The “Best of Taft 2008” nomination forms have been printed and distributed all over the Westside and already our Independent staff is being flooded with completed nomination forms.

Last year, Westsiders nominated dozens of businesses and people for the “Best of Taft 2007” and over 25 individuals, businesses and organizations were voted “Best of Taft”.

The winners were presented with a beautiful wood plaque noting the award and the category they won.

This year, interest in our “Best of Taft” is very high.

Nomination forms to vote your choice for “Best of Taft” can be found in this current issue of the Independent, at our office at 210 6t Street, or by calling us at 765-6550.

Please delivery you nomination for to our offices as soon as you can. Nomination deadline is Friday, August 15th at 5 p.m.

Those nominated so far can be seen in the columns to the right.

For more information or a nomination form call 765-6550.



Best Pizza: Pizza Factory, 2-4-1, Papa Murphys, Little Caesars, Asian Experience, Domino’s
Best Mexican Restaurant: La Mina, Haciends Grill, Mi Casita, La Salsa
Best Hamburger: Tumbleweed Café, McDonald’s, Sno White, Super Toms, Frosty Freeze, Oasis, Cali’s
Best Coffee: McDonald’s, Taft Crude, The Little Red Wagon
Best Breakfast: Jo’s, Paik’s, McDonald’s, Oasis, Center Street, Super Tom’s, Derrick Cafe
Best Restaurant: Tumbleweed Café, La Salsa, Frosty Freeze, Oasis, Chicken of OZ, Asian Experience, OT’s, Paik’s, All in the Sandwich
Best Place to get a drink: Tumbleweed Café, 332, Oasis, Frosty Freeze
Best New Business: Crystal Lee’s, Little Caesars, Studio 111, Dollar Tree, Puppy Love, Hint of Class, Cali’s, Glamorous
Best Salon: Glamorous, Studio 111, Magic Touch, Trends, Cindy’s, Miller’s
Best Stylist : Cheryl Bethel, Christine Dunning, Sherri Coulter, Tarrie Easley, Melissa Thornsberry, Lindsay Johnston, Alicia Bryant Shacee Young, Kasey Henderson, Tiffany Yaws, Barbara Miller
Best Place for a first date: Tumbleweed Café, Caprice Motel, Fox Theater, 332, Asian Experience, Hacienda Grill
Best Massage Therapist: Brandie Laulusa, Heather Oxford, Tonya White, Carl House, Sara Crawford
Best Place to pamper your pet: Joyce’s Pampered Pets, Puppy Love, Shaw’s
Best Mechanic or auto body shop: Goodyear, Taft Chevy, Billy Messenger @ San Joaquin, Gene’s 24 hour road service, Devon’s, Mike Hawkins @ Harrison Auto, Precision, Qik Smog and Tun
Best Health Club/ Gym: Samson’s, Slender Lady
Best Teacher: Ms. Griffing, Tammy Flinn, Harold Pease, Mark Fitsimmons, Mrs. Schoneweis, Mr. Kopp, Crystal Rogers
Best Sales Clerk: Sheila Peters @ WaMu, Suzy @ Chevron station, Cynthia Collins @KMART, Ashley @ WaMu, Susie @ Artz, Stephanie @ Artz, Bambi @ Movie Gallery, Norberto Lopez @ San Joaquin, Vickie Gregory @ Personal Style, Teddy Ezell @ KMART
Best Waitress: Brandie @ Tumbleweed, Mickey @ Paik’s, Marina @ Hacienda, Cindi @ 332, Marie @ Cali’s, Heather @ Oasis, Sandra Lupee @ Asian Experience, Amber Foster @ Derrick Cafe
Best Reason to Stop in Taft (tourist attraction): Oilfield Museum, Motorcycle races
Best Property Management Firm: Barron, Tower, Remaxx
Best Bank: Washington Mutual, United Security, Chevron Valley, West America, Taft National
Best Real Estate Agent: Steve Wright, Coldwell, Becky Ashcraft, Judy Miller, Nancy Statler, Dela, Teresa @ Remaxx, Byron Young
Best Convenience Store: Shell Station, 7-11, Lucky 7, Fast Trip, Chevron, Texaco on 10th, Gas War, Artz
Best Pastor: Scott Pierson, Ron Griffith, Floyn Jordan, Dale Bramlet, Tom LeClair
Best Boutique: Miller’s, Crystal Lee’s, Personal Style, Styles, Cindi’s Hair Affairs, A Hint of Class
Best Place for Home Improvements: KMART, True Value, King’s Nursery
Best Thrift Store: Goodwill, Unity Thrift, Friendly Antique, Alpha House
Best Form of Entertainment Brighthouse Cable, Movie Gallery, Motorcycle races, BMX, Petroleum Club
Best Tattoo Artist: Caleb, Scott Willis, Raymond Perez, Jessy Hernandez
Create Your Own Category:
Best Cold Beer: Tumbleweed Cafe
Best Sandwich: All in the Sandwich
Best Plunge Employee: Brock Oxford
Best Bartender: Julie Coolie
Best Cash Advance: Allied Cash Advance
Best Bookstore: Taft College Bookstore