Taft Independent 3-7-19

The Taft

Independent www.Taftindependent.com

The Taft Independent

Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

March 7, 2019 • Volume 12 Issue 30

“Serving the West Kern County Communities of Taft, South Taft, Ford City, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and the Cuyama Valley”

Mexican and Seafood Taqueria Open 7 Days a Week 7 am to Midnight - 7 Days a Week

Now Serving Sushi

3 Tacos, Rice & Beans $5.95 Breakfast Burritos $6.45 Daily Special 20 Tacos $20 330 Kern Street Corner of 4th and Kern Street 745-4898

Qik Smog & Tune SMOG Repair Auto Repair No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Safety Inspection Professional Service Experienced Mechanics Basic Tune-up Air Conditioning • 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Merced Moreno - Licensed Bonded Serving Taft and the Westside (661) 345-7350

2

The Taft Independent

Shop Taft - Support Local Business Personal Style

Salon and Boutique

New Spring Arrivals Are Here.

25% Off Storewide Sale.

Monday - Friday 10am-4pm Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

423 Center (661)763-3527

Bread & Butter Bakery Pastries Deli Sandwiches 420 Center Street, Taft 661-623-4098 Hours Monday - Friday 4 am to 2pm

506 Center Street Taft, California 93268 (661) 745-4918

Inside Events

The Taft Independent

Taft Business of the Week Jane’s Front Door Decor

Shop Taft..........................2

By Gardener Field Calendar...........................3

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

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

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

Taft Business of the Week- Jane’s Front Door Decor at 420 1/2 Center Street. They have Wreaths, Signs, Craft Supplies, and much more. It is locally owned and operated. Come in today or check them out online.

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

Shop Taft........................11

The Taft Independent

Paik’s

508 Center Street P.O. Box 268 Taft, California 93268 (661) 623-4296 Leave message

Email: Publisher@taftindependent.com

Ranch House Restaurant

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com Facebook: Taft Independent

“Where Everybody Meets”

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 2,500 issues and distribute to over 85 locations in the city of Taft and the neighboring communities of Cuyama Valley, McKittrick, Maricopa, Fellows and Western Kern County, California.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Open 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Friday 6 a.m. to p p.m.

Sat. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

765-6915

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.

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

Our purpose is to present news and issues of importance to our readers.

The Taft Independent is seeking Experienced Writers

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. Email your letter to: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

News and Feature Writers

ADVERTISING. Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 623-4296 or email to Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com.

Classifieds: Call 623-4296 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone orders are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.

Experience Required.

Contact The Taft Independent Send Bio or Resume to Publisher@taftindependent.com

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

March 19th 2019 – 6:00 p.m.

Advertising Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER 209 EAST KERN STREET, TAFT, CA (661) 763-1222

Contributing Writers Stephanie House, Jerry Livingston Wesley Morris, Maureen Webb Andreas Fault, William R. Taft Columnists Randy Miller Dr. Harold Pease, Steven J. McDaniels Ray Hatch, Brenda Collins Newspaper Delivery Tim Webb

AGENDA POSTED ON BULLETIN BOARD OUTSIDE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND POSTED AT THE CITY OF TAFT WEB SITE www.cityoftaft.org TELEVISED ON SPECTRUM CABLE CHANNEL 11: Monday - Friday

6AM 12PM and 6PM

Taft Calendar

3

By Andreas Fault Join the Rec for MURDER AT THE STRATFORD CASTLE on Saturday March 16th…

The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, light dinner, dessert and musical entertainment from Sons of the Sixties. The event is for ages 21+. How does a Murder Mystery Party work, exactly? First of all, be sure to register with us in the District Office (763-4246) or the Recreation Center (7656677). A minimum of 20 participants is needed by March 1 in order for the fun to continue. Cost is $35 per person or $60 per couple.

There are parts available for 20-50 people. Everyone who registers will have a part in the fun - there are no spectators here!

Friday- Free Spay/Neuter Clinic at 311 N. Lincoln St. Call to schedule an 1-800-584-3823.

Karaoke at The Oasis at 9pm. Daily Drink and Lunch Specials.

Dart Tournament at Art’s Corner.

Meet and Greet and the American Legion at 4pm.

Saturday- Taft College Cougar Baseball Team plays at Home at 2pm.

“American Bred” plays Live at the Oasis.

Save the date for these Future EventsMarch 16th: Downtown Taft Pub Crawl.

Wildcat Invitational Track Meet.

West Side Rec “Mystery Dinner.”

Taft High Football Dinner Fundraiser at OT Cookhouse at 5pm.

Free AARP Tax Preparation at the Rec from 9am-4pm March 21st: West Kern Petroleum Summit at 9am at the Rec. March 23rd: Alpha House BBQ and Auction. For tickets call 763-4357 March 30th: BBQ & Salsa Competition at Art’s Corner.

April 3rd: TUHS Career Day. Taft Industry Night at the Taft Petroleum Club, Dinner at 7:30pm.

