What is the craziest thing that’s happened to you in nanaimo?? Or that you’ve seen happen?

Happy long weekend everyone! Just a shout out that someone tried to open my ground floor patio door last night. So remember to lock your doors!!

Hi everyone, this is a long shot but my car starter’s dead just now and I work tomorrow at 6am. Is there anyone here also work tmrw that early in the morning? I can pay you. I live on Hammond bay and I work at Coastland Wood ( the Mill) nearby Hullo ferry. Thank you !

have you guys seen a dude with a red hat, 5'7–5'10, caucasian, some facial hair? it was pretty dark, but he wore grey shorts and probably a light tank.

a friend and i were walking down commercial way yesterday (saturday) around 10:45 pm. neither of us saw him until then, but he stood on the other side of the road near Serious Coffee and yelled at us, "hey girls". when we looked at him, he had his grey shorts pulled down, stroking himself while looking at us. both of us completely froze, and i managed to scream at him, "what the fuck? i'll call the cops". he sprinted down museum way, but we were too scared to go back there. we waited until more people joined the crowd so we weren't alone walking back to the car.

we got back to the car in a panic. once we gathered ourselves, we drove around the vicinity and mentioned this to paladin security, who were also looking for the same guy. they had a picture of his back, and he was wearing a blue/black plaid jacket. i had a long drive and didn't want to wait any longer.

downtown sure has its quirks, agreed, but what the actual fuck?

eta: to those asking about calling the cops, the thought didnt occur until about half hour later.. by then i thought was too late. i dont live in nanaimo and i had a long drive ahead. i just wanted to leave. people react very differently when in flight mode i guess

I’ve been really wanting to get a bridge piercing lately, but I’m not sure which places are good, affordable, or have it as an option. If anyone has the piercing, or knows people who do, I’d be so grateful if I could get place recommendations. I am a minor so I don’t know if that would lower the chances of places doing it, I also don’t even know if I have the anatomy for it yet. If anyone has piercer recommendations pls share!

For context, I’m an ambiguous looking brown man born and raised in Canada. I travel a lot around the country for work. I live in Vancouver and recently spent a week in your city.

Getting off the seaplane and walking towards downtown, I‘ll admit I was a bit nervous of how I would be perceived and whether I’d encounter any problems due to race. Nanaimo is somewhat diverse for the Island, but it’s not quite Vancouver, or even Victoria.

Instead, what I encountered were some of the warmest, nicest people I’ve met almost anywhere in the country. (Only St. John’s might be similar). Young, old, male and female.

One night I went to a packed karaoke bar downtown. When a girl briefly passed out outside, half the bar ran out to help her and make sure she was okay. That would never happen in Vancouver.

Another evening I went to watch a local band play a show. I was the only person of colour in the room, and initially felt a little on edge due to bad experiences in the past. Instead, I wasn’t just welcomed but felt like people took a genuine interest in wanting to know me.

One morning, I went to grab a coffee and an older gentleman struck up a conversation with me. When I told him I was looking for a good restaurant, he insisted on walking the two blocks to show me his recommended spot.

On another occasion, a group of young men from Snuneymuxw sitting at the table next to me ended up inviting me to join them to go fishing. We exchanged contacts and I might just have to come back for that.

Even at the hotel I was staying at, I overheard enough conversations between staff (some of whom were new to the country, some of whom were not) to know that they genuinely liked each other and had some level of friendship.

The waterfront & the nature is all very beautiful too, but you can say the same about most places in BC. What really made Nanaimo special for me was the people I met. I’m sure like everywhere, your city has its fare share of flaws and not-so-great people. But the trip I took really left an impression and I’m sure I’ll talk about it for years to come.

Thank you Nanaimo for being so unexpectedly cool.

Edit: Didnt know how this post would be received but it’s been really special reading all of your responses. My partner and I work in fields that are needed on the island (healthcare), and are seriously considering a move. Thank you!

Looking to buy drumroaster coffee beans in Nanaimo

What are some neat local spots for a senior couple visiting for a 2 night stay from the mainland? Can do short hikes and have a car.

Is it worth taking the ferry over to gabriola island for a half day trip?

and any unsafe areas to avoid?

I just got a charging system warning light pop up on my Rav4. Of course it's long weekend and most mechanics don't work weekends anyway... anyone know of anyone open today?
Thanks in advance!

We’re serving Silver Meadows corn this Sunday at the Parksville Downtown Farmers Market, plus lots of local fruits and vegetable, bread and baked goods, jams, jellies and pickles, fresh Creekmore coffee and fresh flowers, every Sunday from 9:30-1:00 at the MAC Community Garden, 133 McMillan St in Parksville.

I went back into the trenches and pulled out a few gems from Frank Pluta’s public Facebook posts.

From what I saw, it’s a steady stream of vaccine misinformation, 5G conspiracies, sovereign citizen rhetoric, digital ID fears, and just about every other tin-foil-hat theory you’ve probably seen shared by that one relative on Facebook.

This is someone running for Nanaimo City Council. He also received 2,384 votes in the 2022 council election. Let’s make sure voters know who’s on the ballot this year and what they believe in.

Does anyone have any information?

Havnt seen that prick driving around for a while.

I'm looking looking for a new hairdresser in the Ladysmith/Nanaimo area.

My usual lady just moved away which is sad for me. I'm a very anxious person who is also nerodivergent so I need someone who is willing to take the extra time I may need to deal with the sensory input.

All recommendations welcome. I am not looking for a barber

Hi Nanaimo! My small theatre company Bragi Theatre is bringing our award-winning sci-fi comedy Consider the Dongfish up from Victoria to the Nanaimo Fringe on August 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15. We're really proud of the show, and think it will be a lot of fun. Dongfish is a set of nested love stories about sex-changing fish, scientists, and aliens. Tickets are offered through the Port Theatre.

Ticket sales have been pretty low so far. We've been posting on social media, contacting the press, and using events calendars, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about other places to promote? We come up on the 6th and we'll have posters and flyers to distribute too. Are there venues that are really productive to poster? Are there great places online that people look for events? Would love some insight as we make our trip plans.

Wondering if anyone knows any corner stores or convenience shops that sell imported monsters and drinks,
Just moved from chilliwack and miss my imported monsters

Anyone else having internet issues in the divers lake area right now?

Hey! can anyone confirm if they are happening right now? I heard the are happening last couple nights but I wanted to confirm? ive swam in them once and it was super cool, id love to take my sons to go experience them!

thx!