Who in our neck of the woods would dream of becoming famous for their design and invention of a monster to go in a movie produced at Smith Mountain Lake? Few people that is for sure, but someone will do just that in the next month or so. The Lake Effects movie needs a monster…….Submission deadline is now September 11th, 2010. For more info. see http://lifeoutloudfilms.com/Monster_Contest.html.

And if you are a professional actor or actress you may want to try out for the Lake Effects Movie being produced here at Smith Mountain Lake.

Sound like fun? It gets even better. Every entry in the Monster Contest gets the chance for their monster to be used in the upcoming film, “Lake Effects”. The winner(s) will also get limo rides, lunch with cast and crew of the movie, mention in the credits, and more. You can enter with a crew of up to eight people and the monster must be complete by September 4th.

If you would like more details or to enter the Smith Mountain Lake Monster Contest simply click on the phrase Monster Contest anywhere in this post and you will find the forms to fill out and all the rules and regulations. I can’t wait to see the creative results of this one. It might just be the most fun ever!

The SML Chamber has received an extension on the collection of enough names for a Smith Mountain Lake license to actually be produced. They will now be able to continue to collect applications for the new 2011 SML license plate until Jan. 1, 2011.

There must be enough requests by January 1, 2011 to qualify before other requirements can be implemented and the state begins production and distribution of the Smith Mountain Lake license plates. The goal is for a completion by fall 2011. 

To receive a DMV/SML Chamber application, CLICK HERE.

Complete the DMV/SML Chamber application and return it with a check (no cash, please) made out to “SMLRCC” in the amount of $10.  Bring by or mail your application and check to the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, 16430 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, VA 24121 to be added to the list of 350.   If we do not collect 350 prepaid applications by the deadline, you will receive a refund.

You are invited to share your thoughts on ways to improve Franklin County’s Land Development Ordinances. Franklin County, Virginia is currently updating its code requirements related to land use and development – commonly know as the Zoning and Subdivision ordinances.

To learn more and to find one of the Community Workshops near you, visit www.franklincountyplanning.org.

On June 25th, movie director, Mike McKay, flew in to Smith Mountain Lake to meet Sara Elizabeth Timmins and her newest assistant, Samantha Robertson for the “Lake Effects” movie shoot. Director of Photography, Matt Boyd, and a variety of actors and actresses arrived later to join the busy week.
 
Sara Elizabeth, Mike and Matt spent a lot of time scouting summer insert shot locations for Friday’s shoot, (which took place at various spots in and around the lake). They also scouted for future location shots for production, which will take place in October.
 
With a lot of help from locals including Bill and Sue Timmins (who helped out with transporting the team to various locations among other things) the film shoot was accomplished. The Lake Effects team would like to thank their many supporters, friends, volunteers and talent for making the June shoot as successful as it was!
 
You can get involved in the Lake Effects movie being filmed at Smith Mountain Lake. If you want to help email them at info@lifeoutloudfilms.com. They still need volunteers for many things including:
 
Frequent Flyers/Friends of Frequent Flyers:
They are still in need of donors of frequent flyer miles/credit card reward points that can be used for miles.
Email Subject Line: “Frequent Flyer Miles”
 
Caterers/Restaurants and their Friends:
They are also still in search of caterers/restaurants to donate meals to feed our cast and crew. Please let us know of your ideas!
Email Subject Line: “Catering”

DEAR FRIENDS,

PLEASE EVERYONE, A LOCAL TRADITION MAY BE ENDED DUE TO LACK OF VOLUNTEERS. THE SMITH MOUNTAIN CHARITY HOME TOUR MAY HAVE ITS LAST YEAR THIS FALL IF ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT FOUND! 

THE SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE CHARITY HOME TOUR – 20 YEARS RUNNING, PLEASE DON’T LET THIS BE THE LAST!!
 
TWO GREAT ORGANIZATIONS THAT I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE A SMALL PART OF – LAKE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES AND FRANKLIN COUNTY HELPING HANDS ARE JUST TWO OF THE MANY LOCAL CHARITIES THAT BENEFIT FROM THIS ANNUAL TOUR.
 
TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF GREAT ORGANIZATIONS THAT BENEFIT FROM THIS TOUR GO TO – http://www.smlcharityhometour.com/ .
 
ONE OF THE REASONS MANY PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE IS BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF GIVING BACK. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING EMAIL FORWARDED TO ME FROM DR. CAMPBELL AT FRANKLIN COUNTY HELPING HANDS THAT HE RECEIVED FROM ONE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE HOME TOUR.  PLEASE REPOST AND SEND THIS TO ANYONE YOU CAN THINK OF.
 
AND REMEMBER, NOT ONLY DOES THIS TOUR PROVIDE CRUCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE MANY GIVING CHARITIES AROUND OUR BEAUTIFUL LAKE; IT IS ALSO A ANNUAL TRADITION.  ONE THAT MANY PEOPLE FROM NEAR AND FAR LOOK FORWARD TO EACH YEAR! THANKS SO MUCH AND GOD BLESS!
 