April 4th: State of the City Luncheon.

April 5th: 1st Friday Cruise Night on Center Street at 6pm.

April 6th: ARC BBQ from 11-2, at the Taft Moose Lodge. For info 763-1532 April 18th: Coffee with a Cop, at Bread & Butter at 9am.

April 19th: Taft High Hall of Fame Dinner.

April 21st: Easter. Sunday April 25th: The Fort Wine Tasting.

April 26-28th: WORKS Race at Honolulu Hills Raceway.

April 27th: Taft Soroptimist Spring Tour and Luncheon.

TUHS Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards.

April 30th: Houchin Blood Mobile at the Taft Chamber at noon.

May 4th: TUHS Class of 1969 Reunion.

May 17th: Pre-Car Show Cruise Night on Center Street.

May 18th: Taft Chamber Car Show.

May 23rd: Taft JobFest June 1st: Taste of Taft.

June 5th: TUHS Graduation.

June 6th: Lincoln Jr. High Graduation.

June 25th: Houchin Blood Mobile at the Taft Chamber.

July 4th: Taft Chamber Fireworks Show.

July 21st-28th: Babe Ruth Pacific Regional Tournament September 26th: Fort Okie Dinner.

September 28th: Taft Chamber Golf Classic.

October 19th: Taft Chamber Gala.

Third Annual Wrecking Brawl Roller Derby! 10 teams! @ 801 4th St. October 24th: Fort Oktoberfest.

November 23rd: Taft Chamber Trout Derby.

December 5th: Fort Gift Show.

December 6th: 1st Friday Cruise Night and Photos with Santa.

December 9th: Taft Christmas Parade.

October 2020: Oildorado 2020. October 9-18, 2020.

The Taft College Foundation Petroleum Partners present the West Kern Petroleum Forum with special guest speaker John Hofmeister, “The Pragmatic Energy Challenges for California and the Nation: Availability, Affordability, and Sustainability.” Join us at the West Side Parks and Recreation District - Aera Gym on March 21st at 9 am. More exciting guest speakers!

Call TC for tickets.

The Taft Independent Editorial

Westside Watcher MILLER TIME

By Randy Miller Hi Everyone, When I was elected to the City Council, I always felt the main reason I was there was to watch over the city finances and make sure we were prudent with your tax payer dollars.

This was especially true when we hired outside consultants to do the various work that our staff were not familiar with, trained for, or have the expertise to do the work. All consultants have a contract and the essence of the contract is to outline the scope of work, the length of time and especially the costs involved. In my experience being on the board of the hospital district and my time with the city, those contracts were always held up for scrutiny and compliance. Once signed, depending on the ‘out’ clause, we were stuck with the contract and its provisions. I especially looked at the “total not to exceed” portion of the costs associated with the scope of work. Also, some contractors like to put in some unlimited expenses for travel, rental cars, lodging, gas, etc.

Before we caught it, one contractor was flying down from Sacramento, staying in Bakersfield, renting a car, and eating meals without limitations. We all learned to read the contracts a lot closer after that fiasco. It is business; they are in it to make money, we are trying to save money.

I bring this up, because this is the way all government entities work. If you are small, contracts are a way of life. If you are like me, I hope, you’re wondering what the costs are in the case of the federal collusion investigation by the Mueller team. It has been a year; I don’t believe we, as taxpayers, not the congress, have ever been given an accounting on his part. When you have a bunch of lawyers in the $500 an hour range spending a year investigating, the payroll, travel, office space, electronics, food, etc, really begins to add up. I don’t believe they were given a ‘do not exceed’ amount before they would have to come back to congress to show cause why they need more money. What we got was an open ended contract, unlimited budget, no end date, no public accounting, no findings as of this date, no progress reports; we have got exactly “O” for their efforts so far. I hope it not to be true, but there are rumors the investigation is in the 30-40 million dollar range.

Can you imagine if the city council were to have done that with your tax dollars, my o’ my, I’m glad we never did. In a recent post I read on Facebook, there were several intriguing thoughts that were brought up. Politicians are the only people who create problems, then campaign against them. If politicians campaign against high taxes, inflation, and deficits, why is the USA 20 trillion dollars in debt ?? If the tax code is unfair it’s because they want it that way; if the budget is in the red, same thing. If they do not receive social security, it is because they want to have their own elite retirement plan. If they want to start an investigation with unlimited time and budget, it’s not their money, it’s yours. I have issues with politicians that have been in place for 30 yrs and complain about what this administration is doing now. What about the past 28 yrs when you had a chance to do something, rather than continue to waste our tax dollars by going further into debt. What a mess we are in. This is just but one small part of a huge ongoing spending problem we have over the whole spectrum of our government trying to solve all of our problems.

