Help Wanted

Women need maids, maids, and maids . . . well, they could use a little help, too.

by Prudence Mackintosh

King of the Catalogs

Who is Roger Horchow and why is he doing these terrible things to our Christmas budgets?

by Rosemary Kent

They’re Minding the Store

If you’re looking for Houston’s elite, forget the Petroleum Club; go to the produce center at Jamail’s.

by Tracy Lewis

Living in Glass Houses

The world is full of monuments to art—but how many can you live in?

by Tracy Lewis

Flash!

Who won the Texas Monthly Photo Contest, and why.

The Second Battle of the Alamo

Texas’ oldest city is heading for a political showdown, thanks to some newcomers to the power game.

by Paul Burka

They Found It!

Charismatics start by losing theur heads and end up with a new kind of religion.

by Gregory Curtis

Behind the Lines

This may be the Me Decade, but fortunately a great many people haven’t gotten the word.

by William Broyles, Jr

Country Notes

Ol’ Blue

A good country dog is loyal, obedient, and knows the difference between a chicken and a possum.

by John Graves

Dining Out

Cheap Frills

We offer you a weekend in Mexico City you can’t refuse.

by Frank Bailey

Lifestyle

Paternity Suits

If you think parenthood begins with dirty diapers and 2 a.m. feedings, you’re nine months off.

by Stephen Harrigan

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

Extra! Extra! Dallas Times Herald raids Morning News market; the U.S. Senate race is getting hotter; Crystal City is getting colder; Big Mac bites back.

Review

Texas Monthly Review

Disco sounds you can live with; two new books from the trenches of Viet Nam; taking a swing at Alexander Calder; the Van Cilburn winner's circle; move over Austin, C&W reigns elsewhere.

Contest

In the St. Nick of time.

by Paul Burka

Roar of the Crowd

A flood of letters on a wave of immigrants.

Touts

Three patchwork quilts, two wine shops, and a pinata in a pear tree.