diff --git a/README.rdoc b/README.rdoc
index 74d4d5bc5ee0c010898df2579851d6079aef25e0..3ae8dec628a7cb3a31d8b6e763823748a93d74fb 100644
--- a/README.rdoc
+++ b/README.rdoc
@@ -41,11 +41,9 @@ Find distance between object and a point:
   obj.distance_to(40.71432, -100.23487)      # in miles
   obj.distance_to(40.71432, -100.23487, :km) # in kilometers
 
-If you're using a MySQL database and you need to do a search for objects
-within a given distance from a point, this method will generate a query for you:
-
-  Geocoder.nearby_mysql_query('cities', 40.71432, -100.23487, 50)
+Find objects close to a point (Venue is a geocoded model):
 
+  Venue.near('Omaha, NE, US')
 
 Please see the code for more methods and detailed information about arguments.
 
diff --git a/lib/geocoder.rb b/lib/geocoder.rb
index 6bc5ef5225d92d3cd4057da77c0428175481140e..bbcb03af6040f5a2321b2697a03faf343bb695a0 100644
--- a/lib/geocoder.rb
+++ b/lib/geocoder.rb
@@ -51,14 +51,20 @@ module Geocoder
     def near(location, radius = 100, options = {})
       latitude, longitude = Geocoder.fetch_coordinates(location)
       return [] unless (latitude and longitude)
-      # don't pass :table_name option to nearby_mysql_query
-      table_name = options[:table_name] || self.to_s.tableize
-      options.delete :table_name
-      query = Geocoder.nearby_mysql_query(table_name,
-        latitude, longitude, radius.to_i, options)
+      query = nearby_mysql_query(latitude, longitude, radius.to_i, options)
       find_by_sql(query)
     end
     
+    ##
+    # Generate a MySQL query to find all records within a radius (in miles)
+    # of a point.
+    #
+    def nearby_mysql_query(latitude, longitude, radius = 20, options = {})
+      table = options[:table_name] || self.to_s.tableize
+      options.delete :table_name # don't pass to nearby_mysql_query
+      Geocoder.nearby_mysql_query(table, latitude, longitude, radius, options)
+    end
+      
     ##
     # Get the name of the method that returns the search string.
     #