taft thanksgiving prayer

November 23 - 29, 2012 TAFT INDEPENDENT

November 23 - 29, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 20www.Taftindependent.com“Serving the West Kern County Communities of Taft, South Taft, Ford City, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and the Cuyama Valley”

[email protected] TaftIndependent

Taft Woodworks Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Custom Cabinetry and Counter Tops

Over 25 Years Experience in Taft. Under New Management.

605 6th Street, Taft, CA. 93268 (661) 765-5000 (661) 343-0507

Ta f tWOODWORKS

TW

Dennis McCall Marks 50 Years in Journalism

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Ten Percent Firearms

Shop Taft This Holiday

Season

A Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer By Dr. Harold Pease

Used to be Paul’sBike Shop

745-4919

The New 2013 bikes are here! Start your Christmas shopping

now with our lawaway plan.

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

Items of the WeekSamsung

Galaxy ACE Unlock

sale $219.95or

Pantech P8000 $119.00

AT&T or H20

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

428 Center Street • TAFT

THRIFT STORE

God Bless!

745-4963

New School HoursMon. & Tues.9am - 2pm

Closed WednesdayThur. & Fri. 9am - 5pmSaturday 10am - 2pmClosed Every 2nd Sat.

of the Month

T-Shirts .25 centsPants .50 cents

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 23 - 29, 2012

Shop Taft

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899


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. October 30, 2012

FREETire Rotation

& Brake CheckPlus

We will checkall fluids

& tire pressure

*Most Cars & Light Trucks

Up to 5 Qts.

Passion For Nails

Monday to Friday10am-7pm and

Saturday 9am-6pm

Nail Services:HOLIDAY SPECIAL

10% OFF $20 SERVICE OR MORE.OFFER GOOD UNITL 12- 31-12.

Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

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

(661)745-4913

CHECK-IN TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND GET $1 OFF

Geiger Construction & Plumbing

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

Residential • Commercial

Fast • Friendly • Affordable661-765-4377

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Lic # B-721903

A Hint of ClassInside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700

915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

Christmas Designs In

StockGifts!Comeand

See Us

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

If You Don’t Have The TimeWe Do - Clocks, Clocks, &

More ClocksCoffee Mugs $8.00

Candles $4.99

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

Personal Style BoutiqueWomen’s and Woman’s Plus Sizes - Junior - Infant Wear

New Arrivals InPurses - Joggers - Sweaters

Boots - Jewelry and More

and

See Our New Infant

Wear and Bows

Shop Taft

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527608 Center St.


745-4919

The New 2013 bikes are here! Start your Christmas shopping

now with our lawaway plan.

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899


Advertise Here

It’s FULL COLOR,Affordable

andHighly Visible

Call765-6550

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

Items of the WeekSamsung

Galaxy ACE Unlock

sale $219.95or

Pantech P8000 $119.00

AT&T or H20


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

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

Recreation Report..........4

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

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

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

Movie Review...................8

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

Shop Taft........................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

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

Maricopa Tea RoomSpecials

Due to school activities, the Maricopa Tea Room will

be closed the week of November 12th.

Thank you for all your support!

and enjoy!!!

Monday, Dec. 3--Christmas Parade

Thursday, Dec. 6--Historic Fort Craft Fair

Friday, Dec. 7--Tour of Trees Shopping Night and Cruisin’ Center Again Car Cruise

Sat., Dec. 8--Soroptimist Home Tour and Luncheon

Bike Shop

Barron Resigns from Taft City Planning Commission Taft City Planning Commissioner Jesse Barron has resigned from the com-mission. Barron, who was a candidate for the Taft City in the November 6th elec-tion, resigned in an email sent to the city clerk today. “It is with the greatest reluctance that I must inform you of my decision to resign from the Planning Commission for the City of Taft effective immedi-ately, due to personal reasons,” Barron wrote in the email. The vacancy will be filled by appointment by the city council.

TaftMidway Sunset Lions

Adopt a Senior for ChristmasWant To Be Part of the Magic?

Program for Low Income,

Homebound and/or Isolated Seniors

“Elves” Needed to Provide Gifts!

Go to Participants Listed Below,

select an ornament to adopt a senior.

Albertson’s 1044 Kern St., Chevron Valley Credit Union 1092 W. Kern St., Coopers True Value Hardware 407 9th Street, Fastrip 903 Kern Street, Personal Style 403 Center

St., Seventh Day Adventist Church 401 Harrison St.

Packages delivered on 12/15 by Midway Sunset Lions and Taft Longhorns

It is a Joy you will never forget!Contact Carol Jackson at [email protected]

or (661) 765-5541 for more information

Gas Prices Average $3.75 Over Holiday Motorists driving for holiday may be giving thanks for the recent downtrend in gasoline prices, but history will be broken as the national average will be the highest its ever been on Thanksgiving. GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan is estimating that the national average will sit at $3.43 per gallon on Thanksgiving, some 10 cents higher than it was in 2011. In California, gaso-line prices currently stand at an average of $3.75/g, compared to last Thanksgiv-ing, when prices stood at an average of $3.71/g. "Gasoline prices have continued their slow decline in the last week across a solid majority of the United States, with the national average sagging to its lowest level since this early summer," according to GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “Even though consumers are seeing gasoline prices decline in most parts of the country, and we’re certainly thankful for that, the national average will remain higher than where it was a year ago,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com. As pump prices have fallen, GasBuddy has asked surveyed motorists about their travel plans. Results from the poll of over 15,000 GasBuddy households showed some surprises. 16% of respondents in this year's poll indicated they would not me driving at all for holiday gatherings, up from 15% last year. 53% indicated they would be driving a similar amount compared to last year, up from 50% the year before. More notably, 18% of respondents said they would be driv-ing less than last year, a drop of 4% from the previous poll, which showed 22% of motorists would be driving less. Overall, 8% of those surveyed said they would be driving slightly or significantly more than last year, down from 9% a year ago. The results of the poll indicate that drivers drove more last year, and are planning similar travels this year, as gasoline prices have trended lower. “Overall, we believe more Americans will be hitting the road for this Thanksgiving Day compared to last year. Gasoline prices have come down over the last month, dramatically in some states, leading motorists to feel better about things- including driving the car to get to their destinations, ” added Gregg Laskoski, also an analyst with GasBuddy.com.