This is my annual rant about the price of gasoline. Most of us know, there are very few refineries in this state. There are a lot of branded and independent gas stations. The gas they all use come from the same refinery, except some have their own special additives added, which I have found made not one hoot of difference in performance. Do the refineries charge different prices to these different suppliers ?? I would think not, unfair practice I would assume. So why is the price of gas at I-5 and 119, $4.49 and at Fastrip in Taft at $3.03, at ARCO in Bakersfield around 2.90 a gallon ?? It’s the same gasoline. So, someone is gouging us, but if we are foolish enough to pay $4.49 a gallon, when you can go another 10 miles and save a buck or more a gallon, buyer beware. I support our oil industry, but when their name is on the pump, loyalty is gets put to the test.

A little health update on me. This weekend will be 4 months since my heart bypass. I’m trudging along and have started Cardio Rehab which consists of using stretching, elliptical equipment and the treadmill while being hooked up to a monitor. It is 3 times week at the Bakersfield Heart Hospital for 12 weeks. On my way there, I won’t be filling up on gas out on the I-5. The really good news that has come out of my situation is many people have said they were encouraged to get their Calcium CT Scan to check on any plaque buildup. Heart disease takes all comers, races, religions, and level of fitness, and you don’t know it’s there. I had an off the chart score with one artery 100% closed, who knew, I didn’t. I hear if you don’t have insurance that you can get it done for around $50.

Check into it, the life you save may be yours.

Midway-Sunset Adventures

By Dick Beckett dickbeckett@midwaysunsetadventures.com Episode #3 of our Midway Sunset Adventure is brought to you by Black Gold Production’s 20th offering, The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux at the Bakersfield Woman’s Club on 18th Street: March 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th at 7:00 and a Sunday Matinee on the 10th at 2:00.

These kids are REALLY good, and when you consider the fact that this group has raised over $500,000.00 for cancer research and the Kern County Cancer Fund, I’ll guarantee you will enjoy your evening, even if you do have to make the trip to Bako.

Five years into my oilfield career I was offered and accepted a position with a major oilfield chemical supplier as a Snake Oil Peddler, as we preferred to be called. Oh the irony; here I was trying to pass myself off as a competent chemical salesman, but in truth I was the guy that got booted out of High School chemistry for “warming up” my lab partner’s metal lab stool with my Bunsen burner. (Give me a break! Like I was the only guy to try that trick!)

My battle tactics never changed through all of my years of “chemical warfare”. The Company’s legion of chemical virtuosos would provide me with the necessary chemical weapons to conquer whatever problem had brought me to the production lease, and those same chemical wizards fortified my yammering with a mountain of sales pitches to impress any oilfield supervisor. I was able to memorize the technical elements of the pitch, which I always described in my own enrapturing, captivating, homespun style. (Or was it that box of Loperana’s delicious doughnuts that sealed the deal?)

One customer that I’m very proud to say became a friend is Mr. Mike Handren. It has always been my opinion that the cream rises, and some folks will just end up the group leader no matter what the situation. Mike is the producer of today’s sponsor, The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux, and way back when I met Mike in his office, he was the guy that ran Plains Exploration-Production, San Joaquin Valley. I had made the visit because I had learned he was contemplating giving my PXP business to another chemical company. Fortunately, this competitor was Not A Low Cost Outfit, and that helped to make my pitch successful. A good thing too, as Mike has never been a sucker for a delicious doughnut even if it was a Loperana’s.

Later, at a monthly dinner meeting of the San Joaquin Valley’s American Petroleum Institute, I was sitting back relaxing after a wonderful steak and baked potato dinner.

Mike was club president and he was making after-dinner announcements. As he was rambling on about that year’s Black Gold Production, and he was making some sort of plea for volunteers to join the cast, I absentmindedly moved my hand up to scratch my ear.

“There’s Dick Beckett’s hand! I see that hand, Dick! Thanks Dick! We’ll be reading for parts at my office next Thursday, see you there!”

I should probably bring the doughnuts.

To be truthful, it was a lot of fun. Also to be truthful, I don’t have the vocal power to be heard past the fourth row; so I only stuck around for a couple of productions and Mike got tired of yelling all through rehearsals, “LOUDER Dick!”

Let’s get back to some more shenanigans!

Full disclosure, sometimes I was the victim of my own reckless energy. Several years into my stay at South Belridge, I had made it to the very prestigious position of DeHy and Sales Operator. Two operators per shift, we were responsible for the several, (eight or ten) small oil dehydration plants around the lease as well as monitoring the two 60,000 barrel and three 12,000 barrel dry oil sales/storage tanks. As the tanks filled, South Belridge was producing 60,000 barrels per day back then, we made the valve switches from full tank to empty tank and turned on the oil shipping pumps when Pipeline gave the go-ahead.

My routine at the DeHys under my care was to park next to the 5K Wash Tank/ De-sander, open the 9 sand pan 2” drain valves to the ¼ acre sump, march smartly past the horizontal vessel Free Water Knock Out, back around the horizontal vessel Heater Treater, checking temps, pressures and clean water levels, and then back to the open sand pan drains. As quickly as the drains turned to “white” water, I would shut all 9 valves.

