West Seattle, Washington
24 Wednesday
(Images courtesy Fleurt/Willow)
Big announcement from the shop at 4536 California SW in The Junction – a new name and new owner (who customers will already know well)
Hi friends,
We have some exciting news to bring to the neighborhood!
In 2010, Fleurt was founded in the heart of the West Seattle Junction as a small flower shop. Over the years, it grew into something more — a cozy, curated space filled with plants, home goods, accessories, and heartfelt community connections.
As we celebrate 15 wonderful years, we’re thrilled to share that Fleurt is now becoming Willow. While the name is changing, the spirit remains the same. We’re still a family-run business, and now, Keonii – daughter of original owner Sam — will be taking the reins as owner, continuing to lead day-to-day operations with the same love and care you’ve come to know.
At Willow, you’ll still find your favorite brands, along with fresh new finds in jewelry, accessories, clothing, wellness, plants, and home decor.
Join us to toast this exciting new adventure on Saturday, May 3rd from 5-8 PM — we’ll have bubbles, snacks, and lots of love to go around.
Thank you, West Seattle, for 15 amazing years of support. We’re so grateful, and we can’t wait to continue growing with you in this beautiful little corner of the world we all call home.
As our very first story about Fleurt, in 2010, reminds us, the shop originally was located at California/Oregon.
Thanks for the photos capturing this multi-faceted stormy afternoon/evening! Above, Chris Frankovich photographed one of the approaching cloudbursts. Below, Wyatt was first to send a view of the full rainbow arch:
Next, Steve Pumphrey caught it from Duwamish Head:
Further west, Karen Carlson photographed it at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza:
More to come.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Some flowers are blooming and more are on the way! Here’s word of a citywide flower fundraiser for PTA/PTSA equity funds including West Seattle – and if you participate, there are pickup dates/places in West Seattle:
The SESEC (Southeast Seattle Education Coalition) Mother’s Day Flower Sale is open until May 2nd. Our West Seattle pickup locations are Gatewood Elementary, May 10th, from 10 am-12 pm, and Alki Elementary @ Schmitz Park from 1 pm-3 pm
This is the only fundraiser to do as a whole city, to support all 3 public school equity funds.
HOW IT WORKS
This year’s flower sale features an updated giving model.
By choosing one of the three Equity Funds that comprise 46 member schools, $20 of your checkout total will be donated.
The donation will be divided in half, with one portion going directly to the selected Equity Fund and the other portion being added to a Title 1 pool.SESEC will then redistribute the pooled funds among the Equity Funds based on their Title 1 school count. The three Equity Funds will subsequently allocate their distributions to their member schools according to their own unique equity models.
FLOWERS
We’re pleased to announce that our commitment to supporting farmers with living wages remains strong. $30 per bouquet goes to the farmers. Friendly Johnson-Vang, the founder of this flower sale initiative launched in 2020, has partnered with the PNW BIPOC Farmland Trust, an organization led by BIPOC farmers to hold farmland and support services for BIPOC farmers. The remaining $10 from each bouquet sale will cover administrative costs associated with running the flower sale.
THREE EQUITY FUNDS
CANSSPA: Central and North Seattle Schools PTA Alliance has16 member schools, 50% Title 1: Adams, Bailey Gatzert, James Baldwin, John Rogers, Leschi, Licton Springs K-8, Lowell, Loyal Heights, McDonald, Olympic Hills, Sacajawea, Salmon Bay K-8, Stevens, Viewlands, Wedgwood, West Woodland.
SESSFA: SE Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance has 17 member schools, 94% Title 1: Aki Kurose MS, Beacon Hill, Dearborn Park, Dunlap, Emerson, Graham Hill, Hawthorne, Kimball, John Muir, Maple, Mercer MS, MLK Jr, Orca K-8, Rainier View, Rising Star, South Shore K-8, Wing Luke.
WSPSEF: West Seattle Public School Equity Fund has 13 member schools, 38% Title 1: Alki, Arbor Heights, Concord, Gatewood, Genesee Hill, Highland Park, Lafayette, Pathfinder K-8, Roxhill, Sanislo, West Seattle, Louisa Boren STEM K-8, Fairmount Park.
Here is the website to order flowers – again, May 2 is the ordering deadline, May 10 (the day before Mother’s Day) is the pickup date.
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
This Thursday (April 10), the city’s advisory Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners is holding a public hearing and possible vote on park-hours changes for this summer. Some of the proposals concern West Seattle parks, as we first reported last month.
If you’d like to attend the hearing or provide comments on the proposed changes, you can show up in-person or on Zoom, as explained on the agenda document. The meeting is at Parks HQ at 100 Dexter Ave. N. downtown and begins at 6:30 pm Thursday.
Key points of the proposal: Permanent seasonal changes that will apply every summer going forward are proposed for several parks, including Alki Beach.
The proposal basically would have parks closing one hour earlier. Here’s the slide used during last month’s briefing, which shows the proposed hourly changes for Alki and other parks.
“Seasonal” means Memorial Day to Labor Day, in this context.
Another West Seattle waterfront park, Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Harbor Avenue, also has a seasonal hour change proposal from 24 hours to 4 am to 10:30 pm, which is in alignment with the proposed hour changes for Alki and others.
