Just wanted to give a big shoutout to slickgrid (http:// slickgrid.googlecode.com).
I think Michael has nailed it. Totally. This is how a grid widget for jquery ui should be. The code looks super clean too. And promotes an MVC approach. The rendering technique employed is simply awesome. Michael, I wouldn't add the ajax-loading stuff. That should not be part of the grid (that's what other grids always do, see where they end up... ;) Cheers, Lawrence