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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Bahamas' Most Beautiful, Underrated Island Has a New Hotel on a Working Farm—and It's Already a Favorite Among Celebrities
This brand-new Bahamas hotel is on a fully operational Eleuthera Island farm. The hotel runs completely on solar power and nearly everything you eat on The Farm comes from the land you're staying on. The property is a 10-minute shuttle to the airport, a five-minute walk to the beach, and a quick ferry ride to shops and restaurants on nearby Harbour Island. The design is inspired by a famous South African winery, and its rustic, tropical elegance is something you'll find nowhere else in the Bahamas.'It's down the road just five minutes,' she said. 'No turns. You can't miss it.' My girlfriend and I thanked our concierge at the front desk of The Other Side Hotel on the Bahamas' Eleuthera island—the beachside boutique our ferry dropped us off at—and headed inland. The dirt path went up and down again with no sign of the accommodations we had booked for the next few days. Was it even real? The photos and videos we saw of The Farm, a new hotel on Eleuthera island, before the trip did make it seem too good to be true. And then, rising up another hill, we saw it, almost appearing out of nowhere: An expansive piece of property with swaying palm trees, 200 sweet-smelling garden beds, and thatched-roofed cottages scattered along the outer edges. 'It's a little oasis in the jungle,' said Ben Simmons, founder of The Farm. Simmons, who also runs Harbour Island's Ocean View and Eleuthera's The Other Side, actually built the farm part of The Farm back in 2018. It provided fruits and vegetables and eggs (there are about 70 clucking chickens on-site) to the kitchens of his two hotels and his wedding business. But Simmons—who acquired the land in a squabble that dates back to a dramatic 18th-century sea battle involving his Eleutheran ancestors defeating the much more powerful Spaniards—had bigger plans for his agricultural oasis. He wanted to grow his business, he wanted to increase the number of Bahamian-owned properties in the Caribbean, and, most importantly, he wanted to instill in travelers and locals the ideas of sustainability and living off the Caribbean's rich, fertile land. So, five years later, he thought, why not also build another hotel on the farm? The Farm opened in November 2024 as part of Simmons' Little Island Hotel chain. His team envisions it being a place for visitors to stay, but also to learn about gardening and growing. He hopes to arrange speakers and seminars during the low seasons. He also plans to expand the gardens, the diversity of crops, and the number of chickens. Celebrities like Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter have already found their way to The Farm's exceptional Sunday Brunch. Eli Manning's family stayed on property a few weeks ago. Even Kendall Jenner's assistant got married among the mangos and avocado trees this past winter. Still, even with all that fanfare, when you're here, it's like nobody else is around. All I heard were the bees humming inside the flowers, someone slipping quietly into the pool, and the whoosh of a welcome breeze finding its way from the nearby Atlantic. Here's all you need to know about The Farm on Eleuthera island. There are 12 cottages dotted around the lush vegetable and flower beds. The eight larger accommodations are 1,024 square feet ($550 to $600 per night)—with king-size beds, wide verandas, and an open-plan layout—while four are smaller at 540 square feet ($350 to $400 per night) and can have a king-size bed or two twins. Our larger cottage was located at the far end of the property along the inviting freshwater pool. As soon as we stepped in through the wooden dutch doors, we immediately felt at ease. Simmons says his inspiration came from South Africa's Babylonstoren winery, noting the gentle curves on the cottage roofs. A plush king-size bed, two couches, and an ever-so-tempting standalone bath made up the inside. Every accommodation also includes strong Wi-Fi, ample AC, a Nespresso machine, a waterfall shower, and a tea kettle. 'The subtle message is that the farming life can be hard, rugged, almost austere,' he said, when describing the construction. 