September Newsletter

Welcome back, Everyone! Now that the weather is getting a bit cooler and whole lot more comfortable, it’s time to start enjoying some of the fabulous events the IWCV has planned for you.

SAVE THE DATE for the IWCV’s 20th Anniversary Fundraiser on Thursday October 23^rd! Join us for a fun filled afternoon and take a trip down memory lane with friends old and new. All proceeds from the event will be divided between our three charities, Proyecto Vivir, Casa Ronald & Casa Caridad. See below under “Charities & Fundraising” for more details!

Now it’s time to go to the IWCV website and sign up for the events we’ve already planned for you, and don’t forget to check the website periodically for more things to do as new events are added all the time!

IWCV FIRST TUESDAY COFFEE, Tuesday 2 September, 10:30am at MuviMas Café, located on the terraza 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 register in advance, just stop by for a cuppa and to catch up with old friends and make some new ones! First Tuesday Coffee | IWC - Valencia

THE IBERIANS – HISTORICAL TALK WITH DAVID OF ARS MAGNA, Tuesday 9 September, 11am – 12/30pm at C/Buen Orden 8-1. Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, Fellows of the IWCV and out-of-town guests. Today we will go back to the beginning of Valencia’s history with the second in our series of historical talks with David of Ars Magna. For complete details and to register, click here: The Iberians: Historical Talk with David of Ars Magna | IWC - Valencia

IWCV ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & BOARD ELECTIONS, Thursday 11 September, 3pm – 5pm at Tony Roma’s Canovas. Open to IWCV members only. Not only is this an important meeting, but there’s free food and a drink waiting for you! How can you resist??? Join us to vote for Board members, find out what's happening with the IWCV, and enjoy a drink and a Tony Roma-style merienda (Tonion Rings, Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Wings, Nachos…)! There is no charge for this important IWCV meeting. For complete details and to register, click here: IWCV Annual General Meeting & Board Electionss | IWC - Valencia

FELLOWS OF THE IWCV HAPPY HOUR, Friday 12 September, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Bruno’s Lucky 13, Carrer de Pere Aleixandre, 13, Quatre Carreres. Open to everyone! There is no need to register in advance for this fun event. Come see your old friends and make some new ones! For details, click here: Fellows of the IWCV Happy Hour | IWC - Valencia

IWCV SEPTEMBER MEMBERS ONLY LUNCHEON, Thursday 18 September at Bikini Cabanyal. Come to the beach for our September luncheon at this lovely bistro created by lovers of good food, drinks, and a relaxed beachside lifestyle. This luncheon is open to IWCV members only. For complete details and to register, click here: September Luncheon | IWC - Valencia

BEAUTY + ENERGY = YOUR DIET IN ACTION, on two dates – choose the one that works best for you: Saturday 20 September or Tuesday 23 September. Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, Fellows of the IWCV and out-of-town guests. We all want more energy and to look our best, but are we falling for the hype? Join IWCV member and nutritionist Susan Burke March as we learn what food and supplements actually deliver for your appearance and energy, and which promises are just marketing myths. For complete details and to register, click for your preferred date:

Saturday 20 September: Beauty + Energy = Your Diet in Action | IWC - Valencia

Tuesday 23 September: Beauty + Energy = Your Diet in Action | IWC - Valencia

CHRISTIANS, JEWS & MUSLIMS: VALENCIA’S UNEASY COEXISTENCE, Thursday 25 September, 10:30am – 12:30pm, meet on the Serranos Bridge near the Serranos Tower. Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, Fellows of the IWCV, and out-of-town guests. Valencia is often remembered for the coexistence of three great cultures—Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. This rich intercultural past shaped the city’s architecture, neighborhoods, and traditions. But was it truly peaceful? Don’t miss the chance to take this insightful walk with local historian David, of Ars Magna, and discover the fascinating secrets of València. For complete details and to sign up, click here: CHRISTIANS, JEWS & MUSLIMS: VALENCIA’S UNEASY COEXISTENCE | IWC - Valencia

