Pirates Kill Couple, Mostly Sunny and Lakers Back

Today is Feb. 22. It is the 53rd day of the year. We are under a waning gibbous moon. Sunset will occur about 5:45 p.m. Here are five things to know:
1. Jean and Scott Adam, the couple with ties to the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, were shot and killed by Somali pirates, authorities said today. Another U.S. couple aboard the Adam's yacht S/V Quest, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, of Seattle, also were killed. Pirates hijacked the Quest on Friday and U.S. naval forces had been shadowing the yacht while negotiations were underway for the release of the hostages. A full story is right here.

2. The National Weather Service forecast for today calls for mostly sunny skies with a high near 60 degrees with partly cloudy skies tonight and a low around 44 degrees. It should be mostly sunny Wednesday, too.

3. Playa del Rey resident Phil Jackson and the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers (38-19) host the Atlanta Hawks (34-21) tonight at Staples Center. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.

4. Did you know you can follow Marina del Rey Patch, which also covers Del Rey and Playa del Rey, on Facebook and Twitter?

5. We're creating a new Moms Council that we hope will range from the working mom to the stay-at-home mom to the stay-at-home dad to the PTA parents to the soccer moms. The Moms Council will use its motherly expertise to facilitate discussions about parenting and help guide parenting coverage for the site. If you're interested, please send me an e-mail at: paul.chavez@patch.com.