The Left Lane
Eye on the Islands

Kramer said Los Angeles- and Seattle-based film production and marketing company Magellan Filmed Entertainment — which has a partial investment in the film — is hoping to begin filming the $10 million-plus budgeted pic in October, with Hawai'i production slated for November and December.

The historical film chronicles a Polynesian family's migration from the South Pacific to Hawai'i, Kramer said. He declined to disclose cast or distributor information.

Magellan also has production deals with Nicolas Cage's Saturn Films for the dark criminal caper "Dog Eat Dog," and Dreamworks SKG for "Catch Me If You Can," based on con man Frank Abagnale's autobiography, with Leonardo DiCaprio starring and Lasse Hallstrom ("The Cider House Rules") in negotiations to direct.

Getting married but don't want another set of silverware or crystal flutes?

MarriedForGood.com, a newly launched Web site, helps brides and grooms incorporate philanthropy into their weddings, giving couples ideas on how to make charitable giving part of their momentous occasion.

Created by 28-year-old Joanna Dreifus, who also launched BridesmaidAid.

com, the purpose of her latest endeavor is to increase donations to major charities, encourage the trend of occasion-based charitable giving and increase philanthropic awareness among GenXers.

The site offers suggestions on how to turn a wedding into a fund-raiser, from suggesting invitations to request donations in lieu of wedding gifts to recommending couples rent venues where the use fee will benefit the organization, such as a local park, historic home or museum.

House without walls

The largest item in the Smithsonian's Institution's collection — a 2à-story Georgian-style house — is back on display this year after a 25-year absence.

The 200-year-old timber-framed home was saved from the wrecking ball in 1963 and donated to the Smithsonian. It has only been displayed twice before.

This summer, the house is the centerpiece of the museum's "Within These Walls" exhibit. Visitors will be able to peer through its walls, windows and doors and see settings that tell the story of the home's occupants through all its periods: Colonial America, the American revolution, the abolitionist movement, the industrial era and World War II.

If you can't make it to Washington this year, a virtual tour of the house is available at a museum Web site (http://americanhistory.si.edu/house).