Update March 10: Waffles is home. See second comment from Dan, below.

Robbie sent us this email overnight:

I just found a pup roaming around without its owner and with no tag on its collar, so I brought him home with me. I found him on the corner of Roosevelt Way Northeast and Northeast 82nd Street around 8 p.m. He is pretty young and white and brown. He is built like a basset hound mix with big floppy ears.

If you could post a story I will contact whoever responds right away.

Hoping to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day somewhere close and in the ‘hood? The Wandering Cafe, 7533 Lake City Way N.E., is at your service, but you’d better make your reservation quick.

The pickling of the brisket has already begun for the Fifth Annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Feast starting at 7 p.m. next Saturday, March 17. owner Kristine Pottle writes in her e-newsletter:

St. Patrick’s Day when I was growing up in Buffalo, NY was one of our most celebrated holidays. Everyone was Irish for the day. From the parades, music, green beer and abundance of delicious corned beef…the folks of western NY took it very seriously. I hope to share that tradition with you for the fifth year running!

The menu features: Cheddar Stout Rarebit, Crispy Parsnips and Smoked White Fish with Endive to start, followed by your choice of Corned Beef (prepared two ways!) or Mussels with Garlic Butter and Stout, Cabbage and Carrots, Colcannon, Smashed Spuds, and Greens and Nuts with Orange Vinaigrette. Of course, there will also be the obligatory Soda Bread with Irish Butter.

For dessert: Whiskey Burnt Oranges and Buttermilk Sorbet, as well as Oatmeal Cookies.

Included in the $48 cost (tax and gratuity not included) is a special brew of Green Beer from Elliot Bay Brewing Company, stout or whiskey; if you’d like wine, you’re welcome to bring your own.

Contact Pottle at [email protected] to make your reservation by March 14. Oh, and one more thing from Pottle:

Don’t forget your favorite Irish tale, tune or jig! (more…)

Update Thursday March 8: Note sure it adds much, but police this afternoon released this:

Detectives working an emphasis detail aimed at ending a series of recent pattern burglaries in north Seattle arrested a 21-year-old man during a break-in Wednesday afternoon.

The 21-year-old suspect broke into the victim’s car Tuesday night and stole an electronic garage door opener. He returned to the victim’s home the next day, used the electronic door opener to enter the garage, and tried to force his way into the home.

The homeowner, who was home at the time of the attempted break-in, yelled at the suspect, who fled.

Detectives arrested the suspect outside the home and booked him into the King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary.

Detectives continue to investigate the series of burglaries in the North Precinct and urge Seattle residents to be sure to lock doors and windows in their homes, and secure your car keys.

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About a dozen times in recent days burglars have entered occupied homes in the north end, usually overnight while people were sleeping.

Now our news partners at The Seattle times say sources tell the paper an arrest was made in Shoreline this afternoon that could be connected with the burglaries here. Officers have created a task force to tackle the “Occupied Residential Burglary Pattern.”

Have you seen this kitten wandering near Northeast 102nd Street and 12th Avenue Northeast?

Maple Leaf resident Rachel Marcotte tells us:

My kitten seems to have wandered off, and I’m worried about him and anxious to have him back. He’s all black, 6 months old, and wearing a hot pink collar. Last seen at my house at 12th and 102nd. He is microchipped. Anyone who finds him could report it to www.PetLink.NET or 1-877-738-5465.

Feel free to let us know, too, and we can get you in touch with Marcotte.

My kitten seems to have wandered off, and I’m worried about him and anxious to have him back. He’s all black, 6 months old, and wearing a hot pink collar. Last seen at my house at 12th and 102nd. He is microchipped. Anyone who finds him could report it to www.PetLink.NET or 1-877-738-5465.

Feel free to let us know, too, and we can get you in touch with Marcotte.

UPDATE: Zeke has been found! Marcotte tells us:

This evening when I got home from work I could hear him mewing loudly when I called him. Somehow he’d gotten himself up on top of a neighbor’s shed and I guess couldn’t figure out how to get down; it was a very steep roof and about 12 feet high. After a dramatic rescue involving my husband’s extension ladder he is now safely at home. He doesn’t seem the least bit chastened or even grateful and probably hasn’t learned anything from the experience!