Christmas at the Fort Holiday Gift Show Thursday, December 6th 5p.m. The Historic Fort Christmas Holiday Gift Show and Dinner will be held on Thursday, December 6th at 5 p.m.

The event wil be held from 5 p.m. to 9p.m. Dinner will be served at 7p.m. For tickets and to RSVP, and more information please call 765-7371.

Soroptimist International of TaftPresents

Homes for the HolidaysHome Tour, Luncheon & Fashion Show

Saturday, December 8Home Tour: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Luncheon & Fashion Show 12 p.m.At the Westside Believers Church

Tickets on sale at $25.00 each

and can be purchased from:

Hint of Class, Old’s Kool, The Fort,Personal Style, or any Soroptimist member

Taft College Soroptimists include:

Patti Bench, LaNell Howell, Dena Maloney, Carolyn Roberts, & Becky Roth

It is a great way to get in the holiday mood, see some beautiful homes and a fabulous new business,

have a chance to win beautiful raffle prizes, eat a great lunch, and help raise funds to meet local needs!

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT November 23 - 29, 2012Editorial

Westside Watcher

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside

The Taft

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Independent

Asian ExperienceAsian Food and Pizza

Lunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday

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

215 Center Street, Taft763- 1815

Black Gold Cafe & DeliPastas - Sandwiches

Espresso - Beer - WineCraft Beers

Open Monday to Friday6:30am to 8pm

Saturday7:30am to 8pm

Sunday10am to 2pm

508 Center Street765-6556

Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar

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

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

768-4655

Paik’s Ranch HouseWhere Everybody Meets

Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon. Tues. 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

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.

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

TAFTFOX.COM

Week of Friday, November 23, 2012 through Thursday, November 29, 2012

Rise of the Guardians (PG) No Passes AllowedFri: 5:00, 7:10, 9:15

Sat: (2:45), (5:00), 7:10, 9:15Sun: (2:45), (5:00), 7:10Mon - Thu: (5:00), 7:10

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (PG-13) No Passes Allowed

Fri: (5:15), 7:30, 9:45Sat: (2:50), (5:15), 7:30, 9:45

Sun: (2:50), (5:15), 7:30Mon - Thu: 5:15, 7:30

Skyfall (PG-13) Fri: (5:15), 8:00

Sat & Sun: (2:30), (5:15), 8:00Mon - Thu: 6:30 PM

Opinion

TAFT PETROLEUM CLUB 450 Petroleum Club Road – 763-3268

Come out for the Club’s Monthly Steak/Chicken Dinner On

Friday, November 30, 2012 with Good Food & lots of Drink Specials from

6:00p.m. until Close The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries.

We do bar and food catering to fit your event! Monday – Thursday the Club has hourly rates in bar area for

Business Meetings, Baby Showers, Scentsy Parties etc. Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

Call Deanne to book your special event 661-431-9707

Assemblywoman Shannon Grove calls Cap-and-Trade Auction a “Job Killer” for Kern County Businesses

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Shannon Grove called the state’s first cap-and-trade auction which took place yesterday a pu-nitive action against job creators that will drive out local industries. “The California Air Resources Board and the democrats in the legislature call businesses the ‘polluter class,’” said Assemblywoman Shannon Grove. “These businesses are going to take their jobs across state lines, adding to the ever growing ‘unemployed class’ in California.” The California Air Resources Board (CARB) launched the state’s cap-and-trade market yesterday by holding its first auction of greenhouse gas pollution credits. California business owners must purchase these credits or pursue measures to cut their greenhouse gas emissions in order to comply with AB 32, the state’s 2006 “anti-global warming” law that placed an emissions limit on individual companies. Businesses are required to buy credits from other companies for each ton over the limit that they discharge annually. The monies raised by this auction will be allocated by the state legislature to fund programs purportedly intended to reduce “global warming.” These requirements will particularly burden the energy, agriculture and manufacturing industries prominent in Kern County. “I’d hoped saner minds would rule, but instead they’re moving forward with this scheme,” said Grove. “That’s what this is – under the guise of cleaner air, the state legislature is bleeding California businesses of even more money, because the government knows industry can’t meet the impossible standards set by AB 32. The ‘choice’ given to business is either satisfy the severe AB 32 stan-dards by reducing production, or pay up to the government, which is the politicians’ real goal here.” California is the only jurisdiction in the country with policies as stringent as those associated with AB 32. The non-partisan Legisla-tive Analyst’s Office reported this summer that cap and trade isn’t even needed to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the state, and that it will greatly increase production costs for businesses forced to comply with the regulations. The California Chamber of Commerce filed an eleventh-hour lawsuit this week to invalidate the auction, arguing that the Cali-fornia Air Resources Board exceeded its authority in establishing the revenue raising program. While yesterday’s auction still took place, future auctions will be halted if the Chamber is granted an injunction. Assemblywoman Grove, R-Bakersfield, proudly serves the 32nd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Taft, Frazier Park/Lebec, and the Kern River Valley.

