Best Eligible Bachelors
Laguna Beach Magazine presents 10 of the town’s most eligible bachelors. – By Ashley Breedin
Most of us have been there: Things are going well and giddy with that sandy blond surfer babe you finally snagged at Thousand Steps, and he invites you back to his place for an après-dinner drink. But before you step out of his ’95 Bronco and onto the cobblestone walkway to “his” Tuscan-style mini-mansion, you realize those two Mercedes in the drive don’t belong to him. Yep, he still lives with his parents. At 30. Suddenly, the red flags you were too blinded by his brilliant blue eyes to notice over the last few dates are at full mast. With too many such stories swirling about town, we decided to do some investigating, on behalf of all local women, to find the town’s most eligible men. We asked for your nominations, did a little digging and narrowed down the list. What we bestow upon you here, ladies, are some of the true gentlemen (the ones who will not only open car doors, but who will be at your door with tofu kale soup when you’re sick); the entrepreneurs, businessmen and all around hard workers (the ones who value the importance of earning their own way); and the true family men (whether it’ll just be the two of you or a litter of little Lagunans, he realizes relationships are about more than just him)—the true babes in this boyland by the sea.
Ryan Clark 37
Broker Associate, Surterre Properties/Boat Captain Hobbies: Sailing, traveling. Nominated by: Devon Dick
LBM: Describe your last girlfriend in three words. RC: Fun, loving … difficult. LBM: How would she describe you? RC: Fun, outgoing, adventurous. LBM: What makes you adventurous and fun? RC: I’m an avid sailor—I grew up sailing with my dad and have sailed all over the world. I love to travel. I’m spontaneous that way. LBM: What are your biggest turnoffs? RC: A woman who is selfish or doesn’t appreciate family. LBM: What’s an ultimate deal-breaker? RC: Smoking … well, I can deal with smoking every once in a while … someone who picks her nose. LBM: What’s your idea of a fun date: Where do you go and who pays? RC: Sunset on the beach or at The Rooftop, [followed by] dinner at Café Zoolu or Broadway. I would pick up the bill. LBM: At what point should she offer to pay? RC: That’s not a huge concern for me; if she offered after five or six dates, though, I’d be grateful. LBM: Where’s the best place in town to meet women, and the worst? RC: The best is through everyday things like going to the grocery store, hanging out at the beach or through friends. The worst is the Sandpiper. LBM: Have you ever dated a woman you met at the Bird? RC: Oh gosh, no. LBM: What’s the worst date you’ve experienced? RC: I went out to dinner with a girl who was a bit younger, and she texted through dinner the entire time. I just about got up and left. LBM: Can you cook? RC: Ah, no, I can’t. LBM: So are you looking for a woman who can? RC: Yes, a woman who can cook is definitely a turn-on. I’d like to take some cooking classes though. LBM: Can you operate a vacuum? RC: Yes, I can clean. And operate a vacuum.
David Ward 64
Sales Representative, Commercial Roofing Systems Hobbies: Cooking, music concerts, hanging out with his three (grown) children and spending time at his second home in Cabo San Lucas, where he hopes to open a small beach bar. Nominated by: Belen Guillen and Matt Romig
LBM: Where’d you learn to cook, and what’s your specialty? DW: My wife Kim passed away six years ago, so I’ve had to learn to cook. I really enjoy it, even if I’m alone. I love to barbecue and make salads. I think that I have become quite creative in this department, and have found that ladies really enjoy being with a guy that makes an attempt to prepare a meal—it can be very romantic and rewarding! LBM: Speaking of wooing a woman, what’s your idea of a perfect date in Laguna? DW: I love to walk the beach before sunset, catch a cocktail at Splashes and then stroll into town for dinner at Watermarc, 230 Forest or Nick’s … maybe grab an after-dinner drink at The Saloon … LBM: What’s the best rock show you’ve been to? DW: I was at The Grateful Dead New Year’s Eve concert held in 1978-’79 known as “The Closing Winterland” in San Francisco. I’m told that I had a good time, but there is no supporting evidence that I am aware of. LBM: Do you find dating exciting, or stressful? DW: It’s always fun and exciting for me because I really enjoy women’s company. LBM: What is your biggest turnoff in the opposite sex? DW: I’m kind of a neat freak, so I don’t enjoy untidy women. You can normally look inside of a woman’s car or handbag to get a measure of her habits. And women who wear tie-dye or scuffed up bras. If I was a girl, I would hand-wash my underwear … and for the right girl, I, myself, would hand-wash her underwear! LBM: What is your worst habit? DW: I have the mouth of a sailor.
