Welcome to Blue Sky

You're always welcome to join the discussion between 12-2 pm. You can call the studio at 1-800-716-2221 or 347-9500 if you're in Regina. You can also call talkback at 1-800-661-7540 or send us an email.

Today features the Three Amigos on all of the regional programs on CBC Radio One. Jen Gibson, Colin Grewar and Ted Deller host all three daily shows and take your music requests in exchange for a donation to the food bank.

We are also auctioning off a beautiful quilt created by Afternoon Edition producer Sharon Gerein. You can place your bid anytime today before 5:55 pm. Go here to see the latest bid and place one of your own.

Mrs. Claus made her annual visit to Blue Sky to take last-minute requests and answer questions about her busy husband and life at the North Pole.  You can listen in:
Mrs. Claus Part 1
Mrs. Claus Part 2
Mrs. Claus  Part 3
Mrs. Claus Part 4

Blue Sky is looking for the Best Santa in Saskatchewan! Send your nominations in by phone - 1-800-661-7540 (follow the voice prompts to Blue Sky) or send us an email. Tell us why you think your Santa is the best and we'll share your nominees with the rest of Saskatchewan during our show!

Are you a first time Mom or Dad from the Regina area? The University of Regina is doing some research on new parents. You can call 306-337-2592 or go to their website.

Birdline from Monday, December 10

Part One {Real Player runs: 12:59}
Part Two {Real Player runs: 14:40}
Part Three {Real Player runs: 12:16}

A BLUE CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE WITH BLUESKY

Jennifer and Amy Jo Ehman talk tasty Christmas treats.


Big Dave Mclean shares a blue Christmas with Blue Sky.


Dan Silljer gets blue, too.


Judy Craig shows us some great homemade ornaments.




Our fearless leader Michelle McCaw makes sure the show goes smoothly.

If you think you might have suffered frostbite to your legs, our health columnist would like to hear from you. Just email us or call talkback - 1-800-661-7540 - and leave us your name and number.

Here is what a broiler chicken looked like at 55 days of age in 1957...



and then twenty years later..



and (drum roll please) now...


Time for a diet?

Katherine from Regina dressed up her dog, Sugar to show her Rider Pride...







LaRonge is getting into the Green and White Spirit...


Tom Roberts gets into Rider Pride at Eddie's Sports Bar.


Manager Jason Krienke pours the green Pride...


and then shows off his Rider collection.

Birdline in Four Easy Steps!
It's not easy being close to a radio when Birdline is on, so we've got it here, in RealPlayer format for your listening pleasure. Someday we'll have a podcast but for now, streaming audio will have to do. Enjoy!

Birdline part one [runs 14:58]
Birdline part two [runs 14:56]
Birdline part three [runs 14:18]
Birdline part four [runs 2:57]

Gifts for Birders
Looking for a good gift for a seasoned or new birder?  Check out Trevor Herriot's list:

Membership in Nature Sask: $25 per year. Nature Regina, also Stoon, Swift Current and SWest, Weyburn, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Preeceville, Ft Qu'Appelle, Yorkton, Indian Head

Binoculars-7 or 8 power, by 30 to 42 mm. Brands-Bushnell, Pentax, Minolta, Nikon, Bausch & Lomb, Canon, Swift, Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski. USE betterviewdesired.com. Camera stores can order in and they have catalogues.

Spotting Scopes-if you want to go further a scope can make a big difference. Objective lens 60 mm or larger. Wide angle 20 or 30 power eyepiece. $350 to $1500. Need a high quality tripod. Camera stores can order in and they have catalogues

Field guides-The Sibley Guide to birds, by David Allen sibley-55.00 but worth it. Can get Western or Eastern and pay ½ the price.

National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, Jonathon Alderfer-a companion to the field guide. Larger. More details on ID and migration, distribution, etc. $48

Tapes and CDs of bird songs: www.nevillerecording.com , also Birds of Canada CD set. $20 to $30. "Birdsong Ear Training Guide", and "Birding by Ear." CDs.

Binocular straps again camera store--$20

Misc other little things: other bird books (Nature Sk, special publications, see "special pub" link on site-Birds of Saskatoon, Atlas of Sask Birds-invaluable books), field notebook; bird baths, bird feeders, suet cake and feeder, nest boxes, shade coffee; bug-shirt, a good hat (Tilley type) GPS-down in price to $150 now?

Another web resource: www.birdwatching.com  - go to link for birding gifts

If you hear anything on Blue Sky that you want to comment on, call us at our talkback line: 1-800-661-7540 or send us an e-mail.