Greg Clay, a publicly mostly-unsung hero behind the JMI Realty ballpark project team, is partnering with John Kratzer, JMIR’s president and CEO, on a company expansion into Dallas where Clay is heading the office. Kratzer and his family remain in San Diego. Clay will be here two days a week managing the development of Hotel Solamar, set to open in April. “The ballpark and ancillary projects are by far the highlight of my career,” says Clay. “I can’t imagine having another opportunity to make such an impact on a downtown, and to interact with such great people. At the end of the day, a real estate developer’s goals are not only to make money, but also to leave a positive impact on a city. I hope I have helped to do that in San Diego.”

More positive in Clay’s life is the addition of an 11-month-old daughter, Juliet. Clay and his wife spent the last year and a half working to adopt her from China. “We are ecstatic,” he says.

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The House of Blues refrain is being reprised Downtown. Work has resumed on the former Fifth Avenue Woolworth shell between Broadway and C Street for a House of Blues Club. A spokesman for the privately held company that continues to book concerts at Coors Amphitheatre says no target completion date has been set, but the club would include a restaurant, retail space and Foundation (VIP) Room. House of Blues has been planning — and occasionally going forward with construction — on the site for five years. CCDC anticipates a spring opening. House of Blues previously estimated eight to nine months for construction. The privately held club and concert company secured $110 million in recapitalization in the spring.

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For some expert analysis on why the election broke the way it did, head over to the Lincoln Club “Victory & Defeat 2004” luncheon on Nov. 10 at the Mission Valley Doubletree Hotel. The cost is $35 and RSVPs are being taken online at sdlincolnclub.org. The moderator is radio host Rick Roberts. His panel will feature Bob Kittle, editorial page editor for the San Diego Union-Tribune and the guy with the bow tie you can see when Editor’s Roundtable is on Cox Channel 4 but can’t when it is radio only on KPBS/89.5 FM; and political consultants Duane Dichiara and Jennifer Tierney.

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The Palermo at 1501 Front St. in Little Italy was converted to condominiums this year with units priced from the mid-$300,000. The 230-unit complex features studios, lofts and one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations. Three furnished models by Catalina Design are open for viewing daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit palermo-downtown.com, or call (619) 230-1501.

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The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board has approved the Port of San Diego’s $15 million plan to cap toxic sediment at the former Campbell Shipyard just south of the Convention Center. The port previously cleaned 70,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil on the site’s shoreline in another $15 million project. The port has signed an option agreement with a partnership of Hilton Hotels, Portman Holdings and Hensel Phelps Construction to develop an 1,100-room hotel on the site. Capping will begin in March and take 10 months; the contract is not yet out to bid. Hotel construction also starts in the spring and will finish in late 2007.

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Professional paintball — yes, professional paintball — and 175 of its 10-member teams come to Qualcomm Stadium when the Commander Cup 2004 is held Nov. 12-15. The event features paintball players from around the world and is the culmination of a year-long competition. The action runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and spectator admission, although not premium seating, is free.

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Environmental artist Wyland touches up his famous ‘Whaling Wall’ on the north side of the San Diego National Bank building at Kettner and Ash on a recent visit to Downtown San Diego. The seven-story mural was originally painted 10 years ago when Wyland teamed up with SDNB to educate San Diego citizens about the importance of respecting the ocean. As part of SDNB’s partnership with the Wyland Foundation, the bank provided an educational grant to a local school that allowed it to purchase computers and access the free online curriculum provided by the Wyland Foundation.

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Patrick Osio, editor of HispanicVista.com and author of “The Connection” column in San Diego Metropolitan, received the Binational Endeavor Award from the South County Economic Development Council for his ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between Tijuana and San Diego to create a united economic region. Osio also is the author of “The Mexican Perspective,” a primer on business culture and protocol.

The council also honored four other individuals during its 14th annual Economic Summit. County Supervisor Greg Cox of District 1 received the Pioneer Award for several achievements, including reserving land for a technology park in Otay Mesa. Jesse Knight, president and CEO of the San Diego Chamber, was given the Regional Leadership Award for his efforts to support the region’s economic growth. Southwestern College was presented the Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award as the first local community college to add binational culture to its curriculum. The Golden Dedication/Lifetime Achievement Award went to Edith Hughes, who rose from office secretary at the National City Chamber to become executive director of the organization.

