The Westside is blessed with many talented people who excel at what they do. This years Best of Taft 2008 saw more than 1800 nominations. In this issue of the Taft Independent, we are pleased to bring you the results of our Best of Taft 2008 poll submitted by our readers who voted for their favorite nominees. Congratulations to our winners who will be presented with a Best of Taft 2008 plaque next Thursday at noon by Mayor Paul Linder.

Best Salon - Trends
Trends has been in Taft for the past 3 years. The full service salon offers all kinds of hair care, manicure and massage services. Congratulations to all the girls at Trends. Runners up: Glamorous Salon and Studio 111.

Best New Business - Little Caesars
Little Caesars has only been open in Taft about a month, but their Hot-N-Ready special is a hit with pizza lovers.

Best Form of Entertainment - Fox Theatre
The Taft Fox Theatre is one of the few Taft landmarks still going strong. Its old-fashioned marquee and spectacular acoustics draw in moviegoers of all ages.

Best Breakfast - Jo’s Restaurant
Since the 1960’s Jo’s Restaurant has been serving breakfast to its loyal Taft patrons. Their most popular breakfast dishes are the Bone-In Ham and Eggs. Their clients commonly call it “The Real McCoy.” The locals also enjoy their fresh Chicken-Fried Steak. Runner up: Center Street Cafe.

Best Convenience Store: Fastrip on Kern
The workers at Fastrip put the “convenience” in convenience store. These employees always have a smile on their face, greeting customers as they enter and exit the store. Runner up: Chevron Service Station.

Best Place to go on a Date - Asian Experience
Many agree Asian Experience is the perfect date location because of the atmosphere. The Eastern-world feel, weekend entertainment and waterfall attracts couples.

Best Teacher - Tammy Flinn
Tammy Flinn is a teacher at United Methodist Preschool. She has a classroom with 15 three to four year-olds. Tammy encourages her students to enjoy learning with songs, colors, and poems.

Best Recreation Employee-Brock Oxford
The Natatorium brought in lots of summer fun for the community, but who made it possible? Brock Oxford has been working for the Rec for 2 years. His job requires cleaning the pool, making it safe for the children to enjoy.

Best Reason to Stop in Taft - West Kern Oil Museum
The West Kern Oil Museum is by far Taft’s best tourist attraction. It is staffed by volunteers who work hard to present our oil history in its full glory. If you have not been there in a while, go check out the museum and make a donation if you can.

Best Restaurant - Cali’s
Cali’s Restaurant has quickly become a favorite among many Taft residents. With its California-themed food, Cali’s has brought flavorful dishes that have impressed the palates of Taft food lovers. Cali’s is a recent addition to Taft, having opened this past May.

Best Health Club & Gym - Samson’s Gym
Andrea and Travis Botts are the proud owners of Sampson’s Gym. Sampson’s Gym is well know for its annual bench press competition and will hold their 11th annual bench press competition this year. All proceeds are donated to Camp Condor.

Best Place for Home Improvements - True Value
Cooper’s True Value is the place to go in Taft when you need to fix that leaky faucet, rebuild your fence, buy hardware for that special project, or to prepare to plant your garden.

Best Photography - KC Photography
KC PHOTOGRAPHY. Founded in 1986, KC Photography does portraits, studio work and film processing. Karen and her husband Robert also offer custom framing and gifts.

Best Coffee - Taft Crude Coffee House
Taft Crude is Taft’s best and favorite coffee house, serving all the good java one expects from a local coffee house. They also have a sandwich deli and feature grilled tri-tip sandwiches every Friday for lunch.

Best Insurance Agent - Kathy Herm
Kathy Herm has been with State Farm for 31 years. Kathy and her team get great satisfaction when they help their policy holders with their insurance and financial needs. Walk in on Friday’s and you will see staff wearing T-shirts that read “I’m there.”

Best Property Management Firm - Barron Properties
Ethele Barron wants to put Management back into your property. Barron puts their best foot forward to take care of all rental properties on the Westside, always there to work for tenants and landlords, keeping both happy.

Best Body Shop - Devon’s Body Shop
Devon and Tammy Heckman have owned Devon’s Body Shop for 5 years. It is a family run business that can fix that smashed fender or pick up your broken down vehicle.

