September 2013 Newsletter - Taft Chamber of Commerce

Our Platinum Sponsors
400 Kern Street—Taft, CA, 93268
Phone: (661) 765-2165 Fax: (661) 765-6639
www.taftchamber.com
TaftChamber@gmail.com
Our Gold Sponsors
September 2013
Newsletter
Visit
www.kerncountyfair.com
for more information
Concert Schedule:
Wed., Sept. 18th @ 8pm—Uncle Kracker
Thur., Sept. 19th @ 8pm—REO Speedwagon
Fri., Sept. 20th @ 8pm—Zendaya
Sat., Sept. 21st @ 8pm—Jo Dee Messina
Sun., Sept. 22nd@ 8pm—Starship with Mickey
Thomas
Mon., Sept. 23rd @ 8pm—Los Lobos
Tues., Sept. 24th @ 8pm—The Four Tops
Wed., Sept. 25th @ 8pm—Dustin Lynch and Lucky
Ned Pepper
Thurs., Sept. 26th @ 8pm—Kutless
Fri., Sept. 27th @ 8pm—Hollywood Stones
Sat., Sept. 28th @ 8pm—Lonestar
Sun., Sept. 29th @ 7pm—Banda La Costena and also
Ana Victoria
FAIR HOURS
Monday–Thursday ............. 1 pm to 10 pm
Friday, 9/20 ...................... 10:30 am 11 pm
Friday 9/27 ...................... 1 pm to 11 pm
Saturdays, ........................ Noon to 11 pm
Sundays, .......................... Noon to 10 pm
Fine Arts, Harvest Hall,
Community Exhibits & Hobbies
Close @ 10 pm
Commercial Buildings
Monday - Thursday, ......... 1 pm to 10 pm
Friday, 9/20 .................. 10:30 am to 11 pm
Friday, 9/27 .................... 1 pm to 11 pm
Saturdays ...................... Noon to 11 pm
Sundays ........................ Noon to 10 pm
Ticket Prices:
Adults $9
Children $8
Seniors $5
Parking $5
What’s New at the Chamber?
Cruisin’ Center Street has been a long standing tradition in Taft and the Chamber
has worked with the downtown businesses to bring Cruising Back to Center Street
as part of the “First Friday” event. The Downtown Business Committee, that is comprised of many of the downtown merchants, have really stepped up and taken this
monthly event on themselves. They hand out flyers at other car events, hang posters in windows, and talk up the fun that is going on in downtown Taft on the First
Friday of the month.
Several businesses stay open late and
invite their friends and family for a fun
night out in Taft. Secondary to the classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles
that participate in Cruisin’ Center Street, barbeques and refreshments coupled with live music, showcasing local talent, are all elements of the side
action. This event was restarted in summer of 2012 and has gained speed
with the help of the local businesses and the community of Taft. Join the
Taft Chamber and the downtown businesses on Friday, September 6 from
6-10pm for an evening of entertainment on Center Street. The Lions club
will be selling tri-tip sandwiches, Black Gold will have a beer garden, and
live performances on the sidewalks of Center Street.
August 7
August 28
Marie Covello, Department of Human Services
Bernie Valenzuela, Principal at Taft Union High School
At the Department of Human Services, they work to put people
back to work. Marie Covello spoke about the different programs
for individuals and employers. One program is the Employment
Preparedness Program where individuals go to approved businesses to work for their cash aid and grant money.
The Chamber’s Sit ‘n’ Sip group of regulars welcomed Mr. Bernie Valenzuela, new Principal of Taft Union High School, to
their gathering on Wednesday, August 27. Mr. Valenzuela
comes to us from Indio High School where he had been an administrator for a few years. He now resides in Taft with his
wife and a son who is a freshman attending Taft High. The
Valenzuela’s older son currently is attending college at the
University of Hawaii.
Another program is the EASE which benefits the business owners, through funding through the DHS and tax incentives. At the
end of the term, the business can choose to hire the employee
and turn the short term job into long term careers. For more
information about these programs, please call Marie Covello at
661-763-0200.
