October Newsletter

The heat is finally beginning to cool down and it’s officially autumn! My air conditioner is no longer grinding away vainly trying to cool the apartment, and before long we’ll all be switching to jackets, socks, and shoes – something I’m definitely looking forward to!

A message for all members – especially our new ones, but long-standing members too – now is the time to check your accounts to make sure you’ve paid your IWCV membership fee for 2026! Remember, only members in good standing (i.e., those who have been accepted AND paid dues) may participate in IWCV activities, events, and WhatsApp groups! We really don’t want to delete your membership so if you’re not sure please take a look at your records to confirm that your €20 dues for 2026 have been paid. If not, please go to our website (iwc-valencia.com), click on “Pay Dues” on the homepage, and follow the instructions. Thank you all!

Keep your eyes on the website for an announcement about our 2026 Annual General Meeting, which will be scheduled for November. There is no election this year (all Board members are currently in the first of their new 2 year terms) but it’s still good to attend to find out what’s planned for 2027 and to ask your Board whatever questions you may have.

We certainly have a lot planned for this autumn, so the list below is quite long – and very interesting! Do take a look and be sure to sign up early for any event that interests you. And don’t forget to check the IWCV website (iwc-valencia.com) periodically to find out what’s been added!

If an event you’d like to register for is full when you try to sign up, just email president@iwc-valencia.com to be added to the waitlist. You will be surprised how often a place will open for you! You do not have to pay anything until a place opens up and you accept it.

FELLOWS OF THE IWCV HAPPY HOUR, 6pm on Friday 2 October at Bar Restaurante El Convento, C/ de Guillem de Castro, 96. Open to everyone! No need to sign up in advance – come see your old friends and make some new ones!

TAI CHI WITH NATALIA –OPEN TO EVERYONE, 5, 12, 19 & 26 October (Register for all 4 classes), 16:45 – 17:45 at Oleka Yoga Studio, C/ dels Trinitaris, 14, Ciutat Vella. Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, Fellows of the IWCV and out-of-town guests. No previous experience is required. The practice is adapted to each person's abilities, and there is no need to perform difficult or strenuous movements. Come as you are and discover the quiet strength of Tai Chi. Details & Registration here: TAI Chi WITH NATALIA - OPEN TO EVERYONE | IWC - Valencia

QUARTERLY NEW FELLOWS OF THE IWCV WELCOME EVENT, Monday 5 October, 17:00 – 18:30 at El Corte Ingles Home Store, Carrer de Colón, 27. This quarterly event is open to all new Fellows of the IWCV, plus anyone who would like to meet some of the new guys! Spouses/partners/friends are also welcome. The cafeteria has about everything you’d want to eat or drink. Buy whatever you want and come find Carey Hepler in the dining area. He’ll be wearing a pork pie hat. No need to sign up in advance. Details here: Quarterly New Fellows of the IWCV Welcome Event | IWC - Valencia

IWCV FIRST TUESDAY COFFEE, Tuesday 6 October at 10:30am on the terrance at La Pizca de Sal, just behind the Quart Towers in Plaza Ursula. Open to all women of Valencia. No need to register in advance; just stop by for a cuppa and a chat! Details here: First Tuesday Coffee | IWC - Valencia

CREATIVE NUDE FIGURE DRAWING WITH LEAH, Wednesday 7 October, 2:00pm, location will be shown on your ticket. Explore the art of drawing from a live model in a warm and relaxed setting, while enjoying complimentary wine and light refreshments. Come create, connect, and immerse yourself in the joy of drawing. Details and registration: Creative Nude Figure Drawing with Leah | IWC - Valencia

NEW MEMBERS MEETUP, Thursday 8 October, 4:00pm at Jane Buck’s home. Open to new IWCV members, plus more experienced members who would like to meet some new members! We will share experiences and introduce you to the opportunities within the IWCV. Sweets & drinks will be served. Details & Registration: New Members Meetup | IWC - Valencia

