January 20 - 26, 2012 • Volume 6 Issue 30 www.Taftindependent.com “Serving the West Kern County Communities of Taſt, South Taſt, Ford City, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and the Cuyama Valley” [email protected]FREE Weekly e Taft Independent Taftindependent.com City Highway Welcome Signs Get Facelift Also Inside: West Side Recreation Report Lincoln Jr. High Anti - Bullying Week Taft City Council Update Community Voices From The Mayor Classified Ads And More! Electronics • Prepaid Phones • Service • Accessories WE HAVE MOVED! Now located at 210 6th Street (661)763-4176 WE SHIP! Geiger Construction & Plumbing 24 Hours/ 7 Days a Week Se Habla Espanol 661-301-4660 Residential • Commercial 661-765-4377 Cement & Asphalt Cuing Lic # B-721903 Fast • Friendly • Affordable By Jane McCabe Taſt Masonic Temple New Book by Historian Kenneth Cooper Illustrates History of Masons and the Westside
Transcript
January 20 - 26, 2012 TAFT INDEPENDENT
January 20 - 26, 2012 • Volume 6 Issue 30www.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”
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].
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Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris,
Nicole Frost
ColumnistsRandy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins,
Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease
Subscriptions\DeliveryTim Webb, Patrick Harget
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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]
Grandma’s Attic At Taft Branch Library every Saturday through April 14th
Grandma’s Attic Storytime has resumed at the Taft Branch Library on Saturdays and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through April 14. Aimed at 5 to 8 year-olds, Grandma’s Attic offers an old trunk full of surprises and stories presented by a different volunteer reader each week. Children who participate will receive a form to return to their teacher for credit in their school reading program. Parents are always welcome to attend, or may enjoy some library or computer time while their child is occupied. For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.
Taft Sportsmen’s Club Annual Awards Banquet Saturday, January 21st
The Taft Sportsmen’s Club will be having their Annual Awards Banquet Saturday January 21, 2012 at 6 PM at OT Cookhouse. It is a fun filled evening of fellowship, raffle prizes, a 50/50 drawing, and gun raffles. We also award the contest winners through the year and name the annual Sportsman of the Year. Don’t miss out on this exciting evening. The cost is free to life members, $15 for adults, and $8 for children 16 and under. Please RSVP by calling Tom Brown at (661) 765-2704 or e-mailing the club secretary at [email protected]. For more information on the Taft Sportsmen’s Club be sure to check out our website at www.taftsc.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/taftsportsmensclub.
Taft College Art Gallery Opens Monday, January 23rd
The new Taft College Art Gallery will be open to the public on Monday, January 23rd frp, 1pm to 7pm. The gallery is located in the Tech Building, room #T11.
Fort Membership Drive & Dinner Thursday, January 26th
The Historic Fort is holding their annual membership dinner and drive on Thursday, January 26th at The Fort, located at 915 N 10th Street. Social hour begins at 5pm, dinner served at 6pm. Dinner catered by Vanita Hooker. For more information call the Fort at 765-7371.
Taft Chamber Installation Dinner Wednesday, February 8th
The Taft Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau is holding their annual membership Installation dinner on Wednesday, February 8th at the Historic Fort, located at 915 N. 10th Street. For ticket information contact the Chamber at 765-2165.
Luck Of The Irish St. Patricks Dinner Saturday, March 17th
The Historic Fort is holding their annual St. Patricks Dinner on Saturday, March 17th at The Fort, located at 915 N. 10th Street. Social hour begins at 5pm, dinner served at 6pm. For more information contact The Fort at 765-7371.
Community Events
Taft Chamber of Commerce AnnualMembership And Installation Dinner The Taft District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau is having their Annual Installation Dinner on Wednesday, February 8th at the Historic Fort. A social hour starts at 6PM, followed by dinner and an awards ceremony at 7PM. This event introduces the community to the new Board of Directors, hosts a special guest speaker, and presents the Chamber Awards. Everyone is welcome to attend and may purchase tickets at the Taft Chamber. To nominate someone for an award and/or to RSVP for the event, please call the Chamber at 661-765-2165 or stop by their office at 400 Kern Street. Award categories are as follows: Business Man of the Year, Business Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and a Community Service Award. Deadline for award nominations is Friday, January 20. Tickets to attend the event are $35 each with event sponsorships available. Contact the Chamber for more information.
Cash For College Financial Aid Workshop Taft Union High School is hosting Cash for College, a free financial aid workshop where officials will help parents sign up on-line for college aid. The workshop for high school seniors and their parents will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, in the IRC lecture hall. Staff members from the high school, community college, state college and university systems will be on hand to help parents apply for financial aid for their incoming college freshmen. Bilingual assistance will be available. The event will be open for two hours but it only takes about one hour to fill out the forms. Additionally, attendees will be entered into a drawing for a $1,-00 scholarship by filling out the exit form, but they must be one of the evening participants. The event opens the door for federal money and Cal grants and for alumni funds at the college they plan to attend. Parents will be assisted in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form used by virtually all two- and four-year colleges, universities and career school for awarding govern-ment aid. Parents should get on-line beforehand at “www.pin.ed.gov”to obtain a pin number they can bring with them on Jan. 30. Parents may also get more information at “www.fafsa.ed.gov”. Parents should bring their most recent income tax information, social security numbers for themselves and their child and W-2 forms. If not a U.S. citizen, they should bring their alien registration cards. If the student and parent are undocu-mented, school officials will talk with them about AB540 support. If you have questions, contact Cameron Anderson, the college peer adviser, at [email protected] or 763-2326.
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Camera Club Kicks Off New Year One of the oldest and longest running camera clubs in the United States kicks off 2012 with a photo shoot on Saturday, February 4, at West Kern Oil Museum. Past, present and prospective members of Taft Camera Club are invited to gather at the museum at 9:30 a.m. with camera gear in hand. No special expertise is required. Enthusiasts also may wish to gather at Taft Veterans Hall at 8:00 a.m. for a no-host pancake breakfast before the photo shoot. For more information, please email [email protected] or contact any Taft Camera Club member.