August 14
Deborah Cloud, West Side ROP Program
Taft Union High School teacher Deborah Cloud works closely
with area businesses to put students to work. Her class at the
school teaches office skills, expand the knowledge of business
practices, education jobs, and customer service. Students learn
listening skills, interviewing techniques, safety in the workplace,
and how to fill out time cards, answer phones, and use office
equipment.
The program realizes that not all students go to college and work
on the motto of teaching “skills to pay the bills.” When a student is placed at a business, the staff at the ROP monitor work
sites, grading, and evaluations. For more information about having a student worker at your business, call ROP at 661-763-2357.
Mr. Valenzuela’s presence already is being felt at the high
school. Parents have been treated to the first of a few planned
“Parent Institute” evenings. These meetings are designed to
give parents access to administrators and other school personnel so they can ask questions and become informed about the
high school’s programs and the ways in which their young people can become ready for post-graduation life. The first such
evening was well-attended.
Students note Mr. Valenzuela’s presence on campus, probably
because of his stature: “I’m big, so I make it a point to smile a
lot.” Students also note, as one senior stated, “He’s everywhere!”
Mr. Valenzuela sees Taft High as an excellent school: “It is
great to come to a school where you don’t have to worry
about kids having the basics, like paper and pencils, commented Valenzuela. And he also sees Taft High as brimming with
potential: “Taft High could become a Blue Ribbon High
School.”
Welcome to our community, Mr. Valenzuela and family!
By Dr. Kathy Orrin, Executive Director
This is the time of year I traditionally look forward with a refreshed sense of purpose. As an educator, August/September
was the time of year that started the clock: Teachers returned to
school, usually refreshed from having some time off. Students
returned, usually eager to make a fresh start at school success.
And kids were delivered to school by their parents, usually happy
to be back in a routine that saved them from bored children.
Working with the business community has somewhat changed
my clock: June, July, and August no longer represent slower
times, culminating in a huge ceremonial return to a fixed schedule in late August. However, business does have its own ebb
and flow. As I approach my third Christmas at the Chamber, I am
noticing a subtle “amping up” of planning and positioning that
goes along with the Fall months of the calendar.
So . . . maybe I am reliving my school educator years (there were
40 of ‘em!) or maybe I am adapting to the influence of my friends
in business; nevertheless, we are getting into holiday mode here
at the Chamber. School clocks and business clocks—particularly
retail business clocks-- have this in common: once school starts,
we are off and running until January 2!
Shannon will recap for you the events that are planned here at
the Chamber for the coming months. I just want to tickle you
with some new additions to the Chamber that you may find interesting.
First, we are going to open a Gift Shop!! For over two years I
have waited on folks passing through Taft or leaving our community after having worked for a limited time in the oil patch or for
some support industry. They want stuff that says TAFT—t-shirts,
key rings, mugs, bumper stickers. They tell me how unique and
friendly they have found our town, and they want to take a
memory home with them. And we have only 2010 Oildorado
merchandise to offer. Now, don’t get me wrong. Oildorado stuff
is great, if you have experienced Oildorado. It is difficult, however, to help folks capture the excitement of the ten-day, every five
years celebration in a 30-second conversation over the t-shirt
rack.
Second, we are going to host a post card contest! Yep, that is
another item folks want from the Chamber. To get the best possible coverage in subject matter for what is unique and awesome
about Taft, we are asking amateur and professional photographers and artists to submit their best post card designs.
The details about both these projects will be forthcoming in next
month’s Chamber Newsletter, and you will be hearing about
events designed to get you into the Chamber to visit the Gift
Shop as we near the opening date.
Meanwhile, join me in welcoming Fall, my favorite season in
Taft!
By Shannon Jones, Event Coordinator
Is anyone else in shock that we are in September already? As the kids go back to school, nightly routines
are established, and the realization that summer is over
starts to sink in. While the freedom of staying up late
goes out the window for the kids, parents begin to shuffle kids from school to sports and the community calendar fills up with upcoming events.
