If you’re struggling to pay all the bills and food in the refrigerator know that you are not alone. There are many people that are working hard and still struggling to pay all the bills. Which is why I am excited to share with you some details regarding the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs reopening their Texas Rent Relief application portal.
This portal will be open to Texas residents that are in need of assistance to pay their rent, the applications portal will only be open for a short period of time. The dates that the application portal will be open are from 8:00a.m. on March 14th through 11:59 p.m. on March 28th.
How Much Rental Assistance Money Will Be Distributed by the State of Texas?
There is currently $96 million dollars in rent relief funds, but with so many people needing assistance the funds will go quickly. Which is why you should not wait, get your application in now if you need assistance with paying rent. Applications can be made over the phone by calling 833-989-7368.
How Much Assistance Can One Person Receive?
A first-time applicant may be eligible for up to 18 months of assistance for rent and help on utility bills. These payments can be made for current or past due bills. That doesn’t mean that you will get 18 months of assistance, but you could, it all starts by getting in your application.
Just remember if you’re needing some help, that doesn’t make you a bad person. We’ve all struggled before; it takes a strong person to stand up and ask for help.
LOOK: Here are 25 ways you could start saving money today
These money-saving tips—from finding discounts to simple changes to your daily habits—can come in handy whether you have a specific savings goal, want to stash away cash for retirement, or just want to pinch pennies. It’s never too late to be more financially savvy. Read on to learn more about how you can start saving now. [From: 25 ways you could be saving money today]
20 of the Best Places in Tyler to Save Money on Great Clothes
There’s no reason you can’t find some awesome new duds at reasonable prices–at least not here in East Texas.
A woman has sparked a discussion online after revealing that she and her sister inherited a house together – and they have different thoughts about selling it.
The anonymous poster, thought to be UK-based, took to parenting forum Mumsnet to share her story and ask others for their advice.
In the post, she revealed that the sibling and her family have been living in the home, and covering upkeep expenses.
While the poster wants to sell the home, her sister does not, saying she cannot afford the buy out.
The poster explained explained: ‘So my sibling and I inherited a house from our parents which they have been living in for the last few years.
‘With the cost of living crisis, obviously money is tight for both our families, and I am now desperate to either sell to be honest as it would be a life changing amount of money at present.
‘My sibling obviously has no intention of leaving, but says they cannot buy me out at present due to lack of finance herself, but this is really impacting on my family of 4, whereas they only have themselves and [their] partner to think of, as [their] child is significantly older and [is] at uni now.
‘They pay all bills and maintenance on the house and I’ve never wanted to demand anything more but I feel like I’m being [taken for] a mug now.
‘AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to be really frustrated? I don’t want to p*** them off as they’re the only family I have now, but I really need to figure out how to move this issue forward.’
A number of Mumsnetters felt that it would be ok for the sibling to continue living in the house – assuming that they started to pay the poster a fair rent.
One said: ‘Are they paying you rent? They should be paying half market rates.’
Another agreed, adding: ‘Yeah they should be paying you rent then if they want to stay in it. They don’t just get to live there in half your house as though it’s all theirs. They should pay you rent until they can afford to buy you out, or they need to sell.’
A third suggested that the sister might be aware she are reaping huge benefits from the current setup, writing: ‘They need to be paying you about 40% market rent (or work out what the maintenance equates to). No wonder they’re happy for that arrangement!!’
And a fourth suggested: ‘Another option is to work out a commercial rent price and ask her to pay half of that each month.’
Meanwhile, a fifth chimed in to suggest another option, writing: ‘Is it big enough that you can tell them you’re moving in too?!
‘Ok they’re paying bills, but as it’s half yours they should be paying you something as well, have they been?’
Others felt that more serious action was required, and that the poster needed to sell the house to ensure she received her rightful inheritance, even if that means involving the courts.
One said: ‘Unfortunately you need to get pushy or they will live there forever. A court can order the sale – hopefully it won’t get that far.
‘Speak to her properly and tell her that sadly you need the money and can’t subsidise her any longer. Explain if the house isn’t put on the market you will need to go to court.’