THE AUTUMN RESET, Saturday 10 October, 17:00 – 18:30 at Carrer de Ramon de Rocafull, 16, Poblats Marítims. Open to IWCV members and their out-of-town guests. This a guided journaling experience for women, facilitated by a licensed clinical therapist. Journaling is a practice to help you close the season with clarity and step into the next one with intention. Whether it is a creative or grounding practice; or whatever intentions you are bringing, you are welcome to join our small community. Details & Registration: THE AUTUMN RESET | IWC - Valencia

TOUR OF CASA RONALD MCDONALD, Tuesday 13 October, 6:00—7:00pm. Transport will be provided to and from Casa Ronald McDonald from a central meeting point in Valencia, details to be advised before the tour. Open to IWCV Members only. Don’t miss this rare special opportunity to visit the house and understand the wonderful work that is carried out there. At Casa Ronald, families of children with serious illness receiving treatment at La Fe Hospital are hosted free of charge. Details and registration: Casa Ronald McDonald | IWC - Valencia

CENTRO DE ARTE HORTENSIA HERRERO, Wednesday 14 October, 6:00pm—8:00pm at C. del Mar, 31. Open to IWCV members, their spouses/partners, IWCV-Fellows, and out-of-town guests. Experience a guided tour with art historian Helena Stendhal through the Hortensia Herrero Art Centre. Full details at Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero | IWC - Valencia Note: this event is full, but you can join the waitlist by emailing president@iwc-valencia.com.

OCTOBER IWCV LUNCHEON, Thursday 15 October at 2:00pm. Open to IWCV members only. Let's enjoy delicious, authenic Polish food at U Polek – we will each experience a home-made culinary feast! Details & registration: October IWCV Luncheon | IWC - Valencia

DRINK & DRAW! Thursday 15 October at Bar Esmas. Open IWCV Members, Partners/Spouses, Fellows & Out-of-Town Guests, 18 years or older, please. Join us for a different kind of Happy Hour! No experience—and no artistic ambition—required! If you like to doodle, sketch, scribble, or simply enjoy trying something new, join us! Details and registration: Drink & Draw! | IWC - Valencia

INKY SKETCH CLUB, Friday 16 October, 10:00am at Jardin de Monteforte, C/ de Montforte, El Pla del Real. Open to IWCV Members, Partners/Spouses, Fellows & Out-of-Town Guests. Join us for Inky Sketch Club, a gathering for curious people who want to slow down, notice more, and explore the world through sketching. Beginners and more seasoned sketchers are equally welcome. Details & registration: Inky Sketch Club | IWC - Valencia

CABANYAL—CANYAMELAR, Wednesday 21 October, 11:00am at La Fábrica de Hielo, C/ de Pavia, 37, Poblats Marítims. Open to IWCV Members, Partners/Spouses, Fellows & Out-of-Town Guests. Join Helena Navarro for a tour of The Poble Nou de la Mar – an independent municipality for much of the nineteenth century. Its architectural heritage came under serious threat when a project to extend Avenida Blasco Ibáñez was proposed. During this activity, we will discover how the Salvem el Cabanyal platform managed to change the neighborhood’s fate. Details & Registration: Cabanyal-Canyamelar | IWC - Valencia

VINO Y QUESO – A FUNDRAISER FOR PROYECTO VIVIR, Friday 23 October, 4:00pm at HEBRA, the Proyecto Vivir Charity Shop. Open to IWCV members, their spouses/partners, IWCV Fellows, and out-of-town guests. Join us for wine, cheese, and good company while raising funds to stock the pantry at Proyecto Vivir. Details & Registration: Vino y Queso | IWC - Valencia

STRONGER FOR LIFE: FUTURE-PROOF YOUR BODY, Saturday 24 October, 10am at Av. del Professor López Piñero, 8, Quatre Carreres. Open to IWCV members only. Personal trainer and movement coach Katherine Williams will help us bring together strength, mobility, balance and posture, with lots of practical exercises and tips for staying strong, capable and independent as we get older. Details & Registration: Stronger for Life: Future-Proof Your Body | IWC - Valencia

BEHIND HIDDEN DOORS, Thursday 29 October, 10:30am at Casa-Museo Benilliure. Open to IWCV Members and their Partners/Spouses, Fellows of the IWCV, and Out-Of-Town Guests. Led by local historian David of Ars Magna, this visit brings the art, history and stories of Casa-Museo Benlliure to life. Details & Registration: Behind Hidden Doors | IWC - Valencia