Win A Weekend Getaway For You And Your Sweetie From The Taft ARC Looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift? The Taft ARC is selling tickets for a chance to win a Weekend Getaway In Morro Bay. The weekend getaway includes a one night stay at Ascot Hotel, and a champagne brunch cruise for two with Chablis Cruises for a Saturday of your choice, per availability. This weekend get-away was donated by Dream Maker Bath & Kitchen of Bakersfield by owners Ev-erett & Patty Gray. To purchase tickets for a chance to win a Weekend Getaway please stop by the Taft ARC located at 204 Van Buren St. Tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. The drawing for the weekend getaway will be announced on February, 14th at the Taft ARC, need not be present to win. For more informa-tion contact the Taft ARC at 763-1532 ext. 1.
Millions Of Americans Oppose SOPA And PIPA These bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S. Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business. Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA. The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA and SOPA before it is too late. Tell your Representatives in Congress to take action, NOT the Internet. Visit www.act.protectinnovation.com to take action and send a letter to Congress, it will take less than a minute of your time.
West Side Little League Registration Registration and Sign Ups for the West Side Little League 2012 season begin next week. All sign ups will be held at Chevron Valley Credit Union.
Sign Up & Registration Dates: Saturday January 28th, 10:00am to 6:00pmTuesday January 31st, 5:00pm to 8:00pmThursday February 2nd, 5:30pm to 8:00pmSaturday February 4th, 10:00am to 6:00pmThursday February 9th, 5:30pm to 8:00pm
4 TAFT INDEPENDENT January 20 - 26, 2012
Editorial
Westside Watcher
Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside
The Taft
Restaurant and Entertainment Guide
Independent
Taft Petroleum Club
450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Monday- Friday 4:30pm to Close
Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm
Asian ExperienceAsian Food and Pizza
Lunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday
11 am - 2 pm 4 pm - 9 pmSaturday 4 pm - 9 pm
215 Center Street, Taft763- 1815
Sagebrush Annie’sRestaurant and Wine Tasting
Tasting Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pmDinner by Reservation
4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa(661) 766-2319
Taft Crude Coffee HouseCoffee House and Deli
Monday – Friday 7 am to 4pm.
Saturday 7 am to 2 pmSundays 7:30 am to 10 am
1010 6th Street, Taft763-5156
Black Gold Cafe & DeliPastas - Sandwiches
Espresso - Beer - WineOpen Monday to Saturday
Lunch served 9am-1pmDinner served 5pm - 8pm
508 Center Street765-6550
Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse
Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar
Monday – Friday 6 am to 2 pmSaturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm
Dinner Hours Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 9 pm24870 Highway 33, Derby Acres
Get Your Events in the Westside Entertainment Guide. Call 765-6550 or fax 765-6556
Your RestaurantListed Here!
Call765-6550!
Starting as low as $12 per
week!
Paik’sRanch House Restaurant
“Where Everybody Meets”
Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days
Mon, Tues, Thurs - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wed, Fri. Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
765-6915200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.
Your RestaurantListed Here!
Call 765-6550!Starting as low as
$12 per week!
Have Your Next Event At The Club!
The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversary’s
Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.
Taft College Narrows Search for New Superintendent/President A search committee comprised of Taft College staff, faculty and classified personnel along with several Taft community members have been engaged in the selection process for a new Superinten-dent/President. During this time, Richard J. Giese, Ed.D, has served as Interim Superintendent/President, working to maintain continuity of the operation during the search. Today, Taft College is pleased to announce the search has been narrowed to the top three candidates: Dr. Kenneth Meier, Vice President of Student Learning; College of Marin, (Marin Community College District) Dr. Dena Maloney, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Canyon Country Campus & Economic Development, Santa Clarita Community College (Santa Clarita Community College District) Dr. Curtis “Curt” Guaglianone, Special Assistant to the Provost for Program Development, University Accreditation Liaison Of-ficer, Director of the Graduate Student Center & Liaison for the Doctor of Education Program, Office of the Provost (California State University Bakersfield) On February 3, 2012, the West Kern Community College District Board of Trustees will conduct interviews with all three candidates
Taft City Council ReportBy Kent Miller
Taft voters will have the opportunity in November to determine if the city clerk position will continue to be elected or if it will become appointed and require that applicants meet qualifications before being hired. The Taft City Council at its Tuesday evening meeting voted 5-to-0 to put an item on the November General Election ballot to make the city clerk position appointed. Louise Hudgens is the elected city clerk, receiving a monthly stipend, and the appointed municipal records administrator, a salaried, city employee position. Hudgens doesn’t intend to run for re-election in November. “If an elected city clerk were not also a city employee, then the employee would need to perform about 90-95 percent of the required duties (of both positions),” Hudgens wrote in a report to the council. “The growing trend in California cities is to have appointed city clerks rather than elected. That is due to the complex technical issues that the position must deal with and the need to have a trained professional on the job.” Both Norma Robinson, city clerk from 1984 to 2002, and Hudgens, city clerk from 2004 to the present, have the Certified Municipal Clerk designation received through training supported by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. As an appointed position, the city could assure the post would be filled by a person with city clerk training and experience, said Mayor Randy Miller. But the only requirements for an elected city clerk is to be a resident of the city, a registered voter and to win the election, Miller said. Robinson ran unopposed in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000; and Hudgens was unopposed in 2004 and 2008, the city clerk told the council in her report. If voters approve of making the city clerk position appointed that would take precedence over any candidate winning the clerk election, Hudgens said.
Grand Jury The council unanimously approved a letter to be sent to the Kern County Grand Jury in response to the Grand Jury’s Final Report of Nov. 15. The Grand Jury urged and the council agreed:* The city manager should follow procedures in the City of Taft Council Personnel Procedures Manual and not base decisions on “past practice.”* The council should continue reviewing/approving newly revised policies in the manual. The letter details changes that have been made in compliance with the second recommendation. The Grand Jury also noted that the listing of “Fire Department” as an item in the annual budget doesn’t correctly identify the entry. The city contracts with Kern County Fire Department for fire services and the item should read “Fire Services Reserve Fund,” the Grand Jury said.
But the council can’t implement the change because “for purposes of accounting, these monies do not meet the generally accepted accounting definition of a “Fund,” the letter stated. The city’s finance director will be directed to review the “Fire Depart-ment” line item to clarify the balances attributed to the “Fire Department” in the annual budget, the letter states.