On this beautiful but fateful mid-May morning, making my circle around, as I zoomed past my parked truck, someone was yelling my radio call sign. Answering the radio, I learned of an “emergency” further north up Poleline Road. Off I went, 9 - 2” valves wide open to the sump! Screeching back into my conscience came those 9 open valves!

When I arrived back at DeHy # 468, a mere two minutes later, the liquid in the sump (the oil being on top) was just cresting the sump’s earthen walls! A friendly vacuum truck driver was shutting the drain valves and grinning a mocking smile.

Without a thought about my morning’s mistake, I shaved off my full bushy beard that night. Warm weather was well on its way, and I just didn’t have any further use for my full, red beard.

In the morning meeting the next day the Boss angrily yelled, “Who the Hell ran the sump over up at 468?!!”

Silence filled our office/lab; so from the back of the room I yelled back, “It was Beckett, the guy with the big, red beard!”

The old boy looked up from his paper work, scanned the assembled faces and loudly demanded, “Yea, where is that guy!”

Don’t forget The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux, March 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th at 7:00 and a Sunday Matinee on the 10th at 2:00.

2030 18th Street in Bako! www.bgp-show.com See you all there!

Next time I’ll treat you to the Picasso of practical jokes.

The Taft Independent

West Side Recreation Report Check us out online!

Need more information on programs, classes or facilities?

Visit us on the web: www.wsrpd.com www.facebook.com/wsrpd www.wsrpdsports.com wsrpdsports.com

by Stephanie House

6

2018 Derrick earns two firsts in national contest

Taft Union High School’s 2018 Derrick yearbook received a first place for overall excellence in the prestigious American Scholastic Press Association contest. The book was one of 19 in the 500-1,000 enrollment category to receive the honor.

More impressively, the book was one of six in its small school category and one of 19 in all high school categories to earn best theme.

The yearbook’s theme was “Our Town.” The cover photo was taken by Michael Antrim, the parent of a TUHS student. It was the first time a drone was used for the cover photo. Shot at dusk, the cover photo showed the main building in the foreground in front of the lit stadium and the Temblor Range in the background.

Editors were Hunter Everson and Carlos Margis. Jim Carnal was the adviser and this was his tenth and final yearbook because he retired in June. Carnal, who was a photojournalist with The Bakersfield Californian before he went into teaching, also was the adviser for Derricks that took first place every year from 2000 through 2006.

“The ‘Our Town’ theme fit like a glove,” Carnal said, “because juniors read the Thornton Wilder Pulitzer-Prize-winning play in English class and it is all about small-town life and its tight community ties.”

“Since this was my 10th book and very few students had any yearbook experience, we kept things simple and created a traditional yearbook. The staff worked hard to meet deadlines and really focused on taking excellent photos. Hunter was a topnotch editor.”

Co-editor Hunter Everson wrote the opening theme story titled, “Our School, Our Town: Life in small town captures spirit of America.” Everson, who was voted most athletic, wrote, “The people in our town are the best kind of people; they are the ones who come into your life and make you see the sun instead of the clouds, the kind who believe in you so much that you start to believe in yourself too.”

Co-editor Carlos Margis worked alongside Everson. His death

The Taft Independent

TUHS Student 4.0 Achievers

Seniors with a 4.0 G.P.A. or higher for first semester. Pictured left to right. Reagan Montgomery, Madison Jordan, Izabella Nuncio, Rodolfo Magaña, Kaleb Hillan, Laurel Wheeler, and Bryson Ginn. Not pictured: Erin Gilbert, Damaryz Hernandez Gil, Tyler Nguyen Ngo, Brian Rivera Garcia, Jackson Van Roekel, Tucker Banner, Dylan Self, Allyson Houghton, and Dennis Posey.

Sophomores with a 4.0 G.P.A. or higher for first semester.

Pictured left to right. Top row: Phenix Harmer, Vinisha Keshav, Emma Neudorf, Willow Pilgrim, Kaden Hielscher, Dominic Krier, Presley Golling, Ilan Katz, and Jackson Mainard. Bottom row: Leslie Hinojosa Ortiz, Michael Gamez Gill, Eder Gonzalez, Xylandra Yates, Jeidy Perez, Brooke Ashmore, Judith Lopez Figueroa, Roxana Jarrahian, Chloe Dodson, and Elijah Gonzalez. Not pictured: Chloe Parmenter, Emalyne Davis, Jaylyn Isbell, Natalie Bavinez Ortiz, Craig Popejoy, and Macayla Wells.

Juniors with a 4.0 G.P.A. or higher for first semester. Pictured left to right. Top row: Kenya Orsburn, Taylor Reed, Yasmin Cisneros, Desiree Harris, Ulises Sanchez, and Jacob Ellis. Bottom row: Yadhira Quevedo, Naila Avila, Tisel Martinez Fores, Hailey Steele, Amanda Diaz, and Regan Barnachia. Not pictured: Davino Flores and Raygan Wescott. this past June was sudden, and he will forever be remembered in the pages of the TUHS Derrick, which he helped create. He was instrumental in training the staff for the 2019 edition and will be honored at the distribution of this year’s book. Margis’s legacy lives on with this year’s editor-in-chief, McKenlee Wescott who said, “Carlos taught me everything I know about yearbook.

