| Dear Friends,
I love my job.
Sitting down to write about what I’m most grateful for during this month of gratitude, I can’t help but feel unbelievably lucky that my “daily place of being” is Friendship Center, a beautiful space filled with laughter, compassion, and purpose. Every day, I get to be around the people you love and care about most, which fills me and my team with so much honor and pride.
This past month has been one for the books and, yes, I know I say that a lot…. Earlier in October I had the honor of speaking on a national panel as one of seven organizations in the country recognized for innovative dementia care. This experience was great to learn even more about the dementia care landscape and solidified how truly unique we are. Did you know there are fewer than a thousand day programs in the U.S. that offer dementia care, let alone specialize in it?!
Later in the month, we danced until our shoes broke (literally, my mom’s shoes gave out on the dance floor) at our sold-out Halloween Disco! And today marks another exciting milestone: the very first session of our Memory Café, a new partnership with the City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department. The Café welcomes individuals living with early memory changes and their care partners for coffee, connection, and joy at the Louise Lowry Davis Center every first and third Wednesday of the month from 9–11 a.m. (Visit fcsb.org/memorycafe for more info.)
As we look ahead to 2026, Friendship Center’s 50th birthday is almost here! I’m excited and amazed. Half a century of friendship, care, and community… and we’re just getting started!!! |
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With gratitude,
Kathryn Westland,
MPH Executive Director |
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In this edition of the Friendly Finch…
- Key Dates
- Program Activities
- Dear Dolly
- October Fun!
- Supporter Spotlight
- Special Feature: Friendship Center at NADSA
- Meet Our Staff
- Friendship Center in the News
- Caregiver Support
- Articles of Interest
- Remembering Our Friends
- Legacy & Leadership
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- November 5th: Memory Café
- November 11th: Friendship Center Closed for Veteran’s Day
- November 12th: Cooking for Caregivers (RSVP HERE by 11/10)
- November 15th: Gratitude Luncheon
- November 19th: Coffee for Caregivers
- November 19th: Memory Café
- November 20th: Friendship Center Closes @ 3:00pm (third Thursday of every month)
- November 26th: Thanksgiving Luncheon (RSVP HERE by 11/20)
- November 27th & 28th: Friendship Center Closed for Thanksgiving
- November 30th: Amanda McBroom Wintersong Holiday Concert – FREE tickets available to Friendship Center Members & Loved Ones (RSVP HERE by 11/19)
- December 10th: Jolly Holiday Breakfast (RSVP HERE by 12/1)
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We are looking for guest speakers and facilitators for our Connections classes and Memory Cafe. This is a great way to volunteer and get involved in the Friendship Center Community!
? Connections: Every Tuesday & Thursday, 10AM-12PM, Friendship Center, 89 Eucalyptus Lane, SIGN UP for 1-hour presentation slots
? Memory Café: Our newest program offered every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month starting November 5th, 9AM-11AM, Louise Lowry Davis Center, 111 W Victoria Street, SIGN UP for 2-hour volunteer slots. For more information about Memory Cafe visit fcsb.org/memorycafe |
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Connections Group
Guest Speaker Series Topics:
- Tuesday 11/4: Nerely Delgado with Fun Fact Trivia!
- Thursday 11/6: Andrea McFarling with The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Thursday 11/13: TBD
- Tuesday 11/18: TBD
- Thursday 11/20: TBD
- Tuesday 11/25: TBD
Would you like to share a story or topic of interest with our group?
Contact Nerely at programmanager@friendshipcentersb.org or SIGN UP HERE
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| Remember Dear Abby?
Let us now introduce…… Dear Dolly: Friendship Center’s own advice column, answering your questions with the wit and wisdom from the over 10,000 collective years lived by our members (“Dolly” is all of our members!).
Each month, we invite you to submit anonymous life questions or situational quandaries to be answered with the sagacious, sweet, and sometimes silly guidance of our dearest “Dolly” . |
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Friendship Legacy Society Member: Mary H. Walsh
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Mary Walsh is a longtime supporter and Friendship Legacy Society Member. Mary has been affiliated with the Center since the late 1980s in various capacities. From Board President, to being involved in several board committees; such as finance and the building renovation committee. In the early 1980’s she was the first Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Alzheimer’s Association. In May of 2025, Mary received the Friendship Legacy Award for her commitment and stalwart support of the Center. When asked by our Executive Director, Kathryn Westland why she included Friendship Center in her bequest, she stated: “I believe the Center is a priceless resource for the growing number of families facing the care of a loved one who may need assistance during the day. For nearly fifty years the Center has enriched the lives of aging adults and their families. A bequest is an important way to help assure the continuance of this vital agency forever and ever.”