'But it is luxurious in its provision of health, food, community, and connectivity to nature.' Much of the food, of course, comes from the grounds around you. The Farm has a main kitchen, where there are complimentary breakfasts of fruit, veggies, yogurt, and coffee. You can also order from a menu of mostly egg dishes. The eggs, of course, are plucked from the hen house each morning. I was partial to the egg sandwich with a side salad, because I watched the waiter go out to the garden and fill a bowl full of greens after I ordered the salad. The Farm is reservation-only for lunch and dinner—priority booking is given to guests staying at the resort. Those meals are comprised of vegetables from the garden and fish caught that day out at sea. No meat is on the menu. Guests can also dine by the beach at The Other Side, just a five-minute walk away; we did for a delicious mac-and-cheese and ribs combo one night. Or, the wonderful concierge Allie Saunders can arrange a ferry and golf cart for you to visit Harbour Island, just a 10-minute boat ride away. On Harbour Island, we ate at the Coral Sands' Pink (very ornately-pink) Mermaid for dinner one evening, an Italian seafood haven overlooking the ocean. And, of course, there is Sunday Brunch at The Farm: A communal, family-style soirée in the garden under the centrally located Yellow Elder trees. It's a must-do event with fresh food, expertly-mixed drinks, and laughter among new friends and old. The pool is the crown jewel of The Farm. The 576-square-foot gem is perfect for wading, doing morning laps, or just lazing alongside with a good book. And lazing around is, well, mostly what you do on The Farm. There are also outdoor ping-pong and billiard tables—plus a rustic-chic gym—for active guests. And, if you tire of lounging in the shade of one of The Farm's avocado trees, you can walk over to The Other Side's private beach. Here, you can go for a sunset paddleboard. The resort also offers free snorkeling along the nearby coral reef. You'll run into turtles, rainbow fish, and even octopuses in the shallow, crystal-clear waters. There is no spa at The Farm—yet. The team says they plan on adding one in 2026: A deluxe hut with a cold-plunge pool. For now, guests can book in-room or poolside massages. Although I can't personally vouch for the family-friendly offerings, Simmons and The Farm certainly encourage families to visit. The Sunday Brunch is a huge draw for large families and their children, with space to wander and swim and partake in an aforementioned billiard or ping-pong match. Cottages can obviously be booked for family vacations or reunions. And Simmons wants the younger generation to learn why it's important to grow your own food—both for your health and the environment. Kids can help feed the chickens or pick tomatoes with the help of the always-friendly head groundskeeper, Richard. Sustainability is the reason The Farm was created. The property is 100 percent powered by solar panels, which absorb energy from both the sun above and the ground below. The kitchen uses plastic sparingly, there are 10 compost stations—with 15 more on the way—and all vegetables are grown organically with no weed killers or toxins. 'We believe calling ourselves sustainable means we also must be efficient,' Simmons said. 'So while the panels power our facility, they also provide shade to our chickens who process our food scraps and feed our plant beds. The panels also protect our hydroponic and propagation stations.' The Farm team is all-in on the idea of living off the rich, fertile soil they've been blessed with in the Bahamas. And they plan on expanding their plot—adding citrus trees and maybe a farm stand next season. Sustainable tourism is as prevalent as it could be in the Caribbean, and The Farm hopes to encourage other hotels to follow its lead. The Farm is about a 13-minute car ride from tiny North Eleuthera Airport. It's also a short ferry ride from Harbour Island. The Farm's concierge can help arrange either of these transfers. They'll also assist you in renting your own car to explore the island—including nearby Gregory Town or local haunts like Daddy Joe's or Tippy's beach bar. Because of its small, boutique size, The Farm doesn't currently have relationships with any major credit cards or reward programs. Room pricing, especially in the low season, is a steal; the smallest cottages start at $350 a night. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-aerial-the-farm-eleuthera-bahamas-THEFARMBAHAMAS0525-18e2b73db08448eb9f4b80968628e682.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
The Bahamas' Most Beautiful, Underrated Island Has a New Hotel on a Working Farm—and It's Already a Favorite Among Celebrities
This brand-new Bahamas hotel is on a fully operational Eleuthera Island farm. The hotel runs completely on solar power and nearly everything you eat on The Farm comes from the land you're staying on. The property is a 10-minute shuttle to the airport, a five-minute walk to the beach, and a quick ferry ride to shops and restaurants on nearby Harbour Island. The design is inspired by a famous South African winery, and its rustic, tropical elegance is something you'll find nowhere else in the Bahamas. 'It's down the road just five minutes,' she said. 'No turns. You can't miss it.' My girlfriend and I thanked our concierge at the front desk of The Other Side Hotel on the Bahamas' Eleuthera island—the beachside boutique our ferry dropped us off at—and headed inland. The dirt path went up and down again with no sign of the accommodations we had booked for the next few days. Was it even real? The photos and videos we saw of The Farm, a new hotel on Eleuthera island, before the trip did make it seem too good to be true. And then, rising up another hill, we saw it, almost appearing out of nowhere: An expansive piece of property with swaying palm trees, 200 sweet-smelling garden beds, and thatched-roofed cottages scattered along the outer edges. 