document

October 15-21, 2010 • Volume 5 Issue 16www.Taftindependent.com

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

[email protected]

Oilworker Monument Unveiled by Artist Benjamin Victor

201 Kern Street • 763-9999

$23.99Exp: 12/15/10

Monday Night Football Special

2 Large Pizzas(1 Supreme & 1 Pepperoni)

1 Italian Cheese Bread1 Crazy Combo

And a 2 liter Soda

508 Center Street • Taft • (661)765-6550

Black Gold Coffee House & DeliCoffee • Beer • Wine • Pasta • Sandwiches

Now OpenCorona • Bud Light

Fat Tire • Shock Top • WidmerSagebrush Annie’s

Award Winning Wines

Meet the Best of Taft Winners on Pages 8 and 9

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT October 15-21, 2010

The City of Taft is Proud to Celebrate 100 years

1910-2010Have a Great Oildorado!

City of Taft209 East Kern Street

Taft, CA 93268(661)763-1222

October 15-21, 2010 TAFT INDEPENDENT 3

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

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

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

Rec Report........................5

Bakersfield BusinessConference.......................6

Best of Taft.......................8

Westside News...............12

Oildorado Calendar.....16

It’s About Taft................20

Westside Horoscopes....21

Classified Ads.................22

Shop Taft.........................24

Inside Community Events

The Taft Independent

508 Center StreetP.O. Box 268

Taft, California 93268(661) 765-6550

Fax (661) 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com

Locally and Independently owned since 2006

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

The Independent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies are $1 each. The contents of the Taft Indepen-dent 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 mail deliv-ery of the Taft Independent is available for $8.00 per month or $97.00 per year. To subscribe to please call 765-6550.

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

ADVERTISING.Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representa-tive at (661) 765-6550.Classifieds: Call 765-6550 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone order are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.

Publisher and Editor-in-ChiefMichael J. Long

[email protected]

Assistant Managing EditorAdvertising Sales Manager

Jessica Wallis

Layout & DesignIndependent Graphics

Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller

Jessy McCulloch

ColumnistsRandy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins

Staff PhotographerSara Bravo

Circulation ManagerJobe Edgar

Member California NewspaperPublishers Association

Printed in California

News BriefsTaft California

“Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

Oildorado Kickoff Concert Friday, October 15th

Tickets NOW ON SALE! Get your tickets and concert T-shirts at the Oildorado Store 430 Main Street. Tickets also available now at Taft Chamber of Commerce on Kern Street or www.oildoradoconcert.com. The concert is scheduled for Friday, October 15th at Taft Union High School Football Stadium. Gates open at 5:30pm, food available, concert strats at 6:30pm. Tickets are $25, $15, and $10 for children 9 and under.

Moose Lodge Horse Shoe Tournament Saturday, October 16th

The Moose Lodge will be holding a Horse Shoe Tournament on Saturday, October 16th at the Moose Lodge, located behind O.T.’s. Sign up is at 2pm and the Tournament starts at 3pm, Bring your partner! Entry fee $25 per team, entry fee pays for 1st, 2nd and 35d place prize money!! For more information contact Keith at 623-5005.

The Gods of Macho, live at the Oasis Saturday,October 16th LA band, The Gods of Macho, will perform live at the Oasis in support of their new, self-titled release on Flat Rat Records. When the days activities wind down, and you’re ready for some face-melting, booty-shakin’ Rock, swing on by the Oasis. 414 North St, Taft. 10pm. The Gods of Macho can be heard on Itunes, Facebook and Myspace.

The Taft All Star Band Washington DC Fundraiser Saturday, October 23rd

The All Star band is raising money for a trip to perform in Washington DC in November 2011. It is a BBQ at the TUHS cafeteria on Oct 23rd between 1 and 4. Tickets are on sale for $10 and they can be bought from any band kid at Lin-coln or Taft High, also the Oildorado Store. This will be great for people leaving the Oildorado grand parade and heading to the game.

