Fridays Island Hotel will reopen this spring with a fresh look and cool new amenities. We are looking for an experienced, energetic, self-motivated individual to run the place, supervise staff and coordinate with the owners. This position requires a fierce commitment to outstanding customer experiences, impeccable attention to detail and a superb eye for the big picture. Friday’s will reopen as one of the preeminent lodging establishments in the San Juan Islands, and we are looking for a personality that can “represent .” Competitive compensation and benefits based on experience. Please email resume and cover letter to adam@friday-harbor.com.

I got online today and offset a years worth of hotel emissions at Carbonfund.org. It’s always best to eliminate your impact first, but carbon offsetting is a great way to get a jump on shrinking your carbon footprint, and it’s easy. Essentially, you estimate the carbon impact of any endeavor you have not yet learned to eliminate, then make a tax-deductible contribution to fund an equal amount of some carbon-reducing endeavor like reforestation or zero-emission energy projects.

I hope to work with Carbonfund to create an interface that will allow you to accurately estimate the carbon impact of your specific travels and help you discover ways to first minimize your travel emissions, then offset the balance and create a 100% carbon-neutral vacation.  At ELEMENTS hotel & spa we believe that the low-impact sharing of pristine places with visitors from all over the world fosters a preservation instinct that can help save the world.  Offsetting your travel carbons is just another way of expressing this instinct. Peace.

San Juan Island is a far off the mainstream as it is off the mainland; not so far that it feels like a different planet, just far enough that is feels like a different country. Chef Madden’s creative menus are a case in point at Steps Wine Bar and Cafe. If you’re coming out to the island this turkey day, you’re in for a real treat at Steps.

In other island foodie news, Chef Gretchen Allison of Duck Soup Inn is getting ready to launch her winter cooking classes. Her joint is closed for the winter, so this is a great way to sample some of the things she has on her mind.

We had a great end-of-summer party courtesy of San Juan Safaris. Morgan posted his pics here. Thanks to Raquel and crew for all the great food, and to everyone for a fantastic summer season. See you back on land…..

Ah, the slow season, the quiet season, the holiday season.  This is when “Island Living” really takes hold.  We chopped and stacked our wood last weekend, brought out the candles yesterday, started planning the holiday feasts and dusted off the Christmas lights today.  It is a wonderful time on San Juan Island, as we reflect on what makes this remote life so rewarding.  There is a strong sense of community demonstrated in the many holiday festivals, theater events and special wine dinners offered in Friday Harbor after the weather turns.  San Juan Islanders are outside people, unaccustomed to long hours indoors, yet most of us relish in the autumnal chance to light a fire, turn on some music, cook a good meal and invite some friends for a winter gathering.  In this spirit, we drop our rates at ELEMENTS hotel & spa in hopes it might convince you to give this great season a try.  Not a lot of people take us up on this offer, but maybe that’s part of what makes a winter trip to San Juan Island so special?  Tune in to our Specials page to see what’s up and coming, check the calendar, mark your date and let us know when you’re coming.  We’ll cozy up your room and welcome you to a place where the holidays really sparkle.