Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 23, 2012

13

HOMES & PROPERTY

 Mountain Views News Saturday June 23, 2012 

One Of A Kind: Featuring unique homes and gardens and the people who create them Story by Chris Bertrand. Photos by Susanne Hayek


JUST LISTED: FORMER 
WHITTINGHAM ESTATE IN 
SIERRA MADRE

In a community embedded with “horse people” and horse lovers, 
the name Charlie Whittingham rings all kinds of bells. Deemed 
a legend in thoroughbred racing, Whittingham’s intuitive 
training ability with equines resulted in thousands of winner’s 
circle celebrations and rock star like status with legions of fans. 

From humble beginnings walking horses and cleaning stalls 
in Tijuana, he persevered over the next six decade, according to his 1999 NY Times 
obituary, becoming “the most successful trainer at Santa Anita, the most celebrated on 
the West Coast and one of the most acclaimed in the business.” 

Whittingham trained eight national champions, according to the NY Times report, and 
won more than 2400 other races and 650 other stakes. Elected to the Racing Hall of Fame 
in 1974, Whittingham received three Eclipse Awards as best North American trainer, and 
at age 76, won the Kentucky Derby, as the oldest trainer ever to do so, with a colt named 
Ferdinand.

The Whittinghams purchased the home in 1956 and turned it into an entertainment hub 
for the horse racing community, expanding it as Charlie’s family and reputation grew. 
Though the property changed hands after Whittingham’s passing, the wrought iron gates 
and kitchen still bear his initials.

The Whittinghams collaborated with well known local architect, Don Crenshaw, and 
in 1990 performed an extensive remodel and expansion into today’s 4909 square foot 
footprint and floorplan. One of the largest estate homes in Sierra Madre, the secluded 
property, fronted by mature trees and shrubbery providing nearly complete privacy. 

The ¾ acre property offers expansive shady lawns, a koi pond, Wistaria arbor, front and 
back gazebos overlooking the grounds, and plantings of unusual varieties, like Coral, Cherimoya, tree ferns, king and queen palms, magnolia, half a dozen fruit trees, and those of sentimental value. A massive 
back yard tree is said to be a gift from the owner of the famed racehorse, Seabiscuit, decades ago 
when the tree was but a sapling. 

The current owners commented that the stunning kitchen sealed the love of the home when they 
purchased it. Any accomplished chef or aspiring cook will likely be entranced. The room, deemed 
by many a masterpiece, includes a 19 foot cathedral ceiling, detailed by 19’ thick truss beams. 
Beveled and leaded glass cabinet doors and dividers catch the sunlight with beautiful reflection. 
Custom tile from Portugal provide a stunning backdrop for the European AGA stove with four 
ovens. 

Extensive additional facilities include a Thermador cooktop, Convection-Microwave oven, a Miele 
dishwasher, icemaker and more to make this magnificent kitchen both pleasant and functional for 
simultaneous, multiple cooks. 

The five bedrooms, mostly suites, have been situated to accommodate consummate privacy for all. 
Two separated second floor wings offers spacious bedroom and living space. A main floor master 
suite opens through French doors to the garden vistas. The master also includes an amazing, huge 
closet plus a dressing room or private office. 

Though tradition runs through the veins and arteries of this charming, five bedroom, six bath home, 
noteworthy additions have been made. In 2011, a solar system was installed, which significantly 
decreases the electricity costs to run the home. Three HVAC systems allow zoned control of 
heating and air conditioning. The three car garage includes an oversized, pull through bay that 
accommodates an RV… or a horse trailer!

One of Sierra Madre’s treasured estate properties, 88 Lowell Avenue in Sierra Madre comes on 
the market June 25, offered at $1.9 million. For a showing, contact the agents, Jan Thornton of 
Prudential California Realty at 626-893-3303, or Sue and Maurice Orme of Coldwell Banker at 
626-826-8511.


