U-Lock Mini Storage (team U-LockStoreaways) are participating in the 35th Annual Silly Boat Regatta in support of the Nanaimo Child Development Centre Sunday, July 14, 2019 at Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo and we hope to see you all there! It is wacky, fun, wet, and oh so silly! It is an awesome event for all ages with food vendors, free children activities, entertainment, and of course, a ton of silly racing!
Come out and watch over 50 teams build the silliest of boats and race them in the Nanaimo Harbour in the spirit of helping the Nanaimo Child Development Centre continue their mission of promoting optimum child development by serving children with developmental needs and their families. Last year their signature event raised over $110,000 for programs and services. The goal for this year is $125,000, so we encourage everybody to come out and show their support to ensure they not only meet their goal, they surpass it!
The NCDC provides services and programs to children and youth with developmental challenges and their families each year. The programs at the NCDC include: Early Childhood Education, Supported Child Development, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Language Therapy, Infant Development, Supported Child Development, Child & Youth Development, Family Development, and the VICAN Program (Vancouver Island Children’s Assessment Network).
The Nanaimo Child Development Centre can only continue helping children in our community who have developmental needs and their families through the generous donations of supporters. For more information, please visit http://sillyboat.com/page/donate
Victoria U-Lock Mini Storage is currently accepting new toys for CFAX Santas Anonymous until December 14, 2018. You can drop off your donations during our office hours of Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm and Sat-Sun 9am-5pm. Every December, CFAX Santas Anonymous hands out Christmas hampers containing toys, clothing, food, and other gifts to local families living in poverty.
With your help, CFAX Santas Anonymous can put food on the table and gifts under the tree for those that are struggling during the holiday season. They are asking generous members of the Greater Victoria community to donate new toys, clothing, and other items to help fulfill the Christmas wishes of local families and make sure every child wakes up to a Christmas Day with presents and food. CFAX Santas Anonymous are requesting new toys for children of all ages, but due to the supply of stuffed animals they currently have, they are requesting no stuffed animals this year.
Volunteer
Volunteers of all ages are welcome!
Click here for more information of how you can contribute to the cause.
Kick off this holiday season by touring an extraordinary lust forest of beautiful trees hand-decorated by local business organizations and individuals. Starting November 15, 2018 and running until January 7, 2019, the 27th Annual Festival of Trees will be hosted at the Bay Centre in Victoria, BC. All proceeds raised through the event go towards the urgent care needs of children in BC, including advancing research, needed equipment, and vital programs tailored to the needs of kids at BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Health Centre for Children and the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
Community Support
U-Lock Mini Storage has been a sponsor of the Festival of Trees since 2008. As a supporting sponsor, we can give back to our community and do our part to help children in need of urgent health care across the province. Our community is only as strong as its members, but when we work together to give back, we can ensure that the BC Children’s Hospital can continue to push boundaries, change the future of care, and better the lives of the families that call our community home. Together, we can create new possibilities.
U-Lock Mini Storage Tree
Visit the Bay Centre between November 15, 2018 and January 7, 2019 to vote for your favourite tree. We will be sponsoring a tree that will be decorated on our behalf by the volunteers behind Anney’s Closet, an award-winning project of Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore (SIVW). The tree will be decorated in a theme that represents the clients they help. Using the storage units donated by U-Lock Mini Storage at our location in Victoria, Anney’s Closet has created a free store using household items donated by the local community for woman and girls in need of household items and help them transform their new apartments into functional and comfortable homes.
Visit our Facebook page to see our decorated trees from previous years!
To vote for our tree in the People’s Choice award, you can visit the Bay Centre and vote in person, or visit the BC Children’s Hospital website and vote by donation to our tree.
Click here if you wish to donate to the BC Children’s Hospital
As the temperature begins to drop, we are reminded that winter is just around the corner and the riding season is drawing close to an end. For motorcycle enthusiasts, winter means dangerous road conditions caused by ice and snow, and rust and corrosion to bikes caused by salt and other road treatments. For many Canadian bike owners, now is the time to start thinking ahead to winter storage and what steps you can take to ensure your bike is protected during the cold winter months.
Whether you live in an area where weather makes year-round riding impossible, vacationing for a few weeks or months, or only ride your motorcycle on the weekends, a self storage unit is a great option to make sure your motorcycle remains in tip-top shape all year.
Here are some essential things to consider when you are planning your motorcycle winter storage solution…
SIZE OF STORAGE UNIT
A motorcycle does not occupy much space, so a 5×10 storage unit is a perfect size to accommodate a single motorcycle and accessories such as jackets and helmets. If you are looking to store any additional seasonal items or multiple motorcycles, you may require a 10×10 storage unit.
Features to consider when getting a storage unit:
Heated storage: Provides an environment where temperature and humidity are moderated and protection against extreme weather of any season.
Security: Individual unit door alarms, video surveillance, and onsite monitoring will provide you with peace of mind.
Flexible hours: Allows you to access your bike at your convenience.
Garage-style door: A full-size garage-style door will provide easy access to allow you to get your bike in and out with ease.
PREPARE BIKE FOR STORAGE
Clean your bike
Give the bike a thorough wash and completely dry it by removing all moisture off the surfaces. Be sure to remove any dirt, grime, bug guts, and water spots because they can corrode the finish.
Change the oil
Replace the engine oil and filter plug before putting the bike into storage. Used motor oil is full of harmful contaminants and sediments that are extremely corrosive and can cause serious damage, such as etching of metal surfaces and engine parts, like the transmission gears and bearings. Consult with your owner’s manual to determine what kind of oil your bike uses and what filter matches your model.
Fill the gas tank
Condensation can form when tanks are left partially empty for long periods of time. Prevent any moisture from forming and causing rust by filling the gas tank and adding the recommended amount of fuel stabilizer. Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the stabilizer to settle in. Be sure to use a recommended fuel stabilizer as indicated in the owner’s manual.
Lubricate all moving parts
For chain-driven bikes, lubricate the chain as well as the throttle and clutch cables before storing.
Tend to the tires
Fill your tires to their recommended maximum pressures before storing. Tires are porous and will lose air while in storage. If you can, try to keep your bike elevated off the ground so there is less pressure and weight on your tires. You can prop your motorcycle on a pallet, paddock stands, or on its center stand (if it has one).
Conserve the battery’s charge
If you are storing your bike inside a heated storage unit, there is no need to remove the battery, but it is recommended that you clean and lubricate the terminals and leads to prevent corrosion.
If you are storing your bike where the temperature drops below freezing, it is recommended you remove the battery and trickle charge it all winter. Or, you can store your bike with a fully charged battery, but it is recommended you give the battery a charge once a month during the idle period.