Conservative Shock After November ElectionsBy Rob Schwarzwalder and Cathy Ruse, J.D.

Among the reactions to the November 6 elections, the most common among conservatives might be shock. That very fact might indicate that too many of us have been living in an echo chamber, reassuring each other about our mutually-held convictions without listening to those who are, at best, ambivalent about conservativism. For example, Mitt Romney’s message of economic freedom, utterly persuasive to the conservative ear, was unconvincing to members of a powerful new demographic who cast their votes overwhelming for Barack Obama: single women. For the first time in our nation’s history there are more unmarried than married women, a demo-graphic change with potentially profound political consequences. Whether never married, divorced or widowed, whether childless or single moms, what the new majority of American women face is the prospect of an uncertain future, alone. Do they long for the security Big Government promises? Recall “The Life of Julia,” the politi-cartoon created by the Obama campaign depicting a woman dependent on government programs at every stage of her life, from womb to tomb. How offensive to women, conservatives thought; what a turn-off ! We could not have been more wrong. It did not offend the millions of single women who voted for Obama. In fact, it may have been actu-ally appealing. A 71-year-old single woman interviewed on NPR said she voted for Obama because his policies made her feel more secure. In exit polls, Obama won the “cares about us” contest hands down. It is time to face the possibility that we are surrounded by Julias who regard a life of federal intervention as a pretty good deal. Government programs and institutions are inefficient at best, dangerously intrusive and soul-killing at worst (with some exceptions, of course). This is the perspective of the conservative. Yet those who have relied extensively on these programs will naturally be more sym-pathetic. If your family received food stamps, if you went to college on a Pell Grant or ROTC scholarship, obtained career training while serving in the military, went to work in any kind of government office (local, state or federal), saw your parents getting Medicare and Social Security, it will be difficult to make you a Big Government skeptic. Tens of millions of Americans have this perspective, as do more every day. Conservatives know this is part of the strategy of the political Left: get people dependent on government and you will get their votes. But did we know how well it was working? Mitt Romney vowed to “reduce the size of government” and our conservative hearts were cheered, but were even those anodyne words heard as an attack on the government programs embraced by many? Conservatives can’t become bitter toward those Americans who don’t agree with us. In this time of growing economic and interna-tional peril, people gravitated toward that which made them feel safer. President Obama made the stronger case (with the free and energetic help of the Fourth Estate) for a large, embracing, “compassionate” government. He persuaded enough people and won the office, but no one should think he has united America around his troubling vision. In his provocative pre-election column, Michael Barone spoke of “Two Americas” who no longer share a culture. One America is appreciative of entrepreneurs and skeptical of government; the other, skeptical of business and supportive of government. Through the tele-vision and radio we consume (Rush Limbaugh vs. NPR), the cities in which we choose to live (Dallas vs. San Francisco), “we seal ourselves off in the America of our choosing while trying to ignore the other America.” Ronald Reagan could appeal to both Americas by “speaking the language of the old universal popular culture,” Barone wrote. “Barack Obama ... has failed to do so.” And that is the glass-half-full perspective on the election. Barack Obama did not appeal to our, conservative America. He has done no better than we have to convince a majority of his fellow citizens of a broad agenda resting on shared beliefs and hopes. One thing is certain: the conservative movement cannot afford to be surprised by exit polls again. We must fight every impulse to be insular. We must learn the hearts and minds and language of the other America, so that we can make the case for conservatism in every cor-ner, winsomely, winningly. The future of our beloved nation depends on it.Rob Schwarzwalder, Senior Vice-President of the Family Research Council, served in the G.W. Bush Administration and has been chief of staff to two Members of Congress. Cathy Ruse, a graduate of Georgetown Law Center, is Senior Fellow for Legal Studies at FRC and previously was Chief Counsel to the Constitution Subcommittee in the House of Representatives.


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

[email protected] www.wsrpd.com

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!JR. HIGH DANCEFriday, December 28, 20127:30-10:00 p.m.Community Center AuditoriumGrades 6-8$5 per personMusic & lights by DJ Brandon/Amazing Sound

BINGOThursday AfternoonsGames start at 1:30 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomAges 21 and olderBuy-in varies, $10-15 averageCash pots! Pull-tabs also sold.

West Side Recreation Report

by Stephanie House

Check us out online!Need more information on

programs, classes or facilities?Visit us on the web:

www.wsrpd.comwww.facebook.com/wsrpd

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

[email protected]

LETTERS TO SANTAChildren ages 8 and younger can write letters to Santa Claus in care of his helpers at the Recreation District. We will make sure that he gets your letters and writes back. Please write to Santa between November 15 and December 14. (Groups and schools – please be sure that Santa gets your letters no later than December 4.) Don’t forget to include your address! Send letters to:Santa Clausc/o WSRPDP.O. Box 1406Taft, CA 93268

GAMES GALOREWednesday, November 283:00-4:00 p.m.Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, TaftGrades 1-8FREE! Join us for some fun and games! We will have classic board games plus lots of fun games on the Nintendo Wii.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENT & CRAFT WORKSHOPWednesday, December 53:00-4:00 p.m.Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, TaftAges 4+$3 per personDon’t miss the chance to make some special ornaments for your Christmas tree, cards and other fun items. Younger kids will need an older helper.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTASaturday, December 88:00-10:00 a.m.Community Center Auditorium, 500 Cascade Place, TaftAll Ages$5 per person (ages 3 and older) ** to guarantee the event, buy your ticket in advance!Santa Claus will be at the Community Center for breakfast, visiting and photos. Join us for a pastry and juice (coffee and milk, too!) breakfast and some time with Santa. We will also have some crafts and a chance for you to write a letter and leave it for Santa – he’ll even write back! Santa is a busy guy, so a minimum of 30 tickets must be sold by December 4 or we will have to cancel. Tickets will be available after December 4 as space allows. Purchase your tickets in the District Office. For more info, give us a call at 763-4246.