Soroptimist All You Can Eat Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Saturday, October 23rd

The women of Soroptimist are at it again with another All You Can Eat Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast! The breakfast will be held from 7am to 10am before the Oildorado Grand Parade on Saturday, October 23rd at the Taft High School Cafeteria. Cost is $5 per person for all you can eat on site only. Tickets can be purchased at the Oildorado Store. With no hospital in town, Soroptimist funds a critical care transportation project for chemotherapy and dialysis patients.

All Class Reunions TUHS Tour Saturday, October 23rd

All Class Reunions are welcome to join a tour of TUHS on Saturday, October 23rd at 1pm.

Local Taft rockers ALAST need your help on Saturday, October 23rd Local rock band ALAST is currently in the process of raising money for their forthcoming CD “Watching the World Burn” but they need your help. During Oildorado on October 23rd & 24th at The Rails to Trails they will be selling t-shirts, demo CD’s and stickers. All the money that they raise will go to the recording of their new album at well known Santa Monica studio 4th Street Recording. Legends such as The Beach Boys and George Clinton, chart toppers Incubus and No Doubt, all have graced the studios at 4th Street to produce what are now known as classic albums in the industry. ALAST has that do it yourself mentality and it shows from the production of their own demos to the design of their own logos and art work to the pressing of their own shirts. With no funding from third parties, ALAST relies on the selling of their merchandise and live shows to provide for their upcoming album. They will have shirts with various designs to choose from for an unbelieveable price of $10, three demo CD’s to choose from for $5 each(3 for $10) and profes-

sionaly done stickers for $3. Come on down to the ALAST booth at The Rails to Trails on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th during the last weekend of the Oildorado festivities and support your hometown band. ALAST will be playing their first show with their new drummer, new songs and that same passion to make you rock at The Oasis in Janu-ary. To hear ALAST and connect with them online, you can find them at www.reverbnation.com/alast or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alastfans.

Taft High students volunteered to help clean up a section of Highway 119 Saturday, Oct. 9 in preparation for the onslaught of visitors for Oildorado Days. Students spent about three hours picking up 10 bags of trash between Wood and Cedar streets. The good Samaritans are: Kylee Eveland, Katelyn Anderson, Joshie Ramirez, Chelsi Perry, Mekala Edwards, Jeff Harp, van driver Gary Rennie, Grace Twyman, Winter Martin, teacher/organizer Eric Newton, Mariah Melton, 2010 graduate Alexis Harmer, 2008 graduate Roia Liljeroos. Roia, Mekala, Alexis and Mariah are Oildorado queen candidates. The students worked in con-junction with Westside Sanitation. Superintendent/Principal Mark Richardson, who worked alongside the students, said he was proud of the young people for volunteering their time on a Saturday morning after Friday night’s homecoming activities.

Here We Go! Oildorado is Here! After more than a year of intense planning, the Diamond Jubilee edition of Taft Oildorado Days is here. The 10-day celebration of the city’s 100th birthday debuts Friday with the dedication of a stunning monument to oil workers created by a renowned sculp-tor who was born in Taft. A civic luncheon – traditionally one of the hottest tickets at any Oildorado – will follow the dedication with approximately 850 guests dining in the 20,000 square foot tent that will be the focal point of many events.The Oildorado Inc. Board of Directors held a final run-through meeting Tuesday night at the Fort “to check signals and make sure everything is on the right track,” said president Eric Cooper. At the end of the session the green light went on.“Thanks everybody and have a great Oildorado,” Cooper said.The most unique aspect of this celebration is its centralization on the Rails to Trails swath that cuts through the heart of town. A 20,000 square foot tent will be the focal point, hosting the civic luncheon, concerts, the queen pageant, class reunions, and other activities. The West Kern Oil Museum and the Midway Sunset Trading Post are other centers for Oildorado activities. The Taft High football stadium will host a concert and two football games, one of them a “Best of Times” themed alumni game between Taft and Bakersfield. The list of events and activities for the festival is by far more generous than at any previous celebration.The list includes:• A street party featuring Eddie Money• Vintage aircraft fly-in• Oil field skills contests• Whiskerino, ponytail & hair bun contests• Juried art show• Hot air balloons• Queen pageant• Melodrama• Grand parade• Carnival• Boomtown Days at the West Kern Oil Museum• Concerts galore• Class reunions