How to edit, how to stay motivated through stressful deadlines and, most of all, how to never give up. He was always there for anyone even if you just needed a hug. He believed in me even when I didn’t. As co-editor last year, he worked so hard to make the yearbook the best it could be. Everything he did was for his fellow students. This yearbook has been very difficult to put together without him, but I know he is always there while I’m working. He was my yearbook buddy and he always will be.”

The 2019 Derrick may be purchased at the high school business office for $70 with an ASB sticker, $75 without. Prices will increase in May. There are also limited copies available of the 2018 edition, “Our Town.”

Photo caption: 2018 Adviser Jim Carnal, Co-editor Hunter Everson, and co-editor Carlos Margis show off the yearbook cover at the yearbook dedication and distribution last May. (Photo credit: Jonah Armstrong) Photo caption: Adviser Jim Carnal introduces 2018 Derrick Coeditor Carlos Margis during the yearbook dedication last May. (Photo credit: Jacquelyn White)

Freshmen with a 4.0 G.P.A. or higher for first semester. Pictured left to right. Top row: Martin Penaloza, Isabella Long, Breann Bracken, Natasha Harris, Yarilyn Rodriguez, Cristal MartinezMunoz, and Jeremiah Frakes. Bottom row: Brigitte Medina, Hannah Mason, Madeline Tidd, Reanna Rowland, Allie Barnachia, Kayleigh Pence, and Vanessa Alvarez. Not pictured: Luis Vargas, Haley Anglin, and Caitlin McAfee.

Photo credit: Jacquelyn White

Angie, A Friend of the Family.

For 30 years, Angie Milner has been a beloved and trusted friend to your family. You can count on Angie to continue to be there for any of your

ADVANCED FUNERAL PLANNING, CEMETERY, CREMATION, MONUMENTS, and BURIAL needs.

Angie continues to conduct BURIALS in TAFT. Call Angie at (661) 834-8820 or email her at AngelaM@greenlawnm-c.com CA Life Insurance Agent #A91908 Northeast: (661) 324-9701 Southeast: (661) 834-8820 Online: www.GreenlawnM-C.com

Greenlawn Southwest FD# 1347, Greenlawn River Blvd. FD#779 2017 Greenlawn FH. A Friend of the Family is a trademark of Dan Katz, Inc.

Recepie Corner

By Brenda Collins This is such a great recipe.

The buttermilk is the secret.

Ginny gave this recipe to me and shared a slice with me.

So good and really great with a big dab of cream cheese spread on it.

I apologize to you. I have been very lax this winter. I have gone thru the no-cook phase where dinner is what you can find in the freezer.

But, I am BACK. I made the best lasagna last night.

Recipe to follow soon.

I have just tried to stay warm like the rest of us. I realized that I have 1 warm sweatshirt and 1 pair of warm sweatpants extremely worn. If I dared to venture out in the cold I would go shopping. Shopping is the one thing I am not good at. My feet and knees hurt. Just 1 trip around the inside of Costco and I am ready for the couch. I love the store. The prices are great. They had a beautiful furry blanket for king sized beds, $16.99!! I really wish I needed one, but decided against it. Again, the store is just too big for old timers with bad knees.

Winco is good, but it seems bigger than Coscto and you have to bag your own groceries. At least Alberson’s bags and carries your groceries. But what’s with the “Signature” brand? It seems to have taken over the store. They no longer have a nice assortment of all the name brands? Sometimes living in a small town you become a little like a hostage victim?

Finally cleaned out a closet. Unfortunately it was the smallest closet in the HOUSE! It only netted us 2 bags to Goodwill. And 4 jackets. How does someone accumulate so much? The garage is next.

I need a new washer and dryer. The set I have is 25 years old. The dryer is making a funny noise? I also had to buy a new stove. Went to the local Sear’s store and had 1 delivered the following Monday, Ronika is a very persuasive salesman and I will be buying my appliances at Sear”s. They are reasonable and LOCAL.

The Taft Independent I shouldn’t complain about the weather. My grandson, Mark, lives in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The other day he called me on the way home from work. The wind-chill factor was -41 degrees.!! The average daytime temp has been between 18 & 30 degrees.

Nightime is about 3 to 9 degrees. Why does anyone live there? My grandson says the cold is only 3 months long and the rest of the year the weather is beautiful. He loves it. He’s happy so I do like good grandmas do and say NOTHING! He and his fiancee are coming out in April. We are so excited. The very first meal and probably the last meal he will have in California will be Taft’s Pizza Factory pizza.