'It's a little oasis in the jungle,' said Ben Simmons, founder of The Farm. Lounge furniture sits around a firepit at The Farm. Jody Zorn Photography/Little Island Hotels Simmons, who also runs Harbour Island's Ocean View and Eleuthera's The Other Side, actually built the farm part of The Farm back in 2018. It provided fruits and vegetables and eggs (there are about 70 clucking chickens on-site) to the kitchens of his two hotels and his wedding business. But Simmons—who acquired the land in a squabble that dates back to a dramatic 18th-century sea battle involving his Eleutheran ancestors defeating the much more powerful Spaniards—had bigger plans for his agricultural oasis. He wanted to grow his business, he wanted to increase the number of Bahamian-owned properties in the Caribbean, and, most importantly, he wanted to instill in travelers and locals the ideas of sustainability and living off the Caribbean's rich, fertile land. So, five years later, he thought, why not also build another hotel on the farm? The Farm opened in November 2024 as part of Simmons' Little Island Hotel chain. His team envisions it being a place for visitors to stay, but also to learn about gardening and growing. He hopes to arrange speakers and seminars during the low seasons. He also plans to expand the gardens, the diversity of crops, and the number of chickens. Celebrities like Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter have already found their way to The Farm's exceptional Sunday Brunch. Eli Manning's family stayed on property a few weeks ago. Even Kendall Jenner's assistant got married among the mangos and avocado trees this past winter. Still, even with all that fanfare, when you're here, it's like nobody else is around. All I heard were the bees humming inside the flowers, someone slipping quietly into the pool, and the whoosh of a welcome breeze finding its way from the nearby Atlantic. Here's all you need to know about The Farm on Eleuthera island. There are 12 cottages dotted around the lush vegetable and flower beds. The eight larger accommodations are 1,024 square feet ($550 to $600 per night)—with king-size beds, wide verandas, and an open-plan layout—while four are smaller at 540 square feet ($350 to $400 per night) and can have a king-size bed or two twins. Our larger cottage was located at the far end of the property along the inviting freshwater pool. As soon as we stepped in through the wooden dutch doors, we immediately felt at ease. Simmons says his inspiration came from South Africa's Babylonstoren winery, noting the gentle curves on the cottage roofs. A plush king-size bed, two couches, and an ever-so-tempting standalone bath made up the inside. Every accommodation also includes strong Wi-Fi, ample AC, a Nespresso machine, a waterfall shower, and a tea kettle. 'The subtle message is that the farming life can be hard, rugged, almost austere,' he said, when describing the construction. 'But it is luxurious in its provision of health, food, community, and connectivity to nature.' Much of the food, of course, comes from the grounds around you. The Farm has a main kitchen, where there are complimentary breakfasts of fruit, veggies, yogurt, and coffee. You can also order from a menu of mostly egg dishes. The eggs, of course, are plucked from the hen house each morning. I was partial to the egg sandwich with a side salad, because I watched the waiter go out to the garden and fill a bowl full of greens after I ordered the salad. The Farm is reservation-only for lunch and dinner—priority booking is given to guests staying at the resort. Those meals are comprised of vegetables from the garden and fish caught that day out at sea. No meat is on the menu. Guests can also dine by the beach at The Other Side, just a five-minute walk away; we did for a delicious mac-and-cheese and ribs combo one night. Or, the wonderful concierge Allie Saunders can arrange a ferry and golf cart for you to visit Harbour Island, just a 10-minute boat ride away. On Harbour Island, we ate at the Coral Sands' Pink (very ornately-pink) Mermaid for dinner one evening, an Italian seafood haven overlooking the ocean. And, of course, there is Sunday Brunch at The Farm: A communal, family-style soirée in the garden under the centrally located Yellow Elder trees. It's a must-do event with fresh food, expertly-mixed drinks, and laughter among new friends and old. Lounge chairs sit around the outdoor pool. Jody Zorn Photography/Little Island Hotels The pool is the crown jewel of The Farm. The 576-square-foot gem is perfect for wading, doing morning laps, or just lazing alongside with a good book. And lazing around is, well, mostly what you do on The Farm. There are also outdoor ping-pong and billiard tables—plus a rustic-chic gym—for active guests. And, if you tire of lounging in