Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We'll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here's what's buzzing this morning:
You might recognize the watercolored grid above as our very own. Yes, it really is downtown Phoenix, and yes, thanks to San Francisco-based design firm Stamen, you can now check out virtually any location casually offered on Google Maps -- in watercolor.
Stamen employees write that the company has been exploring cartography with its clients and in research for more than a decade.
Using OpenStreetMap data, the firm created an interactive online map that uses the raster effect area washes and organic edges over a paper texture.
Check out the interactive map below and see a large-scale version here.