INKY SKETCH CLUB, Thursday 5 November. (See above on 16 October). Details & Registration: Inky Sketch Club | IWC - Valencia

WILD WISDOM ORACLE, Saturday 7 November, 11:00am at Galerie Alaux, Central, C/ del Peu de la Creu, 7, Ciutat Vella. Open to IWCV Members, Partners/Spouses, Fellows & Out-of-Town Guests. What if the wisdom you need could be found in the colors, creatures, symbols, and rhythms of the natural world? Join IWCV member Shannon Hernandez for Wild Wisdom Oracle – a playful, hands-on workshop in which you’ll create a one-of-a-kind mixed-media oracle card deck inspired by nature and your own intuition. Details & Registration: Wild Wisdom Oracle | IWC - Valencia

INSTITUTO VALENCIA DE ARTE MODERNO (IVAM), 4:00pm at C/ de Guillem de Castro, 118, Ciutat Vella. Open to IWCV Members, Partners/Spouses, Fellows & Out-of-Town Guests. Experience a guided tour with Art Historian Helena Navarro consisting of the current exhibition at the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern - IVAM. Details & Registration: INSTITUTO VALENCIANO de ARTE MODERNO (IVAM) | IWC - Valencia

HOW TO BECOME ART, Thursday 19 November, 6:00pm at Galerie ALAUX, Galerie Central, C/ del Peu de la Creu, 7, Ciutat Vella. Open to IWCV Members, Partners/Spouses, Fellows & Out-of-Town Guests. M. Shannon Hernandez & Alexey Timbul are excited to welcome you to a co-created and immersive evening in the art gallery at The Westin Hotel. When do you ever get an entire gallery to yourself? For one evening, we’ll have Galerie ALAUX to ourselves for an immersive encounter with art, the senses, and our own creativity. Details & Registration: How to Become Art | IWC - Valencia

ABOVE THE JOY LINE, Sunday 22 November, 11:00am at Galerie Alaux, Central, C/ del Peu de la Creu, 7, Ciutat Vella. Open to IWCV Members only. What brings you joy in this season of your life? And where has joy been postponed, crowded out, or quietly waiting to be rediscovered? Join Shannon Hernandez and Shelia West for Above the Joy Line – an intimate, three-hour experience for up to 15 women from IWCV who want to slow down and explore what genuinely makes them feel alive now. Details & Registration: Above the Joy Line | IWC - Valencia

MEMBERSHIP

Janine Forbes, VP Membership

Welcoming all our new members who joined us from far and wide !

Members join us from - Venezuela, Canada, Hungary, Colombia, Romania, Russia and Brazil as well as the USA. However you found us we are so glad you did and we extend a huge welcome to all our new members!

Amy Egizil

Ann Kohl

Anna Timbusz

Anya Burton

Belinda Killion

Bernadette O Dwyer

Blanca Real Frances

Bonney Jacobs

Camila Diaz

Cathrin Kolb

Claudia Stevenson

Cloud Bell

Diana Vasquez

Jane Freeman

Julia Perepech

Kathleen Lobregat

Kathy Hammel

Kristi Pacheco

Lacey Clemmons

Linda DeCarlo

Lindsay Green

Lisa Houck

Lorelei Bowers

Lorena Meis Barral

Lorna Bullock

Maria Claire Howard

Marta Cortes

Meliana Salim

Mona Lazar

Pamela Bell

Patty Hirota Cohen

Rebecca Borden

Robyn Hogg

Sharon Soffer

Sita Romero

Susan Atkinson

A huge Happy Birthday to all our members with an October Birthday - Feliz Cumpleanos Todas !!

Welcome to ALL our new members.

Our membership (nearly ) reached 600 with 37 new joiners this month. We have so many activities for you to enjoy happening this month. Please do come along and meet us at the regular “Tuesday” coffee at the beautiful Pizca de Sal Terrace, opposite Torres de Quart at 10:30 on 6 October. If you are new to the club and don’t know anyone, please come and find me, I will be wearing a bright Orange lanyard!

