Check out Buddy Tabor's "Box Of Pain," his ninth full-length album and first since 2005's "Hope: The First Step Toward Disillusionment." He'll appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 10th Street and Glacier Avenue.

Hooligan caught up with the Douglas resident in light of the upcoming concert, which celebrates the release of his CD and will raise money for the Alaska Folk Festival.

When asked about the CD, he said, "It seems to lean a little heavier. There's not really a happy song on there, and I'm not sure why that is. Maybe I'm getting older and dying."

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Venables to portray Judge Wickersham

JUNEAU - Haines resident John Venables will portray Judge James Wickersham in "The Journey to Statehood - Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood" at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Centennial Hall.

Aug. 24 is the 150th anniversary of Wickersham's birth.

This program is partly sponsored by the Alaska Humanities Forum and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The one-hour program includes Venables, dressed as Wickersham, telling the stories of Wickersham's life as civil government was established in the Third District of the Alaska Territory.

There will be several presentations around Alaska during the next 15-plus months, including Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Fairbanks, Eagle, Anchorage, and possibly Nome and Barrow.

It leads up to Jan. 1, 2009, the official date of the statehood bill signed by President Eisenhower 50 years earlier.

The Judge James Wickersham program will be the third of the Southeast Alaska History Storytelling programs.

Zach Gordon Center to host Climbing Festival on Sept. 1

JUNEAU - The Zach Gordon Youth Center will hold a Climbing Festival Extravaganza from noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1.

The event will include a friendly climbing/bouldering competition with music, food and prizes, including a drawing for a season pass at Eaglecrest Ski Area.

DJ AstronoMAR and DJ Smack will provide the entertainment.

Cost is $5 for those under 18, $10 for adults. Call 586-2635 for more information.

Hermann, Wilder potluck set for Aug. 26 at Sandy Beach

JUNEAU - A community celebration and potluck will be held from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at Sandy Beach for Jeffrey Herrmann and Sue Wilder, longtime contributors to the Juneau arts scene.

Wilder, Perseverance Theatre's former production manager, has worked with Theatre in the Rough, Opera to GO!, Juneau Lyric Opera and Juneau Jazz & Classics. She's also acted and is a beader/jewelry maker.

She's leaving to be closer to family in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Herrmann, the producing director at Perseverance, is leaving to become the new managing director at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, D.C. A weekly host on KRNN/102.7 FM, he's also played hockey and been a member of the Juneau Rotary Club.

He's leaving for D.C. with his fiancee, actress Sara Waisanen.

Burgers and buns will be provided, but those attending are asked to bring "menu supplements." Those with a last name from A-G are asked to bring appetizers, chips and drinks; H-R, salads and sides; S-Z, desserts.

Cash donations will be accepted for going-away gifts and can be mailed to Sharon Gaiptman, P.O. Box 20385, Juneau, AK 99802.

For more information about the going-away party, send an e-mail to sgaiptman@yahoo.com or telephone 364-2421.