Community modeling in Madison, NJ

Madison, New Jersey took a big step towards becoming only the stravel around mexico on halloween and join the paradeecond town in the US to organize a community effort to develop a 3D model of their downtown for Google Earth.

It all started with Mayor Mary-Anna Holden attending the National Main Street Conference last year. This conference is attended by community leaders from around the country whothe evalution of halloween in america want to learn about creative ways to promote their downtowns. Google attended the event and presented how McMinnville, Tennessee had used Google SketchUp to model their downtown.

Attendees, including Mayor Holden, saw the potential that such a model could have on their town and kept asking, “How do we do this?"

In Mayor Holden’s case, the answer rested with the son of her neighbor, a young man by the name of Teddy Bogdanski. Mayor Holden approached Teddy, a Boy Scout, with an idea for an Eagle Scout project, which lead an effort to model Madiannual north halsted halloween parade in chicagoson.

Soon after they spoke, I received an email from Teddy asking if Google would be willing to support the effort. How could I decline an Eagle Scout? I replied that we would. A date was established where my colleagues and I would travel to Madison and conduct a short training effort on the use of SketchUp to model for Google Earth.

With Googlers agreeing to visit his town, Teddy had work to do to ensure that his project was a success. His role was that of a coordinator & project manager, and he did a stupendous job.

We’d conducted product training before, but not an abbreviated one with a focus on creating textured models for Google Earth. While we did this, Teddy was hard at work collecting volunteers and approval to use his high school computer lab. I’m not sure who had the tougher job: Teddy or us... but I’m pretty sure it was Teddy.

When we walked into Madison High School early Saturday morning we were greeted by Teddy, his parents, teachers, and 25 volunteers eager to help. It was awesome. We got right to work.

Aidan Chopra, the author of SketchUp for Dummies, kicked the day off with a short lesson on the basics of SketchUp. Craig D’Andrea from our team followed with a demonstration and instruction on how to apply digital photos to 3D SketchUp models. Within an hour the mice were flying, the keyboards were clicking, and hands were being raised. The three of us spent the remainder of the day providing support to the group.

Models of downtown began to take shape, and within a few hours a number of models were already completed. Smiles were crossing the faces of those finishing models as they pointed at their screens with pride. Madison was quickly becoming a virtual city.

Teddy and his group of volunteers have scheduled two subsequent meetings to complete their downtown. We look forward to seeing their models in Google Earth very soon, and wish them the best in their efforts.

We would like to encourage other towns to follow the lead of these pioneers. If you have questions about how to proceed, please visit the Cities in 3D Program.

Posted by Bruce Polderman, Sr. Business Product Manager

"Confrontation" - A Discussion of Galatians 2:11-21

Here is the next outline in our Wednesdy study through Galatians...

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“Confrontation” Galatians 2:11-21

QUESTION: Have you ever had a time when you thought a “boss,” “leader” or even a “friend” in your life was making a serious error? What did you do? What was the outcome?



1. Everybody makes mistakes and errors in judgment. Galatians 2:11

A. Sometimes they are intentional; many times they are unintentional. Either way, we still bear responsibility.

QUESTION: What examples can we think of each kind of error? How should we respond to such errors?

QUESTION: What is the difference between having different opinions, and having to confront an error?

• Even the best of us can be guilty at times for behaving in ways that are contrary to our stated beliefs.


• What might cause otherwise “good” people to act in troubling ways?

B. Some disagreements are from sin in the hearts of people. 2 Tim. 4:10,14; Phlp 1:15-18

This includes:

• The refusal to let go of anger and bitterness or to walk in grace, mercy and forgiveness. Eph 4:29-32


• When we fear losing our image, the respect of others, or the approval of certain friends in our life. Gal 2:12


• The refusal to submit earthly motivations and desires to the Lord. Philippians 2:1-5

C. Some disagreements occur because of misunderstandings. Acts 19:25-41

• This happens when we make assumptions about others, and/or hold on to past hurts & disappointments.


• This happens if we don't really listen to one another and/or when we walk in fear and mistrust instead of love.


• This happens when we allow ourselves to be swayed by gossip and slander. Proverbs 16:28

D. Some disagreements occur because we honestly see things differently than someone else. Acts 15:36-41

• Even the best of friends will run into times when they see things from opposing viewpoints.


• How we handle these moments is a test of our character and of our commitment to God and to one another.

E. As followers of Christ, we need to remember the need to lovingly lead people into truth instead of merely catering to false ways of thinking. What does this mean? Why might this be so?

2. One problem created when we err is that we can potentially lead others astray by our example. None of us are above being swayed by the missteps of others. Gal 2:13

QUESTION: How can we keep from being led into untruth, wrongful thinking, or wrongful action?



3. Once we understand the scope and impact of an error, it’s appropriate and right to address the issue. Gal 2:14-21

A. We should state the facts and the specifics as we understand them. Gal 2:1get your pets dressed up on halloween4

B. We should give Biblical reasoning why we think this represents an error, sin, mistake, etc. Gal 2:15-21

C. We should carefully, attentively, and lovingly listen to the other person as well.

QUESTION: What does Paul believe is at stake here? What is the error that he addresses?

4. NOTE: Confrontation and conflict do not have to be synonymous.

A. Confrontation is the process by which we bring an issue into the open in order to produce healing and resolution. Acts. 15:39; Hebrews 10:24

• Disagreements and hurts should be lovingly confronted so that division doesn’t take root in our relationships.


• Loving confrontation will work to bring support as well as correction.


• The goal of confrontation is to come to mutual resolutions that help move all of us into the flow of God's will.


• When we simply sweep things under the rug, we add fuel to the fires of future conflict.

B. Conflict is the result of allowing confrontation to disintegrate into argument and polarization.

• Conflict focuses more on "winning" than on "loving."


• Conflict focuses mtop amazing halloween dog costumes in 2008ore on "taking sides" or "getting even" than on exploring solutions & restoring relationship.

C. When we depend on the the tradition of wearing costumes on halloweenSpirit of Christ in us, we are enabled to walk in love at all times.

• A true brother or sister in Christ will tells us what we need to hear, not just what we want to hear. Pr 27:6


• A true brother or sister in Christ will respond with thanksgiving, even when the truth hurts.

D. When others simply will not come to a place of resolution, but persist in conflict, we must learn that setting appropriate boundaries may be a necessary and loving response. Romans 12:18, 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5

Q: When we become aware of our own errors, on our own or through confrontation, how should we respond?