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Every Texan gets the urge to leave. But then, every Texan eventually wants to come back again.

by Gary Cartwright

Life With The Sutherlands, Frontier Family

Outside the back door stretches the lonely prairie; there is deep silence broken sometimes by gunshots and things that go bump in the night. But here on the edge of Dallas’ suburbs, you can always retreat to the whirlpool in the bathroom.

by David Seeley

Trial by Technicality

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals confirms your worst fears about lawyers and judges and the impotence of the criminal justice system.

by Paul Burka

How Farrah Fawcett Changed the World

It was simple, really. With Charlie’s Angels, television discovered sex.

by Gregory Curtis

Texas Primer: The Tornado

The air is muggy, the sky turns an eerie green, then you hear a sound like a fleet of freight trains. Beware, Texas, it’s that time of year again.

by Christina Patoski

The Architects

Welcome to Houston, the cutting edge of architecture. The local boys are turning a gentlemen’s profession into a business, the stylish out-of-towners are creating a new aesthetic, and neither group is filled with admiration for the other.

by Nicholas Lemann

Behind the Lines

The new organization man.

by Gregory Curtis

Environment

Bad Water

Everyone agrees that clear, bue Barton Springs has always set Austin apart from other Texas cities. Unfortunately, it’s now polluted.

by Suzanne Winckler

Business

Meanwhile, Back In Giddings

Texas’ hottest oil patch is cooling down.

by Harry Hurt III

Movies

Border Machismo

Jack Nicholson is looking for his angel of redemption in The Border. In Personal Best, Victor/Victoria, and Making Love, everyone is looking for anyone but a member of the opposite sex.

by James Wolcott

Jazz

Jazz Mastered

The greatness of Paul Desmond, the staying power of Art Blakey, the de-fusion of Stan Gertz--all these are on record, and more.

by Doug Ramsey

Church

A Flourishing Bride Of Christ

El Paso’s Ysleta Mission, the oldest church in Texas, is also one of the liveliest; what Houston Christian Scientists lack in testimonial passion they make up for in self-possession.

by William Martin

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

The countdown begins in the Dallas newspaper fight; Victor Garza is going your way--if you’re going to Laredo; one of Houston’s legal monoliths cracks; Clements has a lukewarm record, but the Democratic challengers aren’t so hot, either.

by Peter Applebome

Roar of the Crowd

Hug the baby; buggy burners

State Secrets

The New Federalism gets the old raspberry; will Jim Baker run the country or the bank?; a political test for Texas labor; a law Houston’s new police chief would love to break.

Edited by Paul Burka