Yesterday was winter. Today was spring. I wonder what tomorrow will bring? My answer to the every-morning question “what do I wear today” is definitely “layers”! And, given the state of my sinuses, there must be something in the air – maybe some kind of pollen? Does anyone know what kind it is? But it’s still lovely outside when the sun shines – which is pretty much every day – and there’s no snow or ice. Makes me happy to be in our lovely Valencia!
The IWCV is now in pre-Fallas mode with lots of activities for all our members to try! Take a look below to see what’s on tap, and don’t forget to check the IWCV website (www.iwc-valencia.com) periodically as events are added all the time!
FELLOWS OF THE IWCV “WELCOME TO VALENCIA” MEET-UP, Monday 3 February, 11:30am – 2:30pm, at the Corte Ingles Cafeteria (in the Calle Colon Corte Ingles store with the giant TVs on the ground floor, not the one with clothing). Open to all new Fellows of the IWCV, plus more seasoned Fellows who would like to meet some of the new guys! Spouses/partners are also welcome. Join us to meet each other and find out what the Fellows are all about. If you plan to attend, please let Carey Hepler know by sending him a WhatsApp. +34 613 39 56 39.
FIRST TUESDAY COFFEE, Tuesday 4 February, 10:30 – Noon on the Terrace behind the MUVIM Museum. This is always a pleasant time to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Invite your friends, all women are welcome, both members and non-members. There is no need to register in advance – just stop by for a cuppa and a chat! This month our charities team will be collecting donations for Casa Caridad at the coffee morning – they need feminine hygiene products and olive oil. Please help out if you can!
CREATIVE NUDE FIGURE DRAWING WITH LEAH – GIVE IT A TRY! Tuesday 4 February, 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Open to IWCV members and their female out-of-town guests. January’s workshop was such a rewarding experience for participants that they asked for an encore! Whether you’ve always wanted to try figure drawing or have some experience and want to continue exploring, this session in the charming Old City is for you. For complete details and to sign up, click here: Creative Nude Figure Drawing with Leah – Give it a Try! | IWC - Valencia
HISTORICAL TALK WITH DAVID OF ARS MAGNA: THE CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL IN VALENCIA, Tuesday 11 February, 11:00am – 12:30pm at Calle Buen Orden next to the Abastos Center. Open to IWV members, their partners/spouses, Fellows of the IWCV and out-of-town guests. Are you interested in learning more about the history and culture of Valencia? Many of you have been on walking tours with David, our fabulous English-speaking guide from Ars Magna. Now the IWCV is introducing a series of historical talks where David will help us understand how Valencia became the lovely city it is today.
We will start this new series of historical talks in the 14th century, with the history and culture of the Corpus Christi Festival. Note: This event is now full, but you can join the waitlist by sending an email to president@iwc-valencia.com and give us your name and the name of anyone you wish to bring along.
FELLOWS OF THE IWCV HAPPY HOUR, Wednesday 19 February, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Metropolis Bistro, C/Cuba 48. The Fellows’ Happy Hour is open to everyone! This bar is run by two Irish sisters, Fiona and Riona (actual names!). There is no need to sign up in advance, just come to see your old friends, meet new friends, and support this young business. For details or questions, contact the coordinator Carey Hepler at carey.hepler@gmail.com.
IWCV FEBRUARY LUNCHEON, Thursday 20 February, 2:00pm. Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, and Fellows of the IWCV. Join us for a delightful culinary journey at Restaurante Almunia, where the rich and vibrant flavors of Moroccan cuisine come to life. (The food is really good!!) For complete details and to sign up, click here: February Luncheon | IWC - Valencia
LEGAL ESSENTIALS FOR EXPATS – SESSION 4, Tuesday, 25 March, 11:00am – 12:30pm, Calle de Colón, 10. Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, and Fellows of the IWCV. Join us for a practical presentation by Javier Hernández, founder and attorney at Solicitor Valencia. With 20 years of experience, Mr. Hernández specializes in guiding expatriates through Spanish legal matters. For complete details and to register, click here: Legal Essentials for Expats | IWC - Valencia
MEMBERSHIP
Janine Forbes, VP Membership
New members and re-joiners in January 2025
Welcome to all our New Members!
Alexandra Grant USA
Julie Smith Spain
Kate Rodriguez USA
Laura Chasin USA
Lindsay Church USA
Mariela Galindo Mexico
Nicole Gawronski USA
Patricia Bloom Pogos Spain
Peggy Knight USA
Saslia Visser Spain
Yara Anabtawi Saudi Arabia
Happy Birthday to all our February ladies!