the shade of one of The Farm's avocado trees, you can walk over to The Other Side's private beach. Here, you can go for a sunset paddleboard. The resort also offers free snorkeling along the nearby coral reef. You'll run into turtles, rainbow fish, and even octopuses in the shallow, crystal-clear waters. There is no spa at The Farm—yet. The team says they plan on adding one in 2026: A deluxe hut with a cold-plunge pool. For now, guests can book in-room or poolside massages. Although I can't personally vouch for the family-friendly offerings, Simmons and The Farm certainly encourage families to visit. The Sunday Brunch is a huge draw for large families and their children, with space to wander and swim and partake in an aforementioned billiard or ping-pong match. Cottages can obviously be booked for family vacations or reunions. And Simmons wants the younger generation to learn why it's important to grow your own food—both for your health and the environment. Kids can help feed the chickens or pick tomatoes with the help of the always-friendly head groundskeeper, Richard. Sustainability is the reason The Farm was created. The property is 100 percent powered by solar panels, which absorb energy from both the sun above and the ground below. The kitchen uses plastic sparingly, there are 10 compost stations—with 15 more on the way—and all vegetables are grown organically with no weed killers or toxins. 'We believe calling ourselves sustainable means we also must be efficient,' Simmons said. 'So while the panels power our facility, they also provide shade to our chickens who process our food scraps and feed our plant beds. The panels also protect our hydroponic and propagation stations.' The Farm team is all-in on the idea of living off the rich, fertile soil they've been blessed with in the Bahamas. And they plan on expanding their plot—adding citrus trees and maybe a farm stand next season. Sustainable tourism is as prevalent as it could be in the Caribbean, and The Farm hopes to encourage other hotels to follow its lead. The Farm is about a 13-minute car ride from tiny North Eleuthera Airport. It's also a short ferry ride from Harbour Island. The Farm's concierge can help arrange either of these transfers. They'll also assist you in renting your own car to explore the island—including nearby Gregory Town or local haunts like Daddy Joe's or Tippy's beach bar. Because of its small, boutique size, The Farm doesn't currently have relationships with any major credit cards or reward programs. Room pricing, especially in the low season, is a steal; the smallest cottages start at $350 a night. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Climate
- Los Angeles Times
Local duo look to finish strong at state track and field finals
Corona del Mar distance runner Max Douglass and Ocean View thrower Jack Paavola head into the final week of the track and field season with a brand new experience ahead of them. As they prepare to compete in the CIF State track and field championships at Clovis Buchanan High, each will be doing so for the first time. The state preliminaries take place on Friday, with the finals falling on Saturday. The expectations were dramatically different for the two. Douglass, a Notre Dame commit, was a Foot Locker Nationals qualifier in cross-country. He then broke the nine-minute barrier in winning the Eric Hulst Invitational 3,200-meter race to open his season at the Laguna Beach Trophy Invitational. Douglass, who said he dealt with a stress fracture that impacted his fitness during the winter heading into his junior track season, had another health concern this spring. 'It was definitely a rough pathway,' Douglass said. 'There was a lot of uncertainty towards the end of the season. It turns out that I got mono throughout the middle of the season, and that's the sickness that really was pulling me down. I ended up just kind of picking up the pieces again, … started taking some seconds off the mile, and it's a blessing to have made it this far.' Douglass noted feeling frustrated over how much rest is required to get over the illness, which he called 'the only choice' and resulted in the loss of 'some of the progress you've worked for.' 'I was feeling sick, just extreme muscle fatigue and soreness for a prolonged period of time,' he added. Douglass had qualified for the Southern Section's Masters Meet, which qualifies athletes into the state championships, in both the 800 and the 1,600. He chose to focus his energy on the 1,600 and booked his trip to the state meet by finishing fifth with a time of 4 minutes 12.15 seconds last Saturday. The top six in each event and those meeting at-large qualifying standards advanced. Although the state meet events are held in the evening, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for a portion of central California from Friday through Sunday morning. Temperatures could surpass 100 degrees this weekend. 'I know it's supposed to be very hot,' Douglass said. 