SEVEN TIPS TO HELP YOUR LANDSCAPE BEAT THE 
HEAT THIS SUMMER by Melinda Myers

Summer has arrived and for many gardeners that means heat, drought and watering bans. This can 
be hard on gardeners as well as their landscapes. The good news is that there are ways to help plants 
thrive despite these seasonal challenges. Adjusting landscape care accordingly during the summer 
months can not only provide relief for lawns and gardens, but also for the gardener. Here are some 
low maintenance eco-friendly ways gardeners can keep their landscapes looking their best throughout 
the summer months, while beating the heat:

Water plants thoroughly to promote deep drought- and pest-resistant roots. Wait until the top few 
inches of soil are crumbly and moist or footprints remain in the lawn before watering again.

Avoid light, frequent watering that encourages shallow roots. Shallow roots are less able to tolerate 
drought and more susceptible to disease and insect problems.

Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded leaves, evergreen needles or shredded bark mulch over the 
soil in garden beds and around trees and shrubs. Mulching conserves moisture, keeps roots cool 
and moist, and suppresses weeds.

Mow lawns high. Taller grass produces deeper roots that are more drought-tolerant. A deeply 
rooted lawn is also more resistant to insects, disease and other environmental stresses.

Always mow lawns often enough, so you remove less than one third the total leaf surface. Leave the 
grass clippings on the lawn. They add nitrogen, organic matter and moisture to the soil.

Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite, to give gardens and lawns a nutrient 
boost. This organic nitrogen fertilizer remains in the soil until the growing conditions are right 
for the plant.

Remove weeds from garden beds and borders as soon as they appear. These “plants out of place” 
steal water and nutrients from your desirable garden plants. Plus, they can harbor insects and diseases 
that are harmful to your garden plants.

And don’t forget to take care of yourself while caring for your landscape during the heat of summer. 
Drink lots of liquid, use sunscreen, and work during the cooler morning and evening hours.

Then when the gardening tasks are done for the day, grab a glass of lemonade, take a seat in the shade 
and enjoy the beauty of your handiwork.

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 
30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small 
Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on 
over 115 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing 
editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” newspaper 
column. Melinda also has a column in Gardening How-to magazine. Melinda hosted “The Plant Doctor” 
radio program for over 20 years as well as seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. She has 
written articles for Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening and was a columnist and contributing 
editor for Backyard Living magazine. Melinda has a master’s degree in horticulture, is a certified 
arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure. Her web site is www.melindamyers.com 


THE STRONGEST LINK

The question on everyone's lips is, "When are things going to return to normal in real estate?" 
Well, if the "normal" being referred to is the conditions and shady financial dealings 
that created the artificially inflated markets of five years ago, then we need to be thinking 
about redefining “normal.”

The bad lending practices of the past are indeed making it more difficult now to secure 
financing, but try to understand that's not necessarily a bad thing. Those days of lower standards 
and easy money led us into this predicament in the first place. It's good for housing 
and for the economy when banks become interested in whether loans will be repaid.

In the “new” normal, home prices will stabilize, the number of sales will start gaining, and 
more people will again realize the benefits that homeownership offers, for both personal and 
financial security. With historically low interest rates, affordable prices, government incentives, 
and motivated sellers, the housing market is already experiencing the initial signs of 
recovery.

All of these factors combine to get first-time buyers excited about a purchase. As these consumers 
enter the market, they will trigger other purchases, and the chain of transactions 
grows. Expect your real estate representative to reveal a wide range of affordable choices and 
guide you toward securing the financing you need to make your dream come true.

EARTH-FRIENDLY GARDENS

“Do It Yourself” landscaping that’s easy on water and your wallet!

Saturday, June 30

10am - Noon — Palm Room – 

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

301 North Baldwin Avenue

Arcadia, CA 91007-2697

Phone: 626.821.4624

Steve Gerischer, Instructor

$25 Arboretum members / $30 non-members

Please call 626.821.4623 to pre-register; you may also pay at the door,

but be sure to come a few minutes early.

Do you want to create a more water and energy efficient garden? The class will touch 
on permeable hardscaping, composting, drought tolerance and all things green but 
easy on the wallet. 

But...are you afraid that you’ll have to break the bank in order to have state-of-the-art 
systems to recycle water and make compost? Not so! If you’re thrifty by nature (“I’m 
just CHEAP!” says Steve), come and learn about DIY techniques to create an earth-
friendly landscape that uses less water and more sustainable resources. This is great 
information from Steve that he has acquired through years of experience – learn his 
secrets!