The Deadliest Sin

Confessions of a bridge nut.

by Paul Burka

Stuck on Cactus

Making a few points about our favorite all-American plant.

by Mike Hicks

The Sons of the Pioneers

Miles from their nearest neighbors, beset by drought, debt, insects, and government, Panhandle farmers gamble everything to keep alive a tradition they can’t abandon.

by Richard West

O Freeway, My Freeway

Help! I’m a prison on the freeway and can’t get off.

by John Bloom

The Ten Worst Freeways

Avoid them if you can; if you can’t, take something along to pass the time.

Behind the Lines

Bringing it all back home.

by William Broyles

Lifestyle

Love Thy Neighborhood

Soon it will be too late; the days of block parties and neighborhood stores are vanishing.

by Prudence Mackintosh

Science

Laser Days

Lasers have been heralded as the greatest discovery since the computer, but they may be hazardous to your health.

by John Bloom

Dining Out

Without a Trout

If you live in Texas, here’s one fish story you can believe.

by W. L. Taitte

Politics

The Enemy Within

Remember the great campaign against drugs? Dueling enforcement agencies have turned it into a civil war.

by Kaye Northcott

Film

California Schemin’

Who’ll Stop the Rain is like a stormy day—good for sleeping through.

by George Morris

Theater

A Couple of Swells

Theatrical families find a foster home at the Dallas Theater Center.

by W. L. Taitte

Jazz

Quarter Time

How to lose you not-enough-jazz-in-Texas blues.

by Doug Ramsey

Popular Music

I Heard It at the Grapevine

At the Grapevine Opry the neighbors sing country music, and even your granny can have fun.

by Joe Nick Patoski

Art

Of Mice and Mini

The large art of the very small.

by Michael Ennis

Books

Baker’s Dozen

Bobby Baker tells all and then some.

by Nicholas Lemann

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

Welcoming danger with open arms, horse trading over tax relief, picking juries by their faces, and searching after the perfect twirl.

by John Bloom

The Inside Story

Over the transom.

by Gregory Curtis

Roar of the Crowd

Reading, riding, and religion.

Touts

Get our kicks and take your licks.

Patricia Sharpe

Contest

Four Score!

by Paul Burka