The Taft Chamber is continuously working to help promote events for our Chamber members and strive to
include them in our newsletter, weekly emails, and
online calendar. If you have an event, an idea for an
event, or are working to schedule one with your organization, please let me know so we can coordinate our
calendars for maximum participation.
While September is bringing many events and planning
meetings, the Taft Chamber staff is heading to San Diego Wednesday, September 18-Friday, September 20
with the City of Taft for a conference for the ICSC. Our
office will be closed those days and we will not host a
Sit ‘n Sip.
Saturday, October 26 brings our 12th annual Golf
Tournament. Teams are now forming and we are looking for additional sponsors. As one of the largest fundraisers for the Chamber, we need support from businesses to sponsor the tournament so we can continue
Chamber operations. This tournament is the best in
Kern County and brings lots of industry people together
for a day of fun at Buena Vista Golf Course. We even
had a player get a Hole in One last year and won
$20,000! This year it could be you! Stop by the office
and register to play in this awesome tournament. We
also are looking for raffle prizes and appreciate a donation from your business.
On October 31, the West Side Business Center at
Kern & 10th Street will be hosting a “Spooktakular Halloween” event from 4-7pm. Businesses will set up
booths and hand out candy to all children and you can
judge your favorite business display. More information
will be available in the upcoming weeks.
Our annual Trout Fishing Derby date has been set!
Saturday, November 16, the Taft Chamber will stock
the lake at Buena Vista and open the lake up to all registered fisherman. The entry fee is $20 for adults and
$10 for kids.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
1
2
Labor Day
8
9
Fri
4
5
9AM, Sit ‘n Sip, @
6pm, City Council
Taft Chamber with
meeting @ City Hall Supervisor David
Couch
5pm, Service Club
Summit @ Chamber
6PM, Industry Night @
Taft Petroleum Club
6PM, Planning
Commission meeting
6
7
6pm-10pm, First
Friday Cruising
Center Car Cruise
with beer & bands
8am-noon
Car Wash for the
Taft Fireworks
Show 2014 @ Taft
Chamber
10
13
14
3
11
12
9AM, Sit ‘n Sip @
Taft Chamber
Buttonwillow Fall
Festival, 7am-3pm,
#764-5406 for info
5PM, Downtown
Business Meeting,
The Chamber
“25 Hill” showing at
the Taft Fox (4pm
or 8pm, $8)
Patriot Day
15
16
17
18
CHAMBER
6pm, City Council
meeting @ City Hall CLOSED
No Sit ‘n Sip
19
20
21
CHAMBER
CLOSED
CHAMBER
CLOSED
Kern County Fair
Kern County Fair
Adopt-A-Highway
Statewide clean up,
Westside Waste
Management
Kern County Fair
Kern County Fair
22
23
24
25
26
Kern County Fair
Kern County Fair
Kern County Fair
9AM, Sit ‘n Sip,
The Chamber
5:30pm, Bubba’s
Kern County Fair
Okie Dinner @ The
Fort $20
4pm, Taft Chamber
Board meeting
4-8pm, Kern
County Board of
Trade Tourism
Event
Kern County Fair
29
30
Kern County Fair
Kern County Fair
Sat
Kern County Fair
27
28
9:30am-2pm, National Public Lands
Day at Carrizo
Plains
6pm, TIL Casino
Night @ Dignity
Health Event Center in Bakersfield
2013
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
Fri
Sat
5
1
2
3
4
6pm, City Council
meeting @ City
Hall
9AM, Sit ‘n Sip, @
Taft Chamber
National Student
Day
6:00pm-10:00pm
First Friday
Cruising Center
Car Cruise
10
11
12
11am, TIL
Dedication @ Taft
College
Class of 1963
Reunion
6PM, Industry Night
@ Petroleum Club
6PM, Planning Commission meeting @
City Hall
6
7
8
9
9AM, Sit ‘n Sip @
Taft Chamber
5PM, Downtown
Business Meeting,
The Chamber
13
14
Class of 1969
Reunion
Midway School
Tour at 1:30pm
Class of 1969
Reunion
15
16
17
18
12-6pm, Houchin
Blood Mobile
9AM, Sit ‘n Sip @
Taft Chamber
5pm, Taft College
Foundation Ribeye
Dinner
8am-3pm, West
Kern Petroleum
Summit at Taft
College
6pm, City Council
meeting @ City
Hall
Class of 1969
Reunion
19
9am-noon, Taft Community Gardens Day
7:30am-5pm, Paws in
the Park, Police park
5pm, Casino Night at
Veterans Hall
October cont.
