The Bloody Billion

Oh, how our legislators are moaning and groaning as they try to cut the state budget. But we’ve slashed, chopped, trimmed, pared, and whittles our way through it—and save $1 billion. It wasn’t that hard. Really.

by Paul Burka

The Silver Lining

Age is a matter of mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

by Liz Carpenter

Art & Sole

What your feet should be wearing when they kick up their heels.

by Geof Kern

Bring ‘Em Back Alive

In darkest South Texas roam two of the world’s most endangered species—the black rhino and the Great White Hunter.

by Jan Reid

Looking for Trouble

Fred Cuny, sixth-generation Texan and uncompromising disaster-relief consultant, takes his expertise to the ends of the earth.

by Stephen Harrigan

Texas Primer: The Trail Ride

It began in 1952 as a nostalgic recreation of the old cattle drive. Now it’s a grand annual party stretching across Texas.

by Susan Chadwick

On Your Way Home, Dear...

Tired and hungry, but not broke? A bevy of gourmet-to-go shops in Texas’ major cities provide a classy alternative to the TV dinner.

Western Art: The Grafter

An interpretation of a classic genre.

by Alex Murawski

Art

Persistent Vigor

The impressive canvases that make up “Fresh Paint” at the Museum of Fine Arts prove that Houston has finally arrived as a significant art-making center.

by Michael Ennis

Behind the Lines

The dupe’s triumph.

by Gregory Curtis

Architecture

Home Maker

Many of the best modern homes in the fifties featured natural materials, interior courtyards, and built-in furniture—and architect Harwell Harris was the reason.

Lisa Germany

Popular Music

New Music Man

A producing career, a hit video, a record company, successful sound tracks: Austin’s Patrick Keel is having it all.

by Jody Denberg

Fatherhood

My Son, The Violinist

The failed ambitions of the father become the triumphs of the son, or so most fathers would hope.

by Lawrence Wright

Movies

Liquid Shimmer

In The Purple Rose of Cairo, Woody Allen takes a cold look at movie-fed dreams; the late, great Sam Peckinpah gave us an impassioned view of a violent world.

by James Wolcott

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

Can gas become oil? Can a Lubbock institution become an Austin one? Can preservation become exploitation? Can Houston become Austinized? Can Amarillo escape Pottergate?

by Gary Cartwright

Roar of the Crowd

Beating around the Bush; remembering an old friend; rethinking high school days.

Puzzle

Slices of life.

Touts

Get an earful of this.

by Patricia Sharpe

State Secrets

Coors and Hispanics make peace; Mexico’s flash in the pan; Gramm’s GOP crusade; Mayor Kathy emerges unscathed.

Edited by Paul Burka