In the midst of the terrible forest fires burning much of the San Diego suburbs, two media outlets have turned to the Google Maps API to provide information on the situation. KPBS, the city’s combined public TV and radio station, created an awesome map using shaps and icons to show the location of fires, evacuation areas, shelters, road closures, and much more.  A couple days later the Union-Tribune newspaper got in on the action and created a very similar map, but added photos and video from their reporters.

These maps are a great way to disseminate a huge amount of information in a way that is quick and easy for the user to access and understand.  The zooming and panning built into Google Maps gives the user a great deal of control over the level of information and shows at a glance the situation in a particular location.

Last week I had the opportunity to head up to Omaha for the Heartland Developer Conference.  There I spent two days learning about various Microsoft programming nerdery, including a really good preview of Visual Studio 2008.

I had a bit of time to explore Omaha, a city which I have only passed through in the past.  The Old Market neighborhood in Downtown is very nice.  Several square blocks of shops and diversions in old warehouses.  Bonus points to Omaha for a preserved neighborhood similar KC’s River Market or Crossroads, but without all of the holes, surface, lots, and other disconnections.

I also checked out the city’s new riverfront developments, which were quite nice.  Omaha has done a good job “getting it done” when it comes riverfront redevelopment.  Here in KC we recently created yet another master plan to put on the shelf and collect dust.  One example…  KC has been talking for years about creating safe bicycle and pedestrian access across the Missouri River.  Omaha is actually building such a bridge.  Plus they have two bike/ped bridges that span railroad tracks and connect riverfront to downtown core.

Here are some photos of the Omaha riverfront.

Today I learned two lessons while on a routine trip to the local home improvement big box store.

1. Christmas decorations now go on sale October 1st.  At least this one national chain is skipping right over Halloween and Thanksgiving.

2. Textured Carpet is the new euphemism for shag carpet. Apparently it is making a come back and this national chain thinks it is “fashion forward”.