We are always looking for new venues so if anyone knows somewhere that can accommodate 50 lively women on one Tuesday a month please let me know!

We have our new members meeting on 8th October hosted by our President Jane, if you are new (ish) and want to go please sign up now on the website; at time of writing there were a couple of spaces left.

If you are very new to your area or the city, please speak to Veronica Lopez who is our Ambassador Co-ordinator. Her e mail is iwcvwelcome@gmail.com New members really appreciate the support of an IWC Ambassador when they are relatively new to the city and we always appreciate the help of “longer term” members.

Remember, all the really useful information about What’s On within the Club and its many, many events 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 . Of course, If you know any women in your personal network who you think would enjoy being a member of our club, please pass on the www.iwc-valencia.com and bring them along to an event. This is how the majority of women find us and referral is the best recommendation of all.

CHARITIES & FUNDRAISING

Pauline Fitzgerald, VP – Charities

September has disappeared and as we approach the holiday season our charity work becomes more important. We have a tour of Casa Ronald and a Wine & Cheese Evening at Hebra (Proyecto Vivir Shop) in October. For any of you ladies who wish to make private donations please note the bank details of our three charities:

Proyecto Vivir

ES75 3159 0066 9828 5328 2123

Casa Caridad

La Caixa:ES47 2100 0736 0022 0061 2310

Banco Sabadell:ES75 0081 7352 4300 0105 7311

Casa Ronald:ES27 0081 1518 9300 0150 8057

DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT CASA RONALD ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 13TH. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO AND FROM THE HOUSE FROM A CENTRAL MEETING POINT IN VALENCIA.

This visit will give you ladies a great opportunity to see first hand how the wonderful people at Casa Ronald take care of the families of children receiving medical treatment at La Fe Hospital. Their stay at Casa Ronald at what can only be described as a very difficult time is a house with a pleasant atmosphere with individual rooms and a range of common services where children have the opportunity to feel at home and parents can lead a family life as close to normal as possible whilst remaining united in the face of illness. The tour is free and will be conducted in English. You will be guided through the operation of Casa Ronald and you can discuss the challenges the beneficiaries face everyday. As one of the 3 charities supported by IWC-V, this visit offers an amazing opportunity to see how our contributions really help.

AMIGURUMI ANIMALS

Before Summer we were looking for those of you nimble fingered ladies who crochet to help Casa Ronald by creating Amigurumi Animals. Now that the evenings are cooler I am hoping the knitting needles and crochet hooks will appear.  Please see below the link for free patterns.https://www.amigurumi.comIf you can help, please email me on pauline.fitzgerald9@gmail.com. We can arrange a collection point and all the animals can be delivered together to Casa Ronald.CASA

RONALD CHRISTMAS BASKETS

The Casa Ronald Christmas Basket sale has been launched. The Christmas baskets are designed by Grupo Navarra specifically for CasaRonald outside of its usual catalogue, with a wide variety of products and excellent value for money. For every basket sold €7.50 will be donated to CasaRonald. These charity Christmas hampers offer a simple way to turn holiday gifts for employees, clients, or partners into direct support for families who must travel so their children can receive medical treatment. Each hamper comes with special packaging and an explanatory card, ensuring the recipient knows they are holding a charitable product that has made a very positive impact on families going through an incredibly difficult time.

The new feature of this year's campaign is the choice of three options of baskets tailored to different needs and budgets. CasaRonald is offering three sizes of baskets. The IVA in Spain is 21%. It is not included in the price.

1. The small basket has 14 products, costs €25+ €5 IVA for a total of €30.

2. Second basket has 23 products, costs €55+ €11.55 IVA for a total of €66.55

3. Third basket has 27 products, costs €105€ + €22.05 for a total of €127.05

TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT IS IN EACH BASKET, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE FLYER ATTACHED TO THE EMAIL YOU RECEIVED LETTING YOU KNOW THAT THIS NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE TO READ ON OUR WEBSITE.

These baskets have always been popular with our IWCV Ladies. 