Security Taft City Chief of Police Ken McMinn promises adequate security during the celebration. There will be officers from other jurisdictions in Taft, especially dur-ing the two busy weekends and the downtown street party.A command post will be set up on Supply Row across from the Oildorado Pa-vilion tent that will include a first-aid station provided by the West Side Health Care District, and West Side Urgent Care will extend its hours.Hall Ambulance is sending four additional paramedic units to Taft.

Transportation Getting around town is definitely going to be a challenge. Downtown parking is limited.Public transportation is getting a boost.In addition to the Taft Area Transit buses that will be operating, two shuttles will be available – one for each weekend.This weekend Oxy is sponsoring a shuttle trolley that will make continuous loops from the Oildorado Midway, including the store and headquarters, to the Oil Museum and back.On the weekend of Oct. 22-24, Chevron is sponsoring a shuttle train that will follow the same route.

Taft High Students Clean Up Hwy 119

The City of Taft is Proud to Celebrate 100 years

1910-2010Have a Great Oildorado!

City of Taft209 East Kern Street

Taft, CA 93268(661)763-1222

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

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

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

Rec Report........................5

Bakersfield BusinessConference.......................6

Best of Taft.......................8

Westside News...............12

Oildorado Calendar.....16

It’s About Taft................20

Westside Horoscopes....21

Classified Ads.................22

Shop Taft.........................24

Inside Community Events

The Taft Independent

508 Center StreetP.O. Box 268

Taft, California 93268(661) 765-6550

Fax (661) 765-6556

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com

Locally and Independently owned since 2006

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

The Independent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies are $1 each. The contents of the Taft Indepen-dent 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 mail deliv-ery of the Taft Independent is available for $8.00 per month or $97.00 per year. To subscribe to please call 765-6550.

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

ADVERTISING.Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representa-tive at (661) 765-6550.Classifieds: Call 765-6550 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone order are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.

Publisher and Editor-in-ChiefMichael J. Long

[email protected]

Assistant Managing EditorAdvertising Sales Manager

Jessica Wallis

Layout & DesignIndependent Graphics

Contributing Writers Jessica Miller, Kent Miller

Jessy McCulloch

ColumnistsRandy Miller, Wendy Soto, Mimi Collins

Staff PhotographerSara Bravo

Circulation ManagerJobe Edgar

Member California NewspaperPublishers Association

Printed in California

News BriefsTaft California

“Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

Oildorado Kickoff Concert Friday, October 15th

Tickets NOW ON SALE! Get your tickets and concert T-shirts at the Oildorado Store 430 Main Street. Tickets also available now at Taft Chamber of Commerce on Kern Street or www.oildoradoconcert.com. The concert is scheduled for Friday, October 15th at Taft Union High School Football Stadium. Gates open at 5:30pm, food available, concert strats at 6:30pm. Tickets are $25, $15, and $10 for children 9 and under.

Moose Lodge Horse Shoe Tournament Saturday, October 16th

The Moose Lodge will be holding a Horse Shoe Tournament on Saturday, October 16th at the Moose Lodge, located behind O.T.’s. Sign up is at 2pm and the Tournament starts at 3pm, Bring your partner! Entry fee $25 per team, entry fee pays for 1st, 2nd and 35d place prize money!! For more information contact Keith at 623-5005.