Another agreed, writing: ‘Tell them that if they don’t agree to sell the house (on the market now, with a view to completing the sale within the next few months) or pay half market rent then you’ll have to force a sale.
‘Presumably with half the proceeds of a family home they’ll be able to buy a smaller house or flat outright or with a small mortgage, so affordable to them?’
A third respondent who also felt formal advice was necessary, wrote: ‘You need legal advice. I’d consult a solicitor. Do and try and talk it out with your sister to resolve amicably too, at the same time.’
And a fourth concurred, adding: ‘Your sister is being massively unreasonable and deep down she must know it. She’s relying on your good nature to not get tough with her and evert your rights, it’s a form of emotional blackmail.
‘I wouldn’t mess around with getting her to pay rent, I’d want your 50% asap. Either she buys you out or she agrees to sell. Go and see a solicitor for some proper advice, not from self-styled experts on here!’
Meanwhile, a fifth commentator was even stronger in their advice, writing: ‘You need to get legal advice on this. Who did what for your mum in the past is totally irrelevant to the inheritance/will situation.
‘If the property was left to you 50/50, then your sister should be paying half the rental valuation to live there, and you are equally responsible for repair bills.
‘Get legal advice, then ask her to sell or get a Letting Agent to value it for monthly rent, make sure the property meets rental requirements, and get the LA to draw up a tenancy.
‘This situation will never change unless you do something about it. But she cannot continue to live there rent free while you struggle.’
A man’s 30-year rent free ride has come to an end. Photo /123RF
A builder who lived in his friend’s house rent-free for 30 years has finally been evicted in a High Court decision that showed the man tried to make the owners pay him to buy the house.
However, the Court has dismissed John Solomon Smith’s claims, with lawyers for the owners, a Japanese husband and wife, saying the invoices Smith produced to prove work he had done on the house appeared to have been created later and exaggerated, and none were from third-party providers.
He has now been ordered to leave the Conifer Grove, South Auckland, house.
Smith had lived in the house since the early 1990s after the Japanese couple, Mr and Mrs Washikita, purchased it from Smith’s company for $250,000.
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The informal deal was that Smith live in the property rent-free but pay the rates and insurance and keep it in good condition.
Smith would also complete work around the house in the form of various renovations, though the Washikitas had never asked him to.
The house was meant to be a holiday home or a place to retire for the Wakashitas but they visited only three times before deciding to sell it in late 2020 and offering Smith first right of refusal to buy it.
The house was valued at $1.06 million and Smith argued that was too high as the house was in poor condition before sending the Washikitas a series of invoices for work he’d done on the property over the past 30 years, purportedly totalling $1.09 million.
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Effectively this meant that Smith was implying the Washikitas should pay him $31,000 for him to take ownership of their house.
The Washikitas rejected this offer and gave Smith until February 2022 to vacate the property, which he and his family did not do. They then sought Summary Judgment in the High Court, a process that allows the court to give judgment without full trial.
Smith argued in the High Court that he had an equitable interest in the property based on the amount of work he’d done on it over the years, however he’d never sent any of these invoices to the owners of the property until he was asked to vacate the property.
He also claimed that the house would be sold back to him at “no profit” though he produced no evidence of these terms to the court.
Associate Judge Owen Paulsen ruled that Smith and his family must vacate the property so the Washikita family can sell it.
