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PODCAST

The Something Better Podcast

City of Bakersfield

The City of Bakersfield"s official podcast, explaining the services and programs the City provides to its residents and introducing them to the staff who make them happen! The Something Better Podcast is designed to make local government more accessible and engaging than ever before! Each episode will feature insightful conversations with City leaders and staff who play a crucial role in delivering these programs. Listeners will gain a better understanding of how their tax dollars are being used

government

All Episodes

21:51

Holiday Safety Tips from the Bakersfield Fire Department

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/11/25

The Bakersfield Fire Department keeps us safe every day, responding to fires and medical emergencies and even car crashes. But the holidays can bring their own safety concerns, too. Fire Chief Kevin Albertson and Battalion Chief A.J. Clark join the podcast to talk about how to keep your family safe in the kitchen, decorating and in case of an emergency. Learn what you should have prepared before disaster strikes.

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11:01

Bakersfield's entertainment center!

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/11/04

The man who runs the City of Bakersfield's entertainment center - the Dignity Health Arena, Theater & Convention Center and the Amphitheater at the Park at River Walk - stopped by to talk about all the big shows to check out this season! Adam Miller is the General Manager of the City's venues and he talked to us about what you should be looking forward to, from the Harlem Globetrotters return, to the Offspring and Trans Siberian Orchestra and more!

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20:37

Hal-LAW-een Spooktacular!

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/10/21

Things are getting spooky at the Bakersfield Police Department this month: It's almost time for Hal-LAW-een! Carina Ortiz and Sgt. Eric Celedon from BPD's Community Outreach team stop by the podcast to talk about their signature annual event, how it came about and its growth over the years to become a huge gathering the community has embraced. Plus, find out what you need to know if you plan on coming! Just about every City department will be involved in the fun on Thursday, Oct. 30 at BPD HQ on

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16:42

Wastewater 101

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/09/23

Flush... OK, now what? Ever wonder what happens after you flush? Or how water is treated after it goes down your sink or shower drains? Wonder no more! Assistant Water Director Evette Roldan stops by to talk all things wastewater, from what it is to how it's treated and what happens to it after it's treated. Learn about the City of Bakersfield's two Wastewater Treatment Plants, plants 2 and 3 and why there is no plant 1. Plus, what the future of wastewater looks like!

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19:19

Economic Opportunities

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/09/02

The City of Bakersfield's Economic & Community Development Department offers a variety of support for local businesses and entrepreneurs, from grants to programs. ECD Director Jenni Byers stops by to talk about some of those programs. We discuss what ECD does, why it exists, what type of support it offers, and we even talk about specific opportunities such as the Economic Opportunity Area grants available to local businesses to help them operate more efficiently and effectively, improving the City's

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26:11

State of the City recap

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/07/22

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

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15:53

Distracted Driving: What you need to know

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/07/08

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

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12:52

Pup safety for the 4th of July

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/06/17

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!

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14:14

Community Vitality, Part 2

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/05/27

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

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18:19

Community Vitality, Part 1

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/05/20

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

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18:19

E-Bikes and Volunteer Bike Patrol: The Park Rangers...

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/05/06

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

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13:11

Water and weirs: Bakersfield Water Department talks...

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/03/25

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

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21:47

Reducing gun violence in Bakersfield

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/02/18

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

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15:26

Looking to the future: Improving the SE community and...

The Something Better Podcast ·

2025/01/21

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

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13:20

Talkin' trash with our Solid Waste Division!

The Something Better Podcast ·

2024/12/17

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

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17:42

Economic & Community support in Bakersfield

The Something Better Podcast ·

2024/11/26

Economic & Community Development Director Jenni Byers stops by to talk about all the programs her department offers, including the Entrepreneurship Grant Program which helps local business owners and those looking to start their own business learn how to be successful. The ECD Department is also in the midst of reviewing feedback from more than 500 surveys on the Consolidated Plan. Learn what the plan is an why its important for our community. And its Thanksgiving week so we talk about shopping

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19:44

Addressing homelessness through the BLNC

The Something Better Podcast ·

2024/10/29

Learn about how the City of Bakersfield's Brundage Lane Navigation Center (BLNC) is helping us address the homlessness crisis. Theo Dues manages the BLNC, helping more than 400 previously homeless individuals get off the streets and find permanent housing solutions in just four years! We talk about how the facility works, what it takes to help those in need and the big anniversary the BLNC and staff celebrated over the weekend!

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22:45

Digging deeper with City Manager Christian Clegg

The Something Better Podcast ·

2024/10/14

Part 2 of our conversation with Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg delves deeper into how the City, its departments and partnerships are addressing some of the most pressing issues facing Bakersfield. Christian discusses our work to address homelessness, including placing 400 previously homeless individuals into permanent housing solutions; how the Bakersfield CalVIP program is helping reduce gun violence in our community; and the importance of economic development and opportunity for our

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19:14

Meet Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg

The Something Better Podcast ·

2024/10/04

The Something Better Podcast kicks off with Part 1 of a conversation with City Manager Christian Clegg. We take an overview look at the City Manager's Office and some of the services that the City of Bakersfield provides to its residents and many annual visitors. Learn what a City Manager is and does and why Bakersfield has one, as well as a little more about the man leading the City. Part 2 of our conversation will cover more details about some of the City's most pressing issues and how we're

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