He LOVES Felix & Sherry Bravo’s Pizza Factory pizza. Ever since he was a little one that was his favorite place to eat. I am sure we will squeeze in dinner at a couple of other favorites, Chalet Basque, Luigi’s and Mexacali. Pizza and Mexican food are made differently back in Illinois. Oh, and Pyreenes bread. I have mailed them 2 huge shipments. I bring the bread home and freeze it for a couple of days then box it up and get it in the mail. It stays fresh once it is frozen. I have always kept bread in the freezer. All bread. It stays as fresh as the day you bought it.

My favorite haidresseer, Diane King, retired. I really miss her. Ginny Merrill is now doing my hair and like Diane at first, she will have to “learn” my hair.

Hair is really unique with every single person. My sister swears by her steam curlers. Unfortunately, 18 years ago I fell and tore my rotator cuff and never got if fixed. I was in a lot of pain, but it was my right arm and I could not take 6 weeks off from work while I wore my arm in a sling. So, as my arm has slowly atrophed I no longer am able to do my own hair. I cannot curl it, wash it, brush it. etc. So, to the beauty shop I go. Ginny is doing a great job and we have fun at the beauty shop. The girls that work there, Jo, & Donna and Lurina the owner, are such great girls. The shop is busy and I have never, in my ?? years of going to the beauty kingdom I have never been in such a friendly shop.

I have been in shops where the tension is as thick as a slab of bacon. I have been ignored and dissed (there’s a word) and never here. “New Creations” on 6th street next to Jack Leonard’s office.

Well, I will tyr to be more loyal in my writing. I have

TAFT SPORTSMEN’S CLUB 7TH ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019 KERN COUNTY GUN CLUB, 12450 SHOTGUN RD. BENEFITTING TAFT COLLEGE AND TAFT HIGH SCHOOL SCHLARSHIPS JC CHITWOOD MEMORIAL SCHLARSHIP FUND TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL SIGN-UPS $500 PER TEAM OF 5 $100 PER PERSON (LIMITED TO 34 TEAMS) SIGN IN 8 AM SHOOT STARTS 9 AM JOE GREGORY 661 340-2365 GREG GIOLL 661 342-2796 KARENCHITWOOD6@GMAIL.COM

been so lazy this winter. Everyone, stay warm and dry.

And, enjoy the Banana Bread!

BANANA WALNUT BREAD

by Ginny Merrill ¾ C margarine or butter 1 ½ C sugar 4 bananas – mashed 2 eggs, Beaten 1 tsp vanilla 2 C sifted flour 1 tsp baking soda ¾ tsp salt ½ C buttermilk ¾ C chopped walnuts Cream butter/margarine and sugar thoroughly.

Blend in bananas & eggs. Sift flour with soda & salt, stir into banana mixture alternately with buttermilk. Add nuts, mixing well.

Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake @ 325 degrees for 1 hr. & 15 min, or until done.

8

Liberty Under Fire The 2020 Billionaire Election Buyout is Happening Right Now

By Harold Pease, Ph. D. Most think that the 2020 presidential election is almost two years away. Not so!! The first vote, the vote of the billionaires who choose our candidates, is happening right now. It happens every four years and Democrats and Republicans simply change places. This time it is the Democrats lining up with alms bowl in hand—not to their constituents or the little donors that used to be their base long ago, but the super rich who they pretend to be against.

Candidates each take their “dance” before the billionaire club and are picked by one or more of them. Almost everyone has noticed the dramatic shift to socialism made by the Democratic Party presidential candidates, not because their constituents necessarily demand such, but because their real bosses, the moneyed elite, do. Their moneyed sponsors, primarily George Soros , the leading funder of far-left causes and elections the past two decades, who is said to have spent $25 million on Hilary Clinton and other democratic candidates in 2016 and another $15 million in the recent midterms, and Tom Steyer, who “promised to spend at least $30 million to elect progressives this campaign season,” making him the “most important Democratic donor in the United States.”

Tucker Carlson reported last week on Fox News, “This coming Saturday, Sen. Cory Booker is attending a Silicon Valley fundraiser. It is hosted by Gary and Laura Lauder. They are heirs to the $14 billion Estee Lauder fortune.

Kamala Harris just had a fundraiser in Beverly Hills that was attended by an army of wealthy studio execs. Kristin Gillibrand did not even start her campaign for president before asking the permission of Wall Street.”

Yes, Republicans do something similar when it is their turn to oppose a seated Democrat president. Trump was the exception as he financed his own primary making him the only presidential candidate since William McKinley that is not largely purchased by wealthy donors.

The Taft Independent There are more Democrat political billionaire activists than Republican, taken together Soros money and organizations, and now, Steyer’s money, easily dwarf that of the Koch brothers, said to be funding most of the right side of the political spectrum.

The billionaire club easily favors the Democratic Party and the far-left side of the political spectrum. What is far worse is that Soros and Steyer seem not to be promoting rank and file Democrats but instead radicals who want to upend our political system. It appears that the rich who initially controlled the Republican Party, then both major parties for over 100 years, now has much greater dominance over the Democratic Party. Should they succeed, we will become a socialist country.