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Friendship Legacy Society recognizes donors who name the Center in their wills or trusts and those who make planned gifts to the Center. Your support makes it possible for us to provide services for those most in need regardless of their ability to pay. Please let us know if have already named Friendship Center in your estate plans so that we may show our sincere appreciation! By doing so, you help to inspire other to support our work as well. You can contact Heidi Holly, Legacy liaison, at legacy@friendshipcentersb.org
Tax Identification Number: 95-3398938
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Special Feature: Friendship Center at NADSA
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Our esteemed team member, Gabriella, recently represented Friendship Center at the NADSA Conference and gathered valuable insights to help enhance our operations, advocacy, and services. The sessions highlighted new technologies, HR best practices, and the power of data in the adult day services landscape.
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During the week, Gabriella was able to enjoy a meal with the wonderful StoriiCare team.
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Fun Facts About Ryan
Favorite Food: Burgers
Favorite Sports Team: LA Clippers
Pets: Two pugs named Cookies and Leia who know how to play basketball!
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Ryan was born in New York, then primarily raised in Connecticut. He later moved to Montecito in 2008, where he has resided ever since. At the beginning of 2024, Ryan started at Friendship Center as a volunteer. Soon seeing his passion for them members, and the member’s love for him, he was hired as an official staff member just a few months later.
When asked why he loves working at Friendship Center Ryan shared, “I enjoy working with all of the amazing people – members and other staff included.”
If you see Ryan around, congratulate him on recently celebrating his 1 year work anniversary at Friendship Center!
We are lucky to have such a kind hearted staff member. Thank you Ryan for all of your hard work at the center!
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Friendship Center in the News
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Santa Barbara Independent
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Check out the new caregiver resources provided by Friendship Center:
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- Updated, user friendly, Caregiver Resource Page with an array of hand picked fact sheets, check lists, quick tips & videos, as well as local supportive resource links & phone numbers.
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- New webpage for information & resources in Spanish
- Nueva página web con información y recursos en español
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| Conserving Cognitive Energy Webinars: From the Perspective of Persons Living with Dementia. Panelists will share how cognitive fatigue differs from physical tiredness, how to recognize when energy is low, and strategies to stay focused and balanced. The discussion will offer practical advice for people newly diagnosed with dementia and for care partners supporting loved ones through times of cognitive fatigue. Three different session times available. Click to learn more and sign up for the free webinar. |
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| Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Knowledge, Compassion, and Support. Tuesday, November 11, 10:30am-12:00pm, Mulligan’s Cafe, in person at the Santa Barbara Golf Club 3500 McCaw Ave Santa Barbara, CA.
PLEASE RSVP – Call or text: 805-709-0934 , Email: terridimond@bhhscal.com |
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Safeguarding from Financial Abuse: an in person presentation with Memory Care Specialist Luciana Mitzkun. Tuesday, November 18, 5:00 – 6:30 pm at Sutter Health (Formerly Sansum)
215 Pesetas Lane, 3rd Floor Conference Room
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| Pain in Elderly Parents: Understanding the Emotional and Physical Impact (and How to Help)
When an elderly parent becomes unusually moody, withdrawn or resistant to help, it can be frustrating and confusing for caregivers. But when you look deeper, could they be in pain – both physically and emotionally? Read on to learn more. |
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| Supporting Elderly Loved Ones Through Surgery and Hospital Stays
When our aging parents or elderly loved ones face surgery or hospital stays, it’s natural to focus on the physical recovery. Read on to learn more. |
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| Living With Dementia Report Emphasizes That Even Those With Advanced Disease Have Stories to Share
As the average age of the US population has risen, so has the number of people living with Alzheimer disease and related dementias. And yet, dementia is still a highly stigmatized condition, a new collection of essays published by the Hastings Center for Bioethics points out. Read on to learn more. |
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| Why Alzheimer’s Reasearchers are Studying the Brains of London Cab Drivers |
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Susan Thornton
12.22.1932 – 09.10.2025
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| Including Friendship Center in your will or estate plan is a powerful way to honor the memory of a loved one and ensure our work continues for generations.
We were honored to host members of our Legacy Society throughout the year for special luncheons and gatherings.
To learn more, contact our
Legacy Liaison, Heidi Holly, at legacy@friendshipcentersb.org. |
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Friendship Center Leadership & Partnerships
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| Officers
President
CYNDER SINCLAIR
Vice President
JOE WHEATLEY
Secretary
ZANDRA CHOLMONDELEY
Treasurer
JEFFREY KRUTZSCH
Member-at-large
JACQUELINE DURAN
Directors
SUE ADAMS
VIVIAN ARMANIOUS
NATHAN BERO
PAT FORGEY
GRETCHEN HEWLETT
KATHY MARDEN, MFT
GERRIE SHAPIRO
MONICA VIDGER-TRENT
Executive Director
KATHRYN WESTLAND, MPH |
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Follow our social media pages, linked below, for regular posts about the day-to-day happenings at FC!
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