THE BATTLE AT WRECKER FIELDSaturday, November 24Wrecker Field (next to Recreation Center), 500 Cascade Place, TaftOpen Play: Ages 6+, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Fees: $2/game, $5/3 games or $10/unlimited games – no pre-registration requiredTournament Play: Ages 8+, check-in 2:00 p.m., games 3:00-7:00 p.m.Fee: $100 per team (6 people per roster)Registration deadline: Wednesday, November 21Gather your friends and put down that game controller, hunting rifle, paintball or airsoft gun and experience the thrill of battle in an alternative atmosphere! Join us, in conjunc-tion with Battlefield Live, for some combat laser tag tournament and open play. Battlefield Live provides an authentic combat entertainment experience using sophisticated gaming guns. All tournament participants will receive a t-shirt with paid entry and trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. Register now at the Recreation Center! For more info, call 765-6677.

CENTRAL VALLEY SERIES WINTER CHALLENGE DISC GOLF TOURNAMENTSaturday, December 1Check-in: 8:00 a.m.Players Meeting: 9:00 a.m.Franklin Field Recreation ComplexAges 8 and olderFees: $40 – pro divisions, $35 – amateur divisionsRegistration deadline: Thursday, November 29This tournament will consist of 2 rounds of 18-holes each. All skill levels are encouraged to participate!

FRIENDS OF TAFT HOCKEY NIGHTBakersfield Condors vs. Idaho SteelheadsFriday, December 14Puck Drops at 7:00 p.m.Rabobank Arena, BakerersfieldTerrace (upper) Level: $10 eachExecutive (lower) Level: $15 eachTickets are available in the District Office, 500 Cascade Place in Taft or at the Taft District Chamber of Commerce. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the District’s STOP Scholar-ship Program.

YOUTH BASKETBALLDivision 1: Ages 7-9Division 2: Ages 10-12Division 3: Ages 13-15Practices: WeeknightsGames: Weeknights or Saturdays (varies by team)Session: December 17, 2012 – March 2, 2013Place: Aera Gymnasium, Recreation CenterRegistration deadline: Thursday, December 6Fee: $50 per person

INSTRUCTIONAL BASKETBALLWho: Ages 4-6Practices: 1 day during the weekGames: Weeknights or Saturdays (varies by team)Session: January 22 – March 2, 2013Place: Aera Gymnasium, Recreation CenterRegistration deadline: Thursday, January 10Fee: $35 per person

TINY TOT BASKETBALLWho: Ages 2-4When: Thursday EveningsTime: 5:30-6:30 p.m.Session: January 24 – February 14, 2013Place: Aera Gymnasium, Recreation CenterRegistration deadline: Thursday, January 10Fee: $25 per personThis program is designed to introduce boys and girls to the basics of basketball through physical play, balancing, coordination and movement based activities. No games are played in Tiny Tot sports.

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 multiple 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.


Westside News & Business Briefs

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

CALL NOW 763-5429427 Center Street • Since June 1986

Family Portrait Time!

Now offering “inspired” portraits, as unique as you are.Professional retouching. Smoothing skin to bring out the “perfect” you.

* s t o p b y f o r d e t a i l s a n d a p p o i n t m e n t s

Holiday portrait time, family reunions, Christmas cards, gift items, events

Acme JewelryNew Arivals

Emerald and Ruby sets with diamonds set

in beautiful 14K White Gold

Diamond rings, pendants and earrings set in both

white and yellow gold.

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

426 Center Street (661)763-5451

Store Hours:Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pmClosed Sunday and Monday

A Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer

By Dr. Harold Pease Some may not know how Thanksgiving Day became our first national holiday, nor its importance as a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer.” One of the very first acts of the new Congress

was to pass a law requesting President George Washington “to recom-mend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by ac-knowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to estab-lish a form of government for their safety and happiness.” He complied and boldly wrote: “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor,” establishing forever our national foundation as a God-loving and God-fearing people. He then proceeded to list the na-tional favors, to which he gave credit to God, especially with respect to His help in the Revolutionary War. George Washington further wrote, “Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of

November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the original and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in

which we have been enabled to establish constitu-tions of government for our safely and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.” After listing God’s blessings to this people he asked that He pardon our transgressions and accept our prayers. He wrote, “And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplica-tion to the great Lord and Ruler

of nations, and beseech Him to pardon or national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discretely and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and prac-tice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of

science among them and us; and gener-ally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.” Then he simply signed it. Those who refer to this day as simply “turkey day” undermine the very founda-tion of our national Christian heritage upon which every other foundation principle rests. Let us take this moment to thank God for the liberties we still have, and to ask forgiveness for our departures from the core values expressed in this proclamation, and in the Constitution- resolving to restore them to prominence before they are all lost—not by an enemy from without, but by our own ignorance and neglect from within. After all, it’s about liberty. Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedi-cated 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.