So why are the super rich overwhelmingly progressive—code for socialist. Tucker Carlson argues “They love mass immigration — it brings them servants. They support federally-mandated snobbery, masquerading as environmentalism.

Abortion is essentially a sacrament to them, especially when practiced in poor neighborhoods” (February 21, 2019).

What is certain is that essentially socialism allows them to command society with their money, to right all wrongs. Alexandria OcasioCortex is now wondering if society should limit its number of children. Everything is managed from cradle to grave. Other forms of government deny them this kind of control.

So if most of the billionaire club are progressives and Democrat why do they overwhelmingly fund the party and philosophy that purports to seize their wealth and control? Have not Democrats identified the enemy as “old white men,” which most billionaires are? Taxing is their favorite instrument of control and Democrats have been for higher taxes on the “rich” for decades. Cortez advocates 70%, Elizabeth Warren even higher.

Don’t they pay more taxes because they make more? Yes, but only to a point. The secret is that the rich will never pay more than 24% no matter how much they make. And they, being the financiers of the presidential candidates, will never be required to.

Carlson explains how it works“The

top federal income tax rate stops at about 500 grand. So what’s the difference between someone making $500,000 a year and someone making $50 million a year? The answer: The richer one can much more easily evade paying full freight, and they do.”

The rich that the Democrats want to tax are not the “real rich,” only those who make less than $500,000 per year. Those making more are locked in to no more than 27% and the richest of the rich only 24%. “According to the IRS, the top 1 percent of Americans pay about 27 percent of their income in taxes. But the top tenth of 1 percent — that’s people who make $35 million a year — pay less than 26 percent.

And the top thousandth of a percent — the absolute richest — pay less than 24 percent. In other words, past a certain point, the richer you are, the less you pay. That’s why billionaires back socialism. It doesn’t cost them much.

The first election is theirs as they fund the candidates who share their socialist views and get a tax cut as well. The show part of the election, the one acknowledged by everyone, does come in two years but well after their candidates are safely placed to win. The masses then salivate over which one of of the anointed the moneyed elite have preselected for us.

Dr. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and 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 taught history and political science from this perspective for over 30 years at Taft College. Newspapers have permission to publish this column. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.

LibertyUnderFire.org.

The Taft Independent

JEHOVAH JIREHMY PROVIDER SOMOAN CHURCH 308 NORTH ST. TAFT

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CHURCH SCHEDULE SERVICE

765-5557

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 EVENING SERVICE 6 PM WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 7 PM SATURDAY PRAYER MEETING 6 AM FELLOWSHIP HALL COFFEE & DONUTS ALL ARE WELCOME! COME ENJOY THE FELLOWSHIP PHONE 577-6762 OR 765-6402

Paik’s

Ranch House Restaurant “Where Everybody Meets” Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Open 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs & Fri. 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE

a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Brokers LLC

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Jeff Miller • Kathy Devine

(661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell License No. 0E02096 E-Mail: Richrmia@bak.rr.com Your Hometown Insurance Store

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, 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.

630 North St.

“ “Freely Given” Clothing Giveaway Every 3rd Saturday of the month from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Upstairs in the Education Building outside the front gates

Pastor Cindy Brettschneider Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 11:45 AM Adult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PM Wednesday Night Service 6:00 PM Praise Team meets on Thursday at 4:00 PM

Maricopa Community Church Pastor Stephen McCurtis 600 Hazelton, Maricopa 661-303-0124 Sunday worship 10:00 am Wednesday bible study 6:30 pm

TAFT FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR ELMER MOODY

WED. BIBLE STUDY 6PM SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45AM SUNDAY M11AM AND 6PM

510 HARRISON ST. TAFT, CA 93268 661-833-0142 661-333-8755

Revival Worship Center

9

Gateway Temple

604 Main Street Maricopa, CA 93252 Pastors Tommy and Mary A. McWhorter

Services: Sunday 10am & 5pm Wednesday 6:30pm Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30

ALL are WELCOME Come as you are!

For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 427-9722

New Hope Temple “Connecting Lives” 308 Harrison Street 765-4572 Sunday Morning Worship Service 10 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship Service 6 p.m Bible Classes All Ages

Taft First Assembly Your Neighborhood Church 314 Asher Ave Join us for our Encounter Service Sundays 10:30 am Pastors Rich and Erica Johnson Childcare Available During Services Info call 765-7151

Community Christian Fellowship 631 North Street Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church .

Sunday Service - 10 a.m. www.standrewstaft.org 703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

Trinity Southern Baptist Church 400 Finley Drive We invite you to join us each week as we worship

PASTOR MIKE LYNCH

Sunday Bible Study 9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 am Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 6:00 pm

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMS Taft- A caring community under Christ We welcome you to worship with us at peace lutheran church, 26 Cougar Court (across from the College). Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.