Appointments The council made one appointment to the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Board of Trustees and two appointments to the West Side Recreation & Park District Board of Directors.Roy House was appointed to a four-year term on the Mosquito Abatement board. House was appointed by the council on Jan. 19, 2010 to fill an unscheduled vacancy on a board term that expired Dec. 31, 2011. House’s new term will expire on Dec. 31, 2015.John Swearengin and Bill McPhearson were appointed to four-year terms on the Recreation & Park board. Both men completed terms that expired Dec. 2, 2011. Their new terms will expire Dec. 31, 2015.
Other matters The council tabled a recommendation for a resolution autho-rizing the use of city-owned property and street closures for the second annual Taft Bike Fest, over the Labor Day Weekend. The event would be held on Rails to Trails and city-owned lots be-tween 2nd and 10th streets, the 5th Street Plaza and the Municipal Parking Lot at 5th Street Plaza. Street closures would run from noon on Thursday, Aug. 30, through 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 3, and include: Main Street at 6th Street extending 250 feet east to the Municipal Parking Lot, 4th and 6th streets between and Street and Supply Row, and Sup-ply Row between 4th and 10th streets. The council stated favoritism for the festival but delayed the resolution until it was sure all staff recommended conditions would be met. The council also tabled making a decision on the purchase of automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) systems from Cardiac Science until it could be determined how many units were needed.The cost factor – $34,305 for 20 units over two years or $39,535 for 25 units over two years – was a major concern for the council.The council accepted donation of a Gaso Series 2000 Worm Drive Duplex Pump from Chevron Pipeline Co. The pump, which operated from 1940 to 1980, was used to pump millions of barrels of crude oil the 40 miles from the Mid-way Pumping Station north to the Belridge Pumping Station as the oil made its way from the San Joaquin Valley to San Francisco Bay Area refineries. The pump will become part of the Oil Field Art Project along Rails to Trails and it will carry a bronze informational plaque.
January 20 - 26, 2012 TAFT INDEPENDENT
by Stephanie House
Check us out online!Need more information on
programs, classes or facilities?Visit us on the web:
FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCESaturday, February 4, 20127:00-9:30 p.m.Community Center Auditorium500 Cascade Place, TaftGirls ages 4 and up$30 per couple ($10 each additional daughter) Don’t miss out on the 4th Annual Father Daughter Dance. Girls ages 4 and older may be accompanied by their father, guardian or adult relative. The special evening includes music, photographs, snacks and more fun surprises. Tickets are limited and must be purchased by February 2. No tickets will be available the night of the event, so buy yours now!
ICE CREAM & MOVIE SOCIALTuesday, January 243:00-4:30 p.m.Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, TaftGrades K-8$3 per personNeed to get out of the house for a few hours? Bring a friend and join us for an ice cream social. We will make fun sundaes and watch the movie “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.”
CANDY BAR BINGOTuesday, January 313:00-4:00 p.m.Community Center Assembly Room, 500 Cascade Place, TaftGrades 1-8$3 per personJoin us for an hour of Bingo fun with candy bar prizes. Be sure to bring a friend!
GYMNASTICSWho: Grades K and olderWhen: Monday EveningsTime: 5:30-6:30 p.m.Session: January 23 – March 5Where: Community Center AuditoriumFee: $40 per session ($30 for each additional family member)Instructor: Suzanne Hale
CHEERLEADINGGrades K-1Thursday Evenings4:30-5:00 p.m.Grades 2-3Thursday Evenings5:15-6:00 p.m.When: January 26 – March 1 Where: Community Center AuditoriumFee: $25 per person *shirts are available at an additional costInstructor: Nicole Cleveland
YOGAWho: Ages 14 and olderWhen: Tuesday and Thursday EveningsTime: 7:00-7:45 p.m.Where: Community Center Assembly RoomFee: $25 per month Instructor: Valerie TaylorThis is the perfect class for beginners looking to improve flexibility and enhance general fitness. Class goals are to strengthen muscles and joints, improve circulation and relieve stress through common yoga stretches. Students should bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing.
PONYTAIL SOFTBALL $45: December 27 – February 23$50: after February 23 (dependent on program availability)NO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 23.Ponytail Softball is for girls ages 7-15. Practices begin the week of March 12, 2012 and the season begins April 14, 2012.
WALKING FOR SENIORSWhen: Monday – FridayTime: 8:00-10:00 a.m.Season: December 12 – April 6, 2012Where: Recreation Center GymnasiumFee: $1 daily or $15 monthly During the cooler weather months, we invite you to walk the track in the Recreation Center Gymnasium. There will be prizes for reaching milestones and we will also help you track your miles and progress.
TINY TOT & INSTRUCTIONAL P.E.When: Monday – Friday Ages 2-3, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Ages 4-6, 12:30-1:30 p.m.Program operates year-round (new students welcome at any time!)Where: Recreation Center GymnasiumFee: $3 per child, per day or $25 monthly What a great way for your little one to burn off some energy before nap time! This is an open gym session designed exclusively for little ones. Enjoy this fun-filled parent & me multi-sport/physical activity time with your child by tumbling on mats, shooting baskets, catching footballs, kicking soccer balls, running obstacle courses and other fun activities. A t-shirt is included in the price of monthly memberships.
YOUTH TRACKWho: Ages 6-15Season: begins in MarchTime: 5:30-6:30 p.m.Where: Taft Union High School Track Fee: $45 per personRegistration deadline: February 23This program is designed to train boys and girls, ages 6-15, in all areas of track and field. Participants are eligible to en-ter the District Track Meet, and may also qualify to advance to other meets. Practices will take place during the week.
YOUTH BOWLING LEAGUEWho: Ages 14 and younger When: Sunday AfternoonsTime: 1:00 p.m.League: begins February 12, 2012Place: West Side Lanes (Recreation Center bowling alley)Fee: $40 (bowlers with sanction card) or $60 (bowlers without sanction card)Registration deadline: Friday, February 3 ** STOP Scholarship funds available Children 14 and under are invited to bowl on Sunday afternoons in this fun, yet competetive league. The league is 8 weeks: two weeks of practice/instruction and six weeks of competition.
ADULT BOWLING LEAGUEWho: Ages 16 and olderWhen: Monday through Thursday EveningsTime: 7:00 p.m.League: begins February 16, 2012Place: West Side Lanes (Recreation Center bowling alley)Registration deadline: Friday, January 27Captain’s Meeting: Thursday, February 2, 6:00 p.m. at the Recreation CenterOur bowling leagues are sanctioned through the USBC. Fees and length of season will be determined by participants in the Captain’s Meeting. Each team bowls one night per week, Monday through Thursday. League maximum is 16 teams; if more than 16 teams register, teams will be drawn randomly. Register at West Side Lanes.
