//initialize the google map via apps api
function init_map(map_canvas_id, lat, lng, zoomLevel, marker, window_content) {
    var myLatLng = new google.maps.LatLng(lat, lng);

    var options = {

        zoom: zoomLevel,
        center: myLatLng,
        mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP,
        disableDefaultUI: true
    };

    var map_canvas = document.getElementById(map_canvas_id);

    var map = new google.maps.Map(map_canvas, options);
       
    var infowindow = new google.maps.InfoWindow({
        content: window_content,
        disableAutoPan: true,
        pane: "floatPane"

    });

    var marker = new google.maps.Marker(marker);
    marker.setMap(map);

    google.maps.event.addListener(marker, 'click', function () {
        var content_container = document.getElementById("map_content_window");
        var content = document.getElementById("window_content");
        content_container.style.display = "block";
        content.innerHTML = window_content;
    });
}