'I'm honestly not worried about it because I feel like CIF prelims was pretty hot, and I feel like I could see a lot of the guys around me kind of take a hit from not being used to it, or just mentally, it just affects them more. The tougher the race is, I feel like the better I thrive in it. 'I've just kind of pictured a really tough race, one that's not going to feel good, one that's going to hurt, and I imagine that's where I'll do my best.' Paavola's progression curve has rocketed upward since the elimination portion of the schedule. After claiming the Empire League titles in both the discus throw and the shot put, he went on to top the Division 3 discus throw competition in the CIF finals. Once more, the Seahawks standout improved upon his school record in the discus throw, producing a mark of 174 feet, 10 inches in the Masters Meet. The throw was good for third place. 'All season, it was always the question of, could we get to state?' said Paavola, a Harvey Mudd commit. 'Now that I'm here, I'd say I'm pretty proud of it. I feel like it's a huge achievement. Initially, when it happened, I wasn't like crazy excited. I think I was maybe a bit shocked, but now that state's just a couple days away, I'm pretty determined, and I guess locked in. I feel really eager to compete.' The Paavola traveling party will include family, he said. Twin sisters Kate and Juliet, who are both freshmen at Ocean View, will be along for the ride. 'I'm pretty grateful because they've given up basically every Saturday in the month of May for my track meets, even their birthday, too,' Paavola said. 'They really decided to go, and I'm pretty grateful for that.' CIF Southern Section Masters MeetAt Moorpark High State At-Large Standards in parentheses 100 (10.59) — 1. Dezeurn (Bishop Alemany) 10.35; 2. Francis (Santa Margarita) 10.43; 3. Harris (Servite) 10.44; 4. Sermons (Rancho Cucamonga) 10.47; 5. Obimgba (Torrance) 10.51; 6. Fernandez (Notre Dame/SO) 10.57; 7. Conyer III (Murrieta Mesa) 10.58; 8. Gardner (Servite) 10.59 200 (21.44) — 1. Sermons (Rancho Cucamonga) 20.97; 2. Dezeurn (Bishop Alemany) 21.04; 3. Wells (Servite) 21.05; 4. Francis (Santa Margarita) 21.14; 5. Obimgba (Torrance) 21.16; 6. Stadlman (Temecula Valley) 21.24; 7. Griffin (Newbury Park) 21.36; 10. Serrambana (Marina) 21.58 400 (48.35) — 1. Hunter (Servite) 46.91; 2. Stadlman (Temecula Valley) 47.91; 3. Smith (Long Beach Poly) 47.93; 4. Burroughs (Long Beach Wilson) 48.03; 5. Woodley (Bonita) 48.20; 6. Do. Mayrant (Culver City) 48.24; 7. Du. Mayrant (Culver City) 48.31; 8. Smith (JW North) 48.34 800 (1:53.64) — 1. Obando (Long Beach Wilson) 1:51.40; 2. Sullivan (Riverside Poly) 1:52.28; 3. Morales (JSerra) 1:52.38; 4. Hansen (Mira Costa) 1:52.45; 5. Divinity (Redondo Union) 1:52.46; 6. McGough (Loyola) 1:52.95; 7. Dos Santos (San Clemente) 1:53.62 1,600 (4:12.98) — 1. Miller (La Serna) 4:09.86; 2. Zavaleta (King) 4:10.55; 3. McCorvey (Lancaster) 4:10.97; 4. Arrey (JSerra) 4:11.84; 5. Douglass (Corona del Mar) 4:12.15; 6. Jubak (Trabuco Hills) 4:12.39; 7. Reza (Chaffey) 4:12.60; 8. Antonio (Woodbridge) 4:12.90; 9. Sigworth (Palos Verdes) 4:12.93 3,200 (9:03.03) — 1. Noonan (Dana Hills) 8:55.76; 2. Turk (Woodcrest Christian) 8:58.90; 3. Zavaleta (King) 9:04.02; 4. Udelson-Nee (Wildwood) 9:04.34; 5. O'Connor (Viewpoint) 9:04.72; 6. Miller (South Torrance) 9:05.27 110 HH (14.45) — 1. Newton (Long Beach Poly) 13.84; 2. Borquez (Notre Dame/SO) 13.96; 3. Simmons (Temecula Valley) 14.10; 4. Uzan (Notre Dame/SO) 14.10; 5. Vela (Vista Murrieta) 14.12; 6. Andrade (Etiwanda) 14.19; 7. Gammage (Canyon/CC) 14.27; 8. Lamkin (Mira Costa) 14.29; 9. Hoang (Gabrielino) 14.36; 10. Waring (Culver City) 14.45; 11. Burwell (Servite) 14.45 300 IH (38.68) — 1. Waring (Culver City) 36.91; 2. Whaley (Orange Vista) 37.03; 3. Schneider (Thousand Oaks) 37.69; 4. Stanford (Alta Loma) 37.90; 5. Lamkin (Mira Costa) 38.04; 6. Gary (Beckman) 38.09; 7. Penny (Palm Desert) 38.18; 8. Gammage (Canyon/CC) 38.20; 9. Andrade (Etiwanda) 38.31; 10. Brown (Tesoro) 38.37; 11. Carnaghe (Ventura) 38.41; 12. Schmidt (Los Osos) 38.48; 13. Johnson (Summit) 38.67 400 relay (41.69) — 1. Servite 40.40; 2. Notre Dame/SO 40.77; 3. Cathedral 41.43; 4. Murrieta Valley 41.55; 5. Santiago/C 41.57; 6. Culver City 41.77 1,600 relay (3:20.42) — 1. Long Beach Poly 3:10.83; 2. Cathedral 3:12.20; 3. Culver City 3:14.80; 4. Long Beach Wilson 3:14.93; 5. Servite 3:15.24; 6. Loyola 3:16.35; 7. Northwood 3:16.36; 8. Orange Vista 3:16.55; 9. Peninsula 3:17.42; 10. Rancho Cucamonga 3:17.94; 11. Santa Margarita 3:18.41; 12. Mira Costa 3:18.73; 13. Damien 3:19.02 3,200 relay — 1. Mira Costa 7:37.84; 2. Oaks Christian 7:39.31; 3. JSerra 7:42.07; 4. Long Beach Wilson 7:43.41; 5. Great Oak 7:43.42; 6. Redondo Union 7:46.37 HJ (6-6) — 1. Browner (Chaminade) 6-10; 2. Harel (Notre Dame/SO) 6-10J; 3. Gorski (Mater Dei) 6-6; 4. Guzman (Moorpark) 6-6J; 5. Baca (Ayala) 6-6J; 6T. Benson (Moorpark) 6-6J; 6T. Malinowski (Peninsula) 6-6J LJ (22-11¼) — 1. Alexis (Elsinore) 24-3½; 2 Shorter IV (Riverside Poly) 23-½; 3. Gorski (Mater Dei) 22-10½; 4. Haggerty (Viewpoint) 