The 1986 Bum Steer Awards

The 1986 Bum Steer Awards A year of altered antlers, bunkum bars, cloddish coaches, defoliant diets, enervated elephants, filched flamingos, gunshot guitarists, haywire holidays, intoxicants’ incentives, jejune judges, kissing K-9’s, lousy lobster, and misdirected Michener.

A Trust Corrupted, A City Betrayed, Part One

The Hermann estate scandal exposed Houston’s most powerful deal makers, most respected philanthropists, and leading lawyers to the harsh glare of publicity. It was a shocking lesson in the abuses of power.

by Harry Hurt III

Texas Primer: The Grand Champion Steer

Tastes in livestock are as whimsical as tastes in fashion. This year petite is in.

by Suzanne Winckler

A Caribbean Escape

From luxury class to no-plumbing primitive, the Technicolor tropics of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula offer end-of-the-world delights. And it’s practically in our back yard.

by Barbara Rodriguez

Making Peace With Grandfather

The man I knew as Bompie had been a public figure, but my father had always seemed ashamed of what he had done to achieve his fame. Finally I found out why.

by Vance Muse

Western Art: Future Farmer

An interpretation of a classic genre.

by Regan Dunnick

Environment

Invasion of the Killer Beetles

When southern pine beetles attack a Texas forest, there are only two cures: cut the trees down or let nature take its course.

by William Booth

Behind the Lines

A monument to everything money can buy.

by Gregory Curtis

Movies

Me Redford, You Streep

Out of Africa is lavishly done up but emotionally dehumidified; Young Sherlock Holmes is more Hardy Boys than Conan Doyle; Revolution is nothing but a megabucks disaster.

by James Wolcott

Art

Rauschenberg Relics

In the current Rauschenberg exhibit at Houston’s Contemporary Arts Museum the artist finds his first thirty years a tough act to follow.

by Michael Ennis

Classical Music

No-shows and Great Shows

The only excitement of the Dallas Opera season came from a couple of fortunate gambles, while the Houston Grand Opera triumphed by bringing Faust alive for contemporary audiences.

by W. L. Taitte

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

A splendid state park; snacks you shouldn’t feed to a dog; a wild and crazy Republican.

by Alison Cook

Back Roads

For a singing telegram with a little something extra, just call the Hip-O-Gram Girls.

by Peter Applebone

Post-Modern Times

In a Twilight Zone-like pocket near UT there are some kids who aren’t ready to grow up.

by Michael Ennis

Downtown

The Dallas Citizens Council has a new look, but it’s singing the same old tune.

by Jim Atkinson

Touts

A few thoughts for Valentine’s—coming through soft and clear.

by Patricia Sharpe

Roar of the Crowd

The Roar of the Crowd

Examining the bar; spreading the Word; minding the store; demanding the best.

Puzzle

The pick of the flicks.

State Secrets

Mark White’s insurance policy; not all semiconductor dumpers are Japanese; betting on a lottery; Tom Loeffler’s odd ads.

Edited by Paul Burka