Salinas Underground

In this episode, the guys solve the gun violence issue in the country. By that we mean we babble incoherently about a topic we are not smart enough to be talking about. Oz also talks about his experience at the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts showing of La Esquinita, U.S.A. a one-man show about a town struggling after a major employer leaves town.

In this episode of Road Trip, Rob and Edwin head over to The Bakery Station, an old car repair shop turned bakery and deli. They grab a couple of sandwiches then head out in Oldtown to do a little geocaching. This is a good introduction if you have never heard of geocaching which is a fun way to explore a new area.

In this episode, our guest is Demetrius, vocalist for local Prog-Metal band AGE (At God's End). We talk about a huge show they just played in Watsonville that had 25 bands and went on for 13 hours. He also talks about his show promotion group, Witch Hunt Productions and the shows they have coming up in Salinas and San Jose which will feature some legendary names in Thrash and Punk.

This week we sit down with another local and XL Publichouse regular, Drew. We talk about the California Clasico and kids that need to keep their thoughts to themselves. Drew tells us what it is like to work in an organic walnut orchard and the hectic schedule of an organic farmer trying to sell his produce all over the bay area.

In the episode, our guests are La Yerba Ruda. They are a 9-piece reggae band that formed last year and has quickly made a name for themselves. They came on the show to talk about their next two shows, both here in Salinas. July 2nd they are at the Fox Theatre in Oldtown Salinas along with Big Mountain and July 15 they play a show at Casa Sorrento with Seedless who are fresh off playing Cali Roots. 

This week our guests are the Local Urban Gardeners. They were on the show last year talking about a community garden they wanted to put in Natividad Creek Park. This year they are back to tell us that June 25 is the build day for the garden and they are inviting the community out to get dirty and build a part of the city. They have a great story of figuring out a funding source and navigating the sometimes glacial speed that governments moves.

This week our guest is Claudia Melendez Salinas, a local journalist that recently published her first book titled A Fighting Chance. It is a story of a boy growing up on the east side of Salinas and his daily attempt to keep his life going in a direction that will help his family. We also talk about how journalism has changed in the last 20 years and what role blogs, podcasts, and other new media have in influencing journalism. 

In our return to the Open Mic at the Press Club in Seaside plays Russian Roulette with his stomach by drinking coffee and kombucha at the same time. We also talk to county supervisor candidate Dennis Donahue who stopped by after having a campaign event nearby. Don't forget every first Friday the Press Club in Seaside hosts an open mic. We are usually out there with our equipment so come over and say hi.

In this episode, Oz talks about his tour of the SPCA facilities on Hwy 68 and makes Cujo envious. The SPCA of Monterey County has done a wonderful job creating a beautiful and modern facility while being mostly funded by private donations. The boys also talk about the world class dining available within 30 minutes of most places in Monterey County. A recent dinner at Porter's in the Forest in Pebble Beach, just 20 miles from where we record, prompted that mouthwatering conversation.

In this episode of Road Trip, Rob and Edwin head down the Salinas Valley to Gonzales. They visit Burger Queen and try out the Philly Cheese Steak and Pastrami sandwiches. This is a cool joint that definitely deserves a pit stop if you are ever driving on 101 in south county.

This week our guest is V-Dog, a podcast producer from right here in Salinas. V-Dog is currently on two podcasts: What is This? and The Post Match Podcast. What is This is a solo project in the vein of Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast where any and all topics are open for discussion. The Post Match Podcast is a weekly wrestling podcast that he records with his co-host Kazz. You may have heard of Kazz from his Wednesday Wreck show on KHDC, that has been a  local hip-hop staple for years.

In this episode our guest is John Bailey from Beefy Boys Jerky. Beefy Boys has been producing beef jerky in Salinas from locally sourced cattle since 1999. You may have actually driven past one of the herds that is to become delicious jerky on your way to Toro Park. John talks to us about the history of Beefy Boys and the Locale trademark they operate under. If you are ever at a farmers market or grocery and see the trademark "Locale" on the box with a QR code, you know that produce was grown within 120 miles of where you are standing. And if you scan that QR code you can call the farmer yourself and order their fresh produce directly from them. Really interesting program that grew out of the Salinas Valley.

In this episode our guests are George and Rene from MILPA. They are a group from Salinas that is cultivating the next crop of leaders. Milpa is a Mesoamerican system of farming that uses complementary plants to reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Taking inspiration from that system, MILPA is taking a multi-faceted approach to teaching the younger generation and creating leaders that understand the complex problems of our modern world. 

This Saturday May 7th is the First annual Steinbeck Home Brew Fest. 3 beer gardens will be spread out over the 100 block of Main St featuring beers from over 30 home brewers. A lot of your neighbors are secret chemists and brewmasters and this will be a great chance to try some of their creations. Jessica McKillip comes on the show to give us all the details you need to have a great time at this event. The Steinbeck festival will also be going on at the same time and at 2pm their will be a "race of thrones" down the 200 block of Main St. Those are home-made outhouses that are sprinted down the course and the one the holds together longer usually wins. 

This our most unique topic and one of the most informative interviews we have done. Our guest is Debbie Ramos and she taught us about a subject we had heard of but knew very little about. The End of Life Options Act goes into effect in June in California and while death is a difficult topic for a lot of people we must deal with the reality and plan accordingly. We hope you can gain something from listening to this episode and if you know someone that might be interested in the information presented, share it with them.

In this episode Oz and Cujo talk about the events coming up in the next several weeks in Salinas. Oz also introduces the Salinas city anthem which most people will recognize as the theme from the Benny Hill Show. He also compares it with the show Parks and Recreation and laments that sometimes the real thing is more ridiculous than the Hollywood creation.

In this episode our guest is one of the members of the band Cujo is in. Warcorpse is a groove-metal band from Watsonville that has been around for almost 10 years now. We talk about their latest show they played here in Salinas and also, what its like to open for Metalachi in Santa Cruz. We also talk about their new EP and listen to a track. Oz also talks about how exciting Wrestlemania still is after all these years.

In this episode Oz turns the podcast into a swap meet. When he finally closes up shop we play a segment we recorded last month at the open mic held at the Press Club in Seaside. This Friday April 1st is the next edition of the open mic, so come out and sing a song or drink a beer. 

In this episode our guest is Nicole from Hermitage Brewing in San Jose. We talk about the history of their brewery and its sister restaurant the Tied House. We also discuss how someone from the Silicon Valley tech industry ended up in craft brewing. Nicole was at the Public House for the weekly pint night and we thank her for taking the time to chat with us for a bit.

In this episode of Road Trip with Rob and Edwin the guys head out to El Zacatecano on East Alisal. This restaurant is a real hidden gem in Salinas, a place many have driven by for years without realizing the treasures that await inside this modest establishment.