The impressive brick building has stood in the center of Stockton’s lush Victory Park for 79 years, but it’s what’s on the inside that makes it worth visiting.

On display in the museum’s fine art galleries are dozens of paintings by renowned 19th- and early 20th-century American and European artists, including Jean Béraud, Rosa Bonheur, William Bouguereau, Jean-Léon Gérôme, George Inness and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Of particular note are breathtaking panoramas of Yosemite Valley (including one once loaned to the White House) by American painter Albert Bierstadt. The Haggin has the largest museum collection of major Bierstadt works.

How did world-renowned paintings come to be located in Stockton? In 1928, the San Joaquin Pioneer and Historical Society was looking to build a history museum but had been unable to raise enough funds. Stockton native Robert T. McKee offered the group $30,000 on behalf of his wife, Eila Haggin McKee, who had only two requirements: name the museum in honor of her late father, Louis Terah Haggin; and add an art wing to fill with paintings from her father’s collection.

The history galleries focus on the San Joaquin Valley’s past and the accomplishments of its residents, such as Charles Weber, Stockton’s founder; Benjamin Holt, inventor of the Caterpillar track-type tractor; Tillie Lewis, the “Tomato Queen” and the Stephens Bros. Boat Builders.

The Haggin Museum also houses the largest museum collection of original art works by “Golden Age” illustrator J.C. Leyendecker.

To house the continually growing collections, the museum has undergone several additions since first opening. The McKee Room was added in 1939; an extensive addition was constructed in 1949; and the Benjamin Holt Wing opened in 1976. Today the museum’s three-story building contains more than 34,000 square feet of exhibition space.

The museum’s permanent art and history exhibits are augmented by a number of temporary exhibitions annually. Special events, such as family programs, lectures, and musical performances, are held throughout the year. The Haggin Museum also maintains a Library-Archive, which is available by appointment. The Museum Store features a wonderful array of merchandise especially selected to complement your museum visit.

Although many Californians are still unaware of this cultural diamond, a trip to Stockton isn’t complete without a visit to The Haggin Museum.

Source: HagginMuseum.org

How about a cheap vacation this year! There is over 1,000 miles of navigable waterways just west of Stockton in the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta. Check out the local marinas for supplies, information, rentals, campsites, docks, food, drink and entertainment.

The fishing is especially fun at night during the summer for catfish and striped bass. The Delta is very well known for being one of the best areas around for large mouth black bass.

There are lots of rivers and sloughs which are perfect for having fun swimming, skiing and boating. Many boaters like to tie up together for a little partying at some of the more popular spots. But, there is also plenty of areas with privacy too!

www.californiadelta.org

www.deltaloop.com

SAN JOAQUIN

COUNTY

FAIR

Celebrating 150 Years of Good Times

1860 – 2010

June 16 – 20

STOCKTON – Crime fell in Stockton last year, even as the Police Department was whittled down to accommodate a shrinking budget and crime-fighting programs seen as successful were canceled to maintain patrol staffing.

The overall decline in Stockton – although murders increased – exceeded a nationwide decline in crime, according to a preliminary report the FBI released Monday.

The number of violent crimes reported in Stockton fell from 4,322 in 2008 to 3,703 in 2009, a 14.3 percent decline. Nationally, violent crime declined by 5.5 percent.

Based on the FBI’s population estimate, that decline represents a drop in Stockton’s violent crime rate from 14.7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents to 12.7.  Read more

The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California, USA. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in 2005.

Although baseball has been played in Stockton for over 100 years, the Stockton Ports didn’t come into play until 1941 as the Ports were one of the founding members of the California League. The Ports gained their unique name from the cities own rich history and strong resource as the states only inland Port.

In 1946, after the war, the league re-established itself with teams in Stockton, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Santa Barbara and Visalia. The California League would then add another two teams for the 1947 season in San Jose and Ventura. Today, the Ports are a part of a ten team league with teams in Modesto, San Jose, Visalia, Bakersfield, High Desert, Inland Empire, Lancaster, Lake Elsinore and Rancho Cucamonga.

Over the course of the Ports 60 years as a member of the California League, they have won 11 titles (most by any active team, Reno franchise has 11) and have posted an overall 4,400-3,952 record.

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Deep Fried Asparagus

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. white pepper
• 1/2 tsp. celery salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2 egg whites
• 2/3 cup cold flat beer
• 3 pounds (2 cups) raw whole asparagus, cleaned and cut above the white end
• Peanut oil (enough to fill a pan 2 inches)

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all ingredients except asparagus and oil in a bowl with a wire whisk until well blended. Dip asparagus individually in the batter and deep-fry them in at least 2 inches of peanut oil for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 6 servings.

Well, I went door knocking today! Knocking on doors is one of the most successful ways for a real estate agent to find new business. I should know… for the first 5 years or so, I was a door knocker 3-5 days a week for at least 2 hours a day.

Over the past 30 years, I have always said “if I ever need more business; I would know what to do!” 

To be a successful door knocker you must be very stubborn and have faith that it will work. Most agents will give up if they don’t get a listing or a buyer the first day or two. It is very important to pick an area near your office or near your home which you are very familiar with. It is also important to know the neighborhood and the home values. I like to hit a lot of homes and not allow a long winded talker to take up my time. (I can always come back or call later if it really is a good lead)  

The best part of door knocking is knowing that my fellow agents will give up before they get out of the office! 

Virtual Tour ~ 108 S Sinclair, Stockton CA

I found this article today on Comcast while having my morning cup of coffee…guess I better lock my mortgage refinance ASAP

WASHINGTON — Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to keep rates low.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 5.21 percent this week, up from 5.08 percent a week earlier, Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s the highest since mid-August, when the average rate was 5.29 percent.  [more]

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