S.T.O.P. PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS(Strive To Optimize Participation)Did you know that the District has a youth scholarship program? Children in low income, single parent or mul-tiple participant households are eligible! For more information, or to find out how your child can take advantage of reduced program fees, give us a call in the District Office at 763-4246.
RECREATION CENTERThe District’s new Recreation Center is now open! The Center includes a full-size gymnasium, weight room, 4-lane bowling alley, preschool room, activity room and restrooms/locker room. For more information, including operating hours and programs offered, visit the Recreation Center page on our web-site (www.wsrpd.com) or give the Center a call at 765-6677.
BOWLING PARTY RENTALSMake your reservation now!Reservations are now being accepted for party rentals at the bowling alley in the new Recreation Center. Parties may take place on Friday evenings, Saturday or Sunday. Rental fees start at $100 for 2-lane rentals. Rental prices include shoes, balls and use of the party room. The Center and bowling alley are slated to open in early September. Call 763-4246 for more information or to make a reservation.
PARTY PACKAGESMake your reservation now!Need help planning a birthday party, bridal shower or baby shower? We can help! For one low fee, we will provide a room, plates, napkins, forks, cups, balloons and invitations – all to match your theme or colors. And for a little extra, we can help with activities, too! Package prices start at $130. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call the District Office at 763-4246.
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.
HUNTERS SAFETY COURSEMonday, Feb 6 – Wednesday, Feb 86:30 – 9:30 p.m.Community Center Auditorium$5 per personRegister the first night of class.(next class: May 7-9, 2012)
OT Cookhouse Daily Specials (For the week of 1-24-12 thru 1-28-12)
Tues.1-24-12LunchTues.
1-24-12Dinner
Wed.1-25-12Lunch
Wed.1-25-12Dinner
Thurs.1-26-12Lunch
Thurs.1-26-12Dinner
Fri.1-27-12Dinner
Fri.1-27-12Lunch
Sat.1-28-12Dinner
OTC Grinder
Prime Rib$16.95 Small/ $19.95 Large
BBQ Beef Ribs
CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY
$9.95
$11.95
$9.95
$9.95
205 N. 10th Street . (661)763-1819
$16.95/ $19.95
Pit Beef Sandwich with Horseradish Sauce
$11.95
Stuffed Chicken
Veal Liver with Bacon & Onions
Beef & Guinness Pie with Mashed Potatoes
$9.95
Bone In Ribeye
BBQ Pork Ribs$14.95 1/2 Rack/$16.95 Full
$14.95/$16.95
$18.95
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
Available at
What is in Your Heart
Great PricesPersonalize Your Own
Keep Adding to Your Piece
Personalized Jewelry
Find the Perfect Valentine’s Day GiftShe Can Keep in Her Heart
426 Center Street (661)763-5451
Lincoln Jr. High Observing Anti-Bullying Week, January 23-27 Lincoln Jr. High will be observing Anti-Bullying Week January 23 - 27. The week will begin with a kick-off assembly with guest speaker Richard Santana (see homeboygoestoharvard.com ). All week students will have an opportunity to build a “Kindness Chain” pledging not to bully. Students are also being asked to participate in essay, poetry, and song contests. Teachers will have a contest as well for decorating their doors. Each day will have a theme and students will dress up accordingly. Monday is “Stop Bullying and Put a Cap on Name-calling”; Tuesday is “Stomp Out Name-calling”; Wednesday is “A Good Person Always Has Another’s Back”; Thursday is “We are All Different and We Should Appreciate Our Differences”; Friday is “We are All Tied Together in Some Way”. The week will conclude with a rally and the presen-tation of the winners of the contests.
Charms • Birthstones • Initials
The Collective Histories of Four Masonic Lodges Chartered Within Taft-Midway Lodge, No, 426, Free & Accepted Masons, Taft, California. Compiled by Kenneth N. Cooper for the Lodge Centennial, 1911—2011, $30 “Say not, say not, that Masonry is waning in its power,Supplanted by the secret swarms which multiply each hour.It hath no rivalry with these; it seeks not, but is sought:Relief a tenet, not an end, sole object of its thought.Their single aims are incidents within its vast purview,Which sweeps the starry universe and canopy of blue, Which traverses the lines of earth, the flaming sun its guide.With sleepless vigil seeketh truth where’ver it may abide. It sees the Hand Omnipotent which traced the Great Design,And bows in adoration ere it graspeth square and line—Live on! On Masonry, live on!”--poet unknown At the turn of the 20th Century, West Kern County was an exciting place to be. The main excitement was the discovery of oil, and soon men, oil workers and their families, arrived and homes were built. They were diverse groups who had emigrated from many states and foreign countries, who needed to seek com-mon bonds with one another in the form of organizations and churches. One such organization—Freemasonry—had been active in the United States since Colonial times. Shortly after Taft became incorporated in 1910 it was inevitable that a Masonic lodge would organize. In time four lodges became instituted on the West Side—Midway, Maricopa, Temblor (in Fellows) and Taft. In 1923 the Masonic Building was erected on North Street. The 1920’s was the peak of membership, and the people of Taft socialized mostly through their lodges. The lodges were fraternal. Women had their own “improvement” clubs—Job’s Daughters, Eastern Star and White Shine. There was a lot of wealth in Taft in the heyday of Masonic lodges, and the members purchased liberty bonds and engaged in other philanthropic activities. By the 1970’s member-ship began to decline. The purpose of this book is to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Taft-Midway Lodge, No. 426, which is the consolidation of the four lodges. For Kenneth Cooper, the author of this book, this is labor of love. He was born in Taft but his interest in Freemasonry began when he joined the Masonic-sponsored Order of DeMolay in Coalinga. In 1988 he joined a Masonic lodge in Merced and soon afterward became involved with Hornitos Lodge # 98 in Mariposa County. Mr. Cooper has produced a rich and colorful history of Free-masonry’s 100 years on the West Side. He spent countless hours researching lodge archives and other sources. Profusely illustrated and embellished with vignettes and memo-rabilia about each era, the book is much more than a lodge history. It’s a board picture of what life was life during the century. Longtime Taft resident, Ester Livingston, says her father, Louis Dopyera, and three of his four brothers, Emil, Bob, and John, were all Free Masons. She belonged to Job’s Daughters, White Shine and Eastern Star. She remembers the grand formal dresses women wore to special occasions. When asked what impressed her most about the lodges, she says, “It is how charitable they were. They built a Shriner’s Hospital and engaged in many other philanthrop-ic activities.”