Catherine Guillot
Denise Bright
Heather Power
Ireen Tull
Irina Rakhimova
Jane Buck
Jean Mc Govern
Karen Magee-Koski
Kate Castor
Kathy Koenig
Lea Davis
Lorna Bullock
Louisa Walker
Lynn Sweeny
Marcia berlanga Robinson
Michaela Mellichamp
Michelle Thompson
Mimi Carrera
Pamela Maolakis
Risa Spargel
Sherry Frankel
Shreya Rajesh
Susan March
Teresa Shepro
Full registered members now stand at 321. New members found us through other members and Facebook recommendations.
Input from Membership VP - Janine Forbes
Our numbers continue to grow steadily with women from 39 counties joining our community. We have so many activities and opportunities to get involved with local charities in many capacities. Membership fees were due 31 January so please ensure your fees are paid as soon as you can. Any issues with accessing the payment system, please let myself or any of the board members know. The first Tuesday Coffee morning will take place on 4th February at the Muvimas cafe on Carrer de Quevado 10 (behind the MUVIM Museum) at 10:30. Please feel free to bring any female friends who may be interested in joining us.
A reminder that any of our newer members who would like to meet up with a local Ambassador please contact Famke at fgrootswagers@gmail.com who will be happy to help.
Remember, all the really useful information about the group is on the IWCV website. If you would like to join one of the many WhatsApp groups, just contact the relevant lead member or any Board Member including myself, janine_forbes@hotmail.com. If you know any women in your personal network who you think would enjoy our club, please pass on www.iwc-valencia.com and bring them along to an event.
CHARITIES & FUNDRAISING
Pauline Fitzgerald, VP – Charities
We kick started 2025 with a donation drive for Casa Caridad. Thank you to those ladies who donated. We will continue this drive in February and members of the charities team will be present at Coffee Morning on February 4th to accept your donations. For our new members, Casa Caridad is a non-profit organization located in Valencia that responds to the needs of homeless people and is one of the charities that IWCV has been supporting for a long time. In addition to providing shelter to homeless individuals, they also supply food to families in need by preparing food packages.
Casa Caridad would greatly appreciate donations of women's hygiene products, which can be used onsite, and/or olive oil, which will be included in the food packages. (This is something they have in short supply). For ladies who prefer to make private donations to our charities please see below bank details for all three charities. Proyecto VivirES75 3159 0066 9828 5328 2123Casa Caridad1. La Caixa: ES47 2100 0736 0022 0061 23102. Banco Sabadell: ES75 0081 7352 4300 0105 7311Casa Ronald McDonaldES27 0081 1518 9300 0150 8057
Thank you,ladies for your continued support
ACTIVITIES
Susan Burke March, VP—Activities
Hola Todas!
The first of our newest events, a series of historical talks by our fabulous English-speaking guide David of Ars Magna, filled quickly for this month but keep your eyes on the IWCV website as another talk with David will happen after Fallas in March!
There was so much interest in our “Legal Essentials for Expats” event with attorney Javier Hernández that we have now scheduled our 4th session for 25 March, right after Fallas. You can sign up now at Legal Essentials for Expats | IWC - Valencia
Amanda Cushman will be filling in as coordinator for our Spanish & Coffee group until Mary Reeves resumes in the spring (thank you, Amanda!). Contact Amanda to be added to the WhatsApp group and to learn more about it. What’s App: +1 (310) 980-0139.
Our Women Who Walk group is in need of a coordinator. There is minimal work involved. If you are interested or want to learn more about it, please contact me (Susan Burke March) at activities@iwc-valencia.com or by WhatsApp to +34 651 858 463.
Don’t forget you can learn about all of our on-going activities that meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly – and find the contact details for all the groups’ coordinators – on the IWCV website at Activities | IWC - Valencia
If you have an idea for an ongoing activity that you would like to coordinate, please contact me by email to activities@iwc-valencia.com or by WhatsApp to +34 651 858 463
FELLOWS OF THE IWCV
Carey Hepler, Coordinator
The Fellows Welcome to Valencia meeting is on Monday, 3 February and our Happy Hour is on Wednesday 19 February (details above). We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Sigve Mauritzen is restarting his Photography group, so interested parties should contact him via WhatsApp (+47 902 80 570).
Andrew Anderson is looking for anyone interested in playing Pádel or Golf. His WhatsApp is +1 703 403 4704
The Fellows of the IWCV is open to all men of Valencia. For questions or to join, please contact me (Carey Hepler) at carey.hepler@gmail.com.
FEBRUARY HOLIDAYS IN VALENCIA
There are no official holidays in Valencia in February.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at IWCV activities in the new year!
Jane Buck,
President