In the continuing saga of north end burglaries, a Maple Leaf neighbor emails Monday night:

Someone attempted to break in on Friday; they ripped of my storm door and broke a window on my French doors. The slide lock was bent but it doesn’t look like anyone got in.

She lives on Northeast 96th Street between Eighth Avenue Northeast and Roosevelt Way Northeast. She continued:

I filled a police report and the cop said they have an idea who is responsible for the break ins. There are some people that live somewhere on Roosevelt and have been in jail but are now out and they may be to blame. They told me to tell all the neighbors and let you guys know that we all need to look out for each other so we can catch them in the act.

This morning Seattle Police Detective Renee Witt sent an email with the title, “North Seattle Burglar strikes again,” followed with more information this afternoon from Terrie Johnston, police crime prevention coordinator.

In the early morning hours today, there were occupied burglaries in the 4000 block of Sunnyside Avenue North, the 4100 block. of Sunnyside, and the 4200 block of Meridian Avenue North.

The criminal(s) entered through unlocked front door; unlocked back doors. Homeowners and their children were home sleeping at the time of these crimes, believed to have occurred between the hours of midnight - 6 a.m. Purses, laptops, Blackberry, camera, phone and car keys taken. One vehicle was subsequently taken.

Please check your doors and windows before leaving your home and before going to bed. It is common to open a window when cooking or showering, for example. Perhaps one of your house guests inadvertently left a window open without your realizing this.

Contractors might ask you to leave a window open so they can put an extension cord through for power, check it out! We need to slow the criminals down and hope they make enough noise to catch a watchful neighbor’s attention!

Update March 6, 7 a.m: Light snow overnight, more snow likely before 10 a.m. Accumulations up to 1 inch, according to the weather service.

Tonight’s National Weather Service forecast discussion takes the snow level below 500 feet, and that means Maple Leaf.

It’s the fifth sixth day out of the last seven eight that snow has fallen here (updated 5/6) on Mount Maple Leaf (thanks, Alyssa, for the nickname). We have two snow-related things going for us - we stick up some 460 feet above sea level AND we’re close to the Puget Sound Convergence Zone.

From the forecast discussion:

A COLD UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL MOVE OVER THE AREA TONIGHT WITH THE SNOW LEVEL FALLING BELOW 500 FEET. LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE LOWLANDS ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE PUGET SOUND CONVERGENCE ZONE.

THE PSCZ IS LOCATED OVER SOUTHERN SNOHOMISH COUNTY AND SHOULD DRIFT FARTHER SOUTH /INTO KING CO/ THEN FIZZLE OUT. SPOTTERS REPORTED LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS SO FAR /UNDER 1 INCH/ BUT THE BAND IS FAIRLY NARROW.

Want to know more about the convergence zone? KOMO’s Steve Pool has a discussion here, with graphics.

The rest of the week? Sun!

Solarize Northeast Seattle just started its campaign to help area homeowners add more-affordable solar panels at the start of this year, and already its got a home ready for installation of new solar panels.

On Wednesday, March 7, from noon to 1 p.m., you’re invited to learn more about the campaign and about solar panels at the celebration of the installment of a 21-panel, 3.99-kilowatt system at the just north of Maple Leaf on N.E. 115th St. From a new release about the installation, which is the first in this current campaign:

Solar installers from NW Wind & Solar will use a bucket truck to transfer material from ground-level to the roof, while representatives from Northwest SEED, Sustainable NE Seattle, A&R Solar, and NW Wind & Solar will be on hand to explain how the system works and provide a tour.

To date, more than 215 Northeast Seattle residents have registered to participate in Solarize Seattle: Northeast, a community effort designed to drive solar installations through a group purchase program. The campaign’s limited-time offer provides residents with a discounted price on solar and takes community members through a step-by-step process to purchase solar systems for their home or business. With the community leadership of Sustainable NE Seattle and Northwest SEED, the Solarize campaign intends to install more than 200 kilowatts of solar energy in Northeast Seattle by the summer of 2012 – enough annual energy to completely power 22 homes or 83 electric cars.

