function load_markers(markers,load_side_bar) {
    for (var i = 0 ; i < markers.length ; i++) {
        var marker = markers[i].restaurant
        var lat=marker.lat;
        var lng=marker.lng;
        if (lat && lng) {
            var letter = letters.charAt(i);
            var iconImage = '/images/fork-' + letter + '.png';
            var innerHtml = '<b>' + marker.name + '</b><br/>'
                     + marker.address + '<br/>'
                     + marker.city + ', ' + marker.state + ' ' + marker.zip + '<br/>'
                     + '<a href="/restaurants/details/' + marker.id + '">details</a>';
            var mymarker = addMarker(parseFloat(lat),parseFloat(lng),iconImage,innerHtml,(i + 1));
            markerHash[(i + 1)] = {marker:mymarker,address:innerHtml};
            if (load_side_bar == true) {           
                    sideHtml = '<div id="sidebar-item-'+(i + 1)+'" class="sidebar-item">' +
                                 '<div style="float:left; margin-right: 6px;">' +
                                   '<a href="#" onClick="focusPoint('+(i + 1)+'); return false;">' +
                                   '<img src="' + iconImage + '">' +
                                   '</a>'+
                                 '</div>'+
                                 '<div>' +
                                  '<H5><a href="/restaurants/details/' + marker.id + '">' + marker.name + '</a></h5>'
                                     + '<p class="mediumtext">' + marker.address + '<br/>'
                                     + marker.city + ', ' + marker.state + ' ' + marker.zip +'</p>'
                                 '</div>'+
                               '</div>';
                    new Insertion.Bottom($('restlist'),sideHtml);
            } // end if load_side_bar
        } // end of if lat and lng
    } // end of for loop
    if (load_side_bar == true) {
        sideHtml = '<div class="highlighted"><img src="/images/printer.png" border="0"> <a href="/restaurants/printable_list/' + markers[0].id +'">Printable List</a></div>'
        new Insertion.Top($('restlist'),sideHtml);
    }
}