Freemasons in the Oilpatch is available at the West Kern Oil Museum, the Taft Chamber of Commerce, and KC Photography & Framing.
Freemasons In The “Oilpatch”Reviewed By Jane McCabe
Hostess Files Chapter 11
City of Taft Highway Welcome Sign Gets A Facelift
Twinkies maker Hostess Brands Inc., is again seeking protection from its creditors, filing for Chapter 11 bank-ruptcy as the com-pany tries to cope with high debt and rising costs of labor and raw materials. Hostess, which also makes Ho Hos, Sno Balls, and Wonder Bread, is a privately held company based in Irving, Tex. It owes millions to suppliers and labor unions. The company has report-edly found some financing to keep it running during bankruptcy proceedings. And part of the problem is that sales of Twinkies are down. “Nearly 36 million packages of Twinkies were sold in the year ended Dec. 25, down almost 2 percent from a year earlier, accord-ing to data from SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market-research firm,” reports The Wall Street Journal.The company, which has roots reaching back to 1930, has also suf-fered as consumers move away from white bread and toward more whole-grain breads. Hostess has kept prices relatively high, making it harder to charge even more as costs for ingredients and fuel rose. In the mean time check your local grocery stores for savings and discounts on your favorite Hostess products.
When entering the City of Taft from either direction on the Petroleum Highway (CA 33) you will be welcomed by the new, vibrant City of Taft signs that encourage the use of business route 33 through Taft. The Taft Chamber of Commerce and the city has been working together to update highway signage and encourage drivers to stop in town and visit local merchants and see the historic community.
January 20 - 26, 2012 TAFT INDEPENDENT
Westside News & Business Briefs
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Harley Pinson, 4th District Supervisor Candidate, Addresses Taft Rotary ClubBy Jane McCabe
Harley Pinson, a lawyer in the petroleum industry since Oc-cidental took over Elk Hills in 1981, is now hoping to become one of the five supervisors for the 4th District in the February 5th elec-tion. The 4th District is a large area encompassing Wasco, Button Willow, McKitterick, Taft, Maricopa, and Frazier Park—14,000 square miles with 170,000 residents. “If elected,” Mr. Pinson says, “I will be a full-time supervisor.” He has already given up his law practice, which he feels has given him the understanding necessary to supervise this diverse area of agricultural and petroleum interests. He sees himself as a business man with a law degree, who will employ the ethical principles that will make a difference. Mr. Pinson highlighted three areas of advocacy: It’s the rule of government, he says, to provide an excellent system of roads, parks, libraries and the like in order to improve the quality of life for residents and to improve the infrastructure. He feels that unions erode this function with their claim to retiree pensions and the like. He says that unions control the legislature in Sacramento and within the Obama administration. Therefore, as he campaigns, he will decline union endorsements. Secondly, he thinks the high speed rail project should be stopped, that there are other transportation areas, like improving Highway 119, that have a greater claim to the taxpayers’ money. Thirdly, he thinks the legislature should improve accountability among its officials. Rotary members queried Mr. Pinson concerning the recent clos-ing of the Taft Correctional Facility, which released 500 prisoners into the community, and leaving 1024 cells empty. Mr. Pinson said he would see what could be done about this.
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8 TAFT INDEPENDENT January 20 - 26, 2012
Community VoicesRepublican Presidential Candidates Divide on Freedom IssueBy Dr. Harold Pease
The Republican Presidential Debate held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina finally brought to light a real divide, other than on Iran, between the candidates. The issue was The National De-fense Authorization Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama December 31, 2011, with Ron Paul and Rick Santorum viewing it as a threat to civil liberty and unconstitutional and Mitt Romney decidedly supporting it. Neither Rick Perry nor Newt Gingrich was asked to give their view. I could find nothing in print revealing a position for either on the extremely controversial law. This is very unfortunate as Sections 1031 and 1032 authorize the military to arrest and in-
definitely detain U.S. citizens without charge or trial—even on U.S. soil. Since either could be the one exercising this power we should know where they stand. Popularly referred to as the “indefinite detention act” the new law authorizes the military to arrest citizens suspected of being terrorists on the say-so of the president or the military alone. No real proof needed. It voids the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibiting the military any law enforcement authority on U.S. soil and voids much of the Bill of Rights as well. Americans now can be extradited to Guantanamo without benefit of trial, judge, or jury and held indefinitely—even tortured (see Section 1068). Activists on both the left and right vehemently oppose it, the one believing that it could even-tually be twisted to apply to Occupy Wall Street participants and the other Tea Party participants. Each group has been referred to as terrorists by their enemies. As mentioned the strongest support for The National Defense Authorization Act came from Mitt Romney. When asked if he would have signed the bill into law as had President Obama, Romney answered emphatically, “Yes, I would have.” He continued. “I do believe it is appropriate to have in our nation the capacity to detain people who are threats to this country, who are members of al Qaeda. Look, you have every right in this country to protest and to express your views on a wide range of issues, but you don’t have a right to join a group that has challenged America and has threatened killing Americans, has killed Americans, and has declared war against America. That’s treason. In this country we have a right to take those people and put them in jail.” That may be Governor, but only after they have been tried and convicted in accordance with the Bill of Rights with the assumption that they are innocent until proven guilty. Romney recognized that such power exercised by one man could be abused “but I don’t think he (President Obama) will abuse this power, and if I were president I would not abuse this power,” he said. How naïve! This reminds me of the famous Richard Nixon statement with respect to his authorization to break into Watergate. “If the President does it, it is not a crime.” Therein lies the problem. President Obama may never abuse such power, nor may a “President” Romney, but somewhere down the line some president will have his enemies defined as terrorists and removed. The Constitution is writ-ten to protect us from that person. With opposition destroyed so would be liberty. No president should have such power. The Founding Fathers never allowed such trust in one person in the Constitution. Such naivety is dangerous as is candidate Romney’s understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Both flaws should cast doubt on his ability to protect these documents and lead a free people. Moreover, on the subject of trea-son, which a civil trial would determine, the Constitution requires the “witness of two or more to an overt act;” clearly not the voice of just one man who could benefit personally by the action. Fortunately to his credit, Rick Santorum chimed in. “A U.S. citizen who is detained as an enemy combatant should have the right to a lawyer and to appeal their case before a federal court.” Unfortunately, no other candidate was invited to respond to this important question, but it was obvious that Ron Paul was not going to be ignored on the subject. Although not asked, he was able to get into the debate that holding American citizens indefinitely is a breach of the U.S. judicial system. An Internet search revealed much public discourse from him, and only him, in opposition to this law. Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.