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

New Shipment ofChildrens

Books Just Arrived for Christmas!

The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in TaftHAYDENS HOPE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

428 Center Street • TAFT

THRIFT STORE

God Bless!

745-4963

New School HoursMon. & Tues.9am - 2pm

Closed WednesdayThur. & Fri. 9am - 5pmSaturday 10am - 2pmClosed Every 2nd Sat.

of the Month

T-Shirts .25 centsPants .50 cents

SoCal Gas offers Tips on Gas LeaksNov. 16, 2012 —With the winter weather upon us, people tend to use their natural gas appliances more often. Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) urges customers to be safe and know the signs of a natural gas leak and what to do if a leak is suspected. SoCalGas offers these safety tips to help customers and the general public recognize and respond to natural gas leaks: • Use your sense of sight, hearing or smell to alert you to the presence of a gas leak. Signs of a possible leak include: o A damaged connection to a gas appliance, dirt or water being blown in the air, dead or dying vegetation (in an otherwise moist area) over or near pipeline areas, a fire or explosion near a pipeline or exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood or other disas-ter. o An unusual sound, such as a hissing, whistling or roaring sound near a gas line or appliance. o The distinctive odor of natural gas. Even though an odor is added to natural gas to assist in the detection of leaks, do not rely on sense of smell alone to alert you to a gas leak since there may be occasions when you might not be able to smell the odor additive. Visit SoCalGas’ website at www.socalgas.com/safety for more information.

If a leak is suspected: • REMAIN calm. • DON’T light a match, candle or cigarette, and don’t turn any electrical devices on or off, including light switches, or use any device or equipment that could cause a spark. • IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the area where the leak is sus-pected and from a safe location call SoCalGas at (800) 427-2200, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or call 911. • DON’T attempt to control the leak or repair the damaged pipe or meter.

SoCalGas operates more than 100,000 miles of pipeline to safely transport gas to homes and businesses throughout its service area. Although SoCalGas routinely performs pipeline safety tasks, including patrolling, testing, repairing, and replacing pipelines, leaks in natural gas pipelines do occur and can be caused by third-party contractors, hidden corrosion or natural disasters, and can be flammable. • Call Underground Service Alert (USA) at 811 at least two business days before digging to have utility-owned lines marked. This is a free service and it can help prevent injury, costly property damage and loss of utility service. • Most natural gas pipelines are buried underground, but only major pipeline routes are marked above ground with high visibility markers. These markers purposely indicate only the general – not exact – location of major pipelines usually found where a pipeline would intersect a street, highway or rail line. • Pipeline markers also do not indicate the depth or the number of pipelines in the area. Most lower-pressure lines used to serve residential neighborhoods and businesses are not marked, and could be just inches below ground, which is why it is important to know where they are buried before digging for any reason. • Immediately report any pipe damage by calling SoCalGas at (800) 427-2200. No damage is too small to report.

Taft Camera Club Demonstrates Photo Mounting Skillsby Mimi Collins

We all love taking pictures, but sometimes mounting our photos for display can be a challenge. The members of Taft Camera Club can help! At our November meeting, we enjoyed a hands-on workshop courtesy of members Katherine Mize, Esther Livingston, and Tyrone Maddox. Esther and Tyrone provided the materials, and Katherine directed the practice, much to the appreciation of the members.

November was also a “Show-and-Tell” meeting. Members had previously selected “monochrome” as the evening’s theme, and each brought a selection of photos to share and discuss. Show-and-tell is always a good opportunity to learn more about photography from one another’s experiences.

Classified Ad Deadline.Wednesday 2 p.m.

765-6550.

Tyrone Maddox and Abbe Gore check their mounted work

Arthur Tamayo and Mimi Collins with their mounted photographs

Katherine Mize demonstrates placing a photo to Mimi Collins as Abbe Gore observes

Club members practice spray mounting If you love taking pictures and sharing them with like-minded folks, please email TCC at [email protected], visit our website at www.taftcameraclub.org, find us on Facebook, or join us on a “second Tuesday” for one of our monthly meetings, held 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the CVCU Conference Room. Annual membership is $20 for adults, $10 for full-time high school or college stu-dents, or $5 for children in grade 8 or lower who attend with an adult member.


Liberty Under Fire

Opinion

OPEN THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING MON-FRI 10AM - 6PM SAT-SUN 9AM - 7PM

