STEN'S HOT SEAT

Everyone and their mother are contemplating a run for Erik Sten's city council seat following last week's announcement of his early departure. Confirmed so far are: lawyer and affordable housing advocate Nick Fish, Dan Saltzman's Chief of Staff Brendan Finn, and planning consultant Nick Popenuk, who is switching from the mayoral race. Cal Skate owner Howard Weiner is still mulling a switch from the race for Adams' seat, while Tom Markgraf, a former aide to Earl Blumenauer, is also reported to be considering a run. County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey, meanwhile, has decided not to give it a go—contrary to earlier rumors. MATT DAVIS

SHIN UP

Shins keyboardist Marty Crandall will not face charges in Sacramento following his arrest last week for alleged domestic violence. Neither will his then-girlfriend, Elyse Sewell, who—after making bail—blogged about the entire incident. "Both defendants have not been charged," said Diane Richardson of the Sacramento County District Attorney's office, on Tuesday, January 8. "The case was rejected due [to] insufficient evidence." Sewell responded on her blog by saying it was "incredibly naïve of me not to realize that my blog entry about this incident would become tabloid fodder." She continued: "I will never speak of this again, nor malign Marty in this space. And tomorrow this'll be fish wrap." EZRA ACE CARAEFF & MATT DAVIS