With another round of storms forecasted on the way, many Northern California residents are just waiting to see how much more water they can handle.The Graham family moved into their Cameron Park home 18 months ago. It has a seasonal creek on the property. Last Saturday, it turned into a raging river, flooding their property. They have a wooden walkway that leads from the home to the street that shifted from the force of the flood waters.”It was just hammered up against the wall and it shifted the whole walkway,” said Ryan Graham.He’s afraid more flood waters will wash away the walkway and he doesn’t want his family home and trapped inside.”It’s the only way in the house,” he said. “There is no way in or out.”The Grahams escaped their home last Saturday as soon as the water started rising. They needed to be on safe ground since Tammy Graham’s mother is on oxygen and recovering from hip surgery.While leaving the home last week, Graham was in tears.”It’s not normal, it’s not normal,” she said. “We shouldn’t have to retain all this water.”Debris swirled in the flood water in the front yard. The Grahams said the small creek isn’t built to handle so much water and the culverts are jammed with mud.”Everything just backs up and backs up and backs up,” said Ryan Graham. Even though more rainfall is expected this weekend, the Grahams plan to brave the storm Saturday night.But when it clears Sunday, they have a plan to stay at a hotel until Wednesday. “We don’t have a choice. We can’t stay in there and have this walkway go away with no way out,” Ryan Graham said.The Grahams are ready to find a new home. They said the neighbors who have lived in the neighborhood for decades have never seen flood waters rise that high around their home. “Every time it rains, we are on the edge of our seat because we don’t want it go up,” said Tammy Graham.
CAMERON PARK, Calif. —
With another round of storms forecasted on the way, many Northern California residents are just waiting to see how much more water they can handle.
The Graham family moved into their Cameron Park home 18 months ago. It has a seasonal creek on the property. Last Saturday, it turned into a raging river, flooding their property.
They have a wooden walkway that leads from the home to the street that shifted from the force of the flood waters.
“It was just hammered up against the wall and it shifted the whole walkway,” said Ryan Graham.
He’s afraid more flood waters will wash away the walkway and he doesn’t want his family home and trapped inside.
“It’s the only way in the house,” he said. “There is no way in or out.”
The Grahams escaped their home last Saturday as soon as the water started rising. They needed to be on safe ground since Tammy Graham’s mother is on oxygen and recovering from hip surgery.
While leaving the home last week, Graham was in tears.
“It’s not normal, it’s not normal,” she said. “We shouldn’t have to retain all this water.”
Debris swirled in the flood water in the front yard. The Grahams said the small creek isn’t built to handle so much water and the culverts are jammed with mud.
“Everything just backs up and backs up and backs up,” said Ryan Graham.
Even though more rainfall is expected this weekend, the Grahams plan to brave the storm Saturday night.
But when it clears Sunday, they have a plan to stay at a hotel until Wednesday.
“We don’t have a choice. We can’t stay in there and have this walkway go away with no way out,” Ryan Graham said.
The Grahams are ready to find a new home. They said the neighbors who have lived in the neighborhood for decades have never seen flood waters rise that high around their home.
“Every time it rains, we are on the edge of our seat because we don’t want it go up,” said Tammy Graham.
Searching for the right gingerbread house for your family and friends can feel like buying a house on HGTV’s “House Hunters.” You could buy a “fixer upper” gingerbread house that comes without icing and needs to be decorated. You might be looking for one with an open concept that has character (stained glass windows made of melted hard candies). If you have a large family, a two-foot-tall gingerbread house could be your wisest choice, even if it’s at a higher price point.
Long Island bakery owners and cake designers will work diligently within your gingerbread house budgets to try to accommodate all your wants and needs. As Daniele Messina, co-owner of Long Island’s Dortoni Bakery, puts it, “If you can dream it, we can create it.”
Here are some types of gingerbread houses for sale locally. Each comes with amenities that might sway you in one direction or another. Which gingerbread house would be right for you?
VINTAGE CHARM WITH OPEN CONCEPT
Yamirys Raposo decorates a gingerbread house at Dortoni Bakery in Levittown, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. The bakery sells a variety of gingerbread houses including this large version which stands about two feet tall. Credit: Danielle Silverman
If you’d love to buy an old-style gingerbread house that has a large, open space inside, the two-foot-tall gingerbread house by Dortoni Bakery might be your best bet. If you need space to put a surprise gift inside the house, Messina will help you make it happen. He says with a smile, “Over the years we’ve done so many crazy things. We’ve put engagement rings inside a gingerbread house or the keys to a new car. We love special requests. It keeps us excited about what we do.”