Affordable Care Act Not So Affordable By Janet Trautwein The Congressional Budget Office just announced that President Obama’s healthcare law will reduce the deficit by $84 billion more than previously thought, thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow states to opt out of the law’s Medicaid expansion. Those savings may sound nice. But the law doesn’t do much to address our country’s chief healthcare challenge -- spiraling costs. Health insurance is expensive because health care is expensive. The cost of insurance continues to rise faster than inflation. Average individual pre-miums rose by 8 percent in 2011, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Family premiums rose by 9 percent. The Affordable Care Act will make insurance more expensive. The law levies new taxes on insurers, medical-device firms, and drug-makers that will inevitably be passed along to consumers as higher prices. New federal mandates are also driving up the cost of coverage. Policies must cover all sorts of medical procedures -- whether patients want them or not. The law also limits out-of-pocket spending and annual deductibles. The law contains several attempts to rein in costs. But most are unlikely to work as intended. A prime example is the individual mandate, which requires every American to obtain insurance. The mandate has no teeth. The penalty for going without coverage is a lot smaller than the cost of an average insurance policy. According to the government’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, annual individual premiums averaged $4,940 in 2010. Assuming premiums increase at the historical rate of 6 percent per year, the maximum $695 mandate fee will account for just 10 percent of an average premium. So instead of spreading costs across a wider pool, people may pay the fine and wait to buy coverage when they need it. Consequently, those with insurance will gradually become sicker and more costly to insure. As prices for coverage go up, the fine will look more and more attractive. Through this repeating process of adverse selection, health insurance premiums will rise significantly. Medicare’s reimbursement rates for healthcare providers are also driving health costs up. Spending in the program is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2022. It will be insolvent by 2024. As more Americans enroll and Medicare’s expenses grow, the primary tool for controlling costs will be reductions in payments to medical providers. The Affordable Care Act will likely slash them by about $575 billion. Providers are concerned about these reductions. Today, physicians treating Medicare beneficiaries receive just 81 percent of the rate that private in-surers pay. According to one survey, physicians’ top concern is whether they’d be adequately reimbursed by Medicare in the future. These worries have caused some doctors to stop seeing Medicare patients. This year, the Texas Medical Association found that 12 percent fewer physicians were accepting new Medicare patients.

Seniors won’t be the only ones who suffer. Doctors who swallow lower Medicare reim-bursements may have to take on additional patients, slash visit times, or raise prices for those with private insurance. And with America’s population aging quickly, doctors’ patterns of practice in Medicare are likely to spill over to their larger patient pool. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are several easy ways to alleviate the cost problems plaguing our healthcare system. Insurance brokers have a critical money-saving role to play as the healthcare law is implemented. Many individuals and small businesses struggle to find affordable cover-age on their own. The market is only growing more complicated. A broker’s expert counsel can therefore be invaluable. No less an authority than the Congressional Budget Office reports that brokers generate substantial savings for small businesses by finding plans and negotiating premiums.

And brokers provide ongoing assistance to make sure consumers benefit from the plans they buy. In fact, agents often get claims amounting to thousands of dollars paid on their clients’ behalf. Demonstration projects that change the way Medicare reimburses providers should also be quickly advanced into actual use. Take bundled payments, which link payments for the multiple services patients receive during a single episode of care. This coordinated payment structure provides incentives to deliver healthcare services more efficiently. Value-based purchasing represents another way to reduce costs. This approach rewards efficiency -- and punishes inefficiency and waste -- by holding providers accountable for the quality and the cost of care that they deliver. The healthcare law’s efforts to improve access to insurance are admirable. But they’ll be wasted if coverage remains unaffordable. Addressing the system’s cost drivers is crucial to preventing that unfortunate outcome. Janet Trautwein is CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters.


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

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 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft

661 765-4292

Mass Schedule

Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M.

Sunday 8:30A.M. English

11:00A.M. Spanish

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

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

Check Out Our WebsiteMaricopaquiltcompany.com

And Facebook Page

Advertise

In

The Taft

Independent

Call Today!

765-6550Visit Us Online

taftindependent.com

Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 5:00 pm.

8 miles south of HWY 166 on HWY 33 in Ventucopa, Cuyama Valley, 4211 HWY 33. (661) 766-2319

www.sagebrushannies.com

Double Gold Medal Winner and Best Cabernet Sauvignon of Show at the San Francisco International Wine Competition

Now Celebrating Our 23rd Year

ROGER MILLER INSURANCEa division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985

(661) 765-4798 FAXTaft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell

E-Mail: [email protected] Hometown Insurance Store

Rich Miller • Jordan MillerKathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

600 Center StreetTaft, California

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171

All your detailing needs!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting. Call for Appointment Today!

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Yates’ Detailing


TAFT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ACCEPTIING APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSTITUTE EMPLOYEES to work in Custodial, Food Service, Clerical, Instr. Asst., and other classifications as needed.

Substitute Pay range is $13.50 p/hr. Substitute positions are paid hourly. NO hours are guranteed. E.O.E. Employment process includes: Application and Resume, Written Exam, Interview, Background Clearance, DOJ Clearance, Physical, and Drug Screen.

Applications, Job Descriptions and Salary Schedule are available at the TUHS Business Office, 1 Wildcat Way, between 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. M-F. Please note that the District Office will be closed November 22 and 23. Applications must be received in the Business Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27. Test will be given in the TUHS IRC Lecture Hall on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m.

CHILD CARESERVICES

WANTED

Wanted old Toyota Land Cruisers, or land cruiser parts. Any condition. Andy 661-665-9603.

Junk Cars Wanted. Cash Paid. 805-0552.

FOR SALE

AUTOMOBILES1979 Chev. flatbed pickup. $700.00. 661-972-7807. 11-23

1956 Dodge moving van w/lift gate. $500. 661-972-7807. 11-23

PETSSchnausers, Mini - AKC, Vet checked, declawed & taileds docked, $600 female, $500 males.

661 765-2889. 11-16

FOUND PETS

LOST PETS

LOST DOG. BLACK LAB. BUDDY. Reward. Missing since 10-15. 333-1740 or 763-4937.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Taft Property Management

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

areas.CRIME FREE

HOUSING Brokers Licence

01417057661-577-7136

COMMERCIALFOR RENT

3 Spaces avail. 500sq.ft, 750sq.ft & 1,000 sq.ft. Corner of 10th St. and B Street. Rents staring at $400 per month, plus dep. Avail. Now. (661) 864-9254.