IWCV HAPPY HOUR (“OWL” – OUT WITH THE LADIES!), Wednesday 24 September, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Taberna La Mora, C/Francesc de Borja 1. Everyone is invited! Come on out to see old friends and to meet new ones! There is no need to register in advance. For complete details, click here: IWCV Happy Hour - OWL (Out with the Ladies!) | IWC - Valencia

LIQUID GOLD: CHOOSING, COOKING, AND THRIVING WITH THE BEST OLIVE OIL, Saturday 18 October, 11:00am – 12:30pm at Susan Hoover’s Home. Open to IWCV members, their partners/spouses, Fellows of the IWCV, and out-of-town guests. You will love this two part event with the two Susans! Part one: Dietary Fats – Myths and Truths, Best and Worst. The IWCV’s own dietitian Susan Burke March will explore the best and the worst types of dietary fats and clarify the truth about them – especially Extra Virgin Olive Oil! Part two: Olive Oil curator Susan Hoover will explain 10 things to understand about EVOO so you can get the best. Getting good Extra Virgin Olive Oil is not always easy but Susan will explain how to do it! For complete details and to register, click here: Liquid Gold: Choosing, Cooking, and Thriving with the Best Olive Oil | IWC - Valencia

WAITLIST – THE SPANISH NOTARIO SYSTEM – ENSURING TRUST IN LEGAL TRANSACTIONS, time & date TBD. Open to IWCV Members, their Partners/Spouses, & Fellows of the IWCV. This event was initially scheduled for 15 September and it filled fast! But you can now join the waitlist and we will do our best to schedule another date so no one has to miss this important talk! We’re pleased to welcome Notary Luis Calabuig de Leyva as our guest speaker. He will explain the vital role of the “Notario” in Spanish civil life — especially in safeguarding legal certainty and ensuring that key transactions are properly executed and registered. For details and to register, click here: WAIT LIST - The Spanish Notario System - Ensuring Trust in Legal Transactions | IWC - Valencia

New members and re-joiners in July and August 2025 -- We have an amazing 387 full members with 42 new members joining us over the summer from Spain, Serbia, France, Latvia, Russia, Australia, The Phillipines, Ireland, Bulgaria, Portugal, The Netherlands, Barbados, Haiti, the US and the UK!

A huge welcome to all our new members !

Amparo Pastor

Assisa Dtoikova

Audra Mulher

Beverley Allebach

Cecilia Lalama

Elene Aguirre

Elizabeth Ardoin

Emily Christman

Emily Kristoff

Emma Kalf

Eugenia meekier

Gabriela Jordan

Galena Krapivina

Grace Volker

Grainne Lines

Grainne O Reilley

Gwen Bertrand

Helena Arvanites

Jennifer Powers

Jessica Favaza

Jill Patterson

Joanne King

Julia Serrano

Kerin Rigney

Margeret Pond

Maria Ramos Pereira

Marilyn Habig

Nancy Farkas

Nicky Wunderlich

Sam Sagginelli

Sandra Sanchez Montana

Sonia Uzunova

Sophonie Graham

Stephanie Clippert

Sue Joey

Trish Trodd

Uliana Kovalenko

Veronica Nelson

Virginia Green

Wendy Wilson

Zorica Tomic Bastic

Happy Birthday to all our ladies celebrating in September!

Adrian Espinoza

Alicia Minaya

Amanda Cushman

Barbara Roldan

Brenda Stein

Casandra Merry

Cheryl Speer

Christina Schwartz

Cynthia Palmer

Elena Villa

Emma Kalf

Famke Grootswagers

Gloria Clarke

Gwen Bertrand

Iris Von Busse

Jennifer La Chance

Jenny Bizzoco

Josefina Gamundi

Kate Tarchala

Kristina Patterson

Laura Chasin

Lauren Mc Coy

Leslie Agnello-Dean

Liana Marina

Lisa Ann Guinn

Lizzie Barlow-Heiss

Lucia Laborda Lofgren

Mara Barrow

Martha Baker

Melanie Swan

Pam Smith

Ros Flans

Sally Ostler

Sheila Payson

Sonia Uzunova

Susan Hoover

Taija Hurkainen-Green

Vicki Stollmeyer

Vilma Ortiz

Zorica Tomic Bastic

New members found us through other members referrals, web searches and increasingly Facebook recommendations.

