench. 623-4296.

Call

Today!

765-6550


We are an Independent Agency WithMany Pre-Eminent Insurance Companies

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

We Represent You To Give You The Best Service

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

www.edherrerainsurance.com

WE Offer You Low Discounted Rates

Auto - Home - Health - Business - Notary Public

Our Friendly Staff

Edward J. Herrera Insurance


www.taftindependent.com

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

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

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 College Faculty and Oil Industry Visit Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Alberta, Canada In January, 2012, three staff from Taft Col-lege: Patricia Bench, Interim Vice President of Instruction; Val M. Garcia, Jr., Associate Dean of Instruction; and Sam Aunai, Direc-tor of Career Tech-nical Education; along with two Oil & Gas Industry Leaders: Michael C. Thorsen, Senior Reservoir Engineer, PXP/Plains Exploration & Production Company; and Randy Stephenson, Geologist, AERA Energy and Adjunct Instructor for the Energy Tech Program at Taft College; paid a visit to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Alberta, Canada. Having embarked on an Energy technology Training Program, Taft College has partnered with industry leaders to ensure the cur-riculum and training are geared to the needs and changing dynamic of the gas and oil industry. In making this trip, Patricia Bench noted that “…they

were looking for ways to enhance our energy technology program, develop future instructional program areas and implement new, and/or additional methods of instruc-tion and operations. SAIT Polytechnic, with eight academic schools, is considered the world leader in training and educa-

tion in several areas, including Construction, Energy, Manufacturing and Automation, Transportation and Business, as well as Health and Public Safety, Hospitality and Tourism, and Information and Communication Technologies. Working closely with industry, SAIT has more than 1,000 partners serving over 65 program advisory committees for its degree and diploma programs as well as certificate programs. Based on the breadth of their educational offerings, more than 600 transfer options are available to-wards degrees and other credentials at 50 other post-secondary institutions provincially, nationally and internationally. According to their web site, “SAIT Polytechnic’s research priority is to further student knowledge and experience through innovative, industry-driven projects that solve practical problems.” Their Applied Research and Innovation Services, as applied to the oil and gas industry, include projects such as biodiesel processing, skeleton sled prototyping and development, industrial water and waste-water treatment, Net-Zero home development, and wind-powered energy systems among others. Randy Stephenson was impressed that “…their School of Energy had mastered the ability of combining industry needs with education, which is exactly what Taft College is attempting to do with its Energy Technology Program.” He also felt that industry partners, through investment in the Taft College program would reap both short and long term benefits. Michael Thorsen noted, “They helped us change the thought process of how to make a program…answered all of our questions with full honesty and …showed us how and why they do things the way they do.” Finally, Val Garcia noted that “…SAIT shares Taft College’s vision of a 21st community college that is committed to its community values of service, innovation and partnership. SAIT … exemplifies what is possible when industry, education and community engage in authentic dialogue focused on programs designed to get students from the classroom and into jobs.” On behalf of Taft College, its Energy Technology Program, and the oil and gas Industry Leaders who have partnered with the college to create and develop this program, the visit to SAIT provided all attending with new found enthusiasm and commitment to serving the industry with the most qualified graduates possible.

ment, performed the “Star Spangled Banner” in front of the Lincoln Memorial and visited the White House.The marching band took first place at the Rid-geview band competition in the fall. The concert band earned a rare unanimous superior at a festival in Bakersfield in 2010. “All three judges agreed we were superior and that is a big deal,” Posey said. And, the jazz band was invited and performed at Rabobank Arena for a pre-concert event in the fall. Posey also spends one period a day team teach-ing with Marlene Mudge at Lincoln to foster continuity in education between the neighbor-ing schools. “Mrs. Mudge has been a great role model and mentor for me,” Posey praised. “Af it weren’t for the help of Mrs. Mudge and Mr. (Mike) McCormick the trip to Washington DC would not have been possible.” While this is only Posey’s fifth year as a full-time teacher at Taft, she has been teaching the drum line at the high school for the past 10 years. Her husband of 20 years, Vic, is Taft High’s drum instructor. The Taft High graduate, works full-time job teaching the engine overhaul class at Bakersfield College. The Taft couple have two boys: Dennis, 11, and Ricky, 9. She was born in Hammond, Indiana, outside of Gary. At South High in Bakersfield, she was band drum captain. She earned her BA in liberal studies and her teaching credential at CSUB. She taught fourth grade and kindergarten in Maricopa for two years and fourth grade at Roosevelt Elementary School for three years. She has taught piano and guitar to disabled students through the Kern Regional Center. This is her 10th year as a teacher. She also has performed as a percussionist with the Bakersfield Symphony for 10 years. She is the adviser to the Taft High Campus Life club. She enjoys camping, softball, going to the beach, riding dirt bikes and the AWANA (Ap-proved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) Chris-tian youth ministry. She also loves working at Taft High. “Taft is like the Disneyland of high schools. It’s beautiful, cleaned and painted. You can get what you need, when you need it, from someone who is smiling. It’s like going to Disney-land every day.“This is the first award I have had as a teacher. I was surprised when Dr. Richardson walked in (to her Jazz Band class last Tuesday<Feb. 21>) with flowers. I didn’t know what it was about. “The students that I get to work with everyday make this not a job but an adventure. Every day is new. You can’t frown when you are teaching music.”

Photos by Bill WolfeSuperintendent/Principal Mark Richardson (left) and Claude Bradford, president of the TUHS Teachers Association, congratulate Amanda Posey, teacher of the year.

Amanda Posey, teacher of the year, is congratu-lated by her Jazz Band students: Matt Maxcy, Bobbi Preskitt, Annie Davis, Jeremy Juarez, Jesus Lopez, Christie Rogers, Kris Swope, Pastor Magana, Wyttnie Campbell, Andrew Jackson, Zack Fearon and Fernando Hinojosa.

Teach of the Year Continued from Page 6

Visit Us Online

taftindependent.com


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

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 •

Open 7 Days a Week

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

www.shawswesternshop.com

Ready For That Long Hair To Come Off? Call Us!

We can bring out that shiny Spring coat.This salon uses flea control and

clean grooming practices.Saturday appointments and nail spots available.

(661)763-4445No Appointment Needed for

Smog Check!

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Used to be Paul’sBike Shop

Qik Smog & Tune

Devon’s Body Shop

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337608 Center St. 745-4919

FR Jeans & ShirtsGood Supply. Shirts come in

khaki, forest green and denim.Check out our prices!

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

For Itchy, Irritated skin due to allergies and infections

ZYMOXNow for sale in the shop!


508 Center Street 765-6550

Chicks Are Here!3-7 New Pullets

3-21 Delaware & Brown Leghorns

Taft [email protected]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SERVICES

We CaterYour Place or Ours Full Bar

AvailableFor Your Special

Event

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

FULLBAR

BMXParts

Are Here!

Taft Petroleum Club

Documents

Transcript of Taft Petroleum Club