22-25, Fort Pumpkin Patch
26, Taft Chamber Golf
Tournament
26, Boomtown Days at West Kern
Oil Museum
31, Fort Safe Halloween
31, Halloween Spooktakular Event at
West Side Business Center
1, First Friday Car Cruise
7, The Fort Country Hoedown
11, Project Restore @ WCMA
15-16, West Side Recreation Craft Fair
16, Taft Chamber Trout Fishing Derby
20, Together We Can Meeting
Adopt a Senior for Christmas
This program is for low income, homebound and/or isolated
seniors in our community.
Selected seniors provide a list of items they would like to
have; such as a robe, slippers, sweatshirt, towels, etc. and
their names are placed on ornaments in Taft.
How can you help?
Pick up an ornament at participating locations. Shop for your
senior and return the items selected in a gift bag to that location. The Midway-Sunset Lions Club “elves” will be delivering
the presents to the seniors in our community in December.
For more information, call Carol at 765-5541.
By the Numbers:
SAVE THE DATE!
Y’all Come on Down to the Historic Fort for
Bubba’s Good Ole Okie Dinner
Thursday, September 26, 2013
5:30PM @ The Historic Fort (915 N. 10th Street)
We’ll be a Eatin’ & a Drinkin’
Entertainment: “Country George & Western Edition”
Tickets $20, RSVP by September 19
Taft Vaccination & Micro-Chip Clinic
Saturday, July 27, the County of Kern and City of Taft
Animal Control hosted its yearly vaccine and registration
clinic at Ford City. The fees you pay for licensing your pet
supports your local shelter and helps return lost pets to
their owners. To register your dog or cat, call Valeria
Madsen at 763-1222.
County areas
City of Taft
Rabies vaccinations issued:
172
33
County licenses issued:
165
37
RSVP 661-765-7371
Need a good Christmas Gift? Order a brick today!
Honor that special someone in your life with an Oilworker Monument brick or plaque.
Order forms are available for pick up at the Taft District Chamber of Commerce.
Please feel free to call the Chamber office, 765-2165, to make arrangements to have
a form mailed, faxed or e-mailed to you or a loved one.
Limited Space Remains
Business Corner
Business name: Measure Me Mommie
Contact: Cindy Patterson, 661-333-3355, www.measurememommie.com
Measure Me Mommie is a new Taft Chamber member, but owner Cindy
Patterson is not new to the community. She has raised 3 daughters, Stephanie, Kristin, and Jenni in
Taft and continues to participate in the community. In 2009, she created a jewelry line that
tracks the healthy growth and milestones of a woman’s pregnancy.
Her online store features three product lines, named after her daughters, that offer a fun way to
remember the 9 months of pregnancy. A waist-let allows a mom the opportunity to recall the exciting moments of her pregnancy by tracking the changes in her body and adding new charms
each month or at moments of hearing the first heart beat, finding out the gender, multiples, the
birth year, and more. This keepsake is also beautiful for maternity and newborn photos and can
be saved in a shadow box and displayed in the nursery.
“We have worked really hard to build up our brand and when you see polka dots, we want you to
think Measure Me Mommie,” Cindy said. As she continues to grow her business, she has added new
products including a baby shower game, trinket boxes, plush toys, shadow boxes, bracelets, and wine
glasses. In addition to the online store, Measure Me Mommie participates in vendor fairs and can be
seen at the Kern County Fair for the first time. She will be in commercial building #3, Booth #337.
Stop by and pick up this perfect gift for a baby shower or expectant mother.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Dennis Schertz
Asian Experience
Thank you Supervisor David Couch!!
