Benson	Shipione	Murphy

The San Diego Chamber’s 134th annual dinner on Jan. 18 will feature the induction of Mike Murphy as 2005 chair. Murphy is president and CEO of Sharp Healthcare. The dinner at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina also will feature five awards. Among those to be honored are Jim Benson, founder and CEO of Poway-based SpaceDev, who gets the inaugural Business Leadership in Science and Technology award for providing the hybrid propulsion technology that helped propel SpaceShipOne into space.

Diann Shipione, a member of the city’s Employees’ Retirement Board, gets the Catalyst for Change award for sounding the alarm regarding the city’s troubled pension system. Dan Shea, a partner in the Paradigm Investment Group and co-founder of the Fans, Taxpayers and Business Alliance, receives the Spirit of San Diego award for helping negotiate a way to keep professional football in San Diego for at least the near future. For more information about event registration, call (619) 544-1370 or visit sdchamber.org.

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T.C. Holdings, a Newport Beach real estate investment firm, is making its first foray into Downtown San Diego with 11th & B, a 26-story, 196-unit condominium project on a 20,000-square-foot parcel at the northeast corner of 11th Avenue and B Street. The project is up for design review at CCDC this month. Todd Carson, president of T.C. Holdings, says construction should start in summer on the $92 million project.

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Ground has broken on Los Coches Village, a $26 million community shopping center by C.W. Clark Inc. off Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa Avenue in Carlsbad. The 90,000-square-foot development with free-standing medical building will include 388 parking spaces on 7.6 acres. When finished in October, the Craftsman-style center will include a Henry’s Marketplace, Petco, restaurant and service shops. The Craftsman-style design is by Nadel Architects with preliminary work by James Leary Architecture. Contractors are Moorefield Construction and Reno Contracting. Equity financing is through Torreonbridge National Investments. The $19 million construction loan was provided by First National Bank.

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While the official audit begins this month, organizers of the sixth annual Bravo San Diego expect to soon start mailing $1,000 checks to each of the 72 arts groups that participated in the Nov. 20 extravaganza at the Westgate Hotel. Ron de Harte, the event’s executive director, says 1,100 guests turned out and there were 1,600 performers. The audit will determine how much money will be carried forward to seeding the seventh annual Bravo, Nov. 19, 2005. De Harte also is looking for new board members.

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The San Diego City Council in early 2005 is likely to consider eliminating the option in the inclusionary housing law for developers to pay a fee in lieu of setting aside 10 percent of their project units for low and moderate income housing. The in-lieu fees trouble Councilwoman Toni Atkins. “She will take a fresh look at the matter when it comes back to the land use and housing committee, but she doesn’t know yet what she will do,” says Atkins policy aide Steve Hill. “She would prefer affordable housing be built rather than have the in-lieu fee be paid.” Efforts to remove the flexibility will meet strong opposition from the building industry.

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Addressing cheering workers who later dug into a lavish barbecue and took home commemorative T-shirts, Developer Rob Lankford celebrated the topping out Dec. 10 of Broadway 655, a $140 million Class A office building that is the first high-rise office complex to be built Downtown since 1991. Later, a festively adorned steel beam was hoisted to the top of the 23-story tower at the southeast corner of Kettner and Broadway. The project will contain 356,000 square feet of office space, parking for 765 vehicles, 16,677 square feet of restaurant and retail space and a four-story residential component on the E Street side. Tenants move in July 1.

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1111 Island, a project proposed by Barratt Urban Development, is seeking a permit to build an eight-story building in East Village. The project would include 170 condominiums on the south side of Island Avenue between 11th Avenue and Park Boulevard.

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San Diego’s hospitality industry will be strutting its finest this month as the decision makers behind $700 million a year in meetings and conventions business roll into town for Meeting Professionals International’s 2005 Professional Education Conference-North America. More than 300 exhibitors will tempt the decision makers during the event, which runs Jan. 23-25 at the San Diego Convention Center. Ted Kanatas, g.m. of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, is co-chairing San Diego’s host committee and running the co-headquarters hotel. For 2005, Kanatas says his No. 1 goal is to bring more of the $102.3 billion meeting and convention industry to San Diego.