The Gods of Macho, live at the Oasis Saturday,October 16th LA band, The Gods of Macho, will perform live at the Oasis in support of their new, self-titled release on Flat Rat Records. When the days activities wind down, and you’re ready for some face-melting, booty-shakin’ Rock, swing on by the Oasis. 414 North St, Taft. 10pm. The Gods of Macho can be heard on Itunes, Facebook and Myspace.

The Taft All Star Band Washington DC Fundraiser Saturday, October 23rd

The All Star band is raising money for a trip to perform in Washington DC in November 2011. It is a BBQ at the TUHS cafeteria on Oct 23rd between 1 and 4. Tickets are on sale for $10 and they can be bought from any band kid at Lin-coln or Taft High, also the Oildorado Store. This will be great for people leaving the Oildorado grand parade and heading to the game.

Soroptimist All You Can Eat Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Saturday, October 23rd

The women of Soroptimist are at it again with another All You Can Eat Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast! The breakfast will be held from 7am to 10am before the Oildorado Grand Parade on Saturday, October 23rd at the Taft High School Cafeteria. Cost is $5 per person for all you can eat on site only. Tickets can be purchased at the Oildorado Store. With no hospital in town, Soroptimist funds a critical care transportation project for chemotherapy and dialysis patients.

All Class Reunions TUHS Tour Saturday, October 23rd

All Class Reunions are welcome to join a tour of TUHS on Saturday, October 23rd at 1pm.

Local Taft rockers ALAST need your help on Saturday, October 23rd Local rock band ALAST is currently in the process of raising money for their forthcoming CD “Watching the World Burn” but they need your help. During Oildorado on October 23rd & 24th at The Rails to Trails they will be selling t-shirts, demo CD’s and stickers. All the money that they raise will go to the recording of their new album at well known Santa Monica studio 4th Street Recording. Legends such as The Beach Boys and George Clinton, chart toppers Incubus and No Doubt, all have graced the studios at 4th Street to produce what are now known as classic albums in the industry. ALAST has that do it yourself mentality and it shows from the production of their own demos to the design of their own logos and art work to the pressing of their own shirts. With no funding from third parties, ALAST relies on the selling of their merchandise and live shows to provide for their upcoming album. They will have shirts with various designs to choose from for an unbelieveable price of $10, three demo CD’s to choose from for $5 each(3 for $10) and profes-

sionaly done stickers for $3. Come on down to the ALAST booth at The Rails to Trails on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th during the last weekend of the Oildorado festivities and support your hometown band. ALAST will be playing their first show with their new drummer, new songs and that same passion to make you rock at The Oasis in Janu-ary. To hear ALAST and connect with them online, you can find them at www.reverbnation.com/alast or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alastfans.

Taft High students volunteered to help clean up a section of Highway 119 Saturday, Oct. 9 in preparation for the onslaught of visitors for Oildorado Days. Students spent about three hours picking up 10 bags of trash between Wood and Cedar streets. The good Samaritans are: Kylee Eveland, Katelyn Anderson, Joshie Ramirez, Chelsi Perry, Mekala Edwards, Jeff Harp, van driver Gary Rennie, Grace Twyman, Winter Martin, teacher/organizer Eric Newton, Mariah Melton, 2010 graduate Alexis Harmer, 2008 graduate Roia Liljeroos. Roia, Mekala, Alexis and Mariah are Oildorado queen candidates. The students worked in con-junction with Westside Sanitation. Superintendent/Principal Mark Richardson, who worked alongside the students, said he was proud of the young people for volunteering their time on a Saturday morning after Friday night’s homecoming activities.

