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June 27, 2014
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League play began last week in bocce courts next to remodeled Skipolini’s HANK STRATFORD
JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
MAYOR’S CORNER
As banners around town proclaim, Clayton is celebrating a number of landmarks this year, not the least of which is the golden anniversary of cityhood. Last Friday, according to Clayton Business & Community Association immediate past president Ed Hartley, “the dynamic of downtown has changed forever.” Hartley was speaking to a crowd of city officials, donors and proud residents at the unofficial opening of the Ipsen Family Bocce Court at the corner of Main and Oak streets. The four bocce courts had their official grand opening the next morning but this was a time for all involved in the project to share in the accomplishment that Hartley says was first discussed more than a decade before. Skipolini’s Pizza founder Skip Ipsen and his son Kent,
City inks new 2014-15 budget The Clayton City Council recently adopted a budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. After a number of years of decline we are starting to see our revenue increasing. We are cautiously optimistic that 2014-2015 will result in a slight surplus of revenue over expenditures. Our new Finance Manager, Kevin Mizuno, worked hard putting together his first budget for our city. Kevin spent some long hours and did a lot of pencil sharpening as he looked at each account. We are grateful for his expertise and diligent work. The make-up of our police department is evolving and Chief Chris Thorsen has had his hands full managing the changes. With the return of one of our officers and the most recent new hire we are now completely staffed. Three of our new officers are still training and will begin covering shifts on their own in the next few months.
See Mayor, page 3
KENT IPSEN successfully navigated this year through the simultaneous downtown Clayton projects of a remodel of Skipolini’s Pizza for the first time in 40 years and the construction of the Ipsen Family Bocce Park. However last Friday when it came to throwing the ceremonial first pallino he failed to place it within the prescribed area and his family’s “rock,” wife Yvette, was needed to get it right during the festivities on the Gonsalves Family Court.
Steve Pierce
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
FOUR DAYS AFTER MULTI-ORGAN TRANSPLANT, 11-YEAR-OLD KATIE GRACE GROEBNER is breathing on her own and manages a smile with encouragement from her dad, John Groebner. The heart and lungs replace organs badly damaged by a lifelong battle with Pulmonary Hypertension.
Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Captain Grammar Pants . . .15 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
See Bocce page 9
July 4 in Clayton
Rare heart and double lung transplant brings promise of new life to Katie Grace
What’s Inside
who now run six restaurants that began in Clayton, were especially pleased as the unveiling of the courts on family property coincided with the first major remodel of the adjacent Skipolini’s Pizza since its opening May 3, 1974. The four bocce courts were christened by representatives of their sponsors — the Gonsalves Family, Mike Rose Auto Body, Republic Services and CBCA—culminating the festivities which included a light-hearted proclamation from the City of Clayton presented by Mayor Hank Stratford and more emotional talks by Skip and Kent Ipsen. Hartley was pleased to point out that 77 teams comprised of 770 players would begin league play last Sunday. Due to the overwhelming demand there will be Clayton Bocce Leagues held Sunday through Friday evenings plus Sunday afternoon.
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Community Calendar . . . . .14 Concord City Beat . . . . . . . . .5 Concord News . . . . . . . . . . .5 CVCHS Correspondent . . . . .8 Design and Décor . . . . . . . . .4 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .7
When the phone rang in the Groebner house at 3 a.m. on June 21, John Groebner was pretty sure he knew who was calling and why. He had been waiting for this call since last January, when his little girl, Katie Grace Groebner, 11, officially went on the transplant list at Stanford’s Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital. Still, when the call came, they were not ready. Despite the months of anticipation, training and consultations leading up to this moment, John and Kathy, Katie Grace and her sister, Savanha Hope, 15, say none of them were prepared for the fear — and the permanence — of what was about to happen. “I just went outside on the patio and sat alone for awhile,” Kathy Groebner said. “I felt empty. I just wasn’t ready.”
Celebrate with friends and neighbors Start early at the Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast from 7-10 at Endeavor Hall. Then go find a good watching spot on Main St. for the parade which starts at 10.
Photo Contest - Win Cash Capture the spirit of the day and share your favorite images of July 4 with our readers. Anyone who receives the Pioneer, either by mail or carrier, is eligible to enter. The contest is open to all, adults (over 12) and kids (12 and under.) The winning photos will be published in the July 11 issue of the Pioneer. Each individual may submit up to three photos, but only one photo can win a prize. Submit snapshot size prints (nothing bigger than 5” x 7”) AND DO NOT a CD with hi-resolution files. Please,D email entries. Photos must have been taken during this year’s July 4 Celebration, either in Clayton or Concord. On the back of each photo, put your name, address, phone number, email address and whether you are entering as an adult or child. For kids (12 and under), please include age. IMPORTANT: Drop off your prints AND the CD at the Clayton Pioneer office NO LATER THAN 5 p.m. Sat., July 5. Please do not e-mail entries. Photos will be judged on overall quality, composition and how well the image captures the spirit of the day.
Prizes: Adult, first $100, second $75, third $50. Kids, first place $50, second $35, third $25.
See Katie Grace page 9 Estate Planning . . . . . . . . . .16 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Get Up and Get Out . . . . . .18 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Police Report . . . . . . . . . . .12
Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sports Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Teen Reads . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .15 Pine Hollow Correspondent .8
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