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Sales begin this month on 36 new luxury homes by Warmington Homes California in StoneBridge Estates, a development of Brookfield Homes and The Corky McMillin Cos. in Scripps Ranch. The Warmington Collection includes homes of three to six bedrooms, 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 baths, three- to five-car garages and 3,900 to 4,800 square feet on lots averaging 13,000 square feet. Prices start at $1.2 million. The homes, designed by Scheurer Architects of Newport Beach, evoke the feel of early California estate homes in courtyards, porches, loggias, arches, ironwork, brick, stucco, open-beam ceilings and tile roofs. Warmington model homes are open in its Belsera development at Santaluz in North City West. For more, visit warmingtonhomesca.com.

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Fix Urban Kitchen + Bar is seeking a conditional use permit to sell alcohol in conjunction with live music and entertainment within a proposed restaurant at 410 10th Ave. in East Village.

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Peter Q. Davis

Mayor Murphy is scheduled to deliver the annual State Of The City Address at 6 p.m on Jan. 10 at Golden Hall.

The following day, outgoing one-term Port Commissioner Peter Q. Davis will be honored during a luncheon at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina that also will feature the swearing in of William Hall as Port chair, Robert Spane as vice chair and Sylvia Rios as secretary. Davis was not nominated by Mayor Murphy for a second three-year term as retribution for Davis’ running against Murphy in last year’s mayoral primary and then supporting Supervisor Ron Roberts in the general election. At the Port ceremony, CCDC Chair Hal Sadler will present Davis with an award acknowledging Davis’ 17 years of service to Downtown.

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A new office for Centex Homes opens this month in the East Village at 950 Market St. Centex Downtown, the Downtown San Diego development arm of the company, will market from the office all of the firm’s current and future communities. “This is a huge step for Centex, it’s a statement of our long-term commitment to Downtown San Diego,” says Bob Linder, project manager for Centex Homes San Diego. “Our first Downtown project Element has been a huge success and we anticipate our other projects will have the same response.” The first two projects featured at the 950-square-foot office will be Element and Nexus.

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Luxor, a restaurant under construction by Fratello Food Services at Fourth Avenue and C Street, is seeking a permit to sell alcohol in conjunction with live entertainment and a sidewalk café for the Mediterranean restaurant.

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Construction is complete on the new Otay Mesa corporate headquarters of Golden Oak, an office furniture company with international sales. The office and showroom space, designed by Ware Malcomb, includes travertine stone in the lobby and stairway and custom woodwork throughout the $4.2 million project. Lister Construction was general contractor. BCL Commercial Real Estate was project developer.

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The San Diego Planning Commission this month is expected to consider a proposal by TR Produce to add two floors of office space totaling 27,000 square feet as part of the restoration of the historic T.R. Produce warehouse on the north side of J Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues.

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Developers of the proposed Hilton San Diego Convention Center Hotel are expected to use the next few months to secure financing following approval of a coastal development permit for the 1,200-room project. The goal is a May groundbreaking for the 32-story project that will include a 4.3-acre waterfront park and plaza adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center. Construction is expected to take two years.

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In one of the most eastward developments yet proposed in Downtown’s East Village, the CCDC board has approved the design of an 83-unit condominium project on an 11,346-square-foot site located on the northeast corner of 17th and G streets. The project is located in what is called a transition zone. It sits between the freeway and the community, and has been identified as a prospective location for further mid-rise residential development.

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Coordinated Maritime Services is looking for a few good recruits for its Maritime Career Discovery Program to train aboard the Korean War-era Army (yes, Army) tug boat docked near the County Administration Center. The program lost its Regional Occupational Program funding in 2004 so CMS is trawling for sponsors and donors to underwrite the training not only aboard the tug but at the Maritime Career Resource Center in Barrio Logan. Besides restoring the program, CMS aims to restore the 1952 steel tug (LT 1967), a National Historic Vessel. ‘Even the mighty aircraft carrier needs a tug,’ says Rosanne Bentley with CMS. ‘We hope to be in the basin with the Midway someday.’

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Three historical replicas of tall ships — the square-rigged Hawaiian Chieftain, brig Lady Washington and 122-foot topsail schooner Lynx — arrive in San Diego Bay Jan. 12 for an 11-day San Diego Maritime Museum port call. When not open for public tour, the windjammers will jam out from the Embarcadero along with the museum’s Californian for cannon battles in the bay. Tickets for the battle sails are $50 for adults and $25 for cabin boys and girls 12 and under. Dockside tours will be included in the normal price of admission to the museum’s Star of India and Berkeley ferryboat. More at sdmaritime.org or call (619) 234-9153.

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Lennar’s Southern California home building has moved Greystone Homes division here under the Lennar brand. “Transitioning this division to the Lennar name during our 50th anniversary underscores our commitment to building homes with the same quality, value and integrity as when we began building homes in 1954,” says Mike Levesque, president of the San Diego division.