Hi Everyone,
Rain, rain, don’t go away, come back this weekend please. Do you ever remember a more dry December and January ?? Not much fog (gratefully) either. The hills are really brown and driving by cows pasturing in their fields you wonder what they are eating. West Kern Water has been making some water deals and our aquifer has raised its water table to much better pumping levels so our sup-plies are better assured for this year, but we sure could use some more rain and snow. With Redevelopment Agencies going down the tubes
due to the State Supreme Court agreeing with the Governor that they are no longer needed, the Taft Redevelopment Agency was thrown out with the bath water. We were doing everything right, but in other areas of the state, some bad projects tainted all the rest of the good things redevelopment was accomplishing elsewhere. What it means is that our agency won’t receive the difference in the original land value tax base and what the land tax base would be valued at after redevelopment. This means that the Redevelopment Agency can’t pay back the 2 million+ that the City loaned the agency to purchase the railroad property. We will have to earn that money back by selling the property to developers, hope that sales taxes over the years will grow, and that overall property taxes will improve. These things will all take time. In conversations with the Master Devel-oper of the RR property, we have some exciting prospects, that unfortunately I can’t reveal yet, that hopefully will be breaking ground this summer. As soon as the deals are struck, we’ll let you know asap. The City, because of the Supreme Court, now has to dissolve the redevelopment agency and have the City become the successor agency. It is a lot of hoops we have to jump through with man-dated time lines. Doing business with the State is never easy and this is a prime example. You can imagine what our business community has to go through. I have been volunteering down at the NEEDS Center on Main Street for the past year or so and I am very proud to be a part of this great community organization. This is an all volunteer effort. The director, Bill Wickwire, and his board of directors are unpaid. Bill writes grants to get the funds to purchase food and staples. We belong to a network of government agencies and other volunteer organizations that provides low or no cost food for our emergency and pantry programs. NEEDS accepts donations of badly needed, laundered, gently used clothing for the many folks that come to the Center on Monday and Fridays mornings seeking help. Depending on available funds, rental and utility assistance is available. They keep accurate records so that nobody is duplicated. The process for help is quite simple and the need in this area is great. The staff is getting really sharp at sorting out the con artists from the truly needy, unfortu-nately. The Center is always looking for your items in your garage that you know longer need as they hold a couple of yard sales a year that help keep up with needed infrastructure issues. Funds are always gratefully accepted when you can spare some, and if you are looking to give back to your community by wanting to perform some community service, drop by and you’ll be shown around and you might just become a volunteer. Your donations are tax deductable as the NEEDS Center is a 501(3)c. All services are offered to the community at no charge. The City is still dealing with the issue of the CCF closing. As you have read and heard, the CCF was a profit center for the City to the tune of about $900,000 a year. Even at that, the State was still getting a bargain for housing their inmates compared to the cost in their state facilities. We had an excellent safety record and were one of if not the finest facility in the state. Now that money is gone, over 60 employees have been laid off, and the City is responsible for $50,000+ a month in unemployment benefits. Can you imagine the hit we are taking and if we can’t strike a deal with a county to house their inmates, what an impact this is having on our budget right now. Of course, we and everyone before this council all believed that the CCF would just keep on going, and why shouldn’t it; it was a true cost saving facility for the State. But as it turned out, we were just a contractor like those that are out in our local oilfields, here today maybe gone tomorrow. Be rest assured, we are doing everything we can to get us back in the CCF business, but it is going to take a little time and everyone’s patience. Meanwhile the Council is seeking input from City staff and the com-munity on ways we can save money but still offer excellent service. We’ll recover but out of the box thinking and creativity will be our saving grace. A little prayer from you wouldn’t hurt either. Lastly, the things that people do sometimes just amaze me. I get around and when you are out an about, sometimes you have to avail yourself of the public restroom facilities that are made available to all of us. I don’t know about the ladies, but in many of the men’s restrooms, someone has taken the time to carve their names or initials or catchy phrases on to the toilet seat of all things. Can you just imagine someone down on his knee doing this ?? Do you go back and brag about this to your friends ?? Is this a proud moment in their lives ?? Truly astonishing !! I bring this up to remind you to please report any vandals that you see defacing City property or any property for that matter. We all share in respecting others property. You do this because you care and because you live here, not just reside here.
Randy MillerYour Humble But Proud Mayor
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Free SAT Class At TUHS Taft Union High School is offering a free, 21-hour class to students who want to prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Many colleges require that applicants take the SAT as part of the admissions process. Similiar classes in Bakersfield cost between $100 and $150. All partici-pants receive the book, The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT. Students may use the book, valued at $21.99, to continue to prepare for the test after the course ends. Snacks will be provided during all sessions. Also, several scholarships awarded through the TUHS local scholarship program give special consideration to students who have above-average SAT scores. More than $190,000 in scholarships was awarded to seniors at the annual Honors Night last May. Instructors are: counselor Claude Bradford, English teacher Jim Carnal and math teacher Josh Tofte.
“I took the SAT preparation class and my SAT scores went up 100 points in math and another 50 points in English. I took the class a second time and my total went up another 50 points. I recommend this class,” Marty Fontes, a 2007 TUHS graduate, said. Classes begin Wednesday, Feb. 1, and end on Monday, March 5. Classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, and Monday, March 5; from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Feb. 6, and Thursday, Feb. 16; and from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 4 and March 3. All classes will meet in room 136 in the main building. The SAT test will be given at Taft High on Saturday, March 10. The last day to register for the test is Feb. 10. For more information or to register your Taft High student, call the Guidance Center at 763-2324.