22-9; 5. Browner (Chaminade) 22-9; 6. Francis (Santa Margarita) 22-9 TJ (45-10½) — 1. Cotlage (Cajon) 48-10; 2. Smith (Quartz Hill) 48-3½; 3. Alexis (Elsinore) 48-1; 4. Ellis (Cathedral) 47-7; 5. Andrews (Downey) 47-6; 6. Green (Great Oak) 46-9½ PV (15-2) — 1. Furr (Santa Margarita) 16-2; 2. Cullen (Redlands) 15-8; 3. Epstein (de Toledo) 15-8J; 4. Lucsik (Burbank) 15-8J; 5. Higgins (Trabuco Hills) 15-2; 6. Brittain (Oaks Christian) 15-2J; 7. Gorzkowski (Mira Costa) 15-2J; 8. O'Brien (Roosevelt) 15-2J; 14. Le (Fountain Valley) 14-2J SP (55-4½) — 1. Lingenfelter (Yucaipa) 61-2; 2. Harisay (Etiwanda) 58-5; 3. Soufi (South Pasadena) 56-7½; 4. Grace (Westlake) 55-7½; 5. Buchanan (Murrieta Mesa) 53-7; 6. Legaspi (Canyon) 52-10½ DT (175-5) — 1. Lingenfelter (Yucaipa) 200-10; 2. Komrosky (Ayala) 178-4; 3. Paavola (Ocean View) 174-10; 4. Amu (Downey) 172-1; 5. Harisay (Etiwanda) 170-10; 6. Grace (Westlake) 168-0 CIF Southern Section Masters MeetAt Moorpark High State At-Large Standards in parentheses 100 (11.84) — 1. Cole (Redondo Union) 11.36; 2. Wright (Chaparral) 11.41; 3. Rainey (Calabasas) 11.57; 4. Scoggins (Calabasas) 11.60; 5. Kirk (Calabasas) 11.63; 6. Anyansi (Murrieta Valley) 11.63; 7. Holland (Long Beach Poly) 11.66; 8. Rice (Lakewood) 11.72; 9. Sproles (Oaks Christian) 11.76; 10. Collins (Rosary) 11.77; 11. Murray (Mater Dei) 11.78; 12. Terry (Oaks Christian) 11.82; 13. Nelson (St. Pius X-St. Matthias) 11.82; 14. Lee (Long Beach Poly) 11.84 200 (24.48) — 1. Wright (Chaparral) 23.21; 2. Wilson (Rosary) 23.38; 3. Scoggins (Calabasas) 23.59; 4. Kirk (Calabasas) 23.80; 5. Mosby (St. Mary's) 23.88; 6. Collins (Rosary) 23.89; 7. Whitehead (Summit) 24.03; 8. Crear (West Ranch) 24.03; 9T. Beatty (Long Beach Poly) 24.08; 9T. Rice (Lakewood) 24.08; 11. Rainey (Calabasas) 24.24; 12. Nelson (St. Pius X-St. Matthias) 24.43 400 (55.95) — 1. Mosby (St. Mary's) 53.53; 2. Beatty (Long Beach Poly) 54.77; 3. Wilson (Rosary) 54.79; 4. Whitehead (Summit) 54.91; 5. Rodriguez (Oaks Christian) 54.92; 6. Gant (Canyon/CC) 55.22; 7. Blue (Long Beach Wilson) 55.69; 8. Graves-Hogains (Canyon/CC) 55.79; 9. Cablayan (Murrieta Mesa) 55.82; 10. Scott (Canyon/CC) 55.84 800 (2:12.54) — 1. Packard (JSerra) 2:09.55; 2. Lewis-Williams (Long Beach Wilson) 2:10.28; 3. Smith (Claremont) 2:10.58; 4. Elbaz (JSerra) 2:10.87; 5. Wroblewski (Yorba Linda) 2:11.19; 6. Terrill (Monrovia) 2:12.63; 11. Robar (Newport Harbor) 2:14.40 1,600 (4:52.17) — 1. Combe (Santiago/C) 4:44.36; 2. Ivarsson (Dana Hills) 4:47.17; 3. Williams (Trabuco Hills) 4:47.22; 4. Lieberman (Murrieta Valley) 4:48.17; 5. Holley (JSerra) 4:49.32; 6. De Brouwer (La Cañada) 4:51.06; 7. Dye (San Juan Hills) 4:51.50; 8. Bulmer (Claremont) 4:52.08 3,200 (10:30.96) — 1. Blade (Santiago/C) 10:11.38; 2. Barker (Trabuco Hills) 10:18.10; 3. Wilson (Irvine) 10:21.90; 4. Hopkins (Arcadia) 10:23.22; 5. Errington (South Pasadena) 10:23.58; 6. Crum (Temescal Canyon) 10:29.46; 7. De Brouwer (La Cañada) 10:30.01; 10. McCullough (Newport Harbor) 10:36.88 100 HH (14.37) — 1. Edwards (Long Beach Wilson) 13.87; 2. Hervey (St. Bernard) 14.01; 3. Griffin (Da Vinci) 14.18; 4. Bain (Long Beach Poly) 14.21; 5. Gaines (Riverside Poly) 14.21; 6. Newsome (Bishop Alemany) 14.26; 7. Washington (Long Beach Wilson) 14.33 300 IH (43.78) — 1. Edwards (Long Beach Wilson) 41.48; 2. Griffin (Da Vinci) 41.89; 3. Varnado (Long Beach Wilson) 42.71; 4. Faulknor (Windward) 42.83; 5. Bain (Long Beach Poly) 43.18; 6. Gaines (Riverside Poly) 42.29; 7. Anderson (Long Beach Poly) 43.62 400 relay (47.56) — 1. Long Beach Poly 45.94; 2. Oaks Christian 46.12; 3. Redondo Union 46.96; 4. Canyon/CC 47.30; 5. Thousand Oaks 47.77; 6. Mater Dei 47.86 1,600 relay (3:53.73) — 1. Long Beach Wilson 3:43.71; 2. St. Mary's 3:45.61; 3. Canyon/CC 3:45.91; 4. Long Beach Poly 3:46.13; 5. JSerra 3:46.30; 6. Rosary 3:48.85; 7. Trabuco Hills 3:49.27; 8. Claremont 3:50.10; 9. King 3:51.80; 10. Santa Margarita 3:52.35; 11. Oaks Christian 3:52.43; 12. Mira Costa 3:52.55; 16. Newport Harbor 4:00.14 3,200 relay — 1. Claremont 8:59.39; 2. Santiago/C 9:02.98; 3. JSerra 9:03.87; 4. Long Beach Wilson 9:05.57; 5. King 9:25.42; 6. Trabuco Hills 9:28.64 HJ (5-6) — 1. Teven (Brea Olinda) 5-6; 2. Wetteland (Long Beach Poly) 5-6J; 3. Anderson (Long Beach Poly) 5-6J; 4T. Hernandez (Jurupa Valley) 5-4; 4T. Hogan (Crean Lutheran) 5-4; 6. Jones (Roosevelt) 5-4J LJ (18-3½) — 1. Hernandez (Jurupa Valley) 19-3½; 2. Best (Norco) 19-¾; 3. Webster (Long Beach Wilson) 18-11½; 4. Guannu (Claremont) 18-9½; 5. Fields (Golden Valley) 18-6½; 6. Faison (Rosary) 18-6¼; 7. Musalborn (El Segundo) 18-6; 8. McGuinness (La Cañada) 18-5½; 9. Key (Walnut) 18-3½; 11. Pasternak (Huntington Beach) 17-11½ TJ (37-6) — 1. Hernandez (Jurupa Valley) 40-4¾; 2. Best (Norco) 39-6; 3. Cazale (Calvary Chapel) 39-¾; 4. Spencer (Long Beach Wilson) 38-8; 5. Pleasant (Serra) 37-5½; 6. Strange (Xavier) 37-5¼ PV (12-3) — 1. Bettinger (Los Alamitos) 12-9; 2T. Harden (Dana Hills) 12-9J; 2T. Di Silvestri (Ventura) 12-9J; 4T. Turner (Westlake) 12-3; 4T. Suemnick (Chaparral) 12-3; 6. Reuter (JSerra) 12-3J; 7. Rakfeldt (Harvard-Westlake) 12-3J; 8. Frodis (Thousand Oaks) 12-3J; 16T. Mondino (Fountain Valley) 10-9J SP (40-5½) — 1. Massey (Aliso Niguel) 49-7½; 2. Johnson (Notre Dame/SO) 45-8; 3. Wilson (Paraclete) 44-9; 4. Middleton (Chino) 43-1; 5. Greer (Torrance) 42-8½; 6. Tipton (Camarillo) 41-1; 7. Batchelor (St. Mary's) 40-8½; 12. Karasawa (Marina) 36-8½ DT (135-7) — 1. Massey (Aliso Niguel) 165-6; 2. Johnson (Notre Dame/SO) 158-8; 3. Smith (Desert Christian) 154-0; 4. Gallacher (Canyon) 144-9; 5. Tipton (Camarillo) 142-10; 6. Williams (Redlands) 140-11; 7. Wilson (Paraclete) 140-9; 8. Reichard (Portola) 136-8; 9. Donovan (Golden Valley) 136-5; 10. Estelle (Simi Valley) 136-3
