News Briefs | Oct. 17 edition

Vashon encourages voters, museum mammoth named, Painter grants open.

October 16, 2024 3:30 pm
Vashon 2 Voters, a program of Indivisible Vashon, through volunteer effort, has written more than 19,000 postcards since November 2023 to voters across the country encouraging their participation in our democracy, according to program coordinator Debby Jackson. This photo, of several of the V2V writers, was taken at Indivisible Vashons Oct. 8 meeting. Learn more about Vashon 2 Voters at indivisiblevashon.org/GOTV. (Courtesy photo)
Vashon 2 Voters, a program of Indivisible Vashon, through volunteer effort, has written more than 19,000 postcards since November 2023 to voters across the country encouraging their participation in our democracy, according to program coordinator Debby Jackson. This photo, of several of the V2V writers, was taken at Indivisible Vashons Oct. 8 meeting. Learn more about Vashon 2 Voters at indivisiblevashon.org/GOTV. (Courtesy photo)

Museum mammoth named

The large painting of a Columbian mammoth that newly graces the entrance of the remodeled Vashon Heritage Museum has been officially named.

After receiving 125 suggestions from kids visiting the museum, a museum committee ultimately landed on “Tusky,” a name given by island third grade student Elliott Howe.

Howe received an award certificate and a Vashon Bookshop gift card in early October.

The mammoth, designed and painted by artist Andy Eccelshall, is inspired in part by a giant mammoth tooth which was discovered on Maury Island in 1960 by Agnes Lane.

North American mammoths migrated across the Bering Strait through Alaska roughly two million years ago, but nearly all of them died out about 10,000 years ago. They are closely related to wooly mammoths, which ranged further north across North America, Asia and Europe.

Museum volunteer Jenny Lewis came up with the naming contest.

The museum is open to visitors from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays.

Painter grants open

The Alan M. Painter Grant program, which funds community projects in unincorporated areas such as Vashon, is now accepting applications for 2025.

The grants fund efforts to boost engagement in community activities, educate residents, and meet community needs.

A total of $90,000 will be awarded for projects in 2025, in individual grants of less than $5,000 per project. Funding for the projects will begin in March 2025. Funds may not be used for political activities. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13.

This year, the program supported dance and Spanish classes at the senior center, interpretive outdoor signs at the Ellisport Hidden History Trail and Burton History Trail, digital renovation for the Voice of Vashon, the Friends of Mukai’s Japan Festival, Vashon Center for The Arts’ Jam in the Atrium series and a women’s day celebration for Women Hold the Key, among 40+ projects and programs across the county.

To learn more or to apply, visit kingcounty.gov/alan-painter-grants.

Island third grade student Elliott Howe picked the name “Tusky” for the Columbian mammoth seen here behind him at the newly-remodeled Vashon Heritage Museum. (Courtesy photo)

Island third grade student Elliott Howe picked the name “Tusky” for the Columbian mammoth seen here behind him at the newly-remodeled Vashon Heritage Museum. (Courtesy photo)