Here We Go! Oildorado is Here! After more than a year of intense planning, the Diamond Jubilee edition of Taft Oildorado Days is here. The 10-day celebration of the city’s 100th birthday debuts Friday with the dedication of a stunning monument to oil workers created by a renowned sculp-tor who was born in Taft. A civic luncheon – traditionally one of the hottest tickets at any Oildorado – will follow the dedication with approximately 850 guests dining in the 20,000 square foot tent that will be the focal point of many events.The Oildorado Inc. Board of Directors held a final run-through meeting Tuesday night at the Fort “to check signals and make sure everything is on the right track,” said president Eric Cooper. At the end of the session the green light went on.“Thanks everybody and have a great Oildorado,” Cooper said.The most unique aspect of this celebration is its centralization on the Rails to Trails swath that cuts through the heart of town. A 20,000 square foot tent will be the focal point, hosting the civic luncheon, concerts, the queen pageant, class reunions, and other activities. The West Kern Oil Museum and the Midway Sunset Trading Post are other centers for Oildorado activities. The Taft High football stadium will host a concert and two football games, one of them a “Best of Times” themed alumni game between Taft and Bakersfield. The list of events and activities for the festival is by far more generous than at any previous celebration.The list includes:• A street party featuring Eddie Money• Vintage aircraft fly-in• Oil field skills contests• Whiskerino, ponytail & hair bun contests• Juried art show• Hot air balloons• Queen pageant• Melodrama• Grand parade• Carnival• Boomtown Days at the West Kern Oil Museum• Concerts galore• Class reunions

Security Taft City Chief of Police Ken McMinn promises adequate security during the celebration. There will be officers from other jurisdictions in Taft, especially dur-ing the two busy weekends and the downtown street party.A command post will be set up on Supply Row across from the Oildorado Pa-vilion tent that will include a first-aid station provided by the West Side Health Care District, and West Side Urgent Care will extend its hours.Hall Ambulance is sending four additional paramedic units to Taft.

Transportation Getting around town is definitely going to be a challenge. Downtown parking is limited.Public transportation is getting a boost.In addition to the Taft Area Transit buses that will be operating, two shuttles will be available – one for each weekend.This weekend Oxy is sponsoring a shuttle trolley that will make continuous loops from the Oildorado Midway, including the store and headquarters, to the Oil Museum and back.On the weekend of Oct. 22-24, Chevron is sponsoring a shuttle train that will follow the same route.

Taft High Students Clean Up Hwy 119

Editorial

Westside Watcher

Paik’sRanch House Restaurant

“Where Everybody Meets”

Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wed, Fri. 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.Sunday 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

765-6915

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 6:30 am to 5pm.

Saturday 7 am to 2 pmSundays 7:30 am to 1 pm

1010 6th Street, Taft763-5156

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside

Asian Experience

215 Center Street 763-1815

Asian Food and PizzaLunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday

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

Live Music Saturday Nights

Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar

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

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

768-4655

Paik’s Ranch HouseWhere Everybody Meets

Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon. Tues. Thur. Sat. 6 am-9pmSun. Wed. Fri. 6 am - 10pm765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft

El Jacalito Authentic Mexican Dining

We do Catering for any Special Event!Orders to go.

Sunday - Thursday10:30 am - 8:00 pmFriday and Saturday10:30 am - 9:00 pm101 B. Street, Taft

763-9890763-9892 fax

Always Fresh!

Mon. - Fri. 10am - 2;30pmDine In or We Deliver

765-4143700 Kern Street Taft, CA

Westside Entertainment

FOXTHEATER

All shows before 6 p.m.- $7.00 -

Late ShowChild and Senior $7.00

Adults $9.00www.taftfoxtheaters.com

765-4802514 Center St

NOW SHOWING

-Case 39-Alpha and Omega-Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

The Taft

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Independent

Taft Petroleum Club

Sagebrush Annie’sWine Tasting

Dinner by Reservation

Award Winning Wines

766-23194211 Highway 33, Ventucopa

Chilled & GrilledEvery Wednesday Night

Bike Night!Drink and Appetizer Specials from 7-9pm.

$1 Drafts!!!

765-2000621 Center Street

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

ADVERTISE in theTaftIndependent

765-6550

Please visit the Taft Petroleum Club at Oildorado Days!