HOMES FOR SALE

Real Estate eBroker Inc.By Appointment

Karri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 &

#01333971661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.comReal Estate Sales &

PurchaseCan’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you to a loan modification or assist you in your short

sale!Wondering how buying a house works? Set an appointment with Karri to watch a FREE video

on the process.

Call 661-332-6597 for a current list.

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

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

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

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

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

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

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

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

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

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

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

E-mail: [email protected]

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

Business ServicesRite Away Carpet CleaningCarpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General CleaningOwner OperatedVisa\Master Card 765-4191

YARD SALESAdvertise your yard sale ad. 3 lines for $2, additional lines after that $2 each. Fax your ad to 765-6556 or call and leave message at 765-6550 by 12 p.m. Wednesday.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Free Ice Packs. Taft Veterinary Hospital. 627 Harrision St. 661 763-1581.

New AA meeting just started in Taft at the Chevron Valley Credit Union Community Room. 7:30 am every Saturday morning. We read a topic from As Bill Sees It. 9-19.Grief Support Group, offered as a community service by Optimal Hospice Care. Meetings held Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. At Chevron Valley Credit Union, Community Room, 1092 W. Kern St., Taft. Enter by outside entrance – Albertson’s Shopping Center. Free 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.

YARDSERVICES

COOLERSERVICES

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

HELP WANTED

LVN,RN,MAP/T or Per Diem

For West Side Urgent Care.

Qualifications:experience required

IV/phlebotomy/injections

CPR & bilingual a plus.Must be able to

work days, nights & weekends.

Please send resumePO Box 81673, Bksfld,

Ca 93380

New, local, vibrant restaurant seeking high-quality staff.

Fiorina’s Italian is finally opening!

We are looking to hire experienced kitchen and dining room staff

to fill all positions. Applicants must be able to demonstrate positive customer service skills, common sense, and a desire to be part of a

team.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to

pick up and complete applications in person at 101 B St in Taft on

Thursday Nov 29 or Fri Nov 30 between 9am

and 1pm.

Be punctual. Be prepared. Be

professional. 11-30

NOW HIRING MACHINIST.

Candidates will be required to successfully

complete a pre-employment physical

and drug screen. Southern Sierra offers a competitive salary and benefit package.

Applications may be picked up at our business office or

resumes may be faxed or emailed to:

Southern Sierra General Engineering, Inc.

P O Box 1113857 Oleander Road

Taft, CA 93268661-765-6182 Office661-765-6155 Fax

www.southernsierrainc.com

[email protected]

HELP WANTED

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

Must sacrafice. 1 house $15,000 cash. 2 bd 1 ba. nice yard. Land rent only $285 per month. 417 Montview. Taft. 661-972-7807. Bill or Laurie. 11-23

Must sacrafice. 1 house 2bd. 1 ba. $41,950 cash or owner will carry with $25,000 down. House and property included. Front porch, fenced yards, 420 Montview, Taft. . 661-972-7807. Bill or Laurie. 11-23

2 Five acre parcels for sale in Maricopa. 1 lot has trees and animal pens, with water hook-up - $100,000. 1 lot has water hook up. $75,000. 11-23

MOBILE HOMESMobile home for sale. 3bd 2 ba. Very nice. $27,000. 123 N. 10th St. Sp. 56. 204-8307.

HOMES FOR RENTWest ValleyReal Estate

(661) 763-1500.Lic # 01525550

FOR RENTWest ValleyReal Estate

(661) 763-1500Lic # 01525550

224 B St #A 2/1 $500205 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $600

400 Woodrow #7 1/1 $625

501 ½ Jackson 2/1 $700307 Philippine 1/1 $700605 4th St 2/1.75 $750116 Franklin 3/1 $900306 Taylor 4/1.75 $900

Get It Rented!

Real Estate Services and Property ManagementListings – Sales - Property Management

Local Service You Can Depend On

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

3,500Taft

IndependentsPublished

Each Friday, The Largest Weekly

Circulation Newspaper

in Taft!

Visit Us Online atwww.taftindependent.com

Jackson’s Automotive

Smog Testand

General Repairs

Front End RepairsTransmission Service

Brake Service Tune Ups and Fuel Injection Service and Repairs

Call Today for an Appointment763-1055

Corner of 3rd and Center Street110 3rd Street - Taft, CA. (661) 763-1055

600 D St 4/1.75 $1,200

28155 McClaren in Dustin Acres. 2 Plus Bedrooms, 2bath on one acre. $1,300 mo. $1000 dep. 661-589-2448. Estate Realty. 11-30.

APART. FOR RENT

1bd. 1ba. Upstairs. $475 Mo. plus $475 dep. 155 1/2 North Street. (661) 477-9636. 11-30

Creekside Apartments. 1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.765-7674. 420 Finley Dr.

Center Street Apartments. 1 bed room 1 bath. $99 move in special. 765-7678.

Westside Energy News and FeaturesGlobal warming hysteria will kill jobsHydraulic fracturing myths threaten U.S. economyBy Paul Driessen

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have boosted shale gas production from zero a few years ago to 10 percent of all U.S. energy supplies in 2012, observes energy analyst Daniel Yergin. It has increased U.S. oil production 25 percent since 2008, in the face of more federal land and resource withdrawals, permitting delays and declining public land production.

In the process, the fracking revolution created 1.7 million jobs in oil fields, equipment manufacturing, legal and information technology services, and other sectors. It will generate over $60 billion this year in state and federal tax and royalty revenues, reduce America’s oil import bill by $75 billion, and save us $100 billion in imported liquefied natural gas, concludes a new IMF Global Insight analysis.

