Almost everyone has heard or read of the dangers of holding a cell phone to your head constantly. Many people at Smith Mountain Lake (just like the rest of the world) have gone to these small, portable, convenient phones as their primary source of communication. Experts and researchers say this could be a risky trend.

In an interview with Elizabeth Cohen of CNN and posted on MSN  today we find out that not only is there evidence as to the harm of cell phones, but there are ways to minimize that risk.

The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute recently released recommendations for minimizing potential health risk from cell phones. Kids should not use cell phones except in emergencies, it says, because developing bodies are more susceptible to harm.

Keep cell phones as far away from the body as possible, using speaker-phone mode or a wireless headset as often as possible. Wired headsets may also help reduce exposure.

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There is something unusually charming about a log cabin to my way of thinking. And if you put that cabin on Smith Mountain Lake, it would make an incredible retreat. This particular cabin for rent in Huddleston, Va. is about as wonderful as you could imagine a vacation spot to be.

Spectacular views of both mountain and lake, a nice level lot with deep water access, boat dock, wrap around porch, 2 stone fireplaces, full amenities in the cabin, near all the cool lake activities and restaurants, surrounded by woods….I really don’t think it gets any better than this for log cabin and lake lovers.

You can rent this beauty at Vacation Rentals By Owner, (note it is listing #195345) and you can find even more detailed information there as well. Or you can call Paul Moore Toll Free: (877) SML-HOME.

Those of us near Smith Mountain Lake will have to travel to Roanoke for this fabulous event, but it will be well worth it. I don’t know if you or your family has ever gone to the Center In the Square in downtown Roanoke, but there are a myriad of fun things to do there and on the weekend of August 16th and 17th they will all be FREE for you and your family to enjoy!

It is the Center in the Square’s 25th Anniversary Celebration and their way of thanking the community is: free museums all weekend, live music all day, face painting, inflatable jumpers, clowns, education, puppet show, and so much more.

Make plans for this wonderful weekend now, because this is one day of fantastic fun and free treats for the whole family, that you don’t want to forget. Visit the Center in the Square website for more information.

If you have ever gone to one of Smith Mountain Lake’s fabulous restaurants and wished you could cook like their chefs, then here is your chance to learn.

The Culinary Institute of Virginia  educational program can help you shape your passion for food into a rewarding career. Students work alongside professional chef instructors in kitchens with equipment commonly found in the industry.

Their site offers these facts as to why you should choose the Culinary institute of Virginia Educational Program:

• Effective
  A Program That Allows You to Earn Your Degree Quickly … in Less Than 2 Years
• Convenient
  Classes Available Weekdays (Day and Evening) and Weekends; Some Classes Available Online
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The Booker T. Washington Monument and park is located in Franklin County, VA, 16 miles northeast of Rocky Mount, VA and almost to Smith Mountain Lake, Va. It was begun in honor of Booker T. Washington, who was born a slave on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs on April 5th, 1856. After the Civil War, Washington founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School, and did many other wonderful things in the name of freedom.

Today the park offers historical and educational activities on a host of excellent topics. There is something at this park for everyone who loves to learn. (See Augusts schedule below.) Ranger guided tours are offered daily at the park at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

August 2 – 10:00 a.m.
To Be a Naturalist Junior Ranger Program (Ages 6-12)
Hike the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail and study plants and animals like a naturalist. Participate in a stream activity to learn about the importance of clean water.

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Though we try to keep up on all the cool things happening at Smith Mountain Lake, there are no doubt a great many events and bits of news that escape us. It is impossible to be everywhere at once and know all the goings on, but if we miss out on something significant at the lake, we hope you will fill us in.

We enjoy and appreciate the input of our readers. So if you have an idea for a post or are aware of some community service, event, fun website, etc. please leave us some mail to that effect.

We may not be able to write on every thing our readers submit, due to time and space, but we will make every effort to incorporate anything appropriate in some way, shape or form.

If you live near Smith Mountain Lake, Va. and have not considered the benefits of joining a health club, or starting a regular exercise routine, you may want to think again. Besides loss of body fat, building muscle and flexibility, exercise programs decrease bone density loss, increase energy and stamina, improve blood pressure and the feeling of over-all well-being, improved balance and heart strength, and much more.

Below are a couple of our local fitness centers that can help you get started if you don’t quite know where to begin.

We have some great things going on here in the Smith Mountain Lake area; and some rather unusual and interesting ones as well. You may never have considered a day in a cemetery to be a grand experience, but here is the possibility that could change your mind.

The Lynchburg Old City Cemetery was 200 years old in 2006 and can be found in the National Registry of Historic Places. It was established as a public burial ground by John Lynch the founder of the City of Lynchburg. There are many of African descent buried there, as well as 2,200 soldiers from 14 states. You might be surprised how much an hour in this old and sacred place could give you a dose of inspiration.

Jul 26 - Old City Cemetery presents Saturdays in the Cemetery - 10:00am- Free, one-hour walking tours that highlight history and horticulture on the grounds. - Old City Cemetery, 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg - 434-847-1465 - www.gravegarden.org

People from all walks of life, including some of those we love in Smith Mountain Lake, Va. have been diagnosed with CHF or congestive heart failure. There is a great liklihood that a great number of those reading this either have CHF or have known someone with this illness.

Simply put, congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to the body’s other organs. The causes vary from clogged arteries, past heart attacks, high blood pressure, and birth defects to heart valve weakness/disease, infection of the heart and more. 

Anyone familiar with CHF knows of the tiredness, shortness of breath, edema (fluid) in the lower limbs, and sometimes chest/lungs, as well as other problems. The “failing” heart keeps working but not as efficiently as it should.

If you or someone you know has CHF you may want to attend a seminar to be held at Lynchburg General Hospital on August 6th regarding this disease and a potentially helpful new treatment for it.

Aquapheresis: A New Treatment For Congestive Heart Failure will be held
Wednesday, August 6.  Reception: 6:30 p.m. Program: 7 p.m at Centra
Lynchburg General Hospital.  Jason Hackenbracht, M.D., cardiologist with
The Cardiovascular Group, will discuss signs, symptoms and treatment of
congestive heart failure, including aquapheresis, a new process that
removes excess salt and water safely.  For more information, please call
1.877.MDLINK1.

Many of the folks at Smith Mountain Lake have never visited their neighboring Leesville Lake, Virginia. It is a lovely area with some beautiful lake properties available at excellent value. Take this pretty piece of lakeside real estate. It’s in a perfect location and selling for a great price.

• Located on LEESVILLE LAKE 
• Vacation get away tucked away in the woods
• Beautiful cottage with 105′ waterfront
• Crystal clear water
• Completely remodeled
• Fireplace in family room
• Four season’s sunroom
• New decks
• Walking distance to marina and boat launch
• 30′ deep at end of dock
• In beautiful cove
• Great fishing in all weather
• Gentle short slope to water

1325 Sunrise Loop
Lynch Station, VA [ map ]
$325,000

MLS#: 726834

For more information please visit the Smith Mountain Homes website. Or if you would like to schedule a personal viewing, contact Paul Moore and his team at Smith Mountain Homes at (866) 879-0211 or email Paul today.