Friday, October 15th Karaoke contest at the Club and Live Lounge bar at the main tent on Rails to Trails

Saturday, October 16th Beer Booth in front of Oil Workers Monument on the Rails to Trails

Sunday, October 17th Main tent on Rails to Trails for lunch and bar during the Whiskerino and Tessie Garratt contest

Monday, October 18th Monday Night Football at the ClubTuesday, October 19th Maids of the Petroleum Queen Contest

for RIbeye Steak SandwichesWednesday, October 20th Industries Night at the Club

Thursday, October 21st Eddie Money Concert Petroleum Club Bar at Beer Garden

Friday, October 22nd Karaoke Contest Finals at the Club

Greg Gray Not running

Paint Train Station Oct 9

CITY OF TAFTCCF OFFICE TECHNICIAN

$14.86 - $18.06/hour

Applications will be accepted for the position of Of-fice Technician to fill a vacancy at the Taft Commu-nity Correctional Facility.

Under general supervision performs varied complex secretarial and responsible office clerical work requir-ing initiative and independent judgement.

Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or GED equivalent with specialized course work in general office practices such as typing, filing, business English and spelling, and two (2) years of clerical expe-rience, or any combination of training and experience which may provide the required knowledge, abilities and skills. Interested employees must submit a City of Taft Application to City Hall, Personnel Department, 209 East Kern Street, Taft, CA 93268. Final filing date: 6:00 p.m., Thursday, October 15, 2010. Applica-tion and job description may be obtained at City Hall, 209 East Kern Street, Taft. EOE.

Call for Oildorado Days Rousabout Contestants

Taft Oildorado Days is still seeking roustabouts for its Oilfield Skills contest. Those interested in the rousatbout competition, should call Rusty Risi at 805-9030.

450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Monday- Friday Noon-Close During Oildorado

Not the Best of Taft: Proven Leadership - Not!

We’re not sure if you’ve seen Cliffy’s campaign reelection signs all over town this week. His friend Fast Eddy is putting them up everywhere since the Spinman no longer lives in Taft and has to have someone else post his signs. You see, the Spin-man has a new job north of Fresno, so to participate in city council meetings he has to call in on a telephone. Cliffy also probably doesn’t want to be seen around his signs anyway since the biggest assest he says he has for reelection to city council - Proven Leadership - some how hot mispelled on his posters - Leadship. Well, what do you expect.

We guess they don’t have spell check at the sign company, so Cliffy has to put up with the signs - just like we have to put up with his campaign - why is it he is running again? - for city council. Why, any fool would know that you wouldn’t have a chance of getting reelected to the city you just sued! We just hope enough people remember all the problems Cliffy has caused down at city hall before they vote. We’ll have our fingers crossed on election day.

We have all heard of grown men doing odd things to promote a cause they believe in. Heads have been shaved, dances have been danced, and men have gone swim-ming in icy polar bear events. However, when a motorcycle officer decides to don a tutu, heads will surely turn. That is the challenge that Taft native and City of Berkley Police Officer Brandon Smih(known as Officer Smitty) has posed to motorcycle riders everywhere. This member of the Taft High class of

1992 is the Berkley PD’s chairman for Special Olympic fundraising. Taking on this respon-sibility has changed his life. He has become totally committed to supporting Special Olympics and way possible and what an event he has created! While planning to ride his motorcycle to Southern California for a Special Olympic Torch Run convention the thought oc-curred to Officer Smitty to make a fundraiser out of the trip. He said if they could raise $10,000.00 he would wear a pink tutu the entire trip on his Harley. The Law Enforcement Torch Run Tutu Ride was born. 85,000 police officers annually raise money for Special Olympics programs through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. These Torch Runs take place around the world and involve a broad cross sec-tion of the law enforcement community. The idea began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas by Police Chief Richard LaMunyan. It was quickly adopted by the International Association of Police Chiefs. The Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the opening Ceremony of local, State, National and every two years the World Special Olympic Games. As the idea developed officers came up with a variety of fundraising events in addition to the Torch Run itself. This is where our “Officer Smitty” enters with the Tutu ride idea. The first inaugural Tutu Ride will be held Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 18th and 19th. The ride begins in Sacramento and ends in Long Beach with a one night stay in San Luis Obispo. There will be a Taft group joining the ride on Tuesday in San Luis Obispo. They will be leaving from Artz’s Chevron Station on Kern Street at 7am. You would be more than welcome to join this group of adventurers and wearing a tutu is encouraged. This event has been fully endorsed by Special Olympics. For further information or if you would like to contribute to the cause check out Smitty’s web site at www.tuturide.kintera.org or call 765-9508.

