The ESRI User Conference in San Diego is on! If you are not there, attend virtually!
ESRI UC 2026 Is On!
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Category Archives: Maps/Apps/Charts/Data
Fireworks 2026!
I’ve noticed that firework stands are appearing around town, which reminds me that the 4th of July is almost here and that means FIREWORKS!
Like the many years before, the famous Fireworks app will tell you when fireworks will start to be sold in SoCal cities that allow them and when you can light them up! Check it out!
Call for Entries: Fifth Annual Student Exhibition Competition
The California Map Society and the David Rumsey Map Center invite all US-based undergraduate and graduate students to apply for an opportunity to curate an original exhibition of maps from our collections based on the topic of the applicant’s choice. Proposals will be judged on the strength of the topic, the effective use of maps in support of the topic, and overall quality of research and writing. Applications are due Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:59pm to rumseymapcenter@stanford.edu. Use the subject: “Exhibition Competition Submission.”
The winner of this competition will receive:
- Installation of physical exhibition in the Rumsey Center and hosting of a digital companion exhibition
- A pre-tax $1,000 award
- One year membership in the California Map Society
- Opportunity to present at the California Map Society’s spring meeting, and up to $1,000 for related travel expenses
Learn more about the award, past winners, and how to apply.
Federal Accessibility Deadline Will Be Delayed One Year
On April 20, 2026, the Department of Justice published an Interim Final Rule extending both compliance deadlines for the 2024 Title II web accessibility rule by one year. State and local government entities with a total population of 50,000 or more, which faced a deadline of April 24, 2026, now have until April 26, 2027. Smaller public entities and special district governments, which had until April 26, 2027, now have until April 26, 2028.
This means that all your GIS applications and PDF maps do not have to be compliant until next year. If you have been working diligently to get everything together by the deadline, you now have a reprieve!
More info about it here: https://www.govtech.com/policy/federal-accessibility-deadline-will-be-delayed-one-year
The AAA Gas Price Map
Oh California, your gas prices are too high! As of 3/29/2026, the AVERAGE California gas price is $5.869. The national average is $3.980 and climbing.
Check out the AAA Gas Price map. I think it is time to move to one of the middle states!
Library of Congress Webinar
The Library of Congress will hold a webinar on Nautical Charts.
Geography & Map Virtual Orientation: Nautical Charts
Date & Time: Feb 10, 2026 12:00 PM (PST)
Description: Reference librarian Julie Stoner and geospatial data visualization librarian Abraham Parrish will present an introduction to nautical charts in the Geography and Map Division collections at the Library of Congress. The first half of this orientation session will give an introduction to nautical charts, their history, and their uses. The second part of the orientation will highlight the various nautical chart holdings found within the division and how to search for and view these maps. After the presentation, staff look forward to answering additional questions from attendees.
Merry Christmas Map 2025
I wanted to say Merry Christmas to all and share the Merry Christmas Map (v2) from ESRI. The web map provides a detailed basemap for the world symbolized with a unique twist on the Christmas holiday. Check it out!
2026 ESRI UC Registration Open Now!
Registration for the 2026 ESRI User Conference in San Diego is now open! Get registered and find your favorite hotel!
Cinematic Cartography
The next Cambridge Seminar in the History of Cartography will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 18 November 2025 at 5.30pm UK time (9:30am PST).
The speaker will be Chris Lukinbeal, University of Arizona on Cinematic Cartography.
All are welcome.
Please register for the talk at https://buytickets.at/emmanuelcollege/1929457 and the Zoom link will be sent to you.
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On a side note, this reminds me of a book I purchased a while back, Cinemaps. You should pick one up for a Christmas gift! -mike
USGS Data Collaboration Announcement Webinar
On August 6th at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, USGS will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) 3D National Topography Model (3DNTM) Data Collaboration Announcement (DCA) for the 3D Hydrography Program | U.S. Geological Survey (3DEP) and the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP).
For more info and to register, click here.
SoCalGIS.org 