February 2024

West Seattle Junction Adopt a Basket blooms again
Help beautify the district by adopting a beautiful basket

It's almost Spring and that means it's time to adopt one ore more of the beautiful flower baskets that adorn the core downtown West Seattle Junction. The flowers are just seedlings now, and are in small containers germinating. In early spring they will be transferred to the large pots you see on our streets during the summer. 

This program, sponsored by the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA) has literally grown more successful every year

These special pots are reusable and have built in water storage enabling water conservation. Van Wingerden Greenhouse in Blaine is the supplier for the baskets.

Tim James, who lives in West Seattle has a green thumb and will be taking care of them.

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Pat's View: Speed kills

By Patrick Robinson

I’m going to bet that you have, sometime in the recent past, if you drive a car, driven over the speed limit. You may have in fact driven way over the limit, possibly cut someone off, or otherwise behaved badly on the road. You have the power after all. The wheel is in your hands. You have your foot on the accelerator and you have some place to be.

When they lowered the speed limits on local roads, you were probably angry about it. Maybe you still are. 

It’s all part of a campaign against drivers! Right? It’s all meant to force you out of your car and into a bus or a bike! Right?

Objectively speaking there’s some logic to that. More cars means more congestion, more crashes, more pollution and bikes are better for many reasons for those for whom it makes sense. But I’m not talking about that.

Do you know at what speed most traffic deaths occur?

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LETTER: Washington’s small businesses need the Credit Card Competition Act

 Dear Editor.

Credit card swipe fees impact businesses and consumers, but there’s a bill in Congress that will help cut rising swipe fees. It’s called the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA). The CCCA would reduce credit card swipe fees that cost small businesses 3% of every transaction by allowing merchants to choose from at least two different processing networks.

This change would have Visa and Mastercard compete with other comparable networks, forcing them to keep their swipe fee rates reasonable. This would help small businesses save on expenses, allowing them to keep prices lower for consumers.

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Security cameras at SWAC / Teen Life Center to be fixed in wake of homicide

One of the more disturbing revelations that came in the wake of the shooting death of 15 year old Mobarak Adam at the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle was that the security cameras there were non-functional. 

Now, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka has shared via his email message to constituents that the cameras are being replaced stating:

"I am pleased to report that Parks Superintendent AP Diaz has informed me that the security cameras at West Seattle’s Southwest Teen Life Center, where 15-year-old Mobarak Sharif Adam was killed, will be replaced! Parks plans to complete the project by mid-March at the latest. Thank you for your quick attention to this critical concern.  We continue to monitor the progress of the Police investigation and are in touch with Mobarak’s family. "

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With changes ahead YMCA asks for survey input from the community

The Fauntleroy YMCA is contemplating changes to meet public need and held a public meeting Jan. 16 to get feedback and share their thinking. 

As they work to assemble the results of what they heard they are asking that the public provide more input on the future of the facility via an online survey. They said:

To our Y community:

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Mission Cantina will close forever Feb. 17; Rising costs and other changes force closure

Mission Cantina at 2325 California Ave SW in the Admiral District has announced their closure, set to happen Feb. 17. In an announcement on social media the owners Peter Morse, Shawn Padilla & Tina Padilla shared their reasons and gratitude to the West Seattle community. 

The announcement:

After 19 amazing years, Mission Cantina must say "adios" to the West Seattle neighborhood we have long adored as family. This decision was not one arrived at easily. Due to rising operational costs, changes in the economy and an evolving hospitality landscape, we must close our doors.

Saturday, February 17th will be our final night.

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