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Carlsbad’s commitment to the arts, and its form, will take center stage in a series of community meetings this month. Results will be used to create a new strategic plan for the city’s Cultural Arts Office where Colleen Finnegan serves as community arts coordinator. All meetings are from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at (760) 434-2903. The first session, Jan. 13, is at the Calavera Hills Recreation Center. Sessions follow on Jan. 19, Gowland Meeting Room; Jan. 24, Jefferson Elementary; Jan. 26, Carrillo Elementary; and Jan. 31, Stagecoach Recreation Center. Driving directions are available on the arts info line, (760) 434-2904.

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This gingerbread model of Park Terrace, a mixed-use project in the Ballpark District, is on display until Jan. 31 at KMA Architecture & Engineering. KMA is the executive architect of Park Terrace and Fehlman LaBarre the design architect. The model was created by Crumbs of Paris Bakery in El Cajon for use in a holiday marketing campaign. IdeaWorks Advertising thought it up. The replica is constructed of homemade gingerbread, with cookie wafer awnings and a frosted facade. The landscaping includes gumdrop accents and candy-coated walkways, all surrounded by pretzel fencing. ‘We think the model is a delicious addition to KMA’s portfolio,’ says Don Blair, principal of KMA.

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In last month’s article on corporate giving, comments by Jennifer Andrews, Sempra Energy public relations manager, were attributed to Julie Andrews. San Diego Metropolitan regrets the error.

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Mystery readers and writers have a new resource with the introduction of the San Diego Sisters in Crime Web site at sincsd.org. The site provides aspiring writers (and readers) with information on events, a chapter newsletter, writer opportunities and more. Webmaster Linda Walters has more than 30 years of experience as a software engineer.

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The United Jewish Federation of San Diego holds its annual Super Sunday fund-raising event Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. when hundreds of volunteers will make thousands of telephone calls to the Jewish community. The five co-chairs are Caryn Viterbi, Agency for Jewish Education; Neal Singer, Hillel of San Diego; Nadja Kauder, Jewish Family Service; Jeff Glazer, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center; and Robin Weiner, Seacrest Village Retirement Communities. Last year’s effort raised more than $300,000. To volunteer, call (858) 571-3444 or e-mail racheld@ujfsd.org.

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Construction has begun on the $23 million reconstruction of The Bishop’s School on La Jolla Boulevard. The project, designed by Tucker Sadler Noble Castro Architects, includes a new science center and underground garage with rooftop sports deck. CDM Miller Inc. is project manager. The team recently completed a new aquatic center on the campus, which contains several early 20th century buildings by renowned architect Irving Gill.

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Registration has begun for San Diego’s 18th annual Pardee Torrey Pines 5K Race for Knowledge on Feb. 27. Managed by Elite Racing Inc., this event runs through the neighborhoods of Carmel Valley and finishes on the upper field at Torrey Pines High School. It is the official warm-up race for the Carlsbad 5000 and Junior Carlsbad races April 2 and 3.

The event features seven separate races, with five for children. Printed entry forms may be downloaded online or requested by calling (858) 450-6510. Entry fees are $25 for adults ($15 for kids) through Feb. 20, and $28 for adults ($18 for kids) on race day. Team entries (3-5 members) are $25 per team member before Feb. 20. Team registration is not available on race day. A pre-registration party will be held Feb. 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. at a San Diego location to be announced. Additional sponsors include Pacific Athletic Club, Pardee Home Loans, First American Title, Mizuno, Active.com, Jamba Juice, Chipotle, PowerBar, Krispy Kreme and San Diego Metropolitan.

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Newly released for home viewing are a pair of DVDs developed for children’s interactive television. “Family and Friends” and “The Body” have been released as part of “Tot-a-Doodle-Do!” produced for toddlers, pre-schoolers and kindergartners by San Diegans Heidi Heller Niehart and Penny Cohen of Children’s Creative Programming Partnership LLC. The episodes are $14.95 plus shipping and handling. For more information, go to totadoodledo.com or call (866) 816-4997.

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Pacifica Cos. is seeking San Diego city approval for a three-level, 85,000-square-foot mixed use residential complex on Hancock Street, west of Mission Brewery Plaza, in the Washington Street/Pacific Highway area. The project, designed by KMA Architecture & Engineering, would consist of 14 streetfront commercial artisan or shopkeeper units, space for a restaurant or larger retail establishment and 94 one- and two-bedroom rowhomes.