Before
Supervisor David Couch is working to
clean up the County areas in and
around Taft. This is the most recent
demolition at 424 Adams Street.
1st Vice President: Bob Leikam
Domino’s Pizza
2nd Vice President: Ed Herrera
Edward J. Herrera Insurance Agency
Treasurer: Adele Ward
Taft City School District
Devinder Bains
Taft Chevrolet—Buick
Emmanuel Campos
Monarch Fleet Services
Tracy Chitwood
Southern Sierra
After
Les Clark
West Side Recreation and Park District
Bob Hampton
Westside Waste Management
Greg Hill
Old’s Cool Antiques and More
Sandy Koenig
Westside Community Resource Center
Orchel Krier
Tumbleweed Café
Lorrie Loder
Synagro
Michael Long
The Taft Independent
Verlen Love
Coldwell Banker
Dr. Dena Maloney
Taft College
Jordan Miller
Roger Miller Insurance Agency
John Neumann
Accelerated Environmental
Ron Sousa
Albertson’s
Last Call For The 2013-2014
Chamber Directory
Thank you to our new members for August 2013. Chamber
renewals are due now! We are printing our new directory
and don’t want you to miss out on being included. Contact
us if you have any questions about your Membership Application or Dues or to verify your status at 661-765-2165.
Amazing Bounce
Business Fit
Dr. J Bryan Sterling, DDS
Fairouzah Merchant
Hydrogen Energy California
Independent Oil Producer’s Agency
Joyce Properties
KC Photography and Framing
La Salsa Family Restaurant
Legal Shield/Pre-Paid Legal
Measure Me Mommie
Original Hacienda Grill
Pacific Gas & Electric
Precision Bodyworks
Salty’s BBQ & Catering
Southwest Signs
TRC Operating Company
Quote of
the Month
“Reading your
emails has been
like tracking a
tornado of change
and progress!
Wow!!
-Gary Joyce,
Joyce Properties
This was in response
to emails from Mark
Salvaggio at
Supervisor Couch’s
office
Harry Starkey
West Kern Water District
OUR STAFF
Dan Tosti
Aera Energy LLC
Rodney Wikoff
West Hills Church of the Nazarene
Executive Director: Dr. Kathy Orrin
kathy.taftchamber@gmail.com
Event Coordinator: Shannon Jones
shannon.taftchamber@gmail.com
400 Kern Street
Taft, CA 93268
661-765-2165
www.taftchamber.com
Prizes and Giveaways
Golfer Registration
Hole in One Par 3’s
Player #1
Name: _________________ Handicap: ___
Address: ____________________________
City, State Zip: _______________________
Phone: _____________________________
Email: ______________________________
$20,000 Cash
Sponsored by:
Accelerated Environmental Services
MTC (Taft Correctional Facility)
Excalibur Well Services
General Production Services
Closest to the Hole
$200 Cash for each par 3
Sponsored by:
Guardian Safety & Supply
Entry fee:
$125 per player
$500 per team
Registration includes green
fees, cart, drinks, goody bag,
lunch, and participation in
the putting contest
1st Place Team $1,600
2nd Place Team $1,200
3rd Place Team $800
4th Place Team $400
Long Drive
(Men & Women’s)
$150 Cash on 7th hole
Sponsored by:
Artz Liquor & Deli
Dave’s Glass Shop
Putting Contest
$10,000 Cash (guaranteed $200)
Sponsored by:
Roger Miller Insurance Agency
Player #2
Name: _________________ Handicap: ___
Address: ____________________________
City, State Zip: _______________________
Phone: _____________________________
Email: ______________________________
Player #3
Name: _________________ Handicap: ___
Address: ____________________________
City, State Zip: _______________________
Phone: _____________________________
Email: ______________________________
Player #4
Name: _________________ Handicap: ___
Address: ____________________________
City, State Zip: _______________________
Phone: _____________________________
Email: ______________________________
PRESS RELEASE
West Kern Petroleum Summit
Innovation Powering California
WHAT:
West Kern Petroleum Summit
WHERE:
Taft College, 29 Emmons Park Drive, Taft, CA 93268
WHEN:
Friday, October 18, 2013, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
MEDIA CONTACT: Sheri Horn-Bunk,661.763.7936; shorn-bunk@taftcollege.edu
On Friday, October 18, 2013, the Taft College Foundation will host a one-day conference entitled “West
Kern Petroleum Summit.” Featuring energy experts, policy makers, academic and regional leaders, the Summit will discuss current and newly developed petroleum and natural gas technologies and their impact on both local and regional
economic development. In addition, the workforce needs of the petroleum industry will be discussed, as oil industry
leaders share their view on the future of their businesses regarding technology, partnerships and expansion.
