A lesson learned – the next time I bring my computer with me on holiday I will also bring my external American keyboard and my mouse. Learning to use a Spanish keyboard on a laptop while on vacation was definitely not a good idea….so, please forgive the typos (I´m sure there are many!) and please read on to find out what the IWCV has planned for you this coming month. Don’t forget to check the IWCV website (www.iwc-valencia.com) periodically as events are added all the time!
FIRST TUESDAY COFFEE MORNING, Tuesday 7 January, 10:30am to Noon on the Terrace behind the MUVIM Museum. Open to all women of Valencia, both IWCV members and those who haven’t officially joined us yet. No need to sign up in advance. Just stop by for a cuppa and a chat!
PURPOSEFUL PROSE: A CREATIVE WORKSHOP IN THREE SESSIONS, Thursday 9 January (first session). Open to IWCV members only. This writing workshop is designed especially for women seeking a supportive community in which to write and connect. We will discover joy in collaboration and mutual encouragement as we navigate our lives together. For complete details and to register, click here: Purposeful Prose: A Creative Workshop in Three Sessons | IWC - Valencia
FELLOWS OF THE IWCV WELCOME TO VALENCIA MEET-UP, Monday 13 January, 11:30am – 1:30pm at the Colon Corte Ingles Cafeteria. 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 email to carey.hepler@gmail.com.
CREATIVE NUDE FIGURE DRAWING WITH LEAH, Tuesday 14 January, 10am to Noon.
Have you always wanted to try figure drawing? Or do you have some experience and want to continue? Come to Leah's figure drawing class in the old city. Details can be found at
FELLOWS OF THE IWCV HAPPY HOUR, Wednesday 15 January, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Tres Bandas - A Cocktail Bar. Open to everyone! This is a great local spot in the Abastos barrio. It has pool tables, good beer (including La Chouffe) and a full bar. Come see your old friends, meet new friends, and support this young business. https://maps.app.goo.gl/9QXDE73vfEWHTwCg9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
PEACE OF MIND IN SPAIN: LEGAL ESSENTIALS FOR EXPATS, Thursday 16 January, 10:30 to Noon. This is 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. He will discuss how to ensure your residency paperwork is in order after a spouse's passing, as well as key legal, tax, and property considerations. This event is full, but if you're interested, please join the waiting list on the Events page of the website, we hope to hold it again. Events | IWC - Valencia
JANUARY IWCV MEMBERS´ LUNCHEON, Thursday 16 January, 2 PM. For IWCV members only. This month we are going to U Polek, an authentic and delicious Polish restaurant. If you like homey, mouth-watering comfort food, then this is the place to go! Register for this month's luncheon here January Luncheon | IWC - Valencia
CAREGIVER SELF-CARE: HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE WHILE TAKING CARE OF A LOVED ONE AT HOME, Tuesday 21 January, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Location TBD. Open to all IWCV members, their partners/spouses, and Fellows of the IWCV, with a focus on mutual respect and confidentiality. This new on-going activity aims to provide support and practical help for anyone managing a loved at home with a long-term or disabling condition. For complete details and to register, click here: Caregiver Self-Care: How to Survive and Thrive While Taking Care of a Loved One at Home | IWC - Valencia
WHAT´S NEXT? PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE, Friday 24 January, 2:00pm – 3:30pm. Open to IWCV members and their partners/spouses. Many of us have moved to Valencia with a partner or spouse, but we may not have thought about what would happen if that person were to pass away. Are we prepared for the future? This meetup aims to discuss the physical, emotional, and practical issues that could arise in such a situation. For complete details and to sign up, click here: What’s Next? Preparing for the Future | IWC - Valencia
OWL – THE IWCV´S HAPPY HOUR, Wednesday 29 January, 6pm at Taberna La Mora, C/Sant Francesc de Borja 1 (at the corner of Marques de Zenete). Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, Fellows of the IWCV, and guests. There is no need to register in advance; just drop by for a drink, to say hello to old friends, and to make new ones! For complete details, go to IWCV Happy Hour | IWC - Valencia.
MEMBERSHIP
Janine Forbes, VP Membership
New members and re-joiners in December 2024
Welcome to all our New Members!
Aimee Schmit US
Allie Robison US
Christina Schwartz US
Danya Rubalcava US
Doris Hogan Austria
Kathie Koenig US
Laura Graumann US
Laurie Harrington S
Linda Wray Netherlands
Mina Haghighat Spain/Iran
Monique Cordell Belgium
Olga Makarova Russia
Payam Soleymani Gorgani Iran
Rasha Abdelmalek Egypt
Sylvie Girard Canada
Happy Birthday to all our January ladies!