One more West Seattle note – Hamilton Viewpoint Park has a proposed permanent hourly change from 4 am to 11:30 pm to 6 am to 10 pm.
As explained on the agenda document, if you want to comment during the hearing, sign up via email before 5 pm Thursday. The final decision is up to SPR Superintendent AP Diaz to make next month.
Reader report from Ty:
Someone stole my daughter’s bike last night locked up in front of our house on Delridge Way near the Playfield.
I don’t have the heart to tell her yet but will shortly. I walked the block and no sign of it.:(
If you see it, let us know and we’ll connect you.
ADDED 2:27 PM: We asked Ty for the basic description – it’s a teal GT Stomper, 20″. A police report has been filed – temporary number T00027576.
(Added: Photo by Mark Malleson, Center for Whale Research. Taken under DFO SARA License XMMS 2 2023. Republished with permission)
A new Southern Resident orca calf! The Center for Whale Research just published this announcement:
The Center for Whale Research has some exciting news! We are pleased to announce the arrival of a new calf in J Pod!
On April 6, 2025, CWR Field Biologist Mark Malleson located J Pod as they traveled west past Victoria Harbour. During this encounter, he observed and documented a newborn calf swimming closely alongside J40. This is J40’s first known calf and the fourth born into the Southern Resident killer whale population in the past 12 months – a sign of hope for this endangered community.
(Added: Photo by Mark Malleson, Center for Whale Research. Taken under DFO SARA License XMMS 2 2023. Republished with permission)
Based on initial observations of the new calf, now designated J63, there are no immediate concerns. However, the first year of life is often a challenging time for young whales, particularly those born to first-time mothers.
We remain cautiously optimistic about J63’s survival and will conduct follow-up observations of the calf’s behavior and physical condition in the coming days and months, as opportunities allow. Each new calf is vitally important to this critically endangered population – every birth counts – and we’re hopeful that this young whale will continue to thrive.
More info to come.
(WSB photo, April 2024)
Last year, John L. Scott Westwood Real Estate/The Madrona Group (WSB sponsor) shredded almost two tons of paper during their free shredding event at Westwood Village. We just got word they’re offering free shredding again this year, and again it’ll be part of a donation drive for White Center Food Bank. Just bring your shredding – and a donation of nonperishable food and/or money – to the northwest area of the Westwood Village parking lot between 9 am and noon on Saturday, April 19. (And if you have friends in the north/east metro area, take note that – as also shown on this flyer – they’re presenting a 1-4 pm shredding event in Kenmore the same day.)
(North Admiral – photo by Don Brubeck)
Here’s what’s happening on your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: The West Seattle High School fastpitch-softball team benefits from part of the proceeds if you go to MOD Pizza at Westwood Village today/tonight and say you’re there for the fundraiser – 10:30 am to 10 pm – details, including the code, are in our calendar listing. (2800 SW Barton)
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-timer.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Weekly lunch meeting, noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW):
Program: Rotary Peace Fellow Linda Lo
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
SPORTS: Two softball games at 4 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – Chief Sealth IHS hosts Cleveland, West Seattle HS hosts Garfield.
HOMEWORK HELP: Students can drop in for free help, 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 6 pm board meeting at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) – (update) here’s the agenda – community members welcome.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Lots of light in the evening as sunsets get later – 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
FREE DANCE LESSON: At the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), Westside Dance with Dean:
Tuesdays through April 15
Swing 1: Intro to East Coast Swing 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Swing 2: Dancing to the Blues (a traveling dance) 7:45 – 8:45 p.m.Brush up on your dance skills with our next six-week dance series. Instructor Dean Paton leads these live partner-dance classes in Swing 1 & 2. No partner is necessary, both singles and couples are welcome. Join the fun and meet others in the community!
More information here.
MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has details on signing up before you go.
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 6: If you’re a quiz whiz, tonight is your night – six trivia options for Tuesday night – 7 pm trivia with Amelia at Future Primitive‘s Beer Bar on Alki (2536 Alki SW) … The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) … and Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW).
Hosting an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of DeAnna Piccini. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:
DeAnna Piccini was born January 10, 1971, and unexpectedly passed away February 19, 2025.
Born and raised in Seattle, DeAnna’s greatest joy in life was her family. She leaves behind her beloved son Brandon and his wife Laura, along with her three beautiful grandchildren Gianna, Nico, and Demi, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by her loving mother Roberta; her sister Julie and her husband Tom; and her brother Steve and his wife Hettie. In addition, she will be deeply missed by the many family and friends whose lives she touched with her kindness and unwavering spirit.
In her remembrance, we will be hosting a celebration of life at Hope Lutheran in West Seattle on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 12 PM-3 PM, 4456 42nd Ave SW, Seattle.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Your Tuesday forecast is showery and breezy, possible thunder, high expected in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:33 am and 7:49 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle servicen; spring/summer schedule, with later-in-the-evening sailings two nights a week, starts this Saturday.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.
ROAD WORK
-Delridge repaving work has wrapped up.
-Today in White Center, 7 am-3:30 pm, SW 100th will be closed between 15th and 16th for drainage work.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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