This Friday brings the opening of another film shot in Virginia. Directed by Virginia native Tom Shadyac, “Evan Almighty” is one of the largest projects ever produced in the Old Dominion with an estimated economic impact of $40 million. And no wonder: The movie — a sequel to “Bruce Almighty” — tells a tale of biblical proportions that includes a reproduction of Noah’s ark.

The immense structure was built in Crozet, outside Charlottesville. It measures 80 feet wide by 60 feet high and 275 feet long and serves as the focal point of the movie’s storyline.

Shadyac grew up in Falls Church and graduated from the University of Virginia before getting a master’s degree in film from UCLA (the University of California, Los Angeles). He has written, produced or directed such films as “Ace Venture: Pet Detective,” “The Nutty Professor” and “Patch Adams.”

I haven’t seen “Evan Almighty,” and this blurb shouldn’t be considered an endorsement. But if you’re in the mood for a summer flick with a touch of home — with scenes shot in Richmond, the Charlottesville countryside and parts of the Shenandoah Valley — this movie delivers. And it is a reminder that Virginia’s film production industry generates a tide of revenue, with an overall economic impact of $597 million in 2006. That sure would buy a lot of animals.

by Paula Squires
Our June issue devotes a lot of coverage to individual and corporate philanthropy. Indeed, it’s’ a growing trend in the U. S. with high- profile executives such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett dedicating entire fortunes to the public good.
So we’ve been surprised by the results of a poll at our Web site running in conjunction with the story. Here’s the question: Should your company increase its philanthropic giving? No, say 97 percent of the 161 people who have responded since June 1.
So, what should we take from this? That Virginia companies have already stepped up? That employees would rather see money spent on raises and training? Feel free to enlighten us.

It used to be a rite of passage for 13-year-old girls: the first time mom dropped them off at the local mall. That’s when pre-pubescent teens knew they were on the road to independence.

Malls became such a ubiquitous part of American life that they drew people of all ages, from children looking for a safe place to trick-or-treat to seniors who formed walking clubs in the thermostat-controlled comfort of these large enclosed centers.

These days many suburban malls are struggling to survive. Some have closed, and others are reinventing themselves to compete with newer, open-air lifestyle centers. In Virginia, Richmond’s Cloverleaf Mall is set to close so it can be turned into a mixed-use center, and Hampton’s Coliseum Mall is being redeveloped into the $142 million Peninsula Town Center, a mix of retail, residential and office projects.

The advent of online shopping hasn’t helped. A recent study by Shop.org reports that retail spending grew 25 percent last year to $146 billion. Yet, there is a downside to shopping by computer: You can’t touch, feel or smell the merchandise. Ah, the tactile pleasures of shopping! That’s why shopping centers in some form won’t go the way of the dinosaur.

Is your work place kind to your psyche? Or do you dread the stress of the daily grind? The state’s Virginia Psychological Association (VPA) wants to know. Each year it sponsors the Psychologically Healthy Work Place Awards. In its ninth year, the program recognizes companies and organizations that foster environments where both employees and employers thrive.

Sounds simple, but apparently it’s not. A national poll conducted by the American Psychological Association showed that two-thirds of both men and women say work affects their stress level, and one in four has called in sick to escape the stress of work. In fact, the APA reports that job stress costs the U.S. $300 billion a year in absenteeism, lost productivity, employee turnover and medical, legal and insurance fees.

So, how can companies create environments that make employees look forward to coming to work? Here’s what the VPA looks for: employee involvement, work-life balance, employee growth and development, health and safety and employee recognition. If your company does these things well, the VPA wants to hear about them. The deadline for nominations is July 31. For applications and contest rules, go to http://www.phwa.org/app. Statewide winners go on to compete for national awards, with 51 psychological associations participating across the U. S. and Canada.

Past Virginia winners include Anderson & Associates Inc., an employee-owned design firm with an office in Blacksburg, Starbucks in Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach Friends School. Looks like a pattern here. The mountains or the beach.  No wonder those workers are more relaxed.