Best Place to Get a Drink - OT’s Restaurant and Saloon
One of Taft’s best know landmark restaurants, OT’s traditional saloon features a full bar, from iced tea to cocktails. If you’re thirsty, stop by and say hello to owner Chris Payne and the gang.


Best Boutique - Personal Style
There’s something for everyone at Taft’s popular boutique, Personal Style. Whatever you’re looking for, Personal Style can supply you with trendy items that fit your own personal style. Runner up: Crystal Lee’s.

Best Thrift Store - Goodwill
Goodwill does its part to reduce welfare in the community -- they help by giving second chances to more than just clothing. They provide rehabilitation jobs to people needing a second chance.

Best Place to Pamper your Pet - Puppy Love
Excited to be on Center Street, owners Holly Walker and her mother Sue Colvin have established Puppy Love as Taft’s newest puppy salon offering to spoil your special pet. They also offer doggie treats and accessories.

Best Stylist - Cheryl Bethel
Stylist Cheryl Bethel has been doing hair for 4 1/2 years, and her clients really love her work. Cheryl has recently relocated to Glamorous Salon where she is really excited to get established. Runners up: Shacee Young and Vickie Gregory.

Best Pizza - Pizza Factory
The best place to get a pizza was an easy choice for Taft residents. Pizza factory was by far the voters top choice for pizza on the Westside. Runner up: Papa Murphy’s.

Best Real Estate Agent - Becky Ashcraft
Real Estate Agent Becky Ashcraft has been serving the Taft community since 1994. Becky has been a Real Estate agent for the past 20 years. “Taft is a wonderful community,” says Ashcraft. “It’s so safe.” And, it is an affordable place to buy a home.

Best Barber Shop - Wildcats Barber Shop
Monte Klein and his daughter Rhonda recently bought Wildcats Barbershop this past February. They specialize in traditional barbershop styles and in fades, flat tops, and razor cuts.

Best Cop - Senior Deputy Kim Millinder
Kim Millinder is one of the friendliest, hardest working and community minded deputies we know. Chances are, you know Kim and her winning smile. Kim has been in uniform for more than 18 years, 2 of them on the Westside. Unfortunately, Kim is leaving the Taft Substation for a new job with the Kern County Sheriff’s Department in Bakersfield. Best of luck to you Kim!

Best Bank - Washington Mutual
Whoo hoo! WAMU - makes banking in Taft easy. Their friendly staff are always available to help you with your banking needs. Their motto is, “Bank. Smile. Repeat.”

Best Community Service Organization.
Taft Correctional Institute, the federal prison located in Taft, has done more to help the city, local churches and other non-profit organizations with inmate volunteers who pitch in and help clean-up the community. We received dozens of letters praising TCI for their outstanding support of the community.

Best Sales Clerk -Bambi of Movie Gallery
Renting a movie? Chances are you will be helped by Bambi Schock who has been working in the retail business for 11 years.

Best Credit Union - Chevron Valley Credit Union
Chevron Valley Credit Union has serving the people of the Westside since 1935. They have friendly staff and work hard to serve those who need financial services, notary services and more.

Best Pharmacy - Kern Street Pharmacy
Kern Street Pharmacy was picked the best pharmacy by its customers, and they were excited to hear the news. They are a locally owned pharmacy and support the Shop Taft program. Stop by and say hello the next time you need a cough drop or to fill a prescription.

Best Waitress - Heather Layton
Heather Layton has been working at Center Street Cafe for a year. She is familiar with her regular customers’ orders. Everyone simply calls her by her last name, Layton. Runner up: Marie at Cali’s.

Best Mexican Food - La Salsa
La Sala Restaurant serves up a great Mexican dish. Owner Jose has many years experience working in famous restaurants, even once owning Buck’s Steak House in Maricopa. He has brought his excellent food selections to Taft where you can’t go wrong by ordering their famous frajitas. Runner up: The Original Hacienda Grill.

Best Burger - Tumbleweed Cafe
Orchel Krier’s Tumbleweed Cafe Bar and Grill was picked the Best lace to Get a Burger. The restaurant also has a ful bar and is well known for its steaks, and catering to those folks working in the oilfields. Runner up: Cali’s.