Plans are finalized for the 2009 Full Circle "Polka Cruise with the Stars" sailing to the Western Caribbean on the new Italian MSC Orchestra. Members of Full Circle are Lenny Gomulka, Jimmy Weber, Al Piatkowski, Mike Stapinski, Roger Malinowski and Mike Matousek. Visit http://www.gonefullcircle.com to learn more

Don Hedeker of the Polkaholics reports that Lynette Kalsnes produced a great piece for WBEZ Radio in Chicago that aired on April 8, 2008, during the "All Things Considered" show. He pleads "please don't let the polka die."

An article in the Chicago Sun-Times in early April talked about how the Chicago airports will be playing music by Chicago area musicians. No polkas were listed in the first set, so fans are hoping polka will be included the next go around.

Ethnic Jazz, actually a pretty traditional polka band despite the name, traveled from Ohio to the East for the first time in mid-April. They appeared at Lily Of The Valley Hall in Cheektowaga, N.Y., and the Polish American Citizen's Club in Ludlow, Mass.

The Irwin Male Chorus of Irwin, Pa., asked Andrew Hresko, 14 years old, to play "The Pennsylvania Polka" on his accordion at its annual spring concert on April 18, 2008, at Westmoreland County Community College. Andrew has been playing for about seven years and has been studying under his Grandfather, Andrew Hresko, Sr., formerly of the Polka 5, Blue Blazers and Debonaires of Mt. Pleasant.

The Knewz and Dennis Polisky & the Maestro’s Men perform at the Welcome Home Jenny Bulanda Dance at Polonia Banquets in Chicago on June 29, 2008. Jenny, daughter of bandleader Stas Bulanda, has been serving our country in the armed services.

The Knewz had a CD release party for their new album entitled "4th Edition" on April 19 at Pott’s Banquet Hall in Buffalo, N.Y. Seven of the 15 songs on the CD are originals written by members of the band. More about the recording is available at http://www.theknewz.com .