Jess Nikolai at the kiosk at the Main Street Bridge
by Jill Forman

Jess Nikolai is an ebullient 20-something who loves birds and possums and wildlife.  As the Preserve Manager for the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, part of her job is patrolling the Willoughby Preserve where the Main Street Bridge spans the river.

“The…Conservancy has spent the past three years…removing invasive non-native plant species and clearing over 1,000 tons of trash from the river bottom.  Our hard work is paying off and today we are seeing the return of native wildlife and plants,” she says.

She frequently laces up her hiking boots and takes to the trails of the preserve, looking for refuse and pollution.  Your intrepid writer went along with her last week.

“Hello!  Anybody home?” she calls outside of a tent.  No answer, so she takes note of the location to notify someone to come back later.  “Look at this garbage,” at another place, and out comes her cell phone to snap a photo.  The city crew will come pick up that trash.  We check the progress of the arundo removal (arundo donax, an invasive reed, has taken over large swathes of the river bottom.)  Some refuse piles seen on previous patrols have been picked up, some have grown, some are moldering.

The river bottom is a patchwork of ownership and jurisdiction.  “We work closely with all of the river property owners, including California State Parks, the Ventura Police Department, Ventura County, and the City of Ventura.”  She and I walk over not only the VHC property but parts of the State Parks and other owners’ areas.

She feels badly when telling folks they can’t camp there.  “We understand that the folks who end up camping in the river bottom are usually down on their luck, but it is illegal for them to be there.  Not only is it unsafe for them, they usually are living in very unsanitary conditions that can negatively impact their health and the health of the river’s ecosystem.”

We decide to cross over to the island in the middle of the river, using a makeshift bridge of logs, planks, and rocks.  Yours truly needs a stick for balance, while Jess hops over like the nature girl she is.  There has been a crew on the island recently from the Coast Guard, cutting arundo and hauling away garbage, and we are checking out the current status.  It’s looking better but a lot more needs to be done.

Nikolai is actively seeking more volunteers to patrol with her; it is more secure to travel in pairs.  “Our goal in monitoring and patrolling the Ventura River estuary is to keep it clean and safe.  We work with volunteers to clean up trash, clear trails and report any illegal activity.”  Anyone interested in joining her, learning about this natural area, and helping keep the area safe and environmentally viable, can contact her at [email protected].

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).