Residents residing in the 98105, 98115 and 98125 ZIP codes are eligible to participate, and you can learn more at the next Solarize Seattle: Northeast Workshop from 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Northgate Library, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E. Meetings are open to the public and do not require registration.

You also can learn more at the Solarize Northeast Seattle website, or contact Northwest SEED project coordinator Alexandra Sawyer at 206-457-5403 or [email protected].

Editor’s Note: The name and address of the residence this event took place at has been removed at the homeowner’s request.

The FBI today released surveillance photos of an armed robbery Friday afternoon of the U.S. Bank branch at Eighth Avenue Northeast and Northeast Northgate Way.

Witnesses said the robber was over 6 feet tall, possibly of mixed race, and wore all black.

The robbery occurred around 2 p.m. Our news partners at The Seattle Times have more here.

Anyone with information on the man is asked to call the FBI Safe Streets Task Force at 206-622-0460. Or they can remain anonymous and earn up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS.

On Wednesday Seattle police notified the neighborhood of three cases where burglars entered three neighborhood homes while the occupants were inside.

Make that seven.

Today police said at least seven vehicles have been stolen nearby in a series of burglaries:

Since January, a burglar or group of burglars have entered victims’ homes through unlocked doors during the late evening and early morning hours and stolen purses, laptops, ski equipment, and car keys before fleeing in the victims’ vehicles.

Most of the victims were unaware they had been burglarized until they awoke the morning after the break-ins.

The release calls out the Roosevelt and Green Lake neighborhoods, but we know from Wednesday’s story that at least two of the burglaries occurred in Maple Leaf.

Because of the increasing frequency of the burglaries, with four incidents just this week, and the unusual nature of the break-ins—burglars don’t typically break in to occupied homes—the North Precinct is concentrating patrols in the hardest-hit areas while detectives work to identify suspects. Patrol officers are also using patrol cars equipped with license plate readers to try to locate the stolen vehicles.

Although detectives haven’t made any arrests, they have identified a person of interest previously convicted for a series of similar burglaries in the last two years.

Read the full release here.

Update Saturday March 3: “We’re busting with books, so we’re lowering our regular hardback book prices today to $1 at the Friends Booksale.”

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Approximately 25,000 items will be up for sale at bargain prices at the 2012 Friends of The Seattle Public Library Mini Book Sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

From the library:

The book sale is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 2 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 3, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Warren G. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 30 Workshop. The Mini Book Sale will be held in a smaller workshop space adjacent to the hangar.

Items for sale will include a general selection of fiction and nonfiction books, CDs, DVDs and gift books. Hardbacks will sell for $2 and paperbacks for $1. All items are half price on Sunday, March 4. Proceeds from the sale help to support The Seattle Public Library.

For more information, call the Friends of The Seattle Public Library Book Sale at 206-523-4053, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.friendsofspl.org.

Tonight Mayor Mike McGinn will help the students, families and staff of Northgate Elementary School celebrate Family Literacy Night, which also is a celebration of Dr. Seuss’ 100th birthday, and will even feature the “Cat in the Hat.”

The March 1 event begins with a meal of pizza and salad at 6 p.m., followed by the mayor reading from his favorite children’s books. In addition, there will be presentations by Seattle Public Library and Seattle Schools Literacy Coach, literacy games and more.

A news release from Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle says that student academic achievement is on the rise at Northgate, a K-5 school where 90 percent of the students receive free/reduced lunch and 50 percent speak English as a Second Language.

The school is located at 11725 First Ave. N.E.; attendees are invited to dress like their favorite Dr. Seuss character.

After months of waiting, the University of Washington is opening its new Northgate Neighborhood Clinic at 314 N.E. Thornton Place on March 5, with plans to celebrate the new location with an open house from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 3.