A resurgent American petroleum industry could add “as many as 3.6 million jobs by 2020, and in-crease the US gross domestic product by as much as 3 percent,” says Citigroup’s “Energy 2020” report. Fracking could make North America energy independent and turn the United States into the world’s number one oil producer in a few more years.

For people still concerned about “catastrophic manmade global warming” (despite 16 years of stable global temperatures), hydraulic fracturing helps cut carbon dioxide emissions, using clean-burning natural gas that costs a third less than oil per BTU.

Common sense says hydraulic fracturing should garner widespread public, political and even environ-mentalist support. Several states have banned it, however, and the Environmental Protection Agency and Bureau of Land Management are poised to unleash new rules that could usurp state control and restrict or hyper-regulate fracking on federal, state and private lands.

They justify the bans and regulations by citing public anxiety over fracking - but fail to mention that this anxiety has been nurtured and orchestrated by environmental pressure groups whose fractured fairy tales about this technology would be as funny as the Rocky and Bullwinkle tales if the economic, employment, national security and environmental consequences weren’t so serious.

Some of these “fairy tales” include:

Burning tap water. You could ignite methane at your kitchen faucet if your water well was drilled through gas-bearing rock formations and not properly sealed to keep gas out. Fracking zones are thousands of feet below groundwater supplies, though. Production wells use cement and steel casing that extends hundreds of feet below the surface, and sensitive instruments monitor downhole activity to ensure that valuable gas does not escape into near-surface formations or the atmosphere.

Groundwater contamination. Fracking fluids are 99.5 percent water and sand. The other 0.5 percent are chemicals that fight bacterial growth, keep sand particles suspended and improve production. The vast majority of these chemicals can be found in household items that Americans use safely every day - including cheese, beer, canned fish, dairy desserts, shampoo and cosmetic products. In addition, heavy plastic liners are now common under drilling rigs, storage tanks and containment pits. Along with modern drilling and well casing methods, these liners help make chemical or salt contamination of groundwater far less likely than from winter salting of icy roads.

Wastewater and water depletion. In addition to changing the composition of fracking fluids to address concerns about water use and wastewater disposal, drilling companies increasingly recycle the water they use. Today, far less water is used in fracking than to grow corn and process it into ethanol.

Earthquakes. Fracturing rocks does cause cracking that can be measured with ultra-sensitive equip-ment. But these micro-seismic events measure around 0.8 on the Richter Scale, about what is caused by a passing car. Even loaded dump trucks register only 3 (the minimum that can be felt by humans), and property damage does not begin until level 5. Deep injection of water for geothermal energy

development, enhanced oil recovery operations, or disposal of petroleum, municipal or industrial wastewater have caused detectable seismic activity. Yet of more than 800,000 injection wells nation-wide, only about 40 were felt at the surface.

Fracking is subject to multiple regulations. State and local regulation and cooperation with indus-try, constant refinements and improvements in rules and practices, and accommodation to public concerns about water, fracking fluids, road congestion, community impacts and other issues have been ongoing for decades. That is part of the reason why 2.5 million instances of fracking worldwide (over 1 million in the U.S.) since 1949 have not caused any serious harm.

Unfortunately, environmentalist fairy tales about fracking cost us energy, jobs, revenue and prosper-ity for no ecological benefit. The ultimate irony is Europe, where opposition to fracking (and nuclear power) is causing Germany and other central EU countries to build 10,600 megawatts of new coal-fired electrical power plants during the next four years.

Meanwhile, green power mandates have pushed Germany’s electricity prices to the second highest in Europe (32 cents per kWh, compared to an average of 10 cents in the U.S.) - putting countless jobs at risk and leaving German households staring at another big rate hike next year.

America needs access to its oil and gas deposits under rational regulations that reflect reality, instead of eco fairy tales. The White House, Congress and government bureaucracies need to distinguish between fact and fiction, understand how to produce real energy, jobs and revenues, and stop trying to “fundamentally transform” our nation.

Paul Driessen is senior policy adviser for the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow and author of “Eco-Imperialism: Green Power, Black Death” (Merril Press, 2012).

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899



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

Open 7 Days a Week

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

(661)763-4445No Appointment Needed for

Smog Check!

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Qik Smog & Tune

Devon’s Body Shop

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

western shop & PET Wash

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE209 Harrison Street • Taft

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

Diagnostic SpecialistsService & Repairs • Smog Repairs

Air Conditioning • Tune Up • Front EndBrakes • Fuel Injection

$15.00 OFF with mention of this ad**1996 Vehicle or newer

Black GoldCafe and Deli

508 Center Street 765-6556

We CaterYour Place or Ours Full Bar

AvailableFor Your Special

Event

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

FULLBAR


608 Center St. 745-4919

BMXBikes

Are Here!

Full Grooming Salon

www.shawswesternshop.com

Andy’s Septic Tank & SewerUNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

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

Randy’s Trucking

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

Cart-Away Concrete Mix Trailer • Hydraulic Rotation and Tilt for Mixing and Dumping

• Mixes Concrete While Traveling • • Large Internal Blades •

• Rear Operator Control Panel •

New Styles Women’s Jeans, Tops & Roper Boots

New Shipment Men’s Short & Long Sleeve Shirts

Sale25 to 50% Off

Warm and CozyDog Beds

Up To 5 Ft. Round

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