TO ORDER YOUR BASKET(S), email Carmen Rieff mariacrieff@gmail.com. Please provide your complete name, email address, WhatsApp (or phone) number, which basket you require (1, 2 or 3) and the number of baskets you are ordering.

Your orders must be placed by Friday October 23rd at the very latest!

When the baskets are available, you will be notified and you can pick them up at a central location in Valencia so that you do not have to travel to the Ronald McDonald House to collect. Payment will be on collection.

********We have an exciting fundraising event coming up for Casa Ronald in November. Places will be limited so please watch your email for details*********

PROYECTO VIVIR

A Fundraiser for Proyecto Vivir

WINE & CHEESE EVENING

23 Oct 2026, 16:00 – 18:00

HEBRA, the Proyecto Vivir Charity Shop,

Carrer de González Martí, 3, Extramurs 46008 València

This Wine and Cheese fundraiser will raise funds for grocery items for the pantry at Proyecto Vivir. Every week, families in need are provided with a bag of grocery items such as lentils, beans, rice, milk, pasta, feminine products, toiletries and diapers.Come and join friends old and new over a glass or two of wine and some lovely cheese in the surroundings of PV Store, you might even bag a bargain. Numbers are limited, reserve your tickets now @ €10 per head, bring along your ticket confirmation and you will be included in a raffle. Log onto the following link to reserve your place for what should be a fun evening.https://www.iwc-valencia.com/events-for-the-month

The Second Tuesday Donation Drive will be on Tuesday October 13th. We will issue a list of their requirements in the coming week. Please watch your email & WhatsApp messages for details. If you can help in any way, please drop off your donations between 10:30 and 12:00 at:

Proyecto Vivir

Plaça de l'Horticultor Corset, nº4, 

Extramurs, 46008

Evelyn Smith, our PV Co-ordinator, will be at PV to assist with donations. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn by email on evcelina@gmail.com

If you wish to make monetary donations to the pantry fund, please do so to the following bank account number and please remember to add "Pantry Donation" to the description in the transfer.

Bank Account No: ES75 3159 0066 9828 5328 2123

CASA CARIDAD

Casa Caridad Co-ordinatorI am looking for a volunteer to become the IWCV’s Casa Caridad liaison. This position does not require a lot of time, it is important to communicate with CC every month to check what they need and how we can support them. Ideally this person should have some knowledge of Spanish to communicate with the team. Our usual commitment to CC is to run donation drives for their pantry a few times each year. We are always open to fundraising ideasIf any of you ladies have a little free time and you are comfortable conversing in Spanish, please contact me by mail: pauline.fitzgerald9@gmail.com Thank you again ladies for your continued support and generosity. Our charities greatly appreciate the ladies of IWCV.

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Susan Burke March, VP—Activities & Events

Connect, Explore & Enjoy with IWCV!

We’re bringing all our IWCV WhatsApp chats together under our new IWCV Community, making it easier to find your favorite groups, discover new interests, and connect with fellow members. Please – do not share the link to join the IWCV Community with anyone who is not an IWCV member. Let’s make sure our private groups stay private! Thank you.

October and November bring many exciting events—including cultural tours, exercise, art, travel, and more! Check the Events page, join the conversations, and come along—we’d love to see you.

To join the IWCV Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlkNkzqoiEB1SRrXZtkuk7

To check Activities: https://www.iwc-valencia.com/ongoingactivities

To check Events: https://www.iwc-valencia.com/events-for-the-month

FELLOWS OF THE IWCV

Carey Hepler, Coordinator

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, WhatsApp +34 613 39 56 39. We’re looking forward to meeting you!

.

The Fellows Happy Hour will be at Bar Restaurante El Convento on Friday, October 2.

Our quarterly get-together for new Fellows will be on Monday 5 October. Details for both are above.

Continuing in October:

• Aprendiendo Español on Mondays

• Movies on Tuesdays

• Andrew Anderson is still coordinating Golf and Padel.

OCTOBER HOLIDAYS IN VALENCIA

October 9	Friday	Valencian Day
October 12	Monday	National Day

We hope to see you at one or more of the fabulous events we’ve planned for you in October!

All my best,

Jane Buck,

President