Last night, my husband and I entertained friends at our favorite neighborhood sushi bar — Taka Sushi in Lynnwood. The tiny place was packed, and I couldn’t help but notice a couple dining in a corner with their toddler and a newborn baby. When they got up to leave, they stopped by our table and inquired, “Are you Nancy Leson?” Then, bless their hearts, they thanked me for turning them on to Taka, which they love and regularly frequent — despite the fact they live in the University District. Yes, I was busted: in the best possible way.

A 17-year-old boy accused of shooting a convenience store clerk to death during a robbery last month has pleaded not guilty.<p/>Elijah Hall entered the plea Tuesday to a charge of first-degree murder. He could face 20 to 26 years in prison if convicted.

Good news is rare in the newspaper business these days. But one paper says it’s clawing its way back from the brink. The publisher of The Seattle Times says his paper has started turning a profit. He attributes that to dramatic cost cutting and to the demise of the city’s other newspaper, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, which now exists only online.

SEATTLE, Aug. 11 (UPI) — Kenji Johjima stroked a two-run home run and Russell Branyan had a solo shot Monday in the Seattle Mariners’ 6-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.

In an effort to reduce plastic and paper waste, Seattle’s City Council imposed a 20-cent-per-bag charge last year. But the American Chemistry Council helped fund a petition drive that forced the issue to a citywide ballot that is coming up on Aug. 18.

Yes, it’s a forced shill to post this image, but I like the art.

SEATTLE, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Russell Branyan hit a grand slam Sunday, capping the Seattle Mariners’ 11-2 rout of Tampa Bay.

Authorities say that one day after Seattle police and county prosecutors told more than a dozen drug dealers to clean up their act or go to prison in a closed-door meeting, one of the dealers has been arrested.<p/>On Thursday night, Seattle police, prosecutors, friends, neighbors and family of 16 drug dealers operating in the city's Central District gathered for a meeting, in which authorities showed the dealers evidence they had collected and gave them an ultimatum: clean up or prepare to be arrested and prosecuted.