West Seattle, Washington
12 Monday
(Google Street View image of 4457 Fauntleroy Way SW)
Almost two years ago, we happened onto city filings suggesting a Sherwin-Williams Paint store was planned for the ex-Midas space at 4457 Fauntleroy Way SW. It’s been empty since 2019, after an abrupt shutdown initially suggested as temporary proved to be permanent. At the time we found those filings, a spokesperson for the Mercer Island investment company that owns the site told us the plan was just a possibility. They had bought the 11,000-square-foot site in 2023, three years after it was listed as a prospective mixed-use development parcel. Now the Sherwin-Williams plan has reappeared in files, including a sign-permit application, which tends to mean it’s a done deal, as was the case when the paint giant built and opened a store next to The Home Depot in Delridge in 2013. We’ll be following up regarding the timeline.
The latest West Seattle business temporarily shut down by a pipe break is 2 Fingers Social. The bar’s proprietors first posted on social media that they were closed by “flooding,” then updated with the discovery of a “broken pipe 20 feet down” that they expect will keep them “closed for a while.” They elaborated, “It’s a huge project. They have to dig a 10 x 10 by 20ft deep hole in the sidewalk/street to fix it; also the flood damage fixes on the inside need to be completed.” They’ve raised some money via donations so far but say they’re getting bids for the “huge project.” Their building at 9211 Delridge Way SW – as we noted when 2FS opened in 2017 – had previously been home to businesses including a payday-loan operation and a medical-marijuana dispensary. (Thanks to Ian for the tip on 2FS’s woes.)
The Avalon 7-Eleven store reported an armed robbery early today. The clerk at the 3280 SW Avalon Way store reported to police that a robber “showed a gun” to get away with a bottle of wine around 1:20 am, fleeing in a vehicle that had three other people waiting for him. We don’t have a description of the vehicle but the robber was described as late teens/early 20s, white, male, curly hair, black jacket, gray sweatshirt, khaki pants. If you have any information, the case # is 26-008737 and the police tipline is 206-233-5000.
National #1 basketball prospect Tyran Stokes
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“Welcome to the show!”
That enthusiastic greeting from a fellow standing-room-only sideline spectator summed up the high-energy environment in the West Seattle High School gym on Friday night, as the boys’ basketball squad hosted defending 3A state champion Rainier Beach.Â
The excitement was focused on Rainier Beach senior Tyran Stokes, the top-ranked high school basketball recruit in the country, who along with freshman phenom JJ Crawford — son of Seattle basketball legend Jamal Crawford, who also serves as an assistant coach for Rainier Beach — powered the visiting Vikings to a 101-54 win over the Wildcats. Rainer Beach is ranked as one of the top 2 teams in Washington state, and in the top 30 nationally.Â
Stokes put on a show with 30 points — many of them coming on high-flying dunks — and Crawford added 21 points. WSHS was led by senior Sully Pond with 14 points.Â
Here’s a highlight-worthy alley-oop pass and slam dunk from Crawford to Stokes that drew a particularly loud roar from the crowd:
We arrived at the game midway through the 3rd quarter (after covering the Sealth girls’ basketball home game and “Regina Rogers-Wright Day” ceremony), at which point Rainer Beach had built a comfortable lead. However, we were told by the staff at the scoring table that the Wildcats made it a hard-fought low-scoring affair early in the game, with strong support from the home-gym crowd, before the Vikings’ star power took full control.
WSHS principal Brian Vance told us that the gym’s capacity is approximately 1,500, and it was filled to the brim on Friday night (which we’re told is a common spectacle for Rainier Beach’s games this season), with tickets sold in advance:Â
Stokes transferred to Rainier Beach in November from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, to join a perennially strong Vikings squad that’s been coached by Michael Bethea for more than 30 years. Stokes is generally regarded to be projected #1 pick in the 2027 NBA draft, and for 2026 has reportedly narrowed his prospective colleges to Kansas, Kentucky (he was born in Louisville) and Oregon.Â
Rainier Beach freshman JJ Crawford (#11) has rightfully drawn his fair share of attention as well:
After the final whistle as the crowd cleared, we spotted Seattle District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka (who, like us, started the evening at Sealth IHS before hustling cross-town, and was still wearing his Regina Rogers-Wright pin) and his council colleague Eddie Lin who represents the Rainier Beach neighborhood:Â
West Seattle, led by head coach Rick Ticeson who took the varsity reins this season after leading the school’s freshman team for several years, is now 3-7 for the season, and plays on the road tonight (Saturday January 10th) at Silas High School (Tacoma) at 7:30 pm.Â
Rainier Beach plays at Bishop Blanchet on Monday January 12th at 7:30 pm.Â
Seattle City Council’s Joy Hollingsworth and Rob Saka, with Rogers-Wright’s mother Sheila Winston and stepfather Edward Winston
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A local basketball legend and her family were honored Friday night at Chief Sealth International High School, as January 9 was officially declared “Regina Rogers-Wright Day” in the city of Seattle.