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Besides offering more than 20 varieties of specialty breads at its four bakery-cafes in the county, Panera Bread is providing customers with free Wi-Fi access. The free speedy Internet connections also are in the plans for the 15 cafes planned in the next five years, including San Marcos this month and the 4S Ranch next year. “We’ve added an additional amenity to create a warm, comfortable atmosphere for customers to eat, visit, work and study,” says Patrick Rogers, operations manager for the county locations in Mira Mesa, Vista, Carlsbad and Escondido. More information is at the company Web site at panerabread.com.

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Centex Homes has opened a temporary sales office at 750 Eleventh Ave. Downtown for Element, its eight-story, mixed-use condominium community in East Village scheduled to break ground this month. The permanent sales office for Element and other Centex developments will open in January at 950 Market St. Element features 65 studio, one- and two-bedroom residences with pricing starting in the low $300,000s. Sales agents James Bonggat and Cassie Merrifield will staff the new office.

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Coronado’s newest commercial renovation is Hartness Court, a two-story Italianate structure adapted for second-floor boutique offices and street-level retail at 1113 Adella Ave., just off Orange Avenue near the Hotel del Coronado. Janice Howard owns the property through J. Howard & Associates and designed the $400,000 renovation through Howard-Sneed Architecture & Design. Johnson & Jennings was general contractor and Corinna Gattasso and Bill Shrader of Burnham Urban Retail Group are the leasing agents.

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Investment manager Luis Maizel is the only San Diegan to be named one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States” by Hispanic Business magazine. Maizel is the co-founder and senior managing director of LM Capital Group LLC, a Downtown-based fixed income investment management firm for institutional clients.

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The Gaslamp Quarter Association presents its 10th annual Lamplighter Awards, Dinner & Auction Nov. 17 from 5-9 p.m. at the U.S. Grant Hotel. Individual tickets are $110 and tables are priced between $1,000 and $1,500. The association will bestow a number of awards, including the “Trailblazer of the Year Award” to a merchant, resident or property owner who displayed top leadership skills in spearheading a project, and the “Armand Award” for lifetime achievement in bettering the Gaslamp Quarter. McFarlane Promotions is coordinating. For information, call (619) 233-5008.

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Construction has reached the fifth floor and home sales have hit 80 percent at M2i, CityMark Development’s seven-story building of 230 loft homes to open next summer between 10th and 11th avenues two blocks from Petco Park Downtown. The 35 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans are priced from the mid-$300,000s. M2i includes underground parking, central garden courtyard and rooftop terrace. The sales studio is at 11th Avenue and J Street. For more, call (619) 238-3662 or go to citymarkdev.com.

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Sharp HealthCare named public relations veteran John Cihomsky as director of public relations and communications. Cihomsky previously managed the public relations division of Matthews/Evans/Albertazzi.

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“The Cat in the Hat for President,” a new exhibition illustrating the influence of artist/author Theodor Seuss Geisel on American culture, is free and open to the public through Jan. 2 in Geisel Library at UCSD. This is the third and final show during the 2004 Seussentennial, a celebration of Dr. Seuss and his work during the 100th anniversary year of his birth. For more information, call (858) 534-2533.

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In late October, 15 more units were released for sale in the Laurel Bay condominium community a block from the Laurel Street entrance into Balboa Park. Winter move-ins are expected. Pricing begins in the $300,000s. For more information, call (619) 231-0000 or click on laurelbayhomes.com.

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San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care will hold an art, wine and cheese reception for the opening of its fine art exhibition on Nov. 14 from 2-4 p.m. at its Inpatient Care Center at 4311 Third Ave. in Hillcrest. Featured artists will be Phebe Burnham, Dot Dodds, Sandel Gamer, Jane Halleland, Richard Harris, Bella Hollingsworth, George Kern, Dominique LeMarie, Doreen Long, Larry Parker, Valentyne Royenko, Louise Hall and Cleo Robinson. For information, call (619) 688-1600.

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The San Diego chapter of the Association for Women in Science presents its annual open house Nov. 8 featuring Kathi Diamant, author of “Kafka’s Last Love: The Mystery of Dora Diamant,” and Jenni Prisk, founder of Prisk Communication. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. in Garren Auditorium at UCSD. There’s no charge, but visitors driving must purchase $3 evening parking permits through the visitors center. For more information, visit awissd.org.

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Yachtsman Dennis Conner, who skippered the Stars & Stripes to the America’s Cup in San Diego, has helmed the restoration and relaunch of the wooden sloop Cotton Blossom II, built in Norway in 1925. Still a racer but without a syndicate angel to underwrite another expensive America’s Cup challenge, Conner plans to take on other vintage vessels with Cotton Blossom II. Its varied owners have included Ed and Gloria Turner of the San Diego Yacht Club, where it was Boat of the Year in 1963 — when a young Conner was part of the crew.

