The Something Better Podcast

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: ...

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...

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 p...

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 episo...

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 ...

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 We...

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 ...

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 b...

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...

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 ou...

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; an...

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 deta...