Cory Stewart and Travis Hurley: Two different stories, two different guys, work their way up similar paths at Friday Harbor Suites I am Cory Stewart, General Manager of Friday Harbor Suites. Ten years ago, I got my first job in the hotel industry as a housekeeper at this same hotel. Little did I know then  Continue Reading

In this morning’s SJ Update mailbag, we find this letter from Mike Hamlette… Dear SJ Update, I’d like to inform the community that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Both the Town of Friday Harbor, and San Juan County County Council in conjuction with the County Board Of Health (BOH) have made proclamations in support  Continue Reading

Islanders shocked by the impending closing of the Life Care Center filled the Mullis Center on Monday night to talk about what possibilities there might be to fill its vital role in the community. The program organized by Patty Garcia and chaired by Grisha Krivchenia started with a sharing of factual information and moved into  Continue Reading

Holy Cow. I’m Batman. I also go by the name of “Max”. You know, in ancient times, big ears were thought of as a sign of royalty and higher intelligence. OK. I made that up. To be honest, I’m really not sure if my ears are big or my head is small… I can’t decide.    Continue Reading

Dear Community Members, One of San Juan County’s few nursing homes needs our help! Urgent Community Issue: As many of you have already heard, The Life Care Center corporation has announced that they will be closing The Life Care Center of the San Juans on November 15, two months from now. What can residents, family  Continue Reading

Have you decided against growing berries because you think your garden isn’t big enough? Surprisingly, a relatively small area can yield plenty of strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for delicious preserves and desserts.  Join Dr. Lisa DeVetter, WSU Assistant Professor of Small Fruit Horticulture, at the San Juan County Master Gardeners Annual Gardening Workshop to learn  Continue Reading

Court Bell checks in to let us know the fish are still out there. Here’s Cal Ryan showing off the 43 pound King Salmon he and Court caught on Monday. They were fishing out of Snug Harbor in Open Bay. The season is open through September 30th. Thanks for sharing the photo, you two!

Outdated and unnecessary dikes, berms, and ditches that once clogged a marine wetland along Lopez’s Fisherman Bay were removed last week through a collaborative effort led by Friends of the San Juans, in partnership with the San Juan County Land Bank and two private waterfront property owners. “The flow of tidal water, habitat for juvenile  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we find this letter of thanks from the Linde family… To Mayor pro tem Ghatan, Maddie Ovenell, Bill Cumming, SJI Park and Recreation District, SJI School District, FH Athletic Association, Don Galt, Inez Brown family, island neighbors and businesses who have given so generously of their time and  Continue Reading

Here’s Merri Ann Simonson with more real estate tips… San Juan County Waterfront Parcels If you own a waterfront parcel in the County, or hope to purchase one, I have detailed below some items to take into consideration.   Historically, waterfront parcels were the most coveted investment in the islands but due to ever changing regulations,  Continue Reading