Though the open concept has a contemporary feel, the houses in the bakery also have vintage charm. All three sizes offered are prepared with the family’s century-old gingerbread recipe. Messina says, “It’s so good, there’s no reason to change it.” Gingerbread houses are made in the shop from scratch and decorated with a huge variety of traditional candies. Many customers buy the houses right off the shelves. Others who prefer to do home improvement projects order a plain house with decorations and icing on the side.
Both Christmas and Hannukah gingerbread houses are on the shelves, or you can order a gingerbread house that combines the two occasions. Lastly, the houses come with security systems: a snowman stands at the front door.
INFO: Dortoni Bakery & Pastry Shops: Located in Commack, East Norwich, Levittown, Port Jefferson, Huntington coming soon; dortonibakery.com. Prices begin at $36.99
INNOVATIVE GINGERBREAD HOUSES AND VACATION HOMES
Owner Fred Terry demonstrates gingerbread frosting techniques with Della Frigano, 5, left, and Nora Frigano, 3, from West Islip, at Gingerbread University at The Shoppes in Wading River on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. Credit: Morgan Campbell
If one person in your family wants a stucco-style gingerbread house, while another insists on a candy cane Colonial, there’s a way to please both. Create a combination of the two types of homes during a guided activity at Gingerbread University in Wading River.
Each person is given a gingerbread house — made using a recipe developed 100 years ago by Gingerbread University creator Frederick Terry’s family in North Fork — to work on.
Participants also receive a collection of candies, pretzels, candy canes, chocolates, and icing. Terry says, “Once you have the gingerbread house, you can do anything. Some people want to do roofs with Frosted Flakes. Some do different motifs.” He and his staff offer a bit of instruction but recognize most people have specific ideas and want to do their own thing.
The store also features ready-made gingerbread houses to purchase on the spot, store-made gingerbread house kits to work with at home; and a new product: chocolate gingerbread dough.
“We’ve done Hanukkah and Kwanzaa houses. We did a Winter Wonderland house with a ski slope on the roof. We do Log Cabins. We do a sweetheart house for Valentine’s Day, an Easter bunny Hutch in the spring, even a Hamptons Summer Cottage including a swimming pool with gummy sharks,” Terry explains.
INFO: Gingerbread University: 5768 NY-25A, Wading River; 631-727-7309; gingerbreaduniversity.com; prices begin at $17.50
GINGERBREAD HOUSE WITH LARGE YARD
If a gingerbread house with plenty of property is your dream, you’ll find it at the Chocolate Duck in Farmingdale. Gingerbread kits are sold in the shop, and each includes a large board to place it on. Cover the board with edible snow and you’ll have an instant yard to fill with goodies.
“We sell all the tools you’ll need to make the home, royal icing as the glue, and countless, edible decorations you can buy separately,” says Christina Bisbee, pastry chef/owner. That includes edible penguins, reindeer, Santas, Christmas lights and snowmen. The shop also features a huge line of decorative sugars to create edible snowflakes, snow, characters and more.
Alternatively, Bisbee likes to create custom ordered gingerbread houses. “I love to get a sense of a customer’s vision and bring it to life. On a Victorian gingerbread house, I’d use Necco wafers to create colored turrets. Tootsie Rolls would make a great Mediterranean look.”
Bisbee often partners with professional cake designer Jean Schapowal, 57, of Hicksville. As a team, they have won Food Network “Big Bake” challenges. Schapowal has also won The Chocolate Duck’s gingerbread building competition for the past nine years and will be competing internationally next fall. She welcomes requests for custom built gingerbread houses.
If you like to add a personal touch to your home, Bisbee says, “I always encourage people to look around their houses. Look at your cereal boxes and what you have in your kitchen that’s edible to use when creating a gingerbread house.”
INFO: The Chocolate Duck: 310 Main St., Farmingdale; 516-249-0887; chocolateduck.com; gingerbread kits $15.99
GINGERBREAD COLONIALS
If one person in your family insists on a Colonial style gingerbread house, Rocco’s Bakery in Glen Cove has it covered. Gingerbread houses in the shop have exterior walls designed to look as if they are made of brick, and candy cane columns line the entranceway. All homes also come with front and back doors that open. Other perks include snow-covered interior floors and Santa on his sleigh along with a full set of reindeer on the roof.