MEMBERSHIP

Janine Forbes, VP - Membership

Welcome to ALL our new members.

Summer is usually our quiet period but it hasn’t stopped 42 women joining us from all over the world. Our first coffee morning after the summer will take place on Tuesday 2nd September at the Muvimas cafe at 10:30. As always we welcome members old and new but would especially ask our more “established” members to look out for new faces and help our new members attending for the first time to feel welcome. It is very much appreciated. I look forward to welcoming anyone who can make it!

New members really appreciate the help of an IWC Ambassador when they are relatively new to the city, I know I did! If you are an existing member and you would like to help out the Ambassador team please contact Famke on fgrootswagers@gmail.com We are always grateful of extra help!

We will be running a “New Members meet up “ in the next quarter, so watch out for details on the Events section of the Website.

Remember, all the really useful information about What’s On within the Club and the 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 . I will be signing people up to the WhatsApp groups at the coffee morning so watch out for the circulating list. 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

Ladies,

Hope you all had a lovely Summer but as always we continue to support our charities.If you wish to make a personal donation please see below bank details for Proyect Vivir, Casa Caridad & Casa RonaldProyecto VivirES75 3159 0066 9828 5328 2123Casa CaridadLa Caixa:ES47 2100 0736 0022 0061 23102.Banco Sabadell:ES75 0081 7352 4300 0105 7311Casa RonaldES27 0081 1518 9300 0150 8057

It is still possible to become a family member at Casa Ronald. Every year the Casa Ronald  house next to La Fe Hospital hosts more than 200 families with seriously ill children who need to be close to them during their recovery. In order to be able to assume the high costs of maintaining this, they are asking us to join their great family in a very simple way that generates a lot of stability:

Becoming a family member - You decide the amount and how often you can contribute, every amount no matter how large or small helps in such a big way https://participa.fundacionronald.org/sociocasaronaldvalencia Casa Ronald greatly appreciates the support of IWCV.

Just a gentle reminder, Casa Caridad continue their mission to support victims of The Dana, so many people suffered and are still struggling. They are appealing to companies and individuals for donations, two bank accounts have been enabled for this purpose:CaixaBank: ES2321008681530200122656andRENTA 4 BANCO:ES 7600830001110097130755 or you can use the Bizum number 11001.

OUR 20th ANNIVERSARY FUNDRAISER Don't forget our 20th Anniversary Fundraiser on Thursday October 23rd. Join us for a fun filled afternoon and take a trip down memory lane with friends old and new. Proceeds from the event will be divided between our three charities, Proyecto Vivir, Casa Ronald & Casa Caridad. Please stay tuned to our website and your emails for details of the event and how to purchase your tickets. There will also be a bonanza raffle, details and the opportunity to buy tickets will be on our website soon. Hope as many of you as possible will attend the event to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

Casa Caridad - Coordinator required I know many of you ladies are aIways looking for volunteer opportunities, we are currently seeking a coordinator for Casa Caridad.  There is not too much work involved, It is basically contacting Casa Caridad every month to check their requirements, we usually run donation drives at coffee morning 2~3 times a year for hygiene products, non-perishable foods etc. plus we organise at least one tour of Casa Caridad every year for new members. You can obviously initiate your own fundraising ideas to support the charity. It is important to speak Spanish for easy communication with Casa Caridad. If any of you are interested can you please private message me as soon as possible on +34 634 336165. If you would like to learn more about Casa Caridad please visit their website www.casacaridad.com

Thank you.

ACTIVITIES

Susan Burke March, VP—Activities

Our Ongoing Activities are busier than ever!

Check the Website for new Events: https://www.iwc-valencia.com/events-for-the-month

and On-Going Activities: https://www.iwc-valencia.com/ongoingactivities

Enjoy these updates from some of our Activities Coordinators:

Solo Women Coordinator Silvia Matos Escalda says, “Solo Women was formed just 15 months ago and already has 77 wonderful members!