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Americorp Financial and Realty Services has relocated its corporate offices to 455 S. Escondido Blvd. in downtown Escondido. The firm headed by Mark Istratoff, Craig Miller and Mike Westerlund is moving to the 2,200-square foot offices formerly occupied by Temecula Valley Bank.

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K. Hovnanian is calling Cortez Blu, its 20-story, 67-unit condominium tower, “ideal for home buyers who seek the energy of an urban metro lifestyle yet prefer the quieter side of city living.” That’s because the complex on Cortez Hill will be located at Eighth Avenue and Ash Street, away from the noise of Downtown entertainment spots yet close to the action. “With most of the nearby businesses closing at the end of the day, residents can enjoy quiet evenings at home, yet still be within minutes of famous restaurants, trendy shops, festivals and live theater,” says Angela Merrill, community manager for Cortez Blu. The sales center opens in January. Pricing starts in the low $300,000s. For more information, visit khov.com.

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Dr. Erminia Guarneri, medical director for Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, left, explains the benefits of early detection to couples Martin and Carol Dickinson and Barbara and Terry Gooding, both of Rancho Santa Fe. The newly opened Dickinson & Gooding Center for Early Detection houses the most advanced PET and CT scanning available in Southern California for the early detection of diseases including cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

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The Guide To Urban Living in the October edition incorrectly placed condominium projects Laurel Bay and The Palermo in the rental category. Both started as rentals but are now being sold as condominiums. San Diego Metropolitan regrets the errors.

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A campout and fund-raiser for 550 Scout enthusiasts raised funds for Scouts and KSWB Cares for Kids at Girl Scouts’ San Diego-Imperial Council’s Balboa Park headquarters. Gourmet cuisine, dancing to beach tunes from a live band, silent and live auctions, posing for beach scene souvenir photos, a comedic video that captured the playful mood of the evening and s’mores rounded out the evening. Guests watched beach volleyball and donned goggles and inflatable inner tubes to compete in beach survival relays. Those seeking a complete Girl Scout experience polished their outdoor cooking skills and crafted their own designer bead-and-shell jewelry.

Urban Campout 2004 included presenting sponsor Washington Mutual; and event co-chairs Karen Brassfield, executive v.p. and CAO of San Diego National Bank, and Hollyce J. Phillips, co-owner of Artemis Communications LLC.

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Construction is under way for Douglas Wilson Cos.’ $150 million, 32-story residential-retail project, The Mark, in Downtown’s East Village. Hensel Phelps Construction began excavation for a three-story subterranean parking garage that will provide 443 spaces for residents. The Mark will have 220 one- and two-bedroom condominiums, 13 penthouse suites and 11 brick townhomes. Prices will range from the $300,000s to more than $3 million.

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Home 4 The Holidays, the biggest pet adoption drive in the nation, is under way from Nov. 8 to Jan. 2. San Diego-based Helen Woodward Animal Center, Iams Co. and actress Diane Keaton will team with more than 1,300 shelters nationwide to encourage adoption from a local shelter. The “Have a Heart: Home 4 the Holidays” campaign kick-off is Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at the County Administration Building Downtown. For more information, call (800) 566-5038 or visit home4theholidays.com.

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Kathryn Busch, v.p. and district manager of US Bank, is the new 2004-2005 San Diego County group president of Financial Women International. Elected to serve with Busch for the coming year are Gini Craig, v.p./branch manager of San Diego National Bank, v.p. of marketing and communications; Diana Hanes, v.p./operations manager of Landmark National Bank, v.p. of programming and education; Lucy Snow, cash vault manager, California Bank & Trust, treasurer; Liz Garza, senior v.p. of branch operations, Community First Bank, director; Michelle Bergquist, president of The Corporate Basket, director; and Jacqueline Rambo, attorney with The Law Offices of Jacqueline L. Rambo, director. For more information, visit www.fwi-sd.org.

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More than 400 lookie-loos are expected to visit four exquisitely decorated homes during Vista Community Clinic’s 18th Holiday Homes Tour Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fund-raiser is for the clinic’s Kare For Kids health care services provided to children whose families cannot pay for them. Last year’s tour raised more than $55,000 and paid for 680 pediatric visits. This year’s homes are a Williamsburg country farmhouse, a French Tudor home, a Mediterranean style home and an Italian-style home with a Southern California flair. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the tour. For information, call (760) 724-2110.