Anchorage Daily News

A LITTLE OFF THE TOP ... Burt Wetzel, longtime clip artist at the barber shop in the Hotel Captain Cook, was lamenting that his historic record of cutting the hair of Alaska governors was doomed, given the gender of our current chief.

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Bill Sheffield

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Wetzel has cut the hair of every governor since Bill Egan, except for Steve Cowper.

A connected Earwig overheard and passed the lament on to Sarah who, the earwig reported, called Wetzel, better known to his customers as "Speedy," and asked for an appointment.

Wetzel refused to comment, but Palin's office confirmed that the governor has a date for "a trim." And the tradition continues.

ON YOUR MARK ... A local pollster tells Ear that if the election were held today, there's a good chance Mark Begich could knock off Ted Stevens. But unlike the numbers for Don Young that are making the rounds, Ted can still pull his fat out of the fire, this pollster says.

Word is that Mike Tibbles, Sarah's former chief of staff, will run the Stevens campaign. Another sign of the new Sarah-Ted love fest? Anyone taking bets on when the Palin endorsement of Stevens will be announced?

By the way, was anyone ever appointed to Tibbles' old job? Isn't what's-his-name still "acting?" (Don't write. Don't call. Ear knows his name is Mike Nizich).

BAD HAIR ... In last week's column, The Divine Appendage noted the passing of Corrections Commish Joe Schmidt's iconic goatee. So of course, Earwigs checked in this week to speculate why the guy shaved it off.

Those who like him or his boss said it was a solidarity gesture to show support for his troops who had to get rid of excess facial hair to comply with OSHA regulations involving the use of emergency respirators.

Those who don't like him or his boss claimed he was sticking it to the troops, reminding them of the regulation. Hmmm. Seems kind of subtle to Ear.

A QUESTION ... Is it true that former legislator and current con Tom Anderson has written 650 letters during his stretch in the federal pen? So far.

HOT TICKET ... It's probably sold out by now, but the annual fundraising dinner for the Scotty Gomez Foundation happens this Wednesday at the Egan Center. Super guests this year include hockey icon Gordie Howe and his sons Mark and Marty; Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the NHL; and Glen Sather, general manager of the New York Rangers, among others. More than 800 people are expected, says an organizer.

• Speaking of parties, Bill Sheffield's 80th birthday bash last week attracted a crowd of familiar names, including Frank and Nancy Murkowski; Don Young; Ted, Catherine and Lily Stevens; Emil Notti; Lesil McGuire; C.J. Zane; Willie and Abbe Hensley; Diane Kaplan; Jim Posey; Laurie Herman and Mary Louise Rasmuson, who can still party hearty at 97.

ON THE MOVE ... Chef Rob Kinneen, chosen to represent us next month in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off competition in New Orleans, has left the Crow's Nest for Orso.

ANOTHER QUESTION ... Did a high-profile prisoner get put in temporary detox when he reported recently to the Anchorage jail?

WELCOME TO THE WORLD ... as we know it, Taylor Moe, a daughter born to skiers Tommy Moe and Megen Gerety on June 28. Taylor is the first New Generation baby in the Gerety family, says Megen's sister Dawn. The couple live in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Tommy is the "ambassador" at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort.

Besides skiing, what are Tommy and Megen doing these days? "Staring at the baby," said Dawn.

ALSO WELCOME ... Outdoors writer Bill Sherwonit's new book got an early release in Alaska. And how many books is that? About 12. Must be Bill's early training as a deadline reporter for the old Anchorage Times.

Due out later this month in the rest of America, "Living with Wildness" is available at local bookstores. Ear saw it at Title Wave.

STAR-STRUCK ... Juneau was all abuzz last week about an alleged star spotting. Two reliable sources claimed to have seen Harrison Ford at the restaurant in the Baranof on July 1. Ear examined a photo offered as proof and is unconvinced. Could be any old guy with grey stubble and a baseball cap. The sighting included a yacht parked in the harbor.

A Web site that claims to keep track of Ford says he was in Vienna on June 29.

GOLLY WOW ... A letter from UAA to incoming students promises "a number of great events for you to participate in, for example: planting a tree, Chuck E. Cheese's, shuttle to Alaska State Fair and much more."

Compiled by Sheila Toomey, stoomey@adn.com, Find Ear online at adn.com/ear.

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