A graveside funeral service will be held for Linda Sue Blize on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at the West Side District Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Pastor Larry Weatherly of the First Southern Baptist Church of Taft. Linda left us suddenly on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at her home in Maricopa, CA. Linda spent her life in the service of her Lord and Savior here on earth and will now sit at His side. Linda was born in Modesto, CA in 1945. She lived in Maricopa for 24 years, spending 13 years working in the Maricopa School District as an instructional aide. She spent the next 20 years of her life living in Dunsmuir, Mount Shasta, CA area, returning to Maricopa just four years ago. She was very involved in church, quilting bees, arts and crafts of all kinds and all community activities while making many, many friends who will miss Linda as much as her family does. Linda was preceded in death by her father, Lonnie Brummett, from Maricopa and her mother-in-law, Reva Blize, of Taft. Linda is survived by her husband and soul mate of 47 years, William Leon Blize, of Maricopa; her 85 year old mother, Margaret Brummett, of Maricopa; her daughter, Erica Babineau and husband, Dave, of Maricopa; her son, Aaron Blize and wife, Jennifer, of Bakersfield; her brothers and their wives, Bill and Mary Jones of Maricopa, Lonnie and Debbie Brummett of Taft and Richard and Vickie Brummett also of Taft; three grandchildren whom she loved so much, TJ Jackson, son of James Jackson, and McKenna and Mason Blize; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Southern Baptist Church at 120 Pico Street, Taft, CA 93268. There are no visitation hours scheduled and the arrangements are under the direction of the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home. To convey condolences or sign an online registry, please visit www.EricksonAndBrown.com.
10 TAFT INDEPENDENT January 20 - 26, 2012
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HOMES FOR SALEReal Estate eBroker Inc.
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Studio Apt. $550. mo.
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.
Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Taft Independent 210 6th St., Taft, CA 93268.
ClassifiedsClassified Ads are $2.00 per line. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the Taft Independent.
Ad your photograph for $5. Ad your company logo for $5. Boxed ads are $3 additional. E-mail us (or bring to our office) a photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.
Yard Sale ads are $2 for 3 lines, additional lines $2 each.
Classified ad deadline is Wednesday at 12 p.m. (noon)
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.
Pickers Buy & SellBuys & Sells Furniture
747-9345
Moving Sale 120 Taylor St. #3 Jan 21st & 22nd 9am-5pm.
ANNOUNCEMENTSGrief 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.
For problems with Alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous. 765-4016 or 763-3856.
Are you a widow? Do you wonder what on earth am I here for? Widows meet twice a month on Tuesday 10 a.m. at the Buena Vista Mobile Home Club House. If interested, call June Selby 763-4845.
Preserving for the Future
Real Estate eBroker Inc.325 Kern Street
Karri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 & #01333971
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January 20 - 26, 2012 TAFT INDEPENDENT
Westside News & Business BriefsKern Ag Community Continues to Promote Successful Spray Safe Effort While pesticide spray drift incidents are dramatically down in Kern County, area farm interests con-tinue to meet and discuss ways to further enhance safety. Farmers, pest control advisors and applicators who have an interest in ensuring pesticide spraying safety are holding their seventh annual SpraySafe event on February 3rd, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The SpraySafe program was born in Kern County and created by a group of Kern County farmers to reduce spray drift, enhance worker safety and protect public health through more effective communications. All members of Kern County agriculture are encouraged to attend this year’s event to hear pre-sentations from representatives of the Kern County Ag Commissioner, HAZMAT unit from Kern County Fire Dept., California Department of Pesticide Regulation and more about the importance of SpraySafe and its objective to protect farm workers and the public from pesticide exposure. The meeting will also include circuit presentations on a number of safety issues and is available in Spanish as well as English. The SpraySafe program was initiated in Kern County and because of its success, has been imple-mented in other counties throughout the state The Kern Drift Prevention Coalition, which was formed in 2005, is a cooperative of local farmers, spray applicators and elected officials, who work together to promote spraying safety and education. “SpraySafe is a program that encourages farmers to communicate with each other and to be vigilant to help reduce incidents of spray drift,” said Dale Nicol, Spraysafe Committee member, who noted the annual SpraySafe event is an additional measure to provide continuing education on new and improved practices, technologies and precautions to improve farm safety. “SpraySafe has most definitely been a factor in the improved record of Kern County agriculture. Since this program was implemented there has been more focus on safety and the result is a marked reduction in drift incidents,” said Kern County Ag Commissioner Ruben Arroyo who noted that since 2006, when SpraySafe was first launched in Kern County, there have been only two spray drift incidents involving human exposure. “However, we all must remain vigilant to ensure incidents are kept to the absolute minimum,” he said. “Kern County has shown that through an industry initiative like SpraySafe improvements can oc-cur voluntarily, therefore reducing the need for formal regulatory actions by DPR,” said Mary-Ann Warmerdam, former Director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, which awarded a grant in the amount of $50,000 to assist other counties in adopting SpraySafe. This year’s SpraySafe event in Kern County is once again being sponsored by members of the local farming community, local farm associations and local enforcement agencies which currently includes; Buttonwillow Land & Cattle Company, Kern County Farm Bureau, California Safety Training Corporation, Bolthouse Farms, Sunrise Sprayers, Almendros, Lehr Bros Inc., State Compensation Insurance Fund, Crop Production Services Inc., Grimmway Enterprises Inc. and CFSLP The event is free of charge to attend and includes lunch. For more information on SpraySafe, or to register to attend the event, please send an email to [email protected] or call David Gustafson at (661) 758-6070
Secretary Salazar, Governor Brown Expand Partnership to Expedite Renewable Energy Projects in California Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed an agree-ment to expand a state and federal partnership that has, over the last two years, paved the way for more than a dozen utility-scale solar energy projects and more than 130 renewable power projects in California. These projects, which underwent rigorous environmental review, will generate thousands of con-struction jobs and power local economies. If all of these projects were built today, California would have enough renewable power to meet the state’s 33 percent goal. The agreement broadens the state and federal partnership to formally include transmission projects and bring in new partners, including the California Independent System Operator, the California Public Utilities Commission and the California State Lands Commission. The agreement also renews a mutual commitment to landscape level planning efforts. The partnership, launched in 2009, works through a senior-level Renewable Energy Policy Group (REPG) to expedite review and processing of proposed projects. “Now that our successful partnership has demonstrated that advancing renewable energy projects in California can be done, and can done in the right