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FAIRBANKS - For many years he has been known professionally in Fairbanks as “Charly, Thee Piano Player,” entertaining visitors from around the world and residents from around the block.

Charly Hardage is struggling with a liver disease and has been in Oklahoma for the past couple of months for treatment.

Friends in Fairbanks are rallying to give him a hand, said Steve Mitchell, who counts himself among that crowd.

He describes Hardage as a versatile musician who “lives to entertain people.”

Mitchell spoke to Hardage the other day and reports that Thee Piano Player is feeling stronger. He is staying with his mother in Oklahoma.

If you have been in Fairbanks very long you have probably heard him playing anything from backup in a rock band to solo ragtime tunes. He has played at the Silver Spur, the Princess Hotel, the Palace Saloon, the Malamute Saloon and the Regency Hotel.

“It was good to hear that he’s doing better,” said Mitchell.

Hardage has a long and difficult recovery ahead of him and needs financial assistance.

Donations to the “Jimmy Charles Hardage Donation Account” are being accepted at all branches of Denali State Bank.

They can be mailed to Denali State Bank, 119 North Cushman, Box 74568, Fairbanks,

99707-4568.

For more information, call Mitchell at 456-2692.

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DON EAGLE: Friends of the late Don Eagle have set up an account at Denali State Bank to accept contributions to help offset some of the expenses his family accrued during his battle with pancreatic cancer.

The Don Eagle donation account is No. 104-8628 and donations can be made at all branches. The bills are in the tens of thousands of dollars.

“The family would appreciate any help that friends and associates could contribute to help defer the overwhelming medical costs incurred since late summer when his problems began,” said friend Sonia Cooper.

Eagle, 55, died Dec. 20 at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

For about five years, Eagle was a rural mail carrier, mostly in the Steele Creek Road area.

Before that, he worked in a variety of jobs over the years, starting at Thompson Ford when he moved to Fairbanks in the mid-1970s and later at Barricades and Safety Equipment.

He had a great interest in carpentry, golf, basketball and local politics. He ran for city council three times.

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FOOD BANK JOB: The Fairbanks Community Food Bank needs your help Jan. 17, as part of an event that is being timed to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Michelle Obama has made it clear that supporting food banks is going to be one of her priorities, so the local food bank is doing its part to highlight its work. In addition to the food-packing volunteers, the bank is asking for 400 families to make a donation of food to the bank to support its on-going operations.

The bank is looking for 100 volunteers to show up that Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to pack boxes for needy residents.

All volunteers are asked to sign up in advance, so that there aren’t too many at once. Call Pam at the American Red Cross, 456-5937.

“We will be packing food boxes for Interior and rural Alaska for those who want to volunteer, and also accepting donations for those who wish to join in Mrs. Obama’s desire to support the nation's food banks,” said Food Bank Executive Director Sam Kirstein.

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TRY AGAIN: The forecast for a bit warmer temperatures by the end of the week, perhaps a high of 30 below, leads Michelle Roberts of Festival Fairbanks to think that this weekend might be more appropriate for the statehood anniversary fireworks display. Or perhaps the following weekend, if the chill persists.

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BOOK SIGNING: It was a bit on the chilly side, but we had a great time at a book signing Saturday afternoon at Gulliver’s Books on College Road. I appreciated everyone who attended and the warm welcome from the staff at the store.

It was wonderful to hear from so many old friends and followers of this column. I can’t say enough to thank you or express my gratitude.

Gulliver’s has asked me to return again this weekend to sign copies of my new book “North to the Future: The Alaska Story, 1959-2009.” I plan to be at the store on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hope to see you there.

If you have a column suggestion or a comment, contact me at cole@newsminer.com or 459-7530.