We have broken free of our Internet tubes and will be on ShawTV (channel 10 for Shaw subscribers) tonight at 9pm. (Again at 9:30.)

Consider this blog post a safe place to let us know how you feel about that. And what you think of the program we call a “local news variety show.”

I think the kids call this a live blog. Let the conversation begin!

Here’s where we’ll be watching the show (until 9pm please enjoy our municipal election special):

(For more information on the segments, stories, interviewees, and music in episode 1 (“firsts”) head over to our page on the episode (which goes live at 9).

Also, there’s a contest portion to tonight’s fun. With the winner claiming a pair of 2-for-1 passes to West Edmonton Mall attractions.

Watch for 2 continuity errors in 2 different segments, e-mail us or post a comment when you see them, and wait for the prizes to flow down upon you like rain.

The West Edmonton Mall passes are buy-one-get-one-free single-day admissions to the waterpark, mini-golf, Galaxyland, the Ice Palace, Sea Caverns, Sea Lions’ Rock, putt’n'glow, or a game of bowling or hour of billiards at Ed’s Rec Room.

I’m listening to the new Falklands EP “Slumber Party” as I type to you, Edmonton.

It’s a little slower, maybe more mellow, than their album “Think About It.” It’s a good mellow.

Wait, $3?

Wow! Those Falklands know how to have a good time. (They also love backgammon. Ask them about that some time.)

Speaking of good times…Falklands will be throwing one heck of a hall show this Saturday, with Ben Disaster & The Cosmonauts, The Group Sound, and The Dizzies. You get all of that great, Edmonton, rock ‘n’ roll for just $10. Bands start at 7pm for this all ages show at Idylwylde Hall.

How about we give you some free tickets? Yeah, that sounds about right. Let me know in the comments what delicacy I enjoyed with Falklands guitarist Mark Budd and you’re in the draw.

This is the kind of fun you could be having. Tambourine fun:

p.s. To spread the love you can’t have won anything from us in the last 30 days.

Do you guys remember One Way State?

“This is our second tour since we’ve been a band,” says lead singer Cody Mack. “After our first tour in November 2010, we were already itching to get back on the road.”

“We seriously can’t wait to hit the road again. We’d love to do this full-time, but day jobs get in the way. Nick is a supervisor in a warehouse, Charley works in television, I’m a server, and Brandon is a mechanic, which comes in handy on the road. All of us would quit everything for a chance to make a living playing music.”

Cody explains that their first tour was paid for by money from past shows and ticket and merchandise sales – and they’re hoping to do the same this time around.

Anyway, despite the fact that, as Cody explains, “Each t-shirt sold is 1/4 tank of gas, so touring bands like ours REALLY appreciate it when you buy their merch,” One Way State is giving away a t-shirt AND a pair of tickets to their tour-opening show this Thursday. To get into a draw for the t-shirt and tickets you just have to leave a comment naming a One Way State song.

“Edmonton has been very kind to us…we know that Edmontonians love live music and love supporting homegrown talent. We’ve been very fortunate to have the family, friends, and fans that we do. They’ve all been very supportive, and we are in deep appreciation if this.”

This pretty much sums up most people's attitude to biking in the winter. Forget about it!

A proud, bicycling Edmontonian thinks he’s the Coldest Canadian.

And after watching the icicles build-up on Nathan Smith’s beard, it’s hard to argue with him.

I mean, this time of year you’re going to find most bikes tucked away in garages, buried in snow, or just plain abandoned.

Nathan, however, is one of the growing number of Edmontonians who are outfitting their bikes, and themselves, to ride just about 365 days. The video you see above is Nathan’s entry to a contest from Air New Zealand called “Coldest Canadian.” Those wacky Kiwis are giving away airfare, accommodations, and island adventure to a chilly Canadian.

So, go vote for Nathan, so he can enjoy a little beard-defrosting fun in New Zealand.

Before we get to the new prizes Paul has dug up, let’s meet our current entrants to Uncle Pauly’s Christmas Challenge. And thank them for all their good work, donating to charity.

Deja’s been a busy fella. He donated a karaoke toy to Santa’s Anonymous (as he says; perfect for annoying your parents!)

Hope Mission received $20 in honour of The Hilarious Comedian Carrot Top

SPCA got $50 in memoriam of The Hilarious Comedian Carrot Top (a pet)

Thanks to Deja for his three entries. That’s right, each photo of a donation is an entry. He also says his “…beard is a donation to all the ladies of the world. *wink*”

We aren’t counting that as an entry.

Greg dropped a toy into the Santas Anonymous box before their big toy delivery. Nicely done!

And the Edmonton Food Bank got a nice little late season surge thanks to a Friday tweetup at Original Joe’s Varisty Row. Thanks to Kat for snapping photos of everyone.

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(Holy loss of formatting Batman!)

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Now, here’s what we’re adding to round out the contest.

A $100 Future Shop gift card, thanks to Richard at Global Analyzer Systems.

A Viking Weekly Review toque to go with the scarf and one-year subscription.

Season 1 DVDs of Cougar Town and The Cleveland Show

2 re-usable coffee sleeves, made with love by Marilyn, and a six-month subscription to Transcend Coffee (which means new, fun coffees delivered to your home thanks to the Transcend team).

That’s on top of all the great stuff we’ve already put up for grabs:

• $100 Original Fare gift card
• $25 Chapters/Indigo/Coles card, a $25 iTunes card, a $25 Empire Theatres card, and a $25 Zellers/HBC card (thanks to Paul Poulsen)
• 2 mugs, buttons (thanks to The Unknown Studio)
• 2 tickets to Saint-Saens’s Second Piano Concerto (thanks to the ESO)
• 1 year subscription to Viking Weekly Review and VWR toque and scarf (thanks to Lorraine Poulsen, editor VWR)
• $80 Rexall gift basket (thanks to Katz Group)

So, those are all of the prizes that are available in our draw.

You send us a photo of you donating something in the neighbourhood of $10 (or more, if that’s how you roll) and your name goes into the draw. We’ll choose winners this Wednesday. Then we all get egg nog drunk.

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Update: We’ve got another entry. So you better get your photos in by noon!