Allison Stuart
Bonnie Noble
Brenda Price
Cathleen Mosel
Corine Bisiacco O Keefe
Cynthia Marin
Diane Millar
Elaine Weckworth
Eve Kanne Ulin
Jana Johnson
Joan Powers
Julie Turner
Luisa Buritica
Masami Fox
Ruth Ann Hepler
Susan Kaplan
Zorana Durkovic
Full registered members now stand at 312. 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 all over the world joining our community. We have so many activities and opportunities to get involved with local charities in many capacities.
Annual membership fees are due this month and we would really appreciate prompt payment once payment instructions are posted.
The First Tuesday Coffee morning will take place on 7th January at the Muvim cafe on Carrer de Quevedo 10 at 10:30am. Please bring any 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 information about the group is on the IWC 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
The holiday season is here, and our charities have enjoyed tremendous support from our members. This year we have sponsored 108 children for the Three Kings Celebration. This is an amazing result! Thank you to Claire O'Keefe for her wonderful work with this project.
Missy did a wonderful job collecting gifts for the homeless in the city, again the response was fantastic.
Forty-six of you supported Casa Ronald by purchasing their Christmas Gift Baskets. We received a lovely email from Casa Ronald which said (in Spanish) “Thanks to your support and affection this year we have been able to welcome 172 families from all over Spain and many from the Valencian Community itself.” Congratulations, Ladies, well done!
Our members also supported Proyecto Vivir by purchasing their beautiful Poinsettia plants this holiday season.
As always, your donations to the charities supported by the IWCV are much appreciated. For those of you who wish to make a private donation, the bank details of our charities are as follows; please ensure that you note IWCV in the reference box.
Proyecto VivirES75 3159 0066 9828 5328 2123
Casa Caridad 1. La Caixa: ES47 2100 0736 0022 0061 23102. Banco Sabadell: ES75 0081 7352 4300 0105 7311
Casa RonaldES27 0081 1518 9300 0150 8057
For now, from The Charities Team I would like to wish all you wonderful ladies a Peaceful New Year and to say a massive thank you for all your help and support throughout 2024.
ACTIVITIES
Susan Burke March, VP—Activities
Hola Todas!
Valencia's pleasant weather makes this an ideal season for walking and socializing over skills, fun, knowledge, and coffee!
In December, David from Ars Magnus Cultural Tours guided us through the Secrets and Legends of Valencia for the second time in two months, highlighting the city's rich history. He also took us to the Old City of Sagunto, a historical site just a train ride away. Susan Hoover hosted the Essentials of Olive Oil presentation, treating attendees to a lovely spread of cheese, chocolate, and Cava, along with an olive oil tasting—be sure to join the next event with Susan!
Other December highlights included a sold-out luncheon at Restaurante Birlibirloque.
Looking ahead to January, our Events continue to thrive. Go to our Events page to see more about the new events and to register:
On 9 January, writer May Leong will lead a creative workshop titled "Purposeful Prose."
On 16 January, attorney Javier Hernández will present "Peace of Mind in Spain: Legal Essentials for Expats."
21 January kicks off “Caregiver Self-Care,” providing support for those caring for a loved one at home.
Finally, on 24 January, we will launch "What’s Next? Preparing for the Future," addressing preparations for potential life changes.
Don’t miss out on these engaging events!
If you have an idea for an ongoing activity that you would like to coordinate, please contact me by email to SBurkerd@gmail.com or by WhatsApp to +34 651 858 463
FELLOWS OF THE IWCV
Carey Hepler, Coordinator
The Fellows of the IWCV is open to all men of Valencia, including the male spouses/partners of IWCV members, current & former. To join the group, please email Carey Hepler at carey.hepler@gmail.com and give him your name & contact details. If there is a particular activity that you are interested in and would like to coordinate, let Carey know!
Beginning on Monday 13 January and on the 2nd Monday of each month, the Fellows will have a "Welcome to Valencia" get-together at the Colon El Corte Ingles cafeteria. All new Fellows (plus their spouses and more seasoned Fellows) are welcome to join to meet each other and find out what the Fellows are all about. See above for more details!
Take a look above for details of the Fellows’ Happy Hour on Thursday 15 January – everyone is invited!
JANUARY HOLIDAYS IN VALENCIA
Wednesday 1 January New Year´s Day
Monday 6 January Kings Day (Epiphany of the Lord)
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at IWCV activities in the new year!
Jane Buck,
President