Anchorage Daily News

CARBON FOOTPRINTS ... At a work session Friday, Assembly Chair Dan Coffey asked multiple times where the city's Rosewood recycling center is located. D'Ears, we all know not everyone in this city recycles but surely a civic-minded public official should. Or at least find out where he could, if he wanted to, you know, like tell others where to go.

Maybe Darling Dan should Netflix "An Inconvenient Truth."

TOO MUCH BABE ... So, have you Googled "Sarah Palin" recently? You might have to do it a couple of times before the three pictures come up. Two are routine photos of Sarah. The third is, well, this is a family newspaper so you better see for yourself. The word naughty comes to mind. Naturally Ear loves it.

DOGGONE ... Speaking of the governor, and everyone always is these days, her new baby definitely won't be named Agia, her office said Friday.

Ear wasn't surprised. It's the name most suggested by snarky gossips but The Omniscient Orifice remembered Palin named a new puppy Agia last year. It seemed unlikely she'd give a baby the same name.

However, there are new developments. Agia the dog, a gift from Curt Menard, is gone. It was badly behaved and got sent to doggie reform school. The trainer, a family friend, offered to keep Agia, and apparently everyone liked the idea.

Now the family has a new puppy, a Pomeranian-poodle mix. "A tiny puppy, it can fit in your hand," cooed press aide Sharon Leighow. Its name is Indie. Ear immediately flashed on the Indy 500 -- Todd and all that. But no. We're told it's short for "Independence."

ANOTHER BABE ... Alaska will be represented by Jayme Johnson of Nondalton in this spring's Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. She lives in Anchorage, graduated from West High in 2005 and goes to UAA, according to her Ear note. She was chosen by Ted and Catherine Stevens. She's expected to present maybe 65 "delegates" with gift bags. "Memorable and distinctive" gifts, she hopes. Alaskan stuff. It looks like you can reach her through the Chugach Alaska Corp.

The crowning's on April 12.

MONOLOGUE ... Looks like Rep. Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, has lost that $50 bet that he wouldn't say anything stupid this session. At least according to an exchange between Ramras and KTUU political reporter Bill McAllister after Sarah's impromptu visit last week to the Legislature.

A version of the exchange is speeding around the state on e-mail. It's supposedly from McAllister's blog, but Ear can't find it there now. This copy comes from the Fairbanks News-Miner Web site and has Ramras dissing the governor's visit as "theater."

"I then suggested that if such is the feeling among the majority, the House is headed toward "a V bomb," McAllister wrote.

"Ramras asked, 'What's a V bomb? Vagina?'

"I said, "Look where your mind is. It's 'vetoes.' "

"Ramras said, 'I'm positive. Vetoes are negative. Vagina is positive and beautiful.' "

MORE ... What is it about Fairbanks that brings out Earish quotes? The News-Miner last week quoted Don Young, Congressman for All Alaskans Who Voted for Him, saying the following: "Don't get caught up in the idea that AGIA is the only brothel in town."

Do we sense a theme with these guys from the City on the Edge of Nowhere?

BUSTED ... Those of you who, like Ear, had trouble believing Anchorage School Superintendent Carol Comeau hadn't ever gotten a really big public award were right to doubt. Ever-vigilant earwigs reminded the not-so-Omniscient whatever that Carol got the Chamber of Commerce's lofty Athena Award two years ago. This year's award luncheon is set for April 4 at the Marriott with the 2006 winner, Judge Morgan Christen, as a speaker.

ON THE MOVE ... Alaska reporters traveling to the Beltway on assignment will need a map of the nation's Capitol when Joel Southern, long-time APRN Washington correspondent, moves to Denmark this summer.

For 16 years, Joel has been a helpful colleague who always had time for Alaska journalists far from home. In an e-mail farewell, he said his wife, Helene, is from Denmark and wants to go home.

FLYING FACTOID ... Check it out. The Democratic Party Web site lists what might appear to be all the D's running for U.S. Senate and U.S. representative. But wait. They list Mark Begich for senator and he hasn't filed yet. Claims he hasn't even decided yet.

They don't list Ray Metcalfe, who has officially filed as a Democrat. Maybe they had Rocky Caldero up before he dropped out last month.

In Don Young's race, they list Jake Metcalfe, who doesn't show up on the list of filed candidates on Division of Elections Web site.

Granted, "Democrat" may be a party of convenience for Ray Metcalfe, once again, but should the party be making those judgments?

MACKEY ATTACK ... Stand aside, McDonald's. Alaska now has the "Lance Burger." Served at Mia's Cafe, 22.5 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road, near Fairbanks. It's 12 ounces of plain or garlic-seasoned beef, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions, cheese, bacon, mushrooms and jalapenos, on a sesame seed bun. The owner of Mia's cafe, Elliot Lowe, says "Lance is a winner and we think his hamburger is too." Apparently Lance will get $1 from the sale of every Lance Burger.

Compiled by Sheila Toomey. Find Ear Online at adn.com/ear.

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