Open Layers: Javascript API

Looking for someone with experience with the OpenLayers API. The tasks will be mainly be to fill the gaps and/or complete the application before delivering to the client. (WFS/WMS and other stuff is already running). Task 1: [login to view URL] Take a dynamically created text list (result of a db query) and use that to place icons on the map. There are different types of icons, determined by a field in the text list. The zoom level and setCenter will be dynamically adjusted, based on the number of records returned by the DB query. Task 2: [login to view URL] Popups will contain 5 (five) tabbed pages and the information displayed comes from a separate database, via a RSS/XML feed. The pages will contain hyperlinks, tables, photographs and streaming video. I just want the basic functionaly set up - to get it working and will not bother you with - give me a border here with this color etc. Open Layers has a steeper learning curve among the various JS API's. If you do not have direct experience, please excuse.