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A public open house for the new Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center at the La Jolla Playhouse is set for Jan. 15, beginning at 10 a.m. with special activities and a continental breakfast for playhouse subscribers, donors and their guests. At noon, the event opens to the general public and the activities continue until 3 p.m. To RSVP, call (858) 550-1020, Ext. 303 or visit lajollaplayhouse.com. Special activities are planned for children and families. Carnival-style food will be sold in the afternoon.

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In last month’s article about the photovoltaic array planned by Kyocera at its Balboa Avenue plant, it was reported that the system would generate 98 percent of the plant’s electrical needs. To clarify, this percentage will occur in combination with the plant’s already existing cogeneration system. Furthermore, Kyocera’s new solar production plant in Tijuana will produce solar modules, not solar cells. The 3.5-watt cells are actually produced in Kyocera’s Shiga Yohkaichi plant in Japan, and then are assembled into 24-cell to 54-cell modules in Tijuana. San Diego Metropolitan regrets the errors.

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Catherine La Femina wanted to move from Solana Beach to Downtown to be part of the energy and have ‘a world of options’ outside her front door. She is hardly alone. When La Femina bought a home at K. Hovnanian Homes’ Acqua Vista in Little Italy, she became the 5,000th buyer of a Downtown condo. She was celebrated by the Downtown Residential Marketing Alliance and is seen here (center) with Bob Cummings, K. Hovnanian’s San Diego area president and Jerome Jacobi, K. Hovnanian’s San Diego director of land acquisition.

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The 20 book clubs that meet regularly at San Diego Public Library locations now have their own spot on the Web — www.sandiego.gov/public-library where the link is under “Library Services.”

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The American Heart Association’s annual “Go Red For Women” luncheon is set for Feb. 4 in the east tower of the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Individual seats start at $125 and sponsorships from $2,500 to $25,000. The lunch starts at noon but at 10 a.m. the health expo and booths, where fun and educational materials are handed out, open. The event co-chairs are Maggie Watkins of Meritas and Sue Ebner of Marsh Risk & Insurance Services. Cardiovascular disease kills more than 500,000 women each year. For information on Go Red and the Heart Association call Bill Navrides at (619) 497-5746 or e-mail him at bill.navrides@heart.org.

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The double-hull oil tanker Alaskan Explorer earned its name in a wet ceremony at NASSCO. To be delivered in the spring, the ship is the second of four 941-foot-long, 164-foot-wide tankers from NASSCO for BP Oil Shipping Co. USA. The first was delivered in August, the third held its keel laying in July and steel-block construction on the fourth began in October. NASSCO President Dick Vortmann (left) enjoyed the bottle-of-bubbly clubbing administered by Maureen Hayward, along with Sharon Marshall, Tony Hayward (back) and Steve Marshall, all representing BP.

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Offering townhomes that start in the $300,000s, Spinnaker Point at Pacific Cove has opened its models in the South County near the Palm Promenade and Ocean View Hills Corporate Center and close to I-805. More information is at drhorton.com.

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La Boheme, a collection of one-and two-bedroom condominiums in North Park starting development, has more information and list registration, at studionorthpark.com.

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Construction is complete on the $7.5 million remodeling and expansion of Francis Parker Lower School in Mission Hills. The project included demolishing one classroom building, remodeling the administration building, constructing a media center, and adding classrooms and landscaped courtyard while preserving the historical facade and aesthetic appeal of the 1912 school. Johnson & Jennings was general contractor. Richard Yen & Associates was architect.

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The 22nd annual Daffodil Days Campaign starts Jan. 10 and runs through Feb. 25. Deliveries of the bright yellow flowers are scheduled for the week of March 14-18. Proceeds from the sale of the first flower of spring and the symbol of hope — arrangements start at $10 — support American Cancer Society research. Call (619) 682-7474 to place an order.

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Between 150 and 200 climbers will race up the 32 floors of the One America Plaza building on March 12 during the 24th annual StairClimb to Cure Cystic Fibrosis. The record is 28 times in three hours. Two stairwells will be used, one for the racers, the other for the rest of us. For information, call (858) 578-2945.

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A faceted oval rock crystal weighing a whopping 21,290 carats — that’s almost 9.5 pounds avoirdupois — has been given to the Gemological Institute of America and is on display at its Carlsbad headquarters. Ed Romack and Dallas R. Hales, two gemstone cutters, donated the gem, following 500 hours of cutting and polishing what used to be a 35-pound stone from Brazil.