Rogers-Wright, who died in November 2024 at the age of 35, was a star player for Sealth in the 2000s, with numerous honors including state tournament MVP and Metro League Player of the Year, and went on to be an All-Pac 12 standout for the University of Washington (highlights here) before beginning a career as a beloved coach and mentor in her community.Â
During a moving ceremony held between the Sealth’s girls’ JV and varsity home basketball games against visiting Mt. Tahoma on Friday night, Seattle District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka spoke about Rogers-Wright’s legacy of “excellence, athleticism and eliteness” that “will live on forever.” He then read the proclamation alongside newly elected Council President Joy Hollingsworth, as Rogers-Wright’s family was recognized:
Here is our video of the ceremony:
And here’s the official proclamation:
Rogers-Wright’s twin brother Reggie Rogers Jr. is a Sealth ’07 alumni and is head coach of the Mt. Tahoma girls’ basketball team. He shared emotional memories of his sister and her lasting impact on and off the court, praising her for “above all, being a mother to Arries,” her young son. Rogers thanked the Sealth community for their steady support and for hosting the game and ceremony and “welcoming us back.”
The family wore commemorative pins in her honor:
As we reported back in 2020, Sealth honored Rogers-Wright and retired her #34 jersey. A banner still hangs proudly in the Sealth gym:
As the ceremony concluded, the Sealth and Mt. Tahoma varsity girls’ teams took the court, including Sealth senior Alysse Bland:
And freshman Mia Caldera:Â
Sealth jumped out to a dominating 14-0 early lead, before Mt. Tahoma settled in and battled back. At halftime, head coach Will Pablo‘s team led 26-15:Â
Sealth’s band and cheer squad kept fans entertained:
The action in the second half was evenly matched, but with Sealth maintaining the lead, and at the final buzzer it was 47-37 in favor of the Seahawks.Â
Sealth is now 4-8 on the season, and plays on the road against Highline on Monday (January 12th) at 7:15 pm.
(Friday photo by Bob Burns)
Happy Saturday! Here’s our list of what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the West Seattle Event Calendar – but first, a traffic alert:
TRAFFIC REMINDER: If you’re heading eastbound out of West Seattle, remember that the “Revive I-5” project has restarted and this weekend a large stretch of northbound I-5 from I-90 northward is closed so the Ship Canal Bridge work zone can be configured.
Now, the events scheduled for today/tonight:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you can join the Saturday 8 am free group run.
ALSO AT WS RUNNER – ‘GOT FIT’ MARATHON TRAINING: 8 am, it’s the start of this training program for intermediate/advanced runners to get prepared for an upcoming marathon.
FREE MEDITATION: Start the weekend with Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3620 SW Alaska).
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.
RESOURCE EVENT IN HIGHLAND PARK: 10 am-2 pm, health care, school-enrollment help, grocery giveaway, and other essential resources are available at Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton), open to all community members, as previewed here.
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am to noon, visit independent K-5 Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor). Here’s our preview of today’s open house.
THE DOWNTOWN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am to noon, this WSB sponsor that serves 9th-12th graders – located, as its name suggests, downtown – is also having an open house today – info here. (160 John St.)
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENROLLMENT FAIR: 10 am-2 pm at district HQ (3rd/Lander, SODO) – our calendar listing has info on what to expect and what to bring.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am free, weekly, in-person, critique-free group – details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
POST-HOLIDAY GRIEF CIRCLE: Tough holiday dealing with grief? Special circle gathering at 11 am with Listening to Grief, at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, noon-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm Saturdays, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY: As previewed here, Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby has its first home bout of 2026, vs. Tomorrowland from Tacoma. Doors open at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW) at 4:15 pm; tickets available at the door or online.
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, first admission 5:15 pm. Tickets and info here.
AT THE SKYLARK: Local live music at The Skylark, doors 6 pm, show 7 pm, Fian, Oliver Elf Army, It’s All Happening, $10, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM: Open again! 9 pm, Soul Focus FM. (4547 California SW)
SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with DJs, $18 plus $5 skate rental.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar, which is free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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