gistfile1.txt

        function addressToCoordinates($address) {
            $BASE_URL = 'http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json';

            $socket = new HttpSocket();

            $args = array('address' => $address,
                          'sensor' => 'false');

            $results = json_decode($socket->get($BASE_URL, $args));

            if ($results != null && sizeof($results->results) >= 1) {
                $loc = $results->results[0]->geometry->location;
                return $loc;
            } else {
                return null;
            }
        }