The Something Better Podcast

Latest Episodes:

State of the City recap Jul 22, 2025

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City Manager Christian Clegg joins the podcast once again to talk about the State of the City address and what's happening in Bakersfield.

What is the "State of the City" you ask? Well, we cover that! But in general, it's an annual event hosted by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce for the City Manager to share important accomplishments from the past year, as well as what the public can expect moving forward. This year's state of the City was held on Wednesday, July 16.

So, it's a great catchall if you want to know what's going on in your city. Take a listen and catch up on what Bakersfield has been up to and what to look forward to in the near future!

And don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Distracted Driving: What you need to know Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

It's something just about everyone who gets behind the wheel deals with at some point: Distracted Driving.

Sure, we all know we're not supposed to do it, but it can still happen. And it's not just texting while driving. It can be anything from fiddling with the radio, looking up an address on GPS, or even just talking with your friends in the back seat.

Distracted Driving is anything that takes your attention off the task at hand: Driving safely.

It can also be deadly, leading to nearly 3,300 deaths on the road each year.

This episode - as part of the City of Bakersfield's awareness campaign - we chat with Bakersfield Police Sgt. Caleb Kiser about the dangers of Distracted Driving, what it is, how to prevent it, and how quickly something can go wrong and change your life and the lives of others forever.

Pup safety for the 4th of July Jun 17, 2025

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The Fourth of July is an exciting day for celebrating our nation's history and freedoms, but for our furry friends, it can be a frightening time, too. And it's the busiest time of the year for our staff at the Bakersfield Animal Care Center.

Matthew Buck, Executive Director of the BACC, stops by to talk about their free microchipping campaign ahead of Independence Day and shares some helpful tips for keeping your pets safe when the fireworks start!

Community Vitality, Part 2 May 27, 2025

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Lt. Nicole Anderberg and Jamie Achterberg are back for a second round with us, talking about the Community Vitality Unit.

We go into more depth this time into the programs and services the CVU is using to make the City of Bakersfield better for everyone who lives and visits here. Learn about how the it works when you let us know about an issue that CVU will respond to.

We also talk about the Trespass Enforcement Authorization for property owners so that the Bakersfield Police Department can quickly respond to trespassing incidents.

And if you missed it, go check out Part 1 here!

Community Vitality, Part 1 May 20, 2025

Show notes

Our 10th episode of The Something Better Podcast is here and it's a two-parter! We talk with two key members of the Community Vitality Unit who helps address homelessness in Bakersfield and quality of life issues.

Lt. Nicole Anderberg and Jamie Achterberg sit down with us to explain exactly what the Community Vitality Unit does and how they're making impacts on issues the public cares about.

We can't get to everything in this episode, so be sure to check out episode 11 next week (May 27) where we go even more in-depth with the CVU and their work!

E-Bikes and Volunteer Bike Patrol: The Park Rangers talk new programs May 06, 2025

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The City of Bakersfield launched its Park Rangers program in 2022, helping make parks safer for visitors and preventing costly damage to our important amenities.

Park Rangers Manager Billy Owens and Park Rangers Supervisor Mike Dobbs stop by the podcast to talk about the program and two new initiatives that have recently launched: An e-bike program to reduce response times and get help to those who need it quicker; and a volunteer bike patrol program for the Kern River Bike Trail.

The four e-bikes were purchased thanks to a grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the bike patrol features 10 volunteers.

Water and weirs: Bakersfield Water Department talks backup weir project Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

The City of Bakersfield's Water Department ensures that when any of its thousands of customers turn on the tap, they have a safe, clean supply of water every day!

But did you know they also keep the City safe using weir structures throughout the Kern River as it flows through Bakersfield?

The Water Department's Assistant Director Daniel Maldonado stops by to talk about an exciting new project to reconstruct the Kern River Backup Weir near Coffee Road, a vital piece of infrastructure that helps the department control the flow of the river, especially in years with high outflow from the Isabella Dam. Learn why it is being reconstructed and the new features and amenities it will boast when completed!

Reducing gun violence in Bakersfield Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

The City of Bakersfield's Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention (OVIP) is helping reduce gun violence and homicides in our community through outreach and support services.

This newly-created office is funded by a grant from the California Violence Intervention and Prevention program to help break the cycle of violence for at-risk individuals in Bakersfield.

OVIP's work and the City's Gun Violence Reduction Strategy led to a 57% reduction in homicides (60 to 26) and a 60% reduction in shootings (109 to 44) in 2024 compared to 2021.

Mercedes Mayers, OVIP Outreach Program Supervisor, and Lt. Matthew Gregory from the Bakersfield Police Department explain how OVIP connects potential victims and perpetrators with community-based organizations to find solutions to community violence and make a difference for all residents.

Looking to the future: Improving the SE community and Old Town Kern! Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Jason Cater from the Economic & Community Development Department drops in to talk about projects that are improving quality of life for southeast Bakersfield and soon, Old Town Kern!

Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) is making a big difference in a variety of ways, from adding tree canopy to improving safe routes to schools and even a new version of the Bakersfield Senior Center.

Up next is the Old Town Kern Vision Plan to bring the area back to its glory while honoring its deep history and cultural feel. Jason tells us how YOU can get involved in shaping the area's future!

Be sure to attend one of our upcoming OTK Vision Plan meetings at 9 a.m. on Jan. 23 (La Mariposa Venue on Sumner Street) and Jan. 25 (RAM Gallery on Kentucky Street) to give us your visions for Old Town Kern!

Talkin' trash with our Solid Waste Division! Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Ready for some "trash talk"? We chat with acting Solid Waste Division Director James Leonard and SB1383 Compliance Inspector Gustavo Medina about services you're already paying for but maybe not using.

James talks about the different ways you can get rid of large items that don't fit in your trash bin or your car, including our popular pop-up trash drop-off events. Plus, what do you do with your Christmas tree after the holiday? We've got you covered.

And Gustavo tells us the importance of separating your organic waste from your regular trash and how it can end up helping your garden!

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