Communion will be offered 1st and 3rd Sundays If you have a prayer request please call (661)765-2488.

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

Ken Shugarts

Air Conditioning & Heating

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Steven J. McDaniel Pastor Service Sunday 10am & 6pm Wednesday 7pm 400 S. 6th St. Taft, CA 93268 upcofttaft@gmail.com rwccoftaft.com

Plumbing • Septic • Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507

Visit Us on Facebook

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Classified ads $2.00 per line 765-6556

30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

Westside Waste Management 274 E. Cedar, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 763-5135

10

Classifieds

Classified Ads are $3.00 per issue for up to three lines, $5 per issue for Classified $2.00 per off up to 5 lines,Ads andare $7 per issue forline. up toPhone, 10 lines.fax, Yardmail Sale or adsdrop are free. your adfax, tomail the or Taft Independent.

Phone, drop off your ad to the Taft Independent.

The Taft Independent

Ken Shugarts

HOUSE FOR SALE

BY OWNER

Air Conditioning & Heating

Deadline for submission is Wednesdays at Noon.

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

Ad your photograph for $5. Ad your company logo for $5.

Boxed adsCar, aretruck $5 or additional.

E-mail us $5 (orper bring Photo Ads. house for sale ads are week,toor our $10 office) a photo ofus your home, car,office) truckaor motorcycle and with a photo.

Email (or bring to our photo of your home, we’ll do the rest. car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Yard Saleads ads are $3 isfor 3 lines, additional lines $2 each.

Classified deadline now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Classified ad deadline is Wednesdays at Noon.

Phone: 765-6550

Plumbing • Septic • Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete

Phone: 765-6550 Fax: 765-6556 E-mail: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Payment can made by cash, check, or card. credit card.

Payment can bebe made by cash, check, or credit Taft Independent210 508 CA 93268 Taft Independent 6thCenter St., Taft,St., CA Taft, 93268.

YARD SALES

HOMES FOR RENT

FOR SALE

Car For Sale.

2001 Chevy Impala.

Runs and looks great.

Clean title, passed smog. Call for more details. $2,700 or best offer. Here in Taft 916519-2098 or 916 2723887.

Room for Rent in House.

800 block of Philippine St. No utilities charged.

Just rent. Kitchen, laundry, pool, own private bathroom,. Text to set up phone interview. In person interview follows. $550 month. 661 577-5265.

HELP WANTED

3 bedroom, 2 bath. Great area. 813 Philippine St. Taft. $249,000. 661- 763-3517.

HELP WANTED The City of Taft is currently accepting applications for Lead Maintenance Worker.

Requirements:

APT. FOR RENT

HOMES FOR SALE

OPEN HOUSE Sat 3/16/19 From 11:30 to 2:30 517 Garfield Ave, 4 bed + bonus room & basement, 1.5 bath, 1826 sq ft, Lrg front porch with a view! $139,900, Americana Real Estate, DRE # 01942324 661-765-5000

.

Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr.

Joyce Properties (661) 769-6469 Preserving for the Future

Rentals Real Estate

(661) 769-6469

Education and Experience: Graduation from high school education or GED equivalent, and Five (5) years of experience relating to construction, maintenance, or repair of streets, sewers, water systems, and the operation of automotive equipment associated with construction and maintenance.

One year experience providing lead direction or supervising work crews.

Any combination of experience and education that would be likely to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities could be qualifying, as determined by the City.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possess and maintain a Valid State of California Class B Driver’s license All applicants must submit a City of Taft application at 209 E. Kern St. Taft, CA 93268 or email it to hr@cityoftaft.org.

We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507 30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that sealed bids will be received in the office of the West Side Recreation and Park District, 500 Cascade Place, Taft, Ca. 93268, until 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019 on surplus property of said District. Property listed below may be viewed at the District Maintenance Yard, 402 9th Street, Taft, Ca. All items must be accepted in an “as is” condition. No warranties or liability is offered or implied. Playground equipment will be turned over to the winning bidder in a dismantled condition. Bidder will remove dismantled equipment and reconstruction will be the bidder responsibility. The District reserves the right to reject all bids or bids deemed not advantageous to the District and to waive any irregularity in any bid received. Winning bidders will be notified

by Friday, March 15, 2019 and must take possession of property by Friday, March 22, 2019. Bids will be executed by the tendering of cash for said bid at the District business office, 500 Cascade Place, Taft, Ca. by 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2019.

Bid items may be viewed at the District Maintenance yard, 402 9th Street, Friday, March 8, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A complete list of items is available on our website: www.wsrpd.com

U-Cart Cement

The Taft Independent

11

Cart-Away Concrete Mix Trailer Hydraulic Rotation and Tilt for Mixing and Dumping Mixes Concrete While Traveling Large Internal Blades Rear Operator Control Panel

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

A lot of New Home for the Money.

Don’t let this Low Price Opportunity Pass You Up.

The Taft Independent

The Taft Independent

Dry Hole Oatmeal Stout Black Gold Brewing Company