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26 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 28, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com D O W N T O W N A M B I A N C E Winter Edition Studio time In his wisdom, Plato said that more is learned about a person through an hour of play than over a lifetime of conversation. Francesca Davila took a page from Plato's philosophical playbook and set up a dance and fitness business one decade ago while living in her native Colombia. Davila recently transplanted her company, called Studio Time, in Oakville with business partner Monica Benedetti. This Saturday (Nov. 29) Davila opens the doors to her 1,700 square-foot play space to allow citizens to discover the joys of Zumba dancing. Zumba is Latin dance and Hip Hop fused into a rhythmic workout that is as much fun as it is a health benefit. Studio Time's grand opening celebration takes place between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 231 Lakeshore Rd. E. Davila's 'Be happy, Be active' slogan applies to all ages with programs for children age one to 12, teens and adults. (Senior classes are planned for the future.) Zumba tots, Zumba kids, Zumba teens and Zumba, adult classes have already built up a popular following, thanks to Davila's instruction in community and recreation centres, as well as summer camps throughout the city. With her own studio space now, Davila invites a original special play and dance program, daycare kids to come play and dance in her studio for two hour blocks, at an inexpensive rate. Young fans of Dora and Diego will delight in a class of playing and singing in Spanish, as well as Carnaval circle time. Birthday parties are the special occasion they deserve to be with decorations, costume and facepainting in a variety of themes including karaoke, princes and princesses, Old MacDonald, mermaids and pirates. She invites the curious to come try a class, for free, and pick up some Merengue, Salsa, Reggaton and Cumbia dance movements and stretches that turn workouts into a relaxing or party atmosphere. With CanFit pro trained instructors, participants are guided along the way at every level of fitness. Christmas in Downtown Oakville! November 29 to December 22, 2008 Get into the spirit of the holidays all season long among the magic, the charm and the splendour that is downtown Oakville. As always, Santa's elves in the Oakville shops have outdone themselves preparing for a shopping experience unlike anywhere else. Escape the hustle-bustle of stressful mall shopping to stroll among the hundreds of boutiques and store-front businesses with professional-quality window displays along Lakeshore Road East. From 16-mile creek, eastward, Oakville businesses invite shoppers into their shops and restaurants to discover a magical holiday experience that is second-to-none inside each and every store. The stress of holiday shopping melts away, reminding us all that there still is joy in giving this season. Downtown Oakville truly is one of the premier shopping destinations in North America, and there's no better time to "Do It Downtown" than this holiday season. In the evenings and on weekends this season, over 100 boutiques will be open late with special extended holiday shopping hours. Visit www.oakvilledowntown.com for a list participating stores. Indulge in a holiday feast fit for royalty at one of the GTA's top restaurants, or bring home the finishing touches to your own, private feast from one of Downtown Oakville's bakeries, butchers and grocers. From gingerbread houses to brisket and other holiday canapés, foodies are sure to fulfill their wildest holiday epicurean dreams. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons starting November 29th, some of the finest caroller quartets in the Greater Toronto Area will liven up the streetscape, shops and restaurants with their harmonic melodies of Christmas classics. Santa Claus is also coming to town to delight children every weekend afternoon until the big day in December during special horse-drawn carriage-rides leaving from the `Santa Stop' at Towne Square (George Street and Lakeshore Road East) BIA Events Chair John Ziemba said: "The beauty, magic and charm of the season are evident in Downtown Oakville in a way that shopping malls simply can't impersonate." "Exceptional service and sense of community between shoppers and shopkeepers is the foundation of the shopping experience downtown, and the holiday season in general. Our stores, restaurants and professional services welcome new clients every day." Downtown Oakville truly is recognized as one of the premier shopping destinations in North America, and there's no better time to experience it than today, tomorrow and for the rest of the year. IS MOVING TO 466 SPEERS RD (3RD FLOOR) FLOOR ) A TRUSTED NAME IN OAKVILLE T 25 YEARS OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE N E W PAT I E N T S W E L C O M E SHOREWEST MASSAGE THERAPY CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTRE