[Update: All systems restored, status upgraded to normal]

Raincity Studios' Vancouver team is working decentralized today as much of Vancouver's downtown core is still without power since an underground utility explosion yesterday (July 14th) afternoon near Richards and Pender/Dunsmuir St.

Despite the diligent efforts of the utility workers, power remains out at the office so the team are working from cafes and homes until restored.

As such, your calls may go unanswered but we are available to assist you via email or other contact methods.

This outage has no effect on web servers or other services so we anticipate no problems beyond larger than usual coffee bills.

Here's more:
Electrical Fire Knocks out Power Downtown Vancouver on Now Public

BC Hydro (utility company)

Power Outage Causes Chaos Downtown in the Vancouver Sun

Vancouver peaceful as blackout continues in the National Post

Power, traffic disrupted in downtown Vancouver via CTV.ca

It's been a while since my last Gastown Happenings, and since I went by the new Fluevog store to pick up my newly re-soled boots, I happened to find out about the Gastown Spring Shop Hop (Upcoming event). Looks like a fun time to wander around the Gastown neighbourhood and enjoy the nice evenings we've been having, and check out some cool stores. Fluevog and You and Whose Army? are probably my two favourites on the list. Did I mention free beverages and chocolate tastings as well?

Speaking of Fluevog, the store technically got it's start in Gastown way back in 1970 (wow, 38 years ago!). At their opening, they had the picture at right up, showing that they were in Gastown from 1970 to 1982, and that they're back this year. My personal Fluevog shoe count is now up to three. While many other cities now have Fluevog storefronts, Vancouver is where they got their start.

As a parting shot to the festive period, I'll leave the tinsel behind with one last missive to recount the wintery wander I undertook with Father John's winter ale and worked our way on the rounds to interrupt the workflow of some of Vancouver's smartest and funnest folks.

KK+ pulled out the big lens to take some snaps of the smiling mugs diligently toiling on clever new web tools.

Just a quick reminder that tonight is DemoCampVancouver04. The fourth in the series of DemoCampVancouvers inspired by the DemoCamp in Toronto. Come one come all to WorkSpace at 21 Water Street from 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

As discussed in recent Raincity Radio podcasts (check out episodes with Marc and Jordan and Boris Mann), a group of community-minded geeks are mobilizing and rolling out free wi-fi for the people of Vancouver.

The coverage started in Gastown - spewing Internet goodness from biz offices and personal lairs alike. The vibe is now spreading to other neighborhoods (Commercial Drive would be ideal eh) speckling the Freethenet.ca map with shiny pins.