Texas has two mythological figures: the cowboy and the oilman. While our modern perceptions of both are quite often more legend and folklore than reality, there is at least some basis in fact, and some historical precedent for the images many of us have in our heads. The contemporary process…
This is the fourth in a series of articles concerning the Texas Property Tax. This article begins a discussion of how properties are appraisal by an appraisal district. Preceding articles discussed the history of property taxes in Texas, the revamping of the property tax system in 1979, the …
Dear Dave: What’s the best way to talk to a parent, and tell them their career or financial choices aren’t working out? My mom and dad divorced a few years ago, and now my mom is having money problems. She bought some rental properties after the divorce with the idea becoming a landlord and …
We are busy in the planning stages for our Annual Fundraiser, CHAIRished Blessings to be held Feb. 7, 2020. Months of anticipation, preparation, and dedication, along with hundreds of volunteer hours go into the CHAIRished Blessings event. We have some thoughts to help make this one the very…
It’s fall and that means the fair has come to town. Kids of all ages stuff themselves on cotton candy, thrill on twirling rides and empty their pockets on midway games. That was always the highlight for my kids because they wanted to go home with a prize. The first year we gave them money to…
An article, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in October, 2019, contains information about waste in health care. The article, written by William H. Shrank, MD, Teresa L. Rogstad MPH, and Natasha Parekh, MD, is entitled “Waste in the US Health Care System – Estimate…
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when preparing meals day after day. Here are some tasty new recipes to surprise your family and your taste buds.
Although Osage orange is one name for this East Texas tree, they are also known as horse apples, hedge apples, bodark, bois d’arc and bow wood. They grow in many other parts of the U.S. too. Their scientific name Is Maclura pomifera. And are members of the mulberry family. They generally gro…
Relations between Native American and European descent peoples were never exactly cordial, but the conflict between Texans and Comanches was especially contentious. The Comanche had certainly tried to thwart Spanish and Mexican incursions onto lands they considered their territory in the 17t…
This is the third article in a series concerning the Texas Property Tax. In 1979, a legislator from Orange, Texas, Wayne Peveto, introduced legislation, later to be known as the “Peveto Bill,” to accomplish the following results: First to impose a system of property taxation that is equal an…
Dear Dave: My husband lost his job last week. The good news is we’re completely debt-free, and we have a six-month emergency fund saved up. I work part-time, since we have young children, and I’ve been bringing home about $800 a month. Should we cut our budget down to bare bones now, or do y…
