The San Salvador will get new paint and flags as shown in this colored rendering.

by Gail Field

Sam Povar was a man who loved Ventura and who spent his time and resources in creating, preserving and protecting the beauty of the city that he loved.  Sam passed away in 2015, but he sparked a commitment to continue beautifying the city for residents and visitors.
During his lifetime, Sam founded Povar Plaza on Harbor Boulevard across from the pier, coordinated the beautification of the Art City bus stop on Main Street, and helped establish Soter Point with a new mermaid in Marina Park. Additional projects have been in the works as well—all for the benefit of the city.

Sam’s son and daughter, Michael and Paulette, are continuing this legacy of giving back to the city. “Our father wanted to recognize the beauty of this place and to make a mark that lasts,” says Paulette.  “We are celebrating Ventura as a place where residents and visitors can come to talk, walk their dogs, and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.”

The Povars’ latest project includes refurbishing the big ship that sits on the sand in Marina Park.

“Almost every day you can see children playing on the replica of a Spanish galleon in Marina Park and swinging on the attached zipline,” says Michael.  “The large boat represents Juan Cabrillo’s flagship, the San Salvador.  Our latest project includes refurbishing the big ship with new paint, aluminum flagpoles and flags celebrating the 150 years of Ventura’s cityhood.”

“We already have approvals from the Ventura Parks and Recreation Commission and the Coastal Commission, as well as homeowner associations in the Keys and in Pierpont,” says Paulette.  The Povars are happy that homeowners are contributing to the efforts in Marina Park. Michael explains, “We think this is the most beautiful park, with close to a 360 degree view of water, including the harbor, the inlet and the Pacific itself.  It’s a historical place and a very beautiful one.  We want residents to have a stake in continuing to make this area a more beautiful place and keeping it that way.”

In addition to the renovation of the galleon, the Povars have commissioned a local architect to create renderings for a conversation area overlooking the ocean where visitors can chat, relax, and watch the waves.  The area will be available for group meetings, as well.

Sam Povar’s vision was to inspire others to use private capital along with public cooperation and support to envision something beautiful then make it happen.  “This is something we are passionate about,” says Paulette.  “We hope members of the community will join us not only in beautifying the park, but also in continuing to contribute to Ventura’s future.”

Donations are accepted for the construction and refurbishment of the boat and for continuing projects, like the conversation area.  Tax-deductible donations are accepted at the Ventura Community Partners Foundation for the Sam Povar Memorial Fund.  For further information, call Michael Povar at 818-705-7600.

Longtime Venturan Edmund “Ed” Warren passed away peacefully with his daughter Deborah at his side early Thursday morning, April 21, 2016. Ed and his wife Hilda Warren were together for over sixty years.

Ed was born March 20, 1929 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania the third child of Ukrainian and Polish parents during the Great Depression, Ed’s early life taught him a strong work ethic. He often told stories of selling hot dogs or shoveling coal for movie money. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Binghamton, New York, and eventually settled in Southern California. Ed was drafted into the army and sent to fight in Korean in 1950.

After returning from war Ed met Hilda. The two married in 1954 and opened their first coffee shop, the Koffee Mug, in North Hollywood. This was the beginning of a beautiful, life-long restaurant career. Ed and Hilda moved to Ventura, opening the first Warren’s restaurant at 478 E. Main St. in 1963. They would later open another Warren’s on Loma Vista and in 1970 bought a Ventura landmark building on Santa Clara St. This Victorian house-turned restaurant began as the Santa Clara House but would soon be the Big Green House.

Many Venturans grew up with the Big Green House’s signature family style menu known for “chicken, steak and chocolate cake.” Ed and a partner took this formula and opened a string of Longfellow’s restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Eventually, Ed sold his interest in the restaurants to focus on  Ventura. If you ever dined downtown, chances are you may have been dining at a restaurant Ed Warren put his heart and soul into. His last venture before retiring in 2003, the iconic Busy Bee restaurant downtown is still going strong and keeping the 50s alive.

Ed lived life to the fullest. He and Hilda raised four children and subsequently are the grandparents of eight and great-grandparents of sixteen. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with his family, deer hunting with friends, soaking up the California sun and staying on top of local politics. Ed fell in love with his adopted city of Ventura and never gave up on his vision of a thriving, local economy.

If you were lucky enough to know Ed, you knew he was a born entrepreneur, generous, loved his family and always spoke his mind. Our family and Ventura will miss him dearly. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 25 at 11:00 am at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home (located at 757 E Main St., Ventura, CA 93001).

CMH would  be part of the Wellness District in Midtown.

The idea of a Wellness District in Midtown originated from a 2013 study by an Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel sponsored by the City of Ventura and the Community Memorial Hospital (CMH). Later incorporated into the City of Ventura’s Economic Strategy, the idea stemmed from the fact that both the CMH and Ventura County’s Medical Center  multimillion-dollar expansion projects, together with the associated medical facilities in the area, could leverage a mix of retail, eateries, offices, and residential uses which impact can be highly positive to the surrounding community and the city as a whole.

This spring, a graduate studio class in the City and Regional Planning Program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was charged with the development of an urban design concept plan for Ventura’s Wellness District. The area to be covered by their plan includes 13 blocks around and in direct influence of the two hospitals. This Cal Poly class exercise is being encouraged by the City of Ventura’s Community Development Department who welcomed the students’ initiative as an opportunity to explore fresh “outside-the-box” ideas and share them with the community. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s City Planning Department is famous for contributing with its class projects to many local jurisdictions and community organizations across California.

In their attempt to understand that part of Midtown and before developing any ideas for its possible future development, the students have interviewed several community members during their field studies. However, they want more input from residents, from those who work or use the area, as well as from the Ventura community at large. An online survey was created to understand how the area and its problems are perceived as well as what would the community expect from a Wellness District? Which land uses, architectural types, circulation and street design should be encouraged?

Anyone familiar with Ventura’s Midtown is highly encouraged to complete the on-line survey and contribute to the efforts by the Cal Poly class. The survey can be accessed at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wellnessdistrictcp

Cal Poly’s Wellness District Urban Design Concept Plan will be an important contribution to the community debate and the decision-making process for the future of Ventura’s Midtown and if the Wellness District concept moves forward in the future n. The students’ proposals and ideas, as well as the final report will be presented to the community at the Ventura City Hall on Friday June 3.