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August 16, 2013
Vibrant new Pavilion on horizon as Concord looks to revive venue JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
JULIE PIERCE
MAYOR’S CORNER Malicious vandalism is frustrating and expensive I hope everyone has had a great summer. As we enter the last two weeks before school starts, I think we’re all looking forward to that day. The level of malicious vandalism to city property this summer has been extraordinary. The Grove Park has taken the brunt of it, but all our parks and public facilities have been targeted. Our staff works hard to keep our facilities in top shape for events, and it’s frustrating to have the damage repeated as soon as it’s been repaired. An example: staff pressure washed the surfaces in The Grove the day before the last concert;
See Mayor, page 13
Photo by Jay Bedecarré
THE NUMBER OF CONCERTS AT THE SLEEP TRAIN PAVILION HAS DROPPED TO JUST 11 each of the past three years, making the box office at the venue on Kirker Pass Rd. not the busiest of places. In bygone years, August alone would see more than 11 concerts.
Bocce ball plan is now in CBCA’s court PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
By this time next year, if a dedicated contingent of civic leaders keep the ball rolling, Clayton’s summer nights will be filled with the thwack of palinos hitting bocce balls. At the last Clayton Business and Community Association
(CBCA) meeting, Skip and Kent Ipsen and Ed Hartley shared their vision of having the organization help create four bocce courts at the corner of Main and Oak Streets, on property owned by the Ipsen family. It’s an ambitious plan, and one that hinges on CBCA support, switching the tax exempt status of the CBCA, city plan-
Dana Hills wins 21st City Swim Meet title
ning approval and funding for the $250,000 project. But, borrowing from another sports metaphor, Skip Ipsen and Hartley think that they have their bases covered. “This is by far the biggest endeavor CBCA has ever done,” Hartley says. “But it’s really a win-win-win for the city. Not only do we think we can afford it, the idea of bringing a vibrant presence to downtown Clayton will be a boon for current and future businesses.” Under the proposal, the Ipsens will build the courts on their property during the planned remodel of Skipolini’s restaurant next January. Skip Ipsen would also contribute $125,000 cash to the CBCA, while the club would agree to
front the remaining $125,000. CBCA would operate and maintain the courts, and residents would have the opportunity to purchase “naming rights” to the courts, benches tables and other attractions at the lot. To solicit donations, CBCA would have to ask the IRS to change its status from a 501(c)(4) “social group” to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, a process that can take as long as several months. “We’ve talked about doing that for years anyway,” says Hartley, past-president of CBCA. “Now, we have the impetus.” Bocce talk is nothing new for Hartley. As a vice-commissioner of the Concord Bocce Federation – which maintains
the bocce courts at Newhall and Baldwin Parks – he knows what goes in to creating what he calls “a vibrant public meeting place.” For 12 years he and his wife Cecilia organized the Sunday Clayton leagues at Newhall Park, which grew to more than 280 players. They were also instrumental in trying to build seven courts behind Clayton City Hall four years ago, a project that got a lot of community support but that was ultimately derailed by rising costs. Skip Ipsen has also been a long-time bocce player, but his devotion to the proposed courts goes a bit deeper. “I have always wanted to give something back to this community,” he says. “I love
See Bocce, page 3
Photo courtesy CSKphotography.net
Over 1000 swimmers took part in the 47th annual City Meet Swimming Championships earlier this month over three days at Concord Community Pool. Dana Hills Swim Team of Clayton won its 21st championship in the last 22 years with local teams Springwood third, Oakhurst seventh and Walnut Country ninth. This heat of the boys 9-10 50-yard breaststroke included, from left, Nolan Degener (Oakhurst), Joshua Ewert (DHST), Devin Kelly (DHST), Robert Santa Maria (Forest Park) and Joey Dern (DHST). For our story see page 10.
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Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Behind the Badge . . . . . . . . .7 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
THIS MONTH, THE CBCA MEMBERSHIP WILL VOTE ON WHETHER TO COMMIT $125,000 and ongoing management for a bocce park downtown. The Ipsen family has pledged the use of the lot at Oak and Main Streets and another $125,000 for construction. If approved by the city, the park could open by early 2014.
Community Calendar . . . . .16 Concord Beat (NEW) . . . .15 Design and Décor . . . . . . . .18 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5 Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 From Oakhurst (NEW) . . . .6 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Letters to the Editor . . . . . . .7 Mind Matters . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .17 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Pocket Parenting . . . . . . . . . .7 Readers Forum . . . . . . . . . . .7
Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . .12 Take a Hike . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Teen Reads . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Travels with Woody . . . . . . .20
Those motorists stuck in snarled eastbound traffic on Ygnacio Valley Rd. leading onto Kirker Pass Road during the July 23 commute can blame the Matchbox Twenty concert at the Sleep Train Pavilion. But they can take solace in the fact that there won’t be another concert at the venue for an entire month and not a single other weekday event this year. While drivers and those in and around the Pavilion will be happy about that, the city of Concord, which owns the facility, is more than a little concerned about the lack of activity in the venue. Over the past three seasons, operator Live Nation has presented just 11 concerts a year, and its contract is set to expire this year. To see what’s next for the Pavilion, it helps to take a look back.
See Pavilion, page 14
Driver in June 27 crash with motorcycle charged with felony DUI The district attorney has filed felony drunk driving charges against a 21-year-old Clayton woman for a June 27 crash that critically injured a motorcyclist. According to police records, Jessica Mercurio’s blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit when she lost control of her car on Clayton Road, jumped the median and hit Mark Tomaszewski, 51, head on. Witnesses at the scene say they overheard her tell officers she was texting at the time of the crash. Because of the seriousness of the injuries caused, Mercurio faces eight years in state prison if convicted. Tomaszewski, an operating room technician at the Sequoia Surgical Center in Walnut Creek, suffered internal injuries, severe head injuries and multiple broken bones. He remains in the trauma care unit at John Muir Medical Center where, according to his brother, he is progressing well and is “humbled by all the support from the community.” His co-workers have donated their unused time off to him and a website has been set up to raise funds to help with his mounting medical bills. For information, go to http:/www.youcaring.com/medicalfundraiser/teammarkt/70184.
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