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Obituary: John Briscoe was a tenacious longtime Ocean View School District trustee
John Briscoe, a longtime member of the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees known as a dogged public rights advocate, has died. Briscoe died May 16 at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center after complications from open heart surgery, his wife Debbie said. The Huntington Beach resident was 72 years old. Briscoe served on the OVSD board for 16 years beginning in 2006 and valued his role as a public official. He was involved until the end, running for the board again last fall and for the vacant state Senate District 36 seat earlier this year. He was a Republican but worked well across the aisle, said fellow longtime board member Gina Clayton-Tarvin, a Democrat who said she considered Briscoe one of her best friends and talked to him every day. 'He would get endorsed by different groups, not partisan groups,' Clayton-Tarvin said. 'Some would lean left, some leaned right. It was like he was kind of an enigma, really, because he did so much good work for children.' Briscoe sued the city multiple times over the years on various issues and always won, Clayton-Tarvin said. Some of his most high-profile work on the OVSD board involved setting the largest lawsuit in the district's history, against Rainbow Environmental Services (now Republic Services) over concerns about a disposal site's impact on students at nearby Oak View Elementary. Briscoe was also instrumental in helping to pass Measure R, a $169-million bond measure passed by voters in 2016 that led to the modernization of several elementary and middle schools in the district. Former Ocean View School District Supt. Carol Hansen, who worked with Briscoe for seven years, said he was focused on rebuilding the credibility and stability of the district after asbestos was discovered in three district elementary schools in 2014. 'He had a laser-like focus on academic achievement for students, and doing what was right,' Hansen said. 'He stuck to what he believed in. He didn't veer off his own beliefs and values, which I admired him for that. He wouldn't be easily persuaded by others, he would do his research and stay focused on what his values were and what direction he wanted for the district.' Born in Altadena, Briscoe earned bachelor's degrees in psychology and speech communication from Cal State Long Beach. Briscoe also held a pair of master's degrees, in business administration from Claremont Graduate University and in public administration from Long Beach State, where he would lecture on marketing. He also recently earned his doctorate from National University. He and Debbie also ran a real estate property management company. Briscoe's involvement in the community also included earning an Eagle Scout title and becoming an assistant Scoutmaster. He coached youth soccer and baseball and was a member of Rotary International as well. He had a love of travel, according to his wife. 'He just had a passion for helping people,' Debbie Briscoe said. 'We took our grandson to Disneyland, and [John] would talk to everybody in line, everybody at the restaurant. [He said], 'What do you mean you're not going to school? How can you get ahead if you're not going to school?' He does the same thing at the grocery store. He's always trying to get people involved in the community.' Briscoe attended the same Huntington Beach church as OVSD Board President Patricia Singer, she said in a social media post tribute to him. 'He served as a greeter, welcoming others with that same warmth he carried everywhere,' Singer said. 'His faith was not just a part of him, it guided every aspect of his life. I will deeply miss our long, impassioned conversations about public education. He always had an idea — often unconventional, always insightful — about how to do better, how to reach farther, how to care more.' In addition to his wife, Briscoe is survived by his sister Cindy, brother Bill, son Tyler, daughter-in-law Penny and 2-year-old grandson Jeremy. Debbie Briscoe said a celebration of life service is planned for July 15 at 11 a.m. at Old World in Huntington Beach. The service will take place three days after what would have been the couple's 50th wedding anniversary.
