About Us
The first neighborhood in Carlsbad’s Aviara master development opened in 1989; it now comprises 1,384 homes in 16 different communities. Just imagine all those people converging into one area: Everybody was from somewhere else, and nobody knew the neighbor next door. Brenda Croll was one of those newcomers, and she decided to do something about it. So in October 1995, Brenda sent a mailer to all the homes in Aviara, inviting the woman of these families to gather at a luncheon at the Tuscany Restaurant. More than 40 women attended, and the Aviara Women’s Club was born.
From the beginning, the Club functioned much as it does today. Regular monthly meetings were held at the La Costa coffee house. January 1996 saw the first publication of the AWC newsletter (a single sheet). A bunco group was established, as was a supper club. Members attended opening day at the Del Mar Race track - the first in a long list of AWC special events we still enjoy. When the holidays rolled around, the Club held a cookie exchange - nothing elaborate, just coffee and cookies. Initially the holiday luncheon was held at members’ homes, to which attendees would bring food to share, as well as unwrapped gifts to be donated to needy children.
As the group grew, the Club needed a larger room for its monthly meetings. The Sunrise retirement facility was perfect - a convenient location with plenty of parking. AWC members took the opportunity to donate some of their personal time to Sunrise by helping to entertain retirees with games such as bingo.
Eventually, we outgrew Sunrise and moved the monthly meeting to its current location at the Carlsbad Library on Dove Lane. The AWC has grown steadily over the years, thanks to Brenda’s enthusiasm and commitment, as well as to the many members who volunteer to lead Club activities. We now number approximately 160 members from many communities beyond Aviara, including North Carlsbad, La Costa, Encinitas, San Marcos, Oceanside, Escondido, and Solana Beach.
From the beginning, the Club functioned much as it does today. Regular monthly meetings were held at the La Costa coffee house. January 1996 saw the first publication of the AWC newsletter (a single sheet). A bunco group was established, as was a supper club. Members attended opening day at the Del Mar Race track - the first in a long list of AWC special events we still enjoy. When the holidays rolled around, the Club held a cookie exchange - nothing elaborate, just coffee and cookies. Initially the holiday luncheon was held at members’ homes, to which attendees would bring food to share, as well as unwrapped gifts to be donated to needy children.
As the group grew, the Club needed a larger room for its monthly meetings. The Sunrise retirement facility was perfect - a convenient location with plenty of parking. AWC members took the opportunity to donate some of their personal time to Sunrise by helping to entertain retirees with games such as bingo.
Eventually, we outgrew Sunrise and moved the monthly meeting to its current location at the Carlsbad Library on Dove Lane. The AWC has grown steadily over the years, thanks to Brenda’s enthusiasm and commitment, as well as to the many members who volunteer to lead Club activities. We now number approximately 160 members from many communities beyond Aviara, including North Carlsbad, La Costa, Encinitas, San Marcos, Oceanside, Escondido, and Solana Beach.