HOWDY-DO . . . This was an amazing moment, the first of many no doubt, brought to us by the RonGOPs, the people who recently took over the Alaska Republican Party.

There was a fund-raiser last week for the legislative House Majority, meaning House Republicans running for re-election. Earwigs report the incoming chairman of the state Republican Party, Russ Millette, was there. So was the governor.

Real Republicans in the crowd were gobsmacked when Millette made a little speech, noting among other things how happy he was to meet Gov. Sean Parnell for the first time.

Huh? Republican governor, say howdy to the head of the state Republican Party?

Do we think that's ever happened before? Anywhere?

LEMONS TO LEMONADE . . . An event at Bill Sheffield's home Wednesday to raise money for the House co-chairs of Finance was touted as a chance to give money to "two Bills in Juneau that deserve support."

They meant Bill Thomas and Bill Stoltze.

A QUESTION . . . Did Ear miss the rest of the story? Have there been any repercussions for Rebecca Logan, a RonGOPer who manages the aggressively pro-oil Alliance? Logan was part of the make-believe Republican convention that met two weeks ago, after the real convention died for lack of a quorum.

According to news accounts, Rebecca proposed that the GOP freeze out -- as in deny money to -- Republican state senators who belong to the ruling Senate coalition. That would include Kevin Meyer.

Kevin Meyer? Has he ever voted against oil? Oil loves him.

Anyhow, Ear waited expectantly for the Alliance board to "discipline" Rebecca, but she's still listed on their website as manager.

Does big oil really want RonGOPs running things? Oh well, more fun for Ear.

TED AGAIN . . . The first line in last Sunday's N.Y. Times review of a new book about the Internet read:

"The title of Andrew Blum's first book, 'Tubes,' is a tacit and playful acknowledgment of something the world's digerati have long known: Ted Stevens was right."

Yes, Ear previously mentioned this book and its vindication of Stevens' much ridiculed characterization of the Internet as "a series of tubes." But it seems worth mentioning again as an object lesson on something, maybe the pitfalls of a cheap laugh.

The review goes on: "You remember Ted Stevens ... He was an easy target. He seemed cranky and out of touch. He looked like the kind of guy who didn't know the difference between the ROTC and ROTFL."

Then again, he probably did.

KUDOS . . . A strip by Alaska cartoonist Peter Dunlap-Shohl is included in a collection of work by famous artists to honor and support Richard Thompson, creator of the cartoon strip "Cul de Sac" after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It's a fund-raiser for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Peter was a particularly willing contributor; he's had Parkinson's for years. He's also got a book of his own in the works.

A REAL STOMACHACHE . . . Mat-Su Borough fans are following the drama of the M/V Susitna ferry -- as in, what are they going to do with that thing? They got 20 million federal bucks to use it for public transportation and might have to repay the money if they don't. The plan was to shuttle traffic to the Port of Anchorage.

Whoops.

Anyhow, borough officials are exploring their options, which apparently include some kind of belly button attack capability. Or so the lead story in the Frontiersman indicated:

"Private companies aren't the only ones the borough is courting. 'We also have been working with NUWCC, the Navel Under Water Warfare Command Center, to also potentially use the boat,' (borough manager John Moosey) said."

(And yes, the Mad-Zoo boro manager's name really is "Moosey.")

DO SEND A FONDU . . . to ASRC CFO Charlie Kozak, and Judy Novelli. Friends claim Charlie is shy, but Ear isn't buying it. After all, he popped the question to the dishy Judy at a romantic moment in Hawaii. Doesn't sound shy to the Luscious Lobe. The wedding is set for next year.

WE LOVE TOURISTS . . . The Skagway News' column "Heard on the Wind" is eavesdropping again:

"A newcomer to Alaska was on a tour and asked about the flora and fauna. At one point the guide talked about Rubus Spectabilis, aka Salmonberry, to which the ... lady responded, 'Alaskan salmon eat berries? How do they jump that high?'"

Compiled by Sheila Toomey Message Sheila at ear@adn.com Find Ear online Sunday night at www,.adn.com/ear.