Regular Meetups: We gather on the 1st and 3rd Fridays for tapas and drinks in the Ayuntamiento area, always choosing restaurants no more than one bus ride away. On every fifth Friday, a member kindly hosts us at her apartment for a relaxed evening of shared tapas, drinks, and plenty of laughter.

Special Outings: Last June, we enjoyed a 3-day trip to Toledo (yes, Manchego cheesecake was involved!). This month we spent a day exploring Fuentes de Algar and Villajoyosa. Our goal is to keep one all-day outing on the calendar each month.

Celebrations: We mark milestones together, from a “Farewell for Now” luncheon for a member returning to the USA, to an 80th birthday celebration — because that is definitely a reason to party!

Ongoing Activities: Movie Tuesdays and Beach Babes Thursdays are now part of our regular rhythm.

Friendships & Support: Many friendships have blossomed from our gatherings. Looking ahead, we’d like to create a support service for members who are ill or recovering from surgery. I have my own upcoming surgery, so I’ll serve as the guinea pig to test how best we can put this into practice. Together we celebrate life, laughter, and the strength of women—and by lifting each other up, we remind ourselves that we are truly unstoppable.

Solo Women is a support group for single IWCV members and confidentiality within the group is a fundamental requirement. Contact Silvia to be added to the Solo Women IWCV Group: +34 666 68 35 74

Ann Linton is the coordinator for Monthly Gameplay and the Member-Hosted Board Game groups. Each month she welcomes new members, and says, "It's great! Our monthly group games are fun, and we are looking forward to scheduling more home games this fall." Contact Ann to be added to the WhatsApp chat. +1 (312) 208 8666

Women Who Walk (WWW) Coordinator Lauren McCoy says, “From June through August we've been meeting weekly at the cafeteria on the 6^th floor of El Corte Inglés on Colon at 10:15, and instead of walking in the heat, we’re waiting until cooler weather arrives. We hope to return to our weekly walk in the Turia hopefully by early September!” Stay current with the schedule by contacting Lauren to be added to the WWW WhatsApp chat. +34 697 36 83 54New!

The Spanish Book Club will have its first official meeting on September 10! Amy Swanson is the founder and our coordinator - she says, "We'll be discussing our initial book selection, “La Casa en Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros. As a new group, we've already been busy behind the scenes setting up how the group will function, and we are ready for the chance to practice our Spanish as we explore this first book together. We'll be choosing our October book soon.” Contact Amy at +34 692 71 51 30.

Other Activities include:

Our two Spanish Conversation groups: Both meet weekly on Wednesdays.

Mahjong Monday!

Self-Care for the Caregivers

Chicas de Libros

All information about these groups, when they meet, and how to join by contacting the coordinators is on the IWCV Website. https://www.iwc-valencia.com/ongoingactivities

Finally, Stitches & Yarns is looking for a new host! Our knitting and crocheting group has been on pause, but we’d love to get it going again. Cathy Cleaver, who has hosted the group, says, “It’s very simple: we meet once a month for a couple of hours. Everyone brings their own project—knitting, crocheting, or whatever they’re working on—and we just enjoy crafts, conversation, and a few light refreshments together. We’ve had 5–8 people join in the past, and there are new members eager to be part of it too!”

Please consider volunteering as coordinator—your involvement helps keep our IWCV community vibrant. Contact me, Susan Burke March, to learn more and to brainstorm any other new IWCV Activities. +34 651 858 463

FELLOWS OF THE IWCV

Carey Hepler, Coordinator

Details of the Fellows’ September Happy Hour are above. This event is open to Fellows and everyone else too! We hope to see you there. If you are new to Valencia and your husband needs to meet people and keep busy, bring him along and introduce him to the Fellows. It’s a great way for the men in your life to make friends!

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.

SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS IN VALENCIA

—NONE—

We’re looking forward to seeing many of you at our September events, and especially hope to see you at our Annual General Meeting for all members on 11 September!

Jane Buck,

President