Los Angeles Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Ocean View boys' volleyball rallies, falls short versus Lakewood
Ocean View's grand boys' volleyball campaign was coming to its end, two sets down and six points behind as Lakewood served for the final point in what would be an impressive road sweep of the No. 1 seed. The Seahawks weren't going to go so easily though, reeling off eight straight points to force another set, then reaching the brink of a decisive fifth set before falling, 25-16, 25-21, 24-26, 26-24, in Friday evening's CIF Southern Section Division 7 second-round clash. Defeat stings, but first-year head coach Steven Morales, who guided Ocean View (16-9) to the postseason for the first time since a Division 5 semifinal run in 2019, was beaming when it was done. He's been working since fall toward creating a volleyball culture on campus, and here was the reward. Here was the response to talk 'all across campus, everywhere' that the boys' volleyball team 'doesn't win.' Ocean View didn't win this time, conquered by a school twice its size from a superior league that has played a tougher schedule, but the Seahawks' fight before a small but vocal crowd was a sign, he said, that this team has arrived. 'Hopefully, this sets a new culture for this program and the school,' he said. 'Hopefully, it sets a day where we mean business. It's our first year. We'll see what the summer looks like, and fall, then come back next year.' An Nguyen, coupling a ferocious swing with a 45-inch vertical leap, led the charge, delivering seven kills and two blocks as Ocean View survived six game points and then led seven times in the fourth set, the last with two shots to pull even. 'I just want to say all of our guys, all the dedication we put in morning practices, every 6 a.m. from December, January and February, all of us are trying to put our best work in,' said Nguyen, who posted 17 kills and five blocks. 'I'm just proud for them. It's been six years since we made playoffs, they did everything they can, and this is where we are.' Lakewood (12-10), which will be home for the quarterfinals against Brea Olinda (17-11), dominated the first two sets — Ocean View led just twice, 1-0 in the first set and 16-15 in the second — behind a balanced group led by Carlo Tautai-Reyes (12 kills), Christian Newquist (11 kills, three blocks), Ivan Mandujano (nine kills, five aces) and setter J.J. Fernandez. The Seahawks, who had gifted the Lancers 17 points through two sets, kept it close into the second rotation in the third before falling behind, 19-13, as Newquist provided two kills and two blocks in an 8-2 run. Valentino Saenz-Castruita's block on Nguyen 10 points later made it 24-18. Nguyen repelled the first game point with a block on Dereon Groce, Quan Duong served an ace between two Lakewood spikes into the net, two more balls went out of bounds from Lancer touches, and it was even. Nguyen again blocked Groce to push Ocean View ahead, and a misplay on a simple ball extended the game a set. 'These guys refused to lose,' Morales said. 'I told them, 'Hey, at this point, it's not even volleyball. You're down to your last point, and you're down six. Dig deep.' And that's what they did. They came back.' First-year Lakewood coach Daniel Lozada, also directing a turnaround, called the sequence 'unacceptable' and discussed it with his team at length after the handshakes. He thought Ocean View committed a double-hit violation on the first game point and said the 'down' referee agreed with him. 'She said the [chief] ref didn't want to finish the [match] on that,' said Lozada, who coached the Seahawks during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. 'Which to me is unacceptable, but it is what it is. We battled through it. We got bad calls, but some calls went our way in that fourth set.' The fourth set featured a dozen lead changes, half of those from 15-15, and only one lead (Ocean View at 7-4) greater than two points, and Ocean View surged ahead, 24-22, from a ball off the ceiling that the Lancers couldn't corral and Tyler Chiangtong's ace. Lakewood scored the last four points, the equalizer and winner on Mandujano aces. 'Unfortunately, we weren't able to close that fourth set. But great year, great year,' Morales said. 'I feel like this is just a taste. This is the beginning of what could be. We only lose one starting senior — An, our best player and an amazing player — and return everybody else. So it's just a taste of what next year can be.' Nguyen is hopeful. 'Sometimes it takes time to change,' he said. 'People say that we're not good, but then we just practice day in and day out and try our best on game day. ... Hopefully, [we] can start showing our school that we're a volleyball school. We're not some school that has no name in volleyball.'