Tutu Ride for Special Olympics

P.O. Box 612 • Taft,CA 93268

Check us out online!Need more information on programs, classes or facilities?Visit us on the web:www.wsrpd.comwww.facebook.com/wsrpd www.quickscores.com/[email protected]

West Side Recreation Report

by Stephanie House

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

[email protected] www.wsrpd.com

HALLOWEEN SWEET TREATSWednesday, October 203:00-4:15 p.m.Community Center Assembly RoomGrades K-8$3 per person We will be making caramel apples and jumbo cookies just in time for Halloween!

PUMPKIN DECORATING WORKSHOPWednesday, October 273:30-4:30 p.m.The Historic Fort, 915 N. 10th Street, TaftAges 4 and up$5 per person (includes pumpkin) Come on down and pick out your own pumpkin from The Fort’s Pumpkin Patch! After choosing the perfect pumpkin, we will decorate them with cool craft supplies.

GYMNASTICSWho: Grades K and olderWhen: Monday Evenings, beginning September 13Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.Where: Community Center AuditoriumFee: $30 per month ($20 for each additional family member)Instructor: Suzanne HaleClasses are held on an ongoing, monthly basis. New students are welcome at any time.

DANCE CLASSESWho: Ages 3 and upWhen: Mondays and TuesdaysSeason: classes begin the week of September 13Where: Community Center Assembly RoomFee: $20 per monthInstructor: Liz MillerParticipants will learn the basics of tap, jazz and ballet. There is also a Beginning Hip-Hop class. Please contact the District Office for class times. Classes are held on an ongoing, monthly basis. New students are welcome at any time.

WINTER SOFTBALL LEAGUESRegister Now! Registration deadline – October 22Coed Slowpitch Softball – Tuesday EveningsWomen’s Fastpitch Softball – Wednesday EveningsMen’s Slowpitch Softball – Thursday EveningsGames begin the week of October 25. For more information, please contact Les Clark at 763-4246 or [email protected].

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 invita-tions – all to match your theme or colors. And for a little extra, we can help with activi-ties, too! Package prices start at $130. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call the District Office at 763-4246.

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOWFriday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, 2010The District’s 32nd Annual Holiday Craft Show will be held at the Community Center this December. Vendor registration is underway now in the District Office, 500 Cascade Place in Taft. The fee is $40 per space. For more information, please contact Stephanie at 763-4246 or [email protected].

S.T.O.P.Strive to Optimize ParticipationWorking with schools, churches and other organizations on the Westside, we want to target disadvantaged and disabled youth who may need a financial scholarship to par-ticipate in District programs. The S.T.O.P. Program enables youth who normally cannot participate in programs, a chance. A chance to be involved and take part in outstanding recreational opportunities. The West Side Recreation & Park District thrives on educa-tion, fosters human development and increases self-esteem. And with financial assis-tance from local companies such as Chevron and Synagro, is helping children become productive members of society and leaders of tomorrow, no matter what their circum-stances. If you are the parent/guardian of a child who would benefit from a S.T.O.P. scholarship, or if you know of other potential children, please contact the District Office. The application process is simple – just complete a Youth Scholarship Applica-tion prior to program/activity registration deadlines. S.T.O.P. Scholarships may be used to pay for classes, sports programs, swim lessons and other youth activities that require pre-registration.