INFO: St. Rocco’s Bakery; 4 Saint Rocco’s Place, Glen Cove; 516-427-5333; gingerbread house price: $45
QUAINT WITH GREAT CURB APPEAL
If you want an edible home but don’t like gingerbread, the perfect compromise is on a shelf in Chocolicious Chocolatier in Locust Valley. The shop is filled with milk chocolate houses or order a dark or white chocolate version. From a distance, many of the houses look as if they have two stories. Additional amenities: each window has a candle in it, shutters, and a frost covered pane. The home comes with chocolate doorknobs and candy path.
INFO: Chocolicious Chocolatier Inc: 74 Birch Hill Rd., Locust Valley; 516-671-6835; chocolicious.com/Default.asp; prices begin at $59
GINGERBREAD HOMES AT LOWER PRICE POINTS
If you’d prefer to purchase a house at a lower price point and save money to decorate with edible furnishings, Big Lots offers plenty of choices. Buy a Pez Build Your Own Gingerbread house kit, Sour Patch version, Oreo, Reese’s, Jelly Belly and Minnie or Mickey Mouse style. With all these themes to choose from, your home will never be cookie cutter.
INFO: Big Lots: 7 Long Island locations: Carle Place, Hicksville, Copiague, West Babylon, Bay Shore, Holbrook, Centereach; biglots.com; gingerbread house prices begin at $6.99
DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople is reaching out to the family of the Filipino who reportedly died at a World Cup football training base in Qatar.
“For now, the Secretary is trying to reach out to the family,” the DMW said in a statement on Friday.
It added that it will issue a statement after Ople has met with the family of the victim.
Based on reports from foreign media, the unidentified Filipino, who was in his 40s, fell off a ramp while repairing lights at a resort used as a training base by Saudi Arabia’s national football team.
The date of the accident was not specified.
The reports said the victim was not wearing a safety harness.
Asked to comment on the death of the Filipino worker, Qatar 2022 World Cup Chief Executive Nasser Al Khater was quoted as replying that “death is a natural part of life, whether it’s at work, whether it’s in your sleep.”
“We’re in the middle of a World Cup. And we have a successful World Cup. And this is something you want to talk about right now?” Al Khater said.
In a related development, Ople has ordered the closure of a travel consultancy firm offering bogus jobs in Poland.
Ople ordered the closure of IDPLumen Travel Consultancy Services, which has been allegedly charging as much as P122,000 from applicants.
Ople said the order was carried out on December 7 by the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch (AIRB) of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which closed down the firm’s headquarters in San Fernando, Pampanga, and its offices in Santiago City, Isabela and Tabuk City, Kalinga.
“Please do not transact with travel consultancy firms offering jobs abroad. That’s illegal recruitment. Those who operate like that have a one-way ticket waiting in jail,” Ople warned.
The operations were conducted by the AIRB in coordination with local government officials and police units.
Surveillance conducted by the AIRB revealed that IDPLumen, posing as a travel consultancy firm, offered jobs in Poland for truck drivers, welders and factory workers with monthly salaries ranging from P35,000 to P124,000.
Ople said IDPLumen Travel Consultancy Services does not have a license from the POEA to operate as a recruitment agency, nor does it have any validated overseas job orders.
The company also collected processing fees of as much as P122,000 from prospective job applicants under two options — either regular upfront payments or a “fly now, pay later” scheme.
Ople has ordered the filing of illegal recruitment charges against IDPLumen.
She is also urging victims of the agency to contact the DMW so they could be assisted in the filing of cases against the agency.
With its closure, Ople said IDPLumen and its staff will be included in the DMW’s “List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record.”
Inclusion in the list bars the company and its personnel from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program, aside from facing illegal recruitment charges.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 21 November 2022 – Better Life Consultancy has focused on three key practice areas: family counseling, probate counseling, business counseling, while maintaining a high level of flexibility and enthusiasm as its core values. The advantage of a specialized boutique firm is that it can provide professional, personalized solutions and outstanding service in its core practice areas while focusing on putting the client’s interests first.
