Not to be a downer, but the news hasn’t been so good lately. We’ll start with some cheerful neighborhood organizing and then move on to the more depressing Bits:

• The Othello Neighborhood Association will meet on Tuesday, 7:00 pm, at Holly Park Community Church, for an open-forum discussion and for nominations for ONA’s 2009 Executive Board. All who live or own property in Othello (bounded on the north by Graham, south by Kenyon, east by Rainier Avenue, and west by Beacon Avenue) are welcome — Rainier Valley Post
• A rape attempt was reported at Franklin High School last week; a 15-year-old girl says a student of the same age pulled her into a boys’ restroom while a 16-year-old boy held the door closed — Seattlest
• Beacon Hill resident Deb Manuma has paid her rent faithfully for years, but, unjustly, will have an eviction on her credit record anyway, because of a deadbeat landlord — Seattle P-I
• A couple was assaulted in a restaurant lounge just south of Beacon and Columbian last night. There was a verbal altercation, then five suspects hit the victims on the head with beer bottles. Police were called, the victims were taken to a hospital to be treated for cuts on the head, and the suspects fled the scene. — SPDBlotter
• What is going on this weekend? 11 people shot and one stabbed in the Seattle area this weekend, including a shooting in Southcenter Mall and others in the Rainier Valley, Belltown, Skyway, and more. (When Jason told me about this Sunday evening, it was only nine people shot at that point.) Three of the victims are dead so far. When did Seattle turn into Detroit? And what can we do about it? — Seattle P-I