Entertainment : \'Life as we know it\', Iowa Football AND A FREE MOVIE

“When’s that one coming? My mom can’t wait to see that one,” asked a teen at the theatre last night, while hanging out in the lobby with his younger brother, waiting for the movie to begin.

He was referring to the poster for “Life As We Know It,” which plays the Palace this week – Friday, November 19 through Thursday November 25 at 7 p.m. nightly (INCLUDING THANKSGIVING!), and Monday, November 22 at 2 p.m.

Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel star as friends of a young couple killed in an accident. Holly and Eric (Heigl and Duhamel) are shocked to learn they been given a mansion and a baby in the will. They don’t like each other and neither knows much about caring for children. Let the predictable hilarity begin!

“Life As We Know It” runs 113 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sexual material, language and some drug content. This movie received the exact same kids-in-mind.com scores as “The Social Network,” so probably a bit more sex than you want your impressionable youth to witness.

IOWA FOOTBALL AND A FREE MOVIE

We’ve got lots of ways to wind down and relax this weekend. In addition to the laugh-a-minute “Life As We Know It,” catch Iowa versus Ohio State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Gerald will be grilling hotdogs and brats, rain or shine.

OK, maybe watching Iowa football isn’t exactly relaxing, but remember, admission is FREE!

On Sunday, thanks to the generosity of Virginia Gay Hospital, the Palace will show the holiday classic “Home Alone,” also at absolutely no cost to patrons, INCLUDING FREE POPCORN!

8-year-old Kevin McAllister is accidentally left behind when his family takes off for a vacation in France over the holiday season. Once he realizes they've left him home by himself, Kevin learns to fend for himself. He eventually has to protect his house against bumbling burglars Harry and Marv, who are planning to rob every house in Kevin's suburban Chicago neighborhood.

The above scenario can and has happened to more than one Horst child. Folks at St. Mary’s Catholic Church will vouch for the fact that a Horst kid is regularly left behind after Mass. And if you talk to Emma you’ll hear an exaggerated version of a vacation story, similar to the “Home Alone” tale.

What can I say – we take several vehicles to church, as we leave in shifts for choir practice, etc – and we always think the other parent or older sibling has the missing kid in their car. Unfortunately a detour to the playground without prior permission can have dire consequences.

Well, maybe not dire, but definitely embarrassing! As for our vacation story, I’ll let Emma tell that one.

Parents, bring your kids and enjoy a free movie and popcorn, visit from Santa, and stockings for the kids on Sunday. Special Thanks to Virginia Gay Hospital!

Or feel free to drop them off and check out the Downtown Vinton shops for great Holiday Open House bargains. Just don’t forget to pick up your kids after the show!