MICHAEL SWAN: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009 >>>

1. Doyle’s Public House hosts Vicci Martinez at 7 p.m. for a free show as part of its On The House Thursdays.

2. The documentary Earth, a feature-length spin-off of the BBC series Planet Earth, screens at The Grand Cinema.

3. As part of Tacoma Reads Together the Tacoma Public Library hosts a community conversation titled “The Farm Show” tonight 7 p.m. in the Main Library’s Olympic Room

4. Prodigal Sun’s dedicated band of thespians is now staging Joe Orton’s Loot â€" a play about the masks people wear as they try to remove those masks of others â€"  at The Midnight Sun Performance Space in Olympia.

5. Portland band Hillstomp will sing with wild abandon at The Eastside Club in Olympia.

MATT DRISCOLL: ANDREW FOARD AND DURANGO 95 ARE BACK >>>

Of all the pieces I’ve written for the Weekly Volcano, the story I did about a year ago on Andrew Foard â€" Durango 95’s young and growlingly iconic punk rock frontman who went into a diabetic coma on his 21st birthday â€" is one that still seems to reverberate.

Really, though, it had almost nothing to do with the words I wrote â€" and much more to do with the impact Foard has had on Tacoma and its music scene. To this day readers asking how Foard’s recovery has gone often approach me.

Well, this week I’m happy to say Foard and Durango 95 are back, scheduled to play a show at Hell’s Kitchen tomorrow night.

It’s a hell of a story from a band and a frontman that’s the pure definition of punk rock and Tacoma.

It’s also this week’s cover story. Click here to check it out.

Photo: Paul Schrag

MATT DRISCOLL: HAD TOO MUCH TO THINK LAST NIGHT >>>

Change happens. It’s an undeniable fact of life.

This week, proving the aforementioned adage, The News Tribune unveiled a shiny new version of itself â€" designed to be more eye-catching, bite-sized and condensed. The Trib is calling it a facelift, though I must sayâ€" based on my initial impression â€" the paper is still way less freaky than Joan Rivers.

This week also gave Susan Boyle to the world. Life may never be the same.

So, what do the two things have in common? Find out in this week’s Volcano editorial by clicking here.

JAKE DE PAUL: THURSDAY FOOD LINKS >>>

Food Matters in the South Puget Sound

McDonald's to launch a one-third-pound beef patty called the Angus Burger.

The new Food.com searches all the major recipe sites on the Web.

Today’s South Sound Specials

It's Tasty Thursday night at Cheney Stadium. Drink $2 beers, shove down a few $1 hot dogs, and watch the Tacoma Rainiers play the Salt Lake Bees at 7 p.m.

As part of Tacoma Reads Together’s book of the year, Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, The Tacoma Public Library hosts a community conversation titled “The Farm Show” tonight 7 p.m. in the Main Library’s Olympic Room. The Main Library branch is at 1102 Tacoma Ave. S. in downtown Tacoma. For more information, call 253.591.5688. For a complete calendar of Tacoma Public Library community conversations centered around this year’s book, go here.

McCrea Cellars Wine Dinner, 6:30 p.m., $70, Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar, 501 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia, 360.956.1928.

Wine tasting, 5-7 p.m., complimentary, Cork!, 3012 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.1492.

LINK: South Sound happy hours

NIKKI TALOTTA: AS CHARMING AS TODDLERS >>>

Since my first experience with Portland band Hillstomp, I can’t help but notice there’s not much difference between that bearded duo and my baby-faced toddler. Do they both sing with wild abandon? Yep. Are they dirty and loud? Uh-huh. Do they both bang on cans and buckets and somehow produce a unique, harmonious chunk of sound? You bet. The only difference is these gritty Hillstomp boys are old enough to get into the Eastside Club, and good enough to get paid. Swampy, electric and bluesy, with a bad-ass junkyard feel, Hillstomp has it. Get there early to pre-funk with Lucky Brown, and The Funk Revolution jazzin’ it up with their horn section. Eastside bartender/booker Andy says you’ll be pissed if you miss tonight's show.

[The Eastside Club, with Lucky Brown and The Funk Revolution, 9 p.m., $5, 410 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.357.9985]

NEWS TEAM: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009 >>>

Eleven people want the council to facilitate a $3.5 million loan for the LeMay Automobile Museum.

State lawmakers strike agreement on budget deal

Your leisure suit will cost you at Alaska Airlines.

Taliban forces are staring the capital of nuclear-armed Pakistan right in the face.

Not Tom's friend anymore?

Abdul says she’s irreplaceable on Idol.

NEWS TEAM: WANKERS OF THE DAY >>>

Oxymoron

Pussy Robber

Bush Co.

Dr. Fathead

MICHAEL SWAN: HAPPY HOUR DISCUSSION TOPIC >>>

OMG.