Disney Map Up For Auction

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Have some extra cash?  Maybe you would be interested in placing a bid for this original map of Disneyland, co-created by Walt Disney himself when the park was still in the inception phase.  The map helped Walt and his brother Roy sell the park idea and make it a reality in Anaheim.  For more info of the story and where the auction will be held, click below … and good luck!

disney_map

And if you don’t have that kind of cash, maybe you would settle for this book instead?  It’s a good one.

disneymapsbook

The book opens up from the middle, which is cool.  For a look inside, check out this video.

The True Size Of…

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For the past several centuries, cartographers have tried to find different ways to portray the globe on a two-dimensional map. Many of these attempts, including the Mercator projection, distort the true size of different countries and regions. As a result, many of us have false perceptions about the proportional size of different geographical areas.

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More Field Calculator Fun

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Back in December 2013 I posted about using the field calculator in ArcMap to calc a field to the third word from another field.  Since then, the comments section has been pretty active with questions and answers.  I thought it would be a great time to expand on that with other nifty field calculator tricks that I have used over the years.

Split Up Data

This one I use a lot.  I have a field that contains parcel number data.  In LA County, parcel numbers are 10 digit numbers that represent the assessor book (first 4 numbers), page (next 3 numbers), and lot number (last 3 numbers).  I want to split them out into their own fields.  Here is how I do it.

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Persuasive Cartography

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Looking for unusual maps?  Check out this website that makes available to the public a collection of more than 800 examples of persuasive cartography, maps intended primarily to influence opinions or beliefs – to send a message – rather than to communicate geographic information.  You can search for maps by subject and there are also links to download the high resolution image of each map.

persuasivemaps2

 

Spatial @ UCSB Conference

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The Center for Spatial Studies at UCSB will be hosting its annual spatial@local2017 Poster and Plenary Session at Corwin Pavilion on Thursday, June 8, 2017.

This year the theme is Environmental Conflict Resolution in the Santa Barbara Channel and will feature speakers from NCEAS and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

You can participate in this event, either as poster submitters, or as attendees to the plenary and viewers of the posters. Although the session has a theme, posters on any topic that addresses spatial analysis will be accepted.

For more info and to RSVP, click here.

Nautical and International Waters Charts

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Are you looking for nautical charts?  NOAA’s paper nautical charts are available as “print on demand” up to date to the time of purchase.  You can also download charts in PDF format for free.

noaanauticalcharts

Looking for open ocean and international waters charts?  They are produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and available through vendors as “print on demand” products.

Geography of the Post Office

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During the second half of the nineteenth century, the introduction of the post office changed daily life in the Western United States. Over the course of 50 years, the number of post offices in this region expanded from just a handful to several hundred. Some post offices were established and stayed in operation long term; others had much shorter life spans as the west continued to change.

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Palomar College Drone-Con 2017

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Palomar College is having a free Drone Conference on July 7th.  Join Educators, GIS Analysts, Precision Agriculture Specialists, Civil Engineers, Surveying and Mapping Technicians, Utility and Construction Inspectors, Photographers and Videographers along with Law Enforcement Officials, Emergency Responders, and Search and Rescue Personnel at the forefront of incorporating the use of drones in a rapidly emerging job market.

The Drone Conference for Educators and Industry Professionals will feature hands-on learning sessions, demonstrations, vendor exhibits, and guest speakers from various industry sectors including the University of California system, SDG&E, and DJI among others. The day will conclude with a networking reception followed by an evening show at the state-of-the-art Palomar College Planetarium.

To register for this FREE conference and for more information, visit their website.

Space is limited to 120 registrants, so be sure to register soon!

Tax Fun Facts!

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Ah yes, taxes are due today!  And here are a few interesting sites you might want to visit.

Why are taxes due today, April 18th?

Basically because the 15th fell on a Saturday and Monday was Emancipation Day in Washington DC.  Read more about it here.

Tax Freedom Day

Tax Freedom Day is a significant date for taxpayers because it represents how long Americans as a whole have to work in order to pay the nation’s tax burden.  Basically you are working for the government!  Continue reading →