In discussing workforce needs for the petroleum industry, Taft College’s efforts in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics as focal points of its educational offerings, demonstrates how the College has worked to meet those needs,
especially at the technical levels. Within the last three years, Taft College has developed an Energy Technology Program that includes both a two-year degree program as well as five certificate programs designed to provide skills to assume technical related duties both in the business office and out in the field. Hands on training, secured through internships, allows these students to practice the very skills they have been taught.
Currently, Congressman Kevin McCarthy has agreed to speak on Energy Policy, as has John Hofmeister, former Chief
Executive officer of Shell Oil, Founder of Citizens for Affordable Energy in Washington, D.C., and author of Why We
Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider. The Summit will also include local and regional energy
industry panel discussions, a presentation from the USC Monterey Shale Development Study and an update on regulation and legislation.
“Considering the vital impact of the petroleum and natural gas sector in the California economy, this conference will provide important information to those who have an interest in the economic vitality of Kern County”, states Dr. Dena Maloney, Superintendent-President of Taft College. “The community colleges are critical to producing an educated workforce
for this important industry. This conference will highlight how we are responding to the needs of our industry partners for
a trained workforce to sustain economic growth in California.”
Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., with a continental breakfast reception. A tent will be erected in the Administration
Parking Lot which will accommodate 300 people at round tables. There will be monitors strategically located to showcase speakers so that all seats will be “good” seats. The formal program will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 3:30
p.m. Luncheon will be served mid-day. The cost for VIP Sponsorship is $2500 per table and includes seating for 8. Individual tickets can be purchased for $60 each, with open seating.
A Chevron Economic Development Initiative Grant has provided major support for this project. Currently, other sponsors
include Occidental of Elk Hills, Aera Energy LLC, Holmes Western, Berry Petroleum, City of Taft, Electrical Systems &
Instrumentation (ESI), Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and FreeportMcMoRan Oil & Gas (formerly PXP)
For information, contact Sheri Horn-Bunk, Executive Director, Taft College Foundation at 661.763.7936 or shornbunk@taftcollege.edu.
KERN COUNTY LIBRARY
Contact: Catherine Edgecomb
Phone: 763-3294
FALL ACTIVITIES TO BEGIN AT TAFT BRANCH LIBRARY
(Taft Branch, Taft) 9/6/12 – A new “Geek the Library” community awareness program is about to begin at the Taft
Branch Library. (GEEK, verb: 1. To love, to enjoy, to celebrate, to have an intense passion for; 2. To express interest
in; 3. To possess a large amount of knowledge in; 4. To promote.) Everyone is passionate about something—
everyone geeks something. What do you geek? Whatever you geek, the Kern County Library supports it all! Everyone visiting the library in September will have a chance to write what they geek on a geek board, and get a free bookmark, book bag and other promotional materials while supplies last. Come in and be part of the conversation!
September is also Library Card Sign-Up Month. First cards are free and provide access to books, e-books,
computers, assistance with resumes and job searches, music, movies and more. A library card is the smartest card
you will ever carry.
The fall session of Grandma’s Attic Storytime will begin at the Taft Branch Library on Saturday, September 14
at 10:30 a.m. and will continue every Saturday morning through November 23. 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. Preschool Storytime,
for 3 to 5 year-olds, takes place weekly on Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. 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, visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive or log on to our website at
www.kerncountylibrary.org. Hours of opening are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sherry Gomez, Director of Libraries
701 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 l (661) 868-0700 l FAX (661) 868-0799