way, it is essential to ensure that transmission facilities to get this power to market are also part of the equation,” said Secretary Salazar. “As part of today’s agreement, which will expand our partnership on renewable energy, Interior and California will identify needed transmission projects to track, troubleshoot and shepherd. What’s happening in California is nothing short of a revolution – clean energy is creating jobs, powering our economies, and making believers out skeptics.” “California has made tremendous progress in permitting renewable projects, and now we need to make sure the transmission lines that deliver this clean energy are built as quickly as possible,” said Governor Brown. “Putting these construction projects on a fast track will put people back to work and keep California a leader in renewable energy.”The Secretary and Governor signed the Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy at a so-lar project being built by Recurrent Energy in Elk Grove, a Sacramento metropolitan area community. One of North America’s largest solar development companies, Recurrent Energy’s three Sacramento-area projects have generated more than 220 jobs during construction. Earlier in the day, Salazar, Interior Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes and the Governor discussed critical California water issues, reflecting their commitment to advancing the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and to taking action that will improve the health of the San Francisco Bay Delta ecosystem and the reliability of California’s water supply. The REPG shepherded the renewable energy projects through a complex set of environmental re-views in time for appropriate proposals to take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants, federal loan guarantees and production and investment tax credits. In 2012, the Policy Group will focus on the seven renewable energy and transmission projects in California on lands ad-ministered by Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM), BLM’s “priority projects”<http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/renewable_energy/2012_priority_projects.html>, and will also focus on additional projects on private lands, including five solar, one wind, and one geothermal. Nationwide, Salazar has approved 27 commercial-scale renewable energy projects on public lands, or the transmission associated with them, since 2009, including 16 solar projects, four wind farms and seven geothermal facilities. Together these projects represent more than 6,500 megawatts, 12,500 jobs and when built, will power about 2.3 million homes. The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is another major component of Interior’s and California’s renewable energy planning efforts. When completed, it is expected to further these objectives and provide binding, long-term endangered species permit assurances, while facilitating the review and approval of renewable energy projects in the Mojave and Colorado deserts in California. The expanded partnership supports state and federal goals. In April 2011, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill No. 2X which increased California’s renewable energy portfolio standard to 33 percent of all retail electricity sales by 2020. The Obama Administration has encouraged the expanded use of renewable energy and launched initiatives to spur the development of these resources on U.S. public lands, most of which are managed by the Department of the Interior - which manages one-fifth of the land in the United States - and most of it in the West, including California. Salazar’s Secretarial Order 3285A1, one of his first directives as Secretary, established a policy en-couraging the production, development, and delivery of renewable energy as one of the Department’s highest priorities and directed Interior agencies to work collaboratively with other federal agencies, States, Tribes, local communities and private landowners to encourage the timely and responsible development of renewable energy and associated transmission, while protecting and enhancing the Nation’s water, wildlife, cultural, and other natural resources.
ValleyPBS Bringing New Bill Moyers Series To The Valley Bill Moyers is back on TV - and online. Continuing his long-running conversation with the Ameri-can public, Moyers has returned to television with Moyers & Company, a weekly, hour-long series the veteran journalist says will try to make sense of our tumultuous times, "for myself and hopefully for anyone who wants to keep me company." The new series is launching with broadcasts exploring how America's gross inequality is no accident, but was in fact "politically engineered," says Moyers. Recently premiering on ValleyPBS, Moyers & Company featured the work of two noted political scientists, Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson, authors of Winner-Take-All Politics: How Washington Made the Rich Richer--and Turned Its Back on the Middle Class. Over succeeding weeks, Moyers & Company will continue to explore some of the defining issues of the day, including relevant insight from novelists, poets, and artists, scientists and philosophers, and leading scholars. The broadcast will also feature regular political analysis from many of the people Moyers has called on over the years to interpret life in America, as well as new voices in the dialogue of democracy. ValleyPBS President and CEO, Paula Castadio, is pleased to be able to bring back to the Valley Moyers unique style of journalism. “ValleyPBS presents diverse perspectives through national and regional political and public affairs content encouraging viewers to think, feel and ACT to make our Valley a better place to live, “ said Castadio. In conjunction with the new series, the new BillMoyers.com will offer full streaming video of Moy-ers & Company shows, online-only essays, analytical blogs, interactive features, and "breaking insight," as well as an extensive video library of Moyers' past work in media. For the first time, it will be easy to browse and view hundreds of Bill Moyers programs, such as the landmark series Bill Moyers Journal, and NOW with Bill Moyers. Moyers is also revitalizing his Facebook and Twitter sites, launching a radio series based on the show, and offering programming on iTunes and YouTube. Funding for Moyers & Company is provided by Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Kohlberg Foundation; Independent Production Fund, with support from the Partridge Foundation, a John and Polly Guth Charitable Fund; The Clements Foundation; Park Foundation; The Herb Alpert Foun-dation; The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; The Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation; HKH Foundation; Barbara G. Fleischman; and by our sole corporate sponsor, Mutual of America. Moyers & Company will be presented on public television by WNET in New York and distributed by American Public Television. Tune in to watch the show Sunday at noon, only on ValleyPBS.
Visit Us Onlinetaftindependent.com
12 TAFT INDEPENDENT January 20 - 26, 2012
The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant
24870 Highway 33 in Derby Acres • (661) 768-4655Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations
We CaterYour Place or Ours Full Bar
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Located in the Heart of Oil Country On the Petroleum Highway
Randy’s Trucking
(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street
Cart-Away Concrete Mix Trailer • Hydraulic Rotation and Tilt for Mixing and Dumping
• Mixes Concrete While Traveling • • Large Internal Blades •
• Rear Operator Control Panel •
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Full Bar - Catering - RV Parking Available
Open 7 Days a Week
Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3419 Harrison St. Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987
www.shawswesternshop.com
Shaw’s Pet WashLeather Collars & Leashes 20% OffNylon Collars & Leashes 15% Off
Dog & Cat Beds 20% OffFlea & Tick Products 15% Off
Ladies Shirts Up to 30% OffMen’s Dickies Work Coats 20% OffMen’s Lined Flannel Shirts 20% Off