There is no denying that despite the recent business instability in Hong Kong and the global environment, BetterLife has made significant progress over the past year by doubling its overall staff and now has four partners. The firm now has 10 staff members and plans to further expand its family and matrimonial counseling even more in the near future.
The Future Vision of Divorce Counseling Services
Daniel Zhang, Business Development Manager, said, “Our practice, especially when it comes to families including premarital preparation counseling (離婚協議書), separation agreements, divorce proceedings (離婚手續) and child arrangement advice (撫養權), provides a one-stop 24-hour free online enquiry service to help clients quickly understand the important issues of divorce. Our team has been developed and familiar with handling Hong Kong divorce counseling, China-Hong Kong divorce cases counseling, alimony, custody, etc. In the future, our company will make full use of technology to make our operations more efficient. Not only software and hardware, but every employee must embrace change and technology, including the use of automated systems to handle divorce matters, manage bills, communicate internally and externally, and handle administrative documents. The company’s vision is to use technology to streamline operational processes and optimize customer relationships.”
Hashtag: #BetterLifeConsultancy
There is no denying that despite the recent business instability in Hong Kong and the global environment, BetterLife has made significant progress over the past year by doubling its overall staff and now has four partners. The firm now has 10 staff members and plans to further expand its family and matrimonial counseling even more in the near future.
The Future Vision of Divorce Counseling Services
Daniel Zhang, Business Development Manager, said, “Our practice, especially when it comes to families including premarital preparation counseling (離婚協議書), separation agreements, divorce proceedings (離婚手續) and child arrangement advice (撫養權), provides a one-stop 24-hour free online enquiry service to help clients quickly understand the important issues of divorce. Our team has been developed and familiar with handling Hong Kong divorce counseling, China-Hong Kong divorce cases counseling, alimony, custody, etc. In the future, our company will make full use of technology to make our operations more efficient. Not only software and hardware, but every employee must embrace change and technology, including the use of automated systems to handle divorce matters, manage bills, communicate internally and externally, and handle administrative documents. The company’s vision is to use technology to streamline operational processes and optimize customer relationships.”
Hashtag: #BetterLifeConsultancy
About Better Life Hong Kong Consultancy
Better Life Hong Kong Consultancy is capable of providing efficient services in all areas of alimony, custody, divorce proceedings (
離婚), China-Hong Kong divorce, property distribution, etc. With many years of experience in providing solutions and high quality and optimized advice to individuals, families, entrepreneurs and companies in Hong Kong and overseas.
Sisters Lydia Harris (left) and Jessica Davidson founded luxury gifting company The Duo. Photo / Supplied
Jessica Davidson, one half of the Matakana-based sisters who founded The Duo, talks to the Herald about swapping her big job in the city for starting a luxury gifting business, allowing her to spend more
This property offers spacious accommodation and is located in the popular village of Thurlby, near Bourne.
It is very well presented throughout and estate agents Eckfords describe is as a “very nice family home”.
Opening the front door, you’re greeted by an entrance hallway with stairs to the first floor and understairs storage. A cloakroom leads off, as does the lounge which has a bay window looking out to the front. A living flame coal effect gas fire is at the heart of the room and twin opening French doors lead to a separate dining room.
The dining room has wooden flooring and opens into the conservatory which has a solid pitched roof and French doors to the garden.
The kitchen has a good range of units with complimentary wooden effect worktops, as well as an eye level double electric oven with hob and extractor fan. There’s also space and plumbing for a dishwasher and fridge.
The separate utility room has a fitted worktop with space for a washing machine and space for a freezer. From here, a door leads to the garage.
Upstairs, the master bedroom benefits from fitted wardrobes to one wall with bed space between and an en-suite shower room.
There are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom with an electric shower over the bath.
Outside, the front of this property benefits from a double width driveway leading to the single garage, which has light and power, and a neat lawn.
