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When I was at this year’s Silly Boat Regatta, I happened to stumble across a group of people from Makerspace Nanaimo whose boat design, based on the 1968 movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, won the award for the silliest boat. 

I’ve heard about Makerspace for years and was curious to learn more about the space and people involved. I sent an email to the group’s leadership and arranged a time to tour the workshop during its weekly open house on a Tuesday night.

When I was there I got to see the space in action, with members receiving training on how to use a brand-new safe table saw in the space’s extensive woodworking shop. I also got a personal tour of all of the equipment in the space.

I wanted to share with you what I learned about the space, and some of the people behind it, and encourage you to go check it out for yourself. You can read my story about it below. 

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

Makerspace Nanaimo is ‘more than a toolshop’

Community workshop a space where people can learn from one another

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Wesley Ridge wildfire

🔥 The Wesley Ridge Wildfire near Cameron Lake is still burning out of control with an estimated 571 hectares burned as of 8:51 a.m. on Aug. 7. It is currently the only wildfire of note in the province according to the BC Wildfire Service’s map.

🔥 Firefighting efforts are focused on the eastern side of the fire to protect residences and maintain travel along Highway 4. While ground crews work to protect structures, aircraft are attacking the fire from above. As of Thursday at noon, no structures have been lost according to Douglas Holmes, Emergency Operations Centre director at the Regional District of Nanaimo.

🔥 There is currently an evacuation order for Little Qualicum Falls Park and 294 properties in the area. About one third of properties in a previous order were allowed to return to their homes on Wednesday afternoon. 

🔥 An evacuation alert expanded on Wednesday to cover 353 properties west and south of the Inland Island Highway to Horne Lake and south to Wild Road. Updated information on evacuation orders and alerts can be found on the Regional District of Nanaimo's website. 

🔥 An evacuee reception centre is located at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St. in Qualicum Beach, and open 24/7. 

🔥 Highway 4 is open. Motorists are not allowed to stop in the area and should watch for crews working with reduced visibility due to smoke. 

🔥 There are air quality warnings for inland Vancouver Island and from Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay. People in those areas are advised to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke by keeping windows and doors closed and using a quality air filter in your home's ventilation system or a portable air cleaner. Wearing an N95 respirator mask can reduce exposure when outdoors.  

🔥 People can donate to United Way’s BC Wildfire Recovery Fund, which helps agencies provide people with basic needs, food, mental health supports, day camps for kids, legal services and grants for recovery and social rebuilding. Agencies can apply for an Emergency Response Grant of up to $15,000.

🔥 People who want to volunteer to support people affected by the wildfire can get a criminal record check and contact United Way through its ivolunteer.ca website or by email to CathyH@uwbc.ca.

🔥 The Barsby Lake wildfire near the Nanaimo River is now under control. The Nahmint Mountain wildfire and a new wildfire discovered on Wednesday near John Hart Lake by Campbell River are being held.

On the Island

🌊 Comox Valley Fundraising Community has raised $17,000 for families in Gaza amidst the hunger crisis. They are still sending pleas to fellow community members to donate. Comox Valley reporter Madeline Dunnett has the story.

🌊 Quw'utsun belongings have returned home. The expanded Shawnigan Lake Museum now holds repatriated items from the Royal BC Museum that tell the entire story of the area. Read more about the museum’s expansion and the items in Cowichan Valley reporter Eric Richard’s coverage.

🌊 Raptors are losing ground to human development in the Cowichan Valley, leading to habitat fragmentation and isolated populations. Read the full story.

In other news

👉 Westwood Lake Park’s upgraded beach had its grand opening last week, featuring accessible bathrooms and change rooms, picnic areas and seating as well as an accessible ramp and mat to the beach. CHLY 101.7FM has the story.

 👉 Descanso Bay Regional Park is slated to get an aluminum ramp with a mobility mat to help people with mobility challenges access the water. The Gabriola Sounder has the story. 

👉 Prime Minister Mark Carney toured the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges in Nanoose Bay on Monday. Protesters from the Freedom From War Coalition picketed the entrance to the facility criticizing the government’s plans to increase defence spending. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.

👉 Nanaimo city council is asking the province to consider building a “dry” supportive housing building at 250 Terminal Ave. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.

👉 The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will soar above Nanaimo’s waterfront with an evening performance on Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. followed by a daytime display on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 4:15 p.m. The city and port authority will be closing the walking and fishing pier at Maffeo Sutton Park as well as surrounding harbour waters and airspace during the show. Spectators are encouraged to use the Pioneer Waterfront Plaza and 1 Port Dr. for accessible viewing areas and consider taking transit downtown.

In your words

I really appreciate the council meeting summary. Keep that coming, Mick! Local politics are important, but I don't want to go digging through minutes or watch the entire meeting.

Thank you kindly,

Elise Boulanger

Editor’s note: Nanaimo city council meetings are on break for August and we will resume our Council Corner section in September.

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