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PAGE 12 - KANATA KOURIER-STANDARD - DECEMBER 12, 2008

Z U M B AWHAT IS ZUMBA ?

Zumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness class that

incorporates Latin and International music and dance

movements to create an exciting and effective fitness workout.

The class combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt

the body to deliver an aerobic / cardio and body toning

workout.

Participants have so much fun that they do not realize that

they are exercising. The basic step formula makes it easy for

participants, WOMEN OR MEN, of any fitness level,

background or age to start ZUMBA right away. ZUMBA is a

fun, easy and exciting workout.

============================================== OUR WINTER CLASS SESSIONS : ( January 9th to April 3 rd, 2009 )

Fridays at 2:00pm - Fridays at 5:30pm - Fridays at 6:30

==============================================

*Please enquire about our popular BELLY DANCE classes*

==============================================

CLASSICAL DANCE ACADEMY

100 Castlefrank Road at Abbeyhill DriveKanata ( Glen Cairn ), Ontario K2L 2V6

(613) 836-5725 (studio) (613) 327-9276 (cell) (613) 225-9276 (alternate)

* ONE BLOCK FROM A.Y. JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL

* ONLY 5 MINUTES FROM STITTSVILLE270062

20% OFFengagement rings

anniversary bands

diamond stud earrings

and more...

Kanata Centrum570 Kanata Ave.

Between Home Outtters and AMC 24

Tel: 613 271 0709www.lamodenejewellers.com

269874

Arts & Entertainment

REEL REVIEWS

Four Christmases waste of star power

KATIE BRADFORDKOURIER-STANDARD

The Holidays are uponus, and with them comesthe carols, the presents, thedecorations, and the insuf-ferable holiday flicks thatflood the theatres.

Of course, there is theoccasional holiday moviethat warms our hearts andbecomes an instant clas-sic. I would love to tell youthat Vince Vaughns lat-est Christmas romp can becounted among these films;but that would be a big fatlie.

Santa doesnt like liars.Youd be surprised to

hear that Four Christmasesis made by the man whodirected one of the biggestcult hits of recent years,Seth Gordon.

His film The King ofKong, a sort-of-documenta-ry about some nerds fightingfor the top score in a famousold video game, was a hugehit.

The fact that this film ishis follow up almost makes

me want to lower its scoreeven more. Its such a bla-tant, ridiculous, money-grabbing cop-out when hecould have made somethingcomedically brilliant andoriginal.

Instead, we get a paint-

by-number Vince Vaughnromantic comedy with anunnecessarily convolutedplot and a slew of top notchactors spewing candy canecoated crap.

Brad (Vaughn) and Kate(Reese Witherspoon) loveChristmas, because it meansthey get to take a vaca-tion. The only hitch is theyalways have to lie to avoidtheir wacky families.

Living happily in unmar-ried bliss, the couple plansare halted when fog yes

fog grounds their planein San Francisco.

First problem: if youregoing to make a cheesy hol-iday movie, at least go withthe old blizzard standby. Itsan oldie, but a goodie.

So, when the local newsanchor blows their cover,the couple is forced to visittheir families. Theyre allapparently awful. And theyall, despite being four sepa-rate households, live in thegreater San Fran area. Howstupidly convenient.

Honestly, the film hasseveral funny moments, duemostly to the comedic tal-ent of Vince Vaughn. Hisrambling comedy style hasbecome his signature, andalthough there are somemoments when you wantto stuff a Yule log down histhroat, it does make for afunny movie.

Witherspoon, however, isgiven nothing. With hardlyany material, she simplyfloats along beside Vince,with the occasional wittycomeback. This is perhapsthe worst part about the

movie, because the Oscar-winner Witherspoon couldeasily be crowned the queen

of the rom-com (hello,Legally Blonde? SweetHome Alabama?)

With the wasted talentsof Robert Duvall, SissySpacek, Jon Voight, MarySteenburgen, to name a few,the film leaves you want-ing more. Luckily, thereare some hilarious sceneswith Jon Favreau and KatyMixon (his on screen wife)that stick out amongst thedrivel.

There is hope of a heart-warming ending, but thenthe film manages to con-tradict every positive fam-ily is important messageit shoves down your throatin the last three minutesof the film. It left me feel-ing irritated, and not tooChristmas-y. However, theVaughn-Witherspoon starpower has kept this film atthe tops of the box officetwo weeks in a row. So ifyou want to know what allthe fuss is about, check itout. It could be worse. Itcould be Eddie Murphy in afat suit, baking a fruit cake.Think about it.

2.5 OUT OF 5 STARS

KATIE BRADFORD

Glen Cairn's'geographic heart'

named after volunteerGCCA

The Glen Cairn Community Association (GCCA)would like to thank all the residents who expressed theirsupport for our application to rename Pumphouse Parkto the Clarence Maheral Park.

We would also like to thank Councillor Feltmate, hercolleagues and Mayor OBrien for voting to accept ourapplication as well.

Maheral is a most worthy recipient for his extraordi-nary leadership and service to our community.

For over 35 years both as a resident and a businessperson in our community, Maheral has served his com-munity in so many ways that have touched nearly everyresident to some degree.

Through his business of Abbottsford Moving &Storage, he has helped many local volunteer groupsand organizations including the Glen Cairn ChristmasParade, Canada Day and the Kanata Food Cupboard toname just a few.

We are very excited and thankful that finally the geo-graphic heart of our community will now hold the nameof a resident that exemplifies the heart and spirit of ourresidents.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The GCCA needs just a few more volunteers to helpclear the ice and flood the rink at Dogbone Park. Thereis training for new volunteers on making an outdoor rinkbut we need to register you now.

Visit www.kanatasouth.com for more on our activitiesor e-mail gcca@kanatasouth.com or call 613-867-3150.