Letter received by Administrator of SML CHT: 
 
 As former applicants to the SML Charity Home Tour, the home tour board would like to share our situation with you and solicit your feedback. While our board is totally committed and prepared to carry through with the 2010 tour, we have been wrestling with whether or not to continue sponsoring the home tour after this, our 20th year. Over the past several years we have seen a drop in sponsorship, attendees, and volunteers. We have not been able to fully fill the slots on our board, which means Marty is doing the work of 3 or 4 people. Most of the current board is not planning to return in 2011. All of us are constantly on the look-out for replacement leaders for the tour, but are having increasing difficulty getting folks to commit to leadership positions. We have not posted an application for the 2011 tour, and will not do so until this issue is resolved.
 
“One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
- John F. Kennedy 

Sincerely,
Edna Jamieson 
Lakeshore Rentals & Sales Inc. 
Phone 540-520-0168 
email-edna@smithmtnlakeproperties.com

Sara Elizabeth Timmins’ career has included acting in various theater and film roles as well as production work in independent films, movies and television shows such as Cold Case and The West Wing. She’s worked alongside a number of famous actors, including Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Lynda Carter and Anne Hathaway…

In addition to acting and producing in California, Timmins travels to schools as a motivational speaker. “I love to inspire and motivate people. I help students understand the importance of their choices today and how it affects their future,” she said.

Despite years of performing, producing and speaking, Timmins had a lingering longing. During that walk at Smith Mountain Lake two years ago, she discovered what was missing.

“I’ve always been go, go, go, not living in the moment, never appreciating what was around me,” she said. “There is a magic to the lake. For me, it was about getting away from the city, the cellphone, the go, go, go. What was missing was what I would speak about: making an impact.”

Timmins returned to Los Angeles with a renewed perspective. The soul-searching journey inspired her to create a film company, Life Out Loud Films.

“My mantra in life has been, ‘Dare to live life out loud.’ Dream. Act. Risk. Embrace,” she said. “I was putting 800 percent into other people’s projects and I thought maybe it’s time to do my own.”

A new and radical risk was the next step for Timmins – creating and producing a film from start to finish. The main character? Smith Mountain Lake.

Read the rest of this awesome article by clicking here!

For more information on Sara Elizabeth Timmins, or her film production company, visit www.lifeoutloudfilms.com. Shooting for the SML movie starts in the Fall of 2010!

They will be accepting contracts from June the 5th (Saturday 10am.) until June 26th. Then the contracts that are acceptable will be entered in a lottery sale. That means there will be a drawing on June 27th to decide which of the people who entered contracts will win a place at Bridgewater Pointe. (Paul Moore and his team are available for any questions or help with contracts. You can contact Paul Moore at Smith Mountain Homes at (866) 879-0211 or email Paul today.

Contracts will require a $5,000 deposit with special BB&T financing options available to qualified buyers. Condo prices will start at $199,500 and the condos range from 1685 square feet to 2294 sq.ft. Possible features include 3 choices in architectural plans, new appliances, hardwood, tile and carpet flooring, gas fireplace, granite counter-tops and much more. A pool and pavilion will be available later this summer.

The Willard complanies have done some grand developement at Smith Mountain Lake: The Waterfront, The Water’s Edge, The Boardwalk, Westlake Towne Center and most recently, The Farm. Bridgewater Pointe promises to be as fabulous a place to live as the others on that list of Willard Co. accomplishments.

If you are interested in one of the condominiums at Bridgewater Pointe we would be happy to help you through the process. You can contact contact Paul Moore and his team at Smith Mountain Homes at (866) 879-0211 or email Paul today.

The purchase of the old Shoprite building on Hendricks Store Road is the crux of a plan for the church’s new Worship Center. Plans include a 250 seat sanctuary, classrooms, offices, kitchen, etc. The renovations are underway and ELCC hopes to have a grand opening by early fall at the latest.

Eastlake Community Church was begun in 2006 as the result of 4 Christian friends from Parkway House of Prayer. What started as hopeful conversation became a reality in Feb. 2006 and has outgrown the small building they currently use for services and fellowship.

The Center will be located at Village Plaza, 1118 and 1126 Hendricks Store Rd. If you would like to learn more about the Eastlake Community Church at Smith Mountain Lake you can visit www.elcchurch.com.

Sponsor a cast or crew member  
If you have an abundance of frequent flier miles you can donate them to the film to help fly a cast or crew member from LA.  Although we plan to hire locally, the key professionals will be coming from LA.  This is a great way to make a big difference.  Most sky miles expire so we can help put them to good use!  Points must be all on the same airline.  It is recommended that you have at least 50,000 points.  Please email us for more details.  (Email Subject Line should say ”Flights”.)
 
Donate Meals, Cater Food 
Many of you have sent emails and called offering to donate meals to help feed our cast and crew on set and now is the time to let us know if you are still interested.  We will be shooting for 4 weeks in October and each day we will provide 2 balanced meals to the main team. Also, occasionally we will need a casual working meal like pizza, subs, burritos etc. We are looking for businesses that can donate one meal or many.  Preference will be given to restaurants that may be able to provide a block of meals. ie: donor #1: dinner every Monday on set (4 meals total),  donor #2: lunches every Saturday (4 meals total). Etc. Please email for more details.  We will be able to help with volunteers to serve, drinks, warming cabinet, etc.  (Email Subject Line should say ”Cater”.)
 
Volunteer Intern Needed
Unpaid -  Looking for a responsible and hard working intern starting ASAP and at least until early July (possible longer term).  Must be able to take the lead on projects, have great communication and organizational skills, and have a positive attitude.  Would work out of Moneta and some potential at home work.  Full and Part time available. (Email Subject Line should read ”Intern”.)