Edgar Obrand
25 Co-founder, LEAF/Cinematographer, Firebrand Media LLCHobbies: Screen-printing, photographing and documenting “life.” Nominated by: Ashley Breeding
Jesse Obrand 31
Lawyer, The Obrand Law Group Hobbies: Playing and watching basketball (religiously), surfing, deejaying house parties he’s not invited to. Nominated by: Rachel Heussenstamm
Art Zdanowski 37
Multimedia Artist/Sawdust Art Festival exhibitor Hobbies: Travel, photography, outdoor sports and recreation, and dancing. Nominated by: Rosalie Marsh
LBM: Describe your ideal wife in three words. AZ: Beautiful, smart, best friend. LBM: What are three words an ex-girlfriend would use to describe you? AZ: Good-hearted, sexy, funny. LBM: Celebrity crush? AZ: Shania Twain. LBM: Dating deal-breakers? AZ: Someone who is dumb, disloyal or has bad breath. LBM: Describe your ideal date in Laguna, including who pays. AZ: A picnic at Crystal Cove, Crescent Bay or Table Rock. … I will take care of everything, but if she wants to contribute, it’s absolutely welcome. LBM: What’s your worst habit? AZ: I’m always taking pictures—I am addicted to the camera. LBM: What is the last thoughtful thing you did for someone? AZ: I am always doing “manly” help for my friends; I’m great at fixing and building things. LBM: Why are you single? AZ: I am not looking for just a girlfriend, but for a great partner to share my life with. I also value the spiritual aspect of life much more than the materialistic, and I find that many girls, unfortunately, are gold-diggers. LBM: What’s your five-year plan? AZ: Keep building my career as an artist and expand my work around the world … find a great girl … fall in love … get married … buy a house … have a family … and enjoy life together. LBM: Will that house be in Laguna? AZ: Absolutely, Laguna is the best! I like to travel, but always come back to Laguna.
Jeffrey Briar 57
Founder, Laughter Yoga Institute/Educator, Irvine Valley College Hobbies: Laughing, playing piano, reading and speaking gibberish. Nominated by: Self
LBM: If you had to appear on a reality show, which one would you choose? JB: “Dancing with the Stars.” I’d coach people on how to lighten up and laugh and have more fun so they didn’t all look so serious all of the time. LBM: How would you describe your last girlfriend? JB: Lovely, lovely, lovely. LBM: How would she describe you? JB: Cute, funny, intelligent. LBM: What’s a typical date for you in Laguna? JB: We’d go to a restaurant for dinner … then we’d go for a nice long walk on the beach. … Afterwards, we’ll go out for a treat—for some people, that’s a drink, but for me, it’s gel-a-to. LBM: Do you believe in love at first sight? JB: Absolutely. And second sight. And, let’s try again … I believe in love at many sights. LBM: Describe your ideal wife: JB: She’s articulate, intelligent and likes to explore. Relationships are all about being on a path of discovery together and finding out what you love, together. LBM: Turnoffs? JB: Smoking is an instant no. I can’t handle a lot of makeup. And any sign of not being willing to listen or being stuck in one’s attitudes. LBM: What’s the best gift you’ve ever given a woman you loved? JB: I had a girlfriend who had terrible eyesight and was about to move away [for a job] and we were going to separate. Still, I thought it would be such a gift it she could have Lasik eye surgery, so I [fundraised] with her friends and family. We had a surprise dinner for her and invited all of the people who contributed and we presented her with this wonderful gift.