UW Medicine physicians, Family Medicine residents and health care staff will be on hand to give tours of the new clinic and answer any questions. And to keep the mood festive, entertainment will be provided by the UW Husky Band and mascot Harry the Husky, with activities such as the “Passport to Health” available for both children and adults.

Services that will be available at the clinic include:

• Family Medicine
• Pediatric and adolescent medicine
• Adult and geriatric medicine
• Full service obstetrics and gynecology service, including pregnancy tests, prenatal care and delivery at UW Medical Center
• Sports medicine
• Counseling in nutrition, social work and mental health
• Minor surgical procedures
• Colonoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Onsite laboratory and digital x-ray facilities
• Adult and child immunizations
• Chronic disease management
• Family planning - including vasectomy and IUD services
• Physical exams
• Preventive health care
• Lung function testing
• Travel Medicine
• Women’s health care

Can’t wait to get in those doors? Tomorrow, March 1, you can start making reservations at the new clinic by calling 206-528-8000.

Update March 5, 3:30 p.m. Snowing now (technically graupel).

Update March 5, 6:45 a.m. Five of the past seven days.

Update March 1, 7:45 a.m. Yup, snowing again. Four of the past five days now.

Update Feb. 29, 8:15 a.m. Three out of the last four days.

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Two out of the last three days - at 6:10 p.m. it’s snowing again in Maple Leaf

Also at Green Lake, Wallingford, Shoreline, Silverdale…ain’t Twitter wonderful?

However, KOMO’s Scott Sistek tweets: “Don’t let the snow freak you out. It won’t be cold enough to stick within Seattle city limits.”

Police this afternoon are notifying local block watch captains that burglars today and Monday entered three neighborhood homes while the occupants were inside.

Two of the homes are in Maple Leaf, the other in Green Lake. All three occurred in the early morning hours.

One of the victims appears to have posted on our Facebook Page. He’s at Northeast 81st Street and Fourth Avenue Northeast. Update: The other was at Northeast 82nd Street and Third Avenue Northeast. (Grace emails to say: “Just a note, there is no 3rd Ave NE. It’s Latona Ave NE.”)

In addition, Mike posted today in the comments on Monday’s “car vandalized” post this additional information: “Two other vehicles were stolen (80th and 4th AVE NE, and 3rd AVE NE and 82nd). Does anybody have information on either of these incidents? Both are showing on the Seattle crime map and occurred in the last 24 hours . . . .”

This is from Terrie Johnson, police crime prevention coordinator. Her phone number at the North Precinct is 206-684-7711.

It appears that the victims in all cases believed that they may have left their doors unlocked. Wallets, cash, credit cards, purse, Nook and car keys were taken.

Subsequently, the victims’ cars were also stolen. Unfortunately, in one of the stolen vehicles, the victim reported leaving his cell phone, wallet (social security card inside); and expensive ski equipment.

Our Burglary/Theft detectives are working closely with Patrol officers on evidence collection and our Crime Analysis Detective is studying reports for other leads.

In the meantime, please be diligent about using the locks and latches you have. Rethink your habit of putting your purse/wallet and car keys on the table upon entering your home. If you hear or see anything suspicious, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.

I am available to conduct free home security surveys if you want to look at what improvements could be made from a burglary prevention standpoint. We still recommend leaving your front porch light on from dusk until dawn.

If you’re not already involved in the public planning process to improve the playground and park just south of Sacajawea Elementary, 9501 20th Ave. N.E., the second of three public design meetings is from 6-8 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 29, in the school’s lunch room.

SiteWorkshop, the design firm creating the master plan for the project, will present three rough design concepts based on feedback from the Jan. 31 meeting, but your feedback is still needed. Sacajawea says in its public invitation:

Come for their presentation, then ask questions, offer feedback, and learn more about how this project will move forward. We’ll have art supplies out for kids, and the steering committee will provide potluck snacks. Please help to spread the word to any friends and neighbors whom you think might be interested. Questions? Contact Tracy Patton at [email protected]. Thanks for your participation!

Can’t make the meeting? Give your feedback online.