Are you ready for Fallas??? This is the month when Valencia celebrates, and it is wild! For those of you preparing for your first Fallas, enjoy it and just go with the flow! For those of you escaping Valencia, have a great trip! We will be having fewer activities this month than usual due to Fallas and its concomitant crowds, but we still have some fun things planned for you.
March also celebrates the International Day of the Woman. International Women’s Day takes place on March 8 every year to celebrate women's rights and inspire people to act in the ongoing fight for gender equality. This year, the UN’s International Women’s Day theme is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” which aims to call attention to the gender gap in technology access around the world, and also to call attention to digital gender abuse and discrimination. In celebration of International Women's Day, let's do our best to stand in solidarity with women everywhere, as we strive towards gender equality and empower women to reach their full potential. On 8 March, and every day, let's recognize and appreciate the contributions of women to our families, communities, and the world.
For those of you who attended (or tried to attend) our February OWL Happy Hour and found the venue locked and the blinds shut, my apologies. We still do not know what happened as our reservation had been confirmed, but there was a sign on the door saying that they were closed for personal reasons. We hope that the owner and staff of Babilonia are all okay.
MEMBERSHIP
Events for March
Susan Kaplan, VP Membership
First Tuesday Coffee – Tuesday 7 March, 10:30am at MuviMent, on the terraza behind the MUVIM Museum. The coffee morning is open to all women in Valencia, both members and those who have not officially joined us yet. There is no need to register in advance - just stop by and join us!
Beyond Stick Figures – Friday 3 March. A new 3-session class for IWCV members only. Learn how to draw and get beyond your own perceptions of what you think drawing is. These classes are for those with "no talent"! This class will fill fast, but please do join the waitlist – you never know! and if there’s enough interest, maybe we can schedule an encore. For details, click on Beyond Stick Figures | IWC - Valencia
Tour of the Falla del Casal del Pilar – Tuesday 14 March. Here’s your chance to go “inside the fence” to see the Falla del Pilar being built, then enjoy a fiesta at the Casal del Pilar! This is a great Fallas activity and is for members, plus 1 other (spouse/partner/out-of-town guest). For details and to register, click on Tour of the Falla del Casal del Pilar | IWC - Valencia
Lladro Factory Tour – Thursday 23 March. This tour is a unique experience, where you will see how the artisans create their pieces, and you will visit the Lladró Museum & Boutique. This tour is for IWCV members and their spouses/partners. For details and to sign up, please click here: Lladro Factory Tour | IWC - Valencia
March Luncheon – Due to Fallas, we will not be having a luncheon this month, but we look forward to seeing you in April. Keep an eye on the IWCV website in late March/early April for details.
OWL Happy Hour – Stay posted! As soon as we hear from the folks at Babilonia, we will let you know if – and where – this will happen.
New Members & March Birthdays will be posted in the April newsletter.
Charities & Fundraising
Pauline Fitzgerald, Charities Chair
This month we began our first fundraiser for 2023 to support all three of our charities (Casa Caridad, Casa Ronald McDonald, and Proyecto Vivir).
You will be able to purchase our new IWCV luggage tags at IWCV events, at a cost of 5 euros for a set of 2 tags. They are bright yellow with the IWCV’s orange “Valencia Orange” logo on the front. You won’t miss your suitcase on the baggage carousel with these tags! And they’re great for backpacks too. 100% of the proceeds from the sale will be divided between our charities, so it’s all for good causes.
Activities
Phyllis So, VP Activities
January’s events:
On Monday 22 January we had a guided tour of the Pharaoh King of Egypt exhibit at the Caixa Forum. Thank you to Julie Massie for coordinating! The tour was well-attended, and it really was helpful to have an English-speaking tour guide. Everyone appeared to enjoy the event.
On Tuesday 31 January IWCV member Susan March, a registered dietician gave a lively presentation called “Let’s Bust Some Nutrition Myths” where she discussed some positive changes we can make to our lifestyles to ensure a healthy life. Susan’s talk was both interesting and helpful.
Our rescheduled tour of the Casa & Museu del Pintor Jose Benilliure was very successful and everyone who attended enjoyed it very much.
Ongoing Activities:
Spanish and Coffee, Wednesdays, 4-6 at Bastard’s in Russafa. https://goo.gl/maps/tRC8K7SVFeSMeqJB8 Come join us for Spanish conversations. If you are bilingual (including Spanish) please join us as we need more Spanish speakers! This on-going activity is to help improve your Spanish conversation abilities and is not a Spanish class. After some initial growing pains, this group is ready to take off! Contact person: Mary Reeves, +34 686 502 090
Women Who Walk, Fridays, 11-1 meet at Palau de la Musica to walk the Turia and then have coffee. For all levels of walking, you will find someone to walk with. This activity is open to members, their partners/spouses, and out-of-town guests. Guests who reside in Valencia may join one time only, after that, please join the IWCV if you want to continue walking with us. Thanks for understanding! Contact person: Lisa Harrison +34 711 02 08 67
Stitches and Yarns (formerly “Knit & Knatter”) Third Thursday of the month from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Cathy Cleaver’s home on Avenguda Oeste. Join this lively group, learn to knit or crochet and/or bring your current project. Contact person: Cathy Cleaver +34 635 97 89 98
Board Games and More – Meets approximately twice a month, with different hostesses – anyone can volunteer! 6-8 people (depends on your flat), bring snacks and beverage. Games currently being played: 3/13 (like rummy but not), Mexican Train Dominoes (like dominoes but not), Rumi Kube, (like rummy but not), Quiddler (make words vs. Numbers), Yahtzee. If there’s a game you’d like to play or if you want to host a party, let Ann know. Contact info: Ann Linton, WhatsApp +1 (312) 208-8666
Mahjong - Every Monday from 11am to 4pm at Muff & Co, Carrer del Dr Vila Barberá 9. (The food at Muff & Co is delicious so staying for lunch is not a hardship at all!) We play Hong Kong style mahjong. If you don’t know how to play, email Jane Buck to sign up for the next (free!) class. Contact for weekly games and for lessons: Jane Buck – ForJBuck@aol.com.
March Holidays in Valencia
1 March through 19 March – FALLAS!
We hope you have a great Fallas, or a great escape trip somewhere, or just enjoy the comfort of your home this month!
Jane Buck,
President
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