Michael Geraci 37
High-Yield Bond Trader Hobbies: Cooking, SUP, basketball. Nominated by: A matchmaker at Palm & Associates
LBM: Describe your ideal wife. MG: She’s beautiful, down to earth and spontaneous LBM: How would your last ex describe you? MG: Outgoing, intelligent, ambitious. LBM: Where do you go, what do you do and who pays on a date? MG: For starters, I’d definitely pay—I’m big on chivalry; I think it’s important. My favorite restaurants are Broadway and Three Seventy Common, so we’d start there for drinks and dinner. Then we’d do something like art walk or get lost on one of these beaches with some wine and a blanket. LBM: What qualities in a significant other are most important? MG: Values, intelligence and general respect for life and happiness. LBM: Where is the best and worst place in Laguna to meet women? MG: The best place is on the beach; the worst is in restaurants. LBM: Why restaurants? MG: There’s more of an air of wealth and status in restaurants. On the beach, you’re in your board shorts and she’s in her bikini … and you can’t identify much else of what’s going on, especially financially. LBM: When would you like to settle down? MG: Immediately. I bought a house in Laguna two years ago, so I’m here to stay. LBM: What’s the last thoughtful thing you did for someone? MG: I offered someone a ride to and from the airport. LBM: Which airport? MG: John Wayne … on a Friday … afternoon. LBM: If you had to choose between good looks, wealth and fame, which would you choose and why? MG: I’d be good looking because if you’re rich, people take you for granted and expect things from you, and if you’re famous, people get into your business.
Matt Sheridan 34
History Teacher, Serra Continuation High School/Owner, Basics of Skateboarding Hobbies: Traveling, exploring, hiking, running, cooking and reading. Nominated by: Tanya Rodina LBM: What’s a good lesson you’ve learned from your students? MS: The kids have taught me patience and the ability to not always judge things so quickly. LBM: What are some qualities your ideal wife possesses? MS: She’s nurturing, sexy and compassionate … and likes to go to the beach and travel. LBM: How would your last girlfriend describe you? MS: Sensitive, ambitious and caring. LBM: What are your turnoffs? MS: Ignorance, lack of ambition and [desire] to travel. And when a girl consistently starts a sentence with “Oh my God …” LBM: What are your favorite travel spots? MS: Indonesia for the culture, people and surf … and Brazil for the women, food and lifestyle. LBM: What kind of date would you plan in Laguna? MS: We’d have a drink at The Rooftop for sunset … dinner somewhere in the village … and maybe another drink at The Saloon. LBM: What are the most important factors in making a relationship work? MS: Communication, patience. LBM: Why are you single? MS: I guess I’m picky. I don’t necessarily buy into “I’m going to have somebody just to have somebody.” LBM: What are the advantages of being single? MS: Independence. LBM: And times when you wish you had a girlfriend? MS: Times when I want someone to share things with. LBM: What’s your five-year plan? MS: I’d like to be married and have a family within five … or seven or eight years … and settle in Laguna. LBM: What if you found the right woman right now? MS: I would settle down right now if I found the right girl. LBM: Would you date a woman who had kids? MS: I’ve dated women with kids. LBM: What’s your specialty in the kitchen? MS: Pasta carbonara. LBM
Mark Shorr 23
Investment Manager, PIMCO Hobbies: Tennis, SUP, boxing, playing guitar and drums.Nominated by: Mark Porterfield
Reid Anderson 28
Owner, RWA Construction Hobbies: Surfing, hiking, playing basketball, anything outdoorsy. Nominated by: Kelly Shannon
LBM: What is the most important quality in a potential partner? RA: She needs to be easygoing—not too high maintenance. I also like someone with a sense of humor and who shares my hobbies. LBM: What do you consider “high maintenance?” RA: I’m not into girls who are image-driven or materialistic. LBM: What’s your favorite “outdoorsy” activity? RA: I spend a lot of time in Wyoming, where my family has a second home. I do a lot of fishing there. LBM: You’re a man who likes to fix things up; what’s something about yourself that could use improvement? RA: If I could change anything about myself, I would be more outgoing; I have trouble around people I don’t know—probably one of the reasons I am single. I need a girl who’s more outgoing, who gives me that little extra push. LBM: What do you think is the key to making a relationship work? RA: Compromise. You can’t always do what you want to do because your partner will eventually get fed up. LBM: Any dating deal-breakers? RA: No absolute deal breakers, but I have never been into girls that surf and/or ride skateboards. I think I could get past that though if I was super into them. Maybe.