The back garden is equally neat and tidy and benefits from a large paved patio with the remainder of the garden laid to lawn.
Thurlby itself benefits from an excellent primary school and there are school buses to both the senior schools in Bourne.
12 Swift Way in Thurlby is on the market for £425,000 with Eckfords. To find out more or arrange a viewing call 01778 426215.
PORT LAVACA — Mauricio Blanco’s 10 fishing boats are up for sale.
A fisherman for 35 years, Blanco, 50, wants to leave the industry because of the obstacles that have turned the past three years into a frustrating experience.
“It seems no one wants to buy a boat right now,” Blanco said.
The trials and tribulations started when seafood restaurants shut down at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. The business of fishing and oyster harvesting along the Texas Gulf Coast gradually came back until restrictions returned — this time for a different reason.
Most of the oyster reefs along the Texas coast were closed to harvesting beginning this January because the state’s parks and wildlife department determined from its large samples that too many oysters were not market-size.
“We were supposed to work six months during oyster season,” Blanco said. We only worked 70 days.”
The Blanco family, from left to right: Mauricio, 50; Veronica, 47 and Csar, 19
Texas’ oyster harvesting season lasts from Nov. 1 to April 30.
When determining bay closures, Texas Parks and Wildlife used the traffic light system, which gives the department the authority to close oyster reefs after studying samples. The agency considers an oyster to be legal size for harvesting if it measures at least 3 inches long.
In the current economy, Blanco said his fishing operation can make around $80,000 in six months. Before sharing the revenue with his crew — Blanco collects 30% and the rest of the crew splits the remainder — and the boat gets repaired.
He said, “$80,000 is nothing when you got a broken down motor. A single motor is going to cost $10,000 if you get it from a junkyard and to put it on, you’re going to pay $6,000-7,000.”
During the harvesting season, there is no guaranteed income, yet fishermen still have to bear the cost of boat maintenance and the rising price of red diesel fuel, Blanco said.
Meanwhile at home, costs for everyday items have increased as well this year.
“We used to go to the grocery store and pay $200 to get groceries for the week,” Blanco said. “Now its 300, $350. It’s been harder and harder and it doesn’t seem to relax.”
Blanco and his wife Veronica, 47, send their son Csar, 19, through college. Csar studies electrical engineering at Victoria College, a place he said allows him to be more independent as a person because he gets to branch out from Port Lavaca by himself.
“In college I get to have fun and enjoy myself,” Csar Blanco said.
When the oyster harvesting season comes along, Csar spends less time with dad, whose oyster harvesting travels range from Mobile, Alabama, to Corpus Christi.
“I remember one year where there was a New Year’s Eve where I was near Port Arthur,” Mauricio said. “We sacrifice a lot of family time.”
Csar said his father’s work on the water is “underrated.”
“My dad sometimes brought us shrimp and oysters to eat and I’d gotten used to that,” Csar said. “I didn’t know that shrimp and oysters are rather expensive. It makes me think, ‘How much seafood would we have if my dad wasn’t a fisherman?'”
Port Lavaca fisherman Mauricio Blanco with his 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass, which he restored himself.
Because of the oyster harvesting regulations, Mauricio is skeptical about whether Texas Parks and Wildlife will keep reefs open for much of the season.
“I can guarantee you one thing, they are going to open everything at the start of the season and then within a week or two it’s gonna close,” Blanco said.
Now a month and a half away from the harvesting season, one expert said living conditions for Texas oysters are getting better because of a weakening drought.
Dr. Jennifer Pollack, a professor of marine biology at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, said oysters can adapt to extreme weather events, such as droughts, tropical storms and floods, as long as the effects only last for a short period.
“We in Corpus Christi have seen the spat, which is the oyster larvae, grow more often now that the drought is not as severe,” Pollack said. “Too much salt in water can lead to more disease and predators from the Gulf can come into the bay and stress oysters.”
Blanco thinks the struggles of the past few years could definitely continue into the future, but while he still has his boats and crew to manage, he will keep fishing.
“I’ve got so much salt in my blood,” Blanco. “That’s what I love to do.”